National Weekly February 15, 2018

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7

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DISBELIEF Caribbean-Americans React To Deadly Mass Shooting At North Broward School

Atlanta United Jamaican Striker Bags Coveted Status

By Daniel Strom

Millions of Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status recipients and undocumented immigrants desperately want what he has. But a Jamaican-born striker with the Atlanta United MLS club has bagged a green card.

until today (Feb. 14, 2018). I am saddened by the loss of life but thank God my two kids were not affected.”

Her comments come as the death toll at press time on Wednesday night reached 17 and as Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said the shooter, Nikolas Cruz, 19, was in police custody.

He said the shooter killed 17 teenagers and adults with an assault rifle, an AR-15 equipped with multiple clips. Twelve victims were gunned-down inside buildings on the school's campus, two on the school grounds, and another on nearby of Pine Island Road as he fled. Two victims later died at a nearby hospital.

Cruz reportedly was expelled from the school, and while there, he bragged about the use of guns. Reports stated that he came back to the school on Wednesday wearing a back-pack, and somehow got pass the school security and proceeded to pull the fire alarm shortly before 2.30 p.m. Wednesday. As the unsuspecting students rushed out of class rooms, he opened

Forward Romario Williams, of Portmore, Jamaica, will no longer have to occupy an international player roster spot, club officials announced Monday.

The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Williams Central Florida, secured permanent residency thanks to a sponsorship from the club.

Williams, 23, joined Atlanta from the Montreal Impact in 2016. He played the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons on loan with the Charleston Battery where he was the club's leading scorer both seasons and was named to the USL Second Team in 2017.

The Atlanta United loanee scored 15 goals and added three assists in 22 appearances, averaging a goal every 114.3 minutes. During the 2017 season, Williams earned Team of the Week honors four times and won Player of the Month in June.

On Saturday, Feb. 10th, Williams made his Atlanta United debut against Nashville SC and scored in the 78th minute during a 3-1 win.

Williams has also represented the Jamaica National Team at the U17, U23 and senior team levels, where he debuted in 2016 and now has seven appearances.

The green card of course represents an immigration status of a person to be authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. It is important for soccer players because it changes the classification of the player within MLS from International to Domestic.

Williams made no comment in the team's official press statement nor on Twitter. Instead, he posted a photo

continues on A4 – Disbelief

continues on A8 – Greencard

The much too often tragedy of a mass shooting on a US school campus reached South Florida on Ash Wednesday, turning the day into a Valentine’s Day massacre much to the stunned disbelief of many residents, including Caribbean nationals.

By Garth A. Rose Caribbean-American Mikhail Rose, 28, said he was driving to his apartment complex on Westview Reid, in Parkland, northern Broward County, about a mile east of the ill-fated Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, when he noticed several police cars rushing by him with sirens blaring and lights flashing.

“I immediately knew something was wrong because we hardly see police cars on patrol or hear police sirens blearing in this city,” he told CNW. “I am beyond shocked that so many people were killed.”

Another Caribbean-American resident of Parkland, Leslie Trott, said she and her family moved to the area three years ago “primarily because of the high-quality reputation of the city's schools, especially the Marjory Stone Douglas High Schools.”

“Students excelled in almost every area and it also had a reputation as being very safe and secure,” she said. “That is

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

CARIBBEAN

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

SPORTS

AFUWI HONOR FOR CARIBBEAN-ROOTS tv STAR A3

JAMAICA APPEAL’S COURT RESERVES RULING FOR “TRAFIGURA” A4

THE CARIBBEAN influence ON AMERICA’S BLACK HISTORY B3

JAMAICAN BOBSLEDDERS GET READY TO TAKE ON THE ICE d3

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7

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Official Visit Jamaica's Consul General Franz Hall, (le ), met with Juan Kuryla, Director and Chief Execu ve Officer, PortMiami, during a recent tour of the Port facili es on Monday, Feb. 12th. – Contributed

And The Winner Is? Sherh Lee showed off her trophy, which she won for Most Consistent Dancehall Supporter Florida, at the Jamaica Link Up annual event, held at the Luxurious Ballroom in Lauderhill last Saturday. – SeetDeh.com

Smile Of The Week This cute young lady smile shone brightly among the fancy lights at Jamaica Link Up annual event held at the Luxurious Ballroom last Saturday. – SeetDeh.com

Charlie's Angels Charles, (c), who celebrated his birthday last Thursday, is flanked by friends, L-R: Maureen, Consuela, Ann and Claudia, at The Garden in Lauderdale Lakes. – Contributed

Masked Beau es These masked beau es, officially known as The Jazz Group, posed for the cameras at the City of Lauderhill Jazz Picnic In The Park concert last Sunday at the Ilene Lieberman Park in Inverrary. – Contributed

Celebra ng Life L-R: Georgia, Consuela, Vivienne and Angela were on hand last Thursday for Charles' birthday celebra on at The Garden. – Contributed

Main A rac on Featured band, Nightlife, was pictured entertaining the packed house at the City of Lauderhill Jazz Picnic In The Park concert last Sunday at the Ilene Lieberman Park. – Contributed

Buss The Move.

Patrick B strikes a pose a er copping the Dancer Icon award at the Jamaica Link Up annual event held at the Luxurious Ballroom last Saturday. – SeetDeh.com

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7 –

A3

NEWSMAKER

AFUWI Honor For CaribbeanRoots NCIS New Orleans Star OTHER HONOREES

The Caribbean-roots actress of popular CBS drama, NCIS New Orleans, is set to be presented with an American Foundation for the University of the West Indies, (AFUWI), award next week in New York City.

Carol Christine Hilaria “CCH” Pounder, who plays medical examiner Dr. Loretta Wade on the series, will receive the distinguished Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley Award at the 21st Annual Awards Gala at Pierre Hotel in New York City on Thursday, February 22, 2018.

The actress has appeared in numerous TV series including ER, The Shield, Warehouse 13, Sons of Anarchy and in such films as Avatar and her breakout role in Bagdad Café. She is an advocate for the arts and also serves on the Board of the African Millennium Foundation and was a founding member of Artists for a New South Africa.

Pounder, 65, was born in Georgetown, then British Guiana, (now Guyana), to Ronald Urlington Pounder and Betsy Enid Arnella (nee James). Her family later migrated to England where she attended high school. She moved to the U.S. in 1970, where she attended Ithaca College.

Carol Christine Hilaria “CCH” Pounder

Pounder started her professional career in New York City theater, where she appeared in The Mighty Gents, by playwright Richard Wesley, and Open Admissions on Broadway. She moved to Los Angeles in 1982 and began her lm debut in Bagdad Café. Since then, she has focused primarily on her television career.

