标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

In a historic achievement for Caribbean media, Ari Shaw has become the first journalist from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to secure placement in the International Center for Journalists’ Professional Fellows Program in the United States. This competitive selection process drew media professionals from 25 nations across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States.

Shaw brings a decade of extensive media experience to the program, having served as a radio announcer and host at WE FM, reporter at Searchlight newspaper, news editor at IKTV & BOOM FM, and host of the “Off The Record” podcast. Currently, he serves as communications officer for the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Volcanic Eruption Emergency Project and Beryl Emergency Resilient Recovery Project.

The fellowship, which commenced this Wednesday and continues through February 19, offers participants immersive professional development opportunities. Fellows will collaborate directly with U.S. media organizations, develop entrepreneurial initiatives, and enhance their technical capabilities in investigative journalism, fact-checking, and podcast production. The program additionally focuses on building sustainable business models for media enterprises.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Barbados, the initiative facilitates professional exchanges that strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and partner regions. Shaw’s participation is anticipated to significantly advance his expertise while contributing to the enhancement of innovative broadcasting and media practices within St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Shaw noted: “I’m both honored and grateful to be the first Vincentian accepted into this program. I perceive this as a valuable opportunity to refine my skills while engaging with international journalism professionals. I eagerly anticipate meaningful contributions to SVG’s media landscape and the broader region.” Shaw received his media training in Taiwan, adding international perspective to his professional background.

The small Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been rocked by another deadly shooting incident, resulting in two fatalities and raising the nation’s homicide count to three for the year. The violence occurred Friday night at a commercial establishment in the West St. George community of Belair, marking the second such shop shooting in the St. George’s area to claim multiple lives within a year.

Victims of the latest shooting include 26-year-old Anil Greaves, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene, and Quinn Greaves (also known as “Huncho”), who later died at a medical facility. Quinn was the son of prominent radio personality and artist Donnie Prince Collins, who expressed profound grief on social media, stating: “A man shouldn’t have to bury his son. I should grow old with my sons to carry my casket. RIP is something I never dreamt of saying about my son.”

The incident represents a disturbing pattern of violence involving individuals previously charged with firearm offenses. Anil Greaves had been charged in 2022 alongside Tevin Miller and Carl Quow for possession of an unlicensed homemade firearm. Notably, Quow met a similar fate, being fatally shot on February 6, 2025, in an attack that also injured 17-year-old student Jolani Thompson.

This shooting bears grim similarities to a previous tragedy less than a year prior, where 69-year-old businesswoman Lesline Davis and two of her patrons, Demeon Cumberbatch and Haynesly Browne, were shot and killed at Davis’ Shop in Belmont. Two individuals, Leon John and Kesroy Ryan, currently await trial for these murders while remanded in prison.

Meanwhile, Kyle Providence and Joel Williams, both 21 and from Ottley Hall, have been charged with murder in connection with Quow’s death and attempted murder regarding Thompson’s injury. They remain incarcerated pending their next court appearance scheduled for January 26.

The recurring nature of these incidents, particularly the targeting of commercial establishments and individuals with prior firearm charges, highlights growing concerns about public safety and gun violence in the island nation.

In a landmark ruling at the Kingstown High Court, Justice Rickie Burnett has sentenced 41-year-old Kashaka Holder to 19 months imprisonment for causing the death of 13-year-old cyclist Dezy Lavia through dangerous driving. The fatal incident occurred on May 14, 2023, beneath the Orange Hill bridge, where Holder—simultaneously operating his vehicle and using a mobile phone—struck the teenage victim.

Holder, a construction worker and former taxi driver from Byera, pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving resulting in death. Court proceedings revealed that he was driving at excessive speed on the wrong side of the road when his vehicle, HV-112, collided with Lavia’s orange BMX bicycle around 6 p.m. The impact inflicted catastrophic injuries that proved fatal at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital later that evening.

An eyewitness testified to observing Holder both speeding and engaged with his mobile phone immediately before the collision. Police investigations confirmed the absence of lighting on the bicycles and noted the particularly dark conditions of the area where the tragedy unfolded.

Despite Holder’s emotional appeals to avoid incarceration—including reports of his profound grief and sleepless nights—Justice Burnett emphasized the irreversible void left in the Lavia family. The court also imposed a two-year driving prohibition following Holder’s prison release, noting his already-suspended license at the time of the incident.

The sentencing process incorporated both aggravating factors (including Holder’s phone use and wrong-side driving) and mitigating considerations (his guilty plea and cooperation with authorities). From a starting point of 2 years and 5 months (35% of the maximum 7-year sentence), the final 19-month term reflected these balanced deliberations.

Dezroy Lavia, the victim’s father, expressed forgiveness toward Holder while criticizing systemic judicial delays that prolonged the family’s anguish. He noted particular emotional struggles during family-oriented occasions like Mother’s Day and acknowledged temptations toward vigilante justice during the extended pretrial period.

Legal representation included Grant Connell for the defense and Crown Counsel Devon Bute prosecuting the case.

In a significant policy shift aimed at supporting youth development, the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has abolished all fees for national playing field usage during school athletic competitions. The announcement came from Senator Lavern King, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, during an education forum held on Thursday.

The policy change means schools will no longer face financial barriers to accessing national sports facilities for their primary athletic events, which typically occur during the second academic term. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to enhancing student development through sports participation.

Complementing the fee elimination, Senator King revealed that prize money for both Inter-Secondary and Inter-Primary Championships will be substantially increased following recommendations from Senior Minister Phillip Jackson. The enhanced rewards are designed to provide more tangible recognition for student athletes’ dedication and achievements.

“We are aiming to show a more tangible appreciation for our students’ hard work and accomplishments in athletics,” King stated, emphasizing the government’s holistic approach to education.

The minister also announced a partnership with the Brunch and Soca Foundation, which will contribute EC$1,000 cash awards each to the victor and victrix ludorum (top male and female athletes) at inter-secondary school sports competitions.

Furthermore, King issued a call to action for private businesses, alumni networks, and community leaders to support educational institutions through adoption programs or direct support for school-based clubs and societies. This collaborative approach seeks to invest comprehensively in the nation’s youth development.

“These initiatives reflect our commitment to nurturing well-rounded students academically, socially and athletically,” King explained. “We believe that participation in extracurricular activities builds discipline, teamwork and a sense of pride.”

The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is significantly enhancing its volcanic surveillance capabilities through a dual strategy of infrastructure investment and specialized staffing. Minister of Disaster Management St. Clair Leacock has announced the creation of new positions for geoscientist and seismic technician to strengthen monitoring operations at La Soufrière volcano.

The announcement coincided with the official handover ceremony of the newly renovated and retrofitted Belmont Volcano Observatory in Rose Hall on Monday. Minister Leacock, who also serves as deputy prime minister and national security minister, emphasized the facility’s critical role in advancing volcanic research, community-based early warning systems, and international academic collaborations.

Substantial technical upgrades form the backbone of the enhanced monitoring network. The national seismic monitoring system will see the installation of eight new mountain stations alongside comprehensive upgrades to existing sites. A notable security feature involves enclosing all stations to protect against potential vandalism—a concern that prompted the minister’s public appeal for community cooperation in preserving vital safety equipment.

Minister Leacock highlighted the project’s significance as representing “decades of preparation, institutional continuity, and national commitment to disaster readiness.” The observatory project was executed at a cost of EC$4.696 million through a World Bank concessional loan, with an additional US$1 million grant provided to the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) for specialized monitoring equipment.

The minister praised NEMO as one of the nation’s best-run public institutions and commended director Michelle Forbes for her exceptional leadership and professionalism in advancing the country’s disaster preparedness capabilities.