iNews Briefs & Community Events
Cayman Islands: Proactive traffic stops in Bodden Town last Thursday yield four arrests
From RCIPS
Last Thursday afternoon, 23 June, Bodden Town officers conducted a proactive traffic operation along Bodden Town Road. A black Mitsubishi, which attempted to avoid the road block, was pursued and stopped by police. In addition to having an expired certificate of roadworthiness and expired registration, a prohibited weapon, namely a Taser (not of police issue), was also found in the vehicle. The man, age 27, of George Town, was arrested on suspicion of various offences and is now on Police bail.
That same afternoon officers also stopped a black Jetta whose driver had no valid driver’s license. The driver, a man, age 53, of George Town, was arrested on suspicion of Driving Without Being Qualified. Passengers in the vehicle also behaved in a suspicious and aggressive manner with an officer, with one of them fleeing on foot. That man, age 35 of George Town, as well as a woman passenger also in the vehicle, age 24, of Bodden Town, were arrested the next day, Friday, 24 June, on suspicion of Assaulting Police and Obstructing Police, respectively. Both are currently on Police Bail.
Cayman Airways expands service from Tampa Bay to Grand Cayman
By Newswire
Cayman Airways recently announced expanded nonstop service from Tampa Bay to Grand Cayman with service now offered seven days a week.
Currently, the airline flies from Tampa to Grand Cayman five days a week, but due to increased visitor demand, the airline will expand its nonstop service beginning July 1 and feature daily service from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Grand Cayman’s Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) through August 31.
Visitors traveling from Tampa to Grand Cayman can also enjoy complimentary rum punch and two free checked bags up to 55 pounds each.
“Cayman Airways, the national flag carrier, has been a strategic partner throughout the years and plays a vital role in air service to the destination,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, Moses Kirkconnell, in a written release. “This move to expand to daily service to Tampa exemplifies their depended commitment to this valuable route.”
Visit www.visitcaymanislands.com and www.caymanairways.com
Cuomo signs bill to expand breast cancer screening
The Associated Press From New York Law Journal
New York is expanding access to breast cancer screening by requiring hospitals to extend hours for mammograms and eliminating insurance costs for the procedure.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the measure into law Monday at a ceremony on Long Island. He was joined by longtime girlfriend Sandra Lee. The Food Network star’s successful treatment for breast cancer prompted Cuomo to introduce the legislation this year.
Under the new law, more than 200 hospitals around the state will be required to offer evening and weekend hours for mammograms. Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging deductibles or co-pays for the procedure.
Following Monday’s signing ceremony, Cuomo and musician Billy Joel kicked off a motorcycle ride from Long Island to New Paltz to raise awareness of breast cancer.
Group of global legislators urge Kabila to leave office when term ends
From Africa News
Members of Parliaments from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific and the European Union have urged President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila to step down at the end of his second term on 20 December.
The MP’s made the call at the 31st Joint Parliamentary Assembly session of the ACP-EU, held in Windhoek, Namibia.
A tremendous amount of uncertainty surrounds the organizing of the elections, which would ostensibly usher in a new president and mark the first peaceful transition of power in the history of the country.
President Kabila’s plans for 2016 remain unclear as he has neither confirmed his intention to step down nor vie for re-election. But speculation is rife that he will seek another term, which the Constitution does not allow.
The leaders unanimously approved a resolution condemning all acts of political violence in the Central African country and called for a “successful development and timely elections, which will be crucial to the stability and long-term development of the country and whole region.
For more and video: http://www.africanews.com/2016/06/26/african-caribbean-pacific-and-eu-mps-urge-joseph-kabila-to-leave-office-when/
Sir Hilary: Brexit threatens Caricom’s fragile economic recovery
From Trinidad & Tobago Newsday
UNIVERSITY of the West Indies (UWI) Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles has cautioned that the decision by the UK to the leave the European Union (EU) threatens the Caribbean region’s fragile economy recovery and it calls for Caricom to come closer together.
