PRESS RELEASE - The Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government & Community Empowerment hosted a technical workshop for cross-sectorial stakeholders in the development of a Proxy Means Test for the dispensation of appropriate social assistance to targeted segments of the population.

St. Lucia’s National Eligibility Test, referred to as the SL-NET is critical for the progress of the Social Safety Net Reform (SSNR) currently being undertaken by the Ministry, and by extension the Government of Saint Lucia. The SL-NET or Proxy Means test would serve as an objective and scientific method of determining eligibility among persons requesting social assistance. It will identify the poor from the non-poor and the indigent.

Participants of SL-NET Workshop were asked to critically review the Proxy Means Test (SL-NET) based on the analysis and recommendations from the World Bank Consultant and Economist-Ms. Yadira Diaz; and the UN Women Case Study on the SL-NET prepared by Ms. Debbie Budlender.

“In an economic climate where things are tough, it is incumbent upon any serious government to focus on those persons who will feel the burden and will not be able cope. Those of us with an income and access to resources, we feel the pinch. Just imagine how it is for those who have no income,” said Minister the Honourable Harold Dalsan in highlighting the significance of the endeavor, and the Government of Saint Lucia’s commitment to social protection.

The workshop was followed by a Technical Working Session today Friday, September 5th, 2014 to chart the way forward for the refinement of the Proxy Means Test based on the analysis and recommendations from Thursday’s SL-NET Workshop.

UNICEF Social and Economic Policy Specialist, Jawad Aslam who has been heavily involved in the SSNR process expressed great satisfaction with the progress thus far, and the commended the level of participation by stakeholders.

The SL-NET would enable Government to channel its limited funds to those who are most in need, based on objective criteria. It will ensure that those who need the assistance will receive it and those who do not are not.

CUOPM – As a final report with recommendations from a 27-person National Advisory Committee on Minimum Wage is being prepared to be sent to Minister of Labour, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett, St. Kitts and Nevis leads the OECS with the highest minimum wage.

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minimum Wage is presently$8.00 per hour or EC$320 per week, while other OECS nations minimum wage is between EC$4.05 per hour and EC$7.51 per hour.

Information obtained from the local Department of Labour indicates that the minimum wage in the other OECS countries are as follows: Antigua and Barbuda, EC$7.51 (EC$300.40 per week); Grenada, EC$6.00 (EC$240.00 weekly); St. Lucia, EC$5.00 per hour (EC$200.00 per week); St. Vincent and the Grenadines, EC$4.46 per hour (EC$178.40 per week); Dominica, EC$4.05 per hour (EC$162.00 per week).

It is interesting to note that Barbados’ minimum wage is EC$8.45 per day (EC$338.04 per week) and in Belize, EC$4.46 per day (EC$162.00 per week).

Commissioner of Labour, Mr. Spencer Amory said Minister Nisbett hosted a National Consultation with key stakeholders on 7thAugust 2014 at the headquarters of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

He disclosed that the Committee met on 19th August, 21st August 2014, 26th August 2014 and 28th August 2014.

A crowd comprising mainly students at Constitution Park. A stabbing involving two students occurred close by earlier this afternoon.

A male student is currently in serious condition at hospital after sustaining stab wounds this afternoon during a fight.

The incident reportedly took place near the La Croix bus stop in Castries around 4:30 p.m.

Another student is suspected of doing the stabbing. The victim was rushed to hospital on a police vehicle.

St. Lucia News Online also understands that a fight between two female students occurred in the same area around the same time.

More details soon.

Abbott

PRESS RELEASE - The funeral service of the late Police Constable #280 Allen “Randy” Abbott, will be held at the Bois Jolie Seventh Day Adventist Church in Dennery on Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.

Prior to the service, the body will be exposed for viewing at the Police Auditorium on Bridge Street, Castries from 9:00 a.m.

At 10:00 a.m. the officers will march from the Police Auditorium to Inner Relief Road, Castries. The officers will then fall out and proceed to Dennery.

