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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Spokesman Editor
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By: Batumba Tak
General Secretary
The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union

A Few Signs That We Worry Too Much

In the words of the Holy Bible, Matthew 6: 27-29, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautiful as they are.

Lately I have been telling most of my friends that being sick SUCKS. I can attest to that fact. I had taken sick in early March, 2018 and ended up in the hospital. While there I began to worry a lot, I mean a lot which also send up my stress level. I was release just about a week before Labour Day, but since then I have been experience quite a lot of pain on my left side from my shoulder to the tip of my fingers, and also my left calf.

Since then I have come to realize that the first and most obvious thing that the Holy Bible says about worry is that it is NOT something that God desires His children to do or to suffer from.

However, although God does NOT want His children to suffer, that does NOT mean He wants us to be irresponsible or uncaring.

For example, “Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives us something to do but doesn’t get us anywhere.”For another example, The Biblical idea of worry carries the connotation of an annoying, distracting, disturbing state of being that keeps us from doing what God call us to do.”

Thus, there is work to be done and the cause of Christ should captivate our hearts and engage the full capacities of our minds and bodies.

Therefore, with everything that life bombards us with nowadays, worry can and do easily take over if we allow it to. In fact, we continually think about paying our bills, raising our children well, keeping the house clean, reporting to work early each day, among other things that keep our minds running on overdrive.

However, please keep in mind though that a little worrying and stress won’t hurt us, because everyone deals with challenges at one point or another in our daily lives. But when it becomes a daily habit, however, an incessant nagging that won’t go away, it should definitely raise some red flag.

Thus, worry can and do catapult us into either a sea of doom, or a land of opportunities, depending on how we use it. Worry is a tool that we can utilize to better our lives, but many people allow worry to dictate their every waking moment, which is incredibly unhealthy.

Nevertheless, please find below a few signs that we worry too much:

1. We Can’t Ever Relax: Obviously, we all at one time or the other deal with stressful situation in our lives at some point. In addition, it is a fact that stress can and do help us make the tough decision, and allow us to transform into better people. Moreover, when this stress creeps up during seemingly very small occurrences and disrupts our daily life, this is a clear indicator of chronic worry, or generalized anxiety disorder.

Very careful research has shown us that the Anxiety and Depression Association of America has clearly state that over 5. 1% of the population or 7. 8 million adults, suffer from this disorder.

It is fully believe that if we find that we have persistent anxious thoughts that continue to disrupt our daily lives, these points to excessive worry and anxiety.

Anyway, here is what we should do when we worry too much: We should take some deep breaths, ask our self if this is worth losing our peace over, and then bring our awareness back to the present moment.

It has also been said that anxiety creeps up on us when we allow our minds to wander too far into the future, so therefore by using breath to anchor us in the present moment can and will do wonders to dispel worry.

2. We Have Trouble Falling Asleep: Very careful research has clearly shown that many people who worry too much also have trouble getting decent sleep. Because worry can and do cause our thoughts to race uncontrollably, which therefore makes it very difficult to relax into sleep.

According to researchers at Duke University insomnia may predispose people to anxiety and depression, just as anxiety and depression may predispose people to insomnia.
However, racing thoughts and anxiety can and do overtake our minds so much that it keeps us up at nights, which can and do really take a serious toll on our health in the long-term.

3. We Use Food, Alcohol, Or Drugs To Help Suppress Our Worry: Here again very careful research have shown us that there are another sign that we worry too much is using a substance to deal with our conditions. Therefore, by suppressing our feelings with drugs, alcohol or food might feel good in the short-term, but it can and will do a lot of damage to our mental and physical health in the long-term.

Anyway here’s What To Do When We Worry Too Much: The Historian has clearly stated that instead of reaching for that processed snack or a bottle of bear, we should try putting on some relaxing music, and go to our bedroom to just gather our thoughts and center our awareness.

For example, read, write, draw, or take a bath, preferable ‘hot’, in order to calm our nerves in a healthy way; our mind and body will very much appreciate it!

4. We Always Think Of The Worst Case Scenario: Naturally, we tend to scan our immediate environment for perceived threats to our safety. That’s because we have an inborn ability and need to do this in order to survive, but in our modern world this can and most times pose a nuisance and hazard to our very own mental health.

For example, if our mom or dad is driving on a very busy street/highway, we might think of every conceivably bad thing that could happen to them while driving.

