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Palm Beach County to launch 100-Days Challenge to end youth homelessness

Palm Beach County has been selected as one of five communities nationally to take on youth homelessness this summer by launching a 100-Days Challenge to accelerate efforts to end youth homelessness.

The Palm Beach County Community Services Department and Division of Human and Veteran Services will be setting ambitious goals to meet this challenge to help end homelessness among young people in the community.

This work is made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and private philanthropic partners.  Rapid Results Institute (RRI) and HomeBase will offer technical support to each community as they strive to meet their goals.

With just 100 days to meet the goal of housing 100 homeless youth, ages 18 to 24, everyone from community leaders to front-line workers are invited to do their work differently, change systems and innovate. The limited time frame, high-profile effort, and intensive support from RRI will result in Palm Beach County progressing on three major tasks: problem solving, innovation, and partnership-building in the name of ending homelessness for our young people.

The 100-Days Challenge gives Palm Beach County the opportunity to refine and build upon the strides that have been made to end youth homelessness. Through the support of the Rapid Results Institute, A Way Home America, and the department’s partner agencies, we will move quickly to implement youth systems and housing opportunities that will place 100 homeless youth over the next 100 days, while continuing coordinated response and entry for youth who are homelessness long after the challenge period has ended.

Palm Beach County’s homeless youth population has increased dramatically in the past two years. The latest Point-in-Time Homeless Count, conducted in January, shows a 69 percent increase. Several factors contribute to youth homelessness including aging out of state care, parental addiction, sexual preference, and mental illness.

Green, Williams, Pierre for NCAA Hall of Fame

Left to Right: Ledford Green, Barbara Pierre, and Shermaine Williams

Jamaicans Leford Green and Shermaine Williams as well as Haitian Barbara Pierre, are among seven athletes who will be inducted into the NCAA Division II Athlete Hall of Fame on May 31.

The induction will be held prior to the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Bradenton, Florida.

The full list of inductees and their schools are: Green and Williams, both of Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina; Jim Dilling (Minnesota State), Shannon Gagne (New Haven), Pierre (Saint Augustine’s), Sean Robbins (Ashland) and Josh Scott (Saint Augustine’s). Green, who competed at the 2012 Olympics in London in the 400 meters hurdles, made his name at Johnson C. Smith.

He was a six-time national champion in three events. The St Mary Parish native first tasted success in college when he won the 400 meters title in 2008 with a time of 47.79 seconds.

He followed-up with another indoor title in the same event in 2011 (46.38 seconds) in addition to anchoring the Bulls’ 4×400 relay team to a NCAA Division II Indoor Championship record time of 3:09.17.

He followed-up with another indoor title in the same event in 2011 (46.38 seconds) in addition to anchoring the Bulls’ 4×400 relay team to a NCAA Division II Indoor Championship record time of 3:09.17.

During the outdoor season, Green was just as impressive. In 2010, he won the 400 hurdles title with a time of 48.67 seconds before running 45.74 seconds in the 400 meters the following season, as well as helping the Bulls win the 2011 4×400 relay in 3:07.59.

In 2011, he led all NCAA Division II athletes with four All-America certificates during the outdoor season for the 400 meters, 400 hurdles, 4×400 relay and 4×100 relay. Green’s indoor time of 46.38 seconds in the 400 meters is the fifth-best

In 2011, he led all NCAA Division II athletes with four All-America certificates during the outdoor season for the 400 meters, 400 hurdles, 4×400 relay and 4×100 relay.

Green’s indoor time of 46.38 seconds in the 400 meters is the fifth-best performance in NCAA Division II indoor history, while his time of 48.67 seconds during the 2010 outdoor 400 hurdles is the third fastest time in NCAA Division II history. He has racked up gold medals at the Central American and Caribbean Games in the 400 meters hurdles and the 4×400 relay.

No one has more NCAA Division II national championships hurdles titles than Shermaine Williams. She won the 2008/09 60 meters hurdles during the indoor campaign in addition to victories in three straight 100 hurdles during the outdoor season from 2009-11.

He has racked up gold medals at the Central American and Caribbean Games in the 400 meters hurdles and the 4×400 relay.

No one has more NCAA Division II national championships hurdles titles than Shermaine Williams. She won the 2008/09 60 meters hurdles during the indoor campaign in addition to victories in three straight 100 hurdles during the outdoor season from 2009-11.

She won the 2008/09 60 meters hurdles during the indoor campaign in addition to victories in three straight 100 hurdles during the outdoor season from 2009-11.
Williams became just the second performer ever to win three consecutive 100 hurdles national championships, joining compatriot and Abilene Christian’s Delloreen Ennis-London, who won four straight from 1996-99.

Williams wrapped up her illustrious career with NCAA Division II collegiate records in the 60 hurdles (8.07 seconds) and 100 hurdles (12.95 seconds). She is currently the second best performer in both events. Williams competed for Jamaica in the 2012 Olympic Games, running in the 100 meters hurdles.

Williams wrapped up her illustrious career with NCAA Division II collegiate records in the 60 hurdles (8.07 seconds) and 100 hurdles (12.95 seconds). She is currently the second best performer in both events. Williams competed for Jamaica in the 2012 Olympic Games, running in the 100 meters hurdles.

Williams competed for Jamaica in the 2012 Olympic Games, running in the 100 meters hurdles. Pierre won four indoor national championships as well as three during the outdoor campaign. She claimed three straight 60 meters indoor championships from 2007-2009, an unprecedented feat.

