PRESS RELEASE – The Saint Lucia Fashion Council was established by Cabinet Conclusion 193 of 2016 as the umbrella body for all stakeholders in the island’s fashion industry.

The mandate of the council includes advocating on behalf of members through influencing the drafting or creation of legislation and policy directives for the development of the Fashion Industry; enabling strategic partnerships to facilitate greater market access; and introducing needed resources for maximizing product and/or services delivery.

The Fashion Council presented its work plan for 2017-2018 at the conference room of the Royal Saint Lucian Resort and Spa on Thursday.

Marketing Specialist, Cindy Eugene asserts that the Fashion Council does not serve as a replacement for any existing or upcoming industry associations, but as a cohesive channel for the development of the industry on a national and international level.

The Saint Lucia Fashion Council is the first of its kind in the region and forms part of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Commerce and Department of Creative Industries to advance the agenda of all partners in the fast growing fashion industry on island.

“The global fashion industry holds enormous potential for the local fashion industry, however we can only realize our true potential and value if we are prepared to make the changes necessary to accrue the benefits;” said Chairperson Joycie Mederick. “The operations of the council will be driven by a well-developed plan, and efforts will be made to ensure that we conform to international standards, but remain relevant to the Saint Lucian context.”

Deputy Chairperson Taribba doNascimento underscored the benefits of membership, including marketing, product placement and exposure to global markets and tradeshows.

The Saint Lucia Fashion Council will soon launch its fashion education program, and technical (TVET) certification for members.

The Department of Creative Industries within the Ministry for Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government will continue to work closely with all players to ensure equitable and sustainable progress for Saint Lucia’s fashion industry.

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PM Allen Chastanet

PRESS RELEASE – The St Lucia Association of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, expresses its appreciation to the Prime Minister of St Lucia the Hon. Allen M. Chastanet for taking time off his very busy schedule to address and meet St Lucians in the Washington DC Metropolitan area at the OAS building on October 8th. The Prime Minister was joined by Dr. Ubaldus Raymond and Ms Cointha Thomas of the Ministry of Finance.

The meeting was chaired by Stephen Sealy who, on behalf of St Lucians present, expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister, making note that it has been about ten (10) years since St Lucians in this area were addressed by a Prime Minister.

It was pointed out that the fact that he had taken time off of his very busy schedule with the World Bank, IMF, State Department, other US Government agencies, international organizations and investment interests in Washington was an indication of his interest in the St Lucian Diaspora and the part that we must all play in the development of our country.

PM Chastanet did not lecture to the group but rather, in the first instance, invited those present to air their concerns and ask questions in any area related to their homeland. There were over 20 questions posed by those present representing individuals from regional and international institutions as well as those from the St. Lucia/US private sector and business community.

In response to questions raised, the PM outlined his vision for St Lucia addressing the many questions and statements made by members of the audience. In relation to the question of crime the Prime Minister revealed that there was a considerable backlog of pending cases and that was being rectified by the strengthening of the department of justice which would accelerate the scheduling and clearing of so many pending cases.

Prime Minister Chastanet covered questions related to education, health, youth leadership, sports, agriculture, economic development, water resources and areas of investment promotion.

Additionally, the Prime Minister outlined current relations with the US, ongoing cooperation with international institutions which were the subject of his high level meetings in the course of his visit in Washington DC.

On the question of damage by hurricane Mathew, the Prime Minister that considerable damage was due to flooding as a result of poor drainage, poor erosion control and an overflow of river banks which caused damage to roads and bridges. This he indicated was a recurring experience which must be addressed through proper soil conservation and appropriate land use.

In reply to the question on “The Pearl of the Caribbean” (a reported $2.6 USD billion project) to be executed in the south of the island, he indicated that this matter was being carefully considered to include a horse racing track of international standard which would include horse breeding, horse racing, and related infrastructure, hotel development, the development of a University Park and its interrelated faculty associations.

