标签： Grenada

Authorities in Grenada are investigating the origins of a significant agricultural fire that ravaged approximately 10 acres of predominantly sugar cane fields in the La Calome region of St. David on February 25, 2026. The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has confirmed the commencement of a formal probe into the incident which required extensive firefighting efforts.

Emergency services were alerted to the burgeoning bush fire at approximately 10:09 PM. Fire Department personnel arriving at the scene encountered intense flames and thick smoke originating from the cane field, with the fire having already spread to adjacent bamboo clusters. Fire crews mounted a sustained response operation, dedicating four hours and deploying in excess of 6,000 gallons of water to achieve containment and eventual extinguishment of the primary blaze.

In a subsequent development on February 26 at 4:48 AM, firefighters were dispatched again following reports of a minor reignition at the site. Officials confirmed the situation was promptly addressed and posed no substantial threat. Crews remained on site to conduct thorough monitoring, ensuring complete elimination of hot spots and preventing any potential rekindling or spread to surrounding areas.

The incident highlights vulnerabilities in agricultural zones to fire hazards, with potential economic implications for local farmers. The RGPF continues to gather evidence to determine the fire’s cause, whether accidental or otherwise.

The Leo Club of St. George’s marks a historic milestone this year, celebrating 56 years of continuous community service and youth development under the theme “56 Years of Service, Honouring the Past, Serving the Future.” As one of the Eastern Caribbean’s most enduring Leo Clubs, this Grenada-based organization has established itself as a cornerstone of social development through generations of leadership training and community outreach.

Club President Leo Danika Baptiste (2025-2026) expressed both honor and responsibility in leading during this anniversary year. “Serving as President during our 56th year is both a privilege and a responsibility I hold with great pride,” Baptiste stated. “As we honour the past and serve the future, I am grateful for the leaders who paved the way and inspired by the members who continue to strengthen our impact.”

The anniversary celebration encompasses two months of diverse activities demonstrating the club’s multifaceted approach to service. These initiatives include religious observance through an Annual Church Service at St. George’s Baptist Church, where members joined with their parent organization, the St. George’s Lions Club, in thanksgiving for 56 years of fellowship.

Substantive service projects form the core of the celebration. Members conducted youth outreach at Queen Elizabeth Home for Children, engaging residents through recreational activities, hair braiding sessions, and motivational character-building talks. The Brighter Futures School Support Initiative, developed in partnership with Grenadian Published Authors Inc., brought reading engagement and school supply donations to kindergarten and first-grade students at St. George’s Methodist School.

Future environmental initiatives include Project Beach Clean across St. George parish scheduled for March, aligning with Lions International’s global environmental protection cause, and Pawsitive Impact, a collaboration with the Grenada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) to support sheltered animals.

The anniversary program also emphasizes member development through capacity-building workshops. A Virtual Communications Workshop on February 11th featured training facilitator and communications strategist Roslyn Douglas, while a February 21st Project Management workshop was conducted by specialist Johnny Calliste.

Social cohesion receives attention through the Colours Picnic Social on February 28th, where members will gather wearing designated colors and sharing corresponding snacks, fostering unity and camaraderie within the organization.

Throughout its history, the Leo Club of St. George’s has implemented significant initiatives including Back-to-School Supplies Drives, Annual World Cleanup Day coastal cleanups, Christmas food hamper distributions for vulnerable families, youth leadership workshops, drug prevention programs, and the beautification of the Sendall Tunnel.

The club’s legacy includes nurturing generations of young leaders who have emerged as prominent figures in Grenada’s business and community sectors. As the organization celebrates this milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to addressing evolving community needs while maintaining the spirit of service that has defined its 56-year history.

In a groundbreaking achievement for inclusive education, students from Grenada School for Special Education (GSSE) have successfully completed an intensive eight-week swimming program under the Rotary Club of Grenada’s Learn to Swim initiative. The program concluded with an emotional graduation ceremony that highlighted the participants’ extraordinary perseverance and personal triumphs.

The celebratory event radiated with palpable joy and accomplishment as students demonstrated their newly acquired aquatic skills. Beyond the technical mastery of swimming, the program represented a profound journey toward self-empowerment and social inclusion for children with special needs. Participants exhibited remarkable confidence and pride in their achievements, marking a transformative milestone in their personal development.

Julia Lawrence, President of the Rotary Club of Grenada, emphasized the program’s deeper significance: ‘This initiative represents Rotary in action. We believe every child deserves opportunity, inclusion, and the chance to build confidence in a safe environment. Witnessing these students progress and celebrate reinforces why we serve.’

The initiative extends far beyond recreational activity, providing essential water safety skills that could potentially save lives while simultaneously fostering greater independence and self-assurance. The program’s comprehensive approach included the donation of specialized swimwear to ensure all participants could engage with dignity and full participation.

Critical to the program’s success was the expertise of Deb Eastwood from Get Grenada Swimming, whose dedicated instruction and patient methodology guided students through their aquatic journey. The initiative reflects Rotary’s core values of Service Above Self, Fellowship, and Inclusion, demonstrating how community organizations can create meaningful social impact.

This swimming program forms part of the Rotary Club’s broader commitment to youth development and community transformation in Grenada, representing a sustainable model for empowering vulnerable populations through practical skill development and social inclusion.

The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) Traffic Department has issued an immediate parking prohibition along Stadium Ring Road in St. George. Authorities have mandated the prompt removal of all vehicles currently stationed in the affected area to accommodate unimpeded vehicular movement and enhance pedestrian safety measures.

