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Saint-Martin.
Grand Case Tuesdays cancelled
Calypso Event, the association organizing Mardis de Grand Case, has announced that it will not be staging the event this year. This is due to a lack of funding from the Collectivité territoriale. In a press release dated January 23, the Collectivité provided further explanations. "Calypso Event sent its subsidy application to the Collectivité's Direction de la Vie associative on December 12, and was received by the Collectivité on received in the Collectivité on January 8, 2025 by President Mussington and First Vice-President Alain Richardson," the document states. As required by administrative procedure, and as already experienced by the organizing association, the subsidy request must be submitted to the CAERT (economic commission) for its opinion and the approval of the Executive Council. During discussions with the organizers, the members of the association were duly informed that, once approved, payment of the subsidy would only be made after the vote on the local authority's budget (at the end of February/March). The association cannot therefore claim to be waiting for the funds or the amount of the funds at today's date. Attempting to exert pressure through the media will not change the administrative rule. "The Collectivité also points out that during preparations for the 2024 event, organizers were asked to contact the Délégation Attractivité Économie Emploi, which manages subsidies for this event, as early as May, so as to anticipate its needs for the 2025 edition. "The association only took this step on December 12, 2024, a month before the event was due to start," the press release states. This anticipation would have made it possible to propose a 3-year agreement of objectives and means, and to confirm the financial support of the local authority for the same period. "Thanks to this anticipation, the organizers would have been able to project themselves earlier in the promotion and organization of the event and thus avoid the risk of cancellation", the press release states. In any case, for the time being, Grand Case Tuesdays are off.
Guadeloupe.
EDF subsidiary condemned for "uncontrolled land clearing
According to a report by Agence France-Presse, which was picked up by the daily newspaper Les Echos, the company Parc éolien de Petit-Canal, a subsidiary ofEDF Renouvelables, has committed 750.000 euros. This is "a reparation measure within the framework of a penal composition, an alternative to prosecution", the Pointe-à-Pitre public prosecutor, Caroline Calbo, told AFP. The Office national des forêts (ONF) had observed "uncontrolled clearing of more than 32,000 m2" and "the destruction of protected species" on a wind farm site in Petit-Canal, according to Les Echos. The EDF Renouvelables subsidiary, which owns land close to the Nord Grande-Terre controlled biological reserve, "installed ten wind turbines there in 2021", the public prosecutor's office states. The "uncontrolled clearing" was carried out "as part of an operation to replace the 32 wind turbines that have been present on the site for more than twenty years" and which supply nearly 9,000 homes. The company explained that it had "commissioned a simple clearing of undergrowth around the wind turbines, but not a land clearing operation", and that it had itself lodged a complaint for "clearing actions around the wind turbines". The press release, which was picked up by AFP and Les Echos, added that the company had filed a complaint for "unauthorized clearing and coal-mining by third parties". The purpose of this funding is to "replant destroyed protected species" and to raise public awareness through "new educational tools", according to the same source.
Martinique.
Four dead in plane crash from Dominica
A Cessna passenger plane disappeared from radar screens at around 2pm on Sunday January 26, shortly after taking off from Dominica. Four French nationals, including the pilot, were on board the aircraft, which was on a return flight to Martinique. The aircraft was heading for the Horizon Caraïbes aeroclub at Le Lamentin airport, which it had left on Sunday morning. Search operations were undertaken by the Dragon 972 civil security helicopter and two firefighters from the SIS. The wreckage was located and four bodies identified nearby. However, the Prefecture of Martinique stated in a press release dated Tuesday January 28 that the bodies of the victims had not been recovered: "Despite all our efforts, the fire department was unable to reach the foot of the cliff for safety reasons. Subject to judicial authorization, the fire department will attempt to recover the bodies of the victims, who are currently the responsibility of the Dominican justice system. Psychological units have been set up by the authorities and the municipalities of Fort-de-France and Lamentin," explained La 1ère.
Virgin Islands (US).
