Located on 4th Avenue in Corozal Town, Shun Li Fast Food restaurant was forced to deny what it described as a “fake online accusation.” Management of the restaurant responded to a Facebook post that alleged that the restaurant had sold fry chicken infested with maggots.
The restaurant said, “After investigating, it is evident that the food plate that appeared in the allegations is not the same type as the one we use!”
Shun Li describing differences in plates
The statement continued, “At SHUN LI, we take food safety practices very seriously and adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the quality and safety of our products!”
So, if the infested food wasn’t from Shun Li Fast Food Restaurant, where was it brought? The person who made the accusation apologised, saying it was from “another business” located on 4th Avenue.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan announced today the resignation of Christopher Glancy. In a brief statement, the Diocese said, “The Vatican Press Office announced today, March 13, 2024, that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Christopher J. Glancy, CSV, from the office of Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan.
We give thanks to Almighty God for the years of service Bishop Glancy faithfully provided to the People of God in Belize. We wish him all the best and God’s endless blessings in his life. Let us keep him in our prayers.”
Press Release from Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan
No reason was given for Glancy’s departure from the Diocese.
Glancy was ordained as a priest on April 17, 1993. His initial assignment was as a parochial vicar at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bourbonnais, Illinois. During his tenure, he also took on the role of vocation director and served on the provincial council of the Viatorians. In 1998, he was assigned to Belize, where he served as a parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Corozal. This parish oversaw 23 village missions, 19 primary schools, and Chunox St. Viator Vocational High School. Subsequently, he returned to the United States and served as a parochial vicar at St. Viator Parish in Chicago.
The US House of Representatives has passed legislation that could result in TikTok’s ban in the US unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. TikTok is a popular social media platform used by 170 million Americans. TikTok is currently one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, with over 1.7 billion users as of 2023.
If enacted, TikTok would have about five months to disconnect from ByteDance, or face prohibition from US app stores. The bill’s fate in the US Senate remains uncertain. Supporters argue that TikTok poses national security risks due to potential data exploitation by the Chinese government, while TikTok criticises the decision and urges the Senate to assess the situation with factual evidence. China’s foreign ministry has strongly condemned the bill as an act of bullying.
The bill garnered 352 votes in favour, surpassing the necessary two-thirds majority. However, 65 members opposed it, with one voting present.
While the bill still awaits approval from the Senate, President Joe Biden expressed his readiness to sign it into law should it pass.
Former President Trump is now opposing the ban. While ByteDance is specifically mentioned, the legislation could extend to other social media apps owned by companies from select foreign adversary countries.
Sixty-nine-year-old Idolly Young is still missing. Young, who suffers from dementia, was reported missing last week in Belize City. Her family says that they have been on the grounds searching for her ever since.
She was last seen on Tuesday, January 5th, in the vicinity of Sanker Street, Belize City. At the time, she was dressed in a white blouse and a floral skirt. Anyone with information that may aid the family in locating her is urged to contact +501 613-3361.
The family of Stephanie Lindo issued a statement late Tuesday evening regarding her passing. The statement reads, “Steph has always pushed boundaries and moved mountains that would give others pause. Her fighting and fearless spirit laid the foundation for the amazing woman she became. Steph was a tenacious manager for the city she loved. She always showed up and stood up. Her creativity, vibrance, and commitment make us proud. These qualities were no match for her tender soul.”
The Lindo family says, “Steph was taken from us far too soon, but we are assured that the love she so willingly shared and the beautiful memories we created will sustain us.”
The Lindo family will focus all its energy on Stephanie’s son.
Lindo was shot dead by her husband, Oswald Garbutt, at their residence on Freetown Road in Belize City on Saturday morning. Garbutt then killed himself.
Several stevedores who are represented by the Christian Workers’ Union have gathered in front of Port of Belize Limited in Belize City. Assistant Commissioners of Police Hilberto Romero and Alford Grinage spoke to the men in the hopes of decreasing tensions. Police officers had to break the lock of a bicycle chain at PBL’s main entrance.
