标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The Wesleyan Holiness Church in Gray’s Farm marked a significant milestone last Sunday, transforming its usual Sabbath proceedings into an elaborate celebration of its 75th anniversary. The historic occasion featured a comprehensive program of worship, musical performances, and reflective presentations, all within a completely revitalized sacred space that underwent substantial renovations for this momentous event.

The sanctuary emerged with a transformed aesthetic, featuring rebranded interior walls, new seating arrangements, plush carpeting, and contemporary furnishings that collectively established an unprecedented ambiance. Congregation members contributed to the visual harmony by donning coordinated attire that complemented the church’s new color scheme.

Dr. Milaydis Thomas, the resident minister, commenced proceedings promptly with an invocation before introducing Christopher Stevens as Master of Ceremonies. Stevens demonstrated exceptional professionalism throughout the event, first inviting fifteen-year-old Micah Thomas to deliver a scripture reading with remarkable poise and confidence.

Mrs. Brenda Matthews extended official welcomes, hinting at the program’s substantial offerings before Mrs. Lauren Charles-Stevens and her worship team energized the congregation with dynamic musical performances supported by the resident band. Stevens later delivered an original poetic composition recounting church history, earning thunderous applause for his eloquent delivery.

The ceremony took an emotional turn when former youth member Cathy-Ann Burnette flew from Europe to present a biographical tribute to her spiritual grandmother, Ms. Everette Matthews—a congregant for over six decades. Matthews subsequently provided a comprehensive historical account of the church’s development, leaving no significant detail unaddressed.

Local musician Willie Wawa captivated attendees with an exceptional trumpet performance, followed by uniformed choir members delivering a harmonically precise rendition of “We Have Come Here by Faith” to introduce guest speaker Rev. Dr. Everton Thomas from St. John’s Wesleyan Holiness Church.

Rev. Thomas delivered a charismatic and forceful sermonette that held the congregation’s undivided attention, concluding with an inspirational charge for members to maintain faith in anticipation of greater developments. Resident minister Dr. Milaydis Thomas closed the ceremony with an enthusiastic vote of thanks before attendees departed with commemorative gifts and refreshments, all exhibiting profound satisfaction with the celebrations.

In his inaugural Christmas and End-of-Year address, newly appointed Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers presented a comprehensive assessment of law enforcement achievements and future challenges before a gathering of officers at the Multipurpose Cultural Center on December 22, 2025.

The Commissioner commenced by extending seasonal greetings while emphasizing the symbolic importance of Christmas as a period of faith, gratitude, and renewal. He articulated the Force’s continued dedication to professional service and strengthened community partnerships amid evolving security challenges, including violent crime, cyber threats, and transnational criminal networks.

Notable operational accomplishments highlighted included a documented ten percent reduction in overall crime statistics, complemented by increased arrest and conviction rates. These outcomes were attributed to proactive policing methodologies and enhanced public cooperation. Significant enforcement victories featured the seizure of 600 pounds of cannabis valued at EC $3.5 million through coordinated operations involving specialized units. Additionally, law enforcement recovered 52 illegal firearms and over 770 rounds of ammunition, surpassing quantities collected during the April National Gun Amnesty initiative.

Commissioner Jeffers expressed particular concern regarding rising youth-related criminal activity while commending the Youth Intervention Unit’s successful ‘END IT HOW’ Summer Camp program, which graduated over fifty students in September. Infrastructure developments within the Fire Department, including new fire tenders and station construction projects, were also acknowledged.

Looking toward 2026, the Commissioner outlined heightened security preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), urging officers to maintain peak operational readiness. The address recognized academic achievements within the force and congratulated newly appointed Deputy Commissioner Louisa Benjamin-Quashie alongside other promoted officers, reminding them that elevated rank carries increased responsibility.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to resolving outstanding cases involving missing persons, assuring families that victims remain central to investigative priorities. Gratitude was extended to government entities, international law enforcement partners, retired officers, and the public for their sustained support. Special tribute was paid to families of fallen officers and retired Commissioner Atlee Rodney, now Deputy Director of the Regional Security System.

The event included recognition ceremonies for exemplary officers and twelve fifth-form students from Ottos Comprehensive School participating in a police force sensitization program. Commissioner Jeffers concluded by urging renewed commitment to law enforcement’s noble calling, emphasizing unity, faith, and partnership as foundational to building safer communities in the coming year.

