Home Blog Page 1525

Haiti, Dominican Republic agree to migration, trade talks

The presidents of the Dominican Republic and Haiti agreed Tuesday to reopen negotiations to resolve migration and commercial disputes that are plaguing relations between their two countries.

The leaders, who met on the Dominican side of the border in the town of Barahona, said that government ministers would work on “an accord to enhance commercial trade and normalise ground transport of goods,” according to a memorandum of understanding.

Dominican President Danilo Medina and his Haitian counterpart Michel Martelly said that their industry and trade ministers plus finance ministers would meet in Port-au-Prince in the next 15 days.

“Both governments also agreed to continue ongoing communication and coordination for better harmonisation of repatriation,” said Dominican Foreign Minister Andres Navarro, who read out the presidents’ memorandum.

Haiti has been waging an international campaign against a Dominican immigration policy that saw more than 250,000 people — mostly those born of Haitian parents — become stateless.

The Dominican Republic had given undocumented migrants until June 17 to register with authorities or face deportation.

The deadline was based on a Dominican court ruling in 2013 that said children born in the country of undocumented foreigners do not have Dominican citizenship.

Under international pressure, Santo Domingo established a process by which some 50,000 of those immigrants would be allowed to stay, but the majority were unable to finish the process in time due to documents that were slow to arrive from Haiti and Dominican registration offices that were overwhelmed by crowds.

Florida judge rejects state redistricting map, selects alternative

Florida Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis has rejected the congressional district map proposed by state legislature. Lewis instead gave tentative approval to the version submitted by League of Women Voters, who had campaigned to remove the original map based on political bias concerns.

In his ruling, Lewis said the Legislature had not “met its burden of justifying the proposed versions of Districts 20 through 27,” while the map designed by the challengers showed no such bias, and split the least number of cities and counties.

Earlier this year, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the original map designed by the Legislature unfairly represented eight districts, including four in South Florida. The court issued specific redesign guidelines, but by August the Florida House and Senate failed to reach an agreement. The maps were then resubmitted to Judge Lewis for his decision. The map recommended by Judge Lewis will now advance to the Supreme Court for final decision.

In Broward County, the recommended map merges parts of Congressional District 21 held by Democrat Ted Deutch of Boca Raton with District 22 held by Democratic Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach. District 21 now includes most of Palm Beach County and the new District 22 large sections of north Broward County, Boca Raton and Hillsborough County. Both democrats would face a predicament deciding which district each should run in the 2016 general elections.

 

In District 20, held by Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings, the recommended map removes parts of Hendry County, but places the left-leaning City of Miramar in his district.

 

The more significant change affects District 26 in South-West Miami-Dade County, placing the Democrat-leaning City of Homestead in the district currently held by Republican Carlos Curbelo. The map also leaves the Black Democratic communities of Richmond Heights, Palmetto Estates and West Perrine in District 26 – changes which would favor Democratic Candidate Annette Taddeo in 2016.

The change also removes the City of Homestead from District 27, currently held by Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, which will not likely affect her position.

Attorney for the League of Women Voters, David King hailed the ruling as a “great victory for the people of Florida and for restoration of representative democracy.”

The Florida Legislature commences another special session on October 19 to decide on the redistricting map.

 

SoFlo healthcare still high, despite insurance

A recent healthcare study in South Florida, conducted by heath tech firm Castlight Health, confirms what many already knew – the fluctuating and often high costs of medical procedures in the region.

In South Florida the only consistence cost for medical procedures are for routine annual physical, averaging $100 per visit. But after that the price range gets confusing, especially for patients without health insurance. And for the insured, the coverage from several companies for procedures like mammograms, colonoscopies, and MRIs are fixed, despite the actual cost.

Miami Lakes resident Heather Little said she was “floored” when she got the bill for cancer screenings ordered from a routine mammogram.

