TCI News
TCI: Shatelia Hall and Tamika Grant appointed as Senior Public Prosecutor and Public Prosecutor
#Providenciales, June 20, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – SThe Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Shatelia Hall and Ms. Tamika Grant to the post of Senior Public Prosecutor and Public Prosecutor within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ms. Hall holds a Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB) with honors from the University of Buckingham and a Post graduate Diploma in Bar Vocational Studies from the University of Law. She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in November of 2010 and has been a member of the Turks and Caicos Bar since June 2011.
Ms. Hall began working with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in 2013 as a Public Prosecutor, where she received various training opportunities in areas such as Human Trafficking, Child Protection and Domestic Violence; she is qualified as an assessor with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and a member of the Anti-Money Laundering Committee of the TCI. Ms. Hall is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in International Dispute Resolution from the University of Law, London.
Ms. Grant holds a Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB) with honors from the University of the West Indies, Mona and a Certificate of Legal Education from the Norman Manley Law School. During her law school tenure she interned as a Judicial Assistant/Research Clerk in the Supreme Court of Jamaica; at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ms. Grant began her employment as an Associate/Office Manager at local Law firm Finbar Grant & Associates after returning home in 2017 and being called to the Jamaican Bar in 2016. She also serves as the secretary of the TCI Junior Bar Committee and the Rotaract Club of Providenciales; participating in various social development programs in partnership with Rotary, Interact and other civil service groups.
Commenting on her appointment Ms. Hall stated; “I deem it a privilege be appointed to the post of Senior Public Prosecutor within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. With this new role I am committed to ensuring the Rule of Law is upheld and the objectives and vison of the Department and Justice system is maintained. I wish to express my gratitude for being regarded for such a post within the Department and am committed to working with and supporting my team and TCIG at large.”
Also Commenting on her appointment Ms. Grant stated; “I am humbled and grateful to be given the opportunity to use my skills to serve my country in this capacity. It is a mantle which I will wear with pride and respect for my office and the duty owed by me to my people. I am grateful for the warm welcome of my colleagues and others in the public service and I am enthused to begin discharging these duties and responsibilities and contributing to the development of myself as an attorney and the jurisprudence of the Turks and Caicos.”
Director of Public Prosecutions, Eugene Otuonye, Q.C. in commenting on these appointments said; ” I am extremely delighted with the appointments of Ms. Shatelia Hall as Senior Public Prosecutor and Tamika Grant as Public Prosecutor in the Office of the DPP. The impressive criminal law practice record so far of Ms. Hall (as a Prosecutor) and Ms. Grant(as a Defence Attorney) testify to their great potentials as outstanding lawyers in the making. I know them to possess great passion, dedication and high sense of responsibility, and consequently will be great assets not only to the Office of the DPP but in the service of the public and their Country, as Turks and Caicos Islanders”
Deputy Governor Anya Williams, commented on the appointments stating; “Congratulations is extended to both Ms. Shatelia Hall and Ms. Tamika Grant on their appointment as Senior Public Prosecutor and Public Prosecutor respectively within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. We welcome Ms. Grant to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service and wish her much success in her new role and we congratulate Ms. Hall for continuing to climb the ranks within the Office of the DPP and within the Turks & Caicos Islands Civil Service.”
Release: TCIG
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
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
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
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
