标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The nation of Antigua and Barbuda is in mourning following the passing of Mr. Rufus Adolphus Lewis, OM, a revered national figure and community pillar, at the age of 94 on December 20, 2025. His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, the Governor General, and Lady Williams have expressed profound sorrow at the loss of this distinguished son of the soil, recognizing his lifetime of unwavering dedication to national development and community service.

Hailing from the village of Swetes, Mr. Lewis’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the physical and social fabric of his community. He maintained a decades-long partnership with the Williams family, particularly collaborating with Sir Rodney’s late father, Sir Ernest Emanuel Williams, in shaping Swetes’ infrastructure during its formative development phase. Their visionary planning established the foundational road networks, water systems, and public lighting that continue to serve residents today.

As a master carpenter and construction supervisor for the Ministry of Works, Mr. Lewis left an indelible mark on the nation’s built environment. His expertise guided the construction of numerous primary educational facilities across Old Road, John Hughes, Cobbs Cross, Liberta, Newfield, Five Islands, and Parham, in addition to critical infrastructure including the All Saints and Freetown Police Stations.

Beyond his official retirement, Mr. Lewis maintained an extraordinary commitment to public service, assuming the role of Caretaker at the Swetes Government School (later renamed Irene B. Williams School). Residing opposite the institution, he voluntarily performed plumbing, carpentry, and maintenance duties to ensure the school remained safe and operational for generations of students.

Mr. Lewis stood as a titan within the Caribbean labor movement, dedicating over six decades to advancing workers’ rights. Beginning his advocacy as a teenager with the Antigua Trades and Labour Union, he ascended through numerous leadership positions including Secretary of the Swetes Section, Shop Steward, Chairman of the Union’s Works Committee, and ultimately First Vice President after twenty-two years on the Executive. His principled advocacy extended to membership on the National Labour Board and National Minimum Wage Committee, alongside representing the nation at international labor conferences.

Faith constituted a central pillar of Mr. Lewis’s life as a lifelong devotee of the Cana Moravian Church, where he served as Elder and Steward while contributing to physical developments including the Christian Education Building. His spiritual commitment transcended denominational boundaries, supporting various community ministries and civic initiatives such as the Swetes Men 4 Life program.

Remembered for his warmth, humanity, and passion for cricket—evidenced by naming sons after legendary West Indian cricketers—Mr. Lewis was a devoted family man. He shared fifty-seven years of marriage with his beloved wife Hildred Jerome Lewis, raised thirteen children, and established a successful trucking business in his later years to support his family.

In 2009, his exceptional contributions to labor relations and national development were formally recognized with The Order of Merit (OM), the nation’s highest honor. Governor General Williams eulogized Mr. Lewis as “a builder in the truest sense of the word” whose legacy endures in national infrastructure, labor history, and countless lives touched through his mentorship and compassion. Official condolences have been extended to the Lewis family, the Swetes community, the labor movement, and the Cana Moravian Church, with hopes that his exemplary life of service continues inspiring future generations.

In his inaugural Commissioner’s Route March since assuming permanent leadership, Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers addressed officers of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda with a message emphasizing discipline and performance as the optimal response to public criticism. The ceremonial event, traditionally held in early December but rescheduled to December 20 this year, saw officers marching approximately five kilometers through the capital city of St. John’s in a demonstration of institutional unity and operational readiness.

Commissioner Jeffers acknowledged the intensified public scrutiny facing the police force during his pre-march address, explicitly advising against confrontational approaches. Instead, he championed professionalism and daily demonstration of policing value as the most effective means to address community concerns. The Commissioner expressed unwavering confidence in the work being conducted by officers nationwide, highlighting that leadership within the force remains fundamentally rooted in principles of accountability and public service.

The annual march, a long-standing tradition combining ceremonial pageantry with practical displays of police cohesion, proceeded while maintaining full operational coverage throughout the island nation. Regular patrol duties continued uninterrupted as participating officers marched through the capital, where members of the public gathered along the route to show support for the procession. The event served both as a public relations exercise and an internal reaffirmation of institutional values under the Commissioner’s new leadership.

Law enforcement authorities in Antigua and Barbuda have uncovered a sophisticated firearms smuggling operation where weapons are being disassembled into components and shipped separately to evade detection. The Royal Police Force revealed that criminal networks are employing this method to circumvent security measures and import illegal firearms into the country.

Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers issued a stern warning that both senders and recipients of these firearm parts are under active surveillance. ‘We are closely monitoring the movements of those involved in this illegal trade,’ Jeffers stated, emphasizing that law enforcement has developed specific tracking methods to identify these compartmentalized smuggling attempts.

