iNews Briefs – Updated
Children & Family Services New Offices
The Department of Children and Family Services (the admin and George Town office) reminds the public that their new offices are now located in Commerce House (formerly Jennett Building) found on the corner of Dr Roy’s Drive and Genesis Close.
For more information, contact 949-0290 or 946 0024.
The department apologizes for any inconvenience caused.
Vendors Sought For Heroes Day
Heroes Day 2014 organisers are inviting small businesses to place tenders to provide local food and drink at the ceremony in Heroes Square, George Town, on Monday, 27 January.
Interested vendors have until Friday, 10 January, to submit a bid to the Protocol Office, by emailing [email protected], or delivery to the Government Administration Building.
Additional information is available from tel.244-3612.
Department of Vehicle and Equipment Services gets new Acting Director
The Chief Officer of the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure has approved the appointment of Mr. Richard Simms as Acting Director of the Department of Vehicle and Equipment Services (DVES), effective January 1st 2014. Mr. Simms has been seconded from Department of Vehicle and Driver’s License (DVDL) where he has been Deputy Director. Mr. John Carey left his post as Director on December 31st 2013
Mr. Simms brings a wealth of leadership, knowledge and experience to the post and it is envisioned that he will be a valuable asset to the DVES during this secondment. He will be assisted by the Deputy Director Mr. Stephen Quinland.
Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing has a new Acting Deputy Director
The Director of the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL) has approved the appointment of Mr. Mario M. Ebanks as Acting Deputy Director of DVDL, effective 1st January 2014. This appointment has been supported by the Chief Officer in the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure. Mr. Richard Simms is on secondment to the Department of Vehicle and Equipment Services.
Mr. Ebanks is the current Finance Manager at DVDL. During his tenure at DVDL, he has been involved in a number of projects assisting the Deputy Director and Director. He has a wealth of experience in financial and other related human resources matters that will greatly assist the department during Mr. Simms’s absence.
First baby born in Cayman in 2014 is a boy
Proud parents Vanda and Mark Smith had the honour of having their son welcomed as the Cayman Islands first baby of 2014.
Baby Smith (the parents have yet to decide on a name) arrived at 10am on Wednesday at the George Town Hospital.
Writ of habeas corpus filed
Habeas corpus originated in English common law as a means to protect individuals from illegal detention. An individual who had been held in custody could file a petition seeking a writ which would require the custodian to provide adequate legal justification for the detention. If the custodian failed to do so, the court could order the petitioner’s release.
It is rare for a filing of this nature but it was done on behalf of the five men who were arrested in connection with the November 26 (2013) mini-mart robbery on Little Cayman and it sought their immediate release from custody.
However, the writ was never heard in Cayman’s Grand Court as all five men were released in early December.
4 Dogs poisoned
Bait laced with poison, probably Paraquat, was responsible for at least four dogs becoming very sick with two having to be put down.
This makes a total of seven reported cases since December 2013.
Jason Jairam of the Cayman Islands Humane Society said the poisoning of dogs has been going on for a long time now and nothing seems to be done about it.
Signs of Paraquat, the deadly herbicide for which there is no antidote, include heavy panting, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, followed by serious damage to the respiratory system, causing a slow and painful death similar to drowning.
CIAA issue statement advising Brac x-ray machine out of commission
Last Tuesday (31 Dec 2013) the Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) issued a statement advising passengers to arrive at the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac at least one hour prior to their scheduled departure time to allow for the manual processing of carry-on luggage at the security checkpoint.
This is because the airport’s X-ray machine is out of commission.
“The CIAA regrets the inconvenience to passengers and advises it will be necessary for its security team to hand-search carry-on bags while repairs are carried out on the x-ray machine. Please accept our apologies while we continue working to ensure this passenger processing equipment is returned to service as soon as possible.”
Purple Ribbon Pledge continues for New Year’s celebrations
Z99 and the Hurley’s Entertainment Group brought back their Purple Ribbon Pledge to help people refrain from driving whilst intoxicated.
The campaign began in the last week of November (2013) and ends on Friday (Jan 3 2014).
The National Drug Council also announced a Purple Ribbon bus service, in conjunction with Reid’s Premier Tours, with approximately eight buses that ran a regular route from West Bay to Bodden Town, with stops at many restaurants, bars and clubs. The service ran from 10 p.m. Dec. 31st to 3 a.m. Jan. 1st.
The council said this year’s bus service was made possible through the sponsorship of Greenlight RE, Jacques Scott Group Ltd. and Cayman National Bank.