Her time of 7.20 seconds during the preliminary rounds in 2010, is the fastest for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. On the outdoor circuit, she won back-to-back 100 meters titles in 2008-09, while helping the Falcons win the 2007 4×100 relay national championship. Pierre’s preliminary time of 11.18 seconds in the 100 meters during the

She claimed three straight 60 meters indoor championships from 2007-2009, an unprecedented feat. Her time of 7.20 seconds during the preliminary rounds in 2010, is the fastest for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships.

On the outdoor circuit, she won back-to-back 100 meters titles in 2008-09, while helping the Falcons win the 2007 4×100 relay national championship. Pierre’s preliminary time of 11.18 seconds in the 100 meters during the

On the outdoor circuit, she won back-to-back 100 meters titles in 2008-09, while helping the Falcons win the 2007 4×100 relay national championship. Pierre’s preliminary time of 11.18 seconds in the 100 meters during the 2009 championships are tied for the fastest ever at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships.

Pierre competed for Haiti at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. She won a gold medal at the 2016 World Indoor Championships in the 60 meters as well as gold in the 4×100 relay during the 2015 Pan American Games.

Pierre holds the NCAA Division II indoor 60 meters record with a time of 7.18 seconds and has run seven of the event’s top nine times. Her time of 11.18 seconds in the 100 meters is tied with Trinidad and Tobago’s Semoy Hackett as a collegiate record.

Time to man up!

A call for fathers to‘own’ outside children

By Garth A. Rose

One of the first acts taken by former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley in 1972, was to remove the stigma and label of “Bastards” given to children born out of wedlock. Manley insisted every child was legal under Jamaican law.

However, Caribbean-American sociologist Carmen Hall of South-Miami, has drawn attention to a situation that continues to plague Caribbean communities.One in which men have children outside marriage, but are raised without knowing their siblings from their father’s primary family.

“This is a situation that needs to be addressed, as it’s damaging to too many families,” Hall said. “It’s very damaging and unfair to children of the same man to be hidden from each other.”

She added that, “It has happened repeatedly, where children of the same man don’t know of each other until they attend his funeral. Funerals are fast becoming the platform where Caribbean folk are learning they have siblings they never knew existed. That’s because the deceased never informed the children from his primary family they had a brother or sister born outside the primary family.”

Hall related a recent incident where a well-known Caribbean-American attended his father’s funeral in Jamaica with his family. During the eulogy when reference was made to the deceased grieving son, and other relatives, a young woman interrupted saying, “I am a grieving child too. Maas B… was also my father.” The sudden revelation caused great pain and embarrassment for the man, his family and the newly-disclosed sister.

“People must stop hiding their children, whether born within or outside the primary family,” Hall said. “Hiding siblings from each other denies children of one of the most important aspects of a family – the positive interaction between siblings.”

Hall says while marital or any kind of infidelity must not be condoned, she urges women to try and find it within themselves not to ostracize ‘outside’ children.

Perrine clergyman, Pastor Bertram Marks, also says the practice where siblings are “denied knowing each other” is wrong. “Children born in or outside marriages are God’s gift. They shouldn’t be hidden under bushels to avoid embarrassment. First, men have a responsibility to be faithful to their wives, but if they father children outside marriage they also have a responsibility to ensure their children know and relate with each other, before they are shocked to know of each other at the man’s funeral.”

Blake says his feet will do the talking

Yohan Blake...His feet will do the talking

After years in the wilderness, Yohan Blake, seems to be finally finding his sprinting feet again.

He is the only man to have beaten Usain Bolt twice in one weekend and was once thought to be the favorite to takeover from the sprint king, but injuries have kept him from realizing that dream.

But since his convincing 100 meters win at the Jamaica Invitational meet in Kingston recently, Blake has vowed to let his feet do the talking instead of verbally responding to critics who have come to doubt his credentials.

After claiming the World Championship 100 meters title in 2011 Blake went on to set the second fastest times ever over the 100m and 200m distances at 9.69 and 19.26.

“I will let my feet speak,” Blake told the Jamaica Observer in a recent interview.

His confidence has been boosted by the 9.93 seconds clocking believes much faster times are in store.

“I am feeling good [as] this is my first 100m this season and running 9.93 seconds, I am really happy,” he added.

“I felt really good and just went with the flow… coach said to come out here and take it easy.”

Extending TPS to Haitians by 6-months won’t do

On Monday, in response to appeals from local and national advocates, the Trump administration extended Temporary Protective Status (TPS) by six months to Haitians living in the US.

TPS is a special humanitarian program approved by the US Congress in 1990 to provide people fleeing countries experiencing civil war, natural disasters and other extraordinary circumstances with temporary legal immigration status to live and work in the US.

While since 1990, TPS was granted by successive US presidents to a limited number of Haitians fleeing political upheaval, the privilege increased significantly following the devastating January 21, 2010 earthquake. Following the earthquake, President Obama extended TPS to Haitians fleeing the damaged country, and those already residing in the US under the program, for an 18-month period to July, 2011. With recovery from the earthquake proceeding agonizingly slow, compounded by a cholera epidemic, the status was renewed several times by the Obama administration.

