A group of concerned parents gathered in front of Corozal Methodist School today to protest the school’s decision to place two teachers on administrative leave According to letters sent to teachers Stacy Chi and Julie Castro the administration took disciplinary action against them for repeatedly ignoring directives and disseminating false information to parents The teachers were placed on leave from April 29 to May 27 The parents allege that these teachers were targeted unfairly for lobbying for the school to host the graduation exercise of the pre-school on a separate date from the Standard 6 A concerned parent told Love News that there has been an ongoing issue with the school’s administration regarding the graduation and they are not happy with the decisions being taken.  Concerned Parent: “The main thing is the date She wants the graduation to be along with the standard six graduation which we refuse as the parents we decide we want to have a decision in this graduation We don’t want it with the standard six graduation We believe that they want their own separate graduation which they can have time with their fellow classmates I had an experience which my son graduated from standard six my daughter graduated from preschool it was a clash because I had to run out I couldn’t take any pictures with my child I still do not have any pictures because I had to hurry rush out get my son ready and get back for the other graduation she said that she did not decide a color which is a lie because we have our students parents have students in standard six and also in preschool their child already told them that she had given them a color we do not want any other colors which are not for babies we decided on white and gold which we believe is just white is a color like for purity and that’s a color for our babies She had made her own decisions as I think you have seen the screenshot of the Whatsapp message it says that the decision will come solely form the principal’s office the teacher has no say we do not tolerate it and we’re not going to tolerate any dictation not to us the parents because it’s our money and not to the teachers.” The teachers have until May 9 to respond to the allegations made against them in writing The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) says that it has been informed of the situation and will be following up and website in this browser for the next time I comment Love FM was founded in 1993 as a small private radio station and has since grown into a nationwide entity providing Belize and listeners overseas with in-depth coverage of current events occurring in the country Copyright © 1994 - 2025 Love FM | News & Music Power This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Colombia joined CABEI as an extra-regional member in 1997 It holds 3.07% of the Bank's shareholding and at the close of 2020 it had an authorized capital of USD203.00 million with capital payments of USD36.25 million CABEI support to the country was aimed at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of hurricanes Eta and Iota Central American Bank for Economic Integration The Corozal Central Park will be getting a much needed facelift through a rehabilitation project launched today and Corozal Bay Area Representative Thea Garcia Ramirez have partnered to restore the once-vibrant park the park and its playgrounds have deteriorated creating an unsafe space for families of the northern community realized a need to uplift the facility and moved to launch a rehabilitation project Corozal Bay Area Representative Thea Garcia Ramirez also underscored the importance of providing safe spaces for families to recreate and spend quality time Elvia Vega-Samos was officially nominated today as an independent candidate for the Corozal Bay Division.  Her decision to exit the People’s United Party came mid-last week indicating that she would be challenging PUP’s Thea-Garcia Ramirez in that division.  As she exited the nomination station in Corozal Love News spoke with her on her decision to leave the PUP pack.  While she did not highlight or stress on any particular issue she did speak on her thought process in seeking re-election Corozal Bay: “I made that decision for the people You know some people have told me “You know Elvie as an independent candidate you will not be a minister.” You know when you want to do the work for the people you don’t need to be a minister If you have the people at heart you will do it wholeheartedly and I think everything happens for a reason and I am looking forward to working once more with the people You know when politicians get in power you know they tend to believe that you’re the boss and you’re not the boss the people are the ones who decide if you stay if you go and so I am doing this for the people of Corozal Bay I might not be able to reach everyone but I will try my best to reach them through other ways Maybe I will not be able to walk and see every house but the people know who is Elvie I have not shied away from work despite the limitations they know that I have tried my very best with the little that was given And so I truly believe that the people will once more give me that opportunity to represent them in Belmopan You know this is the time now to have another party to have people seeing that it’s not just the blue and the red there are other options and maybe this is the beginning So I am very humbled and I know the people of Corozal Bay have been messaging me people all over the country you know I am really humbled by that.” Prime Minister John Briceno has expressed disappointment at the Vega’s exit from the PUP.  We spoke with him earlier today where he expressed confidence in a victory for Thea Garcia in Corozal Bay Prime Minister of Belize: “I am very disappointed that Ms.Samos has decided to run independent she worked with the list so for her to say that people were not allowed to vote that’s simply not true it’s not even that it was a close convention She could still withdraw her nomination at any time and to be able to give support to Thea Thea like her is a woman and we need to support one another and that’s the problem I see that many instances women don’t support women and this is one of the best examples I could find Because she didn’t get her way she said okay well and try to spoil it because she knows she can’t win I hope she would reconsider to come out and to support Thea and if she is a good PUP as she claims to then she and her supporters will support the candidate of the PUP speaking about Ms.Samos you mentioned that she’s welcome to come back Is the party making any effort to issue that olive branch for her to consider ?  Prime Minister of Belize: “We have done that all along Even after she lost and she wasn’t really participating we still used to give her resources All of that and people like Honorable Kareem Musa and others have been reaching out to her and telling her why are you doing this But despite all of that I have every confidence that Thea is going to win She has shown that she has the wherewithal the true grit to serve the people of Corozal Bay She has been seeing them well even though she has not been the area representative So I have confidence that despite whatever Ms.Samos were to do that’s up to her I hope she doesn’t but if she does that’s okay we’re still going to win Thea is going to deliver for the People’s United Party.” Also speaking on the issue was the Deputy Party Leader Cordel Hyde.  According to his statement the move to have Elvia Vega-Samos removed from the Corozal Bay executive was a part of the party process.  He noted that it was an unfortunate situation but it had to be done Lake Independence: “When you declare yourself to be a candidate you do sign can oath You do orally make a pledge to all present that you are going to work for the aims and objectives of the People’s United Party You won’t be a candidate for any other party So I think maybe it was a little swift and so it comes across the wrong way but ultimately I think it’s kind of inevitable that there’s a separation and so I guess the executive moved swiftly to declare that the separation is official But I mean once you declare you’re going to run independent then it means that you’re not longer running with the party She has a right to run independent and give it all she’s got and ultimately that’s a decision for the people in Corozal Bay to make and you know of course we’re rooting for our PUP candidate but she has a right I think what happened is that if you declare you’re going to run independent it means you’re declaring you’re not a PUP and” Reporter: She’s still the incumbent.  