One person in the audience expressed frustration at the length of time it is taking for him to get a St Lucian Passport. The PM explained that the process was in keeping with problems related to family names and other legal requirements which have been put in place in order to clean the system of inaccurate data related to St Lucian nationals.

PM Chastanet was able to respond to all questions and statements raised and to project his vision for St Lucia. This vision was expressed without negative political inferences or references to the previous government. This was well received as was the invitation to the Diaspora to play a part in national development.

Lawrence Paul, President of the Association, on behalf of all present, expressed his thanks to Prime Minister Chastanet for taking time off his busy schedule to meet with St Lucians in the DC area.

The meeting was followed by informal conversations with St Lucians at a reception next to the room dedicated to the honor of Sir Arthur Lewis.

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Sayers and Biscette. Credit: Michael Bascombe.

Two of Saint Lucia’s leading distance runners are in Guadeloupe this weekend, for one of the region’s biggest road running events.

The determined duo of Jason ‘Superman’ Sayers and Michael ‘Mega Boost’ Biscette, both experienced runners in their thirties, will be going for glory at the North and Central American and Caribbean Athletics Federation (NACAC) 10-kilometre road race, the 9th annual Petit Bourg 10k.

The race is being put on by the city of Petit-Bourg, and ASAPB Athletic Association Sportive de Petit-Bourg, starting from 4pm outside the town hall. Over 200 runners from around the Caribbean and well beyond are expected to go up against two of Helen’s finest.

Last year’s race was won by Juan Carlos Romer Bernal. The Mexican runner stopped the clock at 30 minutes and 55 seconds on that occasion. Sayers also ran in 2015, and he finished 12th overall in 35:37, representing the Golden Star club out of Martinique.

With no information having come from the Saint Lucia Athletics Association (SLAA), it appears likely that both Sayers and Biscette will represent a club or clubs from Saint Lucia’s French neighbour, despite both being registered with SLAA affiliate, Road Busters.

Sayers has gone as fast as 32 minutes, whilst Biscette’s personal best is in the 34-minute range. Saint Lucia’s 10K record is held by Zepherinus Joseph, who ran 29:48.97 back in 2001 in Florida.

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A fire Saturday morning destroyed a vacant house in Austin Hill, Dennery.

Officials from the Dennery Fire Department were called to the scene shortly after 6.a.m. and reported that the house was still on fire and partially destroyed upon their arrival.

Firefighters doused the flames and managed to contain it to the upper floor of the two storey vacant home.

Neighbours told investigators the house had been vacant for sometime, as the owner is currently overseas.

The cause of Saturday’s fire is still not clear.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS – The teenage daughter of American Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay was struck down by a stray bullet Sunday morning in an apparent shootout at a Kentucky restaurant.

Trinity Gay — herself a rising running star — died from a neck wound after the seemingly random shooting, police said.

“She was so innocent, she was so innocent,” her mother, Shoshana Boyd, told the Daily News in a tearful interview.

“I just want people to stop shooting and realize who they’re hurting. It’s just random. They don’t understand, they don’t understand who they’re hurting.”

She said her daughter wanted to become a surgeon — but also hoped to match the Olympic glory of her famous father.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

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NY DAILY NEWS – The Florida man who fired a gunshot at perpetual menace George Zimmerman was sentenced to 20 years in prison Monday for attempted murder.

Matthew Apperson, 37, had testified that he shot in self-defense during a road rage incident with Zimmerman last year. He said Zimmerman’s intimidating reputation — especially for his fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin — made him fear for his life.

But a Seminole County jury convicted Apperson last month of attempted second-degree murder, as well as shooting into an occupied vehicle and aggravated assault.

Zimmerman and Apperson both accused each other of beginning a confrontation and car chase in May 2015.

Zimmerman testfied that Apperson was shooting to kill without provocation. He said Apperson appeared to be glad when he believed his shot hit and killed Zimmerman, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS – New York’s Finest are answering the call — 1,500 miles away.

A group of Haitian-born police officers have touched down in their hurricane-ravaged homeland to lend a hand in the country’s much-needed recovery efforts.

