On Saturday, several booths embraced the Savor San pedro food festival and held booths at the Central Park for all residents to enjoy. And although the attendance was dismal, many who took the time out to support the evnt enjoyed scrumptious platters and tasty libations at very reasonable prices. At the end of the night, the winners were announced. Sunset Grill – Best Appetizer (Shrimp Bruschette) and Best main course (Scallop Pasta). **Black Orchid Spa – Heart Throb Mojito (Ginger and Cranberry Mojito)**Hummingbird Café – Best Dessert **Pirate Pizza -Best Overall Booth .
Walter serves up a killer seafood chowder....yummm. 
Read more on this story and more in Thursdays edition of The Sun.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow tied the knot with his fiancée Kim Simplis on February 7th in Savannah, Georgia. In amost elegant setting, the wedding took place at the Episcopal Church of St. Paul the Apostle and was officiated by Belize’s Anglican Bishop, Phillip Wright. A reception at Marshall House followed the exchange of vows. After speeches by the bride and the groom’s parties the couple’s first dance was to Etta James’ “At Last.” The Prime Minister and Mrs. Barrow returned to the country on Monday afternoon. He is the first Belizean Prime Minister to have gotten married during his term of office – and he did so on the first anniversary of the UDP’s February 7th election victory. We say congratulations to the newlyweds!
Light bills reduced by 15%: consumers happy!
On January ninth we told you that the Public Utilities Commission had ordered a decrease in electricity rates that worked out to about a 12% reduction in the average light bill. Well, since then they had to delay implementation of that decision because BEL successfully showed that they hadn’t complied with the procedural requirement of inviting public comments. Well they did that, and now the revised decision is even more favorable to consumers. It lowers the average rate by about 15%! PUC Chairman John Avery today explained that it’s all about cheaper fuel prices. The rates are retroactive to January first, which means that the difference should be credited to your account. Read the full decision at PUC.bz.
Read more on this story at "7News"
Former governor pleads not guilty 
Former Puerto Rican Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila
The former Governor of Puerto Rico Anibal Acevedo Vila has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption, at the start of a hearing on Monday. Acevedo Vila is the first Puerto Rican governor to face federal charges, since the island became a US commonwealth in 1952.
He faces nine criminal counts alleging that he violated laws in financing his campaigns for the island's non voting seat in the US Congress in 2000 and 2002.
The judge had earlier thrown out other charges related to accusations that he tried to obtain $7 million in public financing for his 2004 campaign for Governor.
French leaders attempt to end strike
French government ministers are due to meet on today Tuesday February 10th, in an attempt to end ongoing industrial action in the French overseas departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique. A general strike in Guadeloupe over the cost of living is now into its third week. Schools have closed and supermarkets attempting to reopen have been forced shut by protesters.
Angry protestor in Saint Guadeloupe
Service stations have been blocked, along with the island's fuel depot, while port activity has also been disrupted. The dispute has spread to neighboring Martinique, where workers are also demanding that government take steps to address the high cost of living. Strikers earlier warned of social chaos, if the government in Paris and local business leaders did not meet their demands.
*The dispute over the core sampler used to test the quality of cane delivered to the BSI factory has been resolved. A compromise for a different mechanism that will ensure quality cane was met following several meetings of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, The Belize Sugar Industries and the Government of Belize. It is expected that cane farmers will now go back to delivering sugar cane.
There is yet another land dispute in San Pedro Town, this time it is over the ownership of a parcel of land in the San Juan Area. The two persons involved in the dispute are People’s United Party councilor candidate Deborah Spain and Joel Chi who is employed as the driver for the Minister of Tourism and Area Representative of Belize Rural South, Honorable Manuel Heredia. On December 28th, 2007, Spain received a liaise certificate for parcel number 5444 registered under file R-318/2006 in the San Pedro Registration Section in the Belize District. After applying for property, finally on January 18th, 2008, Spain received a Purchase Price certificate stating that a down payment of $450 on the total value of $2,500 must be made within three months after which Spain would have three years to pay the balance. Receipts show that Spain made a down payment of $1,000. In an interview with The San Pedro Sun, Spain explained that when she returned a few months later to make the final payment, the Ministry of Natural Resources refused payment because the Ministry was being audited and land transactions were under investigation. Notwithstanding, Spain claims that she insisted on making the payment but was told by the Ministry that since there was a change of government, she (Spain) needed a recommendation letter from the Area Representative. Spain stated that she visited the Area Representative, Manuel Heredia who promised to give her the letter. Spain went on to explain that when she revisited the office, the secretary of the Minister had the letter printed but Spain alleges that the Area Representative refused to sign the letter. Because of this, Spain decided to conduct her own investigation and discovered that the Area Representative had recommended the land to his driver Joel Chi instead.
“Participation in football builds discipline and teamwork. Instilling a love for the game at a young age is my plan,” stated Gaby Arana who just recently started a football club for young children. With over twenty (20) young boys enrolled, Arana plans to make this small project for young boys a year round event. With only a few bucks for registration, Gabby coaches the kids to be better athletes and challenges them to perform well at the same time as they have fun. Under the team name of “Nairi’s Football Club”, an invitation to play against a team in Chetumal has already been extended in March. A sports enthusiast, Gaby explains that his project exposes young boys to positive peer pressure both on the field of play and in the classroom. With the hopes of getting all equipment and tools for the kids to utilize, Arana states that that is all the club needs, equipment. Special thanks to several individuals and businesses that have donated footballs and uniforms. If your child is interested to join the football club or you want to donate football equipment, you can do so by contacting Gabby Arana at 604-9443.
The Audubon Society turns 40 this year and as part of its anniversary celebration – they have put together a new photo exhibition. It’s called “Shutter Speed” and it opened last night at the Mexican Institute. Today we got a preview of the 53 photos which the Audubon Society says are snapshots from the 9 protected areas it co-manages. Audubon’s Publicity Officer Dirk Francisco took the photos and is in charge of the exhibition. 
