The General Public is asked to note that the General Post Office and other Post Offices in St. Kitts will be CLOSED at 11:00 a.m. on Monday 31st December 2018.
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The SALE OF STAMPS and CASHIER SERVICE will commence at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday 3rd January 2019.
Any inconvenience caused is regretted.
By: Drizel Hanley
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 28th December 2018)-The Cayon Pantastics has won the annual Sugar Mas Steel Band Competition, held on Sunday night, 23rd December, at the Circus in downtown Basseterre for the third consecutive year.
The three-peat champions ended the night with 265 points.
EBJ Harmonics Steel Orchestra placed second with a total of who 257 points.
The CEMSS Gems placed third with 213 points while Young Vibrations Steel Orchestra out of Nevis secured the fourth position with 208 points.
Leader of the Pantastics, Melly Hewlette, said that his group has taken its rightful position at the top through hard work and dedication and congratulated the team for a job well done.
The other participating musical groups were the Nevis Pan Ensemble and the Sweet Sticks Ensemble.
In addition to bragging rights, the Pantastics leave the competition with a $7,000 cash prize.
The Harmonics walked away with a $5,000 cash prize.
The competition was organized by the Department of Culture and the Carnival Committee.
By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 28th December 2018)- At around 3;30PM on Saturday 22ndDecember, Sun Country Airlines from Minneapolis, Minnesota in the US made its inaugural visit to St.Kitts-Nevis touching down at the Robert. L Bradshaw International Airport with a full capacity of 126 passengers.
Flight SY777 was welcomed by a symbolic fire truck salute as it glided along the runway while the disembarked passengers were greeted by the folklore performance of Valen’s Masquerade Troupe.
Government Ministers including Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, Tourism Minister Lindsay Grant as well as Nevis’ Premier and Minister of Tourism and Aviation Mark Brantley and other officials formed a greeting party, interacting with some of the passengers while ambassadors from the Ministry of Tourism bearing patriotic souvenirs bags greeted passengers making their way to the Arrival Hall.
A toast ceremony was observed at Kayan Jet Lounge during a brief ceremony ahead of the flight’s scheduled departure.
Speaking at that ceremony, the Sun Country captain, after accepting a welcome plaque on behalf of the flight crew, expressed: “We had a great flight down and we are looking forward to having more flights…”
Minister Grant, during his presentation, remarked: “Today is indeed a historic occasion as it is the first time Sun Country Airlines is servicing our twin island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Further, Sun Country’s peak season from Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the first ever non-stop service from the upper mid-west and so we are thankful for that (in)welcoming a new airline to St. Kitts is an official duty that brings me great pride and privilege.”
“The upper mid-west is not only a hub for Sun Country, it is also a key source market in the United States that is home to a number of affluent residents. Visitors from this very important and growing region will now find it much more convenient to reach our shores. This flight will help us continue growing our US arrivals from a number of new and existing geographic markets,” he stated also.
Minister Brantley in expressing delight of the new flight service commented: “It is gratifying that Sun Country has recognised the potential of St. Kitts and Nevis as an upscale destination for leisure travel.”
It is understood that Sun Country Airlines will continue to operate for the peak season on Saturdays via non-stop schedules through 20th April 2019.
Those flights are based on the following listed local time slots which are subject to change: SY777 DepartMSP 7:40AM and Arrive SKB 3:15PM and SY778 Depart SKB 4:10PM and Arrive MSP 8:30PM.
The Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC) has announced that effective Monday January 7th, the three bins located in the Frigate Bay area will be removed. Regular garbage collection services will commence on the morning of Tuesday January 8th and will continue twice weekly, every Tuesday and Friday thereafter. Residents are informed that it is an offence to dump garbage where the bins were located in the absence of those bins. Persons caught dumping illegally will be prosecuted. Residents are asked to be guided accordingly.
Dear Taxi and Tour Bus Operators,
All are asked to please take note of the following routes for Parade Days:
Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd January 2019 – Parade Days
All are asked to be guided accordingly.
St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Pelican Mall
By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 21st December 2018)- The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union (SKNT&LU) recently closed negotiations following a collective bargaining agreement in the interest of workers at manufacturing plant API Harowe Server (St.Kitts) Ltd. located in Sandy Point.
Following two days of discussions between both parties, conducted on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th December at the St.Kitts Marriott Hotel in Frigate Bay, a contract has been put together.
