Demolition of Derelict Structure (Harbour House) on Grand Turk
For years it has been a sore eye to residents & visitors in the Capital that seeings over a million visitors via the cruise line, finally, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development(PPID) informed RTC News & the general public that the Proprietors conducted demolition works on the derelict building formerly known as Harbour House on block and parcel 10304/142, 143 in Grand Turk.
The demolition works are a result of an Amenity order directive issued on March 16, 2020. Demolition works commenced on Thursday, March 7, 2022.
The general public is advised that prior to commencement of the operation, the proprietors took the following precautionary steps:
All persons occupying the above mentioned parcel weregranted four(4) months to evacuate. Eviction notices have been served.
Sought the necessary permission for the road closure from the TCI Royal Police Force, Department of Public Works and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Two days prior to the demolition exercise, the proprietors carried out a survey of persons who remained to be evacuated from the building; and on the day of the exercise the proprietors confirmed that all buildings were evacuated prior to commencement of the demolition exercise.
The Department of Planning’s staff were on site to monitor the demolition work.
The utility companies (Water Company, Fortis) were notified to make the necessary disconnections prior to commencement of demolition.
No construction activities including but not limited to the site clearance should take place without the issuance of development permission and building permits.
Hoardings were erected to screen the site during the demolition work.
The debris should be removed from the site to a location approved by the Chief Environmental Health Officer.
For further details and guidance on any of the above mentioned, please do not hesitate to contact the Ministry at Grand Turk via Ph. (649) 338-2207, 338 - 2208 and 338 - 2209 or Providenciales Ph. (649) 338- 4335. Our staff remains committed to working along with the General Public to maintain a safe built environment and we anticipate your full cooperation in this matter.
More than six million now dead worldwide from COVID-19
At least six million people have died worldwide from COVID-19, according to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, which reports the total number of global fatalities at 6,000,936 as of Monday morning. The first case of COVID-19 was reported December 31, 2019 in Wuhan, China.
The number of reported COVID-19-related deaths in the U.S. stands at 958,621. That remains the most reported deaths of any other nation, accounting for 16% of total global fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently estimating there will be a reported total of 971,000 to 986,000 COVID-19 deaths by the week ending March 26.
The U.S. is currently reporting 79,271,466 cumulative COVID-19 cases. This also is more reported cases than any other nation. The first case of COVID-19 was reported in the U.S. on January 21, 2020, with the first U.S. death believed to have occurred on February 28, 2020. The actual number of COVID-19 cases and deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide is believed to be higher than what is reported, due to under-reporting of infections and deaths.
Source-ABC
Government open to international assistance to deal with crime situation in St.Lucia
The St. Lucia government said Monday that ‘all options are open” as it responds to the criminal activities on the island highlighted by the weekend murder of an off-duty police officer and the hospitalisation of another law enforcement official.
“We have to do whatever we can to avoid the scourge of violence afflicting our country,” Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre told reporters as his Cabinet meet on Monday for its weekly meeting.
Constable Nathan Timaitre was shot and killed last Saturday, while his colleague Constable Isaac Calvin sustained injuries and remains in a critical condition after they were fired upon by gunmen as they provided escort for a cash transaction at Bocage on the outskirts of the capital, Castries.
“All options are open,” Prime Minister Pierre said, when asked about the possibility of international assistance, describing the Bocage incident as a sad day for the island.
Pierre said that the crime situation has been affecting St. Lucia for a long time and warned against playing the blame game.
He said while the government, within its fiscal ability, provides resources to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), it’s for the police force to develop strategic responses to crime.
“We have to be calm, we have to be resolute, we have to fight the criminality together.
Criminality at all levels, at the level of corruption, at the level of situations where people do not speak the truth – we have to get all these situations under control.
Criminality in all aspects is horrible and what’s happening now where there’s a loss of life and property cannot be tolerated,” Pierre told reporters, urging the population to get together to help deal with the situation.
Source-CMC
EDUCATION WEEK COMMENCES ON MARCH 6TH – 11TH
Education Week 2022 kicked off on Sunday 6 March with its usual flare, as the official ecumenical church services were hosted across the country. Social media was lit up with lots of pictures from the various services across the islands, as the Ministry of Education personnel, schools, parents and supporters all displayed their Sunday best for the occasion.
Activities for Education Week 2022 will run until 11 March under the theme "Success for Every Learner". The Ministry of Education says that activities are planned at the national and school level.
