(EMU) – St. Kitts, June 9^th, 2017:  Autism Specialist, Sheryl Rosin Phd. has return to continue her valuable work in diagnosing autistic, or behavioural patterns in children within the Federation.

The clinic which ran from 6^th – 8^th June in St. Kitts and 9^th June in Nevis, assesses and assists families and children who are either autistic or exhibit behavioural anomalies.  The clinic is in collaboration with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the University of Medical Health Sciences.

For the past two and a half years Dr. Rosin has been working with educators and early childhood professionals in the field of autism, the cohort which completed certification last year observes Dr. Rosin as she displays the PLAY Project Therapy which is an evidence-based autism early-intervention program.

“The sensitivity changed,” she proclaimed speaking on the attitudes that members of the community display towards families with an autistic child.  She admitted that during her initial visit, there was resistance not only from the general public but parents or guardians whose child may have been diagnosed with autistic behaviours, but she was quite pleased to inform that those attitudes have now improved.  She revealed, “We are working hard to change the culture and understanding of autism on the island, where there has definitely been improvement.  People recognize what autism is, understand what autism is.”

The Ministry of Education has pledged its support for the continued work in the field of diagnosing and assessing autism in children.  In 2016 the Ministry announced plans to open an autism resource centre in St. Kitts.  Not only will the centre be used to aid children already diagnosed with autism but assist parents/guardians whose children are on the autism spectrum and other behavioural issues.

Dr. Rosin urges parents to speak to one of the certified specialists on island if they are worried that their child has behavioural development issues, she warned, “It’s not easy to understand that there may be something going on with your child developmentally that is different, but, even though there isn’t a cure for autism we can help and we can change the behaviours of your child significantly especially if its identified early.”

The next free autism clinic is scheduled for November 2017.

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts– A 17-year-old male has been charged in connection with the recent deadly shooting incident in St. Paul’s that claimed the life of a young man and wounded two others from that community.

Killed was 32-year-old Jahma Francis of Willet’s Project while left injured were an 18- year- old resident of Willet’s Project also and a 22- year- old resident of Willet’s Estate.

Police informed via a press release dated Friday 9^th June that a suspect taken into custody on suspicion has been arrested, formally charged and cautioned.

Reportedly, the Juvenile who hails “from the western area of St. Kitts” has also been charged with two (2) counts of attempted murder.

The juvenile was taken into police custody for questioning on Wednesday 7^th June-the day after the shooting incident

On the day in question, investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the shooting incident that was reported shortly after 12.00 PM that day in Rawlins Ground.

Francis was later pronounced dead at the Joseph N. France General Hospital in Basseterre.

Police have not released the names of the other two men injured. Although the deceased’s name was not given either, this media house was able to confirm his identity through credible sources.

Head of the Crime Directorate, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. Andre Mitchell has made an appeal for families to take stock of their homes and communities saying: “This is a most unfortunate situation for all concerned.  It is time for us to take stock in our homes and communities.  Today two families have are grieving…Let us make a concerted effort to stop this senseless violence.”

 By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts- Within the space of five days, one woman and three men were fatally shot leaving two others injured in the aftermath of Federation’s 14th homicide -which included a double murder-for 2017 recorded on Tuesday of this week (6^th June).

Dead are Lydia Jacobs (37) of Church Ground in Nevis and from St.Kitts- Sean Smith (41) of Taylor’s Village, Dennis ‘Bun Up’ Liburd (46) of Lower Westbourne Street and Jahma Francis (32) of Willet’s Project in St. Paul’s.

Reportedly, last Friday (2nd June), investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to a shooting incident that was reported at 10.55 PM, in Church Ground, Nevis which resulted in Jacobs’ murder.

Investigations revealed that she was shot in the yard of her residence by an unknown assailant(s).

Jacobs was taken to the Alexandria Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Less than 24 hours after on Saturday 3rd June, police on St.Kitts responded to shooting incident that was reported at 9.45 PM in Taylor’s Village that at the time resulted in injuries to one person and the murder of another.

Pronounced dead at the scene was well-known businessman Sean Smith.

A police press release issued the next day informed that the second victim Dennis Liburd died that night while undergoing treatment at the Joseph N. France General Hospital.

