In response to what it describes as a negative vote during a County Commission special meeting to re-examine the county’s ICE detainer policy, Maria Rodriguez, Executive Director at the Florida Immigrant Coalition, is livid.
Rodriguez called the vote a betrayal and said it set the precedent for a moral dilemna..
“Today, hundreds of people from diverse sectors filled the board of County Commission chambers beyond capacity to express deep concerns and disapproval of the Mayor’s proposal to cooperate with ICE detainers. Disregarding numerous constitutional questions and moral dilemma, testimony, prayer and song, with a majority vote of 9-to-3, Commissioners opted to betray immigrant families in exchange for the specter of future discretionary funding. Fearful of the designation of Sanctuary local leadership buckled under vague threats of federal funding withheld and threw our families under the bus,” she said.
She also threatened to file a lawsuit against the City Council.
“To be clear, immigrants who are arrested, regardless of their innocence or what they are accused of, will be turned over to ICE if there is a detainer. A lawsuit will follow and we will hold the Commissioners and Mayor accountable to their commitment to prevent police collaboration with federal enforcement agents. Additionally, we will fight to win civil citations instead of arrests for misdemeanors, including driving without a license.”
Immigrants have been up in arms ever since Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez’ issued a controversial immigration order directing county jails to comply with a new White House policy targeting sanctuary cities and jurisdictions.
The “certified organic” seal is synonymous with healthy living and clean eating. But what exactly does it mean? And who decides what is or is not certified organic?
In the United States, food is certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture. The seal verifies that a product has been made with 95 percent “certified organic” ingredients and minimally processed. The remaining 5 percent allows for the use of ingredients that are not organic, but have been approved by the USDA because they are safe and eco-friendly, and have no organic alternative.
These approved additives are reviewed regularly by the USDA, which is currently deciding whether to continue to allow one of them in organics: an essential, natural ingredient called carrageenan.
Carrageenan is made from red seaweed that is sustainably grown and harvested by family farmers in oceans around the world. It is an ingredient in everything from yogurt to infant formula to baked goods, and has been used by home cooks for hundreds of years. The USDA has approved the use of carrageenan in organic foods since 1990.
So why are they considering removing it now? Because of a dangerous trend where the loudest voices, no matter how irrational or bullying, drown out reason and sound science.
Which is just one reason keeping carrageenan in organic foods should be important to everyone who enjoys healthy, safe food that tastes good, too.
Here are a few more:
Because you love the taste of your favorite ice cream, yogurt, almond milk, protein shake…
If carrageenan isn’t allowed in organic foods, many of our favorite products will be changed. Food companies will have to use other ingredients to replace carrageenan – ingredients that are not as natural or safe as red seaweed, and will not produce the same products we know and love.
Because you care what’s in your food.
Carrageenan can’t be replaced with just one food ingredient, and multiple additives mean longer labels. Carrageenan is GMO-free and made from sustainably harvested seaweed; its replacements are grown from bacteria in a vat or otherwise manmade.
Because babies should be able to eat organic, too!
Carrageenan is the only stabilizing ingredient used in organic liquid infant formula. Removing it means new moms and dads may lose this option for their babies.
Organic foods should be affordable and accessible to everyone.
For many, eating organic is a luxury they can’t always afford. Adding multiple ingredients to replace carrageenan means the cost of a product may increase even more. This isn’t just bad for you and your wallet; anything that makes organic products less competitive is harmful to the whole industry.
Because carrageenan is essential to vegetarian, halal and kosher foods.
Carrageenan is a plant-based ingredient often used to replace animal fats and gelatin. Without carrageenan, some organic products will no longer be able to meet certain dietary restrictions, or the taste of those foods may suffer.
Because the livelihood of seaweed farmers (and our world) is at risk.
Seaweed is one of the most sustainable crops on the planet, and it’s harvested by family farmers in coastal communities around the globe. Growing and harvesting the red seaweed used to make carrageenan requires none of the fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals used in land-based farming.
This fall, the USDA will make its final decision on the future of carrageenan and its use in organic products. For these reasons and more, it is important that the USDA approves carrageenan for use in organics, making sure organic and nutritious food options are available to everyone.
Team Haiti returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Fort Lauderdale Blazers at the Broward Sports in the Caribbean American Soccer Association (CASA) Super League on Saturday, February 18.
Action from the Casa Super League. (PHOTOS: PAUL PERRY)
In their last match Team Haiti came out on the losing end to Lauderhill Juniors by the same margin.
In the Master League Lauderdale FC got the better of Creekers Masters 2-0, while Chapel Trail beat Rock Island FC 4-2.
The competition will continue this Wednesday at the same venue.
Manchester United, Trinidadian-born legend Dwight Yorke, has been denied entry into the US’ under President Donald Trump’s new border laws.
Yorke was denied entry because he has an Iranian stamp in his passport’. He an ambassador for Manchester united and his job takes him around the world.
