Topic: Cayman Brac
A month-by-month roundup of Cayman’s 2015 news stories
Top stories of 2015 in the Cayman Islands
50 years ago: North Siders return home for the holidays
North Siders returned home for the holidays.
Top stories of 2015: Twelve die in road accidents
Twelve people died in car accidents in 2015, three times as many as the year before.
50 years ago: Family on first visit react to Brac
The visit of Charles Plant and John Carpenter to Cayman Brac.
Cayman's own Christmas music
Cayman has some of its own traditional Christmas songs that have filled homes and airwaves year after year since they were first released in the early ‘70s by the Brac’s Andy 'The Cayman Cowboy' Martin.
People Time Forgot: Teacher, craftsman, musician Ed Scott a Brac institution
Eddie Scott played music but was also a talented craftsman and teacher.
Car crashes pile up over holidays
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has seen close to double the number of vehicle accidents during its holiday season traffic crackdown than it recorded in the typical month during the rest of 2015.
Workin' around the Christmas tree: For many, Christmas is just another day at work
Not everyone in the Cayman Islands gets the day off to enjoy the festivities on Christmas; many will be working.
50 years ago: Winds of Change at Buccaneer's Inn
Eric and Cindy Crutchley bid farewell to friends before moving to Tortola.
Brac schools celebrate Christmas with music
The spirit of Christmas was in definitely in abundance on Thursday, Dec. 17, with Cayman Brac’s high school and primary schools’ Christmas concerts delivering a joyful bounty of holiday cheer.
Cayman Brac bids farewell to Captain Arlin Tatum
The Veterans and Seamen’s Centre was filled with mourners on Sunday, Dec. 20, who had come to pay final respects to Captain Arlin Royston Tatum, who died on Dec. 3, 2015.
Brac duty concessions extended five years
Cayman Brac receives duty concessions on certain imports for a further five years.
50 years ago: Commissioner's cocktail party, and Christmas arrivals
The Dec. 22, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a predecessor of the Cayman Compass, had lots to report on notable social events leading up the Christmas holidays, including one marking a long-awaited move-in for the Police Commissioner:
Business Expo paves path to Brac community
The Aston Rutty Centre on Cayman Brac recently welcomed exhibitors and the general public to the 2015 Brac Business Expo.
Letter to the Editor: Public burial spaces
Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush says government has an obligation to provide public cemeteries.
50 years ago: Warship sends cable
A cable from the H.M.S. Rothesay thanked the Brac District Commissioner for his hospitality.
Beachside trash yields treasure – and then some
The GREEN team organized a high schol beach cleanup on 21 November.
Annual Christmas concert offers enticing prize
The St. Ignatius annual Christmas concert will be held at Loyola Hall this Wednesday, with a chance for ticket holders to win $25,000.
CarePay trial: Contract was 'highway robbery,' witness says
Fees that were expected to generate more than US$2 million a year for a Jamaican company providing services to the Cayman Islands public hospital system under the CarePay contract were called “highway robbery” by a Crown witness who testified Thursday in an ongoing criminal trial.
CarePay trial: Witness says 'half dozen' companies wanted CarePay deal
About “half a dozen” companies, both local and international, had expressed interest on bidding for a Cayman Islands public hospital patient swipe-card contract prior to the contract being awarded to a Jamaican-St.Lucian firm, according to the former chief information officer for the local Health Services Authority.
Bodies found on boat remain at morgue
More than three months after they were found floating off the coast of Little Cayman, two bodies found on board a Jamaican boat are still at the Grand Cayman morgue.
Brac Christmas tree lighting ceremony a community affair
Cayman Brac was alight with music and festive cheer on Monday at the District Administration Building for the Annual Rotary Club of Cayman Brac Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
50 years ago: US man visits his roots
In the Dec. 8, 1965, edition of The Caymanian Weekly, a precursor to the Cayman Compass, Cayman Brac correspondent Lilian Ritch wrote about a recent visitor to Cayman Brac.
Primary Football League playoffs take center stage at Annex
The first round of the 2015/2016 CUC Primary Football League and Girls’ Primary Football League playoffs concluded on Saturday at the Annex Field with a number of thrilling match-ups.
Lobster season gets under way
Lobster season opened this week, giving free divers a three-month window to catch the coveted but protected species.
Cayman Airways gets new boarding ramps
Cayman Airways has purchased six new boarding ramps for its planes.
50 years ago: Warship visit big news in Brac
In the Dec. 8, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, Cayman Brac correspondent Lilian Ritch wrote about the visit of the British warship 'Rothesay.'
