Belizeans, whether at home or abroad, are taking over this weekend to celebrate Belize pride, even in the face of bad weather. While locals will get to enjoy the annual carnival road march, Belizeans in New York City will see the return of the Belize Park Fest on September 7, 2024, at Industry City in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park.
News 5 spoke with Duane Gutierrez, chairman of the NYC Belize Park Fest, and Dona Andrews, the fest’s secretary, to learn more about this year’s ‘one big Belizean Reunion’ in New York City.
Gutierrez expressed his vision to bring back the festival so Belizeans can reconnect. “It’s more so for the next generation of Belizeans that are here. To pretty much get to know their culture and heritage a lot more closer,” said Gutierrez.
According to Gutierrez and Andrews, the festival offers a slice of home for Belizeans residing in and around NYC—an opportunity for Belizeans to enjoy Belizean food and music.
Andrews highlighted the festival’s dual purpose as both a celebration and a fundraiser. “It is a fundraiser. So once you come and you support us, you’re not supporting us personally, you’re a part of what we are about, our dream, and helping Belizeans. So you are a part of what our dream is about,” she said.
“We’re very excited that we’re going to be helping our Belizeans here and abroad in sports, education, whatever,” she added.
The Belize Park Fest not only serves as a vibrant celebration of Belizean heritage but also as a meaningful way for the community to contribute to the next generation of Belizeans living abroad.
Dr. Glenda Lovell, the sister of the late Jenny “I Love It” Lovell, is accusing physicians at the Western Regional Hospital of negligence. Dr. Lovell makes the accusation in a letter dated July 25 and addressed to Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard, CEO Dr. Julio Sabido, and Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Jorge Polanco.
The beloved Belizean icon was found dead in her Belmopan home on June 28th, 2024. She was 73.
According to the medical certificate of causes of death, Jenny died of a massive acute myocardial infarction.
In her letter, Dr. Lovell details the chain of events beginning when Jenny first arrived at the W.R.H. alive to when her body was taken there.
“Jennifer was brought to the hospital on the evening of June 27, disoriented and in acute respiratory failure, her oxygen saturations were in the 80s. Standard of care for patients in respiratory failure is to diagnose and treat expeditiously. Jennifer was in extremis and should have been admitted to the ICU and treatment and diagnostic procedures should have been initiated. Instead, a few labs were drawn, a chest Xray was done and oxygen was administered. She was never ruled out for a myocardial infarction nor a pulmonary embolus which should have been at the top of any competent physician’s diagnostic concern. A few hours later, after her saturations had improved, she was discharged from the hospital with NO reason found for her profound respiratory failure!!”
Dr. Lovell, who is an internist in the United States, says that Jenny was not asthmatic, on drugs and “never smoked in her life. ” She said, “Jennifer did not have asthma, COPD, was not on drugs and had never smoked in her life. Any competent physician would have questioned WHY she was in respiratory failure and admitted her for further diagnostic procedures and treatment.” Instead, she was discharged into the care of a friend who is also a hospital worker.
According to Dr. Lovell, that friend called back the hospital 15 minutes later after Jenny was discharged to state that “Jennifer was weak and that her oxygen levels were now in the 70s!!!” She was advised to take Jenny back to the hospital, but that did not occur, “a dead body was brought back to the hospital for pronouncement.”
“My sister was a Belizean icon who gave her time and talents to the people of Belize, it is sad and horrifying that she was treated this way and I would like to know that this kind of behavior will not stand without consequences.”
Dr Lovell is demanding answers to these questions:
WHY was Jennifer discharged without a proper diagnosis for her profound respiratory failure?
WHY did the hospital not immediately send an ambulance to get my sister when they were informed her saturations were in the 70s?
WHY was her family not informed that Jennifer was severely ill and likely dying?
Most importantly, the family would like to know WHY Ms C. did not immediately return Jennifer to the hospital. She is supposedly a health care provider and should know that oxygen saturations in the 70s is not compatible with life. WHY DID SHE NOT RETURN MY SISTER TO THE HOSPITAL???
Dr. Lovell is demanding a “full investigation into the egregious negligence that befell my sister and would like the physicians who perpetrated this malpractice to be disciplined.”
News Five reached out to Dr. Jorge Polanco for comment. Dr. Polanco told News Five, ” the Ministry has already formally responded to the letter from Dr Lovel.” When asked how the matter was addressed and if the allegations were confirmed, Dr Polanco said, ” I have to ensure confidentiality of the deceased and her family, but you can ask Dr Lovel. Thanks.”
