Carib Scope

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  • Teen starts snack business to fund his accounting dream

    Teen starts snack business to fund his accounting dream

    Beneath the dappled shade of the Massy Stores building in Rodney Heights, 19-year-old Dwight Regobert stands steady, holding an open cardboard box at chest height. For passersby stopping to browse, the box reveals an assortment of granola bars, rice crispy treats, and other grab-and-go snacks – the core of his self-started small business.

    For five months, this driven teen has operated his informal venture across the route between Rodney Bay and Castries, and his quiet, unwavering commitment has not gone unnoticed by repeat customers and community members who have encountered him. Just two days after agreeing to share his journey, Regobert stepped away from his usual post outside the supermarket to sit down for an exclusive interview with St Lucia Times.

    A soft-spoken young man of few words, Regobert speaks openly about the planning that went into launching his business and the community support that has kept it running. “I wanted to start a business, and I figured people would like these,” he explained candidly, gesturing to the colorful red, orange, and blue-wrapped snacks stacked inside his box. Though the venture has no official name, it serves a clear, purpose-driven goal that keeps Regobert showing up every day.

    Years ago, while a student at Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, Regobert found he not only enjoyed accounting classes but also possessed a natural aptitude for the subject. After leaving school, he still resides with his mother in the Georgeville neighborhood of Castries, and his choice to launch a snack sales business comes directly from his determination to earn professional accounting qualifications independently. Every dollar of profit from his snack sales goes toward covering tuition and exam fees for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) programme, a globally recognized credential for accounting professionals.

    To date, Regobert has already passed two ACCA exams: the first, which he paid for in December, and a second he covered with business revenue this past March. Four more exams stand between him and full ACCA certification, with his next exam scheduled for June, carrying a $750 price tag that he plans to fund entirely through his snack sales.

    Regobert admits his professional goals command almost all of his focus; he struggles to name other hobbies that fill his free time. But his expression brightens when he talks about his long-term plans after completing the ACCA programme, which include further specialized education in accounting. “I would like to do a Master’s at the University of London,” he shared, his gaze set on the institution’s MSc Professional Accountancy programme. “It’s so I could have enough qualifications” to build his dream career, he added.

    Regobert’s story of self-reliance and determined ambition has resonated deeply with everyone who has crossed paths with him. He remains open to additional support from community members who want to help him reach his goal, and welcomes anyone interested in reaching out to contact him via phone or text at 1 (758) 384-1969, or via email at caleb.wilson316@gmail.com.

  • Trio wanted for murder of Cuban

    Trio wanted for murder of Cuban

    Georgetown, Guyana – Local authorities have launched a manhunt for three men connected to the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old Cuban janitor that took place at a Queenstown entertainment venue this past Sunday, according to an official update released Wednesday morning by local law enforcement. The victim, identified as Dainier Vegas Infante, was shot and killed while on the clock at the club located on Forshaw Street. Investigators have now issued official wanted bulletins for three suspects: 25-year-old Baraka Garnett, 26-year-old Mikhail Joseph, and Nicholas David, whose age has not yet been released to the public.

    In a formal statement released to media, Guyanese police outlined the sequence of events that led up to the shooting. Witness accounts indicate that one of the armed suspects first approached two men who were seated just outside the club entrance, initiating a conversation with the pair. When Vegas Infante stepped out of the establishment to approach the interacting group, the armed suspect fired a single shot directly at the janitor, striking him and causing him to collapse immediately on site.

    Following the shooting, the gunman fled the scene in a motor vehicle, traveling along Forshaw Street, while the other three involved suspects also escaped in separate vehicles, police confirmed. One woman has already been taken into custody in connection with the killing, after the national closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance network tracked a vehicle registered to her to the area of the crime. However, authorities have so far declined to share any additional details on her status, including any potential charges or whether she is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

    The update was last published at 9:30 a.m. local time on May 13, 2026, by Demerara Waves Online News correspondent Denis Chabrol.