Brac center for disabled adults faces funding shortfall
Before Harmony Learning Centre was founded in March 2011, there was no place in Cayman Brac where disabled adults could go to learn life skills – or even just participate in fun activities.
Jet-setting student flies to school
For most kids, getting to school is simply a matter of hopping on a bus. Mathieu Pothier is not “most kids.” To get to school, the 10-year-old has to spend a lot of time on airplanes.
Free AIDS testing this week
Six days of free HIV/AIDS testing have been organized this week as part of the observance of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1.
Playoffs kick in now for primary kids
Primary school football action concluded its regular season games on Saturday with Cayman Prep, Savannah Primary and Cayman International School respectively topping the Under-9, U-11 boys’ and Girls’ Primary Football League standings. All teams now go into the playoffs.
Emergency standby for Saab trial flight
Emergency crews were put on standby after Cayman Airways’ new Saab plane reported an issue during a trial flight on Saturday.
Review: From Island Girl to National Hero
The biography of Miss Sybil McLaughlin offers a compelling look at the life of the Cayman Islands' only living National Hero.
Shake-up for seamen's benefits
Benefits payments to veteran sailors or their widows are facing new scrutiny as part of a shake-up of the system.
50 years ago: Armistice Day observed, fire doused
In the Nov. 24, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a predecessor of the Cayman Compass, Cayman Brac correspondent Lilian Ritch wrote about the service that was held at the Cenotaph in Stake Bay.
Bulk waste collections begin
It’s time to get rid of old household appliances, furniture and yard waste: the annual bulk waste clean-up campaign started this week.
The People That Time Forgot: Jake McLaughlin
There is a very close legacy link between country music and the Cayman Islands. Before 1976, there were no radio stations in Cayman.
Cayman Brac employment: A Saab story
The 21 "additional" jobs connected with enhanced Cayman Brac air service are being created by government fiat, not market demand.
Cuban boat spotted off Brac
A ramshackle, homemade boat, likely carrying Cuban migrants, was spotted off Cayman Brac on Wednesday morning.
Recycling to expand in the new year
Government is working to get more recycling stations set up around the islands in the beginning of next year, according to Jim Schubert with the Public Works Department.
UCCI awards highest honor to three citizens
While UCCI’s 2015 commencement celebrated the hard work of dozens of its graduates, the highest form of recognition bestowed at the October ceremony was reserved for three of Cayman’s most notable contributors.
Wright's on target again
Dwayne “Gaza” Wright has been one of the Premier League’s top scorers for years and this season is no exception. The Elite Sports Club forward hit his sixth goal in five games as Elite beat George Town 2-1 at the TE McField Annex on Sunday.
50 years ago: Brac news tidbits
In the Nov. 17, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a predecessor of the Cayman Compass, Cayman Brac correspondent Lilian Ritch wrote:
A wealth of heritage on display on the Brac
Cayman Brac Heritage Day took place on Saturday, Nov. 7 and the event was jam packed with fascinating displays, delicious food and even a fashion show.
Red Bay aims for third U-11 title
There was some excellent youth football during the sixth round of the 2015/16 CUC Primary Football League and Girls Primary Football League regular seasons on Saturday.
Third Brac crash victim released from hospital
The Cayman Brac resident injured in a Sunday afternoon crash that killed two other men was released from hospital Tuesday.
Brac airport, CAL to add 21 jobs
The airport expansion on Cayman Brac, along with a new plane and more flights in and out of Charles Kirkconnell International Airport, means 21 new jobs for the island, Tourism Minister and Sister Islands MLA Moses Kirkconnell said.
The minister said the airport has hired more firefighters and immigration and customs officers.
Brac crash kills doctor, construction company owner
Two American men die and a third long-time Cayman Brac resident is hospitalized following a Sunday afternoon crash.
Dump strategy on view
The Ministry of Health and Culture is holding open house sessions to familiarize the public with its proposed national solid waste management strategy.
Paris – and the world – reels from terrorist attacks
Three coordinated attacks shattered a bustling Friday night in Paris, killing at least 129 people and turning the French capital into a war zone. French residents in Cayman have been anxiously checking that friends and relatives are safe, and former Cayman Islands Auditor General Alastair Swarbrick, who recently moved to the city, described the scene in Paris Sunday.
Pirates land in Grand Cayman!
The pirates came ashore Saturday amidst the sounds of cannon and musket fire, quickly outnumbering the red-coated British soldiers assembled on the dock.
