Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Community and Society

The National Garifuna Council Meets with San Pedro Branch

The new Executive Committee of the National Garifuna Council (NGC) visited San Pedro on Saturday, August 30th, and met with the island’s branch members. The meeting at the Black and White Garifuna Restaurant focused on strengthening the branch, preparing for the election of new local leaders, and planning for the upcoming Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations on November 19.

San Pedro comes together for another successful Back to School haircut drive

As the new school year begins, many island students received free back-to-school haircuts thanks to a community-wide initiative supported by local authorities, the private sector, and the San Pedro Police Formation.

Early morning flag raising launches September Celebrations

September has arrived, and Belizeans are preparing for the patriotic festivities that mark the 227th anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and the country’s 44th Independence Day. Across the nation on Monday, September 1, celebrations began with the annual flag-raising ceremony. In San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, community members, local leaders, and students gathered at Central Park to officially welcome the September Celebrations.

Department of Transport Announces Amendments to Wide Load Permits

The Department of Transport is reinforcing road safety regulations and has announced new rules for moving houses and other oversized structures by road. On Wednesday, August 27th, the department stated that such movements will now only be permitted between 9PM and 5AM on any given day. All holders of valid wide load permits must visit the department’s headquarters in Belmopan to amend their existing licenses.

New San Pedro Lions Club President Ready to Move the Club Forward

Lion Rosalyn Tzib has taken office as the 50th president of the San Pedro Lions Club and outlined her plans to strengthen the club’s role in serving the island community. Among her priorities are expanding services in the Lions’ global focus areas: environment, childhood cancer, hunger, diabetes, and vision.

Municipalities Ready to Host September Celebrations

September is Belize’s most patriotic month, when Belizeans celebrate their culture, heritage, and national pride. As the festivities approach, the National Celebrations Commission (NCC) has issued $15,000 grants to all nine municipal councils, including San Pedro’s, to support their events. This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme “Belize@44 – Stronger Together, Rising Forever,” featuring a month-long calendar of activities culminating on Independence Day, September 21st.

Living Word Church Hosts Final Back-to-School Giveaway in San Pedrito

On Wednesday, August 27th, Living Word Church hosted the final event in three back-to-school giveaways in the San Pedrito Area, providing essential school bags and supplies to local students. This initiative aimed to alleviate the financial burden on families as the new school year approached. Earlier giveaways were held at two locations: the first near Caribbean Chicken, where 100 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed, and the second at the San Pedro High School auditorium, where an additional 400 backpacks were handed out.

Senator Gabriel Zetina Donates School Bags and Haircuts to Students

As the new school year approaches, islander and entrepreneur Gabriel Zetina hosted his third annual back-to-school initiative on Saturday, August 23rd, in the San Juan area of San Pedro Town. Zetina, recently appointed as a Senator under the United Democratic Party, distributed school bags with supplies and partnered with Coleman Barbershop to provide free haircuts to primary and high school students.