On Wednesday November 13th, the Punta Gorda Methodist Church paid tribute to the late Teacher Jane Locario, honoring her contributions to the church, community, and Belize as a whole. A memorial service was held in her honor at the Punta Gorda Methodist Church. Many attendees wore traditional Garifuna clothing, and the sound of drums filled...
Thomas Vincent Ramos, a Belizean civil rights activist who championed the interests of the Garifuna people, passed away on November 13, 1955. Since then, he has been recognized as one of Belize’s national heroes. Wednesday November 13th, the People’s National Party, known for highlighting prominent figures who have contributed to the country’s development, organized an...
The St. Joseph Sodality Group from the St. Peter Claver Parish Church recently celebrated their one-year anniversary. This group of men is dedicated to working within the community under the guidance of the pastor of St. Peter Claver Church. On the morning of November 10th, the Sodality Group marked their anniversary with a mass. Following...
On November 7th, the NGC Pieni Branch hosted a discussion on the St. Vincent Block, commonly known as “Cerru.” The session provided valuable insights into the area’s history and the process through which it was reserved. The conversation centered on the ownership and trusteeship of the land, with a focus on clarifying a common misconception....
On November 8th, the High School Battle of the Drum took place at the Russel “Chiste” Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga Town. This year’s event was held under the theme “Embracing Cultural Diversity in Our Oneness as Belizeans.” Seven high schools participated: Toledo Community College, Independence High School, George Town Technical High School, Delille Academy in...
James Bus Line, a bus company serving the southern region, has provided bus services from Punta Gorda to other parts of Belize for decades. However, the success of these operations depends on dedicated individuals behind the wheel. Rolando Rivas, a bus driver for James Bus Line, is urgently seeking public assistance as he is currently...
November is when Punta Gorda sees its highest influx of visitors from out of town, making first impressions more important than ever. With the highly anticipated Battle of the Drums taking place this weekend, the event draws the largest crowd to PG. However, the town’s Main Street is in poor condition—one of the worst in...
In his Independence Day address for Toledo East, the area representative stated that rehabilitation work on Punta Gorda Central Park would commence within a few weeks as part of the ongoing development initiatives for Punta Gorda Town. However, over a month has passed, and there has been no noticeable progress on-site.
For over a decade, the People’s National Party and other community groups have raised concerns about the open waste disposal site in the Water Hole area. Recently, UB students visited the site to witness the severity of the issue firsthand. Many residents remain unaware of the extent of the problem, but it’s not only severe—it...
November is one of the biggest months in Punta Gorda, as it marks the time for Garifuna celebrations. These festivities bring significant economic benefits to Toledo, yet in recent years, these gains have been reduced due to added fees at the border crossings, as well as overtime charges for customs and immigration officers. Today, the...
A community partnership is helping bring new life to the entrance of Forest Home as the village council teams up with Naledo Belize to restore the village sign with a fresh coat of paint. This sign creates a welcoming first impression for residents and visitors approaching or passing through forest home village.
Last week, major concern was raised across the country following the detection of a case of measles in the Toledo District. In response, health authorities swiftly activated emergency measures to contain the potential spread of the disease. We can confirm that additional suspected cases have been reported. Among them is a student from Toledo Community...
The National Garifuna Council Punta Gorda Branch held its election yesterday at the Garifuna Cultural Center in Punta Gorda. Following welcome remarks by outgoing President Mr. James Lino, and the presentation of the Treasurer’s Report by the outgoing treasurer, nominations were made and votes were cast. The results are as follows: President: Therese Aleman Vice...
A few weeks ago, there was an alleged kidnapping involving the alcalde of Indian Creek Village. The incident has raised several concerns, as shortly after the alcalde went missing, his supporters reportedly attacked the home of the village chairman. In recent months, tensions have been escalating between alcaldes and village chairpersons in several Maya communities....
On Friday April 24th, the University of Belize Toledo Campus was filled with students from the Belmopan Campus. The debate club from Punta Gorda challenged their colleagues from Belmopan on the topic: should UB ban student use of generative AI? The debate was highly interactive, with both sides presenting compelling arguments. In the end, the affirmative...