Consultation Meetings on Amendment of Building Height and Density
The House of Assembly at its last meeting held on 16th December 2015, approved amendments to the Physical Planning Ordinance which allows for regulations to be made by His Excellency the Governor where no development plan has been approved in relation to planning standards including building height, density and setbacks.
The Office of the Premier in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, cordially invites all stakeholders to a series of consultation meetings to discuss the proposed amendment of the existing building height restriction and density requirement.
These series of consultation meetings will be held during the week of January 11th-15th 2016 from 9:00am – 12:30pm and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Environmental Arts Center, the Bight, Providenciales.
Key stakeholders will be grouped and notified of the date and time to which they can make representations. An additional meeting for the general public to make representation on the amendment of the building height and density will be held on the last day (Thursday 14th January 2016) of the scheduled meetings, at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex, Providenciales.
STAKEHOLDERS
|
Stakeholder(s) |
Proposed Date |
|
|
|
|
Government Departments - Fire Department - DEMA - DDME - Planning - Crown Land Unit - Public Works Department - Immigration |
January 7, 2015 |
|
Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association/Chamber of Commerce
|
January 11, 2015 |
|
Architects/Surveyors/Engineers/Real Estate Developers |
January 12, 2015 |
|
Quasi Government – Tourist Board; Airports Authority; National Trust; Civil Aviation |
January 13, 2015 |
|
Public Town Hall Meeting |
January 14, 2015 |
THIS IS THE MARINE FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT TUESDAY 05TH JANUARY 2016
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS ESPECIALLY ON THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORES OF THE BAHAMAS SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO HIGH SURF CONDITIONS AND THE STRONG POSSIBILITY OF HAZARDOUS RIP CURRENTS.
GENERAL SITUATION: A COLD FRONT WITH AN EXTENDING SURFACE LOW PRESSURE REMAINS ACROSS THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND WILL EVENTUALLY MOVE SOUTHEASTWARDS AND BECOME STATIONARY OVER THE SE BAHAMAS LATER TODAY.
FOR THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OVERCAST, COOL AND WINDY CONDITIONS WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT.
WINDS: NORTH TO NORTHEAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS.
SEAS: 5 TO 8 FEET
FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY, WARM AND CONDITIONS WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM TODAY AND TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS.
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS.
SUNRISE: 06:56AM MOONSET: 02:13PM
SUNSET: 05:34PM MOONRISE: 03:38AM WED
LOW TIDE: 10:24AM HIGH TIDE: 04:10PM LOW TIDE: 10:21PM
EXTENDED FORECAST: THAT COLD FRONT WILL BECOME STATIONARY OVER THE SE BAHAMAS UNTIL TUESDAY NIGHT OR EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE DISSIPATING, WHILE A STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD OVER THE BAHAMAS BEHIND THAT FRONT PRODUCING BRISK WINDS ACROSS THE ISLANDS ON WEDNESDAY BUT TAPPERING OFF ON THURSDAY.
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OVERCAST, COOL AND WINDY CONDITIONS WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS DURING THE DAY AND INTO THE NIGHT.
WINDS: NE TO E AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS OVER THE NW AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND E TO SE AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER THE SE BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 5 TO 8 FEET OVER THE NW AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE SE BAHAMAS.
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS AND COOL CONDITIONS WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND POSSIBLE ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS DURING THE DAY, TURNING FAIR AND COOL AT NIGHT.
WINDS: LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS.
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS.
THE PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT TUESDAY 05TH JANUARY 2016
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS ESPECIALLY ON THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORES OF THE BAHAMAS SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO HIGH SURF CONDITIONS AND THE STRONG POSSIBILITY OF HAZARDOUS RIP CURRENTS.
GENERAL SITUATION: A COLD FRONT WITH AN EXTENDING SURFACE LOW PRESSURE REMAINS ACROSS THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND WILL EVENTUALLY MOVE SOUTHEASTWARDS AND BECOME STATIONARY OVER THE SE BAHAMAS LATER TODAY.
