Since Wednesday, the national referral hospital has been providing only about fifty percent of services. The roofing of the facility has been confirmed to be compromised and about one hundred pillars are damaged; likely by an earthquake in offshore Honduras earlier this year. The K.H.M.H. Board of Governors has been looking at the different scenarios […]
How much did the Government know about the situation with the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, and how much of its current state could have been prevented? These are the questions being asked by the Opposition People’s United Party tonight. This afternoon, John Briceño told reporters that the K.H.M.H. would have been a fit and proper […]
The seventh murder since Friday evening occurred in Roaring Creek, Cayo District. A body was retrieved from the river in the village this morning after it was spotted by women heading to the river bank. It is now confirmed that twenty-four-year-old Alvin Montero was murdered and his body dumped in the water. There were cut […]
Two grieving families torn apart by the relentless gunfire are tonight looking for answers as well as for justice. Theresita Flowers and Bernadine Lauriano were both murdered in the recent spate of urban warfare. Family members are left behind to cope with the pain of the abrupt violent loss of life made worse by the […]
On Monday, we introduced you to the new team of managers for the Belize Civic Center. The Government signed a three-year contract with Apex Events Services LLC of Florida, whose sole proprietor is Chad Eckert. Eckert won the bid as manager of the complex on Central American Boulevard, and has since set up a locally-based […]
The People’s United Party this afternoon addressed the state of affairs in Belize City in relation to crime. Party Leader John Briceño and Deputy Cordel Hyde lamented the weekend’s developments and seriously questioned the Government’s commitment to addressing crime’s root causes. They pointed out that the consolidation of the Ministry of National Security seemed a […]
During his tour of municipalities for the recent municipal elections, Briceño spent much time in Belize City touring homes and speaking to residents. But his deputy, Cordel Hyde, has been a City resident all his life and presides over the division where a majority of this weekend’s killings took place. Hyde told us that some […]
The call to address crime has become a plank of the P.U.P.’s public statements, but even Briceño admits it seems to be falling on deaf ears. Beyond an initial acknowledgment from Prime Minister Dean Barrow, little has been done by Government to reach out and partisan rhetoric has been the order of the day. Nonetheless, […]
Precisely what is the intent of Section eighteen of the Constitution, cited by Prime Minister Dean Barrow as the basis for the latest measures against crime? It provides for the handling of states of emergency, defined as any time in which Belize is at war, or any proclamation by the Governor General or the National […]
On Sunday afternoon, following a twenty-four-hour period of wanton bloodshed in Belize City, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced a reshuffling of Cabinet to allow for a new crime fighting strategy to be implemented. The streamlining of the portfolios for defense and home affairs, to become once again the Ministry of National Security, sees John Saldivar […]
The Belize National Teachers Union today spoke about the new Ministry of National Security. The union says it is not happy with the appointment of John Saldivar. The B.N.T.U. says there has not been a full discussion on the matter – but preliminary feedback indicates that the membership is not satisfied because of Saldivar’s performance […]
The B.N.T.U. will take to Belmopan on Thursday to hold a rally in light of the abuse and violence against children and women. According to President Elena Smith, the B.N.T.U. has written to the Ministry of Education to call off classes on Thursday, but they have not yet received a response. Chief Education Officer Doctor […]
Since the announcement of the rally, there have been a number of memos issued to teachers. Those memos say that those who do not show up to teach on Thursday will not receive the day’s pay. Smith says the managing authorities have the responsibility to inform the teachers of what the possible consequences may be, […]
They split not too long ago, but the three sugar cane farmers’ associations are uniting in common cause against the announcement of exemptions to General Sales Tax to be implemented against agricultural services such as land preparation, harvesting and crop dusting. The measure is intended to close a loophole favoring certain farmers, but the Belize […]
Last October, the Police Department launched Operation ACT as a means of tackling crime on Southside of Belize City. It had its successes and failures, but with the breakdown over the weekend comes a call for sober re-assessment of where the operation is going and where it needs to be targeted. Deputy Commissioner of Police […]
One aspect of the crime situation not regularly discussed is the traumatic impact on the youngest citizens – whether they are perpetrator, victim, or innocent bystander. The former Southside commander believes that in whichever capacity, there must be engagement with the Ministry of Human Development to obtain counseling and similar services for those traumatized by […]
A study has been undertaken to find out how mangrove cover has changed in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site and across Belize between 1980 and 2017. After three months, the researchers presented their findings today. There is some good news to celebrate – within the Barrier Reef Reserve System, there has […]
Child Stimulation Month activities continue with the annual Early Childhood Education Expo. The Ministry of Education during this month is encouraging parents of children between the ages of newborn and eight years to take some time to play and explore with their children. There was plenty of that on display at the B.T.L. Park on […]
