Six beautiful young ladies will be vying for the Miss Queen of Gros Islet Pageant on Sunday, August 31, 2014.

The contestants are Akisha GIdeon, Bebiana Mangal, Racquel John, Okizia Lambert, She’nil Emmanuel and Eslyn Leon.

Who is your favourite contestant? Let us know by voting in the poll below, exclusively on St. Lucia News Online. The winner will receive the Miss Popularity Online Award at the event.

Below are the contestants

Did you know Hildreth ‘Digdoe’ Laurencin was a talented footballer who represented the Marchand Primary School at Wake Shield football competitions?

Some of his colleagues on the Marchand team included the likes of Bengy Amos and Ransom Ramsey. In 1963, he represented St. Mary’s College at the Wake Shield level and in 1967 he represented the senior team. The following year, Hildreth gained selection on the national team playing as inner forward; he continued to represent St. Lucia at football until 1973, the year St. Lucia captured the Popham Trophy. Hildreth was awarded a football scholarship to the United States organized by former national player, Desmond Vidal.

While in the United States, Hildreth represented the University of Southern Connecticut, playing in the Regional (Eastern) states competition and was eventually selected on the regional side for an unbroken five-year period. (1973 -78) Upon his return to St. Lucia, he moved back to the national team but played for just one year, before deciding to take up coaching and was one of the regular coaches of the powerful Shamrock club.

Did you know John Laurencin aka John John, the youngest brother of Earl Cenac and Hildreth Laurencin also started playing football at Marchand Primary in the Wake Shield competition in 1967? That was one year after a St. Mary’s College side, including Hildreth, defeated a lesser Marchand team by a record 10-0 margin.

John John soon emerged as one of the school’s stars, achieving the title – ‘Footballer of the Year’ in 1968. Immediately after leaving school, he played in an unofficial competition for Spurs club, but he was spotted by Rupert Polius, captain of the Shamrock team who brought him to the Shamrock club in 1969. John John was drafted into the first league in 1970, but any prospect of gaining national selection were temporarily shelved when he joined the regional Youth Agricultural Camp in Dominica.

John Laurencin spent two years in Dominica and made his impact there in athletics. In 1971, he returned to St. Lucia as a member of the Dominica Athletics team, participating in the 100 meters, 4X100 and high jump events.

However, John John together with Hildreth formed the attack for the dominant Shamrock side, with skipper Patrick ‘Shark’ Gabriel directing from the mid-field. In 1976, John John was elected ‘Footballer of the Year’, and was selected to captain the Central Castries team in the Mackeson inter-district competition, emerging as footballer of the tournament. John Laurencin also played cricket as a wicketkeeper/batsman representing his Shamrock club.

Source: Outstanding Sports Personalities of St. Lucai by Rupert J Branford – 2000

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

PRESS RELEASE - Cabinet has appointed a task force to determine whether Saint Lucia, should establish an Economic Citizenship Programme.

In the 2014 Throne Speech, Her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General of Saint Lucia announced that Government would begin to examine the question whether Saint Lucia should establish an Economic Citizenship Programme as a new area of investment.

Her Excellency announced that a Task Force consisting of persons from various sectors would be appointed to review and consult and advise Cabinet on the desirability of establishing such a programme.  The Governor General said,

“The time has arrived for us to examine the case for defining and broadening the framework under which citizenship might be offered as part of investing in Saint Lucia; and if we should think that it is a viable option, then under what circumstances we should do so.

Her Excellency indicated that the Task Force will comprise, “persons from various sectors including the Opposition, the private sector, the trade unions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to examine the programmes of other countries and to make recommendations for the consideration of Cabinet. It is my Government’s hope that this matter will be addressed with urgency during the current parliamentary year.”

Consistent with this announcement, Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony wrote to the Leader of the Opposition, inviting the Opposition to name a representative to the proposed Task Force. The Leader of the Opposition recommended Mr. Nicholas John as the opposition’s representative.

On August 4, 2014, Cabinet approved the following persons to serve on the Economic Citizenship Task Force: Dr. Vaughan Lewis, Foreign Policy Advisor (Chairperson); McHale Andrew, CEO Invest Saint Lucia; Brenda Williams, Accountant/Auditor (BDO); George Goddard, Trade Unionist; Timothy Ferdinand, President, National Youth Council; George Deterville, Director of Security, Ministry of the Public Service, Information and Broadcasting; Larry Basham, US Attorney; and Nicholas John, nominee of the Leader of the Opposition.

