The man, whose face is associated with most of the sought after criminals on the lam, is the host of America’s Most Wanted. And on Wednesday, February 3, the cameras of Ambergris Today caught the AMV host, John Walsh with his film crew in San Pedro, shooting a segment for an episode of America’s Most Wanted.

The television show is filming in Belize as there has been a series of American fugitives who have been seeking refuge our country.

On Friday, January 30, convicted sex offender and chess master Robert Snyder plead guilty to a felony of failure to register as a sex offender. He faces life imprisonment without parole, and if he is ever released from prison, he may have to register as a sex offender wherever he would reside in the U.S.

The judge has an option of sentencing Snyder for ten years to a maximum of life. Snyder has been held on a million dollars bond since December 19. He was caught after a student of Hummingbird Elementary School recognized Synder who was a chess tutor at the school. Walsh is expected to interview the student for an episode of America’s Most Wanted.

Firefighters were fast to the scene of a fire that broke out on the second floor of a concrete building in the San Pedrito area at about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2010. With the assistance of neighbors and tenants of the first floor, the firefighters were quick to oust the fire before major damage was caused to the building.

The building belonged to Mrs. Diane and Mr. Fernando Cuellar, and according to the San Pedro Fire Department the fire begun in the children’s bedroom and the wall and its contents was completely destroyed. Although the fire was quickly put out, the remainder of the house especially the living room received smoke damage.

According to reports only a 17-year-old boy along with three minors was at home when the fire broke out. Both parents arrived at the scene shortly after the fire was extinguished. There were no injuries reported and the house was insured by RF & G Insurance Company. Fire officials continue their investigation to determine what the cause of the fire was.

Karaoke? Everybody loves participating or watching karaoke and for quite some years Sanpedranos have had the privilege of watching Channel 5’s Karaoke Television (KTV) competitions. And this year Channel 5 proudly presents KTV Latino, where 14 contestants from all over the country will be performing Spanish songs.

This year is a must to stay tuned to Channel 5’s KTV Latino because not only will three Sanpedranos be performing and trying to win the coveted prize of $10,000 but this year San Pedro is going to be represented in full force by lovely Miss San Pedro – Miss Raquel Badillo as she will co-host along with famous TV personality William Neal.

KTV Latino held auditions here in San Pedro and out of all who auditioned three participants were chosen, Nathalie Arceo, Ernesto “Nassa” Caliz and Claudia Haylock. The competition takes place every Tuesday at the Bliss Center in Belize City, viewers can vote for their favorite contestants by sending a text message to KTVL (5-8-8-5) along with the number given to the contestants (Only SMART users can vote).

The participants will perform their favorite songs in Spanish but the show is bilingual and will be conducted in both English and Spanish. A panel of three qualified judges in the field of music will critique each performance and make their recommendations to the contestants as the show moves to the next round.

The judges will have their say but viewers will have their way by text message voting. Contestants with the lowest number of votes each week will be eliminated as each round progress. The winner takes home the $10,000 coveted grand prize at the end of the season!

Coral Cable Vision will air Channel 5’s KTV Latino every Wednesday and Thursday after the local news cast on Channel 7 and Saturday & Sundays during the course of the day on Channel 8. So stayed tuned and be sure to cast your vote for our fellow Sanpedranos! You have until the Sunday after the show has aired to cast your vote.

Those of you who are fans of the High School band – Rock In Peace, know that Lead guitarist – Derrick Baños is a very talented young musician. Derrick Baños has been playing since the age of twelve and is currently a band member of a local band All Cayed UP (ACU), for which Derrick is the bassist, and the band has decided to try and raise enough money to send him to a well known music school in the US for a summer program.

The plan is to send Derrick to Berklee College of Music in the USA where he will attend a five week summer program in which he will take classes on bass. To part take in this Summer Camp Derrick will need a total of $8,000US ($16,000BZE) that will cover everything from tuition, application fees, housing and other school fees.

Fund raising has started and the band All Cayed Up is donating $5 from each of their CD sales and friends of Derrick and All Cayed Up have already raised a total of $2,000. Pledges for airline tickets for Derrick and a chaperon have been received and several local establishments have approached ACU about hosting fund-raising events as the summer draws near.

An account has been opened at the First Caribbean Bank to receive donations as well as a US and Canadian Account. Crazy Canuck’s bar has agreed to accept credit card donations and anyone willing to donate to this worthy cause can do so by contacting Nancy Scott, band manager of ACU at 622-4110 or nancyscott66@hotmail.com

Let us help Derrick experience the summer of a lifetime at the world’s most prestigious institution. Each summer, approximately 900 participants from across the U.S. and around the world (70 countries) share in this unique summer experience--all instruments, all contemporary styles, and all levels of musical ability.

Derrick has exceeded the abilities of his local teachers and is proficient in rock, reggae, blues, pop, funk and country music styles. Not only is he good and playing the bass, guitar and drums, but Derrick has built two basses, a five string fretted and a five string fretless which he uses to play. Many believe that Derrick has the potential of becoming one of the world’s great bass/guitar players.

If Derrick is accepted to Berklee Music Camp he has the opportunity of auditioning for scholarships to Berklee. Roughly $3.5 million in scholarships are awarded to Five-Week students by audition during any given summer.

Derrick will study and perform a wide range of popular and rock music styles including alternative rock, blues, rock 'n' roll, and more. The classes will focus on the music of important performers including Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, U2, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and more.

So let us help Derrick’s dream of becoming a professional musician. For more information or for a donation call Nancy Scott at 622-4110 or nancyscott66@hotmail.com.

El Gran Carnaval of San Pedro is almost here and the Town Council will kick off the celebrations on Saturday, February 13 with a Grand Carnaval Party at Central Park. One of the main highlights for the celebration will be the Miss Carnaval Popularity Contest.

The three lovely contestants for the title of Miss Carnaval are Miss Vivky Balam, Miss Daisy Menjivar and Miss Felicia Thompson. Each contestant will have a startup sponsor money and booth for them to raise funds as each cent will count for a vote. At the end of the night the young lady with the most votes will be crowned Miss Carnaval 2010.

So come on out on Saturday, February 13, at the central park and let us celebrate together and be a part of our lovely Isla Bonita’s richest tradition – El Gran Carnaval.