In August, 2016, the administration contemplated cancelling TPS for thousands of Haitians and began deportation proceedings. However, around that time Haiti was impacted by another natural disaster in Hurricane Matthew which brought more death and destruction to the country. As a result, the Obama administration cancelled deportation plans, but that administration’s latest TPS extension was due to expire on July 22.

Although the Trump administration has extended TPS, six months is insufficient.  Previous extensions by the Obama administration were for a minimum of eighteen months. The new extension is basically a notice for over 50,000 Haitians to leave the US in six months. In announcing the extension, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly said it gives Haitians time “to attain travel documents and make other necessary arrangements for their ultimate departure from the United States,” and “provide the Haitian government with time it needs to prepare for the future repatriation of all current TPS recipients.”

Indications from Haiti are deplorable conditions in the country from the 2010 earthquake, annual floods, Hurricane Matthew, the cholera epidemic, and frequent political instability, will not sufficiently improve by January, 2018.

Although successive Haitian administrations since 2010 made progress in improving security and quality of life following the earthquake, Haiti continues to lack the adequate infrastructure, employment and educational opportunities and basic services to absorb the return of thousands of Haitians currently living in the US.

Haiti needs more time to complete rebuilding of schools to strengthen the educational infrastructure; improving unemployment and wages from a situation where over seventy percent of the population, earn less than $2 daily, and improving the poverty level in rural areas where some eighty percent of the population live below poverty level; build resources to resist a re-occurrence of the cholera epidemic; continuing efforts to rebuild the nation’s residential, transportation, and agricultural infrastructure; and strengthen the nation’s security force to combat a threatening crime rate.

This isn’t a situation conducive to deporting thousands of Haitians many of whom are also contributing to the Haitian economy through financial remittances to relatives still living in Haiti. It’s obvious Kelly isn’t sufficiently apprised of the current conditions in Haiti. On Monday, he also said limited TPS extension is justified since Haiti has “made progress across several fronts since the devastating earthquake in 2010… the Haitian economy continues to recover and grow.”

Whatever growth that has taken place since 2010 is still insufficient to justify returning 58,000 people by January. Why not just make the extension to December 2018? This would give the Haitian government supported by US and others in the international community more time to implemental infrastructural and social service development. So, the efforts for further extension of TPS must continue stronger than before. It’s imperative that members of the Trump administration be provided empirical evidence of the prevailing conditions in Haiti and invited to Haiti to witness these conditions firsthand, in the attempt to obtain the additional extension.

Extending TPS by six months is simply not enough.

Broomstick burglar who battered homeowner arrested

A man who used a broomstick to batter a homeowner has been arrested by Fort Lauderdale Police.

The incident occurred at a home in the 1100 block of Southwest 19th Avenue. The police said the homeowner arrived home to find that his house had been broken into.

He armed himself for protection and found the burglar in his home while he was checking it. Police said the burglar, Darrell Rice, 33, attacked the homeowner and wrestled his cell phone away so the victim couldn’t call 911.

Police said Rice tried to disarm the victim and put him in a chokehold.

The victim stabbed Rice in the leg and Rice grabbed a broomstick and struck the homeowner before escaping from the house. The victim suffered a cut on his hand during the struggle.

Officers recovered fingerprints from the broomstick and identified Rice as the suspect.

Rice was arrested the next day on charges of burglary involving a battery, aggravated battery on a person 65 or older and hindering communication with law enforcement.

Fort Lauderdale cops warn Spring Breakers

Teen who tried to leave gang killed in Miami-Dade

Jackson...killed in his way home from school

Detectives from the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Homicide Bureau are investigating a shooting, which resulted in the death of 18-year old Jovantae Jackson.

According to investigators, officers were dispatched to the above listed area, reference a man being shot. On arrival they found Jackson suffering from an apparent gunshot wounds.

Jackson had been trying to cut ties with a local gang and was beginning to turn over a new leaf when he was shot dead walking home from school.

The teen had recently finished a court-ordered house arrest for a gun charge. The senior at Stellar Leadership Academy Charter School had just found a job at a local fast food restaurant and was two weeks from graduating high school.

Three weeks ago, he learned he was going to be a father.

Jackson was walking with classmates near the intersection of Northwest 82nd Street and 25th Avenue at around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, when someone pulled up in a car and opened fire. He was struck five times.

Jovantae was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where, he died while undergoing surgery.

Fergie and Springer among the Best of the Best

By Karyl Walker

One of South Florida’s leading sound system selectors, DJ Fergie is not afraid of a challenge. Like entertaining the diverse crowd which is expected to turn out for the 11th annual Best Of The Best show at Bayfront Park in Miami on Monday. The event has a rounded cast of performers geared at attracting lovers of dancehall, reggae and soca.

Based in South Florida, DJ Fergie and his partner DJ Springer along with counterparts from New York and Jamaica, are mandated to keep the audience entertained during set changes.

In their late 20s, they have been DJs for over 17 years, and plays at some of South Florida’s trendiest spots and on the airwaves of Power 96 FM Radio. They have also played all across the US and overseas including Jamaica.

“Normally, it would be a huge challenge given the diversity in age and nationalities, but in this event there is one common denominator that brings everyone together and that is reggae. We will have no problem catering to the youth and the older generation,” he told Caribbean National Weekly. “For myself and Springer that is second nature. We will find a way to introduce the songs that the parents grew up on, while at the same time introduce the songs that the youth will appreciate. The way we DJ is unorthodox and we will make you love songs that you are not used to, he added.

