In a Media Release today (Tuesday 9th August 2022), the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) said it wishes to advise the general public that effective Monday 15th August 2022, a nominal maintenance fee of $2.00 will be charged to persons wishing to use its Port-of-Spain public washroom facilities.

The PTSC said this is an effort to improve its overall customer service experience, “as we plan to upgrade our facilities to meet the daily needs of our commuters. The PTSC remains committed to serving its commuters by improving the customer service experience by implementing an increased maintenance schedule.”

​What are your thoughts on this move? Let us know in the comments below.

A 31-year-old man is expected to appear virtually tomorrow (Tuesday 9th August 2022) before Princes Town Magistrate Indira R. Misir-Gosine, on seventeen (17) serious reported crimes.

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), Ted Tikah, 31, of Manahambre Road, Princes Town, was charged on 2nd August 2022 and later remanded into custody on two (2) counts of shooting with intent, two (2) counts of possession of a firearm, two (2) counts of possession of ammunition, two (2) counts of possession of firearm to endanger life and two (2) counts of possession of ammunition to endanger life, for an incident involving a man on 18th June 2022.

He was also charged with wounding with intent, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of firearm to endanger life, and possession of ammunition to endanger the life of another man, on the same date.

Tikah was also charged with two (2) additional counts of possession of ammunition.

The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Monday 8th August 2022) that there are 202 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus two (2) unfortunate deaths. T&T’s total active positive cases is currently at 6,578. The number of new cases represents a 72.65% increase in reported cases from yesterday.

There have been 1,698 new cases and seventeen (17) deaths so far in the month of August.

The Ministry reported 117 new cases yesterday plus one (1) additional death. The country’s death toll has increased to 4,070. As of 3rd August 2022, 301 deaths were fully vaccinated persons while 3,366 deaths were not fully vaccinated. 390 deaths were recorded prior to 24th May 2021 (date at which the first group of vaccinated persons became fully vaccinated).

A total of 715,699 persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 51.1% of the population. Meanwhile, 684,301 persons are not fully vaccinated (only received a first dose or no doses), representing 48.9% of the population. 167,526 persons in total have taken a booster shot.

Based on data from 22nd July 2021 - 3rd August 2022, 3,922 patients in the parallel healthcare system (Hospitals and step-down facilities) are fully vaccinated, representing 19.8%, while 15,908 are not fully vaccinated, representing 80.2%.

The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during a 2-day period between 6th - 7th August 2022 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours.

The Ministry also notes that there are currently 176 COVID-19 positive patients in total being treated at Hospitals and step-down facilities (down 0.56% from yesterday). Three (3) are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and five (5) are in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), the axis of the next Tropical Wave is expected to reach Trinidad and Tobago sometime Tuesday evening (9th August 2022) into Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Met Office notes that a far Eastern Tropical Wave just off the West coast of the African continent, with a medium (40%) chance of cyclonic development over the next five (5) days is expected to track to the Northeast of the Lesser Antilles. This Wave poses no threat to Trinidad and Tobago, at this time.

The Met Office states that we are experiencing mixed conditions today (Monday 8th August 2022) with some sunshine and moderate showers in a few areas due to some low-level convergence and localized effects. There is the risk of an afternoon thunderstorm developing in some areas. There is a 40% (medium) chance of heavy showers or isolated thunderstorm activity. A mostly fair night is expected apart from a few isolated showers.

Gusty winds and street flooding can occur in the event of showers or thunderstorms.

​The forecast maximum temperature today will be 32°C at Piarco in Trinidad and 31°C at Crown Point in Tobago.

Three (3) persons were arrested in two (2) separate incidents for larceny of utility cables belonging to the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) in the Northern Division, on Wednesday 3rd August 2022.

In the first incident, Officers of the Arouca Police Station responded to a report of larceny of TSTT cables in the Trincity area around 2:30 AM. When the Officers arrived at the location, they observed several lengths of cable lying in a grassy area at Cazabon Drive. Officers then proceeded to make checks of the area and upon reaching Cane Farm Road, they observed a male suspect acting suspiciously.

Upon seeing the Officers, the man entered a gold Nissan Tiida motor vehicle and attempted to escape. However, the vehicle was intercepted and two (2) occupants were arrested.

Investigations are ongoing.

In the second incident, Officers of the St. Joseph Police Station responded to a report of larceny of TSTT cables in the Maracas, St. Joseph district around 10:00 PM. Investigations into the incident were conducted which resulted in Officers of the St. Joseph Criminal Investigations Department (CID) proceeding to King Street, St. Joseph, where they observed a group of men transferring cables from one vehicle into another.

On seeing the Officers, the men attempted to escape, but one of the vehicles was intercepted in the Mt. Hope district and one suspect, a 29-year-old of San Fernando, was arrested. A quantity of cables was found in the vehicle.

Investigations are ongoing.

A 67-year-old Diego Martin man was granted bail in the sum of $70,000, by Justice of the Peace (JP), Stephen Young, on 3rd August 2022. According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), Jeffery Stanley was arrested and charged with obtaining $30,000 by false pretences after allegedly attempting to sell a vehicle for which he was not the registered owner.

According to reports, a victim paid the sum of cash to a man, representing a down-payment towards the purchase of a vehicle, with the agreement that the vehicle would be delivered within two (2) months of the payment. The victim subsequently learned that the vehicle was not for sale by the registered owner and the ‘seller’ had no authorization to conduct any transactions on the owner’s behalf. Additionally, all attempts to obtain a refund proved futile.

Stanley was arrested and charged with obtaining $30,000 by false pretenses after allegedly attempting to sell a vehicle for which he was not the registered owner. On Wednesday 3rd August 2022, Cpl. (Ag.) Woodroffe of the Fraud Squad arrested and charged the accused in connection with the matter.

Stanley is scheduled to appear at the Port-of-Spain Magistrate's Court on 30th August 2022.