Police say investigations revealed that the victims were shot by an unknown assailant(s) while entering Smith’s yard.

Two days after (Tuesday 6^th June), police responded to a shooting incident that was reported shortly after 12:00 PM in Rawlins Ground, St. Paul’s which left three persons injured; one of whom was later pronounced dead at the Joseph N. France General Hospital.

Police have identified the other victims as an eighteen (18) year old male resident of Willet’s Project and a twenty-two (22) year old male resident of Willets Estate.

The deceased’s name was not stated in the press release either. However, this media house was able to confirm the young man’s identity (Jahma Francis) through credible sources.

Police investigations revealed that victims were shot by an assailant while in Rawlins Ground.

In regard to arrests and other police updates in relation to these recent killings, Alston Phillips of Hamilton Estate in Nevis has been charged with the shooting death of Jacobs.

Additionally, pertaining to the Taylor’s Village deadly shooting, two persons were reportedly taken into police custody early morning Tuesday (6^th June) and are assisting with the investigation.

As it relates to the St. Paul’s shooting incident, police reported one day after the incident (Wednesday) that a 17- year- old male juvenile was taken into Police custody that day for questioning.

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts– Fifth form students of the Basseterre High School  (BHS) worried about their missing form mate 17-year Leanna ‘Tiney’ Napoleon are currently getting counselling as they  try to cope  while sitting their school-leaving tests of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC).

Speaking at a recent press conference organised by the Ministry of Education, the school’s principal Maurice Benjamin explained that guidance counselors are working with students to focus on exams.

“The guidance counselors are working with students  at this time, trying to get them calm down and really focus on their  exams; that’s the most important thing at this time- the CXCs that they have to write.”

As gathered from that media session, among the concerned students is the Napoleon’s best friend.

Notably, the BHS is usually recognised as one of the top performing schools in the CXC category.

Benjamin shared a concern that the old adage pertaining to a village raising is not being observed nowadays.

“The problem that the school sees is that at this time is that persons in St.Kitts feel that it no longer takes a village to raise a child anymore and that we should not concern ourselves with people’s children. You see them walking about (and) it’s not a concern for you and some parents do inform others not to look at mine, look at yours which is very unfortunate; very unfortunate.”

He disclosed Napoleon went missing on the day of the first exam.

“It has been some time now that Leanna is missing and the school is very much concerned. You would realise that EDPM was the first exam taken at the school and the students were ready and geared up to take their exams for the period down to June.”

He added: “Leanna went missing on the first day, the first exam. The fifth formers, they are not with us; they are off studying and it would be good if Leanna were to be with them so they can continue to studying properly. It is very unfortunate that Leanna is not a part of their study group at this time. She had exams to sit and the students of fifth form are very troubled at this time.”

At the press conference, described by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education William Vincent Hodge as an “emotional appeal” for the teen’s safe return, Benjamin encouraged anyone who has information about the teen’s whereabouts to contact police.

“At the school, we did a special assembly for her two Fridays ago. We prayed for her and we have asked all students to keep Leanna in their prayers. I would like to ask at this time for Leanna’s safe return. The school would really prefer if Leanna shows up; she’s safe. We are praying for her safe return and please, anyone knowing anything about Leanna, please inform the police.”

Napoleon, who has been missing for more than 3 weeks now, was last seen on Monday 8^th May in the vicinity of Buckley’s Site and Fort Street.

She is described as being 5’5” in height, medium built with a brown complexion and long black hair. Her given date of birth is 8^th September, 1999.

Police are asking members of the public are asked to call the Special Victims Unit at 465-4221, any Police Station, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477(TIPS) or by using the SKN Crime Reporter App with information regarding this investigation.

A reward of $25,000.00 is being offered.

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts- On Wednesday 7^th June, a top Venezuelan navy training ship known as Simon Bolivar, docked at Port Zante for its first visit to the federation of St.Kitts-Nevis.

The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela hosted a welcome reception onboard the Class A tall ship that evening following the official meet and greet session involving local and foreign officials that morning including resident Venezuelan ambassador Romolo Henriquez  and his wife Ludmilla Torres as well as resident Cuban ambassador Hugo Ruiz Cabrera and  Police Commissioner Ian Queeley.

