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Cayo villagers rebel against Water Board changes

It’s a part of the transition process following General Elections, but this week control of a water board in the Cayo District ended in the detention of two people and allegations of political victimization. According to El Progresso Village Councillor Geraldo Garcia, on Wednesday, Rural Development Officers arrived in the Mountain Pine Ridge community accompanied […]

Belize City Pastor plans free Mother’s Day dinner

Organisations like the Red Cross count on volunteers and financial contributions from the business community and the public. But with everyone complaining about the high cost of living these days, resources are stretched thin. But since last September, one Belize City woman has been quietly investing in the children of her neighbourhood. Gospel Minister Suzette […]

Santa Rosa is vacant; B.D.F. says it will remain so

The O.A.S. has already declared the area vacant and our government has supplied photos to prove it. Today the B.D.F., assisted by a British helicopter, took the media to see with its own eyes what was once the settlement called Santa Rosa. Despite its tiny size, the community of Guatemalans on the Belize side of […]

Bank denies charges of irregularities by F.I.U.

The Belize Bank today denied allegations that it violated the law in relation to a 2004 transaction that the Financial Intelligence Unit says it should have reported. In a press release today, the usually publicity shy institution said the following. “The Belize Bank Limited wishes to inform the public that there is no substance whatsoever […]

Student poetry contest focuses on child abuse

Competitions for students are a growing trend in Belize and today one local organisation rewarded another set of winners. But what made this ceremony different was the issue promoted by the contest. News Five’s Janelle Chanona has more. Janelle Chanona, Reporting Sexual abuse is one of those sensitive issues rarely discussed in our society. But […]

Massive police raid on businessman’s home produces puny results

Tonight a well known businessman, Jose Shoman, and his wife, Malachi, are out on bail after a drawn out police raid which lasted for more than five hours at their home. The search, which included a dog from the K-Nine Unit, started out around nine this morning when a fleet of five vehicles arrived at […]

Braille manual, video for deaf on HIV launched in Belize City

For most people, talking openly about sex and sexually transmitted diseases can be challenging. So you can imagine what it must be like if you’re disabled and have to go through another person to get the information you need to protect yourself. That’s the uncomfortable and dangerous reality that’s facing thousands of differently-abled persons around […]

K.H.M.H. C.E.O. claims victimization by new boss

He’s been at the helm of the country’s flagship hospital for the past eight years, but tonight Dr. Alvaro Rosado says he’s been wrongfully terminated as Chief Executive Officer of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. According to Rosado, in mid-January, he signed a one year renewal contract with then board chairman Israel “Pie” Marin to […]

Renovated Gann’s Rest Home officially opened

For six decades Gann’s Rest House served an important social duty but over those years, wear, tear and theft left the institution a little more than a shack. But tonight we’re happy to report that there’s renewed life at number sixty East Canal. News Five’s Kendra Griffith has more. Kendra Griffith, Reporting More than four […]

Baby dies after mom falls asleep while breastfeeding

We’ve heard about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is when a child simply stops breathing and dies while sleeping. The latest infant fatality, which occurred last Friday, has not yet been conclusively explained but SIDS has not been ruled out. Twenty-five year old Earlette Sanchez reported to police that around four on Friday afternoon, both […]

CitCo and N.T.U.C.B. join to host Labour Day Fair

It’s the first ever joint venture between the Belize City Council and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. The purpose of their Labour Day Fest on Thursday is two-fold: to raise much needed funds and sensitise the public to issues involving labour and employment. And to accomplish those goals, the organisers have outlined a […]

Musicians, government join to promote peace

Violence is increasingly coming to dominate our society and while everyone has a different idea how we can solve the problem, it is also clear that only a unified approach will succeed. With that in mind, this weekend artists and musicians will team up with government officials and Youth for the Future to promote peace. […]

Firemen remain unpaid; minister says “tomorrow”

