A candlelight vigil is underway at the Anglican Cathedral College where students, teachers and parents are gathered to mourn the loss of fifteen-year-old Lamisha Moody. The high school student was gunned down on Wednesday night here in Belize City, as she stood in front of a shop in the Jane Usher Boulevard neighborhood. Moody, along with Troy Hyde, a well-known street figure, was shot and killed during an attack in which Hyde was the intended target. The teenage minor had gone out to purchase foam plates ahead of a class trip when she was shot and killed. In the wake of the deadly shooting, the faculty and staff of A.C.C. issued a release condemning the wanton gun violence that claimed the lives of Lamisha Moody and Troy Hyde. On Thursday, the Commissioner of Police indicated that the vehicle believed to have been used in the deadly assault has been impounded. An arrest is yet to be made, however, police remain on high alert in the event of a reprisal.
Tag: 2024-02-23
Dangriga Man Murdered While Socializing
One man is dead following a shooting in Dangriga. Thirty-three-year-old Delroy Menzies relocated from Belize City to Dangriga five years ago. In October, he moved into the area where he was killed, along with his partner. On Thursday night, Menzies, his partner and a close friend of his were at Kulcha Kitchen on Plum Street. That is where they spent most evenings socializing. But, on Thursday night the unexpected happened. A gunman walked up to Menzies outside the business establishment and shot him in cold blood. Tonight, family and friends of the deceased are reeling from the loss, as they try to put together the pieces. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Thirty-two-year-old Delroy Menzies, a father of one, lost his life to gunshot injuries he sustained on Thursday night while socializing. Menzies, his partner and the owner of Kulcha Kitchen were sitting down outside the establishment, as they do daily, when a gunman approached them. He opened fire and an injured Menzies fell to the ground.
Voice of: Friend of the Deceased
“I was outside and Delly and my cousin which is his girlfriend and someone came to order a food and I get up go inside to get the food and as I reach inside I hear three gunshot and when I came outside, my cousin mih the bawl and I noticed that Delly get shot. So I called nine one one, I called the police.”
We spoke with Menzies’ cousin off camera. She told us the family is still without a clear picture of what transpired on Thursday night outside Kulcha Kitchen.
Voice of: Cousin of Deceased
“We try to put the pieces together because nobody gets the true picture as yet.
Somebody call and tell we what happened so up to now the police still nuh she nothing, suh we just have to go by what the police the do. It is very hard and it hurt very bad because it puts pain in everybody heart, not lonely his mother but everybody who loves and respects him and the community itself.”
Voice of: Friend of Deceased
“Yes I mih the yah and a vehicle just pass and she hold your gial tight and that is it. I ask dah who and he said he doesn’t know who it is. I don’t know who it is, so we don’t know.”
Paul Lopez
“When you heard that and heard remarks coming from that vehicle that didn’t raise any suspicions from you at the time?”
“No because we nuh the think nothing. We just sit down and continue talk. We nuh the think nothing, he nuh the think nothing, cause he she he nuh know dah who. So we nuh the think nothing like that.”
During our interview with Menzies’ friend, a police mobile drove by with two men in the pan of the vehicle. News Five confirmed that the men are persons of interest in Menzies’ murder.
“The body was on the ground for like two hours and change and the police didn’t want anybody to take him to the hospital and everybody the ask take the man to hospital. Deh she deh cant touch the body, nobody could take ah dah hospital. We deh ask well, if yo lef wah person fuh dead, if dah unu, you mih wah want deh ker yo dah hospital right?”
Reporting for News 5, I am Paul Lopez
Missing Corozal Man’s Vehicle Allegedly Turns Up in Burrell Boom
Fifty-seven-year-old Rosalito Pacheco, a taxi driver from Corozal Town, mysteriously disappeared in early February. Today, a family of three, a mother and her two sons, was dragged before the Belize City Magistrates Court to be arraigned for handling stolen goods. Police allegedly discovered Pacheco’s vehicle and keys at the home of forty-four-year-old Tricia Young, a resident of the Fresh Pond area in Burrell Boom Village. Young and her two sons, eighteen-year-old Imari Young and twenty-two-year-old Christopher Young, have been jointly charged with the crime of handling stolen goods. The trio appeared before a Senior Magistrate with attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley. At their arraignment, they pleaded not guilty to the charge. Their attorney then asked the Senior Magistrate to take record of his clients’ time of detention and when they were brought to court. Bradley contended that the time exceeded forty-eight hours and violated the rights of his clients. Imari and Devin Young also told the court that they were badly beaten by police officers while in custody. The brothers allege that plastic bags were placed over their heads during interrogation and that they were beaten with a two-by-four piece of wood. The court took note of these allegations and with no objection to bail, the trio was granted bail in the sum of two thousand dollars each, plus one surety of the same amount. The court also demanded that they report once a week, on Fridays, to the Burrell Boom Police Station. We heard from their attorney outside the courtroom.
Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney
“The disturbing thing is that in the case of the two sons, you heard them individually explain to the senior magistrate the ordeal that they suffered in the case of the second accused, I won’t call his name, he was badly beaten at the police station in Burrell Boom, where in addition to, as he said, wapped several times in a two by four and a plastic bag being put over his head while handcuffed to try to get some air and he was punched and kicked and the younger brother who is only eighteen also suffered some beating at the hands of the police to end up with a charge that they were handling a stolen vehicle which was not found in their yard. It is a serious matter for the police in the sense that the vehicle is said to be owned by a person who has gone missing. So we can understand that they are trying to breakthrough with an investigation but that is no excuse for what we heard in court this morning that the commissioner of police and the minister responsible for the police who are in government for three years need to have some written guidelines and public know. And don’t tell us to make a report at Raccoon Street, noting ever comes out of that. We need an independent investigative arm that deals with police officers who behave like criminals. That is uncalled for to try and suffocate someone to get information which they didn’t end up getting anything for.”
Mexican Car Theft Duo Handed Three Years in Prison
A pair of Mexican nationals will spend the next three years behind bars at the Belize Central Prison after pleading guilty to the charge of theft and abetment to theft of two rental vehicles. Back in July 2023, a 2020 white four-door Kia Sorento and a 2021 white four-door Equinox, each valued at sixty thousand dollars, belonging to Budget Auto-Rental Car were stolen. The duo is comprised of Alejandro Gonzalez, who is charged with theft and Carlos Morales, who is charged with abetment to theft. They were arraigned on October 2023 and appeared today before Justice Nigel Pilgrim who stated that if the men had been tried and convicted before a jury at the High Court, then the penalty would be the same, which is no less than ten years. However, Pilgrim began the penalty at six years and after revisiting the case made before the crown and its proven elements, Pilgrim noted that the duo cost the company more than two hundred thousand dollars in losses and inflicted psychological damage as well. As a result, the starting penalty was raised to eight years. Pilgrim proceeded to deduct three years due to the pair showing signs of remorse and an additional year and eight months was deducted for their guilty pleas, leaving both with a three-year, four-month sentence for each car to be run concurrently. Pilgrim also ordered Vasquez to pay a sum of forty-six thousand, five hundred dollars with depreciation for the loss of the Equinox, while Morales was ordered to pay the sum of forty-seven thousand, seven hundred seventy for the Kia Sorento.
Stevedores, “Government Proposal is Disgusting And Unacceptable.”
The Christian Workers Union, the representative body for stevedores, is not impressed by the government of Belize. Negotiations have been in the works between the government, which is the owner of the Port of Belize, and stevedores over the sugar payment owed to them for several years now. On February fifteenth, a proposal was presented to the union and now, having read it, the members are not pleased. The union held a meeting today in order to discuss how they plan to move forward and counter respond. We attended the meeting where C.W.U. President, Leonora Flowers, expressed the union’s displeasure. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that report.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Leonara Flowers, President. C.W.U.
“Today, we are meeting with our members from the Port of Belize, our union, to find out and get directive what they want us to do. You may know that last week, on the fifteenth of February, we got a proposal from the interim board at the port. Needless to say, our members are not at all pleased with what was returned to us. It is just a regurgitation of what was given when the port was under the previous management. And we did not expect the government to do this. So today we are getting directive from our members. Where this is going.”
Flowers stated that the contents of the proposal were utterly disrespectful in her eyes, claiming that pension that members are already entitled to, was being passed off as the sugar payment stevedores are asking for.
