News
We’ve got the Swimmers, We need the Pool
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, July 15, 2022 – Despite incredible talent, poor training facilities are holding TCI swimmers back according to TCI Swim Federation President Dan Redmond. TCI junior swimmers put on an incredible showing in the recent “Race for the Conch” Eco SeaSwim Tournament managing to land on the podium for all but one of the events where they competed against adults and teens from across North America.
With this brilliant performance in mind it is unthinkable that the swimmers do not have proper swimming facilities.
Many of the TCIs top swimmers choose to train overseas because of the lack of resources on the islands. Rohan Shearer, Lenin Hamilton, Arleigha Hall and Luke Haywood, some of the island’s top swimmers in the past 5 years all
chose to train overseas. And it’s costing the TCI. Luke no longer swims competitively for the country despite making it to the FINA world championships at 15 years old and the TCI was robbed of a double medal haul when infighting over where he trained pushed Lenin out of the 2022 CARIFTA games.
President of the TCI Swim Federation Dan Redmond lamented the issue.
“Perhaps if we had proper facilities talent like Luke would still be representing us. The pool Lenin’s club is trying to train in has a set of concrete steps stopping swimmers from completing lengths of the pool— We have the talent, we have the passion but no pool. Imagine what could be possible.”
Minister of Education Rachel Taylor spoke to the students in March this year and when asked what they thought they needed most Taylor said they told her “an Olympic size pool.” The government has promised that the pool will be built in the coming years and the land parcels have been allotted to house it.
The Turks and Caicos has a genuine chance to make its name in international swimming. Lenin Hamilton, Ethan Gardiner, Taijari Williams, Luke Haywood, Lenika Hamilton, Thaiss Burgess, Sophie Burgess, and Angelina Lidnenhanhn all medaled in the recent Eco SeaSwim tournament.
Jayden Davis and Rohan Shearer have both medaled at CARIFTA, Jayden with a massive haul of 2 gold medals (a first ever for the Turks and Caicos) and 2 silver medals. Additionally, Shearer and Haywood both made it to the World Championships. For a nation with less than 50 thousand people the level of talent is incredible.
One can only hope that the government makes good on this promise of proper training facilities.
Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) remains committed to ensuring
justice and enhancing public safety.
On January 30, 2025, JERMAINE WELCH, 26, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to TWO COUNTS of BURGLARY for offences committed in 2024.
The court heard that on December 1, 2024, a business establishment on Airport Road, Providenciales, was secured by its owner. Upon returning the next day (December 2), the owner discovered that the premises had been broken into and burglarized. CCTV footage from the establishment identified Mr. Welch as the perpetrator.
A similar incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when another business owner secured their establishment, only to return on December 7 and find it had also been burglarized. CCTV footage from this location also identified Mr. Welch as the culprit.
Following a thorough investigation, Mr. Welch was arrested on December 11, 2024, and subsequently charged.
Acting Superintendent Grantly Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, emphasized the critical role of security systems in crime prevention.
“The use of CCTV footage significantly aided our officers in arresting and charging the accused. I strongly encourage businesses and homeowners to take proactive measures by installing reliable security systems. If you already have one in place, please ensure it is regularly servicedmand fully operational. These systems assist in solving crimes and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Become a hard target by safeguarding yourself and your property.”
The RT&CIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.
Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:
- One Count Possession of Firearm
- One Count Possession of Ammunition
- One Count Robbery
- One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence
Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.
Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islanders will be given the opportunity to view the 2025/2026 Electors List from today February 1st, 2025. Supervisor of Elections Lister Dudley Lewis will post the Electors List of voters to seventy-three (73) locations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. (It is important to remind the public that they would have had to be registered by November 30th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the February 7th 2025 General Election.)
After publication of the Electors List, Registered voters will have fourteen (14) days to scrutinize it and make any claims or objections. Electors can make claims on their own or on behalf of others, as set out in Form 5 of the Elections Ordinance similarly, objections can be made as set out in Form 6.
