2025-01-16 - Channel 5 Belize

Gales Point Murder Marks Fourth for 2025

Known for its peaceful and quiet charm, Gales Point Manatee is nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Northern Lagoon, in the Belize District. However, on George Price Day, this serene village was shaken by tragedy as it recorded the country’s fourth murder of 2025. Thirty-nine-year-old Randy Bowen was fatally stabbed at home, shortly after returning from work. The details of what led to the fatal altercation with his stepdaughter’s boyfriend are still under investigation. News Five’s Marion Ali has more on this heartbreaking story.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Thirty-nine-year-old Randy Bowen had just returned home from his job as watchman at a nearby company in Gales Point Village. However, a heated argument with his stepdaughter’s boyfriend turned deadly, leaving Randy with two stab wounds, including a knife wound to his chest that proved fatal. His mother, Barbara Bowen, received the devastating call shortly after six p.m.

Barbara Bowen, Mother of Deceased

“My granddaughter, the second one, she call me and say “granny please come, bring somebody and come help mi pa cause dehn hurt mi pa.” Soh I ask ah “who hurt yoh pa?” Right deh ih say “granny. George hurt mi pa, George stab mi pa and mi pa need help.”

The accused isn’t from the village; he reportedly lived in Dangriga and was visiting his girlfriend, who is Bowen’s stepdaughter. Police have taken him into custody and are interviewing both his girlfriend and Bowen’s common-law wife, who were at home when the dispute broke out. Barbara Bowen, Randy’s mother, said that when she arrived at the scene shortly after getting the call, it was clear someone had tried to help her son, but he was already gone.

Barbara Bowen

“I reach da back deh and I see my son pahn the ground done dead, lifeless, but from the way how I see it, pahn the bandage pahn the ground weh deh mi di try do the dressing and soh. By the stab nuh have no blood or nothing. Dehn mi done clean it off mussi fi see if the thing mi wa stick, noh. When I gone deh everything deh pahn the ground right beside he.”

Chairman of Gales Point Village, Jason Altschaft remembers Bowen as a hardworking man who cared for his family.

On the Phone: Jason Altschaft, Chairman, Gales Point Village

“Randy was a wonderful man. He never had a day when he wasn’t taking care of his family. He got up every day and did something for his family. He raised two beautiful kids plus three step kids.”

Randy’s mom told News Five that she saw him a couple hours before he was killed.

Barbara Bowen

“I see him yesterday evening about three-thirty. He just come upstairs and ask me fi lend ah wa charger fi charge ih phone, soh I tell ah fi goh eena the room and get the charger, but I mi think he still deh downstairs with my next son. I neva know that he gone. That da the last time I see him. Ih neva tell mi if ih mi have any problem with anybody. Ih just pain my heart fi see how dehn just chance my son outta ih life because da young man he neva eva come ya before.”

Chairman Altschaft expressed regret that the incident happened just when the village was trying to stay clear of the stigma that it is a violent community.

On the Phone: Jason Altschaft

“We really aren’t a violent village. This is another person from outside the village causing trouble inside the village. This isn’t a village-on-village situation. So it’s depressing because this wasn’t our people, this was an outside thing.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Owner of Thelma’s Kitchen Escapes Prison on Gun, Drugs Charge

Sixty-one-year-old Telesfora Arana, better known as Miss Thelma, is famous across Belize City for her delicious Belizean dishes. But today, she narrowly avoided a prison sentence after being arrested and charged with firearm and drug offenses. Miss Thelma and her common-law husband, fifty-year-old Curtis Rhaburn, were charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as possession of marijuana found at their home on the corner of Kraal and Caesar Ridge Road. The bust happened around 8:40 PM on Tuesday night. In court, Rhaburn admitted to borrowing the loaded weapon because he’s a farmer and expressed regret for his poor decision. This morning, the couple was escorted to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. Rhaburn pleaded guilty, while Ms. Thelma pleaded not guilty. Rhaburn’s character witness, Brenton Lopez, a Customs Examiner, spoke highly of him, describing him as a hardworking family man and a decent person. Their attorney, Orson Elrington, urged the court to consider Rhaburn’s remorse, his guilty plea, and the fact that this was his first offense. However, the Magistrate emphasized the seriousness of the offense and couldn’t impose a non-custodial sentence. Rhaburn was fined $1,200 for possessing over 100 grams of marijuana, which he must pay by March or face an additional four months in prison. A verbal appeal has already been filed on Rhaburn’s behalf, and Elrington hopes he can be released on bail while awaiting the appeal hearing. Elrington spoke with News Five following the court proceedings.

