In other prison news residents in the south side of Belize City called News Five to report that a number unsupervised Hattieville inmates were roaming the area around Fabers Road and Central American Boulevard this afternoon. Among them was at least one inmate known to be confined to the maximum-security section. This particular gentleman was […]
The issue was first raised in the opposition “Guardian” and followed up with banner headlines in the “Reporter”. Today General Manager Narda Garcia confirmed that the Social Security Board is considering an increase in the size of contributions but emphasized that benefits would also be increased and that no changes would be made without ample […]
Different countries celebrate it at different times…and it seems that Belize has opted for the U.S. tradition of the second Sunday in May. That’s this Sunday and if you haven’t started thinking about the importance of mothers in your life, I’d like to jog your memory. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting From dawn to well past dusk, […]
Woody, the ailing manatee who was rescued 7 months ago in the waters near Belize City, was today visited by a high powered doctor. Veterinarian Dr. Greg Bossart of the University of Miami and Miami Seaquarium made the trip to Sarteneja where Woody has been convalescing. He will perform a medical assessment and help train […]
Since the Ombudsman’s office was opened in August of 1999 it has been working closely with the Belize Human Rights Commission. Today, both offices formalized that relationship in order to better defend the rights of the general public. The parties, in a memorandum of understanding, agreed to establish a joint understanding on how they can […]
They came in a multitude of shiny new vehicles as well as on foot…all to pay their respects to a fallen friend and public officer. Fifty-two year old Mike Mena was laid to rest today in an official ceremony that began in Belmopan and ended in San Ignacio. Mena, who served as Belize’s Ambassador to […]
Public Transport is a subject that has caused revolutions elsewhere in the region but in Belize we usually prefer less violent forms of protest. Today a group of frustrated commuters in Belmopan contacted the media to tell their tale of woe. It seems that there is a growing number of people who live in the […]
While in his speech of acceptance Prime Minister Said Musa expressed his great appreciation to Janus, he fired some uncharacteristically harsh words at the company which mans the toll booths on Belize’s information superhighway. For BTL, said the P.M., it’s time to get on with the program. Prime Minister Said Musa “Well I think the […]
Everyone has something to say about it…but nothing seems to ever get done. The “it” is the way Belize’s civil service is run and today government is taking its latest shot at fundamental change. This morning the Public Sector Reform Council presented its report to the Prime Minister. The 29-page booklet outlines a number of […]
On yesterday’s newscast we reported the tragic death of 2-year old Jonathon Lara. The young San Pedrano died after being run over by a van, which had stopped to pick up his sister for school. While the accident was one which could have occurred anywhere, it nonetheless focused attention on a growing problem affecting Belize’s […]
There won’t be another big election until 2003 but that doesn’t mean the Elections and Boundaries Department is taking a siesta. Today the department held its second open house, called “Voters’ Day”, as part of a public awareness campaign to get Belizeans registered. Every district office set up displays and personnel discussed the voting process […]
This weekend won’t be another long one but that hasn’t stopped the villagers of Crooked Tree from making sure this year’s Cashew Festival is packed with activities. Things get started on Friday night with the picking of the cashew queen and over the next two days a softball marathon and the Cashew Cycling Classic is […]
It was probably the lowest point in the history of Belizean law enforcement. A band of well armed desperados from across the border robbed scores of Belizeans, killed one, and then drove their pickup through the heart of Belize, passing the nation’s capital, crossing the Hawkesworth bridge and escaping into Guatemala…all without so much as […]
This long weekend found most Belizean workers kicking back on the beach or in the bush, but at least a few in Belize’s labour movement spent their day at the Belize City Centre. In his remarks to the small gathering Labor Minister Valdemar Castillo said that this Labour Day found Belize enjoying industrial peace, harmony […]
The news media is only too willing to speed out to Hattieville…so long as the story involves a prison riot, an escape or a whipping. But good news does occasionally sprout up through the dusty soil of the Department of Corrections…and News Five was on hand to help it grow. Stewart Krohn, Reporting When former […]
It must be something about the holiday weekend that has workers on edge. Having seen calls for industrial action at WASA and Venus Bus Lines earlier in the week, this morning the truckers who haul the nation’s fuel aired their complaints to the media. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting Operations at the Esso Terminal shut down for […]
This Easter weekend the highways will be extremely busy as Belizeans travel to their vacation spots for the four-day holiday. It is also a busy time for the National Drug Abuse Control Council, Transport Department and the Police. These agencies are working together to make our roadways a safer place to travel. One way the […]
It’s that time of Holy week when people’s minds are already on holiday even though their bodies may not leave town until Thursday afternoon. But for a growing number of employees and employers–particularly in the burgeoning tourist sector–the long Easter weekend requires the mind of an Einstein just to figure out the proper paycheck. This […]
Three weeks ago 90% of the employees at Venus Bus Company became members of the Christian Workers Union. The workers joined the union because they say they are being mistreated by the company’s management. The employees are demanding higher wages and for the company to make sure the buses are properly equipped. However talks between […]
It’s a government operated service that may be next on the privatization list. Today the Water and Sewage Authority is under some union heat for trying to trim its staff. On Friday, 16 employees received letters informing them that their services are no longer required. The employees, who come from Benque Viejo, Orange Walk, Punta […]
He was a man who left a lasting impact on his community, his union and his nation. It is with regret that we report the death of Pablo Lambey. Lambey died in Los Angeles where he had been undergoing treatment for kidney failure since January. He was for many years a leading labour leader, heading […]
On May 12th Belize’s 2000 Population Census gets underway. The Central Statistical Office which will be conducting the exercise has been holding several meetings with village leaders and chairpersons to brief them on the role they will play in making sure the Census reaches all parts of the country and is conducted in a smooth […]
The Mennonite communities of Belize have a well-deserved reputation as places where the ethic of hard work reigns supreme. And that attitude extends to the entire family, with the very young to very old joining in the productive effort. The downside of that otherwise commendable trait, however, is that sometimes tragic accidents occur on the […]
It’s a familiar story around Belize: too many students and not enough classrooms. Today News Five’s Jacqueline Woods took a look at one particular educational situation in Belize City and found that while things are bad, there is hope on the horizon. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting Today schools across the country closed for the Easter break […]
Professionals from the ministries of Human Development, Health and Education, as well as representatives of law enforcement and community development are meeting at the Radisson Fort George to see what can be done to address the problem of sexual abuse and violence against children. The two-day conference is organized by the University College of Belize. […]