High-riding deejay Dexta Daps is one of the headliners for Best Of The Best. He recently created a stir with the release of his song and video – which is being described in some quarters as ‘dancehall porn’.

Another single, Equal Rights and Justice, by Ishawna glorifies oral sex. It has drawn widespread response from artistes like Bounty Killer and breathed new controversy into the Jamaican dancehall.

For Springer, these issues keep the colorful genre buzzing. “It is great for dancehall and entertainment. It gives everyone their own perspective wrong or right and gives the youth something to think about. It makes them know that someone is thinking the way they think. In the end is just entertainment,” he said.

Best Of The Best features dancehall’s finest including Mavado, Aidonia, Konshens, Christopher Martin, Spice and Masicka; elders Brigadier Jerry, Josey Wales, Barrington Levy and General Trees; soca artistes Patrice Roberts, Lyrikal and Julien Believe.

United States warns those visiting Haiti

For the first time in four years exports from the Caribbean and Latin America have increased. In the first quarter of 2017, the value of exports increased by 17 percent, following a decline of 2.9 percent in 2016. The recovery was primarily driven by a rebound in commodity prices, according to an analysis conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) using detailed data from 25 regional countries.

The United States Department of State has issued a warning to Americans to be careful when they visit the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The Department cited the current security environment and lack of adequate medical facilities and response, especially in the areas of Pétion-ville and the storm-damaged southern peninsula departments of Grand Anse and South. The current release replaces a Travel Warning dated November 4, 2016.

A Jamaican man has lost his appeal against a lengthy prison sentence for drug smuggling. Tyrone Brown, 31, was last year sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for trying to smuggle packages of cocaine through the airport in his baggage. Brown launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence, both of which have been dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Judges ruled that the sentence was not manifestly excessive.

And in sports

Former Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) general secretary Costas Takkas plesded guilty to charges of money laundering conspiracy in a New York federal court on Wednesday. The 60-year-old Takkas a former attaché of former CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb faced charges relating to the transmission of millions of dollars in bribes paid during the official’s tenure in office. According to
documents presented in court, Webb received a $US3m bribe to guarantee the media and marketing rights for the home World Cup qualifiers of Caribbean teams during the 2018 and 2022 campaigns.

Here’s what’s trending…

Greg Gianforte, a Montana Republican running for a U.S. House of Representatives seat, was charged with assaulting a reporter hours before polls opened on Thursday for a special congressional election that could test President Donald Trump’s political clout. Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault after Ben Jacobs, a political correspondent for the U.S. edition of the Guardian newspaper, said the candidate “body-slammed” him during a campaign event. Republican lawmakers criticized Gianforte but stopped short of asking him to withdraw from the race.

For Tomorrow’s weather forecast

It will be partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms in Broward County, Mostly sunny in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties with a high of 91 and a low of 73. Today’s news was brought to you by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, who encourages you to Protect Your Baby, Vaccinate On Time, Every Time. They remind you that Immunizations are SAFE, PROVEN PROTECTION. For more on these and other stories visit us at caribbeannationalweekly.com Make sure to pick your copy of Caribbean News weekly at your nearest Caribbean American outlet

Key West cop asks pedestrian hit in crash – ‘Are You Legal?’

Body camera footage has been released of a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy asking a Honduran immigrant who was hit by a car in Key West whether he was a legal immigrant or not.

According to Univision, 31-year-old Marcos Antonio Huete was on his way to work before he was allegedly hit by a pickup truck on April 27. While Huete was lying on a sidewalk next to his bicycle, the deputy arrived and questioned him, which was recorded by the deputy’s body camera.

The deputy could be heard asking, “You illegal? Are you a legal citizen or no? Speak English? You got ID? Passport, visa or what?”

Huete was unable to answer the officer in full sentences due to his limited command of English, so he called his sister, Olga Huete.

The video also shows that an ambulance was called only after a second officer asked Huete in Spanish if he requires medical care.

In the Univision report, Huete said after her brother was discharged from the hospital, they were instructed by an officer to return to the scene.

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper then fined him $75, Huete said, for “causing the accident.” The incident report accused Huete of riding out in front of the pickup truck as it turned right across a crosswalk. The deputy then said the 45-year-old driver was not at fault.

Border Patrol agents allegedly showed up soon after the fine was handed to Huete, asking to see the 31-year-old’s paperwork and suspecting him of being an undocumented immigrant.

“The fact that we do not have papers does not mean that we do not have rights,” Huete’s sister said.

More urgent than ever that immigrants understand, adhere to US laws

Former CIFA general secretary pleads guilty to money laundering

For the first time in four years exports from the Caribbean and Latin America have increased. In the first quarter of 2017, the value of exports increased by 17 percent, following a decline of 2.9 percent in 2016. The recovery was primarily driven by a rebound in commodity prices, according to an analysis conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) using detailed data from 25 regional countries

The United States Department of State has issued a warning to Americans to be careful when they visit the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The Department cited the current security environment and lack of adequate medical facilities and response, especially in the areas of Pétion-ville and the storm-damaged southern peninsula departments of Grand Anse and South. The current release replaces a Travel Warning dated November 4, 2016.

A Jamaican man has lost his appeal against a lengthy prison sentence for drug smuggling. Tyrone Brown, 31, was last year sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for trying to smuggle packages of cocaine through the airport in his baggage. Brown launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence, both of which have been dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Judges ruled that the sentence was not “manifestly excessive”.