An Elector who is off Island for the next two (2) weeks may appoint an agent to act on his/her behalf as set out in Form 7. The Agent must produce a sworn affidavit that he/she are acting on the Claimant’s behalf.
Claims and Objections can be submitted to the Elections Office on Pond Street Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office Caribbean Place Leeward Highway and District Commissioner’s Officers or by e-mail to electionsdept@gov.tc
The Electors List will be available for viewing in the ten (10) Electoral Districts and elections Web page from today https://gov.tc/elections/
All Forms can be obtained from the Elections Office Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office and District Commissioner’s Officers.
The Electors List can be viewed at the following locations:
See Full list here: Electors List 2025[19]
ED 1 – Grand Turk North ED 2 – Grand Turk South & Salt Cay
Fulford’s Gas Station IGA Supermarket
Sunny Food Store (West Road) Do-it-Centre
Durham’s Home Centre Sunny Foods
John Missick Bar (West Road) Grand Turk Library
Shop Rite Grocery Store Grand Turk International Airport
Things Galore Store (Over Back) DC’s Office Salt Cay
A&H Hair Supply (Over Back) Community Centre (Salt Cay)
Fishermen Paradise (Over Back) Grand Turk Liquors
Poop Deck Restaurant (Pond Street) Grace Bay Pharmacy (Church Folly)
ED 3 – South Caicos ED 4 – Middle and North Caicos
Airport Terminal Dist. Commissioner’s Office Conch Bar
District Commissioner’s Office Community Centre, Bambarra
Seaview Marina Government Clinic, Lorimers
Super value Supermarket Dist. Commissioner’s Office Bottle Creek
G & H Enterprise Kevin’s Enterprise
Government Treasury Digicel Store Bottle Creek
Community Centre Kew
Community Centre Whitby
Community Centre Sandy Point
ED 5 – Leeward ED – 6 The Bight
Sand Castle Convenience Store Ocean Club Convenience Store
TCI Ferry Service Ocean Club Convenience Store
IBO Store Kathleen’s 7 – 11 Store
Rick’s Flamingo Café Rubis Grace Bay Petro Mart
Rubis Gas Station
Grace way Gourmet Supermarket
Rubis Gas Station Longbay
ED 7 – Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill ED – 8 Blue Hills
The Library Keyse’s Variety Store
Grant’s Gas Station Publo Wash House
The Post Office Chicken Shack
Betty’s Store Kew Town The African Store
Black’s Store Kew Town Grace Variety Store
Chinson’s Grill Shack Lapel’s TCI Dry Cleaners
Discount Liquors G K Supermarket
Provo Discount Store Parker’s Variety Party Store
Building Material Do-It-Centre
Grace way IGA Supermarket
ED 9 – Five Cays ED 10 – Wheeland
Mackey’s Automotive Froggies on the Beach
Kitch’s Restaurant Frank’s Store 4U
Hole in the Wall Restaurant Red Zone Variety Store
Gilly’s Café International Airport
Shallende’s Auto Parts N Service
Walkin Service Station
Liz Bakery
Caicos Oil Mart
Lister Dudley Lewis
Supervisor of Elections
-
Finance6 days agoUpdate on the Cost-of-Living Relief Programme: Sixth and Final Batch of Applications Successfully Processed
-
Caribbean News6 days agoGuyana invited to Lead new Global Oil Producers’ Group; 7,000 Guyanese employed in sector
-
Caribbean News6 days ago25 TCIs, 426 Bahamians among 95,948 Caribbean Region citizens DEPORTED
-
News1 week agoHonouring Deputy Shamone Duncan
-
Independent writer6 days agoAn Informed Voter is a Powerful Voter: Make Your Voice Count, TCI
-
Caribbean News5 days agoCIBC Caribbean announces a change to its Country Management Structure
-
News6 days agoReal Estate Market Re-sets at Over Double Sales Volume Since 2020 according to Sotheby’s International | Turks & Caicos Realty
-
Caribbean News4 days ago25% of New Agro-Park Lands Will Be Allocated to Women, Youth and Persons With Disabilities