The countrywide manhunt for the prime suspect in string of violent murders continues tonight with police no closer to bringing Jermaine Fuentes also known as Jermaine de Paz into custody. The fugitive’s last known whereabouts were at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday when he tried to pay a visit to […]
This evening, police are still investigating an early morning shootout in southside Belize City that has traumatised a neighbourhood and destroyed one man’s car. According to police reports, just before 2 o’clock this morning, thirty-three year old Frank Lopez woke up to the sound of gunshots and looked outside only to find his GMC Suburban […]
A teenager from the Cayo District is dead tonight after a late night brawl. According to police, eighteen year old Allen Smith Flowers, a resident of Teakettle Village, was involved in a fight with another young man at about 11:00 on Wednesday. A set of brass knuckles was introduced to the melee and when it […]
One murder case, in which a suspect was charged long ago, is currently being heard in the Supreme Court. Ann-Marie has an update. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting The trial of Ornel Welcome continued today with prosecution witness Michelle Matthews being cross-examined by defence attorney Simeon Sampson. In his cross-examination, Sampson merely wanted her to reiterate to […]
Cabinet’s blue ribbon committee on crime met for its first consultation on Wednesday and heard suggestions from a selected cross section of the public representing churches, business sector, media and educators. According to a government press release, the group agreed that crime is a problem that must be tackled by the community and not only […]
It was not a major topic at the sub-committee meeting, but it should be remembered not all crimes in Belize involve violence…and not all crimes are prosecuted with equal zeal. A case in point dates back to November twenty-first when police confiscated eleven late model vehicles from a warehouse on a Stann Creek banana farm […]
The business community has announced its choice for Senator, as specified by the recent amendments to the constitution…and he is no stranger to government service. Fred Hunter served as member of the House of Representatives as well as a Minister in several PUP governments. He ended his political career as an organiser of an unsuccessful […]
She was a pioneer in every sense of the word and a role model for several generations of Belizean women. And tonight we regret to report that Dr. Bernice Hulse is dead. Over her ninety years, Dr. Hulse accomplished much, particularly in the field of public health, where she led the team which virtually eradicated […]
The results of the First Class National Teacher’s Examination are in. Of the two hundred and eighty-eight teachers who sat the exam, only sixty-six were successful, which, believe it or not, represents an increase in performance over last year when two hundred and fourteen took the exam and only twenty-five passed. According to Programme Director, […]
In political news, the United Democratic Party has entered the fray over the future of telecommunications in Belize. In a press release issued today, the Opposition strongly denounced the deal made public yesterday between government and Intelco. According to the UDP, the fifteen-year exclusive contract under which Intelco will supply telecom services to the government […]
A new publication which highlights the merits of the soon to be established Caribbean Court of Justice has been launched. Caribbean Court of Justice: Issues and Perspective is a compilation of commentaries and analyses of issues relating to the Caribbean Court. According to the Attorney General of Barbados, who chairs the preparatory committee for the […]
This evening the Toledo Development Corporation was formally launched in Punta Gorda. T.D.C. will co-ordinate activities in the Toledo District to promote increased development of the area. The corporation was a plan formulated by the Environmental and Social Technical Assistance Project and supported by the Government of Belize. According to ESTAP’s Acting Project Manager, Imani […]
Ever since Mark Ireland disappeared from his Belmopan home over the weekend, hope that he would be found alive faded with each passing hour. Today, the worst fears of friends and family were confirmed. Janelle Chanona reports from the nation’s capital. Janelle Chanona, Reporting Just after 10:00 this morning, a joint BDF/Police search team combing […]
Four defendants charged with rape and attempted murder, but found guilty of grievous harm, were sentenced today by Justice John Gonzales. James Pelayo, Ricardo Alamilla, Melvin Guzman and Amir Sutherland were each sentenced to three years in prison. The incident involving a thirty-six year old woman, occurred in May of 2000 off the Northern Highway […]
It was the most spectacular crime story of the year 2000…and today a suspect finally went on trial. Ann-Marie Williams reports from the Supreme Court. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting The highly publicised case in which millionaire heiress Therese Blake Ayuso was allegedly shot to death by Ornel Welcome, opened this morning in Supreme Court number three […]
It is not exactly a household word in Belize, but if executives of Intelco have their way, that name will soon reverberate throughout the country… beginning in the schools. News 5’s Stewart Krohn reports on the long awaited inauguration of a programme to launch Belizean kids into cyberspace… and their parents into an era of […]
It had been rumoured for weeks, and today the Ministry of Budget Management made it official. Keith Arnold, Central Bank Governor for the last decade, will be leaving that post as of the end of March. Arnold, who earned a reputation as a professional survivor, worked more or less comfortably under both PUP and UDP […]
“Post Disaster Epidemiological Surveillance” was the focus of a one-day workshop attended by sixty health care professionals, ranging from doctors to public health inspectors. According to Dr. Paul Edwards, director of epidemiology, today’s seminar lays the groundwork for health management of future disasters. Dr. Paul Edwards, Dir., Epidemiological Unit “To strengthen those participants, or those […]
Belizean fire fighters have recently completed a detailed course on the proper way to investigate the origins of a fire. After watching the next story, it should become clear that their newly acquired skills are badly needed. Janelle Chanona, Reporting This is all that remains of forty-five year old Leonard Wright’s home. He suspects arson […]
What started as an apparent kidnapping in a quiet section of Belmopan has evolved in a series of shootings and murders stretching into the heart of Belize City’s roughest neighbourhoods. Exactly how all the events are connected is not clear, but News 5’s Jacqueline Woods, who covered yesterday’s disappearance in Belmopan and shooting at Belizean […]
It has not been a good week for gas stations as in a thirty-six hour period, three have been knocked off by criminals. According to police reports, the first attack took place at B and C Industries on mile sixteen and a half on the Northern Highway. Owner She Hong Yuan told police that while […]
A verdict is in, in the trial of four young men charged with rape and other crimes of violence. Ann-Marie is just back from the Supreme Court with a report. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting After deliberating for four hours, a jury of seven men and two women returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty of attempted […]
If calls to the morning talk shows are any indication, there is still a fair amount of confusion over exactly what rates Belizeans will now pay for telecommunication services. After talking to sources in both B.T.L. and the government, we can safely report the following: All telephone usage in January will now be billed at […]
The statistics may not be as closely followed as those on AIDS, but that doesn’t mean domestic violence is not occurring all around us. The latest numbers indicate the disturbing practice is actually on the increase nation-wide, with the highest number of incidents being reported in the Belize District. Within that context, the Human Rights […]
He was a link to a time in Belize’s history when mahogany was king, chicle was queen and the power of a boat on the Belize River was measured, not by the size of its outboard engine, but by the strength of a man’s arms. By that measure– and many others– Thomas Green was a […]
