The Ministry of Works has issued a public advisory regarding scheduled night works in Booby Alley. The operations, set to take place tonight, will involve the use of heavy-duty equipment, necessitating heightened caution from the public. Motorists are specifically requested to comply with designated detours and follow all instructions provided by traffic control personnel. The Ministry emphasizes the importance of safety during these operations and appreciates the public’s cooperation in ensuring a smooth and secure process. Residents and commuters in the affected area are encouraged to plan their routes accordingly to minimize inconvenience.
分类： society
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Design Phase Complete for UWI Five Islands Expansion as Saudi Development Team Visits Antigua
The ambitious expansion of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus has reached a pivotal milestone, with the design phase now officially concluded. Education Minister Daryl Matthew convened a crucial meeting on Tuesday with representatives from the Saudi Fund for Development, the government’s key development partner, to assess progress and outline the next steps. The meeting marked the beginning of a series of sessions involving the development team, project management team, government officials, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and momentum.
Detailed renderings for the dormitory buildings and sports complex have been finalized, and construction drawings are expected to be completed within weeks. Upon finalization, the project will be opened for international tender, paving the way for construction to commence. Notably, the relocation of the Five Islands Primary School, which must be moved to accommodate the campus expansion, is already underway.
The new campus is designed to be a beacon of modernity and sustainability, incorporating cutting-edge features such as solar panels, advanced water treatment systems, comprehensive IT integration, and accessibility enhancements. A standout component of the development is the establishment of the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to integrate computer science across various academic disciplines.
Minister Matthew expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, ‘This is a very modern campus with a forward-thinking curriculum. It has the potential to transform not only our nation but also the entire region. I am thrilled to witness this transformative development in my lifetime.’ The expansion is poised to significantly enhance educational infrastructure and opportunities in the region, marking a new era for higher education in the Caribbean.
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Gaming and Lotteries Bill Paused for Revisions
Belize’s Senate has temporarily halted the passage of the Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill 2025, citing significant gaps in public accountability and community protection. The proposed legislation, aimed at overhauling the nation’s gambling laws, faced intense scrutiny following an investigative report by News Five on the Caribi Bleu Casino in San Pedro. The report revealed unauthorized operations, including an illegal ATM dispensing U.S. currency and an excessive number of golf cart permits, leading to the casino’s license revocation and the arrest of its owner, Ray, in the U.S. on fraud and illegal gambling charges. Church Senator Louis Wade spearheaded the call for revisions, emphasizing the need for ‘no gambling zones,’ community involvement in licensing decisions, and stricter safeguards against minors’ exposure to gambling. The bill, initially intended to consolidate existing laws, will now undergo further review to address these pressing concerns before returning to the Senate.
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Three Years Later, State to Compensate Families of Crash Victims
In a landmark ruling three years after a devastating highway accident, the High Court of Belize has determined that the government holds primary liability for the tragic collision that claimed the lives of two young students. The incident occurred on October 11, 2022, near Ranchito Village, when a taxi van carrying students from Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College collided head-on with an ambulance. The crash resulted in eleven injuries and the immediate death of 21-year-old Jorge Vargas. Seventeen-year-old Jaheem Williams succumbed to his injuries two months later.
Justice Lisa Shoman Nabi, presiding over the case, concluded that while all three drivers involved shared some responsibility, the ambulance driver and the state bore the majority of the blame. The court noted that the ambulance’s emergency lights and sirens were not activated at the time of the accident. The ambulance, driven by Louis Canelo, was reportedly attempting to overtake a truck en route to the Northern Regional Hospital when the collision occurred.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the school honored Vargas by erecting a memorial altar and planned to award his family an honorary associate degree. The court’s ruling now mandates the Belizean government to provide compensation to the families of the victims, marking a significant step toward accountability and justice for the affected families.
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Caribbean Centre for Child Neurodevelopment launches fatherhood programme
A groundbreaking initiative in Grenada, titled ‘Coaching4Dads,’ is set to tackle the root causes of crime and violence by focusing on the emotional development of young fathers. Spearheaded by the Caribbean Centre for Child Neurodevelopment (CCCN) and funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), this 16-week pilot project will conduct workshops and group sessions in St. David and St. George’s. Unlike traditional parenting programs that predominantly target mothers, Coaching4Dads shifts the spotlight to fathers, a group often overlooked in early childhood development discussions. The program will engage 24 men who are fathers of young children (ages 0–3), equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and coaching support needed to parent with empathy, confidence, and non-violence. Modeled after the successful Saving Brains Grenada (SBG) framework, this initiative aims to foster physically and emotionally healthy children while breaking generational cycles of violence. Jerry Bascombe, a seasoned Conscious Discipline Coach in Grenada, leads the program, which arrives at a crucial time as the nation grapples with rising violence among young males and increasing father absence in families. Stephanie Sprott, Political Counsellor at the High Commission of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, emphasized Canada’s commitment to supporting fathers as a cornerstone for safer societies. ‘Investing in strong households is investing in national security,’ she stated. ‘When men are supported to be present, emotionally healthy caregivers, we expect stronger households, more resilient communities, and fewer young people drawn into cycles of crime and violence.’ The workshops will cover emotion regulation, mental health, positive discipline strategies, child development, and creating safe, nurturing environments. The long-term goals of Coaching4Dads are ambitious yet essential, aiming to improve fathers’ mental health and parenting confidence, reduce corporal punishment and intimate partner violence, strengthen emotional bonds between fathers and children, and shift cultural perceptions of fatherhood and masculinity in Grenada. The project is part of a broader effort to reduce family-based violence and enhance developmental outcomes for young children in the region.
