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Gales Point Village is Thankful for Newly Built Coastal Highway

We also heard from Jason Altshaft, the chairman of Gales Point Village. The entrance to the community also experienced a significant amount of flooding, following the weekend rainfalls. It is an area prone to flooding. Thankfully, flood waters did not damage the newly constructed road infrastructure. Chairman Altshaft says that the flood waters presented some minor inconveniences to residents, but overall, the community remains grateful for the roadway they now enjoy.

Voice of: Jason Altshaft, Chairman, Gales Point Manatee

“We did experience quite a bit of rain that came down. It ended up being a flooding situation, probably a little bit due to some of the fires we had where we had a little more rapid waters coming down. All in all, we haven’t had any serious issues with the road yet. This is a good test. Unfortunately, it is not quoting a year old, July is when we christened it. But I can’t take anything away from our Belize engineers. They had this thing engineered in the middle of the summer by a European team and I always thought that was kind of strange because they wouldn’t know where the worst spots were. And that has notoriously been a spot where people have died there from flooding in the past. I have seen that water go from zero standing in the valley to at least twenty feet deep within about thirty minutes. So, I know it can change rapidly depending on the rainstorm funnel a lot of water through there in an area where there really is not a river except for when it rains this hard. So, I think that is a challenge. We have always known this road has been a challenge from day one, the Manatee people have known how to manage and predict the ways of the Coastal Road. But it sure is a blessing to have a way in and out and quite a bit less flooding all in all.”

King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List Announced

The Office of the Governor-General has announced that six Belizeans will be honoured in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list. This prestigious list recognises the achievements and service of individuals from various sectors across Belize. The honorees are:

Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.)

Mrs. Felicita Cantun: For Outstanding Contribution to Culture
Ms. Beverly Ann Louise Wade: For Contribution to the Environment

Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E.)
Mr. Raymond Kearney: For Contributions to Business

Member of the British Empire (M.B.E.)
Mr. Mark Anthony Chavaria: For Contribution to Sports
Mr. Howell Austin Gillett: For Service to the Community
Mr. Robert Amadeo Mariano: For Service to the Community

These honours celebrate the dedication and impact of these individuals in their respective fields, reflecting the diverse contributions of Belizeans to the nation’s progress and well-being.

Netanyahu Dissolves War Cabinet Amid Gaza Conflict Turbulence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disbanded his six-member war cabinet, a move widely anticipated following the departure of centrist opposition leader Benny Gantz and his ally Gadi Eisenkot.

Decisions regarding the conflict with Hamas in Gaza will now be made by the existing security cabinet and the larger full cabinet. Eight days ago, Gantz resigned, citing a lack of strategy for the war, prompting calls from far-right ministers to replace him.

By dissolving the war cabinet, Netanyahu sidesteps a potentially contentious situation with coalition partners and international allies. An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson clarified that the dissolution would not impact the chain of command.

Gantz and Eisenkot had joined Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition shortly after the war began in October, but both resigned on June 9, criticising Netanyahu’s leadership as obstructive to achieving true victory. Immediately after their resignations, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded inclusion in the war cabinet, but Netanyahu opted to dissolve the body instead of expanding it with new members.

As tensions persist, particularly along the Israel-Lebanon border, efforts to de-escalate and establish a ceasefire in Gaza remain uncertain, with international diplomatic interventions ongoing to mitigate the risk of wider conflict.

Caribbean Rum Producers Present Special 50th Anniversary Blends to CARICOM Governments

As part of the year-long celebration of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) 50th anniversary, rum producers across the region are set to present specially curated 50th Anniversary Rum Blends to CARICOM governments. These contributions from the rum industry will mark the culmination of a year-long celebration of CARICOM’s 50th anniversary. Producers from all rum-producing CARICOM Member States, a total of thirteen, which are also members of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), will showcase their products to national governments during the month of June. The thirteen distilleries involved include:

Mount Gay Distilleries (Barbados)
Demerara Distillers (Guyana)
Suriname Alcoholic Beverages (Suriname)
Angostura (Trinidad and Tobago)
West Indies Rum Distillery (Barbados)
Saint Lucia Distillers (Saint Lucia)
Belfast Estate – Dominica (Dominica)
Antigua Distillery (Antigua)
Grenada Distillers (Grenada)
Travellers Liquors (Belize)
Watlings Distillery (Bahamas)
National Rums of Jamaica (Jamaica)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Distillers (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)123.

The products being showcased by regional rum producers will be distributed to CARICOM Member States, with some products available for sale in local markets. Several of the special edition rums are unique blends that will only be available for this purpose and in very limited quantities.

