Tropical Storm Matthew Falls Lighthouse on Half Moon Caye Natural Monument

P R E S S R E L E ASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dirk Francisco, Publicity Officer
Telephone: (work) 223-5004/4987/4988
Email: publicity@belizeaudubon.org
Website: www.belizeaudubon.org

Belize City, Belize, October 1, 2010 - The historic lighthouse at Half Moon Caye has finally given way to the forces of nature, as a result of Tropical Storm Matthew. The Half Moon Caye staff was evacuated from the island in the threat of the storm, so all we know is that it was some time during the weather-event that the structure fell. The discovery was made by staff upon their return to the island on Monday and a complete assessment was conducted on a trip to the island shortly thereafter. The active lighthouse was unaffected and continues to function properly.

The structure, built in 1820, now lies as disintegrated pieces of metal partly in the water at the edge of the island. The lighthouse was upgraded in 1845 and the steel frame added in 1930. Originally located midway between the north and southside of the caye, the lighthouse in recent years had been gradually moving closer to the water as weather phenomena changed the dynamics of the caye, shifting it northward. The old lighthouse was decommissioned in 1997 and since then has been gradually decaying. Efforts were being made to preserve the cultural landmark, but it did not gather enough steam to generate the needed funding. In 1998, a new lighthouse was erected several metres away from the old structure.

Belize Audubon Society is currently seeking funding to erect a multi-function building visually replicating the iconic architectural design of the old lighthouse. This new structure will not only honor the old lighthouse but will also function as a visitor centre, communications center, and patrol and observation deck.

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ABOUT THE BELIZE AUDUBON SOCIETY
The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) is a non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the sustainable management of Belize’s natural resources through leadership and strategic partnership with stakeholders in order to create a balance between people and the environment. BAS co-manages nine protected areas on behalf of the Belizean citizenry, is actively involved and dedicated to community outreach, environmental education, advocacy, biodiversity conservation and research.

Two Belizean Criminals Killed, One Wounded in Honduras

Alexander "Pinky" Edwards, deceased.

Gabriel Salazar, hospitalized.

Alex “Pinky” Edwards, Benjamin Peters (photo not available) and Gabriel Salazar are no strangers to the news. In fact, they were wanted in Belize for the Spanish Lookout March 13th Scotia Bank gun point robbery. The news today is that at least two of the men were killed and one remains hospitalized in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

The San Pedro Sun confirmed with the family of Alex Edwards living in San Pedro that he was killed in Honduras sometime before Monday, September 27 along with Benjamin Peters. Robert Villafranco, the uncle of Alex Edwards explained that funeral services for his nephew were held on Wednesday, September 29th at 4 PM in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Villafranco explained that the parents of Alex travelled to Honduras and identified the bodies to the Honduran authorities.

Villafranco nor the grandfather of Alex Edwards, Frank Edwards Sr. would say what were the circumstances that led to the death of their relatives, but reports to media in Belize is that they were involved in a highway bus robbery and were killed during a shoot out with authorities in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The relatives of Peters, who are from Santa Elena, Cayo are making arraignments to transport his body back to Belize for a funeral. Gabriel Salazar, as we understand, remains hospitalized in Honduras.

Police in Belize have not commented on the incident. Alex Edwards was also under investigation for the February 2009 triple murder in North Ambergris Caye.

Construction Worker Hospitalized

Authorities in San Pedro are investigating an incident that occurred at a resort south of San Pedro Town. The incident occurred sometime around 11:20AM, Wednesday. According to police, a man identified as 26 year old Angel Alexander Garcia, a Salvadoran construction worker, living in San Pedro Town, was on the second floor of a building when he apparently fell.

Garcia was quickly rushed to the San Pedro Lions Poly Clinic in a conscious state. According to Doctor Javier Zuniga, who first treated Garica, his condition is critical but stable. Dr Zuniga explained that Garcia apparently received serious head injures and it appears that his skull is fractured.

After Garcia was stabilized, he was airlifted via the Wings of Hopes plane sometime after 12:00 midday to the KHMH for further treatment.

Grand Belizean Estates Office broken into

When employees at the offices of Grand Belizean Estates arrived to work around 7:30am, they discovered that the place had been broken into. According to one of the employees, it appeared as though someone entered through a hole in the overhang of the roof of the building located on Barrier Reef Drive, upstairs of the Atlantic Bank kiosk. The intruder then entered the office after stamping a hole in the kitchen area. The back door was closed but unlocked, which is assumed to be the exit for the perpetrator(s).

Stolen from within were three (3) laptops - one (1) HP, one (1) Dell, and one (1) Compaq brand. The offices were ransacked, and paperwork/files were strewn all over. Coffee was used to vandalize portions of the office space, and it seemed that the intruders helped themselves to some snacks that were located in the kitchen area, after which, they defecated on the kitchen floor.

Grand Belizean Estates is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who can bring forward information that leads to the recovery of the laptops and to the arrests of the individual(s) responsible.

Effects of Tropical Storm Matthew felt in San Pedro!!!!!!!!

The center of Tropical Storm Matthew made landfall this afternoon at about 1:00pm approximately 60 miles south of the Belize City at a reduced to intensity, with winds measuring at 35mph sustained winds with higher gusts, and with a central pressure of 1003 milli-bars.

There are some reports of flooding across the country, with damages centrally concentrated in the south of the country. As of present no fatalities have been officially reported. Reports of two vessels leaving early this morning, en route to Belize City were confirmed. Around 10:30am, the vessels arrived safely in Belize City.

In San Pedro, there were flooding in most of the low lying areas, including Boca Del Rio, San Marcus and immediately across the bridge leading northward. Wave height beyond the reef was estimated to be around 12 to 15 feet and hitting the shores of the island at about 4 feet.

According to Mr. Winston Panton of San Pedro’s National Emergency Management Organization, (NEMO), residents of San Pedro should expect to experience continuous rainfall for the next 12 to six hours. No major concerns, however, three classrooms at the San Pedro High School have been opened to accommodate individuals whose homes have been inundated, and that are in need to clean dry area.

While some residents go in search of safety, other residents saw this as the perfect opportunity to "Ride the Waves"

Just across the Bridge, the streets were covered with about 6 to 12 inches of water in some areas, and deeper in others.

Holy Cross School and what used to be the Road leading to San Mateo

The Cut at Boca Del Rio became what seemed like a River with strong currents.

The road along the beach leading to Boca Del Rio.

Residents come out to see the damage caused by Tropical Storm Matthew.