cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Thursday, 28 November 2019 News Dengue cases rise to 23 Page 8 Police overtime probed Doubts over hawksbill release plan Page 4 Page 3 Photo: Taneos Ramsay• Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - THURSDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) 21 BRIDGES (R) 1:30 | 4:20 | 7:00 VIP | 10:15 CHARLIE’S ANGELS (PG13) 12:30 | 6:40 FORD V FERRARI (PG13) 12:20 VIP | 3:20 | 6:50 | 9:30 VIP | 9:30 FROZEN 2 (PG) - 3D 12:15 3D | 1:15 | 4:10 3D | 7:00 | 9:30 3D LAST CHRISTMAS (PG13) 5:10 | 10:05 PLAYING WITH FIRE (PG) 2:45 | 7:40 MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG) 1:00 | 3:45 | 6:35 | 9:30 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA NEWS PRODUCER AND OPERATIONS MANAGER KEVIN MORALES A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” Cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 82°F 77°F HIGH LOW WINDS Northerly at 5 to 10 knots SEA STATE Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet Chopper pilot training under review Lessons done on helicopter not in RCIPS fleet RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Police Commissioner Derek Byrne has initiated a review of the training received by the Caymanian pilot sent to Trinidad for certification to fly the RCIPS helicopter earlier this year. This review comes after the aspiring chopper pilot commenced ongoing training on a different model of helicopter rather than the one currently in use by the RCIPS Air Operations Unit. Currently the RCIPS uses the Airbus H145 helicopter. Government has purchased a second similar model which is expected to arrive next week. The new helicopter was bought after the original EC135 aircraft was damaged earlier this year during lift-off. Byrne revealed, in Finance Committee Monday evening, that the auxiliary police officer sent to train with National Helicopters Ltd. in Trinidad back in April, for a three-year period, has been receiving certification for a different helicopter. Under questioning from North Side MLA Ezzard Miller, Byrne said he is now looking at training options for the pilot in question. The police commissioner explained the issue was the pilot has not been training on the H145 “for the last year, because of some contractual difficulties [faced by] National Helicopters, who are the service providers to us in Trinidad”. The difficulties Byrne referred to relate to challenges between National Helicopters and Airbus. The pilot, Byrne said, has only clocked 40.5 hours of flight time outside of training hours on the helicopter. Miller pressed the issue, asking about the qualifications needed for the pilot to be certified to fly the helicopter. Byre said the requirement for a captain, a fully qualified pilot, is 3,000 hours to satisfy conditions for insurance and an RCIPS air operation certificate granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. In the case of the pilot in training, Byrne said the aim was to get him trained as a first pilot and then to come back to quality as a captain, which would require satisfying the 3,000-hour threshold. He said one could fly a twin helicopter as a first pilot rather than a captain with less than 3,000 hours. However, Byrne said he is looking at whether the pilot who was sent to Trinidad can do H145 qualification courses in the US and return to Cayman and fly under the direct leadership of three RCIPS tactical flight officers. The cost of the pilot’s training is yet to be released. Port vote in doubt as legal action looms JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky A leading member of the Cruise Port Referendum Cayman group is seeking to bring legal action in an effort to ensure the vote is conducted in a “fair and lawful” manner, the organisation has confirmed. Shirley Roulstone has filed an application for a “protective costs order” which would shield her from potentially massive legal costs if the eventual Judicial Review is unsuccessful. Such orders are sometimes made by the courts for public interest cases. If that costs application is successful, Roulstone will proceed with the legal action, CPR indicated in a press statement. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands has also submitted a separate application for leave to apply for Judicial Review over government’s decision to proceed with a referendum before an updated environmental impact assessment is complete. Hearings in both cases are anticipated next week, though it is not clear if either will be in open court. Referring to the cases in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Premier Alden McLaughlin said there was now “considerable uncertainty” over whether the referendum would go ahead on 19 Dec. CPR Cayman has not initiated proceedings because it is not an incorporated entity, the group indicated. However, it said it was proud to support Roulstone’s efforts, which are based on the concerns the group outlined in a ‘letter before action’ to the government earlier this month. The same concerns were outlined by lawyers acting for CPR in the run-up to the debate over the Referendum Bill. They include: • Claims that the question is not neutral and that the cargo aspect of the project should not have been