Rakiesha Joseph, also known as Bim Bim, a 27-year-old from Layou, has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for assaulting John Mofford outside the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) on August 23. Joseph was already serving a suspended sentence for a similar crime when the incident occurred. The altercation began when Mofford, accompanying a young woman who had been injured by Joseph and another female, remarked that jail was Joseph’s home. Enraged, Joseph struck Mofford above the right eye, causing him to fall, and proceeded to beat him with the help of another woman. Joseph fled the scene but was later arrested and charged. During the trial, Joseph pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm. In mitigation, she cited personal frustrations and concerns for her children, aged 10 and 8, who had previously suffered due to her incarceration. However, Senior Magistrate Tammika McKenzie activated Joseph’s suspended sentence, emphasizing her repeated offenses. Joseph’s sentence for the assault was ordered to run concurrently, sparing her additional prison time. The magistrate noted Joseph’s history of violent behavior, including stabbing an officer, and expressed concern over her pattern of reoffending. Joseph is also facing charges related to an alleged robbery and attempted murder in South Rivers.
分类: society
-

Social : First progress report on support for families, workers and displaced persons (Video)
On October 14, 2025, during the 25th edition of ‘Tuesdays of the Nation,’ Georges Wilbert Franck, Haiti’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST), outlined the government’s latest efforts to bolster support for vulnerable populations. The initiatives target parents of schoolchildren, displaced persons, and workers, reflecting a multifaceted approach to social welfare. Key measures include the relocation of displaced persons from schools, cash transfers to families, financial aid for households, and worker assistance programs. Under the Multisectoral Emergency Program (PUM), ten schools, including prominent institutions like Lycée Marie-Jeanne and École nationale Colbert Lochard, have been vacated to resume educational activities. Simultaneously, over 108,000 parents have received 15,000 Gourdes via digital payment platforms, with plans to extend this to 200,000 beneficiaries. Additionally, 60,000 vulnerable households will receive direct financial aid, while nearly 31,000 workers are set to benefit from specialized support. The government’s commitment is further underscored by 19 ongoing social projects involving seven ministries and the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES). Minister Franck reiterated the administration’s dedication to alleviating hardship and fostering dignity for all citizens.
-

Ouanaminthe : CODEVI Industrial Park paralyzed by new demands
The CODEVI Industrial Park in Ouanaminthe, northeastern Haiti, remains paralyzed as workers continue their strike despite the government’s recent waiver of the 10% payroll tax. Initially, the strike was triggered by tax-related grievances, but it has now evolved into a broader demand for salary adjustments to align with the escalating cost of living. The workers’ refusal to return to work has raised concerns about the economic and social stability of the region. The Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) has expressed its solidarity with CODEVI, emphasizing the critical role the industrial park plays in sustaining formal employment and supporting thousands of families. ADIH highlighted that CODEVI employs over 16,000 workers, indirectly supporting nearly 100,000 people. The strike’s prolonged duration threatens not only the company but also local businesses, service providers, and communities in the Grand North region. ADIH has called for the immediate resumption of operations and urged the government to ensure the safety of workers and facilities. The situation underscores the broader economic crisis in Haiti, where formal jobs are dwindling, and industrial parks like CODEVI remain vital lifelines for economic activity.
-

Boca Chica Garden project exposed as major fraud targeting Dominican diaspora
The Boca Chica Garden project, once marketed as a luxurious beachfront residential complex tailored for Dominicans living abroad, has been unmasked as an alleged large-scale fraud. Over a hundred investors, many of whom are retirees from the Dominican diaspora, now face devastating financial losses and shattered dreams. An investigative report by *El Informe con Alicia Ortega* revealed that the promised modern apartments and amenities remain non-existent, with the development site still an untouched, abandoned lot.
Victims of the scheme shared harrowing accounts of their losses. Otoniel Pichardo, who invested $80,000 in four units, discovered the land flooded and devoid of any construction. Francia Romero and Gabriel Rodríguez, a Puerto Rican truck driver, also lost tens of thousands of dollars after being lured by glossy promotional materials and false promises of oceanfront living.
Attorney Miguel Serum, representing more than 100 affected investors, has filed a criminal complaint against developers Edgar and Mabel Hernández, accusing them of aggravated fraud and money laundering. Serum described the project as ‘a well-structured deception disguised as paradise.’ Apartments were sold for $54,000 to $80,000 each, accompanied by elaborate promises of luxury facilities. The developers’ lawyer, Frankelis Peña, has denied any wrongdoing, attributing delays to permitting issues—a claim victims argue fails to justify the total absence of construction.
-

Union Island group wins int’l conservation award
The Union Island Environmental Alliance (UIEA) Rangers Team has been awarded the prestigious International Ranger Award at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. This accolade recognizes their unwavering commitment to protecting the unique wildlife of Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The team, composed of local members Roseman Adams, Junicia Gellizeau, Millesia Gellizeau, Roxanne Forget, Ricardo Gellizeau, Kayroy Baptiste, and Esrome Durant, has played a pivotal role in the recovery of endangered species, including the Union Island gecko and the Grenadines pink rhino iguana. Their daily efforts encompass forest patrols, wildlife monitoring, and addressing human-wildlife conflicts. Despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in 2024, which destroyed 90% of the island’s homes and left the team without essential resources, they demonstrated remarkable resilience. They adapted their strategies, leveraging their deep understanding of the local environment and community to continue their conservation work. The team also played a crucial role in post-hurricane recovery, assisting with debris clearance and supply distribution. Their achievements include a significant increase in the Union Island gecko population, from 10,000 in 2018 to approximately 18,000 today. Supported by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Forestry Department, Fauna & Flora, and Re:wild, the UIEA Rangers have become a beacon of hope for both wildlife and the local community. Arica Hill, Fauna & Flora’s Caribbean lead, praised the team’s dedication, emphasizing their invaluable contributions to the island’s recovery and conservation efforts. The award includes financial support, which is expected to enhance their ongoing work and improve their living conditions.
-

Unitedville Family Speaks Out After Wrongful Murder Accusation
In a distressing turn of events, the McKoy family from Unitedville has spoken out after being wrongfully accused in the murder of Police Constable Oswald Young Senior. The incident, which occurred on October 10, 2025, has raised significant concerns about police procedures and the impact on innocent families. Jamil McKoy, a local mechanic, was arrested on the night of the shooting but was later exonerated when surveillance footage confirmed his alibi. The Ministry of Home Affairs has labeled the killing as a targeted attack on law enforcement, emphasizing the urgency of the ongoing investigation. The McKoy family, still reeling from the trauma of the wrongful accusation, has called for greater care in handling such sensitive cases to prevent further distress to innocent parties.
-

Tragedy on Simon Lamb Street; Murder-Suicide Suspected
A harrowing incident unfolded on Simon Lamb Street in Belize City on Saturday afternoon, leaving two young individuals dead in what authorities suspect to be a murder-suicide. The victims, identified as 26-year-old Kiera Gentle and 27-year-old Harrison Arnold, were found lifeless in a bedroom, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Police were alerted to the scene following reports of gunfire within a residence. Upon arrival, they discovered the tragic aftermath of what appears to be a domestic dispute turned fatal. An audio recording from the vicinity captured a woman’s screams followed by three gunshots, with another three shots heard 14 seconds later. A nine-millimeter pistol, registered to Arnold, was recovered at the scene. Investigators revealed that Gentle and Arnold had been in a relationship but had recently separated. Friends and family described the pair as vibrant and full of life, making their untimely deaths all the more shocking. The Belize Police Department has launched a full investigation into the incident, which has left the community in mourning.
-

Appeal Hearing for Convicted Attorney Oscar Selgado Underway
The Court of Appeal convened today to hear arguments in the high-profile case of Oscar Selgado, a 56-year-old attorney convicted last year for abetment to murder. Selgado was found guilty of allegedly orchestrating a hit on Marilyn Barnes, a Belizean woman, though the act was never carried out. The court ruled that his actions had crossed legal boundaries, leading to his conviction and a ten-year prison sentence. Today, Selgado’s legal team, led by attorneys Arthur Saldivar and Darrell Bradley, presented arguments to overturn the conviction. The hearing raised critical legal questions, including the reliance on a key statement from Giovanni Ramirez, the individual Selgado allegedly hired. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) conceded that without Ramirez’s statement, the prosecution’s case would have collapsed. Notably, Ramirez’s statement was admitted during a voir dire, despite his refusal to testify in person due to fears for his safety. Selgado’s lawyers argued that this violated the Evidence Act, as the prosecution failed to provide adequate protection or alternative testimony options for Ramirez. Additionally, they highlighted the absence of crucial evidence, such as a phone allegedly containing incriminating recordings, which was never recovered before the trial. After hours of deliberation, the panel of judges reserved their decision for a later date. Selgado remains incarcerated pending the outcome of this appeal, which could potentially alter the course of his case.
-

Police Investigate Sudden Death of 9-year-old Girl
A tragic incident has shaken the community of Belize City, as authorities investigate the sudden death of a nine-year-old girl, Evadne Martinez. The young girl reportedly collapsed at a residence near the intersection of Linda Vista Street and Police Street on the evening of Saturday, October 11, 2025. Emergency responders rushed her to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (K.H.M.H.), where medical personnel attempted to resuscitate her. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful, and Evadne was pronounced dead. While it is known that the child had a history of asthma, the exact cause of her sudden demise remains undetermined. Police have initiated a thorough investigation, and a post-mortem examination has been scheduled to ascertain the precise cause of death. ASP Stacy Smith, the Staff Officer overseeing the case, confirmed these details, emphasizing the need for clarity in this heartbreaking situation. The community mourns the loss of young Evadne, as questions linger about the circumstances surrounding her untimely passing.
-

Police ID Man Found Dead Near Foreshore
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into a mysterious death in Belize City, authorities have identified the deceased as 30-year-old Adrian Victor Bood, a Belizean national with no fixed address. Bood’s body was discovered floating near the Southern Foreshore on October 12, 2025. His sister has officially confirmed his identity, providing some closure to a case that has sparked widespread curiosity and concern. According to police, there are currently no indications of foul play or violence on the body. ASP Stacy Smith, the Staff Officer handling the case, revealed that Bood was known to reside in the streets of downtown Belize City, a fact corroborated by several local residents. However, his specific details remain unclear, prompting authorities to appeal to the public for assistance. Individuals with relatives matching the description are urged to visit the Raccoon Street or Queen Street Police Station with photographs to aid in the identification process. Investigators are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding Bood’s death, and updates will be provided as new information emerges.