In a release yesterday titled “This UK Development Should Not Be Taken Lightly” Beckles spoke about the implications of Brexit — the referendum on whether the EU should leave the UK in which the “leave” vote won 52 percent to 48 percent — and about a planned UWI symposium to discuss the implications for the Caribbean.
“Reaching the limits of emotional despair over how to manage its post-imperial, ethnic nationalism and challenged to participate in the global world as an equal partner, the English have retreated to their traditional identity base at the expense of every other consideration,” Beckles stated.
“It has taken this strategic step in order to go forward as old England versus the world.
“This is a desperate attempt to reinvent a still idealised past in which ‘Englishness’ is celebrated as a distinct standard not to be entangled or diminished by deep association.” Beckles also spoke on how Brexit will affect Caricom.
“The predictable, highly individualistic action poses both a short-term as well as a longterm threat to the performance of Caricom economies, and should trigger immediate strategic regional reactions even before Heads meet in Guyana next week.
Every aspect of Caribbean life will be adversely affected by this development; from trade relations to immigration, tourism to financial relations, and cultural engagements to foreign policy,” he stated.
Beckles explained that there will be a significant redefinition and reshaping of Caricom-UK engagements.
“The region’s fragile economic recovery is threatened,” he stressed.
He advised that Caricom should use this development in order to deepen and strengthen its internal operations and external relations to the wider world.
For more: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,229727.html
Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas experiencing engine trouble
It appears Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas is experiencing a “technical issue” related to its engines.
Cruise Critic is reporting that Empress of the Seas’ engine troubles are forcing the ship to reroute its current sailing.
In a statement by Royal Caribbean, the company explained that work is underway to resolve the issue, “Empress of the Seas is currently experiencing a technical issue with one of the ship’s four engine. Since we became aware of the problem, our highly trained engineering team has been working to resolve the issue. While we work on the issue, the ship is sailing at a reduced rate of speed.”
Empress of the Seas was scheduled to visit Grand Cayman, but instead visited Nassau yesterday and stopped at CocoCay earlier today. It will call on Key West on June 29, as scheduled.
Royal Caribbean is offering compensation to guests aboard the current sailing in the amount of 10 percent of the cruise fare paid, per stateroom.
According to the line, all equipment onboard is fully functional and there is no impact on the maneuverability of the ship or on the safety of passengers and crew. Royal Caribbean has not yet indicated whether the next sailing will be affected by the engine trouble.
Politics of caviar
By Paul McGowan
Many years ago I was treated to my first encounter with caviar. It was dinner for four at Petrosains in New York at the invite of my friend Arnie Nudell. Also at the table were Harry Pearson and Mike Kay, two dear friends who have since passed. I had never tasted caviar and a round of it was brought out as an appetizer to the meal—small toasts were included and a bottle of champagne had been opened.
My entire knowledge of caviar consisted of a single definition: fish eggs that were black instead of the red ones in a bait and tackle box. Hesitant at the idea of eating fish bait, I put a tiny amount on one of the toasts and closed my eyes. It was delicious. I wanted more. The others at the table seemed conservative, dabbing tiny dollops onto the toasts. I assumed they didn’t like it as much as I, and proceeded to hoark most of it—lathering great mounds onto bread—as the others engaged in dinner talk.
Our host, Arnie, ever the gentleman, never said a word to me until it was time to order dinner. I wanted lobster and was hesitant to order the expensive dish. I leaned over and asked if I should perhaps choose something a little more affordable. The table erupted in laughter.
“You just ate $1,200 worth of caviar, and you’re worried about a $50 entre?”
Who knew? I had just wallowed in the single most expensive dinner in my life (then and now) and from my perspective I had been eating a fish egg appetizer I thought might be out of a jar from a fishmonger.
I no longer eat fish, eggs or otherwise. But that night was something that’s stuck in my memory ever since.
