It’s a story of struggle, strength, and the power of community. Tonight, a single mother is saying thank you, after the public stepped in to help her son get the medical care he desperately needed. Back in May, Bernadine Young opened up about her twenty-four-year-old son, Brenton Bishop, who battles mobility issues and frequent seizures. The road hasn’t been easy, but thanks to your generosity, Bernadine was able to get crucial CT scans and X-rays for her son. She says the journey is far from over, but with hope in her heart, she’s determined to get Brenton on the path to recovery.
Bernadine Young
Bernadine Young, Brenton’s Mother
“I love to say thank God for everything deep down inside, because as a mother, I did not give up. I pray, but I just want people to give me chance to just take my time. I didn’t come hurry because I was trying to get everything together. His CT scan before the CT scan was getting the paper over back from Dr. Matus. It did take one month and two weeks. So I mi have to day behind that until I get it, so I could get the quotation, so we can know how much everything come up to, because we don’t want to go back and forth. First of all, I make sure I get the two CT scan the X-ray for the back bone from the top to the tailbone and from the tailbone to the hip. From the hip to the whole right foot. So it showed that the right foot have a hole underneath when they inject it and then they bring out some spotty thing behind his feet. And that was healed from the grace of God. And me as a mother didn’t give up. I cry many nights. God knows what I went through. But thank God he’s coming along little bit by little bit. He start to walk like one step, two step, like every leg creep. It still make him progress. I will not give up until he get fully better.”
Young also plans to take Brenton to a bone specialist as soon as she has gathered the funds to do so.
For decades, his voice brought comfort, wisdom, and a moment of peace to living rooms across the country. Tonight, we remember Doctor Bob Roberts, the beloved voice behind the ‘Sixty-Second Sermon’, who passed away today at the age of 90 in the United States. His short but powerful messages of faith became a cherished tradition, airing just before the evening news since the early days of Greater Belize Media. It all began when Doctor Roberts approached then-Executive Producer Stewart Krohn with a simple idea: to share hope in just sixty seconds. And for so many, he did just that. Before his passing, Doctor Roberts left us with one final message, a reflection on a life devoted to faith, service, and the power of a kind word.
Dr. Bob Roberts, Deceased
“Perhaps you have heard by now that the Sixty-Second Sermon man is dead. Well, I want you to know that is a rumor that is not all together. True for though he died. He is not dead. The Sixty-Second Sermon man man has never been more alive than he is today. Recently, I just hoisted up the old anchor that has held me steadfast and sure for all these years, boarded the old ship of Zion and sailed right into the presence of God where I was welcomed home by Jesus Christ, my glorious savior, the king of kings and the Lord of Lords. I just changed one shore for another, a tent for a mansion, and have now taken up residence with those who have preceded me in death in a far better country. I have joined all the saints of ages past who have overcome sin, death, and the devil to sit into bleachers of heaven that surround this vast universe. To cheer and encourage those of you who are still running the race and fighting the good fight of faith to be faithful to the end. While all here with the Lord enjoy blessed fellowship, we’re keenly aware that we cannot experience our completion and all that God has promised us for all eternity until all have made this great trip and transition. So we encourage you to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever you can, whenever you can, however you can with as many as you can until it has been preached to every kindred and nation. And then shall the end come and with a sound of the trumpet, Jesus will return for you and we shall be joined together in the clouds and change for eternity into his likeness and experience our completion. For you, my friends who have not yet come to know Jesus Christis your personal savior, celebrate this day with me by inviting Christ into your life and accept his forgiveness and plan for your life.”
Big changes are rolling into Punta Gorda Town, quite literally. After months of construction, residents now have a brand-new bridge to drive across. The Michael Espat Bridge, named in honor of the late politician, was officially opened today with a ceremony that brought out community members and leaders alike. This two-lane concrete bridge replaces one of the oldest single-lane crossings in the country’s history, and it’s already making a difference, easing traffic flow in and out of town and marking a major step forward in local infrastructure. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
A piece of Punta Gorda’s history just got a major upgrade and a brand-new name. For over two centuries, the Joe Taylor Bridge served as a vital link between rural communities and the heart of town. Built in the late 1700s, it’s been rebuilt several times over the years, but today marked its most dramatic transformation yet. The single-lane metal structure is now a modern, two-lane concrete bridge, and with that change comes a new name: the Michael Espat Bridge, honoring the late politician. It’s more than just a new crossing, it’s a symbol of progress rooted in history.
