BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 10th September 2021)- Police on Nevis are reporting that an individual is assisting with investigations relating to a man who was recently found dead while another person of interest is being sought in the matter.
Dead is 44-year-old Wilson Dore of Bath Village.
Police say his body was found partially clothed in Bath Village at about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday 29th August 2021.
The District Medical Officer arrived at the scene and pronounced him dead.
An autopsy performed on Dore’s body on Thursday 2nd September by Resident Pathologist, Dr. Adrian Nuñez concluded that death was due to left hemopnuemothorax as a result of blunt trauma to the left hemithorax (rib fracture).
An appeal is being made to anyone with information about the incident to contact the Charlestown Police Station by dialling 469-5391, the nearest Police Station or the Crime Hotline at 707.
Man In Custody After Deadly Stabbing, Police Looking For Another
Young Mother Dies From Severe Trauma Following Accident
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 10th September 2021)-21-year-old Keniqua ‘KK’ David of Saddler’s death was due to “severe craniofacial trauma as a result of a motor vehicular accident.”
Such has been the findings of an autopsy performed by Resident Pathologist, Dr. Adrian Nuñez on Wednesday 1st September 2021, according to a police report issued on Friday 3rd September.
As understood, craniofacial trauma is a broad term that speaks to an injury of the face or skull.
David was a front seat passenger of a vehicle that crashed into a container chassis in Bird Rock on Friday 27th August 2021 of which she was a passenger.
Police say the accident involved motor jeep P6667, which is owned and was being driven by Kellian Hazel of St. Paul’s.
Investigations revealed that close to 1 a.m., Hazel exited the parking lot of a club in Bird Rock and collided with a 40ft container chassis.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services had to be called to extricate David who was in the front passenger seat. Both Hazel and David were transported to the JNF General Hospital via the Emergency Medical Service.
Hazel was treated and discharged for injuries to his hand while David succumbed to her injuries close to midnight on August 27.
David was the mother of a baby girl.
The funeral service is slated to take place on Friday 10th September.
Celebrity Equinox Docking To Grade Success Of Cruise Industry Rebuilding In SKN
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 10th September 2021)-“The realization of the call in October and the future calls depends very heavily on the success of the Celebrity Equinox’s visit.”
So said Tourism Minister Lindsay Grant while speaking at a press conference held on Monday 6th september 2021 on the topic of the scheduled Thursday 14th September 2021 vessel visit which is expected to arrive with over 1400 passengers to Port Zante-an area that will become a bubble during cruise ship dockings.
Notably, Celebrity Equinox will be the first large ship to make a call to Port Zante since March 2020, and will do so according to protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Grant: “The success of this call will be our success as a nation and is critical to our rebuilding efforts. As we experience these small successes, we anticipate that they will propel us to expand our product and service offering to include more vendors and more operators.”
He described the awaited arrival as a “giant step for us” whilst adding “and we need each and every one of you to make this call and future calls as we slowly rebuild the sector. When we receive celebrity Equinox on the 14th of September, all eyes will be on us. Other cruise lines and destinations will be monitoring the success of our call. We must therefore do all that we can do to make this call a success.”
The Tourism Minister talked about what will be expected when cruise ships dock during the first phase.
“We are still in our first phase of our rebuilding efforts. While the ship will dock at Port Zante, guests will not be permitted to integrate into our society. Hence, during the first phase, you will not see our passengers walking through the streets of Basseterre independently.”
He continued: “We are craving your indulgence, understanding and patience during this time as we seek to implement strategies to assist our stakeholders who have been closed for the past 18 months or who have been opened but barely getting by. We understand the struggle of all who depend heavily on the cruise industry for their livelihood. At this time we are seeking your full cooperation. Slow and steady is the current approach as we are in our first phase of our rebuilding strategy.”
We know you are anxious to get back out to work but we must continue with a plan that balances safety and economics.