But of course, we definitely want our loved ones to remain safe and obsessing over events that likely won’t occur can only takes away our utmost inner peace.

Therefore, at any time we catch our self-having unreasonable thoughts, we must try to replace them with more uplifting ones, and if we want, send out positive wishes and thoughts to those who we feel might need them at the moment in time.

Finally, We Have Recurring Health Problems: The Health Experts have clearly state that ‘worry causes inflammation within the body, which will definitely leads to all sorts of ailments, including high blood pressure, anxiety, sore muscles, stiff joints, a weakened immune system, and much more diseases.

However, if we find that we get sick quite frequently, we must first check in with our mind, because it is fully believe that all diseases begin in the mind, after all, so we have a scattered, frantic mind, this energy will start to travel into the body.

In addition, we must always make sure to give our self-time for meditation, yoga, or some other practice we find relaxing in order to keep our mind centered, healthy, and performing at its very best.

As time is of the utmost importance, we will stop here for today, but will continue in a future article when we look at What Are The Effects Of Worrying.

As I close for today, I leave you with a quote from the Holy Bible, Proverbs 12: 25 and a poem by Francie Lynch.

The Holy Bible, Proverbs 12: 25, “Worry weights a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” – Proverbs 12: 25.

Why Worry
By: Francie Lynch

Why worry,
About the afterlife.
There’s nothing,
To worry about.

Occupation Safety & Health

Spokesman Editor
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By: Joseph Jones

Workers, Supervisors, we need a balanced attitude, if our jobs do not provide us with the possibilities for developing a sense of mutual respect and appreciation, we can all to easily lose our sense of self-esteem not only in our jobs, but also in the various circles we belong to outside of work.

In the family and among friend and acquaintances, it is vitally important to feel that our work is meaningful, that we can exercise some influence and that we really do have the opportunity to develop the abilities we know we have as individuals.

Mark you; we live in very stressful times. Some of us are bitterly angry and walk about as roaring lions seeking to devour someone. Therefore it is not surprising that at times, we get fed up of the unhealthy unsafe conditions of the workplace and just quit. It is not easy to control our emotions when we feel we have been treated unjustly. It can be devastating (to lay waste) because of the colour of your skin. Listen to this, God has given us ability to solve problems and power to carry out our plans enabling us to work to our goals.

So what I am doing and writing is making clear to all the workers in St. Kitts and Nevis, that it is necessary to have a collective approach to prevent and control the causes of accidents at the work place.

We also live in crucial times, people are selfish, there is little affection and encouragement is scarce; just like how plants need water is so it is that you the workers need to be educated. Before I close let me touch a bit on Ergonomic Planning and I am going to deal with shift workers specifically: Irregular working hours inevitably create problems which have their medical and social issues.

Very few people can adapt completely to shift work and irregular working hours. The condition of such work puts a great deal of pressure on the mechanism which govern stress and they create problems and ill health in the form of stomach and intestinal disorders, as well as cardiac and vascular changes (pertaining to the heart and to those vessels that have to do with conveying blood chyle).

Lack of sleep can more over lead to various forms of nervous complaints. A consequence of all this is that shift work should be avoided as far as possible. But some jobs are such that the work must continue also during the night.

In these cases the working hours for shift workers should be shorter than for other groups.

Thank You.

Words:    Meaning

Chyle       a milky fluid consisting of lymph and emulsified fat that forms in the small                          intestine during digestion

Liburd Disgusted At Electoral Office Management

Spokesman Editor
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Liburd Disgusted At Electoral Office Management

By: Drizel Hanley
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 5th July 2018)- Deputy Leader of the opposition St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), Hon. Marcella A. Liburd, a lawyer by profession, has placed on record her disgust concerning the alleged high corruption and lawlessness taking place at the Electoral Office here in St. Kitts.

“I come to you today to express my utter disgust and dismay with the miscarriage of justice and the threat to democracy happening at the electoral office and the continued disenfranchisement by that office,” she said while speaking at the Party’s monthly conference held yesterday (4th July) at the Koi Building located at the Airport Road.
To this end, the Labour Party has expressed its intention to pursue both legal and protest action.

Liburd noted that the SKNLP is gathering the necessary evidence to prepare an airtight and complete case before going to court and is confident that the party will present a very strong case based on facts and will be successful in when the matter is brought before the court.

