The post SLNT and partners celebrate World Wetlands Day 2017 appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

PRESS RELEASE – The Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) and other partners joined in the global effort to preserve wetlands by commemorating World Wetlands Day which is celebrated annually on February 2nd.

The theme for this year is ‘Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction.’ It speaks to raising awareness and highlighting the vital roles of healthy wetlands in reducing the impacts of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and cyclones on communities, and in helping to build resilience.

In observance of World Wetlands Day, the SLNT organized activities which were focused on the Ma Kôté and Savannes Bay Mangroves which are the largest mangrove systems in Saint Lucia and have been designated as Ramsar sites under the Wetlands Conventions of 2002. (Visit www.ramsar.org for more information on the Wetlands Convention and other global initiatives targeting wetlands). On Thursday 2nd, February ninety-one (91) students and teachers from schools in the Southern Districts visited the mangroves and participated in exercises which promote mangrove sustainability. Activities included removal of garbage from mangrove areas and planting of mangrove propagules within Ma Kôté Mangroves. The students also had an opportunity to learn more about the importance of mangroves through interaction with SLNT staff and members of the Au Picon Charcoal and Agricultural Producers group all of whom, along with government agencies work towards the sustainability of the mangroves.

In addition, on Saturday 4th February, members of the public were invited to a clean-up campaign of the Ma Kôté Mangroves and Scorpion Island within Savannes Bay. Over eighty (80) very enthusiastic members of the SLNT, Lions Club and other volunteer groups turned out to support the campaign. A vibrant atmosphere and spontaneous camaraderie made light work of the important task of refuse removal, which unfortunately needs to occur way too often as indiscriminate solid waste disposal is a constant threat facing mangrove systems. In the culmination of activities, a volume of approximately 1000 lbs of refuse was extracted from the mangroves.

According to Mr. Craig Henry, Programme Officer of the SLNT, ‘Many of the participants marveled at the shear expansiveness and allure of the mangrove forest within just a short walk in. The Trust thanks all the members, students, teachers, groups and members of the public who supported our initiatives”. To those who promised to return, we are waiting. The SLNT also thanks all partners, including the Departments of Fisheries and Forestry, Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority, The Nature Conservancy and the Ministry of Education for contributing to our success.

These events to commemorate World Weekends Day 2017 were made possible through support from the Eastern Caribbean Marine Managed Areas Network (ECMMAN) project funded by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).

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The post MrSoFamous becomes first St. Lucian producer to attend the Grammy Awards appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

PRESS RELEASE – This weekend, Dudley Frederick, commonly known as MrSoFamous, will become the first ever St. Lucian producer to attend the Grammy Awards.

MrSoFamous has vowed to have the best time of his life at this prestigious ceremony as he do not know if he will get a chance to attend again.

In preparation he has created 2,000 business cards to give out at the ceremony and after party.  The 59th Grammy awards are being held at the Staple Center in Los Angeles, California on February 2017.

When asked if there is any advice he would like to give to the other producers he said:

“dream big, never let anybody put you down, be strong in this game. Negativity Will come from every direction, channel that energy to postive energy. Set goals for yourself! If I can do it anyone can do it”

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The post AM Model Agency gives back off the runway appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

PRESS RELEASE – The Allana Maximin Modeling Agency (AMMA Models), founded by Allana Maximin & Markeem Morrison, have been responsible for the birth of many professional models in St. Lucia.

Since 2015 the Allana Maximin Modeling Agency (AMMA Models) has been quietly assisting young women and men to build their self-esteem and become professional models and also role models in society. It has flown under the radar, out the spotlight while focusing on building a brand and a family and creating an empire. In the past two years, the AMMA Models have trained many young men and women and sent them into the world of fashion and advertising to moth into the confident models they have now become.

This year, AMMA Modeling Agency has decided to take its work one step further and invest in the wellbeing of their surroundings and the people of St. Lucia. The AMMA Models are kicking off their philanthropic movement on Saturday February 11th 2017 with Phase 1 of their Clean Air, Healthy Living Project, in the form of a cleanup on the Choc beach from 8am which is open for members of the public if they would like to assist.

