A police operation in Orange Walk District this morning led to the discovery of eight hundred and seventy-five cannabis plants on a plantation. The officers descended on the farm shortly after four a.m. and carried out the operation. The plants they found measured between two and six feet in height. No one was found in the vicinity and the plants were uprooted and destroyed by fire.
Tag: 2024-09-16
Floodwaters and High Tide Inundate Belize City Streets
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Streets across Belize City have been inundated with water for the past three days. But there has been little to no rainfall. Sharon Gullap lives on Mex Avenue. She has lived at this exact location for several decades. She is now witnessing something she says she has not seen all her life.
Voice of: Sharon Gullap, Belize City Resident
“The water I coming up pretty high. It comes about four or five inches across the bridge. My neighbor over there, it is like about to go in her house. Over there, it is totally downstairs. The alley there, it is totally filled. They cant even walk through it. These are all new happenings for us, not just hightide. When Belize have floods or hurricanes, we know that happen. But, I have been here, many years, over sixty years and this is new happenings.”
When we arrived at Gullap’s home this morning, the water had receded partially. She placed a wooden pallet to access her property. She also had to clog some pipes to prevent flooding on the first floor. King Street, Dean Street, areas of Port Loyola and Belama all saw flooded streets and yards. Residents initially suspected that this was being caused by an abnormal high tide over the past three days. But the National Hydrological Service says otherwise.
Carmelita Blanco, Hydrologist, National Hydrological Service
“The flooding that is currently being experienced in Belize City is as a result of the riverine flooding since the Belize River is making its way naturally down the riverine system and emptying out into the Haulover Creek. So, all the areas that are along the Haulover Creek are the areas that are currently experiencing the flood.”
Paul Lopez
“There are some suggestions that it could be as a result of hightides, I don’t know if you are hearing that.”
“Yes, that is in the areas found more in the Marine Parade area. That is where the interaction with the hightides comes into play.”
According to Blanco, excess rainfalls experienced last week led to the Belize River reaching flood stage. She advises residents to continuously monitor the situation as they are unable to provide an exact time period for the river to return to its average height.
“So all this rain allowed the Mopan River, Macal River reach a bank full stage. As we know, the Macal and the Mopan River form the Belize River. So, all this water needs more space, more room for it to flow. So, since it has arrived at maximum capacity, that is what allows this overflow to take place. What I would advise residents is to continue monitoring the flood forecast that is being issued everyday.”
But for Sharon Gullap and her neighbors, this explanation may provide little to no sense of comfort. Her home is situated near the Belize City Pumping Station. Only last week, the street that runs parallel to hers, Myvett Street, was completely under water.
“Since they did the streets everything started acting different, and since they put that thing there at Yabra it is a whole different thing cause this, I would want to blame it on that, because we never see it before. Give it two hours, it would be there, then it goes down and it comes back up. But we were not having any rain, but now we are going to have some rain, so I don’t know what is going to happen. I am sure climate change has a lot to do with a lot of what is happening, but this drainage, we need drains. I think Belize needs drainage. We don’t have drainage.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Golden Jubilee Honors for Belize’s Golden Girls
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Half a century after the Golden Girls secured the country’s first gold medal in any sport on an international stage, the members of that historic women’s national softball team are being recognized as Belizean patriots. Fifty years ago, they were teenagers with their entire lives ahead of them. Five members of that team have since passed away. The surviving members have aged graciously. We sat down with International Hall of Fame Softball Pitcher Linda Lewis-Brown and her 1974 teammate, Deborah Theus- Sanchez.
Linda Lewis- Brown, Former Softball Athlete
“At that time when we went for that team, I was playing with Berger and she was playing with Guiness. Originally, both of us played for Guiness. We were junior players. We started when they had the Lynchs and the Budna, all the high players that use to go to Jamaica. We aspired to be the same.”
Lewis was sixteen years old at the time. Theus was nineteen years old.
“It was so competitive. The players that was selected really worked hard. We went to practice at four o’clock in the morning. We were working and going to school, and then in the evening and on the weekends my dad made sure I was on the road, the Cemetery Road. We were extremely fit at that time. And Jude Lizama, he is one of the previous coaches, he reminded me that preparing for these games we played against the men team.”