Liburd, who is the Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Two (Central Basseterre), highlighted areas of concerns regarding the operations of the electoral office namely the non-publication of transfers on the monthly lists, the non-publication of the revised monthly list, the removal of persons’ names from the voter’s lists without them being notified, the holding of objection hearings without the Labour Party being notified, the failure or refusal to hear the objections submitted by the Labour Party and persons perceived to be supporters of the SKNLP are been turned down when they visit the office to register.

The SKNLP official publicly condemned the injustices meted out at the Electoral Office and described such behavior as a blatant and naked ploy to steal and control the outcome of the next general election.

“….. We are extremely concerned that the electoral office has become completely corrupted in attempt to determine the outcome of the impending general election in favour of the ruling coalition party,” she stressed.

It was also revealed the present mismanagement of the electoral office is designed to manipulate the voters list based on an intended boundary change that the present government is contemplating.

“This is gerrymandering at the highest order,” Liburd remarked.

She went on to note that the endless illegalities been carried out by the Electoral Office infringes the constitution of St. Christopher and Nevis, the National Assembly Elections Act and various other democratic and human rights put forward by the United Nations Commonwealth and the OAS.

Police Seek Help In Robberies Investigation Involving Tourists

Spokesman Editor
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Police Seek Help In Robberies Investigation Involving Tourists

By: Drizel Hanley

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Tuesday 3rd July 2018)– Police on Nevis are seeking the public’s assistance in tracking down the perpetrators who are responsible for a string of robberies that occurred in the Spring Hill area Nevis last Saturday (30th June) of which overseas visitors were among the victims.

According to a police report, the first incident occurred shortly after 4 A.M. at a home where Brett Floyd, Lauren Gosse, Sandy Dell and McLain Reese are vacationing.
Police say that three masked assailants entered the house and held them at gunpoint and demanded money.

The gunmen made off with an undisclosed sum of money and two cell phones.
No one was harmed during the incident.
Shortly after the above incident police say that they received a report, from the home of Roger Tooze in Spring Hill.

According to the authorities Tooze reported that he heard a noise at his door and went to investigate it when he saw a man was standing outside the glass front door.
Police say Tooze was able to scare away the man and his accomplices.

According to police, in a third incident, they received a report of a second home in Spring Hill being entered by three unknown, masked assailants.

Oliver Zuber-Kaldenbach and his family were held at gunpoint and the gunmen demanded money.

The assailants escaped with an undisclosed sum of money. No one was injured during the incident.

Persons with information are urged to call the Charlestown Police Station at 469-5391/5392 or the nearest police station.

Philippines mayor Antonio Halili shot dead by sniper, police chief says

Spokesman Editor
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Philippines mayor Antonio Halili shot dead by sniper, police chief says

(CNN)A controversial Philippines mayor who gained notoriety for parading people arrested on drug offenses was shot and killed by a sniper at a flag-raising ceremony at Tanauan City Hall on Monday morning.

Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili was killed by a single shot to the chest from an unknown assailant, Police Superintendent Renato Mercado told CNN. The killing was captured on a video that showed scenes of panic seconds after the shot was fired.
In the video, Halili is seen standing in a line with government employees as the flag is raised and those in attendance sing the national anthem. ​
As the camera strays to film another group, a single shot rings out, followed by screams and a woman’s voice, saying “Oh my God” in English. While the victim is not seen on camera after the shot is fired, the content of the video could be upsetting to some viewers.
The mayor’s security returned fire, according to state media Philippines News Agency (PNA), causing panic as government officials and staff ran for cover.
Gerry Laresma, the government employee who shot the video, told PNA it wasn’t clear where the shot had originated. He said Halili had received death threats because of his strong anti-crime push.
Vice Mayor Jhoanna Corona-Villamor told CNN that she saw the gunshot hit him “right in the middle of his chest” and, through her fear, worried that he might not survive. Then she fled.
“When I saw everyone running, I started running — I went inside City Hall. I was still in panic, then I heard more gunshots. I asked my staff to check if there were more (people) hurt; thank God no one else was,” said Corona-Villamor.
“The gunshots were actually from the mayor’s security hoping they would hit the suspect as they fired towards the direction where the gunshot came from,” she added.
The flag in front of Tanauan City Hall flies at half-staff following the murder of Mayor Antonio Halili.

