RMC News

Home
RMC News

RMC News We keep you in the know with the latest News, Sports, Current Events and Entertainment.

20/02/2025

Police shot and killed a man during a confrontation in Longdenville last night, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said.

According to the TTPS, around 10 p.m., officers from the Longdenville Police Post and the Central Division Task Force (CDTF) North were on patrol along Longdenville Old Road when they stopped a suspicious white Nissan Tiida.

One of the occupants, identified as priority firearm offender Nathaniel Gittens, allegedly opened fire on the officers. Police returned fire, hitting Gittens.

Officers took him to the Chaguanas Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police stated that they recovered a G***k pistol and an extended magazine at the scene. Investigations are ongoing.

20/02/2025

Incumbent Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne has stated that anything is possible when it comes to her contesting the Tabaquite seat, even if it is with another political party.

This comes as the fate of her candidacy lies in the hands of the United National Congress’ (UNC) screening committee, following her interview yesterday.

Haynes-Alleynes was one of four nominees which included former Opposition senator and UNC’s 2020 general election candidate for San Fernando West Sean Sobers, UNC events manager Kevan Gibbs and businessman Eli Zakour to be screed for the seat.

20/02/2025

The Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL) has confirmed that two fires were detected at the Beetham Landfill Site at approximately 11:30pm on Wednesday (February 19, 2025).

According to a statement issued by SWMCOL a short while ago, one fire is located on the eastern side while the other is on the western tip of the landfill.

“The fire on the Western Tip is generating smoke, which may affect the air quality of Port of Spain and Environs,” SWMCOL advises.

SWMCOL says its Emergency Management Team is working closely with the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services (TTFS) to extinguish the flames and bring both fires under control.

The waste management company says it will update the public in subsequent bulletins.

20/02/2025

Minister of Public Concern, Marvin Gonzales has stated that a contractor from South Trinidad has been charged in connection with a water racket in Morne Diablo last year.

He made the announcement as he revealed a police investigation is underway into a water racket allegedly involving councillors and staff from the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.

Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony for the Guanapo/North Oropouche Water Treatment Plant, Gonzales yesterday accused some elected officials and employees within the Sangre Grande Corporation of deliberately disrupting the water supply in the area to create a demand for truck water.

He claimed it is being carried out in collusion with employees from the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA).

Gonzales said the scheme sees residents being exploited and forced to pay exorbitant prices for water deliveries.

“I cannot delve deeper into the details of the investigation, but what I can confirm is that a statement was made in Parliament indicating that the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, which has oversight of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, received evidence related to the matter,” Gonzales said.

“Additionally, the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is actively investigating information passed to them concerning illegal water trucking within the Sangre Grande Corporation. The ministry is addressing the issue from an administrative standpoint, while the TTPS is conducting a criminal investigation.”

Last year, Gonzales revealed a water racket ring in Morne Diablo, a rural community where over 5,000 residents were deprived of a regular water supply and forced to purchase truck-borne water.

Yesterday, Gonzales gave an update on that matter as he said a contractor from South Trinidad has been charged for water racketeering in Morne Diablo. Initial investigations revealed that a former employee of WASA orchestrated the multi-million-dollar water trucking scam in the area.

20/02/2025

Cumuto/Manzanilla Member of Parliament Dr Rai Ragbir says while he has had no discussions with the People’s National Movement (PNM) about securing a position within the party, he remains open to serving the people of Trinidad and Tobago in any capacity, regardless of political affiliation.

“I have to talk to God and my family. I am family-oriented and God-fearing,” Ragbir shared.

Questioned by reporters after he delivered remarks following the sod-turning ceremony for the Guanapo/North Oropouche Water Treatment Plant, which would boost the water supply to his constituents, Ragbir was asked about his political future after he bowed out of the United National Congress’ screening process for the seat he now holds.

As his son prepares to celebrate his 18th birthday this month, Ragbir also reflected on his personal journey of balancing public service with family and health considerations.

“Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,” he said, “But I am ready to serve.”

When pressed about any possibility of him joining forces with the PNM, Ragbir said, “It is a consideration. Once I get the opportunity to serve in any capacity, regardless of party, and they find me credible, I will serve.”

Responding to Ragbir’s seeming willingness to work with the PNM, Public Utilities Minister and Lopinot/Bon Air West MP Marvin Gonzales noted, “We have had numerous occasions where persons have left the UNC. We can point to many instances where individuals have left the UNC and joined the People’s National Movement.”

Gonzales also said he was concerned about Ragbir’s safety.

20/02/2025

Residents of Ramjattan Trace, La Horquetta, whose homes were recently demolished, say they are hopeful they will be included in the Government’s plan to build 500 residential units for squatters who occupy both State and private lands.

On February 6, more than a dozen people were displaced after the Commissioner of State Lands (COSL) gave a directive to tear down 12 homes at the site.

At a key distribution ceremony in San Fernando yesterday, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Camille Robinson-Regis said beneficiaries will include people from the LSA’s Squatter Regularisation Programme and people living on private lands who qualify under the LSA’s Home Village Improvement Programme criteria.

Contacted after the announcement yesterday, Ramjattan Trace resident Fatima Mohammed said while she and other affected squatters were optimistic they may be on this list after hearing of the Government’s plan, she was also mindful of how they’ve been treated by those in authority.

She said since the demolition two weeks ago, only a Housing Development Corporation (HDC) representative contacted them. Mohammed said three days after their structure was destroyed, HDC asked for their info but there has been no correspondence since.

The mother of three said residents have since rebuilt two structures for those displaced to reside in but noted that many of them are struggling.

Contacted on the emotional state of the squatters yesterday, psychiatrist Dr Varma Deyalsingh said to own and build a home is a very expensive venture and squatting was not only a T&T problem but a worldwide phenomenon.

He suggested that if the Government is going destroy a man’s home, it should be done more humanely, with time for individuals to transition from a squatter home to another home so as not disrupt their whole world.

20/02/2025

A 29-year-old man, who stole thousands of dollars from people by pretending he was a police officer and could fast track their applications to join the police service, has been arrested.

The suspect, of Union Village, La Brea, was arrested by the police on Monday.

Over the past six months, the suspect collected $1,500 from his victims to “fast track” their medicals and interviews for recruitment within the TTPS.

He would drop the victims off at a police station, instructing them to inform officers they were there for an interview, and then leave without further contact. The victims were from the Southern and South Western Divisions.

20/02/2025

The National Transformation Alliance (NTA) has said it is "deeply concerned by the deafening silence" of Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds, over the report of 25,000 rounds of ammunition missing from the Defence Force.

The police and Defence Force have launched separate investigations into the incident.

In a media release on February 19, the NTA said Hinds needs to address this national security issue.

"The failure of minister Hinds to communicate with the media and the public regarding this serious issue has only exacerbated public fear and confusion. His unwillingness to provide timely information in a situation that impacts national security speaks volumes about his disregard for transparency and accountability."

The NTA said the missing ammo has the potential to cause panic, undermine the public’s confidence in the national security apparatus, and damage the Defence Force's reputation, particularly the army.

"It is vital that the minister takes immediate action to restore trust and ensure that such incidents are thoroughly investigated."

The NTA, led by former CoP Gary Griffith, called for an external audit team to confirm whether the claim is accurate and to determine whether the ammunition was expended for training purposes, transferred to other units, or stolen.

"This is an important point to consider because sometimes discrepancies may be due to ammunition stored being transferred for operational use or for training purposes, creating the false impression that ammunition is missing, making it a simple accounting error."

In any case, it said, "The public needs clarity on whether this incident is an administrative error or something more sinister. The lack of immediate action has the potential to embarrass the Defence Force, which may be unjustified, and it could also have far-reaching consequences for the country’s international standing."

