The Ministry of Infrastructure is currently sourcing specialised pedestrian lights for the Rodney Bay Marina crossing.

Government’s Chief Engineer Albert Jn Baptiste revealed that these lights, will replace the speed bumps that were put in place recently, to assist with bringing order to traffic in the area.

Jn Baptiste told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that the specialised pedestrian lights will not require the use of buttons.

Rather, they will have timers activated, to ensure that the traffic is allowed to flow for a certain period of time; before another pedestrian crossing is allowed.

The chief engineer told SNO that once the specialised pedestrian lights are installed and working, then the speed bumps will be removed.

A number of commuters have raised concerns over the buildup of traffic in that specific area, since the speed bumps have been constructed.

The primary reason for implementing the project, however, was to ensure maximum safety of pedestrians, especially in view that St. Lucia was hosting a major tourism event- the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). The event attracts hundreds of tourists, who frequent the area.

Jn Baptiste said while the Ministry of Infrastructure is concerned about the slowdown in traffic, measures had to be taken to ensure traffic safety for all pedestrians. “We do appreciate the fact that the speed bumps will slow down the movement of traffic. Loss of lives against loss of time, which one you would give greater importance to?” he questioned.

Further, Jn Baptiste said the ministry also has intentions of widening the road from Choc, all the way up to the Gros Islet junction, turning it into a four-lane highway. This will create a better flow of traffic. According to the chief engineer, the process has already begun.

The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Authority (SLHTA), through its Tourism Enhancement Fund committed funding to the tune of EC$250,000 towards construction of the Rodney Bay Marina Road Safety Enhancement Project.

A briton was killed in a vehicular accident on August 3 in the same area. The british flight attendant had just gotten off a mini-bus at the bus stop, opposite the food vans and was about to cross, when he was hit by a black Hyundai SUV vehicle.

Ross Stevenson.

PRESS RELEASE - General Manager Ross Stevenson of Saint Lucia’s Cap Maison has been nominated for the 2014 Award of Excellence by Luxury Travel Advisor as the Top General Managers Worldwide.

Mr. Ross Stevenson has been with Cap Maison, one of Fodor’s Top 100 Hotels and one of Saint Lucia’s top luxury resorts, since 2008.

Mr. Stevenson has 37 years of experience in the Hospitality Industry starting in Scotland in 1977, having worked in hotels in Germany, England, Barbados, and Switzerland.

He worked his way up the ladder within these hotels starting as a houseman in housekeeping and then working in restaurants and in the banqueting and conference departments, including banqueting administration, gaining vast practical experience along his journey.

His first General Manager position was in 1991. As General Manager of Cap Maison, Mr Stevenson played an instrumental part in the opening of this resort on October 26th 2008, in the midst of the turmoil of the worst global recession in living memory.

Mr. Stevenson currently serves on the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association Board of Directors as the 1st Vice President. He was also a guest speaker at the recently concluded Tourism Forum of the National Competiveness and Productivity Council’s ‘Productivity Awareness Week 2014′.

The Luxury Travel Advisor’s Award of Excellence is given to suppliers that make their clients’ travel experiences unforgettable. Every year, the Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence advisory board, an invitation-only panel made up of influential travel advisors who have graced the cover of Luxury Travel Advisor, hand-selects the nominees across a range of products.

And it is up to our travel advisor readers to determine who is most deserving of being named an Awards of Excellence finalist.

Voting is open to Travel Advisors only. Luxury Travel Advisor will unveil the winners at LTA’s ULTRA Summit on May 18th 2015.

The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) extends congratulations and warm wishes to Ross Stevenson on his nomination as one of the Top General Managers Worldwide.

A man was admitted to hospital yesterday after he allegedly drank a poisonous substance.

The man, who is in his 40s and originally from Barre Denis, was reportedly discovered by his girlfriend at their Goodlands, Castries residence, a source close to the family told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

It is believed that the man drank a herbicide called Touch Down.

The source added that the man and his girlfriend recently had an argument, which may have led to his attempt on his own life.

The news comes on the heels of a series of suspected suicides and attempted suicides across the island since the start of the festive season.

A 73-year-old Augier resident, Cletus Marc, passed away yesterday at St. Jude Hospital after allegedly ingesting gramoxone on Sunday.

On Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25), a Fond Assau resident was rushed to Victoria Hospital after he was suspected of drinking gramoxone. He was admitted to the hospital and is currently in stable condition.

On Friday morning at around 1:45, a man in his 20s, Goddard Albert, was found hanging underneath a house in Barre Denis.

On Sunday, a man attempted to hang himself in Barre Denis, two days after his distant neighbour, Goddard Albert, aka Debo, died from suspected suicide.

Reports are that the man was stopped after he was discovered by his girlfriend’s younger sister with the rope, getting ready to carry out the act Sunday morning underneath a house.

“They had time to remove the rope from his neck,” a resident of the community said.

Did you know in 1846 the parish priests of Castries invited the Sisters of the St. Joseph of Cluny to conduct schools in St. Lucia? The sisters lacked numbers, but they started a small indigenous community known as Filles de Marie.

In June 1846, six postulants including two St. Lucians sailed from Trinidad to St. Lucia with the goal of establishing a catholic education system. The Castries priests donated a house and on July 12, 1847, their convent cum school opened its doors. Boarding fees were initially their only source of income, but from 1852, day students were also admitted.

In 1854, the Filles de Marie merged with the Sisters of Trinidad and in January 1855, St. Lucia welcomed its own community of Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny. The sisters extended their property on Micoud Street and eventually built a convent and various school buildings in and around Castries, where they taught infant, primary and secondary level students.

Did you know catholic education came to Dennery in 1859, to Micoud in 1861, to Gros Islet in 1862, and to Soufriѐre in 1864? In Soufriѐre, the sisters rented a house on Bridge Street to teach girls and infants. Two years later there were 118 students and by 1880, there were 276. For some decades, housing problems hindered their expansion, but in 1904, a convent, infant and primary school were built in Soufriѐre.

Did you know in 1873 a catholic school was built in Laborie?

Did you know in 1879 a catholic school was built in Choiseul, Anse La Raye and Canaries and one was built in Vieux Fort in 1881? The Sisters also built a convent on Belvedere Hill in Vieux Fort in 1892 and started infant and primary boys’ and girls’ schools. Catholic schools were also built in Aupicon and Derriѐre Morne. In 1898, Gros Islet saw the opening of a catholic girls’ school, when the old presbytery was transformed into a convent and a nearby building turned into a school.

Did you know in 1890, all Lady Mico schools were closed down in St. Lucia following an Education Ordinance which increased government control over schools and an inspector of schools was appointed? The change was opposed by some, who believed the quality of education dropped under the new regime.

The Wesleyan Mission took over the Castries Mico School and a small number of trained teachers continued to arrive in St. Lucia from the Mico Institution in Antigua. However, by 1890, St. Lucia had six government schools, two Anglican schools, one Wesleyan school, four East Indian Mission Schools and 24 catholic schools.

Source: A History of S. Lucia by Harmsen, Ellis & Devaux – 2012

This feature runs every Tuesday and Thursday. It is compiled by daughter of the soil Anselma Aimable, a former agricultural officer and former correspondent for Caribbean Net News, who has a deep interest in local culture and history. Send ideas and tips to doublea@candw.lc. 

PRESS RELEASE - Residents of Comfort Bay Senior Citizens’ Home in Vieux –Fort experienced the true feeling of Christmas last Friday when they were treated with lunch, T-shirts and some entertainment by the International American University College of Medicine (IAU).

The event which was attended by several prominent individuals of Vieux-Fort including Senator  Debra Cynthia Tobierre, Winall Joshua,  Mayor of Vieux-Fort and CyrilSaltibus, national volunteer coordinator, brought smiles on the faces of the senior citizens who showed a great deal of appetite for the food.

Claudia John, a supervisor of Comfort Bay commended IAU for their humanitarian gesture, adding that it will go a long way in making the senior citizens feel they are part of society and experience the true spirit of Christmas.

She described the quality of the food as excellent and the initiative a well thought one.

“The senior citizens were well fed. The food was prepared to their requirements,” John said

Joshua, also lauded the initiative of the school, describing it as a wonderful gesture.

He said it is good for people who are so easily forgotten be remembered by institutions in their community. “It is a point of light that will illuminate the country as it represents generosity, empathy and sympathy,” Joshua said.

He urged the school to continue such initiative which is greatly appreciated by residents of the community.

Public Relations Officer of the school, SibiGopalakrishnan, said he was pleased by the reception the school got from the residence and staff of Comfort Bay.

