Arrests, Charges and Court Fines
In Providenciales, on Tuesday 6 November 2012, a 35 year old male was arrested and charged for Possession of Control Drugs. This was the result of a stop and serach conducted by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Street Crime Team on Monday 5 November 2012 in the area of Heaven Down Rock. 41grams of suspected Cannabis were seized.
The male will appear in court on Tuesday 13 November 2012.
Also on Tuesday 6 November 2012 police in Grand Turk arrested and charged a 29 year old male for Possession of Control Drugs and Possession of Controlled Drugs with intent to supply.
It was reported that on Monday 5 November 2012, officers of the Drug Enforcement Team of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police conducted a stop and search on the 29year old male on the beach in the vicinity of the White Sands Hotel where 7.2grams of suspected Cannabis were found.
The 29year old male was taken to Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 6 November where he plead not guilty to the charges. A trial date has been set for Tuesday 18 December 2012.
Meanwhile on Grand Turk, Fergusson Williams of South Back Salina, Grand Turk was found guilty for the offences of Common Assault and Indecent Language. The 48 year old was fined $750.00 for the offence of Common Assault and $100.00 for Indecent Language.
Two Turks and Caicos Islands Government Officials Arrested and Charged
In Grand Turk, today (Wednesday 7 November 2012), a 35 year old female and a 45year old male who are both Turks and Caicos Islands Government officials were arrested by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police for alleged acts of corruption following intensive investigations by the Integrity Commission.
The two (2) were subsequently charged with committing offences contrary to the Integrity Commission Ordinance and bailed to appear before Grand Turk Magistrates Court on Thursday 22 November 2012 at 9am.
Crime & Incident Report in the TCI
In Providenciales, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police are investigating the theft of numerous items including assorted clothing, caps, electronic equipment and other items from a store at Sammy Been Plaza, Airport Road.
It was reported that the store was secured on Saturday 3 November and upon re-opening on Monday 5 November the said items were noted missing.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police are also investigating theft of a large sum of money, a Samsung Cellular Phone, a Blackberry Cellular Phone and a Black DVD player from a home in Five Cays.
The home was secured at 9:00am on Monday 5 November 2012 by the homeowner and upon returning at 2:00pm the same day she discovered the break in.
Also, a Red and black Samsung Laptop computer and a Black Nikon Camera were stolen from a home in Discovery Bay.
The homeowner left her home at 8:30am on Monday 5 November and upon returning at 6:30pm the items were discovered missing.
A homeowner was awakened by the noise of keys in her house around 1:00 am on Tuesday 6 November 2012, upon checking the home, a male who was wearing a white shirt and dark coloured pants was observed coming through a window. The homeowner shouted at the male who then ran away to where other persons were waiting for him.
Criminal Investigations are on-going into all these matters.
Police are appealing to the public who may haveany information is asked to call the police on 911 or Crimestoppers on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be left in English, French or Spanish at www.crimestoppers.tc or by becoming a friend of Crimestoppers TCI on Facebook.
Mavado, Alison Hinds Colab on new remix
Dancehall artiste Mavado has collaborated with soca music veteran Alison Hinds for a remix to his JA Productions single Caribbean Girls.
The artiste, who is now signed to DJ Khalid's We The best Music group, believes it's important to appeal to the broader Caribbean with local music.
Mavado's manager Julian Jones- Griffiths spoke to The STAR on behalf of the artiste.
"The title of the song Caribbean Girls, says it all really. Mavado recorded it with the intention of appealing to the wider Caribbean community, not just Jamaica or the US etc. A remix to help tap into that market was part of the plan from day one. Allison is an icon of Caribbean music and we had been talking with her camp for a couple of years about a collaboration, so when Caribbean Girls was recorded it seemed like the right time to move," he said.
The Caribbean Girls single has already been released and has received over 300,000 views on YouTube.com. However, the remix remains exclusive.
"The remix hasn't been released as yet but we are expecting it to do well both in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Alison definitely brings a fresh angle to the song that should engage the ears of her army of Caribbean fans and bring them to the record," Jones-Griffiths said.
Touring opportunities
"The Caribbean market is vital in the career of any Jamaican artiste. It brings great touring opportunities, airplay and with so many Caribbean people all over the globe, it swells an artiste's fan base, because what's hot in the Caribbean usually translates to those international communities," he added.