This regulatory intervention responds to growing concerns about traffic congestion and potential safety hazards in the vicinity of the stadium. The police commissioner’s office emphasized the necessity of these measures for maintaining orderly traffic patterns and protecting public welfare.

The parking restriction will remain indefinitely until official authorities determine otherwise. Motorists are advised to seek alternative parking arrangements and comply with traffic directives to avoid penalties. The RGPF maintains its commitment to ensuring road safety and efficient traffic management throughout Grenada.

This public notice represents part of broader ongoing efforts by Grenadian law enforcement to optimize traffic flow in high-density areas, particularly around venues that frequently host large public gatherings.

In a strategic move to elevate artistic standards for the upcoming 2026 Festival of the Arts, Grenada has successfully trained 50 primary and secondary school choir instructors through an intensive professional development program. The comprehensive workshop, held at the Public Workers Union building in St. George’s, focused on enhancing vocal pedagogy and choral leadership capabilities across the nation’s educational institutions.

Voice Specialist Valarie Daniel-Burkhardt, renowned for her work with professionals ranging from broadcasters to politicians, led the technical training sessions. The curriculum encompassed critical vocal techniques including breath control, vocal projection, diction refinement, rhythmic precision, and anatomical awareness of vocal mechanisms. Participants gained practical methodologies for improving singing proficiency while preventing vocal strain and long-term damage.

Assistant facilitator Lucinda Ogilvie emphasized the universal relevance of vocal training, noting its importance not only for educators and students but also for performing artists across musical genres. “Understanding vocal mechanics is essential for sustainable artistic expression,” Ogilvie stated. “This knowledge protects vocal instruments from deterioration while enhancing performance quality.”

The initiative, orchestrated by the Division of Culture within the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture, represents the government’s commitment to cultural development. Chief Cultural Officer Kelvin Jacob explicitly linked the training to national artistic standards, urging participants to implement their newfound expertise to cultivate exceptional school choirs.

Educators expressed unanimous appreciation for the program’s practical applicability. Donovan Richards, Principal of Hermitage Government School, confirmed the immediate utility of the exercises for student development. Teacher Kellyann Gunpot similarly endorsed the capacity-building initiative, particularly as Grenada prepares for the return of its premier cultural showcase.

Cultural Officer Arlene Joseph reported overwhelming participant engagement and readiness to guide choirs toward excellence. The program concluded with formal certification ceremonies presided over by Parliamentary Secretary Senator Quinc Britton and Chief Cultural Officer Jacob, symbolizing the official endorsement of this cultural upskilling endeavor.

Grenada’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture has initiated a nationwide search for young tourism ambassadors through the National Tourism Youth Congress, targeting students aged 14-17. The competition aims to select Grenada’s representative for the Regional Tourism Youth Congress in Guyana this October.

The two-tier competition structure invites participants from secondary schools, NEWLO Hospitality Department, and T.A. Marryshow Community College’s Tourism and Hospitality programs. The preliminary round requires candidates to submit a three-minute video presentation by March 20, 2026, through designated school officials at [email protected].

Seven finalists will advance to the live competition on May 8, 2026, where they will demonstrate their expertise through prepared presentations and impromptu responses. The final round features two challenging components: a structured presentation with audio-visual aids on a predetermined topic, followed by a mystery topic segment that tests quick thinking and communication skills. Contestants will have three minutes to prepare and one minute to deliver their response to unexpected questions.

This initiative forms part of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s broader strategy to engage youth in regional tourism development. The congress replicates the format of CTO Board of Directors’ meetings and occurs annually during the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC). The program aims to cultivate research skills, critical discussion, and innovative thinking among Caribbean youth regarding tourism’s future.

The competition follows the success of Kealah Baptiste from TAMCC, who represented Grenada at the 2025 Regional Congress in Barbados, demonstrating the program’s capacity to identify and develop young tourism leaders.

In a significant development for labor relations in Grenada, the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers’ Union (GTAWU) and St. George’s University Limited (SGU) formally ratified a comprehensive Collective Bargaining Agreement on February 12, 2026. The six-year pact, covering July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2028, was executed under the supervision of Labour Commissioner Sparkle Grenade-Courtney.

The signing ceremony featured representation from both organizations’ leadership. SGU’s delegation included Chief Campus Operations Officer Greg Hendel, Vice President Business Administrator Dawne Buckmire, Human Resources Director Camila Williams-Johnson, and legal counsel Skeeta Chitan-Sylvester. GTAWU’s representation was led by President General André Lewis, accompanied by Chief Grievance Officer Trevor Xavier, Shop Stewards Kevon Noel and Gleaner Lewis, Workers’ Representative Ron Greaves, and Industrial Relations Officer Kadisha Andrew.

Key provisions of the landmark agreement establish minimum starting salaries at 20% above Grenada’s national minimum wage threshold. The compensation package includes structured annual increments: four consecutive 4% raises for the 2022-2026 periods, followed by two 5% increases for the final two years of the contract.

Additional benefits encompass enhanced night differential allowances, full reimbursement of driver’s license fees, comprehensive health insurance coverage, uniform and protective clothing provisions, pension benefits, and a formalized grievance procedure framework.

Notably, both parties committed to ongoing negotiations regarding the unresolved status of SGU’s ‘Unvaccinated Workers’ who have been barred from campus premises since June 2021. The discussions will focus on compensation arrangements for these employees’ years of service prior to the implementation of vaccination mandates.