Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Arlette Crawford is raising awareness about suicide prevention in Punta Gorda. Mental health professionals in the region emphasize the importance of early intervention and accessible support services. Nurse Crawford encourages anyone experiencing emotional distress to seek help, noting that services like counselling and crisis care are available. “Recognizing the signs early and...
Students from Toledo’s Community College (TCC) are taking a hands-on approach to tackling local flooding by applying mathematics. As part of their project, they recently visited area bridges to develop a mathematical model aimed at reducing flood damage. Through calculations and analysis, the students are working on solutions to improve water flow and strengthen structural...
The Toledo Cancer Society held a cancer awareness walk over the weekend, uniting the community in support of those affected by the disease. Alongside the walk, a clothing sale was held to raise funds for cancer-related initiatives. Miss Germina Mendez a cancer survivor, highlighted the importance of community involvement and encouraged residents to volunteer. Interested...
Sunday June 1st was a busy day for election officials as nominations were held for candidates hoping to serve their villages for the next three years.The spotlight was on villages with competing slates, including Elridge, Forest Home, and Cattle Landing, each fielding two slates. While village elections continue across the district, concerns have emerged in...
In Punta Gorda, the Warasa Garifuna drum school, founded by Ronald Raymond McDonald. A former performer with the Belize National Dace company is preserving Garifuna culture through music. McDonald, a passionate musician and educator, teaches drumming, dancing, and drum-making, emphasizing that drumming is a form of storytelling, history, and identity. the school offers interactive lessons...
On May 24, 2025, the Big Falls Eco Warriors took part in a water quality training led by Ya’axche, collecting microbe samples and measuring depth, width, pH, and salinity of the Rio Grande River. Eleven youths ages 12 to 20 participants, working in groups to create presentations on improving the local watershed.
ITVET Toledo, a respected vocational institution based in Crique Jute Village, is well known for its excellence in various trades — particularly in welding. The school traveled to Fabrigas Belize to participate in a national welding competition sponsored by the company, aimed at showcasing the talents of young welders from across the country. Competing against...
The Belize Fisheries Department has officially announced the closure of the Queen Conch fishery as of May 25, 2025. The department reminds all fishers and the public that during this closed season, possession of conch meat is strictly prohibited and will be considered illegal. Authorities warn that anyone found in possession of conch meat during...
TIDE, the Vector Control Unit of the Toledo Community Hospital, and other local organizations came together for a major cleanup initiative in Indianville. The goal: to remove water-holding trash and debris that could become mosquito breeding grounds with the onset of the rainy season. Armed with gloves, bags, a truck, and a trailer, the dedicated...
Jeremy Enriquez, Chairman of the Board at TIDE, and Executive Director Leonardo Chavarria recently attended PACT’s Award Ceremony celebrating its Conservation Investment Strategy 2.0. Through this initiative, PACT will provide $350,000 each over three years to support three of TIDE’s key protected areas: Paynes Creek National Park, Port Honduras Marine Reserve, and the Sapodilla Cayes...
The Rotary Club was very active this week in Punta Gorda, partnering with visiting Rotary members from Racine Wisconsin to carry out several community initiatives across the town. From hands-on service projects to community support efforts, the collaboration was in full swing. Together, we worked side by side to strengthen our town and demonstrate the...
After nearly a year of speculation, what many thought was just talk has now become a visible reality. Over the weekend, the well-branded and historic James Bus Line underwent a noticeable transformation. Stickers were placed over the company’s familiar logo, replacing it with one that reads National Bus Company. The sudden change has left many...
The Rotary Club of Punta Gorda is giving local sports spaces a fresh new look, as part of its annual Rotary Paints project. This year’s initiative focused on repainting two basketball courts in Punta Gorda, the University of Belize Toledo Campus basketball court and the St. Peter Cleaver R.C. School basketball court.
For months, the People’s National Party (PNP) has been advocating for the new landowners in Cattle Landing Village to have their parcels properly identified. However, last week Toledo East Area Representative, Honorable Dr. Osmond Martinez, stated that PGTV had reported incorrect figures. According to Dr. Martinez, a total of 400 lots were distributed, not 200...
The Yellow-headed Parrot, one of Belize’s most iconic and vibrant bird species, is now facing the threat of extinction as habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade continue to impact its survival. Classified as an endangered species, conservationists are emphasizing the urgent need for public awareness and protection to ensure this parrot does not disappear from...