Frustrated stevedores gather in front of Port of Belize Limited
As we have been reporting, last week stevedores expressed dissatisfaction with P.B.L. Although the stevedores have only issued threats of strike action and have continued reporting to work, they have unmistakably conveyed their discontent to their employer. While waterfront workers are present, their productivity has been affected, impacting business operations.
On Tuesday, CWU President Leonora Flowers told the press, ““There is a group of our members—our stevedores—who are very upset and unhappy with what’s happening at the moment. It’s been over a week that we sat with the – we sat in a meeting with the interim board’s chair, and we said what was our final stance: Please do not touch our C.B.A. Please get to the sugar money or get to the C.B.A. We are prepared to dialogue on that right now. We’re not prepared to piecemeal any of our rights. We’re not prepared to give those away, not even for the sugar money.””
PBL CEO Arturo Vasquez told News Five that the actions of the stevedores have impacted business. Cargo ships have been making calls to Belize since last week and have been unable to unload at the Port of Belize as a result of the actions of the stevedores. .
An eleven-year-old child and his mother, both from the Netherlands, are dead, following a late-afternoon shooting incident in Belmopan. News Five has been reliably informed that the woman was with her husband and two of their children purchasing ice cream inside the Belmopan Market when a gunman opened fire on them. Reporters are that the family frantically ran in separate directions to escape armed attack. The gunman allegedly pursued the two children and opened fire in their direction. He then turned to the mother and shot her. As we said, one of the children and the mother unfortunately passed away. The father and the second child were also injured in the shooting. Police are yet to issue an official report with further information on the identities of the victims, but we understand that the shooter is a Haitian-American businessman. He has been detained. As for a motive, sources have indicated that the perpetrator is claiming that the family tried to poison him. News Five understands that the father was also detained by police. We will continue to follow this story.
On Saturday morning, many across the Old Capital were shocked upon learning of the deaths of city administrator Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt and her husband, Oswald “Wally Cat” Garbutt. The couple was well known, as Garbutt’s husband was the proprietor and manager of Blue Steel Sounds, an entertainment group that is popular on the music scene. Garbutt shot his wife, before turning the weapon on himself. It’s a tragedy that comes while International Women’s Month is being celebrated. It has rocked the People’s United Party, as well as the Belize City Council which is set to be sworn into office for a third term later this week. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
“Shocked, frozen in time and I’m still shocked actually. This whole weekend has been a weekend where I am on the edge, always anticipating that something tragic would happen and so this continues. I know we will have to heal as a unit, group, and I know I have the support of my council. I am glad to have them along with me.”
The city administrator and her husband are dead and the couple leaves behind a thirteen-year-old son in the wake of a tragic murder/suicide over the weekend. It happened on Saturday morning at this residence on Freetown Road, on the second floor of Oswald Garbutt’s Glass Technology business.
“Investigations revealed that shots were heard inside the house and when police visited, they found the two bodies.”
Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt and her husband, Oswald “Wally Cat” Garbutt were reportedly involved in a domestic dispute prior to the deadly shootings. The incident is believed to have taken place sometime after seven a.m. Garbutt’s younger sibling, who goes by the professional handle Selectah Joe, made the grisly discovery when he realized that blood was dripping through the flooring of the upstairs residence.
Hilberto Romero
“The two bodies were found with gunshot injuries and thereafter the scene was processed and they were taken to the KHMH.”
Isani Cayetano
“From your investigation, your preliminary investigation, I should say, was there anything inside the residence that was of concern or that would have suggested otherwise?”
Hilberto Romero
“Not that I know of, but a thorough investigation is being carried out into the matter.”
The tragic ordeal has come as a shock to everyone at City Hall where a black blow has been placed at the entrance of the building. Eluide Miller worked closely with Stephanie Garbutt in the day-to-day administration prior to running for office.
Eluide Miller
Eluide Miller, Councilor-Elect
“I had the opportunity to work very closely with the city administrator, not at the policy level like the previous council member did, but at an administrative level, given that I was a staff member at the council and over time we also established, similar to the mayor and myself, we established a great working relationship. I would have to have discussions with her on a daily basis in order to get certain things done and she was always helpful.”