And in sports

Former Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) general secretary Costas Takkas pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering conspiracy in a New York federal court on Wednesday. The 60-year-old Takkas a former attaché of former CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb faced charges relating to the transmission of millions of dollars in bribes paid during the official’s tenure in office. According to documents presented in court, Webb received a $US3m bribe to guarantee the media and  marketing rights for the home World Cup qualifiers of Caribbean teams during the 2018 and 2022 campaigns.

.Here’s what’s trending…

Greg Gianforte, a Montana Republican running for a U.S. House of Representatives seat, was charged with assaulting a reporter hours before polls opened on Thursday for a special congressional election that could test President Donald Trump’s political clout. Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault after Ben Jacobs, a political correspondent for the U.S. edition of the Guardian newspaper, said the candidate “body-slammed” him during a campaign event. Republican lawmakers criticized Gianforte but stopped short of asking him to withdraw from the race.

For Tomorrow’s weather forecast.

It will be partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms in Broward County, Mostly sunny in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties with a high of 91 and a low of 73. Today’s news was brought to you by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, who encourages you to Protect Your Baby, Vaccinate On Time, Every Time.  They remind you that Immunizations are SAFE, PROVEN PROTECTION. For more on these and other stories visit us at caribbeannationalweekly.com Make sure to pick your copy of Caribbean News weekly at your nearest Caribbean American outlet.

Above average hurricane season predicted

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction center have recently updated their prediction for the 2017 hurricane season, claiming it will be an “above-average” season.

A newly released forecast called for a 45 percent chance of an above normal season.

In a previous hurricane season prediction, it was said there would be 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes will develop. Forecaster now believe there will be a 70 percent chance of 11-17 named storms, up to nine possible hurricanes, as well as four major hurricanes.

Major hurricanes are considered Category three hurricanes and higher, with sustained wind speeds varying from 111 miles per hour to higher than 157 miles per hour on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane Wind scale.

This includes the tropical storm Arlene that developed before the start date of the official hurricane season.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and concludes on November 30.

Eastern Caribbean warned to prepare for major hurricanes

SCAM ALERT!

As immigrants in South Florida and other parts of the US seek to ensure their status is legal, unscrupulous individuals aware of their plight continue to perpetuate costly scams against them.

Some are taking advantage of people seeking to go to Canada as immigration regulations in the US become more stringent. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has cautioned people of a telephone scam in which persons pretend to be calling from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the agency that facilitates arrival of immigrants to Canada.

Using false caller IDs to make the call appear legal, scammers call residents threatening them they’re under investigation, or there’s a legal case against them. They request immediate payment by way of money transfer, prepaid or gift card to avert the alleged investigation.

The IRCC cautions it isn’t calling people in the US, and doesn’t collect money or payments by phone, by money transfer, or by prepaid or gift cards. They don’t ask people to confirm basic personal information they already gave on an immigration application (for example, date of birth or passport number). And, they don’t threaten to  arrest or deport people.

USCIS also disclosed it doesn’t do any of those things. It cautions anyone getting calls like these not to make wire payments, or give out personal information. If residents have applied for a Canadian visa, they should immediately call the Canadian immigration authorities.

If the call relates to an immigration case with USCIS, people should immediately call USCIS’s National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 to inquire if there’s a problem with their immigration application.

USCIS also warns of another con where scammers are ripping off undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. A valid driver’s license is a critical document needed to verify one’s legal immigration status to work in South Florida and other US regions. This document requirement has created a critical demand for driver’s licenses, and scammers are taking advantage of this demand.

Recently, a couple in Tampa, Florida was sentenced to multiple years in prison for scamming immigrants of over $740,000 purporting to provide them with driver’s licenses. The immigrants were charged fees of $500 and $1,300 each to obtain drivers licenses, based on fraudulent immigration documents the scammers made them complete.

Zika virus hit Florida three months before infections showed up

The Zika virus began spreading in Florida mosquitoes about three months before infections showed up in the Miami area last summer, and the virus likely was carried in by travelers from the Caribbean, new research suggests.

Mosquitoes there started picking up the virus from infected travelers as early as March last year, according to scientists who examined genetic information from samples from about 30 people with Zika as well as from mosquitoes. It wasn’t until July that Florida health officials said they had detected a local infection — the first in the U.S. mainland. Mosquitoes spread Zika by biting someone who is infected, then biting another person.

The bugs may have been causing infections in Miami as early as March, researcher Kristian Andersen of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, said. But there were likely few cases before July, and it’s not clear any of them sought treatment, he said.

Most people infected with Zika don’t get sick. It can cause a mild illness, with fever, rash and joint pain. But infection during pregnancy can lead to severe brain-related birth defects in babies.

Andersen said it likely took mosquitoes biting 30 to 40 infected travelers to produce the outbreak that flared last year in Florida. Most of the 256 cases reported in the Florida outbreak did not occur until late summer, he added. Health officials declared Miami-Dade County clear of continuing Zika infections by December, though isolated infections have continued, including this year.

Zika that spread in Florida mosquitoes mainly came from the Caribbean, the genetic information studied indicated. About 3 million travelers arrived in Miami from the Caribbean during the first half of 2016. About 2.4 million of them came on cruise ships, but it’s not clear that cruise ship passengers were the main spark in the Florida outbreak, Andersen said.

The Florida research was one of three papers on Zika published Wednesday in the journal Nature. The two others concluded there was a lag of six to 12 months between Zika’s arrival and its detection in Brazil in 2015 and other parts of South America.

Three new cases of zika virus reported in Miami-Dade

Cayman Islands football official pleads guilty to money laundering

Costas Takkas pleaded guilty to money laundering in a New York Court

Former Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) general secretary, Costas Takkas, pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering conspiracy in a New York federal court on Wednesday.

The 60-year-old Takkas is a former attaché of former CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. He faced charges relating to the transmission of millions of dollars in bribes paid during the official’s tenure in office.

According to documents presented in court, Webb received a $US3m bribe to guarantee media and  marketing rights for the home World Cup qualifiers of Caribbean teams during the 2018 and 2022 campaigns.  One of the marketing companies involved in the deal, Traffic USA, conspired with Takkas to secretly funnel half of Webb’s $3 million bribe through front companies and accounts which he controlled.  The other, Media World, paid approximately $500,000 of its $1.5 million bribe through a sham transaction involving a false invoice, to accounts controlled by Takkas.

Webb, who is currently under arrest at his home in Georgia, pled guilty to similar charges last year and will face sentencing later this year.

Takkas was, along with Webb, one of 14 officials arrested in Zurich two years ago.  He faces a maximum of up to 20 years in prison.

Webb sentencing hearing delayed again

Department of State warns U.S. citizens about travelling to Haiti

US State Department issues travel warning for Haiti

The US Department of State has issued a warning to Americans to be careful when they visit the Caribbean nation of Haiti.

The Department cited the current security environment and lack of adequate medical facilities and response, especially in the areas of Pétion-ville and the storm-damaged southern peninsula departments of Grand Anse and South. The current release replaces a Travel Warning dated November 4, 2016.

“Rates of kidnapping, murder, and rape rose in 2016. While there is no indication that U. S. citizens are specifically targeted, kidnapping for ransom can affect anyone in Haiti, particularly long-term residents,” the department stated.

The warning stated that armed robberies and violent assaults reported by U.S. citizens have risen in recent years.

“Do not share specific travel plans with strangers. Be aware that newly arrived travelers are targeted. Arrange to have your host or organization meet you at the airport upon arrival or pre-arranged airport to hotel transfers. Be cautious when visiting banks and ATMs, which are often targeted by criminals. Fewer incidents of crime are reported outside of Port-au-Prince, but Haitian authorities’ ability to respond to emergencies is limited and in some areas non-existent,” the State Department warned.

U.S. Embassy employees are discouraged from walking in city neighborhoods, including in Petionville.

“Visit only establishments with secured parking lots. U.S. Embassy personnel are under a curfew from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Embassy personnel must receive permission from the Embassy security officer to travel to some areas of Port-au-Prince and some regions of the country, thus limiting the Embassy’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.”

Caribbean, Latin American exports increase for the first time in four years

For the first time in four years exports from the Caribbean and Latin America have increased.

In the first quarter of 2017, the value of exports increased by 17 percent, following a decline of 2.9 percent in 2016. The recovery was primarily driven by a rebound in commodity prices, according to an analysis conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) using detailed data from 25 regional countries.

“The trend reversal is positive news for Latin America and the Caribbean. Yet, in the current context, one should not overestimate the drivers of this export expansion, which remains unstable and still restricted to a few regional economies,” Principal economist of the integration and trade sector at IDB, Paul Giordano, said.

 Funding available to boost local small business exports

Wisdom weed – marijuana may improve memory in the elderly

Marijuana may improve memory in the elderly

Marijuana’s main mind-altering compound, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may improve memory in older people, according to a recent German study.

Research in mice showed that the older animals experienced “a dramatic improvement in cognitive functions” after they were given small daily doses of the psychoactive compound for about a month, said study co-author Andreas Zimmer, a professor of molecular psychiatry at the University of Bonn.

Previous research in young animals, as well as in teenage and young adult humans, has suggested that THC may impair cognition, but it was not clear how the compound might affect older individuals.

In the new study, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine, the scientists looked at 17 young mice, that were two months old; 24 mature mice, that were one year old; and 29 mice that were 18 months old, which is considered old for mice. The researchers implanted tiny pumps into all mice in the study.

In about half of the mice in each age group, the pumps contained a small amount of THC that was released into the mice daily for about a month. In the other half of the animals, the pumps contained a control substance, without THC.

The team went on to conduct a few behavioral experiments to test the mice’s cognitive skills, including their memory and ability to learn new information.

In one of the tasks, the researchers put the mice in a pool of water with a hidden platform that allowed them to escape the water once they located it. In the control group, the mature mice and the old mice took longer to learn to climb out than the young mice.

The mature mice and old mice that had been treated with THC learned the task faster than the control mice in corresponding age groups, however.

At times, THC seemed to improve the older mice’s memory to such an extent that some aspects of their memory were as good as those of young mice.

In contrast, THC seemed to worsen the performance of cognitive tasks in younger mice. This finding is consistent with previous research that has shown the detrimental effects that THC may have on cognition in young people and animals, according to the study.

To determine the potential mechanisms behind the findings, the scientists also examined how THC interacted with gene expression in a brain region called the hippocampus in the mice.

They found that administering the compound to the older mice led to a change in those patterns, bringing them back to a state similar to the patterns seen in the young control mice.

In contrast, administering THC to the young mice led to a gene expression pattern that resembled that of the older control mice.

Florida Legislature fails to pass medical marijuana law

Miami Beach police honor first black policeman

James 'Smitty' Smith

The Miami Beach Police Department paid tribute to the city’s first black police officer, James “Smitty” Smith. To the city, he was Major James W. Smith.

Officers and family members joined together Wednesday for the renaming of the Miami Beach Police Department’s community room in Smith’s honor.

Smith was remembered as the epitome of a gentleman and a man who respected everyone in his community.

When Smith enlisted in 1964, he caught the public’s eye for his skin color. Smith was Miami Beach’s first black officer during a soon-to-be integrated but racially-tense America.

Smith served in the Miami Beach Police Department until 1990, when he retired. He climbed the ranks as sergeant in 1971, lieutenant in 1975 and major in 1989.

Smith died Jan. 31 at the age of 87.

Murderer caught attempting to re-enter United States

The fraud case against former Cash plus boss, Carlos Hill, has collapsed. Accused of fleecing thousands of Jamaicans in an infamous Ponzi scheme, Hill walked free from court early Wednesday afternoon after the prosecution told the court no evidence would be offered against him. Justice Chester Stamp, who presided over the case, ordered the jurors to return a verdict of not guilty. According to the prosecution, after the Cash Plus investments scheme folded in 2008, thousands of people were affected and was expected to come forward to give statements against Hill.

 

A man who was taking his 10-year-old son for a joyride on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) has been arrested after they were injured in a crash Sunday in Lauderhill, police said. Donny Chestnut, 31, was arrested on multiple charges, including child neglect and reckless driving. According to a Lauderhill police report, Chestnut was operating the ATVwhen it crashed head-on into a woman’s car in the driveway of her home. Chestnut’s and his son were thrown from the ATV. Chestnut received an injury to his head, and his son to his ankle and collarbone. Police said Chestnut ran a stop sign at the time of the crash, and neither rider was wearing a helmet.

 

A Dominican Republic national, who was wanted on murder charges, was among seven Caribbean nationals nabbed trying to re-enter the United States via Puerto Rico after being deported. United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrested five of the individuals on a wooden vessel intercepted by Puerto Rican police. Two other who jumped in the water before the boat was intercepted were rescued near the coast of Aguadilla last week. Ramon Antonio Castillo, 51, of the DR was one of the two rescued. US
authorities said Castillo has two active warrants for arrest from Puerto Rico and New York for homicide charges.

And in sports

Barbados recorded their first victory over Jamaica in33 years to draw their three-match series 1-1. The Barbados Gems rallied to a 43-41 win atthe National Arena in Kingston. The series ended in a tie after the teams drew 44-44 the first game last week Friday, and Jamaica won the second 40-34 on Sunday. Barbadian players, Captain Rhe-Ann Niles and Sheniqua Thomas were named Best Defender and Best Shooter of the series. .

Here’s what’s trending…

South Florida born entertainer Ariana Grande at whose concert in Manchester, England an alleged suicide bomber detonated himself, killing 22 people has cancelled her Dangerous Woman tour and returned to her Boca Raton residence. Ariana who is reported to be extremely broken in spirit since the tragic incident earlier this week has cancelled all her shows up to June 5.

For Tomorrow’s weather forecast.

It will be partly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and partly cloudy in Palm Beach with a high of 91 and a low of 5. Today’s news was brought to you by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, who encourages you to Protect Your Baby, Vaccinate On Time, Every Time. They remind you that Immunizations are SAFE, PROVEN PROTECTION. For more on these and other stories visit us at caribbeannationalweekly.com Make sure to pick your copy of Caribbean News weekly at your nearest Caribbean American outlet

8-year-old girl shot in buttocks during Trinidad shooting attack

An eight-year-old girl was injured following a shooting attack in Laventille, Trinidad on Wednesday.
According to police reports, about 11.20 pm police officers assigned to the Inter Agency Task Force, went to an apartment in Block Eight, Building Three, John John, Laventille, where they met a woman and her eight-year-old daughter.
The young child was bleeding from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to her buttocks.
The police were told that the two were asleep at their home when they heard several loud explosions. The woman realized that the child was bleeding and summoned the police.

Miami- Dade School Board approves $14.8 million for GOB Project

The Miami-Dade School Board approved a General Obligation Bond (GOB) project valued at $14.8 million at its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday.

Voters overwhelmingly approved the GOB in 2012 to renovate, remodel and replace schools, expand student capacity, enhance safety, and provide technology upgrades. The project awarded at the meeting was the following:

Cutler Bay Middle School – Scope of work includes: 412 new replacement student stations in a three-story building; remodeling of existing administration area into labs; new physical education shelter; resurfacing of play courts; new parent drop-off; renovations of kitchen, cafeteria, and other existing buildings; demolition of portables and site restoration; and technology improvements. 

Total project allocation – $14.8 million – Completion – January 2019.

Total Sub-Consultant Small Business Enterprise Participation – 30.84 percent.

Local Workforce Utilization – 25 percent within a 10-mile radius.

Continued fidelity to the implementation of the GOB program and the District’s steady commitment to inclusiveness and diversity in its procurement process are positively impacting the quality of the educational environment and the local economy.

‘Joker’ arrested after pointing gun at passing vehicles

Lawrence 'The Joker' Sullivan

A Miami-Dade County man who dyed his hair green and sported face tattoos to resemble the look of the Batman movie character the Joker was arrested after pointing a gun at passing vehicles, police said.

He has been identified as Lawrence Sullivan, 29,  and faces a charge of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.

According to a Miami-Dade police report, police were alerted about a man with green hair and tattoos on his face standing at the corner of Southwest 104th Street and Hammocks Boulevard, pointing a gun at passing vehicles.

An officer spotted a man matching that description walking out of the Hammocks Place apartments. When the officer asked the man, later identified as Sullivan, if he was armed, Sullivan said he had a gun in his pocket, police said.

Sullivan told the officer that he didn’t have a permit because it was too expensive, police said.

Among the man’s face tattoos are the words “Joker” stenciled across his forehead, next to a Batman logo.

Recipe: Crab –N- Rice

It’s that time of year again, the crabs are out and everyone is hunting them down.

Land crabs are a sensational dish throughout the Caribbean, in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos “Crab and Rice” is a hidden delicacy. Here is a recipe on how to make it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 5 white land crabs or 7 black land crabs, cleaned, segmented, fat removed
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or 1 tablespoon of corn oil
  • 1 large white/yellow onion, finely diced
  • ½ small green pepper, seeded and finely diced
  • 2 ½ tablespoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • ½ scotch bonnet peppers, finely chopped with (optional) or ½ without seeds (optional)
  • ½ cup tomato paste
  • 5 cups hot water
  • 2 cups parboiled long grain rice or 2 ½ cups long grain rice

Directions:

  • Wash live crabs under the tap using a toothbrush to wash sand from under band and from between toes until completely clean.
  • Turn crab with eyes away, upside down, slipping a blunt knife (a butter knife is ideal) between the shell’s seams, push upward to separate the crab’s shell in two.
  • Be careful not to push the knife too far (the gall sac is in the direct path of the knife!).
  • Pull apart
  • Scoop the fat from both sides of the shell into a bowl using the knife or a spoon.
  • Discard the empty half shell, band, mouth, gills and all other remaining internal organs, leaving behind the toes.
  • Break the two segments in half by holding each half securely and snapping apart.
  • This can also be done by chopping the segment with a cleaver.
  • Wash the toe segments under the tap and put them in the bowl with the fat.
  • This process is to be repeated until each crab is processed.
  • Place a large pot over medium high heat, adding the vegetable/corn oil.
  • Allow the oil to heat until a drop of water sizzles when dripped in the oil.
  • Add onion, green pepper, salt, black pepper, seasoned salt, and thyme, scotch bonnet and stir.
  • Sauté ingredients until onion are transparent, stirring constantly, about 3 to five minutes.
  • Add crab fat and segments, sauté, stirring constantly until fat is liquid, about 7 minutes.
  • Add tomato paste; stir ingredients together for another 5 minutes.
  • Add water.
  • Stir ingredients with the water, taste, adjust salt to taste, bring to a slow simmer.
  • Gently pour rice into pot, stirring slowly to ensure even distribution of the rice in the liquid.
  • Turn heat down to low and cover pot with a tight-fitting lid to prevent steam from escaping. Foil can be used under the lid to prevent the steam escaping.
  • Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed.
  • Do not lift lid while cooking.
  • Turn heat off and let rice stand covered for 10-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
  • Fluff and serve hot.

Wyclef celebrates Haitian Flag Day in Little Haiti

Wyclef Jean shares a light moment with Mecca aka Grimo

BY Megan Small

The month of May is Haitian Heritage Month.

For 31 days residents of South Florida who are of Haitian descent celebrate their culture. On Friday May 19th, the day after Haitian Flag Day, hundreds gathered at the The Little Haiti Cultural Complex to celebrate the one year anniversary of Sounds of Little Haiti. The organizers did it in a huge way by getting the hip-hop music artist Wyclef Jean to perform, “It’s definitely historical, it feels good to be back home in Little Haiti” said Wyclef Jean in an interview with Host/ Performer Mecca Grimo Marcelin.

 Sounds of Little Haiti is the monthly event where locals and tourists celebrate authentic Haitian culture. Every third Friday, an outdoor concert along with vendors gather at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex to provide an immersive experience. Sounds of Little Haiti is the revival of Big Night in Little Haiti which ended in April 2016. The One Year Anniversary concert also had the Carnival band Rara Lakay, We Them Zoe’s and The Nancy St. Léger Danse Ensemble performing that night. “We’re going to start in 1996 and end in 2017. Kompa, Zouk, hip hop… I’m going to play the guitar, we’re going to turn up! But I have to keep in mind there’s a curfew,” Wyclef laughs talking about his performance before the concert

 

Having reached international success for his music since the mid-1990s, Wyclef recently took time away from the music space to work a public servant. He made a plea to those present to continue to fight towards policy and legislation that are affecting Haitian Americans, including TPS.

 

Wyclef spoke with CNWeekly and told us that Haitian Flag Day and Haitian Heritage month has cross-cultural importance. Wyclef Jean explains “This is African History, This is black history. As the first black republic, Haiti took a chance and other Caribbean islands knew that they could do it too.”

 

He has a new EP entitled “J’ourvet” currently available for streaming and is working on a Carnival 3 album, to be released soon.

Haitian heritage Month celebrations underway

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