 The Management of Ice Caribbean Entertainment District (ICED) said in a Media Release on Saturday (29th April 2023) that it wishes to clarify a report shared on social media.
There have been reports that only a few weeks after opening on 14th April 2023, the company has already taken a decision to furlough forty-six (46) employees for a three-month period. Although that number was not specified in its Media Release on Saturday, the company did confirm the furloughs, stating, “In order to better serve our customer base and ensure business continuity, we communicated with staff members on Thursday 27th April 2023, indicating a new structure for the ICED Skating Facility and Snow Playground. This is due to a change in operating hours from Wednesday to Sunday from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, which would utilize one (1) shift instead of two (2) shifts. As such, the company made the difficult decision to temporarily furlough staff for a period of three (3) months as a result of the new structure. During this meeting, employees were told to keep their uniforms as there is a possibility of being called out to work in the near future. Furloughed staff are free to enter the facility as guests but not as uniformed employees.” The ICED Skating Facility and Snow Playground, located at No. 526 Southern Main Road, La Romaine, is the first-of-a-kind exclusive members-only entertainment venue for visitors of all ages to experience Winter-themed activities. The company is offering one-year free memberships at this time and membership is open to persons sixteen (16) years and over. ICED is equipped with two (2) ice skating rinks, two (2) snow playgrounds and a bar and lounge area which serves mocktails, milkshakes and gourmet coffee. Each level caters to specific age groups. ICED is open Wednesday to Sunday from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM and the company states it is “perfect for birthday celebrations, family fun days, date night, corporate team building and family days and virtually every occasion under the sun.” Following the three-month furlough period, ICED said it will review the structure and notify staff regarding their employment status. “With regards to employee uniforms, the company, via its employee contract, agreed to pay 50% for the cost of the uniforms while staff members who signed the contract agreed to cover the cost of the uniform, paying the remaining 50% which accounts for the payment of TT $1,200. Via the employee contract, it was agreed by both parties that the TT $1,200 would be deducted over a six (6) month period (TT $200 per month).” The company said, “In addition, all salaries will be paid on Monday 1st May 2023 via cheques, and we foresee this as a one-time occurrence. Moving forward, we will utilize ACH transfer. We are cognizant of the complicated situation regarding employee status, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. During this time, employees can contact us directly at employees@iced world so that we can listen to your concerns and communicate with you.” All media have been invited for an Official Media Tour on Wednesday 3rd May 2023 at the ICED Skating Facility and Snow Playground at No. 526 Southern Main Road, La Romaine, at 11:00 AM. His Worship Junia Regrello, Mayor of San Fernando and Nalini Persad, General Manager, Ice Caribbean Entertainment District (ICED) will speak at the event.  The Online Provisional Permit System is a digital platform designed to facilitate the application process for obtaining a Provisional (Learner’s) Permit and endorsements for vehicle classes. It allows applicants to initiate the process by uploading their biodata, supporting documents, and digitized photographs beforehand, for verification by the Licensing Division.
This system simplifies the application process and reduces the time spent at Licensing Division. In a Public Notice issued on Friday (28th April 2023), The Ministry of Works and Transport said, “With a continued commitment to modernizing and improving service delivery at the Licensing Division, the Ministry of Works and Transport is pleased to introduce the Online Provisional Permit System, the newest addition to our suite of online services. The public is advised that the roll-out of the online application process as the new method to apply for a Provisional Permit will take effect 1st May 2023.” Under this new platform:
To obtain a Provisional Permit as of 1st May 2023, users are required to complete the following steps:
With the introduction of the Online Provisional Permit System, the Ministry said limited appointments will be made available at each Licensing Office site for in-person applications for a period of six (6) months. Within this interim period, in-person applicants must conduct all examinations (regulations and driving) at the same site that issued their Provisional Permit. Appointments for in-person applicants must be booked under the “Application for Provisional Permit - Non Online Applicants” of the “Permit Transactions” section of the appointment website at https://licensingappointment.mowt.gov.tt. Lauding the Licensing Division's latest digital exploit, Senator the Honourable Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Works and Transport stated that, “The new system is designed to make the application process more efficient and convenient as it eliminates the need to visit Licensing Offices physically during the initial document-submittal process. The Online Provisional Permit System is an excellent initiative, and we look forward to the improved convenience it promises citizens. These strategic actions will continue to be guided by our transformation agenda which will culminate to boost service delivery for the future and benefit society at large. In the upcoming months, we anticipate the launch of at least three (3) additional online services for Vehicle Transfers, Driver’s Permit Renewals and Vehicle Registrations." The Ministry said it “values the crucial role played by technology in improving service delivery and remains committed to offering seamless and efficient services to all its stakeholders as it establishes its digital thrust toward the full digitalization of the national economy.”  A man was stabbed during an altercation at City Gate in Port-of-Spain on Saturday morning (29th April 2023). According to reports, the victim and a red band maxi taxi driver got into a heated argument shortly after 9:00 AM.