Lake Independence: “Yes but you are a minister of state as as result of being the PUP representative So once you declare “well I no longer want to be associated with the party.” Of course you know it’s the Prime Minister who decides who is in cabinet who is a minister of state and so her minister of state status obviously was revoked and if you’re no longer a minister of state then you don’t have access to a government vehicle per se But again like I said it’s how you do thinks ultimately It’s the timing of things and I think you know I regret that we didn’t get a chance to talk to Elvie and try to talk this through And I always feel if you sit and talk to each other you can work things out I don’t know but I wish we could have talked some more and tried to reach a point where we didn’t have to reach here Elvia Vega-Samos came into office on the coattails of her brother who lost his life to Covid-19 in 2020.  Diddo Vega died before he could have been sworn into the National Assembly.  A bi-election was held where Elvia was endorsed by many in the PUP The Corozal Police Formation on Friday recognised first-form student Marian Gilharry of Cornerstone Presbyterian High School as the February 2025 recipient of the “Du Di Rait Ting” award The “Du Di Rait Ting” (DDRT) initiative launched in 2005 by the Belize Police Department under its Community Orientated Policing Unit aims to spotlight youths across Belize for their positive behaviour The first national awards were held in 2006 A member of the business community also donated a cellphone in recognition of her efforts Friday’s event marked the first DDRT award ceremony in Corozal since the COVID-19 pandemic including Northern Regional Commander Sr Superintendent Christopher Noble and Superintendent Elroy Carcamo The police expressed plans to revitalise the programme in partnership with schools and communities moving forward The DDRT programme encourages youth to stay in school Ⓒ document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Great Belize Productions Ltd. | Website Development by Idealab Studios Digital Marketing The Ministry of Health and Wellness continued its countrywide road safety education campaign today in the Corozal District.  Personnel from the ministry was on the roads today speaking with drivers on the importance of adhering to traffic laws and sharing important information explained that the aim is to address issues such as drunk driving Yesterday the ministry held similar activities coordinated by the National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) The committee cited the party’s constitution which prohibits members from running without the party’s endorsement reaffirming her independent candidacy to the people of Corozal Bay “Save the paper and the time taken to point out the obvious I choose to stand on the side of what is just and what is best for the people of Corozal Bay!” she said Vega-Samos has framed her decision as a stand against political constraints “I know that I have been a victim of the greed and self-serving behaviour of certain people you know all too well But I’m here to show them and everyone that I am not a victim The People’s United Party’s office in Corozal Bay was vandalized in what the party believes was an act of political intimidation staff discovered that one of the office’s glass windows had been broken with a rock The incident is seen as an act of political mischief as the general elections quickly approach The first-time politician spoke about the act and stated that while it wouldn’t deter her campaign efforts it is one of the many unfortunate occurrences that play out during the silly election season.  Corozal Bay: “I don’t put too much stock into it I certainly don’t participate in any of that I think the people of Corozal Bay and on a whole the Belizean voter deserves more respect They deserve that people talk about their accomplishments I don’t think that they deserve to be treated to spectacles of this kind If you hear the discourse surrounding certain types of behavior the large majority of the voters and general public do not enjoy the spectacle and they don’t believe that it adds anything to the political discourse nor does it add to any benefits that they would have So they don’t enjoy it and I see a lot of people speaking out against that kind of thing it’s very unfortunate that people feel like they have to do these kinds of things we will have to fix the window and if they break it again we fix it again It’s going to deter nobody from going out on the 12th of March It’s not going to stop any one of the voters that support me from going out.” Garcia-Ramirez stated that her office will not be seeking to lay blame on any of her opponents and will not file a police report She also encouraged voters from the constituency to stay away from political mudslinging and vandalism.  Corozal Bay: “I don’t believe any charges will be pressed or any report will be made I know some members of the executive have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction and to make a public appeal not to do that I have asked my supporters and I again take the opportunity that you have granted me for the interview to ask the PUP supporters in Corozal Bay and my supporters to please refrain from taking down signs from the other two contestants for the election I think that we should allow the process to continue I think the people have made up their mind and I am very confident but I still don’t want to take anybody for granted We continue working very hard up until the last minute because I think that the people of Corozal Bay my family deserve that respect and deserve for me to come and ask for the vote.” Garcia-Ramirez became the PUP’s Standard Bearer for the area last year after defeating the previous Area Representative As many pray for a speedy recovery of the three men who were injured in today’s hijacking Thea Garcia-Ramirez is hoping to have a heroes’ welcome home.  Love News spoke with Garcia-Ramirez who stressed on the gratitude and relief expressed Vega Samos described the upcoming elections as a defining moment noting that many candidates are choosing to run through non-traditional avenues She said that her decision to contest independently reflects her commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard Referring to the nearly 1,200 supporters who backed her in a previous convention as well as those who she claims were excluded from the voters’ list Vega Samos asserted that they deserve representation She concluded her announcement with a message of perseverance and dedication stating: “Seguiremos siempre adelante con perseverancia y amor a la Bahía de Corozal We move forward with perseverance and love for Corozal Bay!” was discovered yesterday morning in the Dominguez Layout Area of Corozal Hall was reported missing on December 23 after he failed to return home that evening Hall was last seen visiting the Corozal Police Station shortly before 9 o’clock that morning what happened after he left the station remains unclear Love News: After almost a week of searching the Hall family finally got closure but not in the way they may have wanted The lifeless body of Joshua Hall was discovered yesterday morning in the Dominguez layout area of Corozal but the family is left with more questions than answers A Facebook post from Hall’s sister voiced the family’s grief and frustration uno chance my breda outa ih life.” So what really happened to Hall is what remains uncertain ACP Hilberto Romero gave account of the initial investigation of Hall’s disappearance.  Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “On Sunday the 29th of December 2024 information received police visited the Dominguez Layout area in Corozal where they saw the lifeless body of a male person with gunshot injuries who had been reported missing the week before He was seen with gunshot injuries and a bicycle was found in the area Information is he had gone to the station to sign as he is on bail thereafter he left on his bicycle Hall’s last known location was at the Corozal police station made serious allegations against the police accusing them of foul play and suggesting that an exchange of words between Hall and an officer at the Corozal police station may have contributed to this tragedy Your mom and father are always looking out for you any problem you get in they’re always here always trying to look out for you try to hold it down.” He said “Your parents care for you and they love you but as of me.” Referring to himself……..told him if I meet you carelessly or I meet you straying I myself will shoot you.” Senior Superintendent Christopher Nobleindicated that investigation is ongoing and nothing is being ruled out.  Senior Superintendent: “Based on the allegations that the family has brought forward We have the professional standard branch that are in Corozal and they are doing what they need to do The family did have an independent person contact me and I asked that person to speak to the family to dissuade any notion that the police would be involved a family is left to mourn the loss of their loved one a family in Corozal is reeling after their home was targeted by a gunman in the early hours of Sunday morning daughter of sixty-nine-year-old Justice of the Peace Anthony Bradley and her two children were at their family home when they heard several loud bangs nearby When Anthony Bradley returned home a few hours later he found broken glass and bullet holes in his office door This terrifying ordeal has left the family fearing for their safety and wondering why they were targeted Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with more details Saturday evenings usually mean cozying up together in the living room to watch TV Viv Bradley was feeling tired and decided to head to bed early with her two young children following suit Little did she know this decision might have saved their lives discovered the bullet holes hours later and shares more about this harrowing experience                                  Anthony Bradley where I reside now with my wife to check on my daughter here that lives at our family home and I also observed a hole on the glass door And so I thought in my mind I said probably somebody threw a stone and as you can see we are close in front of the street And so I thought it was somebody that threw the stone and hit the glass and broke the glass So I showed it to my daughter and I said you know I noticed this as somebody threw a stone and broke the glass the bullet shots on the front of my house.” recounts that in the early hours of the morning Viv never imagined their family home would be the target of such an attack she couldn’t call 911 or alert a neighbor Anthony Bradley is convinced this was a deliberate act the evidence that is on the wall and my office the person actually came and shot from the street to my office then more over on the other side of the corner of the fence and purposely emptied about fourteen rounds against the wall and windows.” The family is now at a loss for what could have prompted the attack and is too terrified to sleep at night Bradley shared that in his forty-two years of living in the neighborhood he has never witnessed an attack like this He has since begun increasing security measures for some peace of mind “Why would someone somebody want to harm my family and myself I’m not involved in any illegal activities and frightening because now I have to be taking putting in place security cameras on my home making sure that my family’s secure my children’s from out of harm’s way So I don’t know what is happening in Corozal Now we have lawless people roaming around shooting your homes Never in history have I seen something like this.” no one was injured in the incident and no items were stolen from the property We’re praying for family and friends who have called in support of us Like I said for my home and her children because this is something that has never happened to me like I said I mean my all my life six-nine years living here in Corozal and look at what I’m facing now look this is out of ordinary.” Neighbors reported hearing a motorcycle speeding away around the time of the attack Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and help bring those responsible to justice We are living in an era now when we have to protect our homes we have new people moving into our communities now And so we need to start to take care of our property and our families Sometimes we don’t even know who to trust now Because this is the kind of life that we are living now Elvia Vega Samos has declared that she will run as an independent candidate in the upcoming General Elections Vega noted that “After carefully listening to my beloved constituents of Corozal Bay and having a heart-to-heart discussion with my family I have made the decision to offer myself to the people of Corozal Bay as an independent candidate….” In July 2024 Vega faced off against Thea Garcia Ramirez in a convention to represent the People’s United Party in Corozal Bay and lost She had alleged unfair treatment in the convention and claimed she was undermined by the party “The close to 1200 supporters that voted for me during the past convention and the many that were blocked from the voter’s list deserve to be counted!” Notably Vega-Samos was asked to return her government-issued vehicle our newsroom understands that after being asked to do so twice and not responding to government officials police then escorted her driver along with the vehicle to the Corozal Police Station previously served as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development Our newsroom made several attempts to contact Vega-Samos Police are probing into a gruesome incident where the body of a man was exhumed and decapitated authorities were called out to the cemetery in Alta Mira where they observed the disturbed gravesite and the decapitated head of 27-year-old Michael Whittaker the other Belizean man found murdered in Chetumal was also targeted between yesterday evening and this morning.  Love News understands that Tun’s gravesite in the Finca Solana area was also tampered with.  Authorities reportedly found holes in the tomb indicating attempts to remove the body.  It is suspected that the persons involved were not properly equipped to access the corpse The culprits then reportedly tried to set the body on fire inside the tomb.  Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed the incident and stated that police are investigating.  Commissioner of Police: “Obviously there is someone who is trying to send a message I don’t know how dead they want these men to be dead Police visited the grave site this morning and they saw the grave was disturbed the bodies were exhumed and a check of the body revealed that the skull is missing So that’s a matter the police are looking at at this time The second young man from what I was told he was not dug up but they had bored some holes in the tomb and had tried to light it on fire That’s what I was told about the other one.” Both Whittaker and Tun were among five dead bodies found in southern Quintana Roo Corozal Junior College (CJC) is gearing up to host its Biennial Expo & Trade Show 2025 this Friday The event promises a lineup of business showcases This year’s expo will feature over 30 CJC business groups more than 40 invited businesses will be participating offering attendees a diverse range of products and services Love News spoke with Lecturer at CJC Sorayah Rosado who expressed that the expo will display things from all academic departments.  