“When I was told I had to see a specialist to do follow-up tests I was more worried about the outcome of the tests than the cost, although the specialist office said they would cost around $2,000,” said Little. “I was confident my insurance company would cover it. I was shocked when the office called saying the insurance company would only pay $700, and I needed to find over $1,300 before the tests.”

And when she called other offices for a lower price, Little found other specialists charging more as high as $2,800.

For South Florida residents without health insurance and ineligible for Obamacare, their only recourse is to borrow funds for preventative tests, or visit public clinics or hospital emergency rooms.

Lilith Armstrong, admissions clerk at a Broward County health clinic, said their facility is often overbooked.

“Patients often complain about the long wait, but that can’t be helped because the appointment schedule is jam-packed daily,” said Armstrong.

The Castlight study shows the average cost for procedures like mammograms in the Broward/Miami-Dade is $307, making the region the 9th most expensive among 30 major cities. Even for residents with insurance policies, the procedure ranges from as low as $96 to $510.

A Kendall imaging center account Bob Ryalto says the reason for the high bills are from the high-cost of equipment and electricity.

“You would be surprised how much power these equipment use, and electrical cost is very expensive in South Florida,” said Ryalto.

Costs for these tests aren’t much cheaper if conducted at a hospital emergency room. Philbert Donahue, supervisor at a Miramar collection agency for emergency room bills, said “six out of every 10 patients calling about their ER bill said the reason they couldn’t pay is because they couldn’t meet the high cost for procedures.”

 

Dominican PM brushes aside links to Chinese billionaire

 

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica has brushed aside suggestions of a link between his administration and a Chinese billionaire charged in the United States for providing bribes to a former Antigua and Barbuda top United Nations diplomat.

The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has been calling on Skerrit to come clean on the issue ever since court records in the United States showed that a complaint had been brought by the United States attorney for the Southern District, charging Dr. John Ashe, who once served as president of the United Nations General Assembly and five others, including a billionaire developer from the Chinese territory of Macau.

The complaint alleges that the five, including billionaire Bg Lap Seng, also known as David Ng, paid bribes to the former Antigua and Barbuda diplomat in exchange for “benefits from the UN and the government of Antigua and Barbuda.”

In addition, the complaint claims, the former diplomat received more than US$800,000 in bribes from “various Chinese businessmen” and that he “shared a portion of the bribe payments” with senior Antiguan government officials, including the prime minister.

Skerrit, who, was seen in a photograph, taken before the arrests, with the men in Macau, brushed aside questions from reporters on the issue at a news conference. But Skerrit told reporters he has no diplomatic immunity protecting him.

“As Prime Minister I do not have diplomatic immunity anywhere in the world including Dominica,” he said. “If I were to commit a crime in Dominica I could be arrested or in Grenada or in the United States. So I do not have diplomatic immunity. Courtesies are extended to me as the Prime Minister of this country but I do not have diplomatic immunity in any country in the world at any time.”

Skerrit confirmed the authenticity of the photograph with him Chinese investor, saying he was not the only leader whose photo had been taken during the function.

Piper High School hosts third annual community wellness day with Miami Dolphins

Piper High School along with Banyan Elementary School, Discovery Elementary School, Horizon Elementary School, Nob Hill Elementary School, Sandpiper Elementary School, Village Elementary School, Welleby Elementary School, Bair Middle School and Westpine Middle School will host the third annual Community Wellness Day with the Miami Dolphins on October 23 from 9 am to noon at Piper High School.

Students can participate in several fun activities including basketball, football, soccer and cheerleading sport skill stations, and meet former Miami Dolphins’ players and Miami Dolphins’ cheerleaders. Rising R&B recording artist Teenear will give a special musical performance.  An athletic showcase area will also feature information about scholarships and athlete profile development.

Attendees can participate in group fitness instruction including Zumba and “Cross-Fit” Fitness as well as JROTC military training.  Also, the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) will be performing free body mass index checks.

Students can also enjoy activities such as X-Box dance games, and learn from hands-on demonstrations on how to make healthy nutrition and life choices.

