iNews Briefs – UPDATED
ERA head now says ‘yes I did it’ to 17 counts
After claiming he was innocent and a year’s campaign via the radio and social media of the 17 charges of theft, forgery, fraud and deception relating to his time as the managing director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), Joey Ebanks has admitted “yes I did it”.
Ebanks changed his plea to “Guilty” on Friday (24) in the Grand Court dock.
Ebanks had claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy, likening himself to ex-Premier McKeeva Bush’s assertions, and had even stood in the last May General Election as an independent candidate for North Side. He was not elected.
He is also under investigation on a solar panel project whilst working at the ERA.
Sentencing for Ebanks will take place on 13th March.
See also related iNews Cayman’s reports:
“Joey Ebanks arrested for corruption – he confirms on Facebook” at http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/man-arrested-for-corruption/
“Joey Ebanks now charged with drug offences” at http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/joey-ebanks-now-charged-with-drug-offences/
“Joey Ebanks to face legal action for Facebook postings” at http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/joey-ebanks-to-face-legal-action-for-facebook-postings/
“Joey Ebanks arrested for abuse of office, theft and suspicion of possession of a drug utensil” at http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/49yr-old-bt-man-arrested-for-abuse-of-office-theft-and-suspicion-of-possession-of-a-drug-utensil/
Auto repair shop has customers’ cars broken into
At least six vehicles customers left at an auto repair shop owned by John Allen were broken into during the night (Tue Jan21).
Some of the vehicles had their radios stolen but the thieves did no real damage to the exterior of the vehicles with no glass broken.
Police are investigating the incident.
Passport Outreach for T&T Nationals
The Immigration Division of Trinidad and Tobago will be conducting a machine-readable passport outreach programme in Kingston, Jamaica from Monday, 27 January to Sunday, 2 February 2014 for T&T nationals.
According to a bulletin from the High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, located in Kingston, application forms and instructions, including a list of documents required for the application process, can be obtained at www.kgnhctt.org or www.immigration.gov.tt .
T&T nationals are invited to seek appointments or address queries by email to [email protected] or by telephone on 1-876-926-5730; 1-876-926-5739 or 1-876-968-0588, the bulletin states.
The T&T High Commission is located at 25, Windsor Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica.
CMEA awards and Muziac Festival Jan24 – 26
Culminating with the annual Cayman Music and Entertainment Awards (CMEA), this weekend’s Muzaic festival features three days of live traditional and modern music at a number of venues.
On Jan. 24 the party starts with a DJ Showcase at Calico Jack’s, featuring Tim Cullen, Alexi and Jeffrey James. Entrance to the event is $10 pre-paid, or $15 on the night.
The festival continues on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Harquail Theatre with a 105th birthday celebration for Aunt Julia Hydes from 5-6:30 p.m. Local bands are set to take to the stage from 7 p.m. for a free concert. Musicians include Local Motion, Regeneration, Bona Fide, Suite Elite, Roots Connection, Loaded Peace, Inverse, I Am A Nation of Rhythm, Little Magic, Back Beat and Koralhed.
On Sunday, local musicians will be honored at the CMEA Awards Ceremony at the Harquail Theatre, from 7 p.m. Troy Studenhoft, George Chollette, Buggs Wilson, North Side Kitchen Band, JR Douglas, Mike Galvin, Wayneroy Randall, Jeffrey Wilson, Locksley Banks, Rico Orrett-Ebanks and DJ Martino will all pick up awards. After the event, musicians will join in for a live jam session.
15-year-old Trinidad mother killed in drive-by shooting
From Caribbean360
Alleya Canes, who was in the company of the father of her child, was shot in the chest by an unknown gunman in a vehicle that slowed as it drove past the couple.
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Thursday January 23, 2014, CMC – Police said a 15-year-old mother of one was shot and killed during a drive-by shooting in Belmont on the outskirts of the capital on Tuesday night, pushing the death toll so far this year to 40.
They said Alleya Canes, who was in the company of the father of her child, was shot in the chest by an unknown gunman in a vehicle that slowed as it drove past the couple.
Canes died while undergoing surgery at the Port of Spain General Hospital. Her companion escaped injury. She is the fifth female shot and killed so far this year.
CIBA looking for a new President
The Cayman Islands Boxing Association (CIBA) has lost its President, Terence Spencer who resigned on January 15th because he is leaving Cayman with his family to go to Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Ann-Marie Byrd, the current Vice-President has taken over for the interim period.