The unfortunate incident took place on Friday one day after Yorke worked as a commentator in United’s 3-0 win over French team
Saint-Etienne in the Europa League. On Friday morning Yorke was allegedly stopped on his transit to Miami.
Trump’s executive order has resulted in chaos as approved refugees, valid visa holders, non-US dual citizens and US legal residents were detained, barred from boarding flights or ordered out of the US immediately following the order.
The executive order banned entry from seven majority-Muslim countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – for 90 days at the end of January.
The order was suspended when a federal district judge in Seattle issued a temporary restraining order against the order. The injunction was upheld by the ninth circuit court of appeals in a ruling on February 9.
Some 1,500 Trinidad and Tobago nationals have been detained following operations to nab undocumented immigrants in several American states in the last week.
Since the signing of an executive order by President Donald Trump on January 25, operations by law enforcement officers have been ramped up and at least 50,000 persons have been caught in the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) dragnet.
Trump had campaigned strongly on a ticket to rid the country of millions of illegal immigrants, who he claimed were bleeding the country’s resources and cheating American citizens out of jobs.
The Trinidadian nationals are said to have spent from one to 35 years in the country and some are expected to be deported as early as next week.
The raids were carried out in New York, Illinois, Georgia, North and South Carolina and California.
Officials had said that the raids are targeting persons who are a threat to public safety and the immigration system.
Reigning Olympic 100m and 200m champion, Elaine Thompson, set a personal best and world-leading 6.98 seconds in the 60 meter sprint at the Birmingham Brand Prix on Saturday.
Thompson’s time was the eighth-fastest time ever. She was followed by compatriots Gayon Evans (7.12 secs) and Christania Williams (7.18).
In the men’s equivalent, the Jamaican duo of Everton Clarke (6.58 secs) and Julian Forte (6.59) could only manage fourth and fifth, respectively. The event was won by the American Robbie Baker (6.55), followed by St Kitts and Nevis’ Kim Collins (6.58) and Great Britain’s Richard Kilty (6.58).
Another Jamaican, Megan Simmons was eighth in the final of the women’s 60m hurdles in 8.24 seconds. The race was won by the USA’s Christina Manning (7.83 secs), with second going to her countrywoman Sharika Nelvis (7.94) and Australia’s Sally Pearson (7.96).
Meanwhile, four-time Olympic champion Britain’s Mo Farh marked his final race indoors by winning the 5,000 metres in a new European record time of 13 minutes 9.16 seconds.
Farah, who won gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games, plans to retire from all track events to concentrate on road-racing after the World Championships in London in August.
This Day in History: Haitian Prime Minister Appeals For Help to End Revolt
This Day in History: Haiti’s Prime Minister Appeals For Help to End Revolt
On this day in Caribbean history, on February 17, 2004, Haitian Prime Minister, Yvon Neptune, made a plea for international to help end the violent uprising against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, which killed at least 57 people.
Neptune made his plea after former soldiers joined the rebellion, resulting in the burning of a police station, killing three police officials, freeing the imprisoned, and seizing Hinche, a city 70 miles northeast of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince.
Witnesses said Louis- Jodel Chamblain, a death-sentenced former soldier and leader of paramilitary group FRAPH, led the rebellion. FRAPH maimed and killed hundreds of Aristude supporters during the military dictatorship between 1991-1994.
Colin L. Powell, Secretary of State during that time, told CNN reporters there needs to be a “political solution” and only then would nations offer police presence.
United States in the past has staged three military interventions to the island nation.
Dominique de Villepin, then French Foreign Minister, called a meeting to discuss the risks of sending peacekeepers to the former French Colony, which was home to 2,000 French citizens at the time.
Ron Redmond, then spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said representatives were meeting with U.S. and Caribbean officials to discuss how to handle the Haitian rebellion.
Man suspected of killing Jamaican in Lauderhill parking lot detained
City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Commissioner Ken Russell say the City of Miami remains open and committed to immigrants and those seeking freedom, democracy and opportunity, from all over the world. The officials called on the Miami-Dade County Commission to re-affirm its commitment to protecting the county’s undocumented immigrants. Mayor Regalado and Commissioner Russell have indicated they will be working with the Cities for Citizenship initiative to provide space in the City where workshops will be conducted to help legal residents become citizens.
The man who is suspected of shooting a Jamaican national to death in the parking lot of a fish market in Lauderhill, South Florida is now behind bars. He has been identified as Trace O’Brian Walker, who was caught on video as he pumped 13 bullets into the upper body of 34-year-old Gary Wallock on January 16 outside the Lobster and Seafood Warehouse in Lauderhill. He was arrested in Palm Beach County by the Lauderhill Police Department with the assistance of the West Palm Beach Police Department, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshalls Service.
