PRESS RELEASE – SNL would like to extend our sincerest sympathies and well wishes to the people of Dominica after the severe devastation caused by tropical storm Erika yesterday.

Our hearts go out to those of you who have friends, family or work mates over there, as we extend our prayers to them and the other territories affected.

As such, please note that there will be no Super 6 draw today. Draw #1542 has now been rescheduled to next Tuesday September 1st 2015. For those of you who’ve already purchased your tickets don’t worry… just be sure to hold on to them for Tuesday’s draw.

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Minister Alva Baptiste.

PRESS RELEASE – The Honourable Alva Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, headed Saint Lucia’s delegation to the First Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (“the ATT”) which was held from 24th to 27th August, 2015 in Cancún, Mexico.

The First Conference of States Parties (CSP) brought together States Parties, signatory States, representatives of civil society, industry and international organisations and established the necessary mechanisms to ensure the successful implementation of the Treaty. The Conference, among other things:

-Adopted the Rules of Procedure for the Conference, and all subsequent (CSPs)

-Adopted the Financial Rules, which would govern the ATT Secretariat

-Determined the programme of work up to the next Conference; and

-Decided on matters relating to the Permanent Secretariat of the ATT including the location of the Secretariat.

Saint Lucia, like the rest of the CARICOM Member States have played an active role throughout the negotiations and preparatory process of the ATT.

Participation in this inaugural Conference has ensured that Saint Lucia continues to actively contribute in the implementation of the Treaty.

The Minister in his address to the High Level Segment of the Conference emphasized that the Arms Trade Treaty, serves as a testimony of the political will of states like Saint Lucia to address the unregulated access to guns and ammunition.

The Minister urged States present, that “This treaty will be judged according to its success in preventing arms transfers that risk contributing to or facilitating human suffering. Let our work here this week ensure that when we plead our just cause before the bar of history that our decisions impact positively on those most affected.”

The effective implementation of the ATT will benefit the citizens of Saint Lucia by assisting the relevant authorities to establish and manage controls to regulate trade in conventional arms and ammunition. This will contribute to the reduction in the transfer of illegal small arms, light weapons and homicides with firearms.

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Motor vehicles at Choc round-about.

A special press conference was held at the Ministry of Infrastructure today, Friday, August 28, 2015 to formally introduce the Annual Vehicle License Reform.

Below is the official statement made by Permanent Secretary:

During the 2015/2016 budget address, the Hon. Prime Minister alluded to various revenue reforms geared towards increasing revenue and improving the overall efficiency of several government departments, while engendering a greater degree of fairness in the tax system. Among these measures was a proposal to reform the annual vehicle license system.

The last revision to the vehicle license regime was conducted in 2009, some six years ago. This system reintroduced annual vehicle licenses, and two broad categories were stipulated.

The current system causes cars, jeeps and minibuses to pay a fee of $150.00, while all goods vehicles and earth-moving equipment pay $300.00.

This system cannot be considered fair as it does not cause the owner of larger vehicles in particular to make a fair contribution towards the maintenance of our roads predicated on the fact that their contribution to road deterioration is indeed greater.

Consistent with a desire to create more fairness and equity in the taxation system, and to ensure that all road users pay their fair share to contribute to the maintenance of our roads, the Government has conducted extensive research on this issue and has developed a new mechanism to achieve this objective.

The new system is progressively tiered and based on motor vehicle weight and degree of road deterioration. The new mechanism which will be implemented from September 1st 2015 is consistent with what obtains in other islands in the region, and also in some more developed countries.

The following is an explanation of how the new system has been designed:

Firstly, the weight of private cars and goods vehicles will be the basis for arriving at the new annual license fees for these vehicles. Three (3) weight classes are proposed for private cars. The cut off points for each is based on average weights observed for intuitively small, medium and large cars. Some of the examples of private cars in the 3 categories are as follows:

250. Class A: Nissan Cube, Kia Picanto, Hyundai Gets, Chevrolet Spark just to name a few and the fee for class A is $250.00. Class A applies to all private cars weighing less than 1,134 kg.
251. Class B: Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord just to mention a few, and the fee for Class B is $300.00. Class B applies to all private cars with weight ranging from 1,134 kg to 1,587 kg.
252. Class C: Toyota Prado, Mitsubishi Pajero etc and the fee for class C is $350.00. Class C allies to all private cars with weight of 1,588 kg and over.