For more: http://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/politics-of-caviar/
Jamaican woman impersonates FBI agent in Jamaica lottery fraud scheme
By Sharon Richards From WINN FM
(Jamaica Observer) WASHINGTON, United States – The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) says a 30-year-old woman has pleaded guilty for her role in a Jamaica-based lottery fraud scheme in which she impersonated a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agent.
The DOJ said that Vania Lee Allen pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Georgia to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and false impersonation of an employee of the United States.
Allen faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison, the DOJ said. A sentencing date is yet to be scheduled.
“Lottery fraud schemes operating from Jamaica targeting Americans typically get help from at least one co-conspirator in the United States,” said Benjamin C Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
CPL lands partnership with Caribbean Airlines
From Sportsmax
The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has found favour in a partnership with Caribbean Airlines, who are now the official airline of the tournament.
The partnership means Caribbean Airlines will be responsible for transporting all teams and officials particpating in the tournament throughout the region and the United States.
“Caribbean Airlines understands the value of sport to the Caribbean and cricket has always been a uniting force for both teams and fans within the region,” said the airline’s acting chief executive officer, Colville Harrington.
The CPL begins on June 29 and runs through to August 7 and will see six teams combining to play 34 games across the region, and for the first time, in the United States, with games from July 28-31 being held at the Central Broward Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
According to CPL’s commercial director, James Stewart, one of the major headaches of regional competitions is the difficulty of travel, and as such, a partnership with Caribbean Airlines is incredibly beneficial.
“Getting around the islands of the Caribbean is notoriously challenging and we rely heavily on the friendly and reliable services of our airline partner,” said Stewart.
The opening game of the tournament features the Trinbago Knight Riders against the St Lucia Zouks at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.
For more: http://www.sportsmax.tv/?q=articles/2016/06/25/cpl-lands-partnership-caribbean-airlines
Dry air from Africa keeps tropics quiet for now
HOUSTON (KTRK) — A large cloud of dry, dusty air from the Sahara desert is keeping the tropics quiet across the Atlantic basin, with no development expected in the next 5 days.
In late June, we look to the Caribbean and Gulf for tropical development, and both areas are largely free of thunderstorm activity.
The eastern tropical Pacific is showing signs of increased storminess, which is often a signal of increased storminess in the tropical Atlantic one to two weeks later.
There is currently a 30% chance of a tropical depression or storm developing in the eastern Pacific over the next 5 days.
For more: http://abc13.com/weather/dry-air-from-africa-keeps-tropics-quiet-for-now/899820/
CARIBBEAN: 16-y-o charged with raping 10-y-o in Guyana
From iNews Guyana
INEWS GUYANA – A 16-year-old chainsaw operator from Siriki Village, Upper Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was on Monday released into his parents’ custody, after he appeared in court slapped with a rape charge.
The teen made his appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on February 2, 2016, he had sexual intercourse with a 10-year-old student of Upper Pomeroon River.
Following the alleged rape, a report was made at the Charity Police Station where an investigation was conducted. The file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the charge was recommended.
The teenager is expected to return to court on July 11 and as a condition of his release, he is required to report to the Charity Police Station every Friday.
For more: http://www.stlucianewsonline.com/caribbean-16-y-o-charged-with-raping-10-y-o-in-guyana/
Cayman Islands Reform of Fuels Markets Proposed
Copies of the document are available for reference in the lobby of the Government Administration Building; as well as the George Town Public Library (and at all district libraries by Wednesday).
Government is working to establish, for the first time, an oversight body for the local fuels market.
Public input is currently invited into the proposed reform of the fuels markets in the Cayman Islands. These issues are covered in the discussion paper, “The Regulation of the Fuel Markets in the Cayman Islands”, which is now available for review.
Specifically, the Government will incorporate the fuels markets under the responsibilities of a new regulatory agency which will come into effect later this year.
The discussion paper proposes a phased approach. First, amendments will be made to the Dangerous Substances Handling and Storage Law, requiring the industry to provide specific pricing and cost information.
These amendments were enacted last October.