Oscar Requena
Oscar Requena, Area Representative, Toledo West
“And it is only fitting that it be named the Michael Espat bridge, because the honorable Michael Espat had a dream and his dream was to build this bridge. That was his dream, and I can clearly remember in late 2007, nearing 2008 when the honorable Michale Espat bought a lot of metal pipes and other things to get the work started. We lost the election and the UDP took over thirteen years and they did not have the vision to construct this bridge even after having so much cash.”
It was a proud and emotional moment in Punta Gorda today as the newly renamed Michael Espat Bridge was officially opened to the public. On hand for the ceremony was Minister of Infrastructure Development, Julius Espat, not just in his official capacity, but also as a cousin of the late Michael Espat, for whom the bridge is now named. Minister Espat took a moment to reflect on the memories they shared over the years, honoring his cousin’s legacy. He also highlighted the many benefits the new two-lane bridge brings to the area, from improved traffic flow to safer, more reliable access for residents and commuters alike.
Julius Espat
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development
“The completion of this two-lane concrete structure is further testament to this government’s commitment to the creating of a better future and society, based on equality, opportunity. It is on that note that I wish to announce the renaming of this bridge, not to the resentment of our colonial history but to honor an individual who truly reflected the country’s identity, aspirations, and progress.”
A long-standing colleague of the late Michael Espat, Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson spoke about the desire that gripped Mike to see this bridge to competition. According to Ferguson, Espat envisioned how a new bridge would contribute to the town’s economic growth.
Rodwell Ferguson
Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West
“Mike hold us together for many years and I could recall when their was a ground breaking for this bridge to be built he ensured it was done. He said, I will be in politics until I am ninety-seven years old. So, I believe Mike is here today in spirit, happy and vibrant because we has completed the project he wants to be completed. Imagine coming to PG and not have to wait for another vehicle to cross the bridge. You can drive across the bridge as quickly as you can.”
While the new Michael Espat Bridge is now open and already making a difference in Punta Gorda, the road to completion wasn’t without its bumps. Commuters had to deal with detours and delays, and not everyone was thrilled about it. But today, those frustrations gave way to gratitude. Officials took a moment to thank residents for their patience during the construction phase. Mayor Carlos Galvez called the finished project a symbol of the Briceno administration’s commitment to the people of southern Belize, a promise delivered, despite the challenges along the way.
Carlos Galvez
Carlos Galvez, Mayor, Punta Gorda
“You know, while we were getting this bridge started, there was a lot of naysayers and people saying it won’t happen. That this is not real, political. Today my friends this is a living testimony of walk the walk.”
Election results are in, but not everyone’s ready to accept them. In the quiet village of Crique Sarco, controversy is brewing after the recent village council elections. First Alcalde Marco Choc is challenging the outcome, claiming the vote was tainted by ineligible voters, some, he says, not even from Belize. The chairman-elect, John Bo, won by just eleven votes, but he’s yet to be sworn in. That’s because Choc has taken his concerns straight to the Elections and Boundaries Commission, alleging that nearly two dozen voters on the list are actually from Barra Sarstoon, a Guatemalan community. Now, he’s not just calling for a recount, he wants the entire election thrown out and those voters removed. We spoke with Choc earlier today to hear why he believes this election should be redone.
On the Phone: Marco Choc, 1st Alcalde, Crique Sarco Village
“A letter was promoted to the EBD because the communities have expressed concerns that there are people who do not live in Crique Sarco and are voting in the village council elections here in Crique Sarco. So, it is clear that they do not contribute to village life. We do not even see them in our village. They only come to the village when it is general elections. They have Temash as their address, which proves that they are not from Crique Sarco. We don’t even know why the government would register those people with that address int eh first place as that is a national park. No one should live there. It is illegal. We strongly believe and we were convinced that yes they came from the other side of the Sarstoon, a small settlement that is out there, because there is no settlement along the Temash bar. That is a national park and if they said yes they are on the other side, that is Barranco’s land. Our demands are that we want the elections and boundaries to have a reelection, that would allow only and I stress only those from the community to vote. Also, we want the election and boundaries to revise the list as it contains individuals who resides in other communities such as Graham Creek, Midway and Barranco.”
Reports are that the Elections and Boundaries Commission are reviewing the dispute and that the list of voters used has been used in previous village council elections. We will continue to follow.
There was a spirit of celebration and new beginnings in Belmopan on Thursday, as micro-entrepreneurs from across the country gathered for a special grant ceremony. The event marked the official close of the first phase of the Increasing Economic Power of Micro Entrepreneurs Program and the exciting launch of its second phase. It’s all part of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Human Development and the Embassy of Taiwan, aimed at empowering small business owners and boosting grassroots economic growth. From food vendors to artisans, the program is helping Belizeans turn their hustle into sustainable livelihoods.