According to Mayor Wagner, at no time did Garbutt indicate to anyone at City Hall that she was experiencing marital issues at home.
Bernard Wagner
“To the best of my knowledge, she didn’t demonstrate any sort of signs. I have meetings with the city administrator every Monday morning and sometimes twice per week. I never saw any signs in respect to domestic violence. But we know that domestic violence is prevalent globally. Actually, it has become a sort of epidemic in itself.”
And that epidemic has reared its ugly head at the Belize City Council. Domestic violence can cause severe physical and emotional harm to family members and children who witness domestic violence may experience long-lasting emotional scars, affecting their development and well-being.
Stephanne Hamilton
Stephanne Hamilton, Councilor-Elect
“When I received the news on Saturday, for me it was like a nightmare, I actually could not believe it. I had to make several calls to ensure that indeed we were going through this and for me it’s like a devastation. Actually on Wednesday Stephanie texted me on Monday to wish me all the best and when she received the results, again she was championing me and she said, “Councilor, you deserve it, you worked hard.”
Sadly, the city administrator won’t be around to see the Belize City Council be called to office later this week. Her husband, Wally Cat, was well-known on the entertainment scene as a popular disc jockey who owned and managed Blue Steel Sounds, a staple on local radio. He was also the proprietor of Glass Technologies Ltd.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I’m still at a loss. I know Bill Lindo very well and I know he is hurting beyond words, him and his family, and we reached out to both families. I still don’t know what really transpired, but it’s tragic. And Stephanie was so full of life and hard-working, driven person.”
The tragic loss at City Hall now leaves a vacancy that is yet to be filled. It also casts a dark shadow over the incoming council, as Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt was set to administer the oath of office for the new members.
Isani Cayetano
“It’s a significant void to fill, particularly at this juncture. You’re about to start another three-year term in office. What takes place next, in terms of, one, the swearing-in and, two, being able to fill this particular post?”
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
“In respect to filling the post, I haven’t had time to really think about filling the post because you are processing so much. Right now I noh even have time fi think who we would recommend for replacement. Currently, the Ministry of Local Government, given that the municipality falls under their jurisdiction, we have had discussions and so, in the interim, so as to continue the operations of the city, we have to have someone there responsible and we, along with the local government, have appointed Sharlene Rudon to fill this transition period for us so as to ensure that the operations of the city continue and that the swearing-in occurs without any hiccups.”
Edmund Kwan
Edmund Kwan, Councilor-Elect
“I just want to express my condolences to the city on a whole because Mrs. Stephanie was really the head of our, basically the head of our city council, you know, and it’s really a tragic loss to the whole city. Words can’t express how I’m feeling right now.”
Alan Pollard
Alan Pollard, Councilor-Elect
“I’m really still trying to process it. It’s very unbelievable, shocking and it just feels like a bad dream. CA was a lot of things. CA was a hard worker, she was almost robotic in carrying out her tasks. Seamless, she worked very hard, long hours and one thing, like the mayor said, she was strong-willed.”
The City of Belmopan officially has a new city council. This afternoon, Mayor Pablo Cawich and his team of councilors were sworn-in to office. Residents of Belmopan went to the polls on March sixth and the majority voted in favor of the People’s United Party’s mayoral candidate, Pablo Cawich and his six councilors. This is the second consecutive term that the P.U.P. will lead in the Capital City. We heard from the Mayor Cawich during the ceremony. Here is what he had to say.
Pablo Cawich, Mayor, City of Belmopan
“Today marks a pivotal moment in our city’s history as we inaugurate a new chapter with the installation of this city council. It is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you as mayor and I am filled with a profound sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for the journey that lies ahead. Our city is vibrant, it is full of dreams and aspirations and it is a testament to the strength of our community as we take on the mantle of leadership, let us recognize the unique character of this city. It has diversity that defines us, challenges that shape us and the collective spirit that unifies us. Our vision for the city is not just about improved infrastructure and services; it is about modernizing and enhancing the very essence of community life. Our goals are ambitious, yet it is a shared commitment and determination that will propel us forward as we face the complexities of modern governance let us remember that our decision impact the lives of each resident.”
