Today, the San Pedro community mourns the loss of a beloved figure and restaurateur, Marcela Elvia Staines, who passed away at the age of ninety-three. The original owner of the iconic Elvi’s Kitchen, Elvia will be laid to rest on Saturday after a funeral service at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church. Her daughter, Jennie Staines, shared with News Five that Elvia’s journey began with a heavy responsibility. After her mother passed away at a young age, Elvia had to take care of her siblings. This experience laid the foundation for what would become the world-famous Elvi’s Kitchen. For decades, Elvia Staines was an inspiration to many on the island. Jennie fondly shared some of her cherished memories of her late mother with us.
On the Phone: Jennie Staines, Daughter of Elvia Staines
“From then she got the passion of cooking and after she married my dad she used to work for the Blakes and she used to cook for them and also when my brothers were growing up, they used to sell tamales, bread like they would take orders and take bread to the San Pedrano’s homes and from then, the idea came about, being such a lover of the culinary arts from a young age. She started what was called Burger Isle in 1976. And from then, she and dad used to do burgers first. And what was left over of the patties, because we didn’t have refrigeration, the best refrigeration then. They used to make the amount of bread that was left and patties and we, dad used to take it at the front. I used to go with him certain nights and weekends until the burgers were done. Then we came back right after, you know, they had dance and stuff by big daddies. And, I was just a very young child and from then Elvis started growing. So that’s how they started that. Was a fisherman and then started with fish and chips with and that’s the way it grew and it became Elvis Kitchen after that. From 19 years old, I started cooking and working for her as any other cook but like her, I had the same passion and as a young child, I saw her cooking, I saw her making cakes for Christmas. And every Christmas she used to bake for all the wealthy people in San Pedro, make Christmas cakes. And I just watched her cook, you know, Blanco, Tamales. She just evolved from there. From Carrie’s wife we have now, which is Elvis kitchen.”
Staines shared that her mom’s passing has left a huge void, not just for their family at the restaurant, but for everyone who turned to her for recipes and cooking tips. She mentioned that her mom played a significant role in the lives of many cooks on the island. Now, she is determined to carry on the business in honor of her mother’s memory.
On the Phone: Jennie Staines, Daughter of Elvia Staines
“ People used to make lines to eat at Elvi’s. I remember that, and she always had this passion in cooking and inspired all the cooks that were with her, the waiters. Like, one of them that – most of the people that worked with her have owned restaurants, not only here in L.A. In San Pedro, but abroad, like, we have a girl named Bonnie Pascacio, she was our waitress for lunch, and she lives in California, if I’m not mistaken, but she’s cooking there. That’s one of the persons she inspired. Rene Reyes, he was a waiter here, too. He has Caramba. She just had the gift and, and she was such a giver and she teach people how to do many things and that’s the way she did and she helped with all organizations also with charity and she was a charitable lady and her skills she just extended to all the people that worked around us. Like me, I felt like a part of me left me because like when I was working, she would always have to approve on the dishes, helped me out to better them and now I won’t have her, but I feel that the love that she gave me through the years, and she helped me raise my two kids also, and she means the world to me. And I feel that she will always be with me while I am cooking, while I’m doing, preparing everything for Elvis because I intend to keep her name and have it very high.”
In 2024, Belize’s tourism industry hit a major milestone, welcoming an impressive five hundred and sixty-two thousand, four hundred and five overnight visitors. This figure not only matches the pre-pandemic record set in 2019 but surpasses it by a remarkable eleven point eight percent. After the severe impact of COVID-19 in 2020, the industry has been steadily recovering thanks to strategic planning and training from dedicated stakeholders. We caught up with the Tourism Director at the Belize Tourism Board to get the inside scoop on this incredible achievement.
Evan Tillett
Evan Tillett, Tourism Director, B.T.B.
“The benchmark here for overnight arrivals is, or was 2019. In that year, the we got about five hundred and three thousand overnight visitors to our shores. In 2024 we actually crested that and went beyond. We were looking to pass 2019 numbers. But the results and the hard work and dedication of both the private sector and the public sector really is what made us successful. And we grew the numbers over 2019 by eleven point eight percent. This year we saw a total of fiuve hundred and sixty-two thousand people coming to our shores as overnight tourists. So that’s a significant growth. And when you compare to year over year 2023 we are looking at twenty-one point eight percent. So that is even more significant. The overnight tourism is the lifeblood of tourism. We have different facets or different sectors. We have cruise tourism. We have overnight tourism. We have tour operator to operation, etcetera. But for us, the lifeblood off the industry and the area that generates the most revenue is overnight. And so that is the critical part of the industry that we pay keen attention to and are very focused And how we can continue to grow that sector.”