Grant informed that work is being done to finalize the logistics of making Port Zante a bubble.
“I want you to understand our intention is to get you back to earning so that your businesses can survive and you can provide for your families but we must do so safely. We cannot open the floodgates all at once. We are currently in our third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is critical for us to understand that for our safety and their own safety, visitors arriving to our shores on cruise vessels will explore the destination via travel approved fully vaccinated tours, and so as the Celebrity Equinox arrives at Port Zante, Port Zante itself will become a bubble. We are at this time working assiduously with the COVID-19 Task Force, the UDC, tour operators and retail operators at Port Zante to finalize the logistics of this bubble.”
The Tourism Minister highlighted that in addition, all individuals interacting with cruise ship guests including SCASPA security, custom, immigration, retail operators, vendors, taxi and tour operators, bus operators and attraction site employees must have completed the Travel Approved training facilitated by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Health and their partners and must be fully vaccinated.
New Command Centre In Nevis Houses Up To Date Equipment
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 10th September 2021)- “Presently out of the three CCTV programmes [in the Federation] that we are rolling out, this one in Nevis is the best, and more up to date.”
So said Police Commissioner Hilroy Brandy- who is a Nevisian- in delivering his address at the official opening ceremony of the CCTV Command Centre on Tuesday 7th September 2021 in Nevis- a building which has been outfitted from a donation of over $1 million in equipment from the government Republic of China (Taiwan).
He continued: “Presently in St.Kitts, the other two CCTV programme are operate[d] by Wi-Fi. Here on Nevis, we’re operating on fiber. Fiber is more reliable and now we’re trying to catch up in St.Kitts to see if we can change over to fiber so we can have a more stable feed coming back to our headquarters.”
He talked about the three projects when the CCTV programme began to expand in St.Kitts-Nevis with “Basseterre as usual (in St.Kitts) being number one, District B was number two and that last on the list was Nevis.”
“It was not something I take lightly because everyone knows I’m a Nevisian,” COP Brandy shared whilst adding “but sometimes things that come last does not mean it’s bad…”
Permanent Secretary in the Premier Ministry Wakely Daniel described the opening as “a symbol of the Nevis Island Administration’s commitment towards peace and security on the island of Nevis.”
He applauded the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for the outfitting of the building. As shared by him, through the federal government, the Republic of China (Taiwan) donated all equipment to the tune of $1million, 865 thousand and 93 dollars and 22 cents.”
He listed the donated equipment-cameras, switches, NVR (Network Video recorder), access control for the building monitors, video walls, video server, desk and chairs.
Daniel said there are four types of cameras- LPR (License Plate Recognition), fixed cameras, PTZ cameras (that can pan, tilt and zoom) and also infrared cameras.
“These infrared cameras will be placed at our ports and for obvious reasons…just in case anyone tries to get in at night, we’ll be able to pick them up. The cameras on hand will be installed along the island main road and in certain hot spots on the island. It will also be placed at our ports,” he explained.
He said the Taiwanese company VIVO TECH was awarded a contract to source and purchase the equipment and to outfit the building.
Additionally, Daniel said in June this year, VIVO TECH sent an engineer from Mexico to install the equipment in the command centre who was ably assisted by local technical and electrical professionals on Nevis.
As gathered, the architectural drawings were done by the Architectural Unit of the Public Works Department and the construction of the building was done by Carlos Williams of Carlos Williams Construction Company.
Work started early May 2018 and was completed in May 2019, and also involved specialty contractors.
It was highlighted that two floors of the building each measure 1550 square feet with a building square footage of 3100 square feet.
The ground floor consists of a public restroom, Two special victim unit rooms, conference rooms, server room, forensic lab, kitchen and reception area while on the first floor-monitor room, tech room and evidence room.
As understood, the command centre is located in Basseterre close to the NEVLEC (Nevis Electricity Company Limited) building.
