There was a candlelight vigil held in Belmopan on Monday night, a first step in what organizers say is a move to take the country back. We’ll have that for you later in our newscast, but first we take you to a protest on the foothills on the National Assembly. There were no huge numbers […]
Pastor Llewelyn Lucas, a common man who died the most gruesome of deaths in bizarre circumstances, was memorialized by friends and family at a candlelight vigil held in Belmopan on Monday night. It was a night of solidarity with the family and a sharing of grief, but as we found out it is all part […]
A candlelight vigil is underway in Belmopan and was organized by a group of religious leaders and concerned citizens, following the decapitation of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas a week ago. Tonight’s initiative is part of a growing movement that was born on social media with a blog posted by Pastor Louis Wade. The vigil is the […]
The recent allegations of sexual abuse against children prompted a reaction by the National Committee of Families which is citing Belize’s ascension to the United Nations convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). A release quotes the CRC in part that children should be protected from being hurt and mistreated in body or mind […]
Interestingly, Eastern Division South did not see any major criminal activity over the weekend. In fact, it’s been three weeks since there has been any murder or violence triggered by gang rivalry in the city. ACP Chester Williams told News Five that several interventions with gang leaders over the past weeks have been working. […]
Earlier today, Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said that he is of the view that putting back the GSU in the streets to curb crime may not be the best option. ACP Chester Williams, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South “While many are calling for the police to become tougher and go out and […]
Eastern Division South has embarked on another community policing program for the summer. It targets underprivileged families and youths who are at risk of being recruited by gangs. Fifty participants between the ages of ten to seventeen years will be taken on field trips and visit institutions where they could end up if they are […]
There is unease in the always volatile sugar industry tonight as millers and producers argue over who should pay, after hundreds of thousands of dollars- worth of molasses was destroyed at the factory. ASR/B.S.I. has decided that farmers will need to foot sixty-five percent of the losses, amounting to just over two hundred and eighty-one […]
There has been a full week of solid coverage of the bizarre murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas. Five persons including the man alleged to be the murder mastermind, William Mason, have been arraigned and are behind bars. The companion of Mason, Melissa Ferguson, is allegedly the subject of an intense countrywide search. The investigation continues, […]
Before coming to Belize William Danny Mason, using multiple names, was known to be a grifter, a con man, and a scam artist without scruples. In Belize he was a great friend of highly placed politicos and Police, but his schemes took on a violent tone. He is believed to have extorted several persons in […]
The birth certificate in question, obviously fraudulent, was actually issued by the Vital Stats Department which comes under the Attorney-General’s Ministry. That occurrence, we can tell you with certainty, is nothing out of the ordinary. For many years that department has been rife with corruption, seemingly unchecked. Hulse told News Five he is as frustrated […]
News Five also got the opportunity to speak to Minister of State in Economic Development Tracy Taegar-Panton. It seems that just about every other U.D.P. Minister hung out with William Mason, so did she? Tracy Taegar-Panton, Minister of State, Economic Development “I will respond to your question, but let me say very clearly that […]
Just when you thought that the B.T.L. acquisition fiasco had been settled, the Ashcroft Group and the Government of Belize are headed back to the courts for an interpretation of the arbitration award. Both parties are to appear before the Caribbean Court of Justice in the days ahead to get a clarification on the dollar […]
Frank ‘Papa’ Mena received ten thousand dollars from Mason toward his by-election campaign. At least he says it was only ten thousand. According to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, no other Cabinet minister received any monies, or at least they say they didn’t. There’s really no way of telling. For example, John Saldivar has admitted that […]
Up north, there is trouble in the sugar belt. Will sugar cane farmers in the north bear the brunt of financial losses from spoiled molasses? Caneros are tonight incensed over the suggestion that they will have to absorb sixty-five percent of the total cost of the wasted syrup. That works out to about twenty-two cents […]
Today the Ministry of Economic Development and stakeholders launched the National Trade Police Framework. That structure signifies approval by Cabinet to implement a comprehensive review to find common and fertile ground between multi-lateral and regional trade rules and the development needs of domestic producers, exporters and stakeholders. News Five’s Mike Rudon was at the launch […]
Summer camps have been providing an outlet for those energetic kids who are on holidays. In the city, students from numerous schools participated in a free summer program that entertained and educated them on values that will hopefully make them good citizens. The Belize City Council has been holding the summer camps for four years; […]
Another summer camp dedicated to the expressive arts concluded today in Belize City. Hosted by the Institute of Creative Arts, the participants enjoyed sessions in arts, drama, dance and music. And for those who are interested in other forms of art, they pulled out their hook and yarn for sessions on the techniques of crochet. […]
Green also told News Five that after four years in the making, in the next school year, the creative arts curriculum will be piloted in primary schools. Leroy Green, Creative Arts Coordinator, Ministry of Education “In a week’s time, we will be training teachers in regards to the first completed draft of the new […]
Calypso Rose will be bestowed with the WOMEX 16 Artist Award in October of this year in Santiago De Compostela, Berlin. At age seventy-six, the legendary singer and composer from Trinidad and Tobago has recorded hit calypsos and has been dubbed the Grand Lady of Calypso. For half a century she has been at the […]
The Cellula Band of Panama is in the country; the band arrived late this evening and will be performing two free concerts in Orange Walk and San Ignacio. Established in 2011, the six-member band plays pop and roots reggae. The band’s visit is organized by Embassy of Panama in Belize in partnership with the Ministry […]
Police have tonight put out an all-points bulletin on Melissa Ferguson, said to be the longtime companion of conman turned alleged kidnapper and murderer William Danny Mason. According to various reports, Ferguson was last seen leaving the Outback Ranch at mile thirty-one on the George Price Highway on Tuesday afternoon, suitcases in hand. Now, Mason […]
News Five learned about that surveillance video on Tuesday, but there was no mention of Melissa Ferguson, just the five men who are now arraigned and behind bars until a Court date in October. We asked Panton about that video which Police seem to think makes this case an open and shut one. Herbert […]
William Mason wined, dined and made monetary contributions to U.D.P. ministers. The name of the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, is popping up everywhere in the saga involving Mason; he is on record for receiving up to fifty thousand dollars for the Belmopan Bandits. Frank “Papa” Mena has admitted that he got ten thousand […]
An internet video released on Monday went viral before it was removed on Wednesday. It’s from a Facebook user called Anonymous Belize, and it blasts ministers of government over the Mason situation, making all kinds of very serious allegations of corruption – calling names with a special focus on Minister of national Security John Saldivar […]
