2024-11-14 - Channel 5 Belize

TS Sara on Projected Path Towards Belize

This afternoon, Tropical Storm Sara formed off the coast of Honduras and Nicaragua. According to the National Emergency Management Organization’s three p.m. advisory, Sara was located three hundred and thirty miles east-southeast of Belize City, moving west at ten miles per hour. The storm is expected to continue its westward path at a slower pace over the next two days. Earlier today, during a NEMO press conference, Sara was projected to make landfall north of Belize, which was the center of the cone of probability at that time. However, this afternoon’s update shows the center of the cone has shifted further south, closer to Placencia. This change highlights the inherent uncertainty in these projections. Here’s what Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon had to say this morning.

Via Zoom: Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist

“This is the global forecast system, better known as the American model. Initialized at midnight local time, and let us move forward int time. You can see the low pressure center around here as we have indicated near the north east coast of Honduras and Nicaragua. If we forward in time and go six a.m. tomorrow, you see the low here, north of Honduras. Let us move forward another twenty-four hours, you have the low remaining there but becoming much more disorganized. This is because of land interaction. Because the system is moving so close to Honduras this model is suggesting that is going to weaken. These lines are called isobars or lines of equal pressure. The closer you see these together the stronger the system. What you have noticed in the last twenty-four hours, these lines have moved further apart indicating that the system is weakening because of land interaction. Interestingly I want you to focus on Belize, you can see that even though it is a weaker system, there are bands of thunderstorms affecting the country. These colors of deep blue towards purple are indicating heavy rainfall activity in southern Belize. Let me advance to twenty-four hours. This will be Sunday morning, centered roughly here off the coast of Belize, rainfall again impacting the country. I move forward again and you can see the low impacting the land and moving across the land. The rains decreasing thereafter. This is one interpretation. One model’s idea of what could happen. Models are not gospel truth. They have inaccuracies. They have assumptions. So it is important we use these with caution.”

Category One Hurricane is an “Extreme Worst-Case Scenario”

Once again, the projected path has shifted further south. NEMO now predicts that Sara will strengthen, with maximum sustained winds of around 50 miles per hour when it makes landfall in Belize. The worst-case scenario, according to Gordon, is that Sara could become a category one hurricane. He shared this information with reporters this morning but emphasized that there’s still a lot of uncertainty with these projections.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Met Officer

“There is no exact tract. There is a cone. So, the system can pass anywhere within that cone. As I had indicated, it is a probability distribution. So, the highest probability is within the center of that cone. But that is not a hundred percent. If it was a hundred percent, we would not have a cone. It will have a line showing it is going there. So, it can change. That is the long and short of the answer. However, it is most likely to impact the country at the center of that cone. In terms of intensity, again that is not as certain. Not of the factors that could prevent further strengthening is interaction with land. As I showed the system is forecasted to move close to land, to Honduras and if it jogs even a bit further south it will weaken even further. However, if it remains offshore, it will be a bit stronger. There are still some variants within that intensity forecast. Currently the forecast is for it to come assure as a fifty-mile-per-hour storm and that is down from yesterday when they had it at seventy. That means more of the models are showing it weakening over land in Honduras. The extreme worst case scenario outside of the forecast right now is perhaps a category one hurricane. We are not seeing that, but that is the extreme worst.”

TS Sara to Dump Heavy Rains Over Belize

One thing is for sure—Belize is in for some heavy rainfall. Projections for Tropical Storm Sara suggest that the country could see up to ten inches of rain over the next three days. Chief Hydrologist Tenielle Hendy has issued flood warnings for four rivers across the country. Areas already dealing with floods, like San Roman and San Antonio, are likely to face even greater flood threats. Hendy shared more details with us.