According to him, the staff and students of IAU will make it their bounding duty to continue giving the institution a treat every Christmas season, adding that next year the event will be much bigger and better.

“We are committed to providing true comfort of the residence of Comfort Bay. The school feels the senior citizens of this country should never be forgotten, since they have all contributed to the development of this country in one way or the another,” Gopalakrishnan said.

He sees the initiative as part of the school’s corporate social responsible for which the school was awarded forin 2014 by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce.

This is the second consecutive year Comfort Bay has benefitted from the generosity of the school.

PRESS RELEASE - The SLHTA is pleased to announce that Mr. Wendel George has been accepted to participate in the JICA Group Training Course on ‘Sustainable Tourism Development, Utilising Island Areas’.

The programme will be held in Okinawa at the JICA Okinawa International Center, Japan. The course runs from Wednesday 7th January to Saturday February 28th 2015.

Wendel is scheduled to leave the island on Monday 5th January.

The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association would like to wish him all the best in his studies.

PRESS RELEASE - The University of  the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC) in Trinidad has confirmed that today, Tuesday, December 31, 2014, at about 3:45 am (local time), an earthquake occurred approximately 73.0 km South East of Castries, Saint Lucia.

According to preliminary results, the event occurred at a depth of 23 km and had a magnitude of 3.6 on the Richter scale.

The National Emergency Management Organization has not yet received any reports of damage as a result of this event.

Hannah Defoe.

NORTH LONDON TODAY - The death of an aspiring dancer on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday was the result of manslaughter, an inquest has concluded.

The Advertiser has learned that the St Lucian inquest into the death of Hannah Defoe in a luxury resort on the island on July 25 2012 has concluded with a verdict of manslaughter as decided by a jury.

The inquest in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia started in February 2014 and has taken almost a year to hear evidence from all parties concerned with the tragedy.

Hannah was electrocuted and died while swimming in the pool in the luxury resort of Juliette’s Lodge in Vieux Fort in the south of the paradise island.

Giving evidence to the St Lucian inquest via video link in November her aunt Janet Defoe, who was on holiday with her niece at the time, told the inquest jury that Hannah had been swimming in the pool when suddenly she called and sank beneath the water.

She told of repeated attempts to rescue her niece from the pool – but the water was inexplicably live and no one was able to dive in to save her without themselves suffering electric shocks.

Reading from her witness statement she told the jury and Magistrate Robert Innocent: “I ran to the pool and when I got there I saw Hannah’s body stretched out at the bottom of the pool. I jumped into the pool to rescue her.

“As soon as I jumped in I felt a fuzzy feeling over my whole body.”

The British inquest into her death has been repeatedly postponed while the authorities waited for the St Lucian inquest to conclude.

However, now that there is a verdict in the island’s own investigations it is expected that the British inquest can proceed.

Speaking to the Advertiser Hope Defoe, Hannah’s mother, said: “We are very encouraged by this verdict as we were beginning to feel that it was all a charade.

“We are very hopeful that criminal proceedings will follow but have been warned that this could take years.”

Regional online magazine Caribbean Journal published on Tuesday its list of the 25 most interesting people in the Caribbean for 2014, a roster that includes St. Lucia’s very own, Nina Compton.

CaribJournal said: “St Lucia native Nina Compton’s run on Top Chef united viewers across the Caribbean, much like Jamaican Tessanne Chin did on The Voice in 2013.”

“Blessed with expert culinary talent and natural charisma, Compton was soon after named St Lucia’s culinary ambassador — and she continues to be major voice for the power of Caribbean cuisine — globally. We’re excited to see what she does next.”

Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister, Gaston Browne, and Dominica Premier Roosevelt Skerrit, both re-elected in 2014, made the ranks of the most relevant politicians.

Virgin Group founder Branson and Claudine Neisson-Vernant, matriarch of the Neisson rum dynasty in Martinique, were selected as the top business people in the region.

Shawne Bryan of Anguilla are also on the list. Barbados native Rihanna, Cuban singer Leslie Cartaya and Jamaican reggae artist Lee “Scratch” Perry were selected for their achievements.

The list continues with Haitian artist Edouard Duval, Jamaican writer Marlon James, director and curator of Cayman Islands National Gallery Natalie Urquhart, Dominican actress Dascha Polanco, Jamaican model Jeneil Williams and Trinidadian researcher Joan Latchman.

