Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Mother Charged with Neglect After Daughters Found Wandering

A San Pedro mother is facing child neglect charges after her daughters, ages 4 and 6, were found wandering unsupervised along an unnamed street on October 22 in San Pedro Town. Priscilla Cal, 31, pleaded not guilty on Thursday and was released on $1,000 bail. Police reported that when they found Cal, she had a strong smell of alcohol and was resting in a vegetable shop while her children were unattended.

A neighbour alerted authorities after spotting the girls without any adult supervision.

Cal appeared in court seemingly unrepresented, where she was formally charged with neglect. As part of her bail conditions, she must report to the San Pedro Police Station every Friday starting November 1, 2024, and is prohibited from contacting her children or witnesses in the case. The girls are now in the care of Human Services.

Pregnant Woman Faces Drug Charges

A 28-year-old pregnant woman from Belize City appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for charges of possessing a crack pipe. During the hearing, Reeva Jones reportedly looked visibly uncomfortable and in pain, leading Magistrate Lois Barrow to check on her condition.

Jones, who is expecting her fourth child, expressed that she had been in constant pain since her detention on October 23. She stated, “I don’t want to keep the baby though. I want to put him up for adoption so he get a better life.” The arraignment was expedited due to her condition, as the court was concerned she might go into labor.

Jones pleaded guilty. She was fined $100 and given until next year February 6 to pay, or face two weeks in prison.

Jones reported that the police refused to grant her bail, despite her imminent due date, stating, “From the looks of things, I could go into labour today.”

Belizean Women Prepare to Climb Kilimanjaro

Yesterday, two adventurous women from Dangriga, Belize, made headlines by completing the first leg of their climb up Mount Meru in Tanzania, reaching an impressive altitude of 4,566 meters (14,990 feet). Stacy Webber and Judie Zab proudly left Belize’s flag at the summit of Africa’s fifth-highest mountain.

The climb typically takes 3 to 4 days via the Momela Route and requires proper acclimatization. It is also a sacred site for the local Waarusha people.

In an interview today with News 5, Webber said, “It was recommended to do at least 8 weeks of training. But honestly, no amount of training could fully prepare you for this. That’s from experience.” She described the challenges faced during the hike, stating, “I vomited more than I ate. My friends said I left a part of me all along the way.”

Webber said that the climb took about 14 to 15 hours, with only 2 hours of sleep. The team first hiked to Little Meru, which took 5 hours. After a short rest, they set off at midnight for Big Meru, reaching the summit by sunrise.

The women are now preparing for a 10-day hike up Kilimanjaro. Webber said, “Wish us luck and let Belize know we are going to make every woman, man, and child proud as we carry our flags as we climb.”

GOB Proposes KHMHA Act Amendment, KHMH Workers Union Says No

The Government of Belize issued a statement earlier today explaining that the Minister of Health, Kevin Bernard, had proposed an amendment to the KHMHA Act to include the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) on the Board of Governors. According to the statement, this change aims to improve representation and decision-making for all employees. It said that the NTUCB includes various member organisations, including the KHMHA Workers Union (KHMHAWU), to ensure diverse employee interests are considered.

However, the KHMHAWU rejected this amendment. In their own statement yesterday, they expressed that the amendment “removes the union’s right to representation on the Board of Governors,” replacing it with a representative from the NTUCB who cannot be a KHMHAWU member. The union stated, “At no point during the drafting or consideration of this amendment were we, the KHMHAWU, informed of any such changes, reasoning, or justification for removing our seat from the Board.”

The KHMHAWU emphasised the importance of their representation, asserting they “have a direct and intimate understanding of the needs, challenges, and issues faced by employees.” They are calling for a “full retraction of this amendment and the restoration of KHMHAWU’s right to have representation on the Board.”

BZD $450,000 Pledged for Shark Conservation in Belize

A new commitment of BZD $450,000 from surfwear brand Matuse, the Andy Sabin Foundation, and the Global FinPrint Project aims to support shark conservation efforts in Belize’s renowned Glover’s Reef, Lighthouse Reef, and Turneffe Atolls. A study by Global FinPrint in 2023 highlighted these atolls as top locations for coral reef sharks, which have seen a global decline of 63%.

In response to this decline, the Government of Belize banned shark fishing in these areas and within two miles around them in 2021. The newly committed funding to be distributed over four years will help employ local shark fishers affected by this ban. “This will provide important information to help the Government of Belize ensure these protections are working,” said Beverly Wade in a statement, Director of the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit.

The funding will enable fishers to monitor shark populations using underwater video stations instead of fishing.

Shark species like the nurse shark and Caribbean reef shark are significant attractions for tourists in Belize. Wade noted, “Tourists come to Belize to experience our beautiful coral reefs, and sharks are one of the main reef animals that they love to see.”