The flag in front of Tanauan City Hall flies at half-staff following the murder of Mayor Antonio Halili.
She said that she was still shaken by the experience.
“Who wouldn’t be scared when the mayor was shot right beside me and in full view of everyone?
“Everyone here is mourning, grieving … we lost a great mayor,”​ she said.
Provincial Chief Superintendent Edward E. Caranza told PNA that the bullet was fired from a distance, most likely using a 5.56 or 7.62 caliber high-powered rifle.
Halili was declared dead at the Reyes Memorial Hospital in the city less that an hour after the shot was fired around 8 a.m. Monday (8 p.m. Sunday ET), attending physician Alexander Carandang said.
Philippine National Police Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that a regional special task group had been convened to investigate the killing, according to CNN affiliate CNN Philippines, and that the suspect parades were being considered as a motive.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque condemned the killing, saying that Halili was an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, and that justice would be served, CNN Philippines reported.
A number of checkpoints have been set up across the city and in nearby towns, according to Police Superintendent Renato Mercado. Additionally, the regional police in Batangas put in place “Oplan Iron Curtain” — a dragnet for suspects — but Mercado said that there had been no results so far.
Shocked city employees mourned the loss of the well-liked figure. “We did not just lose a mayor but a father,” one told CNN, adding that he always greeted them with a cheery “good morning” upon arriving at City Hall.
His assistant, Malen Calimahad, worked for him for five years and said she’d miss “the mayor’s jokes. He was a happy person.” She said that he’d been under the weather for the past few days but came in anyway, such was his dedication.
Mayor Halili's aide Carlos Mojares looks at his boss' awards and trophies. He says Halili was incredibly proud of his collection.

Mayor Halili’s aide Carlos Mojares looks at his boss’ awards and trophies. He says Halili was incredibly proud of his collection.

St. Kitts Music Festival Sees Sizzling End

Spokesman Editor
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St. Kitts Music Festival Sees Sizzling End

By: Drizel Hanley and Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Sunday 1st July 2018)-The recently concluded 22nd annual St.Kitts Music Festival has ended on high note with an enthusiastic and eclectic mix of artistes taking to the stage.

The three nightly concert which was staged from Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th June at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium saw a sizzling mix of national, regional and international acts taking to the stage for creating a diverse blend of flavours catering to music lovers from all walks of life.

While addressing reporters shortly after the end of the Festival, Minister with responsibility for Tourism Lindsay Grant described the three days as “electric”, with it being “efficient and innovative”.

“We are going to have difficulty in 2019 to top this,” Grant said.

Last night (Saturday), Rhythm of the Beat band-comprised of musicians of St.Kitts-Nevis roots, many of who reside overseas- opened show with a bang and rocked the crowd by dishing out a number of songs from the seventies while the big screens showed images from that era.

Grammy Award-winning God-mother of Soul, Patti La Belle, took the stage next and commanded the audience’s rapt attention from the moment she entered the stage dressed in a shimmery purple dress and high heels.

The 74 –year- old music icon also introduced stellar performances from members of her band.

She performed her timeless hits such as ‘Lady Marmalade’ ‘If Only You Knew’ and ‘On My Own’.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, rapper and actress Ms. Lauryn Hill did not disappoint Festival goers belting out favourites like ‘Everything Is Everything’ and ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’.

Bringing some old school flavour of The Fugees, she dished out tunes like ‘Killing Me Softly’, ‘Ooh La La’ and ‘Ready or Not.’

Ms. Lauryn Hill during her performance (credit: Shadan Production)

American rapper and song writer, Fetty Wap- who rose to prominence after his debut single ‘Trap Queen’- ended the festival. That hit song was hit of the night along with other Hip Hop jams like ‘679’ and ‘Toast Up’.

A spectacular show of fireworks, put on by the Festival’s organisers, signaled the official end of this year’s musical explosion.

More Fathers Participate In Child Month Parade

Spokesman Editor
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More Fathers Participate In Child Month Parade

By: Precious Mills
BASSETERE, St.Kitts- (Saturday 30th June 2018)-Increased participation of fathers in this year’s 34th annual Child Month Parade and T-shirt March held yesterday afternoon ( Friday 29th June) is being applauded by Director of the Early Childhood Development Unit June Wallace who says this year’s event in general has been the biggest one in a long time if not the biggest.

In speaking with this media house, she expressed: “This year has been the biggest in a long time if not the biggest while adding “We had lots of fathers. The involvement of the fathers was very good. We had a large contingent.”

