As part of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) and the St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee (SKNNCC) will collaborate for the first time in history, to welcome international media and influencers to an evening of vibrant Kittitian culture as excitement continues to build for what will be the largest, most exciting and economically lucrative Sugar Mas in the Federation’s 54 years of hosting its National Carnival. This event will take place on June 4, 2025, at Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine, located in Times Square, New York. 

Along with officials from the SKTA management team, St Kitts Government officials, and the SKNNCC, the traditional masquerades and models in carnival costumes will feature throughout the evening’s activities to provide a visual showcase of Caribbean culture. 

The media and influencers will be treated to a cocktail reception and dinner designed to highlight and elevate the cultural diversity of St. Kitts. The SKTA team will engage in networking and meaningful conversations in an effort to build strong and valuable industry connections. This setting will offer influencers and media representatives an environment to engage with the destination, gather content, and amplify coverage across their platforms. 

The run-of-show has been developed to ensure a balance of structured presentations with informal engagement. The program allows St. Kitts executives to share key information with attendees in a conversational format, while also providing ample time for networking and casual interactions. 

The SKNNCC will use this opportunity to launch its official Sugar Mas 54 event calendar, featuring almost 50 events, to international travel media and will also launch the calendar to carnival lovers via its social media platforms on the same date – June 4, a record 6 months before the official start of Sugar Mas 54. This early launch will give carnival lovers worldwide the opportunity to plan well in advance to join us in St Kitts and Nevis to celebrate what is deemed as the fastest growing Carnival in the Caribbean. Planning for Sugar Mas is well underway. The Miss St Kitts-Nevis Queen Pageant contestants have been selected and will be launched during the St Kitts Music Festival’s weekend of activities. Sugar Mas 54 will be held from December 12, 2025, to January 2, 2026, with the slogan “SWEET TO THE CORE…SUGAR MAS 54”.

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Monday 19th May 2025)-Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Five, Shawn Richards of the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM), has offered to the government the idea of installing a telephone system at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP).

Such came about during his contribution to the debate on the Prison Amendment Bill (2025) on Thursday 15th May 2025 at the sitting of the National Assembly held at Government Headquarters.

“While it is that we are increasing penalties, I think we also need to look at some of the other incentives that would perhaps deter prisoners from wanting some of these things,” Richards remarked.

According to him: “I recall when I was a member of Cabinet that one of the ideas which had come before the Cabinet is that of putting some sort of telephone system within the prison so that those who may want to call, for example, maybe a lawyer, a son, a daughter, and just recently, for example, we had Mother’s Day.”

The bill-passed into law-includes increase in penalties, raising the fine for bringing contraband (including cell phones) into the prison from $1,000 to $50,000 and introducing a prison sentence from six months to ten years which Richards, who is a former Deputy Prime Minister, says is “somewhat drastic.”

“Madam Speaker, I must confess that I clearly understand the intent of this particular piece of legislation. The fact is that many of us have seen and have heard of the instances of persons who would have attempted to take contraband into our prisons,” he stated.

He continued: “As a matter of fact in some instances, the very same persons who would have had the responsibility for upholding law and order here in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis have been some of the persons guilty of committing these particular offenses, and when you have persons who have a responsibility for upholding law and order, assisting those who have been in prison for various crimes which have been committed, you wonder about the seriousness of these persons, and it also to some extent, it gives you an understanding as to why some other persons would actually engage in such. It really and truly sets a bad example.”

“In looking at what is being amended, it clearly shows that the current piece of legislation in terms of penalties doesn’t really offer much of a deterrent in terms of saying to persons that if you commit this particular offense, this is the penalty or penalties that you are going to pay for doing so,” he added.

Commenting on the revised fines and prison term, Richards stated: “Initially when I looked at the legislation I said to myself that up to ten years in prison and a fine of $50,000, it sounds somewhat drastic because $50,000 isn’t a little bit of money to find. On the other hand, I suppose if you know what the penalties are, then you avoid doing the particular crime.”

Richards used the opportunity to further share: “I really was between two minds because sometimes for me, I find that rather than looking at incentives as to prevent persons from doing particular things, we come up with penalties. And that for me is a little too far off in terms of finding penalties, punishing persons rather than looking at solutions, other solutions, other alternatives to change the behaviour of persons.”

He revealed that he had personally received phone calls from individuals in prison.