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U.S. Tourist Fined for Importing Weed into Belize
A 25-year-old American entertainer’s vacation in Belize took an unexpected turn when customs officials discovered marijuana in his luggage upon arrival. Elijah Quartey Mack, a Texas native, landed at Philip Goldson International Airport on Monday via a Delta flight from Atlanta. During a routine baggage inspection, officers uncovered three vacuum-sealed bags of cannabis, totaling just over a quarter pound.
The following day, Mack appeared before a senior magistrate without legal representation. He entered a guilty plea, expressed remorse, and clarified that he had no intention of disrespecting Belizean laws, acknowledging the differing marijuana regulations between the U.S. and Belize. While recreational cannabis is legal in some U.S. states, Texas, Mack’s home state, maintains strict prohibitions against possession of any amount. Even in Atlanta, where his journey began, only small quantities (less than an ounce) have been decriminalized.
Rather than facing jail time, Mack was fined $2,700, a reduction from the original penalty. He promptly paid the fine and was released the same day. The incident highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to local laws when traveling internationally.
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The numbers don’t add up!
Members of Jamaica’s Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee expressed deep skepticism on Wednesday over the National Water Commission’s (NWC) optimistic recovery figures following Hurricane Melissa. Despite NWC’s claim that 75% of its systems had been restored islandwide, MPs highlighted the stark disparity between these numbers and the ongoing water shortages in severely affected western parishes. Acting NWC Vice President of Operations, Dr. Phillipa Campbell-Francis, explained the complexity of the recovery process, citing 1,000 water systems dependent on electricity, many of which remain damaged or inoperable. However, MPs like James Robertson of St Thomas Western and Heroy Clarke of St James Central argued that the NWC’s data failed to reflect the dire reality on the ground, where communities still lacked piped water weeks after the storm. Clarke criticized the inefficiency of water trucking operations, noting that logistical delays left many areas underserved. MPs also questioned the methodology behind the NWC’s figures, with Richard Azan of Clarendon North Western quipping that the numbers seemed “drone-generated.” NWC officials acknowledged challenges, including power outages, siltation, and pipeline leaks, but assured that efforts were underway to restore full service. Despite support from Global Support and Development, which provided emergency water supplies, parishes like Westmoreland and St Elizabeth remain far from full recovery. The committee urged the NWC to provide clearer data and realistic timelines to address the crisis effectively.
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Heavy traffic in Linstead following alleged shootout
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A violent confrontation between law enforcement and alleged gunmen has resulted in significant traffic disruptions in Linstead. The incident, which unfolded overnight on the Linstead Bypass, led to the deaths of four individuals. Witnesses reported that vehicles were immobilized near the Rosemount roundabout, causing gridlock in the area. Authorities have cordoned off a section of the road to facilitate an investigation by the Independent Commission of Investigation. The scene was marked by numerous yellow police indicators, typically used to identify spent shell casings, while one of the vehicles involved bore multiple bullet holes. Preliminary reports suggest that the deceased were suspects in a prior shooting in Guys Hill, which claimed one life and left another injured. The community remains on edge as investigations continue.
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‘Restraint will be tested’
The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services is grappling with an unprecedented emotional challenge as its officers are now tasked with guarding the man accused of murdering their colleague, Ashantino Johnson. Commissioner of Corrections Doan Cleare acknowledged the difficulty of the situation during a heartfelt healing session for Johnson’s co-workers. The session, filled with tears and hymns, underscored the deep bond among the officers, particularly Johnson’s 2024 squadmates, who are described as one of the most cohesive groups in the department’s history. Johnson, a 23-year-old officer from Lower Bogue, Eleuthera, was fatally stabbed in a violent altercation at Blu Ice Restaurant & Bar on November 5, just months after graduating from the department’s training program. Two other officers were injured in the incident but are recovering well. Commissioner Cleare emphasized the department’s mandate to rehabilitate even the most challenging individuals, urging officers to exercise restraint and professionalism despite the emotional toll. The government has also directed the department to enhance training for new recruits to better prepare them for the dangers of the job. Johnson’s family and colleagues remember him as a dedicated and joyful individual who was proud to serve his country.
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WATCH: Fury over frogs in tank
In a heated monthly meeting of the St Ann Municipal Corporation, Councillor Ian Bell of the People’s National Party (PNP) for the Beecher Town Division took a firm stance, refusing to proceed with the agenda until he received a satisfactory update on the refurbishment of a contaminated water tank in Epworth. The tank, the sole water source for the community, has been tainted with frog remains, a critical issue Bell raised during the previous month’s meeting. Despite assurances that the superintendent had been instructed to address the problem, Bell expressed frustration over the lack of progress, stating, ‘Today, nothing has been done at that tank.’
Mayor Michael Belnavis of St Ann’s Bay attempted to calm the situation, but Bell’s concerns were only partially addressed when Saad Williams, the corporation’s chief engineering officer, provided an update. Williams revealed that a second assessment of the tank had determined the allocated budget was insufficient for temporary repairs. A revised estimate is now being prepared, and the project awaits additional funding before any action can be taken. The delay has left the Epworth community without access to clean water, highlighting ongoing challenges in local infrastructure management.