Before being selected for the national team, Lewis and Theus were rivals on the softball field. But, on the national softball team, they were encouraged to put aside their differences and egos to represent Belize. By the time the national selection travelled to the 1974 games in the Dominican Republic, they already had a reputation as one of the dominant teams in the region.
Deborah Theus- Sanchez, Former Softball Athlete
“They would take us to the park like two, three hours before the game. Those teams would be out there throwing ball, batting, running. We were not use to that. We use to get up in the morning practice, go in the evening practice. But we did not have those hours to be out there warming up. Mr. Lashley made a very important decision when he said, look ladies we are not going be out here with these people. Come out, observe what it going on and when it is time for us to play, we will do what we normally do.”
Fifty years later, they have a hard time remembering the exact statistics of each of the games played, except for the gold medal game. In that matchup against Puerto Rico’s national team, they won convincingly over their opponents, fourteen runs to two. News of Belize’s first international gold medal went across the Caribbean and made it back home before their return.
“To tell you the truth, from that day, until we landed, after we landed, the reception we got from the Belizean community was amazing. I could still remember coming at the airport, greeted by a lot of people at the airport. The next day we had a parade. The children were on the sidewalk. It was unbelievable.”
Deborah Theus- Sanchez
“The whole celebration thing was exciting. As a Belizean, it was the first time that you would see a mass of people coming out to see these people that won this gold. It was very exciting to be on that truck and everybody was waving. It was like the tenth of September. We were happy and excited about the parade itself.”
Deborah Theus- Sanchez
“I was honored and humbled to be recognized in that way. But, at the same time I think the team was forgotten, because as an Olympic person I think that is etched in history in whatever country you go to. If you are an Olympian it should be etched in the history in not only the softball, but the entire country of Belize. That means, if you become a minister or something, you should have known about the Golden Girls, because we were the first. We put Belize on the map and I think we should have been recognized a little earlier than now. Even though it is done and we appreciate it. I would appreciate if it could be something that don’t wait until a hundred years to come back and say thank you for what we did, you know.”
“I want to give credit to the prime minister. He did say that this team, he recognize this team as the very first gold medal team. I was very impressed by the way he recognized us. Thinking of it, a lot of people have forgotten us, but in his speech he recognized us and he remembers us.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Cause of Death Revealed in Mysterious Case of Daniel Cal
The Belize Police Department has confirmed to News Five the cause of death of 26-year-old Daniel Cal. According to the Department, Cal died of “Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, pending histological and toxicological analysis. Other significant conditions contributing to his death included chronic alcoholism.”
The post-mortem examination, conducted on Monday, September 16, is still pending further histological and toxicological analysis to fully determine the circumstances surrounding his death.
Caal, who died shortly after being in police custody in Belmopan, was detained on September 6 for possession of a stolen motorcycle. While in lockup, he began experiencing seizures and was taken to the Western Regional Hospital for treatment. He was later released back into police custody, only to suffer more seizures, leading to a second hospital visit. Caal passed away on Thursday after being released from detention, leaving his family searching for answers.
An investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances of his mysterious death. Last week, Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa, addressed the concerns raised by Caal’s family, who are questioning whether he may have been mistreated while in custody. Musa acknowledged that there is speculation about a possible head injury, but emphasised that the police have reported the injury likely resulted from a seizure, not external force. He assured that further enquiries, including a review of Caal’s medical treatment, are ongoing, and has asked the National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) to expedite the results to provide the family with resolution.
Prime Minister Briceño to Give State of the Nation Address
Prime Minister John Briceño is scheduled to give the State of the Nation Address on Tuesday. An official media invitation was sent this afternoon. The Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Address is expected to begin at 9:30 a.m. It will be LIVE on News Five’s Facebook and Youtube online platforms and cable television.
Usually, the prime minister’s State of the Nation address is given during the Official Independence Day Ceremony in Belmopan.
Police Discover and Destroy 875 Marijuana Plants in Northern Belize
On Monday, September 16, between 4:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., police officers carried out an operation in the Orange Walk District, leading to the discovery of a plantation containing 875 marijuana plants. The plants, measuring between 2 and 6 feet in height, were found without anyone present in the area. All the plants were uprooted and destroyed by fire.
Investigators say They were Killed by an Ambulance Driver
Ambulance driver Josh Barrillas has been charged with two counts of manslaughter by negligence and two counts of causing deaths by careless conduct. This is in connection to a traffic accident that occurred on February 20, 2023, near the Beaver Dam Bridge in St. Matthews Village, Cayo, and killed two persons.