For the second parade, the officers will march from the junction of Dennery and Bois Jolie road to the Bois Jolie Seventh Day Adventist Church where the funeral service will take place.

The body will be interned at the La Ressource Cemetery.

Landslide between Canaries and Bouton this morning.

PRESS RELEASE - The Saint Lucia Meteorological Services has indicated that a tropical wave in the vicinity of the Lesser Antilles is currently producing cloudiness, moderate to heavy showers as well as periods of rain and isolated thunderstorms over Saint Lucia and the rest of the region.

Consequently, the National Emergency Management Organization wishes to advise all residents in areas prone to flooding and landslides to excise extreme caution and to take all necessary precautions.

NEMO also wishes to urge all Saint Lucians to remain vigilant and to continue to closely monitor weather reports for further updates.

Flooding in Bexon as a result of last night’s rains.

Fallen tree on the Almondale, Union road.

A father of two from Mongouge, Choiseul sustained injuries in an altercation at a bar in Soufriere Friday night, Sept. 5.

Brian Felix, 30, also known as Salad, a handyman at Sugar Beach Resort, was taken to hospital after he was beaten and stabbed.

Felix, the father of two daughters – ages 8 and 3 – was admitted at St. Jude Hospital.

His condition is now stable.

Reports are that gunshots were heard in the area. It is not yet clear if the shooting and the stabbing incidents are related.

PRESS RELEASE - The Humanistic Solidarity Association ( Saint Lucia – Cuba ) in association with the Embassy of Cuba will be highlighting a number of events which will be taking place over the next month to draw attention to the Cuban 5 and Cuba Against Terrorism.

The first of these events will take place on Saturday `6th. September 2014 when a group from the Embassy of Cuba headed by Ambassador H.E.Lydia Gonzalez Navarro and including Cuban collaborators working in Saint Lucia along with H.E. Leiff Escalona Ambassador of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and staff of the Venezuelan Embassy , Members of the Humanistic Solidarity Association (Saint Lucia – Cuba ), and friends of Cuba and Venezuela will climb the Gros Piton in Soufriere to highlight the plight of the Cuban 5.

Another activity will be a radio Program on Friday 12th. September on Shelton Daniels 90 minutes on Radio Saint Lucia at 9.00 AM ,panelist will include the Cuban Ambassador H.E. Lydia Gonzalez Navarro,Bro.Maurice Moffat Public Relations Director of the Humanistic Solidarity Association ( Saint Lucia – Cuba ) and Bro.Rossini Francois a Member of the Committee for the Release of the 5 .

It is hoped that on Friday 19th September 2014 a documentary on the Cuban 5 will be aired on the National Television Network.

The final activity will be the airing of a documentary on the Cubana Aircraft bombing on October 6th 1976 on NTN Television network.

An Article first published in the Voice News paper of Saturday November 6th 1976 on the discovery of the the pilots licences of the bombed aircraft by Robert Pulchere will be reproduced.

PRESS RELEASE - M&C Group of Companies began operations on the 5th September, 1864 and has established itself as a vital and enduring presence in the economic and social life of Saint Lucia. Historically, the company distinguished itself as an enterprise with a pioneering spirit and great foresight, a legacy that persists today, even in times of adversity.

The M&C Group of Companies is a diversified group, with 7 businesses: M&C Home Depot, M&C Drugstore, M&C General Insurance, M&C LPG Distribution, M&C Shipping, Admiral Shipping and Brydens. It is one of the island’s largest employers, with a cumulative staff complement of 510.

As a member of the Barbados conglomerate, Goddard Enterprises Ltd., M&C maintains its acumen for excellence. The company continues to seek out new business opportunities, and prides itself on being able to offer customers a wide variety of products and services.

In addition to its contributions to the economic life of Saint Lucia, M&C has demonstrated a commitment to the community in which it operates, through a long history of philanthropic initiatives in social and cultural life. 150 years after its inception, M&C Group of Companies continues to expand and evolve, all the while adhering to the values espoused by its founding fathers.

