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The News in Brief from The Dominican.net News Desk
March 18, 2008 Clem Philbert sentenced to 18 years for murder
A judge in the muder case of Clem Philbert have sentenced the twenty-four year old to 18 years in prison for causing the death of Joseph �Pajo� St. Louis of Jimmit.
A jury had earlier found Philbert guilty of murder. During the trial, Philbert had argued that he did not intend to kill St. Louis but was simply acting in self defence when he tried to repel a sexual advance made by the deceased.
Philbert told the court that he was at the home of the defendant who offered him a drink of brandy. After taking the drink, he felt sleepy and went to lie on the bed. He awoke a few minutes later to see the accused reaching to unbuckle his belt as he lay on the bed. He struck out with a kick and then left the room.
On cross examination, he admitted that he kicked the deceased at least four times before leaving. As he left he took some possessions and left with the vehicle of the accused. He was arrested two days later after been involved in a traffic accident in Pointe Michel. It was only after his arrest that police found St. Louis dead at his house.
March 11, 2008 Dominica-Venezuela army alliance denied
Minister of National Security Rayburn Blackmoore says the suggestion that Dominica may be joining forces with Venezuela to form a military alliance against the United States was laughable.
Venezuela President Hugo Ch�vez has made a call for member states of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), which Dominica joined in January, to use military force against the United States.
Critics here, including the main opposition, have battered the government on its decision to join ALBA, given the strong anti-US posture of Ch�vez.
Blackmoore said on state radio that the Dominican government cannot be held accountable for statements made by the Venezuelan leader.
Nassau � March 10, 2008 President of Dominica to be Awarded Top CARICOM Award
Chairman of the CARICOM meeting, Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced that Jamaica's Professor Rex Nettleford heads the list of four outstanding Caribbean nationals who will be awarded the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC).
The other three are Dr. Nicholas Liverpool of Dominica, George Lamming of Barbados and Brian Charles Lara of Trinidad and Tobago.
The conferment of these awards will take place at the 29th regular meeting in July 2008 in Antigua and Barbuda.
Mr. Ingraham also announced that regional leaders have agreed to devote one day to a special session on tourism during their 29th meeting in July.
He said tourism would be included as a permanent item on the agenda of the conference based on its importance to the region.
Roseau � March 8, 2008 DOMLEC Promises End to Outages
The Dominica Electricity Services Company (DOMLEC) has promised customers an end to frequent outages and blackouts of their power supply.
Over the last two weeks thousands of customers have been faced with lengthy and unannounced outages from the island's sole electricity company.
Managing director of DOMLEC, Joel Huggins, said the outages were a result of a spate of breakdowns in the company's diesel generating plant, which has caused an inability to meet demands of customers. However, he told the media Thursday that DOMLEC had been working to address the problem and working towards complete restoration.
Roseau � March 7, 2008Baltimore City grand jury indicts 11 for cocaine, heroin importation
A Baltimore grand jury has indicted 11 people for conspiracy to import and sell more than five kilograms of cocaine and heroin. Federal prosecutors said the group imported the drugs over a seven-year period.
Federal prosecutors said the indictment was returned Feb. 14 and unsealed on Monday, when four of the defendants were arrested. A fifth was arrested today. U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein said the drugs were imported from a number of countries, including Barbados, Dominica, Spain and Panama.
Prosecutors said the defendants face at least 10 years and up to life in prison on each of the two conspiracy counts.
Roseau � March 7, 2008Regional cricket returns to Windsor Park
The Windward Islands faces off against Trinidad in the Carib beer cricket series from March 7 - 10 at the Windsor Park Sports stadium.
This is the first time in 10 years that first class cricket will be played on the historic cricket grounds in Roseau. DBS radio is carrying live commentaries of the game.
From March 15-24 Dominica will host the West Indies regional Under-15 tournament on the same grounds.
Roseau � March 3, 2008 UWP Party Leader and four Parliamentarians Ordered to Pay EC $204 000
Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) Earl Williams and five members of his party have been ordered to pay EC $204 000 in a case involving Speaker of the House Alix Boyd Knight.
Last year, Williams, Nicolls Espirit, Edison James, Ron Greeen, Norris Charles and Claudius Sanford, all UWP parliamentarians, brought suit against Speaker of the House Alix Boyd Knight for altering questions that they tabled before the House.