The article was updated at 5:45 p.m. local time to reflect Dr. Polanco’s responses.
There is going to be a whole lot of rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning insome areas, as a strong tropical wave crosses over Belize starting tonight and for the next day. The weather system entered the Caribbean Sea earlier this week and moved in a northwesterly direction. Chief Meteorologist, Ronald Gordon told the media that Belize is not under any threat of a tropical cyclone watch or warning and that the system has not developed into a tropical depression or a tropical storm. According to Gordon, there is little to no chance of the system becoming anything more than a tropical wave before it gets here, but the amount of rainfall it is expected to produce is significant.
Ronald Gordon
Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist
“In my calculation and based on the forecast models, the axis of this wave will cross the country early tomorrow morning, between midnight and six in the morning. However, the effects of the wave – the rainfall will begin affecting the country from late Thursday evening to tonight, intensifying throughout the night into tomorrow morning. Rainfall model projections are suggesting that for the first twenty-four hours, that is from about this evening into tomorrow evening, we can get up to two to four inches of rainfall with locally higher values from this tropical wave. As the system moves west of the country, we expect rainfall to decrease on Saturday to about one to two inches, then for Sunday, a further decrease. Apart from the very heavy rainfall, intense thunderstorm activity and lightning activity, we can expect it to become very gusty, especially during thunderstorms, leading to very rough sea conditions. So, certainly, apart from the excessive rainfall watch that we have in effect at the moment, which would likely be upgraded to an excessive rainfall warning by this evening, we will certainly issue a caution to mariners to be extremely careful out at sea because we do know that once you get this burst of activity during thunderstorms, you can have very strong winds and rough sea conditions.”
The approaching tropical wave is expected to cause flooding in some parts of the country, according to the Hydrology Department. The department has issued flood alerts for certain areas and has advised residents in flood prone locations to be on the alert for the possibility of flooding and to take necessary action. Chief Hydrologist, Tenielle Hendy updated reporters on areas where they already see rising waters.
Tenielle Hendy, Chief Hydrologist
“We do see the Sibun River reaching bank full stage, and we also are looking at the Mopan River, but based on our 24 hour outlook that we have, there is a caution out to residents in the south of the country, for them to monitor the water level in their area. As well as, you know, we might not be getting rainfall in our country, and it traverses our territorial boundaries. Just remain vigilant and look at the situation in terms of flash flooding. We are seeing some elevated levels in the northern or northeastern part of the country. In terms of the Maskall area, we’re seeing where there’s a lot of water channeling its way in that area, so we put out a flash flood alert and the alert means that flooding is possible to be prepared for the twenty-four-hour outlook. We’re looking at the Rio Hondo, Macall Rivers, all the rivers coming off the Eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains, we see those having elevated levels going into tomorrow morning.”
Because the tropical wave is expected to cause flooding and perhaps damage to older buildings, NEMO will have officers on standby and will be prepared to coordinate the rendering of assistance. NEMO Coordinator, Daniel Mendez also advised that because we are now entering the peak of the hurricane season, it’s important for everyone to have a hurricane plan.
Daniel Mendez
Daniel Mendez, Coordinator, NEMO
“We see the tropics have started to become active. So the time to plan is now you need to have your plan ready. You need to know what to do. So we will continue to stress that for the rest of the season. So, it is really important to have to be aware and to listen to all of the warnings and the briefings that are coming out from the med service and the hydrology. National Hydrology Service as well. Um, as I said, uh, NEMO is on, is on standby as, as, as normal. Uh, we will continue to monitor and be prepared to render any assistance as is required.”
Marion Ali
“The carnival related activities that are planned for tonight going into the weekend – what kind of advisory or advice would you give to these people who have already planned their events for this period of time?”
Ronald Gordon
Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist
“The forecast is indicating that we will have excessive rainfall starting from tonight persisting tomorrow morning, and there’ll be a slight decrease later tomorrow into tomorrow night. However, early Saturday morning, in particular, the forecast indicates that we will have a lot of rainfall. I cannot say for certain if during the event or I don’t know, it will march, so to speak, to the beginning, but we do know that there will be moisture lingering behind waves. It will be west of us by then, and we see moisture lingering behind. So it is really up to the individual and to the, the person preparing these activities to take the necessary action that they would want to take but it will be raining. There is a potential for excessive rainfall tonight and tomorrow. It’s increasing on Saturday. So the good news for the activities on Saturday is that the rainfall will not be as heavy.”
