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TCI: Faint winds contributing to sweltering heat; rain by Friday says Bahamas Department of Meteorology

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#Providenciales, May 16, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Residents believe that the heat experienced in the TCI and The Bahamas over the past three days is unlike anything they have ever known…

“…certainly, it seems hotter now than when I was growing up, but I don’t know by how much and this is hurricane season, I don’t even want to imagine,” explained a Providenciales resident who said he also had to dodge two whirlwinds at work today.

Another Providenciales home owner explained, “The heat is like a sauna.  I woke up two nights now in perspiration; wet like a hog wallowing in his mud bath.  Trust me, seriously hottt!”

From Grand Bahama, there was: “Just this morning, I talked of how unbearable the heat is.”

A Nassau woman said, “This is not the same sun that I grew up under because I used to be able to be outside playing in the sun and never get burned.  This is a different kind of sun Sister!”

At a local school, the report was: “…the kids are dripping sweat and buying a couple of bottles of water at a time.”

Still, despite the overwhelming responses pointing to an uncommon phenomenon, the recorded data shows that the temperatures were nothing unusual, and the sweltering weather was described to Magnetic Media by the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

“Based on the temperatures being sent out from the observations being done in Grand Turk and also in Provo, the temperatures are not indicating anything out of the ordinary,” said Mary Butler, Senior Meteorological Officer, who also explained that “it is the humidity and the reaction to this humid condition which is the problem.”

In an over the phone interview arranged by the Bahamas Meteorology Department’s Director, Trevor Basden, the Chief Climatological Officer, Michael Andrew Stubbs gave the official five-day forecast.

“The current weather pattern over The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Island is influenced by stagnant airmass creating very humid and warm conditions.  However, some reprieve is expected by Friday 17th May, 2019 when a broad area of showers and thunderstorms will move in to the vicinity of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands through to the weekend.  In addition, the aforementioned areas will experience brisk East to Southeast winds which will be welcomed change.”

With just 17 more days until the start of the five-month long Atlantic Hurricane Season, the intensity of the heat is conjuring up thoughts of a dangerously busy basin.

“It’s not just the heat, it’s the humidity that is more alarming; just fuel for storms.”

“This heat is sapping energy and hydration; profuse sweating is the order of the night.  With a broken AC unit, it is pure misery. My grandmar told me that when it gets this hot in the summer… WATCH OUT – hurricanes comin.”

“As far as the hurricane season is concerned, I’ve asked God for mercy on this country,” said a Nassau native.

Some individuals responded to our questions about the heat and the upcoming storm season with advice and ideas.

A wife and mother resident in Millennium Heights, Providenciales shared: “In our subdivision, thankfully we all have air-conditioned units however we all cannot afford to run our AC as we would like to because of the astronomical electricity bill we would incur… A concession should be given to FortisTCI on fuel taxes to be passed on to the consumer so that the elderly and babies can stay cool other than with cold lemonade.”

Yet others compared the heat to “hell.”

Ms. Butler described that:“Provo, Grand Turk and the islands are in a col, this is an area where the winds are calm, very light to calm so if you don’t have the wind to cool you down, you are going to feel some discomfort because your sweat will have nowhere to go.”

In the meantime, the officials advise that we use best practices when it comes to managing our lives and those of your loved ones in hot and humid weather.

#magneticmedianews

#hightempsintci

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Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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Government

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DELEGATION VISITS WEST MIDLANDS AMBULANCE SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

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Providenciales, Tuesday 30 April, 2024 – A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, recently undertook a pivotal visit to the West Midlands Ambulance Service in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The visit, which took place from April 21st to April 23rd, 2024, was held under the esteemed patronage of the Ambassador of Health of the British Overseas Territories, Professor Ian Cumming.

Led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE, the delegation included Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services. This strategic meeting was an integral part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance emergency services within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During the visit, representatives from the West Midlands Ambulance Service provided comprehensive insights into their operations, sharing valuable expertise and offering collaborative initiatives for the development of the TCIs emergency services. Discussions encompassed various aspects, including training and mentoring programs tailored to empower emergency personnel within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The visit marked a significant step forward in our strategy for the advancement of emergency services,” stated Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support extended by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and we look forward to implementing the insights gained to further enhance emergency care within our country. Permanent Secretary Lewis also expressed the Ministry of Health’s gratitude to Professor Ian Cumming for his assistance by way of arranging the visit.”

Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands, underscored the importance of the discussions, emphasizing the poignant exchange of ideas and the potential for meaningful collaborations which signifies a commitment to improving emergency services and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services expresses its sincere appreciation to the West Midlands Ambulance Service for their warm hospitality and invaluable contributions during the visit.

For additional information, please visit the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

 

 

 

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TCI Court

Eight Months facing Police Accusations and Court, now Pedro Grant Exonerated

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

With no evidence to support their claim, the prosecution has dropped their case against Pedro Jose Alfredo Grant Gallon, the Dominican Republic citizen who was accused of impersonating an officer in September 2023.

The Police, who publicized the arrest and charge, have not yet commented on the matter despite Magnetic Media queries.

Grant, for his part, has always vehemently denied the accusations that he was impersonating an officer and described the circumstances surrounding his arrest as unfair.

He contends that on the evening of July 13, 2023, he was being followed by a strange driver, concerned, he waited until the man pulled off at a bar, then took his license plate number and called the police, but police never came to help Grant. He alleges that the next time he saw them, they came with handcuffs to arrest him. In a search, police found his IDs which included his documentation for humanitarian work with the International Diplomatic Alliance (IDA) and police lights attached to his vehicle. In explaining the possession of those lights, Grant said he told officers that they had been in his car from his time in the Dominican Republic where he was involved in law enforcement.

Since that time, Grant has maintained several facts:

  • The Police did not have a warrant to search his home and car;
  • The Police took his documents including passports and IDs, one of which was issued by the IDA, and to date have not returned them despite being court-ordered to do so;
  • The Police intimidated his wife with threats of deportation;
  • He never showed any ID, flashing lights at the man following him, or claimed to be an officer.

Police have steadfastly refused to comment on the case despite numerous queries into the bizarre circumstances, even with serious allegations like intimidation against them. Grant was officially charged with Impersonating an Officer in September but IDA Head Jerrod Crockett told Magnetic Media despite seizing documents from Grant to support their case, no one even called the organization to see if they were real or fake.

Now, when called to provide evidence to the court as to why they arrested and charged the resident, the police and DPPs office drew a complete blank as Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, confirmed it was a lack of evidence that got the case dropped.

Despite this win serious damage has been done Grant claims, describing his life as a ‘living hell’ and ‘miserable’ since the accusations were publicized.

The IDA says it has been affected as well.

“That really put a hurt on us for the last six to eight months now because of accusations of fraudulent documents that everybody else has seen. We’re trying to prove our legitimacy now because you guys can’t verify any documents— before you put everything out there as public information,” Crockett said of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF)

The president also told our news team they had lost thousands of dollars in funding.

Following the closure of the case we reached out again to police to find out on what grounds Grant had been arrested and charged but no response was issued.

 

 

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