Thea Garcia-Ramirez
Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Minister of Human Development
“So it is through this partnership that we can celebrate seventy-four women who graduate from round one of our ministry’s Increasing Economic Power for Micro Economics Project and at the same time, we are welcoming an additional sixty women entrepreneurs who will participate in round two which we’re also launching today, simultaneously. With the additional investment of one hundred and twenty-one thousand dollars from the Taiwan ICDF, we will continue to promote financial inclusion for business sustainability, actively engage digital marketing and enable business mentorship and provide access to micro grants which, you know, gives you all the tools for success. So you have the theory, you’ll learn about digital marketing, you have mentorship that will hold your hand and help you along. And most importantly, you have the micro grants to help you start up.”
Tonight, we shine a spotlight on a Belizean legend whose name echoes through the courts of history and into the hearts of future generations. Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn isn’t just a basketball icon—he’s a mentor, a trailblazer, and a living testament to the power of purpose. In this edition of The Bright Side, we take you on a journey through the life of a man who turned a game into a legacy.
Sabreena Daly, Reporting
In the late 1970s, basketball in Belize was more than a sport, it was a movement. And at the heart of that movement was a teenager named Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn. At just seventeen, he became the first junior player to join the Belize National Basketball Team. By nineteen, he was dominating the league, leading in scoring, rebounding, and assists, and earning MVP honors.
Sabreena Daly
“How did you fall in love with basketball?”
Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn
Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn, Basketball Legend
“Well, my older brothers, they played basketball and the team used to come to the house after games and they used to eat burgers and hang out. Ever since I was a kid growing up, there were basketballs rolling around on the ground. From what I can remember, I was familiar with basketball by the time I was two years old.”
Known to many as Pulu, he shares how basketball didn’t just teach him discipline, it helped steer him away from the dangers of street life. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, the game became more than just a sport. It gave him structure, guidance, and a reason to stay focused. For Pulu, and many others like him, basketball was a lifeline that offered hope and direction when things could’ve easily gone the other way.
Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn
“Sports is a discipline. I got my discipline from basketball, and there was a thin line between basketball and being a gang member because I grew up in the streets with one of the first gangs, called the Wild Bunch. A lot of the guys I was with ended up in jail or without a future. So I was fortunate that basketball opened doors for me and led me in a different direction.”
With raw talent like Lightburn’s, it’s no surprise he left crowds in awe. One person who remembers it all is “Press” Cadogan, a well-known figure in Belize’s sports media and lifelong friend of Lightburn. He took me on a trip down memory lane, sharing some of the unforgettable moments he witnessed from the unstoppable force that was Pulu Lightburn.
Gilroy “Press” Cadogan
Gilroy “Press” Cadogan, Friend
“One of the most memorable things about Pulu Lightburn was when he got into Wesley College between 1974 and 1978. From the time he was 15, he was better than anyone in the whole country. He played junior leagues; he played for the SJC Bucks and the Calico School Sailors, leading SJC to win many titles in a row.”
That standout talent would even catch the eyes of university scouts, ultimately making him the first Belizean to receive a basketball scholarship — a move that opened doors not only for his career, but for the next generation of young athletes.
Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn
“I was the first Belizean to get a basketball scholarship. I went and did two years. It was a junior college. I got my associate’s degree and came back home. I was given a job as the first National Sports Director. I organized the first summer camp with over a thousand kids in five different disciplines: basketball, football, softball, table tennis, and track and field.”
Basketball has always been at the heart of Pulu Lightburn’s life. He started out as a standout player, but over the years, he’s become just as well known for his role as a mentor and coach. Through his Future Shock program, he’s helped shape the lives of young athletes for three generations, guiding them to follow in his footsteps. Like many young talents, Pulu once dreamed of making it to the NBA. That dream didn’t come true, but he says his real success lies in the lives he’s touched and the players he’s inspired along the way.
Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn
“I wanted to make it to the NBA. I came back home and played in the Belize League. I also played professional basketball in Mexico and Honduras—around this region.”
Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn
“I have a different generation of followers—people who know me for more than just being a basketball player. Back in the past, people knew me as a player. But this next generation knows me as a coach. The kids in the streets all want to play for my team because we set a certain standard, play with energy, and have a strong reputation. They also know that the Future Shock program creates real opportunities in life.”
To love the game is to honor those who paved the way. As a Hall of Famer, Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn has done just that—living the legacy and passing it on. Through his work with young athletes, he’s keeping the heart of the game alive, proving that while the past shapes us, the future is where the real promise lies. Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.