Under the theme ‘Children’s Health, Safety and Security our Priority’, scores of children from over 70 day care centres and preschools in the Federation accompanied by teachers, parents and other well-wishers marched through the streets of Basseterre.

The many participants wore their green t-shirts ( green being the shade for the year occasion) in bringing an celebrative end to the month-long celebration.

‘Children need to be monitored-Protect us from harm’, ‘Safety in the home-Do not touch the outlet’ and ‘We need emotionally healthy children’ were some of the messages displayed by children in the parade-type outfits in addressing the theme.

Preschoolers wearing costumes with messages surrounding the theme of the Children’s Health, Safety and Security our Priority’ during the last Friday’s 34th annual Child Month Parade and T-Shirt March (Spokesman Snap)

Wallace said the event is not simply just a parade and t-shirt one but instead “It is about advocating on behalf of the nation’s children…it is about putting your money where your mouth is in helping to advocate for the theme.”

Commenting on theme selection, Wallace pointed out that such a message is an important aspect of for regional partners including the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and that “the theme is very important.”

“It is also a fundamental basic human need for survival that’s why the theme was chosen,” Wallace remarked.

She added: “Children’s health and safety is everyone’s priority. From conception to birth, we pay attention to the way they eat, immunised …”

Additionally, Wallace said that special attention should be paid in ensuring that children are nurtured in a safe atmosphere that is conducive to learning.

As revealed by her, the Early Childhood professionals are mandated to pay attention to children’s well-being which includes keeping vigilant of signs of child abuse and also whether or not children have been immunised.

Wallace told that there is a reporting process which takes place whenever a situation involving a child looks suspicious in regard to safety.

Asked what words of advice she has for fathers in light of the observed increase participation at this year’s event, Wallace commented: “There needs to be two parents in order to develop children’s health and safety.”

According to her parental involvement is crucial and critical for children’s growth and self-identity.

Wallace pointed to the team work among Early Childhood officials who normally come together to decide on a chosen colour for each year.

She informed however that this is her last year in her job post and that she wanted to leave a meaningful hue.

“That colour really represents life. We want our children to grow and thrive,” said Wallace who also talked about giving children the proper care and attention in their lives.
Wallace extends special thanks to all partners who have been “really supportive” for the 2018 Child Month celebration such as TDC, OD Brisbane and Christophe Harbour.
In regard to the sister isle Nevis, the annual Child Month Parade and T-shirt March was held on Friday 8th June. Notably, institutions from Nevis also took part in last weekend’s event in St.Kitts.

 

Venezuela’s Vice-President Banned from Travelling to European Union

Spokesman Editor
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Venezuela’s Vice-President Banned from Travelling to European Union

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Tuesday June 26, 2018 – The European Union (EU) Council yesterday imposed sanctions on 11 Venezuelan officials, including Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, banning them from travelling to the EU and freezing their assets.

The decision comes on the heels of last month’s elections, which the opposition boycotted and which resulted in Nicolás Maduro being elected to a second six-year term in office. The EU says the elections “were neither free nor fair and their outcome lacked any credibility as the electoral process did not ensure the necessary guarantees for them to be inclusive and democratic”.

In a statement announcing the decision, the EU said the 11 sanctioned officials “are responsible for human rights violations and for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela”.

“This decision is a direct follow-up to the Council conclusions adopted on 28 May 2018, which called for additional targeted and reversible restrictive measures that do not harm the Venezuelan population in response to the recent presidential elections held in Venezuela,” it said.

But Venezuela has government condemned the move, describing it as “the continued aggression and meddling by the EU”.

The EU specifically accused Rodríguez, in her role as a member of the Presidential Commission and then as President of the Constituent Assembly, of undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including usurping the powers of the National Assembly and using them to target the opposition and prevent them taking part in the political process.

In response to the sanctions, Rodríguez said the EU decision was driven by “racist” and “warmongering” policies of the “old imperial world.”

“The old imperial world or any foreign power will never bend my determination as a Venezuelan to love the land where I was born!” she tweeted in a “personal message” to the EU.
Rodríguez added that she would not be distracted by any threat, extortion, arbitrary measure or blackmail.