Orson “OJ” Elrington, Attorney- at- Law

“ The magistrate, after – there were two accused, Ms. Thelma and her common law, Mr. Rhayburn, Mr. Rhyburn has conceded and accepted that the items found were his items, and so he pleaded guilty, um, as a result, Ms. Thelma was freed of all charges against her, however, the court, in considering its sentence,made the decision that it could not fall within the provision of the law when it comes to firearms and ammunition So the firearm and ammunition act says that once you’re convicted of it that it carries a mandatory custodial sentence So when there’s a provisional that if it is that you do not have a previous offense conviction that you can Get a non-custodial sentence Our position was and is that, um, the previous offense did not fall underneath the firearm up, and therefore, he does not have a previous conviction. However, the magistrate in coming to his decision ruled that he believes that the, any conviction, and therefore he did not have the discretion to give him a non-custodial sentence. But the magistrate did in making his considerations and mitigating factors reduce what he thought to be the mandatory five-year sentence to reduce it all the way down to one.”

Confrontation on Caye Caulker over Public Road Barricades

On Wednesday afternoon, things got heated on Caye Caulker when Chairlady Seleny Villanueva-Pott clashed with a resident over an illegal barricade. Pott and her council members brought in a backhoe to remove the wooden posts blocking a public road. The resident, Wendy Auxillou, who had put up the barricade, tried to stop them, but the police stepped in, and the road was finally reopened to the public. Today, we spoke with Pott, who mentioned that these same barricades were taken down last year but were boldly put back up earlier this week. She also noted that yesterday’s operation cleared two public beach areas and one street area.

Seleny Villanueva- Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker

“She had created a temporary fence in that area, I believe early last year. She accuses me of saying I sent my staff to take it down. But in reality it was a member of the PUP committee that decided this is a beach access, streets, so we want to open it up to have the golf cart pass. So they removed one of the middle piece out of it. She was out of the island in exile and then she came back and when she came back in full force. She decided that she is going to block the area again. The record we have is that is indeed street and her mom has a license for beautification but it still remains street and should remain open to public access. If you can remember the fire last year, one of the main reason the fire truck could not get in is because on the opposite side where she own has been completely blocked, nothing has happened, she has actually reclaimed the property, reclaim beach and has a nice over the water bar. We have consistently ask her to bring in her document and now she want us to acknowledge that she has title for it. We have been reaching out to natural resources to see what documentation they can share with us. As far as we know, those areas remain queens land and everybody is suppose to have access to queen’s land.”

Property Owners Illegally Claiming Public Beaches

Villanueva-Pott pointed out that property owners all over the island are illegally claiming beaches as their own. She says it’s become a major problem, with some owners even putting up fences to block public access. Pott has put these property owners on notice, making it clear that this won’t be tolerated.

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker

“We are seeing more and more that not only locals, but foreigners and I don’t know what these real estate agents are selling foreigners, but a lot of them seem to think that they can own queen’s land, and we need to clear up that misconception. Queen’s land is a public space. There are many areas on Caye Caulker where you feel like there is no longer any beach and the community has been behind us to do something about these areas. They want their beach. They want when they go for a night stroll, they can go down to the beach and not be threatened by anyone. Where there is a street, you cannot own a street. Where there is a street that does not give you immediate access to that area. It is still the queen’s land and there is a process that needs to be done for you to even maintain or beautify that area and many people do not adhere to the process. They just go and do as such, and we really need to put a stop to that. If we sit down and watch, we will be taken over. The island has been pressuring us to claim what is rightful for the people of Caye Caulker.”