Sporting NYPD hats and shirts, 10 members of the Haitian American Law Enforcement Fraternal Organization flew from Kennedy Airport to the island nation Friday and Saturday. The cops — eight officers and two sergeants — planned to set up a communications post upon landing and then join in recovery efforts.

They also planned to set up local distribution points to dole out clean water and sanitary items that will help prevent the spread of diseases.

The officers landed in the capital Port-au-Prince and were expected to travel Monday to remote areas most affected by Hurricane Matthew.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

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A 21-year-old man was formally charged on Sunday, October 16 for the offence of handling stolen goods.

Chevy Diquoto of La Clery was found with a laptop belonging to St. Mary’s College (SMC).

Police said another laptop was recovered and another individual is currently in custody.

Three male individuals accused of burglarizing SMC were also recently arrested and could be charged soon.

On Monday, October 10, 2016 armed bandits tied up and physically assaulted the security guards that were on duty at SMC, before breaking into the school building.

This publication was told that the police had responded in good time, interrupting the burglary. But while shots were fired, the bandits still managed to escape.

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PRESS RELEASE – The Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Energy hereby informs motorists and the general public that the Canaries Bridge will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic from 6:00 am to midnight on Sunday 23rd October 2016. During this time the existing bridge will not be in operation.

The road closure is required to allow for creation of a bypass road prior to the construction of the permanent bridge.

The motoring public are ask to use the East Coast Road (through Vieux Fort) to access the town of Soufriere.

The Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Energy apologizes for any inconvenience that this closure may cause and continues to solicit the co-operation of all road users during execution of the project.

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A woman was allegedly kidnapped and raped on Saturday in an abandoned home in Dennery.

The alleged rape incident occurred about 3:30.a.m. at La Caye, according to police.

The police are also investigating a kidnapping which occurred about 3:15.a.m. and a house fire suspected to be arson which occurred between 3:15.a.m. and 6:30.a.m at Derniere Riviere, Dennery.

These matters are interrelated.

Two individuals are in custody assisting with investigations.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS – Scientists have created working mammalian eggs from scratch and used them to produce healthy offspring.

The new study marks the first time that eggs have been completely made without help from an animal.

Though the research was conducted in mice and only on eggs, it shows that it may be possible to use the same techniques for humans and for sperm – potentially meaning that it will be possible to make new humans entirely in the lab.

Once it is done for one animal, then “developing similar culture systems in other species should be only a matter of technicality”, said Dr Dusko Ilic, reader in stem cell science at King’s College London. If that happens then we might be able to rewind the process of mammalian extinction” – not only helping infertile humans but bringing back other extinct animals too.

However, it is likely to be many years before the technique is reliable and safe enough for humans. And scientists and policymakers will have to overcome the various ethical challenges that are presented by the possibility of making children without human adults fertilising or carrying them.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

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The male suspect in the October 8, 2016 rape and chopping incident of a female in Dennery has been charged with the offences of rape, attempted murder and stealing from person, the police have confirmed.

Police said the charges were laid against the alleged perpetrator on Friday, October 14, 2016.

The woman claims she was offered a drop to her home by the male assailant, who diverted and drove his car in a area with thick vegetation, where he forced her to have sex with him.

Once he was done, the man allegedly instructed the woman to wipe her self. But while doing so, the woman said the man took out a sharp instrument from his car trunk and started chopping her.

In an attempt to block her face, the woman placed her hands in the air and sustained multiple chop wounds.

The woman claims that the man then proceeded to put his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming. Strangely, the man then left her behind, but not before taking her cash and mobile phone.

The woman said she managed to run towards a public road and stopped a white van that assisted her to the police station, where she told them what happened. She was later taken to hospital for treatment.

The victim had described the man as a ‘friend,’ who she never expected would have done that to her.

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PRESS RELEASE – The Council of Ministers of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) concluded its thirty-fourth regular meeting in Saint Lucia on Friday 14th October 2014.

At that meeting, the Council approved new Regulations which are aimed at enhancing the environment for
competition in the telecommunications sector in the ECTEL Member States.