The questions concerned government�s dealing with Susan Oldie through Citizens for a better Dominica. Presiding judge Davidson Baptiste ruled that the plaintiffs were unreasonable in bringing the claim, and as such it warranted imposition of costs.
Each of the plaintiffs will pay EC $4 000 in court costs, $14 000 each to the Speaker, and EC $6 000 each to the Sergeant at Arms of the house.
Williams and his fellow plaintiffs have said that they will appeal to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.See Court Decision
Roseau � March 3, 2008 Clem Philbert Found Guilty of Murder
A jury in the murder case against Clem Philbert of Grand Bay has found the defendant guilty of murder. Philbert was charged and convicted in the February 2007 death of his friend Joseph �Pajo� St. Louis of Jimmit.
The prosecution indicated to the court that they would not seek the death penalty. Sentencing is set for March 15, 2008.
In his defence, Philbert had argued that he did not intend to kill St. Louis but was simply acting in self defence when he tried to repel a sexual advance made by the deceased.
Philbert told the court that he was at the home of the defendant who offered him a drink of brandy. After taking the drink, he felt sleepy and went to lie on the bed. He awoke a few minutes later to see the accused reaching to unbuckle his belt as he lay on the bed. He struck out with a kick and then left the room.
On cross examination, he admitted that he kicked the deceased at least four times before leaving. As he left he took some possessions and left with the vehicle of the accused. He was arrested two days later after been involved in a traffic accident in Pointe Michel. It was only after his arrest that police found St. Louis dead at his house.
Roseau � March 3, 2008 Government to Build Houses in the Carib Territory
The government of Dominica has signed contracts for the building of forty-one homes in the Carib Territory. The houses are part of the government�s housing revolution where they aim to provide affordable houses to the country�s disadvantaged.
Funding for the structures is provided under the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA).
Mahaut � February 29, 2008 26 Year Old Man of Mahaut in Apparent Suicide
The community of Mahaut is in shock following the apparent suicide of police assistant , 26 year old Allan Roberts of Mahaut.
Neighbors report hearing a single gunshot about 1:00 a.m this morning and finding the lifeless body of the young man with a gun in his hand. Roberts was described as a nice and quiet man. A community is left to wonder what could have driven him to take such action. Police continue to investigate the death.
Washington � February 26, 2008 Dominica: The Caribbean�s Next Terror Island?
Senior Research Fellow of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs (A Washington-based think tank) Nikolas Kozloff have raised the issue of whether Dominica is the next terror island? Translation, the next Grenada.
Writing under the caption Dominica: The Caribbean�s Next �Terror Island�? in COHA�s on-line publication of February 28, 2008, Kozloff noted that �the possibility of Dominica emerging as a �Terror Island� for a radicalized U.S. regional policy is very real.�
He went on to say that �in the event that John McCain is elected president, the stage could be set for confrontation with the Dominica leadership.�
Kozloff warns rather ominously that �the prospect of a tough operator like McCain taking command in Washington must genuinely worry those committed to a new emphasis on regional self-determination. With the grim fate of Grenada and Chile under Salvador Allende in mind, tiny Dominica has good reason to be apprehensive over its approaching destiny, whatever that might prove to be.�
Roseau � February 26, 2008 Police recapture escaped convict
Police in Dominica recaptured Charles Francois of Giraudel just two days after he escaped from the Stock Farm prison.
Francois who was serving an eighteen month sentence for burglary used a bamboo pole to scale an 18 foot high wall while making his escape.
He was recaptured in the hills surrounding Giraudel. Police claims that he had cocaine in his possession when he was captured.
Roseau � February 26, 2008 Five Star Hotel Project Threathened
Tourism minister Ian Douglas is reporting that financers for the five star hotel in the Woodford hill area have apparently had a change of heart. According to the minister, the financers have withdrawn their proposal to build the hotel.
Douglas however said that government would go ahead with the project and was seeking alternative funding.
Roseau - February 21, 2008 Former DLP Senator to Contest Next Elections for the UWP Comment on this News Item
Former Dominica Labour Party Senator Griffin St. Hilaire called on the poor and working classes of Dominica to not lose hope, but to hold on until the UWP takes office at the next general election.
