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SIPT Opening Statement brings anticipation for evidence, Proceedings resume today

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Providenciales, 15 Feb 2016 – Evidence will today begin being presented against the men and women accused of abusing their government power and connections to defraud the public purse of the Turks and Caicos of tens of millions of dollars.

When the Special Prosecution proceedings wrapped up on the Friday February 5, 2016, Andrew Mitchell laid out that in six years Michael Misick, the former premier managed to spend over $28 million dollars on a lavish lifestyle; and that it was ill gotten monies which he allegedly siphoned from the people of the TCI.

The special prosecutor says Misick used his government credit card for personal purchases, and allegedly tried to force TCIG to pay for it…. That he paid school fees for ex-wife LisaRaye’s daughter… that he chartered planes and yachts, allegedly at the expense of the people of the TCI and that he had many companies set up to allegedly launder money.

Misick had told media before the holidays in 2015 that he would not take a plea deal in this case because he is completely innocent of all charges.

Still, Mitchell painted a very different and compelling picture of Michael Eugene Misick and his colleagues in an opening statement which lasted three weeks.

When it came to the ex deputy premier, Mitchell summed up that Floyd and Lisa Hall went from having no declarations once he became a member of parliament to having a whole lot. The former PNP deputy leader is charged with funneling money on deals made while in office through the PNP account to his own; that he got, allegedly, some $1.13 million from government and as Mitchell put it, his spending was inconsistent with his government salary… $700,000 was said to have been his credit card bill alone.

When it came to McCallister Hanchell, the former Minister of Lands it was also about drawing the contrast between Hanchell’s beginnings in government and his declarations as a House of Assembly member over time. There were hardly any declaration of assets in the beginning, but that mushroomed as did Hanchell’s personal account and assets over the years. A one million dollar wedding, $1.2 million in credit card spending, a near million dollar house in Chalk Sound and payments from the PNP of $113,000 were all linked to Hanchell by the Special Prosecutor.

When it came to Lillian Boyce, the former Health and Education Minister it was about the $1 million cheque her brother, Earlson Robinson received from a North West Point land deal and money she told the SIPT was loaned to her by him and money loaned to Michael Misick by them both.

This is the one charge against Boyce, who is alleged to have gained $1.3 million from TCIG and who also never received any payment from the PNP party account.

Andrew Mitchell, QC also said Jeffrey Hall benefited from what he called the spoils power as his declarations showed amassing properties and showed hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits to the former Minister of Housing.

This allegedly included a payment from the PNP party, often through the bank account of his wife and an individual named as Charles Hall.

Jeffrey Hall, unlike Lillian Boyce did not cooperate with an interview with the SIPT.

The Crown charges Chal Misick, attorney brother of Michael Misick with assisting the laundering of money from corrupt and dishonest activities for his brother and others. The SIPT charges that Chal Misick played a leading role, but he too declined to answer any SIPT questions.

Still the Crown said Chalmers must have known what he was doing and demonstrated various payments made on behalf of the former premier. Even a chart was created to show the rise of income for Mike Misick.

Another attorney, Clayton Greene, who is also former Speaker of the House of Assembly is caught up in a one million dollar transaction linked to the Juniper Hold land deal. Reportedly, Greene, who is Floyd Hall’s first cousin deposited the million dollars to TCI Bank in an account, owed by Quinten Hall, Floyd Hall’s brother.

The SIPT charges Greene with money laundering for this action.

The final presentation on that final opening statement day related to Melbourne Wilson, also an attorney who did cooperate with an interview but for the most part told the SIPT that he could not remember the finer details of a transaction related to the North West Point Land deal.

Wilson described himself as the close friend of Jeffrey Hall; he is answering for allegedly laundering $200,000.

When court resumes today, in all that Andrew Mitchell, QC has already laid out – he now says he will provide the evidence to support the allegations against the nine defendants.