Marcia Griffiths to headline JABA annual Grand Gala and Awards Ceremony

Directed by President, Attorney Don D. G. James, Esquire and celebrating legal scholastic excellence, the Jamaican-American Bar Association (JABA), will once again hold its Annual Grand Gala and Awards Ceremony, on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at the Sheraton Airport Hotel.

“Raising the Bar to Excellence” is the theme of this year’s Grand Gala and headlined by the iconic Singer, Marcia Griffiths, Mr. James states that this Gala will as usual be a tour de force pageantry of splendor and Jamaican cultural entertainment. choreographed by Master of Ceremonies, John T. Hodgson, from WAVS 1170, this third Annual Grand Gala will highlight the achievements of Jamaican-American Law Students from South Florida Universities who will be awarded Cash Scholarships. Notable Jamaican-American legal professionals of the Bar and Bench will also be honored at this Gala.

Reflecting the rich cultural mix of our South Florida Community, this Gala will again celebrate and promote diversity, as Jamaican-American attorneys will host business professionals and attorneys from other ethnic groups. The JABA Annual Grand Gala is fast developing a reputation, as a great event for networking, entertaining and dining on a delicious repast reflecting our rich Jamaican heritage.

Music for dancing feet will as usual be provided by DJ Mark Swaby and attendees are reminded that the dress code is: elegantly formal and black tie optional.

Cover is $100.00 and tickets are available online at jamaican-americanbar.com and are also on sale at; Aunt I’s Restaurant at Lauderhill, Junie’s Restaurant in Miami Gardens, Sango’s Restaurant in Cutler Ridge and Kie’s Fashion Boutique in Kendall.

The Jamaican-American Bar Association was established for the purpose of raising the professional profile of Jamaican-American Attorneys. Their stated mission is to provide legal assistance to the community and coordinate educational, mentoring and other assistance for law students and new colleagues of the legal profession. Organized on a regional and de-centralized basis, with another vibrant Chapter presently active in the New York / New Jersey area, JABA’s aim is to serve as a nationwide organization, operating throughout the United States of America.

TalkUp: Who cheat more? Men or women

Keep breakfast satisfying with smart substitutions

When it comes to breakfast, the options are truly endless. However these days, dietary sensitivities to dairy, eggs, nuts and meat-free lifestyle choices can make it challenging to serve a breakfast that’s nourishing and satisfying for everyone.

Fortunately, making smart substitutions and choosing alternative ingredients can allow you to savor breakfast without sacrificing any of your favorite dishes. Here are some common dietary differences, and easy ways to accommodate them at the breakfast table:

* Dairy sensitivity – About 65 percent of people have dairy sensitivities of varying degrees, according to the National Institutes of Health. Milk and dairy are key ingredients in many favorite breakfast foods, from lattes to smoothies to egg dishes. One dairy substitute that works for many people who are sensitive to dairy due to lactose is Lactaid. It’s 100 percent real, farm-fresh milk with all the vitamins and calcium found in regular milk, just without the lactose, which can cause discomfort. If you’re sensitive to dairy due to lactose, you can have Lactaid milk not only with your morning cereal, but also in any breakfast recipe that calls for milk. You can make muffins, banana pancakes, fruit smoothies and French toast using Lactaid.

* Egg-free – Whether you follow a vegan diet that eliminates all animal products, or have a sensitivity to eggs, you can still enjoy your favorite egg-based breakfast dishes. The countless food substitutes make it easy to enjoy the foods you love regardless of the diet. Many vegan quiche recipes, for example, replace the eggs with tofu. Egg-free pancakes rely on vegetable oil and baking powder to produce fluffy, smooth griddlecakes.

* Nut-free – If you’re a fan of granola, but want to follow a nut-free diet, you don’t have to give up this nutritious breakfast favorite. You can make your own granola and replace nuts with a variety of healthful, delicious seeds such as sunflower seeds. Have a breakfast recipe that calls for peanut butter? Try sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter as a substitute. Recipes that rely on nuts for crunch and texture (such as banana nut muffins) can also benefit from replacing the nuts with seeds.