Tenielle Hendy, Chief Hydrologist

“We do have a flood warning still in effect for the Mopan, Macal, Rio Hon and Belize Rivers. Some of the roads in the north are still impassable. In region seven, even though it is at flood stage levels, it is decreasing at the moment. In region nine we have the Mopan and Belize rivers still at flood stage and the three dam facilities, the spillways are still active. A departure from the forecast yesterday is that we are now seeing the Sibun River exhibiting or reflecting increasing above normal levels. Looking ahead into the outlook, for our stream flow. We are noticing this stream as per this flood forecast. It is just showing above level conditions. But this will change with the introduction of the rainfall. Moving into what is expected based on the current time step of TD. With the estimated accumulation of ten inches of rainfall over a five-day period, what we can expect that we will be seeing is flooding in those areas that will be affected, the areas that are already flooded. If you receive additional rainfall, we can see the extent widening in these areas and when it cannot spread out anymore, the extent it will go deeper.”

Will TS Sara’s Projected Path Lead to Business Closures?

So, will NEMO open hurricane shelters this weekend? And what about businesses—will they close while the storm passes? During Tropical Storm Nadine a few weeks ago, many employers still required their employees to come in, and several street vendors stayed open. Today, National Emergency Coordinator Daniel Mendez explained that shelters are prepped and ready to open, but only Prime Minister Briceño has the authority to call off work.

Via Zoom: Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, N.E.M.O

“Again, the shelters will be opened as necessary. This is one of the actions that each district committee makes on their own. The EOCs are meeting. They understand the different peculiarities of their own districts. So, when there is a need to open the shelters, these will be opened and made known to the public. In terms of determining the closure of businesses, these are major conversations that need to be had. While I can say I do not have the final say, it does not mean I am not providing advice to the chairman of N.E.M.O who is the prime minister. These are major determinations that need to be made. There is always a need to try to find a balance between public safety and the need to keep things going. We did see that happen in Tropical Storm Nadine. We did our best to make those known that the decision was this was a very quick storm, and it was very challenging to provide that advice.”

Feinstein Discontinues $178 Million Lawsuit Against G.O.B. & Portico

In August 2023, developer Mike Feinstein and Stake Bank filed a claim against the Attorney General and Portico Enterprises Limited, the company behind Port of Magical Belize, seeking nearly one hundred and eighty million dollars in special damages for multiple breaches of their definitive agreement. Back in August 2017, the Feinstein Group struck a deal with the Government of Belize to build and operate the Stake Bank project, also known as Port Coral. At that time, the Barrow administration indicated it was considering granting Portico approval to build and operate a cruise ship docking facility near the Port of Belize. This twenty-five-year agreement was established before the Stake Bank Cruise Docking Facility Development Act came into effect in January 2018. Despite this agreement, the government approved another cruise ship docking facility in Belize District, leading to the controversial Port of Magical Belize. Feinstein argued that this move disrupted Stake Bank’s negotiations with financial institutions for project financing and with cruise ship operators for docking agreements, ultimately halting the construction of the Stake Bank Project. Feinstein sought several reliefs, including a declaration that the Government of Belize breached their August twenty-fifth, 2017 agreement, damages for breach of contract, and damages against Portico for inducing the breach, among other claims. Earlier this week, a notice of discontinuance was filed in the High Court, with Michael Feinstein stating he is “wholly discontinuing the action against the respondents in these proceedings”. However, litigation is still ongoing regarding the compulsory acquisition of nearly twenty-four acres of land on Stake Bank Island, with Feinstein suing the government over this issue.

Two Cane Farmers Charged for San Lazaro Murder

Two men from Orange Walk District, forty-seven-year-old Iran Moguel and twenty-four-year-old Emanuel Carillo, have been arrested and charged with the murder of Julio Carillo. The tragic incident occurred last Friday in San Lazaro Village, where Julio was brutally stabbed multiple times and left for dead away from the community. His decomposing body was discovered three days later in a cane field by two children who were out swimming. Reports indicate that Julio was last seen socializing with friends, and one of the suspects had previously stayed with the Carillo family.