Producer of the track, Justus, also had high regards for the Mavado and Alison Hinds collaboration.
"I gained an appreciation for soca music after working with Shurwayne Winchester on the Overproof rhythm, and our music always got appreciation from the other islands in the Caribbean, so we figure it's only right to show love back but so far the response is crazy," he said.
Adding, "JA Productions has many new projects for the Christmas season and into next year. We have a new rhythm coming out this month featuring a brand new Konshens track named Prayer as well as songs from Navino, Lutan Fyah, Darrio, Byrd Villain and more. Also working on the overtime soca remix, and another new dancehall rhythm for next year called Party Hop."
Mavado, in the meantime, is gearing up to release a new project via his We the Best/YMCMB deal with DJ Khaled and Cash Money.
The artiste also has upcoming shows in Curacao, Barbados, Guyana and St Lucia in the coming month.
He also has shows in Africa and Jamaica during December.
Source-Jamaican Star
Ballymena council agree to offer Liam Neeson freedom award
Ballymena Borough Council has unanimously agreed to offer Liam Neeson the Freedom of the Borough.
At a council meeting on Monday evening, Mayor of Ballymena PJ McAvoy proposed that the actor should be given the award.
The Oscar-nominated actor is best known for his starring roles in the Star Wars film The Phantom Menace, Schindler's List and Michael Collins.
It is expected that a ceremony could take place next year.
Ballymena Mayor PJ McAvoy was delighted that the award was to be honoured. "I am absolutely delighted that my colleagues have unanimously agreed to offer what is a very significant honour to Liam Neeson.
"This is the highest accolade that a Council can bestow on one of its citizens," he said.
Speaking from his home in New York, Liam Neeson said he was honoured and delighted to accept this prestigious award from Ballymena Borough Council.
Neeson said, "Enormous strides have been made in my native Northern Ireland in the past decade, demonstrated by political, social and economic changes that came about through a combination of courage, generosity and persistence."
Only three people have been awarded the freedom of Ballymena, they include Dr Ian Paisley, Dr Syd Millar and Sandy Spence.
It is not the first time Ballymena council has planned to grant the actor the honour.
In 2000, Democratic Unionist Party councillors objected to the proposal because of alleged derogatory remarks Neeson made about his experiences growing up in the County Antrim town.
At the time, Neeson was quoted as saying in an American magazine that he felt "second class" as a Catholic growing up in the mainly Protestant town and felt he had to stay indoors during the loyalist 12 July commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne.
Following the controversy, Neeson wrote a letter to the council.
It said: "I will always remain very proud of my upbringing in, and association with, the town and my country of birth, which I will continue to promote at every opportunity.
"Indeed I regard the enduring support over the years from all sections of the community in Ballymena as being more than sufficient recognition for any success which I may have achieved as an actor."
Jennifer Lopez's boyfriend signs confidential agreement
Jennifer Lopez has reportedly made Casper Smart sign a confidentiality agreement. The 43-year-old pop star - who has got divorced three times and recently celebrated her one-year anniversary with her 25-year-old dancer boyfriend - is said to be taking no chances about their future together and asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
A source told gossip website RadarOnline: "Casper signed a non-disclosure/confidentiality agreement when he began working for Jennifer Lopez, as she requires all of her employees to do.
"Jen has been around long enough to know that anyone she dates could possibly turn on her and choose to go to the press if the relationship sours."
The insider revealed that Casper was only too happy to sign the legal document - which will prevent him for ever discussing their professional and private relationship if they split - much to Jennifer's delight.
The source said: "Casper had absolutely no qualms about signing the agreement, and has told Jen on multiple occasions that even if he didn't work for her, he would have signed the contract. Jen loves him even more for that."
The couple - who are currently in Germany on European leg of the singer's 'Dance Again' tour - began dating just months, after Jennifer, separated for her third husband of seven years, Marc Anthony, with whom she shares four-year-old twins Emme and Max.
Salma Hayek sets off alarm at boarding school
Salma Hayek used to set all the alarm clocks off in the middle of the night at boarding school. The Savages star has a mischievous streak in her, which came out when she attended a Catholic girls' boarding school in Louisiana.