Former National Security Minister Dwyer Astaphan Says Police Escalated Protest Situation
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 3rd September 2021)-“It was they who escalated the situation not the civilians. There were too many police officers.”
This is view of well-known social and political commentator Dwyer Astaphan, a former national security minister, who in his latest commentary recalled the outcomes of a protest -held on Friday 20th August 2021 dubbed ‘KITTITIAN LIVES MATTER peaceful walk’- as he openly criticised the conduct of the security forces who were under orders.
In summing up the nature of the protest which he linked to workers’ grievances and one which did not breach the Public Order Act, Astaphan who is a lawyer by profession talked about the peaceful demonstrators as well as the security officers who overplayed their hand.
“The forces should not have pressured the civilians the way they did. They should not have caused the tear gas to be thrown,” he expressed.
“Two Fridays, ago some people were down town Basseterre protesting. These are people who have been suffering for over a year; reduced from being paid monthly to weekly to hourly,expose to endless stress the workplace. Victims of aggressive and inconsiderate language from certain employers, and from no less the Prime Minister and other government officials. These are people who have been under severe pressure to pay mortgages, rents, utility bills to feed and keep their families safe and healthy. Many have now lost their jobs, and with all of the pain and suffering, they are understandably frustrated, despairing, afraid and angry. Small business owners who succeed from the pockets of these workers are feeling it as well so they are suffering as well and the whole macroeconomic impact is being felt. I’m talking about people who have reason to be upset; the people who were on the streets two Fridays ago.”
Astaphan continued: “Yet in spite of that they were peaceful, and any professional assessment of this situation at the time would have indicated that the protestors showed no signs of erupting into disorder or violence; none whatsoever, and if I may say so myself having been in the area for a while, it was the security officers who overplayed their hand although I sensed that a number of them were not really happy or preferring to be there and doing that but they were under orders. It was they who escalated the situation not the civilians. There were too many police officers. It was very muscular and I don’t know what Customs and Defence Force personnel were doing there. The forces should not have pressured the civilians the way they did. They should not have caused the tear gas to be thrown. There was no meeting, there was no march, there was no breach of the Public Order Act as far as I could see, and they should not have arrested those three persons who I believe will get their charges lifted or defeated and who seem likely to receive some compensation if they bring legal action against the government.”
“As I said, the soldiers should not have been there at all. They should have been summoned only if the situation showed signs of escalating, and I’m told soldiers were ordered back to base anyway, and I cannot see what authority a customs officer could have on a situation like that,” Astaphan added.
He informed that he has looked at the Customs Act as well and that while the Police Commissioner can engage a customs officer to assist the police, the interpretation of that has to be to assist the police in customs related investigations not in general policing.
“I could be wrong but that is my take of it, and I don’t believe a customs officer should have been present worst so accompanying a man to prison. Again, the people should have been warned about tear gas before it being discharged. You see escalating to tear gas takes the situation to a step where the next move is the use of weapon, and there was absolutely no evidence on the ground to justify things reaching that level,” he noted.
According to Astaphan: “This willingness by decision makers to suppress the people’s need to express themselves peacefully and this blatant lack of compassion and respect is only causing people’s frustration and anger to increase.”
Young Mom Dies Hours After Fatal Crash
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 3rd September 2021)- Saddlers resident 21-year-oldKeniqua David, a young mother of an infant, who had to be extricated from a vehicle that crashed into a container chassis, died more than eight hours later at the hospital, according to information from a police report.
She succumbed to injuries in the aftermath of an accident crash in Bird Rock on Friday 27th August 2021 of which she was a passenger.
Images of the accident scene as seen by this media house shows an extensively damaged vehicle.
Social media has been flooded with wordy tributes, memorial tattoos and the sharing of images of many fashionable photos of the young woman said to be known by the nickname ‘Kay Kay’.
This media house understands that the deceased is well-known for her track and field abilities having been a star runner when she attended the Basseterre High School.