Bartender Remanded for Attempted Murder

A bartender is spending his first night on remand on a charge of attempted murder. Twenty-three-year-old Andrew Michael Holder, of Grants Alley, Belize City, is accused of trying to kill Charles Foreman during a stabbing incident on Monday. Police met the stabbing victim at the K.H.M.H. receiving treatment while they found Holder on Youth for Future Drive with a cut wound on his hand. He was detained and taken to the K.H.M.H. for treatment. Police said they later found a bloody knife in the police mobile that Holder occupied, and they believe it to be the weapon used in the stabbing. This morning, Holder, who was unrepresented, appeared before a magistrate, where he was read two criminal indictable offences of attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm. Allegations are that on Monday, he attempted to murder and intentionally and unlawfully caused dangerous harm with a deadly instrument upon Charles Foreman. Due to the serious nature of the offence, the magistrate could not take a plea and offer bail. Holder blurted out in court that he was acting in self-defence. He was advised that he could put forth that claim at the Supreme Court during his trial. Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, police received information from the police control room of a stabbing incident on Pickstock Street, and their investigations led them to the two men. Foreman, who was treated at the Accident and Emergency Ward, had to undergo surgery and was listed in a critical condition. Holder’s next court date is January eighth, 2025.

Man Walks Free from Robbery Charge

Today, twenty-four-year-old Everald Sambula walked out of court a free man after being acquitted of five counts of robbery. The witness was too fearful to testify against him, leading Justice Candace Nanton to deny the Crown’s request to proceed without the witness. As a result, the D.P.P.’s office entered a nolle prosequi. Six years ago, Sambula and others were accused of robbing five people and Premium Wines and Spirits of over fifty-seven thousand dollars, along with personal items, including cell phones and cash. The incident occurred on September seventh, 2018. Although the crime was reportedly committed by three men, only Sambula was arrested and charged. The trial began this week before a jury of nine, but the Crown revealed that the witness feared for his safety if he testified. The heist was meticulously planned: the robbers waited for a customer to be buzzed in, then rushed in behind her. One robber, armed with a gun, threatened the customer and stole her cell phone, gold chain, and cash. Meanwhile, another robber took possessions from other customers. One of the culprits then demanded money from the cashier, and when she hesitated, he smashed her phone on the counter, scaring her into handing over the cash. The thieves then locked everyone in an office and escaped with their loot, totaling over fifty-seven thousand dollars. Sambula was represented by attorney Leeroy Banner.

S.J.C. Students Speak Through Visual Arts

Ever fallen in love with a carving, sculpture, or painting so much that you just had to bring it home? You find the perfect spot to display it, and soon, your family and friends are sharing their own interpretations. That’s the magic of visual art—artists communicate their thoughts and emotions through their creations. Today, we caught up with three senior students from St. John’s College’s Art Class. They shared how they speak to their audience through various forms of art, be it traditional, abstract, or graphic design. News Five’s Marion Ali brings you this week’s edition of Belize on Reel, featuring these talented young artists.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Today, in a classroom at St. John’s College, three senior students are hard at work. But to them, it doesn’t feel like work at all. They’re lost in their own creative worlds where there are no limits, and anything is possible. As they create their art, they hope you’ll pick up on the subtle messages woven into their pieces.

Amare Perrera, Art Student, S.J.C.

“All of the other subject courses that you could have taken, really put you in a box and it limits you to what you can do. But to me, art really bridges that gap, and it allows you to be yourself and creative, express yourself freely and yeah, have creative freedom.”

Amare Perrera loves to express himself through abstract art, and he envisions his name standing proudly alongside renowned Belizean artists like Terryl Godoy, Yasser Musa, and Alex Sanker.

Amare Perrera

“It’s art that anyone can interpret, anyone can have their own opinion on that type of art, and I, I think that can be the same thing. You can say about a person, anyone can interpret you however way they like. So, I like the parallels that abstract art has to real life. Some people would look at abstract art and say, hmm, I can’t figure it out. The artist may have a meaning behind that art and to me, as long as the artist has their own opinion on their art, that is the only thing that can hold true. Anyone can interpret anything in any way they like.”

Rehan Beltran says he has been drawing and painting since he was much younger, but his preference lies in digital technology and with a special twist, with music to change the mood of how you view his art. Even if you have visual challenges, Amare says the music can paint a picture of what he’s created on his screen.