Today, in Grand Turk, the Ona Glinton Primary School held a special award ceremony for students who made the honour roll. The event was attended by the Minister for Home Affairs, Honourable Otis Morris, who reminisced about when he attended the school and said that he would do everything in his power to ensure that the school remains the number one primary school in the country.
Former Principal, Ms. Gwen Harvey also attended, where she gave a prayer and assisted with the handing out of awards. Consequently, today is also her birthday. Happy birthday to you former Principal Harvey.
Also, in Grand Turk, the Eliza Simons Primary School also hosted a cultural day with local ripsaw musicians, where students got to sing local songs, learn how to play local music, and have lots of fun.
Other activities taking place today included the Fortis Virtual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Teachers Workshops.
Also, later today at 5:30 pm there will be a symposium on the Education Week theme of Success Every Learner. The symposium begins with a keynote address and will be followed by a panel discussion. The panel will discuss the theme with a view towards providing recommendations aimed at improving the education system’s ability to facilitate, what the theme postulates.
On Tuesday, 8 March there will be a TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) Day will be hosted at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex.
In addition to the main activities, individual schools across the country will be hosting a variety of activities.
Education Week concludes on the 11th Teachers Day. The Ministry of Education says that teachers are this world's unsung heroes, and it implores us to remember that special teacher that made a difference in our lives and helped us to become the successful individuals we are today and send that teacher or teachers a special shout-out.
Holy update, Batman! New movie The Batman actually made $134 million over the weekend
As reported, The Batman was this weekend's box office champ, but a recalculation of the numbers shows that the film made even more money than previously thought.
Variety reports that Robert Pattinson's first turn as the Dark Knight actually made $134 million in the U.S.; estimated numbers on Sunday had said that the Matt Reeves-directed movie had made $128.5 million.
The discrepancy was chalked up to a stronger-than-thought Sunday performance stateside. The movie made $34.1 million on the last day of the weekend, when ticket sales generally slow down. The Warner Bros. film has earned $258 million worldwide.
The Batman notched the best weekend performance of 2022, and it's only the second film in the pandemic era to open to over $100 million in a weekend -- the other being the more than $1.8 billion-grossing Spider-Man: No Way Home, which opened late last year.
Source-ABC
One gas station in Los Angeles close to $7 a gallon
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose to almost $5.25 on Saturday, but some gas stations in the area have even higher prices according to KABC.
The Shell gas station located at Olympic Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in Mid-City was advertising regular unleaded at $6.99 a gallon. The price for premium was listed at $7.29 a gallon.
Each of the three highest increases since July 14, 2015, have occurred over the past three days.
The average price rose 8.6 cents Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The Orange County average price rose 10.3 cents to $5.238 - the largest increase since July 2015.
Oil industry analysts attribute the price spike to the possibility of a supply shortage because traders, shippers, insurance companies and banks are avoiding Russian oil transactions for fear of running afoul of Western sanctions.
Pump prices have reached record highs as the price of a barrel of Brent crude for May delivery on the Intercontinental Exchange rose Friday to its highest amount since Feb. 13, 2013, $118.11, increasing $7.65. Its 25.49% increase for the week -- $23.99 -- is the largest on record, based on available data back to Jan. 11, 1991.
Crude oil costs account for slightly more than half of the pump price, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The rest of the price includes the other components of gasoline, production costs, distribution costs, overhead costs for all involved in production, distribution and sales, taxes and carbon offset fees in California paid by the refineries.
Source-ABC
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SERVICE MOURNS THE LOSS OF IMMIGRATION OFFICER, DONIESHA CAPRON
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Civil Service mourns the loss of Immigration Officer, Doniesha Capron.
Doniesha joined the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service on March 16th, 2018 as a Temporary Assistant Immigration Officer and on June 15th, 2018 was appointed to the post of Immigration Officer.
Ms. Capron was a serving Immigration Officer at the Providenciales International Airport at the time of her passing.
A short ceremony was held at the Providenciales International Airport earlier today March 7, 2022 to pay homage to Officer Capron and to offer prayers and comfort to the affected staff.
In attendance were: Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams; Minister responsible for Border Security Honourable Arlington Musgrove; Permanent Secretary responsible for Border Security Mrs. Althea Been; Deputy Director of Immigration Mr. Anthony Swann; Compliance and Enforcement Manger Mr. Tito Forbes; Collector of Customs Ms. Chawa Williams; Head of Secretariat Ms. Jenika Laporte, as well as senior and other ranks of the Immigration Department.
