The ghost of Section 34 laid to rest … Administration of Justice Act from August 2

Weekday Issue, 14th June, front page reads:  FINAL RITES FOR SECTION 34

Weekday Issue, 14th June, front page reads: FINAL RITES FOR SECTION 34

THE ghost of the infamous Section 34 will be laid to rest on August 2.
This is when the new Administration of Justice Act (Indictable Offences), of which Section 34 was a part, will kick in.
Persons charged under the act will no longer appear before a magistrate.
The controversial Act is set to take effect from this date when accused persons will go before a Master of the Court, who will set bail and deal with the enquiry.
The Act allows for paper committal before a Master of the Court. Continue reading

Beauty with a BIG HEART … Teen underwent open heart surgery two years ago

Arima Borough Queen contestant with a big heart, pretty DARIELLE WILLIAMS

Arima Borough Queen contestant with a big heart, pretty DARIELLE WILLIAMS

PRETTY Darielle Williams, 18, is taking another shot at the upcoming Miss Arima Beauty Pageant after undergoing open heart surgery.
Two years ago, she underwent surgery to repair two holes in her heart but continues to survive with three twisted veins.
She was a contestant in the Miss Arima pageant last year but no one knew behind the smiles and her cute figure the medical challenges she had confronted.
The smiling Williams said: “I was an unplaced contestant in the 2012 queen show and the Mayor of Arima Ghassan Youseph saw me recently and asked me to participate again and I smilingly accepted. Continue reading

Brutal time in jail for rape accused … ‘Lima beaten like a bobolee’

ALMARD PLACID LIMA

ALMARD PLACID LIMA

MURDERED prisoner Almard Placid Lima was beaten like a bobolee during his short stint at the Golden Grove Remand Prison in Arouca.
His final beating reportedly took place last Sunday by both cellmates and prison officers.
He subsequently died. Lima, 49, was arrested last Thursday at his Siparia home and sent to prison last Friday. Years ago, he was committed to stand trial at the San Fernando Assizes for the rape of a minor, but ‘jumped’ bail. Continue reading

Turtle poacher fined $1,000 … Tried to tell meat to policeman

Game Warden JOHN EDWARDS with the confiscated turtle meat

Game Warden JOHN EDWARDS with the confiscated turtle meat

A 23-YEAR-OLD Tobago man was fined $1,000 for trying to sell turtle meat on Monday by Scarborough Magistrate Michael Broomes.
Environmental enthusiasts are now outraged that the man has received such light penalty for such a dreadful crime.
Keston Fraser was caught by undercover wildlife patrol officers, who were acting on a tip off that Fraser had been advertising turtle meat for sale.
The officers met up with Fraser in Zion Hill, Belle Garden Tobago and expressed interest in purchasing some of the turtle meat. Continue reading

Chinese delegation were not tested … Bird flu on our doorstep?

Minister of Health Dr. FUAD KHAN

Minister of Health Dr. FUAD KHAN

SOME members of the public are not taking the Minister of Health Dr. Fuad Khan’s revelation that there was one suspected case of the bird flu lightly.
They could remember when there was an outbreak of dengue there were some very conflicting figures being given to the public, because
of this they are very skeptical and would be taking their own protective measures. Continue reading

Group wants action on scandal … Swift justice in firetruck fiasco

Former Govt Minister LINCOLN MAYERS (left) Councillor DARREN MCLEOD and PHILLIP ALEXANDER at the press conference.

Former Govt Minister LINCOLN MAYERS (left) Councillor DARREN MCLEOD and PHILLIP ALEXANDER at the press conference.

THE $6.5 million firetruck wrecking scandal just will not go away.
At a press conference on Monday, Former Government Minister Lincoln Meyers, Cocoyea Tarouba Councillor Darren McLeod, and Chairman of the Jericho Project added their voices to the growing public furor over the $6 million bill.
The trio presented an open letter to four law enforcement bodies, as well as an international corruption watchdog group demanding “swift justice” against anyone found guilty of collusion, bid rigging, and corruption in what has now been branded the “FireTruck Fiasco.” Continue reading

No material to patch potholes … Bad roads haut Tunapuna

Green Street in Tunapuna is rapidly eroding causing daily traffic pile-ups

Green Street in Tunapuna is rapidly eroding causing daily traffic pile-ups

POTHOLES will continue to plague Tunapuna roads.
This is the grim situation because the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC) Engineering Department is insufficiently equipped to repair damaged roads in certain parts of the district.
This has been the response by the department to Auzonville/Tunapuna Councillor, Esmonde Forde over the past three months.
Forde has been sending applications to the TPRC Engineering Department especially for the repairing part of Green Street, which has been subjected to serious road erosion. That street is one of the busiest streets in Tunapuna. Continue reading

Dhawan, Jadeja secure semis spot for Indians in ICC Champions Trophy … India wallop Windies

DARREN SAMMY ... 56 runs off 35 balls

DARREN SAMMY … 56 runs off 35 balls

INDIA have become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 with a eight wicket victory over the West Indies at The Oval. Ravindra Jadeja’s fifer dented the West Indian innings, before Darren Sammy powered them to 233. However, Shikhar Dhawan smashed his second consecutive hundred to take India home comfortably. Continue reading

Thumbs down on truce … Justice Minister’s visit to prison described as sneaky

Weekend Issue, 9 June, front page reads: NO CEASEFIRE SAY GANGLEADERS

Weekend Issue, 9 June, front page reads: NO CEASEFIRE SAY GANGLEADERS

JAILED gangsters have turned down offers of a truce to stop gang warfare in the country.
The 24 notorious gangsters from various gangs are not bowing to any truce following days of motivational lectures by a United States-based ex-gang leader.
Sources say the group of gang leaders, who are all charged with murder, were taken from various prisons to attend a workshop for the period June 4 to 7 at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP). Continue reading

Woman extradited to US on murder charge … Doreen wants financial help

DOREEN ALEXANDER ... asked God to take her life

DOREEN ALEXANDER … asked God to take her life

MURDER accused Doreen Alexander, who was extradited to the United States in her pyjamas, kicking and screaming, is desperately seeking financial assistance.
She is in jail in the United States and has so far received two pieces of underwear, two T-shirts, two sports bras, one jumper, a pair of tennis shoes, one sheet, one blanket and other items. Continue reading

Arima group happy with hospital plans … Monthly protest to be called off

BALLIRAM MAHARAJ during one of his monthly protests

BALLIRAM MAHARAJ during one of his monthly protests

FRIENDS of Arima Hospital are considering discontinuing their monthly protest since the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping during his recent visit offered financial assistance to build a new Arima Hospital.
Eight months ago the Friends of Arima Hospital Society led by Arima businessman Balliram Maharaj started a silent protest on the first of every month in front of the Arima Health Facility on Queen Mary Street.
The protests were staged as a “gentle reminder” to the Minister of Finance Larry Howai in fulfilling his promise to build a new hospital in Arima. Continue reading