- WAKEY QUAKEY
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake whose epicenter was off the southeast coast of Martinique was sensed by some Dominicans on Saturday morning. DNO says, "According to the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, the quake took place at 9:03am, 158 km SE of Roseau and 89 km ESE of Fort-de-France, Martinique. The location was 14.37N Latitude and 60.31W [Longitude]. The magnitude was 4.9 on the Richter Scale at a depth of 25 km." No injuries or damages have been reported.
- HORRIFIC ACCIDENTS
Over the past week, at least two very tragic accidents are said to have taken the lives of two Dominicans.
Augustine Sablon AKA Shorty of St. Joseph was killed on Saturday, August 15, when his motor scooter collided with a dump truck on the E.O. LeBlanc Highway at Les Pointe, at the junction of a quarry operated by PW&C Ltd. The Dominica Police Force PR Officer Claude Weekes describes the accident as "horrific", says DA Vibes, noting that Sablon suffered extensive damage to his head and body. NIP discourages persons from sharing graphic photos online and extends sincerest condolences to Sablon's loved ones and associates.
Rumors are also raging across the island that local reggae song-star Nelly Stharre (née Raffoul) was one of two victims of a fire (of unknown origin) in Mahaut that reportedly destroyed her house. DNO has communicated that police are reluctant to confirm, ahead of a formal investigation, that the burnt and apparently human remains found among the debris are those of Raffoul and her companion Trevy Felix. Known for her reclusive lifestyle, the longstanding artist has not been heard from or seen since Friday and neither has Felix. NIP discourages persons from circulating unconfirmed information as fact. Read more at Caribbean 360 and a lovely 2010 interview at Caribbean Beat here.
Reggae/Zouk singer Nelly Stharre rumored to be dead. Another vehicular accident, this one non-fatal, has also occurred recently in Bath Estate, resulting in one motorcycle rider being brought to the Princess Margaret Hospital with serious injuries, including a broken arm, according to witnesses. It is not known whether the driver of the car with which the motorbike collided has also sustained injuries. Read more at DA Vibes. Once more, NIP strongly advises against speculation before the facts become clear.
May all involved find peace, recovery, or safety.
- LEGALIZE IT
Roseau South Parliamentary Representative Joshua Francis is urging the government to decide upon a definitive policy position with respect to the decriminalization and/or legalization of marijuana on the island. This comes in the wake of a recent Caribbean trade bloc that sought to analyze the "social, economic, health and legal impact of decriminalizing marijuana use" (Yahoo). CARICOM will release a report in February 2016 outlining how marijuana could enhance the regional economy. Jamaica and St. Lucia are among other Caribbean islands that have begun the process of decriminalizing marijuana, which is already legal in small amounts for recreational and medicinal use in several US states.
Francis expressed concerns over the consequences of marijuana's current criminalized status, given that many young Dominicans possess the drug for personal use. He shares, “The ramifications are they may be denied of a job, they may be denied of a US Visa, they can be affected in several ways, so we have to discuss that,” Francis argued. (DNO) Some studies have shown that the legalization and taxed regulation of marijuana correlates with increased revenue and reduced crime, whereas the practice of incarcerating marijuana users is at the expense of taxpayers and a viable labour force.
Legal status of marijuana in various US states. - POLICE BEING KEPT BUSY
The Dominica Police Force has had its hands relatively full as of late, thanks to some unusual events unfolding in and around the capital city of Roseau.
Considerable traffic congestion around the Roseau Market/KFC junction has forced the local police to place a 'no entry' sign preventing access to the restaurant's drive-thru entrance. DA Vibes informs that at least seven (7) police officers were seen manning both sides of the street near the fast-food establishment, in an ostensible effort to speed up the flow of vehicular traffic around the notoriously crowded area. Witnesses and others note that the frequent traffic jams are compounded by the proximity of the multi-route bus stop and some are suggesting parking fines, a car park construction, and extension of the no-parking zones to help alleviate the problem.
View of KFC with no-entry sign at bottom left and marketplace in backdrop at right.
John Graham, whoever you are, hold yourself accountable for the fear and inconvenience your phone call caused the Roseau Magistrate and the country as a whole. Someone self-identified as 'John Graham' supposedly called the Magistrate's office on the morning of Thursday, August 20, to claim that a bomb planted somewhere in the building would detonate at 10:00am that day. Workers there and in surrounding establishments were swiftly evacuated, restricting magisterial services until that afternoon, when police deemed the building safe for re-entry since there was no detonation or explosive device found. Caller, if you helped to create or plant this so-called bomb, if you intended to circumvent judicial proceedings that day, even if you merely did this as a despicable prank, then you should be ashamed and I hope you are brought to justice. Your actions could have dire repercussions on the health and safety of Dominicans as well as on the marketability of Dominica as an hospitable Eco-tourism destination. Anyone with reliable information regarding this threat is asked to share it with the police so that this fiend may be apprehended. Read more at DNO here.