Earlier this week, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was asked about his plans after his tenure as Belize’s longest-serving Commissioner of Police comes to an end. In the interview, he mentioned that despite holding a law degree, he prefers to continue working in public service. He has since clarified that he has no plans to retire or step down from his position anytime soon. Here’s more on that.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Yesterday I clearly outlined the plan for 2025 and I was asked the question if I will be leaving on it. Soon, I said, No, I’m not going anywhere right now. That’s what I made clear yesterday So I was shocked to see that yourself and Belize news has on your pages today that a commissioner is planning to exit. I gave no such information. No, I remain a police officer. And you asked me earlier if I’m asking for extension. I don’t need to ask for extension. I am a tenured public officer. Retire at age fifty-five. I’m far from fifty-five years old. So there’s not a matter of asking for no extension So I continue to serve as commissioner of police until the minister or the prime minister would see otherwise Or decide otherwise.”
This morning, the United States Embassy in Belmopan handed over nine Isuzu pickup trucks to various government agencies for border patrol and safety. Ambassador Michelle Kwan presented the vehicles, which were received by Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa and several other CEOs. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Earlier today, the United States Embassy made a significant donation of nine vehicles to various agencies, including the Belize Police Department, the Immigration Department, and the Customs and Excise Department. This generous contribution aims to bolster Belize’s border security in the ongoing battle against transnational crime. With the proliferation of weapons, drugs, and human trafficking still posing serious challenges along Belize’s porous borders, these new vehicles are a much-needed boost to the country’s efforts.
Michelle Kwan
Michelle Kwan, US Ambassador
“In conversations in the past two years since I’ve been here, with government officials, about how the United States can best help Belize meet its security challenges, the subject of mobility often comes up. I’ve heard often that despite Belize’s relatively small size, its unique geography presents real challenges for law enforcement, especially in securing Belize’s border. That is why I am so gratified, and I know it was years in the making, to hand over these nine vehicles today, to enhance the capacity of four agencies that play such a critical role… in border security.”
The fleet of vehicles, presented by Ambassador Michelle Kwan, highlights the strong partnership between Belize and the United States in tackling this ongoing issue. Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa was there to receive the donation, underscoring the importance of this collaboration.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“Today, we formally receive nine vehicles, tangible symbols of collaboration and shared commitment to a safer, more secure future for the Belizean citizens. On behalf of our government, I extend deepest gratitude to the US government and INL for their generous support and steadfast dedication in supporting us to strengthen our nation’s capacity to protect our borders and our communities. These vehicles are more than just resources, they represent trust, cooperation and mutual respect. They are tools that will enable our security forces, the police, customs, and immigration departments to respond swiftly to threats.”
The Ministry of Immigration is at the forefront of Belize’s national security efforts. Beyond maintaining a permanent presence at the border, it is also pushing for social and economic progress. Achieving this means effectively tackling the threats at Belize’s borders.
Tanya Santos
Tanya Santos, CEO, Ministry of Immigration
“To achieve economic and social progress and development, and to protect people’s rights and fundamental freedoms, it is foundational to people’s access to public services, curbing corruption, restraining the abuse of power and to re-establish the social contract between people and the state. The rule of law and development are strongly interlinked. It is powerful, but it is fragile and we have the collective duty to protect it. It is therefore essential to tackle the border security threats of illegal movement of people, drugs, weapons and contraband which pose significant threats to economic prosperity, national security, sustainable development and the rule of law.”
Transnational organized crime poses a serious threat to national security by funding terrorist activities and destabilizing governments. These crimes often include drug trafficking, human trafficking, and arms smuggling, leading to violence and putting citizens’ lives at risk. By cracking down on these offenses, law enforcement officers play a crucial role in protecting their communities, upholding the law, and making the world a safer, more stable place.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Transnational organized crime remains a very active issue that we as law enforcement agencies must address and while we have the three agencies represented here, each having different roles and responsibilities, certainly at some point our duties and functions intertwine and so the need for us to work together always presents itself. And so, this donation that we are getting today it certainly is going to help to reduce the threat that our country faces from transnational organized criminals.”
This week, the Belize Audubon Society wrapped up its participation in the hundred and twenty-fifth Christmas Bird Count. This international bird-watching event runs from December fourteenth to January fifth across the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. This season, bird watchers recorded a staggering forty million, eight and seventy thousand and thirty birds, though the numbers continue to show a worrying decline despite increased preservation efforts. The count documented between one hundred and eighty-three and two hundred and sixty-five species at various field locations. Environmental Education Officer at the Belize Audubon Society, Miguel Sho, shared some insights into the bird count as the team made their rounds in Belize City. Here’s more on that.
