2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Get Ready for KTV The Remix Six, It’s Bigger! It’s Better!

From Thirty-three to Twelve

KTV The Remix is back! It’s bigger, better! It’s season six. We’ve already held the auditions, and wow, Belize! You showed up and showed out! Out of the thirty-three fantastic singers who auditioned, our superstar judges have picked the top twelve. And these aren’t just any judges. We’re talking about the legendary Jenny Lovell, the charismatic Andazi, and the brilliant producer Viannie Reyes. They know talent when they see it, and they’ve chosen the crème de la crème to compete for the ultimate prize.

This year, we had a lot of participants from other districts. Reyes said, “This year we experienced a lot of out district…all the way from PG, all the way from San Pedro. We have three from San Pedro. We have about three from Cayo, San Ignacio, to be specific. And we have two from the south.”

KTV The Remix Season Six Auditions **(Contestants’ images in promotions do not imply selection for KTV The Remix Six.)**

The audition taping airs tonight on Channel 5 at 8 p.m.

And getting the list down to twelve finalists was challenging. “It was really extremely difficult. We took about approximately three hours to really get to the bottom of who we think is best,” shared Reyes.

“They came with talent. So definitely this year will be, I can say, a little bit top, like topping last year’s talent.”

“So they will be getting a call tomorrow after the audition show; they will be getting that phone call tomorrow, telling them that they made it to this season. And the marketing begins for them. We do have Giselle O’Brien, and she’s assisting us with coaching for them.”

The Judges with the Mostest

Our judges are not just experts; they’re icons! Jenny Lovell brings her years of experience and sharp eye for talent. Andazi adds a touch of flair and fun, always keeping it real. And Viannie Reyes? Well, she’s the mastermind behind it all, ensuring that every performance is top-notch.

*The Jenny Lovell and Andazi, KTV The Remix Season Six Judges*

Our twelve finalists will take the stage, each performance more thrilling than the last. And guess what? Each week, we’ll have a surprise guest judge to spice things up even more. It’s going to be a rollercoaster of emotions and excitement!

“Every week we’ll be having a guest judge, and we will be posting a week before guests the judge and giving the audience an opportunity to guess that judge. We’ll have one guest judge every single week. It’s a new guest judge, and the audience will be posting on social media who they think that guest judge is, and if they get it right, they get tickets to enter for free.”

The Journey to 10,000 Belize Dollars

These talented contestants are not just singing for fun. They’re battling it out for a whopping 10,000 Belize dollars! The competition is fierce, the stakes are high, and the talent is off the charts. Who will rise to the occasion and become the grand champion of KTV The Remix Six? You’ve got to watch to find out!

KTV The Remix Six is more than a show; it’s a celebration of Belizean talent, community, and pure entertainment. Whether you’re a die-hard music lover, a proud supporter of local talent, or just in need of some fantastic Tuesday night fun, this show is for you. Expect jaw-dropping performances, heartwarming moments, and a whole lot of fun.

Contestants will also know how to market themselves and earn votes from the audience and viewers. “Not just because you’re able to sing; that means you automatically feel like you’ve won that place. It’s text voting that gets you there. You do benefit if you try hard in a round at night. You come, and you bring your A game to that stage. There’s a possibility that you can walk away with an additional amount of votes if you become that top singer for the night. And that is calculated by the judges score that they give you for the night.”

Showtime Every Tuesday!

Set your reminders, folks! Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m., live from the Bliss Centre for Performing Arts in Belize City. This is one musical journey you don’t want to miss! Tickets can be purchased at Channel 5 on Coney Drive in Belize City.

We want to hear from you! Jump on social media and use #KTVTheRemixSix to share your thoughts, cheer on your favourites, and connect with other fans. Your excitement and support mean the world to our contestants, and they make the show even more special.

Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

The NWS National Hurricane Center in Miami, FL, has issued a tropical weather outlook for the North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico as of 2:00 PM EDT on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. A tropical wave currently located over the southeastern Caribbean Sea is generating disorganized showers and thunderstorms while moving quickly westward at approximately twenty-five miles per hour. Environmental conditions may become conducive to gradual development of the system once it reaches the western Caribbean Sea later this week, with potential for further development over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico during the weekend. The chance of formation through the next forty-eight hours is low at 10 percent, and the chance of formation over the next seven days is also low at twenty percent.

State of Emergency Declared in Belize, Cayo Districts

Police Commissioner Chester Williams was in the Saint Martin’s area of southside Belize City where he announced that a State of Emergency has been declared in specific sections of the country.