Police say the accident involved motor jeep P6667, which is owned and was being driven by Kellian Hazel of St. Paul’s.
As gathered, her baby girl-believed to be under a year- is among her loved ones. Social media images include warm moments of mother-daughter bonding.
Investigations so far have revealed that close to 1 a.m., Hazel exited the parking lot of a club in Bird Rock and collided with a 40ft container chassis. The St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services had to be called to extricate David who was in the front passenger seat. Both Hazel and David were transported to the JNF General Hospital via the Emergency Medical Service.
Hazel was treated and discharged for injuries to his hand while David succumbed to her injuries close to midnight on August 27.
An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
Up to press time on Thursday 2nd September 2021, there was no update.
Education Minister Addresses Vaccination Through Schools
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 3rd September 2021)- Minister of Education Jonel Powell, in his response to a question posed to him during an appearance on an episode of ‘Island Tea’ morning show aired on WINNFM on Wednesday 1st September 2021, addressed vaccination of children through schools regarding the Pfizer jab suitable for persons ages 12 years and older.
“Well at this point we’re not necessarily doing the vaccination through the schools. Parents are being encouraged to take their kids to the various health centres, and the reason for that is unlike with AstraZeneca, the Pfizer vaccine needs a much colder environment. It needs to be stored in -80 degrees so the facilities to maintain that are limited and that’s why we can’t really do it through the schools,” he stated.
At the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on the afternoon of Wednesday 1st September 2021, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws highlighted that the rollout for the Pfizer Biontech vaccine began that day which included teenagers among those who were vaccinated.
She mentioned that the vaccine has been fully approved by the US FDA and so it is safe.
Dr. Laws recalled that the Federation was in receipt of the first three batches of approximately 11, 7000 doses. Notably, that contribution has been made by the US government.
“So earlier this morning at approximately 11 O’clock, the Pfizer Biontech vaccine rollout took place at the Newtown Health Centre and in Nevis the rollout took place earlier that afternoon at the Charlestown Health Centre.”
The CMO said a number of persons came forward and accepted the Pfizer Biontech vaccine for the first in the Federation today.
She went on to talk about the efficacy of that particular vaccine.
With respect to efficacy, based on the clinical trials, a two-dose regimen of this vaccine given 21 days apart confers approximately 95% protection against symptomatic COVID, and this was realized in persons age 16 and over. Also, we have data coming out of a recent trial involving adolescents 12 to 15 years of age, and the data shows that an efficacy of a 100% would was achieved. Now in terms of effectiveness against hospitalisation, the efficacy is estimated at 87% and in terms of efficacy against the Delta variant which seems to be the most prevalent variant at present, the efficacy is estimated to be 88% so this vaccine is a good option.”
She shared that accepters of the vaccine will be given two doses, and that based on the information from the manufacturers, the interval can range from 21 to 28 days
Dr. Laws pointed out that the targeting of persons 12 years and over noting “So today we saw some teenagers coming forward to receive the Pfizer Biontech vaccine.”
She advised that will be administered by appointment only.
“… let me just explain the reason for this. Now, this vaccine is stored on a very cold refrigerator -80 degrees and so it has to be thawed, and so must have a list of individuals with appointments so we must know two- three days ahead who will be vaccinated so that we can know how many vials to defrost in order to administer this vaccine.
According to her, there is minimum of 14 days between administration of this vaccine and any other vaccine against conditions.
“For teenagers, they may be booked for other vaccines like the HPV vaccine. Please note a minimum of 14 days must elapse between this vaccine before receiving another vaccine.”
The CMO said the Pfizer Biontech vaccine is safe for older persons, underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, liver and kidney disease as well as pregnant women, lactating females, persons living with HIV, persons who are immunocompromised and even persons who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19.
The new school year is slated to begin in the second week of September 2021 as children in St.Kitts are expected to return to the classroom in person.