75% of the vehicle stock on island is estimated to be private cars with 39% being Class A, 41% in class B and 19% in class c.

Four (4) classes exist for goods vehicles, and the following criteria and fees are applicable:

450. Less than 1,000 kg : $450.00
451. Less than 1,001 kg to 3,000 kg: $550.00
452. Less than 3,001 kg to 5,000 kg: $600.00
453. 5,001 kg and over: $700.

The category for Hired Vehicles is as follows;

250. Class A: less than 1,134 kg: $250.00
251. Class B: 1,134 kg to 1,587 kg: $300.00
252. Class C: 1,588 kg and over: $350.00

Passenger vehicles which carry an M plate will over the next two years be required to pay Annual Vehicle license of $150.00 as has existed in previous years.

Farming vehicles remain unchanged and will pay an annual license fee of $150.00

All motorcycles will be required to pay annual license of $150.00.

A Mobile crane will pay an annual License fee of $500.00.

A motorcycle used as a Hearse will pay an annual license of $150.00, while all other hearses will be required to pay $300.00.

The Annual License fee for Earth moving Equipment is $750.00

The Annual License fee of tractor with pneumatic tyres is $750.00

The annual license fee for roller is $750.00.

The Annual license fee for Unit Heads for container trucks is $750.00.

The Annual License fee for a concrete mixing truck is $750.00.

Mrs. Allison Jean
Permanent Secretary.

In an attempt to ensure that this system is administered fairly and smoothly, a list of some 600 vehicle dis-aggregated by manufacturer has been collated by the Ministry of Finance with kerb weights covering the period 1995 to 2015.

This master list will be updated on a periodic basis. Discussions have been held with the Customs and Excise Department to amend their administrative procedures to ensure that weight of vehicles imported is captured and appropriately stored. It is anticipated that the Customs and Excise Department will on a monthly basis to send to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport a list of vehicles imported for that period and their weight.

The government recognizes that a proper road network is essential for national development. Collecting revenues for that purpose through vehicle fees is an appropriate mechanism. Over the past few years the cost of maintaining the road system has escalated.

While this new revenue mechanism is expected to raise an additional $3.5 Million annually, this only represents a fraction of what is required since road maintenance and rehabilitation is one of the largest areas of government’s capital expenditure. Presently, the cost of one mile of road is approximately $1.5 Million.

It should be noted that over the past three years, 17 bridges have been constructed. Road works in the Islands’ south, inclusive of new road construction in Vieux Fort, Laborie and Choiseul, which were conducted between 2014 and 2015 cost approximately $60 Million.

The Government is preparing in 2016 to undertake rehabilitation work on approximately 38 km of farming roads from funding provided by KAFED, which is likely to cost $51 Million. In the 2015/2016 Budget, another $45 Million will be spent on rehabilitating community and Primary roads using the Finance Build Approach.

The government has also signaled its intention to continue the 4 lane highway into Gros Islet from the Choc Roundabout. That project will also cause 20 km of secondary roads around Gros Islet to be repaired, and the project is likely to cost approximately $150 Million.

Finally, this new measure represents part of a larger plan by government to help reduce the fiscal deficit while continuing to provide essential services to the entire population. The road infrastructure across this country is aging and each day, the government has to respond to the demands of its citizens for world class infrastructure.

The additional revenue from this measure will assist in bolstering governments’ public sector investment in road maintenance. We therefore look forward to the support of the motoring public as we collectively rebuild the country’s infrastructure.

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The Saint Lucia delegation performs at CARIFESTA XII Haití 2015.

PRESS RELEASE – The Saint Lucia delegation for CARIFESTA XII which is being held in Haiti arrived on the 21st August in time for the opening ceremony which featured a parade of all the participating islands in a parade of TAP-Tap (a popular means of transportation in Haiti as the center of attraction carrying the flags of the various islands.)

There was also a mega cultural performance filled with color, history and culture performed by the people of Haiti as well as addresses by the President of Haiti, Minister of Culture and the Secretary General for CARIFESTA, welcoming all the participating countries.

Although the ceremony was brought to a premature end due to heavy rain, it was definitely well organized and set the pace for a week of cultural extravaganza.

