Community and Society
Island bartender Joe Pate represents well at the Pan-American Cocktail Championship in the Dominican Republic
Award-winner bartender Joseph ‘Joe’ Pate was among the top ten competitors in one of the competitions at the Pan-American Cocktail Championship held from September 4th through the 8th in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Pate was part of a Belizean delegation led by the Belize Bartenders Association (BBA). The island bartender and his colleague Imer Mai competed against top participants from the United States, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Cuba, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Spain, Ecuador, and Brazil.
Community and Society
Island students receive school supplies and back-to-school haircuts
The new school year has started, and thousands of students are returning to classes nationwide. The summer break that sees students preparing to return to another school cycle also includes the participation of local non-governmental and governmental organizations assisting the neediest with school supplies and even free back-to-school haircuts. This year, the Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro Town Council, and other citizen-driven groups assisted island students.
Community and Society
Hope Haven Women Skills Training on manicure and pedicure launched
On Monday, September 4th, opening ceremonies were held at the Sunbreeze Hotel for a four-week manicure and pedicure training that will benefit 30 women. The project will also aid the young ladies with marketing skills, work ethics, budgeting, and how to start and manage a business.
Community and Society
San Pedro welcomes the September Celebrations with a flag-raising ceremony and street festival
San Pedro Town, one of the most patriotic municipalities in Belize, welcomed the month of September with the annual flag-raising ceremony that marks the beginning of a celebration that will honor many key events throughout the month, culminating with Independence Day. The beginning of the September Celebrations on the island also included the first-ever San Pedro Street Fest held on Barrier Reef Drive.
Community and Society
BEL Explains Extended Unplanned Power Outage in San Pedro
The unplanned power outage was caused by lightning which damaged protective equipment on the overhead transmission line (on the southern tip of San Pedro) which supplies power to the island from the mainland near Maskal, resulting in a permanent fault at that location. The prolonged delay in restoring the supply was due to a combination of the time taken to access the remote location (via boat), the marshy terrain, and the nighttime and weather conditions.
Community and Society
U.S. Embassy Improves Birth Registration Access in Rural Belize
A grant of US$24,730 was awarded by the U.S. Embassy Belmopan to the Human Rights Commission of Belize (HRCB) under the Julia Taft Refugee Fund of the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). Through the project “Breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Statelessness,” HRCB will organize and facilitate two vital statistics clinics in northern Belize (Orange Walk and Corozal) to meet the demand for birth certificates in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Community and Society
Assessment of SPHS main building deems it safe; repairs on certain sections needed
At a meeting held on Thursday, August 31st, at the Angel Nunez Auditorium, the San Pedro High School (SPHS) management provided parents with an update on the structural damages affecting their main building. As per the report provided by Principal Emil Vasquez and the structural engineers, most of the building is in good condition except for three sections needing immediate repairs. These include the staff room, where the ceiling collapsed, and the computer and science lab. As further evaluations are made and plans to raise funds to complete all repairs begin, students will attend the Hon. Manuel Heredia Hall for most classes via a shifting system.
Business & Economy
Digital Connect Center launched in San Pedro
On Wednesday, August 30th, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), BELTRAIDE, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) gathered at the public library to officially unveil a project to assist island entrepreneurs with digital tools to improve their online presence. The new Digital Connect Center located on the second floor of the public library building is equipped with computers, and it will soon be opened to those needing this resource to enhance their business strategies and better promote their products and services.