“This morning the police department launched a state of emergency southside Belize City as well as over in northside, Victoria Street, including that entire Jungle Area. We also have an S.O.E. in the entire Cotton Tree and Roaring Creek villages in the Cayo District.”Police officers accompanied by Belize Defence Force soldiers were out in full force in the S.O.E. areas. “We are pursuing those persons who we want to be detained as a part of the S.O. E.”, Williams shared.

According to Williams, operations under the S.O.E. have yielded results. “We have been able to detain a number of persons who were wanted for murders. As you’ll see on our media blog, we had shared with you yesterday, the arrest of two individuals. One was arrested for the murder of Elwin Lewis, which took place a couple of months ago. That person had been on the run for a number of months from us and we were able to locate him yesterday. And we also charge I think Marquis Conorquie for the murder of Moore who was killed on Sunday during the day.”

Other persons have also been detained and will be investigated for other crimes. Police officers also managed to recover firearms and ammunition in both the Belize and Cayo districts.

“I must say that since we started our operations in the San Ignacio, Santa Elena area, the team there have seized at least about four firearms and a number of ammunitions, so it goes to show the work that the police has been doing in those areas to be able to crack down on the issue of crime.”

Williams told reporters that the purpose of the S.O.E. is to increase public safety and citizen security.

Julian Assange to Walk Free After 14-Year Legal Battle with US Following Plea Deal

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to appear in a US court to finalise a plea deal that will see him released as a free man after a 14-year legal battle. Assange is expected to arrive in the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory in the Pacific, on Wednesday. He recently departed from a British prison.

US officials had been pursuing Assange for charges related to the massive disclosure of secret files in 2010, which they argued endangered lives. Throughout his prolonged legal struggle, Assange spent the last five years imprisoned in the UK, resisting extradition to the US. He also faced separate rape and sexual assault charges in Sweden, which he denied, leading him to seek asylum in Ecuador’s London embassy for seven years. Swedish authorities eventually dropped the case in 2019 due to the passage of time, but UK authorities later arrested him for failing to surrender to the court for extradition.

In the US, Assange faced charges of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information following WikiLeaks’ 2010 revelations. These included a video of civilians being killed by a US military helicopter in Baghdad and thousands of confidential documents alleging unreported civilian deaths by US forces in Afghanistan. The disclosures garnered worldwide attention and scrutiny of US military actions.

The plea deal, to be formalized in the Northern Mariana Islands, will see Assange plead guilty to a single charge under the Espionage Act. In return, he will avoid US custody and receive credit for his time served in the UK. He is expected to return to Australia.

Belize Formally Opens High Commission in Guyana

Belmopan, June 24, 2024.

Today, the Belize flag was hoisted at the chancellery of the High Commission of Belize in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, marking the nascent of its operations. This reveille ceremony was overseen by H.E. Gale Miller Garnett, High Commissioner of Belize to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, accompanied by Captain Marion Hernandez, Second Lieutenant Ashley Lashawn Williams, and Lance Corporal Felecia Cal – Belize Defence Force soldiers undertaking studies in Guyana.

The Government of Belize continues to expand its diplomatic network by establishing diplomatic relations with countries and by opening diplomatic representations aimed at bringing development, prosperity, and assistance to its citizens abroad.

The establishment of this new diplomatic mission in Guyana is a concrete manifestation of Belize’s commitment to its bilateral relationship with Guyana, and its intention to bolster its presence in South America.

The High Commission of Belize in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is located at Lot 5 Lamaha Gardens, Corner Bel Air Avenue and Garnett Street, Georgetown, Guyana, and can be reached via email at hcbelize@mfa.gov.bz or telephone number: +592 503 1116.

(Press Release)

ComPol Blames Gang Violence on Recent Concert

There has been a spike in gang violence across Belize City in the last seven days, resulting in multiple shooting incidents that have left three men dead and several other persons injured, including businesswoman Doris Grant. The spate of shootings began in the early hours of June sixteenth, when Grant and her common-law husband Austin Underwood came under gunfire as they drove home from a concert. In the wake of that attack, there has been an upsurge in gang-related violence that Commissioner of Police Chester Williams attributes to the music played at the event.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“This gang world issue, there are persons who are very thin-skinned, they are very insensitive and it takes just a little to spark them. I have always said, we must do our work in such a way where we do not allow one idiot to go and do something stupid and then that creates or that would normally create that chain of events. We saw where, again, as a society we accept too much negativity. I don’t know who inspired anybody to have brought Trinibad to Belize. Trinibad cyant go play, or cyant go deejay da many countries in the Caribbean. But we weh done have wah very vulnerable society where gangs are concerned, we wah bring that kinda deejay to Belize. Right at Trinibad, da deh everything start, you know. Right there, it started and it spills over. Now, in terms of dealing with the whole issue, we tried our best to clip the root, but by that time ih done spread already. So we saw where it went from Southside to Supal Street, to BLC, to PIV and then now to Conch Shell Bay. So it spreads. It just takes one spark and it spreads like a wild fire.”