The new Regulations address (i) consumer protection, which among other provisions, guard against unfair restrictions on consumer choices in services; (ii) submarine cable regulations, which set out conditions for fair access to submarine cable capacity; (iii) access to network infrastructure and wholesale services regulations, which impose conditions on licensees holding significant market power to share their networks; (iv) regulations and guidelines on the conduct of market analyses.

The Council discussed the current work being undertaken by the ECTEL and the NTRCs to address the impact of the Cable & Wireless/Columbus merger on the markets, and approved recommendations on new licences for telecommunications service providers.

The Ministers also approved the work plan and budget to fund the operations of the national Commissions and the ECTEL Directorate for the financial year 1st October 2016 to 30th September 2017.

The ECTEL Council of Ministers approved the sum of EC$100,00.00 as a contribution from the Member States to address the emergency rehabilitation of the people of Haiti who lost lives, property and livelihoods following the passage of hurricane Matthew in September 2016.

In 2010 the ECTEL Council of Ministers also approved a financial contribution to Haiti following the destruction caused by the massive earthquake.

Incoming Chairman of the Council, Honourable Guy Joseph of Saint Lucia, stated that with the rapid changes in the technology and in the sector, both the regulator and the  telecommunications service providers must adjust their business practices in order to better serve the consumers in the region.

Over the next two months, the Council of Ministers will facilitate presentations in their respective countries to familiarise Ministers and parliamentarians with the purposes and provisions of the new legislation.

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PRESS RELEASE – In celebration of Creole Heritage Month the Saint Lucia Writers Forum is undertaking the publication of a Kwéyól Anthology authored by Ashanti Prescott.

Ashanti Prescott hails from the community of Barre St Joseph and is also the author of “238 Square Miles Submerged in Fascination”.

He is a longtime member of the Forum for over 10 years. This undertaking is a dream come true for Mr Prescott who loves writing in Kwéyol.

This latest publication entitled, Lamou évék Lafwa: épi Mizi Listwa will be launched at the Central Library on Tuesday the 18th of October 2016 at 7pm.

The forty page anthology will be available for sale at the event at a discounted price. All are invited to attend this grand launch and be part of the history.

This is the third publication being undertaken by the Writers Forum having released “Sé Talan Nou: noun ka ékwi”, last year’s kwéyol anthology and Opus Spectrum: the initiation, last year’s English Anthology.

A second volume of Opus Spectrum is expected to be published in December.

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Mother of the PM Mrs. Judy Chastanet, First Lady Judy Raccquel Chastanet and Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.

PRESS RELEASE – Club 60 and HelpAge St. Lucia has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Honourable Allen
M. Chastanet and family, for adding a memorable dimension to last weekend’s Club 60 Pageant prize-giving ceremony. The event took place at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence at Vigie on Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Executive Director of HelpAge Saint Lucia Ms. Helen Charles noted that in a world where issues of the elderly are often placed on the back burner, it very was encouraging to see the lead policymaker of the Government present at this function.

Said Charles: “We truly appreciated that his family was present, particularly his mother. I know those present truly appreciated the opportunity to meet and interact with the Prime Minister. In his brief remarks it came across that he could relate to our concerns and we look forward to another forum for us to discuss the serious issues.”

Ms. Charles has disclosed that the Prime Minister has given a commitment to meet with HelpAge St. Lucia along with the relevant members of his Cabinet in the near future.

The Club 60 Pageant took place at the National Cultural Centre on October 9, 2016 under the theme: “60 – Sassy and Stunning”.

The Office of the Prime Minister congratulates all of the participants of the Club 60 Pageant including Pageant Winner 2016 Ms. Patricia Joseph of Babonneau, first runner – up Mary Francois of Mabouya Valley and second runner – up Paula Gibson of Castries.

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PRESS RELEASE – The UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia, in collaboration with the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and Monroe College invites the public to attend a series of presentations at The Saint Lucia Country Conference 2016 to be held on October 27 and 28th , 2016 at the Bay Gardens Hotel, Rodney Bay Village.

