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Hospitals upgrade, New Dialysis Machines simplify treatment

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Providenciales, 13 Jan 2015 – The life cycle process which gave public monies to the Turks and Caicos Hospitals for the purchase of equipment upgrades for best care to TCI patients is responsible for the four and eventually nine new dialysis machines which have come to the Provo and Grand Turk medical facilities.

Media was earlier today given a look at the new machines which are already working and which provide a state of the art care to the 28 patients currently getting dialysis treatment at Cheshire Hall in Provo and 11 patients at the Cockburn Town Medical Center in GT.

“This machine will be able to have capabilities to transmit the vital signs, and the recording features actually into our electronic medical records system which is a great improvement for us, that reduces the manual process of human error when you are taking down numbers, so that’s a great feature. Plus, we’ve found this machine is quieter, there is less noise and most of all, the patient comfort, knowing that we have a process where we have a system of upgrading the machines.”

As the plan rolls out, there will eventually be six machines in Providenciales, three in Grand Turk and not only does the Dialysis Unit, which is headed by Turks and Caicos Islander, nephrologist/internist, Dr. Vancelee Forbes cater to locals, but it serves guests to the country who are in need of renal care while here on holiday.

Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, Chief of Medical Services calls it continuous quality improvement and 64 year old, 10 year dialysis patient, Elizabeth ‘Vickie’ Jones said she is happy to be able to watch TV on the new machine as she gets treatment and that she has noticed a difference.

“The first day was last Friday I started on the new one, in this arm I had fluid in it and it was like swollen all the time and when I got home and I felt the arm, it was like gone . So, I feel a lot better you know, coming off of the new one.”

The new machines cost $20,000 apiece.

As for what happens to the older dialysis machines, they will not be de-commissioned, they can be used as back-ups.

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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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