In sports, 2014 was a good year for Cuban baseball player Jose Abreu; Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt; Jamaican swimmer Alia Atkinson; and U.S. Virgin Islands-born NBA star Tim Duncan, according to Caribbean Journal.

Twenty-six-year-old Kevin Edward, aka Tumpy, of Bishop’s Gap, Castries has been charged with the attempted murder of his four-month-old infant Paris Leonce.

Edward is expected to make his first court appearance today, where the charge will be read to him. Relatives have confirmed that Edward suffered from mental illness before.

On Monday, December 29, 2014, officers attached to the Marchand Police Station received a report that a baby was being held hostage at a residence in Marchand.

They alerted officers attached to the Major Crimes Unit, Special Services Unit and the Criminal Investigations Department and immediately responded.

A police press statement said on arrival at the said location, the officers observed a male who was later identified as Edward, holding a baby. At the time, he was holding a knife to the baby.

This individual, on several occasions threatened to kill the baby, who was identified as  his baby Paris. Numerous attempts to persuade the suspect to hand over the baby proved futile.

The suspect concealed himself in his house, in the process stabbing the baby multiple times. The officers were able to retrieve the baby and subdue the suspect.

The baby was transported to Victoria Hospital, where she was treated and admitted for multiple stab wounds. She is currently in stable condition.

There has been a significant decrease in the number of confirmed cases of chikungunya in Saint Lucia over the past few months. This trend is likely to continue in the new year, once citizens continue to take all necessary precautions that will reduce mosquito breeding.

National Epidemiologist, Nahum Jn. Baptiste, said in a recent report that during the months of October to November, cases were presented sporadically. There was an average of about two cases per week. There have also been no confirmed cases for the month of December.

Saint Lucia had its first confirmed case of chikungunya on April 1, 2014. Subsequently, there was an upsurge in cases from the fourth week in April. There was also peaking in the fourth week of June and then it decreased steeply toward the end of September.

Meanwhile, Jn Baptiste said based on observations, cases of dengue are also expected to become negligible. This is mainly due to the dwindling populations of mosquitoes, during the cold season. The mosquito borne virus is also transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

However, health officials in neighbouring St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) are investigating two possible deaths, as a consequence of the mosquito-borne illness. Two elderly patients are suspected to have died from chikungunya. The suspected deaths have not yet been confirmed.

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) had warned the Caribbean has not yet felt the “full impact” of the disease. CARPHA’s Executive Director Dr. James Hospedales has said that there is an estimate in excess of 600,000 cases in total.

Chikungunya is a disease caused by the chikungunya virus which typically causes fever, along with an arthritis-like pain in the joints and a rash. It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Although caused by a different virus, the symptoms of chikungunya can appear very similar to those of dengue fever.

There is no vaccine or medication that protects against chikungunya virus.

PRESS RELEASE - BILD is an international programme first pioneered in Ghana & Tanzania in 2009. They have a worldwide network of locally trained tutors responsible for the delivery of leadership courses which currently benefit 500,000 young people, and work through partnerships with ministries, NGOs, higher education institutes and international networks. Saint Lucia and Jamaica are the only two Caribbean countries currently implementing the programme.

The vision of the BILD Programme is to improve the sport and physical activity experience for children and young people through the development of sports leadership training.

It is expected to instill leadership qualities and strengthen the skills of youth, utilize sports-based training to be integrated into schools, sports clubs and local community groups, as well as to equip young people with knowledge and skills desirable to future employers.

In light of this, the Ministry of Sport is seeking vibrant persons who are community youth and sports leaders to become local tutors. They will be expected to undergo a two week training workshop to become trainers for young leaders island wide.

For more information, or to indicate your interest in participating, please email BILD Country Manager, Mary Wilfred, at marywilfed@gmail.com by January 10th, 2015.

The Vieux Fort Fire Station is investigating a house fire in Augier (near 375 Disco) that occurred earlier tonight, Dec. 31.

The Station received the emergency call at about 8:30 p.m.

Officials say the 12×16 wooden house was totally destroyed.

No one was at home at the time of the fire.

PRESS RELEASE - The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) in collaboration with Monroe College is pleased to offer another round of Chef’s Administrative Training for Chefs working within the Hospitality Industry.