The overall theme of the conference is “Collegial Information Sharing For Sustainable Development”. The conference is expected to create an environment for sharing and learning, which is a necessary step towards establishing the links which facilitate the management of indigenous knowledge for our own use, thus providing an avenue by which academic research on Saint Lucia can make a substantial contribution to global discourse.

Bearing in mind the similarity of the mandates of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and Monroe College to that of The UWI, it was felt that these two sister institutions would be critical partners in the hosting of the Saint Lucia Country Conference.

Conference presentations will take place on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 October, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. daily. The presentation schedule for each day is available on the “UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia”.facebook page. Of special note is the Plenary Session “1952/1957and 1992/1997: Peasant Revolts and Political Change in Saint Lucia at 9:00 a.m. on day one that will be delivered by Dr Tennyson Joseph.

Persons desirous of registering for the full conference experience inclusive of materials package and two refreshment breaks per day may register at a price of US$50/EC$135.00 per day. Participants will however be responsible for their own lunch arrangements. A registration desk will be set up at the Bay Gardens Hotel to facilitate cash payments only.

Persons who simply wish to attend individual conference presentations and participate in the stimulating discussion that is sure to follow each session may do so absolutely free of any charge.

In keeping with the local theme of the event, special display booths will be set up including: a herbal booth by Dr Gilbertha St.Rose, an information booth by the Cannabis Movement of Saint Lucia and a book stall by the group “Saint Lucia Books” featuring rich reading material, from a totally local range of authors. As a special treat for presenters and participants La Mer Spa at the Bay Gardens Beach resort will also be setting up a mini spa at a small fee of EC$ 20.00 per person.

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PRESS RELEASE – October is recognized worldwide as Breast Cancer Awareness month and the Wave Radio Station (94.5 & 93.7fm) is continuing its pledge in support of Cancer awareness.

As the official radio sponsor of the successful annual Yoplait Walk for Cancer for the past 5 years, the Wave again this year is focusing on a specific type of Cancer, a less talked about condition, Cancer in Men.

To help raise awareness of the deadly disease in men, the Wave in 2014, launched an event for the first time ever in St. Lucia, dubbed Men in Heels (Dash for Cash).

The event takes the form of an ‘obstacle course’ where participating men race to the finish line, by completing the entire obstacle course which requires stamina, strength, endurance and the ability to do it all with a pair of heels strapped on. Julian Toussaint is the reigning champion for the past two years.

Returning in 2016 with a bigger obstacle course, Men in Heels is scheduled to take place on Sunday 6th November 2016 at the Pigeon Island Causeway, right after the Yoplait Walk for Cancer.

Registration for the event is $10 and can be done at the Wave office in Rodney Bay, Shoe Rehab and Massy Stores.

Prizes include $1000 cash, 2 Jet Blue tickets, a weekend for 2 at Bay Gardens Resorts, a Samsung Galaxy S7 compliments Digicel and more.

Women can donate a pair of heels for the cause at Shoe Rehab (JQ Rodney Bay mall and Gablewoods mall).
Men in Heels is endorsed by the Saint Lucia Cancer Society (SLCS).

The Wave 94.5 & 93.7fm would like to sincerely thank their corporate sponsors Jet Blue, Massy Stores, Digicel, Choice TV, Ferrands, Bay Gardens Resort, Star Publishing, Button Up, KFC, 1 Audio Inc, M&C Home Depot , Automotive Art, Quaker Oats, Tomtee, Landmark Events and Scott’s Sports and Awards.

Part proceeds of the event go to the SLCS. An appeal is made to all corporate entities to make a donation to the SLCS through this event. For further information please contact The Wave’s head office at 451-6400.

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Group Photo Mr Julien, Dame Pearlette and Prime Minister and family.

PRESS RELEASE – Saint Lucia has a new Attorney General and he is ready to get to work on improving the productivity of the various departments which fall under his purview, as well as creating better synergy with other Government departments and organizations.