Man Dead, Another Critical After Shooting Near Police Substation

A deadly attack occurred on Sunday afternoon on Mahogany Street in Belize City and when it was over, a man was dead, and another sat critically wounded inside the vehicle they were traveling in. The incident happened on Mahogany Street in the Lake-I community, literally a stone’s throw away from a police substation. The passenger in the car, Stanley Moore, was dead before he was even taken to the K.H.M.H. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with his grieving mother, Jennifer Wade, who is currently in the United States. She posted an audio message on Facebook in which her deceased son said that policemen were allegedly out to get him. Here’s that report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The peace of Sunday afternoon was broken on Mahogany Street, less than a block from the police sub-station, when gunshots rang out around four p.m. The two occupants of a grey BMW car came under fire. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shares what he knows of the incident.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The two individuals were in the area yesterday in a vehicle and while there, they came under fire from an individual. We already know who that person is and we are looking for that individual. One person died as a result of that attack and one is critically ill in the hospital. We’re hoping and praying that the one who is in the hospital critically ill is going to pull through and he will be able to give us some more specifics in terms of that incident. But again, these are the things that we spoke about.”

Williams says that the area is constantly patrolled by police officers and that moments before the crime took place, they had passed that location. Regional Commander for Eastern Division, A.C.P Hilberto Romero identified the two victims and says that they have one of two suspects in custody.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“The two persons were identified as Stanley Moore and Joshua Gillett. Stanley Moore was pronounced dead on arrival at the KHMH and Joshua Gillett received treatment and is now in a stable condition. We have one person in custody for this murder who will be charged later on today for the crime of murder. And we are seeking one more suspect.”

This afternoon, News Five spoke via phone with Stanley Moore’s mother, Jennifer Wade, who is currently in the U.S. She made a Facebook post including an audio clip she said her son sent her, accusing police officers of targeting him. Wade told us that she did not get a chance to ask him who those persons were.

Voice of: Jennifer Wade, Mother of Stanley Moore

“I never send a message till seven o’clock the morning when I get up and when I see the message, I pick up my phone and I send ah back wa voice clip clip saying, son, stay outta dehn way. Goh home if yoh have to go home make yoh nuh deh round the police dehn. Ih never have a phone, but I could not be tapped on because I’m a while here, straight up fi ask ah what really happened, nuh just tell me the police dehn deh after yoh, dehn di provoke yoh, weh nuh seh nothing, but I never get to talk to ah.”

What’s worse is that Moore’s older brother had just arrived in Belize just minutes before Moore was murdered and only found out about the crime when he went to look for him. Wade said that Moore had been trying to reform his life and had found a job to help himself. When we asked Romero about the accusation that Moore had made against the police, he said there was no information to share.

Britney Gordon

“In regards to Stanely Moore, his mother made some complaints that he was being harassed by police officer. Do you have any information about this?”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“I do not have that information.”

Britney Gordon

“She released a statement from him, an audio recording of him saying that if anything should happen to him the police are responsible. So there’s no information regarding if he had an incident with a police officer?”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“I do not know of such incident.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Father of 2 Gunned Down in Pitts Alley

Tonight, family and friends are mourning the loss fifty-year-old Dion Bowden, also known as Mister T, who was gunned down in Belize City over the weekend. Reports are that he was walking down Pitts Alley in the wee small hours of Saturday morning, when he was approached by a gunman and fatally shot.

Police have since arrested and charged thirty-five-year-old construction worker, Jeffery Pott, who was identified through video footage and an eyewitness. He was arraigned this morning in court where he was read a single charge of murder. No plea was taken from Pott and due to the nature of the offense, he was denied bail and remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until August twenty-third, 2024. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the report.

Destiny Allen, Partner of Deceased

“I mi get wa dream bout ah from before that happened. I mih get wa a dream, and I mih warn ah. so many times, never fih mih gone out deh and ih still persisted and gone.”

