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TCHTA Reveals Stunning Cover for Destination 2023 Magazine

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#TurksandCaicos, February 6, 2023 – The 17th edition of the TCHTA Destination Turks and Caicos Islands Magazine was unveiled during a mid-morning launch at the Coral Pavilion in Leeward, Providenciales.

The organization welcomed tourism partners, association members, advertisers, writers, and supporters to be the first to see the magazine’s latest breathtaking cover.  And it is indeed spectacular.

Event attendees released audible gasps at the unveiling of the cover photo, which displayed a majestic blue hole off the island of Middle Caicos.  The image, shot by Agile Levin of Visit TCI, showed off the beauty of the hole and its enormous size, highlighted by the dotting of kiteboarders displayed just beneath it.

The “About the Cover” article, written by magazine Head Writer Sonia Omega Simmons of SOS Media, reveals just how magnificent the water feature is, touted to be nearly 2000 ft in diameter.

“Every year we wonder how the creative team could possibly top the year before, and somehow, they do!”, stated a beaming Stacy Cox, CEO of the TCHTA. “Cover to cover, this magazine is not only filled with breathtaking images of the undeniable beauty Turks and Caicos offers, but the stories draw you in, and make you want to explore every inch of these islands, even as a resident.” She continued, “I am especially proud to see that we had an even bigger response from local writers this year, and every piece is captivating.”

The TCHTA publication is the premier luxury magazine for the Turks and Caicos Islands, placed in rooms throughout the country for visitors to enjoy and take away as a treasured keepsake. Its highlights of the best accommodations, activities, dining, wellness and destination wedding providers have earned it the designation of “The Destination Guide” over the years. It is a trusted resource for visitors wanting to explore everything these islands offer.

Giving insight into the magazine’s reach, Karen Whitt, TCHTA Board Director and Marketing Chair shared, “As of last year, the magazine not only has placement in resort rooms, but we’ve made it accessible to those planning to travel here even before they arrive on island. This has given our advertisers a distinct edge as their product gets more visibility by travellers in the decision-making stage”.  She added, “We showcase the magazine on every marketing trip for the destination. It is accessible by QR code on compact tent cards and is gifted to travel partners on USB drives compatible with all mobile devices. We do our best to ensure this stunning magazine, its incredible stories, and our world-class offerings are seen by all.”

Themed this year to focus on Eco-tourism in the destination, the magazine highlights eco-friendly developments, farm-to-table dining experiences, ‘buying local’, Voluntourism, and insight into how travellers can enjoy Turks and Caicos responsibly.

Honourable Josephine Connolly and Permanent Secretary Wesley Clearveaux attended the launch representing the Ministry of Tourism. The duo joined TCHTA CEO Stacy Cox and TCHTA President Trevor Musgrove to unveil the cover.

Musgrove shared his excitement for the piece, “This is something the entire country can certainly be proud of. It is beautifully executed, looks and feels like no other magazine in the country, and I am especially excited to see our local talent featured throughout its pages.” He continued, “We couldn’t do this each year without the support of our members, and so we extend our thanks to them. To our member photographers, the magazine is only as stunning as it is because of their incredible work. I have no words that adequately describe how proud I am of Stacy and the team for managing this from start to finish. What they have done is nothing short of exceptional.”

Erin Patrick of EP Designs once again provided the creative direction and design for the magazine, with Nicholette Thomas and Sonia Omega Simmons as co-editors.

The team invited the Turks & Caicos National Trust, the DECR, and Philip Shearer of Big Blue Collective to pen special pieces dedicated to protecting the country’s tourism product.

Alongside Head Writer Sonia Omega Simmons, this year’s section writers were Dr. Carlton Mills, Jayne Baker, L. T. Bourne, Levenia Bishop, Evangelia “Lia” Jardine, Lavern Skippings-Reynolds, and Lorraine Kenlock. Paradise Photography, Brilliant Studios, Visit TCI, and Eye Spice provided photography.

The Source hosted the gathering at the Coral Pavilion, with attendees transported to the villa courtesy of Grace Bay Car Rental’s newest Tesla fleet. The poolside and ocean views were a fitting backdrop for the beautiful event. Now officially launched, Destination 2023 is on its way to accommodations and businesses throughout the country and can be viewed in its entirety on the home page of the TCHTA website: www.turksandcaicoshta.com.

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Caribbean News

CARPHA Progresses to Eligibility for the First Disbursement of Pandemic Funding

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Following a landmark Public Signing Ceremony for the Pandemic Fund (PF) Technical Cooperation Agreement (“Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response” [RG-T4387] Project) on December 14, 2023, in Trinidad, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) continues to progress towards the start of implementation.

