By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Sunday 6^th May 2018)- From a field of eight contestants, Ovalyn ‘Sunshine’ Whyte outshone her pageant rivals to be crowned the 2018 Miss Labour Pageant Queen before an impressive and energetic audience gathered at Carnival Village last night (Saturday).

The young beauty was crowned by the St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Leader and immediate former Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.

Whyte’s onstage personality wowed members of the audience throughout the show made evident by their thunderous applause and cheers during her individual appearances that night.

In the end, this crowd favourite was an overall hit with the judges of the pageant amassing a total of 773.5 points.

First runner-up is Jahquysma Liburd of Constituency One 740.5 points followed by second runner-up Davincia Brandy of Constituency Six with 703.5 points while Johnette Williams of Constituency Five took third runner-up place with 676 points.

Both Whyte and Liburd tied for Best Creative Wear with131 points each while Brandy copped Best Motivational Speech with 219.5 points.

Additionally, the newly-crowned queen won Best Performing Talent scoring 276 points while the first runner-up got Best Elegant Wear with 160 points.

Whyte’s talent in particular which saw her dramatising through dance and spoken words was a special hit for the audience as she humoursly and entertainingly commended the Party leader Dr. Douglas for being right in his advice and warning leading up to the 2015 General Elections.

“Dougie you was right!” was a frequent line she rang out while touching on topics like high food prices and the alleged threat of contamination to the Basseterre Aquifer should a new Basseterre High School be constructed within that area.

Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Two (Central Basseterre) Hon. Marcella Liburd, in speaking with this media house, praised Whyte for a job well done whilst applauding the standard of the pageant.

“Ovalyn Whyte did a magnificent job tonight, taking the crown right home to Central Basseterre I thought she had a wonderful performance. All in all I thought it was a very good show. We are happy that Central Basseterre was able to take home the crown,” she remarked.

Liburd Thanked Whyte’s chaperone team and all others who helped along the way on the journey to the crown.

Tariq Drew, a member of the chaperone team told this reporter, “I feel speechless right now. Preparations were challenging, stressful and tiring but tonight she came out and did what she had to do and won and so I’m extremely proud.”

He thanked all members of the team whom he listed individually.

Whyte’s sister Xarista Collins spoke on behalf of the family informing that her sister spoke confidently about winning the pageant.

“She told me ‘I got this! I got this!’ And when she came out and showed me how she performed, I’m overjoyed! She shocked me and I’m very proud of her!” she commented.

The other contestants were Takilah Stanley of Constituency Three, Jahshanti Hodge of Constituency Four, Azambia Alexander of Constituency Seven and Tresjeur of Constituency Eight.

The show was hosted Brianda Harvey (Miss National Carnival Queen Pageant 2013 second runner-up) and Jackeima Flemming (reigning Miss National Carnival Swimwear Queen) while well-known radio personality Maurice ‘EK’ Flanders emceed.

Two of the Federation’s top singing sensations Byron Messia and Dejour were guest performers.

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 4^th May 2018)- Police are currently trying to find one of its own colleagues wanted for 2016 manslaughter of another cop named Brian Pacquette.

Wanted is 24-year-old Dijon Warner of Conaree.

According to police, “a warrant, in the first instance, exists for the arrest of Dijon Warner of Conaree for manslaughter in relation to the shooting death of former police officer, Brian Pacquette which occurred on June 23, 2016.”

Warner’s birthplace is given as St.Kitts. He is described as having a brown complexion, black and well-kept hair, dark brown eyes with a height of  5’8” and a slim built .

Anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 465-2241, ext. 4220 or the nearest police station.”

In June 2016, Pacquette-originally from the island of Dominica- sustained a gunshot wound to the leg at the hands of his coworker in the line of duty and passed away on 18^th July of that year while receiving medical treatment in Trinidad.

Pacquette said to be in his 30s was injured on 23^rd while he and another constable were in the process of apprehending a suspect in the Basseterre area.

Initial reports stated that at about 1:00 A.M. on the day in question, the two officers had responded to a report of larceny in the Greenlands area where they stopped a male suspect and conducted a search.

Reportedly, during the search, a knife was found on the individual. It is said that in an attempt to take the person of interest into custody, a struggle ensued between the three men.

It is understood that Pacquette was wounded by his fellow colleague, leaving an injury to one of his legs.

As a result of the injury, he was flown out to Trinidad on June 27^th for medical treatment where doctors were forced to amputate his leg.

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 4^th May 2018)-At a ceremony held on Thursday 26^th April at the St.Johnston’s Community Centre to mark to 25th Anniversary of the Department of Agriculture’s Open Day event, a former top official, Dr. Jerome Thomas, highlighted the journey of the annual affair in his presentation dubbed ‘Synopsis: The Genesis and Growth of Open Day’.

Dr. Thomas informed that during the final quarter of 1993, he acted as Director of Agriculture until appointed to position on 1^st April 1994.

“During 1993, the Department of Agriculture had a forestry division which had responsibility for the plant propagation unit. The focus of the unit was the propagation of the fruit trees and ornamental plants to the public. Fruit trees and ornamental plants were always in high demand but invariably the unit was unable to supply. During 1993, special emphasis was placed on increasing the propagation of fruit trees and a (marked).increase in the number of plants for sale was realised at the beginning of 1994,” he shared.

He said the Department was pleased with the output –input of the plant propagation unit.