Next, will be the enactment of a Fuels Markets Bill, which will allow the OCR to analyse data, assess retail prices and competition, and take necessary measures to promote fair competition.
“Price controls are a last resort but the Government will do whatever it takes”, said Minister responsible for infrastructure, Hon. Kurt Tibbetts. Welcoming this milestone, he added that Cabinet has decided to establish the multi-sector agency – to be known as the “Office of Competition and Regulation” (OCR).
This regulatory body which will assume all responsibilities and functions of the existing Information Communications Technology Authority (ICTA), as well as those of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), will also have the responsibility for the fuels markets guided by a Fuels Market Law.
The draft document is posted on the website of the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure (PLAHI). www.plahi<http://www.plahi>@gov.ky. Printed copies are also available at the lobby of the Government Administration Building, and at public libraries.
“The scope is even a bit wider, as the OCR will also assume the economic regulatory responsibilities of the Water Authority Cayman (WAC), encompassing water production and supply, as well as wastewater collection and treatment,” added Minister Tibbetts.
He said that the OCR would have a critical function, by facilitating economic development and innovation in these sectors. “The expectation is that it could become a major driver in facilitating the development of a new pillar in our economy,” added Mr. Tibbetts.
Consumer value and protection will be one of the primary considerations. As the local fuels markets (and its pricing mechanisms) are closely tied to economic activity, the OCR’s oversight of this sector will be critical.
The long-time background issues include Government’s objective of promoting competition, as well as transparency, within the fuel industry. To facilitate this process, officials have been engaged for some months now in meetings with industry representatives.
Under this new plan, the Petroleum Inspectorate will be fully integrated into the OCR, which would assume responsibility for the functions of the Inspectorate. Government’s existing policies which relate to fuel imports will guide the new legislation. Some factors are economic efficiency, security of supply, public safety, and environmental sustainability.
OCR will take responsibility for ensuring the implementation of the policy. As the public discussion paper further outlines, the jurisdiction of the new OCR will include the transport, trade, and distribution (wholesale and retail) of all fuel products and importantly to advise Cabinet on the state of competition in the sector.
Members of the public are encouraged to review the discussion paper, and to submit their feedback by email [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> or, in writing to: “Fuel Markets Discussion Paper”, PLAHI Ministry Government Administration Building.
The deadline for public feedback is 15 July, 2016.
(GIS)
Cayman Islands DCI to close early on Wednesday (29)
The Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI), including its Business Licensing Counter on the first floor of the Government Administration Building, will close from 3:00pm on Wednesday, 29 June, for a staff training event.
DCI’s main office will reopen on Thursday, 30 June at 8:30am, and the counter will reopen at 9:00am.
DCI staff apologise for any inconvenience the closure may cause. For more information please call 945-0943 or email [email protected]
Grand Cayman: Major Roadworks Underway
Red Bay Summer Roadworks
Motorists, especially residents of the Prospect and Red Bay areas, should note that roadwork will continue in that area for the coming weeks of summer.
The National Roads Authority’s (NRA) phased plan will see the scale of work escalate once schools close in early July. Plans include a reconfiguration of the Red Bay roundabout as well as enhancements to the east-west arterial. Work in this area is to be completed before the end of August.
The NRA improvements will include widening the Red Bay roundabout to three lanes, which will accommodate the widening of the east-west arterial (between Dr Tomlinson Roundabout and the DMS/Grand Harbour roundabout) to three lanes in coming years.
NRA officials explain that, to improve road safety, the roundabout lanes will be re-surfaced so they slant inwards. Some of the traffic islands and sidewalks will be reconstructed to facilitate these roadway changes.
However, special allowances are being made to ensure the flow of traffic. When work is underway, one lane will remain open as usual, and the closed bypass lane will be re-routed to another road to maintain traffic capacity. Therefore, the work is not expected to result in major traffic diversions or holdups on the east-west bypass.
To further minimize the impact on motorists, most of this work will be done during off-peak times. The plan is to limit the amount of work during peak hours on weekdays (between 7am and 9am, and from 5pm to 7pm) and in so doing, avoid disruptions to drivers going to and from work.