2 Serious accidents reported by media on New Year’s Day
On Wednesday (1) two serious accidents were reported.
The first one was at approx.. 3am when a motor vehicle hit a pole in the Midland Acres area.
Only one vehicle was involved and it is understood the driver was critically injured and airlifted to receive medical attention overseas.
The second accident occurred at approx. 4:30am in front of Jose’s Rubis gas station. The crash involved two vehicles, an SUV and a pickup truck that collided head-on.
CITN/Cayman27 reported sources informing them of one person receiving minor injuries whilst the other “received “serious head trauma,” and was taken to the hospital for treatment”.
At 3;16pm Thu Jan 2 2014 we received these confirmations from the RCIPS
Serious Motor Vehicle Accident – Bodden Town
At 3:08 am Wednesday 1 January 2014 the RCIPS responded to a report of a serious motor vehicle accident involving one vehicle which collided with a utility pole in the vicinity of 1290 Bodden Town Road.
One person was transported to the GT Hospital in critical condition.
The 21 years old driver of the vehicle remains in critical condition and was air lifted off island for treatment on 1 January 2014.
Serious MVA – Crew Road
At 4:22 am on Wednesday 1 January 2014 the RCIPS received a report and responded to a serious motor vehicle accident on Crew Road, George Town.
There were two vehicles involved and both drivers were transported by ambulance to the GT Hospital for treatment.
This accident involved a Ford Ranger and a Honda motor car. The 48 years old driver of the Ford Ranger was not admitted to the GT hospital. The driver of the Honda motor car is a 39 years old male, who is in stable condition and undergoing treatment at the GT Hospital.
Santa shot in the back in Washington
From Caribbean360
WASHINGTON D.C., United States, Thursday January 2, 2014 – In a strange celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace and the spirit of the season, a prime candidate for Santa’s “naughty list” shot a man dressed as Santa’s helper while he was handing out presents in Washington, DC.
The man in the Santa costume, who was leading the 2013 toy giveaway along the streets of Southeast Washington, was shot in the back.
This is the first incident of its kind in the 22 years that volunteers have been handing out gifts to some 600 children in the Barry Farm community.
The proceedings got underway smoothly, with the big guy in the red suit declaring “This is awesome. Merry Christmas,” while waving to neighbours at the start of the gift distribution.
But moments later, the big guy’s cries of “Ho, ho, ho” abruptly ceased as shots were fired nearby.
“Somebody shot me,” Santa’s helper groaned while grasping his back. “My back. My back. My back. Someone shot me in the back.”
Paramedics on site to assist with the gift giveaway quickly came to his aid and took him to hospital, despite his wish to continue with the distribution of presents.
On examination, the wounds on Santa’s helper’s back were thought to be from a pellet gun and he was expected to make a full recovery.
“I’m glad I got hit and no one else got hurt. For real,” he said in a CBS report.
Witnesses reported hearing two shots fired from an undetected second story window nearby.
Meanwhile, in a complete reversal of roles, a man dressed as the Grinch stepped in to take over where the stricken Santa’s helper had left off.
“We are going to make sure all these kids get the toys they deserve,” he declared.
Mom, infant killed [in Jamaica]
By Horace Hines Observer staff reporter [email protected]
SIGN, St James — Up to late yesterday afternoon a man, who is said to be the spouse of 20-year-old Melessia Evans and father of her four-month-old son, was in police custody in connection with the brutal slaying of the mother and infant whose bodies were found here Saturday morning.
Yesterday, the police were said to be awaiting legal representation for the suspect in order to question him.
The bodies of Evans and her son, Jeliana Green, were discovered near a National Water Commission pumping station about 11:00 am.
Evans’ throat was reportedly slashed and her head partially severed, while her son’s body was found floating in a sewage treatment tank.
Police report that Evans and her son were last seen alive when they left home Thursday evening to purchase ice cream.
The police found the bodies after an unknown person called to inform them of the two corpses.
Rescuers from the St James division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade worked for over an hour to remove the baby’s body from the tank.
Yesterday, no one was at Evans’ home when the Jamaica Observer news team visited the community.
Head of the Police Area One, Assistant Commissioner Warren Clarke condemned the killings and said he was worried about violence against women and children in the society.
“I am concerned that the most vulnerable in our society, our women and children, continue to be victimised by the perpetrators of savagery,” he said. “I exhort communities to problem-solve around disputes and counsel parties likely to be at risk. We are prepared and willing to engage our Proactive Violence Intervention Strategy in any such circumstances.”
For more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Mom–infant-killed_15709092#ixzz2pG1ZnnE5