Latest COVID-19 Death Was Under Police Investigation
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 3rd September 2021)- Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws, having revealed that St.Kitts-Nevis has recorded one additional COVID- 19 related death making the count four, also indicated that the happening was under police investigation.
As disclosed by her during her presentation at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Wednesday 1st September 2021: “On August 19th, a 59 year old individual with underlying comorbidities died at home.”
Dr. Laws said the case was under police investigation and an autopsy was requested noting that the individual was COVID-19 positive at the time of death.
She said the final autopsy report received that day and released to the Police High Command “confirmed that the findings were consistent with COVID-19 disease.
The CMO stated that “the tracing of the contacts of this case is already done.”
In addressing the current 474 active cases, she offered some health tips and general advice about keeping in contact with their case manager.
“We want you to boost your own immune system. You can do so by eating healthily meaning lots of fruits and vegetables. We want you to maintain average hydration by drinking enough water. We want you to make sure that you get adequate rest and exercise in place along with taking your multivitamins and supplements.”
Dr. Laws continued: “We also want you as an active case to stay connected with your case manger. So once you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, you will be assigned a case manager, and so that individual who is an experienced nurse, she will call you and she will keep in touch with you on a daily basis. If there is any change whatsoever in your health status, we want you to reach out to your case manager; she’s just a phone call away, she’s just a WhatsApp message away so we want you to stay connected with your case manager.”
She said the Ministry of Health continues its COVID-19 testing adding “We test all our cases, we test all the contacts of our cases and we also conduct targeted and random testing.”
The CMO said over 23,000 samples have been processed in the Federation between May to present and that the ministry will continue the COVID-19 testing programme.
Additionally, she informed that an additional lab is onboard for testing. It was shared that Quality Diagnostic Laboratory (QDL) is now on board in terms of providing testing capabilities for COVID-19 as have been provided by the Next Generation Lab and Avalon.
As of Wednesday 1st September 9:30 PM, a total of 499 active COVID-19 cases were recorded.
Well-known Social Media Personality Captures Own Arrest At Protest Coverage During Live Recording
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 27th August 2021)- Well-known social media video blogger Romnage Benjamin better known as ‘Shaq’ and ‘Modelcop’, who claims that he was arrested for videotaping, captured his own arrest during his live Facebook coverage of a ‘KITTITIAN LIVES MATTER peaceful walk’ event held on Friday 20th August 2021 on Church Street in Basseterre while using his phone.
Following an interaction with a female senior officer who approached him directly, shortly after at about 35 minutes into the taping, Benjamin, who is a former member of the St. Christopher and Nevis Police, accused the officer of “looking a reason to arrest me.”
“I can’t walk behind of the police! Imagine that! All over the world, you see persons are reporting information; bringing information to the people and they are recording also but here in St.Kitts, none of that!…She is looking a reason to arrest me …I cannot walk behind the police, I cannot video [tape]. All around the world persons are videoing, sharing the information but no not here in St.Kitts. St. Kitts is unique!,” he expressed
Seconds before the cut of his live recording- which spans 39 minutes and 51 seconds- while he was in a different area, Benjamin tells viewers “And I’m being escorted by the police, yeah” after police officers approach him.
Benjamin’s live recording has a total of 11,000 views and over 300 shares.
In a video recorded social media post on Wednesday 25th August, he informed that his two phones are in police custody while thanking persons for their love and support.
A police statement issued on Wednesday 25th August named Benjamin of Shadwell among three persons who “were charged, and subsequently received bail as a result of an illegal gathering that occurred on August 20, 2021.”
The individuals, including the two others- Annivea Hutchinson of St. Paul’s and Pretha Thom of Dorset Village, were bailed at the sum of $15,000.
Benjamin has received a total of ten (10) charges- for the offences of Obstruction; Taking Part in a Public Procession Without the Written Permission of the Chief of Police; Taking Part in a Public March in the Daylight Without a Permit; Taking Part in a Prohibited Procession; Behaving in a Manner with Intent to Provoke a Breach of the Peace and Attending a Mass Gathering to wit a Public Procession.
