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Motorcyclist Seriously Injured After Pickup Crash Recovering

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Motorcyclist Seriously Injured After Pickup Crash Recovering

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 19th June 2020) – Two young men were recently left hurt after a motorcycle they were riding on crashed into the side of a pickup with the driver being the seriously injured one.

Police are investigating a traffic accident that occurred along the Island Main Road in Keys Village on Thursday 11th June 2020 at about 4:00 PM involving motor pickup PA 3632 which is owned and was being driven by Otis Stevens of Keys Village and motorcycle PB 6487 which is owned and being driven by Leshawn Dore of Upper Cayon.

This media house notes that images of the accident scene, shows Dore with a helmet lying on a grassy area after allegedly being flung from the motorcycle which was extensively damaged.

Circumstances are that both vehicles were traveling from Basseterre towards Cayon. While Stevens was in the process of turning right at a junction in Keys Village in the vicinity of the Water Dam, the motorcycle collided with the side of the pickup.  

Police said Dore sustained several injuries and was transported to the JNF General Hospital via ambulance where he was warded in critical condition at that time.

Information reaching this media house leading up to press time on Thursday 18th June indicated that the young man is in a stable condition and recovering.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Observant Voters Allegedly Report On “Irregularities” During 2020 General Elections

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Observant Voters Allegedly Report On “Irregularities” During 2020 General Elections

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 19th June 2020) – Observant voters have been identified by Opposition Leader of the St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) and elected Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Six Dr. Denzil Douglas  as being among those who have provided information to support the party’s allegations of unfairness that took place during the 2020 general elections in St.Kitts-Nevis.

“From what we are hearing from the workers [and] from not even those who were workers but those who were voting, who may not be affiliated with the organisation of the Labour Party, have made it absolutely clear that something went wrong during the conduct of this particular election,” he remarked while appearing on a recent edition of ‘Issues’, aired on Freedom FM on Wednesday 10th June.

Dr. Douglas echoed the party’s position about “irregularities” that happened during the 5th June polling day, indicating that such has “to be looked at very seriously.”

“Those who believe that our democracy simply is determined by what happens on Election Day, I say very forcefully, that is not so at all. We cannot accept the mere counting of the ballots  without looking at the conditions and circumstances under which those ballots were counted  or circumstances under which people voted that they would be just simply ignored because there is someone named to have returned after the election would have taken place in that particular constituency.”

 “We will develop a strategy to move there from having looked at the information and the data that would have been collected and inform you as to exactly what we would do,” he said during that live broadcast SKNLP-sponsored programme.

According to Dr. Douglas: “This party is too deeply entrenched in the annals of the history of this country in terms of its stance that it has taken  for over  eighty (80) years  to ensure that our right to vote  is not only sustained  but that there be free and fair  elections which are also free from fear.”

The former prime minister compared the handling of the February 2015 general elections compared to the most recent one saying: “We went through an election in 2015; no one could have complained that the type of irregularities that we saw one week ago could have ever taken place  under our watch , and that is  why we believe that this must have been deliberate when persons who are activists can handle the ballot boxes on  the morning as if they are officials of the government, officials of the electoral  system, officials under the commands of the Supervisor of Elections , then we know that something must have been sinister and wrong.”

“And these are the circumstances on which we are here expressing, however our thanks to those who pursued their duties with a sense of responsibility and dedication. We therefore thank those officers who maintained security, those who conducted themselves in a way that was appropriately supportive of the continued democracy that we’re trying to strengthen by having elections and by having governments elected,” Dr. Douglas commented further.

Alliance Française Takes Singing Competition Online

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Alliance Française Takes Singing Competition Online

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts ( Friday 12th June 2020) – Management of the Alliance Française de St.Kitts-Nevis, like other institutions and business places locally and globally, has been adjusting business operations in a health and safety response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a telephone chit-chat with this media house, Director of the Alliance Française Marine Moncaut provided an update including details on the French Singing Competition 2020-At Home Edition.