Cabinet agreed that the Task Force should submit a report to the Office of the Prime Minister by December 1, 2014.

Amid criticism regarding the National Taxi Union’s (NTU) move to get an increase in its fares, President Lucien Joseph said the union remains firm on its position, stating that taxi owners have been living “hand to mouth for too long.”

Joseph told St Lucia News Online (SNO) in an exclusive interview: “I believe the general public is not fair and that they do not know what they are talking about, and I think they know very well that we have had to absorb about 20 increases in regards of fuel and every other thing.”

The NTU president also noted that while taxis have been working with one rate since 1999, hotels have given increases to travel agents, every year all over the world.

“So if now we are saying the time has come for us to look for an increase in income, I don’t understand why the general public is saying what they are saying,” Joseph told SNO.

He explained that the union has not pushed for an increase before because of the concessions taxi operators received from government.

“We believed that it was in our benefit, so that we will hold the rates down, but we were barely breaking even in 2001 and now it is costing 70 percent more to run a taxi. Now we are running the business at a loss,” Joseph added.

Many commuters however have questioned the move, asking why there is a need for increases in fares when the taxi drivers are at liberty to negotiate the prices with tourists.

One concerned citizen said on a local radio programme that he believes that the union is fighting the wrong fight. He believes that the matter should be sorted out between the taxi driver and the resorts that are primarily responsible for the boarding and lodging of the tourists, and not engaging in selling the tourism itself and doing the transfers.

Persons close to the industry said despite the ability to negotiate with tourists, they still believe that the increases should be made official, so that a rate sheet can be issued. This, they said, will ensure that both tourists and taxi owners are satisfied and that no one walks away feeling underpaid or ripped off.

Joseph said the union will be meeting with the government on Friday, August 29 to deal with issues relating to taxes and will also use that forum to discuss the possible increase.

The dumping of a newborn baby boy in a river at Ravine Chabot, Castries has resulted in widespread criticism, a hot topic of discussion, and most importantly, a genuine concern for citizens island-wide. The baby was discovered in a black plastic bag at about 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, August 21.

Coordinator of the Foster Care and Adoption Programme at the Ministry of Human Services, Victoria Francis, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) in an exclusive interview today, August 28, that the incident is an unfortunate one and is advising persons in situations where they cannot afford to take care of a child, to seek help.

“Some people are aware of the services and even those that are unaware can still come into the ministry,” Francis advised.

She explained the programme is a safety net for children in difficult circumstances.

“We can try to have a plan in place for mothers, where the child can be placed in foster care or put up for adoption,” she added.

The role at the Human Services Ministry, she explained, is to find a suitable home for these foster children and to ensure that the children are in a safe and loving environment.

“Persons can come in to human services and we can speak with them, provide them with the physiological support needed for placing the child up for adoption,” Francis added.

The foster programme coordinator stated that they are a number of women who have joined the programme. She said in most cases it is because the women are financially unstable and wish to secure better homes and families for their children.

She further explained however, that they are a number of other reasons why mothers seek the assistance of the ministry.

“Some might be a situation of rape or the person they got pregnant for denies paternity and does not accept responsibility and they feel that they are not able to cope with a new baby.”

The coordinator told SNO that they are many persons who are willing to adopt children, who enter foster care programme. She explained that the adoption process is a legal matter that must be placed before the court.

Interested persons must undergo an assessment process to determine their suitability, provide character references, police certificate and recent medical report; be of sound emotional and mental health and be in a stable relationship. Applicants and their families must also be interviewed and their homes, visited as part of the assessment process.

The objective of the programme is also to provide alternative placements for children in need of care and protection; to help children heal emotionally and afford them the opportunity to once again enjoy their childhood.

It also seeks to enable children to go on to become well-adjusted adults who can enjoy their personal lives and make a valuable contribution to the society; to recruit and train foster parents and adoptive parents; and to promote family preservation through appropriate methods.

The foster care programme also provides services in child abuse and, neglect prevention and management, child maintenance, foster care and adoption, counseling, crisis intervention and critical incident stress debriefing (CISD).

PRESS RELEASE - Every day is a day for winning. You too can be a winner!!!

SNL would like to congratulate Ms. Margurrith Octave, top prize scratch winner. Ms. Octave won $5000 on the scratch game ‘Pay Day’ and admitted excitedly that the money couldn’t have come at a better time. Ms. Octave who is a loyal scratch player said that this win has motivated her to keep playing.

