Former Personal Assistant to Members of Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly jailed

Former Personal Assistant to Members of Legislative Assembly, Roy McTaggart and former MLA Winston Connolly, Christine Rae Smith, was sent to prison yesterday (Wed 26).

Smith was the ring leader and organizer of a robbery at Elegant Nails & More salon at G.K.F. Business Pk, on Godfrey Nixon Way, George Town in July 2015.

Her accomplices, Paul Myles and Antonio Kelly, were armed with guns when they entered the salon demanding cash.

Smith was sentenced to jail for 12 years. Myles and Kelly also received 12 years but their sentences were reduced because they both pleaded guilty. Myles will serve 9 years and Kelly 8 years.

 

Guyana: Pilot killed in plane crash

From Caribbean News Service

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Jul 25 2017 – A pilot was killed when a plane owned by Roraima Airways crashed as it approached an airstrip in the western section of Guyana on Tuesday.

Dead is the airline’s chief pilot Captain Collin Martin.

The highlander aircraft crashed just before sunset.

Martin – a former member of the Guyana Defence Force, was the only person in the aircraft that was doing a regular shuttle flight to the community of Eteringbang.

It’s reported that another Roraima Airways plane was flying on the same mission when the pilot noticed the crashed aircraft.

Martin’s body has since been removed from the wreckage.

For more: https://caribbeannewsservice.com/now/pilot-killed-in-plane-crash/

Domestic Violence Intervention Workshop on Brac Next Month

The Family Resource Centre (FRC), in continuing its outreach to the Sister Islands, can confirm that next month’s three-day domestic violence intervention workshop will take place at the Brac Reef hotel.

The free training will take place in the hotel’s conference room on 29 to 31 August, from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The workshop is for front line professionals who interface with domestic violence victims and their families.

For further information and to register contact the FRC at 949-0006 or email [email protected] to register.

(GIS)

 

Trump bans transgender from US military

From Newsmax

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would not allow transgender people to serve in the U.S. military in any capacity. “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow … Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” Trump wrote in a series of posts on Twitter. He specifically cited the “tremendous medical costs and disruption” that would be created by allowing transgender people in the military.

For more: www.newsmax.com

 

Auditor BDO sued for $280M by liquidators of ‘defrauded’ Cayman Islands fund

Auditor BDO’s operations in the Cayman Islands, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States are being sued for $280 million in damages by the liquidators of Cayman-domiciled Argyle Funds, which collapsed due to alleged fraud.

SOURCE: https://www.offshorealert.com/argyle-funds-lawsuit-against-bdo-cayman-trinidad.aspx

 

Cayman Islands FATCA and CRS reporting deadline extended

The Cayman Islands have announced a final extension of the 2017 deadline for US FATCA and Common Reporting Standard (CRS) reporting to 31 August 2017.

Contact Hatice Ismail, Martin Shah From Simmons & Simmons

The Cayman Islands Ministry of Financial Services and Home Affairs has announced a further and final extension to the deadline for reporting under US FATCA and the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) in relation to the calendar year 2016. All such reports must be made via the Cayman Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) Portal by 4pm on 31 August 2017 (extended from the previous deadline of 31 July 2017).

The announcement stresses that this is a “final extension and no further extensions will be given”. As a result Cayman Financial Institutions (FIs) with reporting obligations should now consider submitting their reports as soon as possible. All reporting Cayman FIs must submit a report, even if they have no reportable accounts. Failure to comply with the Cayman reporting obligations is an offence under Cayman law and may result in a fine of up to KYD50,000.

The deadline for Cayman Financial Institutions (FIs) to register and notify their status to the Cayman Islands Tax Information Authority (Cayman TIA) via the Cayman AEOI Portal remains 31 July 2017. For further details, see “Cayman Islands extends CRS and FATCA registration dates”.

For more: http://www.simmons-simmons.com/en/legal-topics/tax/240717-cayman-islands-fatca-and-crs-reporting-deadline

CAYMAN ISLANDS: NCVO thrift shop hosts garage sale

The public is invited to support the NCVO at its quarterly parking lot sale set for Saturday 12^th August from 6:00am to 10:00am.

There will be several booths of lightly used products including household items, baby supplies, toys, clothes (including select school uniforms), shoes, books, artwork and furniture.