“We were about to start the French Singing Competition before the COVID-19 hit us so we have closed the Alliance Francaise on the 18th of March to the public, and since then we have done a transition of [French language learning] classes online but about the competition, we didn’t organise much and in the Federation and the world with the COVID-19 situation, the social and cultural activities are very limited, especially for children and adolescents.”

On Thursday 11th June, she informed that a total of twenty-six submissions were received with a breakdown of 5 children (individuals between 4 years old and 10 years old), 11 adolescents (individuals between 10 years old and 17 years old and 10 adults (individuals from 18 years old and above).

The competition was launched on Wednesday 27th May as members of the public were asked to stay home and sing a French song, guided that they choose a song, record and submit before Wednesday 10th June.

As gathered for the two-day period of Thursday 11th and Friday 12th June, a four-member jury composed of Claudine Saunders, King Socrates, Grace Richardson and Gairy Knight will rate the 26 performances and choose 3 finalists per category.

The finale is slated to take place on Wednesday 17th June at 7:00PM via a private zoom media session, and persons interested in viewing are asked to send an email to culture.afskn@gmail.com to get access.

Moncaut talked about the reason for the addition of two categories by way of including others to be part of the contest which initially spotlighted children in high schools.

“The adults, we can still go into town and have some contact but the adolescents and the children, they are still staying home and not really seeing their friends and so they don’t have the same interactions and social lives so we decided to still provide and event for them and we also decided to propose that option to everyone because the previous competition was focused on adolescents, children who are in high school. This time we have three categories; one category is for children, one category is for adolescents and one for adults.”

The local Alliance Française director is of the view that the at home edition of the singing competition adds to the promotion of culture and education in a fun way yet financially beneficial to participants amidst these challenging times with cash vouchers as the prizes.

“This is a way to promote culture and education as something that could lift us up in these times of uncertainty, times of stress where the families can be stressed financially and that’s why we also changed the prizes to cash voucher.”

Moncaut continued: “We hope to get a little dynamic that could provide something a little light for the families-children, adolescents for everybody only to sing a song and get some kind of voucher as a way to promote culture, education; something fun…”

For more details, individuals can visit Alliance Française social media Facebook page at www.facebook.com/afstkittsnevis or contact 1-869-667-9019.

Autopsy Results Finds Donte Samuel Stabbed In Heart

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Autopsy Results Finds Donte Samuel Stabbed In Heart

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 12th June 2020)- A 26-year-old man who died after a recent fight involving other individuals in the Old Road Community was stabbed in the heart, according to details of an autopsy report.

Police have informed that Resident Pathologist Dr. Adrian Nunez following an autopsy carried out on Monday 8th June 2020 concluded that Donte Samuel’s death was due to Cardic Tamponade secondary to a single stab wound to the left anterior chest with heart injury.

According to www.healthline.com: “Cardiac tamponade is a serious medical condition in which blood or fluids fill the space between the sac that encases the heart and the heart muscle. This places extreme pressure on your heart. The pressure prevents the heart’s ventricles from expanding fully and keeps your heart from functioning properly. Your heart can’t pump enough blood to the rest of your body when this happens.”

Police investigations revealed that close to 4 PM on Tuesday 2nd June, an altercation between several persons took place in Old Road fatally wounding that young community resident.

Reportedly, Samuel was stabbed in the chest and 31-year-old Quezney Watson, also of Old Road, received a wound to his left eye.

Both were transported to the Joseph N France General Hospital in private vehicles.

Samuel succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Hospital while Watson underwent surgery and warded in a stable condition.

The Police are appealing to persons who might have information regarding this incident to contact the Violent Crime Unit by dialing 467-1887, 467-1888, 662-3468 or the nearest Police Station.

Disabled farmer fatally attacked

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Disabled farmer fatally attacked

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 12th June 2020) – Wounds sustained after being attacked with a machete led to the recent death of a 55-year-old Saddlers Village farmer named Stenneth Harvey, better known as ‘Kwondo’ and the ‘Honey Man’, who was a left-leg amputee for over 28 years following a traffic accident.

Police say an autopsy performed by Resident Pathologist Dr. Adrian Nunez on Wednesday 3rd June 2020 concluded that death was due to Hypovolemic shock (multiple traumatic wounds due to machete injuries).