Pounder playing ‘Loretta Wade’ on NCIS

CCH Pounder will be honored along with five other accomplished Caribbean-roots professionals, including Patrick Hylton, President & Group CEO of the NCB Financial Group, the largest and most profitable financial institution in Jamaica and the seventh most profitable in the English and Spanish speaking and Caribbean and Jamaica-born Prof. Marlon James, who in 2015 won the Man Booker Prize – the first Jamaican author to win the United Kingdom's most prestigious literary award – will receive “The Pinnacle Literary Award and The Pelican Award” reserved for UWI alumni Other honorees include Antigua & Barbuda-born designer and

James

Hylton

celebrity stylist, June Ambrose, who is credited with creating the iconic images in hip hop for notables like Missy Elliott, P. Diddy, Mase and Jay Z; Brooklyn-born Angela Yee, actress and host of the award-winning nationally syndicated radio program “The Breakfast Club” on Power 105.1 and Grenada-born Yvette NoelSchure, founder and executive vice president, Schure Media Group, which represents top acts like Beyonce, Tina Knowles Lawson, LeAnn Rimes, Jussie Smollett and late night host Robin Thede among others.

Now in its 21st year, the AFUWI Gala traditionally provides an average of 50 scholarships annually for students across the University of the West Indies' four campuses.

A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7

Jamaica Appeal's Court Reserves Ruling In “Tragura Affair” and Norton Hinds, must testify in open court about a J$31 million donation by Trafigura Baheer to the then ruling PNP Party in 2006.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal reserved its decision, following an application by the attorneys for the former prime minister and the other appellants for leave to take their case to the Privy Council.

In applying for leave to the take the matter to the UK, the attorneys argued that the Appeal's Court had incorrectly interpreted section 16 of the Constitution, which gives protection to Simpson Miller and the others, not to be compelled to give testimony publicly.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP), which represents the Dutch government,

Former Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, will have to wait until February 23rd to know whether or not she and other People National Party, (PNP), colleagues who were involved in the so-called “Trafigura Affair” case will go before the London-based Privy Council, the highest court of the land.

Last year, the Appeal Court dismissed Simpson-Miller and her colleagues appeal against a Supreme Court ruling that she, Phillip Paulwell, Robert Pickersgill, Colin Campbell

Simpson-Miller

Mud Volcano Erupts In TT At least three homes were evacuated, and several cracks have appeared on the road, as the Devil's Wood Yard mud volcano in the town of New Grant, to the south of the capital of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, erupted early Tuesday.

Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS), and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), reported that the volcano began erupting at around 4.00 a.m. Trinidad time.

In a statement, the OPDM said it is “closely monitoring” the situation together with the Environmental Management Agency, (EMA), and the Geological Society of Trinidad and Tobago (GSTT), the University of the West Indies (UWI) Geological Society, the UWI Seismic Research Centre and the Princes Town Regional Corporation.

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat said there was still seismic activity at the site and the size of the mud flow was growing.

The first recorded eruption of the mud volcano occurred in 1852 and 30 years later. But it has been dormant since, with small cones emitting mud and gas over the years.

opposed the application, urging the Court to reject the application on the grounds that the constitutionality of the ruling of the justice had been challenged before the Constitutional Court, which rejected the arguments.

The Dutch authorities want to question the former prime minister, PNP president and senior PNP members, but they have challenged the ruling to give statements in public.

Under Dutch law, it's illegal for companies to donate to political parties. At the time of the donation, Trafigura had an oil-lifting contract with the then PNP administration.

In 2006, the Trafigura scandal resulted in the resignation of Colin Campbell as information minister.

Disbelief

from A1

fire.

The school has over 3,000 students, including CaribbeanAmericans.

Up to press time the victims of this latest in several similar school shootings across the US had not been identified even as their bodies remained in the school awaiting the medical examiner. Unconfirmed reports said members of the school's staff, including a teacher and a football coach were among those killed.

A saddened Superintendent of the Broward School District, Jamaican-born Robert Runcie, called for prayers.

“This is a day that you pray every day when you get up that you will never have to see. It is in front of us,” he said on local television. “I ask the community for prayers and their support for the children and their families.”

Runcie also announced that the school will be closed for the remainder of this week. Other county schools will, however, be opened for classes.

The attack is the 18th shooting in the US this year on or around school premises. Since 2013, there have been 291 reported school shootings across the US.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7 –

Talk UP

A5

TALKUP

Do you think people accused of domestic violence are really innocent until proven guilty?

Viveca, Pembroke Pines, FL “Yes, I believe domestic violence perpetrators are innocent until proven guilty, just like any other person accused of committing a crime. I believe a thorough investigation should be done before pointing the blame on someone. It's not uncommon for individuals to accuse others of crimes out of spite or harbored feelings.”

Danielle, South Florida “Any accused perpetrator is innocent until collected evidence can prove whether or not they are guilty. If it were so that anyone accused is guilty, then there would be a lot of false accusations and thrown out cases in the justice system.”

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Alex, Miami, FL “Yes, I think they are innocent until proven guilty.

Unless there is obvious bodily injury, in that case they are guilty until, or if ever, proven innocent. Until there is proven evidence, then I think just like everybody else, perpetrators are innocent until proven guilty.”

Andrew, Orlando, FL “I'd say they are innocent until proven guilty because without evidence there is no way to know the truth of what really happened. I do feel as if sometimes police officers do automatically judge or make their own personal determination upon arrival, without knowing all the details. Either way, domestic violence is never okay.”

Kyon Taylor, FL “I think everyone is innocent until proven guilty. If there were strict procedures that favor the victim immediately without proper investigation, too many innocent people would end up in jail. There is always two sides of the story.”

Moe, Tampa, FL “No, I don't think they are innocent because why would someone need to make up such a thing? If the person is not proven guilty, the other person that took them to court to me, ends up dead in most cases.”

Michelle, Orlando, FL “Yes, I think they are innocent until proven guilty.

Unless there is obvious bodily injury. In that case, they are guilty until or if ever, proven innocent. It all depends on the situation. Each situation is different and should be addressed on an individual basis.

Christina, Tampa, FL “When it comes to domestic violence people often only think of the physical aspect of it but truth be told, there are so many different ways of doing it that sometimes people may not even be aware they're doing it. Like getting too frustrated and saying all the mean hurtful things that come to mind out loud versus getting beat up by your partner. I don't think it's okay to automatically assume a person is guilty until proven innocent.”

Bailey, Pompano, FL “Well, when I think of domestic violence, I think of a strong person preying on a person they see as weak or weaker than themselves. There are many forms of domestic abuse/violence, including whether you think your partner is cheating on you or emotionally hurting. But abuse and violence are never a good go to. Ideally, I'd say, yes, they are pretty much guilty until proven innocent, unless there is absolutely no sign of abuse. In that case, investigate the issue at hand.”

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A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7

Being Bilingual Has Become A Necessity In American During a recent meeting of Caribbean-American college graduates on a South Florida college campus, great frustration was expressed over the barriers to some well-paid jobs because of the “dreaded” bi-lingual requirement.

Migrating to the US where English is the predominant language, few people from the Englishspeaking Caribbean anticipated that among the challenges they would encounter is communicating in languages other than English.

For those settling in South Florida, especially Miami-Dade County, they often find one of the requirements to get a job is being bi-lingual - being able to communicate in English and Spanish.

In Miami-Dade, characterized by large Hispanic communities in most cities, Spanish seems to be the primary language. Several businesses have signage in Spanish and English- speaking Caribbean migrants contend daily with customers and staff in business places, professional offices, and the workplace who speak little or poor English.