Ralph Thorne, QC for Michael Misick is due to first give his response to the Opening Statement by Mitchell.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos gives Enid Capron Primary a pre-term facelift

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has refreshed the grounds of Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, Providenciales, ahead of the new school year, with a landscaping team from the resort, pruning and cutting back overgrown branches to give the campus a cleaner, safer look.

The project focused on the school’s exterior plantings, where tangled growth had begun to encroach on walkways and outdoor learning areas. The team spent time trimming hedges, thinning dense shrubs and removing deadwood to improve sightlines and airflow around the buildings.

Assistant Landscaping Manager, Kemar Jones said the work at Enid Capron is a regular priority for the department, which views community giving as a core part of its mandate. He noted that supporting local schools, particularly through hands-on environmental work, has long been a focus area for his team.

Jones, said the effort reflects the group’s wider commitment to the islands. “As a team, our goal is to give back to our communities and especially providing support for the environment and education,” Jones noted. “The team is always ready to share our skills with making the school environment more comfortable for our students and teachers.”

General Manager Deryk Meany framed the project as part of Beaches’ broader approach to working alongside the community beyond the resort gates. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate as a team not only within the confines of the resort but also with our communities,” Meany added. “Being able to share our varied skills is always our main focus. Providing a comfortable learning environment allows for a greater relationship with our educational collaborators.”

He added that the resort seeks opportunities to support range of school-based initiatives, from environmental and leadership clubs to creative programmes.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Rachel Taylor described the landscaping mission as a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the Ministry and Beaches Turks and Caicos. “This mission from our major private sector supporter, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a long standing activity,” Taylor said. “At Enid Capron Primary School, we are treated as family. Once we reach out to the resort, they have always responded in a positive way.”

Hon. Taylor said the support is particularly valuable in the areas of education and community development, where consistent private-sector engagement can amplify government efforts.

Nelene Swann, vice principal at Enid Capron Primary welcomed the refreshed grounds as a boost to morale before classes resume. “This is what true collaboration looks like,” she noted. “This is more than a facelift for the school. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos has shown true commitment in adding to this learning environment for our students and teachers.”

She said the improved landscaping contributes to a more comfortable and inviting campus for all stakeholders. “This is a good way to start the new school year. This facelift will certainly make the facilities here at the school more appealing to our students, teachers and parents.

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Cleveland Clinic First in Ohio to Perform Robotic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy  

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Health system is among only a handful in the U.S. to offer the minimally invasive robotic procedure Cleveland Clinic is among the first hospitals in the country – and the first in Ohio – to perform a robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy procedure, following recent clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Stephanie Valente, D.O., and a surgical team recently performed the first robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast cancer reconstruction at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. The procedure offers a new minimally invasive approach to breast cancer surgery and risk-reducing mastectomy for patients at elevated risk.

This milestone places Cleveland Clinic among a select group of centers nationwide offering the advanced technology and brings one of the newest innovations in breast cancer surgery to patients in Northeast Ohio.

“This robotic approach offers greater precision through a much smaller incision, which can mean less visible scarring and faster recovery,” said Dr. Valente, director of the Cleveland Clinic Breast Surgery Fellowship Program and director of the West Region Multidisciplinary Breast Program. “Compared with the traditional procedure, which requires a larger incision, this approach can improve cosmetic outcomes, preserve the skin and nipple, and support a more natural appearance after surgery.”

During the procedure, surgeons use a 3D camera and robotic instruments inserted through a small incision of one inch, typically hidden along the side of the breast rather than across the underside, to remove breast tissue while preserving the nipple, areola and skin. The robotic platform, the da Vinci SP Surgical System, provides enhanced visualization and precision while minimizing disruption to the overlying skin.

Robotic surgery gives the surgeon better visualization of the operative field in what is typically a technically challenging procedure. This enhanced view can improve nerve identification and preservation, reduce blood loss and allow surgeons to perform the same oncologic operation through a one-inch incision rather than the traditional five-inch open incision.

The robotic approach removes the same breast tissue as a conventional mastectomy, while changing how the surgeon accesses the breast. For some patients, breast reconstruction can be performed during the same operation.

