June 2, 2025 - Greater Belize Media

Woman Served with NIP in OW Fatal RTI

The Belize Police Department has confirmed that a Notice of Intended Prosecution has been served to Heidi Chan. The department also confirmed that a urine sample was obtained from Chan.

Chan was behind the wheel of a vehicle that struck 43-year-old man, Steven “Ratti” Bell, and his girlfriend on Saturday night.

The couple was on a motorcycle outside his home in Orange Walk Town when they were hit.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m., shortly after the couple had finished speaking with friends. Bell died on the scene, while his girlfriend was hospitalised at Northern Regional Hospital.

Joint Unions Reject Government’s ‘3% Salary Increase’ Proposal

The Joint Unions Negotiating Team (JUNT) has unanimously rejected the government’s proposal for a ‘3% salary increase’ for public sector workers, according to a letter sent to Prime Minister John Briceño on May 31.

While JUNT agreed to some government proposals, including a 60-day maximum response period for counterproposals during negotiations, they took a firm stance against what they consider inadequate wage increases.

The unions welcomed Cabinet’s decision to honor transfer grants and settle outstanding payments to transferred public officers under the 2021-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement. JUNT has requested an official circular reflecting the revised transfer grant rates.

However, the major point of contention centers on wages and the government’s commitment to raise the national minimum wage to $6.00. JUNT said that discussions about the national minimum wage should not delay action to ensure public officers earn dignified living wages.

“Public service embodies the highest form of civic dedication, and charity begins at home,” the union stated in their letter. They argued that as Belize’s largest employer and standard-setter for labor practices, the government has a duty to ensure all employees earn wages that consistently exceed the national minimum wage.

The rejection of the proposed 3% salary increase, scheduled to take effect October 1, 2025, sets the stage for continued negotiations between the government and public sector unions. The unions are pushing for wage rates that provide “dignified livelihoods for those who serve Belize.”

Partial Ceiling Collapse at St. Paul’s Anglican School

A portion of the ceiling in a classroom at St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School collapsed over the weekend.

This prompted school officials to assess the rest of the building. No students were on the compound at the time of the incident.

According to a statement from the school, the damage was discovered Monday morning when a teacher opened the affected classroom. “The school had a part of the ceiling in ONE classroom fall. This happened during the weekend, NOT WHEN THE CHILDREN WERE ON THE COMPOUND OR IN CLASS,” the statement read. “We already cleared it out… Our management had two classes work from home due to the heat and the need to assess the rest of the building.”

Mount Etna Erupts, Sending Plumes of Ash Over Sicily

Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted early Monday morning, sending large plumes of ash and smoke into the sky above Sicily.

Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported a series of increasingly intense explosions beginning just after midnight. Volcanic material was seen spilling from the southeastern side of the volcano, near a known 200-metre-wide vent.

Footage shows pyroclastic flows, fast-moving clouds of ash, gas, and rock moving down the volcano’s slopes, likely triggered by a partial crater collapse. So far, no injuries or significant damage have been reported.

Despite the eruption, airports in the region remain open, and disruptions have been minimal. A red alert briefly halted some flights but was later downgraded.

Etna’s last major eruption occurred in February, disrupting flights at Catania airport.

OJ Elrington Indicted on Rape Charge a Day Before His Birthday

Attorney-at-law Orson “OJ” Elrington, 43, appeared in the High Court this morning for his arraignment on a rape charge, just one day before his 44th birthday.

Elrington arrived at court shortly after 9 a.m., accompanied by his father and legal representative, Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington. He was formally indicted before Justice Nigel Pilgrim at 9:12 a.m.

The charge stems from an alleged incident that occurred on January 12, 2024. According to the indictment, Elrington is accused of raping a woman in her mid-20s. He pleaded not guilty.

Before entering his plea, Justice Pilgrim outlined Elrington’s rights as a defendant. These included the right to legal representation, the right to apply for bail (though he is currently out on bail), and the right to a trial by judge alone, without a jury.

Justice Pilgrim has scheduled a Case Management Conference (CMC) for July 1, 2025. Both the defence and the prosecution have been ordered to submit their CMC forms by June 27, 2025. Elrington’s bail, originally granted by the Lower Court in 2024, has been extended until the July court date.

The case is being prosecuted by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal.

City Thieves Caught on Camera Stealing Cycle

Security cameras captured two men stealing a motorcycle from a West Canal residence in Belize City early Monday morning.

The stolen vehicle is described as a black Lifan 110cc motorcycle with green stickers and a torn seat. The bike bears the licence plate number MC 7322.

According to reports, the motorcycle was taken at approximately 3:11 a.m. on June 2, 2025.

Video footage from the scene shows two hooded men with their faces covered literally backing the motorcycle out of the victim’s yard.

Police are asking anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the stolen motorcycle to contact authorities immediately.

Speeding Driver Kills Orange Walk Man Outside His Home

A 43-year-old man was killed and his girlfriend hospitalised after being struck by a speeding vehicle while on a motorcycle Saturday night.

Steven “Ratti” Manzanilla died on the spot outside his home in Orange Walk Town when a vehicle travelling at high speed knocked the couple off their motorcycle around 9 p.m.

According to eyewitness accounts, Manzanilla and his girlfriend had just finished speaking with two friends when the tragic incident occurred. The couple were still seated on their motorcycle when the vehicle struck them.

Manzanilla’s girlfriend was rushed to Northern Regional Hospital.

A person who knew Manzanilla said, “RIP Brother, such a respectful person was carelessly taken away.” Another said, “Never mi know yesterday was going to be the last time we laughed with each other really wah miss yo cuz.”

Asesinan a Hombre de 59 Años en Ciudad de Belize

Egbert Flowers, de 59 años, fue fatalmente herido de bala esta mañana en la calle York, en Ciudad de Belize.

El incidente ocurrió después de las 4 a.m., mientras Flowers se preparaba para salir a trabajar en su motocicleta. Un agresor desconocido lo emboscó y le disparó en múltiples ocasiones.

El cuerpo sin vida de Flowers fue encontrado junto a su motocicleta. Fue trasladado de inmediato al Hospital Karl Heusner Memorial, donde fue declarado muerto.

La policía hace un llamado al público para que proporcione cualquier información que pueda ayudar en la investigación.

Belize City Driver Shot Dead Outside Home

Fifty-nine-year-old Egbert Flowers was fatally shot this morning on York Street in Belize City.

The incident occurred after 4 a.m. as Flowers was preparing to leave for work on his motorcycle. An unknown assailant ambushed him, firing several shots.

Flowers’ unresponsive body was found next to his motorcycle. He was immediately transported to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in their investigation.