Naturally, the inability to communicate freely in English, not to mention barred from securing jobs for which one is otherwise qualified except for the bilingual criterion, is frustrating. As a result, some CaribbeanAmericans understandably question why English isn't the mandated language in the region, especially in the work place.

Historically, the English/Spanish issue has been a topic of controversy in South Florida. In 1980, as the Hispanic population in then Dade County increased, a group called Citizens of Dade United, proposed a ballot initiative making English the official language of the county. With Cuba's President Fidel Castro opening the

gates of Cuba to thousands of Cubans to leave his country for Miami in the “Mariel Boatlift,” county voters readily passed the initiative.

From 1981 to 1993, English was the official language in Dade County. During those years, the Dade County English Only Ordinance forbade the county government to fund programs not conducted in English or conduct business in any other language, and only relatively few jobs required the bilingual criterion.

However, as the county's Hispanic community rapidly increased, opposition to the ordinance grew. In 1993, following the redistricting of the county commission into 13 voting districts, voters gave the commission a Hispanic majority, and voted down the English-only ordinance.

With the revocation of the ordinance, more Caribbean-Americans residing in Dade County followed those who previously relocated to Broward and Palm Beach Counties in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. One of the main reason for this population shift was that Spanish was far less prevalent in both counties.

However, this intra-migration didn't end the language controversy in the region. As the Hispanic community grew, spreading to Broward and Palm Beach counties, so did the bilingual characteristic of the region. Now some employers in these counties have made being bi-lingual one of the criteria for employment.

Despite the frustration of people, including Caribbean-Americans who only speak English, it's unlikely Florida voters will again approve an English-

only policy for any county or the state. Currently, over 50 percent of South Florida's population consists of migrants who speak languages other than English, with the majority speaking Spanish.

This pattern has expanded nationally, where large percentages of population of states like New York, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada speak Spanish and other languages.

During the Obama administration, groups in Florida, Arizona and Texas, initiated plans for a national English-only bill, but President Obama signed an executive order making such initiatives unconstitutional, calling them “anti-American.”

On the other hand, although a national Englishonly policy is unlikely to be a reality, it's indicative that lawmakers ensure immigrants learn and speak English.

The immigration reform bill, passed by the US Senate in 2013 and most of the immigration initiatives being negotiated since then, requires undocumented immigrants seeking legal status to learn English.

Nonetheless, unless in the future a national immigration policy requires all immigrants to speak English only, it's quite possible the US could become an official bilingual, English-Spanish, nation, similar to Canada's official English-French bilingual situation.

As this bilingual pattern increases, it becomes more necessary for English-speaking Caribbean-Americans, especially young people, to learn Spanish in order to effectively compete on the job market and communicate effectively with other ethnicities.

Years of immigration has made America a starkly diverse nation of races and languages. Even in the current volatile immigration debate, where some seem determined to “Make America White Again,” it's unlikely America will ever have an “English-only” policy.

It's therefore practical, and advisable, that immigrants, including Caribbean-Americans determined to fulfill their American Dream, make being multi-lingual, especially learning Spanish - the second dominant language - a distinct priority.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7 –

A7

FEATURE

JN Florida Rep. Office Hosts

Community Connection The JN Bank Representative Office in Tamarac, Florida, will host a "JN Bank Community Connection" event on Saturday, February 24th for real estate prospects interested in purchasing a property in Jamaica for investment, retirement or vacation purposes.

The event at the JN Bank Representative Office at 4111 West Commercial Boulevard, Tamarac, Florida, will be held on February 24th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will include housing developers and realtors from Jamaica, part of JN's preferred partners, who will advise clients about the current residential and business developments in the Jamaican market.

Janice McIntosh, chief representative officer for JN Bank Florida, stated that attendees will be guided step-by-step about the mortgage process and the loan options available through JN Bank.

“We will also share information about JN Bank, and our transformation as the first mutually-owned commercial bank in Jamaica,” she explained. “We are eager to promote our newest products and services, and most importantly, how these products and services may be accessed by Jamaicans living overseas.”

McIntosh said presentations will be delivered on the benefits that Jamaican residents in Florida can access through government agencies, such as the National Housing Trust (NHT) and the National Land Agency (NLA).

She noted that Jamaicans residing in Florida have always maintained their family ties with visits to the country more than once a year.

However, many have expressed a desire to do more business in Jamaica, hence their interest in tapping into investment opportunities such as real estate to name a few.

“This forum, “JN Bank Community

A newly constructed home by Moorlands Development

Connection,” will link individuals with realtors and developers from Jamaica that will not only be able to guide them expertly on real estate purchases but will be able to sign up attendees to get updates on existing and future opportunities in securing a property in Jamaica.

There has been such a boom with investors purchasing properties for business purposes that having the realtors on hand will be able to guide them on the areas that will suit their purpose, McIntosh pointed out. Some of the developers on board are Richmond Estate, marketing “Fern Court & The Crest” development and Moorlands Development, which constructed “Palmbrook Estate.”

Homes at Richmond Estate, Jamaica

In addition, other realtors set to participate in the expo will include: Keller Williams, Property Solutions, Edge Realty, Kleinhans Realty and Century 21.

To register for the event, text “YES” and the number of persons, to 954-647-8380 or send an e-mail to: jnrepofficefla@jngroup.com. You can also register for free at Eventbrite.

McIntosh

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7

LA SECCION HAITIENNE

Haiti's President Slams Oxfam On Twitter As outrage over the Oxfam Haiti sex scandal grows globally, the country's President took to Twitter Monday night to slam the organization's handling of the actions of some of their staffers.

President Jovenel Moise, writing in French, tweeted that: “What happened with Oxfam in Haiti is an extremely serious violation of human dignity.

“There is nothing more outrageous and dishonest than a sexual predator who uses his position as part of the humanitarian response to a natural disaster to exploit needy people in their moments of greatest vulnerability,” he added.

Moise's tweet comes amid reports that the country is

preparing to launch a criminal investigation and as chairman of Oxfam International, Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight, was arrested Tuesday as part of a corruption probe in Guatemala.

Oxfam's Deputy Chief Executive of Oxfam Great Britain, Penny Lawrence, resigned Monday as the fall out over reports that that staff members committed “sexual misconduct” after the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, including hiring young prostitutes for sex

parties.

Oxfam fired four people and allowed three others to resign after an investigation, which also found that drivers were sometimes ordered to pick up prostitutes and that orgies were held at houses near Port-au-Prince that were used by the organization's staff.

The employees included Oxfam's chief official for Haiti relief, Roland van Hauwermeiren, and other senior staff members, according to the Times of London,

which broke the news. Children may have been among those sexually exploited by aid workers, the Times report said.

“These girls wearing Oxfam Tshirts, running around half-naked, it was like a full-on Caligula orgy. It was unbelievable. It was crazy,” the source told the Times about parties at the house.

The EU has now warned Oxfam it could lose its funding over the scandal even as The Daily Mail reported that abuse is rife at Oxfam shops with 123 cases of alleged sexual harassment and no criminal record checks for 23,000 volunteers.

