CARIFESTA is the Caribbean festival of arts held every two years by CARICOM AND CARIFORUM countries to celebrate the best in Caribbean culture through music, literary arts, visual arts, theatre, dance and film. Over the years we have seen local musicians, dancers, visual artists others in the creative sector participate, but it has been a […]
The annual Back to School Trimming Drive is on its seventh year and once again primary and high school students from across the city are being invited to come out to Fabers Road on the weekend of September second to get a free haircut. The initiative is the brainchild of lifelong friends Edmund Staine and […]
According to co-organizer, Brian Dena, the annual event is made possible through donations from members of the public, as well the as efforts of volunteers who give of their time freely. Brian Dena, Organizer “This year we’ll be having it on the second and third of September. The second, which is a Saturday, we’ll […]
Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood…he was one of three liaison officers within the Belize Police Department assigned to facilitate the media with daily situation reports and interviews. Tonight, he is no longer a member of the Media Relations Unit after being abruptly transferred on Wednesday. Yearwood’s relocation to a desk job at Precinct Three came just a […]
The first Maya Land Registry was launched in southern Belize this week. After two years of inaction to a ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice that determined that a mechanism had to be put in place to protect lands, Maya communities started the process in the village of Crique Sarco. As we reported on […]
The Belize Tourism Industry Association today issued a stinging release against the Government and in support of Tropic Air. The carrier last week announced plans to suspend three of its international flights to Chetumal and Merida in Mexico and San Pedro Sula in Honduras. The flights had been established five years ago, but the organization […]
The Belize National Teachers’ Union may soon be involved in the battle between principal of Gwen Lizarraga High School, Doctor Lorna McKay, and chairman of the school’s board of management, Roosevelt Blades. B.N.T.U. president Elena Smith told us this afternoon that she has been in touch with Doctor McKay, who promised to forward official correspondence […]
On Monday you heard about the fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of twenty-year-old Alma Flowers on the Philip Goldson Highway at the entrance to Crooked Tree Village. She got off a bus and was crossing the street when she was knocked down and killed by Belmopan resident, Leonel Del Valle. Today, villagers say […]
There is internal turmoil in the Public Service Union tonight. This afternoon, the Belmopan branch of the Union issued a release announcing plans for a meeting on Saturday with mediators, the Council of Management and president Eldred Neal. The meeting will discuss his suspension following controversial remarks made by Neal about the Garinagu people during […]
This week pharmacists from across the Caribbean and some international colleagues are convening in Belize for the annual conference of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists. They will be discussing latest trends and news in their industry under the theme of promoting health and wellness in the community. But if you thought that meant how to […]
Twenty-four students will form the first cohort of a new program awarding Bachelor’s in Science degrees in Pharmacy at the University of Belize. It’s the first program of its kind in Belize and one that the Pharmacists’ Association says has been a long time coming. Today president Beverly Coleman indicated that it will offer different […]
We are in the middle of the rainy season when mosquito borne illnesses tend to increase. Dengue continues to infect a number of Belizeans each year and now Zika is a persistent threat to our population.. In tonight’s Healthy Living, the Ministry of Health reminds the public about the importance of staying vigilant. Marleni […]
News Five continues its perusal of one hundred and eighteen land documents leaked recently that show a land scheme which enriched friends and families of former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega. We took you through the switching scheme employed by the Vega family of western Cayo District, relatives of the Gaspar and German Vega clan […]
The Belize Central Prison is bursting at its seams as the number of inmates stands at one thousand three hundred. Of that amount, four hundred and fifty-two are awaiting trial for crimes that range from petty offenses to murder. Today, the Belmopan Police took a group of youths to the prison for a life lesson, […]
The field trip to the Belize Central Prison was organized by Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett of the Belmopan Police. He says that it is part of his formation’s community policing initiative during the summer vacation. Over ten thousand youths are out of school and caught up in mischievous acts. Gillett believes that the program is […]
Could a legal loophole help residents of Belize City avoid paying overdue property taxes? We’ll tell you what city councilor and mayoral aspirant Philip Willoughby’s role is shortly; but first, Ryan Davis of Antelope Street is taking his case to City Hall after receiving a summons on behalf of his ailing grandmother who is seeking […]
Ryan Davis, who renounced his gang ties and is a part of the Youth Apprenticeship Program, approached Willoughby, who took his case up to the Ministry of Local Government. Poor and indigent persons are covered in a specific section of the Towns Property Tax Act which Willoughby says people can take advantage of despite expected […]
The very first admission into the newly formed Maya Land Registry has been made by the remote southern village of Crique Sarco. The far-flung community in the Toledo District is one of twenty-three indigenous populations that has signed on to the consent order, following a monumental land rights case against the Government of Belize in […]
This morning, men, women and children from the wider indigenous community were bussed into Crique Sarco where the geographical map of the village was formally unveiled. Among the invited guests was Lisel Alamilla, Chairperson of the Maya Land Rights Commission. As part of the CCJ’s decision, that government agency is tasked with working with the […]
A series of leaked documents from the Lands Department revealing another land grab by members of the family of former minister Gaspar Vega on Ramsey Caye and the Spanish Creek area of the Belize District, have been obtained by News Five. While Vega was still minister, members of his family engaged in an unusual pattern […]
While Vega is retiring from active politics, when we caught up with Orange Walk North area rep, Elodio Aragon Junior last Friday, we asked him about his party’s municipal elections preparations. He told us that the U.D.P. is moving ahead with their transfers and they will be ready to put forward their slate once all […]
In the northernmost municipality of Corozal, current U.D.P. mayor Hilberto Campos says he will not be contesting for a fifth term. Campos has been at the helm of the Corozal Town Council for twelve years and is stepping down for several reasons. While covering the weather, our News Five crew asked Campos about his future […]
And from the north to the west where Belmopan is in full swing lining up their candidates for the U.D.P. convention on August thirteenth. But all is not well and that there are signs of internal conflict boiling over. Over the past few days several Facebook posts indicate that there is dissention in the camp, […]
Brandon Taylor was cleared of murder for the second time earlier this year in the death of Kaylon Matura. Since then the thirty-one-year-old has been trying to lead a clean life according to his family, even briefly moving out of the city. But on Monday, police say he was caught with a nine-millimeter firearm and […]
On Monday, principal of Gwen Lizarraga High School Doctor Lorna McKay defied the request of the Board of Directors of the Government-run institution to clear out her desk, turn over her keys and proceed on administrative leave. Later in the evening, workmen were sent to change the locks on the office door. There were reports […]
