Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 13^th April 2026 — The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), in collaboration with the TCI Red Cross, facilitated a six-day Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for residents of the Blue Hills and Wheeland communities from March 17–20 and 23–25, 2026.

The CERT training sought to equip everyday residents with essential skills to respond effectively to minor emergencies within their communities. Key areas of focus included; Incident Command, Search and Rescue (SAR), Disaster Medical Operations, Fire Safety and Response, and Initial Damage Assessment.

A total of 17 residents from Blue Hills and Wheeland are now CERT-certified and prepared to support their communities during emergencies; providing assistance ranging from basic disaster response to critical emergency support.

Facilitators for the training included Ms. Candianne Williams, Director and Mr. Andrew Gardiner DRR Manager from the TCI Red Cross; Mr. Aubrey Felix and Mr. Roosevelt Glinton from the TCI Fire and Rescue Service and Mr. Mike Clerveaux Director of the Housing Department and CERT Instructor. Facilitators from DDME included Ms. Tamara Hylton, Training and Education Manager; Mr. Angelo Duncan, Hazard Mitigation and GIS Manager and Mrs. Patrina Pollard-Harris Training and Education Officer.

Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services and Member of Parliament for Wheeland and Hon. Randy Howell, Member of Parliament for Blue Hills; provided invaluable support to the training and were also present to demonstrate commitment to their respective communities.

Ms. Candianne Williams, commented on the collaboration, stating: “The TCI Red Cross is pleased to have worked alongside DDME to deliver CERT training for the Blue Hills and Wheeland communities. This programme strengthens local readiness and we commend the participants for stepping forward to support their neighbourhoods.”

Praising the success of the training, Mr. Tito Lightbourne, Permanent Secretary for National Security with responsibility for DDME, stated “I would like to emphasize that this Community Emergency Response Training marks the first of many more to come over the course of the year.   I look forward to supporting its expansion into additional communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands and extend my sincere thanks to the collaboration between DDME and the TCI Red Cross and to all facilitators and participants who helped to make this inaugural session a success.”

DDME and the TCI Red Cross thanks all participants for volunteering to be part of this dynamic training and for their shared commitment towards building safer, stronger communities. Through this continued collaboration, both organizations look forward to expanding CERT training programmes to more communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Turks and Caicos, April 06, 2026 – Technical excellence early in their jumps became the defining factor for two Turks and Caicos athletes, as David Hall soared to gold in a nail-biting Under-20 high jump final at the 53rd CARIFTA Games in Grenada. Herwens Guerrier added to the country’s success with a 1.90 metre clearance to secure silver in the Under-17 division, finishing in a tightly contested field where all three medalists cleared the same height.

Both events were decided on countback — meaning the medals were determined not just by height cleared, but by which athlete did so with fewer failed attempts, highlighting the importance of precision and composure under pressure.

A wave of national pride followed the results, with congratulatory messages pouring in for the athletes who delivered under pressure on the regional stage. In a statement, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam praised both competitors, saying their “hard work, discipline and determination have made the entire nation proud,” while encouraging the wider team to continue striving as competition unfolded at the Kirani James National Stadium in Grenada.

Team Turks and Caicos finished just outside of the top ten among 28 competing nations, and anticipation is already building for what is expected to be a spirited homecoming for the standout athletes, whose performances have ignited pride across the islands.

The 53rd staging of the CARIFTA Games, held at the Kirani James National Stadium in Grenada, unfolded under warm, at times testing conditions, with intermittent showers and shifting winds challenging athletes across disciplines.

Jamaica once again asserted its dominance, capturing its 40th consecutive CARIFTA title, continuing an unmatched run in regional athletics. Among the standout performers was Shanoya Douglas, whose electrifying run in the Under-20 200 metres earned her the prestigious Austin Sealy Award — the Games’ highest individual honour — after she shattered the long-standing record of Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who went on to become an Olympic gold medalist in the 400 metres. Douglas clocked an impressive 22.11 seconds to rewrite the CARIFTA record books.

For Turks and Caicos, however, the spotlight remained firmly on the field, where two high jumpers delivered performances defined by discipline and growth. Hall’s gold medal-winning clearance of 2.00 metres marked a significant step forward in his development, improving on his 1.89 metre silver medal performance at the 2025 Inter-High Championships. Guerrier’s 1.90 metre effort in the Under-17 division similarly places him among the country’s top emerging talents, signalling a strong future for the event locally.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — It’s that time again — a period of compliance, accountability and transparency for those entrusted with public office and captured under the category of “Specified Persons in Public Life.”

The Integrity Commission is reminding all individuals who fall within this category that they are legally required to file their Declarations of Income, Assets and Liabilities, in accordance with Section 39 of the Integrity Commission Ordinance.

The declaration window is now officially open, running from April 1 to June 30, 2026, and applies to a wide cross-section of senior public officials, statutory board members and others operating within the machinery of government.

This is not a routine administrative exercise. It is a cornerstone of good governance — designed to ensure that those in positions of power are transparent about their financial interests, and to guard against corruption, conflicts of interest and illicit enrichment.

Who Must File

The Commission outlines several categories of individuals required to submit declarations this cycle.

They include:

• Persons who last filed on or before June 30, 2024
• Individuals newly appointed to statutory boards or government positions from April 1, 2026 onward
• Those who have demitted office, resigned or whose contracts have ended — who must file within 90 days of leaving their post
• Individuals who may not have previously realized they fall under the legal requirement

The net is wide — and intentionally so.

“Specified Persons in Public Life” includes elected officials, senior civil servants, financial officers, law enforcement leadership, members of statutory bodies, and other key decision-makers whose roles carry influence over public resources and policy.

Among them are Members of the House of Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Department, senior police officers, and individuals serving on public boards and commissions.

The Commission notes that the full schedule of designated roles is extensive, and persons are encouraged to consult the official list available through its office or website to confirm whether they are captured under the law.

How to File

Unlike many modern reporting systems, this process remains deliberately controlled.

All declarations must be:

• Submitted in person
• Delivered by appointment only
• Accompanied by supporting documentation

Declarants will be contacted directly with their assigned appointment details, including date, time and location. The Commission has made it clear — submissions through third parties, email or mail will not be accepted.

This approach reinforces the seriousness of the process and ensures the integrity of submissions.

Declaration forms are available via the Commission’s website, and assistance is accessible through its Providenciales office for those needing clarification.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The warning from the Commission is unambiguous.

Failure to file a declaration without reasonable cause is a criminal offence.

Penalties include:

• Up to one year imprisonment
• A fine of up to $15,000
• Or both

Additionally, the Commission is mandated to publish the names of non-compliant individuals in the official Gazette — a move that carries both legal and reputational consequences.

Confidential but Critical

While the process is strict, the Commission emphasizes that all declarations are confidential documents, handled with discretion.

Still, the purpose is clear: transparency does not always mean public disclosure — but it does mean accountability to an independent oversight body.

In a region where public trust can be fragile, these filings serve as a quiet but powerful mechanism to reinforce confidence in governance.

For Turks and Caicos, this annual exercise is more than paperwork — it is a test of integrity at the highest levels.

And for those required to file, the message is simple: comply, disclose, and do it on time.

For more information or to confirm filing obligations, individuals are encouraged to contact the Integrity Commission directly.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.