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Tremendous Turnout for 25th Annual Kite Flying Competition

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image014Turks and Caicos, April 20, 2017 – Providenciales – Large ones, small ones, traditional and artistic, a beautiful assortment of kites took to the Turks and Caicos skies on Easter Monday.   Continuing in grand tradition, the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board held the 25th Annual Kite Flying Competition and beach party on the islands of South Caicos and Providenciales in collaboration with private sponsors.

Skillfully crafted kites, with bold designs and long tails, soared high above the skies as spectators watched kite makers vie for trophies in various divisions.   Local churches provided food and drinks, whilst Pastor Alexander Minott on South Caicos and the Tourist Board team in Providenciales ensured the event flowed smoothly.

“Our annual Kite Flying Competition continues to be a staple on the calendar for locals and tourists alike,” says Tourism Training Manager, Blythe Clare.  “This year we saw tremendous support from our communities and a surge in the number of kite entries in Providenciales. We welcomed first time participants, returning veterans, and sadly saw the retirement of competition veteran King Yelo from Providenciales, who has consistently won multiple categories year-after-year.”

image074The annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, which kick-started the kite flying competition, too saw record number of eager participants with the winners collecting over 14 eggs each.  Face painting and giveaways were also part of the day’s activities.

There were a number of private sponsors who contributed to the success of the events across the islands and the Tourist Board wishes to register its gratitude.  They are:  The Sands at Grace Bay, Turk’s Head Beer, Gordon’s Electrical, Executive Tours, Villa del Mar, C.O.R.E. Resources, IGA, Business Solutions, TCHTA, N.W. Hamilton, PTV8, Caicos Express Airways, Caicos Wheels, Discovery Tours, West Bay Club, Point Grace, Miller Simon O’Sullivan, Do It Center, Blue Mountain Water, and Casablanca Casino.

The official results for both islands by categories were:

SOUTH CAICOS COMPETITION

 Smallest Kite

1st  Place       Judy Been

2nd Place       Luc Clerveaux

3rd  Place      Vivienne Clare

Largest Kite

1st  Place       Turton Clare

2nd Place       Trofibio Clare

3rd Place       Arthur Vargas

Children’s Easter Egg Hunt

Most Eggs (Girl)      Callie Hall
Most Eggs (Boy)     Edmario Blackman

PROVIDENCIALES COMPETITON

 image081 (1)Smallest Kite

1st   Place      Aaron Rodney

2nd  Place      Deon Rodney
3rd Place       Jewel Diamond

Largest Kite

1st   Place      Dylan Brubaker

2nd  Place      Linda Grant

3rd  Place      Ollie Stubbs

image082Best Company Kite

1st   Place      West Bay Club

2nd  Place      Gungo Shack

3rd  Place      TCIPS Comprehensive  High School

Best Traditional Kite

1st Place        John Ewing
2nd Place       Nia Ewing
3rd Place       Demari Fulford

image077Children’s Easter Egg Hunt

Under 7 years
Most Eggs (Girl)      Tianna
Most Eggs (Boy)     Tyreek

7 – 10 years

Most Eggs (Girl)      Tracey
Most Eggs (Boy)     Antwan

The 25th Annual Kite Flying Competition continues this weekend, Saturday, April 22 on the island of North Caicos.  The Grand Turk competition is scheduled for Saturday, April 29. Residents and visitors in the respective communities are encouraged to come out and participate in good family fun.

Patrons on North Caicos and Grand Turk are reminded that kites entering the annual competition must be handmade and registered with the judges prior to taking flight. Kites in all classes must fly for at least 2 minutes. Kites flown in last year’s competitions will be disqualified from entry.  Prizes and trophies will be given for The Smallest Kite, The Largest Kite, Best Company Kite, and Best Traditional Kite.

Children and adults are welcome to fly non-competition kites throughout the day and beyond the competition period.

For more information regarding the 25th Annual Kite Flying Competition, contact the Tourist Board office in Providenciales at (649) 946-4970 or in Grand Turk at (649) 946 2321.