This will be followed by drug free campaigning at schools, fundraisers, visits and gifting to VH Pediatric and the Marion home, visits to shelters, soup kitchens and facilities for kids, and tree planting and recycling projects to name a few all happening in the coming months.

The management of AMMA Models stated that it isn’t simply an agency where young people get training to participate in pageants and be fashion models but a family where those young persons receive guidance and are trained to become role models for upcoming generations. These models will be able to represent the brand and St Lucia in a responsible and professional manner. Our young men and women of AMMA take pride in everything they do and put education and community service to the forefront.

AMMA Models will bring new meaning to the word MODEL and anticipate greatness in the near future.  

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The post Loads of cash and prizes in Flow Independence Day Promotion appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

PRESS RELEASE – In celebration of Saint Lucia’s 38th Independence Anniversary, Flow has launched a ‘Text to Win’ promotion that rewards its customers with loads of prizes, and will make Independence Day an even more joyous occasion for many of them.

To participate in the promotion, customers just have to respond to the question, ‘What does 758 mean to you?’ by texting their answer to the short code 2929 and they automatically qualify for a chance to win. 38 customers will win fabulous prizes, including smartphones, headsets, move bands, tablets, cash, and more. Each text cost $1.

Every day from February 10, lucky customers will win amazing prizes, and on February 22 (Independence Day) eight winners will be selected. The promotion ends February 28, 2017.

“We know our customers are looking forward to joining fellow Saint Lucians at home and abroad in celebrating this important day in our nation’s history. Our goal with the Independence ‘Text to Win’ promotion is to promote that sense of identity, of belonging, and to raise the level of our patriotic fervour. And of course we want to motivate them by giving them the chance to win fantastic prizes,” said Flow Saint Lucia acting Marketing & Communications Executive, Terry Finisterre.

Flow wishes a festive and peaceful Independence Day to everyone in Bel Sent Lisi!

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The post CARIBBEAN: Mother allegedly feeds her 3 children poison; then consumes it herself appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

INEWS GUYANA – A mother and her three children are presently battling for their lives at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance.

According to reports reaching INews, the young mother reportedly fed poison to her three children; all between the ages of 3 and 8, then consumed it herself in her Bare-root, East Coast Demerara home.

A GPHC official told INews that relatives who brought the three children to the hospital said that “they stay just like that and start vomit.”

However, according to the hospital representative, she became suspicious after seeing froth coming from the children’s mouths. As such, she informed an officer who soon after discovered that the children had consumed poison.

Shortly after, the hospital official confirmed, that the mother of the three children arrived at the hospital, vomiting.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

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The post Musician Gordon ‘Chacom’ Leon passes away appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Gordon Leon

Veteran St. Lucian musician Gordon Gene Leon, aka ‘Chacom’, died on Friday, Feb. 10 – about eights months after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.

He was 60 years old.

Leon was born and raised in Marchand, Castries but spent most of his school years in Trinidad.

His official entry into music began when he joined the Diamond Steel Ochestra but bloomed when he became a member of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band where was to spend 37 years.

He formed the De Soca-Lypso Revue tent in 2011 and retired from the police force in 2012 as Acting Supt. of Police.

Leon was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in June 2016 and publicly announced the illness in August.

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The post CARIBBEAN: J’can scientists close to creating affordable hepatitis C drug from ganja appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

JAMAICA OBSERVER – Research scientists, led by Dr Henry Lowe, say they have discovered properties in Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the major bioactive compounds in the cannabis (ganja) plant, that have the potential to provide affordable treatment as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals for hepatitis C.

Information on the new discovery can be found in the latest issue (January – March 2017) of

Pharmacognosy Research, a publication of Pharmacognosy Network Worldwide, making it subject to peer review.