St. Hiliare who lost to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt for the leadership of the DLP in 2004 recently announced that he would contest the next elections, due in 2010, with the opposition United Workers Party (UWP).
The former senator who is currently employed with the United Nations said that the DLP had betrayed the working class of Dominica. He said that the UWP would place Dominica back on track, on the development path from where they left off in the year 1999.
St. Hilaire noted that Dominicans are very unhappy at the moment, as a result of the high cost of living and a poor economy. He lamented the fact that the current labour party leadership is comfortable with collaborating with the local chamber of commerce to stop the importation of barrels of foodstuffs and home toiletries for the poor people of Dominica.
According to St. Hiliare, that type of thinking is contrary to the thinking of the late Prime Minister Rosie Douglas who had intended to increase the number of duty free barrels of foodstuffs that would have been permitted to enter Dominica for poor Dominicans.Comment on this News Item
Roseau- February 19, 2008 DFP Leader Calls for Transparency and Good Governance
In a wide ranging press conference held today in Roseau, leader of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Michael Asthaphan called for transparency and good governance by the ruling Dominica Labour Party.
The DFP leader stressed that foreign aid received should not jeopardize Dominica�s national interest, and noted that all aid received should be consistent with the country�s domestic and foreign policy.
His comments were seen as directed to Dominica�s growing relationship with Venezuela, particularly with the recent signing of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our Americas Alternative (ALBA).
The DFP leader also listed a number of concerns of his party including the high cost of living, preservation of the environment, poverty, migration and food insecurity.
Washington � February 16, 2008 The Dominican.net Launches Community Bulletin Board
In responding to numerous appeals from a vast number of our thousands of readers, the Dominican.net has launched the Community Bulletin Board.
Persons wishing to submit public notices, information on dances, parties, or simply wishing to advertise items for sale can do so by going to TheDominicanNet Bulletin Board or send your notices to [email protected].
February 14, 2008 - Roseau Housing Survey of Overseas Based Dominican Launched
The Government of Dominica recently established the Dominica Housing Company Ltd (DOMCOL) as part of a new policy thrust. DOMCOL has commissioned a housing market survey that aims to secure data for informed decision-making.
Included in the data gathering strategy, is a questionnaire which has been developed for Dominicans who live overseas and who have a desire to build a house on the island.
We invite you to participate in the survey if you are a Dominican who lives overseas and you are planning to build a house on the island some time in the future.
February 14, 2008 - Roseau Dominican Sentenced to Three Years in Accidental Deaths
Thirty-five year old Alvin Christopher of Portsmouth was sentenced to three years in prison for causing the death of the Serrant brothers of St Joseph in 2007.
On February 15, 2007, Christopher was driving a truck loaded with passengers when he lost control and slammed into the two men who were standing by the roadside in conversation.
Dead were Moseley Serrant a local pastor and his brother Easley Serrant. Christopher was found guilty on the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Attorney for the defense Noelise Knight pleaded to the court for leniency noting her client�s emotional state, his remorse and the fact that he had never been in trouble with the law.
In response, Judge Baptiste while acknowledging Christopher�s excellent police record noted that two lives were taken suddenly and he felt that the accused would need to answer for it.
February 14, 2008 Government Secures Funding for Geothermal Feasibility Study
Permanent Secretary in the energy ministry Vincent Philbert is reporting that government has received � 1.4 million (euros) from the European Union to undertake a feasibility study of Dominica�s geothermal potential.
The study will be undertaken by the Agence Francais de Developpement (AFD), which will provide an additional � 2 million (euros) for the study.
The study will determine the extent of Dominica�s geothermal resource and prospects for harnessing and converting to electricity.
The neighboring islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe have consistently indicated interest in securing electricity generated through geothermal activity from Dominica.
Dominica has nine active volcanoes and it is widely believed that it has a vast supply of geothermal energy.
Roseau � February 12, 2008 A Grand Fond Villager Turns 100
The number of Dominicans living above the age of 100 increased to sixteen with the 100th birthday celebration of Christiana Cuffy James (Ma Price) of Grand Fond. Of the sixteen, two are men.
Ma Price celebrated the special occasion in the presence of government officials, relatives and most of the villagers of the small South Eastern village.