* Vegetarian – Many people choose meat-free lifestyles for a number of reasons, including the health benefits of a diet rich in veggies. It’s possible to follow a vegetarian diet while still enjoying some of the flavors of popular breakfast meats. Vegetables make wonderful additions to omelets and breakfast burritos, and a number of companies offer meat-free products that mimic the taste and look of bacon or sausage.

* Gluten sensitivity – Millions of Americans have found that eliminating gluten from their diet helps them feel healthier. Until recently it could be challenging to find gluten-free breakfast foods, but now many grocery stores offer gluten free breads, muffins and other foods. It’s also easy to make your own gluten-free breakfast foods at home, thanks to online recipe banks like allrecipes.com, food.com and even foodnetwork.com.

Accommodating dietary differences doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are two recipes for those with dairy sensitivity due to lactose from Lactaid Brand:

Banana Mango Smoothie

From Melissa d’Arabian

Ingredients

1 cup Reduced Fat Lactaid Milk

1/2 cup sliced bananas, frozen

3/4 cup cubed mango, frozen

1/4 cup cooked white beans, rinsed

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dash cinnamon

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend on high until smooth (about 1 minute)

 

 

Remembering Savannah

Officials gather to remember Haitian soldiers of American Revolutionary War

It was a special night of Remembrance last Friday as numerous ministers from Haiti, as well as leaders from the Diaspora gathered in Savannah, Georgia, to honor the 236th anniversary of the Battle of Savannah on Place Franklin Square, where a monument marks the memory of Haitian soldiers who fought in the American Revolutionary battle.

Hosted by the Haitian American Historical Society (based in Miami Shores), the event was attended by Haiti’s Minister of Culture Dithny Joan Raton, Minister of Haitians Living Abroad Robert Labrousse, Consul General of Haiti in Atlanta Gandy Thomas, Director General of National Heritage Preservation Institute Patrick Durandis, Director General of MHAVE Édouard Valmé and Mayor of Cap-Haitien, Yves Althéon. Several members from the Diaspora in Miami also attended to honor the anniversary.

The event was also celebrating the eighth anniversary of the monument. Erected in 2007 and campaigned for by the Haitian American Historical Society (HAHS), the monument depicts the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue, a black regiment recruited from what is now Haiti to the fight for an independent America. The Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue were all volunteers, ten companies of light infantry recruited from amongst the free men of color, including a young future president of Haiti, Henri Christophe. Society members spent a total of seven years drumming up support for the monument from Savannah officials and securing (in two stages) the over $500,000 needed to construct the memorial.

In recognition of the society’s tireless advocacy for preserving Haiti’s historical contribution to the U.S., Minister Labrousse also awarded plagues to Daniel Fils-Aimé, CEO of the HAHS, as well as to the organization.

The HAHS is dedicated to highlighting the contributions of Haitians and Blacks, by researching and compiling data of Haitians and Blacks who have performed deeds of great historical significance in the U.S.

Soundtrack for hit Jamaican movie, “Destiny,” released on iTunes

A scene from the film Destiny.
A scene from the film Destiny.
A scene from the film Destiny.

Soundtrack for hit Jamaican film, “Destiny,” has finally been released on iTunes, Amazon and Stream.

Tracks include music from the film’s stars Chris Martin and Karian Sang, as well as tunes from Busy Signal, Tifa and Spice.

Premiered this summer in South Florida, “Destiny” was the first Jamaican film to be shown at a U.S. mainstream theater.

Winner of The Gleaner Honour Award for Entertainment, the film was shot in Jamaica with additional footage in Canada.

The film chronicles the story of Lisa Pullen, played by lead actress Karian Sang, as she journeys to find herself following the death of her parents and a tumultuous break-up with her boyfriend. A trip to Jamaica to sell land acquired through inheritance leads to much more, as Lisa not only uncovers truths about her family’s past, but also finds herself falling in love in the process.