Among those seated at the discussion table were SKNT&L’s President Joseph O’Flaherty Jr., First Vice President Sydney Bridgewater, General Secretary Batumba Tak and Plant Manager at API Harowe Server (St.Kitts) Ltd. Carol Evelyn.
Among the ten (10) areas addressed in this new document are Health & Safety Advisory Committee, Long Service Awards, Paternity Leave Policy, Attendance Performance Bonus, General Wage Increase, Footwear Allowance as well as Retirement Fund and Life Insurance Plan, two separate items which have been added.
Notably, Harowe Server Ltd.’s response for the new proposal agreement follows recommendations submitted by Tak on Wednesday 28th November 2018 after a series of discussions.
As gathered, it understood between both parties that all other language in current agreement will remain the same except for the dates of period covered 1/1/19 through 12/31/2021.
In giving feedback on the recent meeting, Tak had this to say: “We had a good meeting and it was very lively and interesting. The employer (Harowe Server Ltd.) is mindful of what is happening in regard to the global economy not just in St.Kitts, and such has been taken into consideration. Next year, we will continue discussions. The contract that has been put together is based on past discussions and issues at other workplaces.”
Meanwhile President O’Flaherty Jr. has informed that as part of the company’s commitment for ongoing improvements and the need to conduct further discussions and feasibility studies for the development of other programs for the associates such as Joint Contribution Retirement Plans, the committees agree to conduct bi-annual meetings at dates to be determined.
According to him, the committee members will consist of the bargaining units from both sites, the union officers and company management.
“Further, the company requires that all associates, salary and hourly, recognise and comply with the Altra Code of Conduct, by signing the required documentation as read and understood,” O’Flaherty added.
API’s headquarters is located in New York City in the US. The company engages in technology manufacturing which is used in motors such as magnetic and electronic components.
Thousands of revellers were able to participate in J’ouvert 2018-2019 which kicked off at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, December 26, 2018. As with previous years, majority of the persons who turned out enjoyed themselves, whether it was from the sidelines or as a member of one of several troupes that were registered with the Carnival Committee. The Police High Command would like to commend all the persons who were able to revel in a peaceful and responsible manner.
Unfortunately, due to several incidents that occurred during J’ouvert, a decision was made in the interest of public safety to restrict the event to 10 a.m. The Police are aware that a number of the incidents were gang-related and the others were fights that occurred during the street jam. The Police condemns the use of bottles and stones as missiles during the J’ouvert Jam which resulted in injury to several persons, including two Police Officers. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life threatening.
With regard to the matters involving the Police Officers, the High Command has learned that both were injured while attempting to make an arrest during separate incidents. In one matter, two persons suffered injuries when an Officer’s firearm discharged after he fell while trying to apprehend an assailant. The two females suffered injuries to the legs as a result. The women, along with the Police Officer, received treatment at the JNF Hospital and were all discharged. The second Officer is warded at the hospital after he too was attacked trying to make an arrest during another incident.
Arising out of these incidents some sixty-four (64) persons were taken into custody and are assisting Police with their investigations. The Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incidents that took place Wednesday morning to contact the Basseterre Police Station by dialling 465-2241.
Several other street activities are scheduled to take place over the coming days. The Police are making an appeal to all residents and citizens to comply with the laws of the land and to take direction from members of the various security agencies. The Police have a zero-tolerance policy for any acts of violence. Carnival is a time meant for residents and visitors to have fun. They have a right to do so in a peaceful manner. Any person found to be disrupting that peace will meet with the full extent of the law. Vendors and business operators are also reminded that drinks are not to be sold in glass bottles. The Police are urging members of the public to report suspicious activity to the Police by calling the Crime Hotline 707.
Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 25, 2018 (RSCNPF): A Police Officer is currently warded at the Alexandra Hospital in Nevis in a stable condition after he was shot and injured early Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at about 2:30 a.m. on December 25 in the Hamilton area. Preliminary investigations have revealed that Corporal Cleon Michael, who was off-duty at the time, was accompanying a businessman to his home. The Officer was preparing to leave when he observed that the businessman, who was about to enter his home, was being held up at gun point by two unknown assailants whose faces were partially covered. The Officer shouted at the assailants to stop and identified himself as an Officer when one of them shot him in the leg. They robbed the businessman of an undisclosed sum of money and fled the scene.
The Officer was transported to the hospital where he received medical attention. The Crime Scene Unit visited and processed the scene, collecting items of evidential value.
The Police have since taken two persons into custody and they are assisting with investigations into the matter which are ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Charlestown Police Station by dialling 469-5391/5392 or the Crime Hotline by dialling 707.