She attributed her longevity to a simple, happy lifestyle, and eating well with her favorite dish being roast codfish and cocoy (a type of banana), with no oil. She also loves eating tonton (food, usually breadfruit pounded in a wooden mortar).
The number of centenarians in Dominica reached a high of 22 in 2005. The oldest living person in Dominica is Violet Joseph of Roseau at the age of 109. Comment on this News Item
Roseau � February 12, 2008 PM Skeritt Puts on Hold Plans for the Building of an Oil Refinery
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt has announced that he is putting on hold plans to build an oil refinery in Dominica.
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela pledged to build the oil refinery in Dominica during a visit to that country in February, 2006.
There has however been mounting pressure from environmental groups, the opposition parties, the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association, and a wide segment of the Dominican population who were opposed to the building of the oil refinery.
Many maintained that such a facility would be at odds with Dominica�s image as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean.
In responding to the Prime Minister�s announcement, Opposition Leader Earl Williams said that this was simply a ploy by the Skeritt government to take off the pressure that has building in opposition to the oil refinery.
He expressed concerns that government will revisit the issue when the pressure has died down. Comment on this News Item
Roseau � February 8, 2008 WEF Threatens Court Action Against Government
The Waitukubuli Ecological Foundation is threatening to take court action against government over the Melville Hall Expansion Project and the building of petrol storage facilities under the PetroCaribe agreement.
Outgoing president of WEF, former attorney general Bernard Wiltshire told a press gathering that his organization would ask the court to force the government to hand over an environmental impact analysis conducted on the storage facilities.
They would also ask the court to make a declaration on government�s action in threatening Dominica�s ecological environment.
Wiltshire observed that while the court rulings will not stop construction of either the storage facility or the Melville Hall airport expansion, it would help clarify the law with respect to the actions government must take before undertaking such projects.
In his view that was particularly important considering the proposed building of a Venezuela financed oil refinery. Wiltshire also reiterated that his organization was not ruling out civil disobedience to protest the building of the oil refinery.
The Melville Hall expansion project have come under severe criticism from environmental groups because thousands of cubic feet of dirt and silt have been dumped into the sea leaving the waters around the airport deeply muddied and posing a threat to marine life.
The storage facilities being built in Gimmit will be used to keep petrol shipments from Venezuela for further transmission to other Caribbean islands under the terms of the Petro Caribe Agreement, a joint treaty between Venezuela and several Caribbean countries.
Roseau � February 8, 2008 Minister Denies Presence of Venezuelan Soldiers in Dominica
Ports Minister Charles Sevarin is denying the presence of Venezuelan soldiers in Dominica and that the country's relationship with Venezuela jeopardizes his country�s security.
Sevarin described as �nonsense� assertions by many in Dominica that if the US were to retaliate militarily against Venezuela that they would be forced to bomb the Venezuelans working in Dominica including some military. Venezuelan civilians are involved in the airport expansion project.
Radio airwaves have been full with people voicing concerns over the presence of the Venezuelans in Dominica and the recent call by President Hugo Chavez for the members of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) to �join in a military alliance against the United States.�
Sevarin blamed the sudden public interest on the matter to persons who were bent on sewing divisions between Venezuela and Dominica, and on trying to derail the excellent relationship between that country and Dominica.
In January, Dominica became a member of the ALBA joining Cuba, Bolivia and Venezuela in what is being built as an alternative to the Free Trade Area of America.
Roseau � February 8, 2008 Discipline Problems Continue at the Dominica Grammar School
Principal of the Dominica Grammar School Simeon Joseph has called on parents to take responsibility for their children.
His public appeal comes after unhappy parents took to the radio waves to complain about their children been sent home for excuses on Thursday before being allowed to return to classes.
Joseph explained that the students were sent home on Thursday for failing to report to school on Friday and Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday were carnival days in Dominica. He said that he stood by his decision since it was school policy not to allow students who have missed classes to return without written excuses.
Joseph also complained about the declining state of discipline in the school. He said that students routinely dressed in any color socks and shoes and sometimes disrespected the school. He called on parents to step up to their responsibilities and help the school in addressing the growing problem.
Roseau � February 8, 2008 Fifty Dominican Students to Study in Venezuela
Fifty Dominican students will depart for studies in Venezuela beginning August of 2008 according to education minister Vince Henderson.