President of the National Assembly in Haiti, Youri Latortue, has denied any involvement in the arrest and extradition of rebel leader turned politician, Guy Phillippe, after a voice recording implicating him in the matter. Phillippe was elected as a Senator for the Grand’Anse district in the November 20 legislative and presidential elections last year, but he was extradited to the United States last month where he has since pleaded not guilty to charges of drug smuggling and money laundering. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
In Sports
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz pulled off a 1-0 win over Honduras in their friendly encounter at Houston, Texas last night. The Jamaicans took the lead through a 71st minute strike from substitute Damion Lowe. The Reggae Boys are preparing for the Caribbean Cup and the Gold Cup while Honduras are preparing for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Now Here’s What’s Trending
President Donald Trump’s critics are describing his press conference held yesterday as bizarre and the strangest of any modern U.S. president. Caribbean Americans are particularly peeved at Trump, for claiming he inherited a big mess upon taking office.
For tomorrow’s weather forecast
It will be mostly sunny in both Broward and Miami-Dade County with a High of 81 degrees and a low of 61.
Advocates of undocumented immigrants turned out in force on Friday as Miami-Dade County Commissioners listened to the public bashing Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez’ controversial immigration order directing county jails to comply with a new White House policy targeting sanctuary cities and jurisdictions.
The commission heard from Florida state Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez and a long procession of speakers from various groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and even the young children of parents who have been deported.
“There’s no specific threat from the federal government. I would characterize this simply as appeasement of an administration that’s not only a month old,” Rodriguez said.
All of Friday’s speakers were given one minute to make their case under rules outlined by Chairman Esteban L. Bovo, Jr. Many of the speakers wore white flowers as a show of support for undocumented people living and working in Miami-Dade County.
“Right now I’m a fugitive and based on the law I’m a criminal,” acknowledged one man. “I’m not a criminal and I don’t think I should be treated as a criminal.”
The Gimenez order came one day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening federal funding to cities that didn’t comply. Gimenez has defended his stance.
In 2016, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved US$306 million in loans and grants, the highest approval total during the past five years.
Belize, Saint Lucia and Suriname were the three largest beneficiaries of loans of the countries for which funding was approved. The announcement was made Dr. William Warren Smith, CDB President, during the Bank’s Annual News Conference in Barbados on Friday.
Dr. Smith pointed out that, in addition to the grants approved in 2016, the Bank began implementing the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UK CIF). UK CIF is a £300 million grant programme for transformational infrastructure projects in eight Caribbean countries and one British overseas territory, which CDB administers. £16.4 million in grants was approved for projects and technical assistance in Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica and Grenada.
Dr. William Warren Smith, CDB President
“We reached noteworthy milestones in deepening our strategic partnerships and successfully mobilising financial resources that our BMCs can use to craft appropriate responses to their development challenges,” said Dr. Smith, noting that UK CIF was among the Bank’s partnership highlights in 2016.
Last year, the Bank also signed a Credit Facility Agreement with Agence Française de Développement. It included a US$33 million loan to support sustainable infrastructure projects and a EUR3 mn grant to fund feasibility studies for projects eligible for financing under the credit facility.
Also in 2016, CDB entered an arrangement with the Government of Canada for the establishment and administration of a $5 million Canadian fund to build capacity in the energy sector, The Canadian Support to the Energy Sector in the Caribbean Fund.
These recent partnerships are part of the Bank’s drive to raise appropriately-priced resources mainly for financing projects with a strong focus on climate adaptation, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
A Jamaican drug kingpin has been ordered to pay $20 million after being sentenced to 28 years in a Maryland Court.
Richard Byrd a 43-year-old Jamaican residing in Maryland and Arizona, has been convicted and sentenced to 26 years on the federal charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds.
Byrd, who goes by the name Robert Smith, was sentenced Thursday, February 9 in a district court in Baltimore, Maryland.
Byrd…ordered to pay 420 million
The court ordered that he be supervised for 10 years after his release.
Byrd was also ordered to pay a money judgment of $20 million, as well as forfeit his interest in two properties, three businesses, and 10 vehicles, and forfeit US $1,609,411.51 in cash seized during the investigation.
“This case represents the very height of drug organisations operating out of Baltimore in recent history,” Don Hibbert, assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said following the sentencing.
“The Byrd organisation had it all — sources of supply, couriers, and lots and lots of money. But now all they have to show for it is a great deal of time behind bars to think about how they destroyed lives with the drugs they put on the street,”Hibbert said.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, from 2009 through April 2014, Byrd was the leader and organiser a drug distribution network that provided for the acquisition, transportation and distribution of cocaine and marijuana.
The sale of marijuana and cocaine generated proceeds in the millions of dollars. These proceeds were counted and packaged in and around Baltimore. Byrd used couriers to transport the proceeds to the Atlanta, Georgia area, then others to transport the money from Atlanta to cities in Nevada, Texas, Arizona, and California, where the cash was used to purchase additional quantities of drugs.
Byrd also acquired a financial interest in a business in order to launder drug proceeds, finance commercial ventures, and pay other bills and expenses.