The victims, 42-year-old Salvadoran national from Harmonyville and 21-year-old Joana Samoza of Cotton Tree Village, were riding a motorcycle along the George Price Highway when an ambulance rear-ended them. The pair had just finished work, and Ayala was giving Samoza a ride home when the accident occurred. Barrillas was driving the ambulance.
At the time of the incident, Barrillas claimed he did not see the motorcycle in the poorly lit area.
The impact of the collision threw Ayala onto the road, where he died instantly. Samoza was flung over the bridge into the gully below, also resulting in her death.
Both victims were transported to the Western Regional Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
Barrillas was reportedly transporting a patient from Belize City to the Western Regional Hospital at the time of the accident.
Woman Dies After Vehicle Overturns Near Gran’s Farm
Police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred on the George Price Highway near Gran’s Farm on Saturday morning, September 14. According to the investigation, 30-year-old Tiffany Tifara Licona from Blackman Eddy Village lost control of her green 2009 Chevrolet Tracker while attempting to overtake a pickup truck on the left side, causing the vehicle to overturn. Licona was en route from Belmopan to Belize City.
Passenger Melva Elizabeth Myers, 64, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) Morgue. According to her son, Selvyn Myers, she was preparing for a medical checkup abroad. “On Saturday she was to board her flight to the US to go and do some medical checkup, her once a year checkup.” he said. Myers described the moment he found his mother at the scene: “I get a glimpse of my momma lying by the vehicle and the fence. I went there and tried to do chest compression and CPR, pray for a pulse or something, I tap her foot bottom,”
Among the other passengers were three minors: Jamerah Bejerano, 11, Jamilee Bejerano, 9, and Kenton Arnold, 5, who sustained minor injuries. Licona also suffered injuries and reported severe pain. All involved were taken to KHMH for treatment. The incident is under investigation by Corporal Athon Martinez.
More than 10,000 Visitors Attended Belize Marketplace 2024
The Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) says that more than 10,000 visitors flocked to the Expo grounds over the two days. In a release, BCCI said, “This year’s Expo provided exhibitors the opportunity to network, build their consumer base, and showcase their talents and services on a grand scale – all of which aligns with our Triple C Philosophy – to Connect, Capacitate, and Champion.”
The event also featured the annual “Best Booth” competition, which evaluated exhibitors based on creativity, professionalism, innovation, and efficiency. The winners of the 2024 competition are:
Best Overall Booth: Smart Belize
Most Outstanding Up & Coming Entrepreneur: Little Ceramic Painters
Best Micro Booth: HEYABBZ
Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner delivered the welcome address. Dr. Henry Canton, Executive Director of Silk Grass Farms, gave the keynote speech, focussing on his company’s conservation and sustainability efforts and highlighting the potential for local businesses to collaborate in enhancing their products. Kim Vasquez, Director of the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA-NICH), followed with an insightful presentation on the “Culture is My Business” initiative, underscoring the dynamic relationship between commerce and culture.
BCCI President Katherine Meighan also took to the stage. She emphasised the significance of the Expo in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and opportunity. Meighan also highlighted the BCCI’s role in supporting businesses through every step of the planning process.
Belize Celebrates National Day of Prayer at Fordyce Chapel
On Sunday evening, Belize celebrated its National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service at the Fordyce, Chapel St. John’s College. The event saw the attendance of many key national figures, including Prime Minister John Briceño.
Briceño spoke about the significance of the occasion, saying, “Tonight we gather in prayer of thanksgiving. So much has been achieved, but we are fully aware that our work of nation-building is one that is far from over.”
“Every September, we wear our patriotism on our sleeves. Our cities, our towns, our villages, our homes, and even our cars and bicycles, we address the festive colours that mark our celebration,” Briceño said. He emphasised the resilience of the Belizean people, noting, “It is we, the people, and our love for this nation that always see us through good times and bad ones… This is why we get up every time we get knocked down by a hurricane, a flood, or a devastating fire.”
Reflecting on the event, Briceño remarked, “In our national prayer, we ask God for his protection over Belize, our beloved country. We say this prayer every Tuesday at the start of Cabinet and ask of God, wisdom, and justice to assist our Belizean government and people.”