Miguel Sho
Miguel Sho, Environmental Education Officer, B.A.S.
“ So fifteen miles in diameter is a really huge circle and we have several teams trying to cover the entire area. For the sector that we are in, we are covering the Belize River. Then we will be covering the left of Ladyville when you’re heading up to Orange Walk, the left side Lords Bank area, and other feeder roads that is within our sectors. Because it’s hard to get to the section by foot or by vehicle, we’re using water transportation provided by the Belize River Lodge to conduct our count on the Belize River itself. And currently, we have seen a good amount of birds so one of the highlights of which is a flyover was the Keel Bill Toucan and a Blue-Winged Teal that we saw on the water as well. And we also saw some wading birds, like the Great Blue Herons Snowy Egrets, and of course the, a majestic bear throated Tiger Heron”
Cameraman
“Why is it important to do the bird count?”
Miguel Sho
“The bird count is important because you are able to get so valuable data that can help promote conservation within Belize itself because each year we put do the count you would be able to see trends in bird populations and you would be able to get information such as bird movements within Belize itself. The data that we also gather from these counts can show you information on diversity of birds and also that indicates the ecosystem health because if there’s no birds, that means that something is wrong. But if you’re seeing more birds, then. That means that we are doing something good within the country itself because birds they need a good habitat in order for them to thrive.”
Thinking about diving into content creation? The first step is usually finding your niche—the kind of content your audience will come to expect from you. Back in 2019, Olajuwon Cadle, better known online as Captain Cadle, discovered his niche in Belizean content, proudly represented by the hashtag #Belize. What began as a platform for self-expression has blossomed into a personal brand that captures the essence of Belizean culture. Today, Cadle is an influencer who embodies Belizean experiences, traditions, and humor. But what makes his journey stand out, and how did he grow his platform in a way that many aspiring creators dream of? Sabreena Daly sat down with him to get a behind-the-scenes look at his popular TikTok videos and to uncover how he’s taken his content beyond those one-minute clips. Here’s more in this week’s edition of “The Bright Side.”
Olajuwon Cadle
Olajuwon Cadle, Belizean Content Creator “From the beginning I did Belizean content and I think that’s where the majority of the following came from. People who found relatability in the stuff that I was talking about, whether it was about Belizean food or traveling or anything, you know, just the idea and concept of Belize, people really found interest in that.”
Olajuwon Cadle, a twenty-two-year-old social media influencer and content creator, has built a platform with tens of thousands of followers. But he’s done more than just racking up numbers—he’s created a genuine community by sharing his story authentically. Cadle has become synonymous with beloved Belizean staples and experiences, making him a true icon in the Belizean social media scene.
Sabreena Daly
“And now there are things that we have come to identify you with whenever we see you. We know that when you see Captain Cadle, you see the person that loves September and Carnival. And also, your favorite food or your favorite type of food is Lee Chee fried chicken?
Olajuwon Cadle
“Yup! My followers know this about me—whenever I return to Belize and make a video saying I’m back, one of the main comments I get is, ‘Did you get a Lee Chee? Did you get fried chicken?”
The name “Captain Cadle,” as Olajuwon explains, represents an alter ego—a confident persona he embraces, quite different from the shy individual people might meet initially.
Olajuwon Cadle “Captain Cadle sort of became like my superhero persona where I could just let go of that shyness and become the person who I really wanted to be. That confident, strong, not worrying about what anybody has to say is the type of person. And I think that the more that I’ve grown, the more that I’ve matured, Captain Cadle and my normal self, Olajuwon Cadle have sort of merged together. So I found that balance.”
Philipa Cadle
Philipa Cadle, Mother
“ I always say that he has split personality because on one hand he’s very cool, calm and quiet and on the other hand, when he does those videos, no one would really think that that’s the same person.”
Cadle’s impact goes far beyond just connecting with viewers through shared culture. He took things to the next level by independently producing a documentary that dives deep into and celebrates the unique essence of Belize. This project showcases his dedication to highlighting what makes his country truly special.
Olajuwon Cadle “In 2023, the idea came about that instead of doing those short videos, I would create a full length feature film or a documentary about Belize. And in summer of 2024, I got the opportunity to partner with the National Institute of Culture and History. And we travel Belize documenting, you know, the different cultures, the history, the beauty of Belize. And now we are putting all of that together and creating our own little independent documentary about Belize.”
Even working with agencies that share a similar message. Ilona Smiling, Director of the Museum of Belize and Belizean Art, explains the importance of what he does and the connection it has to their work.