Jamaican government ready to pay public sector workers

Vice-President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, Helene Davis Whyte
Vice-President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, Helene Davis Whyte
Vice-President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, Helene Davis Whyte

The Jamaican Government says it is ready to pay public sector workers in this month’s salary under the new wage deal, signed in August.

However, the Ministry of Finance on Monday afternoon said it was awaiting the completion of audited returns from ministries, departments and agencies, indicating the money which is necessary to pay the new rate.

Workers are to start receiving the agreed J$4,000 per month in the first year of the two-year compensation package.

Deputy Financial Secretary Wayne Jones says the deadline given to the government entities was October 2; however, that expired without all the audited returns being sent back to the Ministry of Finance.

Helene Davis Whyte, Vice-President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, says the Confederation had not received any word from the Ministry of Finance whether the new increases will be paid in this month’s salary.

She had warned that public sector employees were becoming increasingly restive over the delay in the payment.

Actor Omari Hardwick confirmed as celebrity judge for Miami Gardens Wine and Food Experience

Omari Hardwick from BET’s “Being Mary Jane” has been confirmed as a judge for the upcoming Miami Gardens Wine and Food Experience.

The Festival will feature culinary talents, Jamaican celebrity chef Troy Tingling, pastry master Myriam Charles, and executive chef Boy Ali to compete in the Festival’s Master Chef Showdown.

The inaugural event will feature delightful complimentary tastings from South Florida chefs, master chef cook-offs, samplings of renowned wine and spirits, bartender showdown and live music.

The event is set for November 14th at the City of Miami Gardens Municipal Complex from 6pm to 12am.

Study names South Florida as nation’s capital of mortgage fraud

A new report has named South Florida as the nation’s capital of mortgage fraud.

Analytics firm CoreLogic says Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties have the highest risk, based on data from this year’s 2nd quarter. The report partly attributes the high rate to the region’s glut of foreclosed properties.

Mortgage fraud usually involves hiding information from lenders so that borrowers can obtain loans they would not have gotten if they had been truthful.

The high number of cheap foreclosed homes in South Florida has made the region a magnet for fraud. But as the foreclosure inventory dwindles away, the opportunity for fraud is growing smaller.

The risk of mortgage fraud in South Florida fell by 9 percent year-over-year in the second quarter, according to the report.

Bolt resumes training

Usain Bolt resumed training this week, following the conclusion of another successful season.

The sprinting sensation in taking his first steps towards a dominant 2016 season, said he is looking forward to meeting up with all of his rivals.

Bolt who reported to the Racers Track Club training base at the University of the West Indies on Monday told reporters that is job is not yet done.

“I’m just happy to be back, I’ve been looking forward to it. I enjoyed my vacation, but it’s really good to be back in training,” said Bolt.

Bonds: what everyone should know

For most law-abiding citizens, the thought of ever having to get out of jail seems incomprehensible. But at some point, we, a family member or a close friend may need to bond out of jail, facing a very complicated process.

Courts issue bonds to ensure individuals appear in court and protect the community from dangerous persons. Bonds often specify money, but can also be coupled other conditions such as surrendering passports, or staying away from complainants.

The money amount is usually determined by the seriousness of the charges, the number of charges, the individual’s ties to the community and prior convictions. In some instances, a person may be released under the supervision of the jurisdiction’s pre-trial services department, who monitors the person while their case progresses. These restrictions range from a call once a week and random drug testing, to total home confinement monitored electronically by GPS.

Under Florida’s constitution, every person charged with a crime is entitled to pretrial release on reasonable conditions, unless charged with a capital crime or one which carries a maximum of life in prison (such as murder and armed robbery). These charges are presumptively non-bondable, and a special hearing is required to determine if that person is allowed to bond out of custody. If charged with such a crime, the individual has to convince a judge that the “proof of guilt is not evident and the presumption is not great.”