Since the beginning of the week, we have been covering this year’s Carnival Mas Camp every night ahead of the annual road march on Saturday. The events were lively, festive and without incident. That was until last night when a brawl between a trio of females left a fifteen-year-old minor unconscious. It is not clear what triggered the ruckus, but it ended when two women stomped out a minor and left her on the street unconscious. It’s a video that has gone viral on social media and prompted the Commissioner of Police to weigh in. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A fifteen-year-old student is the victim of a vicious beatdown administered by a pair of women on Wednesday night, here in Belize City. Carly Smith attended the Belizean Jewels Mas Camp and was observing the revelers as they made merry to Soca music and dance. It was at that time that she was approached by someone with whom she had a previous altercation. According to her sister, the situation escalated rather quickly.
Shala Smith
Shala Smith, Sister
“Di young lady and my sista had problems already and my sista, ih wahn go out just like everybody else. Ih gaan da di carnival practice and watch di carnival practice, di young lady dehn mussi sih ahn out soh and feel like dis da mih dehn opportunity fi do weh dehn haffi do with me lee sista. From weh I understand, my lee sista mi deh with my sister-in-law and my sister-in-law tell my sista mek ih go. She tell ahn ih noh wahn run from nobody.”
Shala Smith tells News Five that her sister-in-law attempted to restrain her sibling, but that was when the minor was attacked by the two women. The video shows Carly being pummeled by her attackers.
Shala Smith
“When dehn pull ahn back, Ms. Lady, dehn surround ahn. Dehn surround ahn and afta dat unu sih weh happen eena di video.”
Isani Cayetano
“What are the extent of the injuries that your sister suffered as a result of this beatdown?”
Shala Smith
“Only thing right now though, ih head really di pain ah bad. Ih seh ih head really really pain ah. From last night when I cohn cohn sih ahn, my sista di complain about pain. This morning, ah gaan da ih school, same thing di lady seh, go deal with ahn because Carly seh that she feel dizzy. From we deh da station, all my sista complain and da just wahn lay down, ih head di hurt ahn, ih head di hurt ahn. Da just mussi di stomping ah weh dehn stomp ahn, like weh yoh sih, ih pass out eena dat, and ih have bruise right pan di side ah face yah soh.”
What’s appalling is the fact that no one attempted to part the fight. Instead, bystanders kept egging them on, while others simply recorded the incident on their phones. The video has gone viral, prompting Commissioner of Police Chester Williams to issue a statement on what took place. In a social media post, the ComPol said, quote, it’s sad to see how lawless some in our society have become. When the women are fighting, the man stand there watching, videoing and encouraging them to keep fighting until it reaches the stage where the girl could have been killed. Where is their sense of empathy? Then we wonder why some of our children today are so violent. Nonetheless, we must send a strong message, those involved in the fight will be charged and those standing guard videoing and encouraging will be charged for incitement, end quote.
Shala Smith
“I wah defend my lee sista. I noh wahn seh Carly perfect because yes, Carly got ih lotta lee things dehn weh ih do out ya. Maybe if da mi wahn one ahn one with di lee gial, yes. But then two big, grown woman. Unu da two big grown woman. Soh now I could put myself with unu and I could tell unu, babes, ih noh wahn done ya. I wahn mek my sista press charges pan unu. Then di ma, you da wahn ma. You da wahn ma, you wahn jump eena wah fight fi knock wahn fight fi knock wahn fifteen-year-old. Dat da weh bun me more, I di tell you, sir, dehn people dehn don’t know.”
The Government of Belize is looking for a new auditor general. Dorothy Bradley occupied that post for over thirteen years, after stepping down as Chief Elections Officer. In 2021, Bradley retired from the position, but a constitutional revision was made to bring her back on a two-year contract since the government could not source an adequate replacement. During her tenure, under both the Barrow and the Briceno administrations, Bradley received criticism from the unions, including the Public Service Union, for the handling of the audit on the Immigration and Lands departments. Now that Bradley’s contract has expired, the government is seeking a replacement. We spoke with President of the PSU, Dean Flowers, who reiterated his sentiment that the government needs to do better moving forward.