20/02/2025

Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association still waiting on their 4% wage negotiations for the bargaining period 2020 to 2023!

20/02/2025

Tobago schools are seeing an increase in cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, according to the Division of Education, Research and Technology (DERTech).

The division is working with the Education District Health Unit and the Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection to manage the outbreak and prevent further spread.

The division said that cases tend to rise seasonally, similar to the flu, and the increase was expected at this time of year.

The island’s schools have been instructed to follow established protocols for infectious diseases, which include strict hygiene measures, frequent handwashing, and sanitising high-touch surfaces.

The division has asked parents to monitor their children for symptoms such as fever, mouth sores, and rashes on the hands and feet, keeping them at home if they show signs of illness.

The protocols also apply to other seasonal infections, including impetigo, which has also been on the rise in Tobago.

Schools have already begun to receive guidance on enforcing hygiene practices and maintaining a safe environment for students. The health division will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

20/02/2025

The 64-year-old woman killed in a home invasion in Moruga is also believed to have been sexually assaulted.

Durpatee Chance's body was found in her bedroom at the family's home at Moruga Main Road in St Mary's Village around 5 am on February 20.

She is believed to have been strangled. A cord was found around her neck, her feet were tied and her underwear pulled down.

Her husband, 71, was beaten and tied up in a nearby room, but survived the ordeal. He was taken to the Princes Town District Health Facility.

The killers also stole a quantity of money.

Chance was last seen alive on the night of February 19.

Supt Persad, Insp Teeluck, Cpl Jilmansingh and other police from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region Three, as well as the Southern Division police, visited the scene and gathered evidence.

Moruga/ Tableland MP Michelle Benjamin said she was deeply saddened and outraged by the incident.

"This heinous act is yet another devastating blow to our community, which has been living in fear due to the unchecked rise in violent crime," a media statement from the MP said on February 20.

Benjamin said she has repeatedly called on the National Security Minister to prioritise crime-fighting efforts in the constituency, where home invasions, robberies, and murders have become all too common.

The opposition MP accused the government of turning a blind eye to the suffering "of our people, offering empty promises while families are left grieving their loved ones.

"How many more innocent lives must be lost before the government takes real action? The people of Moruga/Tableland deserve to feel safe in their own homes, yet criminals operate without fear of consequence."

This is a developing story.

19/02/2025

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds has issued two new preventive detention orders under the emergency powers regulations which govern the state of emergency (SoE).

The first order targets Kevin Paynter, of Lashley Street, Tunapuna, who has been identified as a main shooter for the Resistance Organised Crime Gang (OCG).

The second detention order was issued on February 15, for Harris Baba O’Connor, also known as “Baba” or “Onion,” of Samson Trace, Cunupia. O’Connor is alleged to be a key associate of a criminal organisation responsible for multiple violent gun-related crimes and arson attacks across Cunupia and neighbouring areas. According to the ministry, he has conspired to kill members of the public under the instructions of the organisation’s incarcerated leader.

19/02/2025

A golden statue at the site of the San Fernando redevelopment project near King’s Wharf has become a point of contention for the First Peoples Warao community in San Fernando for its ‘inaccurate representation’ of indigenous people.

They have called for the structure to be altered or removed by its installer.

Intended as a tribute to the region’s indigenous community, the depiction of a person garbed in traditional indigenous attire and headdress was recently erected along Lady Hailes Avenue in San Fernando.

But as the freshly mounted figure made its debut without official designation or signage, Warao Shaman Raould Simon said that the depiction was rife with inaccuracies.

19/02/2025

Minister of Education: Criminal activities have decreased in schools

Reality: A 13-year-old Form One student of Tranquillity Government Secondary School was robbed of an iPhone 12 on the compound on Monday by three masked individuals wearing the school’s uniform.

Make it make sense!

19/02/2025

A 34-year-old woman died, and a Maracas St Joseph man lost both legs in two separate accidents on Wednesday morning.