A significant aspect of the expo is the integration of technology which remains one of the least participated programs emphasized that the primary goal is to inspire the next generation to pursue degrees in technology fostering greater interest and engagement in the field The expo will take place from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM a family from Corozal District is spending their Christmas searching for their missing loved one The 20-year-old resident of San Antonio Village did not return home last night after leaving home around eight thirty yesterday morning Hall visited the Corozal Police Station to sign in as a part of his bail conditions after he left the station just before 9 o’clock His family has since filed a missing person’s report and has launched search efforts spoke to our newsroom this evening on their search efforts.  Mother of Missing Man: “He went missing yesterday He went to sign in at the police station and after that we didn’t hear from him Between one and two when he didn’t show up for lunch we started asking people that know him Reporter: Did Joshua say if he had issues with anyone ?  He just said he will go and sign and come back He had something to do home so he said he will go and come back.” Reporter: Is it unusual for him to be gone this long and not reach out to the family ?  Well from last night we are looking on our own some streets that are way to the back of that areas and we were searching around there Well very hard because we had plans and now we don’t have any plans anymore Reporter: Have the police said whether they maybe reviewing surveillance footage to maybe track where he left after the station ?  Mother of Missing Man: “Yes that they’re working on that but we don’t know But it’s been long so we don’t know what to think We just want to find him and if anybody has any information anybody saw him on the bike just to call one of the numbers that we put.” His family says he was last seen in a green shirt If you have any information that may assist the family in locating Hall you are asked to contact the police.  Investigators in Corozal continue to probe into the murder of twenty-year-old Joshua Hall and search for his killers Hall’s body was discovered in Corozal Town a week after he was reported missing Hall failed to return home after signing in at the Corozal Police Station a requirement of bail conditions for a robbery charge he received His family had reported him missing and after weeks of searching his dead body was found with gunshot wounds His family says he was last seen at the police station They had alleged police were involved in Hall’s killing and demanded the police investigate the claims Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa stated that while the family’s beliefs are baseless the department has given directives for all possible angles to be explored.  Minister of Home Affairs: “I believe that matter is still under investigation I think it is now with the Professional Standards Branch was provided to police in terms of who might have had an issue with Joshua Hall and so the police are investigating that angle as well as allegations We still have to look at it because it’s a concern raised by the family in terms of police involvement I personally don’t believe there’s any police involvement but at the same time we cannot leave any stone unturned.”  Hall was a resident of San Antonio Village A Corozal man has been charged for knocking down and killing 22-year-old Devon Jorge Chable police arrested and charged 32-year-old mechanic Azael Josimar Garcia with murder Chable was riding his bicycle in Altamira area of Corozal Town when three men in a pickup truck began pursuing him Chable tried to escape but the pickup truck ran over him near Naybaz Store Chable was taken to the Corozal Community Hospital but died of his injuries during treatment police managed to apprehend two suspects quickly but Garcia had escaped and was on the run until he was caught this weekend It’s been four days since twenty-year-old Joshua Hall from San Antonio Village and his family is pleading for help to find him Joshua was last seen on Monday morning when he went to the Corozal Town Police Station to sign in Records show that he signed in that morning but never made it back home Joshua left home on a pink bicycle with a basket on the front took to Facebook to share more details about his disappearance She explained that Joshua must sign in at the police station every Monday Aiyana believes her brother intended to return home that morning The family is desperate for any information that could help bring Joshua back safely                                       Aiyana Hall “He left home at 8:36 promising to return to set up a bed being that he’s waiting his child and him and his girlfriend are supposed to move in The last message was to his girlfriend that he’s heading out to sign and he will be right back records show that he signed it at the police station at 8:58 a.m. no one at the police station can confirm that he left they haven’t picked up any footage that shows him leaving the station or anywhere in Corozal We can’t overlook anything at this point And I know that he wouldn’t just disappear like that He looked forward to come home to my apartment He would never just go and tell nobody anything which was his only way of communicating with anyone And I can verify that he wasn’t supposed to meet any friend that day He didn’t have any plans further than going to sign and returning home.” Six days after five fishermen and a pastor from Burrell Boom were allegedly caught in Orange Walk with one thousand one hundred and thirty-seven grams of cocaine in a gold Dodge Caravan They’re waiting for another bail hearing in the High Court of Justice Nigel Pilgrim The delay happened because the court didn’t have all the necessary documents to consider their bail Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson represents Lerman Norman Leslie and Ronyer Alexander Cruz while David McKoy represents Freddy Estuardo Chavez heartbroken families waited anxiously for good news only to leave disappointed when the case was adjourned Justice Pilgrim first heard from Attorney Sampson the judge couldn’t proceed without the case facts which neither Sampson nor the Crown’s representative Elrington explained that the prosecutor handling the case was unavailable Justice Pilgrim then heard from Attorney McKoy who had the case facts but agreed that an adjournment was fair to ensure all parties had the necessary documents The bail hearing for Leslie and Cruz is now set for Friday while the hearing for the other four fishermen is on Monday The fishermen were initially arraigned on March nineteenth with Pastor Mark Anthony Humes driving the gold Dodge Caravan stating he was just hired to transport them for one hundred and seventy-five dollars and had no knowledge of the drugs charges against Humes were dropped on March twenty-first The fishermen’s case will continue in the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court on May twenty-second A road traffic incident yesterday on the Ferry road in Corozal has left one man dead and his brother injured Gaspar Cantun was traveling in a Chevy Tracker with 58-year-old Santiago Cantun when Gaspar lost control of the vehicle The vehicle flipped multiple times causing fatal injuries to the younger sibling Police responded to the area and found that the vehicle had an expired license and was extensively damaged due to the single-vehicle incident Police also found Gaspar bleeding from the ears He was later pronounced dead at the Corozal Community Hospital Santiago was treated and released from the hospital A heated political dispute in the Corozal North constituency took a violent turn yesterday after political supporters clashed resulting in the injury of Hugo Patt’s driver The altercation occurred just outside a polling station where tensions were already high due to the fiercely contested race a group of supporters from a rival party confronted Patt’s campaign team leading to a verbal altercation that quickly escalated into a physical confrontation Patt’s driver was struck during the altercation and was immediately taken for medical attention the new Area Representative for Corozal North spoke about the situation and what sparked the tensions.  Patt stated that his driver would have not been filing a police report.  