The St. Lucian delegation of artistic performers had absolutely no rest, immediately Saturday 22nd August both the theatre and Dance were scheduled to perform on that day at one of the main venues (The Triomphe) a newly built top class theater facility, where the St Lucian dancers presented a 20 minute dance Presentation, featuring Bele, Masquerade, Folk Dance and Calypso by Lennon “Blaze”Prospere, and they concluded withthe theatre play “An KwiDouvanJou” written by Michael Fontenelle. Both dance and Theatre were well received by the Haitian and Caribbean audience.

The St Lucia dance Team (Silver Shadow Dancers) also performed on Monday 24th August at an outside theatre Facility Called Palais Municipal where they presented Dance and Calypso featuring , Black Perl, Gandolph St. Clair and Lennon Blaze Propere and on Wednesday the St Lucian Dance team alongside the Jamaican National Dance Theatre Company presented together a Dance spectacle at one of the Main and biggest Venues of Carifesta the KIOSQUE, where the St.Lucia masquerade was loved by the audience and is becoming more popular at the festival.

During the festival other members attended Various Caricom Symposiums and supported the other islands as they presented their works of Art.  Generally the St Lucia Delegation is well received and is definitely making a mark at the Festival.

On Thursday 27th August the St. Lucian Films POETRY IS AN ISLAND, 21 DAYS, TINY and GROUND ZERO were featured at the Carifesta Film Festival at the Triomphe Theatre and the St. Lucian delegation presented at St. Lucia Country Night a wonderful collaborative performance of dance, drama and song which was enthusiastically received by the Haitian and Caribbean audience at the Grand Market.

St Lucia’s final performances will be the dance production “Poetry in Motion” which is inspired by some of Derek Walcott’s more popular poems and will be performed tonight Friday 28th August at the National Theatre and the play “An Kwi Douvan Jou” will be performed on Saturday 29th August at the same venue.

Two members of the Saint Lucian delegation displaying the nation’s flag at CARIFESTA XII Haití 2015.

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PRESS RELEASE – The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) wishes to advise of actions and schedule for 28th August 2015

Network News

The following areas were supplied and are currently being supplied.

-Fond Cannie and Cacoa

– Lower Ti- Chemin, Fond Assau, Chassin, Cabiche, Talvern & Hill 20

– Plateau

– La Guerre was supplied

Damages

-Damage 6” mains at Roseau. Crew will repair line today.

Critical Actions

The following areas will be supplied and are currently being supplied.

-Lower Ti- Chemin, Fond Assau, Chassin, Cabiche, Talvern & Hill 2

-Fond Cannie

-Garand.

-Upper Monier above Fosting Development to Plateau Pump house Desrameaux, La Borne, Ravine Macok, Ti Dauphin and environs

-Plateau

Whilst we will maintain the supply of water to the aforementioned areas, there may be inconsistencies due to demand.

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Former LUCELEC Managing Director Bernard Theobalds, Mrs Clydella Huggins and her daughter cut the ribbon to officially open the LUCELEC Workshop named in honour of Mr Theobalds and Mr Huggins.

PRESS RELEASE – The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) has a new, well equipped electronics workshop. The new workshop, funded by the LUCELEC Trust, was officially opened on August 27, 2015.

The facility will allow the College to introduce more specialized and a wider range of courses in Electronics and Electrical Technology including Video, Audio, Lighting, Security Surveillance and Instrumentation. It will also allow the College to accept more students into the programme.

The LUCELEC Trust, contributed three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) to refurbish and equip the workshop. LUCELEC’s Managing Director Trevor Louisy says this gift to SALCC and the nation fits in perfectly with the recurring themes in all the initiatives the Company supports – learning, education, excellence, providing opportunities, and laying foundations for the future.

Education Minister Honourable Dr Robert Lewis commended LUCELEC for its unwavering support for education, especially in Science and Technology.  He noted that the power company was the main contributor to the annual National Schools Science & Technology Fair and the annual Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE) intended to nurture and groom the next generation of technology entrepreneurs in the Caribbean.

Bernard Theobalds and Joel Huggins, in whose honour the workshop was named, shared a passion for the electric utility industry, a commitment to hard work, discipline, and excellence.  The modernization of the electric utility industry in the Eastern Caribbean can be credited to their foresight, drive and determination.

Mr Theobalds is a former Managing Director of LUCELEC whose vision, leadership and perseverance laid the foundation for the country’s current electricity infrastructure. Mr Huggins, a Vincentian by birth, was a highly respected and admired leader in the electric utility industry in the Caribbean who served on the LUCELEC Board of Directors for several years, most recently representing minority shareholder interests from January 2005 until his death in November 2008.

