David Bowen, former Director of Culture and widely credited as the pioneer behind Maskanoo, says the iconic cultural celebration has yet to reach the scale and cultural impact he originally envisioned largely because it was never properly funded.   David Bowen demonstrates the playing of the Ripsaw at a TIDES Training. Bowen, who now serves as Wellness Director at Grace Bay Club, has walked away from the event, while maintaining his role as an advisor. For many residents, Mas

An Op-Ed by Hezron Henry   In Caribbean island states shaped by centuries of extraction, spectacle, and displacement, calls to “support local culture” are often mentioned with good intentions but little depth.   At worst, they’re gestures: buying handcrafted items, attending a festival, tasting the local food. Yet when considered through the frameworks offered by Antonio Benítez-Rojo in “The Repeating Island” and the exhibition “Tropical Is Political: Caribbean Art Under the

Supporting natural energy without relying on your coffee fix   Caffeine gives you a quick burst, but it often comes with a crash. If you're relying on coffee or energy drinks just to feel functional, it may be time to explore why your energy is dipping in the first place.   Fatigue is not just a normal part of adulting. It's your body's way of asking for support. And while coffee is a common go-to, it doesn’t address the root of the issue… it just masks the symptoms.   Why Yo

Grace Bay Resorts, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, officially launched a transformative two-year hospitality training program on Friday, November 14, at the Kisiwa Villa in the Bight, Providenciales.   Members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Management and Staff and staff across the Grace Bay Resorts share in a photo moment with students at the Clement Howell High School at the Kisiwa Village, which is part of the Grace Bay Resorts Private Villa Col

Opposition Leader Hon. Edwin A. Astwood has reiterated a firm call for the government to immediately bring forward a supplementary Bill to deliver long-promised stimulus payments to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands before the end of the year.   Astwood: “Relief Must Come Now. Not as Election Theatre” Astwood stressed that residents are currently facing real and mounting financial pressures, from rising living costs to persistent inflation, and can no longer wait on

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) has taken a major step toward strengthening national security through collaborative efforts with the private security sector. Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey and members of his Executive Team held a strategic meeting on November 17, 2025, with representatives from leading private security firms to establish a unified approach to crime prevention and public safety across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The high-level me

Antimicrobial Awareness Week is a global campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to shine a light on the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).  AMR happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to treatment, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of severe illness. This year’s theme is: “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.” It’s a powerful reminder that we all have a role to

A Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force mugshot of Ronald Yapparcon A 44-year-old Philippine national, Ronald Yapparcon Luna, was released on bail totaling $15,000 after appearing in court on Monday. Luna faces three counts of sexual assault, with bail set at $5,000 for each charge. He is scheduled to return to court on 20 November 2025. The charges stem from a report filed in December 2023, which prompted an investigation by officers from the Safeguarding and Public Pr

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) has confirmed that the death of a man discovered along North Back Salina, Grand Turk, on Wednesday evening has been classified as a homicide. According to police reports, at approximately 7:17 p.m. on November 12th, the Police Control Room received a call about a male lying at the rear of a vehicle in the North Back Salina area. Responding officers arrived promptly at the scene, where they found an unresponsive man who

A Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force mugshot of Kervens Cherenfant Nineteen-year-old Kervens Cherenfant of Grand Turk has pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child. Cherenfant entered his plea when he appeared before a judge on November 3, 2025, and remains in custody at HM Prison – Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, pending sentencing scheduled for December. According to police, Cherenfant was formally charged on February 10, 2025, by of

Narendra Lalbelharry – Registrar of The Supreme Court  Narendra Lalbelharry, Registrar of The Supreme Court in the Turks and Caicos Islands has styled an article penned by social activist Sabrina Green as serious and unfounded allegations.   The bone of contention has to do with an application that Green made to the court and felt that she was slighted. The following is the response from the registrar.   The Registrar of the Supreme Court has been made aware of an article wri

The new logo for Tourism Environment Awareness Month (TEAM) Nature’s Passport Fest Takes Centre Stage in this Year’s Celebration   The Ministry of Tourism and Experience Turks and Caicos are celebrating Tourism Environment Awareness Month (TEAM) this November under the theme: “Nature’s Passport – Stamp Your Journey, Leave No Trace.” The theme highlights the Turks and Caicos Islands’ exceptional natural beauty while promoting responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.

Voices from the Streets Writer, Nixon Dickenson (right) with Giovanni Astwood By Nixon Dickenson In this week’s Voices from the Streets, I am excited to share the perspective of Giovanni Astwood, a young man I am proud to call my nephew. Giovanni is currently studying at Valencia University, pursuing degrees in Business and Project Management and Drafting.   During our conversation about the root causes of crime in our society, Giovanni offered some thought-provoking insights

An Open Letter to the TCI Governor and the TCI Integrity Commission   I struggled for days contemplating whether or not I should write this article. I told myself to let it go, to move on quietly, as so many of us are expected to do when the system fails us. Sabrina Elizabeth Green, Translator & Founder, ProLingo Solutions Ltd., Turks and Caicos Islands In speaking out we often fear ridicule, victimization, being labelled as troublemakers or even worst, blackballed all togeth

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs at Sapodilla Bay while ensuring beachside business operations comply with national planning and environmental regulations. This announcement comes in the wake of vendors being given a deadline of November 6 to vacate the property or face consequences, following directives issued by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR). Premier Hon. Washington Ch

File Photo of attendees at one of the past Red Hot Fashion events. The Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross (TCIRC) is excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated Red Hot Fashion Event, scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 15, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the luxurious Palms, Turks and Caicos. Now in its third year, the spotlight shines even brighter as the event takes center stage as a vibrant celebration of style, community, and compassion, featuring fabu

In this file photo, Jerome Rigby, one of the Sapodilla Bay Beach Vendors, at his establishment at Sapodilla Bay Beach near Chalk Sound Small business operators at the popular Sapodilla Bay Beach have been ordered to remove all structures, equipment and operations by 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 6, 2025, under an official compliance and relocation notice issued by the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR). The notice, signed by DECR Director Luc Clerveaux and d

In an effort to assist families affected by Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in southern Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28, leaving a trail of death and destruction, Grace Kennedy Western Union has announced a special promotion to facilitate remittances without the usual transfer fees. Anne Gibson, Operations Supervisor for Grace Kennedy Money Services in the Turks and Caicos Islands, shared details of the initiative.  "Whenever you're sending money back home to Jamaica, w

Premier Hon. Washington Misick (fourth from right), along with Minister of Home Affairs, Religions Affairs and Transportation Hon. Shaun Malcolm (fourth from left), and Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles (second right) are photographed with the newly-inducted members of the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Commission. Sixth from left is the Chairman of the Commission Clara Gardiner. The Turks and Caicos Islander Status Commission has officially welcomed its n

The Caribbean Federation of Police Welfare Associations (CFPWA) will convene its 12th Intersessional Meeting in the Turks and Caicos Islands from 13–14 November 2025. The upcoming forum will be held at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort, Villages and Spa, located in Lower Bight, Providenciales. Guided by the theme “One Voice, One Vision: Elevating Police Welfare Through Unity and Regional Solidarity,” the two-day event will bring together police welfare representatives from acro