 “The number shows up on my phone. I answer the phone, and quite surprisingly, it’s someone in the prison. I’ve not been involved in any act whatsoever to take any contraband in the prison or engage in any sort of illegal activities. I’ve been called for other reason. They thought about it.”

He recalled a previous discussion in Cabinet during his time in government about the possibility of providing prisoners with regulated access to communication: “What crossed my mind is that yes, we do have programs to try and rehabilitate persons who are in prison. You wonder ‘Well, how these persons got access to a cell phone?’ I recall when I was a member of Cabinet that one of the ideas which had come before the Cabinet is that of putting some sort of telephone system within the prison so that those who may want to call, for example, maybe a lawyer, a son, a daughter, and just recently, for example, we had Mother’s Day.”

Richards said this idea motivated his contribution to the debate. “So while I wasn’t minded to speak on this particular piece of legislation, that’s one of the things which came to my mind and really motivated me to make a contribution on this particular piece of legislation.”

He added: “While it is that we are increasing penalties, I think we also need to look at some of the other incentives that would perhaps deter prisoners from wanting some of these things.”

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that because someone is in prison, and the person has the need to use a cellphone for example that it is to do something which is of criminal intent,” he noted.

Richards continued: “I mentioned, for example, that just last week we had Mother’s Day. And as we speak about rehabilitation of prisoners, then we need also to think about how we give some of them perhaps an opportunity, a chance to show that they are really moving in that particular direction? How do you facilitate a prisoner, for example, being able to call a mother and to say happy Mother’s Day?”

“How do you facilitate a prisoner whose son or daughter or some other close loved one is celebrating a birthday to simply use the phone and to say happy birthday. Nothing more,” he said.

Acknowledging the need for regulation, he stated: “I am aware that you are going to need to put certain policies, certain procedures in place to ensure that indeed the call is one that doesn’t contravene any of our laws. It is like a call with any intent to engage in any sort of nefarious activity.”

“So while I understand the intent of the particular legislation, and I would want to discourage persons from taking contraband into the prison, I would also want to encourage the government, I would want to encourage our society to look at what else can be done to deter persons from engaging in this sort of behaviour and to ensure that, as I said, if it says that you want to make a call, perhaps, which has no ill intent to it, that you are to do so. I believe that is one of the ways in which one perhaps can perhaps reduce that need for a person’s feeling that in the case of a cell phone, for example, that you need to take a cell phone into the prison,” Richards stated.

He expressed uncertainty about how phone access currently works inside the facility: “I don’t know what transpires in there in terms of if you want to make a call, who the [illicit] phone belongs to, how do you go about using it, do you have to pay the owner for using it and that sort of thing…the illicit phone, I don’t know how those sort of transactions perhaps take place within the prison.”

Richards concluded: “But if it is that you are paying someone who has an illicit phone to use their phone, then the money is better off going towards your keep in the prison rather than paying someone else within the prison to do so. Hopefully this brief presentation will provide some food for thought in terms of what else we can do to remove some of the incentives for persons trying to take contraband into the prison. May it please you, Madam Speaker.”

Basseterre, St. Kitts (May 22, 2025) — St. Kitts and Nevis made a significant impact at this year’s Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Showcase, held in Antigua from 18-22 May, 2025, with a focused delegation led by Kelly Fontenelle, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA), and Danielle Weekes, Business Development Manager. The event provided an invaluable platform for the twin-island federation to strategically position itself among key tourism industry stakeholders, enhancing its reputation as a premier Caribbean destination.

Throughout the event, the SKTA team held over 40 one-on-one meetings with influential tour operators, travel media, and industry leaders. The conversations were designed not only to promote St. Kitts and Nevis’ diverse tourism offerings but also to drive long-term partnerships that will enhance the destination’s appeal across multiple markets. The showcase allowed SKTA to further align its marketing strategies with the evolving needs of the tourism sector, ensuring that St. Kitts and Nevis remains at the forefront of Caribbean travel.

Tour operators reported that the island is pacing well with bookings compared to 2024, reflecting the positive momentum generated through these productive meetings.

In addition, St. Kitts and Nevis was proud to have several of its premier tourism properties represented at the event, including: Royal St. Kitts Hotel, Park Hyatt St. Kitts, Timothy Beach Resort, Oualie Beach Resort, and Montpelier Plantation & Beach.