Mr. Theobalds and the widow of Joel Huggins, Clydella Huggins, unveiled a plaque at the entrance to the workshop and cut the ribbon to officially open the facility.

Mrs Clydella Huggins and her daughter tour the LUCELEC Workshop named in the honour of her husband and former LUCELEC Director Joel Huggins.

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Left to right: Marvin Anthony Augustin, 18, and Oran Charles, 27, also known as “Wong”.

Police have issued arrest warrants for two suspects in connection with two separate homicides.

These suspects are wanted for the killing of: Marvin Anthony Augustin, 18, of Grand Riviere, Gros Islet and Oran Charles, 27, also known as “Wong” of Ciceron.

Augustin was found with his throat slashed on April 21 at Trouya beach in Gros Islet. His body was discovered hours after he went missing. A post-mortem later revealed that the teenager was stabbed 56 times.

Meanwhile, Charles sustained multiple gunshots to his head and upper body on Sunday, April 5 at Monkey Town, Ciceron, Castries. He subsequently died.

Preliminary investigations into the death of Augustin indicate that he had gone to the beach to meet a male individual, but never returned home.

It was later reported that police were looking for a Jamaican national, who might have been a possible suspect in his killing. The foreigner is said to be the last person Augustin made contact with.

It is not clear who might be responsible for Charles’s murder.

Despite issuing these arrest warrants, the names of the suspects have not been made public by police.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) spoke with a senior police official who said that the names of the suspects are being withheld for now, but could be made available soon.

The senior cop could not provide a legitimate reason why the names have not been released.

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Rigobert

PRESS RELEASE – Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Dr. Gale T. Rigobert has reached out to the government and people of Dominica saying she and the United Workers Party (UWP) are willing to work with all organisations – government agencies and civil society organisations – to ensure that the people of Dominica receive relief from their current situation following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.

The storm wreaked havoc Thursday causing extensive damage island wide as a result of flooding and landslides.  Dr. Rigobert says she regrets the loss of life, and is deeply concerned for the persons who are reported still missing.

Hon. Rigobert said:  “On behalf of the UWP in St. Lucia, I offer our deepest sympathies to the families who have suffered the loss of loved ones and we offer also our heartfelt concern to the government and people for the current situation.”

“This is a time for all of us to unite our efforts to ensure that Dominica receives the necessary assistance to get it back on its feet as soon as possible.  Though for now we can only offer words of encouragement and strength to the Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, who will have the monumental task of steering Dominica on a path of recovery, we wish to join any effort in assisting, wherever we can, those who are displaced and in need of basic supplies.

We in St. Lucia know the hardship that comes at a time like this having experienced Hurricane Tomas in 2010, and the Christmas Eve trough in 2013.  I urge all St. Lucians to remember our brothers and sisters and ask that we all join in keeping the Government and people of Dominica in our thoughts and our prayers.  Dominica has assisted us in time of need in the past; we must now do the same in return. We are one Caribbean people and we are known to rise to the occasion to assist one another when help is needed most.  I have every confidence that this will once again bring us together in a show of strength and Caribbean brotherhood.”

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CANCELLED: The bandits took all the police Bar-B-Que meat.

A Bar-B-Que planned for today, Friday, August 28 at the Police Headquarters on Bridge Street, Castries has been cancelled due to a break-in.

A source told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the officers were informed of the change in plans earlier today via a memorandum by the Police Week Committee.

It reads: “Please be informed that the activity for today has been cancelled due to the fact that we got robbed of all our chicken, pork, wings and drinks.”

According to the source, the items were placed in the police canteen on Thursday evening, but when a few of the officers went to collect them this morning, they discovered it missing.

The event was planned as a means of raising funds to help with hosting the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) annual Police Week which is expected to take place in late November.

The committee has one more planned activity for Saturday August 29 at the Rudy John Beach in Laborie.

It is not clear whether that event has been cancelled as well.

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CARIBBEAN 360 – Twenty people have been confirmed dead in Dominica, following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, but that number could increase as more than two dozen are still missing.

And Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says the damage to the country is worse than he anticipated and could set back the country’s development by two decades.

Most of the dead were residents of the southeastern village of Petite Savanne, which was the hardest hit.

All across the country, bridges, roads and buildings collapsed under Erika’s heavy rains.

Skerrit, who toured the island by helicopter yesterday, said in an address to the nation last night that the devastation was worse than expected and some communities were “no longer recognizable”.