Palestinian Delegation Meets with Prime Minister

After arriving in Belize on Tuesday, a Palestinian delegation met with Prime Minister John Briceño today. Leading the three-member team is Mohamed Salam, the Commissioner of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Coordinator of the Anti-Apartheid Department. The delegation was invited by Nancy Marin, the Leader of the Belize People’s Front, who has Palestinian roots herself. She filled us in on their meeting with the PM and shared details about the rest of their visit.

On the Phone: Nancy Marin, Leader, Belize People’s Front

“There were several requests made, of course, and we make requests to the PM as we will to the public. Some of it is with the boycott of products, of things that we would like the public to stop buying products from Israel, because it’s what fuels the war and other things. It will have to be up to the Prime Minister to disclose, but I can tell you that because this is one that we’re going to be asking the Belizean public as well. The PM of course, could not commit to anything. His support is committed to the Palestinians as we all know, in the international course they have. They agreed that they would be speaking for Palestine. It would be – and as they have been doing, but as far as other requests that was made, the PM would have to consult with Cabinet with the House of Representatives as the process is, so he couldn’t commit to anything and we were not expecting him to. Mostly it was a cordial visit that we just wanted to meet, establish communication and that kind of thing. So, no, no commitments have been made. Today, of course, we met with Prime Minister Musa and his family along with Minister Musa and then we just finished a meeting with Prime Minister Dean Barrow.”

Marion Ali

“What are all these meetings designed at achieving?”

On the Phone: Nancy Marin

“We’re trying to establish support, exchange of ideas. I’m thanking them because when Prime Minister Barrow was in office, he did voice support for Palestine as he reconfirmed with us today in support for Palestine. Of course, Prime Minister Musa and his family are Palestinians and have been very vocal about their support for Palestine. So the entire visit was designed to be a familiarization visit of Belize and all our officials and so that Mr. Mohammed can get to know our people, our culture, and establish communications with people in authority.”

Israeli has sent a note to the U.S requesting to extend the date for the ceasefire.

No Meeting Between PLO Commissioner and Belize’s Foreign Minister

As we mentioned, PLO Commissioner Mohamed Salam touched down in Belize on Monday, invited by Belize People’s Front founder Nancy Marin. Salam, who also coordinates the PLO’s Anti-Apartheid Department, has a packed schedule, including a meeting with Prime Minister John Briceno earlier today. Interestingly, though, Salam isn’t scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. When we caught up with Fonseca on Wednesday, we asked if there were any plans for a courtesy call with Salam.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“I have no plans to, I have not been informed of any meeting. So, I don’t know much about it. I think I received a message from someone about it, but we have no official meeting scheduled.”

A Botanical Garden is Inaugurated at the Price Home

In this week’s edition of Belize on Reel, we take you to the inauguration of a beautiful botanical garden at the Price residence on Pickstock Street. On Wednesday, Belize celebrated what would have been George Price’s 106th birthday by launching ‘Good Belizean,’ a heartfelt compilation of letters, and unveiling a new garden space. This is all part of an ongoing project to restore Price’s family home. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

George Price’s love for Belize went far beyond politics and community development. The late Father of the Nation had a deep passion for botany as well. In January 1973, George Price penned a letter to then Minister of Housing, Louis Sylvestre, urging the planting of trees in Belize City. He suggested beautifying areas like Central American Boulevard, Constitution Park, and Lopez Mateo Park. Price would have been a hundred and six years old on Wednesday and, to celebrate his birthday, a special ceremony has held with a particular focus on plants and gardening.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“The Price Botanical Garden symbolizes growth, symbolizes resilience, and it symbolizes hope, the values that Mr. Price held dear to his heart. It is a space where we would be able to reflect on his love for country and his vision of a sustainable, and harmonious Belize.”

Tree planting is crucial not just for keeping our ecosystems balanced and supporting wildlife, but also for creating a healthier environment for future generations. On his birthday, attendees were given two special gifts, including a sprout, and were encouraged to plant them at home or in their neighborhood.

Rolando Cocom, Director, ISCR

“The second gift is a seedling from our Friends for Conservation and Development and we, in turn, ask that you take this gift back to your yard, back to your communities to plant it and to share it on social media.”

