Persistent rains cause schools to cancel classes

Word coming out of the Ministry of Education this morning was that due to the persistent downpours the Country has been experiencing was that Schools were given the option to allow or cancel classes if they saw it fit. All but three schools in San Pedro including pre-schools classes were cancelled for Tuesday. In most parts of San Pedro, the water levels have risen drastically and traffic has been diverted due to the inundated state of the roads. We'll keep you posted as developments occur.....

Some parts of San Pedro are experiencing up to knee high water levels, making it difficult for the students to make it to school.

Cayo District gets soaked!

The following are images of the high river/water conditions in San Ignacio. Due to the heavy rains, the Macal River has overflowed its banks. The San Ignacio Market has been flooded.

Concerned Cayo residents are worried that the Chalillo Dam is overflowing, therefore causing the flooding downstream. However, according to a press release from the Belize Electric Company, BECOL, they have not opened any flood gates that would contribute to the rapid rise in the water levels. However, the spill over the dam will continue to rise and therefore residents downstream are being advised to take necessary precautions.

The river photos were taken at 8:00 a.m. Friday, October 17th. These photos are courtesy of Eve's Computer Services.

Further notices will be posted as they become available.

According to LoveFM news, due to the present weather conditions, the Belize Audobon Society has closed 7 protected areas. The Belize Audubon Society announced that 7 protected areas have been closed because of the present weather condition. These include the St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Guanacaste National Park, Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, Victoria Peak Natural Monument and Actun Tunichil Muknal Natural Monument.

Fire ravages store room at Victoria House

The San Pedro Fire department received a call of a fire in progress at 12:45pm on Friday, October 17th and were immediately deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, fire officials saw a warehouse/storeroom on fire. Volunteers on the scene formed bucket brigades to control the fire from spreading. The structure and its contents were completely destroyed, but fire officials were able to extinguish the blaze. It is not confirmed but officials claim the fire was caused by an electrical fault. Victoria House is closed for the slow season, but will re-open by Thursday of next week!
We'll have more on this story in Thursday's edition of The San Pedro Sun! Stay tuned...

workers/volunteers lend a helping hand.

the cause of the fire was believed to be an electrical fault.

the structure and its contents were totalled.

UDP presents slate for upcoming Elections

At a brief ceremony held at the San Pedro Town Council, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Honorable Manuel Heredia presented the slate of seven who will contest the upcoming elections in March of 2009.

The UDP 7

Endorsed were the Mayor and present councilors who will run, for some, their second term while others hope for a third win.

*Endorsing mayoral candidate Elsa Paz were Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. and Rigoberto Kumul

*Endorsing Severo Guerrero were Samuel Gonzalez and Amy Leiva

*Endorsing Justiniano Guerrero were Joel Chi and Enrique de Leon

*Endorsing Joseph Elijio were Carlos Barrientos and Jason Edwards

*Endorsing Pablo Ico were Maribel Vasquez and Caroline Duncan

*Endorsing Juan Alamilla were Manuel Leiva and Mario Leal

*Endorsing Romel Gomez were Hector Alamilla Jr. and Manuel Heredia Jr.

Click play for a video of the official endorsement ceremony:

Alberto Bradley's "Cristina" reels in victory

Despite the cloudy skies, the Blue Water challenge had the participation of 13 boats and a total of 40 anglers who embraced the fishing challenge on Sunday, October 13th over the Pan American holiday. And just after the horn sounded for the official weigh in, it was evident that Alberto Bradley’s monster shark stood a good chance to take the grand prize, here is a recap of the results.

This 200 pound bull shark was the biggest fish caught.
Alberto Bradley onboard "Cristina" took top boat honors.
Biggest Sailfish caught by Leonardo Bradley onboard "Flor".
Vernon Wilson caught the biggest wahoo.
The Bradley's with their trophy and their grand prize of a 14foot skiff.
James Ritchie hands over prize to Wilson.
James hands over prize to Miss Flor.

Blue Water Challenge first place plaque.
Maritza Bradley took home first place for the Calcutta bidding.

Be sure to read more on this story in Thursday's edition of The San Pedro Sun Newspaper!

The winning shark weighed 202.5 pounds and proved difficult and very heavy to handle. Check out the video below: