Channel 5
Accused Murderer Speaks From Behind Bars
William Danny Mason has been behind bars since July nineteenth, in a special facility at the Belize Central Prison reserved for high-risk prisoners. He is alone - or as alone [...]
Family of Minor Denies Manipulation by John Saldivar
Superintendent Mark Flowers, former commander of the Gang Suppression Unit, spent his first night on remand at the Belize Central Prison on Tuesday.� The pretrial detention succeeds an arraignment at [...]
Flowers Maintains Saldivar Is Plotting Against Him
Flowers maintains that the charges brought against him are all part of a plot to make him the fall guy, to shift attention away from the ongoing investigation involving alleged [...]
GSU Boss Claims Mason Offered to Buy His Land
The former GSU boss Mark Flowers has gone on record to say that he gained access to the posh home of William Mason in Belmopan as part of a covert [...]
Mark Flowers Says He Will Get PM Involved in Plot against Him
Prior to handing himself in at the Queen Street Precinct on Tuesday, the embattled Mark Flowers had a few choice words for those whom he believes are behind the conspiracy [...]
Flowers Says His Removal Was Invalid
Flowers fall from grace was not foreseen. The former head of the GSU once provided security for the former Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel and was seen at many political events [...]
Belize Central Prison Has Special Protocols for High-Risk Prisoners
Today, News Five was at the Belize Central Prison and got an opportunity to enquire about the status of the new, high-profile additions to the facility. As we told you [...]
Teenager Arraigned for Belmopan Murder
A teenager of Salvadoran nationality was this morning arraigned in the Belmopan Magistrate's court for Monday's murder of Bella Regina Williams.� The mother of three was found dead by her [...]
Female Population at Kolbe Gets New Classroom
It's not often that News Five is invited within the compound of the Belize Central Prison, currently home to about one thousand four hundred and twenty inmates. But today we [...]
Prison Finances are Stretched Thin
Just one look at the Belize Central Prison would reveal that it is operating on a shoestring budget. The facilities are adequate, but not more than that. Before the construction [...]
Prison C.E.O. Says Society Should Accept Prisoners Rehabilitated and Released
Yes, you heard right. While the Kolbe group is committed to rehabilitation and turning inmates into productive citizens, the less inmates they have, the less money they get from government [...]
Repeat Offender Chester Noralez on Remand
Tonight alleged repeat offender, Chester Noralez, is on remand for snatching a chain from a friend in Belize City.� Noralez is the Belize City resident who is accused of beating [...]
What's the Latest at the Sarstoon?
With so many things happening on the news front, the situation at the Sarstoon has been pushed somewhat on the backburner. But from official indications, while public attention has been [...]
Have Illegal Guatemalan Fishers Gone Away?
Access to the Sarstoon was one major concern for Belizeans - another was the flagrant, brazen, unhindered illegal fishing not only on our side of the Sarstoon but all the [...]
Meet the Footballers of Police United
This morning at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in the capital, we caught up with Police United Football Club as the players trained to take on a Honduran team in a [...]
Manager Says Club Received No Money from William Mason
Now, to get Police United to the Scotia Bank's CONCACAF Champions League is an expensive venture. Approximately two hundred thousand dollars is required for the team and delegation to travel [...]
Stakeholders Discuss Impact of Climate Change
A cross-section of participants from various organizations, government and N.G.O.s gathered at the Radisson for a daylong conference where they discussed the impacts of climate change.� A panel of presenters [...]
CTV3
UDP Councillor Shot At His Home In Corozal
The peace and tranquillity of the Altamira area located in the Corozal District was disrupted last night after two masked men forcibly entered the home of well-known Corozale�o and current UDP councillor, Guillermo Arana, in an attempt to rob money from him. Our news team visited the Arana family in Corozal earlier this morning where we were informed that at the time of the incident, Arana was at home in the company of his wife and four minors who were all witnesses to the horrific scene. Reports indicate that a struggle ensued between Arana and one of his attackers, however, both men were armed and as a result, Arana received two gunshot wounds, one to the right hand and the other to the abdomen. Roger Arana - Brother:
"Last night around nine o'clock my mother received a call from my little brother that they had shot my older brother, I went to his house and we found out that there were two persons with masks that came to his house and apparently there were only my niece and my nephew and two other kids that were visiting them and they heard the gun men that were armed approaching the door and they pointed the gun at my nephew..."
Did The Now Head Of GSU Served As Mason Personal Body Guard?
Since the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas on Friday and the detention of well-connected conman William Mason and four others, numerous reports have surfaced of who wine and dined with him and who all his acquaintances allegedly are.
And amongst that list, according to former Commander of the Gang Suppression Unit, Superintendent Mark Flowers, is Inspector Glenn Caliz the same man who has replaced Flowers as head of the Gang Suppression Unit.
Flowers, among other things, revealed yesterday that Caliz used to serve as personal security for Mason. But, says Flowers, while one man may have shot a few rounds at Mason's shooting range at Outback Ranch, the body of the GSU did not.
Police Says Seventeen Year Old Minor Rode Into Their Vehicle
On yesterday's newscast we told you about a seventeen year old minor from the Corozal District who is alleging that he was deliberately knocked down by police officers while riding his bicycle to work on Monday afternoon.
But while the family is accusing the officers of being at fault, tonight we can inform you that authorities are saying just the opposite as they are claiming that the minor was the one who accidentally rode into the police mobile after failure to stop while the vehicle was traveling across the road. Dennis Arnold - Officer in Command, Corozal Police Station:
"On Monday, whilst the police vehicle was travelling from north to south direction on the Olga Marin Drive, at the corner of Olga Marin Drive I think its Hidden Hill Street, a minor was riding a bicycle but that junction is a "T", this vehicle on the straight have the right of way..."
Prices Continue On The Rise According To SIB
The Statistical Institute of Belize today published its latest statistics on prices and external trade for the country of Belize. First we take a look at the consumer price index for which the report shows that prices increased, on average by 0.9 percent for the month of June 2016 as it stood 103.7, compared to 102.8 in June 2015.
For the first half of this year, a year-to-date inflation rate of 0.5 percent was recorded.
Despite higher prices for both regular gasoline and diesel fuel during the month, the 'Transport' category saw an overall decline of 0.7 percent. The effect of these price increases was overshadowed by premium gasoline prices and international airfares, which remained lower than they were one year ago
Imports And Exports Continue To Decline
Belize's total imports for the month of June 2016 were valued at $168 million, decreasing 11.2 percent or $21.2 million from imports for June 2015, which totaled $189.2 million, this is according to the latest figures released by the Statistical Institute of Belize today. The report shows that Imports destined for the 'Machinery and Transport Equipment', which accounts for more than one fifth of all the country's imports, was a major factor in the decline for June 2016. This category, which spiked to $47 million in June of last year due to a major purchase of equipment, saw a drop of $11.5 million to $35 million in June 2016. 'Mineral Fuels and Lubricants', on the other hand, saw its first monthly increase for this year, rising by $6 million from $13.6 million in June of last year to $20 million for June 2016. This was primarily due to the fact that diesel imports doubled when compared to last June. A shipment of premium gasoline was also received in June 2016, while none was imported during June of 2015.
Is Shyne Barrow Aspiring To Become Leader Of The Nation?
Will Shyne Barrow, the son of Prime Minister Dean Barrow and a former inmate and rapper who was named music Ambassador of Belize, become a candidate for the next Prime Minister of Belize? We know that Moses 'Shyne' Barrow, has decided to be a politician and wants to run in the Mesopotamia constituency in the next general elections but in a report on Jamaican news�"Bossip" speaks of Shyne's intention to run for Prime Minister of Belize. Shyne was in Montego Bay for a Reggae Summer Fest, when he told the Jamaican news outlet Quote, "I'm going to be in Parliament in Belize very soon. I'm going to be leading my nation and contributing to my nation with all the capacity that I have. My father is the right honorable prime minster, and he's retiring and I'm succeeding him and my uncle. So I can continue in the legacy of my father and serve the people." End quote. Prime Minister Dean Barrow will complete his last term as leader of the UDP in 2020 after which a convention will be held to elect a new party leader, a position which has more than one has contender, including Deputy Prime Minister, Patrick Faber.
Rotaract Orange Walk Promotes Reading
The Rotaract Club here in Orange Walk Town is well-known for engaging in numerous activities which seeks to benefit the entire community in some way or the other. And since a new board has recently been elected to take charge of the club's affairs, a new agenda has been finalized in order to ensure that the work within the community continues.
This time around, the members have embarked in a new project. It is a book drive that has the intent of promoting literacy and reading as a hobby. The books will be distributed to children from the different villages.
Grisel Carballo - President, Rotaract Club, Orange Walk Town:
"We want to have a book drive and I think that it reading and sparking a hobby, it's a new initiative that we will be doing and showcasing and our target is to collect over a thousand books whether you have it at home just sitting there collecting dust you can bring it over to sky pure, A&R or Landy's and Sons there will be boxes and you can donate it if you know of someone that like to read books; story books or any type of books that people can use we will gladly appreciate it so we will be starting this as of next week."
Former GSU Boss Expresses Mix Emotions
Former commander of the gang suppression unit, Superintendent Mark Flowers is tonight sitting in a cell at the Hativille Prison. He stands accused of two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14 year old girl but Flowers maintains his innocence and calls the allegations made against him a malicious move on the part of a high government minister. During an extensive and very revealing interview made yesterday, Flowers admitted that he is saddened by it all.
Mark Flowers - Former Commander GSU:
"I am dishearten, I am angry, I am frustrated, I am feeling betrayed, I am starting to have a hate but I don't know if I am disappointed at all, I don't think they can disappoint me because I somehow understand the silly games and knowing that is going nowhere and I want to be specially optimistic about everything, and I am thinking that this might be the cause for financing my retirement because one malicious prosecution goes on and you know that it is malicious what else can I even think."
LOVE FM
No Resignation for John Saldivar
The rumour mill in Belize has been working in overdrive over the last few weeks especially since the beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas in Belmopan, Cayo District. The most recent one is that the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar is looking to resign. We have been trying to reach Saldivar yesterday but our messages [�]
The Lives of William Mason and Mark Flowers Behind Bars
Now that we know that at least for tonight, John Saldivar remains the Minister of National Security, we can move on to William Alexander Mason. The 47-year-old Guyanese national is spending his ninth night on remand at the Belize Central Prison. He has just been joined by one of the men who used to visit [�]
Video Footage Was the Trigger to Seek Melissa Ferguson
There is some difficulty understanding the rationale behind the police's delayed move to issue an arrest warrant for William Mason's girlfriend, Melissa Ferguson. Five days after the head of Pastor Lucas was found, a picture went out asking for help in locating Ferguson as she is wanted for questioning. Some speculations are that the police [�]
Mark Flowers Claims Innocence
Yesterday we told you of the recording with former GSU Commander, Mark Flowers. In that recording there were two aspects to the conversation; the first being the allegation against him of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a young girl who is now reportedly pregnant and the second being allegations against Government officials. While the rumour [�]
Traffic Incident Proves Fatal in Southern Belize
Two teenagers were killed in a road traffic accident in the Stann Creek District. Correspondent Harry Arzu has the story.
Arrest Made in the Murder of Regina Williams
Belmopan Police have made an arrest in the murder of a woman that occurred earlier this week in the Las Flores area. Correspondent Fem Cruz spoke with the officer in charge of Belmopan Police.
Ten Belizeans Deported from the US
Ten Belizeans were brought in this morning via the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The US agency is currently escorting dozens of Central American citizens back to their respective countries including Belize. The plane landed just before nine o'clock this morning at the Philip Goldson International Airport and the nine men and one [�]
Data Shows an Upward Trend in Consumer Prices
Consumer prices saw an increase of point nine percent in June as compared to the same period last year. According to the latest figures from the Statistical Institute of Belize, the all items consumer price index for June of this year was one hundred and three point seven compared to one hundred and two point [�]
Heavy Rains Result in Flooding in Southern Belize
Heavy rainfall during the night contributed to another inconvenient flooded situation in sections of Punta Gorda and the biggest flood in town so far for this year. We hear more in this report from correspondent Paul Mahung.
House Speaker Talks Integrity � Recall Mechanism � Standing Orders
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word integrity as being that of having a firm adherence to a code of moral or artistic values; it is also defined as being honest and fair. With all that has been unfolding we asked the Speaker of the House on the matter of the integrity of elected officials and of it [�]
Breaking Belize News
Murder victims see charges dismissed
26 year old Rene "Fat Cat" Chavarria of Ladyville and 21 year old Kieran Morrison of Belize City were murdered earlier this year in separate incidents. But at the time of their deaths, both men were accused of trying to take other lives, and [�]
Women prisoners get multi-purpose building; can society change attitudes to ex-cons?
The Belize Central Prison at Hattieville, managed a multi-purpose building intended to be the base for their continued rehabilitation, in anticipation [�]
High-risk prisoners are isolated from general prison population
Though by agreement with authorities they will not be mentioned by name in this story, a senior police officer accused of unlawful sexual assault on a teenager and an international con artist believed to have masterminded the murder by beheading of a prominent pastor [�]
Teen arrested for murder of Las Flores mother
Wanted fugitive, Josue Ortiz, 19, was arraigned this morning in Belmopan's Magistrate court where he was slapped with one count of murder and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. Ortiz, is the main suspect in the death of Regina Williams who was discovered [�]
San Pedro police find weed in cargo section
At 9:15 this morning members of the Special Branch and CIB police department in San Pedro Town, intercepted a parcel of suspected cannabis at the Tropic Air Cargo Section. According to the reports, the officials conducted a special operation that led them to the discovery of [�]
Caleb Orozco decision adjourned for August
The decision on the constitutionality of Section 53 of the Criminal Code has been put off to August 10th, as confirmed by the Supreme Court. Belize's church organizations had anticipated the decision with prayer rallies country wide including a major one last night in Battlefield [�]
Belize Eco-Kids Summer Camp - Final Farewells Day 8
There's always a feeling - of release, of relief, of ending, of starting over. Suddenly, going home doesn't seem so fun after all. Suddenly, you wish the camp lasted two weeks instead of one - or even better, a month! A year! Let it go on forever!!!
At Chaa Creek, that feeling multiplied a hundredfold. After only eight days of magic, the spell ended and we were looking ahead at boring old home again. Yes, Chaa Creek was physically hard and demanding - climbing up mountains, horseback riding through the jungle, trekking through the bush, playing dodge ball, Maya Ball, having water-balloon fights, swimming and canoeing through the river and splashing around in the pools�
Amid the palms and cool sea breezes, a rare 'cri de coeur' is spotted
I was sitting on the deck this morning, cup of coffee in hand, bright sun on my face, a steady breeze rustling the palm trees and the waves lapping against the dock when I encountered a cri de coeur.
I hadn't encountered one of those, face to face, in years.
Although, with election season in high dudgeon back in the States, cri de coeurs are flying back and forth like bullets on a battlefield.
No, I wasn't bird watching.
The cri de coeur that I encountered was on Page 9 of the Sunday New York Times Arts & Entertainment section. It was a reference to an article in The Atlantic magazine passionately titled "Stop Making Film Adaptations of Philip Roth Novels." The larger story from which this was extracted is about producer/director James Schamus ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Brokeback Mountain") who, of course, recently has made a film adaptation of Philip Roth's novel "Indignation."
Returning to the Nursery at Wildtracks
When I first came to Wildtracks, in September 2015, I had no idea what I was in for: how amazing, challenging, and educational it would be. I had just graduated from law school, and thought that I would be a tangential character, feeding and cleaning and generally rehabbing with little interaction with the animals. I didn't have a zoology or veterinary background, and I wasn't sure I would be able to learn how to care for the animals in a meaningful way.
I was sorely mistaken.
Little Cas the spider monkey made it clear that he needed me - if only for milk, warmth, and rest. During every walk, play session, and snoozefest he barged his way into my routine, with his big eyes and even bigger personality. His nips and hugs, stronger with every day, brought us closer. But it was the string of night shifts that really cemented our bond. He met my initial anxiety and concern with playful squeaks, wriggly hugs, and peaceful sleepy-eyed milk munching. Walking around a sleepy baby spider monkey is inexplicable, and even more so when you catch a pink sunrise over a mirror-calm lagoon--even at 4:50 in the morning. At the end of my month, I'm not sure who needed who more. Holding him was second nature, and it was strange to walk around without him resting on my chest. I didn't realize that when I left, I would have an intimate knowledge of the animals with whom I worked
International Sources
So many people release balloons without realising the environmental impact
Did you ever wonder where your balloons go when they are released? Birds, turtles and other animals commonly mistake balloons for food, which can harm or even kill them. Here's a photo of more than 100 balloons collected at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in NJ (Credit: USFWS), and then another of a bird strangled by a balloon string (Credit Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program).
Belcampo Belize Offers Fantastic Fare from Its Own Farm
Belize has it all. There's the beautiful blue sea with reefs to snorkel and fish, there are rainforest jungles filled with birds and howler monkeys, and there are miles and miles of white sand beaches. And then there is Belcampo Belize.
Belcampo is a luxury agrotourism and ecotourism boutique lodge located in southern Belize. Over 90 percent of the food served at Belcampo is sourced right from its own farm, including vegetables, fruits, eggs, chicken, pork, and lamb. You even have the opportunity to go snorkeling with the chef to dive for your lunch. Belcampo Belize is the place we don't visit just once, but return multiple times during the year.
Shyne Wants to Be the Prime Minister of Belize, Working on New Album
Former Bad Boy Entertainment rapper Shyne has been living in his home country Belize since his release from prison in October 2009. He's kept a low profile until last May where he performed via video satellite at the Bad Boy Family Reunion show in New York.
But the 36-year-old rapper is plotting big moves. In an interview with Bossip, Shyne revealed that he's in line to be the Prime Minister of Belize.
"I'm going to be in Parliament in Belize very soon. I'm going to be leading my nation and contributing to my nation with all the capacity that I have," he said. "My father is the right honorable prime minister, and he's retiring and I'm succeeding him and my uncle. So I can continue in the legacy of my father and serve the people."
"I love Belize. I love what I do for Belize. Everyday I change somebody's life," he added. "My father is the right honorable prime minister of Belize for the last three, consecutive terms, and that gives me access to resources, to power and influence to help poor people, to help people with limited income, people that are struggling and suffering the way I used to as a child."
Tomball family hosts baby boy from Belize receiving medical care
Houston is known worldwide for being the premiere location to receive top medical care due to the Texas Medical Center. With the help of an amazing group, HeartGift, one blessed baby boy from Belize was able to receive care and be comforted by a great family in Tomball.
Edwin is a 10-month old from Belmopan City, Belize who was born with three holes in his heart due to Congenital Heart Disease. His mother Anita says since finding out about her son's condition, she has been doing her best to have him helped and healed.
"I found out when he was two weeks old. The pediatrician that tends to him, she told me there was no one in Belize that helps babies heart problems and we would have to go out of the country .We were admitted that day, and she took us from the hospital by ambulance to Belize City where the cardiologist was. They did an ultrasound on him and they told me he needed operation. If not, he wouldn't live that much longer."
Belize's top court expected to rule in sodomy law case
The Belize Supreme Court this week is expected to announce a ruling in a case that is challenging the country's sodomy law.
The case focuses on Section 53, a statute in the Belize criminal code that criminalizes anyone convicted of "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" faces a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment.
Section 53 is an artifact of Belize's colonial past that dates back to the 1880s.
The Belize Supreme Court heard the case in May 2013, but is still awaiting ruling from Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.
Caleb Orozco is a Belizean gay activist and executive director of the United Belize Advocacy Movement or UniBAM, a public health advocacy group in Belize for the LGBT community.
Orozco became an outspoken gay rights activist at the age of 31 after attending a workshop for gay men and people living with HIV/AIDS at a public conference in Belize City.
Ancient canal network found under Mayan temple in Mexico
Archaeologists in Mexico have discovered an ancient canal network under the 13-hundred-year-old Temple of the Inscriptions in the Mayan ruins.
Researchers at Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History say the canal system was uncovered using sonar technology.
The tunnel network has different levels and still has running water. Scientists believe the canal may be a symbolic gateway to the Underworld for one of the world's most mysterious lost civilizations.
The Best Tropical Cocktails To Sip This Summer
I've been fortunate enough over the last few years to travel to many tropical locations; and summer in Toronto, with its soaring temperatures makes me long for beaches and island drinks.
Here are some of my favourites:
Coconut Mojito-
I've been to Belize several times and love it. One of my favourite spots is the Victoria House, an absolute gem of an island resort on San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. This is an award winning property, a great place to relax, and where I was introduced to a 'Coconut Mojito'.
I found a recipe that is very close to their coconut mojito: 6 fresh mint leaves muddled with 3 lime wedges and 1 tsp of brown sugar in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 � oz white rum, � oz Malibu coconut rum and 1 oz cream of coconut. Fill the shaker with ice, stir vigorously and strain into a tall glass, top with club soda and a mint sprig.
Mexican village uses fireflies to halt deforestation by local logging industry
In the village of Nanacamilpa, tiny fireflies are helping save the towering pine and fir trees on the outskirts of the megalopolis of Mexico City.
Thousands of them light up a magical spectacle at dusk in the old-growth forests on reserves such as the Piedra Canteada park, about 45 miles (75km) east of Mexico's sprawling capital city.
Piedra Canteada in Tlaxcala state isn't a government-run park, but a rural cooperative that has managed to emerge from poverty and dependence on logging with the help of the fireflies.
Five years later, the park's cabins and camp spaces are sold out weeks in advance, with the attraction especially popular among families with young children and couples seeking a romantic setting.
"The amount of fireflies you see is impressive," said Carlos Landa, a Mexico City native who visited Piedra Canteada this week. "Something that I also find quite impressive is their synchronicity: to turn off and turn on, that is something really spectacular. It's like Christmas in the forest."
A New Private-Island Resort Rises Off the Coast of Belize
Located 8 miles off the coast of Placencia, Belize, Coral Caye is the newest addition to the Family Coppola Resorts portfolio. The rustic 2-acre island is located only 20 minutes by boat from the hospitality firm's other Belizean property, the beachfront retreat Turtle Inn. An intimate retreat, the island accommodates up to 12 guests in its two seaside cottages, which are attended to by on-call caretakers who prepare all meals. Optional � la carte amenities include a private butler, a private chef, spa services, guided off-island fishing tours, and diving and snorkeling boat trips. Prices range from $895 per night during off-peak season to $1,495 per night for a three-night minimum stay during the holidays. (coral-caye.com)
Exploring Belize with Moon Guides and Lebawit Lily Girma: The Essence of Belizean Culture and Its People
Belize - gorgeous waters, perfect for diving and snorkeling; ancient ruins; rainforests and caves; the tallest waterfall in Central America; wildlife and marinelife; and a deep culture that entices you to explore more deeply. Affectionately called "The Jewel" by locals, this is a destination worth exploring. I recently read Moon Guides Belize, by Lebawit Lily Girma, and let me tell you - I'm impressed.
Moon Guides are some of my favorite guidebooks, for the deep look into local culture, in addition to interesting things to see, do, taste, explore. I've long followed Girma online, for her intriguing travels, her extraordinary writing and photography, and her deep look at culture. A former lawyer, she's the expert on the Caribbean region - I'm constantly referring travelers to her sites and books for advice. So when this book came out, I knew I'd love to share it with our Wandering Educators. It's that good.
Videos
Costa Maya delegates live on board the Yolo., 14min.
Spanglishiol in Northern Belize, 5min. Spanglishiol, an important aspect of native Northern Belizean bi/multicultural identity (see Balam 2013, 2015, 2016a, 2016b; Balam & Prada Perez 2016, in press). El skillful arte de hace mix languages en Northern Belize. For (socio)linguistic research on phonological/grammatical aspects of Northern Belizean Spanish and Northern Belize bi/multilingual code-switching, see
https://florida.academia.edu/OsmerBalam
"Not only is language mixing a natural outcome of the bilingual mind/brain, it is also reflective of an underlying 'optimization' strategy at work" (Bhatia & Ritchie 2008:14).
Belize June 2016, 4min.