included • Concern that the timing of the referendum excludes 220 newly registered voters • Concern that there are no campaign finance rules or restrictions • Concern that allowances have been made for sale of alcohol on Referendum Day CPR added, “Of most significant concern to CPR Cayman is that the date that the Government has scheduled for the referendum is so close to Christmas that voter participation is likely to be significantly less than it would be if the referendum were held in the first quarter of 2020. “Many people will be travelling or too busy to vote on 19 December 2019, which is one of the busiest days of the year for many people, particularly those working in the tourism industry.” The group has suggested the busy time of year could also impact postal ballots. The statement adds, “CPR Cayman remains dedicated to ensuring that the referendum on the proposed cruise berthing facility takes place. Ms. Roulstone is pursuing the judicial review in an effort to ensure that the referendum, when it occurs, is conducted fairly. “We are concerned that the current proposal for the conduct of the referendum is not fair, lawful or in keeping with the intention behind our constitution. As this is the first people- initiated referendum in the Cayman Islands, it will set the precedent for future people-initiated referendums, so it is particularly important that we hold the Government to the highest standards of democracy.” Speaking on the issue Tuesday, the premier said, “This action is most regrettable. There is now grave uncertainty as to whether or not the referendum will actually proceed and the state of uncertainty and division in the country will only continue and heighten.” Despite the legal moves, Johann Moxam of CPR said the group’s primary focus was on the campaign. “As previously stated, all legal options would be explored,” he said. “However, CPR remain focussed on the referendum campaign. We are operating on the basis that Referendum Day is 19. Dec unless the government decide otherwise and inform the public.” Shirley Roulstone 2Hawksbill release plan not ‘a feasible venture’ DoE warning over proposed Brac Turtle Centre JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky A plan for a new facility to breed critically endangered hawksbill turtles on Cayman Brac “does not appear to be a feasible venture,” according to the Department of Environment. The Cayman Turtle Centre - formerly known as the Turtle Farm - revealed plans last week to set up a captive breeding programme for hawksbill turtles at a new sister facility on the Brac. But a host of local and international conservation regulations are likely to make the project a non-starter, environment officials have warned. Legislators approved $2 million in capital expenditure over the next two years for preparatory studies, including a business case for the facility, during budget hearings last week. Turtle Centre CEO Tim Adam said the aim would be to replicate the centre’s green turtle captive- breeding programme with a new species. He said there were no plans to rear turtles for meat at the proposed Brac facility. However, environment officials have cautioned that the critically endangered status of hawksbills will make it difficult, if not impossible, to get the project off the ground. There are only a handful of nesting hawksbill turtles in Cayman’s waters, according to DoE research. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has placed the species on its ‘red list’ and estimates there could be as few as 8,000 female nesting hawksbills left in the world. Against that backdrop, the DoE believes it will be near impossible for the Turtle Centre to get permission to legally source hawksbill turtles for its inaugural breeding stock. In an initial analysis in response to questions from the Cayman Compass, the DoE concluded, “Based on available information relating to potential sources for breeding stock, time to maturity and other hawksbill life history characteristics, and survival and return rates for captive reared turtles, this does not appear to be a feasible venture.” Breeding stock must be legally sourced The DoE cautions that any captive breeding facility in the Cayman Islands is legally required to ensure its founding animal stock is obtained in an ethical and legal manner. In the case of hawksbill turtles, the National Conservation Council would need to issue a permit for the “take” of a critically endangered species in the Cayman Islands. “Cayman does not have a resident population of adult hawksbills and our nesting population is so critically low that it would not be possible to establish a viable captive breeding programme from these sources,” the statement said. The council would therefore not be able to issue a permit, the DoE concluded. To source hawksbill stock from elsewhere, the turtle centre would have to be permitted by that jurisdiction. Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species permits would be required to transport the turtles to Cayman. “It is extremely unlikely that approval for such ‘take’ activity would be allowed by the foreign jurisdiction, having regard to the critically endangered status of hawksbill turtles globally,” the DoE warns. Plan to regulate releases The proposal comes as the National Conservation Council prepares to rubber stamp a new sea turtle species conservation plan for the Cayman Islands. The plan, which includes new regulations for turtle release programmes, will be debated at the council’s next meeting on 4. Dec in the Brac. If approved, it will mean that the Cayman Turtle Centre will be required to obtain a National Conservation Council permit and comply with any conditions imposed by the council for its release programmes. Though the centre’s green turtle release programme has been shown to be a success, with many of Cayman’s nesting turtles tracing their ancestry to the original turtle farm stock, according to a DNA study, the DoE has cautioned that the continued release of hatchlings into the wild carries risks as well as potential rewards. Earlier this year DoE director Gina Ebanks-Petrie said the department was working to get the farm to have their health- and welfare-screening protocols independently vetted to ensure any turtles released into the wild did not introduce new diseases or otherwise harm wild Caribbean sea turtle. This requirement now forms part of the permitting process envisaged in the species conservation plan. Turtle Centre objections The agenda for next week’s meeting, which includes details of the conservation plan and public feedback, indicate resistance from the Turtle Centre to this requirement. “There was general agreement from the public with the proposal that all eggs, or hatchlings, or turtles introduced on Cayman’s beaches or released into Cayman waters, regardless of source, must comply with terms and conditions set out in a permit issued by the Council,” according to the summary of public consultation on the plan. “The turtle farm strongly objected to this requirement and proposed an expanded programme for introduction of captive origin turtle eggs on to beaches in cooperation with hotel/tourism properties, additional releases of green turtles, and a captive breeding and release programme for hawksbill turtles. “It is the opinion of the DoE that permitting as described above is required prior to legislating an expansion of the release programme or introduction of a release programme for hawksbill turtles.” Premier: We will not even contemplate it RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Premier Alden McLaughlin made it clear that his administration will not allow cruise ship companies to operate any businesses outside of their current function in Cayman. It came as a member of the public queried whether the cruise companies will be allowed to operate private beaches for passengers as they do at some Caribbean destinations. McLaughlin, speaking in Bodden Town on Tuesday night at pro-port meeting, rubbished the idea as he sought to put to rest any concerns that cruise companies, including Royal Caribbean and Carnival, would be allowed own or run businesses in Cayman. “Even if somebody in the private sector… who has beach land would sell it to Royal or Caribbean or anybody else they would still need a licence - in this case a Local Companies Control Law licence from the Cayman Islands government - to be able to operate in Cayman, so that would become a policy decision for whoever the government is whether or not that is something that they wanted. From our perspective we absolutely, this government absolutely would not even contemplate such a thing,” McLaughlin said. He told attendees at the Bodden Town Civic Centre while government gets on very well with the cruise ship companies, it does not want them operating in Cayman’s market. “We want them to bring people here to buy our Caymanian experiences and products and so forth. That’s the policy of the government that I lead,” McLaughlin said. TJ O’Sullivan, Director Compliance Global Tour Operations at Royal Caribbean, also addressed the concern. “I do not know of any ability for Carnival to purchase a beach or develop something that large in the region. I know from a Royal Caribbean perspective we do not have any lands in Cayman, we do not have the ability to develop a beach,” he said at the meeting. O'Sullivan said the cruise company once operated Red Stripe beach near the Falmouth, Jamaica port but that was only because there was no competitive beach within a 45-minute radius. “As the tour product developed and local operators opened more beaches, we closed Red Stripe beach as we are not in the tour operators’ business. As piece of our business model we do have private destinations, but for Grand Cayman there will be nothing like a private destination for Royal Caribbean.” Royal Caribbean has two private destinations in the region and Carnival has six private destinations. The next port meeting will be held next Tuesday at the East End Civic Centre, 7pm. No ‘side’ businesses for cruise ships cayman compass N news THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2019 3Auditor general probes RCIPS finances, overtime Police Welfare Fund under scrutiny RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Auditor General’s Office has started an investigation into finances of the Police Welfare Fund and overtime payments at the RCIPS. Auditor General Sue Winspear, in response to queries from the Cayman