FOR THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OVERCAST, COOL AND WINDY CONDITIONS WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT.
WINDS: NORTH TO NORTHEAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS.
SEAS: 5 TO 8 FEET
FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY, WARM AND CONDITIONS WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM TODAY AND TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS.
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 79°F 26°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE: 63°F 17°C
SUNRISE: 06:56AM MOONSET: 02:13PM
SUNSET: 05:34PM MOONRISE: 03:38AM WED
LOW TIDE: 10:24AM HIGH TIDE: 04:10PM LOW TIDE: 10:21PM
EXTENDED FORECAST: THAT COLD FRONT WILL BECOME STATIONARY OVER THE SE BAHAMAS UNTIL TUESDAY NIGHT OR EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE DISSIPATING, WHILE A STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD OVER THE BAHAMAS BEHIND THAT FRONT PRODUCING BRISK WINDS ACROSS THE ISLANDS ON WEDNESDAY BUT TAPPERING OFF ON THURSDAY.
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OVERCAST, COOL AND WINDY CONDITIONS WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS DURING THE DAY AND INTO THE NIGHT.
WINDS: NE TO E AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS OVER THE NW AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND E TO SE AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER THE SE BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 5 TO 8 FEET OVER THE NW AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE SE BAHAMAS.
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS AND COOL CONDITIONS WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND POSSIBLE ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS DURING THE DAY, TURNING FAIR AND COOL AT NIGHT.
WINDS: LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS.
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS.
THE END=
Dominican troops reinforce border as Haitians try to return
The Dominican Republic has sent hundreds of soldiers to its border with Haiti to make it harder for migrants without legal residency to enter the country after returning home to spend the holidays.
A contingent of 900 troops was dispatched as part of what officials are calling "Operation Shield." They were joining about 1,200 soldiers already assigned to patrol the area that divides the island of Hispaniola.
The deployment announced Tuesday is part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Last year, the government issued residency permits to 184,000 people who could prove they had been living in the country since before October 2011.
An estimated 300,000 are thought to be in the country without legal status. Officials have warned that anyone without legal residency may face deportation.
Source-AP
Jamaican faces flak after ‘disrespectful’ comments to TV reporter
The Big Bash League has blasted comments by Chris Gayle made to a female reporter during a live television interview as “disrespectful and simply inappropriate”, and says it will be meeting with the West Indies star over the matter.
Following his explosive 41 for Melbourne Renegades yesterday at the Bellerive Oval here, Gayle openly flirted with Network TEN’s Mel McLaughlin during the interview, telling her: “I wanted to have an interview with you as well, that’s why I’m here.”
He added: “I get to see your eyes for the first time, it’s nice. Hopefully we can win and go for a drink after.”
“Don’t blush baby.”
However, BBL head Anthony Everard said Gayle’s behaviour had no place in the glitzy Twenty20 tournament.
“I heard Chris’s comments and they’re disrespectful and simply inappropriate. We’ll certainly be talking to him and the Renegades about it,” Everard said.
“This league is all about its appeal to kids, families and females. There’s just no place in the BBL – or, for that matter, cricket anywhere – for that sort of behaviour.”
The Renegades franchise also condemned Gayle’s remarks, echoing similar sentiments to those of the BBL head.
“I heard Chris’s comments and we agree with both Cricket Australia and Channel TEN that they’re disrespectful and simply inappropriate,” “Renegades chief executive, Stuart Coventry, said.
“We’ll certainly be talking to him in association with Cricket Australia about it. The Melbourne Renegades is all about its appeal to kids, families and females. There’s just no place for that sort of behaviour.”
Channel TEN subsequently announced they would be dropping Gayle as an interview option.
“We won’t be using [Gayle] in the game anymore,” Channel TEN’s head of sport David Barham said. “Unless things change in the next few days, it’s not happening.”
Renegades Captain Aaron Finch, with whom Gayle shared a sizzling 84-run, first-wicket partnership off 36 balls to set up Monday’s win over Hobart Hurricanes, said the Jamaican had apologised to McLaughlin.