Britney Gordon, reporting

The death of fifty-year-old Dion Bowden, or Mister T, as he was otherwise known, is felt by several members of the community who recall seeing him at the street corner. However, for Destiny Allen and her two infant daughters, that grief is immense.

Destiny Allen

“He da wa kind and loving, careful man. I would say, a nice person. Why would I say nice person Because he make sure I take care ah dih pikni good and ker ney da clinic every now and again. Ih always make you feel happy. Ih make you not feel down and fall or dendeh you know.”

The father of two’s life was cut short on Saturday after he was fatally shot in Pitts Alley. He had been walking with several companions when the gunman approached from the direction of New Road and fired. ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander of the Eastern Division, provided further details on the incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the twenty-second day of June 2024 around one forty-five a.m. Police responded to a shooting incident at Pitts Alley in Belize City. Upon their arrival there they found the lifeless body of Dion Bowden with gunshot injuries. Investigation revealed that Dion Bowden was at the alley along with other persons when he was approached by a male person who fired several shots towards him causing his fatal injury. The onboarding was taken to the cage image where he was pronounced dead on arrival.”

Police have since charged thirty-five-year-old Jeffery Pott. According to Romero, the incident stemmed from an altercation between Pott and Bowden.

ACP Hilberto Romero

“An investigation was carried out into this shooting and since we have arrested and charge Jeffery Pott for the crime of murder.”

Britney Gordon

“Was there an altercation between them that led to the shooting?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, there was a previous altercation in the alley with the onboarding and another person before the shooting.”

Allen says that Bowden was inebriated the night of the incident and had warned him not to go out in that state. She explained that she had a premonition about her partner’s death but did not know that night would be the last time she would ever see him alive.

Destiny Allen

“That happened the Saturday night. Cause I actually mih deh inside with he. We sit down quite good and contented after that. It’s just, that night deh ih mih drunk. Ao I sseh, inna wa sense a way ah wa leff ah lone mek ih sit down inna wa chair, and relax itself, and noh go back out there. So ih tell me, it say babe, ih say, I wah go and tek a lee walk. I tell him, babe please no go out there. Please, because I done tell you already, neva fih mih gone out there none at all. But I wah go tek mih- no go. Right soh ah tell ah, no go. Because I done got wah feeling that something wah happen to you. And ih still persisted, ih follow and gone out there and gone and get himself killed right there.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Man Accused of Killing Retired U.S Army Soldier to Undergo Psych Evaluation

A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered for thirty-three-year-old Aban Grant; the man accused of stabbing sixty-seven-year-old retired U.S. Army soldier Griffith Cadle to death. As we reported, Grant allegedly stabbed Cadle on Saint Joseph Street near its intersection with Nurse Seay Street, while both men were socializing on the night of June thirteenth. Police later discovered the murder weapon inside a drain not too far from where the incident occurred. And, based on information received, they found the suspect, Aban Grant, hiding inside a building on Baymen Avenue. Authorities also found the clothing he was wearing at the time of the incident. Today, he was arraigned on one count of manslaughter. But it was not until his charge was read that the magistrate found out that Grant’s mental state was a topic of discussion. Grant’s sister told the court that he was never known to be a mental patient until after he went to prison where she claims he was diagnosed with a mental disorder. His cousin, who was also present in court, has been taken twice before to see a doctor. However, the sitting magistrate noted that there were no official documents to say what is the mental state of Grant. So, a psychiatric evaluation was ordered. The magistrate explained that for the court to get an evaluation on Grant, he must be remanded to the Belize Central Prison for a psychosis analysis from a doctor. The evaluation usually takes about six to eight weeks. Grant was unrepresented in court.

Motive Unknown for Police Station Shooting in Roaring Creek

A police station was shot up in Roaring Creek Village on Sunday morning. Around twelve thirty a.m. three police officers were forced to take cover after a spray of bullets was fired at the station. Up to eighteen shells were recovered from the scene, however, no officers were seriously injured. The suspect made off before he could be captured. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero told us that police are seeking several suspects and are investigating a possible motive.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, the twenty-third of June, 2024, around twelve thirty a report was received whereby a male person, arrived at the street in front of the Roaring Creek police station and fired several shots towards the station. There are several holes in the building as well as the damaged glass window. investigation revealed three officers were at the station at the time. They heard the loud bangs and they took cover. Thereafter, when they came out, the suspect had already fled from the area. The scene was processed where several expended shells were from. We are seeking several suspects in regard to this shooting. We have not established a clear motive. The matter is on investigation. There were three officers there, so I cannot say if any specific officer was targeted. The person came from the street and fire the shots towards the station.”