Prayers and words of comfort were offered by Bishop Coleta Williams and Bishop Joseph Hall of Abundant Life Ministries International in Providenciales.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service Her Excellency Anya Williams in expressing her condolences stated to the family and loved ones of Ms. Doniesha Capron stated:
“It is with deep sadness that we extend our condolences to the family of the late Doniesha Capron in particular her parents Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Orien Capron on her recent passing.
Having had the opportunity to directly interact with the staff at the Providenciales Airport on a number of occasions over the years, I can only describe Doniesha as a bright spark whose presence will greatly be missed.
The pain of losing a loved one is never easy, but as sudden death has the propensity to compound the impact of loss and grief, we pray for your strength at this time.
We pray also for our Immigration Officers and staff at the Providenciales Airport that have been devastated by this loss.
We are eternally grateful for the time that Doniesha was able to share with us and for her service to the Government and people of these islands.
May her smile and laughter be forever etched in the hearts and minds of all her family, friends, loved ones and colleagues and may her soul rest in eternal peace!”
The Minister of Immigration and Border Services, the Honourable Arlington Musgrove, joining with the Deputy Governor and members of his Ministry, in addressing the staff on the tragic loss of their colleague, lamented:
“Death is never an easy thing, and it is especially difficult when it signifies the loss of a colleague, a person who we have come to know and love.
The Ministry mourns with our staff in the Departments of Immigration and Customs, with whom Ms. Capron worked.
My condolences are extended to her family and her friends and it is my prayer that God will be a source of comfort for you during this difficult time.
Ms. Capron was a vibrant soul and her infectious smile will forever be in our hearts."
Rest In Eternal Peace Doniesha!
TRAGEDY ON THE ROADWAY
Once again, another family is grieving today at the tragic death of their loved one due to a traffic accident.
Reports are that last evening, at about 9:32pm, a police patrol car came upon a car, which had smashed into one of the poles inside the median near the roundabout close to First Caribbean Bank on Leeward Highway in Providenciales.
Fire and medical emergency responders attended the scene.
The driver, a young female resident, reportedly passed away at the scene and was pronounced dead by a medical doctor. She was employed with the Immigration Department in
Providenciales. Some of her coworkers have said that she was a joy to work with and a wonderful friend.
Magnetic Media, who were the first to report the accident, noted that the family was traumatized at this unexpected and tragic loss.
This is the second traffic fatality for 2022 on the roadways of Providenciales. We hope to have further details of this accident in our later newscast.
Police say that enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances that led to this collision. They are asking that if anyone witnessed the incident or has any information that could assist
the police with their enquiries, please contact 911.
Chris Rock and Kevin Hart combine forces for the Rock Hart: Only Headliners Allowed tour
Recently, we reported that both Kevin Hart and Chris Rock were launching respective stand-up tours, but now it's been announced that the longtime friends are teaming up for a trek.
Live Nation reports that Hart and Rock will take the stage together in July with their joint Rock Hart: Only Headliners Allowed tour.
The exclusive arena run kicks off on July 21 at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island, New York, and also will stop at the Prudential Center and PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey and at New York City's historic Madison Square Garden, before wrapping up at Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center on July 25.
Tickets go on sale Friday, March 11, at 10 a.m. ET at Ticketmaster.com.
In a statement, Hart said, "When Chris and I realized we were both going to be on tour this year we immediately knew we needed to do something special. We have been friends and mentors to each other for 20 years, but we have never shared a headlining stage together -- until now!!!"
He added, "I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the return of live comedy than to co-headline a show with my brother Chris Rock. This is a major moment in comedy and one for the history books."
Source-ABC
Russian forces now control Europe’s largest nuclear plant
Management of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, is now operating under orders from the commander of the Russian forces that took control of the site last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Sunday.
Meanwhile, there’s been a second failed attempt at a ceasefire in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, as Ukrainian officials say the Russians never stopped shelling.
Russian forces moving from neighboring Belarus toward Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, don’t appear to have advanced closer to the city since coming within about 20 miles, although smaller advanced groups have been fighting gun battles with Ukrainian forces inside the capital since at least Friday.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported Sunday that it has verified 1,123 civilian casualties in Ukraine since the Russian invasion of the country began on February 24. Aaron brings you the latest from Lviv.
Source-ABC