News
Young Junkanoo Player stuck in Grenada flown home on private jet by Government
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, April 7, 2024 – A private jet sent by the government on Thursday canceled out what would have been two days of flying with four stops in four different countries, Antigua, Barbados, The British Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic to bring home J-Nevo Handfield Agenor, a young Junkanoo player who was left in Grenada after the recently concluded CARIFTA Games.
When we spoke to Cynclair Musgrove, his chaperone on Thursday morning, having paid out of pocket for two new flights, she was rushing to the airport to get the child after a long night of trying to book.
“I let the parents know that I bought the tickets, I let the Premier know, I let the Minister of Education know that I bought the tickets, I let the MP know. I let them all know that I’m on the way back to Grenada to collect Jay and escort him home,” she said. 
But mere hours later, Thursday evening, a jet was bringing them home.
The entire flight plan followed this: “Trust me if you see anything happen to Jay I gon eat somebody alive because you are the adult you supposed to stay back with that f****** child,” it was that tearful, angry voice note from the boy’s grandmother that catapulted the issue to national attention on Wednesday afternoon.
A travel mishap started by a document misprint, snowballed into a countrywide issue that’s left residents very unhappy with how it was handled.
Soon after that voice note which implicated the boys chaperone Cynclair Musgrove, former North Caicos District Commissioner, a detailed explanation came from Edith Skippings, Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletics Association (TCAAA) President who had also been in Grenada.
“No child was left abandoned in any hotel— there is an issue with one of the young men that went to Grenada along with Cynclair and others to play as part of the Turks and Caicos newly formed Junkanoo Group,” Skippings said.
That issue was a misprint caused by the British Passport Office which listed Agenor as a ‘British Overseas Citizen’ rather than a British Citizen. It led to the cancellation of his ESTA, without which he could not travel through Miami with the rest of his team to get home on Tuesday.
“Cynclair made a decision for him to come on InterCaribbean today along with my athletes. We arranged for the driver to take him to one of our chaperones and he went. He was not in a hotel stranded by himself.” She continued “He went to the airport this morning with Cody in the hope of being able to get on the flight with the other athletes.”
Unfortunately at that point there were no seats on the Intercaribbean flight and J-Nevo was inexplicably left in the care of a North Caicos nurse’s family member; that nurse hails from Grenada.
His family members are seething and it was confirmed that they were not directly told the young man had been left behind; they had to hear it from other residents. The view from the family and many other residents who chimed in was that the child should never have been left alone and behind in the first place. They maintain that Musgrove as the adult should have stayed behind with him.
It created a conundrum as staying with the student would have also meant sending the other minors unattended into the United States to catch a flight to Providenciales.
What seems to have upset residents the most is that at each junction there seems to have a been multiple option to resolve the
situation, questions include:
“Why didn’t an adult stay behind from the Junkanoo team?”
“Why didn’t the government apply diplomatic pressure to get a temporary solution to the issue?”
“Why didn’t adults check if there was space on the Intercaribbean Flight?”
“Why didn’t the adult from the CARIFTA team stay behind?”
“Why weren’t parents informed immediately?”
“Where is TCIG in the issue?”
The eventual solution shared with the news team by Musgrove was a return to Grenada with a long and complicated process.
Lyndon Gardiner, chairman of Intercaribbean Airways provided an itinerary for the young man when he spoke to our team which would have seen him leave Grenada for Barbados at 1:15 Friday. Then from Barbados to Antigua at 4:45. From Antigua Agenor would have gone to the BVI on Saturday arriving at 11:10 am then from there to Santo Domingo at 1:05. Finally the young man would have arrived in the TCI from the DR at 3:35 later Saturday.
Thanks to the private flight that was avoided.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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