  • Families Seek More Autism Resources and Support, Survey Finds Ahead of Retreat

    Families Seek More Autism Resources and Support, Survey Finds Ahead of Retreat

    A groundbreaking community survey focused on families supporting autistic individuals in Antigua and Barbuda has uncovered widespread, unmet demand for expanded autism resources, specialized parenting training, accessible mental health care, and age-inclusive developmental education, according to data published this week by local health advocacy groups. The research, released in advance of a free community retreat taking place May 17 at the island nation’s Multipurpose Cultural Centre, is a joint effort between the Antigua and Barbuda Holistic Coalition Inc., the Center for the Holistic Advancement of Therapeutic Services (CHATS), the Directorate of Gender Affairs, and the Mill Reef Fund.

    The survey gathered responses from 100 parents and primary caregivers of autistic people across the country, producing stark data on the gap between existing services and community needs. Ninety-three percent of respondents confirmed they were actively seeking more information about available autism support resources, while 88 percent reported a desire for hands-on, practical parenting skills tailored to raising an autistic child. Mental health support for caregivers and autistic individuals emerged as a top priority, with 62 percent of participants identifying this service area as a critical unmet need.

    Additional requests from respondents included more accessible, targeted information about gender-specific autism presentation, standardized diagnostic testing pathways, and early recognition of autism signs and symptoms. Beyond service gaps, the survey data also underscored the broad range of life stages that autism caregiving spans in Antigua and Barbuda. Caregivers who participated in the study reported supporting autistic people from early infancy through adolescence, as well as autistic adults navigating adulthood. The majority of respondents were parents of autistic children, with the remainder consisting of formal and informal caregivers supporting autistic children and adults across the islands.

    In an official statement accompanying the release of the survey findings, event and research organizers emphasized that the responses point to a rapidly growing need for expanded community support and national awareness around autism in Antigua and Barbuda. “Autism impacts families across all life stages — from infancy to adulthood — and caregivers are seeking community, education, and support now more than ever,” the statement read. Organizers frame the upcoming May 17 retreat as a critical first step to address these documented needs, designed to foster stronger cross-sector collaboration between autistic families, clinical professionals, educators, service providers, and government policymakers.

    The free public event will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 17. While pre-registration for the retreat has officially closed, organizers confirmed that remaining limited seating will be open to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis for community members who wish to attend.