“We report here for the first time in vitro studies to demonstrate the antiviral activity of CBD against HCV,” Dr Lowe and his research team —Jamaican Wayne McLaughlin and Cameroonian Dr Ngeh Toyang — state in their published study, adding that Cannabidiol was shown to have activity against HCV in vitro but not against hepatitis B virus (HBV).

On Friday, Lowe, who is known worldwide for his anti-cancer and ganja research, as well as the production of a range of nutraceuticals using Jamaican plants, told the Jamaica Observer that the discovery is a major development.

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The post INTERNATIONAL: Hundreds of illegal immigrants arrested in ‘routine’ U.S. enforcement surge appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

YAHOO NEWS – U.S. federal immigration agents arrested hundreds of undocumented immigrants in at least four states this week in what officials on Friday called routine enforcement actions.

Reports of immigration sweeps this week sparked concern among immigration advocates and families, coming on the heels of President Donald Trump’s executive order barring refugees and immigrants from seven majority-Muslim nations. That order is currently on hold.

“The fear coursing through immigrant homes and the native-born Americans who love immigrants as friends and family is palpable,” Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, said in a statement. “Reports of raids in immigrant communities are a grave concern.”

The enforcement actions took place in Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and surrounding areas, said David Marin, director of enforcement and removal for the Los Angeles field office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Only five of 161 people arrested in Southern California would not have been enforcement priorities under the Obama administration, he said.

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The post St. Lucian appointed assistant coach for TT Men’s National Football Team appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

TRINIDAD EXPRESS – Dennis Lawrence, the newly-appointed Trinidad and Tobago men national team head-coach, has named W Connection’s Stuart Charles Fevrier as one of his two assistants and Dr Terrence Babwah is also not among his back room staff.

Yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) issued a release stating that several candidates were interviewed by Lawrence for each position and the successful ones were informed this week.

Lawrence, who was appointed as head coach of the men’s senior team last month, had only previously named Sol Campbell as his assistant coach.

Lawrence has also given former national striker Stern John an unspecified coaching role and Ross Russell, a former national goalkeeper and head coach at local clubs Defence Force, Central FC and Ma Pau Stars, is goalkeeper coach. Israel Dowlat has replaced Babwah as team doctor.

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The post Castries resident is 100 not out appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Another resident of Castries East has made it to the 100 mark.

Yesterday, the Charles, Phillip, Jolie, Recai, Francois, and Jean families joined with the community of Batson Rene Avenue in Entrepot, Castries, to celebrate with Anne-Marie Agnes Mapp (better known as Gee).

Recounting fond memories of the centenarian, both Alison Jean and Jacinta Francois Recai, believes that her stress-free life with no husband and no children, combined with her frequent use of blue soap and home-made coconut oil in everything, may have contributed to her longevity.

With an ever pleasant smile on her face, the centenarian joined the gathering in singing her favourite song, “Trust and Obey”  as they ended the celebrations.

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The post Eco Adventures Tours to host Independence Day Rain Forest Cross Island Hike appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday 22nd February, 2017, Eco Adventures Tours in collaboration with Tropic Trails Island Adventures is honoured to be hosting the 2nd Annual ‘Independence Day Rain Forest Cross Island Hike’.

The theme for this year’s hike is ‘Let’s Love Our Island Home’ Come experience the fastest growing national event, geared towards the appreciation of Saint Lucia’s untapped natural beauty. Eco Adventures Tours and Tropic Trails Island Adventures are St. Lucian Tour/Excursion Operators who pride themselves in raising awareness on the lesser known and serene parts of our island.

Our commitment to environmental conservation, education and promoting co-friendly behaviour remains the hallmark of our brand. This is achieved by creating opportunities to maximize the use of natural resources in an environmentally responsible manner by hosting anti-litter campaigns, clean up days and training our Tour Guides as well as the youth on ourenvironmental responsibilities with clients/tourist.

With the assistance from ‘you’ the private and public sector organizations and corporate citizens, we will be able to lead the hike through the Edmund Rain Forest.