Oxfam has admitted to at least some of the wrongdoings alleged in the report, and the organization has promised an internal review and overhaul. “We are ashamed of what happened,” the nonprofit's chair wrote in a statement Sunday. “We apologize unreservedly.”

Haitian Model Returns To New York Fashion Week A 26-year-old Haitian-born model has made her stunning return to New York Fashion Week after her 2017 debut at the Marc Jacobs's Spring 2018 show.

Aube Jolicoeur blazed an entrance this week in an acid-green wig as one of Jeremy Scott's space-age muses and then donned a vibrant Bottega Veneta suitor for the Tomas Maier collection.

According to an interview with Vogue, Jolicoeur has been on a roll, since her 2017 debut, racking up work with industry legends like Steven Meisel, Fabien Baron, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

“Being a little girl from a third world

Jolicoeur

country and coming to America, I never would have guessed that I would have the pleasure of working with such [talented people],” she was quoted as saying between shows. “Not in a million years!”

Jolicoeur was born in Jacmel, Haiti, and raised near the famous Bassin Bleu. Her family moved to the US when she was nine years old and settled in Kentucky.

She moved to New York at 20 and went on to book several seasons with Yeezy and subsequently landed on the radar of casting directors. She hopes now to achieve enough success and fame to help “the poor and eventually start my own charity to help end poverty and homelessness,” according to Vogue.

Haiti Urged To Join With El Salvador In TPS Push El Salvador's Minister of Foreign Affairs is urging his fellow officials form Haiti and Honduras to join in the lobbying effort for Temporary Protection Status (TPS).

In D.C. last Friday, Minister Hugo Martínez, tried to convince lawmakers Republicans and Democrats - to offer an alternative at the end of TPS and he asked Honduras and Haiti to work together and join the negotiations.

"The approach that we adopted in all the meetings concerned all the people covered by the TPS and I sent a note to Honduras and Haiti to join their negotiations efforts in the Congress," Martínez said. "We are looking for a solution that ensures the transition from temporary to permanent residence."

The Trump administration has ended TPS for 195,000 Salvadorans, 50,000 Hondurans and 58,000 Haitians. They all risk expulsion from the US in less than 2 years.

Greencard

from A1

Tuesday of him fist pounding with another player as they were all smiles and asked fans to “caption this.”

ABOUT ATLANTA UNITED Atlanta United FC began play in 2017 as a member of the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer. The club, which was announced by the league as an expansion franchise on April 16, 2014, is owned and operated by Home Depot co-founder and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. The team plays their home matches at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

(NewsAmericasNow.com)

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7 –

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

B1

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7

Owning A Home In Jamaica Gets Easier Looking to own a home in Jamaica? Well you can now easily learn the ins and outs of this process with the Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS) and Jamaican developer, Richmond St. Ann.

Step-By-Step Guidance

The two are teaming up to present a series of one-on-one meetings on homeownership in Jamaica from Thursday, February 22nd to Friday, February 23, 2018, at the VMBS Florida Representative Office, 2600 S University Drive, Miramar, FL 33025 between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

South Florida residents will be able to meet the Richmond Estates Sales Team and VMBS mortgage specialists who can assist and guide them on their journey towards owning a dream home in Jamaica.

The interior of a home at Richmond Estates

During the two days, the VMBS mortgage specialists will meet and provide step-by-step guidance on the mortgage loan process, as well as provide pre-qualification opportunities to purchase any of the units available in Jamaica.

The VM Mortgage Loan offer also includes the Society's Mortgage Portal, which will allow mortgage applicants the ability to track their mortgage loan approval process on-line, from commencement to disbursement.

Luxury Properties In Richmond, St. Ann

Opportunity To Purchase A First Or Second Jamaica Home

The Richmond Estates Sales Team will interact with the Jamaican and friends of Jamaica community in an effort to provide information on Richmond, St. Ann's luxury properties and gated communities.

These properties include townhomes, grandfarm houses on 5-acre lots and apartments, which are being developed in phases, all with amenities such as brick-paved driveway, quartz counter tops in kitchen and bathrooms, and solar water heaters, among others.

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According to VMBS Florida representative, Suzette Rochester Lloyd, “the Society, through its Florida Representative Office, provides our members the opportunity to purchase their first or second homes in Jamaica, with a VM Mortgage loan, which boasts an interest rate as low as 4.25 percent per annum on US dollar mortgages.”

Victory Place Worship Center To Host Grand Quinquennial Soiree Victory Place International Worship Center, a vision driven ministry located in Sunrise FL, is counting down to its Grand Quinquennial Soiree, set for Sat. Feb. 24th from 6 p.m. at the Azalea Ballroom of the Volunteer Park Community Center, 12050 W Sunrise Boulevard in Plantation, FL. The event is the fifth anniversary of the biblically based, non-denominational, Pentecostal ministry that was founded by Dr. Clive A. Porter and Sister Lady Sharon Porter.

Contributions is $75 for adults and $40 for children and the dress code is semiformal.

Victory Place will also host its fifth anniversary conference at the church from Feb. 21st – 25th featuring prayer sessions from 6 to 8 a.m. and bible study sessions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The conference will feature Bishops Wansworth Heron and Clinton Ruddock, Pastors Philemon Samuels and Terance Baynes, Drs. David Brown, Sam Green and David Ibeleme, Apostle Des Vignes, Minister Evet Campbell and Rev. Jennifer Porter-Cox. Melodies of Praise of Montego Bay and The Otteys will also be a part of the conference.

For more information on both events call (954) 604-6229 and for more on the ministry see VictoryPlaceIWC.com.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7 –

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The Caribbean Inuence On America's Black History The 1970s to Date

By Garth A. Rose

Following the passage of the 1965 Immigration Act which liberalized immigration to the United Sates, a new wave of migrants entered the US from the Caribbean.

The number of Caribbean immigrants was estimated at approximately one million between the 1970's and the early 1990's, with approximately half of these migrants coming from Jamaica.

During the 1970s, a vast number of Jamaicans migrated to the US, mainly concerned about the political climate in that country. Several of these migrants, sold their Jamaican assets and moved entire families to the United States, taking advantage of an immigration policy that allowed siblings, parents, spouses and children to sponsor relatives.

One of the conditions to obtaining an immigrant visa in the 1970's and 80's, was that migrants prove they could support themselves and not be a burden on the U.S. welfare system.

Most of the migrants from the Caribbean had skills, which allowed them to quickly find jobs in America.

This was the peak of the 'Brain Drain' from the Caribbean, with the region losing large numbers of its professionals and managerial personnel.

As seen throughout this series, the state of New York - particularly New York City - was the destination of choice for Caribbean migrants up to the 1970s.

However, in the latter half of the 1970's, there was a gradual shift in this pattern, with more migrants coming to South Florida.

Since the late 1970's and early

Winsome ‘Lady C’ Charlton

Eddy Edwards

1980's, large numbers of Caribbean migrants began to settle in SouthWest Miami, mainly Kendall, Cutler Ridge and Perrine. Most of these migrants bought homes in South Florida, but except for a few individuals, were not very involved in the building of a Caribbean community.