She said: "I had a moment or two, like every child does, when I told silly stories to my teachers.
"But I didn't do anything really bad. I look back fondly at that period of my life, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night and making all the alarm clocks go off. We just did little things like that."
Salma, 46, hopes her impulsive tendencies rub off on her daughter, Valentina, five, who she has with husband Francois-Henri Pinault but admits she is very strict with her.
She added to the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "Definitely, I can see it. It's funny, I think I am a strict mum sometimes, but I am also quite relaxed. I am fun and I do a lot of things with my daughter. I talk to her and I listen, but I definitely set boundaries, and I think my husband and I have a very good balance, sometimes he is easier and I am harder, and vice versa."
Kartel Murder postponed
Dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel's case involving the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams has been put off until next year.
The case was called up in the Home Circuit Court yesterday and postponed until January 21.
Williams was reportedly killed at Kartel's home in Havendale, St Andrew, on August 16 last year.
It's reported that Williams and another man were taken to the entertainer's house to give an account for a lost firearm.
Both men were reportedly attacked with Williams being beaten and stabbed to death while the other man escaped.
Williams' body has not been found.
The other man is expected to be the prosecution's main witness.
The police had reported that they have video and audio recordings linking Vybz Kartel and his co-defendants to the killing.
Eyewitness statements
The police also said they have eyewitness statements connecting the men to the murder.
Meanwhile, on November 12, Kartel and two other persons are to go before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on trial for conspiracy in relation to Williams' murder.
Kartel, who has been in custody since September last year, is also charged with the murder of businessman Barrington Burton.
That matter will again be heard on December 3.
Curacao still struggling to form coalition government
Well over two weeks after general elections in Curacao and some five days after the newly elected members of parliament were sworn in, the island’s political parties are still struggling to form a coalition government.
Initially, three of the parties, Pueblo Soberano (PS), Movimentu Futuro Korsou (MFK) and MAN, indicated a willingness to form a new coalition government, just as they have in recent years, and signed an agreement to that effect.
However, MFK subsequently withdrew from negotiations, citing disagreements with Helmin Wiels, leader of the largest party PS.
Late Monday night, PS, Partido pa Adelanto i Inovashon Soshal (PAIS) and Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP) informed the official responsible for supervising the process of forming the new government, Glenn Camelia, that they have agreed to sign a “declaration of joint effort.”
The party leaders Helmin Wiels (PS), Alex Rosaria (PAIS) and Humphrey Davelaar (PNP) were due to sign the document on Tuesday.
However, according to Davelaar, “This declaration states that we will attempt to meet, using these ten seats, to form a larger majority in parliament.”
PS (5), PAIS (4) and PNP (1) together have 10 seats, which is not enough to form a majority in the parliament.
Furthermore, the declaration states that the parties stand for high integrity commitment and dedication, that the display of respect for each other is a requirement and that the people who are eligible for a portfolio also have the necessary knowledge to get started as ministers.
NBA fines Lakers’ Steve Blake for swearing at a fan
Blatant profanity is going to earn you a fine, no matter the circumstances. No matter if Chris Paul is breaking your ankles all over the court; no matter if you foul out in frustrating fashion; no matter if it’s not your fault that the guy who is supposed to be starting is out with an injury; no matter if your $100 million payroll team just fell to 0-3 on the season.
The NBA announced Tuesday that Lakers guard Steve Blake has been fined $25,000 for “directing inappropriate language toward a fan” during the closing minute of a Friday night game between the Lakers and Clippers. Blake, who fouled out of the game with eight points on 2-for-6 shooting and two assists in 39 minutes, was caught on camera shouting a profanity at a Staples Center fan as he left the court with 29.2 seconds remaining in the Clippers’ 105-95 win. After the initial profanity, Blake detoured to the sideline opposite the Lakers bench to engage directly with a fan seated courtside for an extended period of time. That conversation was impossible to miss and the league office is always watching.
It had been a frustrating night for Blake, who was starting for an injured Steve Nash. The Clippers controlled the game throughout and Paul finished with 18 points, 15 assists, six rebounds and three steals. On one late play, a Paul dribble move sent a helpless Blake crashing to the ground.
Blake, 32, is making $4 million this season.
Source-S.I