In addition, Ms. Joanna Beaubren was another proud winner of vouchers for Duty Free Caribbean and Jewelers Warehouse altogether valued at $750.
Remember our ‘All About You Promotion’ is still in effect until September 5th 2014. To recap, this summer promotion gives you opportunities to win trips, vouchers and all inclusive weekends when you spend $9 or more on Lucky 3.

At SNL we’re changing lives.

PRESS RELEASE - The Folk Research Centre announces the venues for Jounen Kwéyòl 2014. They are Anse La Raye, Dennery and Vieux Fort.

The Jounen Kwéyòl community celebrations mark their 30th anniversary this year. From the beginning the event was conceived and planned by the Folk Research Centre.

The day was first celebrated in 1983 on International Creole Day the 28th of October, with the major focus of the observance on radio. The day was observed with almost fifteen hours of Kwéyòl broadcasting on the national radio station, Radio St. Lucia. This was a historic day which will be remembered by many St. Lucians.

From eight o’clock in the morning, kwéyòl music was played. There were a number of special features including an interview with Earl Huntley, who had conceived and created the popular kweyol programme, “Radio-a sé sa nou.” The host of that programme was Sam ‘Juke Bois’ Flood who is still hosting kwéyòl programmes. There was also a special feature on local poets who have produced work in Kwéyòl. The major news events for that day were reported in kwéyòl.The highlight of the broadcast was a two hour link-up with DBS radio in Dominica.

However in 1984 the Jounen Kwéyòl began in the form that has become popular today.

The observance in 1984 marked the introduction of mass participation in the observance at the community level.

The first creole community day was held in Mon Repos, a small community on the east coast. After months of preparation, including meetings in Mon Repos with the recently established ‘gany kwéyòl’ (creole group) there, the programme was organized.

The day began with a Kwéyòl mass celebrated by Fr. Patrick Anthony, an ardent Kwéyòl campaigner and founder of the Folk Research Centre. Amidst the punctuation of Kwéyòl hymns, Kwéyòl intercession and prayers, his message was one of undiluted support for the language.

In his sermon, Fr. Anthony emphasized the need for cooperation in the restoration of the aspects of St. Lucian culture whose existence is threatened by external influences. The honouring of Sesenne Descartes, a St. Lucian chantwèl from Mon Repos ( later recognized as Dame Sesenne Descartes, Queen of folk, who died in 2010) which followed the mass was a precedent set.

In later years other folk heroes were recognized. Sesenne received a certificate inscribed in Kwéyòl, a trophy, flowers and numerous words and songs of praise. She in turn gave thanks in song with the rendition of “Manmay la di way” which has become one of St. Lucia’s classic folk songs.

For the rest of the day Sunday October 28th 1984, the atmosphere and mood was ‘kwéyòl’. It was a magnetic rallying theme for the St. Lucians who came from all over the island to witness the event. There were creole meals served in creole vessels, creole games including walaba (a unique St. Lucian version of cricket), creole toys such as wawa symbolizing the deep Christian influence on creole culture.

The other folklore legends who joined Sesenne in sharing with the people the richness of St. Lucia’s oral traditions were the late Eric Adley, Rameau Poleon and his Morne Gallion Band from the south of St. Lucia, Leonards John and Clifton Joseph, together with a group of folk dancers and singers from Piaye on the south west coast.

The participation of more youthful groups from Au Leon, Fond Assau and the Lapo Kabwit drummers from Castries added to the experience.

The other activities for that day included the sale of literature on Kwéyòl including the bilingual newspaper BALATA and a creole dance featuring kwadril groups from Mon repos, Vieux Fort and Castries.

Following is a table of venues which hosted Jounen Kwéyòl in subsequent years:

JOUNEN KWEYOL – THE YEARS AND THE VENUES

1984 Mon Repos
1985 Fond Assau
1986 Piaye
1987 La Ressource, Dennery
1988 Belle Vue, Vieux Fort
1989 Anse La Raye
1990 La Fargue, Choiseul
1991 1. Babonneau 2. Laborie 3. Mon Repos
1992 1. Monchy 2. Anse La Raye 3. Vieux Fort 4. Dennery
1993 1. Grande Riviere, Gros Islet 2. Desruisseaux 3. Piaye 4. Soufriere
1994 1. Micoud 2. Canaries 3. Gros Islet
1995 1. Belle Vue, Vieux Fort 2. Boguis, Babonneau) 3. Choiseul (La Fargue) 4. La Ressource, Dennery.
1996 1. Fond Assau 2. Micoud (Ti Rocher) 3. Monchy (La Feuillee)
4. La Croix Maingot 5. Soufriere (cancelled)
1997 1. Laborie 2. Roseau (Jacmel) 3. Grande Riviere (Gros Islet or Dennery??????????)
1998 1. Castries Central
1999 1. Piaye 2. Anse La Raye
2000 1. Babonneau (Boguis) 2. Vieux Fort 3. Gros Islet 4. Soufriere
2001 1. Monchy 2. Desruisseaux 3. Choiseul (La Fargue) 4. Canaries
2002 1. Anse La Raye 2. Babonneau (La Guerre) 3. Micoud 4. Laborie
2003 1. Soufriere 2. Vieux Fort 3. Mabouya Valley 4. Grande Riviere (Gros Islet)
2004 1. Mon Repos 2. Babonneau 3. Anse La Raye 4. Vieux Fort (Belle Vue)
2005 1. Anse La Raye 2. Dennery 3. Monchy 4. Laborie
2006 1. Odsan (Cul de Sac) 2. Babonneau (La Guerre)
2007 1. Vieux Fort (Belle Vue) 2. Soufriere (Fond St. Jacques) 3. Choiseul 4. Desrameaux (Monchy)
2008 1. Micoud 2. Piaye 3. Grande Riviere (Gros Islet) 4. Canaries
2009 1. Vieux Fort 2. Soufriere 3. Boguis
2010 Jounen Kweyol activities were cancelled due to the passage of Tropical Storm Tomas. It had been
scheduled to be held in Monchy, Fond Assau, Belle Vue, Dennery.
2011 Fond Assau, Dennery, Anse La Raye, Desruisseux, Laborie.
2012 Marigot, Vieux Fort
2013 Grande Riviere (Gros Islet), Soufriere, Mon Repos, Vieux Fort
2014 Anse La Raye, Dennery, Vieux Fort

Three students were presented with scholarships from Bay Gardens Resorts on Thursday, August 28 for their outstanding performance in academics.

The 2014 recipient is Sharnelle Paul, who scored 83.6 per cent at the recent Common Entrance Examination, and secured a place at Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School. The other two recipients are Anieka Calvin and Gibba Edward of the St. Joseph Convent; both students are continuing scholarship recipients.

Abigail Jeremie, who scored 96.33 per cent at this year’s Common Entrance and ranked fifth in the country, was presented with an award for her achievement.

Jeremie’s parents had rescinded the scholarship after she received one from another local company. The scholarship was made available to Paul, whose mother works at Bay Gardens.

Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts Sanovnik Destang commended the recipients for their performance and encouraged them to continue working hard.

“I am very proud and I am sure your parents are as well,” he said.

He touched on the important role parents play in a child’s development and commended them too for the role they played.

“Try to put this Common Entrance thing into perspective. Its one day and its one exam, but what matters is not just what you did that day, but what you do thereafter,” he told the awardees.

Destang told the recipients that they have to think positive, remain focused and work towards achieving their goals, which can in turn lead them to becoming successful as adults. He also advised them to mix their academics with a bit of sport.

“Whatever you do put your all into it, don’t waste your time when you are in school or with other distractions,” he added.

Destang reminded the small gathering of awardees and their parents that education is the key to success and that is one of main reasons why the company supports this.

The support extends beyond scholarships, but through other educational and community initiatives.

The awardees were all elated to have been rewarded with scholarships from the employer of their parent or parents.

The parents expressed similar sentiments and thanked Bay Gardens for the kind gesture.

Levi Peterkin

A St.Lucian-born fireman may be the first to have undergone studies to become a trained Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Paramedic in the United States.

Levi Peterkin, who was initially trained as an EMT here in Saint Lucia, recently completed an associate degree from the Laguardia Community College.

The 30-year-old, who hails from Bois Joli Road, Dennery, will now advance his studies in para medicine and is now fully qualified after years of intense study in New York.

Asked to comment on his achievement, (FM 501) Peterkin said he feels relieved, and noted that it was not an easy programme.

“It was very intense, physically, definitely mentally and it can affect you emotionally as well,” he told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

Peterkin said while he plans to return to serve his country at some point, he will be working to expand his experience first.

“The training is one thing, going out there and applying it is a different type of war. I want to refine my skills, increase my experience, and become more knowledgeable. I still need guidance and that I can’t get returning to the fire service,” he explained.