The participation fee will be as follows:

• Pick-up in Soufriere (near the Soufriere Square)
• Children under 12 years old- $35
• Adults- $55
• Pick-up in Castries (near the Derek Walcott Square)
• Children under 12 years old- $55
• Adults- $80
• Pick-up in Vieux Fort (near the Vieux-Fort / Soufriere Bus Stop)
• Children under 12 years old- $50
• Adults- $70

A different pick-up arrangement will be provided for Tourist who would like to take part in this event.

Transportation

– From Castries to the Edmund Rainforest & from Micoud to Castries Square

– From Soufriere Square to the Edmund Rainforest & from Micoud to Soufriere Square

The tour will conclude in Micoud, where patrons have the opportunity to enjoy the island’s natural beauty and to rest from the hike.

Registration on the day of the event will start at 6am from the Castries Square and the Soufriere Square.

Come experience remote waterfalls, rare bird and animal species, learn about indigenous plants and their uses, hike through the rainforest while inhaling the freshest air our island has to offer!

CONTACT

Casim James

Operation and Sales Manager

Tropic Trails Island Adventures

Tel: +1 (758) 284-8086/ +1 (758) 46-7562

Email: casimjames@gmail.com

www.tropictrails.com

Jahrod Alcindor

Manager

Eco Adventure Tours

Cell: +1 (758) 716-8396

Work: +1 (758) 584-8396

Direct: +1 (758) 459-5097

Email: jahrod.alcindor@stluciaecoadventures.com

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The post Belle Vue to host Sports Day appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

PRESS RELEASE – The Belle Vue Development Committee and Belle Vue Youth and Sports Club have organized a Belle Vue Sports Day to commemorate St. Lucia’s 38th Independence Anniversary.

This  event will be held on Sunday February 19, 2017 at the sporting facilities in the community.

The day’s activity will commence at 5:00 am with a health walk from Belle Vue to Vivancelle. Thereafter, a series of 10/10 cricket matches will be played between Belle Vue and Morne Cayenne starting at 10:00 am on the Belle Vue Playing Field. Also, several fun sports events have been organized for residents of all ages on the playing field from 2:00 pm. This will be followed by a football match between married and single men on the playing field. The day’s activities will continue on the multipurpose court with netball at 5:00 pm, basketball at 6:30 pm and an exciting five a side street football soccer-rama at 8:00 pm. The registration fee for the cricket and street football has been set at $5.00 per player.

A major objective of this activity is to create an avenue through which residents can express their skills and talents in the area of sports and promote healthy living among residents. Thus, the Belle Vue Development Committee and Belle Vue Youth and Sports Club invite everyone from Belle Vue and environs to make a special effort to attend the event. Activities of this nature are indicative of love for country and a deep commitment towards advancing the cause of the youth.

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The post Parent concerned over son’s treatment appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Luwis Mathurin was cut by a fence while running on the school court.

A resident of La Haut, Mon Repos resident is planning to take legal action after her son sustained a head injury at the Mon Repos Combined School on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Tresslyn Mathurin, 30, alleges that the school did not contact her after 10-year-old Luwis Mathurin sustained a wound while playing on the “court” after school.

She is also upset that Luwis was sent home unsupervised by an adult, instead of being sent straight to the hospital, based on the severity of the injury.

Mathurin told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that her son was running on the court when he sustained a wound from part of a “fence” that has allegedly remained unrepaired since it was damaged by Hurricane Tomas.

The mother alleges that that Luwis was taken to the Mon Repos Health Centre by his 11-year-old brother and five-year-old sister, who are also students of the school.

Mathurin said she became concerned when she realised it was about 4 p.m. and her son “was late coming from school and the weather was changing”.

“I decided to go look for them. When I arrived by the highway I saw him coming with blood on his school uniform and a white bandage on his head,” she said.

The school court where the incident occurred. The boy’s mother is calling on the school to fix the fence urgently.

It was then that her son related what happened at the school. He then handed his mother a stapled paper.