The other 10 sanctioned were: Vice President of Economy and Minister for National Industry and Production, Tareck El-Aissami; Inspector General of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, Sergio Rivero; General Commander of the Bolivarian Army, Jesús Suárez; Head of Directorate General of Military Counter-Intelligence, Iván Hernández; Vice President of the National Electoral Council, Sandra Ruzza; Commissioner General of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, Freddy Bernal; Deputy Attorney General, Katherine Nayarith Harrington; Member of the National Electoral Council, Socorro Hernández; and Secretary-General of the National Electoral Council, Xavier Moreno.

The EU Council’s decision brings to 18 the total number of individuals under sanctions in view of the situation in Venezuela.

The Council had listed seven Venezuelan officials involved in the non-respect of democratic principles or the rule of law as well as in the violation of human rights on January 22 this year. It said the restrictive measures aim to help foster democratic shared solutions that can bring political stability to the country and allow it to address the pressing needs of the population

 

Bus Driver Killed By Cyclist

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Bus Driver Killed By Cyclist
By: Spokeman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Sunday 17th June 2018)- On the eve of father’s day (last night), a young  from the community of St. Peter’s was shot dead in College Street Ghaut while waiting to ply his trade as a bus driver.
Dead is 33-year-old Ronaldo Jeffers who according to police was attacked by a gunman riding a bicycle.
This media house understand that the deceased is survived by a son believed to be either 13 or 14  of age.
According to information coming from the police public relations department, sometime after 8pm, police received a report of a shooting incident at College Street Ghaut.
Reportedly, several units responded along with members of the Emergency Medical Services. Upon arrival they found the motionless Jeffers’ body in the driver’s seat of a motor bus he had been driving.
Police say he had what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds about the body and to the head.
Investigations so far have revealed that during the evening, Jeffers had parked in the area and was in the vehicle when a lone gunman rode up on a bicycle and shot him multiple times.
A glimpse of the scene at College Street Ghaut following last night’s deadly shooting
The District Medical Officer visited the scene and pronounced him dead. Members of the Crime Scene Unit arrived, processed the scene and collected items of evidential value.
Police investigations into the matter are ongoing. Persons with information regarding this incident are urged to call any Police Station or the Violent Crimes Unit at 467-1887, 467-1888, 662-3468

2018 Hurricane Season: NEMA Urges Preparedness

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2018 Hurricane Season: NEMA Urges Preparedness

By: Drizel Hanley

BASSTERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 15th June 2018)- The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is making an appeal to residents and businesses to briskly prepare for the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which began on June 1st.

Senior Officer at St. Kitts Meteorological Services Elmo Burke said that the predicted number of hurricanes\storms for the year 2018 are 14 storms and 7 hurricanes.

“Predictions suggest the potential for 3 major hurricanes,” he said, “however, we must be reminded that even in that eventuality, developing systems will not necessarily impact us here in St. Kitts-Nevis.”

The Deputy Disaster Coordinator (DNDC),Claricia Langley-Stevens, noted that the message for residents to be prepared “cannot be overstated”.

“Persons ought to do whatever is possible to minimise impacts now, before a disaster happens, thus reducing challenges to your recovery process,” she said.

Residents were further advised to adhere to warnings issued by the disaster management officials, particularly if it relates to evacuating certain areas and also to have a disaster plan for their families and not wait until the last minute to find out where they have to go, in the event their homes would be compromised.

According to the DNDC, the following is a list to follow when getting prepared for the hurricane season:

Check your roofs, walls, structure for vulnerabilities and begin to collect non-perishable goods, portable lights such as flash lights, batteries and clean receptacles for water storage; Store additional medicines at home for long-term illnesses and other supplies in the event that you have to stay indoors for long periods, or that businesses such as pharmacies are impacted and remain closed; Turn off all electronic equipment at the source during an event; Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting leading into an impact; Share emergency numbers with all members of your household and create a family plan to identify important activities such as where to reconnect after impact, if you are separated; Keep a transistor or other portable radio device on hand to receive alerts and updates from the relevant authorities and Remain indoors during and after an event, until the ALL CLEAR has been given by the Authorities.

The 2018 storm names: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sara, Tony, Valerie and William.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season which started on June 1st runs through November 30th. And, occasionally, storms can form outside those months as happened in 2017 when Tropical Storm Arlene formed in April.

This year, Subtropical Storm Alberto was the first tropical cyclone of the year to enter the Gulf of Mexico in May since Hurricane Able in 1951.

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