Thousands of revelers awaited the landing along the waterfront, which turned out to be a relatively peaceful affair. Peaceful, that is, once the swashbucklers successfully kidnapped the governor – or at least the man playing the part of governor for the annual rite kicking off the Pirates Week parade.
Scholars will not find Sunset dull
Scholars International face Sunset at the Ed Bush stadium in the most attractive fixture of the Premier League matches on Sunday.
50 years ago: Visitors and Halloween
In the Nov. 10, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a predecessor of the Cayman Compass, Brac reporter Lilian Ritch wrote:
Brac Autumn Festival celebrates Caymanian culture through arts
Smiling faces were plentiful on the Brac Oct. 30 and 31 during a special weekend of artistic expression in celebration of the Caymanian way of life.
Little Cayman Museum: Presenting the history and culture of the island
Situated not far from the airport in Blossom Village, Little Cayman, the Little Cayman Museum is a constantly evolving attraction which germinated from the personal collection of the late Linton Tibbetts and his wife Polly.
Remembrance Sunday ceremonies honor our heroes
Veterans from two world wars and men who lost their lives at sea were honored Sunday in the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.
Veterans and Seafarers Association members attending included those who served in World War II as well as Home Guard who performed distinctive service at home during the war.
Keeping the catboat tradition alive
If you’ve heard of catboats, then you’ve probably also heard of West Bayers Kem Jackson and Loxley Banks.
Arrrrhhh me mateys, it's
Festivites kick-off Friday, Nov. 6 on Cayman Brac and culminate on Saturday, Nov. 28 on Little Cayman.
Revival seen in turtle nesting population
A dramatic recovery in Cayman’s nesting sea turtle population, from the brink of extinction at the turn of the century, is demonstrated in two decades of data collected by environment officials on Cayman beaches.
Scholars top of the class again
Scholars International stormed to the Premier League title last season and by the way they’ve started this campaign, they are going to be extremely difficult to topple.
Brac focuses on Remembrance Day rather than pirates
This year, the Cayman Brac Pirates Weekend and Heritage Week Committee is choosing to focus on remembering those who died in war and in celebrating the island’s culture and history rather than on pirates.
Green Iguana B'Gonna
Little Cayman’s Mike Vallee is committed to protecting Cayman’s environment, both on land and at sea. These days, along with fellow Little Cayman resident Ed Houlcroft, Mr. Vallee’s current focus is on eradicating a certain wily invader that has successfully made itself at home on Grand Cayman with the launch of a new program called Green Iguana B’Gonna.
Helping hand for nesting birds
Many types of birds make their nests on Cayman Brac’s cliffs and rocky shores, but due to an unfortunate chance convergence of ocean currents, its rugged coastline also accumulates masses of floating garbage.
50 years ago: Agriculture on the Brac
In the Oct. 27, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a predecessor of the Cayman Compass, Cayman Brac correspondent Lilian Ritch reported on the visit of United Nations agricultural adviser Enrique Labarthe and his assistant Mr. Bernard.
EY Report update: Few job cuts, less outsourcing in gov’t plan
Although proposals will initially lead to few job losses and no outsourcing of functions to the private sector, the Cayman Islands government announced Monday that it would seek to move forward with a total of 51 recommendations derived from a 2014 consultant report.
Police launch second round of community clinics
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is launching another round of its community clinics throughout the Cayman Islands.
From the Publishers: Compass launches daily ‘District Days’ pages
We are pleased to announce that beginning today – and every day of the weeks going forward – the Cayman Compass will be publishing a new feature called “District Days,” which will focus on the unique diversity, history and culture of all our districts.
Researchers track shark numbers
Researchers are tracking shark, snapper and grouper populations to monitor the health of predators on Cayman’s reefs.
Verhoeven is a hat trick hero
The welcome rain certainly did not affect the players’ spirits on Saturday, as the CUC Primary Football League and Girls Primary Football League regular seasons continued with the fourth round of play.
Landfill to reach capacity in 2021, say consultants
Consultants say the George Town landfill will reach capacity by summer of 2021 unless a new strategy for managing solid waste is introduced.
A new National Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Cayman Islands, released for public consultation Monday, estimates that even with all of the recommendations to reduce and recycle trash, the George Town landfill would have only “a limited number of years” beyond 2021.
Dr. Tomlinson: A long way from the Brac
From the time he was two years old, Steve Tomlinson knew he wanted to be a doctor. Now the hospital he founded is recognized as one of the region's best by the European Business Assembly.
Liquor license holders get extended 'grace period'
Cayman Islands liquor license holders who do not currently own or operate a liquor-related business will now get up to five years to retain those licenses, during which time they can apply for a business license.
