Business & Economy
Market days in Central Park are ideal for local artisans
For many years, the San Pedro Artisan Market was located in Central Park, where many set up shops to display their products to tourists. In 2016, the then San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), under the administration of previous Mayor Daniel Guerrero, moved the artisans to its current location on Angel Coral Street. Unlike the old days when visitors were greeted by the artisan market, today they can find signs guiding them to walk from Barrier Reef Drive (front street) heading west until they reach the third street of downtown to the “back street.”
Local News
San Pedro Sun reporter Dion Vansen invited to attend Investigative Journalism Fellowship in Jamaica
From Monday, April 21st through the 25th, the Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC) hosted an Investigative Journalism training in Kingston, Jamaica, with 23 journalists from across the region. Belize was represented by The San Pedro Sun’s Senior Reporter Dion Vansen, along with colleagues Hipolito Novelo and Marion Ali from News 5 Live. The intense fellowship touched on areas like professional development, interview techniques, data journalism and using visualization tools, organizing story ideas, storyboarding, and exercises, among other essential activities. The workshop ended with the distribution of certificates.
Local News
Street rehabilitation and paving reaches San Mateo
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has been working hard over the past few months to improve the streets and roads across the island. One of the areas that they are currently focusing on is San Juan, where they have paved and rehabilitated the streets to get rid of rocky and bumpy roads. The work in the San Juan area is almost complete and finished this week. After that, the rehabilitation and paving of roads will commence in the San Mateo area.
Local News
San Pedro Lions celebrate 45th annual convention in the Capital City
From Friday, April 19th through Sunday, April 21st, Lions and Leos of the Lions Zone 59 attended the 45th annual National Convention in the Capital City of Belmopan. The San Pedro Lions Club participated in the event highlighting Lionism. The three-day convention included official ceremonies with dignitaries and special guests attending the award ceremony at the end of the convention.
Accidents & Disasters
Online petition launched to control large trucks traveling through downtown San Pedro
Following a nearly tragic incident involving a large dump truck and a man on a bicycle, an online petition to better monitor or possibly stop the flow of large vehicles in downtown San Pedro was launched. The accident happened on Thursday, April 18th, when the individual was reportedly pinned to a utility post when a huge truck tried to make a right turn at the end of Angel Coral Street. Passersby alerted the cyclist just in time. Medical personnel assisted the bicyclist, who was treated for minor injuries. However, this incident fueled rising concerns from islanders who believe urgent action is necessary to prevent a potential tragedy. As a result, resident Carina Paz created an online petition with over a thousand signatures by Wednesday, April 24th.
Local News
Belize Water Services continues to upgrade and expand services in San Pedrito
To better provide water access to San Pedro residents, Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL) continues expanding its infrastructure across the island. For the past weeks, the water company has been working along the San Pedrito Highway, installing the necessary pipe system to better service the San Pedrito community as this subdivision grows.
Community and Society
San Pedro Tour Operators Association holds elections
Elections to appoint new board members for the San Pedro Tour Operators Association (SPTOA) were held on April 9th. Roberto Canul was re-elected as Chairperson and Ovel Leonardo as Vice-Chairperson. Five other individuals were nominated and accepted to serve on the board. They include Dianela Hancock, Dora Gonzalez, Marcus Alamina, Eben Schaefer, and Nito Vasquez. The board members will meet at a later meeting to select the secretary and treasurer.
Local News
IES partners with God Cares Outreach and donates supplies to island Law Enforcement Officers
In partnership with God Cares Outreach, the Island Emergency Services (IES) recently donated personal protective equipment and supplies to various departments on the island. The purpose of the donation was to help protect the workers as they perform their duties, keeping them safe and minimizing the impact of hazards. The donated supplies included body bags, full-body gowns, face shields, gloves, KN95 masks, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizers.
Local News
San Pedro Police hosts appreciation luncheon for outstanding officers
The San Pedro Police Formation hosted its first quarterly award recipient luncheon to honor the achievements of their officers and special constables on Tuesday, April 16th. The event took place at the Black Pearl Restaurant on Barrier Reef Drive, and senior staff and awarded officers for January through March were in attendance.
Local News
Discussions held for a possible electric vehicle system on Ambergris Caye
A meeting was held in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, on Thursday, April 11th, at the Mahogany Bay Village conference room in San Pedro Town to discuss the possibility of transitioning to electric vehicles in the transport sector. This potential project aims to switch towards clean, renewable energy to benefit the islanders and the fragile marine ecosystem surrounding La Isla Bonita.
Environment
Hol Chan Marine Reserve’s plan to combat sargassum yet to be implemented
The beaches of San Pedro and many others across the country have been experiencing a heavy influx of brown algae known as sargassum in the past few weeks. This inconvenience makes the shoreline unattractive as the seaweed rots and threatens the island's tourism industry. To address this problem, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) plans to obtain a "Harvester Machine" to help overcome the sargassum problem.