The disclosure forms part of a broader strategic initiative to enhance intelligence capabilities and strengthen collaborative ties with local communities. Police officials acknowledge that criminal organizations continue to adapt their methodologies, necessitating more sophisticated countermeasures. Authorities stress that public cooperation remains indispensable to their operations, as law enforcement resources cannot maintain comprehensive coverage across all potential entry points.

The police force has intensified its appeal to residents through established communication channels, encouraging citizens to report any suspicious activities. Officials assure that community tips have proven instrumental in disrupting organized crime operations and preventing illegal weapons from reaching the nation’s streets. This collaborative approach between law enforcement and the public represents a critical layer in the country’s national security framework.

A scheduled early-morning police march in St. John’s encountered a brief interruption on Saturday when an automotive incident occurred along Independence Avenue. According to official reports, a moving vehicle collided with an unoccupied police motorcycle that was parked alongside the route.

The impact resulted in damage to the stationary motorcycle; however, authorities confirmed that no individuals sustained injuries. The driver of the vehicle emerged unharmed, and no police officers were involved in the collision itself.

Law enforcement personnel promptly secured the area to assess the situation and ensure public safety. Within a short period, the organized march was able to continue as planned, experiencing only minimal operational disruption. The Antigua and Barbuda Police Force has initiated a formal investigation to determine the precise circumstances and contributing factors that led to the collision.

In a heartfelt Christmas gesture, Antigua and Barbuda’s Halo Foundation has significantly bolstered support for special needs children through a substantial donation to the Friends of the Care Project. The philanthropic organization, under the leadership of President Her Excellency Lady Sandra Williams and Patron His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, contributed $5,000 to enhance the facility’s critical services.

During the emotional presentation ceremony, Lady Williams expressed profound admiration for the remarkable progress demonstrated by children at the facility. ‘Witnessing the tremendous development in both mental capabilities and physical skills of these children throughout the past year moved me to tears,’ she disclosed to attendees.

The Foundation’s president extended sincere gratitude to the Care Project’s entire team, including management, professional staff, physiotherapists, and dedicated caregivers. She specifically commended their exceptional supervision standards maintained for both residential beneficiaries and participants in the Outreach Program.

Lady Williams additionally acknowledged the pivotal role of parents in recognizing their children’s unique challenges and proactively seeking specialized assistance to improve their quality of life. She emphasized the crucial importance of emotional support combined with formal education in fostering cognitive and personal development in young minds with special requirements.

The contribution represents the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to social welfare initiatives during the holiday season, particularly those addressing the needs of differently-abled children and their families across the nation.

Authorities are investigating a significant burglary case after surveillance footage captured an individual allegedly responsible for stealing a collection of high-value electronics and luxury personal items. The incident, which has garnered attention through online community posts, involves the disappearance of premium goods from a residential property.

Among the stolen inventory is a white PlayStation 5 gaming console accompanied by matching white and black controllers, alongside a large 65-inch Toshiba smart television. The theft also targeted valuable personal accessories, including a gold chain featuring an ornate cross pendant and customized gold name earrings inscribed with the initials “AL.”

Further missing items comprise two distinctive backpacks—a black and red SprayGround model adorned with a silver lion motif and a sophisticated black and red Swiss brand backpack. The perpetrator also made off with high-end audio equipment, specifically Beats DJ Pro headphones, a new wristwatch of unspecified brand, and an entire collection of fifteen bottles of premium cologne.

Law enforcement officials have released photographic evidence of the stolen merchandise and are seeking public assistance in identifying the individual visible in the security camera images. The visual documentation provides crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation into this calculated theft of consumer electronics and personal luxury items.

Transport authorities have issued a public advisory for motorists and local residents regarding ongoing infrastructure maintenance along the Golden Grove Extension corridor. The road rehabilitation initiative, currently in its active phase, necessitates heightened vigilance from all commuters traversing this sector.

Officials from the Department of Public Works confirmed the project involves comprehensive resurfacing and safety enhancements, part of a broader municipal infrastructure upgrade program. While specific timelines remain fluid, project coordinators estimate completion within the coming fortnight, weather conditions permitting.

The construction zone features reduced speed limits, temporary traffic control measures, and periodically altered lane configurations. Transportation analysts suggest these necessary improvements will ultimately enhance road safety and traffic flow, though short-term inconveniences are inevitable.

Commuter advocates recommend exploring alternative routes during peak travel hours where feasible. Emergency service providers have been notified of the temporary traffic pattern changes to ensure uninterrupted response capabilities throughout the construction period.

Real-time traffic updates are available through the city’s official transportation mobile application and variable message signs positioned along approaching thoroughfares. The public works department emphasizes that all scheduled work complies with contemporary safety standards and environmental regulations.