As Belize City expanded into new areas, Premier George Price recommended planting trees to create and preserve green spaces throughout the city.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture

“He loved to plant trees and, of course, other members of his family, including Mrs. Meg Craig, was very, very involved with the environment and the work of the Audubon Society and other organizations. And so we thought it was absolutely fitting for us to conceive this project of establishing a botanical garden right here in Mr. Price’s family home, in his backyard. So we teamed up with FCD, Friends for Conservation and Development, and, of course, through NICH and many other partners as well to make this a reality. It’s an absolutely exciting project. Of course, there are many other layers to this project. This project will see the restoration of the home, the Price home.”

Price’s letter to Sylvestre is one of many correspondences lovingly compiled in an exhibit booklet titled ‘Good Belizeans.’ This collection of documents has been published by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and the Belize Archives and Records Services.

Rolando Cocom

“A Good Belize, one who went through life, one who left through. This embodies the vision that guided his leadership. Today is more than a tribute, it is a call to plant the seeds of the peaceful, constructive revolution. In the words of Mr. Price, much work has been done, but more yet is to be done. As we look ahead, we certainly give thanks and we carry forward the work of Good Belizeans, those who rise each day to work hard, cherish family and find joy in our nation’s richness.”

Prime Minister John Briceno, who joined the ceremony celebrating Price’s birthday, also shared some exciting news about the makeover of George Price’s residence.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Here we are at this beautiful, historic home surrounding by a lush garden and it’s only fitting that we transform this space into a place of learning for children, an immersive experience which brings our history to life. In the world of museums and formal education, that’s the term we use, an immersive experience.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Local business Owner Blend Beauty with Conservation

Across Belize, countless budding entrepreneurs are striving to become the country’s next big success story. Many of these innovators are venturing into fields like beauty, health, and conservation. Tonight, we hear from Hughette Saul, the owner of A.S.H. Limited, who is blending all three by offering skin and hair products that are not only good for your body but also kind to the environment. We visited Saul today to learn more about her mission to revolutionize health and wellness in Belize.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Self-care doesn’t need to be complicated. Just ask Hughette Saul! With a few simple ingredients, she’s revolutionizing the way we think about wellness. Hughette is the mastermind behind Barrier, a unique agricultural health and wellness brand that’s making waves under her company, A.S.H. Limited.

Hughette Saul, Owner, A.S.H. Limited

“Barrier is an agricultural based business and the products that we make, they are supposed to give Belize a healthy alternative to these toxic imports that we bring in.”

Britney Gordon

“So what’s this range of products look like?”

Hughette Saul

“The first product we created was coral-safe sunscreen because we found out how terrible these imported brands are for people, fish, coral reefs, and we branched off since then, and now we have a sort, different sorts of scrubs. We also have a leave in hair growth formula. We have mouthwash, as well as pain relief.”

Barrier is all about offering healthier alternatives to the everyday items Belize usually imports. But there’s more to it—Hughette Saul is passionate about protecting Belize’s beautiful marine life from harmful chemicals. It’s this love for the ocean that sparked her inspiration to create the brand.

Hughette Saul

“Years ago, I went with my siblings to celebrate my father’s birthday in Mexico and it was very depressing to snorkel. All of the coral reefs were white and there was only one nurse shark kind of swimming around and that was upsetting compared to Belize’s. Beautiful corals and fish. And fast forward to a documentary I came across that stated how sunscreen plays a role in coral bleaching. From there, I did more research, and when I decided to do my master’s in business administration, I also decided to study sunscreen in particular. So every marketing class, every logistics, and my thesis, it’s all built around this coral safe sunscreen.”

During her research, Hughette Saul found out that many imported brands like Banana Boat and Sun Bum have chemicals that cause coral bleaching and mess with fish hormones, even turning some fish into females and disrupting the natural balance. Since she registered her brand in 2021, Saul has been a strong advocate for protecting our reefs. But lately, she’s hit a few bumps in the road while trying to re-register her brand.

Hughette Saul

“Once I submitted the registration re-registration form, I received an email with a list of corrections and then a two thousand dollar fee. I attempted to go to the Keystone building in Belize City on the fifth floor to speak to someone, but I was not able to speak to someone. And this is after phone calls and using their WhatsApp option.”

