Mayor Bernard has his own infrastructural problems in Orange Walk Town, similar to municipalities countrywide. There is little money for the upgrading and maintenance of all streets in town, and it shows. Bernard has implemented a comprehensive works program – paving or cementing the worst and most heavily trafficked streets, and he is hoping that […]
The University of Belize is playing an integral role in the management of our natural resources, terrestrial and maritime, through its Environmental Research Institute. Since officially launching the program a few years ago, students and researchers have been utilizing a field station on Calabash Caye where they have been gathering data on fish species, mangroves […]
Minister of National Security John Saldivar also made a huge announcement today during his address at the coastguard anniversary celebration. On December ninth, the Government of Belize will be breaking ground on the Sarstoon for the Forward Operating Base that has been a bone of contention between Belize and Guatemala and that has increased sustained […]
The spectacled owl, the black hawk-eagle and the harpy eagle are three predatory birds that exist in Belize’s ecosystem. Their species are being conserved here in Belize since they are often times killed by residents because there is a misconception about their purpose in the wild. But The Belize Zoo and other partner organizations are […]
According to a newspaper in Chetumal, Ernesto Alfonso de Miguel who is also known as “En Español” lived for various years at the Corozal Free zone in a bunker. The house was well secured and had a number of amenities which were used as part of Alonzo de Miguel’s lifestyle. He was executed on Saturday […]
A symposium held by Friends of Conservation and Development two years ago exposed the state of affairs in the Chiquibul Forest. Since then, the dynamics of illegal activities in the area have changed, primarily following the murder of Tourism Police Constable Danny Conorquie, who was killed while on duty, allegedly at the hands of Guatemalan […]
As to the decrease in illegal logging, Manzanero says that there is a pattern to since the beginning of 2015. In one hand, logging is down, but harvesting of xaté, poaching of the scarlet macaw are way up. Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, FCD “Yes, there is even much more of a presence on the […]
The Belize National Climate Change Office today met to finalize and validate its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, something all countries in the world agreed on two years ago. It’s an outline of what each country intends to do to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The validated plan will be presented at the Conference of the […]
A vector-borne illness closely related to dengue and chikungunya has been detected in the Caribbean region. In a release issued by the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA, it is confirmed that there are five cases of Zika in the Caribbean. While countries in South America have reported cases of the mosquito-borne disease, Belize is clear […]
While Zika fever ranks lowest on the totem pole of the three related illnesses, the Ministry of Health reminds everyone to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Preparations for the introduction of the disease are underway based on the most recent experience of Chik-V throughout the region and the Americas. Isani Cayetano “In terms of […]
Coverage of the 2015 General Election – pre, during and after, has been comprehensive and for the sake of our certainly fatigued viewers, we’re hoping that this is where it all wraps up. Tonight we have more from the Prime Minister’s press conference in the wake of victory, where he discusses that very volatile issue […]
All eyes are on Mexico tonight which is being battered by the strongest hurricane in history with wind gusts of two hundred and thirty miles an hour. Evacuation of persons living in the path of Hurricane Patricia started days ago as Mexico prepares for the category-five hurricane. At this time, the hurricane is bearing down […]
As residents in the Old Capital reel over the weekend’s epic floods, there is yet another low-pressure weather system that lurks just off the coast of Belize and that is expected to make landfall overnight. Today, News Five headed to the National Met Service near the P.G.I.A. and spoke with Meteorologist Ronald Gordon to get […]
The Santa Cruz Thirteen, including outspoken Maya activist Cristina Coc, were back in court today where they appeared before Magistrate Emerson Banner. The group has been back and forth before the magistracy since being arrested and charged on June twenty-fourth for the unlawful imprisonment of Rupert Myles. Myles has denuded parts of the sacred site […]
While the Mayans of Santa Cruz await their day in Court following another adjournment, one man who hasn’t been before a magistrate is Rupert Myles. That’s because the man who is said to have deliberately destroyed the sacred Mayan site, Uxbenka, has not been charged. Following the incident on June twentieth, Director of Archaeology John […]
Traces of mercury have been detected in fish from the Macal River. An analysis in which twelve species were caught from the waterway indicated that six of them tested positive for mercury levels above the recommended point five milligrams. Three of those, including the Bay Snook, Baca and Botasi are consumed by residents of communities […]
For the past five years, Oceana has been recognizing leaders in ocean conservation, education, and advocacy from around the world. In Belize, Biologist Miguel Alamilla and Captain Romaldo Badillo were named as the 2015 Ocean Heroes at a ceremony in Caye Caulker. Alamilla has been managing one of Belize’s most popular marine protected areas, the […]
Another OCEANA hero is Captain Romaldo Badillo. Romi, as he was fondly called by family and friends, was also honoured posthumously on Saturday. A number of Belizeans whose lives he impacted in various ways spoke glowingly in his memory. Glis Marin “From the time we were growing up Romi use to run away when […]
The recent eviction of vendors from the Western Regional Hospital, as part of an effort to rid the facility of a grave rodent infestation, has raised the ire of sellers who earn their living by selling food at the hospital. They contend that in all their years of doing business on the compound, their stalls […]
While there is no timeline for the re-positioning of the vendors, Doctor Allen told the media earlier today that while the Belmopan City Council empathizes with them, the mayor and his councilors also understand the gravity of the situation at Western Regional. Dr. Peter Allen, CEO, Ministry of Health “Certainly we sympathize with that situation, we can’t, […]
In mid-August, News Five brought you the story of devastating losses suffered by farmers in southern Orange Walk – the result of a prolonged drought. Actually, the first we’d heard about a drought was when we did that story, and apparently the Ministry of Agriculture was caught by surprise as well. Since that story broke, […]
The drought was first reported as a crisis in August, and it has very perceptibly worsened. In fact, Mai today classified the drought as a disaster, and claims that just like any disaster there must be a government response. According to Mai, while G.O.B. cannot be held accountable for nature, it is completely culpable for […]
For years now, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, through the Belize Manatee Conservation Program, has been creating awareness on the death of manatees caused by boaters in no wake zones and other specific areas that the mammals frequent. In 2014, a total of thirty-four Antillean manatees, which has its highest population in Belize, […]
The workshop, organized by the Belize Tourism Board, is a certification course for the tour guides and boat captains. There is a need for this says, Galvez, because stakeholders in the tourism industry, as well as fishermen, are sometimes negligent in no wake zones and other areas. But there are hefty fines that can be […]
A trio of Belize City fishermen remains lost at sea tonight after being reported missing by friends and family over the weekend. What should have been a routine one-day trip to Turneffe Island almost a week ago has become a nightmare for the Usher family whose loved one, along with two others, have disappeared at […]