Nonetheless, a rather loosely knitted Caribbean community evolved and was to some extent, held together by displays of Caribbean culture found in a number of Jamaican restaurants and shops like Island Delight in Kendall, Aunt I's and Dave's in North Miami. On Caribbean, radio programs hosted by radio pioneers like Eddy Edwards, Ron Burke, Don Daley, Mike Andrews, the late Clint O'Neil, and Winston Barnes, “John T” of “Morning Ride” fame and Winsome “Lady C” Charlton of Hi-Class Promotions, operating continuous hours of Caribbean program, helped to keep the Caribbean culture present.

Despite the presence of major

newspapers in the cities where Caribbean migrants settled, a Caribbean print media also developed.

Notable pioneers included the Caribbean Echo newspaper, launched in South Florida, and Carib News in New York in the 1980s. Today the Caribbean- American community is served by several newspapers, including the Caribbean National Weekly, Caribbean Today and several Internet websites including NewsAmericasNow, CNW Network and SouthFloridaCaribbeanNews.

As the Caribbean-American community grew in South Florida, so did an identifiable Caribbean business community. This consisted of professionals - doctors, attorneys, dentists, realtors and accountants - as well as a plethora of restaurants, night clubs and Caribbean shops selling most items that Caribbean migrants had missed back in their home nations.

Then in 1992, Hurricane Andrew, a devastating Category 5 storm, struck South Florida. The storm devastated South-West Miami, including the homes of several CaribbeanAmericans migrants. The immediate result, was a spontaneous migration of thousands of Caribbean nationals from ravaged South West Miami to Broward County, particularly Pembroke Pines and Miramar.

Around this time, expansion was taking place in West Miramar and West Pembroke Pines, and several Caribbean migrants bought homes, creating, a very large Caribbean community in both cities.

The expanding Caribbean population in Broward County, became a magnetic force to other migrants from the Caribbean. Not only were migrants flowing into South Florida from the Caribbean, they also came from Caribbean communities in Toronto and New York.

From the mid-nineties onwards, Caribbean communities also grew

B3

FEATURE

Hazelle Rogers

rapidly in Sunrise, Lauderdale Lakes, Plantation, Cooper City, Coral Springs and Tamarac in Broward County; Boca Raton, Lantana and Lake Worth in Palm Beach County; Port St. Lucie in St. Lucie County and in Tampa, Orlando, Winter Haven and Melbourne in Central Florida.

Currently, the English-speaking Caribbean community in Florida has grown from approximately 200,000 residents in 1982, to approximately a million resident, including first, second and third generation Caribbean-Americans; and to approximately 7 million across the U.S. Gradually, Caribbean culture took root in America, mostly evident in New York City and South Florida.

Caribbean-American businessmen and developers like Jamaican George Barber and Trinidadian George Rahal were making their presence felt.

Meanwhile, Caribbean-Americans also became visible in American politics. Following the steps of Caribbean-American political pioneers like Shirley Chisholm, and New York City Councilwoman, Una Clarke, Hazelle Rogers was elected to the City of Lauderdale Lakes Commission in 1996.

This paved the way for the election of other Caribbean-Americans to city, county, state and federal government posts in South Florida.

Notably among these are other pioneers like George Pedlar, Fitzroy Salesman, Winston Barnes, Astor Kinght, and Samuel Brown at the city level; Dale Holness at the county level; Rogers, Yoli Roberson, Barrington Russell and Daphne Campbell in state government, and Congresswoman Yvette Clark, Colin Powell, Eric Holder, and Susan Rice - elected and appointed – in the federal government.

Today, the Caribbean community is vibrant, making significant contributions to different aspects of American life. This is considered a major accomplishment for a community of some seven-million people, from several different Caribbean nations.

Unfortunately, despite the significant contributions CaribbeanAmericans have made to America and American Black History, a stubborn historical line of demarcation persists between Caribbean and AfricanAmericans.

One of problems mitigating against more effective unity, is the

Colin Powell

difference in heritage of the two communities. Some American Blacks harbor the opinion that Caribbean migrants never really understood their bitter experience from slavery through Jim Crow segregation and the struggles for and after gaining Civil Rights. On the other hand, Caribbean migrants remain proud of their Caribbean heritage, seeking to be identified as an autonomous ethnic bloc, separate from the AfricanAmerican community.

Advocates seeking after a homogeneous black race, believe that while it's important for the broad Caribbean community to have its own autonomy, it's also important that the community not alienate itself from the African-American community.

To some extent, the historical experience of migrants from the English-speaking Caribbean is different from American-born blacks.

These migrants experienced comparatively less racial prejudice or segregation living in the Caribbean. So it's imperative, that Caribbean migrants seek to learn and understand the African-American experience, and vice versa, for the two communities to have a stronger appreciation of each other.

Undoubtedly, the roots of Caribbean and African-Americans are largely in the soil of Africa. Although the experiences from the day the first slave ship sailed from Africa to North America and the Caribbean are different, both groups share a common experience, co-existing in America.

Many Caribbean-Americans are engrained in Black history and Caribbean-American and AfricanAmerican history is engrained in American history. Moreover, the development of the CaribbeanAmerican community has strengthened the political impact of America's Black community.

The American Black community has the potential to be stronger the more African-Americans and Caribbean migrants assimilate. After all, America recognizes one Black race and celebrates one Black history, irrespective of the origins of those who comprise this race.

Next week: Profile of some Caribbean-Americans in US Black history.

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7

The Immigration Reform Fight Begins In Congress

By Immigration Attorney Caroly Pedersen

Now that a temporary budget deal has been passed through February, a fight is brewing in Congress over the next big issue – immigration.

Protecting Dreamers with a permanent DACA law remains the highest priority for Democrats. However, Republicans want to use it as a bargaining tool in exchange for massive cuts in legal immigration.

The conservative Republican agenda includes allowing for some DACA protections without a path to citizenship, as long as Democrats agree to the elimination of most family-based immigration.

This is an almost impossible situation because Schumer

Republicans control the Congress. In an effort to get a deal last month, Democrats caved in on President Trump's multi-billion border wall funding, cuts to legal immigration like the Green Card lottery (Diversity Visa) and even some to family-based categories as well.

If the fight gets really ugly and Republicans draw a hard line, it's unlikely Democrats would strive to keep the sibling family immigration category for brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens, called F4. Even married children of U.S. citizens and their families, called F3, may be up for negotiation as well.

It's a sad time for our nation, with the cherished ideal of the American Dream at stake! Immigrants are the best asset America has to keep it at the forefront as a leader of the world's best technology, innovations and democracy. There does not seem to be much hope for a positive outcome in the current political climate for Dreamers or even Trump immigrants' as a whole.

H-1B Work Visa Application Season Starts On April 1st The USCIS will begin accepting new H-1B work visa applications on April 1st to allow foreign nationals to begin working for a U.S. employer in 2018.

The demand for H-1B visas is expected to rise again this year, with an anticipated 300,000 applications for only 65,000 available visas. Because of the anticipated shortage of visas, those hoping to obtain an H-1B visa this

year, particularly students on Optional Practical Training (OPT), should line up a U.S. employer willing to support the H-1B visa request quickly, in order to begin processing the case for filing

by April 1st.