“The extent of the devastation is monumental. It is far worse than expected. It is true that many communities like Petite Savanne, Delices and Coulibistrie have been swamped and are still cut off from the rest of Dominica, but nearly every community has been hit. There is extensive damage across our small island after floods swamped villages, destroyed homes and wiped out roads,” he said.

“It was a harrowing experience for me to see suffering on such a grand scale. My heart and soul grieve for you.”

The Dominican leader added that he feared the damage he say yesterday has set back the country’s development process by 20 years.

“I will not attempt tonight to affix a dollar value, but it is substantial,” he said.

“You will recall that in my most recent Budget Address, I informed the nation that Dominica was able to register real growth of 3.4 per cent in 2014. This was no doubt due to the heavy investments we have been making in infrastructural development since 2000. Most recently we have upgraded the Douglas-Charles Airport, developed the highway leading from this airport to Roseau, and upgraded the Roseau to Portsmouth highway. Now Tropical Storm Erika has inflicted heavy damage to these key facilities and a range of secondary roads that are essential for efficient communication and boosting our export drive.”

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PRESS RELEASE – Zandoli International Foundation is accepting care packages and donated items for Dominica in the aftermath of tropical storm Erika.

Items can be dropped off at the Catholic Presbytery on Micoud Street downtown Castries.

Zandoli has mobilized a medical team of qualified doctors in Dominica that have committed to providing free medical treatments for victims of Tropical Storm Erika.

They are requesting supplies to support their efforts. Please bring all items to the Cathedral Presbytery addressed to President, Zandoli St. Lucia, Jeantita Foster.

Zandoli and TOCO Foundation are sending 1500 pairs of shoes to Dominica gifted from Taraji St. Vincent and In Ian’s Boots nonprofit organizations.

The following items were requested by the head of the medical team, Dr. Curtis Sabroche in efforts to deploy their unit to disaster areas. If patients can make their way to Riverside, Colihaut, Dr. Sabroche and his medical team will see and treat them for free.

Items needed:

1. Bandages Gloves Hydrogen peroxide Savlon solution Gauze

2. Cotton Medical Tape Syringes Forceps Antibiotic cream

3. Antifungal cream Cloxacillin capsules Amoxicillin capsules Metronidazole tablet

4. Spatulas Povidone Iodine Solution Normal saline IV Dextrose solution

5. IV sets Scalpels Multi vitamins Blood pressure machine

6. Blood sugar machine Blood sugar strips for machine Flashlights

7. Tongue depressors Pain medication Anti-histamine WATER

8. Canned foods Syringe needles Stationary Disinfectant Condoms

9. Bleach Soap Sanitizer Toiletries Baby food Baby Formula

10. Baby bottles Pampers Petroleum jelly Combs Baby wipes

11. Paracetamol syrup Benadryl syrup Gravol syrup Children’s liquid multivitamins

12. Oral rehydration salt Milton solution Amoxicillin syrup Cloxacillin syrup

13. Nystatin suspension Zinc oxide ointment Clotrimazole cream

14. Pepto bismol suspension Zinc oxide ointment Pacifiers Baby/Toddler Clothing

15. Baby milk Baby cereal Zentel table and suspension Loperamide suspension

16. Loperamide tablet Bactroban cream Bacitracin cream Diazepam 5mg tablet

17. Histatussin syrup Cough and cold medication Pampers for the elderly

18. Biscodyl tablet Ensure Pediasure Portable latrine Otoscope

19. Opthalmoscope Water Filters

Drop off locations:

St. Lucia: Catholic Presbytery, Micoud Street

New York City: They Often Cry Outreach – 27 Edgewood Place, Great Neck, NY 11204

Trinidad: Zandoli Liason – Jonathan Bhagan 1-868-301-3026

St. Vincent: Taraji St. Vincent – 1-784-434-3909

Grenada: Caribbean Association for Youth Development – La Boucan Creative Centre, The Villa,

St. George’s. Cassandra Mitchell 1-473-538-4260

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St. Lucia Coast Guard Ship arrives in Dominica. Photo credit: Shayne Gibbons,

PRESS RELEASE – Saint Lucia has been swift in responding to the plight of the Commonwealth of Dominica, particularly those who suffered loss or were displaced as a result of the passage of Tropical Storm Erika on August 27, 2015.