Hughette Saul shared that the initial registration for her business cost between eight hundred and one thousand dollars. She had to take a break from her business to earn some money through teaching, so she didn’t re-register during that time. Now that she’s ready to jump back into her company, the two-thousand-dollar re-registration fee is just too steep for her budget.

Hughette Saul

“I was hoping to hear something like, there’s a payment plan for two thousand dollars. It’s also a lot more than I paid to register the business in the first place, which does not make sense to me. I believe that or the reason that this is also so aggravating to me, I’m a trained economist. I’m aware that foreign businesses, they get tax breaks 5 years. So, we see these Saritas and we see the foreign companies that can afford two thousand dollars but they get the tax breaks and but they have the money barrier A.S.H. Limited does not have the money in this moment.”

Hughette Saul runs a one-woman show, crafting her products right in her kitchen with ingredients she grows herself. But in November, disaster struck when her garden flooded, wiping out many of her plants. Now, she’s working hard to replant and expand her stock. Hughette hopes that by raising awareness of her brand, she can keep her business thriving and continue championing the cause she’s so passionate about.

Hughette Saul

“To be honest I will accept my fate. And but the point is to take this opportunity to raise awareness of the cost of doing business in Belize that we give more concessions to foreign companies than local companies, which is not right. It’s not right. And to also bring awareness of the fact that a lot of the products that we’re using are harming us. The things that we think would help, like Listerine, Crest, we use these products thinking, Oh, it’s going to freshen my breath. It’s killing bad breath germs, but without realizing that it’s a little coloring and alcohol and it’s really causing more harm than good. So I really would like to get the brand out there so that I can earn that two thousand.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Education Minister Says Teachers Allowances and Increments are Resolved

Education Minister Francis Fonseca has given an update on the delayed increments and allowances for teachers. As we reported, the Belize National Teachers Union had threatened to take industrial action in early December when the government missed the payment deadline. The Ministry of Education then set its own deadline and honored it by paying a lump sum to the respective school managements. However, this led to new issues, with some teachers still not receiving their compensation. According to Fonseca, the matter has now been resolved.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“I think for the most part. I think there may be a few individual cases outstanding, but I think for the most part, based on our reports that we have received back from our managing authorities, we feel that over ninety-five percent of these issues have been resolved. And we have engaged with the BNTU, of course, since the start of the year and we are working on any specific cases that they bring to our attention. As soon as we find out about them, we try to resolve them. So I feel good about where we are and we’re planning another meeting, I think we’re scheduling it for the twenty-third of this month, January, where we will, it’s called a stakeholder meeting, an all-day meeting where we will have the Ministry of Education, we’ll have the BNTU, managing authorities. We’ll also bring in the treasury department, the accountant general, social security, where we will have an all-day sit-down to discuss any outstanding issues and address any concerns moving forward.”

Ferguson Finally Putting Foot Down with Bus Operators for Upgrades?

Belize’s public transportation system is still facing challenges, despite the Transport Department’s push for bus operators to upgrade their fleets. It’s been over a year and a half since the Ministry of Transport called on stakeholders to improve their buses. Ahead of a meeting later today, Transport Minister Rodwell Ferguson, speaking on Open Your Eyes, praised those who have stepped up and made the necessary upgrades, while issuing a stern warning to those who are still dragging their feet.

Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transportation

“We are meeting with the bus operators I believe today. And we’re going to read them the riot act. While we noh di ask fi ah brand new bus, because we understand that there are limitations when it comes to the finances, we are telling them that their bus must be in a certain condition. And so when we meet with them today or tomorrow, we are going to remind them we have given you at least one and a half year notice and we are going to make it effective and make it as quickly as possible But in that regard we have improved the bus transportation significantly. I want to highlight some operations, James Bus Line has done some upgrades, we have Floralia, who brought in brand new buses, the Tillet’s from Orange Walk have done some upgrades, Gilharry from Corozal has done some upgrades and likewise Westline from Cayo district, and a few other small operators. So they are taking heed and making the sacrifices to upgrade.”