At his direction, several million dollars in cash were deposited into the bank accounts maintained by the business. Many of these transactions involve deposits in excess of US$10,000. In addition, Byrd used bank accounts in the name of an alias, Robert Smith, to conduct financial transactions intended to launder drug proceeds, including paying personal bills and expenses.
The conspirators used freight companies to ship drugs obtained in Arizona, California and elsewhere to distribution points in Baltimore, and other east coast destinations.
Rasan Byrd supervised the Arizona-based activities of organisation. Under the direction of Richard Byrd, Rasan coordinated the acquisition of large quantities of marijuana and cocaine from Mexican sources of supply and supervised several workers who weighed and packaged the drugs in a way to avoid detection by law enforcement.
On April 22, 2013, law enforcement officers in Arizona seized 16 kilograms of cocaine and over 600 pounds of marijuana which were about to be shipped to Byrd’s Baltimore-based distributors.
The Baltimore distributors included Jerome Castle, Joseph Byrd, and Harold Byrd. Castle supervised the Baltimore operation, taking delivery of the drugs, selling them, and collecting and counting proceeds from the drug sales. On April 22, 2013, law enforcement officers in Maryland seized approximately 350 pounds of marijuana and over 10 kilograms of cocaine from businesses and residences utilized by Castle, Joseph Byrd, and Harold Byrd. In addition, almost US$58,000 in currency and jewellery valued at more than US$400,000 were recovered at the residence of Jerome Castle. The money and jewellery were also proceeds from illegal drug sales.
In addition, over US$1 million was seized in Arizona from Richard Byrd in early 2011. In July 2012, an additional US $372,000 was seized from a residence in Arizona occupied by Richard and Rasan Byrd.
These money seizures were proceeds from east coast drug sales intended for use in acquiring additional quantities of marijuana and cocaine.
During the course of this conspiracy more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and 20,000 kilograms of marijuana were acquired and distributed by Richard Byrd and his associates.
Brothers Rasan Byrd, age 41, of Houston, Texas, Harold Alexander Byrd, age 27, of Phoenix, Maryland, and Joseph Ibreham Byrd, age 35, of Owings Mills, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. Rasan was sentenced to 14 years in prison and Harold and Joseph were each sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Jerome Adolfo Castle, a/k/a Dontwon Burris, age 37, a Jamaican citizen residing in Pikesville, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Castle was also ordered to forfeit US$57,997 in cash, his interest in seven Baltimore properties, jewellery valued at more than US$411,000, 98 pairs of men’s shoes, two laptop computers and an I-Pad, seven firearms and ammunition, as well as six vehicles, including a 2009 Jaguar XF Premium.
Maurice Jones, age 62, and Richard Drummond, age 40, both of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and were sentenced to seven years in prison and two years in prison, respectively.
City of Hollywood has given the green light to medicinal marijuana dispensers to begin preparing for commerce.
Commissioner Kevin Biederman said the city will not be waiting on a state legislatures’ July 1 deadline to create medical marijuana dispensary regulations.
“We have areas that we feel are suitable for that commerce and rather than waiting to see what happens, we wanted to get ahead of it, put tough regulations in place that can always be relaxed if needed,” said Biederman.
Regulations the City of Hollywood created includes limitation of dispensaries.
Due to reasonable access to residents, only two dispensaries will be allowed to open within the City of Hollywood regions. One dispensary per 65,000 residents. As the population increases the number of dispensaries is expected to grow in Hollywood.
Biederman said, “That is just to make it to where we don’t have a dispensary on every corner.”
Other regulations for the dispensaries include limitation of location.
These dispensaries have to be at least 1,000 feet away from day care centers, religious buildings, public parks, and schools; 500 feet away from pain clinics, social service facilities, substance abuse centers, and at least 9000 feet away from a pharmacy.
Due to these regulations City of Hollywood will only allow these dispensary zones to be located in industrial and manufacturing districts.
“I think it’s great you know; it benefits our residents that need it,” said Biederman.
Some residents feel that there should be more dispensaries open to the community.
According to Hollywood Commissioner Richard Blattner, during a past meeting an attorney lobbyist complained against the two dispensary limit in the city.
Concerned citizen Julio Lopez, a medical marijuana patient and advocate, feels that regulations are making it harder for people to gain access to the herb.
“But to put [dispensaries] … where people don’t want to go, just because they don’t want them in more popular areas it’s absurd. It’s an issue of accessibility to the patients,” said Lopez.
There are currently only seven dispensaries located in the state of Florida that have licenses to grow, process and sell the medicinal marijuana, while being regulated by the state Department of Health.
The City of Hollywood will not be processing dispensary applications until state legislatures finish drafting the regulations.
Reports coming out of the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago have revealed that at least five primary school students have tested positive for the HIV virus and several other students have engaged in sexual activities “willingly”.
Parliamentarians in the land of the hummingbird were given the frightening details by officials from the Ministries of Education and Health who appeared before a Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament on Wednesday.
The officials confirmed that the five students, aged seven to 11, and including three girls were receiving treatment.
