Residents say their biggest fear is to relive dreadful experiences from Hurricane Tomas. The storm caused severe flooding and landslides in Castries South East communities like Ravine Poisson. Those who live there say they cannot handle another disaster.

While, the country is no longer on storm warning, residents of areas prone to flooding and landslides are asked to remain vigilant. A small craft advisory also remains in effect for St. Lucia.

At the time the country had been under a tropical storm warning. With the all clear given by the Met Office – Pierre who is also the Infrastructure Minister and Castries East MP – encouraged the return to normal business.

While companies like Goddard Group and CFL re-opened their doors – other institutions like the banks chose to stay closed.

Tropical Storm Ernesto was the first named system for the year to threaten Saint Lucia. The Hurricane Season ends in November.

NEMO Director - Dawn French joins the masses in rejoicing over the close encounter with Tropical Storm Ernesto.

The Tropical Storm was expected to hit the island on Friday with showers and winds of 45MPH.

The storm eventually passed between St. Lucia and St. Vincent; bringing rain and gusts but nothing as had been expected.

French says discussions with the various community disaster committees have produced only good news thus far. The decision to keep the islands commerce activities closed until midday Friday morning at 5:30.

The announcement which was made by the Acting Prime Minister was supported by the NEMO Director.
French explained her reasons.The system is still being monitored as it heads to Jamaica.

At that point Ernesto is expected to have strengthened into a hurricane.

Henry says the man shot by police was identified as 28 year old Dalton Greaves of Dennery. She says he was taken to the St. Jude Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

This contradicts reports by some residents who say Greaves was shot dead by cops at the fisheries complex. ACP Henry also claims a fire arm and illegal drugs were found at the scene.

The assistant police commissioner is also refuting reports the Dennery man was shot multiple times by law men.

She says an autopsy reveals Greaves died as a result of a single gun shot wound. The Law Enforcement Officer has acknowledged public outcry for justice but says there must be reliable witness testimony in the investigative process.

Despite concerns about consistent accounts, Henry is soliciting the assistance of members of the public who may have credible information to come forward.

Henry says following the completion of the police probe, a file will presented to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions who will decide the next course of action.

She has promised a professional, fair and transparent investigation.

The ministry of infrastructure is addressing an issue that had members of the public up in arms for over a week. The problem existed at the Choiseul fisheries ponds.

Dr. Ubaldus Raymond is leaving the Dr. Kenny Anthony led SLP administration. He is expected to take up the post of Chief Economist in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands

But the resignation of the Castries North hopeful does not come as a surprise to the hierarchy of the ruling St. Lucia Labor Party.

General Secretary Leo Clarke says he was apprised of the pending resignation three weeks ago and Dr Raymond is still a member of the political organization.

SLP officials are downplaying the departure of the government senator and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce.

Clarke says the resignation is merely a professional seizing an opportunity for career advancement.
Dr. Raymond has a Ph.D. in Development Economics from Howard University in Washington.

Dr. Raymond unsuccessfully contested the Castries North seat in the November 2011 general election where he lost to incumbent Stephenson King.

There was a memorable heated exchange between Raymond, a relative political neophyte and then head of government at one of the polling stations.

Clarke who is unclear about the future political aspirations of the former Parliamentary Secretary says the administration remains focused on fulfilling its mandate.

Although the ruling party has played down the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the government official, the Friday August 3rd edition of Mirror newspaper claims Raymond complained about feeling stifled in his post at the Ministry of Commerce.

“I felt that I was not in a position to make a contribution towards the development of the country”.

According to the Mirror Raymond claims he never attended a cabinet meeting even in the absence of the Minister when he deputized for her.

Despite these reports, according to a government statement ‘The Prime Minster, on behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers, wishes Dr. Ubaldus Raymond the very best in his new position and is confident that he will continue to make our country proud”.

Pan American Life Insurance Group, a prominent insurance company throughout the Americas, has purchased Met Life assets in several countries.

Met Life is the parent company of Alico Insurance Company based in St. Lucia and other parts of the Caribbean.

Senior Vice President of Global Life Insurance for Pan American Life, Bruce Parker says the addition of Met Life-Alico/Algico business fits perfectly with Pan American Life’s strategic focus on life and health insurance.

Agency Manager in St. Lucia, Joseph Dolor says the recent purchase of Met Life’s assets will mean more benefits for policy holders. It will also lead to renewed focus on the local leg of the insurance company.

Pan American Life Insurance Group Officials have assured members they will gain significant benefits despite existing distress over insurance regional insurance interests.

Pan American Life Insurance Group is a one hundred year old Insurance Company. The leading insurance and financial services company is based in New Orleans and has been delivering financial services since 1911.

The Group has branches all over the world including in Colombia, El Salvador and in 15 Caribbean markets. 

On emancipation day earlier this week, a newly formed group in the Laborie community gave back to the senior citizens home in black bay.

They donated much needed supplies to the institution.
The group also formally adopted the home, vowing to provide assistance regularly.

Audi tops the range of automotive product options available to local and regional customers from JQ Motors.

The company added the premium brand to its stable of vehicle offerings through acquisition of the rights to import and distribute Audi in the third quarter of 2008.

Since then the brand’s presence on the roads has increased considerably. The Audi Drive Experience is a move to give customers more.

Following a brief introduction and familiarization with the vehicles, journalists and customers set out on the Audi Tour.

Each invited guest had an opportunity to not only be a passenger but a driver as well. The various models in the Audi line were exchanged at planned intervals along the route.

The newest offerings were the A1 and Q3 which join others including the Q7. JQ Motors has big plans for the Audi brand, the most significant being the showroom currently under construction.

Without revealing too much, group CEO, Gordon Charles gave a hint of future plans for JQ Motors.

The JQ Group of Companies is made up of several independently managed divisions, including horticultural, manufacturing, insurance, financing and real estate.