Earlier this week, Patt urged all party delegates to stay away from what he labelled a “purported meeting,” and accused Acting Chairman Alberto August of defying his directive to postpone the meeting. Patt argued that more time is needed to properly verify the list of delegates and claimed the meeting is being held without proper consultation.
Meanwhile, Moses “Shyne” Barrow maintains that he is still the legitimate leader of the UDP. However, August explained that Barrow’s leadership tenure “with effect from today is finite… The honourable Shyne Barrow, under the present situation, cannot, after the fifth of October, even purport to be the leader of the United Democratic Party, and I would just leave it at that.”
August told News 5 that Barrow has plans to amend the party’s constitution “that will make it difficult for any future leader of the United Democratic Party to have to go through what he went through while he was the leader of this party.”
August stated that Barrow is proposing that “If you want to remove your leader, then you must have reason to want to remove your leader, because it’s not anybody you’re talking about; it’s the leader of the party. And you must present that reason to the ethics committee of the party.”
El Ministerio de Turismo reporta un modesto aumento del 1% en las llegadas de visitantes durante los primeros cinco meses del año, aunque el mes de mayo reflejó una baja en el ritmo de crecimiento. El Ministro Anthony Mahler expresó preocupación por el panorama que se avecina, señalando que la industria turística podría enfrentar meses complejos.
“Mayo fue un poco lento, y creo que los próximos meses serán difíciles”, declaró Mahler, quien recientemente asistió a una conferencia hotelera en el extranjero. Indicó que la incertidumbre económica global, especialmente la pérdida de liquidez en fondos personales como los 401K, ha reducido la capacidad de los turistas internacionales para costear vacaciones de lujo como las que ofrece Belize.
A pesar de estos desafíos, Mahler afirmó que su equipo está comprometido a mitigar el impacto en la industria y mantener las cifras estables. También descartó que el crimen esté afectando directamente el turismo en este momento, pero reconoció que factores externos juegan un papel importante.
“Debemos seguir navegando a través de todo esto. No es fácil impulsar una industria como el turismo, especialmente en estos tiempos difíciles de incertidumbre global”, concluyó.
La auditoría largamente esperada del Ministerio de la Juventud y Deportes podría finalmente estar completa, según fuentes cercanas al proceso, aunque el informe final aún no ha sido divulgado públicamente. Los sindicatos han exigido durante años una revisión profunda del Consejo Nacional de Deportes y del Departamento de Servicios Juveniles, especialmente en lo relativo a los últimos cinco años de gestión.
Consultado al respecto, el Ministro Anthony Mahler reconoció la necesidad urgente de mejorar los controles internos y la rendición de cuentas. “Debe haber un mayor nivel de responsabilidad… y le mostraremos a la nación que haremos las cosas de manera diferente”, declaró.
Mahler explicó que el informe preliminar no señala despilfarro de fondos, sino fallas en mecanismos de control y transparencia. Entre los puntos mencionados está la falta de seguimiento en el uso de fondos asignados a comités distritales y la ausencia de ingresos al fondo consolidado por alquileres de instalaciones deportivas.
El ministro también se refirió a la percepción pública sobre la corrupción en la clase política. “Estamos en un ambiente en el que quieren pintar a todos los políticos como corruptos. Como políticos, debemos aceptar las críticas y aprender a manejarnos en este entorno”, concluyó.
Un hombre de la ciudad de Belize enfrenta graves acusaciones tras presuntamente intentar incendiar la casa de su exnovia en dos ocasiones durante la misma noche. Según relatos de los residentes, el sospechoso actuó después de que su expareja pusiera fin a la relación y le pidiera que abandonara la vivienda familiar.
La señora Hanisha Castro, madre de la víctima y residente de la casa, narró los dramáticos momentos vividos. “Él se negó a irse, así que llamamos a la policía. Al escuchar que lo hacíamos, huyó, pero regresó a las diez de la noche y abrió los quemadores de la estufa, dejó abierto el tanque de gas y encendió el sofá”, relató.
Horas después, en la madrugada del 12 de junio, el mismo individuo presuntamente volvió y prendió fuego a una cortina desde el exterior de la vivienda. “Me despertó el olor a humo. Me levanté entre llamas y tuve que sacar a mis nietos. Logramos apagar el fuego con agua del baño”, contó Castro, visiblemente afectada.
A pesar de la gravedad del caso, la policía aún no ha confirmado si el sospechoso ha sido detenido. La familia vive con temor ante la posibilidad de un nuevo ataque.