Compass about the inquiry, said on Wednesday that her office was asked to look into the fund after it was not audited annually as required by law. Records from as far back as 2016 have not been audited. “The Police Welfare Committee had neglected to have this done. The Committee contacted us and asked us to undertake an audit after, I understand, the new Police Commissioner brought this deficiency to the Committee’s attention,” Winspear said in an email. The issue was raised by Bodden Town West MLA Chris Saunders during Finance Committee Monday evening as legislators deliberated on budget allocations for the RCIPS. Police Commissioner Derek Byrne was before the committee at the time. Saunders pointed to allegations that officers were claiming overtime while on assigned duties. “So basically, they were being paid twice,” Saunders said. Byrne said, from his understanding of the MLA’s concerns, it had to do with the fund, which he explained was with the auditor general after an initial assessment by government’s internal audit department. “I am awaiting that report. It is an extensive audit and it will take some time before being completed,” Byrne told the committee. He said he had some information about what Saunders pointed to but declined to elaborate as he said it is under investigation. “If a criminal offence is disclosed, the matter will be investigated and a file will be submitted to the director of public prosecutions,” said Byrne. As for the auditor general’s probe, Winspear said it took some time to establish the parameters of the work to be done and compile sufficient information to begin. “So, we are now auditing concurrently the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 and in the new year, 2019 will be audited, too. A number of issues have been brought to our attention which we are exploring during the course of our work,” she said. Winspear added she could not go into further detail on the probe. “If we find matters that need remedy, we will report these to the relevant authorities as we would do with any of our audit work,” she said. Man charged in weekend assault CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky George Town resident Wayne Jeffery Dilbert has been charged in connection with a weekend assault that has left one man hospitalised. Dilbert, 58, was expected to appear in Summary Court Wednesday. He was charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon. He was arrested on Sunday, following an fight on School Road, George Town. According to police reports two men were engaged in an altercation which led to one of the men being struck in the head with an object several times. He was severely injured. He remains in stable condition at hospital. Man sentenced for burgling four homes ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A West Bay man who ransacked four homes during a spate of drug-fuelled burglaries was sentenced to five years and four months behind bars. Appearing before Justice Roger Chapple on Tuesday, 26 Nov., Jude Roland Theobaldss sat in silence as the sentence was handed out. Theobalds was due to stand trial for four burglaries that took place between 10 Dec. 2018 and 4 Jan. 2019, during which he stole more than $37,000 in jewellery and cash. Theobalds admitted to committing the burglaries while “high on cocaine” for two months. “Your social inquiry report reveals that you have had nearly 20 years of history with the courts,” said Justice Chapple. “You first appeared before these courts in 2000, for a then burglary charge.” Since his first run-in with the courts, Theobaldss has struggled with substance addiction, having started using cocaine in his 20s and then moving on to crack- cocaine in his 30s. The court heard of the horrific death of his mother when he was 16 that tremendously impacted his life. “You have had long spells of abstaining from drugs, but each time you relapsed,” said Justice Chapple. “You have said that you cannot stop using drugs and I believe you. While you need help, I do think the time has come to protect the public from you.” The court heard that one of the victims had to increase security at her home to the point where she now feels like a “prisoner in her own home”. Another victim was also burgled several years ago, and by breaking into her home, forced her to relive the painful memories of the first instance. “How dare you break into the homes of decent, hardworking people,” said Justice Chapple. He handed down a sentence of five years and four months for the two most serious burglaries, and three years for the two lesser burglaries. All the sentences are to run concurrently, so Theobalds will serve five years and three months. Justice Chapple ordered that all the time spent in custody be deducted from his sentence. “If a criminal offence is disclosed the matter will be investigated and a file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.” Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne. cartoon Jake Fuller Derek Byrne 4cayman compass 5 THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2019CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky The status of the Caymanian Voices National Survey remains uncertain should the 19 Dec. cruise port referendum be delayed due to legal action, CNVS members said Tuesday during a press conference at the headquarters of George Town Central MLA Kenneth Bryan. “If the referendum doesn’t go through, we would have to take some serious consideration to delay it until whenever the referendum does go forward,” said Bryan, who also serves as CNVS chairperson. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands earlier this week initiated legal action in hopes of delaying the national vote on government’s proposed $200 million cruise berthing and cargo port project. Bryan and his team will be out on Referendum Day to survey voters, he said. The plan included CVNS handing out surveys with six questions aimed a gauging the public’s temperature on issues like gambling, ganja and same-sex marriage. The MLA said the group’s nine-person leadership team had not yet discussed plans should the national referendum be delayed. He did, however, describe the question on same-sex marriage as especially important following the Court of Appeal’s recent mandate that government create the framework for an institution legally equivalent of marriage for same-sex couples. “With the fact that legislators now have to make a decision on framework, I think sending a message by way of your answer will be very helpful to the movement of the country’s direction,” Bryan said. The group also said it will be using the most up-to-date voter registration list, which includes the 220 voters who registered too late to take part in the 19 Dec. referendum. “This is another way we can practise our democratic rights on a matter in a private way; we are able to allow them to take part even though they might feel disenfranchised from the referendum,” said CVNS executive member Eden Hurlston. He said the group will be surveying people at various venues and events ahead of Referendum Day for those who cannot take part in the vote. Registered voters who are abroad may vote via postal ballot, Bryan added, noting that “they have to recognise the executive members will be able to see what their answers are” as well as their names. The group plans to make its survey results available to the public. Plans for national survey uncertain if referendum delayed Particle for CVNS QUESTIONS: 1. Should the Cayman Islands legalise a national lottery? 2. Should the Cayman Islands legalise casinos? 3. Should the Cayman Islands legalise same-sex marriage? 4. Should the Cayman Islands legalise same-sex civil union? 5. Should the Cayman Islands decriminalise marijuana, beyond medical use? 6. Should the Cayman Islands legalise marijuana, beyond medicinal use? ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky George Town Central MLA Kenneth Bryan said he believed Cayman is still a far way off from being ready for independence. During the Friday, 23 Nov. Finance Committee meeting Bryan questioned Attorney General Samuel Bulgin on whether Cayman’s only options in the matter of same-sex marriage were to either impose same-sex marriage, or civil partnership, or to go independent. Bryan told the Cayman Compass on Tuesday he has no qualms with Cayman’s LGBTQ community, and his intention was not to create further division on the polarising topic of same-sex marriage. Bryan, referencing an article published in the Cayman Compass on 25 Nov. on the issue, said, “I hope that previous articles did not give the misconception that I am against any kind of same-sex relations or that I would go for independence as a result.” Instead, he said his line of questioning was to help the people of Cayman understand that if they didn’t want same-sex marriage or a legally equivalent framework, it could mean “asking for independence”. “Ultimately my line of questioning to the attorney general was to say the people have a choice and they have to instruct their legislators what they want them to do on their behalf,” said Bryan. “So either we accept same-sex marriages or we create some sort of framework that allows those rights to be adhered to or if we feel that we can’t accept anything of that sort in respect to same-sex relations, I wanted the people to realise what you’re saying is the only way out of that, as a result of being a British Overseas territory, is to be asking for independence.” Bryan said he doesn’t believe that the issue of same-sex marriage should spark independence. “Independence is a serious proclamation,” Bryan said. “In my personal opinion, I don’t think that same-sex relations are strong enough to trigger a discussion about independence; particularly because we are not prepared for that avenue as a country at this moment.” Bryan said the true stance of the people of Cayman on the issue of same-sex marriage is still not clear, because the people have never been asked. “We’ve only have one tool so far that questioned the people about this topic, same-sex unions or relationships, and that was through the constitutional referendum [in] 2009,” said Bryan. “It was actually an indirect question because in the Constitution, it defines marriage as a union between a man and woman. So one can speculate that everybody agrees that marriage is supposed to only be between a man and a woman. But nobody can concretely say why you voted for the Constitution. There are