M&C Group of Companies celebrates this milestone with its staff, customers, corporate partners and all St. Lucians. Some of the planned events are: An Islandwide Art Competition which will be open to all Primary and Secondary School Students from September 22nd with the deadline for entries October 24th, September Specials at Brydens House of Wines & Spirits, a 3 Day SALE at M&C Home Depot and a 6 Day SALE at M&C Drugstore all in September.

M&C Group of Companies is proud to have served St. Lucia for 150 years and look forward to many more years of service.

Collage of photos showing flooding in Bexon.

The island was impacted by four landslides caused by high-intensity thunderstorm showers between last night and early this morning, Acting Director of the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) Velda Joseph has said.

Teams from the Ministry of Infrastructure have been deployed to assist, Joseph said.

Two landslides occurred in Sarrot, affecting two houses, and two landslides occurred in Canaries and Soufriere.

Joseph said one of the landslides occurred 200 metres below Quatre Chemin and another at Belvedere. A team has been working in that area to clear the roadways, however motorists are advised  to drive with extreme caution.

Flooding also occurred in the Bexon area. Joseph  said the Crown Lands Bridge in Bexon was breached by debris, but there is now free flow of water.

Micoud South also suffered a power outage and minor flooding occurred in Castries North and Central.

The Almondale, Union road was blocked by a fallen tree.

One person sustained injuries when a minibus collided with a car and burst into flames along the Richfond Highway in Dennery Saturday night.

Police sources say the bus, driven by Anthony Ghirawoo of Marigot with one passenger, was heading north, while the car, driven by Kalila Abubkr of Morne Fortune, Castries, also with one passenger, was heading in a southerly direction. The crash occurred around 11:30 p.m.

Ghirawoo and his passenger – Laurentia Leo – had enough time to exit the bus after it capsized. It exploded shortly after they escaped.

Leo, a St. Lucian residing in Martinique who was due to travel today, sustained a laceration to the left knee, among other blows. She was transported to hospital in the police vehicle.

Efforts to use a small extinguisher by the police proved futile. Sources say only one fireman was at the nearby fire station, and he was not officially on duty due to the ongoing strike action by the Fire Service Association.

However, he eventually arrived on the scene with a fire truck which had no water. By the time he returned with another fire truck, the bus was totally destroyed.

PRESS RELEASE - About 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2014, a female standing in the vicinity of a business place at Beanfield, Vieux Fort, was indecently assaulted by a young male in the full view of an off duty police officer.

The officer approached the male, identified himself to the individual and informed him that he had committed an offence by indecently assaulting the female. The suspect started insulting the police officer, who then informed him that he was under arrest.

The suspect reached in his pocket for a pair of scissors and launched at the police officer with it. The police officer attempted to disarm the suspect, who repeatedly launched at the officer with the intent of stabbing him.

The officers discharged one round of ammunition at the suspect, hitting him in the leg. He was subsequently taken to St. Jude’s hospital where he was treated and admitted.

The matter is currently being investigated.

Digicel’s Sergin John Baptiste pictured with Miss Earth … ancillia Austin and 1st runner up Kershara Williams.

PRESS RELEASE - Digicel, as the sponsor of a pageant that boasted both beauty and environmental awareness: Miss Earth, St Lucia 2014 was crowned as Ms Francillia Austin at the Gaiety on Rodney Bay last Friday August 29th, 2014.

Understanding that beauty queens can make effective advocates of causes, pageant organizer of Miss Earth St Lucia Cathy Daniel Sammy had six gorgeous ladies Patrisha George, Keisha Gonzague, Ciel Leonce, Kershara Williams, Cleopatra Mason and Francillia Austin all vie for the prestigious title of Miss Earth 2014.

As winner of MISS EARTH Francillia will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns and represent St. Lucia in the international MISS EARTH pageant to be held in the Philippines in November.