As the situation escalated, the maxi taxi conductor jumped in and stabbed the man several times to his torso. Police said the maxi taxi driver also sustained minor injuries during the incident. The victim was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital for emergency medical treatment and is said to be in a stable condition. The maxi taxi driver reported the incident to the Besson Street Police Station and was advised to also seek medical attention. Officers of the Port-of-Spain Task Force are continuing their investigation into the incident. [Source: Newsday]  Pictured Above: Ten (10) packets of marijuana seized by Police in Couva. Couva detectives, with the assistance of Police canines, arrested a male suspect for possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, during a sting exercise on Friday afternoon (28th April 2023).
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), Couva Criminal Investigations Department Officers received information that led to a sting operation. Police conducted further surveillance of a 31-year-old man from Lisas Gardens, Couva. The Officers later searched the man’s premises in his presence. During the raid, PCs Borneo and Charles along with Police canines Nero 2 and Bon, unearthed a black garbage bag containing ten (10) plastic packets each of marijuana. The drugs were weighed and had a combined weight of 5.5 Kilogrammes. This led to the arrest and subsequent charging of Brent White, who is expected to appear in Court early next week.  Pictured Above: Chelsea Ganga, 17. UPDATE (07/05/23): According to the Hunters Search and Rescue Team (HSRT), Chelsea Ganga was safely located in an operation led by the head of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, ASP Darryl Ramdass, Police Officers of the Biche and Rio Claro Police Stations, Captain Vallence Rambharat, member Kesraj ‘Tonga’ Sooknanan and a member of the public. “We wish Chelsea all the best. Excellent work by the TTPS and Hunters Search and Rescue Team in a collaborative effort. GOD IS GREAT.” The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is seeking the public’s assistance to find a missing 17-year-old girl. In a social media post today (Sunday 30th April 2023), the TTPS said Chelsea Ganga of Diamond Village, San Fernando, was last seen yesterday (Saturday (29th April 2023).
Have you seen her? Anyone with information on the teen’s whereabouts can contact the San Fernando Police Station at 652-2858, or 999, 555, 911, 800-TIPS or any Police Station or submit a report via the TTPS App.  Commissioner of Police, Erla Harewood-Christopher, has taken note of statements appearing in the local media indicating that the Commissioner will be hosting a tea party, and suggesting it inappropriate and insensitive for such an event to be occurring at this time.
A Media Release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) today (Sunday 30th April 2023), said, “The Commissioner of Police denies hosting a tea party as is being published. The tea party being referred to is an event of The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Women Police, to raise funds to support their attendance at the International Association of Women Training Conference in New Zealand.” The statement added, “This fundraising event has been held regularly over the years, and traditionally, the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Women Police will request, and be granted, the use of the official residence of the Commissioner for the hosting of the event. This permission is usually granted irrespective of the occupier, or whether the residence is occupied, at the time. Further, the Commissioner assures that the hosting of a fundraiser by the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Women Police in no way adversely affects the ability and the resolve of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to address our serious crime challenge.”  The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is advising customers in parts of Central and South West Trinidad, who may be experiencing low pressures or a disruption in their normal scheduled water supply, that this is due to a cutback in production at the Point Lisas Desalination Plant.
The Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago (DESALCOTT) owned and operated Plant normally supplies WASA with 40 million gallons of water per day (mgd). However, this has been reduced to approximately 30 mgd, due to high algae concentrations at this time in the raw sea water at the intake area of the Plant. WASA said in a News Release on Saturday (29th April 2023) that these conditions are being closely monitored and DESALCOTT has advised that the facility will return to normal full production of 40 mgd as soon as conditions allow. The normal daily or scheduled supply to the following areas may be affected:
Customers are further advised that a limited truck borne service will be available upon request. This can be requested through the following self-service options:
Alternatively, customers requiring direct assistance or further information can contact WASA’s Customer Call Centre, toll free at 800-4420 or 800-4426. The Authority thanks customers for their patience and understanding.  Two (2) gunmen accosted a School Safety Officer at the Belmont Secondary School on Friday morning (28th April 2023) — the same day in which dozens of schools received bomb threats. The School Safety Officer, 43-year-old Shaka Wallace, says he is in no hurry to return to work at the Belmont Secondary School following the terrifying incident on the school compound on Friday. He is said to be traumatized and disturbed that this took place in a school, around children. According to reports, Wallace was making a routine patrol around the school compound on Friday morning, when he came face-to-face with the armed intruders. He later told Police he remained calm, as there was a class going on nearby to where the gunmen were. After telling him to turn around, he said one of the gunmen told the other to “give him one in he head.” Speaking with the Sunday Express, Wallace said of the encounter, “Anyone can have any amount of training, knowledge and understanding, but when you are faced with unpredictable situations, there is no training manual for unpredictable things. It has left its mark. It is etched in my memory. I am not in any haste to go back. I am just taking time to myself to recalibrate.”
Wallace said he was told the same gunmen were involved in a shooting earlier on, and were making their escape through the school when he encountered them. He said this demonstrated just how out of control the crime situation in the country has become. “I bounce up two gunmen in a place that was supposed to be safe, a school...it just shows that this environment can be infiltrated with people carrying loaded firearms. This is a real mess,” he lamented. He said he has not received any official offer of counselling, but was told there is an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) at the Ministry of Education if he needs it. The Ministry acknowledged the incident on Friday and said Police are investigating. They also condemned the attack as well as the bomb threat sent to dozens of schools on the same day. [Source: Trinidad Express]  Three (3) men appeared before an Arima Magistrate Court on Thursday (27th April 2023), charged with the murders of Candice Griffith and Alana Layne and the wounding of four (4) persons who were all shot on 17th April 2023, in Arima.
Brian St. Rose, also known as ‘Joshua St. Rose,’ 28, Christian Hernandez, alias ‘Mano,’ 32 and Brandon Hernandez, also known as ‘Hazzie,’ 30, all from Temple Street, Arima, were charged on 25th April 25th. Based on advice received from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Roger Gaspard, SC, the men, who were arrested on 23rd April 2023, were charged with two (2) counts of murder, four (4) counts of wounding, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition by PC Marash of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (HBI) Region II. The men are expected to re-appear in Court on 29th May 2023. Police say on 17th April 2023, at 10:35 PM, a report of loud explosions at Temple Street, Arima, was received and several Police patrol units were dispatched. Upon arrival, several people were observed suffering from gunshot wounds about the body and they were taken to the Arima Health Facility. Two (2) women were pronounced dead on arrival. According to Police reports, six (6) assailants entered the premises and began shooting at a group of persons who were attending a birthday pool party. Two (2) men were wounded, both thirty-eight (38), of Bon Air Gardens, Arouca and Maloney Gardens respectively, while two (2) teenagers of Arima were also wounded in the incident, ages fifteen (15) and seventeen (17). The deceased women were both forty-one (41) — one from Nelson Street, Arima and the other from Temple Street, Arima. The investigations were supervised by ASP Victor, Insps. Ramjag and Sylvester. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.  The body of a headless human was discovered at the Heights of Guanapo in Arima this morning (Saturday 29th April 2023). The body, which is unidentified at this time, was said to have been found off a cliff.
Police are currently on the scene. More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: Loop] |
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