“Chris has apologised to Mel. As an organisation we don’t condone it,” Finch said following the five-wicket win.
“Between Chris and everyone else, they’ve addressed it… he’s apologised.”
Source-Jamaica Observer
CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION DECLARES 2016 'THE YEAR OF ROMANCE IN THE CARIBBEAN'
With the start of the New Year comes the launch of a new initiative by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) - 2016 The Year of Romance in the Caribbean - which celebrates everything romantic about the region. Through the campaign, CTO and its member countries and hotels will highlight the Caribbean as the leading choice for a romance vacation for consumers and travel planners selling the region.
"With over 30 destinations to choose from, the Caribbean region provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway highlighted by pristine beaches, secluded accommodations, an abundance of land and water activities, top-notch spa services and personalized attention that meets the needs of the most discerning traveler," said Hugh Riley, secretary general of CTO. "The Year of Romance in the Caribbean will spotlight the romantic features of our region beyond the traditional times of year such as Valentine's Day. A romantic theme is easily embraced by all of our member destinations 365 days a year," Riley noted.
Throughout the year, CTO, in cooperation with its private sector partner the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), will assist member countries with an assortment of ideas which can be implemented around the theme of romance to appeal to consumers, travel agents and tour operators. Innovative ideas will be developed around:
♥ First-time or second-time marriages and the renewal of vows
♥ The most romantic locations to "pop the question" or to say "I do"
♥ Inviting celebrity couples to get married in the Caribbean
♥ Revisits by couples who were married or honeymooned in the Caribbean
♥ Couples celebrating milestone anniversaries
♥ Gift registries of romantic vacations in the Caribbean
"We anticipate that in addition to the ideas we provide our members, the countries and hotels will develop their own plan of action for promoting romance in their individual destinations," said Riley adding: "The theme is inclusive of our partners, both public- and private-sector. Caribbean hotels, travel agents and tour operators are urged to create their own romantic ideas or adopt ones being embraced by the destinations. We envision airline partners getting involved with their own 'love is in the air' offers and recognizing bridal parties onboard who are heading to a destination wedding in the Caribbean. We think video bloggers too will get involved in featuring the winners of the most romantic ideas."
CTO envisions 2016 The Year of Romance in the Caribbean as a catalyst for sellers and promoters of weddings and honeymoons, bridal publications and websites as well as wedding planners and service providers at the destination end.
2016 The Year of Romance in the Caribbean will be promoted through social media and traditional media channels and will create opportunities for travelers and vacation planners to share their experiences and ideas of a romantic Caribbean vacation throughout 2016.
POLICE MAKE MULTIPLE ARRESTS IN FIREARM INCIDENTS
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to investigate multiple incidents of violence which unfolded over the weekend and have four males in custody.
Between Thursday 31st December 2015 and Friday 1st January 2016 several incidents involving the use of fire arms and bladed weapons were reported to the Providenciales police, four arrest were made.
On Thursday 31st December2015, just shortly after 10pm a female resident of Blue Hills, Providenciales reported that she was robbed at gun point by a male, who took her cell phone, and a sum of cash. Police launched an investigation and on Saturday 2nd January 2016 a 20 year old male was arrested on Suspicion of robbery. Investigations are ongoing.
On Friday 1st January 2016 at the Caicos Royale Casino located at Turtle Cove, Providenciales, shortly before 5am there was a fight involving several party goers outside the casino along Turtle Cove main road.
During the fight, two males received stab wounds. A 25 year old male was stabbed multiple times about his body, he was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where he was treated and remained Hospitalized.
A 19 year old male was arrested on today’s date at 1:30 pm for the offence of Wounding with Intent. He is still in custody.
The second male who was stabbed was identified as a 20 year old male of a Blue Hills address. He was treated at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for a stab wound to his lower stomach and released.
During that same morning of Friday 1st January 2016, two reports of persons shot were reported to the Providenciales police. The first incident occurred outside the premises of Caicos Royale Casino, located at Turtle Cove, Providenciales.
