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Former Belize Defense Force commander, Stephen Ortega, retired from duty on December twenty-first, 2021. Since then, he has been succeeded by Azariel Loria who has risen in rank to become the next Brigadier General of the B.D.F. During Ortega’s tenure, Loria observed carefully the decisions being made at the organizational level. Brig. Gen. Azariel […]
Written on January 18, 2022 | Posted in
Defense,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Succession at the Helm of the Belize Defense Force
Like many organization, the B.D.F. has its share of allegations of sexual misconduct. At times, a culture of silence made it difficult for women in uniform to come forward with their stories. The new commander says he has been working on changing policies on reporting, and these can now be taken to the police. […]
Written on January 18, 2022 | Posted in
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Tackling Allegations of Sexual Misconduct in the Military
Island Breeze Bar and Grill, located in Dangriga, is popular with locals and tourists alike who enjoy its food, beverages, and view of the sea. But, lately it is becoming known for other things, like confrontations with law enforcement. Owner Christopher Zabaneh told News Five his establishment has been wrongfully accused of breaching the conditions […]
Written on January 18, 2022 | Posted in
People & Places |
Comments Off on Dangriga Bar and Grill Claims Police Harassment
There was a violent incident in Punta Gorda Town on Monday night that left two men hospitalized. According to police, sometime just before eleven p.m., Roberto and Lazaro Barrientos were at an establishment in the Hollywood neighborhood, when they were approached by an individual they knew. He then attacked them, inflicting multiple stab wounds to […]
Written on January 18, 2022 | Posted in
Crime,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Stabbing Incident in Peini Leaves Two Injured
Today, the Central Health Region in the Ministry of Health got some much needed help for their COVID-19 hotline which went down on Monday. Samsung distributor, Cellular World, came to the rescue, handing over a device that can help monitors and notify residents of their COVID status. Assistant Primary Healthcare Coordinator, Desiree Mejia, thanked their […]
Written on January 18, 2022 | Posted in
People & Places |
Comments Off on Communication Help Provided to Central Health Region for COVID Hotline
The United Democratic Party today condemned this week’s mass firing of school security wardens. The party says the action occurred just as schools are returning to face to face learning, and one year after transport workers were sent home. The party claims the terminations are politically motivated. They say twenty wardens from the Belize and […]
Written on January 18, 2022 | Posted in
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on U.D.P. Condemns School Warden Terminations
A well-loved and respected customs officer is the latest victim of a fatal road traffic accident. It happened over the weekend when Rudolph Williams was traveling along the George Price Highway towards Belize City. The journey from Big Creek to the Old Capital is a lengthy drive, and Williams was much closer to home when […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on A Customs Officer Perishes in RTA Near Hattieville
A police officer was stabbed on Saturday night. Akeem Jones reported to his fellow officers that he was attempting to part a fight between several persons near Water Lane, when one of the men turned on him and inflicted multiple stab wounds to his body. It’s an account that is being questioned by his colleagues […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Police Question Officer’s Account of Weekend Stabbing Incident
Coast Guard Officer Kyle Humes was stabbed in front of his residence over the weekend, when a pair of men accosted him as he got out of his vehicle. He was injured on various parts of the body, including the face and hands. There have been no arrests in the case thus far and police […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Coast Guard Officer Stabbed by a Pair of Knife-wielding Attackers
A suspect in the January thirteenth murder of Dorian Tzac is in police custody. He was picked up following the deadly shooting on Antelope Street Extension that left the welder dead and a teenage minor critically wounded. Malcolm Muschamp, a resident of Ladyville, was nabbed on Thursday night shortly after officers on mobile patrol in […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on A Suspect is Arrested and Charged for Dorian Tzac’s Murder
There was an attempt on the life of Alrick Lamb in the same crime-ridden neighborhood where Dorian Tzac was gunned down last Thursday. According to Lamb, he was on a bicycle in the vicinity of the Collet Education and Resource Center when he was pursued by the occupants of a vehicle who opened fire on […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Another Armed Attack on Antelope Street Extension
Today a group of women turned out in protest at the Truancy Unit of the Ministry of Education in Belize City. They were up in arms because they were being issued termination letters. One woman was about to apply for maternity leave when she was let go instead. While they claim they are being politically […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Education,
Featured,
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on School Wardens Protest Firings
The Ministry of Education says that it is in the process of cleaning up the School Security Warden Program. That is because a review of a list of approximately one hundred and fifty wardens on the payroll shows a number have been receiving a pay check, but are not assigned to any school. Others have […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on M.O.E: Warden List “A Complete Disaster” With Absentee Wardens Paid, Others Not Assigned to Schools