Even in instances where a court primarily requires only a monetary bond, increasingly courts are requiring proof that the money is from an untainted source, unconnected to any illegal activities. This is especially so when individuals are arrested on drug or fraud related matters, ensuring a genuine prospect of loss of legitimately earned monies if the person absconds. This precondition has kept many in custody.

Note that if one is released from custody on a bond for a felony, any arrest while the matter is still pending will result in the bond’s forfeiture. Individuals will be held in custody until their first case has been resolved.

There are many nuances surrounding bonds. When in doubt, consult a trained professional such as an attorney.

Mark Douglas is lawyer specializing in criminal defense, immigration/deportation defense, employment law and real estate law in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He can be contacted at 954-730-8293 and at mark@markdouglaslaw.com

JADCO to improve accuracy of testing process for athletes

In response to criticism about outdated procedures, the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) says they have made great strides, improving the frequency and accuracy of its testing process for athletes.

Since 2008, 12 Jamaicans have tested positive for substances, and have served bans or have been cleared completely.

JADCO, which came under fire for its approach to drug testing in 2013, conducted 347 tests last year. The adverse analytical findings in this report are not subjected to athletics alone, but also cover Olympic and non-Olympic sports and must not be confused with adjudicated or sanctioned Anti-Doping Rule Violations.

JA Minister of Technology to speak at Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum in Miami

Minister of Technology, Phillip Paulwell
Minister of Technology, Phillip Paulwell
Minister of Technology, Phillip Paulwell

Political leaders and energy experts from across the Caribbean head to Miami next Monday for the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum.

The three-day event will explore the region’s renewable energy investment opportunities and will bring together more than over 400 delegates, including government officials, utilities, regulators, multilaterals, developers, and providers of capital and technology from more than 20 Caribbean countries.

Panel discussions will focus on specific countries, including Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. The event is being hosted by New Energy Events, with sponsorship from World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), among others.

Speakers will include Barbados Minister Darcy Boyce, Jamaican Minister of Technology, Philip Paulwell and Caribbean Development Bank President, Warren Smith.

CNW90: Miami Broward Carnival announces One Island as Best Band of the Year

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, October 15, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

Following a surge of recent school shootings across the nation, the Miami Dade Public School board has approved two gun violence prevention programs. Behavior training programs Rachel Challenge and Sandy Hook Promise, both inspired by victims of mass school shootings, will be implemented throughout the district.

The 2015 Miami Broward One Carnival competition results have been finally released, with One Island copping Band of the Year for their designs inspired by popular fiction. Jean Pierre De Grannes was crowned King of Carnival,  playing Picoca the Circus Ringmaster for Mascots International, and Shelia Boy was crowned Queen as Nani Yehi for Island Gems Mas.

As part of their community outreach, the Metropolitan Baptist Church and Jamaican charity Reclaimed Territory is hosting a Benevolent Concert, on Saturday, October 17th, starting 6:30 pm at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Hollywood. Proceeds will go to the locally disadvantage and to young people incarcerated in Jamaica.

Jamaica Football Federation boss Captain Horace Burrell has blasted the Reggae Boyz for lack of effort following their 3-0 loss against South Korea in Seoul on Tuesday. Burrell argued that though the team was struggling from injuries, the replacements of fringe and local-based players were not up to standard.

What’s trending:
Novelist Marlon James becomes the first Jamaican author to win the prestigious British literary award, the Man Booker Prize.
For more on what’s trending, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Caribbean National Weekly, and on Twitter at National Weekly.

For Today’s Weather Forecast:
Mostly Cloudy in Broward County with a high of 87 and a low of 76. For Miami-Dade, scattered showers with a high of 86 and a low of 75.
For more information on these and other stories, visit caribbeannationalweekly.com.

Students to explore construction career opportunities at Construction Career Days of South Florida

The 15th annual Construction Career Days of South Florida will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 20 – 21, 2015, at Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie.
The two-day event kicks off with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Tuesday, October 20, at 7:45 a.m. The event will be open each day from 9 a.m – 2 p.m. as a forum for students to learn about rewarding careers in the highway and bridge industry. 