“They will remain in the system unless their health factors should warrant that they should be removed,” said Guidance Officer in Ministry of Education Darlene Smith, noting that the ministry believes in inclusive education and they should be treated in the same manner as other students.
Addressing the JSC on the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), specialist medical officer Dr Aruna Divakaruni said a significant number of school aged children had sought the services of the Queen’s Park Counselling Centre.
“Most of them are school children. They have older partners. Most of the time they are abused by stepfathers or a brother or cousin or somebody like that,” she said, adding “others [are] engaged in sexual activity willingly”.
The Trinidad and Tobago government has hinted at introducing legislation to curb the activities of social media users who post gory and irresponsible videos, comments and photographs to create sensation and instil fear and panic.
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi says he is taking to Cabinet on Thursday legislation to amend the Cybercrime Bill to deal with reckless users who he said are now out of control in sharing unverified information.
l-Rawi, speaking at the Association of Real Estate Agents’ meeting on Tuesday, said the bill is intended to stop the abusers of social media who “plaster things” on Facebook without verification.
Trinidad and Tobago Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi
He told the audience that the Cybercrime Bill which the LRC (Legislative Review Committee) has completed would be going to Cabinet this Thursday.
“Our society runs the risk of being deemed to be very much, in lost measure…out of control. The irresponsibility that is exercised without any regard for the consequence of families…or to children or persons who are victims or to just create panic and fear.”
Al-Rawi’s plan comes in the wake of complaints by acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, that such posts, in the face of a spiralling murder rate, was creating a logistical headache for the police, who often have to go out to check the veracity of such postings.
Al-Rawi described some of the content put on social media as “astounding.
“So we focused on the Cybercrime Bill and we have made some very important changes in terms of the previous version that was in circulation. I think the country is going to be very pleased with the product,” he said, adding that there has been extensive consultations with the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) and other entities on the matter.
“We are ready to rock and roll. This is a step in the right direction to control this kind of behaviour,” he said, adding “suffice to say, it is a very robust piece of law on which there has been a significant amount of consultation and I believe it is in the right zone of operations.
Under Clause 19 of the Cybercrime Bill, which was first introduced to Parliament in 2014, anyone who seeks to create the offence of violating a person’s privacy by capturing and sharing pictures or videos of a person’s private area without their consent, commits an offence which carries a fine of TT$100,000 (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) and two years imprisonment on summary conviction or a fine of TT$500,000 and three years’ imprisonment on conviction on indictment.
Clause 20 seeks to criminalise the act of sending multiple electronic mail messages that are unsolicited and which causes harm to a person or damage to a computer. This offence would carry a fine of TT$300,000 and three years imprisonment on summary conviction or a fine of TT$500,000 and five years imprisonment on conviction on indictment.
The beauty of the Haitian people is now being exposed to the world.
Following in the footsteps of the Miss Universe second place finish of Raquel Pelissier, another Haitian beauty is now turning heads, this time in Canada.
Liliane Ulysse, is a contestant in the Miss Canada 2016 competition and is currently placed fifth. From all reports her chances to come out on top are very real.
Born in Haiti, Liliale Ulysse arrived in Canada at the age of 12 years. She is a graduate student in Sociology and International Development at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO).
Lilliane Ulysse described as an inspiration to young people
Determined, positive, responsible, dynamic, ambitious and persevering are some of the adjectives she uses to describe herself.
On Tuesday the Caribbean native met with Haitian Consul Justin Viard, and members of the Cultural Affairs and Communication Section. Viard o described her as open-minded and naturally curious.
“She always seeks to meet new people and discover new cultures. She is a source of inspiration and motivation for young people in Canada and around the world. The Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal unreservedly supports the candidacy of Liliane Ulysse and asks the Haitian Community of Montreal and all the compatriots around the world to regroup behind her so that her dream becomes reality and that vibrates again the Haitian pride on a global scale,” he said.
Fans of Liliale Ulysse can cast their votes at www.misscanada.org/liliane-u/ before the final Grand Gala which will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Sheraton Hotel in Laval.
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz pulled off a 1-0 win over Honduras in their friendly encounter at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas on Thursday night.
The Jamaicans took the lead through a 71st minute strike from substitute Damion Lowe.
Damion Lowe scored the winner in the 71st minute to hand Reggae Boyz victory
The Jamaican team soaked up intense pressure from their Central American counterparts in the first half but came into their own in the second stanza. They were justly rewarded when Lowe, who had entered the fray minutes earlier, tapped home.
The Jamaicans could have gone even further ahead as Lowe missed two glorious chances late in the game.
Reggae Boys coach, Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore fielded a squad of mainly local-based players after last week’s 1-0 loss to the USA in Tennessee.
The win was the first for the Jamaicans in four outings against Honduras.
The Reggae Boys are preparing for the Caribbean Cup and the Gold Cup while Honduras are preparing for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The man who is suspected of shooting a Jamaican national to death in the parking lot of a fish market in Lauderhill, South Florida is now behind bars.