 CARPHA fulfilled the IDB’s nine conditions prior to first disbursement, achieving full eligibility on March 15, 2024, and is now eligible for the first disbursement. This milestone achievement in just 3 months after the signing speaks to the commitment of both CARPHA, the Executing Agency, and IDB, the Implementing Entity, toward the regional PF project with the objective of supporting the reduction of the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean by building pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) surveillance & early-warning systems (EWS), laboratory systems and workforce capacity, regionally at CARPHA and in countries.

Since the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement and as part of the conditions prior to first disbursement, CARPHA has achieved the following key outputs (i) the development of the PF Project Operations Manual, Multi-annual Execution Plan, Procurement Plan, Financial Plan, Procedure for CARPHA’s Financial Reporting System; (ii) vacancy announcements for two tranches of consultants with the subsequent hiring of five (Technical Coordinator, Financial Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Operations Officer and Project Operations Coordinator) and (iii) the establishment of the Project Execution Unit (PEU) and Project Execution Steering Committee (PESC). The dedicated PEU will be responsible for execution according to its planned timelines, which will be led by the Dr. Lisa Indar, the Project Director (CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division).

 CARPHA, as the lead regional public health agency and an expression of Caribbean Cooperation in Health is mandated by its Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to support its 26 CARPHA Member States (CMS) in bolstering national systems and coordinating regional response to public health threats. The Agency works closely with regional and international agencies and uses regional mechanisms, surveillance systems, and networks for coordinating its public health response work.

In July 2023, the PF Governing Board announced that CARPHA’s regional entity proposal, entitled ‘Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Strengthened Integrated Early Warning Surveillance, Laboratory Systems and Workforce Development’ was successfully selected for the first round of financing. It was one of only 19 proposals selected from over 300 submissions and the only regional project. The three priority areas in the proposal are: (i) Comprehensive disease surveillance and EWS, (ii) Laboratory systems and (iii) Human resources and public health and community workforce capacity.

This project is expected to begin implementation in March 2024, starting off with a blended onboarding session. A Stakeholder Meeting with countries is tentatively planned for July 2024.

CARPHA remains dedicated to working together with the IDB, CARPHA Member States and the Pandemic Fund to successfully implement the regional proposal geared toward reducing the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean.

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Caribbean News

Men who had Murdered Man, Marley Higgs’ cell phone face Court

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

The prosecution intends to try two young North Caicos men, both age 21 for the offense of possession of property of a murdered man, property that was stolen and landed in their possession.

The phone belonged to Peureton ‘Marley’ Higgs, who is believed to have been an innocent gunned down at his apartment complex in the Glass Shack area in a spray of bullets on February 2 that killed another man and wounded two others, including a ten-year-old little girl.

The cell phone was described as white in colour, an iPhone, in a hard black case. 

On Monday, March 18th, JEFFVANO HANDFIELD of North Caicos pleaded not guilty to the offense, and the matter was adjourned to April 2024. He was granted bail in the matter.

A second North Caicos man was charged similarly.  

SARENO CAPELLAN aka, Kino Williams is the second individual brought before the court pertaining to the said cellphone. He appeared in court a week after JEFFVANO HANDFIELD, the date being Monday March 25th 2024.

The case for the Crown is that both men sometime in February of this year possessed the cellphone knowing or suspecting it to be stolen property.

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Caribbean News

Supreme Court Closed for Easter

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NOTICE is hereby given that the Easter Recess shall commence on Friday 29th April, 2024 and end on Friday 5th April, 2024. During the Easter Recess Judge Selochan will be available to deal only with matters that are urgent or require prompt attention.

Court Business During the Easter Recess

A person who wishes to have a matter heard during the recess must file a certificate of urgency along with an affidavit, which must set out the reasons why the matter is urgent or requires prompt attention. The matter will not be listed during the recess unless the Judge deems it fit for urgent hearing.

Opening Hours During the Easter Holiday

The Supreme Court’s last sitting day for the first term is Thursday 28th March, 2024. The Court will officially resume sittings on Monday 8th April, 2024. The Supreme Court Offices in both Grand Turk and Providenciales will continue to operate while the Court is not sitting during the recess.

The Court Office will be closed on the following public holidays:

  • Friday 29th March, 2024 (Good Friday) CLOSED
  • Monday 1st April, 2024 (Easter Monday) CLOSED

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