An off-duty officer was stabbed over the weekend in Corozal Town. The attack on the twenty-four-year-old policeman happened while he was in the presence of a fellow lawman during curfew hours. According to an official report, PC Cobb was socializing with several other persons, including a civilian, after he came off work on Saturday night. […]
Another suspect in the murder of Ian Westby was taken into police custody over the weekend after being arrested in Placencia. Akeem Augustine, who is no stranger to law enforcement, was nabbed on the peninsula following an investigation into the shooting death of Westby which took place in Belize City last weekend. Augustine joins Leon […]
There was a fatal road traffic accident in the south on Saturday that claimed the life of Darnell Swaso. Police responded to an area along the Southern Highway where they came across a vehicle that ran off the road. Not far from the scene of the overturned vehicle, the officers observed the lifeless body of […]
A shooting incident during a home invasion in Belize City over the weekend has left Robert Lamb, a resident of Antelope Street Extension recovering from injuries he received during the armed assault. Lamb was at home when a pair of men broke into his residence and opened fire on him. While he is recuperating at […]
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry says it has consulted it membership on the government’s proposed Trade Licensing regime and it now needs to see the draft of the Trade License Amendment Bill. A recent letter the Chamber sent to the Minister of Local Government notes that consultations were held with the Commerce, Industry […]
Prime Minister John Briceno says that his Government has agreed to not enforce the vaccination requirement for Churches in Belize as is stated in Statutory Instrument 119. The Prime Minister informed News Five today via text message that while the Government agrees with the Churches on the points they have put forth on the matter […]
Tomorrow the Government will put for a bill on new industries, including those that utilize cannabis products. It is a controversial topic that has some in Belize divided. The churches have held one position against the passage of the Bill and today Vice President of the National Evangelical Association of Belize, Pastor Lance Lewis explained […]
Tonight, President of the Public Service Union Dean Flowers is speaking out about the amendment of the Public Health Act. The amendment, which will be tabled before the House of Representatives on Tuesday, will see the creation of a Director of Public Health and Wellness and a Director of Hospital Services – making the post […]
So what happens to the substantive DHS Doctor Marvin Manzanero? There have been conflicting communications from various government officials on the fate of the embattled senior public officer. One thing for sure, says Dean Flowers, is that Doctor Manza has not received any form of communication from the Ministry of Health since March of this […]
But can the government afford to hire new directors? The Prime Minister has said that the government is broke and earlier this year, all public officers and teachers were given a salary cut and increment freeze. P.S.U. President Dean Flowers does not believe that the Briceño administration is serious about addressing the high wage bill. […]
A wage bill higher than before. But can Flowers substantiate that claim? He says just take a look at the Customs and Excise Department which now has four deputy comptrollers and nine assistant comptrollers. That’s right, nine. Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union “What I can tell you is that where austerity is concerned […]
Today, the United Democratic Party issued a release saying this is the worst time to play politics with the health care system and accuses the Briceño administration of making moves to destroy the DHS Office. The U.D.P. says that “Politics above professionalism is the clear rational and purpose behind the announced intention of the Briceño […]
As we reported on Thursday, new legislation governing the juvenile justice system will be introduced at next week’s House Meeting by the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. The Minister who holds the portfolio on that matter, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia explained to News Five what the changes will mean. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister […]
Balderamos Garcia explained that the law provides for a proactive rather than a reactive approach when dealing with children with vulnerabilities. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development “We want to change the paradigm from criminalizing young people’s behaviour and looking to where there are indeed vulnerabilities and the need for child protection, you […]
Twenty-four-year-old Dane Gillett is set to appear in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday where he is expected to be arraigned for the murder of fifteen-year-old Dwayne Gabourel. The suspected killer was charged and arraigned for a separate offense of aggravated assault on October first. Moments later, the Majestic Alley resident tested positive for COVID-19, delaying […]
It is to go before parliament at the next sitting of the House of Representatives, but earlier this week, Cabinet approved recommendations from the Ministry of Health and Wellness to amend the Public Health Act. This will allow the creation of two new posts – a Director of Public Health and Wellness and a Director […]
Public officers remain on a ten percent salary cut and increment freeze, which was implemented earlier this year. With current financial constraints, can the Briceño administration afford two new directors? Here’s how Minister Henry Charles Usher responded. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service, Constitutional & Political Reform “In terms of the efficiencies that […]
The National Evangelical Association of Belize has written to Prime Minister John Briceno objecting to the vaccine mandate imposed on churches. The letter dated October 15 states that NEAB was surprised to learn about the stipulation being placed on churches when it was, quote, “not discussed or agreed upon,” in a meeting NEAB says it […]
Today, News Five also asked the Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher about the issue of COVID among public officers, specifically those frontline workers who are at higher risk of exposure. The minister says that they continue to promote vaccination and that the statistics so far as good, but there is room for improvement. […]
CEMO has been activated and continues to monitor the flood conditions going into tonight as it is expected that the rains will continue. On Wednesday and again today, CEMO Liaison Officer at the Belize City Council Melony Dawson, the City Engineer, and a field officer went into flood prone areas after receiving multiple calls of […]
This morning, a panel of four presenters, including Cristina Coc, spokesperson for the Maya Leaders Alliance, convened a lengthy discussion on recognizing the importance of Garifuna land rights. The issue is once again at the forefront of public discourse in light of what has been taking place in Garifuna communities across the country. Coc, who […]
The economic value of land, particularly in the context of the sale of prime properties in coastal communities such as Hopkins and Seine Bight, was also part of the panel discussion. Dr. Philip Castillo, a development economist, weighed in on the issue from the perspective of the National Garifuna Council assisting elder land owners, those […]
Perhaps what is interesting to note is that registered Garifuna farmers only make up twelve percent of the total number of farmers in the Stann Creek District. That’s according to the records kept in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Belize Agricultural Management Information System. Dr. Peitra Arana, on the other hand, issues a call to action […]
It’s been almost a year since the P.U.P. took office in central government and the Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform was asked where his ministry is in terms of short-term and long-term goals. More specifically, Minister Henry Charles Usher was asked to give a report card on his ministry. He says that […]
If you are in Belize City, you are probably wondering when we will get a break from the heavy rains and what is causing it all. Today news five was out surveying the scene from downtown Belize City to Belama. We found many streets inundated and impassable for smaller vehicles as water levels rose. But […]