The students who are currently undergoing Spanish language training in Dominica will be placed in several universities across Venezuela.
Henderson noted that the students� studies are made possible by the Venezuelan government and is part of the wide ranging support provided by the Venezuelan government to the people of Dominica.
Roseau � February 8, 2008 Final Results For The Real Mas 2008 Released
The Dominica Festivals Commission today released the final results for the Real Mass 2008. Coming in 1st place for the Adult Band of the Year is the Go Girls Inc, in 2nd place Carnival corner and 3rd place Mercury Inc.
In the School Band segment, 1st place went to the Convent Preparatory School while 2nd place went to the St. Martin Secondary School�s �Ole School Mass�.
The award for Pappy Show Wedding went to the Roseau Cultural Group. Cool Steel Genesis was awarded First Steel Pan, while Newtown attained the First Lapo Kabwit award. Ole Time Sake was the First band on the road on Carnival Tuesday.
In the �Traditional Sense� segment, 1st place went to Wind blow Castle Bruce and 2nd place to Colihaut Band Mauvais.
Best Individual went to Clifton Lewis and Best Traditional to the Neg Mawon of the Castle Bruce Constituency. The price giving ceremony will take place on March 07th 2008.
COOLIDGE, Antigua February 5, 2008 Barbados defeat Dominica by 26 runs in Sanford 20/20 overs competition
Barbados recovered from a poor batting display to beat Dominica by 26 runs in the latest Stanford 20/20 Round of 16 Match at Stanford Cricket Ground on Tuesday night.
Barbados, with the win, secured their place in the quarterfinals. They will play Grenada on February 15.
Replying to Barbados� 103 for eight, Dominica were dismissed for 77.
In what could be considered as a very poor batting display by Barbados, one of the traditional teams, only Ryan Hinds (38 not out) and Jonathon Carter (30) were the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Mervin Matthew was the pick of the bowlers with 3-18 and Roy Marshall picked up 2-12.
In reply, Dominica were blown away in 16 over.
Samuel Mitchel (15 not out), Raymond Casimir (15), Marshall (11) and Kristen Casimir (11) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Khalid Springer was the chief wicket taker with 4-20. Sulieman Benn supported with 3-11 and Smith 2-20.
Roseau � January 28, 2008 Kent Vital Named Executive Director of Invest Dominica
Former employee of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Kent Vital has been named Executive Director of the Invest Dominica Authority (IDA).
The IDA is one of two structures coming out of the restructuring of the National Development Corporation (NDC). IDA takes over the manufacturing promotion arm of the NDC while Discover Dominica is responsible for Tourism promotion.
At a news conference today, Vital stressed that his organization would go all out to promote foreign direct investment into the country.
Vital is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and worked for over twelve years at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank headquartered in St. Kitts.
Roseau � January 28, 2008 Ten Calypsonians to Finals as Carnival Season Heats Up
De Hunter will be defending his crown against ten veteran calypsonians as preparations for the 2008 carnival season gains fever pitch.
The competition will be held this Saturday and will feature three time winners De Dice and Scrunter along with Tarina, Observer, Sandy, The Web, The Sye, Karessah and Daddy Chess.
Meanwhile, Dadddy Chess was crowned Soca Monarch at last weekend�s competition taking home prize winnings of over EC $20 000.
The carnival Queen contest will take place on Sunday.
Roseau � January 28, 2008 Public Service Commission Asks for 8 Percent Salary Increase Over Two Years
General Secretary of the Public Service Commission (PSU) Thomas Letang has outlined his union�s request to government in negotiations over salary increases for the next two years.
Letang indicated that his union was seeking salary increases of 8 percent over two years for the over 3 000 public servants on the island. This was in contrast to the government offer of 1 percent in year one and 2 percent in year two.
The 8 percent request comes on the heels of a 3 percent increase granted by government during 2007. In 2003, the PSU accepted a 5 percent pay cut, which was removed in 2005.
Roseau � January 28, 2008 Tourism Minister Touts Building of Five Star Hotel
Dominica�s tourism minister Ian Douglas is indicating that plans are well underway for the building of a five star hotel in the Woodford Hill area of Dominica.
The hotel will be situated just a few miles from the Melville Hall airport on the North Eastern side of the island.
