The National Celebrations Commission (NCC) along with The Belize Carnival Association (TBCA) have been monitoring the Tropical Wave currently affecting the country especially Belize City. We have been in contact with the Met Service and their report the TW should be out of the area by later tonight. A few scattered showers may affect the country Saturday morning but the afternoon a gradual decrease. With this report the TBCA with the NCC have decided that the Carnival Road March will proceed tomorrow Saturday, September 7th starting at 2:00 pm at the Memorial Park.
News Five will be covering the Carnival Road March starting at 1 p.m.
The Coastal Plains Highway is currently undergoing repairs at approximately mile 34 after an accident earlier today. The accident reportedly involved a trailer carrying a bulldozer that was detached from a dump truck, causing significant damage to the pavement and guardrails.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) issued a statement informing the public of temporary repairs being done to the pavement. However, the ongoing weather system affecting Belize may worsen the damage.
“The Ministry is currently executing some remedial works to temporarily repair the pavement; however, with the existing weather system that is affecting Belize, the damages may be further exacerbated. We therefore advise the general public to drive with due care and attention and within the posted speed limits when traversing this section of the Coastal Plains Highway,” the Ministry stated.
Police have charged Jamie Myvett, a 31-year-old Belizean fisherman, with attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm. The charges are related to a shooting incident involving Deon Garay that occurred on August 30, 2024. The arrest was made on Friday, September 6.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has come forward in defence of its Deputy Chairman, Alberto August, condemning the aggravated assault charges against him as a “baseless, vindictive, and malicious” attack aimed at silencing dissent. According to the UDP, the charges are a deliberate distraction from serious allegations of “illegal voter registration and electoral fraud at the San Ignacio office of the Elections and Boundaries Department,” stated the UDP in a press release.
The Party described these charges against August as a threat to democratic freedoms, stating, “The Freedoms of Speech and Expression are still constitutionally enshrined for every single Belizean citizen, including political opponents.”
According to reports, August was arrested and charged last Wednesday after a complaint from a Cayo resident who claimed he used insulting language towards her at the Elections and Boundaries Office in San Ignacio. August was arrested but granted bail and is awaiting arraignment due to a national conference attended by magistrates.
August responded with gratitude on Facebook for the UDP’s support. “Expressing personal “Thank You” to the United Democratic Party for its public display of support in the face of political prosecution,” stated August.
“Nobody can take care of you better than you. You can’t pour from an empty cup; you need to think of ways to fill your cup,” advised Chaplain Page Brooks from the Louisiana National Guard state chaplain, during the Belize Defence Force’s Wellness Exchange in Ladyville, Belize, in August. The program supported the wellness exchange to enhance mental health practices among Belize’s military personnel.
The four-day program, which was held in Ladyville, Belize, involved Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors from Belize’s military branches.
Megan Aspinall of the BDF highlighted the initiative’s impact, saying, “The BDF Wellness Program came about as the force recognized that the serving members were experiencing mental health issues that were affecting deployment readiness.” According to the Louisiana National Guard, the program has led to significant improvements, including the opening of a new wellness centre and a decrease in the suicide rate.
Louisiana National Guard’s Resilience Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Program coordinator, Amber Sayer, noted the universal nature of mental health challenges, stating, “Beyond cultural differences, our servicemen and women experience the exact same stigma, risk factors, financial, and moral concerns.”
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.”