Once the Red Bay roundabout is completed, only one direction of the main road will be worked on at a time. For instance, when work is being done to the east-bound lanes, one of the bypass lanes will be open for traffic as usual, but the other lane heading to the eastern districts will be diverted through the old section of Shamrock Road.
During this phase, west-bound traffic heading towards town should note that there will be no right-turns allowed from the Red Bay roundabout to access the Prospect or Red Bay areas, including the primary school.
To access the Red Bay Primary School and/or the Prospect area then, westbound traffic should use the Dr. Tolminson roundabout, and must then return the same way, since the Red Bay roundabout access to the highway will be closed.
Alternately, west-bound traffic may use the DMS roundabout, but they will have to return to the highway using the Dr. Tomlinson roundabout.
When the west-bound lanes are being worked on, one of the bypass lanes will be open for traffic as usual, but the other lane heading towards George Town will be diverted through Prospect Point Road.
When one west-bound lane is closed, west-bound motorists driving from the east (and who must access Red Bay Primary School or the Prospect area) may use the Dr.Tomlinson roundabout onto Shamrock Road; but, they must then return the same way, since the Red Bay roundabout access will be closed.
To ensure the safety of NRA workers as well as the general public, drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to remain aware of these temporary changes, and to drive with caution in the area. Road users are asked to also pay close attention to signage indicating any lane closures or diversions.
COMMUNITY EVENTS (Date Order)
WED JUNE 29
SME Workshop
The Chamber of Commerce presents a free SME Workshop on Hiring the Right Employee on Wednesday (29 Jun) from 530 — 730pm. Register online at caymanchamber.ky.
THU JUNE 30
Cayman Islands student filmmakers to walk the Red Carpet
The Young Image Makers (YIM) Red Carpet Premiere will take place on Thursday 30 June at the Harquail Theatre at 7.00 p.m.
The event marks the close of the 2016 YIM programme which provided the eleven finalists the opportunity to sharpen their technical skills and explore their creativity through the art of filmmaking.
At the annual event, two students – one from the junior and senior categories – will win a summer movie camp experience at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) courtesy of the Department of Tourism (DoT). One additional NYFA movie camp prize is being awarded by DoT to the winner of the Cayman Through My Eyes Video Challenge, a special category in YIM this year. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will also be named and given a prize provided by Cathy Church’s Photo Center.
The premiere kick starts the second annual CayFilm Festival. It is free and open to the public with a semi-formal dress code. Additional support for YIM comes from the Department of Commerce and Investment.
For more information visit www.artscayman.org/young-image-makers, or email [email protected]
National Arts & Culture Awards
CNCF is now accepting nominations for the National Arts & Culture Awards. Nomination forms can be found online at www.artscayman.org/arts-award.
NRA Road Works
Motorists and residents of the Prospect and Red Bay areas are advised that the National Roads Authority will be conducting roadworks at the Red Bay roundabout through June 30th.
Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s Summer Arts Camp
Registration is open for the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s Summer Arts Camp, taking place 11 — 19 August. The Camp is open to students ages 7 — 16. Registration forms can be found online at www.artscayman.org/creative-kids and are due by Thursday (30 Jun.)
National Culture and Heritage Policy and Strategic Plan
Progress continues on the creation of the Cayman Islands’ first National Culture and Heritage Policy and Strategic Plan.
There is now a comprehensive survey designed to garner widest possible feedback from all individuals in the Cayman Islands, so that the public is given full access to contribute to this important policy.
The survey is designed to give the public the opportunity to have a voice in the information-gathering stage of the policy formation as well as to contribute to what will become the vision, values and potential objectives of the policy.
Members of the public can access the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZDQK8C2 . The survey closes 30th June.
The findings of the survey will be used along with the reports from the six Focus Groups of the Steering Committee, to be compiled into a main situational analysis on culture and heritage in the islands, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture by the end of July. Survey results will be used to feed into the framework for the new policy and strategic plan, which is expected to roll out over a 10-year period, from 2017 to 2027.