Six days earlier, officers responded to a report of a murder at Saddlers Mountain on Friday 29th May 2020, sometime after 5 PM.

Upon arrival, they found Harvey’s motionless body lying on a dirt track with several lacerations.

Police are making an appeal to anyone who might have any information in relation to this incident to call the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) at 467-1887, 662-3468 or their nearest Police Station. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

In 2013, there was a GoFundMe outreach to the public for financial assistance for a prosthetic leg for Harvey since the use of crutches had been overstressing his heart in regard to him engaging in agriculture activities, and he was successful in obtaining such at some point.

Harvey- a Rastafarian and the holder of a Taekwondo Black, lost his leg in a traffic accident while riding his motorcycle, Over the years, he has been well-known and respected for his physical fitness and daily energetic flow while carrying out farm work.

His life partner, Elisabeth Karamat, in a March 2013 media interview conducted by this media house’s editor while at another establishment (SKNVibes.com), touched on how the loss of Harvey’s leg had been affecting his livelihood.

“He has been without his leg for 23 years…almost 24 years. He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. A ‘Sugar’ jeep drove into his leg. He was a Black Belt in Taekwondo. Bee Man, farmer, everybody, the policemen and the guys who trained with him in Taekwondo, they say to me that he was a serious athlete. St. Kitts lost an athlete with this accident. His father was completely depressed after the accident.”

It was also shared that Harvey told his father not to worry because “I’m going to get back on my foot. I’m going to get back on track”.

Karamat, also during that 2013 interview, highlighted how Harvey went to his Saddlers farm after the accident, staying there without human interaction for three months.

“After the accident, he had a serious crisis and he retreated. He retreated from the fast life…the motorcycles, parties working the hops as a security man and the training of Taekwondo; all of that so the fast life was over and he retreated on his farm. He became a Rasta. He meditated. He knew he had another purpose in life and that is how it happened. He’s stayed without human contact for three months. Imagine that!”

“He’s very powerful, not just physically but also in his mind…mentally,” she said.

Elections Supervisor Releases Official Polling Day Results

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Elections Supervisor Releases Official Polling Day Results

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 12th June 2020) – The Supervisor of Elections, Elvin Bailey has released the official results-issued on Thursday 11th June- in document form, showing the full details of ballots cast on polling day here in St.Kitts-Nevis conducted on Friday 5th June 2020, as a follow-up to his live televised and radio periodic presentations made.

The General Elections, according to the numerical information, have seen: The People’s Labour Party (PLP) headed by Dr. Timothy Harris capturing 2 out its 3 contested seats, the opposition St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) headed by Dr. Denzil Douglas taking 2 out of a full slate 8 contested seats, the People’s Action Movement (PAM) headed by Shawn Richards taking 4 out of its 5 contested seats in St. Kitts and the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) headed by Mark Brantley winning all 3 of the seats on Nevis.

The general breakdown of votes per candidate in all constituencies in the Federation is as follows:

Constituency One: SKNLP newcomer Dr. Geoffrey Hanley (1658), PAM Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd (1634)

Constituency Two: PAM Jonel Powell (1654) SKNLP Marcella Liburd (1422)

Constituency three: PLP newcomer Alkilah Byron- Nisbett (1342), SKNLP Konris Maynard (1253)

Constituency Four: PAM Deputy Leader Lindsay Grant (1284), SKNLP newcomer Steve Wrensford (934) and newcomer independent runner Jason ‘Grabbament’ Thomas (11).

Constituency Five: PAM Leader Shawn Richards (1296), SKNLP newcomer Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Douglas (821).

Constituency Six: SKNLP Leader Denzil Douglas (1553) and PLP newcomer Kevin ‘Ninky Williams (476).

Constituency Seven: PLP Leader Dr. Timothy Harris (1870), SKNLP newcomer Leon Nata –Nelson (607).

Constituency Eight: PAM Eugene Hamilton (2232), SKNLP Chairman Dr. Terrance Drew (2208)

Constituency Nine: CCM Leader Mark Brantley (1693), Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) newcomer Dr. Kelvin Daley (1155).