Saint Lucia fully understands the physical, social and psychological impact of such devastation on communities and island nations and therefore pledges its full support to recovery efforts.

Among its first steps, the Government of Saint Lucia, through the National Emergency Management Organization, has donated sixty (60) boxes of supplies, including forty (40) boxes of hygiene kits, to the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) in Dominica. The Ministry of Health has also provided twenty (20) boxes of medical supplies.

These supplies will be distributed to the impacted population by the ODM. The items will accompany a contingent from the Marine Unit of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, deployed by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony at the request of the Dominica Police Force, to assist them with their operations.

As of Monday, NEMO will be embarking on a relief supplies drive to help gather much-needed clothing, food, household items and other necessities for Dominica.

Additionally, bank accounts have been established at the following financial institutions to facilitate cash donations by individuals and corporate entities. Persons wishing to make a cash donation can do so at the following accounts in the name of the Government of Saint Lucia:

The Saint Lucia Fire Service and other Government Agencies and Ministries have also been mobilized and stand ready to assist with recovery efforts currently underway.

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PRESS RELEASE – LIAT, The Caribbean Airline, has announced changes to its schedule as it seeks to help the people of Dominica with their recovery plan following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika which has resulted in the closure of the Douglas-Charles Airport and the cancellation of several flights over the last three days.

LIAT will be operating an additional 29 services into Guadeloupe over the next week to facilitate movement into and out of Dominica.

Effective August 29 through to September 5 the following changes have been made to the LIAT schedule:

Effective immediately, customers holding a LIAT ticket to / from Dominica will be allowed to change their flight to / from Guadeloupe, Martinique or St. Lucia at no charge.

It is the responsibility of customers taking this option to ensure they meet the appropriate requirements to enter Guadeloupe, Martinique or St. Lucia.

It is anticipated that the  Guadeloupe to Dominica ferry will restart on Saturday 29th August.  Information can be found at: www.express-des-iles.com

Customers will also be responsible for any associated costs for the ferry service to / from Dominica.

To change travel dates or for questions, customers should contact the LIAT Call Centre from Antigua – 1-268-480-5582; toll free from the rest of the Caribbean – 1-888-844-5428 and from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands – 1-866-549-5428. The .Call Centre is open from 07:00 – 22:00, Monday to Saturday and from 07:00 – 18:00 on Sunday and Public Holidays

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Contestants of the Mr. Caribbean competition.

PRESS RELEASE – The Mr. Caribbean Committee wishes to inform the general public that the Mr. Caribbean competition scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Arawak House of Culture has been postponed.

This decision was taken in light of the passage of Tropical Strom Erika which had devastating effects on the country both in terms of loss of life and infrastructure, including the Douglas-Charles Airport.

Two contestants were supposed to arrive one day early, on August 26th, but only one made it here from St. Kitts& Nevis.

The other contestant could not depart Guyana because his connection was uncertain out of Barbados.

The scheduled date of arrival for all contestants was August 27thbut, due to the closure of the airport here or their own airports, they were unable to leave their respective countries.

Only one contestant from Grenada made it to Barbados as he had an early morning flight on Thursday and the full extent of the situation that was unfolding in Dominica was not yet known.

We are working to get the contestant in Barbados and the contestant who is already here with two chaperones back to their homes safely.

The Mr. Caribbean Committee wishes to thank all those who partnered with us for the staging of the 2nd Annual Competition, those who purchased tickets, all our fans on Facebook and those who would have signed up online for their support, as we know you were all looking forward to the event with bated breath.

The new date will be announced in due course, once the logistics of getting everyone here are worked out but, moreover, when the country rebounds.

The Mr. Caribbean Committee joins with the family and friends of those who died under such dire circumstances as they grieve for their loved ones.

We ask the Almighty to shower Blessings upon them at this time and to lay His healing hands upon them.

As a country and as a people, we will come through this with the strength and resolve that is within us, with the support of our CARICOM brothers and sisters who are already on the ground to help in any way that they can and with assistance from the international community.

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PRESS RELEASE – The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) wishes to advise of actions and schedule for 28th August 2015 for the southern part of the island

Extremely low flows are being experience off the Derniere Riviere and Thomazo system.