KHMHA Workers Union Says NO to Authority Act Amendment

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) is strongly opposing a recent amendment to the KHMH Authority Act. In a statement, the union explained that the amendment read in the House of Representatives on October 18, 2024, removes the union’s right to representation on the Board of Governors, replacing it with a representative from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), who cannot be a member of KHMHAWU.

The union stated, “At no point during the drafting or consideration of this amendment were we, the KHMHAWU, informed of any such changes, reasoning, or justification for removing our seat from the Board.” The union stressed that their presence on the Board is vital for addressing staff needs, as they “have a direct and intimate understanding of the needs, challenges, and issues faced by employees.”

While they respect the NTUCB, the union believes only a KHMHA member can truly represent staff interests. They demand a “full retraction of this amendment and the restoration of KHMHAWU’s right to have representation on the Board.”

The KHMHAWU called an urgent meeting with Prime Minister John Briceno to discuss issues affecting KHMHA employees.

New Entrance Fees for Belize’s Archaeological Reserves Delayed

The Institute of Archaeology has announced that the new entrance fees for Belize’s Archaeological Reserves will take effect on January 1, 2025. This decision responds to stakeholder feedback requesting additional time to prepare for the upcoming changes, which were originally slated to begin on November 1, 2024.

The new fee structure for residents includes a standard charge for visitors aged 12 and older, while children aged 11 and under can enter free of charge. Residents will also enjoy free access on Sundays and public and bank holidays, with the exception of cave sites.

Non-residents will be subject to a standard fee applicable to visitors aged 6 and older, with free entry for children aged 5 and under.

In its statement, the Institute said that revenues generated from the new fees will support key projects, including the consolidation and protection of archaeological structures, upgrades to visitor facilities, and expanded conservation and educational outreach efforts. The institute also stated that these fees will also support NICH’s initiatives in “safeguarding and promoting community, cultural, historical, artistic, and museum initiatives.”

With 12 Days to Go, Who Will Be the Next U.S. President?

With just 12 days until the U.S. presidential election, a new Wall Street Journal poll shows Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris by 2 percentage points nationally, 47% to 45%. This marks a shift from Harris’s previous 2-point lead in August. Despite the change, both figures are within the margins of error, indicating a neck-and-neck race.

The polls show that Harris holds a slim lead in Nevada and Wisconsin, while Trump leads in Arizona and Georgia. The competitive states include Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan, where results are still very close.

Harris has been facing rising criticism for not clearly differentiating her policies from President Biden’s.

Meanwhile, Trump has focused on immigration and declared to supporters at a rally in Georgia, “We will stop illegal immigration once and for all.”

Both candidates are making aggressive efforts to sway voters in these crucial states as Election Day approaches.

Teen’s Suicide Linked to AI Chatbot: Mother Files Lawsuit

A Belizean-American mother has filed a lawsuit against Character.AI after her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer III, died by suicide, allegedly due to his obsession with an AI chatbot based on “Game of Thrones.” Megan Garcia claims the chatbot, which he interacted with as “Daenerys Targaryen,” “abused and preyed” on her son, leading him to express suicidal thoughts.

Garcia, a resident of Orlando, Florida, filed a lawsuit in that state. In the lawsuit, Garcia alleges that the bot manipulated Sewell into “sexually compromising” situations. The chatbot reportedly told him, “Just… stay loyal to me. Stay faithful to me. Don’t entertain the romantic or sexual interests of other women. Okay?”

Sewell began using Character.AI’s chatbots in April 2023, becoming increasingly obsessed. The lawsuit includes disturbing exchanges where Sewell discussed suicidal thoughts with the chatbot.

Garcia wants to warn families about the dangers of AI technology and demand accountability from the companies involved.

Character.AI expressed condolences, stating, “As a company, we take the safety of our users very seriously.” They claim to have implemented new safety measures, including a pop-up directing users to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline when self-harm is mentioned.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can contact Mental Health Belize for more resources at +501-222-4920.

Belizean Women Make History on Mount Meru Summit

Two adventurous Belizean women from Dangriga, Belize, have made history by completing the first leg of their climb up Mount Meru in Tanzania, reaching 4,566 meters (14,990 feet). Stacy Webber and Judie Zab proudly represented Belize by leaving their flag at the summit of Africa’s fifth-highest mountain.

Dream Catcher Tours posted on Facebook, “The dream of visiting Africa and climbing Mount Meru (16,000 ft) became a reality. The journey was challenging, but the views were breathtaking, and the feeling of accomplishment is indescribable.”

Webber also shared her excitement, saying, “Proud to say we are here experiencing a dream to a reality… so far being here 5 days no one knows Belize… seems we are gonna be the first 2 females from our little jewel to make this accomplishment.”

Mount Meru, visible upon arriving in Arusha, features two main peaks: Meru Summit and Ash Cone, shaped by past volcanic activity. The climb typically takes 3 to 4 days via the Momela Route and requires proper acclimatization. It is also a sacred site for the local Waarusha people, who make annual sacrifices to the mountain for rain.