Sosa says that the school security wardens are playing an important role as children transition back into the classrooms during a pandemic. Rafael Sosa, School Security Warden Program Coordinator, Ministry of Education “Given the fact that schools have now reopened and have returned to hybrid learning, it is now more important than ever before […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on School Security Warden Program Important During Pandemic
Since the reopening of schools last Monday, there have been reports of COVID clusters among teachers of at least one school, and reports of other cases have caused more concerns over whether the reopening of schools was a good decision. But Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca told News Five that with all precautionary measures in […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Education,
Featured,
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Education Minister: No COVID Originating at Schools
The official ceremony marking the commencement of the legal year 2022 was held virtually today. Speakers did not shy away from addressing the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the budgetary and personnel constraints, and the growing demand for services across the nation. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports. COVID19 has presented […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Featured,
Law,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Opening Ceremony for Judiciary Held Online: Pandemic Challenges Addressed
The Bar Association of Belize is calling for an improvement in the quality of judgments delivered in the courts. Iliana Swift, President of the Bar Association, says there is a concern that judges are not offering enough clarification when they hand down a decision. Iliana Swift, President, Bar Association of Belize “And, while we […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Featured,
Law,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Bar Concerned About Quality of Judgments that Lack Details
After her first year as Attorney General, Magali Marin Young spoke about the neglect she says the Judiciary has faced over the years. According to the A.G., some improvements have been made to physical infrastructures across the country. Magali Marin-Young, Attorney General of Belize “It has been one year in office, and I have […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Featured,
Law,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Family Court Moving; Repairs Coming to other Courts
In its Blu manifesto, the P.U.P. Administration promised to restructure the court system. According to the Attorney General, that restructuring is now coming on stream. She explained the new system, and how it will compare to other countries in the region. Magali Marin-Young, Attorney General of Belize “Firstly, it is proposed that the Supreme […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Law,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Court Restructuring Also Coming
Last week, we reported that the Commission of Inquiry conducted an investigation into the sale of government assets between October 2019 and November 2020, under the last administration. The Commission found that all the transactions were in violation of the law. One case in particular seems to merit further investigation, at least according to Commission Chair, […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
People & Places |
Comments Off on PM Says Public Officers Must Be Held Accountable
It has been one week since Prime Minister John Briceño announced a Cabinet reshuffle, when he placed Minister Kevin Bernard as the new Minister of Health and moved Minister Michel Chebat over to take on Public Utilities and Logistics. Rodwell Ferguson now assumes Sports from Bernard. The Prime Minister told News Five there is no […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on PM Says Chebat Was Surprised, but All is Well Following Cabinet Shuffle
The Belize City Council has made some adjustments to its councilor portfolios. A release from CITCO outlines the changes which begin with Mayor Bernard Wagner, who is also taking on Staff Development & Training, Public Relations, and Special Events. Councilor Javier Castellanos now assumes responsibility for Management Information Systems; Councilor Albert Vaughan adds Municipal Court […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Belize City Council Fine Tunes Portfolios
On Friday Dr. Julio Sabido was confirmed as the new C.E.O. for the Ministry of Health. Prime Minister John Briceño told News Five on Saturday that Dr. Sabido is a good fit for the job. The PM says Sabido will help implement PlanBelize health goals. Prime Minister John Briceño “As you all know, Ms […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on PM Briceno Says New Health C.E.O. is Fit for the Job
For almost two months, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has been operating without a C.E.O., after Doctor Deysi Mendez was terminated from the post in late November. Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie had been acting in the position, signing off of documents and other matters. With Doctor Lesbia Guerra refusing to take up the post, […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Bernard Responds to Scepticism About New C.E.O.
News Five today spoke with the President of the Public Service Union, Dean Flowers, who says that as a union they have no say in the appointment of a C.E.O. But, he notes that there are negative rumblings about Doctor Julio Sabido being tapped for health C.E.O. Dean Flowers, President, P.S.U. “I must congratulate […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on P.S.U. on Doctor Sabido’s Appointment
