Connect with us

News

BUSINESS OWNER SAVES BIG FROM SOLAR SYSTEM

Published

on

KINGSTON, Oct. 3 (Jamaica Information Service): A New Kingston business owner is reaping the benefits of reduced energy costs, following the installation of a US$30,000 photovoltaic solar system at her premises.

Operator of the Oasis on the Oxford, Lorraine Clunie, is encouraging other small business owners to take the step towards renewable energy, following a dramatic reduction in her electricity bills after just three months.
“My light bill was coming to about $150,000 per month, sometimes even as high as $210,000. I installed the 15-kilowatt system in June and the following month I received a bill for $40,000 and after that my light bill went down even further to $20,000,” she said.

Mrs. Clunie, who was speaking to JIS News at her company on Oxford Road, following a tour of the premises by Energy Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, on October 3, said there were times when she considered closing her business, as the energy cost had become quite unbearable.

“There were times when just to pay the light bill, I was not able to pay my staff or to pay my lease,” she noted.
“I got to a point where I didn’t know what to do and then I heard a statement from the Minister encouraging persons to go solar and so I became aware of the possibilities and the benefits that could be derived,” she added.
Mrs. Clunie said after doing some research on solar energy, she decided to acquire the system using her credit card, importing a part at a time.

“I didn’t have all the money at once, so I decided to buy it piece by piece. It took me nine to ten months to acquire the entire system and to get everything here. And the major thing was that I didn’t have to pay any duty on the system, because of the Government’s duty free policy on renewable energy systems,” she told JIS News.

She informed that her system, which includes 81 solar panels, now provides all the energy she needs to run her New Kingston business complex, which houses the Red Snapper Restaurant, the Thirsty Man pub, and Elegant Weddings.
Mrs. Clunie is now in the process of applying for a licence from the Office of the Utilities Regulation (OUR) for Net Billing to sell excess energy to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS).

“I would encourage small business owners to just get with the programme. The fact is I am now much better off and this system will pay for itself in about 18 to 20 months,” she says.

In the meantime, Minister Paulwell told JIS News that the installation of the system demonstrates the importance of using those incentives that the government has provided to small businesses to lower their cost of electricity.

“This is a good model for small businesses and it has slashed their electricity usage and costs significantly, making the business so much more viable and productive,” he noted.

“So, when we say that each person has a responsibility to reduce the cost of electricity, this is one of the models that we want to promote,” the Minister said.

He pointed out that once the system is installed, it is maintenance free for almost 20 years. “You make back your money in four years and you’re able to generate a significant profit from it, so it is definitely a win, win,” the Minister said.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

Published

on

The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.

The individuals and charges are as follows:

An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving

The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.

The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.

The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.

The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.

The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.

A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:

  • Murder

The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.

A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

  • Murder
  • Attempted Murder

These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.

 

RBPF, PACD

Continue Reading

News

Saunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI

Published

on

by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”

Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”

Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.

The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.

Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.

Saunders believes AI can help.

He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.

He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.

His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”

For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.

That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.

Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.

According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.

The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.

Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.

However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.

The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING