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TCI: Sandals Foundation Donates Music Instruments

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#Providenciales, September 20, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Students of the Clement Howell High School were recently able to showcase their newly purchased musical instruments courtesy of The Sandals Foundation –the charitable arm of Sandals and Beaches Resorts through funds donated from the 2016 Story Behind the Songs concert hosted at Beaches Resorts.

The big reveal comes in the heels of the two year anniversary of the concert which raised $8,610.00 to benefit local projects and institutions within the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Clement Howell High School was the beneficiary of those funds in support of the school’s music program.

In 2017, the foundation officially made the donation to the school; however the 2017 hurricanes delayed the purchase and arrival of those items. Last week, the school’s principal Kadean Cunningham and music teacher, Garfield Gurley revealed the new equipment which included saxophones, guitars, violins, pianos and trombones.

Public Relations Manager for Beaches TCI, Elanor Krzanowski commented; “Clement Howell High School music program under the direction of Mr. Girley is home to some of the most talented students in the country,” She said.  “As a passionate supporters of the arts and we look forward to personally experiencing the impact this gift of music will have on the development of student and their talents at the school.”

Principal Kadean Cunningham said the new equipment will help in boosting the school’s music programs; “We’re really excited about the instruments we have received from Beaches. We have always wanted to start a school orchestra or a band and acquiring the instruments were the main challenges we had, so when Beaches and Sandals graciously accepted to provide assistance, we were really excited about that.”

Cunningham further noted, “This is really an asset to us, it is something that we definitely will put to good use.”

Garfield Gurley- Music Teacher at Clement Howell noted; “We are extremely happy for the instruments. These instruments will now enhance the musical program at Clement Howell. Soon you’ll be seeing the marching band and other bands at the school because now we have the resources and we say thank you to Beaches.”

Wendy Janka-Fourth Form student at CHHS said he was excited to see more variety added to the school program; “I really love it, it’s really going to help students to learn music and now we’ll be able to practice and get better.”

Kendly Smigh,  a Fifth-former noted; “With these instruments we will be able to perform at more events. Before with a small amount of equipment, we could only take a certain amount of students, now more people can learn how to play.”

Beaches Resorts welcomed country music fans from September 23-26, 2016 for the Story Behind the Songs concert featuring country music artists Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann and Dylan Scott. The concert was part of the Sandals Resorts International’s new LIV + Events program, which offers vacationers unique limited-edition events. Story Behind the Songs was a partnership with Premiere Networks which showcases intimate acoustics performances from top music artists. The event was hosted by award-winning Country radio and CMT personality Cody Alan.

 

 

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Multi-Agency Operation Conducted to Serve Notices of Illegal Occupation in Blue Hills

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 29 May 2026The Crown Land Unit (CLU), in coordination with the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement operation on Thursday, 21 May 2026, in sections of the Blue Hills and Stammers Run areas of Providenciales. The exercise focused on the serving of Section 22 Notices and Letters of Illegal Occupation on parcels where unauthorised occupation and development activity were identified.

The operation was led by the Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support provided by the ISU. Additional support was provided by the TCI Border Force, while security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the operation was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.

The exercise was conducted pursuant to the mandate of the Crown Land Unit under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown Land. During inspections conducted across multiple parcels within Block 60502, several unauthorised structures constructed of concrete and timber were identified. Occupied structures were served with Letters of Illegal Occupation, while Notices of Illegal Occupation were affixed to unoccupied structures or served where appropriate.

In total, fourteen (14) Letters of Illegal Occupation and thirteen (13) Notices of Illegal Occupation were served during the operation. Notices and letters were either delivered directly to occupants or posted on structures in instances where occupants or the persons responsible for the construction were absent.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government wishes to emphasise that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown Land constitute breaches of the Crown Land Ordinance and undermine lawful land administration and planning processes.

The Government remains committed to protecting Crown land, preventing unlawful occupation, and supporting safe, orderly, and sustainable development across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Multi-agency operations such as these form part of ongoing efforts to uphold the rule of law while advancing broader objectives related to land management, public safety, and community development.

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TCI Aviation Notice System Moves from U.S. to U.K. Platform

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Turks and Caicos, May 29, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority has quietly implemented a significant change to how critical aviation notices are distributed, shifting the publication of its Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, from the United States system to a United Kingdom-based platform.

In a statement issued to the aviation community, TCIAA advised that effective May 13, 2026, at noon, all Turks and Caicos Islands NOTAMs began being published through the UK NOTAM Office, operated by National Air Traffic Services (NATS), under the U Series classification.

The move means pilots, airlines, dispatchers and flight planning teams can no longer rely on the Federal Aviation Administration’s traditional NOTAM source to locate current operational notices for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

NOTAMs are essential aviation communications used to alert pilots and operators to temporary changes that could affect flight operations, including runway closures, navigational aid outages, airspace restrictions and other safety-related information.

According to the Airports Authority, the transition is part of a broader aviation modernization programme and will remain in place until TCIAA commissions its own Aeronautical Information Management and Aeronautical Message Handling System capability.

The authority stressed that the change does not affect flight operations or aviation safety.

“At this time, there is no interruption to air traffic operations or safety-critical services,” the TCIAA said, noting that operational information will continue to be communicated through established Air Traffic Control channels.

The authority urged airlines, charter operators, flight planners and other aviation stakeholders to ensure their operational teams are aware of the new publication source to avoid missing important notices.

While largely administrative, the shift represents another step in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ effort to modernize its aviation infrastructure and align more closely with international aviation information management standards.

The Airports Authority thanked stakeholders for their cooperation as the transition moves forward.

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

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Dog Owners Charged After Pack Attack Kills Dog at Taylor Bay Beach

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Turks and Caicos, May 29, 2026 – A fatal dog attack at one of Providenciales’ most popular beaches has resulted in swift enforcement action, with authorities identifying and charging the owners of the animals involved.

The Department of Agriculture says a group of dogs attacked and killed another dog at Taylor Bay Beach in Chalk Sound on May 18, in an incident witnessed by beachgoers and visitors.

Investigators moved quickly, determining that the dogs involved were registered and owned by residents of the Chalk Sound community. Accompanied by officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Agriculture officials visited the owners and issued citations under the Dog Control Ordinance.

Each owner was fined a total of $1,500, including a $1,000 penalty for allowing a dog to roam in a public space without a leash and a $500 fine for having a dog exhibiting aggressive behaviour in a public area.

While the attack ended with the death of a dog, authorities noted that the outcome could have been far worse had a person, child or tourist become caught up in the incident.

Minister of Agriculture Zhavargo Jolly said the government takes incidents involving uncontrolled or aggressive animals seriously and praised the swift response by enforcement officers.

“While this was an isolated incident, it is unacceptable and swift enforcement action was taken by the Department of Agriculture and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force,” said Jolly.

The minister stressed that residents and visitors should be able to enjoy public beaches safely and that dog owners have a responsibility to keep their animals secured and under control at all times.

The Department of Agriculture is reminding pet owners that dogs must be leashed in public spaces and properly registered. Officials are also encouraging owners to ensure their animals are microchipped as part of responsible pet ownership practices.

The incident remains under review, but authorities say the case demonstrates that violations of the Dog Control Ordinance will result in enforcement action.

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