“I am even ashamed to see what’s in that first proposal. It’s disgusting. It’s unconscionable. It’s just a frustrating bunch of, you know what. This has come to the team before in 2020 and it was completely rejected. What they proposed to do again as I stand here, I will tell you shamelessly The interim board is proposing to give to the stevedores money that already belongs to the stevedores, part of pension that they have already paid for, they are already entitled to that. So that is what they’re proposing to give back to say that is as we call it the sugar money that is unacceptable and we’re not having it and that is why we’re out here today with her members to give us a clear directive. Where do we take this from here?”
Flowers explained that the union has been ready to present its proposal for several years and wishes to start the negotiations at its offer.
“We had our proposal from we began like two, three years ago. When the interim board came in, they knew what that proposal was. And they said to us, don’t give us your proposal, we’ll come back to you. And they came back, so low. So extremely low and with a huge disrespect as well, to come and say to our members, you know we’ve been saving some pension for you, this is already yours. Take this and go away. You don’t do that to people. We’re not going to have that. And we’re looking at this straight at the government. Straight at the government. And we also know that in Belize City, we have all those members, ministers of government, who have gone on record to say they have the stevedores back. They should be paid. They should get what they’re entitled to. That’s not happening. So we’re looking at them as well for some responses today.”
Flowers further stated that she never expected these proceedings to occur when the Government of Belize acquired the port and is calling on them to do better.
“I expected that we will sit and negotiate and they will look at this stevedores and remember that an ESAT decision has said, sit and negotiate and remember that they signed an agreement to say when sugar leaves the port of Belize, if it does, then there shall be an award. Where is that award? Where is it today? The government needs to do better and we are calling on them to do better.”
In December 2023, Prime Minister John Briceño stated that acquiring the port was the best decision the government could make for Belize and was optimistic about negotiations with the stevedores meeting a successful conclusion with time.
Prime Minister John Briceño (File: Dec 14, 2023)
“I think it was best for us to be able to sit down to negotiate a settlement for us to be able to take over the port. We did not want to go down the line of nationalization. We have seen what happened with the previous government in 2009 when they nationalized BTL, and it was fight after fight, and the liars made millions of dollars. And we wanted to avoid that. And then to ensure that we can find a settlement that would be in the interest of Belize. And we believe that that’s what we accomplished. Now, the Stevedores, they need to understand that we are just taking over this company. And we need to try to see how we can fix it. And I am sure that the Interim Board will probably find the time to be able to meet with them.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.
Twelve Youths Complete Apprenticeship Program
Twelve youths are on their way to becoming young professionals after completing the Positive Moves Apprenticeship Program. The program, which is a collaboration between the Community Rehabilitation Department and the Labor Department was created in order to provide effective educational social support, a dynamic job preparedness training, and a correlating three-month apprentice placement to youths who may have difficulty entering into the workforce due to social settings. The program began in November 2023 and concluded today with an award ceremony. We attended the event to learn more about the program. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The Community Rehabilitation Department is the government agency dedicated to the development and implementation of prevention, rehabilitation and diversion programs aimed at first-time offenders, juveniles in conflict with the law and those at risk. With this demographic in mind, the CRD developed the Positive Moves Program in order to provide support for youths who may face difficulties when trying to achieve their future goals. CRD’s program coordinator, Courteney Zelaya told us more about it.
Courteney Zelaya, Program Coordinator, CRD
“So today what we’re doing is celebrating the success of our 11th apprentice, our department, which is the Community Rehabilitation Department, which falls under Ministry of Human Development. Because primarily we work with at risk youths and that specific population. We have embarked on this program just to help support them in terms of employability and what makes our program different is that we provide the wraparound services. So it’s not only job placement, but we try to focus on the individual and meeting psychosocial needs, supporting them in terms of goal orientation and things of that nature.”
Zelaya explained that participants received training at partner businesses such as Digi, Caribbean Tires, Save-U, Belize Water Services and others, where they were able to learn about the dynamics of the work environment in order to ensure success. As a result, nine of the twelve participants have even received full-time employment.
“So for four weeks they were a part of a job readiness program along with personal development where they receive just a basis of what to expect at a workplace work etiquettes, professionalism, things of that nature. And then also help to provide some type of guidance in terms of goals. And making that reality relatable based on what is presenting to them in their environment. So today we celebrate that success because we had a really big turnout out of the twelve apprentice we placed, nine have received full time employment. So we just want them to know that their efforts and dedication, is seen, and we’re so proud of them and all the hard work that they did.”