Proceeds from these quarterly sales go to the charity’s children’s programmes and help the less fortunate.

You can support the NCVO by donating lightly used items to the “New to You Bargain Shop”; by volunteering your time or simply supporting the sale.

Stop by to see if you can walk away with a bargain! The NCVO is located at 90A Anthony Drive, off Smith Road (behind the Pines Retirement Home).

For more information on the NCVO’s donation policy or volunteering, please contact Mona, at [email protected] or call 949-2124/526-1078.

Today in nature is scary, here’s a crocodile dragging an entire cow through the water

BY JOHNNY LIEU From Mashable

You know not to play around with crocodiles.

Especially when they can drag an entire cow through the water, as witnessed in a video uploaded onto the Facebook page of Trip In A Van, who said the moment happened during a fishing trip in the Kimberley, Western Australia.

“We follow him with the drone as he swims down the river with his lunch,” the post reads.

“He eventually gets the shits with the drone buzzing around him and tries to pull the cow underwater. An amazing display of how powerful these big creatures are!”

The animal was estimated to be about 5 or 6 metres (16 or 17 feet) long, and once again, a creature you definitely don’t want to get too close to.

For more and video: http://mashable.com/2017/07/24/cow-dragged-crocodile-australia/?utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29&utm_cid=Mash-Prod-RSS-Feedburner-All-Partial&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed#LA.mSSyYfmqL

 

4 things we learned about why mortgage servicers [US] continue to stink

By Ashlee Kieler From Consumerist

More than two years ago, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enacted rules about the ways mortgage servicers could operate and interact with borrowers, but a new report finds that many of these servicing companies continue to go about (bad) business as usual, using failed technology that has already harmed American homeowners.

The CFPB’s special edition supervision report [PDF], released on Wednesday, focuses specifically on mortgage servicers, finding that these companies are in violation of regulations [PDF] for the use of outdated and deficient technology creating process breakdowns.

Mortgage servicers play a critical role in the housing industry. When a consumer purchases a home, they don’t simply make monthly payments to the loan issuing bank — or the company that takes over ownership of the debt.

Instead a mortgage servicer handles most — if not all — of the consumer-facing duties: collecting payments from the mortgage borrower, forwarding those payments to the owner of the loan, and providing customer service such as collections, loan modifications, and foreclosures.

While these duties appear to be straightforward, regulators have found rampant problems within the industry, including problems with bad practices and sloppy recordkeeping.

These issues were exacerbated during the housing crisis when millions of borrowers fell behind on their loans, and servicers were unable to provide the level of service necessary to meet homeowners’ needs.

Despite creating rules aimed at cleaning up these issues, the CFPB found problems are still abound in the industry. Here are four things we learned from the new report.

1.) Not enough investment in compliance — While the mortgage servicing industry has taken some steps to be in compliance with CFPB servicing rules, they simply aren’t enough.

CFPB examiners found that outdated and deficient technology poses risks to consumers across a number of mortgage servicers. Several companies were also found to lack proper training, testing, and auditing of these computer systems and software.

2.) Late, incorrect information — These insufficient technology and training processes have resulted in servicers providing customers with late, incorrect, or deceptive information on their loans and modification options.

The CFPB found one or more servicers failed to send any acknowledgement notices due to a repeated processing platform malfunction over a significant period of time. These breakdowns caused delays in converting trial modifications to permanent modifications, resulting in harm to borrowers, according to the CFPB.

Examiners found that some servicers also sent statements that deceived consumers into thinking their homes were safe from foreclosure before a certain time, but then foreclosed on the home before that deadline.

3.) Lack of protections during sales — While mortgages are frequently bought and sold among servicers, doing so during a loan modification process can be especially risky to borrowers — paperwork can be lost, the modification process delayed, or otherwise adversely affected.

Still, the CFPB found that a number of servicers had incompatible technology to ensure that their newly acquired mortgages that already had modification agreements in place carried over.

4.) Incomplete loan modification denial notices — Under the CFPB’s rules, servicers are required to provide modification denial notices with a specific reason for denying the application.

One or more servicers’ notices also stated “Not Available*” as the reason for denying loss mitigation applications. The asterisk elaborated: “Not Available means this program was not considered due to an eligibility requirement or requirements not met.”

Additionally, these notices are required to provide the borrower with information on their right to appeal the decision. However, the CFPB found many servicers also failed to do this.