As background, the H-1B work visa allows qualifying foreign nationals to work for a U.S. employer for up to six years and even longer when an employer sponsors the H-1B worker for permanent residency or a green card.

To qualify, the H-1B visa requires the foreign national to possess a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent, and be offered a professional position in a U.S. company. After obtaining an

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H-1B visa, immigrants, (and their families), often obtain a green card through their H-1B employer in a process called Labor Certification.

The Trump administration has plans to reform the program and make it more difficult to qualify. But instead, it seems to be endlessly preoccupied with its ongoing Whitehouse scandals, so for now, eligibility remains the same.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7 –

Idris Elba's 'Yardie' Opens To Poor Reviews British-born, African-roots actor turned director, Idris Elba's 'Yardie' film opened at the Sundance Film festival to poor reviews.

The film is about a younger brother taking revenge for his older brother's gang killing in Kingston, Jamaica. In the movie, Jerry Dread, played by Jamaican actor Everaldo Creary, stops the music at an outdoor party to encourage a truce between warring gangs. But as his little brother Denis looks on from the crowd, an assassin's bullet rings out, taking Jerry's life.

A decade later, Denis, played by Aml Ameen, is the right-hand man to gang-boss Fox, who sends him on a loyalty-testing mission to London. But when the mission goes wrong, Denis hides out with an old flame and decides to find his brother's killer.

Guardian reviewer Jordan Hoffman gave it two stars while it got only one Rotten Tomatoes.

“Despite flashes of brilliance the crime drama, set in Jamaica and the UK, has a plodding narrative and lacks emotional resonance,” Hoffman wrote, while on Rotten Tomatoes says: “Yardie has the right look, the right sound and the right moves to play with the bigger boys of its genre; like its young, scrappy but naive hero, however, there's not quite enough power behind its posturing.”

The film was Elba's first directorial debut and was an adaptation of the 1992 Victor Headley novel, 'Yardie,' about the collision of Jamaican culture in London.

Casting and some filming was done in Jamaica.

It also features Jamaican newcomers Shantol Jackson and Sheldon Shepherd.

The film is produced by Robin Gutch and Gina Carter for Warp Films. It is co-financed by Studiocanal, the BFI, BBC Films and Screen Yorkshire. Universal Music is also a partner in the film, with its Island Records label set to release the soundtrack.

C1

ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ

Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica Now #1 Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica has now taken the number one spot on the Billboard Reggae Charts this week, sending Hollie Cook and Vessel of Love plummeting to number 4.

The album includes performances from a number of top artists, including Ed Sheeran, Sean Paul and Damian and Stephen Marley. The 15-track album, digitally released by Contractor Music Group, based in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and was distributed by Atlanta-based Amada Records under the EAE Management Group.

In the number two spot for another week is Damian Marley's 'Stoney Hill' while taking the number three spot this week, up from five last week, is 'Marching Orders' by The Green.

Jamaican Actress To Play Megan Markle In Lifetime Movie

Nadine Sutherland To Be Honored At Blue And Bougie

A former Miss Jamaica Fashion Model winner turned actress will play Megan Markle in a Lifetime movie, set to air this spring.

Parisa Fitz-Henley, 41, will star in the movie dubbed 'Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance.' It depicts the whirlwind romance of the soon-to-wed British royal couple, Prince Harry and Megan Markle.

Fitz-Henley will star opposite Murray Fraser, who will play Prince Harry. The movie is set to air this spring, before the Royal wedding.

The Kingston, Jamaica-born Fitz-Henley is a dead ringer for Markle and you might also recognize her from her role as Reva Connors from 'Jessica Jones' and 'Luke Cage' as well as the NBC drama Midnight, Texas.

Markle and Prince Harry are set to wed on May 19th, less than six months after they got engaged.

Jamaican songstress Nadine Sutherland, is one of five persons to be honored at the inaugural Blue & Bougie party, scheduled for Mingles Café in the Bronx, New York, on February 18.

Suzette Williams, a Jamaican philanthropist, and Jessie Woo, host of Set Trippin’ on BET, are the other awardees of Caribbean descent.

“It’s important to honor successful Caribbean nationals in the Diaspora who have done well, who have made an impact in their chosen careers. We must honor them now, rather than wait until they are old and grey,” said Blue & Bougie executive Jerry McDonald.

Idris Elba (right) instructs cast member Aml Ameen on the set of Yardie

Fitz-Henley

C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR NORWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to award one Construction firm for the following General Obligation Bond (GOB) project:

PROJECT NO. 01423800 NORWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM ADDITION AND RENOVATIONS 19810 N.W. 14TH COURT MIAMI GARDENS, FL 33169 BIDS DUE: Sealed bids will be received by The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, for the project listed herein, until 2:00 P.M. local time, Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 1450 N.E. Second Avenue, Room 650, Miami, Florida, following which time and place, or as soon there-after as the Board can attend to the same, the said bids will be publicly opened, read and tabulated in Board Auditorium, Miami-Dade County School Board Administration Building, by an authorized representative of the Board. Award of the contract will be made to the lowest, pre-qualified responsible and responsive bidder for the actual amount bid considering base bid and accepted alternates (if any) as listed in the bidding documents. The Board will award the contract based upon the results of the tabulations as covered by applicable laws and regulations.

Bidders desiring to participate in this solicitation must be pre-qualified by the Board prior to submitting their bid in response to this solicitation. Contact the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Office of Economic Opportunity at (305) 995-1307 for information regarding Contractors' Pre-qualification procedures.

QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this project will be accepted. All written communications must be sent to the Project Architect/Engineer, Jorge Joffe (jjoffe@zyscovich.com), Zyscovich Architects, 100 North Biscayne Blvd., 27th Floor, Miami, Florida 33132.

MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE (Norwood Elementary School): Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at the Norwood Elementary School on 19810 N.W. 14 Court, Miami Gardens, Florida. There will be a sign-in period from 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Potential bidders arriving after the fifteen (15) minute sign-in period will not be allowed to participate in this solicitation. Proposals submitted by firms not represented at the Mandatory PreBid Conference will not be considered.

BOARD POLICIES: Cone of Silence A Cone of Silence, pursuant to Board Policy 6325, shall commence with the issuance of this Legal Advertisement and shall terminate at the time the item is presented by the Superintendent to the appropriate Board committee immediately prior to the Board meeting at which the Board will award or approve a contract, reject all bids or responses, or take any other action that ends the solicitation and review process. Any violation of this rule shall be investigated by the Board's Inspector General and shall result in the disqualification of the potential applicant from the competitive solicitation process, rejection of any recommendation for award, or the revocation of an award to the vendor as being void, rendering void any previous or prior awards. The potential vendor or vendor's representative determined to have violated this rule, shall be subject to debarment.

General questions regarding the legal advertisement will be sent to the Office of Capital Improvement Projects via email at ocip@dadeschools.net, and a copy filed with the Clerk of the School Board at celiarubio@dadeschools.net (or at 1450 NE 2nd Avenue, Room 311, Miami, Florida 33132), who shall make copies available to the public upon request.

Lobbyist Lobbyist requirements, pursuant to Board Policy 8150, shall be applicable to this solicitation and all proposers and lobbyists shall strictly conform to, and be governed by, the requirements set forth therein. Contact the Clerk of the School Board for additional information.