Rehan Beltran, Art Student, S.J.C.

“Seeing that the school gave both music and art together. This is the perfect thing. Depending on the music, I think it changes the way you interpret art itself.

For people who have visual challenges, then the music definitely is going to assist them, because the music that I choose is going to equal and parallel to the art piece that is going to help them understand what I’m trying to bring across.

I love digital art. I think I prefer digital art more than anything else, just because I feel like I can do anything with that because there’s infinite possibilities. I can make any number of mistakes that I’d like to, and I can just undo it with just one click of a button. So, if I were, if I didn’t like anything in my brainstorming process, then I could just remove it, just like that.”

Rehan uses a computer to create his art, but Derek Luna Monteroso prefers traditional art. He found his passion for painting during the COVID lockdown, making the decision to major in art an easy one.

Derek Luna Monteroso, Art Student, S.J.C.

“During COVID, it was the time when I let out the skills of art because I couldn’t go to no field to play sports, so I had to stay at my room playing art, um, practicing art. So, that was when I was in second form. When I started third form, I saw the opportunities. They had computer science, they had business, and they had humanities. And then when they started to explain more what was humanities – they added visual arts, graphic design, and music, those were the ones that matched my choices. I started drawing direct drawings like people, and plants, flowers, buildings. Cartoons.”

Guided by their art teacher, Tiana Twist, the students learn that their creations reflect their innermost thoughts and feelings. She inspires them to pour their hearts into their art.

Tiana Twist, Art Teacher, S.J.C.

“In the beginning, we do a little bit of history, what the boys know, and then from there we go into a lot of brainstorming. What do we want to bring on this paper or on this canvas? And then we start off with basic shapes. I believe that art start off from the foundation, which is circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, and then we merge those together to make form, form, um, form, transfer into creating 3D objects, and then from 3D objects we add shading to make realistic pieces. My class is very untraditional. I don’t want them to feel that we’re in a traditional setting 365 days a year. So, when you come into class, I want them to leave everything outside, and you’re coming into a whole setting where you can be yourself. That way when you create your art, you’re creating what you feel.”

What Derek Luna Monteroso feels when he picks up his brush is something he invites youths his age to explore.

Derek Luna Monteroso

“When you feel bored, don’t just play games, play it. Don’t do nothing that will benefit you. You can just do, grab a piece of paper, a pencil, crayons, and start drawing art. Because I can bet you that will be the best hobby.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

International Day of the Girl Child, “Girl’s Vision for The Future”

UNICEF Belize celebrates International Day of the Girl Child every year on October eleventh. Today, to mark this special occasion, they hosted an event at the Belize City Civic Center with girls from all over the country. Around three hundred girls gathered to hear motivational speeches and discuss the challenges they face in society, as well as the opportunities available to them. This year’s theme is “Girl’s Vision for The Future.” Here’s more from today’s inspiring event.

Alison Parker, Country Representative, UNICEF

“Today is when we commemorate the international day of the girl. This is a day that the United Nations put aside for us to recognize issued of girls across the world. For us in the Latin America and Caribbean region there are a number of areas we are having to look at what is the situation with girls. So, firstly we are looking of issues of violence against girls and women and then the second piece is looking at where we are in terms of child marriage and early union and we find that these are beliefs and norms that impact the girls and women at the time. Then we are also looking at what are the positive issues that girls have brought to the table. I think discussions around the challenges and negativities are out there. Today what we want to share are the opportunities.”

Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives

“I work in an environment that is male dominated, and I am only the fourth women speaker out of twelve I believe. It was important for me to convey to the young girls, I understand there is representation from all six districts, that they need to be bold, but more importantly, they need to believe in themselves. There is so much bullying. Women and girls are treated with a different standard. Our statistics show that domestic violence, that we continue to have this scourge, and we need to be there for our young girls that they are good enough the way they are. They don’t need to pretend to be something else and it is the country that needs to step up, not them.”