Carleen Staine, Participant
“It has been a life changing experience, being that I have never had a job before. I was just working for my mom because she has her own business. So, this has been really life changing for me in the sense that, I will be out there and I will have a sense of having my own job and know how the real world is.”
Staine stated that although it wasn’t always easy, she believes that anyone motivated can do it.
“I know that I will be getting older now and I will need to have my own income, so that really moved me.”
Reporter
“And I understand a new batch is coming up shortly. Any advice towards, for them?”
“Well, words to them, I would just say keep your head up because I mean, for us, I know it wasn’t really a smooth ride for us, but nevertheless, we all stuck it out and see we’re here now.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.
Why a Pedestrian Crossing at the Foot of the New Haulover Bridge?
Since being opened to vehicular traffic a few weeks ago, motorists traversing the new Haulover Bridge have reportedly been speeding. We have, at least on one occasion, also reported of an accident that took place recently at the approach to the structure. To reducing speeding, the contractors have built a pedestrian ramp on one end of the bridge. A few questions have been raised regarding that construction, considering the fact that motorists view the pedestrian ramp as unnecessary since its location is not in a residential area. Chief Engineer Evondale Moody explains the reason for the crossing.
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH
“The pedestrian crossing is basically a pedestrian ramp to slow down traffic because, as you can see, even with those pedestrian ramps that we have there, as soon as the vehicles leave the roundabout they’re speeding up and that is what has created a couple accidents in the past few weeks because people are speeding across the bridge. That will take some education and I believe we will have to start from the primary school because, based on our experience, it’s hard to educate the adults now because they are still speeding. No matter what we do, we do the advertisements, we do the public awareness, they’re still speeding and this is only, as I said, five hundred and twenty-eight meters and they pick up speed as soon as they leave the roundabout. So I think it’s just education and we have to continue to push that.”
Meet the Orange Walk Municipal Candidates
We are twelve days away from the March sixth municipal elections. In tonight’s installment of Meet the Candidates we take you to Orange Walk. On Wednesday, the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party nominated seven candidates each. On March sixth, residents will get to decide whether they want the P.U.P. to continue leading the town or if there will be a change in the political makeup of the municipal leadership. We spoke with a few of the candidates on both sides. Here is what they told us about themselves.
Alondra De La Fuente, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“I have been advocating for the youths through the Belize youth movement. I am currently the Belize Youth Movement chapter president in Orange Walk and I strongly believe that youth development, youth enhancement and youth activities are needed in our community so that they can find healthy lifestyle activities and be involved in initiatives that would cater for their social, emotional development and also physical.”
Allen Yu, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“I am someone that likes to learn how the system works, how things work. How do we collect our garbage, where do we go, how do you get your streets done. I like that type of stuff and seeing the good work that the previous mayor was doing, now Minister Bernard I saw that he is like an inspiration. I enjoyed the work he did, despite being the opposition, despite getting no help from outside, he made Orange Walk what it is right now and I saw that I want to do something like that.”
Lardrick Sheppard, P.U.P. Incumbent Mayor, Orange Walk
“I was a councilor from since 2012 under then Mayor Bernard. So, I had nine years of preparation to get me where I am. So when I get on that seat in 2021 when I was elected as mayor I told everybody that I was going to work along my team. That is exactly what we did. We have done a lot, revamped the parks, cleaned the drain, streets, no other council overall, no other counsel has done seventy-five streets in basically three years.”
Marina Gongora, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“I have been with the U.D.P. for over fifteen years. I actually enjoy meeting people because when you are in politics you meet all sorts of people. At this point in time I decided that we need people with good qualities, people who have made a name for themselves to come out and show people that we have people who care and can make a difference. “
Kendle Esquivel, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“I have seen many instances where people need help, people are being left on the side by the people in power and I think that one of the reasons that inspire me is that we need to find something to do to assist the people. I am not thinking about new building and new bridges, nothing like that. I have a passion for the society to bring back the humane aspect of society, to take care of the people.”
Enrique Carballo, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Orange Walk
“I think the people from Orange Walk need a change and want a change. I think this council has been in the council for twelve years and the pressures are not much. The political pressure is not there. What we are feeling is that the people need and want a change.”