Vendor and Employment Preference Local-Vendor Preference, pursuant to Board Policy 6320.05, shall apply to this solicitation. Based on Board policy, Local Business means a vendor or business that has a valid business tax receipt, issued by a jurisdiction located in Miami-Dade County, that has either (1) its headquarters, manufacturing facility, or locally-owned franchise located within the legal boundaries of Miami Dade County, for at least twelve (12) months, or (2) has an office with a street address within the boundaries of Miami-Dade County for at least twenty-four (24) months, calculated from the bid or proposal opening date. Post office boxes are not verifiable and shall not be used for the purpose of establishing said physical address. In order to be considered for local preference, vendors must provide a copy of their business tax receipt and the Local Business Affidavit of Eligibility with their proposal. Proposers who fail to submit the required documents will not be considered for Vendor Preference.

Jessica Lunsford Act The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Florida's House Bill 1877 “Jessica Lunsford Act” (JLA); FS 1012.465, 1012.32, 1012.467 & 1012.468 and Board Policy 4121.01, Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all Employees (also refer to Board Policy 8475).

Ethics, Conflict of Interest and Anti-Fraud Proposers responding to this solicitation shall comply with the following ethics, conflict of interest and anti-fraud policies: - Board Policy 6460, Business Code of Ethics; - Board Policy 6460, Disclosure of Employment of Former School Board Employees; - Board Policy 8700, Anti-Fraud; and all related Board policies and procedures, as applicable Contractor Debarment Procedures Pursuant to Board Policy 6320.04, Contractor Discipline Procedures, debarred contractors are excluded from conducting business with the Board as agents, representatives, partners, and associates of other contractors, subcontractors or individual sureties.

Commercial Anti-discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion Proposers responding to this solicitation shall comply with the following anti-discrimination policies: - Board Policy 6465, Commercial Anti-discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (proposers shall be required to certify compliance with Board Policy 6465); - Board Policy 1362.02, 3362.02 and 4362.02, Anti-discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure; and - all related Board policies and procedures, as applicable SMBE & M/WBE Programs SMBE & M/WBE Programs, in accordance with Board Policy 6320.02 and the “Small/Micro Business Enterprise Program Administrative Procedures Manual” Board-approved May 8, 2014, shall be applicable to this solicitation. Contact the Office of Economic Opportunity at 305-995-1307 or OEO@dadeschools.net for list of certified firms.

Protest Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed and in the manner specified in Board Policy 6320 (Purchase Approval and Competitive Bidding Process Requirements) or in accordance with FS Section 120.57(3) shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under FS Chapter 120.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The proposer acknowledges that all information contained in their RFQ Response is part of public domain as defined by the State of Florida Sunshine Law. Therefore, any information received is subject to public inspection and copying in accordance with FS 119. No action on the part of the proposer would create an obligation of confidentiality on the part of the School Board including, but not limited to, making a reference in the RFQ Response to trade secrets FS 812.081 and 815.045. It is recommended that potential proposers exclude from their response any information that, in their judgment, may be considered a trade secret.

Board policies, as amended from time to time, can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.neola.com/miamidade-fl/.

The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Florida's House Bill 1877 “Jessica Lunsford Act” (JLA); FS 1012.465, 1012.32, 1012.467 & 1012.468 and Board Policy 4121.01, Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed and in the manner specified in Board Policy 6320 or in accordance with §120.57(3). Fla. Stat. (2014) shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

Pre-qualified bidders may obtain a CD of the documents for construction at no cost or a full set of printed documents for construction at the bidder's expense from the office of Thomas Printworks, 5000 S.W. 75th Avenue, #114, Miami, Florida 33155, on and after February 12, 2018.

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY Assistance levels have been established at: Norwood Elementary School: MBE/SBE Mandatory Subcontracting Goals: 20% Construction and 20% Local Work Force, countrywide.

Aspirational M/WBE Subcontracting Goals: 10% African American and 5% Women The Board reserves the right to waive informalities and to reject any and all bids.

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Alberto M. Carvalho Superintendent of Schools

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7 –

The 2018 T&T Soca Monarch Is? T

rinidad Carnival may be over and we may be into the Lenten season, but we're sure you will agree, soca is undoubtedly “in” all year long. So who took home the 2018 Soca Monarch title? In case you missed it, it was Helon Francis.

Francis was crowned as 'Calypso King of the World' when he captured the 2018 National Calypso Monarch title at Sunday's Dimanche Gras at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

Singing his thought provoking, nation building song “Change,” Francis earned 442 points to take the crown ahead of Aaron St Louis (Voice), 433, and Rondell Donowa with 427.

His song called on citizens to make change their duty, singing: “Change the change within the society, otherwise we have a bandit factory, but things wouldn't change despite all we do, if change doesn't start with you.”

C3

Bounty Killer Donates 60 Beds To Jamaica Hospitals Jamaican Dancehall artiste Bounty Killer, has extended a helping hand to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) and Victoria Jubilee Hospitals in downtown Kingston by donating more than 60 beds to the institutions.

The deejay, whose real name is Rodney Price, said he was decided to help after seeing several reports about the state of the island’s health sector.

He revealed that he received assistance from a friend in the international health sector in securing the beds at an affordable price.

He told reporters that he was able to get them into the country hassle-free via a waiver from the finance ministry.

This comes on the heels of the J$100 million raised by the Shaggy ‘Make a Difference Foundation’ for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Watch Out For Sikka Rymes Is Sikka Rymes the next dancehall singer to watch? If you trust incarcerated deejay Vybz Kartel's judgment, then he is. Rymes was labeled as one to watch on a Kartel Instagram post last week.

In an interview with The STAR, Rymes says he has been ready to take the music industry by storm for quite some time, but expressed that after the endorsement from the 'Worl' Boss' himself, he will be kicking things up a notch.

Sikka Rymes is the cousin of former Gaza member Shawn Storm, who was introduced to Kartel while he was still attending school in Portmore. His songs include “Love Di People” and “Dollaz.”

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7

Sudoku

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33. Detroit time zone (abbr.)

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49. Swerve 50. Before, in poems 51. Small pie 52. Messes up 53. Boy

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45. Voice actor _____ Blanc 46. Memorable time 47. Maroon

Last week’s answer

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T A E D N S

T E A N N S 242

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 15 – FEB 21, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 7 –

Windies To Play T20 Series In Texas

Team West Indies

The West Indies cricket team are set to play a Twenty20 International in the city of Houston, Texas for the first time later this year as part of a Tri-Nations Series involving Pakistan and Bangladesh.

An unnamed senior Pakistan Cricket Board official told the Indian Express newspaper that the series, scheduled for August, had been finalized following discussions between PCB chairman Najam Sethi and Cricket West Indies president, Dave Cameron, on the sidelines of the recent International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai.

Matches For Fort Lauderdale Too The series, will also see matches also played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is a reciprocal tour that follows from the highly

anticipated three-match tour, carded for March/April, when Pakistan is expected to host the Caribbean side.