As a result, valving is being done to supply areas; however not all communities are receiving water. Following areas affected are:

– Deniere Riviere

-Austin Hill

–  Belmont

-Morne Panache

-Gardette

-Barbarwa

-La Perle

-Richfond

-Grande Ravine

-Grand Riviere

-La Belle Vue

-Ti La Ressource

-Debonnaire

Tanks were placed in the following communities in Dennery North and will be filled by the WASCO’s truck today 28th August, 2015:

–  Austin Hill

-Belle Mont

-Morne Panache

These are the communities most severely affected by water supply shortages; however water trucking is still needed for following areas:

-Richfond

-Grand Riviere

–  Grand Ravine

-Ti La Ressource

-Debonnaire

Whilst we will maintain the supply of water to the aforementioned areas, there may be inconsistencies due to demand.

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PRESS RELEASE – The Shamrock Sports Club mourns the death of one of its sporting icons, Rupert Polius, who passed away on Thursday afternoon, august 28, 2015 at the Victoria hospital after a period of illness.

Polius, who was affectionately called “Borde” (pronounced bord-day) after the stylish Indian test batsman, Chandu Borde, joined the Shamrock Sports Club in 1961.

he excelled for the club in football and cricket and went on to represent Saint Lucia as well as the windward islands in both sporting disciplines for many years.

After his playing days, Polius, who gained recognition into the Iyanola Marathoners Sporting Hall of Fame, served as a national cricket selector, as well as being a member of the Windward Islands Cricket selection panel.

Let us all extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family – it is surely a delicate and sensitive period for them.

Details of his funeral service will be provided when the information becomes available.

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Nicola Esnard and Kurtney Gill.

PRESS RELEASE – The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association congratulates Nicola Esnard and Kurtney Gill of the Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School who represented St Lucia at the Caribbean Junior Dueling Competition.

This year, the event saw a total of 9 Caribbean islands participating including Trinidad & Tobago, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Anguilla, Barbados, Bonaire, St Croix, St Lucia and Dominica.

After 3 rounds of tough competition, including Signature Dish, Mystery Basket and Finals team St Lucia performed exceptional. The team was able to secure a silver medal in the Signature and Mystery Basket Dish and a 3rd place in the Finals.

Preceding the actual competition, the participating teams benefited from presentations by experts in the industry as well as illustrations and other presentations by sponsors.

The SLHTA is very proud of the success of this year’s Junior Culinary Team.

The team who represented Saint Lucia was students from the Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School won the recently held SLHTA Chefs in Schools Cook-Off Competition.

The Tourism Enhancement Fund was the main sponsors of the Chefs in Schools Competition, and also funded the team’s trip to Barbados.

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The damaged car.

A motor vehicle driver lost control of his car and drove off La Pansee Road, Castries on Friday evening.

The incident reportedly occurred sometime between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

An eyewitness told St. Lucia News Online (SNO): “The vehicle fell more than 30 feet down, landing on its back.”

The motor vehicle was completely destroyed.

The driver and the occupants were taken to the hospital for treatment.

There conditions are unknown at this time.

No further details available.

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Tropical Storm Fred is the sixth storm of the Atlantic hurricane season which runs from June 1 to November 30

CARIBBEAN 360 – Tropical Storm Fred has formed in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean this morning and is expected to strengthen the next few days, nearing hurricane status before it moves through the Cape Verde Islands early this week.

It’s too early to say if Fred will affect the Caribbean, but most forecast models at this time keep the system well north of the Lesser Antilles.

At 11 a.m., the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said that Fred was located about 260 miles east-southeast of Praia in the Cape Verde Islands and was carrying maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour. It is forecast to move west-northwest on a path that will take it through the Cape Verde Islands tomorrow into Tuesday.

A hurricane warning has therefore been issued for those islands.

After passing through the Cape Verde Islands, Fred will turn westward over the open Atlantic Ocean. It could weaken late in the week.

Meantime, the remnants of Erika brought squally weather to some locations in South Florida last night with torrential downpours and gusty winds, and along with an upper-level trough will continue to affect the state with locally heavy rain.

The NHC says there is a low probability of it becoming a tropical depression or storm again.

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Guadeloupe Pole Caraibes Airport.

PRESS RELEASE – The authorities in Guadeloupe have advised that they have waived the visa requirement for travellers entering the country in order to take a ferry to Dominica.

The waiver is valid for Sunday, August 30 and Monday August 31.

Customers holding a LIAT ticket to / from Dominica can change their flight to / from Guadeloupe, Martinique or St. Lucia at no charge.

Guyanese and Jamaican nationals can transit Guadeloupe without a visa.

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