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National Youth Day Message

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Providenciales, 25 Sept 2015 – Having celebrated the first National Youth Day in these Islands in 1995, this 20th year is therefore a commemorative one for the PDM who first introduced it under the Taylor Administration and directly under the leadership of the Hon Clarence Selver. National Youth Day when introduced was held to be a day of celebration – celebration of our youth. We therefore on this 20th year considered this a major milestone worthy of great celebration.

We are grateful to and celebrate the many persons that served in the capacity as Minister with responsibility for youth, Youth Directors and also former members of the National Youth Council then in place. We then pause to celebrate the youth who allowed their lives to be positively impacted through the Department over the years and who we celebrate for their efforts in paying it forward.

This week our Radio Show “Raising TCI” returns and we pause to celebrate our youth. With a youth theme and in honor of our youth worthy of celebration, we will sit and hear from youths who have a vision and who have already begun to impact and change their corner of these Islands. We will hear from them the challenges and what they feel can be done. We will also celebrate with the Miss Teen Organization as it seeks to offer young ladies a platform to show case their inner and outer beauty.

We recognize that it is difficult to be a youth in today’s TCI with the myriad of challenges ranging from lack of activities that reach them where they are at especially our unattached youth; unemployment; under employment; depression; poverty; the growing inability to find their place or worth in their own country and the response to migrate to other countries in search of better opportunities; lack of adult guidance; crimes; juvenile delinquency and improper facilities and programs to help; drugs and alcohol; imprisonment and society’s too often approach to allow a successful reentry; teenage sex and pregnancy; prostitution; bullying and gang violence; and being saddled with a future where they cannot seem to be able to find or see their place. It is not easy and I encourage us all from where we are to reach out as individuals and collectively in organized bodies to respond to these real challenges tangible and meaningful ways.

Nonetheless in the midst of it all, many of our youth continue to rise above the challenges and give us reason to celebrate be it in the area of academia, sports, creative arts, business and civic roles and responsibility. We salute you and will continue to support your efforts and celebrate your successes.

We charge you, our our youth to seek out the programs and activities that will support your positive development and to also understand that in every generation there will be calls to make decisions and sacrifices for the good of our country. It is never ever about personal wealth and self -aggrandizement. It is always about leaving this world better than we met it. It is in your power to remove the stigma that too many have of you as youth. I challenge to search within, see if you are living out your fullest potential or existing. You must rise up and make your positive mark. You are required to contribute positively towards nation building. That is your duty and more so as you are the inheritors of what you build or destroy today.

Equally, we renew our pledge to help our troubled and challenged youth. We believe firmly that the raising of a child will always be the responsibility of an entire village. My mind goes back to the act of infant dedication and the practice to invite individuals of the Church to stand if he/she was committed to assisting the parents with the rearing of the child. I am asking us in an act of rededication to the building of our country, to stand in support of our youth and assist parents in raising our future leaders. And also to stand committed to doing what we can to give them the opportunities so that they can realize their fullest potential. Love of God and country must motivate us. We must help even when it is not welcomed. It may sound foolish but this is a must. Many homes need our help not our destructive criticism. The village encompassing the Church, the School, the lawmakers, custodians of the public purse, civic organizations and individuals must come alive as we seek to rear the next generation of leaders and citizens.

We celebrate our youth this week. We believe that our brightest minds are ahead and that our future is bright if we act now.

We say Happy 20th National Youth Day TCI. May God bless guide and protect our youth and our homes.

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.

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Search for Missing American Tourist Intensifies in Turks and Caicos

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U.S. Officials, Family Join Local Efforts as Disappearance Enters Ninth Day

By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor and Wilkie Arthur | Eagle Legal News

 

Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – The United States Department of State has confirmed it is aware of the disappearance of American citizen Brian Tarrence in Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Embassy in Nassau is actively assisting in the ongoing investigation. Tarrence’s mother is now on the island, anxiously hoping for good news as the search for her son enters its ninth day.

Tarrence, 51, of New York, vanished on June 25 while vacationing with his wife in Providenciales. The couple was staying at the Inn at Grace Bay in a privately rented villa booked via Airbnb. CCTV footage reviewed by Eagle Legal News shows Tarrence walking away from the property around 3:00 a.m., alone and without signs of immediate distress. He has not been seen since.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is treating the case as high priority, and a search operation is underway in Grace Bay, with efforts expanding to The Bight and nearby districts. U.S. private investigator Carl DeFazio, hired by Tarrence’s family, is also on the ground and working alongside local authorities.

“We are tracking any activity—credit cards, digital devices—that could point us toward his location,” said DeFazio. “This is a coordinated effort, and we are committed to bringing Brian home.”

Sources close to the investigation say Tarrence may have been in a vulnerable state prior to his disappearance. His wife reported that he had relapsed into alcohol use and was displaying increasingly erratic behavior, including signs of paranoia and delusional speech. He reportedly believed people were outside their villa and made concerning remarks hours before he disappeared.

When his wife woke that morning, Tarrence—and his phone and wallet—were gone. The devices remain unreachable, and no transactions or confirmed sightings have been reported.

His wife continues to cooperate fully with police, while his mother, who recently arrived in TCI, has joined local and diplomatic efforts in hopes of a safe resolution.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest police station or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-8477.

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Race for the Conch Celebrates 15th Year

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Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – Grace Bay once more delighted swimmers at the 15th annual Turks & Caicos “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim on June 28, 2025. The 2.4-mile, 1 mile, and 1/2-mile events drew 75 participants from the US, Canada, Barbados, and Mexico along with 35 TCI swimmers. Another 16 youngsters under 10 years and undertook part in the 100-meter swim.