  • PM Skerrit commiserates with families affected by recent disasters

    PM Skerrit commiserates with families affected by recent disasters

    Early on the morning of May 6, 2026, a large overnight fire broke out in the capital city of Roseau, Dominica, leaving a trail of widespread destruction across multiple city structures. The blaze has displaced dozens of local families and erased the primary livelihoods of small business owners in the affected area, marking the second major fire to hit the city in just a few months – a pattern that senior government officials have labeled deeply alarming. In a press briefing shortly after the incident, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has publicly reaffirmed the Dominican government’s unwavering solidarity with all those impacted by the disaster. “To the families and businesses affected, the government of Dominica stands firmly with you. We understand the trauma and uncertainty that come with such devastating loss,” Skerrit stated. He confirmed that all relevant government social support agencies have already been mobilized to deliver immediate emergency aid to impacted households, ensuring no affected person goes without critical assistance during this challenging period. Addressing growing public concern over the repeated fire incidents, Skerrit emphasized that the emerging dangerous trend cannot be overlooked by his administration. “This is the second significant fire in the city within a very short span of time. That is not something any responsible government can ignore or dismiss. It is a matter that demands urgent and serious attention and investigation,” he added. While initial on-site investigations have already launched, the Prime Minister announced his government will mandate a full, independent and comprehensive inquiry into both recent fires, covering root causes, surrounding circumstances, and all contributing factors that may have allowed the incidents to occur. “We owe that to the affected families, the business community, and every citizen who calls Roseau home,” Skerrit said. Beyond the investigation, the Prime Minister outlined plans to overhaul the capital’s fire safety framework, including strengthening existing regulations, ramping up enforcement of fire codes, and implementing new preventive measures to better protect residents’ lives and property moving forward. He also offered public praise for the Dominican Fire and Ambulance Services, which quickly launched a public outreach campaign to educate residents and business owners on fire prevention, best safety practices, and emergency response preparedness in the wake of the blaze. “The government remains committed to the safety, security, and well-being of every citizen and resident of this country. And I assure all of you that we will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves,” Skerrit asserted. Alongside updates on the Roseau fire response, the Prime Minister also provided a progress report on recovery efforts for communities in eastern and northeastern Dominica impacted by a recent trough-driven weather system that triggered flooding and landslides across the island starting April 27. Skerrit reaffirmed that the government would stand with all affected families and communities until full recovery is completed, and extended thanks to emergency personnel, community volunteers, and public workers for their round-the-clock response efforts. Official impact assessments have confirmed severe damage to communities across Atkinson, Antrizle, Salybia, Sineku, Bataka, Crayfish River, St Cyr, Gullet River, Mahaut River, Concord, Marigot, Wesley, Dipax, Tranto, San Sauveur, Petite Soufriere, and Morpo. On infrastructure recovery, Skerrit reported that work crews have already cleared all blocked roadways from landslide debris, restoring primary access to cut-off communities. Priority work has focused on repairing the Calixte Bridge and key road links connecting Castle Bruce, San Sauveur, and the Kalinago Territory, which were among the hardest hit areas. For households damaged by the weather event, Skerrit stated that damage assessments for compromised properties in the Atkinson area are nearly complete, and coordination is underway through local government bodies to deliver temporary housing support and construction materials for rebuilding. Utility provider DOMLEC and water authority DOWASCO have also made significant progress restoring critical services, with power and water access already restored to nearly all affected areas, with only small isolated locations still undergoing active repairs. Skerrit commended the two agencies for their extraordinarily fast response to the outages. Agricultural ministry teams are currently conducting on-the-ground surveys to document crop and livestock losses across impacted farming communities, data that will be used to design targeted relief packages for affected agricultural producers. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister announced that the Dominican Cabinet will soon review updated recovery assessments and approve additional budget allocations to speed up rebuilding work. The government’s core priorities remain unchanged: restoring safe travel access across impacted areas, supporting families displaced by both disasters, and rebuilding infrastructure to be more resilient against future extreme weather and fire risks. Skerrit also urged residents living in affected regions to remain vigilant around flood-prone waterways and unstable slopes that remain at risk of landslides as recovery work continues.

  • Villa Resident Found Dead at Home Amid Health Struggles

    Villa Resident Found Dead at Home Amid Health Struggles

    A quiet residential neighborhood in Villa was shaken this Tuesday by a grim discovery that has left local residents reeling: the remains of Henry Waterman, a long-time community member, were found inside his private home after days of growing concern from neighbors.

    Waterman, originally from Barbados, built a decades-long career as an educator at Antigua and Barbuda’s Mary E. Pigott Primary School, and had resided in the country for multiple years before his passing. According to accounts from people living nearby, the retired educator had been navigating a series of debilitating health and personal struggles in recent years, which gradually pushed him to withdraw from regular social interactions within the community.

    The chain of events that led to the discovery began on Monday, when a close relative left a delivery of food at Waterman’s door. When the untouched package was still in place the next afternoon, neighbors’ vague worry shifted to urgent alarm. Compounding their concern was a putrid, unusual odor that began wafting from the property, paired with a sudden, abnormal surge in flies swarming around the home’s exterior.

    Local residents organized a welfare check of the residence soon after these red flags emerged. Inside the home, searchers found Waterman’s body, which had already reached an advanced state of decomposition. Emergency responders and investigating officers were dispatched to the scene immediately: a team from the local police force and the district’s medical official arrived to process the site, where Waterman was officially pronounced dead. Authorities have since opened a formal investigation to determine the exact cause and circumstances of his death, leaving the Villa community processing the shock of losing one of their long-time members.

  • Jamaican Man Pleads Guilty to Cannabis Trafficking Case

    Jamaican Man Pleads Guilty to Cannabis Trafficking Case

    More than a year after law enforcement seized nearly a quarter-million dollars worth of cannabis at a major Caribbean port, a Jamaican national has formally admitted guilt to drug trafficking offenses. Damar Sappleton, who has resided in the Bendals area of Antigua, entered his guilty plea on Wednesday before High Court Judge John Spencer, wrapping up the initial phase of a high-profile narcotics case stretching back to early 2024. The legal proceedings originated from a coordinated joint enforcement operation conducted by local police and customs officials on 8 March 2024 at Deep Water Harbour. During a routine inspection of cargo at the busy port, officers uncovered 41 pounds of concealed cannabis stashed inside two unmarked shipping boxes. Investigators later assessed that the seized narcotics would have carried an estimated street value of approximately $246,000 if sold on the local market. Following his plea, Sappleton was immediately remanded into official custody, with his sentencing hearing scheduled to take place at the High Court on 5 June. Legal observers note that the conviction closes a key chapter in a major anti-narcotics enforcement effort at the island’s primary commercial port, which remains a common transit point for drug trafficking operations targeting the Caribbean region.