“We are committed to continuously elevating the profile of St. Kitts and Nevis as a leading destination in the Caribbean,” said Kelly Fontenelle, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “The CHTA Showcase is an important event in the tourism calendar, and this year, our participation has been both productive and strategic. By meeting with tour operators and media, we were able to share our story and our vision for the future—focusing on innovation, sustainability, and delivering unique, authentic experiences that align with the changing needs of today’s traveler.”

Danielle Weekes, Business Development Manager at SKTA, played a key role in fostering new business opportunities and ensuring that the island’s offerings were presented to the right audience. “This event has been an essential part of our strategy to strengthen relationships within the industry and secure the future of our tourism sector. We’ve gained invaluable insights and have laid the groundwork for new ventures that will help to expand our reach and enhance our market presence,” said Weekes.

In addition to meetings with tour operators, the event highlighted St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to sustainability and the preservation of its pristine environment. SKTA emphasized its focus on eco-friendly tourism practices, showcasing the islands’ natural beauty and the growing interest in responsible travel.

As part of its ongoing efforts to foster a thriving tourism ecosystem, SKTA’s participation in the CHTA Showcase is a key element of its broader strategy to diversify the destination’s offerings and increase visitor arrivals. The Federation’s tourism sector continues to show resilience, with St. Kitts and Nevis positioned as an exceptional destination for travelers seeking adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences.

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (March 21, 2025) – The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) joined family and friends in honoring Mrs. Evelyn Browne on the occasion of her 100th birthday, making her the Federation’s newest centenarian.

Originally from Jessups Village and now residing at Prospect Estate, Mrs. Browne reached this remarkable milestone on May 13, surrounded by loved ones.

Described by her daughters as “honest, loyal, generous, and kind,” Mrs. Browne is widely admired for her industriousness, resilience, and humility. After completing her education at the St. Thomas’ Lowland All-Age School, she entered the workforce during the difficult World War II era, a time when job opportunities were scarce and life on Nevis was especially challenging. Nevertheless, her adaptability and work ethic saw her through occupations in farming, charcoal burning, and domestic service.

Highlighting her impressive journey, Isabel Byron shared excerpts from Mrs. Browne’s biography, emphasizing her extraordinary ability to balance multiple roles.

“Evelyn was also a government employee for many years, working in the laundry and kitchen at the Alexandra Hospital and Infirmary. A little-known but significant fact about this unassuming individual is that she was a pioneer in the cleaning business in this country.”

“Indeed, she provided home domestic services to clients on both Nevis and St. Kitts from as early as the 1940s. The fact that during the 70s and 80s, Evelyn operated a hugely popular village shop, store, snackette, was an amazing achievement. Her box or drum oven baked delicacies such as pork bread, potato pudding, coconut tarts, and cakes, along with her ginger beer and mauby.”

To mark the occasion, Mrs. Browne was presented with a special gift from the Deputy Governor-General for Nevis, Her Honour Mrs. Hyleeta Liburd. She also received a commemorative gift and medal from the Governor-General, Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd, in recognition of her centenary.

Deputy Premier, the Honourable Eric Evelyn, delivered a bouquet on behalf of Premier the Honourable Mark Brantley and the NIA Cabinet. Minister of Posts, the Honourable Spencer Brand, announced that a commemorative stamp in Mrs. Browne’s honor would be issued later this year.

Mrs. Browne is also the great-aunt of the Honourable Janet Nisbett, who presented her with a plaque on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development and the TDC Group of Companies. 

Reflecting on the moment, Minister Nisbett said, “In my capacity as Minister of Social Empowerment, we celebrate these milestones of our seniors on a regular basis, and so I’ve done several over the last two and a half years, but from the moment I started them, I’ve been looking forward to one in particular, and this is that particular celebration.

“And so I’m so privileged to be able to be here to celebrate this milestone with you, Aunty. I think it’s a tremendous accomplishment to have the strength and resilience to live such a loving and fulfilling life for a hundred years.”

A presentation was also made by Assistant Secretary Michelle Liburd-Rawlins on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Aging and Disabilities.

The celebration featured moving tributes in the form of prayers, poems, songs, and a dance performed by members of Mrs. Browne’s family.

Nevis is currently home to six centenarians-five women and one man-each a living testament to the island’s rich heritage and enduring strength.

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Monday 19th May 2025)-With skipping ropes swinging, hula hoops spinning and laughter echoing across the school yard, students of the Epworth/Maurice Hillier Memorial Junior School have been learning about the joy of old-fashioned games and more as the school marks its annual ‘No Screen Week’ (16th- 25th May 2025). 

