BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Thirty-three-year-old George McCumisky of Texas, United States of America, was convicted on Wednesday, December 30, for breaching his quarantine conditions.

He was fined $4,800 to be paid forthwith or spend six months in prison. McCumisky, who recently tested negative twice for COVID-19, has since paid the fine and was set to leave the Federation Wednesday afternoon.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — A press release from Government House, dated December 30, indicates that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second has approved awards for four nationals for the Order of the British Empire in Her New Year’s Honours List 2021.

Athill Rawlins has been awarded Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contribution to Public Service and Land Surveying, and Mrs. Venetta Laws was granted Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her contribution to Community Service and Business Entrepreneurship.

Additionally, for his contribution to Community Service, Collin Tyrell was bestowed with Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) while Commissioner Hilroy Patrick Brandy received Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) for his distinguished service to Policing.

Throughout history, monarchs have rewarded those who have shown service, loyalty or gallantry with gifts or titles.

Most honours are awarded on the advice of the Cabinet. However, anybody can make a recommendation if they know someone, they believe to be worthy.

It is a tradition that recipients collect their awards from The Queen or another Member of the Royal Family at an Investiture ceremony.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The Police received a report sometime after midday on December 29, that the body of a man was found on Phillips Mountain.

Upon arrival at a mountainous area in Phillips Village, the body of 60-year-old Charles Lowry, formerly of Phillips Village, was found lying on his back. The District Medical Officer visited the scene and pronounced him dead. Preliminary investigations so far have revealed that Lowry left home at about 7 a.m. Tuesday and went to the mountain as he normally would to set his trap.

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. Personnel from the Forensic Services Unit visited and processed the scene. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Persons with information regarding this incident are urged to contact the Tabernacle Police Station by dialing 465-7227 or their nearest Police Station.

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CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis is extending prayers for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the face of ongoing volcanic unrest at La Soufrière volcano.

On December 30, Premier Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of St. Kitts and Nevis, issued a statement and called for prayer.

“My prayers are with our brothers and sisters of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as we all monitor the activity at La Soufrière volcano there,” said Hon. Brantley. “With the devastation already caused by COVID-19 and its disastrous impact on our small vulnerable states, our region cannot afford another disaster. I urge us all to pray for the continued safety and security of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

At a December 29 press conference, Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines told the citizenry that due to the effusive, oozing eruption taking place, the government had taken the alert level to orange for St. Vincent.

Dr. Gonsalves urged residents to remain calm but explained that those in the areas closest the growing satellite dome should be prepared to evacuate.

“At relatively short notice, you may get…an order to evacuate if in fact we have the scientific information that an explosive eruption will be occurring or at least the likelihood of it…

“I am urging all Vincentians to remain calm and to listen to the alerts from the National Emergency Management Organisation,” said Dr. Gonsalves. “All residents living close to the volcano are asked to make all necessary preparations to evacuate, just in case an order is given… Let’s hope for the best and we’re planning for if the worst takes place.”

Addressing the press conference virtually, Professor Richard Robertson of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI SRC), in Trinidad said, “What is happening now is a serious thing. The volcano is erupting.”

He said that a monitoring team had picked up on increased activity at La Soufrière since mid-November. On December 27, a NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) satellite had detected a hotspot in the crater of the volcano.

A site visit by the La Soufrière Monitoring Unit in Kingstown, revealed an ongoing effusive eruption at Soufrière in which magna is coming slowly out of the earth and building another dome.

Dr. Robertson said that the UWI SRC will continue to monitor the rate at which the mass is increasing in size.

The UWI SRC was expected to dispatch three scientists to St. Vincent on December 30.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — At about 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 29, the Police responded to the Fisheries Complex after a report was made by personnel at the facility that a man was next to a container calling for help.

Upon arrival the Officers found 67-year-old Thomas Rennix of East Street, Newtown semi-clad with his hands bound behind his back. He had what appeared to be lacerations to the head and face. He was transported to the JNF General Hospital, where he is warded in a critical, but stable condition. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Persons with information regarding this incident are urged to contact the Criminal Investigation Department by dialing 465-2241, their nearest Police Station or the Crime Hotline at 707 where information can be given anonymously.

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