His past lecturer here, Craig Herman, said: “He has certainly made me proud to have been his lecturer and I wish to congratulate him nationally and publicly.”

Herman said students here have been featured on three full-colour pages of one of the United States two leading medical magazines.

“This milestone also introduces a new population of visitors to our island or at least gives a more positive view of the island from an emergency response and preparedness standpoint,” he added.

Herman said it is important to recognise and support the progressiveness, forward-thinking, determination and international quality achievements of St. Lucians.

Peterkin was a member of the St. Lucia Fire Service from March 30, 2005 before leaving on March 5, 2011 to pursue higher studies in the United States.

Mrs. Roger Eudoxie, front left with two of the recipients, their parents and members of the Castries Lions Club.

PRESS RELEASE - The Lions Club of Castries in answer to the many requests for help from needy families, reached out to four needy and deserving students entering HESS, CCSS, Sir Ira and Bocage Secondary schools, for the academic year 2014-2015.

With the increase in the cost of living and difficulties encountered by parents, especially one parent families, the Castries club saw it fit to stretch its resources to award one time bursaries under the Lion Roger Eudoxie Scholarship Fund.

The parents who accompanied the students expressed their gratitude and assured the Lions that the money will go a long way to help their offspring’s education.

The parents who accompanied the students expressed their gratitude and assured the Lions that the money will go a long way to help their offspring’s education. One mother whose son had benefitted from the Lions scholarship previously was overjoyed that another son of hers would benefit. Her older son had been consistent and diligent in his performance at secondary school and had done her proud with his CXC results.

Unfortunately she was unable to completely finance her younger son’s secondary education, but the Lions were only too willing to help based on the performance of the older sibling.

Lion Beatrice Mc Donald President of the Club, assured that the students’ performance will be constantly monitored to note their progress or regress. Other members of the club voiced the same sentiments, but assured the students and their parents that the Lions are ready and willing to help with any problems the students may encounter, whether academically related or otherwise.

Through the Lion Roger Eudoxie Scholarship Fund, the Lions Club of Castries is able to give back to the community the confidence placed in its members through various fund-raising activities. This is further underpinned by the Lions’ motto” WE SERVE.”

Fire Chief Leslie Fontenelle had reportedly written the SLFSA informing them of the relocation. * GIS photo.

The St. Lucia Fire Service Association (SLFSA) and the management of the St. Lucia Fire Service (SLFS) are at war again.

This time the SLFSA is accusing Chief Fire Officer Leslie Fontenelle of forcing them out of their Monoel Street, Castries office.

Former president of the SLFSA Shane Felix told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today, August 29, that the association is now without an office after all the locks were changed and the keys taken away. Felix told SNO that the SLFSA has been in this situation for the past three weeks.

He admitted that Fontenelle had written the association, informing them of the relocation.

“The chief fire officer doesn’t have the sole right to decide to relocate us. Anything that has to be done with the association has to be done in consultation,” Felix said.

However, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Lambert Charles has debunked the arguments. He told SNO today that the office is located within the administrative block and the plan was to have the office relocated within the same building. The instruction, he said, came directly from Fontenelle.

Charles stated that the association was written to, on two occasions, and failed to respond. According to him, a senior fire officer even had a discussion with Felix regarding the relocation and he (Felix) made it clear to the officer that the SLFSA will not be moving.

The deputy chief fire officer asserted that such behaviour will not be tolerated at the SLFA.

“For an officer who has been credited with a facility of having an office, to refuse to move to another office when directed by the chief, is tantamount to gross indiscipline,” he added.

Charles told SNO that the SLFS is not obligated to provide an office for the SLFSA, but has done so in good faith.

“They are in a position to rent office space because they collect dues from its members, however, the chief did not consider that at all, he just asked that they be relocated to another office, not for them to leave the building,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Felix said that upon discovering that the locks were changed he called to inquire from Fontenelle about his decision and was disconnected.

“He has since informed members of the SLFSA via a general circular that the association is operating illegally, because in his opinion, the association’s two-year tenure is up and its reports have not been submitted.”

Further, Felix has accused the fire chief of refusing to approve meetings for the association. “Not for the executive, not for the association to meet with the Trade Union Federation, and now that you have negotiations ongoing with the government, it means that the association is not able to make proper representation on those issues for its members,” he added.