Constituency Ten: CCM newcomer to a federal race Eric Evelyn (710), NRP newcomer Bjorn Hanley (167).

Constituency Eleven: CCM Deputy Leader Alexis Jeffers (1107) versus NRP Patrice Nisbett (910).

Two days after polling day, on Sunday 7th June, Dr. Timothy Harris was sworn-in for a second time as Prime Minister of St.Kitts and Nevis during a ceremony held at Government House at Springfield.

In his remarks, he described the occasion as an honour.

“Today is a historic day for me. The son of a housewife, Margaret Harris born in St.Kitts and a sugar worker Mr. Godfrey Nisbett born on the island of Nevis. It is an honour for me to have the opportunity of being sworn in for a second time as the prime minister of St.Kitts and Nevis. It is a signal honour and moment that I never envisaged nor had I, growing up in the petite village of Tabernacle where there were the sea, mountains, hills, and sugar lands around me.”

Dr. Harris is the national political leader of the three-party Team Unity coalition government composed of PLP, PAM and CCM now in its second term in office.

Douglas Holds Off Congratulating Team Unity Gov’t

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Douglas Holds Off Congratulating Team Unity Gov’t

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 12th June 2020) – Leader of the Opposition St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) Dr. denzil Douglas has not extended words of congratulations to the Team Unity government headed by Dr. Timothy Harris on its return to office following the 2020 general elections.

In a live address to the nation on Monday 8th June, he gave the reasoning for such claiming that the election process was not fair as there were significant irregularities which the party believes affected the polling day results.

“I remain deeply disturbed that the hope, prosperity and opportunity that lay in wait under a NextGen SKN Labour Party has been hijacked in large measure by the many irregularities and anomalies that took place in our electoral and voting processes in the years, months, weeks and days leading to the general election. It is for these reasons that I cannot in good conscience concede the election as being free, fair and free from fear.”

Dr. Douglas added: “Along with the prejudicial environment that sought to give our competitors an unfair advantage, the Unity administration committed many irregularities which limited the rights of citizens in the voting process.”

According to him: “There have been serious, significant irregularities in the process which we believe have affected the results. We are collating the reports from the various polling agents of the Party and will report back in short order. In the meantime keep your chins up, your heads high and rally with your NextGen SKN team.”

The Opposition Leader stated that the will of the people is the only source of authority of government and no right-thinking person can objectively declare that Election 2020 was run based on the standards, principles and ethics of good governance.

“For these reasons, the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party cannot accept the election results. We are in the process of examining and compiling evidence with a view to taking serious action on these matters in the future. I therefore reserve my congratulations until these matters have been duly resolved.”

The former Prime Minister gave his view that the next five year under the present government will be challenging for the Federation.

“Finally, I wish to say to my beloved people of our Federation that the next five years will not be easy as St. Kitts and Nevis, one of the smallest countries in the world by population, struggles to find its new footing in the present postCOVID-19 global environment. However, I remain confident that the invincible spirit, intelligence, resourcefulness and resilience of our people will take us through even this, our darkest hour, to brighter days.”

The SKNLP Leader has advised his comrades to hold strain saying.

“To my fellow comrades, I say ‘Hold Strain’! We have a righteous wind at our backs. Let us continue to trust that God will see us through and work everything out for our good. During these perilous times, the St. Kitts-Nevis Party stands resolute and unswerving in our commitment to doing all the good we can do, which is our sacred mission. We have every intention to continue to pursue our people empowerment agenda.

“We will continue to fight for our people’s justice. We cannot allow our election principles, processes and procedures to be compromised. True democracy must flourish in our Federation!”

Front Page Image: Opposition members Leader Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (front) and Marcella Liburd and Konris Maynard (center) with a placard which reads in part “Perkins what instructions did your puppet master give you today?” pass Government Headquarters on Church Street in a February 2018 opposition parliamentarians protest (Spokesman Snap)

Overseas Observers Arrive Close To Polling Day

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Overseas Observers Arrive Close To Polling Day

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 4th June 2020)- The announcement of a team of overseas observers to the Federation of St.Kitts-Nevis was made shortly before their arrival which came two days ahead of the General Elections slated for Friday 5th June 2020.