In a heartwarming display of corporate citizenship, the West Indies Oil Company Limited (WIOC) has launched a comprehensive community outreach program to celebrate the Christmas season. The initiative, which transcends conventional corporate social responsibility, demonstrates the company’s deep-rooted commitment to societal welfare during the festive period.

The multifaceted program encompasses several charitable components designed to address diverse community needs. Company representatives have been actively distributing essential care packages containing food supplies and daily necessities to underprivileged families across local communities. Additionally, the petroleum company has organized special events and activities for children from various community centers, creating memorable experiences during the holiday season.

Executive leadership at WIOC emphasized that this outreach reflects the organization’s core values of compassion and community support. ‘Our commitment extends beyond energy distribution to positively impacting the communities we serve,’ stated a company spokesperson. ‘The Christmas season provides a meaningful opportunity to reinforce our dedication to social responsibility and human connection.’

The initiative has garnered positive responses from community leaders and beneficiaries alike, with many noting the significance of corporate entities maintaining strong community ties. This annual tradition has become increasingly impactful each year, with WIOC expanding both the scope and scale of their holiday outreach efforts to reach more communities across the region.

Industry analysts observe that such community-focused initiatives represent a growing trend among energy sector companies seeking to strengthen their social license to operate while making tangible differences in people’s lives during important cultural and religious celebrations.

The Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF) has once again illuminated the holiday season for vulnerable children in Antigua through its cherished annual Christmas outreach program. This weekend’s event at the Friends of the Care Project and Friends Development Centre continued the Foundation’s longstanding tradition of community support during the festive period.

Amid an atmosphere vibrant with laughter and holiday music, carefully selected students received personalized gifts in what has become a highly anticipated tradition on the Centre’s calendar. The significance of the event was further elevated by the presence of Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams, who joined in the celebrations.

A particularly poignant moment occurred when student Kuba presented CAF’s Manager and Media Relations Specialist Jamilla Kirwan with a framed, hand-drawn picture as a heartfelt token of appreciation. This gesture symbolized the deep connections forged between the Foundation and the children since the program’s inception in 2018.

Speaking on behalf of Ambassador Calvin Ayre, Kirwan expressed warm holiday wishes to students, families, and staff, emphasizing the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Centre’s vital work. ‘The smiles on the children’s faces make it clear that moments like this matter,’ Kirwan noted, highlighting the emotional impact of the initiative.

Beyond the immediate joy of gift-giving, the event reinforces CAF’s broader mission of community upliftment, inclusion, and compassion toward vulnerable groups. The annual celebration serves as a powerful reminder that seemingly small acts of kindness can generate profound joy and meaningful human connections, particularly during the holiday season.

In a significant judicial ruling, Magistrate Andrew Mighty has formally dismissed all charges against Dayneri Ferrer Vincent-Urlwyn, who had been accused of dangerous driving causing death in a tragic 2023 traffic incident that claimed the life of police officer Robert Benjamin Dyer Jr.

The decision came after the magistrate determined that prosecutors failed to present a prima facie case sufficient to proceed to trial. The case centered on a collision occurring on September 4, 2023, along Sir Sydney Walling Highway, where Officer Dyer sustained fatal multiple injuries while operating his motorcycle.

Critical evidence presented during proceedings revealed that the deceased officer was traveling at excessive speeds at the moment of impact, with additional documentation indicating his motorcycle lacked proper licensing. Magistrate Mighty further noted substantial evidentiary deficiencies in the prosecution’s submission, including the conspicuous absence of court-mandated toxicology reports and other forensic documentation crucial to establishing culpability.

The magistrate’s ruling emphasized that these procedural and evidentiary shortcomings rendered the case unsustainable under judicial scrutiny. “The prosecution has failed to meet the requisite threshold for establishing criminal negligence,” Mighty stated in his summation, thereby determining the accused had no case to answer.

The high-profile case had garnered considerable public interest due to Officer Dyer’s status as a serving police officer, though the judicial process ultimately prioritized evidential integrity over emotional considerations. The dismissal brings legal proceedings to a conclusive end unless prosecutors pursue appellate options.