At this location a 23 year old male was shot in his left upper arm, he was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where he was treated for his injuries, and remains hospitalized. A 24 year old male was arrested later that morning on suspicion of Wounding with Intent.
The second shooting incident occurred just shortly after 6am, in the Old Subdivision of Five Cays, Providenciales. A 20 year old told investigators that he had just exited his car to check his tire when a male known to him discharged three shots at him, and one shot hit him in his head, he then ran to a nearby house for help, where he was eventually taken to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where he was treated and remains hospitalized.
Subsequently that same day a 26 year old male was arrested for the offence of Attempted Murder, a search was carried out at his house for fire arm and items of evidence.
Police have four person in custody assisting with these investigations but police are still encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the events surrounding these incidents to assist police with their investigations.
Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
POLICE CONDUCTS ARRESTS IN THE TCI
Criminal Investigations Department of the TCI arrested a 19 year old male of a Kew Town address for suspicion of Possession of Criminal Property.
Beat & Patrol Officers arrested a 26 year old male of a Five Cays address for Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm.
Beat & Patrol Officers arrested a 26 year old male of a Five Cays address on suspicion of malicious damage to property.
Criminal Investigations Department officers arrested an 18 year old male of a Five Cays address for suspicion of Burglary.
The Police indicated that they are stepping up their visibility and beat patrol to curb petty behaviors.
SLOOP FROM HAITI INTERCEPTED WITH 78 MIGRANTS
A wind assisted sloop from Haiti was detected shortly before 3AM on (Thursday December 31st, 2015) six miles Southwest off the shore of Providenciales. The vessel was detected by the Radar Station and intercepted by officers of the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force – Marine Branch.
The Haitian sloop was escorted to the South Dock port by the Marine Branch. Officials from various Police units, Border Control, and other Government and Non-Governmental agencies were on hand to assist with the processing of these individuals. There were 78 individuals on board when intercepted consisting of (09 Females, 02 juveniles and 67 males).
All 78 individuals were later transported to the Detention Center for further processing and detention. Plans are currently progressing for the repatriation of these persons to their homeland within the next few days. A systematic search of the vessel was conducted and an imitation firearm was found. Investigations are ongoing.
The communities of the Turks and Caicos Islands are encourage to contact law enforcement with any information concerning the whereabouts of any illegal migrants or on pending sloop arrivals. The Police can be contacted anonymously on 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the United States of America.
Camille Cosby Looks to Delay Her Deposition
Lawyers for Bill Cosby's wife, Camille, have filed an emergency motion to delay her Jan. 6 deposition in a civil suit against her husband.
On New Year's Eve, a magistrate rejected their arguments to quash the deposition altogether, and now, they want more time to prepare a legal brief appealing the decision.
Cosby was sued by seven women who claimed that he "drugged and/or sexually assaulted each" of them. Lawyers subpoenaed Camille Cosby in early December.
Cosby filed a counter-defamation lawsuit on Dec. 14 and his legal team has repeatedly denied the accusations.
Attorneys for Camille Cosby, who has been married to the comedian since 1964, have argued, in part, that Massachusetts law aims to preserve “the confidentiality of marital communications." They also argued that a stay is necessary because the “plaintiffs have indicated that they intend to disclose Mrs. Cosby’s deposition testimony, including her private marital conversations to the press,” according to court documents.
Cosby is facing a charge of aggravated indecent assault, stemming from an alleged incident in 2004. He did not enter a plea and after appearing in a Pennsylvania courtroom, was released on $1 million bail.
If convicted, Cosby faces up to 10 years in jail and a $25,000 fine. He is due back in court later this month.
"The charge by the Montgomery County District Attorney's office came as no surprise, filed 12 years after the alleged incident and coming on the heels of a hotly contested election for this county's DA during which this case was made the focal point," Cosby's legal team said in a statement about the criminal charges. "Make no mistake, we intend to mount a vigorous defense against this unjustified charge and we expect that Mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law."