He went on to say that he had discussion with the then Forestry Officer Henry Mills on how best the public could be informed about the increase availability of fruit trees and ornamental plants from the Department of Agriculture

According to him: “The initial thinking was that we would organise an exhibition for the plant propagation unit and invite the general public to view and purchase plants. During discussion with the forestry officer, I suggested to him that scope of those exhibitions would only be limited by the extent of our imagination.”

As understood, following such discussions, it was agreed to expand the scope of the exhibition to other departments of agriculture and the first open day was held on the grounds of the Department at La Guerite during 1994.

Dr. Thomas said it important to note that having conceptualised the idea of an open day, the proposal was discussed with his then colleague Director of Agriculture of Nevis Augustine Merchant who praised the idea and implemented the idea as well in Nevis during the same year.

“Together we were able in unity to launch the annual Open Day,” he noted.

The objective of the first open day was to showcase to the general public, the achievements in the agriculture sector as well as its stakeholders.

As gathered, the first open day was held at the grounds of the Department of Agriculture and the focus mainly was on crop-related activities, propagation plant unit, crop research unit, livestock as well as exhibits by farmers among other areas.

Dr. Thomas recalled preparation for the first open day, the team was on the site the night before up to midnight and returned 6am the following day to complete preparations for a 9am start.

He revealed that he first open day and many years after was held for one day only despite many requests for a second day.

“The first open day was successful and was well attended by the general public and in particular from the schools. All the trees in the plant propagation unit was sold in a few hours. It is important to note that for several years, fruit trees were always sold out and eventually we moved to selling the trees after open day because what happen is that the plant propagation space became empty because of strong demands for the fruit trees.”

Notably, during first few years, exhibits were mainly held in rooms adjoining the plant propagation unit and an area known as ‘The Shed’ but according to Dr. Thomas, use of the ground expanded on an annual basis.

Additionally, he said high level of participation was also observed by farmers and persons selling ornamental plants whilst pointing out that during the first five years, the scope of the Open Day widened annually which saw the participation by other governmental bodies such as fisheries, cooperatives and multi-purpose labs.

Aligned partners like CARDI (Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute), the Republic of China (Taiwan) Agriculture Technical Mission also collaborated with the Agriculture Department.

This year’s Open Day event as usual was held at the Department’s Grounds in La Guerite in Basseterre, observed under this year’s theme ‘Implementing Sustainable Approach to Enhance Climate Resilience, Agricultural Marketing and to Advance Economic Agricultural Development’.

By: Drizel Hanley

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 3^rd May 2018)– The St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services on Tuesday of this week (May 1^st) hosted an Open Day as part of a week of activities which began on  Saturday 29^th April is expected to climax on Sunday May 6^th.

The event that was staged on Bank Street in downtown Basseterre was held under the theme “Working Harder Together to Preserve Our Federation.”

The Open Day showcased tools such as a rescue tripod and basket that allow a person to be removed safely from holes; the jaws of life which is used to help remove persons from severely damaged vehicles whether it be from a vehicular accident or otherwise as well as a fire blanket kit and fireman protective clothing among others.

Also on hand was 4×4 Rosenbauer Panther Appliance truck which seemingly interest the large crowd that was in attendance.

This media house observed persons climbing into the fire truck and taking pictures of the Fire and Rescue Services’ newest addition to its fleet of vehicles.

Fire Sub Station Officer Lesroy Caines said that the Open Day was organized to allow the public to learn about and interact with the Fire and Rescue Department with regards to what they do on a day to day basis.

He further stated that the general public came out in their numbers and were enthusiastic in learning about the different apparatuses.

Church services at the Calvary Baptist Tabernacle in St. Kitts and Shiloh Baptist Church in Nevis on Sunday kicked off the week of activities while a cricket competition was held in Nevis on Wednesday 2^nd May.

The activities are scheduled to continue tomorrow (Friday) with a drill competition on the Basseterre Bay Road.

The various Fire Stations would be competing against each other in One-Man Drill, Endurance Drill and Team Drill segments.

The competitors will be the Basseterre, Robert L. Bradshaw, Sandy Point, Tabernacle and Nevis Divisions.

Come Saturday 5^th May, a Sports Day will be staged at the Newtown Playing Field and then on Sunday 6^th May, the curtains come down with a beach party.

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 3rd May 2018) – Information reaching this media house indicates that a male police officer has been found shot to death in the Dieppe Bay community.

The officer’s name has been confirmed by police as Dwight Davis.

It is alleged that he was found motionless in his vehicle and that he was found between late last night and early this morning.

A police source says officers are currently at the scene carrying out investigations.

More details to be provided in a follow-up report.

By: Drizel Hanley

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 2^nd May 2018) – The identity of a man whose body was found in mountainous area of West Farm, which is also referred to as Ottleys Level on Thursday 27^th May is still unknown by police.

The local authorities say that the discovery was made just before midday (12:00 PM).

Reportedly, yesterday (Tuesday), Forensic Pathologist Dr. Valery Alexandrov performed an autopsy and ruled that the cause of death was inconclusive due to the advanced stage of decomposition.

Police say efforts are still being made to ascertain the identity of the individual.

On the day of the discovery, a report was made at the Basseterre Police Station.

Officers from several units responded. Upon arrival at the scene, the man’s decomposing body was seen lying on the bathroom floor of a building that houses the transmission equipment for different radio/TV stations.

Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.