Header photo: (L-R): Dylan Brubaker, Ollie Stubbs, Linda Grant all winners at this year’s Kite Flying Competition along with participant Bruce Walkin

#25annualkiteflyingcompetition

 

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Police Commissioner Honoured with Distinguished Civic Service Award at TCHTA Star Awards

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders, executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.

Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.

In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.

The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.

This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.

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Health

TCI Hospital Celebrates Successful “Heart Strong TCI” Initiative During Heart Month

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(Providenciales – Monday, March 2, 2026) TCI Hospital proudly announces the successful achievement of its Heart Strong TCI initiative, a comprehensive Heart Month campaign focused on raising awareness and strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting the critical need for sustained public education, risk-factor reduction, and early intervention. The Heart Strong TCI initiative was designed to actively engage the community through education, outreach, and physical activity.

Key Activities Included:

Educational Training Sessions

Healthcare professionals conducted structured sessions addressing hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and the early warning signs of heart disease.

House Call Talk Show Feature

A dedicated Heart Month episode of the hospital’s House Call program provided expert discussion on cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies, empowering viewers with practical, evidence-based guidance.

Red Fridays Awareness Campaign

Throughout the month, staff wore red every Friday to increase visibility around heart disease awareness and reinforce the campaign’s message within the community.

Heart Strong 5K Walk/Run

In collaboration with the Rotary Club, TCI Hospital hosted a community-wide 5K walk/run to promote physical activity as a cornerstone of heart health. The walk/run also provided an opportunity for community screening.

Digital Health Education Campaign

To expand its reach, TCI Hospital also shared ongoing heart health education tips and prevention messages across its social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These posts provided actionable guidance on diet, exercise, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modification, and encouraging community members to learn CPR.

Heart Strong TCI: A Continuous Commitment

While Heart Month has officially ended, Heart Strong TCI represents an ongoing institutional commitment to cardiovascular disease prevention and awareness. TCI Hospital will continue to prioritize:

  • Community-based education initiatives
  • Preventative screening and early detection programs
  • Lifestyle and wellness promotion
  • Strategic partnerships that advance public health outcomes

“Heart Strong TCI is not limited to a single month,” CEO, Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant.  “Cardiovascular disease prevention requires sustained effort. We remain committed to promoting healthy hearts across the Turks and Caicos Islands year-round.”

For more information about cardiovascular health services or upcoming screening initiatives, please contact TCI Hospital at 649-941-2800 in Providenciales, 649-941-2900 in Grand Turk or email us at info@interhealthcanada.tc

About TCI Hospital

TCI Hospital is dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a strong emphasis on prevention, education, and community wellness.

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New Chartered Accountant Member Appointed to The Integrity Commission

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Darius E. Ferguson, Member of the Integrity Commission Board

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, today announced the appointment of Mr. Darius E. Ferguson as a Member of the Integrity Commission Board, serving as the Chartered Accountant Member in accordance with Section 3(2)(a) of the Integrity Commission Ordinance. His appointment is for a period of three (3) years and follows consultation with the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Society of Professional Accountants.

Mr. Ferguson, with family ties to Providenciales and South Caicos, is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty years of senior leadership experience across aviation, finance, technology and consultancy, he brings a strong and diverse background in financial governance, regulatory compliance and strategic planning.

A former Chief Financial Officer of Sky Bahamas Airlines for a decade, Mr. Ferguson managed all financial reporting, regulatory engagement, capital projects and commercial development initiatives. He previously served in senior audit roles at both Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, leading high‑risk audit engagements and ensuring adherence to international financial and accounting standards.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ferguson has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional ethics, community leadership and organisational accountability. His experience across corporate governance, financial oversight, and operational risk management will bring valuable strategic insight to the Integrity Commission.

Her Excellency the Governor welcomed the appointment, stating:

“Mr. Ferguson’s extensive background in financial management, auditing and governance, together with his leadership experience across both corporate and community sectors, make him well‑suited to serve on the Integrity Commission. His appointment strengthens our ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in public life. I am confident that he will make a meaningful contribution to the Commission’s important work.”

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