 

Students will meet and interact with leaders in the construction field, observe demonstrations and experience several aspects of construction through hands-on learning labs. The focus is on attracting young people to begin thinking about future education and career goals, and potentially pique their interest in considering a career in the construction industry.

Students will be able to see and learn firsthand the outstanding career options available to them, whether they enter the workforce after high school, gain post-secondary training or pursue college degrees in construction or engineering. This one-of-a-kind event offers students a glimpse into one of the largest growing industries in the nation.

CDC study shows urgent need for improved prescribing practices

drug

Drug overdose is the leading cause of injury death in the United States – mostly due to abuse and misuse of prescription opioid pain relievers, benzodiazepines (sedatives/tranquilizers), and stimulants.

Information from state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) can be used to detect and measure prescribing patterns that suggest abuse and misuse of controlled substances, according to a report released today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Surveillance Summary.

It is the first multi-state report from the CDC- and FDA-funded Prescription Behavior Surveillance System (PBSS), which analyzes data from state PDMPs. The eight states that submitted 2013 data—California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Ohio and West Virginia—represent about a quarter of the U.S. population.

The study found that prescribing practices varied widely among states despite the fact that states are similar in the prevalence of the conditions these drugs are used to treat. Moreover, differences in population characteristics, such as ethnicity and social status, likely explain only a fraction of the variation in prescribing practices. The findings point to the urgent need for improved prescribing practices, particularly for opioids – which in all eight states were prescribed twice as often as stimulants or benzodiazepines.

“Every day, 44 people die in American communities from an overdose of prescription opioids and many more become addicted,” said CDC director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “States are on the frontline of witnessing these overdose deaths.  This research can help inform their prescription overdose prevention efforts and save lives.”

 

Men, know your paternity rights

Dad, you have an 8-year-old son that is the apple of your eye. You were there when he took his first steps, attended every soccer game, and put his first fallen tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy.

Now, his mother says she’s leaving with your child on a jet plane, with no intention of coming back. You tell her that there’s no way she’s taking your son. But she claims you have no legal ground, since you didn’t “put a ring on it.” You’re livid! You’re convinced she’s wrong, but don’t know what to do.

Here’s what you need to know.

In Florida, an unwed father does not have time-sharing rights until he obtains a court order, even if the father signed or acknowledged his paternity on the child’s birth certificate. This means that the mother is in fact, in the eyes of the law, the natural and legal custodian of the child, and is free to leave the state with the child if no order establishing paternity exists. The same is true even if the father is paying child support, but has no order specifying time-sharing and parental responsibility.  Shocker, right? But this is how the law works!

So, in this example – even though it appears you’re eligible for a dad of the year award – at the moment, the mom will indeed be able to skip town with your child, and there is very little you can do about it. That is until you petition the court to establish paternity.

So here’s the bottom line.

Paternity cases are complicated and often involve extreme emotions. Retaining an experienced family lawyer is essential, if paternity is at issue in your case.

Attorney Yanique L. Otto is the lead attorney at the Otto Law Group. She focuses her practice exclusively on family law and personal injury cases.

 

Met Baptist Church and Reclaimed Territory make sweet music for a cause

DJ Nicholas
DJ Nicholas
DJ Nicholas

To give back to the community, the Metropolitan Baptist Church and Jamaican charity group Reclaimed Territory is hosting a spectacular Benevolent Concert, on Saturday, October 17th, starting 6:30 pm at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Hollywood, Florida.

Featured artists include Claudius England, Kamiela “Candy” Isaacs, DJ Nicholas, Rondell Positive, Haldane Worrell, Abby McDonald, Jermaine Edwards, Comedian Sis P. and radio hosts Stacy Rose and Tanya A.

Continuing the emphasis on youth and community engagement, this exciting concert will raise funds for the disadvantaged in Hollywood and care packages for unsupported young people incarcerated in Jamaica. Though attendance is free, attendee are invited to donate to this worthy cause.