The letter, addressed to Mathurin, read: “This client sustained a laceration of the left temporal aspect of the head this afternoon. Cleansed with normal saline and dry dressings applied…. Referred to ER, St. Jude Hospital for further management.”

Mathurin said while preparing to go to the hospital her son complained of not feeling well and collapsed. He was taken to St. Jude Hospital by ambulance.

According to Mathurin, the emergency technician was surprised when she handed him the reference letter from the health centre.

“He was like, ‘that’s not a paper that should be handed to me (the parent) but straight to an EMT, a doctor or nurse,” Mathurin said.

Her son sustained stitches and was sent home. Up to that point, Mathurin alleges that she received no phone call from the school or the nurse. She said the school has her phone number.

“If i didn’t go looking for my son, apparently my son would have collapsed on the road and I would not have known anything about it,” she said.

“I got a paper from the doctor telling me that that I need to monitor my son for brain injury.”

The following day, Mathurin said she sought answers from the school’s principal.

“I never got a call to let me know that anything happened to my son,” Mathurin said.

The mother said she has since received a “school insurance paper, nothing else”.

Mathurin has since contacted a lawyer.

“I will take any action to make sure this never happens again,” she said, while calling on the authorities to fix the school fence which had also injured her older son previously.

The principal of the school told this reporter that she will not comment on the incident. She said “many things” are being said on social media that are detrimental to her school and have defamed her name.

“I am not giving any information. That thing has gone viral. So many things people are saying. People need to find facts before they go and say things. I am not prepared to say anything as yet,” she said.

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The post CARIBBEAN: Bandit robs man of $700, gives back 20$ to victim for bus fare appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

TRINIDAD EXPRESS – A SYMPATHETIC gunman who had just robbed a man of $700, apparently felt sorry for his victim and gave back $20, so he could travel home.

The robbery happened outside CCN’s Pointe a Pierre Road, San Fernando headquarters at around 3.10a.m.

The victim said that he was standing on the pavement when a man approached him and pointed a firearm.

The thief allegedly told him: “You see what I have here. What you have?”.

While handing over his cash the victim told thief that he had no money to travel home.

The thief then handed the man $20 and ran off.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

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The post Teddyson John advances to International Soca Monarch finals appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Teddyson John

PRESS RELEASE – St. Lucia’s Teddyson John (TJ), for the second consecutive year has advanced to the finals of the Lotto Plus International Soca Monarch 2017.

Appearing at number forty-nine, the internationally award winning TJ delivered a dynamic and powerful performance on Sunday February 5th, at the Arima Velodrome. Backed by the the Roy Cape Band out of Trinidad, Teddyson comfortably delivered his 2016 hit, ‘No Code’ to have convincingly secured his spot in the top for Fantastic Friday.

The International Soca Monarch (ISM), now in its twenty-fifth year is scheduled for Friday February 24th and will see twenty-two contenders including the reigning ISM King, Voice, vie for the coveted title for 2017. Other finalists include Ricardo Drue, Marvay, Orlando Octave, Patrice Roberts, Blaxx, Tizzy, GBM Neutron, Iwa George, among others.

Upon the announcement of the finalists, TJ shared, “Its an honour to be able to continue to represent my country. Teddyson John did not advance to the finals, St. Lucia did. I’m grateful for all the support and I will continue to fly our flag high. I’m grateful for my team and everyone who continue to support me throughout this process.

TJ further added, “I’d also like to congratulate my brother Ricky T on his represenation in Trinidad thus far and at the semi finals”.

Fans, supporters, well wishers and St. Lucians can continue to follow Teddyson’s journey via his social media platforms @teddysonjohn. For more information on the ISM competition visit www.internationalsocamonarch.com

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The post General Counsel for Digicel Caribbean compares Net Neutrality to Brexit appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

PRESS RELEASE – Speaking at the 11th Capacity Caribbean Conference in Puerto Rico, David Geary, General Counsel for Digicel Caribbean, compared the debate on Net Neutrality to that of Brexit in the United Kingdom.

In his presentation, he outlined that no one really knows what either Brexit or Net Neutrality means as both mean different things to different people, and like the debate about ‘Soft Brexit’ and ‘Hard Brexit,’ some people are in favour of very extreme Net Neutrality – or ‘Hard Net Neutrality’ rules. “‘Hard Net Neutrality’ will be very damaging to the Caribbean,” said David Geary, during the panel discussion on the topic.

‘Soft Net Neutrality’ rules protect consumers, ensuring that there is no blocking of internet content. ‘Hard Net Neutrality’ rules go too far and are an attempt by Internet giants like Google to impose rules on the internet that suit them but put local companies at a disadvantage. “Instead of copying other regions, the Caribbean needs to decide what is best for Caribbean consumers to promote jobs and investment in the region,” Geary continues.

He welcomed the case for co-regulation recently presented by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL), and also praised the leadership of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) on its initiative to formalise the partnership between industry, government and regulators by launching the Caribbean ICT Collaboration Committee. This Committee will consider all of the priorities of the Caribbean and propose the best approach to Net Neutrality for the Caribbean. It is due to produce these recommendations in 2017.

“The Caribbean region needs to be at the centre of the new digital economy and we cannot afford to sit back while jobs and investment go to other parts of the world,” closed Geary.

Moderated by Teresa Wankin, Secretary General Manager for CANTO, other members of the panel at the Capacity Caribbean Conference included Giovanni King, COO, Bureau Telecommunicatie En Post Curacao and Shermon Osepa, Manager, Regional Affairs for Latin America & Caribbean Internet Society.
END

About Digicel
Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 15 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the presenting partner of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of grassroots NRL programs, women’s business initiatives and the Amicale soccer team in Vanuatu.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

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The post RESULTS: KIA National Independence Tennis Tournament 2017 appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

PRESS RELEASE – The KIA National Independence Tennis Tournament launched over the weekend on Saturday at the National Tennis Centre.

Matches served off from 10:00am. Play started on Saturday from 10:00am with the boys 18 & under category.  National 14 & under boys (Jordan Hunte, Aidan Bousquet & Maxx William) dominated the 18 & under category without a dropping a set in the first round of the draw.

In the girls category Jorja Mederick ranked #1 in the girls 12s breezed her way through the round robin phase of the event making her way to the main draw.  

The veterans also took the court Ron Blanchard defeated Linfus Mederick, 6-1 6-1.  Mirajkhar Tushar defeated Gregory Cooper 7-6 6-2.  Jonathan Gladding defeated Conrad Lovell 6-1 6-0.

There was a KIA Red Ball expo for the 10 & under players, who are beginners, they were able to experience a little competition and enjoy the sport at the same time.  Players from Toni’s Tennis Club from the east of the island came to support the event and also participated in the red ball expo.

And of course young National 18 & under female player Meggan William dominated all of her matches without dropping a game in any of her sets played.  

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The post CARIBBEAN: Dancehall artiste Alkaline released appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

JAMAICA STAR – Popular dancehall deejay Alkaline was this afternoon freed from police custody following a judge’s order earlier today that the police either charge the entertainer or release him by 6:00 pm. He was not charged.

Alkaline’s attorney, Peter Champagnie, earlier today filed a habeas corpus for his release.

The artiste, whose real name is Earlan Bartley, last Thursday reported to investigators probing the January 13 murder of Rohan Morris in Maverley, St Andrew.

He was detained that evening following a session of questioning and remained in police custody until about 3:15 this afternoon when he was freed.

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The post LA Swim Club stages successful awards appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

PRESS RELEASE – Swimmers of the Lightning Aquatics (LA) Swim Club were in the spotlight on Sunday, February 5, 2017 for their 2016 Awards held at the Bay Gardens Hotel, Rodney Bay.

