Archive for June, 2016
Suspect denies using gun to resist arrest
(CNS): A 22-year-old Bodden Town man who has been charged with using an imitation gun with the intention of evading arrest has pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Jonathan Welcome denied that he was in possession of an imitation firearm in April this year, when he reportedly faced down police with a weapon on School […]
Burglars steal cash during bank break-in
(CNS): The Royal Bank of Canada on Shedden Road was broken into and cash stolen sometime Wednesday night, police have confirmed, saying that bank staff discovered the break-in when they arrived for work this morning (Thursday, 23 June). Police said the thieves did not gain access to the vault but stole cash from the dispensing […]
Four suspect Zika cases sent for testing
(CNS): Local public health officials have sent four blood samples from patients suspected of having the Zika virus to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad for testing. Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, the acting medical director, said the samples were sent on Wednesday, 22 June, after three residents and one visitor presented with symptoms consistent […]
Opposition to land conservation grows
(CNS): All of the members of the opposition who were present in the final throes of Finance Committee Wednesday evening voted against withdrawing cash from the Environmental Protection Fund to buy land for conservation purposes. The independent and UDP members all raised objections to the environment minister’s motion to secure some $6.7 million from the […]
New generator to cut costs, firm-up supply
(CNS): A new generator at Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) will help the local power supplier meet the growing demand for electricity at a reduced cost and, despite being diesel-powered, in a more environmentally friendly way. The 40-megawatt generator was described by officials as the most efficient diesel power plant in the Caribbean when it was […]
CIG extends bonus to all workers in public bodies
(CNS): Workers in government-owned companies and statutory authorities can also look forward to a 2.2% bonus this month after Premier Alden McLaughlin announced Tuesday that the payment would be extended to all public bodies. The bonus, which was awarded first to civil servants in core government, is a one-off but the premier said it would […]
MLAs press for gay rights fight
(CNS): Members of the opposition benches pressed government to budget for a legal fight over gay rights during Finance Committee Wednesday, when they asked for updates on the case of Dr Leo Raznovich, who is seeking to become his husband’s legal dependent. Questioning the attorney general about the 2016/17 budget appropriations for his chambers, Ezzard […]
DG warns MLAs of politicizing CS
(CNS): The deputy governor, who has responsibility for civil servants, warned MLAs Wednesday not to politicize the service as he engaged in an acrimonious exchange with independent MLA Arden McLean (East End) and tried to address concerns raised by Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush (West Bay) over human resource complaints. As lawmakers asked various questions that […]
Majority of suspended civil servants face criminal charges
(CNS): The majority of the 31 public servants who are on required leave and suspended from their jobs on full pay are facing criminal proceedings in the courts, the deputy governor revealed Wednesday as Finance Committee began scrutinising spending on the civil service. Franz Manderson told legislators that the majority, though not all, suspended government […]
Judge throws out NBF fraud case
(CNS): Sandra Catron has been acquitted of eight counts of uttering a false document in a fraud case relating to the controversial Nation Building Fund after a Grand Court judge directed a jury to find her not guilty. Justice Malcolm Swift said the charges were flawed and there was insufficient evidence to support the crown’s […]
Fire chief promises Caymanian succession
(CNS): The British fire service expert who took over the Cayman Islands Fire Service earlier this year against a backdrop of controversy that a local chief fire officer could not be found has promised that he will train staff so that a Caymanian can take his job in the next few years. David Hails told […]