That morning, this media house paid a visit on-board the vessel also. Among other visitors were students of Grade 4 of the Tucker-Clarke Primary School (formerly Newtown Primary) along with teachers.

During an interview with Ambassador Henriquez, he explained that the school ship is making a cruise around the Caribbean with the officials of the army.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia are part of the island stops also.

Asked if the ship’s visit was like piece of home for him, he replied: “Yes, that’s it.”

His wife agreed saying: “It’s like a Venezuelan university going around the Caribbean (while) training. There are officials and there students from other countries also such as Suriname, Ecuador and Dominican Republic.”

A cadet, Rodriguez Miguel who operated as a tour guide for the students and teachers, informed this media house that the ship has three decks. He expressed that they were happy to visit the island.

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts-Scores of residents, on Wednesday 7^th June, attended a free hearing aid clinic organised by the US-based Starkey Hearing Foundation which was hosted at the Warner Park football grounds during the group’s two-day outreach in St.Kitts-Nevis.

Apart from the free check-ups, the Foundation has donated hearing aids, ear molds and batteries to patients.

The International Development Director for the Caribbean, Kirk Richards, explained that working through the Ministry of Health, patients that are in need of hearing aids that require such services were identified.

He had informed that the visiting team comprised of individuals from all over the Caribbean and US to assist in providing hearing aids to those in need.

At the time if the interview, over 50 patients were registered. Richards said a lot of them were seniors whilst noting that there were at least two or three children around the age of eight.

Richards talked about an after care follow-up programme that has been put in place.

According to him, the foundation is working with the Ministry of Health and nurses in different areas who will to do follow-up with the patients on a monthly basis by calling them or having them go into the clinics to get check-ups.

“So that’s one of the beauty of the partnership that we’ve built with the Ministry of Health,” he said.

Special mention was made of the Rotary Club of St.Kitts Club which has been instrumental in helping to organise the event as well.

Richards disclosed that the Starkey Hearing Foundation has been around since 1984 providing the gift of hearing across the world.

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts– Calls placed to the police about multiple sounds of gunshots heard in the McKnight community on Wednesday afternoon (7^th June) were actually fireworks, according to a police source interviewed by this media house.

As gathered, after police officers arrived on the scene, it was determined that the sounds were not of gunshots but of fireworks.

The explosive sounds were heard within the vicinity of the Burdon Street and Malone Avenue sometime after 1:00 PM that day.

Reportedly, the officers who arrived on the scene and met no one in the area, were told by residents that it “was just some little boys playing around.”

Asked about the view of the authorities on an incident of this nature, the police source stated: “The police strongly discourages the use of such fireworks by members of the public.”

By: Spokesman Newsroom   

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 9th June 2017)– The man charged with last weekend’s murder of 37-year-old Lydia Jacobs of Cotton Ground, Nevis also tried to kill two other people, according to police details.

Yesterday (Thursday 8^th June), police reported that the suspect taken into custody on suspicion of Jacobs’ shooting has been arrested for that crime as well as two counts of attempted murder.

Being blamed is Alston Phillips of Hamilton Estate in Nevis.

Information reaching this media house indicates that the accused killer originally hails from the island of Jamaica.

Police say he was arrested, formally charged and cautioned for the offence of murder which was committed last Friday night (2^nd June).

Reportedly, the shooting incident was reported at 10:55 P.M.

Unconfirmed information reveal that the Four Season Resort employee was attacked shortly after being dropped off after work at her home at Grace Development Housing.

Other alleged details point out that the two individuals who were in the vehicle that Jacobs exited were fired at.

Police had reported via a press release the next day (Saturday) that Jacobs had been taken to the Alexandria Hospital where she was pronounced dead and that one person was in police custody assisting with the investigation.

In a police press release dated Wednesday 7^th June, Phillips was named in a different crime category among the other individuals included in that particular report of arrests, convictions and other activities.

The Hamilton Estate resident was identified as having been arrested, formally charged and cautioned for the offences of larceny and receiving.

Jacobs’ shooting death was the 11^th recorded homicide out of a present count of 14 in the federation for 2017, with eight on St.Kitts and six on Nevis.