P.U.P. and U.D.P. Goes Head to Head in Sugar City
Orange Walk Town stands out as the sugar capital of the country. The country’s oldest sugar mill operates just outside of the town’s limits and many of the residents who work in the industry are from the town. And so, it is fair to say that sugarcane farmers make up a significant percentage of the voting population in the town. But, it is yet to be seen how recent tensions in the industry will impact the upcoming municipal elections. A viable sugar industry is, however, not the only thing that Orange Walk residents except of their leaders. At the municipal level, there are needs for proper drainage, streets, family-friendly activities, playgrounds and parks to name a few. There is also an expectation that their municipal leaders act with transparency and accountability. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at the political landscape in Orange Walk Town leading up to March sixth.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The People’s United Party has maintained control of the Orange Walk Town Council for just over a decade. Incumbent Mayor, Ladrick “Mad Bull” Sheppard is seeking re-election. He boasts that no other mayor across the country has achieved what he and his team have been able to do over the past three years.
Ladrick Sheppard, P.U.P. Incumbent Mayor, Orange Walk
“We need the people to understand we want to work for them. That is why we are aggressive from the get go. Nobody cannot say we started working last minute. You cannot do seventy-five streets in two days, that is impossible. Showing that we are capable of getting the job done. This council was well prepared. Minister Kevin Bernard left us there and we continued that plan. But we cannot accomplish this goal except to work as a team. I always tell everybody, when you combine your work together you can get more done.”
Enrique Carballo, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Orange Walk.
“I am not worrying about that P.U.P. stronghold. I am confident that with our campaigning and the team and the people receiving with us with great reception and the concerns, I feel we have a great chance of winning this, definitely. “
Reporter
“But If this happens, you get into office, how will you execute your plans under a P.U.P. central government?”
“If that should happen, municipal bodies have enough autonomy to do whatever we want to do in the town. Now if the central government is serious about development then I believe we can work hand in hand, because we are Belizeans. Central government has a responsibility to develop our toen our villages and our country as a whole.”
Prime Minister John Briceño’s Orange Walk Central constituency exists within the Orange Walk municipality. And, incumbent Mayor Sheppard does not shy away from the fact that the town council gets a significant amount of financial support from the prime minister.
“Hand in hand work, the Prime Minister comes with us and he even gives us a percentage of his money so that we could invest it in the town. When he is out doing his job as a prime minister, we are the ones in Orange Walk Town taking care of it. We just invested four hundred thousand in a park. It is called the Phillip Alvarez Park. WE have one of the most beautiful parks in Orange Walk in the entire country, I can boast about that.”
But, Carballo says that it will not stop him from pushing his vision for the town, if elected.
“My vision for Orange Walk is for a flourishing, inclusive, environmental friendly and a town for progress and that will only be done with the people of Orange Walk.”
According to P.U.P. councilor candidate, Alondra De La Fuente, a newcomer to politics, while there are activities in the municipality to engage youths, residents are demanding greater investments into youth initiatives.
Alondra De La Fuente, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“One of the top things I have heard during the campaign trial would be for us to have more initiatives for youths, things like brining back summer camps, things like bringing back youth enhancement, sporting in our community. We already have those established in Orange Walk but we need to get the youth community more involved and this can be done through different entities and youth groups in our community.”
On the other hand, Kendle Esquivel, a youth himself, says Orange Walk residents are clamoring for municipal leaders with the willingness to serve.
Kendle Esquivel, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Orange Walk
“In the past many people have promised and have not kept their promises. I believe I am one of the persons that can change things. I want to do things that serve people. I bring the willingness to serve. I don’t want to serve myself; I want to serve the people. I know that it is a hard task and a challenge. It iill be a hard task and I believe that with the help of our leaders, it will be a fair job.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
FSC Warns Against Alberto Villanueva
The Financial Services Commission has issued a warning notice informing the public that Alberto Villanueva, promoter of Belize Title and Closing L.L.C., is not licensed under the F.S.C. Act to provide, carry on, or transact any financial services set out in the Financial Services Commission Act. As such, Villanueva, a resident of 5 Alamina Drive in Caye Caulker, is directed to cease and desist from engaging in those activities which constitute an offence under the Laws of Belize.