That same day, Minister for National Security Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore visited the Dominica State Prison as part of plans to improve the conditions under which maximum security prisoners are housed. Lack of decent bathroom facilities and insufficient lighting are two of the areas of concern for Blackmoore, as he told journalists that he is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Works to address these issues. Blackmoore believes that the prison structure, constructed in October 1954, should be augmented to meet basic international standards that respect the human rights of prisoners and to house larger numbers of inmates. Read about how these ongoing works will affect police officers here. (DA Vibes) - A REAL NATURE ISLE
True to our boast as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, Dominica has embarked upon two projects that are sure to further our reputation as an ecologically friendly tourism destination.
The first is an awareness campaign put together by the Eastern Caribbean Marine Managed Areas Network (ECMMAN). The Cabrits National Park will be the focus of Dominica's participation in the regional competition, specifically the Cabrits Marine Section, which includes diving spots. The campaign seeks to shed light on the importance of maintaining marine sites off-shore certain islands in the region, with Dominica's stated goals including "activities to raise awareness of the [Cabrits] park’s resources, celebrate the value of the Cabrits Marine Section, connect people to the environment and create national pride". (DNO)The second is a Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) undertaking (sponsored by the European Union and in conjunction with a German energy company) that seeks to install a 125 kW solar farm and several individual solar power units in the Kalinago territory. CCCCC representative Joseph McGann says the project will provide electrical power for about 160 residences, as well as seven (7) public facilities in the Kalinago community, and the system will last for over two decades. Read more at DA Vibes here.
- YOUTH CONTINUE TO EXCEL
Nothing pleases the Nature Island Panel more than the success of the youth in Dominica. Pardon the cliché, if you will, but the future truly belongs to the young. And - goodness gracious - lately, our young adults have been succeeding at every age, stage, and gauge.
Zellie Charles is the recipient of a sports scholarship to Essex County Community College in Newark, New Jersey, compliments of the Marigot Development Corporation (MDC). Following in the footsteps of last year's scholarship recipient, Chelsey Linton, Charles has proven herself worthy of the US$125,000 award by her outstanding performance in several regional athletic competitions, including gold medals in Long Jump and High Jump at the Windward Island Secondary School Games. Read more at DNO here.
Sports scholarship awardee and Marigot native, Zellie Charles. Forty (40) students obtained straight ones (1s) in six or more subjects at this year's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, according to officials in the Ministry of Education. Marked increases in several areas were mentioned during the results release conference on Monday, August 17, especially percentage pass rates in critical subjects. Numerous schools were commended for their recurring or improved extraordinary student performance, including the Portsmouth Secondary School and the newly established St. John's Academy, where the five (5) students who sat the CSEC exams were able to secure 98-100 percent pass rates in the subjects pursued. Read more at DNO here.
Almost 200 students graduated from the Dominica State College (DSC) during its commencement exercises on Wednesday, August 19. Their Class of 2015 valedictorian, Daislyn Vidal, was also valedictorian of the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School's (ITSS) 2013 graduating class and this year took the top awards for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics...as she had at ITSS. Both the DSC Registrar, Mrs. Denise Edwards, and the keynote speaker, Dr. Laurelle Jno. Baptiste, had words of encouragement and high expectations for the graduates, encouraging them to dream big, work hard, brave challenges, and move forward alone, if need be. Read more at DA Vibes here.
Ten (10) grade ones and a single grade three are what's under the belt of Dominica's top CSEC performer this year. The Dominica Grammar School (DGS) boasts yet another island scholar as Kaihil Charles has blasted past his peers to claim the top spot. The young man tells a remarkable tale of dedication and time management as he describes his study regime leading up to the examination period. "There were times when I would have to stay up...till 4:30am," he reveals, grateful that his diligence - busy weekends and even tutelage via Skype calls - has paid off. The deserving DGS 2015 valedictorian aspires toward an Associate Degree in Accounting, as well as qualifications in Pure Mathematics and entrepreneurship. Read more at DNO here.
Top CSEC performer and 2015 DGS valedictorian, Kaihil Charles. Hearty congratulations to all of our industrious, gifted students and may the future hold greater and greater victories for each of you.
And that's what's in the news right now. Join us again next week for more.
NOTICE! NIP will be posting on a fortnightly basis during the school year and welcomes additions to the writing staff. Interested persons should email natureislandpanel@gmail.com.
