In countless ads and only slightly fewer news stories you’ve heard what most of the politicians and candidates involved in Wednesday’s municipal elections have to say. For our last story on election eve we thought it might be nice to hear some voices from the people who, for one day at least, will have the […]
In the capital city today, residents participated in a new initiative designed to combat the negative effects of squatting. According to a press release issued by the Belmopan City Council, the idea is to sub-divide two pieces of land, one in the Maya Mopan/Salvapan community and a second in the Maya Mopan/U.B. area. The programmes […]
Around this time every election year, the integrity of Belize’s voting process comes under intense scrutiny. Leading the accusations this March are claims that voters can be traced back to ballot papers by political operatives working inside polling and counting stations on election day. To combat the rumour mill, today the Elections and Boundaries Department […]
It’s called Operation Positive Reinforcement … the latest attempt to curb violence and risky sexual behaviour in Belize City’s youth. Command central is the Youth for the Future office near the Bel-China Bridge. Today Y.F.F. officially opened the doors to its drop-in centre for teens. The idea is to encourage youths already attending personal development […]
With municipal elections just eight days away, one Orange Walk organisation, Belizeans Promoting Active Citizenship, is planning a forum on Tuesday night to encourage members of their community to vote and know their responsibilities as citizens. Scheduled presenters include Senator Godwin Hulse; Belmopan Mayor Anthony Chanona; former Orange Walk mayor Agripina Espejo; and director of […]
In news from the labour front, word out of the Social Security Board in Belmopan is that talks between union reps and management ended today with an agreement of sorts. Apparently, there are three issues still under discussion: increases in fuel allowance, education loans, and cost of living adjustments for employees. A press release issued […]
Unionists are back in the news tonight, this time facing off with the management of the Social Security Board. I got the details today from disgruntled Christian Worker’s Union president Antonio Gonzales. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting Ongoing negotiations between the management of the Social Security Board and the Christian Workers Union have so far failed to […]
The Young Men’s Christian Association of Belize and its counterpart organisation in St. Louis, Missouri have enjoyed a close working relationship for the last five years. Today, the associations are looking to strengthen those ties to improve and expand the programmes offered to their members. This week the partners met to review their plan of […]
The traditional good deed performed by a Boy Scout is to help an elderly pedestrian cross the street. Today the Belizean equivalent of that service was executed many times over by some of our favourite Girl Guides. Janelle Chanona, Reporting This afternoon steel band music filled the Sister Cecilia Home as part of a special […]
For every life lost there are dozens of survivors left behind to mourn. And when death comes suddenly, by violence or accident, the magnitude of the pain is that much greater. In the following report Jacqueline Woods looks at one group that gathered today in Belize City to find strength in numbers. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting […]
One hundred and twenty-nine: that’s the number of children in need of foster care and the number of families the Department of Human Services hopes to reach this year through its annual Give Your Heart to a Child campaign. Jolleen Arnold is the acting supervisor for Child Placement and Specialized Services. Jacqueline Woods ?Jolleen since […]
On yesterday’s newscast we brought you the story of Ready Call, the international customer service operation on New Road that is being hit with a long list of local complaints ranging from unacceptable bathroom facilities, incorrect wage payments, inadequate lunch breaks, and sexual harassment. This afternoon, the Labour Department issued a press release maintaining that […]
Battlefield Park was invaded this morning by members of the City Council and local schools as part of a new project designed to promote cleanliness. News Five’s Karla Vernon explains. Eloisa Trujeque, City Councillor ?Today we are celebrating an awareness day, environmental awareness day. This is actually the brainchild of the department enforcement officers. They […]
Call centres: they’re a product of the new global economy. The buyer of a product in New York, for example, may find that when he dials that eight hundred number for service advice the phone is answered in New Delhi. For Belize, with an educated English speaking work force, it was only a matter of […]
Sooner or later, every major company finds its charitable niche. In the case of B.T.L., that special interest seems to be parks. Janelle Chanona, Reporting This morning, official groundbreaking ceremonies were held in Belize City to mark the adoption of Constitution Park by Belize Telecommunications Limited. During the event, the communications company unveiled its plans […]
The Belize Police Department has embarked on a major overhaul of one of its most high profile locations: the Queen Street Police Station. But as News Five’s Jacqueline Woods discovered, officials are hoping the physical alterations will also improve the public’s perception of the police. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting According to authorities, construction work at the […]
The Second Annual Conference for Women Police Officers opened today at the George Price Centre in Belmopan. Issues being discussed at the two-day session include domestic violence, women’s health, ethics, public relations, and dress code. Guest Speaker for the event was former Governor General Dame Minita Gordon. She observed that in addition to all their […]
With municipal elections just under a month away, the Association of Concerned Belizeans has launched a campaign called “No sell yuh vote, vote yuh mind.” Today A.C.B. members Steve Duncan and Karim Berges told News Five that while they can’t stop politicians from giving or voters from taking, the important thing is to make your […]
And while we’re on the subject of sex crimes, Justice Adolph Lucas today used the occasion of a trial for carnal knowledge to warn the press about how it covers such cases. He particularly reminded reporters that they are not to publish the name of any minor involved in sexual assaults and emphasized that there […]
A Parent’s Guide to the Child Protection System is the latest publication by the National Committee for Families and Children. And according to N.C.F.C programme coordinator Starla Acosta, the booklet seeks to promote awareness of child abuse and neglect. Starla Acosta, Programme Coordinator, N.C.F.C. ?A lot of times we realise that a lot of reports […]
Fire-fighters normally take a lot of heat, both on the job and from the public, but tonight the National Fire Service is making headlines for honouring its most outstanding members. This afternoon Fire Chief Henry Baizar would not reveal the names of the recipients, but maintains that recognising a commitment to excellence in officers is […]
It’s a telephone number mentioned almost every night on this newscast: 0-800-922-TIPS. That’s the home of Crime Stoppers, the programme under which citizens can help police solve crimes by calling in anonymous tips–and receive a reward if the call leads to an arrest. Today, we were visited by Chris Garcia, Crime Stoppers’ local chief operating […]
If you’ve already received your January electricity bill, you have no doubt felt the pinch of the rate increases granted to Belize Electricity Limited effective the first of the month. The new prices are the result of what’s called TERP, a Threshold Event Review Proceeding. That mechanism kicked into effect late last year when the […]
According to the Elections and Boundaries Department, when the cut-off date for new registration of voters passed on January tenth, a whopping two thousand, one hundred and seventy-seven people had been added to the electoral list. This afternoon Chief Elections Officer Stuart Leslie maintained that this is a record for Belize. Official sources indicate that […]
Child labour: like many countries around the world, many of our youngest citizens are forced to endure unsafe conditions, exposure to the elements, and a lack of education. According to local officials, the illegal activity occurs mostly in the agricultural sector, in both commercial and family subsistence farms. In July 2005, Belize joined regional partners […]