The SLFSA said it is afraid that its documents could be tampered with. Felix told SNO that the issue has now moved beyond attacking the members and executives of the SLFSA, but the attention has now been shifted on him personally. The former head stated that this is fueled by his action to speak out on matters affecting members within the SLFS and his calls to have the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) acted upon.

“They are basically out to attack me to ensure that the work of the association does not continue,” he claims.

Felix pointed to situations where the Ministry of National Security having to step in and instruct the management of the fire service to recognise the various persons, including himself, who are members of the executives of the SLFSA.

Felix said unless the issues relating to the COI are addressed, fire officials will continue to face challenges and the abuse of authority are likely to escalate. Members of the SLFSA have responded to the recent incident and have suggested to Felix, some avenues by which they can take to have their concerns addressed.

However, Felix said the fact that he and executives are barred from meeting with members, makes it hard in finding consensus on the way forward.

Staff and Students of one of the beneficiary Pre Schools from First Cycle Showing Appreciation.

PRESS RELEASE - Coconut Bay Beach Resort and SPA announces the second cycle of its Cocoland Cares program.

The program is coming on stream to coincide with the re-opening of the new school year on Monday, 1st, September, 2014. The continuation of this program represents the fulfillment on a promised commitment to Saint Lucian Pre-Schoolers by hotel owner Gary “Butch” Hendrickson.

The Cocoland Cares program, launched in April, 2014, provides packages of high-quality learning materials to over 120 preschools on the island. During the launch, Minister of Education Hon. Robert Lewis registered his Ministry’s endorsement of the program. At that same ceremony Mr. Hendrickson pledged to make the program a yearly undertaking.

He indicated his hope for the program to have a positive impact on the process of Early Childhood Education. His vision then and now is: “that the children of Saint Lucia can benefit from an early and firm grounding in terms of those critical skills that they require to make them more effective citizens by way of their contribution to national development.”

The Cocoland Cares Program provides learning materials designed to stimulate and support motto, social, literacy and language skills development in our nation’s children.

C Bay Manager & Staff Presenting Learning Materials during First Cycle.

The area on New Dock Road, Vieux Fort where ‘Trini’ was crushed by a trailor truck.

A man was crushed by a trailer truck on New Dock Road, Vieux Fort this morning, Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent has said.

The pedestrian is so far known as ‘Trini’.

The accident occurred about 9:30 a.m. near the speed bumps. The truck, registration number PK2312, was being driven by Elias Giddeon of Dennery, Innocent said.

A source said the truck driver did not stop initially because he was not aware what had happened.

An eyewitness told St. Lucia News Online that the pedestrian sustained severe head injuries.

“His head and face were crushed. His eyes were dislodged,” the eyewitness said.

Abbott

A source close to Johanna Dominic, the pillion passenger on the motorcycle which collided with a minibus killing police officer Allen Abbott on Monday, has dismissed statements that Dominic and Abbott, a married father, were in a relationship at the time of the fatal accident.

The source said the family of 40-year-old Dominic are disgusted by comments on social media which questioned Abbott’s motive for having Dominic on his motorcycle at that time of the night.

However, the source alleged that it was Abbott who offered Dominic a ride home. The source added that Abbott was just being friendly and helping out a friend, someone he knew for years. Abbott got married in January 2010, according to his Facebook timeline.

“People have been saying a lot of lies,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “She and the guy (Abbott) had a relationship before he got married but they were not together [at the time of the accident]. She (Dominic) has a boyfriend. They’ve been together five years now.”

The source said Dominic was with female friends at a Green Synergy event in Vieux Fort when Abbott approached Dominic. The source said Abbott and Dominic had a conversation.

“She said she is going home now and the guy (Abbott) told her to wait on him, he will give her a ride home,” the source said.

The source further alleged that Abbott took the “longer route” and “made the whole round” when he left Green Synergy to drop Dominic home in La Resource, Vieux Fort. Abbott is from Grand Ravine, Dennery.

“She asked him why he is taking the longer route, why is he passing through Vieux Fort…but he was hard-headed,” the source alleged.

According to a police press release, the motorcycle (registration number PK4795) collided with a minibus (M751) driven by 49-year-old Marcus Mathurin of Cedar Heights, Vieux Fort at about 12:50 a.m. on Monday, August 25 on the Laborie/Vieux Fort Highway.

Police said Dominic and Abbott sustained serious injuries and were transported to St. Jude Hospital where Abbott was pronounced dead on arrival. The Traffic Department of the Vieux Fort Police Station is investigating the accident.

