Community and Society
San Pedro Firefighters Among 21 Nationally Honored for Long Service
The Ministry of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management held a recognition ceremony on Friday, February 13th, in Belmopan to honor 21 dedicated members of the National Fire Service (NFS) for their long-term commitment. Awardees received Long Service Awards for 10, 15, 20, or 25 years of exemplary duty. Among the awardees were Station Officer Orin Smith, recognized for 25 years of service, and Firefighter John Sandoval, recognized for 10 years of service. Both are stationed at the San Pedro Fire Station.
Community and Society
BEL Linesmen Return Home After Assisting Jamaica in Hurricane Recovery Efforts
A team of linemen with Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has returned to the country after being deployed to Jamaica to aid the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company in restoring power to areas affected by Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the island nation in October of last year.
Arts & Culture
San Pedro Carnaval brings Color, Music, and Community Spirit
Carnaval de San Pedro, themed “Colores y Tradición,” unfolded over three days from Sunday, February 15th, to Tuesday, February 17th, organized by the San Pedro Town Council. Events were held at Central Park, featuring powder paint and foam parties hosted by DJ Dev, DJ Debbie, and Evolution Sound, along with live performances by the Bussa B Band. Comparsa dance groups paraded through downtown streets, drawing families, children, students, and visitors in a celebration of local culture.
Community and Society
ACES Raises Over $1,100 With Valentine’s “Heal Your Heartbreak” Croc Feeding Fundraiser
ACES Wildlife Rescue, a registered nonprofit and one of Belize’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, hosted a quirky Valentine’s Day fundraiser in San Pedro, drawing donors with a crocodile-sized twist on heartbreak. The event, titled “Heal Your Heartbreak,” ran during the first two weeks of February at the ACES sanctuary, located just south of Grand Caribe. Sponsors purchased a dead chicken, named it after an ex, and received a video of it being fed to one of the sanctuary’s crocodiles. The initiative raised over $1,100 to support ACES’ rescue operations.
Community and Society
Valentine’s Day Cleanup Highlights Ongoing Littering Concerns on Ambergris Caye
On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, the Ambergris North Alliance organized a community cleanup along San Pedro’s North Road. Roughly 45 to 50 volunteers gathered at four starting points: the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge, Grand Caribe, X’tan Ha, and Matachica, covering the stretch from the bridge to approximately nine miles north.
Community and Society
San Pedro Roman Catholic School Joins Nationwide “I Love My Catholic School” Walk
On Friday, February 13th, Catholic schools across Belize held the annual “I Love My Catholic School” walk. This nationwide event promotes pride in Catholic education and raises awareness and support for the sector. Among the participants was San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS), whose students, teachers, and parents represented the Ambergris Caye community in the vibrant, faith-filled activity.
Community and Society
Closure Of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fishing Season
The Fisheries Department hereby notifies fishers and the public that the fishing season for the Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) will conclude on February 28, 2026, in accordance with the regulations stipulated in Statutory Instrument No. 126 of 2024. The closed season for the Spiny Lobster is observed from March 1st to June 30th annually. Belize's closed season aligns with the harmonized regional lobster regulation (OSP-02-09) established by the Organization for Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (OSPESCA).
Community and Society
Lian Rivero Crowned San Pedro Lions Queen 2026
The San Pedro Lions Club hosted the coronation of Lian Rivero as the new Miss San Pedro Lions Queen 2026 on Thursday, February 12, at the San Pedro Lions Den. The event welcomed guests, including Little Miss San Pedro Ema Lopez and San Pedro Town Councilor and Lions Club member Marina Kay, who served as mistress of ceremonies.
Community and Society
Letter to the Editor: Views on San Pedro
To the Editor,
I recently enjoyed a visit to Belize and wanted to share a few friendly observations from a guest from England who genuinely appreciated the warmth and hospitality of your country.
Community and Society
Continuous Illegal Dumping and Encroachments Prompt Stricter Enforcement Measures
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has issued cleanup orders to several businesses, giving them a time limit to remove garbage and debris from their properties or face fines starting at $1,000. The action is part of an island-wide effort to address ongoing sanitation concerns and remove encroachments, including illegal dumps, abandoned vehicles, construction materials, and signage, from public spaces and roadways.
Community and Society
BEL’s New Electricity Metering System Now in Caye Caulker
The ongoing installation of Belize Electricity Limited’s (BEL) new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system has now reached La Isla Cariñosa of Caye Caulker. The deployment of the new smart meters began on February 9th and is designed to give customers greater control over their electricity usage.