He has been identified as Trace O’Brian Walker.
Walker was caught on video as he pumped 13 bullets into the upper body of 34-year-old Gary Wallock on January 16 outside the Lobster and Seafood Warehouse, 1854 NW 38 Avenue, Lauderhill.
Wallock’s female companion, who was with him at the time of the murder managed to escape although the suspect aimed his handgun and fired two shots in her direction as she scampered to safety.
Walker was arrested in Palm Beach County without incident by the Lauderhill Police Department with the assistance West Palm Beach Police Department, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshalls Service.
Walker is in the custody at the Broward Main County Jail being held without bond.
The Lauderhill Police say they have established no motive for the murder but word on the ground in his hometown of Flankers in Montego Bay, Jamaica is linking the incident to an ongoing lotto scam.
Happy Thursday everyone! Today is February 16. We’re taking a look at some of the top stories that are making the news across your Caribbean-American community right here in South Florida.
Broward County Commissioners are proposing that medical marijuana dispensaries be allowed to open their doors at various locations. The shops could begin doing business at Commercial strips along Sunrise Boulevard, U.S. 441, Northwest 27th Avenue and Northwest 31st Avenue, also known as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, The Commissioners set a March 14 public hearing, where a final decision will be made. The shops would be required to have 24-hour video surveillance, employ a medical doctor and close by 9:00 PM among other stipulations.
Jamaica’s security minister, Robert Montague, has rubbished reports on social media that persons in that island are being murdered to fuel an alleged organ harvesting scheme. Montague said no case of any deceased person appearing with missing organs has been reported to the police or examined by the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine.
The Trinidad and Tobago Public Accounts Enterprises (PAEC) Committee was informed that lead from the Guanapo and other landfills is seeping into the water courses, posing “a potential ecological disaster”. Solid Waste Management Ltd (SWMCOL) appeared before the PAEC, where its CEO, Ronald Roach, stated that the University of the West Indies, had conducted an extensive study of the water quality in and around the Guanapo landfill site and had identified lead in the surrounding water courses. Roach said the report pointed to problems with the water escaping from the landfill site which contaminates the natural water sources.
In Sports
English Premier League team, Arsenal, are hanging to a thread after suffering a humiliating five nil thumping at the hands of German club Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. The English team were sent reeling dueto a strong second half showing by Bayern Munich and will have to win the second leg by four clear goals to avoid elimination.
Here’s What’s Trending
A new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety report indicates 88 percent of millennials (aged 18 to 25) admitted being involved in driving infractions in the past 30 days, earning the dubious distinction as the worst behaved U.S. drivers.
For tomorrows weather forecast
It will be partly cloudy in both Broward and Miami-Dade County with a High of 81 degrees and a low of 51. For more information on these and other stories, visit us online at Caribbeannationalweekly.com. Make Sure to pick up your copy of the National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean American outlet.
Today’s coverage was brought to you by Grace Soups: Spice up your kitchen with Grace Soups today. Genuine Caribbean taste enjoyed worldwide!
City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Commissioner Ken Russell says the City of Miami remains open and committed to immigrants and those seeking freedom, democracy and opportunity, from all over the world.
At the same time, the Miami officials called on the Miami-Dade County Commission to re-affirm its commitment to protecting the county’s “most vulnerable populations, in particular undocumented immigrants.”
Mayor Regalado and Commissioner Russell have indicated they will be working with the Cities for Citizenship initiative to provide space in the City where workshops will be conducted to help legal residents become citizens.
“The City of Miami has a long-standing policy of treating all people that interact with our public officials and officers equitably, no matter that person’s immigration status,” Mayor Tomas Regalado said.
Regalado emphasized the Miami Police Department has internal policies that require all persons that come into contact with city officers to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of their residency and citizenship situation. He also made it clear the Department does not release persons to federal immigration officials if a person is a crime victim, material witness, involved in a domestic matter, suspected of a minor offense, or seeking medical attention.
Ken Russell…says immigrants including his own mother built Miami City
“Immigrants from abroad, including my own mother, built this City,” Commissioner Russell said. “Miami is an immigrant City and we should embrace that identity. Policies that make people who are here for a better life fearful of our law enforcement is not only bad for them and dangerous to our officers, but also turns our back on basic American values.”
“Fostering unity and respect for all our communities is vital to our City’s mission,” stated Commissioner Russell. ” While a large portion of our City’s residents were born elsewhere, our common future vision of a thriving Miami is what keeps us united. No law, statute, ordinance, executive order, policy, memorandum or edict should be allowed to divide us.”
Mayor Regalado and Commissioner Russell are hopeful their statements, and their partnership with Cities for Citizenship, will help to alleviate some of the negative rhetoric about immigrants that is currently circulating.