Each race saw several outstanding open water swimmers competing for conch trophies in near perfect sea conditions. Other swimmers wanted to challenge themselves while enjoying the experience of gliding through the inviting turquoise waters. As before, the start and finish took place on the beach in front of Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe.

Local swimmers once more showed they could compete with the best. Sean Walters and Asher Soderquist (just 10 years old) picked up extraordinary 2nd and 3rd places respectively in the 1/2 Mile Men’s Division. Isaac Farley secured a splendid 3rd place in the 1-mile Men’s Division, while Lex Olerenshaw grabbed a superb 3rd place in the 2.4-mile Men’s Division. Several other TCI swimmers placed among the top 5 or 10 in each event.

Orrin Meyer from the US turned in a blistering time of 51 minutes, 15 seconds to win the 2.4-mile (Ironman distance) Men’s Division, just over 10 minutes faster than 2nd place male finisher—his father, Jay Meyer. The Women’s Division swimmers in the 2.4 mile were no less impressive with Samantha Peck from the US coming in 1st with a smashing time of 1 hour, 2 minutes, 31 seconds. She was followed by Nathalie and Carrie Trantner.

Ari Henson won the 1-mile Men’s Division followed by Ryan Williams. while the Women’s Division was won by Julie Henson followed by Mary Mackley and Mary-Anne Savage.

In the 1/2-mile Men’s Division Garry Mahon from Barbados took 1st, while Celia Wolf took 1st in the Women’s Division followed by Stella Lord and Cara Stein.  Race organizers Ben Stubenberg and Chloe Zimmermann could not be more pleased with the wonderful turnout, especially the increasing numbers of TCI swimmers in the race. Stubenberg said, “It is so gratifying to see how the race has progressed over the years. We love welcoming the new swimmers, as well as reconnecting with the swimmers who return year after year. No venue can match Grace Bay for open water swimming.” Zimmermann added, “We are thrilled at how the race generates so much enthusiasm among participants who all push themselves to go the distance and do their personal best.”

Unsurprisingly, “The Race for the Conch” is consistently listed as one of the top 100 open water swim races in the world by the World Open Water Swimming Association.

Stubenberg and Zimmermann take seriously the second part of the event name, “Eco-SeaSwim” by asking that all swimmers use reef-safe sunscreen devoid of harmful ingredients. To help ensure that request, organizers have partnered with one of the top reef-safe sunscreens in the world, Caribbean Sol, and made it available to all swimmers on the beach.

In addition, the organizers strive to use local services and products. These include conch medals for everyone carved by Stanford Handfield, conch trophies created by Lucie Stubbs, T shirt designs by Alizee Zimmermann, T shirt printing by Wise Solutions, and Proud of My Island goodie bags created by Sammy Kildegaard and Emiliano Otin.

Stubenberg and Zimmermann praised the tremendous support of 20 volunteers on the beach and in the water. “They are the backbone of the event’s success,” they stated. “We could not do this without them or our generous sponsors and providers.” They include: Experience Turks & Caicos, Grace Bay Club, Ocean Club, Projetech, Whole Health, Atlantic Aviation, Hartling Group, Surfside Ocean Academy, Silver Palm Charters, Finishing Touch, Natural Trade Distribution, Visittci.com, Gabriel Kulcsar, Big Blue Collective, Got-U-Covered, Jafooe Computer, DJ Dayhoh, Caribbean Bottling Company, Caicu Naniki Tours, and Marco Travel.

The organizers also want to give a big shout out to the TCI Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources, TCI Marine Police, Provo Ambulance Service, TCI Red Cross, Big Blue Collective, and the TCI Regiment for their essential safety support.

The “Race for the Conch” is a registered TCI nonprofit. Proceeds from the race going to Provo Children’s Home, Red Cross, TC Reef Fund, and Project Inclusion Turks & Caicos.

The next “Race for the Conch” will take place on Saturday June 27, 2026.

More information about the race can be found on their website www.ecoseaswim.com

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Spence Security Demands Gun Reform for Officers After Third Tragic Killing

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – Spence Security & Investigation Services Ltd is calling for immediate legislative change to allow trained private security officers to carry firearms and protective gear—following the third fatal shooting of one of its officers in recent months.

In a strongly worded statement, the company’s founder and chairman said the lack of legal protections and equipment is costing lives.  “Our officers are being slaughtered because they lack the tools, the legal authority, and the support to defend themselves,” he said.   “This is no longer tolerable.”

The slain officer, like many in the industry, was unarmed and not even allowed to wear a bulletproof vest under existing laws.   “He was forced to abandon his cover without the ability to defend himself.   That cost him his life,” the statement said.

The company is urging the government and Governor’s Office to amend the law to permit properly vetted and trained security personnel—many of whom are former police or military—to be armed.   The chairman emphasized that security officers serve on the same dangerous front lines as police yet face escalating threats without the same rights or resources.

He also criticized the lack of response from national leaders.  “There’s been no acknowledgement, no empathy, no call from government officials or the governor.  Our people are dying in silence, and the silence from those in power is unacceptable.”

Beyond firearms, the firm is also calling for legal access to non-lethal tools such as handcuffs, pepper spray, and protective equipment—currently restricted by law.

Spence Security’s statement ends with a stark warning: “Security lives matter. We protect this country’s banks, businesses, and people—but we are left vulnerable.  If we do not act now, more innocent lives will be lost.”

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