The proceedings were led by the swimmers who served various roles and even displayed their versatility by entertaining the audience with a dance performance of Teddyson John’s ‘Allez’ choreographed by LA’s Assistant

Treasurer, Mrs. Brenda Edwin. While LA’s multi-talented Ethan Hazell delivered a spirited performance of Aaron Duncan’s ‘Can you feel it?’

Celebrating with the swimmers were the Member of Parliament for Gros Islet – Honourable Lenard Montoute; Mr. Ligorius Marquis – Representative from the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports; President of the Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association – Mrs. Carol Mangal and guest speaker, Dr. Vernetta Lesporis – Curriculum Specialist for Physical Education in the CAMDU Unit-Ministry of Education. Considering the aptly selected theme for the awards ‘Aiming for the Stars with Every Stroke’, Dr. Lesporis delivered a motivational speech which hopefully inspired the swimmers not to rely solely on their talents but to push themselves further not only in swimming but academically.

According to Dr. Lesporis, “The best way to develop your talent is to work hard, it’s not the easiest way but it’s certainly the one which has the highest degree of lasting success. Train consistently and always give 100% effort because when you are used to working hard after a while it won’t seem like hard work anymore, it becomes a habit”.

Meanwhile, LA’s President, Mrs. Tessa Charles-Louis pointed out that 2016 began with coaching challenges and the departure of a few key swimmers to other clubs. However, in true LA fashion the club persevered and secured three coaches and one trainee coach.

Furthermore, she said, “We participated in all local meets held in 2016 and although our best result was third overall, we continued to amass medals, ribbons and high point age group trophies. Regionally the club participated in the Barbados Amateur Swimming Association Invitational where we placed 7th out of 15 teams and 3rd in the OECS and our swimmers also did exceptionally well at the Amateur Association of Trinidad and Tobago Invitational, where LA copped one bronze and two gold medals and one of our swimmers was the only Saint Lucian to break a record”.

The celebration continued in fine style as swimmers walked away with numerous awards. The Most Consistent award went to Yannick Layne & Naima Hazell, while the Most Improved were Chloe Thomas & Courtney Junia Paul (Female)/Akim Ernest & Jeannot Walters (Male). The Most Versatile were Naekeisha Louis & Lovelle Mottley (Female) and Ethan Hazell and Neil Auguste (Male).

Stroke Awards for best technique in Butterfly – Yannick Layne / Naekeisha Louis; Breaststroke – Karic Charles / Naima Hazell; Backstroke – Akim Ernest / Naekeisha Louis and Freestyle – Ethan Hazell / Naima Hazell.

The Club Champion awardees for those swiping the highest points in their age groups were Girls 8 and Under – Anneliese Gaillard;  Boys 8 and Under – Karic Charles (1st) & Ethan Hazell (2nd); Boys 9 to 10 – Liam Emmanuel; Girls 9 to 10 – Naima Hazell (1st) & Naekeisha Louis (2nd); Girls 11 to 12 – Britney Edwin (1st) and Gabrielle Soomer (2nd); Boys 11 to 12 – Akim Ernest (1st) & Jeannot Walters (2nd); Girls 13 to 14 – Joesha Daniel (1st) & Lovelle Mottley (2nd) and Boys 13 to 14 – Yannick Layne (1st) and Nathan Sherman (2nd).

Team player trophies were presented to Andre Samuel, Steffy Clery, Angelique Gaillard, Aliyah Henry, Simone Walters, Diandre Edwin and Rojan Felicien. Certificates of Participation, Exemplary Discipline, Punctuality and Attendance were also presented.

While three of LA’s nine Learn to Swimmers present – Simoni Maraj-Straugh, Aaron Charles and Jahson Felix received certificates of participation and a medal as a prelude to the many others they will receive in years to come. Tokens were also given to supporters, which included Mr. Anthony De Beauville of the Voice Publishing who continuously attends swim meets and publicizes the sport to the rest of Saint Lucia.