Several Persons Detained in Doris Grant Shooting Investigation

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division, told reporters today that several persons are detained in relation to the shooting of thirty-one-year-old Austin Underwood and Doris Grant.

A.C.P. Romero said investigators believe the motive is gang-related. “We are following up on several leads…”

Both victims were treated and released.

The incident happened on Sunday, June 16th. According to police, the victims were returning from an event at approximately 3:10 a.m. When they passed the Fairweather bridge, someone emerged from the alley connecting Fairweather and West Collet Canal and fired multiple gunshots towards them, injuring them. They drove to the hospital for medical attention.

UB’s Board of Trustees Announces New Vice Chairperson

The Board of Trustees of the University of Belize (UB) today announced that Dr. Luz Longsworth is the new Vice Chairperson.

Dr. Longsworth was elected at a meeting held on 13th June 2024.

Dr. Longsworth holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Higher Education Management) from the University of Bath, UK, and currently serves as the Senior Corporate Director of Sandals Corporate University.

Godfrey Smith, Chairman of UB’s Board of Trustees, stated, “Dr. Longsworth’s extensive experience as a former Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs at the University of the West Indies and former Principal of UWI’s Open Campus equips her to make a significant contribution to UB’s development. We are excited to have her on board.”

Dr. Longsworth expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “I am excited and honored to join the Board of Belize’s national university. I look forward to working with the team and contributing to UB’s institutional development.”

Dr. Longsworth’s term will last for three years.

Overtopped Culvert Caused Coastal Road Damage

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing explained that damage to the Coastal Plains Highway was caused by a 3.0m x 1.5m box culvert that was overtopped due to backwater from Soldier Creek, approximately 180m away.

In a press release, the ministry said that this backwater resulted from a blockage in the creek and deforestation caused by recent wildfires, which expanded the catchment areas around the culvert.

“The Road Maintenance Unit of the MIDH, along with the contractor, has been mobilised to execute clean-up and minor restoration works on the pavement. In addition, the MIDH is conducting further assessment of the area to determine any additional contributing factors that forced run-off away from the intended Soldier Creek.”

According to the ministry, this suggests that the culvert’s overtopping and subsequent pavement erosion were due to the unexpected intensity of rainfall and flash flooding, along with debris overwhelming the culvert’s capacity.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education announced the “suspension of classes for all levels in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts for today, 17th June 2024. This suspension is necessary due to excessive rainfall, which has impacted both districts since early this morning.”

Oscar Selgado Gets 10 Years in Jail; D.P.P. Pleased with Sentence

Disgraced attorney Oscar Selgado has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being convicted on March eighth of abetment to commit murder. The punishment which was handed down by Justice Nigel Pilgrim in the High Court brings to an end a long-drawn out case against the well-known lawyer. In court this afternoon, family and friends of Oscar Selgado listened intently to the reading of his sentence, as Justice Pilgrim thoroughly outlined how he arrived at the decade-long prison term. Of note is that the trial judge reiterated the fact that Selgado has not shown remorse for the crime that he has committed. In weighing the mitigating and aggravating factors, this was a consideration made by Justice Pilgrim in meting out justice. Outside the courtroom, we spoke with the Director of Public Prosecutions who said that they are satisfied with the jail sentence that has been given to Selgado.

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“Our courts dispensed justice, so I don’t think anybody was expecting injustice today. We are pleased with the sentence and I think that the decision was well reasoned.”

Reporter

“He went above the precedent that’s been set, of six years.”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal

“He’s not bound by the precedent. I think that we did cite cases to the court in our oral arguments which suggested that while that would be a consideration, it could not have resulted in what was being asked for by the other side.”

Reporter

“Are you able to say anything in relation to as to whether a process is happening right now regarding going before the G.L.C. based on the outcome of this case.”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal

“I can’t speak on G.L.C. matters.”

Reporter

“What happens now, given that the appeal is in process?”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal

“I believe it has been set for case management and then orders will be given in relation to the filing of submissions and then a date will be set for the hearing of the appeal. We think that the ultimate sentence is commensurate with the aggravating and mitigating factors in the case.”

Reporter

“What can you say about the fact that the judge stated that there are no sacred cows. This was a very serious offense but he did take into consideration his pro bono cases and how the public views him?”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal

“In the sentencing process, the judge must look at the aggravating and mitigating factors of the offense, and also the aggravating and mitigating factors of the offender. And so, the judge had to go through all of those factors and it was in fact a mitigating factor that up until this time, he was making a significant contribution to the criminal justice system.”

“No Sacred Cows and No One is Above the Law.”