The training in 2014 was very successful, with over 40 Chefs receiving training in Administration relating to Food & Beverage. The training continues to be in demand from more properties, so the SLHTA is pleased to invite members take advantage of this programme.

The certification course is being offered by Monroe College and is facilitated every Friday from 9am – 3pm, over a six week period and will be held at the Monroe College Campus. Upon completion, participants will graduate and receive a certificate from the institution.

The course starts on January 23rd 2015. Kindly reserve your space before Friday 16th January 2015. Interested establishments are asked to register with the SLHTA by contacting Ms. Shanet Mathurin at support@slhta.com.

The cost for the programme is EC $1,250.00 and is payable in full BEFORE commencement of the training.

Did you know Dennery was originally known as L’Anse (Lance) Canot and Le Grand Mabouya and this district had been re-named after Count d’Ennery?

From 1765 – 1767, Count d’Ennery had written many comprehensive reports about St. Lucia and had gone on to become the governor of the Windward Islands.

There were no decent ports except for a mediocre landing site in the village and the lack of safe shipping hindered the export of crops. This explains why, despite the abundance of fertile soil in the Mabouya Valley and the presence of plenty cocoa and coffee estates, the majority of the Quartier d’Ennery was still covered in forest.

Did you know the districts of Joubert (Marigot/Roseau) and d’Ennery had some of the most fertile soil and yet still the land was the least cultivated?

Source: St. Lucia by Harmsen, Ellis & Devaux – 2012
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Did you know the Dennery Water Works was opened in June 1915?

Did you know the Legislative Council passed the Rural House Tax Ordinance in November 1915?

Did you know a Hookworm Campaign was launched in St. Lucia in April 1915?

Did you know the Teachers’ Association held its first meeting on September 1, 1917?

Source: Outlines of St. Lucia’s History by Rev. Fr. Charles Jesse – 1994

This feature runs every Tuesday and Thursday. It is compiled by daughter of the soil Anselma Aimable, a former agricultural officer and former correspondent for Caribbean Net News, who has a deep interest in local culture and history. Send ideas and tips to doublea@candw.lc.  

St. Lucian national Lloyd Roberts Maloni yesterday appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, charged with overstaying his permitted time in Guyana.

Represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. Peter Hugh, Maloni pleaded not guilty to the charge when particulars were read to him. His attorney made application for reasonable bail, informing the court that his client is a father of a minor child.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant opposed bail on the ground that his client is a flight risk, since he is a St. Lucia national.

Maloni was nevertheless granted up to 10 am yesterday to post $50,000 bail, and the matter was transferred before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond for January 7.

Thousands of dollars went up in smoke this morning around 9:00 after fire of unknown origin destroyed a structure on the premises of the Balata Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Castries.

Reports are that material being used to build the new church were stored in the old structure which was destroyed by the fire.

Dornelly’s Inn, located next to the church, received minor damages.

Church services are being held downstairs the unfinished building, sources said.

One fire truck from the Castries fire station responded to the report.

Prior to firefighters arrival, residents tried to extinguish the blaze.

A Castries man was arrested this morning for attempting to smuggle drugs into the Bordelais Correctional Facility, a reliable source has confirmed.

The source said prison officers spotted the man close to the prison’s perimeter fence. The officers searched him and found an undisclosed quantity of marijuana in his possession.

The man was also found with hacksaw blade, one cellular phone and a charger in his possession. Police officials believe the man was trying to smuggle all the items in the prison.

He was arrested and taken to the Dennery Police Station. He is expected to be charged shortly.

The annual Assou Square celebration has been successful so far. The two-day extravaganza was brought back to the City of Castries, after a few years of experimenting with other venues.

The Castries City Council seems optimistic that it’s found what could be a permanent home for the Assou Square festivities or at least a suitable venue for next year’s celebration.

PRESS RELEASE - The National Insurance Corporation (NIC) reminds the public that in keeping with the provision of Statutory Instrument, 2002, No. 102 (28th October, 2002) the retirement age for the receipt of a full National Insurance pension will be 65 years effective January 2015.

Retirement pensions can be paid as early as age 60 years once all other qualifying conditions are met.

Applicants should note however that there will be a reduction factor applied to all such pensions paid between ages 60 and 65 years.

Interested persons are invited to contact the National Insurance for any additional information they may require.