This approach is designed to reduce scarring, enhance cosmetic outcomes, preserve the natural skin envelope and nipple, improve sensation and accelerate recovery. For some patients, the less visible incision may also support confidence and body image after surgery. The procedure further expands Cleveland Clinic’s minimally invasive breast surgery options, which include endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy.

“As a field, we haven’t had many new options for patients with breast surgery for a decade now, so we are pleased to now have these minimally invasive procedures available for our patients,” said Dr. Valente. “Innovations like this support a more patient-centered experience as they allow us to address both the physical and emotional realities of breast cancer.”

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Invest Turks and Caicos Officially Opened Caya Hico Collective, Grand Turk MSME Storefront

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 2nd October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos officially opened Caya Hico Collective, the Grand Turk MSME Storefront, on Friday, September 18, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the Agency’s ongoing efforts to support local entrepreneurs, expand access to market opportunities, and strengthen the small business ecosystem.

Caya Hico Collective has been established as a dedicated retail space to showcase and sell locally made products, initially featuring entrepreneurs participating in the MSME Programme. As the initiative develops, there are plans to expand participation to include other small businesses producing locally made goods, including those not directly supported under the Programme. The storefront will provide local businesses with greater exposure and direct access to both residents and the thousands of visitors who arrive in Grand Turk each year creating stronger linkages between local entrepreneurs and the tourism economy. The store currently features fourteen (14) inaugural vendors, representing a diverse selection of local businesses and products from across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“This storefront represents a practical and meaningful step in supporting our MSMEs by providing access to market, one of the most critical components of business growth. It is a space where local talent, creativity and entrepreneurship can be showcased, supported and connected with new customers.”

A Name Chosen by Grand Turk’s Youth

The name Caya Hico Collective was selected through the Grand Turk MSME Storefront Naming Competition, an initiative conducted in partnership with H.J. Robinson High School. Students were invited to propose an original name that reflected Grand Turk’s identity, culture and heritage while also being suitable for a storefront showcasing locally made products.

Following an independent judging process, Mauvarii Selver was selected as the competition winner for the submission Caya Hico Collective.

The name was recognised for its cultural and historical significance, distinctiveness and strong storytelling potential. “Caya Hico” is derived from the Lucayan term meaning “string of islands,” reflecting the archipelagic identity and heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The use of “Collective” further reflects the purpose of the storefront: bringing together products from multiple local entrepreneurs under one shared retail platform. Together, the name Caya Hico Collective connects the Islands’ heritage with the initiative’s vision of bringing local businesses, products and creativity together in one space.

The naming competition provided students with an opportunity to participate directly in a real-world branding exercise and contribute to an initiative that will form part of Grand Turk’s commercial and tourism landscape.

Mauvarii was formally recognised during the opening ceremony, alongside the other students who participated in the naming competition, the inaugural MSME vendors, and key stakeholders whose contributions supported the successful development and opening of the storefront.

Angela Musgrove, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Turks and Caicos, added:

 “Caya Hico Collective is more than a retail space. It reflects our continued focus on strengthening linkages between local businesses and the tourism sector, creating more opportunities for MSMEs to reach visitors, increasing sales and participate more fully in the tourism economy. At the same time, it gives visitors greater access to authentic products that reflect the creativity and culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Supporting Local Enterprise and Tourism Linkages

Caya Hico Collective is expected to serve as an important platform for local entrepreneurs by increasing the visibility of locally produced goods, creating additional sales opportunities and providing visitors with greater access to authentic products from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Through the storefront, Invest Turks and Caicos aims to encourage residents and visitors alike to discover, purchase and support locally made products, while creating a stronger connection between entrepreneurship, culture and the visitor experience in Grand Turk. The initiative is intended to increase opportunities for local businesses to benefit from tourism activity by connecting visitors directly with locally made products that showcase the creativity and talent of entrepreneurs across the Turks and Caicos Islands. This forms part of Invest Turks and Caicos’ broader commitment to promoting economic diversification, sustainable business development and stronger linkages between local enterprises and the tourism sector.

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