  • Driver’s Family Expresses Condolences After Fatal All Saints Road Accident, Cooperating With Investigation

    Driver’s Family Expresses Condolences After Fatal All Saints Road Accident, Cooperating With Investigation

    A devastating fatal accident on All Saints Road on May 12, 2026 has left two families and an entire local community reeling from grief, as the family of the driver involved has broken their silence to share their profound sorrow over the loss of Okeen Lightfoot, the victim who died in the incident.

    In an open statement addressed to the victim’s family, loved ones, and the broader community, the driver’s relatives said their entire household has been left heartbroken and deeply shaken by the tragic chain of events that unfolded that Tuesday. They emphasized that no language can adequately capture the depth of their regret for the loss of life and the overwhelming suffering this tragedy has inflicted on all those touched by it.

    The family extended their unreserved, deepest condolences, spiritual prayers, and heartfelt sympathy to Lightfoot’s family and loved ones, acknowledging that countless people are navigating crippling pain, complicated grief, and a desperate search for clarity in the wake of the sudden, violent incident. “Our son and our entire family are deeply shaken and devastated by what has happened,” the statement read.

    Citing respect for the ongoing official investigation into the crash, the driver’s family noted that they are constrained in what details they can share publicly at this stage of the process. Even so, they stressed to local residents that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement and other authorities as investigators work to unpack every circumstance and factor that led to the accident.

    The statement closed with a note of solidarity for all those impacted by the crash. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone affected by this tragedy — for the family who lost their loved one, for all first responders involved, and for all those carrying emotional pain in the aftermath of this incident,” the statement concluded, signed sincerely by the entire family of the driver.

  • ‘Something not adding up’

    ‘Something not adding up’

    A cloud of uncertainty has settled over the small, sleepy coastal community of Goodwood, Tobago, as rescue teams and local residents press on with a frantic search for 2-year-old Angelo Tobias Plaza, who vanished from his family home three days ago. The toddler’s unexplained disappearance has left locals unsettled, with many growing increasingly suspicious that the details surrounding the case do not align.

    According to official police accounts, Angelo’s mother, 22-year-old Kalifah Tobias, and her common-law husband Shannon Miller first realized the boy was missing at approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday. The pair immediately combed the surrounding neighborhood and questioned nearby residents, but their initial efforts to locate the child turned up empty. The toddler, who is described as mixed-race with a light brown complexion and round face, was only wearing a diaper at the time he disappeared.

    The Tobago Divisional Task Force was officially alerted to the missing toddler case early Wednesday morning. During preliminary ground searches, responding officers spotted what they believed to be the young child’s body floating in the waters of Goodwood Bay, but the corpse slipped back beneath the rough ocean surface before it could be recovered. Divers were called to the scene shortly before midday to begin recovery operations, but hazardous sea conditions on the exposed Atlantic coast of Tobago have repeatedly derailed all attempts to retrieve the remains.

    Angelo’s grandmother Neisha Tobias spoke publicly from the search area Wednesday, visibly overcome with grief. “I am heartbroken. He is a loving child; he would not go into the water just like that. I don’t know what happened, I am still trying to figure that out. Till they find him I don’t know what to say. The police said they hold up the search because the water really bad,” she told reporters.

    Alvin Douglas, a marine safety and security expert who led a team of three volunteer divers through the bay Wednesday morning, confirmed that severe sea conditions made the search extremely dangerous. “I got a call from the Police Service asking for assistance on a search and recovery. At that time I did not get the details, so we mobilised a team of rescue divers. We are surrounded by water and most of the villages are along the coastline, so it is inevitable that these things will happen. On the Atlantic side of the island is where the island is exposed, so it is very difficult,” Douglas explained in an interview with the *Express*.

