Accidents & Disasters
SPBTIA partners with SPTC to issue informative traffic regulation stickers on rental carts
In response to the growing number of tourist-related accidents when driving rented golf carts, the San Pedro Belize Tourism Information Industry (SPBTIA) has partnered with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) in a campaign to inform drivers of the traffic laws on the island.
Community and Society
BEL Launches Electric Vehicle Charging Station Ecosystem Pilot Project
On March 31, 2022, Belize Electricity Limited unveiled the first charging station in its National Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Ecosystem. It is the first of twelve that will be installed in strategic locations across the country as part of a pilot project for commissioning EV charging stations.
Community and Society
HWPL’s online event highlights the need to work together for a peaceful world
To honor the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), the Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) hosted an online event on March 25th supporting the peace-focused legislative declaration. As the world continues to monitor the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the online activity highlighted how detrimental the conflict is for establishing peace worldwide. The online session referred to the DPCW, outlining the right of all countries to state sovereignty and self-determination.
Community and Society
Signing Ceremony with Corporations and Businesses pledging to support Safe Houses in Belize
The National Women’s Commission (NWC) in partnership with the Women’s and Family Support Department within the Ministry of Human Development Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and with support from the Spotlight Initiative held a signing ceremony with Private Sector Businesses who pledged their ongoing support to safe houses in Belize.
Community and Society
Jasmine Hartin’s Manslaughter by Negligence case moves to Supreme Court
Jasmine Hartin was at the San Pedro Magistrate Court on Thursday, March 31st, for a preliminary inquiry of the Manslaughter by Negligence charge against her for the shooting death of police superintendent Henry Jemmott. The PI session inside the courtroom included an overview of the evidence tying Hartin to the incident. A trial will now take place, and Hartin was ordered to present herself at the opening of the next session of the Supreme Court in Belize City on June 13, 2022.
Community and Society
Belize’s vessel monitoring system is now live; fishing vessels can now be monitored in real-time
In June 2021, the Belize High Seas Fisheries Unit (BHSFU), Oceana, and Global Fishing Watch signed a memorandum of understanding to make vessel tracking data public, demonstrating Belize’s commitment to greater transparency in fishing activities at sea. On Monday, March 28th, it was announced that the platform showing this tracking data is now operating through a live map at https://globalfishingwatch.org/. The BHSFU can now monitor activities Belize’s fishing vessels are engaged in, in real-time.
Community and Society
Lobster fests in San Pedro and Caye Caulker are back this year!
After a pause in outdoor events due to COVID-19 restrictions, the lobster fest celebrations are back in San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker. Both organizing committees have announced the dates, with Caye Caulker festivities scheduled July 1st through the 3rd. In San Pedro, festivities start with a lionfish hunt and lobster crawl beginning on June 30th, culminating with the usual block party at Central Park on July 9th.
Community and Society
Government proposes $1.3 billion budget; awaits Senate approval
The proposed 2022-2023 Government of Belize (GOB) budget of $1.361 billion will now be debated in the Senate before the governor general, Froyla Tzalam, issues her consent. On March 24th and 25th, it was debated in the House of Representatives, where the Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Moses 'Shyne' Barrow, criticized it and Prime Minister Honourable John Briceño disagreed.