By securing the pageants title Francillia received a state of the art 4G capable Samsung Galaxy S4 mini as her prize from Digicel. That way Francillia can stay connected to her family and friends as she journeys to the Philippines.

An emotional Francillia explained, “I was surprised my name was called as the winner.   I put in a lot of hard work and devoted long hours in getting prepared for this pageant.  Finding out I actually won I could not contain myself and so I just busted into tears as I felt it all paid off.”

“We at Digicel are excited and proud of Francillia and know she will be a great advocate for environmental conservation and protection.  Going a step further and being St Lucia’s delegate for the international stage of the pageant, Digicel wishes Francillia good luck as we look forward to her bringing home the crown from the Philippines”, commented Head of Marketing Leslie Collymore.

PRESS RELEASE - The Mental Health Services team under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations recognizes the need to further educate the nation on suicide prevention especially taking into consideration the many challenges which confront us.

Suicide is a major public health problem. The psychological pain that leads each of these individuals to take their lives is unimaginable. Their deaths leave families and friends bereft, and often have a major ripple effect on communities.

Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among those aged 30-49 years in 2012 globally, and is the second leading cause of death in the 15-29 years age group in 2012 globally.

Overall, it is estimated that during 2012 for each adult who died of suicide there were 27 others who made suicide attempts. (www.iasp.info/wspd).

This year, we will be recognizing this event under the theme, ‘Suicide Prevention: One world connected’. In light of this, you are invited to a mini exhibition/symposium on September 10^th 2014 at the Auditorium of the Wellness Centre from 9:00 am.

We thank you for your effort and interest in the commitment to prevent suicide in Saint Lucia.

It is our hope that we as individuals, organizations and interest groups will offer support one for another in an effort to save lives.

PRESS RELEASE - Due to the inclement weather over the weekend and by popular demand the 1st National Bank Land Expo will be held at the Derek Walcott Square on Tuesday and Wednesday September 9th and 10th, respectively from 2:00p.m through to 6:00p.m.

Land developers and Realtors will be on hand to showcase their many properties.  Special rates on land will be offered.  Please walk with your job letter, salary slip and information on debts and hire purchase obligations for quick pre-approval.

The campaign enables the average St. Lucian to secure his or her future by obtaining a small piece of their beautiful homeland.

Whether the purchase is for investment purposes or as security for a child’s education you can get land with as low as only 5% deposit and a maximum of 20 years to repay.

To guarantee quick approval please walk with your job letter, salary slip and information on any debts or hire purchase you may have.

Cedolf Hunte

A post mortem examination conducted on the body of a Guyanese man, who was stabbed in Ciceron, Castries, on Saturday August 30, revealed that he died from hemorrhagic shock secondary to stab wounds.

Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent told St Lucia News Online (SNO), today that no arrest has been made in the matter thus far, since investigations are still ongoing.

Cedolf Hunte, 34, also known as ‘Body’, of Ciceron, was attacked by four masked men at around 2:40 whilst playing cards with friends in the community.

An eyewitness told SNO that he saw when Hunte collapsed and fell on his back. The eyewitness said Hunte may have suffered a serious head injury based on how he fell.

The source said after Hunte fell, the perpetrators ran, and a few residents gave chase. According to relatives of the deceased, some known characters from the community may be responsible for his death.

Hunte’s stepmother Rufina Francis had told SNO that she believes the issue stemmed from Hunte’s confrontation with persons who was allegedly responsible for the break-and-enter, of a van he drove sometime late last year.

Relatives have alleged that the suspect and another friend from La Toc may be responsible for the stabbing incident.

Hunte was a construction worker and was living in St. Lucia for about seven years, before his death.

A female allegedly responsible for the dumping a baby boy in Ravine Chabot, Castries on August 21, is still hospitalised according to Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent.

Innocent told St Lucia News Online (SNO) today, September, 8 that charges are expected to be laid against the female suspected to be in early 20’s, after her discharge from the Victoria hospital.