    Local doubts about the official account of the disappearance have been growing among Goodwood residents, who say key details provided by Angelo’s caregivers do not add up. Neighbor Wendy des Vignes, who spoke directly with Miller about the case, told reporters that Miller admitted both he and Tobias left Angelo alone at home on Monday while the pair traveled up the road to collect money from a relative. He told des Vignes the child went missing from the unoccupied house some time after the couple left. Multiple local residents gathered near the search site Wednesday, with several engaging in heated arguments over conflicting accounts of the day Angelo disappeared.

    Local authorities have already mobilized support services for the family: the Victim and Witness Support Unit has been assigned to assist Angelo’s relatives, while the island’s Child Protection Unit has been formally notified of the incident.

    Ackel Franklyn, Assistant Secretary for Community Development and Social Protection, joined local leaders at the search site Wednesday to express solidarity with the family and community. “Being a father of young children it is really a state of unrest for me as well, so I just came to stand in solidarity with the villagers and members of the family in such a time as this. I have spoken to a few members of the family, and they are all at this time quite emotional. I just offered my support more or less, allowing them to know that the Executive Council stands with them even through this time,” Franklyn said.

    David Thomas, Member of Parliament for Tobago East, also spoke publicly Wednesday, saying he was deeply distressed by the incident and echoed growing concerns that the toddler may have been left unsupervised for an extended period. “I want to sympathise with the persons who would have lost the child. I still find that in our society today we are paying little attention to children, and almost every day we are hearing about incidents where children are compromised, and it hurts me deeply and I hope that it’s not because of an act of carelessness…I just want to encourage the wider society of T&T to let’s take care of our children. They represent our future, they represent our development and they represent our prosperity,” Thomas said.

    Thomas added that he opted to send his field staff to gather updates on the search rather than attend the site in person, as he feared he would be too overcome with emotion to function, noting the case reminded him of his own children and grandchildren. “I think that we need to increase our value system in terms of preservation of lives and the protection of our children,” he emphasized.

  • APUA Stops Taking Water From Potworks Reservoir Due to Drought

    APUA Stops Taking Water From Potworks Reservoir Due to Drought

    A worsening drought across the island nation has forced the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) Water Business Unit to suspend all water pumping operations from Potworks Reservoir, the country’s largest surface water catchment, after water levels dropped to critically low thresholds that make continued extraction unsafe and unsustainable.

    For months prior to the shutdown, Potworks Reservoir fed the adjacent Delaps Water Treatment Facility, which supplied treated water to dozens of residential communities across the island’s southeastern region. The facility contributed an average of 1.2 million imperial gallons of potable water to the national distribution network daily, making it a key component of the country’s water supply infrastructure. However, months of persistent below-average rainfall and prolonged drought have pushed reservoir levels far below the minimum required for continued extraction.

    Southeastern communities that previously relied on the Potworks-Delaps system will now receive water from two existing reverse osmosis facilities: the Crabbs Reverse Osmosis Plant and the Barnacle Point Reverse Osmosis Facility. APUA officials noted that investments in desalination infrastructure over the past 12 months have already bolstered the national water grid’s resilience, allowing the utility to offset the full loss of Potworks’ output without a drastic reduction in overall daily production.

    Across all active supply systems — which include reverse osmosis desalination and groundwater extraction — the Water Business Unit still maintains a total daily output of roughly 8.5 million imperial gallons of potable water. Even with this consistent production, the utility warns that rising demand, driven by steady population growth, expanding tourism development, new housing projects, and overall economic expansion, puts continued pressure on the supply network.

    During the transition to the new supply routing, some customers may experience temporary disruptions to service, reduced water pressure, or longer gaps between scheduled water deliveries. These issues are most likely to impact customers living in elevated areas of the southeastern region. The full list of affected communities includes American Road, All Saints Road, Belmont, Bethesda, Biggins, Buckleys, Folly Hill, Horsford Hill, John Hughes, Liberta, Ottos New Town, Patterson, Radio Range, St. Clair Heights, Swetes, Wallings, and portions of Falmouth.