Douglas, speaking before parliament said that the farmers whose lands were acquired were already compensated and that construction work will begin shortly.
The building of the hotel is being undertaken by a group of foreign investors. No word yet on when the hotel will be completed.
Roseau � January 28, 2008 Former Prime Minister Denounces Government�s Action on AlBA
Former Prime Minister Edison James has blasted government for its lack of consultation with the Dominican people before signing up to the Venezuelan and Cuban inspired Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA Initiative).
James was speaking after a motion by the opposition United Workers Party to force government to delay signing of the pact was defeated in parliament.
James accused Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of rushing to join an alliance with Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia without seeking the input of parliamentarians or the Dominican public.
Meanwhile, prime minister Roosevelt Skirt has stressed that Dominica�s membership of Alba will bring social and economic benefits to the country. He insisted that his government was not abandoning the US�led Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), but was simply looking out for the best interest of Dominica.
His remarks were made as he joined Prime ministers Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and James Mitchell of St. Vincent as they traveled to Caracas over the weekend to attend the sixth ALBA summit.
Caracas � January 24, 2008 Dominica Joins Alba
Caracas, Jan 11 (Prensa Latina) Dominica's joining the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) is considered a sign of that mechanism's expansion to the Caribbean region and of a new kind of integration boosted by Venezuela.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez pointed out that this step strengthens the ALBA "as a new geopolitical space" that seeks "the construction of a better world for us in the Caribbean and Latin America."
Dominica's Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerritt, said the decision is aimed at "strengthening relations between our countries and give citizens of the world a chance to survive."
That way, the small Caribbean nation would join the ALBA family, made up of Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Bolivia. The ALBA is an alternative to the free trade agreements the United States is promoting in the region.
During Skerrit's recent visit to Venezuela, Chavez announced the construction of a strategic oil refinery in Dominica, as part of a system to distribute fuel to all eastern Caribbean states.
In addition, a Joint Commission will be set up to strengthen and deepen Caribbean integration.
Dominica joined PETROCARIBE in 2005, when it signed the pertinent agreements in Puerto La Cruz, state of Anzoategui.
PETROCARIBE is a solution to the Caribbean countries' asymmetries to access energy resources through favorable, equitable and fair exchange.
With those actions, Venezuela ratifies its commitment to the Latin American peoples to promote agreements that will contribute to improving their quality of life and consolidating true integration, based on the principles of justice, equity and solidarity.
Roseau � January 24, 2008 Former Attorney General Vows to Hold Protest over Oil Refinery
Former Attorney General in the Roosevelt Douglas government, Bernard Wiltshire has said that he will adopt non-violent civil disobedience to protest government�s plan for the building of an oil refinery on the island.
Wiltshire told the local press that he would not stand idly by while the Skeritt government moves ahead with plans to build the refinery, especially considering that most Dominicans were against the idea.
Venezuela�s president Hugo Chavez first proposed the building of a refinery in Dominica when he visited that country in February of last year.
Earlier this month, the issue once again took center stage after the visit of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt to Venezuela. Upon his return, he announced that he was waiting for an environmental impact study before proceeding with plans to build the refinery.
The issue of the oil refinery appears to be driving a wedge between the small Dominican society as proponents and those against the idea square off on national radio, the internet and other media.
Adding his voice to the chorus of persons opposed to the idea of an oil refinery is former agriculture minister and environmentalist Atherton Martin. He noted that Skeritt�s stated goal of building a refinery contradicts the position he adopted in his last budget statement.
According to Martin, the prime minister went on record as saying that his government would only use Dominica�s local resources such as geothermal and other environmentally friendly technologies to help meet Dominica�s energy needs.
Martin expressed outrage at the decision to go ahead with plans for the refinery noting that it could very easily compromise Dominica�s position as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean.
Belvue Chopin � January 24, 2008 Local Fire Officers Rescue American Tourist from Precipice
A search and rescue team of the Dominica Fire and Ambulance Service rescued an American tourist who was hiking alone in the heights of Belvue Chopin, close to the Grand Bay area.
Sixty-two year old George Morris was attempting to hike across Dominica�s mountains when he got stuck in a precipice.
It took the fire officers more than six hours to rescue Morris in what a fire spokesman called a difficult operation.