thousands of things in the Constitution.” Bryan said that simply isn’t a clear-enough indicator as to the true position of the country on the issue. “I think we should have done a direct question to the people,” he said. "‘Are you OK with same-sex marriages? Are you ok with civil unions or not, and if not one of those things then what do we do?’” Bryan’s comments comes weeks after the Court of Appeal upheld a government appeal against the legalisation of same-sex marriages in Cayman. In their ruling, the Court of Appeal set aside the Chief Justice’s landmark ruling in March of this year, that legalised same-sex marriage. However, the appeals court found that the rights of same- sex couple, Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden Bush, were being breached and needed “expeditious” resolution. The appeals court did not state what the legal equivalent to same-sex marriage should be, nor did it give a timeline for when legislation should be enacted. The appeals court also urged the UK Government to step in if Cayman’s legislators fail to bring about the relevant legislation. Premier Alden McLaughlin has committed to bringing legislation to legalise civil partnerships by the end of the first quarter of 2020. During Friday’s public finance committee meeting, McLaughlin warned lawmakers that if they don’t act, the UK government would step in and, in all likelihood, would implement same-sex marriage by an Order in Council. BRYAN: The people should know their options on same-sex marriage ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky An East End man who chopped a woman over an iPad was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison. At the time of the incident, Roland Murphy Welcome was 26 years old and in a relationship with the woman. Welcome had taken the woman’s iPad and refused to return it. A struggle ensued and the woman received cuts to her hand and neck from a machete. Welcome was subsequently charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm and damage to property. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges; however, on the morning of the trial, he changed his plea. During his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Justice Roger Chapple noted that Welcome was high on drugs at the time of the incident. “This is a ‘category two’ offence,” said Justice Chapple. “The injuries you caused, serious though it was, it was not at the high end of the scale. You committed this offence while on bail for an incident of violence.” While returning his sentence, Justice Chapple noted that a social inquiry reported listed Welcome as having a high risk of reoffending. He added that the victim did not want to press charges against Welcome, nor did she want him to go to prison. However, he said that the only appropriate sentence for the crime was one of a custodial term. The judge started with a sentence of two years and then increased it to reflect the fact that the incident occurred while Welcome was high on drugs. Justice Chapple then reduced it back to two years due to the delay between the 2017 incident and the actual sentencing. A further 10% reduction was added for a guilty plea, even though that was offered late. Man jailed for chopping woman over iPad Caymanian Voices National Survey executive member Eden Hurlston (left) and George Town Central MLA Kenneth Bryan addressing the press conference in George Town Tuesday. “Independence is a serious proclamation,” Bryan said. “In my personal opinion, I don’t think that same-sex relations are strong enough to trigger a discussion about independence; particularly because we are not prepared for that avenue as a country at this moment.” 6cayman compass 7 THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2019123456 1011 12 16 17181920 2122 23 123456 7 89 1011 12131415 16 17181920 2122 23 ACROSS 1 Comprehend (10) 8 Savage, solitary elephant (5) 9 Middle East country (7) 10 Wet slightly (7) 11 Pulsate (5) 12 Bargain wranglingly (6) 14 Requiring caution (6) 17 Land bordering the sea (5) 19 Manner of speaking (7) 21 Free time (7) 22 Equally (5) 23 Gradual (4-2-4) DOWN 2 Persistently worrying (7) 3 Occurrence (5) 4 Saying nothing (6) 5 Judge (7) 6 Giver (5) 7 Temporarily suspended (2,8) 8 Badly constructed (10) 13 A salad plant (7) 15 Style of cooking (7) 16 Part of speech (6) 18 Not as it should be (5) 20 Stupid and tactless (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16234 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. YeSteRDAY'S SOLUtIONS Puzzle 16233 ACROSS: 1 Abrupt, 4 Relent, 9 Typhoon, 10 Usher, 11 Sense, 12 Espouse, 13 Nitty-gritty, 18 So-and-so, 20 Place, 22 Frown, 23 Narrate, 24 Ledger, 25 Plenty. DOWN: 1 Attest, 2 Ripen, 3 Protest, 5 Equip, 6 Exhaust, 7 Turret, 8 Underground, 14 In a word, 15 Imperil, 16 Useful, 17 Heresy, 19 Dunce, 21 Again. The Cayman Islands Red Cross would like to inform its members that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday December 12th at 6:00pm, at the John Gray High School main hall where board elections will take place. This is an important meeting and all current Red Cross members are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact the Red Cross on 949-6785. Community Announcement A total of 23 