Cayman Islands Cancer Society Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Members of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society will be held at the Chamber of Commerce Office in Governor’s Square on June 30th, at 730pm
SAT JULY 2
Football Camp
The Annual Football Summer camp for boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 16 years hosted by the Agape Family Worship Center on the first three Saturdays in July from 4 — 7pm. Call 949.2539 for more.
SUN JULY 3
Boatswain Bay Presbyterian Church Graduation Service
The Boatswain Bay Presbyterian Church is hosting a graduation service on Sunday (3 Jul) at 7pm
MON JULY 4
Teen Challenge
Red Bay Church of God Holiness will hold a Teen Challenge under the theme Deep Sea Discovery for ages 13-19 Monday — Friday (4 — 8 Jul) from 6:30 – 9:30PM.
Launch Pad Enrichment Center Summer Camp
Launch Pad Enrichment Center Summer Camp kicks off next month for children between the ages of 4 and 11 from 730am to 530pm. For more information, call 945-1866.
Gun Bay United Church Food Stall
The Gun Bay United Church is hosting a food stall on Monday (4 Jul) at the Elliott Conolly Civic Center at 11am.
KRI Performing Arts School
KRI Performing Arts School is hosting a summer camp July 4th — 23rd for children between the ages of 5 and 14. For more information call 924.4098.
TUE JULY 5
2016 Vacation Bible School — Tree House
The Church of God Chapel George Town invites all children between the ages 3 to 13 to attend their 2016 Vacation Bible School — “Tree House” — running July 5th through the 8th from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM nightly at the Family Life Center
July Events at Camana Bay
Next month’s public holiday on Monday, 4 July will have a fireworks extravaganza not to be missed. Kids won’t be bored this summer with a variety of camps for all ages, outdoor movies shown under the stars every Tuesday and a summer splash party with prizes to be won. Grownups will enjoy summer savings as the shops mark down prices for one day only and ladies will have the chance to enjoy a ‘healthified’ three-course menu. Moviegoers are also in for a real treat as Regal Cinemas shows the ballet classic, One Man, Two Guvnors.
For more details on our summer festivities, camps and offers; visit camanabay.com/summer.
Here is a quick look at our summer camps:
6th Annual Multi-Sport Camp
5 through 8 July (Week 1), 11 through 15 July (Week 2) and
25 through 29 July (Week 3)
8am-12pm
Camana Bay Sports Complex
Starfish Village Summer Camp
5 July through 25 August
8am-3pm
Starfish Village
Shutterbugs Photography Camp
Mondays, 11 July through 15 August (Ages 8-11) and
Fridays, 15 July through 19 August (Ages 11-16)
9am-12pm,
Picture This Studios
Budding Chef Summer Camp
11 through 15 July
12-1pm
Bon Vivant
8th Annual Basketball Camp
18 through 22 July
8:30am-4pm
The Arts & Recreation Centre
Here is a quick look at our special events:
End-of-School Kids Disco Party
Friday 1 July
6-8pm
Starfish Village
Tai Chi
Sunday 3 July
8:30am
The Crescent
Moonlight & Movies
Tuesdays, July through August
7pm
Gardenia Court
Patriotic Festival
Monday 4 July
5-8pm
The Crescent
Summer Sidewalk Sale
Saturday 9 July
11am
Town Centre
Abacus Restaurant Takeover with Nadine Dumas
Tuesday 12 July
5:30-7:30pm
Abacus
The Bookends Club
Wednesday 13 July
6:30-7:30pm
Books & Books
Ross Tibbetts Book Signing
Friday 15 July
6:30pm
Books & Books
Culture at the Cinema: One Man, Two Guvnors
Saturday 16 July
7pm
Regal Cinemas
Floetry
Wednesday 20 July
6:30-7:30pm
Books & Books
Summer Splash
Saturday 23 July
2-7pm
The Crescent
