Tropical Storm Karl

All eyes are on Tropical Storm Karl as it works its way towards the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and Belize. U.S government forecasters are warning residents and visitors of this region to monitor this system closely. For more information please click here.

Tsunami Warning preparations

The fire engine sirens and selected vehicles horns will blast for 15 seconds and pause for 5 seconds FOUR TIMES. The sirens and horns will stop for THREE MINUTES and start blaring again in the same sequence. This will be repeated until NEMO issues the “All Clear”.

As soon as you hear the sirens or heard that a Tsunami has occurred:
*Move away from the Sea!
*Go to a safe area. MOVE to higher ground or to the upstairs of the nearest concrete (cement) building or climb to the highest point!
*If where you are is safe, stay there.
*When a Tsunami warning is issued; DO NOT drive onto the highways due to the possibility of getting trapped.

Tsunamis can be triggered by earthquakes, landslides and even asteroid impacts. A wave that appears harmless on the deep, open ocean grows when it is funneled upward by the rising seafloor at the shore.

ACES Croc Capture

RECAP from ACES - www.YOUTUBE.com posting:
ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary catches two large problematic American Crocodiles on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize less than 24 hrs before the ACES wildlife sanctuary in Punta Gorda Belize was burnt to the ground. These large crocs had no fear of man, or woman, due to being illegally fed by locals as a 'tourist attraction.' ACES has been educating the communities and relocating these dangerous apex predators at the request of the Belize Forest Department for over four years now country-wide in Belize. These two crocs reportedly were blocking the passage of golf carts in the streets of Ambergris Caye and were found lying under homes where women and children resided. Having being fed, the crocs had no fear and most likely one day would attack. Crocodilians of this size that have been fed by humans in other countries are usually shot. ACES tries to rescue every croc it can and these two were headed to ACES Croc Sanctuary in PG on Sunday. Unfortunately, hours prior to their departure, ACES received word that local villagers were about to burn down the facility and kill crocs at the sanctuary. By noon the rumors were confirmed by the PG police. These crocs were re-released on San Pedro later that day because there was nowhere else to take them to keep people out of harm's way. ACES has conducted croc presentations on how to safely co-exist in practically every school on San Pedro since 2008.

Twenty Five Belizeans to be Honored

Press Release - Government of Belize - Belmopan, 13th September, 2010 - Twenty-five distinguished Belizeans will be honoured during this year’s Tribute to Belizean Patriots ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, September 16th, at 7:00PM, at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, Belize City. Those nominated to receive national honors and awards are:

Order of Belize

Dr. Lennox A. Pike For contributions to Belize’s Consular Service, Medicine, and the Belizean Community in Detroit

Hon. Curl Osmond Thompson (posthumously) For contributions to Public Service and Industrial Relations

Order of Distinction

Hon. Faith Babb For contributions to Public Service
Mr. Nestor A. Vasquez For contributions to Telecommunications
Mrs. Floss Cassasola (posthumously) For contributions to Education and Music
Mr. Terence Leo Keating (posthumously) For contributions to Scouting and the Uniformed Services

Meritorious Service Award – Male

Mr. Edison Staine For contributions to Music
Mr. Delhart L. Courtney, Sr. For contributions to Sports
Mr. Theodore “Ted” Burrowes For contributions to Music
Mr. Owen “Sonny” Meighan For contributions to Sports
Mr. Bonifacio Moh For contributions to Industry and the Credit Union Movement
Mr. Bartolome Rodriguez, Sr. For contributions to Community Service
Mr. Evert Coe For contributions to Community Service
Mr. Bedford Richie For contributions to Community Service
Mr. Walter Panting, JP For contributions to Community Service
Mr. Salvador “Jorge” Iglesias For contributions to Community Service

Meritorious Service Award – Female
Mrs. Alberta Cano For contributions to Education and Community Service
Ms. Barbara Harris For contributions to Community Development
Ms. Myrna Manzanares For contributions to Culture and the Arts
Ms. Sonia Lenares For contributions to Social Services and Community Development
Ms. Andrea Gabriel For contributions to Culture
Mrs. Olga Myers For contributions to Public Service and Community Service
Ms. Rose Armstrong For contributions to Social Services and Community Development
Mrs. Velda M. Aguet, MBE, JP For contributions to Voluntary and Community Services
Ms. Melba Nora Bodden For contributions to Community Service

The National Honours and Awards Act, 1991, provides that each year on Independence Day, or at such other times as may be deemed expedient, honours and awards may be conferred on persons, living or deceased, who have rendered outstanding and meritorious service to Belize, or who have distinguished themselves in other endeavours worthy of national recognition. (END)

Taxi catches Fire

On Thursday night, The San Pedro Sun received a call that there was a fire in front of a hardware store on Seagrape Drive. Upon our arrival, a burgundy taxi van was being checked by fire officials, who had quickly gotten the flames under control. It is unsure what the cause of the fire was, as the van had just been parked, and the battery unplugged. Investigations continue.