Mr. Stephen Julien, a former Magistrate, was officially presented to the Nation by Governor General Dame Calliopa Pearlette Louisy after he took the Oath of Office and Allegiance at Government House on Thursday. Mr. Julien, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Sherry Ann Julien and his two sons, had the support of the Cabinet of Ministers and Prime Minister Allen M. Chastanet as he laid out his plans for the Office of the Attorney General.

“I am deeply honoured to have been chosen to serve as Attorney General at this juncture in our country’s history,” said Mr. Julien. “During my tenure I will have oversight for the services provided by various sections or departments which have the responsibility for providing services such as the general administration of the Attorney General’s Chambers, advice and litigation on civil matters to central Government, Legislative drafting and the Registry of Companies and Intellectual Property. My first order of business will be to meaningfully engage these departments with a view to assessing their particular needs.”

One of the first issues the Attorney General wanted to address was staffing of the office and he made an urgent appeal to the Government.

“I have been reliably informed that understaffing remains a recurring issue for some departments but this is especially so where Crown Counsels are concerned and this has had a negative impact on their overall productivity. One can imagine that without this source of support and that human resource that the courts and government can significantly slow down to our detriment.

It is for this reason I will depart from the usual protocol of these proceedings and use this forum to make a special plea to our Honourable Prime Minister for the allocation of these and other resources for the aforementioned departments which collectively form the Attorney General’s Chambers; as we all agree that the functions which we perform are essential to the Government.

Another feature of my tenure will be the encouragement of greater synergy with the other departments of government, organizations and special interest groups.”

Mr. Julien thanked the Governor General for hosting the Swearing-in ceremony and he also thanked the Prime Minister and Government for allowing him to serve within the Cabinet.

The new Attorney General was especially thankful to his wife and family and friends for their support.

For his part Prime Minister Allen Chastanet says that the government recognized that several essential government departments have been understaffed, zeroing in on the Attorney General’s and the Office of the DPP.

“Clearly there is a need to hire additional lawyers and administrative staff in those departments,” PM Chastanet told the audience. “If we are to ensure transparency and good governance and if we are to be a viable destination for investment the rule of law is critical. It must be perceived by all and sundry that the Government and the people of this country hold this in the highest esteem.

It is the intention of this Government, as difficult as it is going to be in the coming months and years, to find the resources to make this happen. I give you the assurance, I give Her Excellency the assurance and I give the people of this great country the assurance that we will find the resources to ensure that we deliver.”

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet thanked Mr. Julien for accepting the position of AG and also expressed thanks to Mr. Julien’s wife and family for their “understanding and support” for the hard work that lies ahead.

Mr. Julien was called to the Bar in Saint Lucia in 1998 and holds a Legal Education Certificate from the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School and is the holder of a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the West Indies. He has also previously served as Consul General to Saint Lucia in Toronto, Canada.

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Hanson ‘Dirty White’ James

The escaped inmate who eluded authorities for close to one day was apprehended Wednesday night in the Dennery Valley by a patrol team from the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF).

Hanson ‘Dirty White’ James had been on the run after he escaped prison on Tuesday night by scaling the prison’s razor wire fence, while cleaning his maximum security unit.

Deputy Director of BCF Leonard Terrence had told the media that James escaped prison previously (exact date unknown) and it took the authorities two days to recapture him.

Commenting on the issue on Wednesday evening on News Maker Live, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said that residents of the Dennery area claimed that James was seen in the community.

The prime minister said that there was need to find out whether the escaped prisoner received help from inside the prison to facilitate his escape. “The question is was it a mistake in judgement or was it deliberate.”

James is serving a sentence of four years and seven months for stealing and gross indecency.

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Town Hall meeting in Gros Islet.

PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force will be hosting its “Meet The Commissioner” town hall Meeting at the Castries Town Hall.

All residents of Castries, Business Owners, and Bus and Taxi drivers are invited to attend this popular event where persons will have the opportunity to share their grievances, praises and recommendations to the Executive of the Royal Saint Lucia Police.

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