Ilona Smiling
Ilona Smiling, Director Museum of Belize & Museum of Belizean Art “It is important that we have fresh faces like Captain Cadle because he always brings a new perspective to the cultural identity of Belize. You know, if you look at his platform, his TikTok, his Instagram videos, it’s always highlighting what we do and what we love within a new, and more innovative way. And, he’s also a great comedian. So we absolutely love the videos that he does.”
Olajuwon Cadle “It was very educational and I learned a lot. Like, for example, I learned that Belize is one of the only, I think, if not the only place in the world to have a jaguar reserve, you know, that takes care of the jaguars and prevents them from becoming endangered species. And it’s things like that that I wanted to highlight, that, uh, Even though we are Belizeans and we don’t necessarily get to experience some of those things that we could still learn about it and educate ourselves with it.”
For Cadle, this could be just the start of many exciting future projects that go beyond his growing social media presence. Determined to make a lasting impact, this young content creator is furthering his studies to deepen his knowledge and skills. With a clear vision for the future, he aims to return to Belize ready to drive meaningful change and promote his country’s culture and heritage on a broader scale.
Olajuwon Cadle “I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in media production at the University of Houston. And, for me, it’s more about creating content on a professional level. You know, I started off through social media, but I think that over time, content is supposed to evolve, and that’s what I wanted to learn the basics first before I can actually step into that field of professional content. I love creating. I have so many different ideas that come to my mind daily, whether it’s, you know, a new video idea or like a film or a documentary, a TV show, whatever it is. And I would want to bring those things to life. You know, I think that the future of Belizean entertainment is changing and I would love to see more Belizean content creators. I would love to see more. locally produced film, locally produced shows, movies, whatever it is. So I would love to tap into that field.”
Within the first nine days of 2025, Belize has recorded three murders. Despite this, the Belize Police Department has kept the annual murder count under 100 for the past two years, according to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams.
Williams told News 5 on Thursday that many murders are unpredictable. “While yes, we’re at three murders so far this year, it is three murders too much,” he said.
He also stated that the police continue working to address the root causes of violence through various interventions. “We can’t prevent everything, and we do hope that people do exercise some patience, adjust their attitudes, and always try to resolve conflicts by other means other than the use of lethal force,” Williams said.
It’s been six days since 38-year-old Mason Patnett disappeared, and his family is growing increasingly desperate for answers. The last time anyone heard from Mason was Sunday evening when he updated his WhatsApp status, but shortly after, he vanished without a trace. When his family checked his home, they found the door unlocked and food still cooking on the stove.
Sasha Patnett, Mason’s sister, told News 5 that the family has faced an intense emotional toll since his sudden disappearance. “When our search first started, we were…very hopeful, and we were praying to get him back home alive,” she said. “But regrettably, it’s been 6 days, and our hope is dwindling. The reality is really setting in now.”
The disappearance is especially difficult for their mother, who is already dealing with the loss of four children. “It’s really affecting my mom now,” Sasha explained. “She’s older and has her own ailments, and this is just scaring us…She keeps trying to figure out where he could be.” Sasha added that the family is now facing the possibility of finding Mason’s body. “We are most likely searching for a body, and so we’re just asking whoever took him to please just tell us where he is.”
The family also wonders if Mason’s past is connected to his disappearance. In 2012, he was charged with attempted murder, but those charges were dropped in 2018 after the alleged victim and suspect passed away. “We just want to find him at this point.”
The family is planning another search and continues to ask for the public’s help. “We are working on another search…hopefully we’re going to have information soon,” Sasha said. “We’re just asking; please just tell us where he is so that we can go get him.”
After reflecting on the latter half of 2024 at the biannual COMPSTAT meeting in Belmopan, the police commanders came together to review crime trends and the strategies they’ve been implementing under Chester Williams’s leadership in his 6th year as Commissioner of Police.
Williams, who said that six years in the role has felt like a long time, credited many of the department’s successes to the support he receives from the commanders and officers he works with.
While he is starting to think about his next steps, Williams made it clear he still wants to stay in public service. This is after he said last year that he would retire this year. “I am not saying that I am leaving now, but certainly I have started to contemplate my next plan, my next move, what I will do after this,” he said. “Yes, I am an attorney. I have a profession I can go to. But believe you me, I have fought all my life to put criminals behind bars. I don’t see myself fighting to take them out.”
In a separate interview yesterday, Williams stated that for now, he “remains a police officer.” He added that there is no need for him to request an extension, saying, “I’ll continue to serve until the minister and prime minister would say otherwise or decide otherwise.” He added that he is a “tenured public officer” set to retire at the age of 55 and is far from such age.
When asked if there was a possibility of him staying on as Commissioner of Police until 2035, Williams laughed and dismissed the idea.