A $264 million school reconstruction
In August 2022, the government ordered the destruction of the ruins of Evelyn M. Williams Elementary School in St. Croix, abandoned since the devastating hurricanes of 2017. A demolition that lasted four months and cost three million dollars, recalls the Virgin Islands Consortium (VIC) in an article published on January 29. To build a new school, named Arthur A. Richards, initial funding of $159 million was made available. Since then, however, costs have risen from $159 million to $264 million! "A significant portion of the cost increase, estimated at $30 million, comes from additions requested by the Department of Education, including a swimming pool, storm drainage improvements and covered walkways," explains VIC. Officials attributed the escalation to the structure of the design-build contract, where costs are not fixed at the outset but evolve as project designs are finalized. "The original estimate of $159 million was based on transition documents representing only 30% of the final design, according to the Commissioner of Education. Whatever the case, in the Virgin Islands, there's no skimping on the school building budget!
Grenada.
A donation worth almost 1.9 million euros from Saudi Arabia
Grenada has received a donation worth around 1.9 million euros from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reports Caribbean National Weekly. The donation is intended to help with reconstruction following Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. The donation, which includes 21 containers filled with essential supplies such as chainsaws, diesel generators, flashlights, first-aid and hygiene kits and emergency shelter material, was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.was officially handed over to Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell at a ceremony at the Port Authority Visitor Center on Monday. Mitchell stressed that the aid is particularly crucial for the people of the Grenadine Islands - Carriacou, Petite Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - who have endured severe hardship as a result of the hurricane's destructive impact.
Saba.
Climate Plan launched
According to Saba News, Saba's public entity has officially begun drafting a climate adaptation plan, following a meeting last week between the Executive Council and Reimpact Studio. "Saba's vulnerability to climate change is heightened due to its small size, location in the hurricane belt and dependence on imports for daily living," the article states. Recognizing these challenges, with the support of ministries in The Hague, the entity is working to create a plan to improve the island's resilience and self-sufficiency in the face of climate change. Reimpact Studio, a strategic design consultancy, has been hired to provide expertise for this project. The climate plan will address various sectors of the island, assessing how they may be affected by climate change. The development process will be consultative and participatory, involving input from stakeholders on Saba and in the Netherlands. The main contributors in the Netherlands are the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, as well as relevant knowledge institutions. On Saba, input will be gathered from local organizations, community members and other stakeholders. The aim is to finalize both the climate plan and the action program by mid-2025.
St. Kitts and Nevis.
Prosecutor charged with facilitating jailbreak
Crown prosecutor Shantrice Dorset is charged with six offences in connection with her alleged role in assisting the man suspected of murdering another man, aged 29. The latter was shot dead on July 20, 2024 with an automatic rifle. Caribbean National Weekly reports that the prosecutor was denied bail when she appeared in court. She is currently on remand. The Director of Public Prosecutions said that Shantrice Dorset helped the suspect, Khyron Philip, leave the country by sea. He is still at large. According to the prosecution, relayed by CNW, Dorset helped the murder suspect leave the country to avoid trial for attempted murder in another case. In addition, Shantrice Dorset allegedly tried to use her influence as a prosecutor to get the firearm used in the murder turned over under an amnesty program. In the Caribbean, January is definitely not the month for court officers.
Trinidad and Tobago.
Haro on the giant African snail
Health authorities in Trinidad and Tobago are advising the public to avoid eating giant African snails. The Ministry of Health has issued a warning, pointing out that the giant African snail is a known carrier of the rat lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. According to the release, relayed by Caribbean National Weekly, "humans can become infected by ingesting raw or undercooked snails", adding that "infections in children tend to be more severe and are often fatal". The ministry says that these snails can also be "reservoirs of bacteria such as salmonella", which can cause food poisoning, and that mishandling or inadequate cooking can lead to bacterial contamination. "Some giant African snails, due to their feeding habits, may feed on plants or chemicals that can leave toxic residues in their bodies, making them potentially harmful if consumed, the release states. These toxins are not eliminated by any preparation or cooking. "In any case, it's not the season.