According to the source, Dominic said she recalled seeing the vehicle (bus coming) then heard a loud noise. The source said Dominic and the police officer were thrown from the bike. And that’s all she remembered.

Dominic learned that Abbott died on Tuesday when officers came to the hospital a second time to take statements. The first time the investigators came, she was in too much pain to be fully interviewed, the source said.

Dominic, the mother of a seven-year-old boy, is currently in stable condition at Victoria Hospital. She underwent surgery on one of her legs which was broken in about four places. She also sustained a fractured shoulder and a wound to the head.

“She is speaking, she’s alright. She is stable but in a lot of pain,” the source said.

Some members of the public took to social media to also criticise the police for not releasing an official statement on the accident in a timely manner, suggesting that the police force was trying to “cover-up” because one of their colleagues was involved in the accident.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) received the press release on Wednesday, August 27 – two days after the accident.

However, when SNO contacted Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent on Wednesday when no press release was forthcoming,  Innocent said the press release was sent earlier but the police force’s email system has been experiencing technical glitches. Innocent eventually had to email the press release from her personal email address as several attempts to send it from the work email proved futile.

Police Constable 280 Abbott served the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force for 19 years. At the time of his death, the 40-year-old was attached to the Special Services Unit.

He is survived by his wife. They had a daughter together.

PRESS RELEASE - The planning committee of the Choiseul Secondary School Class of 2001 will be hosting the 13th Year Reunion on Saturday December 20th, 2014 from 7:00 p.m.

All colleagues from the 2001 class are invited to attend.

For more information on cost, venue and program, please send an email to choiseulsecreunion@gmail.com or please call the following committee members:
Vangie Charles (758) 287-5302 and
Yolande St. Helen (758) 486-7705

Come have a night of fun with old friends who are waiting to see you.

PRESS RELEASE - The Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport informs the general public that bus fares authorised in 2008 have not changed and still apply for all routes.

The Ministry reminds public omni-bus owners and drivers that pursuant to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Omni-bus Fares) Regulations of 2008, a driver of an omni-bus shall not charge or demand more than the fares chargeable, pursuant to the regulations.

The ministry reminds also that the fares, in relation to the route which the public omni-bus has been authorised to ply, should be clearly displayed inside the  omni-bus.

In this regard, users of any public omni-bus, by law, cannot refuse or omit to pay for the fares stipulated in the 2008 regulations and displayed in the omni-buses.

PRESS RELEASE – Continuing on its company-wide stance of nonstop training and development, the Human Resource Department of Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Spa & Beach Resort on Thursday and Friday hosted more than two-dozen supervisory team members in a retreat that sought to prepare them for the company’s revised operational stance going forward.

Dubbed a ‘Supervisors Retreat’ the event ran under the theme “Refresh, Re-Focus, Re-Energize” and sought to build on the Henry Ford adage that a group that comes together, stays together and works together would undoubtedly be a successful one.

Regional Director for Sandals Resorts International – Eastern Caribbean Mr. Andre Dhanpaul coached the young management team members on the concept of planning their personal development and creating their own brand in an industry as diverse as tourism and hospitality.

He referenced the gradual but consistent process of success that is built around persistence, dedication and a natural hunger for steady growth and development.

“It is important for you to understand who you are and what you are going after. A big part of success is to become disciplined. If you are going to have a brand you must craft it… condition your mind to do well,” Dhanpaul said.

General Manager for Sandals Grande Mr. Winston Anderson outlined details on resort’s new direction. He noted that Thursday’s initiative was a conscious one deemed essential for team members to become more informed of the company’s shift in focus.

“This retreat is timely, important and vital as we move forward. We are where I like to call a cross road at Sandals Grand and you all have an important role in this new direction,” Mr. Anderson said.

Solidifying the session was Regional Training & Human Resource Manager Ryan Matthew who delivered an indebt Team Building lecture covering topics from Counseling and Coaching, to Team Member Appraisal/PIP, Understanding Your Team and most importantly – Team Work.

“There is a fundamental place that we need to move to. When we grow into leadership we must be able to delegate because we cannot do it on our own. We must allow the team to experience success,” Matthew said.

The concept of teamwork and building solid working relationships throughout the staff body was strong in Thursday’s activities. And HR Managers for Sandals Grande and Sandals Regency La Toc, Fleur Mathurin and Karen Brown respectively underlined this.