Dean Flowers
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
“The reality remains that even if we want to recognize the limited work that was done as it relates to some of the special audits, the immigration audit, the sports council audit, the, I believe it’s Julian Cho audit. These were no initiatives of Bradley. These were forced as a result of irregularities that were uncovered and therefore, she was mandated. In essence, for ten years she did nothing on her own in her capacity to address the issue of corruption. At every turn that we had a report to examine and criticize and to create or to establish a Senate select committee. It was as a result of public pressure. It was as a result of corruption that was exposed, not by her office, but rather by either whistleblower on the inside or some disgruntled citizen. And so, we really need to reflect on that. We also need to reflect on the fact that even when these irregularities were highlighted in these specific reports that I mentioned, what became of them? Who were who was held accountable? It demonstrates the lack of training and the lack of expertise in auditing by miss Bradley. To have ensured that we would have gotten people held accountable and convicted of the irregularities, especially where the immigration audit was concerned. That was a waste of time at the end of the day. Why? Because it was thrown out. We spent a lot of money to conduct that audit. We spent a lot of money to conduct a Senate inquiry. And because of failure to follow simple audit procedures before you present a report, it was a waste.”
The search is on for a new auditor general, and the Public Service Union is demanding that adequate compensation be afforded to the successor of the post. In 2021, the government explained the challenges they encountered while attempting to source a replacement auditor general after Dororthy Bradley’s retirement. Subsequently, Bradley was reappointed under a two-year contract which expired on August thirty-first of this year. President of the PSU, Dean Flowers maintains that unless the government increases the salary and staff for the post, Belize will never be able to fill the position with a qualified individual. Here’s what Flowers had to say.
Dean Flowers, President, P.S.U.
“It is important that we ensure that no other head of department who does not have the requisite skill set is transferred over to be an Auditor General. But that this administration at least demonstrates to the Belizean people that they are serious about good governance. And it starts with ensuring that the search for an Auditor General, which should have started two years ago, A person is taken seriously, and that the newly appointed is properly compensated. We would have complained about the quality of justices that we were getting in the judicial system. Immediately, the Belizean people were told you have to pay a chief justice. quarter of a million dollars to ensure that we get better people in the judiciary. And so we’ve seen those salaries gone up. What more office should be better and highly compensated than the Auditor General post? Compared to a two billion budget, quarter million for an Auditor General is really immaterial .And so I would hope that the government of Belize Will ensure that the salary for the Arta general is increased to ensure that we get a suitable, qualified and an experienced person, whether from Belize or within CARICOM, but we need somebody with competency who can transform that department and properly train the public officers in there because even that.Leaves a lot to be desired, believes, needs to now transcend or move into producing financial statements that are internationally recognized public sector accounting.”
Thirty-seven-year-old Andrew Alexander Smith pleaded guilty to theft after racking up a bill of one thousand, two hundred and seventy dollars from a stolen Belize Bank credit card. On August twenty-third, Lucilla Garcia, a retiree from Orange Walk, reported to Belize that while shopping at Golden Bay Store, she lost her purse containing a Belize Bank ATM card, as well as an Atlantic Bank ATM card, among other personal items. When she visited Belize Bank on September second, to cancel the card, she discovered that the card had been swiped multiple times in Belize City, at Mirage Store on Albert Street and Twins Supermarket on Saint Thomas Street. Smith was subsequently arrested, and he appeared unrepresented before the lower courts this morning. Despite being remorseful, Smith was remanded to the Belize Central Prison where he awaits sentencing.
When it comes to performing at the highest level of basketball in Belize, Darwin “Puppy” Leslie, cannot be counted out from that conversation. At the peak of his career, Leslie was deemed the best of the best, following in the footsteps of Keith “Superman” Acosta. But, apart from one documentary series that was produced almost ten years ago, there is not much information out there about Leslie’s accomplishments, his contributions to society, growing up in an impoverished community, and the role a God-fearing mother and disciplinarian father played in his life. His achievements on the court are too many to mention in one news item. But, in this month’s installments of Belize on Reel, we will be looking at Belizean athletes who have gone above and beyond in their respective disciplines. Today, News Five’s Paul Lopez sat down with Darwin “Puppy” Leslie for an extensive interview. Here is some of what he learned about one of Belize’s basketball icons.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
When having a conversation about the basketball greats in Belize, names like Milton Palacio, Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn, Keith Acosta, and many others come up. Darwin “Puppy” Leslie is no exception.
Darwin “Puppy” Leslie
Darwin “Puppy” Leslie, Belizean Basketball Icon
“Puppy came from Queen Square with a next famous guy, Orson Picart. WE had the performing arts. We used to go to Bliss and act. My act was I was a puppy. I had to get in a puppy costume for my role and Orson Picart had a turkey costume. Orson Picart being the clown that he is, when we went back to Queen Square, he started to tease me about the puppy.”