Firemen across the country have been seeing red for the last two weeks but instead of flames, they were looking at their empty wallets. The newly trained firefighters say they’ve yet to be given the cheques due to them on April fifteenth and have been unable to find out why. When we called Fire Chief […]

City Council outlines initiative to deal with homeless

It is a phenomenon that affects almost every major city on the planet, rich and poor, albeit to different degrees. Today the Belize City Council unveiled its plans to deal with the problem of homelessness. News Five’s Marion Ali reports. Marion Ali, Reporting If you’ve travelled on one of the main arteries of downtown Belize […]

Morning brush fire concerns Unity St. residents

It’s not uncommon to see someone burning bush or garbage in Belize City but the practice is illegal. And as one man found out today, it’s illegal for a very good reason. According to residents on Unity Street, just after eight this morning a homeowner was trying to clear his property of high grass but […]

CitCo apologises to driver they tried to arrest

On Friday, he was the irate Belize City driver claiming victimization by the City Council and the Police Department. But today Orlando Pelayo is a much happier man because this afternoon, the Belize City authorities said sorry to the aggrieved motorist. The release states that the City Council “apologises for any undue suffering” and reassures […]

Fort Point Security fires guards who protested pay cut

Fort Point Security Services is back in the news as a number of guards discovered they had been fired over the weekend. Several officers who reported to work this morning said letters, some of which were not even signed, were delivered to their homes during the last several days. The officers, all of whom had […]

Motorist alleges victimization by Police/CitCo

In Belize City, especially in the downtown area, tickets are issued to motorists everyday for a wide range of traffic violations. But if a driver gets a ticket, doesn’t pay it and doesn’t show up when summoned to court, the Magistrate can issue a bench warrant for that person’s immediate arrest. And that’s exactly what […]

Senior cop sues G.O.B. over transfer to Belmopan

His rise to the hierarchy of the Belize Police Department has been categorized as meteoric but Chester Williams’ career is now being called a legal matter. This morning, Williams’ attorney Godfrey Smith applied for and received permission from Justice Samuel Awich for a judicial review of the Senior Superintendent’s transfer to a desk job in […]

Barrow defends Castro in Crooked Tree controversy …

The ruction over the road being built across the Western lagoon in Crooked Tree Village has settled down following Area Representative Edmond Castro’s decision to seek official approvals for the project. Today, when asked his take on the controversy, Prime Minister Dean Barrow had nothing but praise for the energetic Minister of State. Prime Minister […]

Security guards return to work but deal not yet done

Today officers of Fort Point Security Services were back on the job after they went on a two-day strike, protesting new pay arrangements implemented by their employer. That system, claim the employees, not only caused late payments, but slashed salaries by significant margins. But while the officers feel their concerns will be addressed favourably, interim […]

Defendants still resist verdict in wall case

It’s never over till it’s over … and that familiar saying appears to be the theme for the legal battle over the boardwalk walls at the Fort Street Tourism Village. The latest development in the case is that on behalf of the Port Authority, the Attorney General has filed for a stay of the Chief […]

It’s Castro versus the rule of law in Crooked Tree

In some ways it’s an example of the classic battle between the environment and development. But as News Five’s Janelle Chanona discovered, the war of words now heating up between Area Rep. Edmond Castro and the Belize Audubon Society may be more about the rule of law and why some people believe they’re above it. […]

Pay cut prompts security guard walkout at Tourism Village

Disputes between employers and employees over wages and working conditions are nothing new but a situation taking place in the Fort Street Tourism Village has one important sector of the labour force crying foul. And not without reason. At a time of rapidly rising prices these workers are being told to take a major cut […]

Wanted: Girl Guides and Guiders

It’s the world’s largest association dedicated to women but like many volunteer groups, membership in Girl Guides is in a slump. While guiding is still relatively popular in the Belize and Toledo districts, the movement has not taken root in the rest of the country. In response, the national association is embarking on a recruiting […]