The Coach’s Award was given to Nakaeisha Louis who also tied with Naima Hazell for the Swimmers’ Choice Award, while Yannick Layne copped that category for the males. The final award given for the evening was for Swimmer of the Year which went to Naima and Ethan Hazell (1st) and Naekeisha Louis and Karic Charles (2nd).

The Executive of the Lightning Aquatics Swim Club thanks all its sponsors and supporters for making the awards a success. Check us out on Facebook at Lightning Aquatics Swim Club for photographs from the awards and to learn how you can become a part of this family oriented swim club.

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The post CARIBBEAN: As Argyle Airport opens, PM Gonsalves says it’s ‘a metaphor of what is possible’ appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Argyle International Airport was officially opened Monday afternoon with a flag raising ceremony in which Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said that the facility is “a symbol, it is a metaphor of what is possible in us.

“Do not ever allow any people, any nation to impose on us limitations to our imagination,” he told the large crowd that turned out to the opening of the event, which was taking place six years behind schedule.

“Only we, as a self-governing people under God, with our own individual sense of being; only we must impose limitations on ourselves. Any other notion is a colonial one, and it is debilitating and it will hold us back,” said Gonsalves, who in 2005 announced his Unity Labour Party’s plan to build an international airport at Argyle — the nation’s first.

“Whatever we set our minds to achieve, with patience and calm, we can achieve, as we have seen it here. This is a bridge to the world. And this plan didn’t just come from us. It is a combination of human intelligence and divine inspiration,” Gonsalves said and sang the chorus “I’m building a Bridge”.

Monday’s flag raising was one of two events to mark the opening of the airport, which begins operations on Tuesday with scheduled flights by intra-regional carriers, LIAT and Grenadine Air Alliance.

A number of chartered flights from North America and Cuba are also scheduled to land on Tuesday at the EC$700 million airport, which has contributed EC$400 million to the EC$1.6 billion national debt.

The airport has a runway that is 9,000 feet long and 150 feet wide.

The terminal building has been designed to process 1.5 million passengers annually and 800 persons an hour at peak.

Gonsalves said that at Tuesday’s event, he will have a lot to say.

“Today was supposed to be a very simple function and look at the thousands who are here. Tomorrow, I believe we are going to see the largest crowd ever assembled at one place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. And we are going to have a good time. We are going to have a good time because we have been blessed,” he said.

Speaking earlier, former minister of National Security, Sir Vincent Beache took a rabid partisan line during the event that the government has attempted to present as a national one.

Beache, in a rambling — unscripted address that pushed the ceremony past 6 p.m., when the flag should have been lowered in keeping with national protocols — said that the ULP administration has used a study done under the New Democratic Party administration to inform its decision about the location for the airport.

“That’s why I thought the opposition was stupid that they could have been here to take part of the kudos, because it is their study we used,” Sir Vincent said as members of the crowd shouted to him that opposition lawmakers were in fact at the ceremony.

“But not, instead of that, they made all kind of foolish remarks, even wishing that it would wash away,” Sir Vincent continued and moved on to another point before some close behind him again told him that opposition lawmakers were at the ceremony.

“They are here? I am glad,” Sir Vincent said, adding, “The airport is not for Dr. Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent, it is not for Vincent Beache, it is not for the leader of the Opposition,” he said, adding that at his age he might use the airport once, if at all.

“It’s for the coming generations that would benefit,” Sir Vincent said to some applause.

In his address, Gonsalves reiterated that the events on Monday and Tuesday are national ones.

“This is a not a party, political event; neither the one tomorrow. There is enough time, which we have spent on those arguments and we may well spend them on the arguments in the future, but today, now, and tomorrow (Tuesday), with our guests in our midst, I want to ensure that we have a national event, worthy of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Gonsalves said.

He apparently attempted to excuse Sir Vincent’s comments, saying, “It is inevitable, in the nature of competitive politics, that this or that matter may be said; that something may creep in. But, as prime minister of the country, I want to reaffirm, yet again, that this is a national event.”

Gonsalves used the event to thank the nations and institutions that contributed to the successful completion of the airport.

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