New principal Mrs. Emilta Warner-Paul-an educator with more than twenty (20) years of classroom experience-is leading the charge to return students to the basics of childhood play under the observed theme ‘Let’s Skip, Leap and Jump As We Bring the Bible Stories Alive.’

“The objective of ‘No Screen Week’ is to pull children away from the television, from the tablet, from the phone, whatever is a screen that talks to them, and to let them see that life goes on without these particular items. This is something that the school came up with over a decade ago and I am just carrying on the legacy,” Warner-Paul explained during an interview with this reporter on Monday 19th May. 

This year’s weeklong event blends biblical stories with physical activity. The energetic theme was partly inspired by Warner-Paul’s own experience introducing pre-sports at the school.

“Coming from another private school, we had a hula hoop and skipping as part of pre-sports. I thought that I would introduce that to the school. They never had pre-sports before. They just heat and then sports,” she said.

When asked about the children’s response to playing the classic outdoor game, she pointed out that the surprise came when students showed how unfamiliar they were with such.

“When they had the skipping, I was surprised to see that the children really don’t know what skipping is like. The grades 3 and 4 and even those in grade 6 were struggling. They didn’t even go past five minutes but we still gave them some points based on the effort,” she recalled.

That observation sparked the idea to pack ‘No Screen Week’ with some old playground games.

“So I said, you know what? In the ‘No Screen Week’, we’re going to play some games that we used to play when there was no TV,” she said. 

One example was the popular team game Red Rover, which quickly caught the attention of the students.

“We had introduced one to them one morning after assembly: ‘Red Rover, Red Rover, send so-and-so right over and the children were all elated playing this particular game. They didn’t want to stop. So the older ones started and the younger ones wanted to get a do,” she explained.

Warner-Paul has been especially focused on structured, purposeful play. 

“They’re not accustomed to that structured kind of game. In the afternoon when the bell goes, they just run and run and run. Just back and forth chasing, playing tag. But sometimes when they play tag, they complain: ‘He hit me!’ So the severity of the target differs,” she noted.

As understood, Thursday afternoon club sessions have been swapped for throwback fun. 

“There’ll be skipping, there’ll be hula hooping, there’ll be doing footsie,” she added, explaining that footsie is a classic game involving coordination and rhythm.

“It’s a game that you put around your ankle. One foot is going around and the other one is jumping over. Like this. When you go to the back, the foot goes down. When you come to the front, you jump over,” she showed with enthusiasm. “Yeah, it’s going to be fun.”

The week also includes broader family engagement. A ‘Glow Walk” was held on Friday 16th May-an unplugged stroll where parents and children walked together without music or screens. On Saturday 24th May, the school is slated to host its ‘Read Around the Island’ challenge, encouraging families to visit scenic spots to read and then send in pictures.

 “For the glow walk event, we decided not to have any music. Just walk with your children and enjoy the evening…the conversations. And then on the Saturday, we have a read around the island. So you go and pick a favorite place to read with your son or daughter or your whole family and you take a picture and send it back to the school,” Warner-Paul stated.

Another innovation was the ‘Drop Everything and Read’ sessions, where a sound prompted all students to pause and read, regardless of the subject they’re studying.

On Friday 23rd May, staff and students as well as other supporters are expected to take to the streets for the yearly march.

The ‘No Screen Week’ is slated to end with a concert on Sunday 25th May.

Basseterre, St. Kitts, Monday May 19, 2023: The Ministry of Education extends congratulations to the following St. Kitts and Nevis students who graduated with degrees from Western Illinois University in the May 10 Commencement Exercises.

Dominic Hinds, Bachelor of Science in Biology with magna cum laude honours. He is a graduate of Charleston Secondary School and Nevis Sixth Form. The former teacher also received numerous awards.

Hailey Morris, Bachelor of Science in Biology with magna cum laude honours. She was also named Biology Department Scholar. She is a graduate of Washington Archibald High School and CFB College.

Basmattie Beephat, Bachelor of Science in Special Education with TESOL. She is a graduate of Gingerland Secondary School and Nevis Sixth Form College. Sabrina McMahon Ryan, Bachelor of Science in Biology. She is a graduate of Immaculate Conception Catholic School and CFB College.

Veneeka Brombill, Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is a graduate of Cayon High School and CFB College.

Their achievements serve as an inspiration to current and future students across St. Kitts and Nevis. The Ministry of Education continues to support the academic pursuits and professional development of our students, both at home and abroad.