Chairman of the COVID-19 National Task Force Abdias Samuel, in speaking at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing on Wednesday 3rd June 2020, made the information public less than an hour before the Regional Security Services (RSS) flight was expected to touch down at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport at 6PM.

That flight he told was “bringing to us observers for the general elections…”

According to information coming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National COVID-19 Task Force created a special mandatory health protocol to facilitate the physical participation of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission (EOM).

It was also outlined that the team was expected to be screened immediately upon arrival and also undergo a molecular (RT-PCR) test while being housed in a Government facility.

The Ministry of Health’s monitoring including daily screenings and other activities set out in the special protocol, until the team’s departure was also highlighted.

Reportedly, on Tuesday 2nd June, the CARICOM Secretariat conducted a virtual training session for a 19 strong civil society group, from both Saint Kitts and Nevis at the National Information and Technology Centre, Paul A. Southwell Industrial Site.

Notably, the government had been facing criticism in regard to concerns surrounding the absence of outside observers .

Concerns Surrounding Electoral Office Operations Still Buzzing

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Concerns Surrounding Electoral Office Operations Still Buzzing

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 4th June 2020) –Hours before the 2020 General Elections in St.Kitts-Nevis slated for Friday 5th June 2020, issues surrounding the operations of the Electoral Office continue to be debated publicly from frustrated registered voters seeking information and other Salike to top officials.

Opposition representative of the Electoral Commission Jason Hamilton, a former attorney general, spoke with WINNFM on Wednesday 3rd June 2020 on such topic hours before the official polling station details were issued citing interference from higher authority.

“This is Wednesday and there has not been a list produced yet that indicates where the polling stations for this elections will be held and that is because there has been some level of interference by the executive halting the Supervisor of Elections in preparations of the necessary work to facilitate an election when he would have started that process as early as about January of 2020.”

When questioned about it, he had this to say: “On the report of the Supervisor [Elvin Bailey], it was felt that any kind of preparatory work would give the impression that an election was imminent. That is his report to the commissione which he is supposed to do but certainly the bigger picture on that the constitution specifically states the only authority that can direct the Supervisor of Elections is the Commission.”

Hamilton added: “However, we have a situation where for example where the Supervisor of Elections would have prepared a list of persons to be returning officers. He would have vetted the persons, he would have interviewed the persons, he would have had training sessions with the persons. That list disappeared in the sense that none of the persons who were selected-and that list was voted on by the Commission- and then a new list is presented with returning officers none of whom were selected by the Supervisor. The national Assembly Elections Act specifically says the Governor General appoints on advice of the Supervisor of Elections so unless the Supervisor is going to say that he recommended a set of persons he’s never spoken with, never interviewed in the process then it means some other level or arm or administrative body is directing the supervisor of elections on what to do.”

Opposition Leader of the St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Dr. Denzil Douglas, in speaking at a live press conference that same day addressed the “undermining of the free and fair conduct of the elections here in St.Kitts and Nevis pertaining to the upcoming general elections on Friday…”

Argument Leads To Deadly Fight

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Argument Leads To Deadly Fight

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 5th June 2020)-A man in his 20s has been killed in the aftermath of a recent fight in the Old Road Community.

Dead is 26-year-old Donte Samuel of Old Road who was fatally stabbed on Tuesday 2nd June 2020.

Police say investigations so far have revealed that close to 4 PM that day an altercation between several persons occurred in Old Road.

During the incident, Samuel was stabbed in the chest and 31-year-old Quezney Watson, also of Old Road, received a wound to his left eye.

They were both transported to the Joseph N France General Hospital in private vehicles.

According to police Samuel succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Hospital. Watson underwent surgery and is currently warded in a stable condition.

The Police are appealing to persons who might have information regarding this incident to contact the Violent Crime Unit by dialing 467-1887, 467-1888, 662-3468 or the nearest Police Station.

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