Belize Mennonites: News

     Last week a woman in Spanish Lookout was attacked and severely stung by Africanized honey bees, also known as "killer" bees. According to the daughter, her mother had been hunting for a lost pet when she was attacked. More than a hundred stings were found on her after she was rushed to the hospital. Fortunately she survived and is now home under strict orders to rest and recover.   Africanized "killer" bees travel in swarms and are much more defensive in protecting their colony than the regular European honeybee. They attack in swarms, are easily irritated by friction, vibrations and strong scents such as perfume, bug spray or aerosol paints. Although rare that a person will die from their stings, they have been known and observed to kill domestic animals such as dogs and cats.

     There was a traffic accident on Center Road, Spanish Lookout today afternoon between a 4-door pickup and a motorcycle. The motorbike driver was injured but as of this moment we do not know to what extent.

      There was a fatal motorcycle accident in Blue Creek, Orange Walk today morning. Two motorcycles collided, causing the death of one of the drivers, Abram Peters. Details are still sketchy as to how it actually happened.

     After several decades of measles-free status, Belize finally faced its first measles case a few weeks ago after an outbreak in the US. Warnings have been issued by the government regarding precautionary steps to avoid it or seek treatment if suspected of having it.   Today, a press release was issued by the government again declaring a suspected case(s) in Spanish Lookout as well as outlining travel safety measures and: measles v---------. The V word which can cause Mennonite blood to boil and turn the meek ones into fearsome individuals. Let's see how this plays out over the next few weeks.   Vaccination....is the word.

     In 2016, the gruesome discovery of a severed human head in Danny Mason's vehicle shocked the nation of Belize. As the drama unfolded in the days and weeks that followed the murder investigation it was also found that Mason stood accused of kidnapping Lloyd and Rosie Friesen from Spanish Lookout after they confronted him about a $300,000 scam. Mason and another person kidnapped the couple and demanded $2,500 weekly from the Friesens in exchange for protection.   Today, nearly 10 years later, Mason was found guilty of kidnapping the Mennonites but not guilty of blackmail. He and his 4 henchmen have already separately been sentenced to life in prison for the horrific murder of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas of Dangriga Town whose head was the one found in a container in Mason's vehicle.

     Today around 7PM at the junction of Rt 30 East and Bee Lane there was a near-collision between a motorcycle and a small dark-colored car. According to a witness, the car made a left turn directly in the path of an oncoming motorbike. Even though there was no contact the move caused the bike driver to lose control, landing him on the ground several yards away. An ambulance carried him to a medical center but the extent of his injuries are unknown.

     A house was gutted by fire yesterday May 6th between morning and midday, at Woodland, Route 40 West, Spanish Lookout. Although the posts and floor are still standing, the walls and roof are partially collapsed. The building housed the facilities of Shining Star Clinic, an innovative healthcare unit focused on organic and natural healing which lived up to its name during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Spanish Lookout's two fire trucks as well as other tanker trucks were on the scene. Fortunately staff and patients were safely evacuated.