As a result of the report’s findings, the CFPB announced on Wednesday that it would update its Supervision and Examination Manual to provide additional guidance to financial institutions and mortgage companies.

For more: https://consumerist.com/2016/06/22/4-things-we-learned-about-why-mortgage-servicers-continue-to-stink/

 

Cayman Islands: Bush’s Baked Beans recall

From Foster’s Food Fair

Foster’s Food Fair-IGA would like to announce that the company Bush Brothers & Co has issued a voluntary recall of certain 28-ounce cans of Bush’s Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans, Country Style Baked Beans and Original Baked Beans because of potentially defective side seams on cans.
The recall was initiated after the company internal quality assurance checks identified the issue, according to a press release. The company said subsequent investigations indicated a temporary quality issue from one of its can suppliers. The problem was corrected and no other product was affected, according to the release.
Foster’s IGA carries Bush’s Baked Beans and has been affected by this recall. The affected products have been pulled from the shelves.
The products affected are as follows:
• •
•
BUSH’S BEST® BROWN SUGAR HICKORY BAKED BEANS 28 ounce with UPC of 039400 01977 0 and Lot Codes 6097S GF and 6097P GF with Best By date of Jun 2019. BUSH’S BEST COUNTRY STYLE BAKED BEANS 28 ounce with UPC of 0 39400 01974 9 and Lot Codes 6077S RR, 6077P RR, 6087S RR, 6087P RR with the Best By date of Jun 2019.
BUSH’S BEST ORIGINAL BAKED BEANS 28 ounce with UPC of 0 39400 01614 4 and Lot Codes 6057S LC and 6057P LC with the Best By date of Jun 2019.

No other Bush’s Beans branded products are included within this recall.
Bush’s Baked Beans said in a statement that to date, no illnesses or other adverse consequences have been reported in connection with this voluntary recall; however, the company urges you to dispose of these affected products immediately even if the beans do not look or smell spoiled.
Customers should check the UPC on Bush’s branded products in your home to be sure none of the affected product has been purchased. We encourage all customers who have purchased this product from any of our Foster’s Food Fair-IGA locations to return the affected product for a full refund. Please discontinue use of any affected product.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out by email ([email protected]) or by phone (345-945-3663).

Man charged in connection with 21 January serious MVA in Cayman Islands

From RCIPS

The man from Bodden Town, now 33 years old, who was arrested on 24 January in connection with a serious MVA on 21 January 2017 near the Governor’s House, has now been charged with Causing Grievous Bodily Harm, Dangerous Driving (manner), Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Having No Insurance.

The victim, a pedestrian, still suffers from serious injuries from her waist down.

The man has been bailed for court on 14 August 2017.

 

Bellringers pay tribute to crash victim [who died in Cayman Islands]

From Alton Herald

BELLRINGERS of St Mary’s Church rang a quarter peal of grandsire doubles in memory of Bramshott’s Marlene Wright ,who died in a car accident on the Cayman Islands.

An inquest has been opened at Basingstoke Law Courts into the deaths of Mrs Wright, 69, her sister Pamela, 74, and brother-in-law Ian Mansell, 72, from Dockenfield. An inquest review hearing has now been listed to take place on Monday, September 11.

Tributes poured into The Herald after the accident, which happened in the east coast of the island just minutes from the holiday-makers’ hotel, only days after Ian and Pamela, described by friends as “the life and soul of the party” and Marlene had arrived in the Caribbean.

They died instantly when their Kia Rio hire car was hit head-on by a Honda Accord shortly after 7pm on Tuesday, May 2.

The 22-year-old Jamaican driver of the Honda was also killed in the crash, which police on the island described as the worst that had ever occurred on Cayman’s roads.

Two additional passengers aged 11 and 26, who are thought to have been travelling in the open boot of the Honda, were seriously injured but survived.

Ian, Pamela, and Marlene were holidaying at Morrit’s Tortuga Club on Grand Cayman, where they had stayed during numerous previous visits to the island.

Talented artist Marlene was a good friend and neighbour to Julia Brunt, a St Mary’s Church bell ringer, and to many other people in the church and community.

The Quarter Peal was rung half-muffled, out of respect for the family and the bells were rung from the chancel crossing.