There are four constituencies in the Corozal District: Corozal Bay ten candidates went head-to-head at the polls to see who would represent the people in these areas After counting over twenty thousand ballots came out on top with three winners: Thea Garcia Ramirez in Corozal Bay News Five’s Britney Gordon has the details “I hereby declare that the duly elected candidate for the Corozal Bay  is Garcia-Ramirez Thea.” The Corozal Bay constituency election results were highly anticipated by residents as three contenders battled at the polls Vying for the post were Thea Garcia-Ramirez and independent candidate Elvia Vega-Samos his sister succeeded him after winning a by-election Vega-Samos would later lose the post of PUP standard bearer to Garcia-Ramirez after a controversial standard bearer convention Vega-Samos was not deterred from the polls and ran as an independent candidate And actually that was a project that I had to do an impressive feat for an independent candidate it was more than doubled by Thea Garcia-Ramirez Hernan Riveral received three hundred and ninety-four votes A similarly intense race went down in Corozal North with PUP candidate David Castillo garnering two thousand the constituency remains a UDP stronghold after Hugo Patt won with three thousand the Peoples United Party will win strong once more but is important that Corozal North  elect a PUP era representative  to work with the central go a PUP central government for the benefit of the area the voters are testimony to the lack of,development in the area for the past years But there is hope with David Castio and the People’s United Party.” Corozal Southeast saw only two candidates on the ballot sheet; Florencio Marin who accomplished a landslide victory with three thousand six hundred eighty-three votes over UDP candidate Antonio Herrera’s one thousand a closer match ensued between the candidates Ramiro Ramirez and Martin Rivera Ramirez emerged victorious with a six hundred eight-one vote lead and I know that will happen because of the good job that we’re doing I think the people really want something else There are many politicians that have already passed through Corozal Southwest I strongly believe that they really appreciate and they will support me In an attempt to find their missing loved one the family of 29-year-old Raheem Usher has increased the reward amount for information on his whereabouts The family is now offering fifteen thousand dollars to anyone who can help them locate the missing resident of Libertad Village in the Corozal District says that despite him being missing for almost a month they are holding on to the possibility that Sister: “Raheem went missing on the 25th of January and since then the family has been has been searching and hoping for the best Hoping that some day we get a call hoping that some day something comes up Today is day 26 of new news of substance because you know you hear rumors but today is day 26 and nothing of great relevance There is a reward out for $15k with anyone that can give us concrete evidence of wherever he may be and what may have happened Well we believe that anything is possible with God and so we continue to pray and hope for the best I mean if feel like most of all we just want to know is what happened and so the family can receive some type of closure because the greatest pain in all of is this just not knowing He was wearing black shorts and a red T-shirt Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the family at 612-8600 gunmen opened fire on two homes in the Corozal District The first shooting occurred on Sunday in Ranchito Village around one o’clock in the morning The home of Armando Martinez came under gunfire the home of Justice of the Peace Anthony Bradley on San Andres Road was also targeted Bradley was not at the house at the time; however his daughter and two grandchildren were present Bradley told Love News that he arrived this morning to find the house and windows damaged by as many as thirteen bullets the incident was still traumatic for his family He also stressed that he has no idea why anyone would want to open fire on his house Police are investigating the shootings and say it is unclear whether the two incidents are connected The family of a Corozal man who has been missing for 72 days is urgently pleading for the public’s help in uncovering the truth behind his disappearance 34-year-old Vincent Young left his home in Corozal Town for personal business He told his family he was heading to neighboring Chetumal and though documents confirm he entered Mexico legally his family held out hope that Young would return on his own but as the days passed and they were unable to reach him and reported him missing to local Mexican authorities says they have not received any significant updates on his whereabouts or what might have happened to him.  Sister of Vincent Young: “Mexican authorities the legal Mexican authorities verified that he did cross the border and this is November 12th They didn’t give us an exact time but the date of November 12th he did cross into Mexico They did verify that he did not cross back into Belize from Mexico They have one stamp with him going into Mexico they didn’t have a stamp with him stamping out and he did enter Mexico legally Therefore we then went to the Mexican authorities and reported him missing they have been in contact with the family and as I mentioned before and I’lll mentioned again we are in no way shape or form putting out any search efforts any type of alarming miscommunication and cause any type of trouble for the authorities At this moment we left it in their hands and as of today he’s still missing The legal authorities are doing their due diligence and they’re trying their best to facilitate us with whatever information possible There’s no way they’re in charge of doing what they have to do and we’re gonna interrupt that At this moment we just ask if family members friends or anyone either in Corozal vicinity that they reach out to the necessary authorities But the family we’re not gonna put out no GoFundMe If you have any information that can assist in locating the father of two you can contact the police A vehicle owned by an educator from the Corozal District was riddled with bullet holes this weekend 39-year-old Fausto Burgos JR was at home Louisville with his wife and two kids when he heard three loud bangs around 9:30 he initially thought it was firecrackers but when he exited the home he saw someone speeding away on a motorcycle The teacher then checked his SUV and saw three bullet holes on the windshield and driver’s side window Burgos also found three .45 caliber expended shells the family of 29-year-old Raheem Usher has received some closure but are left with even more questions. On January 25 the Corozal resident failed to return to his home in Libertad Village prompting his family to report him missing they had made several efforts to locate him and put out a fifteen-thousand-dollar reward for information leading to his location.  It was not until this morning that Usher was found with two gunshot wounds to his forehead and wrapped in a black plastic in San Antonio Village sparking speculation that he was killed by cartels Reporter Vejea Alvarez tells us more.  the Corozal Free Zone Access Road was officially inaugurated and other key representatives from the Government of Belize and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration in attendance Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the full story The Ministry of Economic Development has just announced the opening of the brand-new Corozal Free Zone Access Road This transformative infrastructure project is set to boost economic opportunities and progress for both the Corozal District and the entire nation The newly constructed road is one point six kilometers and is a key investment under the Plan Belize Medium Term Development Strategy which promotes economic transformation and growth it’s a document that plans out the work of Belize for the next ten twenty years from now and I want to take the opportunity to thank all our elected representatives and the Cabinet that have worked diligently and have worked day in day out to bring the kind of success that we are now witnessing in Belize When you think back about Belize of November 2020 to the Belize of today it’s a totally different Belize that you’re seeing We have seen the development of the free zone that the free zone has had unrepresented growth and we have turned it around from having it closed now to now today we have over a thousand six hundred people working and we have a thousand more people with indirect jobs that we have.” The project kicked off in January 2024 and wrapped up in less than a year – a true testament to efficient planning and execution This new road enhances access to the Corozal Free Zone making transportation of goods and services smoother we inherited a Corozal Free Zone that was closed lack of proper infrastructure and was in a debt All that and also let me not forget that we were in a pandemic This road was one of the first thing I added to my to-do list my to-do list is very secret and I try my best to accomplish all things that I add to it.” The project’s success was a true team effort thanks to the generous contributions from various stakeholders The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) kicked things off with a hefty grant of 1.9 million Belize dollars The Government of Belize chipped in with another 1 million Belize dollars The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) played a crucial role by adding 200,000 Belize dollars to ensure the project’s sustainability the Corozal Free Zone invested 150,000 Belize dollars rounding out the collaborative support that made this project possible “The infrastructure development is one that is so important in any component that is related to economic development and economic growth but more importantly to enable the friendly environment to support the private sector and consumers when we were here and part of the road was closed because of the dilapidated conditions the Corozal Free Zone Road was in or the grass was actually coming in to take over that part of the road Small vehicles were having issues to come into the Corozal Free Zone and when you look at the Corozal Free Zone is a vital component and contributor to Belize’s GDP.” As the BSCFA takes issue with the Prime Minister’s decision to manage the sugar sector the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association (CSCPA) has taken a different stance expressing strong support in this regard.  In a letter to the Prime Minister stating that it would help create a more vibrant and sustainable sugar industry The association highlighted that the Prime Minister’s leadership of the sector would foster investor confidence and drive strategic development leading to economic gains for all involved The CSCPA also emphasized the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders in shaping a more efficient and balanced industry says the association believes the PM’s involvement will ensure a well-rounded and collaborative approach to the sector.  CSPA: “I think that’s something that he decided together with his team to take that portfolio maybe because of the stress the industry is in We have right now various concerns in the industry we have the climate change and other things that are affecting us presently so I think that the government decided to take that to the portfolio to the Prime Minister for him to look at it more in detail to have more input and more power in regards to trying to make this industry more viable and for it not to continue deteriorating the way it has been going due to the various other things that have been happening in the industry.  Reporter: Okay so why does the association believe this will further encourage the development of the industry ?  CSPA: “Well I think Belize looking at our colleagues around the other countries they have made changes in their industry for them to more proactively grow all together and those are the things that we as Belizeans we need to look after to try to modernize the sugar industry trying to have everyone as a whole looking at it to all sectors So I think that we need to modernize the industry slowly but I think that as Belizeans we need to speed up the pace a little.” Puck also responded to whether he believes the stance of the Corozal Association would ruffle feathers among the other cane farmers’ associations CSPA: “I just feel as a matter of leadership right cane farmers as you well know we are now four associations each one has their own voice At the end of the day what the government is trying to achieve is for the benefit of all cane farmers So it’s more of a management situation I would say rather than the cane farmers himself Because the cane farmer follows his leader and if the cane farmer sees that his leader is proactive and is trying to work with whatever government there is I think it will be for the best interest for the country and for the cane farmers themselves.” Puck added that the association also congratulated Briceno on his reappointment A local justice of the peace and community consultant was left shaken after his home in Corozal Town was targeted by gunmen in the wee hours of Saturday morning Bradley was at his farm when the incident occurred he found his house riddled with bullet holes and so I thought somebody probably passed and threw a stone… And that’s when I saw the walls filled with bullet holes.” About 12 to 14 rounds were fired initially thought the shots came from a nearby house Having served his community for over 50 years Bradley says he is baffled as to why his family was targeted “I really don’t understand why I’ve been targeted and why my home has been targeted like that I have no dealings with nobody who is doing any legal activities,” Bradley said “I don’t know if this is mistaken identity or I don’t know we are bewildered by all this,” he added Bradley is calling on the public for assistance A man from the Corozal District was arrested and charged with three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and three counts of sexual assault The 31-year-old’s arrest was based on a complaint filed by his 13-year-old The minor told Police that between 2021 and 2023 her stepfather had touched her inappropriately and had engaged in unlawful sex with her on several occasions The child made the report on August 30 in the presence of her mother Corozal Town is set to come alive tomorrow as they prepare for the Corozal Carnival 2024 The Carnival is set to begin at 4pm with the line-up beginning at 3pm The growing Carnival has been able to garner support from 11 competing Mas Bands and out-district bands that have committed to participating.  Alex Ewens Public Relations Officer and Event Coordinator spoke to Love News about the excitement they plan to bring to the town The Mas Camp and King and Queen competition was held last weekend which saw an attendance of over 2,000 persons asserting her control over the compound and party organs Barrow has enlisted the legal expertise of Jamaican attorney Doctor Christopher Malcolm to strengthen his position remains a key figure amidst the factional dispute News Five’s Marion Ali traveled to the Corozal North constituency to ask him if he feels caught in the middle of this U.D.P We also spoke with several residents of the constituency to gather their perspectives on the ongoing conflict Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Tracy Taegar-Panton may have their differences but they share one commonality: both have named Corozal North Area Representative as their First Deputy Party Leader on their executive slates we visited Patt to ask if he feels caught in the middle of this political tug-of-war “I’ve spoken to both sides and I told him that my position is presently is that I will respect the process that transpired last year in August the National Party Convention basically taking a decision and where an executive was endorsed and so my position is to respect the process if Tracy had been in the position that on around that Shyne is right now To maintain in order for the United Democratic Party to have certainty going forward Patt