CIFFA wants youth for new flag football season
The Cayman Islands Flag Football Association (CIFFA) is very excited about this upcoming youth flag football season (The Security Centre Limited Youth Flag Football 2014) and hope you will join them to celebrate one of the fastest growing sports on the island!
The Association on their website says:
This is our sixth season and we are aiming for it to be our best season yet. Please complete the registration form below to allow your child to participate and please see our VOLUNTEERS page for information on how you can get involved in making this a fun and successful season for all!
REGISTRATION
Online Registration for the 2014 season is now open! The league is open to boys and girls from ages 7 through 17. Please submit your form and registration fee of $10 to cover minimal signup and administration expenses.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, all registered players will receive a team uniform and refreshments at each match.
Click here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGlUejVQc09EMDlaVlRENnQ3WDJjaFE6MQ to complete and submit an online Player Registration Form.
The CIFFA website is at: http://www.ciffa.ky/
Plans in the pipeline to kickoff Caribbean Pro League next year
From StabroekNews.com
ORLANDO, Florida, CMC- A California based company and a firm registered in Barbados have come together to stage a professional soccer league for teams in the Caribbean.
The Caribbean Football Trust Limited with offices in Florida and Canada and Concorde Sports Agency head quartered in Beverly Hills say plans are in the pipeline for a kickoff date of September 2015.
Both organizations have already signed an agreement and are pressing ahead with plans for the tournament expected to attract 20 teams competing for the league title and over three million US dollars in prize money.
The organizers say prize monies are expected to grow to five million US dollars after the first three years.
The proposed league, dubbed Major League Futbol, (MLS) will be the subject of a meeting in Orlando, Florida February 25 involving the Caribbean Football Trust, an advisory group of investors, regional government officials and other stakeholders of the league concept.
Concorde Sports Agency is a sports marketing firm which focuses on domestic and international player representation, player scouting, image rights and branding.
For more go to:
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/sports/01/23/plans-pipeline-kickoff-caribbean-pro-league-next-year/
Getting people back to work is top priority not OMOV
The Cayman Islands premier, Alden McLaughlin, said on Wednesday (22) getting people back to work, the local economy and stabilising the country were the top priorities.
The One Man One Vote (OMOV) is not on the agenda despite all the government members campaigning for it.
However, Independent North Side member, Ezzard Miller has filed a private members motion asking the government to implement amendments to the elections law in order to “facilitate the Elections Office to begin its work in making the new constituencies a reality and embarking on the education campaign for voters”.
Guyanese labourer jailed for assaulting wife over sex
From Caribbean360
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Wednesday January 22, 2014, CMC – A 43-year-old labourer was given a one-year jail term after he pleaded guilty to assaulting and threatening his wife who had had refused to have sexual intercourse with him over the weekend.
The court was told that Raul Oliviera had returned to his Georgetown home late on Sunday night and asked his wife to have sex with him. But when she refused, he became annoyed and slapped her to the face, resulting in an argument during which he threatened to chop her.
Oliviera had also complained that his wife was unfaithful and was spending his money unnecessarily.
The court viewed a medical certificate showing an abrasion to the woman’s face.
Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat, who represented Oliviera, pro bono, requested that his client be fined instead of a custodial penalty.
But Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond jailed him for a year.
Cayman Islands International Car Show
When:
Sat, Jan 25, 2014 9:00 AM – Sat, Jan 25, 2014 5:00 PM
Where:
Camana Bay, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The International Car Show will have over 100 cars, motorbikes and trucks on display. There will be a kid’s zone and a “wheels and heels” area for ladies. Saturday 25 January 9am-5pm, The Festival Green
Capoeira
When:
Sat, Jan 25, 2014 10:00 AM – Sat, Jan 25, 2014 11:00 AM
Where:
Camana Bay, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Come out and enjoy a free outdoor performance by Capoeira Brazil Cayman Islands where students will play and show off their skills of the Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music. Saturday 25 January 10-11am, The Crescent
Sunday Funday School
Looking for something fun and educational for your child to do on Sundays…….?
Look no further!
Chatterbox is offering Sunday Funday School for children of all ages, from babies upwards.
To book a space in one or more of these groups, please call Miriam on 928 0537 or email her at [email protected]
You can also drop in to #15 at Pasadora Place and have a chat with her.
We love to talk to people!