The team consisted of five St Mary’s bell ringers – Gary Beard, Julia Brunt, Jo Green, David and Di Hart, plus Roger Barber, district ringing master and tower captain from St Peter and St Paul in Hawkley, a neighbouring parish.

The six bells of St Mary’s were cast in 1784 by Thomas Janaway and apart from the lightest one, the Treble, which weights four hundredweight, they are still the same bells re-cast in the 1920s.

The Karloff family made a donation for the bells to be re-hung in the late-80s because they were worn and in need of repairs.

The event is commemorated on a plaque mounted on a wall at the church.

It is dated 16.7.1989 and states that the bells were rehung in memory of Boris Karloff, who lived in Bramshott.

The tower’s bell ringers have won a few trophies over the years and take part in competitions and trophies in call changes, method ringing, chain ringing and other striking events.

For more:http://www.altonherald.com/article.cfm?id=121298&headline=Bellringers%20pay%20tribute%20to%20crash%20victim&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2017

 

Guyana: Thirteen prisoners escape

From Caribbean News Service

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Jul 24 2017 – Minister of National Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, appeared on the state-owned National Communications Network just after 1 o’clock this afternoon to issue an appeal for the public’s help.

Ramjattan wants the public to offer any information that could lead to the recapture of 13 prison escapees who reportedly dug their way out of the Lusignan Prison, as well as for the four, who have been on the run, after escaping from the Camp Street jail three weeks ago.

He said the escapees from Lusignan dug their way out through a tunnel from inside the compound of the prison. Some of the prisoners were being housed in tents in the outdoors as the prison accommodated hundreds of prisoners who were left displaced by the fire at the Camp Street jail.

Ramjattan in his statement said the 13 prisoners were discovered missing from the Lusignan Prison just after 7 o’ clock this morning during the counting of inmates. He said the other prisoners who were in the area at the time, have since been relocated to the rehabilitated# section of the Camp Street jail.

Ramjattan said the Joint Services have stepped up their operation to recapture all of the escapees. That operation’s code name is “Clean Sweep”.

For more: https://caribbeannewsservice.com/now/thirteen-prisoners-escape/

 

Cayman Islands Water Authority to install new pipeline in Bodden Town

From Water Authority – Cayman

Water Authority – Cayman began installing a new pipeline along Condor Road in Bodden Town last Thursday (20) and the work is expected to continue for six weeks. The anticipated end date is Friday, Sept. 1.

The new pipeline is essential to improve the operational flexibility of the water distribution system.

The project will affect the portion of Condor Road between the intersection with Shamrock Road and the intersection with Anton Bodden Drive.

Pipe-laying works will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, and trenches will be backfilled at the end of each working day for safety purposes.

Traffic signs will be erected at the work site, and drivers are urged to exercise caution in the area.

Affected customers of any water service interruptions will be notified three working days in advance of the planned service interruption, via hand-delivered notices.

The Water Authority apologises for any inconvenience.

 

Doctor killed in Cayman crash ‘a great loss to medical fraternity’ — Tufton

From Jamaica Observer

IMAGE: Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton is expressing condolences on behalf of the team at his ministry to the family and friends of Dr Vary Jones Leslie.

Leslie — a retired medical consultant who worked with the Spanish Town Hospital for more than 23 years — was killed in a motor vehicle accident in the Cayman Islands on Monday.

In expressing gratitude for Leslie’s contribution to public health, Tufton commented that “this is a great loss to the medical fraternity and community, which would have benefitted from her years of experience.”

For more: http://301-joweb.newscyclecloud.com/latestnews/Doctor_killed_in_Cayman_crash_a_great_loss_to_medical_fraternity_Tufton?profile=1228

 

We’re learning more and more about the animals that vastly out-live humans

By Erin Brodwin and Mike Nudelman From business Insider

If humans have any hope of living forever, we should probably take a hint from the dozens of other animals on Earth that far outpace our measly 71 years. One of the longest-lived of these animals is the Greenland shark, which researchers only recently discovered could survive for so long. On a 2017 expedition, researchers learned more fascinating details about the shark, including that it’s heart rate is incredibly slow — only beating once every ten seconds. Here are the rest of the longest-living animals on Earth.

For more on this story go to: http://www.businessinsider.com/longest-living-animals-2017-6

The Seven Day Adventist Church has coupled with GNC Cayman Islands to offer a unique book sale

Stop by this Wednesday at the Country Side location and find a large selection of books on the topic of health, and fitness. Prices start at $10.

Titles Include

Healing Wonders of Herbs

by Herminia De Guzman -Ladion

Foods That Heal

by Dr. George D. Pamplona-Roger

Healthy By Nature

by Dr. Ernest Schneider

Free from Drugs and Addictions

by Rafael Escandon and Cesar Galvez

…….and much more

This sale will be available at the Queens Court location on Wednesday 26th July.

For more insight into this topic stop by one of our two locations and speak to an industry specialist.

$34.99

Natural Ubiquinol

100MG

Ubiquinol is the most readily absorbed form of CoQ10 and is one of the most powerful fat-soluble antioxidants in the body. Ubiquinol is also the major form of CoQ10 in the body.

*Offer valid whilst stocks last.

Contact GNC to Schedule a Corporate Wellness Presentaion

Includes insight into

Nutrition

Supplementation

Health

Weight Loss

Muscle Development

 

The Summer Sidewalk Sale returns to Camana Bay!

For one day only, enjoy special offers and reduced prices at Camana Bay’s Summer Sidewalk Sale! Starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 29 numerous shops in the Town Centre will be offering amazing deals, so enjoy the lazy days of summer by strolling The Paseo and Market Street and treating yourself to some retail therapy. Come early for the best deals while sale items last. See you there!

Cayman Islands Family Resource Centre hosts free interactive parenting class

The Family Resource Centre is hosting a free Interactive Parenting Class for parents/guardians of students intending to go overseas colleges and their teenagers on Wednesday, 26 July 2017.

The workshop, from 6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., will be held at the Family Resource Centre on North Sound Road. The family skills session will help attendees navigate many of the pitfalls and issues prospective students may face while away at school. Topics to be covered include personal safety tips, ways to deal with roommates, money management and how to deal with possible culture shock and substance misuse.

To register, email [email protected] or call 949-0006. A light dinner and childcare will be provided.

 

Cayman Islands: Stolen Vehicle Reports 14 and 15 July

 

 

 

 

 

 

From RCIPS

White Mercedes Benz, #154-504, Stolen from Rock Hole Road

Just before 8am on 14 July, a report was made to the police stating that a white 1998 Mercedes Benz E320, with registration plate 154-504, was stolen from an address in Rock Hole, overnight.

The vehicle was last seen on Thursday 13 July about 9am at the address of the owner. The owner of the vehicle was off island at the time that the vehicle was stolen.

The vehicle may not have any plates on, or may not be wearing it correct plates as the complainant told the police that the plates for the vehicle was stolen 2 weeks prior to the theft of the vehicle.

A picture of a similar vehicle is attached.

Stolen Black 2001 KTM#640 Motor Cycle – UPDATE BIKE FOUND

Police responded to a report of a stolen motor cycle on Glen Dale Drive, off South Church Street, just after 1.40am on Saturday 15 July.

The vehicle stolen was a BLACK 2001 KTM#640 motor cycle, registration number 165-126. The vehicle was driven home by the owner just after 12.30am the same morning and discovered to be stolen just after 1.30am.

A picture of the actual vehicle is attached.

1996 White Ford F250 Truck Stolen from Eastern Avenue

Police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at the intersection of Washington Blvd and Eastern Avenue, George Town, just before 4.20am on 15 July.

The complainant told the attending officer that he park his 1996 WHITE FORD F250 TRUCK, registration number unknown, as it was recently purchased, and went into a nearby bar and when he returned he could not find the vehicle.

A picture of a similar vehicle is attached.

Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to call George Town Police Station at 949-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via our Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777 or via the Miami-based call centre of Crime Stoppers at 800-8477(TIPS), or online at the link:https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=681.

 

Cayman Islands course on mould assessment remediation & control

Hello Fellow Writers,

We are resurrecting Cayman Writers’ Circle! You are invited to attend every Monday from 6.30-8.00pm.

To make it accessible to everyone, we will meet at alternating locations – 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at St Alban’s Church Hall, 461 Shedden Road, in George Town, and 2nd and 4th Mondays at Sea Orchard Retreat in West Bay.

Bring your ideas and your friends! Please pass this on to everyone you know. Cayman Writers’ Circle Facilitators