This concert is part of a month-long outreach tour of South Florida, providing donations and entertainment to children’s homes, juvenile detention centers, rehab centers, schools and churches. The tour will continue with their community outreach, partnering with Farmshare to provide free lunches and groceries to at least 250 households in Hollywood, as well as providing live entertainment, bounce houses, games and fun for the entire family.

The Metropolitan Baptist Church has long served Hollywood through community outreach. To continue this goal, the Church chose to partner with Jamaican foundation Reclaimed Territories, which has provided valuable support to vulnerable youth at juvenile centers and prisons in Kingston, Jamaica and the UK.

Miami-Dade School Board approves two gun violence prevention programs

Following a surge of recent school shootings across the nation, the Miami Dade Public School board has approved two gun violence prevention programs. Behavior training programs Rachel Challenge and Sandy Hook Promise,  will be implemented throughout the district.

The Rachel’s Challenge, is a program that seeks to make schools more welcoming places and is based on the life and writings of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High shooting in Littleton, Colorado, in 1999. Twelve students and one teacher were slain.

The board also agreed to explore implementing some of the training programs of Sandy Hook Promise, an organization that was created after the 2012 shooting in a Connecticut elementary school that claimed the lives of 20 children and six educators. The proposal will come back for an official vote in November.

President of JFF blasts Reggae Boys following loss to South Korea

President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Captain Horace Burrell
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Captain Horace Burrell
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Captain Horace Burrell

President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Captain Horace Burrell has blasted the Reggae Boyz for lack of effort following their 3-0 loss against South Korea in Seoul on Tuesday. Burrell argued that though the team was struggling from injuries, the replacements of fringe and local-based players were not up to standard.

Though selection of teams is the primary responsibility of Head Coach Winfried Schaefer and his technical staff, Burrell made it clear that such a rendition, like that exhibited by some players during the match will no longer be tolerated and the coaching staff will have no option but to omit such players from future engagements.

Goals from Ji Dongwon in the 35th minute, Captain Ki Sungyueng in the 57th, and Lee Jaesung in the 63rd carried the hosts to a dominating victory over a Reggae Boyz band which struggled to keep possession of the ball with any degree of consistency while creating a number of juvenile errors.

Miami Broward Carnival announces band winners

This past weekend’s Miami Broward Carnival may have been the best party of the year. But don’t be fooled. Carnival is serious business. It’s a war out there as bands strut their feathered, sequined stuff to capture the coveted crown.

The masquerade bands were judged for their visual impact, creativity, clarity of theme, and presentation. And this year did not disappoint, with the most ambitious performers and richly colorful costumes yet.

But only one can be called number one, and One Island came out on top, for their epic designs for “A Novel Idea,” inspired by popular fiction: think fiery feathers and neon scales inspired by “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” or bondage chains and silver ties for “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Second place went to Euphoria Mass for their theme “Uncaged” inspired by Caribbean birds, while third place went to Generation X under their theme “The Spirit of Carnival.”

But Carnival is nothing without its King and Queen, and Mascot International dominated with their performers. Jean Pierre De Grannes was crowned King of Carnival for his portrayal of Picoca the Circus Ringmaster for Mascots International. And Shelia Boy was crowned as Queen for her portrayal of Nani Yehi for Island Gems Mas. To fill out the royal court, best male when to Raphael Dalrymple for Mascot International “Spirit of the Circus” and best female to Nicole DeNobriga for Mascot International’s “Mythical Legend of the Trapeze.”

Miami Broward Carnival’s littlest marchers were also recognized for their fabulous performances and costumes. For Junior Carnival, returning champions Heritage TNT nabbed the crown again for “Colors of Karma.” Second place went to Fun Generation Too for their theme, “Seeds of Sampson,” while third place went to Wassi Babes for “Dey in It.”

Returning champions, the Pantastik Steel Orchestra also kept the music going, emerging as the 2015 Panorama Champions.

1...1,5241,5251,526...1,542Page 1,525 of 1,542