By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Sunday 23rd December 2018)-According to the over 500 individuals who have participated in an online petition, permission is not granted for the government to construct a new Basseterre High School (BHS) in the vicinity of the Basseterre Aquifer located in the East Basseterre area.
This media house has discovered that there is currently lobbying action is being run via change.org-by a mover called ‘Concerned Citizen’ seeking to get a total of 1000 internet signatures in a public attempt to address the ongoing controversial issue.
A link inviting others to partake has been circulating via social media, particularly WhatsApp.
Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, the Opposition St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) representative for Constituency One (East Basseterre) was contacted about the petition, and he applauded the startup of such a petition which he, too, has signed.
“I am grateful that we have concerned citizens who would have seen it fit to express their discomfort with the school being built on the aquifer in terms starting a campaign in the form of a petition ensuring that they get as many signatures as possible so as to further drive home the point that we know for fact-because previous studies would have been conducted with over 50 plus per cent of the persons who spoke out of it not happening.”
He added: “So I’m happy that these individuals would have seen the importance of preserving the aquifer in trying to sensitise other persons as well as to the importance of us making sure that we take warning and we reserve that area as an untouched area.”
Dr. Hanley is of the view that the petition can be effective “because we are in a social society in terms of the social media society I think it would reach quite a number of persons hence a large number can be generated of persons participating.”
He is of the view that individuals who are busy at this time of the year concerning Christmas and Carnival activities will eventually find the time to “ensure that they voice their concerns in relation to it.”
The government side during a parliamentary sitting of last week’s Budget Address session, highlighted its intention to carry out the plan to build the new BHS and also bashed the SKNLP Opposition for criticising the site chosen.
Dr. Hanley in commenting on the government’s unchanged position on the matter despite concerns raised, said: “Well, I think it would be an ignorant move if we try to continue or even attempt in terms of constructing the school on the aquifer because you would have read before, several reports would have already been produced indicating the importance of us ensuring that nothing contaminates our water so if we are now going to try to support the Prime Minister and… the Minister of Education in trying to start (building) the school we know that we are going to have challenges because there are persons who are totally against it because they believe and know that water is life and there shouldn’t be any need for us to risk contamination or experiment at this time.”
Asked if the BHS-aquifer issue is discussed with fellow constituents during his community interaction, the fresh Opposition candidate replied: “Yes, yes! and I and can say it is coming from people who I didn’t expect it to come from including persons who support the government. They are telling you point blank ‘ No school should be built in that area’ and some have even voiced to me that whenever we’re ready to do demonstrations or whatever, they are going to be a part of it because it’s not about politics and that is something that I’ve been saying all along; we have to separate the politics. Yes, I understand that they campaigned about building a brand new school; I am in support of a brand new school but I don’t think the school should be built on the aquifer and I will not allow the school to be built on the aquifer.”
In further commenting on his personal commitment to address the matter, Dr. Hanley talked about doing all that is necessary through legal actions including the court system because he is “passionate and serious about the cause.”
When asked if he supports the school being built at the old grounds in Victoria Road and East Park Range area, he had this say: “Yes because I am one who from day one was of the view that nothing is wrong with the grounds; let us look to see how we can address it because all of the reports NIOSH and the other reports would have indicated that nothing major was wrong with Basseterre High School. Whatever was the problem could have been fixed and we are saying, let us go back to the drawing board and use that site in reference to ensuring that the school is being built right there at the old site because the space is adequate; even to construct the modern school that they (the government) are talking about building because I agree if you’re going to build a new school, it must be a modern school.”
Photo: A screenshot of the online petition. To date there are more than 500 signatures.
By: Drizel Hanley
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 28th December 2018)- Caseem Pemberton stage name Rucas H.E. was on Friday evening (December 21st) crowned the new Soca Monarch at Carnival Village, Warner Park, and Basseterre.
He delivered a brilliant and energetic performance to his popular tune ‘Good Vybz’.
Rucas amassed a total of 373 points.
First runner up was adjudged to Barry C who earned a total of 357 points while the 2018 Soca Monarch, Mr. Hype, came in second- runner-up with 354 points.
KO placed third runner up with 335 points.
Soca Subcommittee Chairperson, Vernon Elliott said that he was impressed with the turnout to the finals and congratulated Rucas for winning the title noting that he deserved the it (the title).
He ended by noting that it was a show of high standard and the artistes delivered great performances.