That name would remain with him throughout his entire life, even as he performed at the highest level on the basketball court. Leslie was born in 1981 in Belize City. He started playing basketball in his early teens on a blacktop basketball court at the then Princess Royal Youth Hostel on Dolphin Street.
Darwin “Puppy” Leslie
“Being on that basketball court was everything. Then I had my little brother with me as well, Jacob Leslie. So it was always me and him getting whipping for being on Hostel without basketball shoes and if anybody know hostel at that time it was raw tar. So we was out there midday and that tar would be popping, like the actual street. And we were out there barefoot playing.”
A quick search of Darwin Leslie’s name on the internet won’t produce much information about his significant accomplishments as a basketball player. That search may yield some statistics on his six years playing in the National Elite Basketball Tournament during which he won back-to-back championships with the San Pedro Tiger Sharks, garnered the finals MVP award and was declared the “big dog” of the league. But his collection of trophies and awards speaks for itself. He dominated in under-fourteen and under seventeen tournaments. He also dominated in the senior tournament with the Christian Ambassadors, where he was awarded regular season and finals MVP. From there, he moved up to compete in Belize’s semi-pro league.
Darwin “Puppy” Leslie
“I had the best time in basketball because I had a chance to play against all the old greats. It was like flipping over the card to Darwin and those younger guys. But I played against Bovell, Shabba, Keith Acosta was named superman. Could you imagine that a man playing basketball name superman. So, you know he is flying over the court. He was the guy I wanted to be like and see if I could compete against him to even overtake him.”
Puppy Leslie’s younger brother, Jacob Leslie, is another prominent figure in Belizean basketball. Jacob Leslie recalls his brother’s first year in the semi-pro league, specifically one match against Keith “Superman” Acosta. Jacob was studying in the U.S. at the time.
Jacob Leslie
Jacob Leslie, Co-Owner, Belize City Defenders
“There was a game he was going to play Keith Acosta and I came back to Belize because I wanted to see that game. I went to him before the game and I said, you are the best player in the country. They are saying he is the best player in the country, but you are and tonight you are going to show them you are the best. I remember one play where Keith Acosta was guarding him at the top of the key and I was excited and he pulled a move and dunked the ball and that is so etched in my memory, from that day I said, you are it. They have to pass the mantle to you. I think in that game he scored like thirty-five points. He still lost, but I think he put the basketball world on notice that I am here.”
At the height of his career, Puppy Leslie was very popular among young, aspiring basketball players. In 2007, he began mentoring those very youths in the Belize Bulldogs basketball program that was started with current Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner.
Darwin “Puppy” Leslie
“I realize that playing semipro, travelling to all six districts, a lot of kids the say Puppy, a lot of kids the take pictures after the game, a lot of kids the wait with their parents until I come out the shower. I was like, what? So, I started teaching what I know along with Rasco Reece and Rupert Brown. We did that program for ten years, every Saturday with funding from Belize Bank.”
But, behind the spotlight of being the best of the best at basketball in Belize, was a young man who grew up in an impoverished community. His father and mother were the bedrock of the family. They made sure discipline was instilled in the home and that each of their six children sought God.
Jacob Leslie
“My father was very strict in budgeting and finances and made sure the money is in order. My mother was the spiritual leader of the family. So my mother made sure we go to church, Sunday school, youth services and that molded us as men. So, it is natural for him to be in a position to give back, to make impact, because that is what Christianity teaches you right.”
Darwin “Puppy” Leslie
“We use to take our chamber pot, and I am being as real as I can be, it uses to be under the bed, we put it in a bigger bucket and after a couple days we go to the kennel. So that was tough. I remember having the one-man bathroom over the kennel, we use to use those, right in Queen Square.”
Darwin Puppy Leslie officially retired in 2019 from the National Elite Basketball League. He is an unsung hero, with no stadiums named after him, no national awards presented, no substantial, tangible recognition despite his many contributions to raising the level of basketball played in Belize and mentorship. And if you ask him, Puppy will tell you that God always has a plan.
Darwin “Puppy” Leslie
“When I think about my life, I think about they came a certain time where I don’t have any control over my life. Right now God is taking full control of my life. But I know for sure I am someone sent here to give service to humanity. I know that a fact and I can say that with confidence.”