Fortunately for Morris, he was equipped with a radio receiver and a cell phone and was able to call for help at about 3:30 pm on Wednesday afternoon.
The fire officers indicated that they had no difficulty locating Morris because of his communication equipment.
An exhausted but relieved Morris was eventually pulled to safety at about 9 P.M by two officers who were lowered into the precipice. He was in good health and unhurt.
Dominica is noted for it sheer drops and breathtaking mountains.
Roseau � January 23, 2008 No Tuberculosis (TB) Outbreak at DOMLEC
Chief Medical Officer, Dr David Johnson is reporting that there is no Tuberculosis outbreak at the Dominica Electricity Company (DOMLEC).
Rumors had been circulating that many workers at the DOMLEC offices in Roseau had taken ill. Dr. Johnson in setting the record straight reported that one employee had come down with the disease and he was receiving treatment.
As a precautionary measure, 140 staff members had been given a skin test for the presence of the disease. Of those, 82 tested positive for having exposure to the disease.
Dr. Johnson however stressed that this did not signify that these individuals contracted the disease but rather that they may have been exposed to the TB virus at some time in the past.
He said that further testing including chest x-rays would be conducted on those previously testing positive. Dr. Johnson however assured the general public that they should not be worried and that they should continue to conduct business at the company�s offices.
Roseau � January 7, 2008 Dominica-Haiti Friendship Organization calls for legal residence status for Haitians
Vice President of the Dominica-Haiti Friendship Organization, Mark Marie has announced that his organization has provided the names of three hundred Haitians to the government of Dominica for consideration for legal residence status.
The Haitians have been living and working in Dominica, but have not been granted legal residence. Marie said that it was important for government to regularize the status of the Haitians since they are hard working and providing various services to the country.
He was quick to point out that there were many more Haitians living in Dominica than the 300 names submitted, but that this first group was a way of determining whether government would grant legal status. Marie expressed confidence that once the initial group received the required papers that others would follow.
Thousands of Haitians came to Dominica between 2003 and 2006, and while many boarded vessels to Guadeloupe and the US Virgin islands, others remained in the country and today are said to be making a very good contribution to Dominica�s economy.
Roseau � January 7, 2008 Police arrest three for the murder of Vincentian national
Dominica police have announced the arrest of three young men for the murder of Cecil Baldwin of St. Vincent. The partly decomposed body of Baldwin was found in some bushes in the North of the Island on December 26, 2007.
Police suspected foul play, and their investigations led to the arrest of Kurt Ambo of Woodford Hill, Vaughn Dodds of Wesley, and Dennis Shillingford of St. Joseph. The three young men were arraigned today and requested held at the Stock Farm Prison pending their murder trial on April 18, 2008.
Baldwin is a national of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and at the time of his death was residing in Warner village.
South Africa � January 7, 2008 South Africa squares the cricket series
South Africa defeated the Windies by seven wickets on the fourth day of the second test match in South Africa, thus squaring the series.
Chanderpaul was once again unbeaten in the second innings scoring 70, and Gayle batted at number eleven with a broken finger to smash four fours and three breathtaking sixes in contributing 38 to a 70-run, record last-wicket partnership with Chanderpaul that lifted their second innings total to 262.
Scores in the match, West Indies 243 and 262, South Africa 321 and 186/3.
The third and final test starts on Thursday.
South Africa - January 03, 2008 South Africa closes on West Indies first innings score
Dwayne Bravo grabbed 3 for 46 but that ws not enough to prevent South Africa to pull to within 25 runs of the West Indies first innings score at the end of the second day of the second test match in Capetown, South Africa.
Earlier, the tourists were bowled out for 243 after choosing to bat first. Only Chanderpaul with an unbeatean 65 provided any real resistance to the Soouth African bowling.
West indies won the foirst test of the three test series.
South Africa � December 29, 2007 West Indies defeats South Africa in first test match
The West Indies won their first away test match in seven years when they defeated South Africa by 128 runs on day four of the first test.
West Indies sealed their first win in South Africa to take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series. Requiring 389 for victory, South Africa were bowled out for 260, with Jacques Kallis (85) and AB de Villiers (61) being the only ones to offer resistance.
Marlon Samuels was named Man of the Match having scored 94 and 40 in the second innings.
Scores in the match: West Indies 408 and 175; South Africa 195 and 260.