expressed his desire for both factions to reconcile their differences Despite Panton securing the majority of UDP delegates at the convention two Sundays ago Patt emphasized that he would have preferred to see both sides come together and mend fences “I’m aware that there was a substantial number of delegates in the activity that Honorable Panton did that’s left before we have a general election Let us focus each on our individual constituencies so that we can put a decent fighting whenever we have the general elections we have to sit down together and talk to everybody We will have differences but let us agree to leave our differences aside let us make sure that we do the right thing But who do the constituents in Corozal North believe is their true party leader “But both of them are claiming they are the leader.” I do not agree in the fight they’re having at the moment and that was one of the reasons I was not present They never consult me or called me or anything My thinking is that you’re supporting Mr “I’m not going to take part for any of them Barrow because I think both of them can be great leaders but I think it’s not the time for this at this moment.” as a leader of the village – the best we want is to make this problem stop It’s for the betterment of our party who do you think is the real leader of the UDP Hugo Patt felt the need to say sorry to U.D.P supporters for the ongoing feud that’s been tearing the party apart and weakening its stance as the opposition “I want to tell this to the Belizean people and particularly to the thousands of the United Democratic Party supporters that we have across this country that I must apologize on behalf of everybody for what’s happening I feel very disheartened at what has been transpiring for quite some time now And I don’t think that it is fair for or I think it is a disservice to all of our thousands of supporters that An alleged incident at San Roman RC School in Corozal has sparked outrage and concern although conflicting reports suggest it may be a case of miscommunication a woman made a post on Facebook detailing the troubling account of a young student The post alleged the boy was walking home after he was turned away from participating in the school’s Children’s Day festivities because he could not afford the required $4.50 fee The boy reportedly added that by the time a Good Samaritan offered to cover the cost the school gates had already been closed for the day’s celebrations Love News reached out to the District Education Center where the officer confirmed that an investigation is taking place who indicated that due to Misael’s impairment it is hard to determine what exactly transpired.  After reaching out to the Ministry of Education Corozal District Office they informed our newsroom that the investigation is currently underway with all parties involved.  The officer had committed to an official press release but up to news time this evening And while the apparent infighting in the UDP is increasing the PUP is hoping to mend fences in Corozal Bay Area Representative Elvi Vega Samos claimed she was undermined by the PUP in the convention she lost to Thea Garcia-Ramirez Vega-Samos claimed there was fraud in the convention and alleged she was not backed by the party Ramirez says she has extended the olive branch to Vega in hopes of working together towards a cooperative approach in addressing the challenges facing Corozal Bay Corozal Bay: “ I’ve reached out to Miss Vega I haven’t had any response back but the court is the ball is in her court and she gets to decide how she wants to move forward I have also been on the losing side of a convention Every person handles it differently and we have to be gracious in defeat The PUP had issued a statement calling Vega-Samos’ claims baseless Corozal residents took to the streets to celebrate the success of Special Olympics athlete Jair Hernandez The student at Mary Hill RC School in Corozal won a total of three Gold medals at the CODICADER Special Olympic Games held in Panama He received a heartwarming welcome followed by a motorcade to celebrate his accomplishment We spoke to the Principal of Mary Hill RC School about Hernandez’s accomplishments and how he got involved in sports.  the Corozal Police Formation held a community clinic in Sarteneja Village headed up by the Community Oriented Policing Unit (COPU) event saw educational displays teaching the public about the work of the police as well as demonstrations from the police cadet corps said that the event was aimed at educating residents and strengthening their relationship with the police we visit  different villages and try to bring information in regards to the police roles Usually this information do not reach all the way to the remote villages so we go out of our way and come to the different villages and then show them what the police department is all about It’s sensitizing the people with the different programs we have we have booth displays out here from community policing unit This booth in front of me is our prohibited and illegal items displaying our prohibited and illegal items Most of the firearms you see here are imitation firearms and the utensils used for smoking these drugs The  kids and the public need to be aware of these things that are prohibited and illegal  in their possession We have 11 different programs and one of them to my right you may see cadets At the Corozal Police Formation we have a total of about 75 cadets from three different groups right now active The cadets we take in youths from the age of eight to seventeen years where we teach them different skills we try to get the better out of these children and keep them busy and in positive activities such as being close to the police and teaching them these different skills.” Officer Commanding the Corozal Police Formation Superintendent Elroy Carcamo says that the event is held as a means of bringing the information into remote communities OC Corozal Police Formation: “It’s the third time it’s happening here First of its kind that we are doing in Corozal District as the officer inside of Corozal Police Formation we have sought it very much good to come out to the community and instead of the community coming to the station we go out to them and we try to see how best we can assist And so what happened is that we chose today as a day because we also have our cadets out here that is participating from Sarteneja It’s a new new group that is coming up and we want to show support We have the community fair where we have members from the gender based violence unit we have members from the community policing unit and members from the road policing unit Road policing was once the traffic and because they deal with more than traffic now they are out here and they are sensitizing the community We have people from the community coming out and looking at the booth and seeing more or less what they can do to better themselves and better their community Also we have our cadets out here from Sarteneja and Progresso Progresso cadets planned and came out here to support the Sarteneja cadets it’s less than a year in the making but they have come out And we also have members from our defensive tactics team who will be doing a display for the cadets and for the community but at the same time they are teaching the cadets as few stances nothing that they will go there and use on people but just to understand” The event was held at the Sarteneja Almendro Park The home of a police officer from northern Belize was targeted last night 35-year-old police corporal Martin Marin was at home on Jaguar Street in Corozal Town when he heard four loud bangs and realized they were gunshots Marin says he immediately went outside and heard a motorcycle speeding away from the cement bungalow home The cop then discovered that bullets struck a vehicle owned by 42-year-old police inspector Kimara Lopez who is assigned to the Corozal quick response team also found a bullet hole in the front screen door of his house Police recovered several 9mm expended shells from the street and are reviewing surveillance footage Investigators say there are no suspects at this