    To address the long-term gap left by the Potworks shutdown and improve regional transmission capacity, APUA is in the final stages of constructing new transmission lines in the Herbert’s area, which will carry additional water from the Crabbs and Barnacle Point facilities to affected communities. The utility is also on track to commission a brand-new 3.2 million imperial gallon per day reverse osmosis facility before the end of the year, while the organization’s hydrology team continues exploratory work to identify and develop new groundwater reserves through new well drilling initiatives.

    APUA emphasized that reliable access to potable water is a foundational requirement for the island’s daily life and economic activity, and has moved to reassure residents that multiple long-term projects to strengthen and expand the national water system remain actively in progress. The organization is encouraging all customers across the island to continue practicing voluntary water conservation and maintain emergency water storage where possible, to help mitigate the ongoing impacts of the drought.

    In closing, APUA expressed sincere gratitude to the public for their patience and understanding as utility teams work to adapt to drought conditions and preserve reliable water service for all communities across the island.

  • Tribute in Haiti to nurses

    Tribute in Haiti to nurses

    On May 12, 2026, Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) joined national health institutions, international organizations, and government bodies to celebrate International Nurses Day, centering the 2026 observance on the theme “Our nurses. Our future. The power of nurses to act saves lives.” The official commemorative ceremony was held at the MSPP’s nursing directorate, drawing a high-profile guest list that included Public Health Minister Dr. Bertrand Sinal, Minister for the Status of Women Pedrica Saint Jean, top executives from the MSPP and the National Ambulance Center (CAN), and delegated representatives from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), UNICEF, and the Panos Institute.

    In her opening address to attendees, Carine Reveil Jean Baptiste, Director of the MSPP Nursing Directorate, extended formal congratulations to every nurse practicing across Haiti’s public and private health systems. She highlighted the consistent, often underrecognized work of nursing staff to elevate care standards and advance population well-being, even amid systemic and national challenges.

    Gabriel Timothée, Director General of the MSPP, followed with remarks emphasizing the irreplaceable role nurses hold in keeping the national health system functional. He reminded the audience that nurses remain on call day and night at patient bedsides, delivering consistent care with unwavering professionalism and commitment to their mission.

    Minister Dr. Sinal used the occasion to reaffirm that nursing workforce issues have been a top policy priority since he assumed his role at the head of the public health ministry. He shared tangible progress on this commitment, noting that nearly half of all recent senior and frontline staffing appointments published by the ministry have been for nursing positions, signaling the government’s investment in strengthening the nursing workforce.

    As a key component of the national celebrations, the General Directorate of the Office of Workplace Accident, Sickness and Maternity Insurance (OFATMA) issued a formal statement paying tribute to Haiti’s nurses. The statement acknowledged that nurses carry out their daily work with remarkable professionalism, courage, and humanity while serving OFATMA beneficiaries and the broader Haitian population. It noted that despite severe socioeconomic and security challenges that define Haiti’s current national context, nursing staff continue to fulfill their duties with extraordinary dedication, compassion, and a relentless sense of duty, framing their work not merely as an occupation, but as a life-giving vocation. OFATMA closed its statement by expressing profound gratitude for nurses’ exemplary commitment and their irreplaceable contribution to the country’s social and health protection systems.

    Minister Pedrica Saint Jean, who leads the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights, also delivered a formal address honoring Haiti’s nursing workforce, the majority of whom are women. She paid respect to the courage, dedication, and professionalism that nurses demonstrate daily while caring for populations across the country, often working in underresourced, challenging conditions. Saint Jean described nurses as the foundational force holding Haiti’s healthcare system together, noting that they carry out a fundamental human and social mission: to treat, comfort, listen to, and save the lives of Haitian citizens. From major urban hospitals and local clinics to rural maternity wards and isolated remote communities, and in the midst of ongoing public health emergencies, their unwavering commitment stands as a powerful symbol of national solidarity and resilience. Saint Jean closed by reaffirming her solidarity with all Haitian nurses, thanking them for their invaluable contribution to the health, dignity, and well-being of the Haitian people, ending with the tribute: “Honor and Merit to Haitian nurses, guardians of life and human dignity.”