So far, every T20 International played on United States soil has been staged at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with the most recent action being a two-match series between the Windies and India two years ago.

The proposal for a match to be hosted in the southern United States represents a further incursion into the lucrative North American market.

Only last year, the PCB had announced a five-year agreement that would have seen the Windies tour Pakistan annually for a threematch T20 series, with Pakistan contesting reciprocal series in the US, involving the Caribbean unit. But the PCB said this year they

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Meanwhile, the PCB have finalized the dates for the upcoming Windies tour, with matches scheduled for March 29th and 31st, and April 1st.

The PCB is hoping to have international tours of Pakistan resume, following an eightyear break after the Sri Lanka team bus was attacked by militants on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore back in 2009.

Following a three-match Independence Cup series, involving a World XI last September in Lahore, the ICC praised Pakistan for its handling of security, noting that the success of the event sent a positive message to the international community about safety in the country.

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D1

CASA Super and Masters Leagues Underway

By C. Brown The Caribbean Americas Soccer Association (CASA) competitions continued this past week with double headers in both the Masters' and Super League tournaments at the Lauderhill Sports Park in Lauderhill.

In the early Masters League contest, Western FC registered a one nil win over Attackers FC to start their season. Kenton Claire was the hero in this very close encounter. Claire, who is one of the stars of the old Western FC Super League teams and a debutant in the competition, scored the first goal for the Western Masters League team.

In the other Masters game, 2017 champions Old Tymers, came out the 3-0 winner against newcomers CT FC, with Jonathan Williams notching a hat trick accounting for all three goals.

Meanwhile, in the Super League curtain raiser, Rock Island Strikers walked away with a 2-1 win over UD Miami FC. Rock Island took an early 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Kashief Brown and Ramona Sibley.

UD Miami had several opportunities to pull themselves back into the game, including a penalty kick that was missed by last year golden boot winner, Luis Peralta. However, they managed to pull a goal back late on in the game (own goal) but it was too little too late.

In the feature game, last year champions Lauderdale Lakes Blazers, took home a one nil win against a very good Team Haiti. In fact, the Haitians were very unlucky not to get at least a draw out of the game, which was evenly balanced. They were very good on attack but squandered many chances to score, leaving only themselves to blame.

Adrian Reid scored the winner for the Blazers mid-way through the second.

Palm Beach Spartans, who is participating in the Casa Super League for the first time, walked away with a 1-1 tie against Lauderhill Juniors in the season's opening fixture last Wednesday.

The league matches continue this weekend with Plantation FC facing-off against Palm Beach Spartans at 8:15 p.m. in the Super League, while in the Masters League, Lauderdale FC will tackle South Florida Kickers at 4:30 p.m. and Chapel Trial will play Rockers FC at 6:15 p.m. at the Lauderhill Sports Park in Lauderhill.

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D3

Jamaican Women Bobsledders Get Ready To Take To The Ice Jamaican bobsledders will get their first chance on the ice of PyeongChang next week and the eyes of the world will surely be watching.

The team of pilot Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian, 'push-man' Carrie Russell and alternate Audra Segree have captivated the world, with many dubbing them 'Cool Runnings II.' The Jamaican women are making their debut as bobsledders for their homeland at the Winter Olympics, exactly 30 years after their male counterparts did the same in Calgary, Canada in 1988.

Fenlator-Victorian, Russell, and Segree's two-man women's bobsled heats will start around 6:50 p.m.

EST on Tuesday, Feb. 20th. The second heat will start about an hour later. The third and fourth heats, with the fourth determining who wins what medals, will start on Wednesday, Feb. 21st, around 6:40 p.m. EST and 7:50 p.m. EST.

Fenlator-Victorian, Russell, and Segree's two-man women's bobsled heats will start around 6:50 p.m.

EST on Tuesday, February 20.

In order to watch the Jamaican bobsled team compete at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, you'll either have to have access to cable or view it online. All of the Olympic events will be aired on NBC, but if you don't have cable, you can watch the Olympics livestream at NBCOlympics.com.

Ahead of the heats, Fenlator-Victorian, who was born in the US to a Jamaican father, said that “it's important for me that little girls … little girls and little boys … see someone who looks like them, talks like them, has the same culture as them, has the same crazy, curly hair and wears it natural, has brown skin, included in different things in this world.”

“When you grow up and you don't see that, you feel that you can't do it. And that is not right,” she added. “So, coming back home to Jamaica, I wanted my Jamaican people to see they could do it.

And there is not just one path that way or one path this way to get out of poverty, to make money or to make a name for themselves. If they want to be a Winter Olympian and do alpine skiing, now they see their fellow Jamaicans doing it.”

St. Bess, Lauderhill Jammers And Palm Beach Titans All Victorious

By D. Maitland

St. Bess, Lauderhill Jammers and Palm Beach were all victorious at the South Florida Cricket Alliance, (SFCA) 40 Overs Competition last Sunday, February 11, 2018.

John Stretch Park In Clewiston: Southshore Vs. St. Bess St Bess won the toss and batted first, scoring 180 all-out in 35.5 of the allotted 38 overs after the overs were reduced due to a late

start. Sherwlyn Powell top scored with 30, which included 3 sixes and one four while Nakia Smith scored 26 with 3 fours. Irfan Hassan hit 21, which included 3 fours while Devon Clarke made 16 with 2 fours, and Lurville Ebanks, 14 with 1four. Bowling for Southshore, Maxie Gayle took 3 for 29 and Michael Nembhard 2 for 18.

In reply, Southshore were bungled out for a paltry 58 all out. Bradley Chung was the only batsman to get to double figures of 32 with 4 fours). Bowling for St. Bess, Devon Clarke took 3 for 16, Mark Simpson 3 for 23 and 11-year-old Adam Khan, 2 for 3 from two overs, giving St. Bess victory by 122 runs.

Lauderhill Jammers Vs. Tropics United At The Lauderhill Sports Park

Port St. Lucie Vs. Palm Beach Titans At Girl Scout Friendship Park

Tropics won the toss and took first strike, reaching 101 all-out. Ernie Joseph scored 27 not out with 2 fours and 1six while Berth Davis added 18 with 2 fours, and Philer, 12 with 2 fours). Bowling for Jammers, Timmy Surujbally took 3 for 16 and Shawn Finley 3 for 29.

In reply Lauderhill Jammers powered their way to 105 for 2 in 11.5 overs. Timmy Surujbally top scored with 70 not-out, which included 6 fours and 7 sixes. Dean Morgan added 18 with 2 fours. Bowling for Tropics United, Marcel Graham bagged 1for 35. Jammers won by eight wickets.

Port St. Lucie reached 175 for 9 in their allotted 40 overs. Elton Tucker, Jr. added 33; Richard Louis 24 and Roger Joshua 18. Bowling for Palm Beach Titans, Junaid Hossain Khan grabbed 3 for 21 and Paul Ramkissoon 3 for 27.

In reply, Palm Beach Titans made 176 for 9 with Nathan Essenston adding 52 and Dalip Madnani 26. Bowling for Port St. Lucie, Don Sampson bagged 4 for 25 and Lynworth Gregory 2 for 19. Palm Beach Titans won by one wicket.

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D4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

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