time and a motive is yet to be established Farmers in the Corozal District are on high alert as the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) has issued a critical warning about a rapidly spreading fungal infection has been wreaking havoc on sugar cane crops for the past month with the infection already affecting approximately three-fourths of the district’s crops The rise in temperatures has created an ideal environment for the proliferation of these harmful pathogens He emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to mitigate the damage and prevent further spread Farmers are urged to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their crops from this devastating infection “It is through something that creates an opening to the plant can be environmental or can be true best  creates an opening and then the fusarium gets in the plant and infect the plant and I think this is one of the main reasons we have this problem The soil starts to crack whenever it cracks It destroys the roots underneath and it creates openings for the plant we have stem worm and we have sugar cane weevils that bore through the stem of the cane create openings and the fusaium also goes in there And also also you were asking if the fusarium will affect humans if we consume it it can destroy completely and some can be tolerant to it And that we’re working on it and seeing which varieties are more tolerant What we have seen in the  variety that is more than sixty percent of the sugar industry is B79 and we have seen even some areas with the mortality of this Farmers are advised to clean all fire lines and equipment thoroughly and to avoid using potentially contaminated seeds The Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association (CSCPA) has written to Prime Minister John Briceno pleading for government to urgently address the deplorable conditions of sugar roads The association acknowledged that the road repairs may be impacted by weather conditions but that the current situation is urgent as it is negatively impacting the farmers The association challenged the government’s road repairs maintenance report saying that the 90 percent completion of repaired roads in the report does not match the reality on the ground Chairman of the oversight committee for the Corozal Sugarcane Producers Association said that with just one week into the 2024/2025 sugar crop farmers are already seeing major damages to their trucks Magana says that the road near Progresso Village is especially bad Magana added that the situation has forced some farmers to deliver inferior-quality cane to the mill because they do not have proper road access to crops that have better quality Love News understands that some work began on the roads over the weekend./ and Technology launched its U-Space project today at the Corozal House of Culture in Corozal Town The ministry says the project represents a collaborative effort between the Science and Technology Unit and the National Institute of Culture and History under the MoECST the initiative aims to empower communities by fostering digital skills development and inspiring innovative ideas for the future The facility will serve as a creative hub where community members can explore and experiment with technology as a tool for innovation Coordinator of the Corozal House of Culture called on the community to collaborate to ensure that the space is used to benefit Corozal Corozal House of Culture: “Our U spaces are pivotal in leveraging technology to transform and accelerate learning and skill development leapfrogging traditional methods to embrace digital transformation and innovation to reach every child wherever they live and however they learn UNICEF’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Technology and NICH continues to expand as it contributes to the realization of the rights of children and adolescents to quality The Science and Technology Unit in the Ministry of Education is reimagining education with innovative practices and initiatives such as U Space While today we launch U Space here in Corozal we are prepared to support the ministry with more launches in more house of cultures said that UNICEF plans to collaborate with the Ministry on more U-spaces UNICEF Belize: “This space isn’t just about technology or programs It’s about the students who will walk through these doors with curiosity in their hearts and leave with skills It’s about the youths who will discover their potential and the adults who will share their past with our present and where our community together gathers and embraces inclusivity and a healthy Whether you’re already tech savvy or just starting out Programs like Lead Like a Girl will open doors for young women to shine in the STEM fields our culture and history will no longer be just stories from the past but interactive experiences that inspire our future To have this U Space here at the House of Culture is truly a gift to Corozal This building has always been a place of learning A space where innovation is preserved and we empower together we have a responsibility to make this space thrive to ensure it becomes a pillar of creativity and growth for everyone.” Another U-space is being opened at the Orange Walk House of Culture tomorrow a police officer’s home in Corozal Town came under fire and an investigation is underway to uncover the motive behind the shooting gunmen targeted a vehicle parked at Corporal Martin Marin’s residence The incident occurred sometime before midnight on Jaguar Street in the Finca Solana area Corporal Marin reported that he was getting ready for bed when he heard four loud bangs which he immediately recognized as gunshots he saw a motorcycle speeding away and noticed that a Jeep Cherokee The white Jeep was parked in the yard at the time Another bullet struck the front screen door of the house Crime scene technicians recovered several nine-millimeter shell casings from the street but it’s unclear if any surveillance cameras captured the shooters and the reason for targeting the residence remains unknown Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero provided details on the investigation into the death of Anthony Lewis whose lifeless body was discovered on Sunday at a residence on G Street in Corozal Town and initial investigations revealed that he had gone to the house and engaged in a dispute with the family members there a struggle ensued during which Lewis sustained the injuries that ultimately caused his death and the case file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further directives Lewis has a prior relationship with one of the men’s minor daughter “that is correct and he is presently on bail as he was charged and taken to court That matter is pending trial at the Supreme Court.” ACP Romero stated that Lewis had no lawful reason to be at the residence and had confronted the family members He said that Lewis confronted the family and that they acted in self-defence a fatal stabbing occurred in Corozal involving a man allegedly in a relationship with a teenage minor Reports say Anthony Lewis visited the girl’s home and got into a heated altercation with her family members as investigators are seeking further directives from the D.P.P.’s office police responded to a disturbance at G Street in Corozal Town they found the lifeless body of a male person identified as Anthony Lewis Investigation revealed that Lewis came to that house and he had a dispute with the family members there There was a struggle which led to injuries being caused upon him This matter is being investigated and the file will be sent to the DPP for directives.” “So as of now it’s just a death investigation.” Anthony Lewis had no lawful authority to be at that house He was there and confronted the members there and so the injuries were caused to him because we received reports that he had some type of relationship with one of the men’s minor daughters.” That matter is pending trial at the Supreme Court Is that a possible motive for why they attacked him He came to the house and they defended themselves and this is what happened.” he attacked the family members at the house.”