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Teachers Union denies week long shutdown

If you are a parent confused about whether your children will be going to school next week, don’t feel bad; you’re not alone. Today the President of the Belize National Teachers Union denied press reports that schools would be closed all next week, but declined to say exactly when classes would be held. The B.N.T.U. […]

Kidnapper dead in abduction attempt

Tonight Corozal police are investigating a disturbing report of kidnapping, which has left one man dead and another in critical condition. According to taxi driver Robert Rosalez, he was called out to a job in an area called Dominguez layout, located near San Antonio Village in the Corozal District. But Rosalez told the cops when […]

AK 47 found in Belize City

In crime action from the city, cops have confiscated a high-powered weapon and ammunition from a residence. According to reports, on Tuesday police raided a house on Gladden Street and came out with an AK 47, and twenty-five rounds of ammunition along with a handgun and a single round of ammo. The occupants at home […]

Sister charged in O.W. fracas

And in another update to our coverage of the story involving Elvira Grant Bautista and her high-powered quarrel with her sister and niece, Orange Walk police say they have arrested and charged twenty-four year old Eliza Grant and charged her with harm.

Police promotions announced

In other police news, the department has announced the most recent round of senior staff promotions. Promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner are Senior Superintendent Gerald Westby and, as previously reported, Acting Senior Superintendent Maureen Leslie. Westby’s appointment is retroactive to December first 2002, while Leslie’s runs from April first of this year. Leslie […]

Legal system refines community service

The Magistrate Courts countrywide are on a go-slow for the next two days, but it does not mean that criminals are free to do as they please. Instead, the men and women who manage the country’s busiest halls of justice are sharpening their knowledge of a new initiative aimed squarely at keeping some of those […]

S.J.C. holds art classes for teachers

This summer Saint John’s College is inviting teachers, parents and children to improve their artistic talents by attending a special art programme. This is the second time the college will offer the courses, five of which are designed especially for teachers and two targeted at children. According to coordinator Dianne Lindo, the programme, which runs […]

Coaches hone softball skills

The Prince Room at the Princess Hotel and Casino is about as far removed as you can get from the dust and mud of Roger’s Stadium. But, as News 5’s Patrick Jones discovered, the teaching of softball skills is not confined to the diamond. Patrick Jones, Reporting There were no cheerleaders or dollar beer at […]

New trail means greater access at Blue Hole

Many Belizeans have visited the popular attraction known as the Blue Hole on the Hummingbird Highway. But not so many are familiar with the five hundred and seventy-five acres of jungle covered hills and caves that surround the deep blue pool. Today a new trail was officially opened, which links the park’s varied attractions that […]

Negotiations scrapped, teachers plan strike

Last Friday the unions were out in force in Belmopan to make known their opposition to proposed increases in Social Security contributions. But by Monday evening, after labour and government representatives met to negotiate their differences, it appeared that the problem was on its way to resolution. That’s why today’s news was so startling. Despite […]

Unions stick to guns but admit dissension

But the unions–or at least certain elements of the leadership–are sticking to their guns, refusing to back down from their opposition to the proposed increases. This afternoon, General Secretary of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, George Frazer, told us that members feel this extreme move was absolutely necessary…while at the same time admitting […]

Inmate killed at Hattieville by fellow con

An inmate at Hattieville prison has been stabbed to death by a fellow convict. The killing occurred around two yesterday afternoon and today, in the absence of official details, News 5’s Jacqueline Woods sought out the dead man’s family. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting The Belisle family is still trying to find out exactly what transpired on […]

Top 25 P.S.E. performers honoured

You have heard some of the names before, but today the highest scorers on this year’s P.S.E. were officially honoured for their achievements. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting On May fifth, five thousand, eight hundred and sixteen standard six students took the primary school examination. Today, twenty-five of those children received awards for their performance. Maude Hyde, […]

Last two finalists chosen in KTV

Hundreds auditioned, fifty selected to compete, and now only four remain. Last night at Club Calypso the last two KTV finalists were chosen and here’s how the dramatic moment unfolded. Neil Hall, KTV Host “Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the semi-final round two are: contestants number two and five, Louis Maskall and Ernestine Carballo.” […]

Fire drills hone skills of fire-fighters, public

It’s a practice the Fire Department conducts regularly, and while supposedly surprise fire drills are seldom surprising to those involved, they still serve an important purpose. Today I followed the trucks to the scene of the latest mock blaze. Janelle Chanona, Reporting It began with a piercing siren that sent employees rushing to their safety […]

Compol expects cops to be charged

In less than two weeks, separate incidents involving police officers have resulted in the shooting deaths of two civilians. In the wake of such jarring blows to the image of police community relations, this afternoon Police Commissioner Carmen Zetina told News 5 that the cops involved will be charged. But Commissioner Zetina says while the […]

Unions and Finance Minister talk about S.S.B.

In the continuing saga of those proposed changes in Social Security, a meeting was held on Monday between union representatives and Finance Minister Ralph Fonseca. According to a government press release, and corroborated by a union spokesman, both sides agreed to consult separately on the three major facets of the proposed package. That is the […]

Pickup driver charged in cyclist’s death

In crime news, the driver of a car involved in the death of a motorcyclist has been arrested and charged. Rogel Cal has been charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct and driving without due care and attention following his fatal collision with a motorcycle driven by Marlon Henderson. The accident occurred […]

15-year-old charged in school arson

And in that fire, which occurred at Biscayne Government School, police have arrested a fifteen year old who has been charged with arson. The suspected motive for the act has not been released to the public.

O.W. woman charged, challenges police account

In Orange Walk, Elvira Grant, the woman who we satirically referred to as Annie Oakley in last night’s newscast, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of harm for her actions with a nine millimetre pistol on Sunday night. Today, Grant, who prefers to go by her married name of […]

Lobster season opens with big catch

In the avalanche of weekend crime that was reported on Monday’s newscast we somehow managed to neglect one of the favourite events on our calendar…that is the opening of lobster season. Sunday marked the first day of legal lobstering and, as these photos show, Belizean fishermen were having no trouble in finding their prey. Fisheries […]

New election commissioners sworn in

It’s a big job and today the people who will be responsible for keeping our elections free and fair were given their official appointments. This afternoon the press got a chance to ask them some pointed questions about ballots and boundaries. Janelle Chanona, Reporting This afternoon swearing in ceremonies were held in Belize City officially […]

Drivers urged to trade in old license for new

It’s an important document and now the Belize driver’s license is going high tech. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods brought in her old beat up ID and–just like magic–emerged with a bright and shiny new one. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting The problem of fake licenses both at home and abroad has prompted the Belize Traffic Department to […]

Cops kill motorist in Ladyville

Only a week after a police constable killed a man in Caye Caulker under questionable circumstances, another civilian is dead at the hands of law enforcement authorities. The drama unfolded in the wee hours of Saturday morning when cops arrested a suspect outside a dance at Celina’s club in Ladyville. The crowd reacted negatively and […]

Shopkeeper murdered; motive unclear

Darrel McDonald was not the only weekend fatality in Ladyville. On Friday night an employee of a village shop became concerned when the store owner did not respond to her repeated calls. Upon entering the building through a window, the reason became clear. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting The bloody and lifeless body of twenty-eighth year old […]