Florida has the third largest immigrant population in the nation, with 3.8 million immigrants calling the Sunshine State home. About 830,000 of these immigrants are legal permanent residents eligible for citizenship. Some 494,000 of these residents live in Miami-Dade, representing 19 percent of the County’s population. Unfortunately, more than half of these have not pursued citizenship due to communication barriers and limited financial resources to pay the $725 application fee, and possible attorneys’ fees. Others simply do not feel motivated to bother with the complex and oftentimes intimidating process of applying for citizenship
President of the National Assembly in Haiti, Youri Latortue, has denied any involvement in the arrest and extradition of rebel leader turned politician, Guy Phillippe, after a voice recording surfaced in the country implicating him in the matter.
According to Latortue he was “surprised to learn that the elected Senator of Grand’Anse, Guy Philippe, would put him responsible for his extradition to the United States”.
But he said that he “unreservedly denies the presumptions made about any role he played in this”.
Youri Latortue…denied involvement in extradition of former Haitian rebel Guy Phillippe
Phillippe, 48, was elected as a Senator for the Grand’Anse district in the November 20 legislative and presidential elections last year.
But he was arrested and extradited to the United States last month where he has since pleaded not guilty to charges of drug smuggling and money laundering. The charges carry a maximum life prison sentence.
Political observers in Haiti said Philippe was arrested while he did not yet have all the immunities conferred on him as a result of his election victory.
Former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur says he is concerned that the island’s Central Bank could soon be running out of foreign reserves and that the island is headed for a serious financial crisis.
Arthur, an economist, who served as prime minister from 1994 to 2008, said the reserves at the bank have fallen from BDS$1.5 billion to BDS$600 million and that the Freundel Stuart government has three months to get its act together to avert a total collapse of the economy.
Arthur, a former finance minister, also said that the bad policy of printing money to cover government’s deficit over the past few years is partly responsible for the country’s current economic situation.
He said measures such as project funding and privatization geared to boost the economy have not worked and that the government has exhausted its ability to borrow from local banks, the National Insurance scheme and on foreign markets thereby running out of options to support the foreign reserves.
Raphaelita Walker, the mother of the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has died at the age of 90.
Mrs. Walker died peacefully at her home in Toronto, Canada, on February 14 surrounded by family and friends, including Minister Grange and her husband of over 50 years, Gifford Walker.
Olivia’Babsy’ Grange was with her mother Raphealite Walker asa she drew her last breath.
Considered a stalwart in the Jamaican community in Toronto, Mrs. Walker was an integral member of several organizations including the 55-year-old Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), the largest and oldest community Jamaican organization in Canada; PACE (Canada), [Project for the Advancement
of Childhood Education], which adopts basic schools in Jamaica; and the Jamaica Independence Church Service committee, which plans the annual event to commemorate Jamaica’s independence.
Mrs. Walker has adopted two basic schools in Jamaica – Charles Chin Loy and High Holborn. For nearly 30 years, she and husband, Gifford Walker, have played Santa and Mrs. Claus at JCA’s annual Children’s Christmas Party.
Describing her mother as the backbone of the family Minister Grange says her life epitomized the true meaning of the words “Love and Helpful.”
Senator the Honorable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade under whose portfolio Diaspora Affairs falls, underscored the tremendous contributions which Raphaelita has made to Diaspora development spanning several decades. “Her passion, drive and generosity of spirit has left an imprint in the hearts of a grateful nation” she stated.
Her Excellency Janice Miller, High Commissioner of Jamaica expressed deep sorrow at the loss of a community icon who she says exemplified all that is good and positive about Jamaica in Canada.
Jamaica’s Consul General at Toronto Mr. Lloyd Wilks noted that Mrs. Walker was a community mother and stalwart whose high standards and compassionate disposition permeated all the organizations that she was involved with and all the individuals with whom she came into contact.
Mrs. Walker, who has called Toronto home since 1963, has been the recipient of many awards including the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for service to Jamaica, the Ontario Volunteer Service Award, the JCA Certificate
of Appreciation, Excellence in Community Service Award, and the Committee on Community, Race & Ethnic Award.
Rising Grenadian sets another world lead in 300 meters
Grenada’s Bralon Taplin set a new world-lead and personal best in the 300-meter run at the Czech Indoor Gala in Ostrava on Tuesday.
Taplin set a blinding pace and romped to a comfortable win in 31.97 seconds over the Czech Republic’s Pavel Maslak who established a season best 31.19 for second. Poland’s Rafal Omelko was third in a personal best 32.73.
His world leading time came just days after Taplin set another world lead, that time in the 400 meters, atthe IAAF World Indoor Tour’s Copernicus Cup Meeting in Torun, Poland.
Taplin is fast emerging as one of the world’s finest quarter-miler much in the mould of his predecessor and former Olympic Champion Kerani James. Both James and Taplin qualified for the Olympic finals in Brazil last year. They finished third and seventh respectively.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Gayon Evans rebounded from her recent loss in Poland to win the 60-metre dash.
Evans, who had victories in Germany and Paris last week, rebounded to take the 60-metre dash in 7.20 seconds.