people in the Cayman Islands are confirmed to have contracted dengue, according to the latest update provided Tuesday by the Public Health Department. That includes eight new cases since 8 Nov., when the results for 37 additional tests conducted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency were received. “Of these eight new cases, three patients had travelled to a country with year-round transmission of dengue, while five had no travel history, which suggests (those persons) acquired dengue within the Cayman Islands,” the statement said. This brings the total number of confirmed dengue results since the first locally transmitted case in October, to 14 local and nine imported cases. The department said to date, confirmed cases have been distributed among East End, George Town, West Bay and Bodden Town. Cayman, Public Health said, has sent a total of 139 samples to CARPHA to be investigated for dengue. The department said of that number, 33 people were admitted to the Cayman Islands Hospital and Health City Cayman Islands, showing clinical symptoms that might potentially be dengue. Dengue numbers 23 confirmed 14 locally transmitted 9 imported Transmission, infection, treatment • The dengue virus is an infectious disease that causes cyclical outbreaks every three years or so, and is transmitted through the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. • Symptoms may come on as early as four days or as late as three weeks following an infection. • There is no vaccine or specific medication to treat dengue. Symptoms of dengue include: o high fever o headache o pain behind the eyes o joint and muscle pain o rash (may not be visible on dark- skinned persons) If persons have any of these symptoms they should go to the nearest health centre or hospital. It is advised to drink lots of liquids and avoid medication that contains aspirin. Dengue cases grow by eight Overall total now stands at 23 cayman compass 8 news N news THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2019[] The First Assembly Church family behind the Singing ChristmasTree. Pastor Torrance Bobb, wife Elsa, daughter Kevon, son Wendell and daughter Lorraine. JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky First Assembly Church of God’s Singing Christmas Tree event takes place this weekend at the Lions Centre. The free family event is set for 6pm Saturday and Sunday. It features a host of singers performing on stage in an artificial 21-foot-tall Christmas tree complete with twinkling lights, garlands and a light show. In its ninth season, this event has previously drawn crowds in excess of 3,000. Featured this year will be international guests such as soloist Gillian Seecharan-Nancoo of Trinidad and Pastor Ferdinand Nicholls of Barbados, who helps organise the event every year. Nicholls has been instrumental in the production since it began. Several local schools will be performing, including dancers from the University College of the Cayman Islands and the Centre Pointe Studio. The tree ensemble is made up of different church choirs. According to church pastor Torrance Bobb, the tree itself always changes, but the message of God’s love always remains the same. His wife, Elsa, choir director and musical producer, started the singing Christmas tree in 2011. Singing Christmas Tree this weekend History Singing Christmas trees in one form or another have been around since the 1930s in the US. Since then they have been enjoyed in various styles all over the world including the US, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. Kids with their ornaments they made with the help of Kimpton Seafire Resort staff. JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky The Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa is partnering with Feed our Future Cayman to brighten Christmas for local children. The hotel is setting up a “Wish Tree” in the lobby on 2 Dec. Seafire guests and locals are encouraged to pick a favourite ornament and donate the funds to Feed Our Future Cayman. All proceeds raised will be used to provide free school meals to a child or family in need. Nearly 200 Cayman children benefit from the school meal programme each year. Feed our Future says it can provide one school lunch to a child in need for $6. With $1,000, the organisation can deliver a school lunch to a child in need for an entire school year. The Kimpton Seafire’s holiday wish for 2020 of “No child left hungry” was the inspiration behind the tree, said Jenna Snyman manager of Camp Seafire, which features supervised programmes for children. She said Camp Seafire coordinators were touched to be able to use their passion for kids to help Cayman’s community and be a part of a project that impacts the lives of children beyond its doors. The Kimpton set aside a special Christmas-themed room and provided paints, glitter, aprons and bulbs for kids to make the ornaments with the hotel team’s support. Kimpton Seafire launches wishing tree appeal Feed our Future A nonprofit organisation, Feed Our Future Cayman, exists to solve childhood hunger and support the intellectual nourishment of children in the Cayman Islands through the funding of nutritionally balanced school meals to children in need. 9 news N newsNext >