Police say he was also issued with five (5) additional charges for similar offences committed on August 02, 2021. On August 23, Benjamin received bail in the sum of $15,000 with two (2) sureties. His bail conditions are that he is to report to the Basseterre Police Station every Monday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and that any breach of the peace will result in the revocation of bail. He is scheduled to appear before the Basseterre Magistrate Court on October 04, 2021.
Notably, for that 2nd August (Emancipation Day holiday) event, Benjamin also carried live coverage at Independence Square.
On August 22, Hutchinson was charged for the offences of Taking Part in a Public Procession Without the Written Permission of the Chief of Police; Taking Part in a Public March in the Daylight Without a Permit; Taking Part in a Prohibited Procession; Behaving in a Manner with Intent to Provoke a Breach of the Peace and Attending a Mass Gathering to wit a Public Procession. On August 23, she received bailed in the sum of $15,000.00 with two (2) sureties. Her bail conditions are that she is to report to the Dieppe Bay Police Station every Monday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and that any breach of the peace will result in the revocation of bail. She is scheduled to appear before the Basseterre Magistrate Court on October 04, 2021.
On August 21, Thom was charged for the offences of Battery of Police; Battery; Resisting Arrest; Obstruction; Malicious Damage and Indecent Language. On August 23, Thom received bail in the sum of $15,000 with two (2) sureties. Her bail conditions are that she is to report to the Basseterre Police Station every Monday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and that any breach of the peace will result in the revocation of bail. She is scheduled to appear before the Basseterre Magistrate Court on October 04, 2021.
Two Deadly Motorcycle Crashes Happen Weeks Apart
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 27th August 2021)-Police on St.Kitts are investigating two separate fatal traffic accidents which have claimed the lives of young motorcycle riders.
A police statement issued on Tuesday 24th August 2021, revealed the autopsy results for the two victims following crashes in Cayon and St.Peter’s on Thursday 29th July and Wednesday 18th August 2021, respectively.
Dead are 24-year-old Ziron Roberts of Newton and 37-year-old Gavin Herbert of Lime Kiln.
Deceased: 24-year-old Ziron Roberts Deceased: 37-year-old Gavin Herbert of Lime Kiln
The most recent fatal traffic accident involving Roberts occurred at Douglas Estate in St. Peter’s.
Investigations so far have revealed that sometime before midday, motor pickup PA7453 which is registered to the CABLE Company, but was being driven by Ronnel Fyfield of Cardin Avenue, was traveling from north to south on the main road at Douglas Estate.
Police say when he (Fyfield) reached the vicinity of the mango tree, he was making a right turn into Carifesta Village, Phase 1. A second vehicle was coming from the opposite direction along the Main Road and slowed down to give way to PA7453.
Roberts was riding motorcycle PA1426, and overtook the vehicle that slowed down and collided with the pickup. The District Medical Doctor arrived and pronounced Roberts dead at the scene.
Police say an autopsy performed on the body of Roberts on August 20 by Resident Pathologist Dr. Adrian Nuñez concluded that death was due to hypovolemic shock and multiple traumatic injuries as a result of a motor vehicular accident.
The fatal accident that occurred in Cayon involved motorcycle PA5745 which is owned by Chesen Glasgow of Challengers but was being ridden by Herbert who died two days after.
Police say investigations so far have revealed that sometime after 3 p.m., PA5745 was travelling from Basseterre to Cayon, and when he got in the vicinity of the junction at Spooners, he lost control of the motorcycle and collided with the curb wall.
Reportedly, in the process, Herbert hit a tree and the curb wall. He was transported to the JNF General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on July 31.
An autopsy was performed on the body of Herbert on August 04, by Resident Pathologist, Dr. Adrian Nuñez concluded that death was due to intracerebral haemorrhage by severe head injury.