The Jamaican was given the same time as Venezuela’s Andrea Purica who set a new national record and personal best. The USA’s Jessica Young-Warren who crossed the line in 7.22s.
In the women’s 400m ‘B’ final, Jamaica’s Verone Chambers and Kaliese Spencer finished second and third respectively in the race won by Poland’s Justyna Swiety in 52.73s. Chambers ran a personal best 53.49s for second while Spencer, the 2006 World Junior Champion, produced a season best 53.81 for third.
A first glace at the scorecard of the Jamaica Scorpions in their Regional Super50 semi-final at Coolidge Cricket Ground in St John’s Antigua, it would be hard to think that hard-hitting batsman Chris Gayle was not in the line-up.
The Scorpions amassed a record-breaking 434 for four off 50 overs to pull off a comprehensive victory 292-run victory over the Trinidad Red Force.
The total is undoubtedly an impressive one at any level of the one day game and shows that Jamaica and by extension the west Indies are gifted with swashbuckling batsmen who revel in the shorter version of cricket.
Centuries by Chadwick Walton (117) and Jermaine Blackwood (108) were bolstered by a smart 95 from Rovman Powell and Steven Taylor (88).
Chadwick Walton scored an impressive 117
Powell was deservedly given the man of the match award for his splendid all round performance which saw him also taking five wickets for 36 runs to skittle the Red Force for a paltry 142 and propel his team into the final.
The Trinidadians won the toss and opted to field. They were made to toil as Walton and Steven Taylor posted an opening partnership of 174 in 21 overs. Blackwood then joined the fray and himself and Walton added a 95-run partnership to seize the initiative.
With the score on 269, Walton fell in the 36th over. He clobbered nine fours and seven sixes in his 96-ball knock.
Enter man of the match Powell, whop was given a solid platform to take on the deflated Red Force bowlers. He smashed nine sixes and six fours to end with 95 runs off 45 balls.
Any hopes the Red Force had of chasing the massive total were quickly dashed as the Jamaica Scorpion bowlers complimented the efforts of their batsmen.
The Jamaica Scorpions will play the winner of the Barbados, Leeward Islands encounter on February 18.
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Goals Met or Exceeded
The Miami-Dade School Board has approved four General Obligation Bond (GOB) projects at its regular monthly meeting today with a total investment valued at $37.7 million.
The GOB was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2012 to renovate, remodel and replace schools, expand student capacity, enhance safety, and provide technology upgrades. The projects awarded for construction include the following:
Comstock Elementary School – Scope of work includes: Replacement of one building, playground and play court improvements, renovations to existing buildings.
Total project allocation – $11.85 million Completion – spring 2020
Total Sub-Consultant Small Business Enterprise Participation – 25 percent
Total Sub-Consultant Small Business Enterprise Participation for Pre-Construction – 15 percent.
Coral Gables Senior High School – Scope of work includes: Site improvements such as drop-off, parking and walkways, window replacement, selective flooring and ceiling improvements, restroom renovations, HVAC system improvements and security camera enhancements.
Total project allocation – $11.2 million Completion – spring 2020
Total Sub-Consultant Small Business Enterprise Participation – 20 percent
Total Sub-Consultant Small Business Enterprise Participation for Pre-Construction – 16 percent
Dr. Henry W. Mack/West Little River K-8 Center – Scope of work includes: New building to house science and special purpose activities; site improvements including parking and walkways; new playground and play court improvements; interior and exterior renovations of Buildings 1, 2 and 3, including HVAC, ceiling, lighting, window replacement; and interior and exterior painting.
Total project allocation – $10.56 million Completion – fall 2019
Total Sub-Consultant Small Business Enterprise Participation – 20 percent
Total Sub-Consultant Small Business Enterprise Participation for Pre-Construction – 16 percent
Arcola Lake Elementary School – Scope of work includes: New ESE building with classrooms and ancillary facilities, portable demolition and site restoration, new walkway, and exterior painting of existing facility. Total project funding – $4.08 million Completion – summer 2018
Total Sub-Consultant Small Business Enterprise Participation – 43.38 percent
In each instance, the District-established S/MBE utilization goals were exceeded, with highly diverse sub-consultant teams. This was further strengthened by a strong commitment to Local Workforce Utilization.
The District’s continued adherence to the GOB program and commitment to inclusiveness and diversity in its procurement process are positively impacting the quality of the educational environment and the local economy.
“Today, hundreds of people from diverse sectors filled the board of County Commission chambers beyond capacity to express deep concerns and disapproval of the Mayor’s proposal to cooperate with ICE detainers. Disregarding numerous constitutional questions and moral dilemma, testimony, prayer and song, with a majority vote of 9-to-3, Commissioners opted to betray immigrant families in exchange for the specter of future discretionary funding. Fearful of the designation of Sanctuary local leadership buckled under vague threats of federal funding withheld and threw our families under the bus,” she said.
In the Master League Lauderdale FC got the better of Creekers Masters 2-0, while Chapel Trail beat Rock Island FC 4-2.