Today’s outcome was not what Selgado and his legal team were anticipating. On the lower end of the punishment is a six-year prison term that has been established as precedence. On the upper end is life in prison for abetment to commit murder. Selgado’s ten-year sentence takes into consideration the gravity of the crime he has committed. The judge also considered Selgado’s contribution to the criminal justice system through his legal practice. But Justice Pilgrim was also clear in pointing out that in the criminal justice system, there are no sacred cows and no one is above the law. We spoke with defense attorney Arthur Saldivar following the sentencing.

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney-at-law

“It marks the end of the first phase of Mr. Selgado’s struggle to vindicate himself. Mr. Selgado is certainly committed in his belief that what has transpired is not in keeping what was required legally and, as a result of that, has endeavored to appeal. So we are at that stage now where we are contemplating the appeal because there is certainly much to consider in terms of the process. That said, given what the learned justice has articulated, I think what is most appropriate for the public to consider is that he is making it clear from his belief and perspective that no one is above the law and that what applies to one must apply to all. That is a message that I think should go far and wide, from the streets to parliament. But, suffice it to say, we are now here at and of this phase for Mr. Selgado. We look forward to the other challenge and we look forward to a different outcome.”

Isani Cayetano

“Did you expect a sentence of ten years or were you perhaps considering that it would be on a lower side?”

Arthur Saldivar

“I have no expectations. We fight, advocate and whatever comes we deal with when it comes.”

Reporter

“How do you feel about the fact that the judge did not consider that the health of your client should not have factored into his sentence?”

Arthur Saldivar

“I don’t know that he did not consider it. The mere fact that he mentions it is consideration. The weight that he gave to it may not have been what, you know, would have been expected. But again, he’s guided by precedent. What we must bear in mind is that once conviction has been arrived at, there are certain parameters that the court must operate within in coming to its decision.”

St. Joseph Street Errand Man Fatally Stabbed

A man was stabbed to death sometime before ten p.m. on Thursday in Belize City. It happened at the corners of Saint Joseph and Nurse Seay Street. Reports are that the victim, Griffith Cadle Junior, was hanging out with someone who ended up turning on him. It is not clear what transpired, but both men were reportedly near a Chinese grocery shop, where the two had spent many days socializing. They were last seen walking on Saint Joseph Street when the killer produced a knife and stabbed Cadle, who sought to run away, but collapsed. News Five’s Marion Ali visited the scene and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Griffith Cadle Junior was fatally stabbed on Thursday night in Belize City, in the general vicinity where he had spent most of his days hanging out. This is where the sixty-seven-year-old collapsed after he suffered the fatal knife wound. News Five spoke with a resident of the area who also happened to be Cadle’s relative. She told us that he was an easy-going character and was the neighborhood errand man who hung out near the corner of Nurse Seay and St. Joseph’s Streets.

Voice of: Neighbour #1

“Cadle da mi cousin, but he nuh fast with nobody. When I say nobody, he keep to ihself – always he want a Coke and cigarettes, because ih sit down right deh by the Chiney deh. Ih always deh out deh di sit down but he get killed fi nothing. Fi nothing ih get killed. Dehn kill wa innocent man for what? Nothing, because all weh he do he sit down out deh, ih goh buy fi people round ya. And you could ask he fi goh anywhere fi you, he gwein, anywhere, he gwein. So when I see that last night, I say, mein, who could have wanted him dead?”

Another resident agreed that the victim was not troublesome and was a regular sight in front of the shop.

Voice of: Neighbour #2

“Cadle da wa humble man, nice, friendly, nuh bother nobody. And he well mannerly, and things like that. He da wa humble man, nuh really bother nobody. A person like that da nuh wa problem. He just drink his Coke and run his joke and mind his own business. He nuh really associate with people. He sit down far from people and he nuh really stand up round or things like that. He keep his distance.”

And while residents feel that Cadle did not deserve what happened to him, today the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams told News Five that both the victim and the suspect had mental challenges.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We don’t know if it’s going to be a murder because it was a matter between two persons with mental illness. The victim suffered mental illness and from what we saw on video footage, both the victim and the suspect were hanging out together at a particular spot. They left together and shortly thereafter, the suspect inflicted the stab wound on the victim. The suspect recently got out of prison. He served a ten-year sentence, I’m not sure for what, and the court had ordered that he undergo psychiatric evaluation because he has a mental issue. He is currently in police custody and he is not stable, so police cannot even interview him at this time because of how he’s behaving in the cell.”

The commissioner indicated that the police have requested assistance from the mental health institution to administer medication to calm the suspect down, after which they’re going to send the file to the D.P.P. for a directive. Marion Ali for News Five.