A source had told SNO, that the mother had been experiencing complications in relations to the alleged abortion prior to her admittance into the hospital.

The baby was discovered in a black plastic bag in the community.

The baby was transported to Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A number of persons have been assisting police with their investigation.

PRESS RELEASE - About 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, 2014, officers attached to the Babonneau Police Station had reason to stop and search the person of 38-year-old Nathan Mederick of Balata, Castries.

A search was also carried out on his motor vehicle registration number PD 566.

During the search, the officers recovered 2 magazine and 66 live rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Mederick was subsequently arrested for firearm offences and escorted to the Babonneau Police Station.

On Monday, September 8, 2014, a search warrant was executed at the premises of Mederick.

The officers recovered a 9mm pistol and a magazine containing 8 live rounds of ammunition. Mederick was then charged for Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition.

Nathan Mederick made a court appearance at the First District Court in Castries on Monday, September 8, 2014.

Rodney Bay Marina.

PRESS RELEASE - Officers attached to the Gros Islet Police Station are reporting that they have made some progress into the investigation of a robbery at the IGY Marina Dry Dock in Rodney Bay which occurred on Sunday, August 17, 2014.

Officers have since arrested and charged Marcus Lafeuillet of Bagatelle Castries for the offence of Robbery. He appeared before the First District Court in Gros Islet on Monday, September 8, 2014.

Lafeuillet was bailed in the sum of one thousand dollars cash and two thousand dollars suitable surety. He was also ordered to surrender all travel documents and to report to the Marchand Police Station twice weekly.

It is alleged that three armed men dressed in polo shirts carrying the crest of the RSLPF, one of whom was wearing a bulletproof vest with the word “POLICE” written on it, robbed the IGY Marina Dry Docks located in Rodney Bay of approximately $10,000.00.

The armed bandits then made their escape using a white panel van registration number PK 219.

The matter is still being investigated.

PRESS RELEASE - About 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 7, 2014, officers attached to the Marine Unit of the southern division intercepted a French built fiberglass canoe, about 6 nautical miles southwest of Choiseul.

The vessel was boarded and a search was conducted on it, as well as its two male occupants. The officers discovered two large polythene bags containing what is suspected to be cannabis.

The men were arrested and subsequently charged for drug related offences on Monday, September 8, 2014. They are 26-year-old Garvin Emmanuel of Marigot and 42-year-old Ericson Leo of Jacmel, Anse La Raye.

The men are expected to make a court appearance at the Second District Court in Soufriere on Tuesday, September, 9, 2014.

PRESS RELEASE - Cast and crew from Shakespeare Globe Theatre arrived on St. Lucia earlier today. Their visit forms part of an unprecedented 2 year tour which will take them to every country in the world for the staging of Hamlet.

Saint Lucia is the forty-fourth stop out of two hundred and five nations where Hamlet will be staged in this theatrical adventure.

Theatre director Peter Brook said: “The six simplest words in the English language are TO BE OR NOT TO BE. There is hardly a corner of the planet where these words have not been translated.

Even in English, those who can’t speak the language will at once recognise the sound and exclaim ‘Shakespeare!’ Hamlet is the most all-encompassing of Shakespeare’s plays.

Everyone, young or old can today find an immediate identification with its characters, their pains and their interrogations. To take Hamlet in its original language around the world is a bold and dynamic project. It can bring a rich journey of discovery to new audiences everywhere.”

Officials from the Cultural Development Foundation were at the George Charles Airport on Monday afternoon to greet the internationally acclaimed thespians who were beyond thrilled to be in St. Lucia for a theatrical production.

Members of the cast remarked at how beautiful the Caribbean is, having so far visited and performed in the Bahamas; Cuba; Jamaica; Dominican Republic; Haiti; St. Kitts & Nevis; Antigua and Dominica.

The single performance of Hamlet takes place on Tuesday, September 9, from 7:30 pm at the Gaiety in Rodney Bay.