The supervisors were even exposed the financing and providing aid to budgetary management of their individual department through a session delivered by senior accountant Antonia Ferdinand-Amedee under the theme Budgeting – Maximizing Cost.

Providing insight on Conflict Resolution/Mediating Team Member Issues was Commissioner of Labour Mr. Ray Narcisse.

Custom officials here, especially those working at the Hewanorra International Airport, are fearful that the Ebola virus could enter St. Lucia.

They have complained that no medical team is available at the airport to screen people, who they think may have the Ebola virus, even though promises were made to have this in place.

According to reports, several people from Nigeria, one of the countries affected by the virus, have already been granted stay in St. Lucia.

Other flights expected today, August 30 and in the new week will have more African nationals on board and could possibly be Ebola victims.

President of the Civil Service Association (CSA) has told the media that the custom officials plan to down tools today, if there is no medical team at the airport.

“If the next flight should arrive with anyone from West Africa, I do not believe the officers will attend to that flight.”

Isaacs said she had met with the officers who expressed dissatisfaction at the ministry for not acting fast enough.

The CSA president has said that the entire St. Lucia is at risk, but noted that custom officials are more vulnerable, given that they are the ones at the main port of entry.

Isaacs has urged the government to activate a medical team immediately.

On Friday, August 8, a man of Nigerian ancestry, but who resides in the United Kingdom, was flagged a suspected Ebola victim on a British Airways flight that was in transit in Saint Lucia and destined for Trinidad. However, this later proved to be a false alarm.

Following this incident, the Ministry of Health hosted a stakeholder consultation to discuss the Ebola virus and talk about preventative measures they had hoped to put in place.

The meeting was aimed at also reducing the possibility of importation and spread of the disease.

The plans discussed were to have all the port of entries, properly staffed with medical teams to respond to a possible threat of Ebola.

However, to date there have been no word regarding the activation of medical teams in different locations to assist with the detection of the Ebola virus.

This deadly disease is currently at epidemic levels in the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Guinea and Senegal.

The Ebola outbreak “continues to accelerate” in West Africa and has killed 1,552 people, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

The total number of cases stands at 3,069, with 40% occurring in the past three weeks

Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic disease that is transmitted through close personal contact with a person infected with Ebola.

Austin

Twenty-three-old Francillia Austin will represent St. Lucia in The Philippines at the Miss Earth pageant in November 2014 after she was victorious in the Miss Earth Saint Lucia competition held at the Gaiety in Rodney Bay on Friday, August 29.

The pageant promotes beauty and social consciousness through environmental awareness.

Kershara Williams, representing forest, won the first runner-up position while Patrisha George (water) snatched the second runner-up spot.

The other contestants were Keisha Gonzague (fire), Ciel Leonce (earth) and Cleopatra Mason (sun).

Below are the environmental platforms each contestants campaigned on:

Gonzague – chemical management
Leonce – pollution
Williams – eco-tourism
Mason – climate change
George – water shed management
Austin – biodiversity

St. Lucia has had three representatives over the years: Hanna Fitz in 2006, Cathy Daniel Sammy in 2007 and Oneka McKoy in 2008. The St. Lucian leg of the pageant, organised by Cathy Sammy, returned after a seven-year hiatus.

Miss Earth winners.

Miss Earth is an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness. Along with its rivals Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International contests, Miss Earth is one of the four largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of national-level competitions to participate in the world finals and one of the most publicised beauty contests in the world.

The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote specific projects and often address issues concerning the environment and other global issues through school tours, tree-planting activities, street campaigns, coastal clean-ups, speaking engagements, shopping-mall tours, media-guesting, environmental fair, storytelling programmes, eco-fashion shows, and other environmental activities.

The current Miss Earth titleholder is Alyz Henrich from Venezuela who was crowned on December 7, 2013 in Muntinlupa City, Philippines.

The body of a senior citizen was fished from a river along on the Vieux Fort-Laborie Highway this morning.

The man has been identified as Michael Henry, believed to be in his 60s or 70s.

Reliable sources say Henry was discovered missing from his home at about 2:00 this morning and a search by relatives ensued.

His lifeless body was discovered near a bridge at about 11 a.m., about 200-300 feet from his home. The location of the discovery is close to True Value.

Police sources say no signs of violence were scene on the body. His death is currently being labeled a suspected drowning until a post mortem is done to determine the cause of death.

Sources close to the family say Henry lost his wife about three weeks and may have fell into depression. It is believed that Henry, who is also ailing, may have wandered off late in the night and fell in the river.