Around 4 a.m., Nickeila Ryan of Mon Repos Road, Morvant, died in a head-on collision along Lady Young Road, Morvant.

Police said Ryan was driving a Nissan Tiida north along the roadway when she crashed. Her death brought the road fatality toll to 10 for the year, five fewer than last year.

An hour earlier, Jason Roberts lost both legs after crashing into a bus shed along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

Police said Roberts, of Wharf Trace, Maracas St Joseph, was heading west around 3:05 a.m. when he reportedly lost control of his Nissan Tiida and crashed into a bus shed near Xtra Foods.

Roberts remains warded in a stable but serious condition. Fire officials reported that only one of his legs was retrieved. A passenger sustained a major laceration to one of his legs.

19/02/2025

For seven years, the Ramkissoon family of Humming Bird Avenue, Ojoe Road, Sangre Grande, has endured relentless noise from a neighbour’s loud music, which they say is affecting their health. Both heart patients, they report that the continuous noise is taking a toll on their mental and physical well-being.

They have filed multiple complaints with the police and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), but the problem persists. According to the family, a professional DJ plays music from a large truck, shaking their home.

“The music starts at 11 p.m. and goes until morning, preventing us from sleeping and disturbing our children’s studies,” they said.

The Ramkissoons said they spoke to their neighbours, but their complaints were ignored. Despite warnings from authorities, the music stops temporarily before resuming at full volume.

Other residents, speaking anonymously, said they fear reporting the issue due to threats from individuals connected to the household.

They claim that police officers living at the residence reveal the identities of those who file complaints. “We’re living in hell,” one resident said. “Our children can’t study, and working adults struggle through the day without rest.”

Sangre Grande police confirmed receiving complaints and said they have warned those responsible. However, a senior officer explained that they cannot remain at the scene all night, as they have other areas to patrol.

The festive season brings additional distress, as fireworks land on their roof and in their yard. “As elderly people, we can’t even enjoy peace in our own home,” they said. “How much longer must we endure this noise, four nights a week?”

They are now pleading for intervention from the Commissioner of Police, hoping for a resolution that will allow them to live in peace.

19/02/2025

Even as she denounced squatting as illegal, Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Regis says the government will be constructing 500 residential units this year for squatters who occupy both State and private lands.

Speaking at a keys distribution held at San Fernando City Hall auditorium on Wednesday, Robinson-Regis said the 500 beneficiaries will include people from the LSA's Squatter Regularisation Programme as well as persons living on private lands who qualify under the LSA's Home Village Improvement Programme criteria.

She said people who squat are breaking the law.

"The government cannot allow the illegal occupation to persist. Land ownership is not a guessing game—whether State or privately owned, squatting is unlawful," she said. Cognisant of the plight of poor squatters Robinson-Regis said regularisation will continue.

"For Fiscal 2025, we have set a target of building 500 new residential units. This underscores our commitment to addressing housing needs across the country," Robinson-Regis said.

She noted that construction was underway on 76 units, with contracts signed for another 126 units, which are expected to begin soon. The projected cost of these units is $113,472,320.

The keys to 50 units were distributed to beneficiaries in Chaguanas, Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Mayaro, Princes Town, San Fernando, and Siparia, she said.

In the coming weeks, the Minister revealed another 48 units will be allocated to residents in Arima, Diego Martin, San Juan/Laventille, Sangre Grande, and Tunapuna/Piarco.

19/02/2025

An altercation between two men at Indian Walk, Moruga, has left one dead and the other in custody.

Initial reports said Brian Felix St Paul, 29, also called Woogie, died at the Princes Town District Health Facility on the afternoon of February 18.

The police said he and a male relative from Princes Town had an argument near St Paul’s home at Fort George Road.

St Paul was stabbed and taken to the health facility, where he was pronounced dead.

Officers from the Southern Division and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region Three, responded and gathered evidence.

The relative was also detained.

Address

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when RMC News posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to RMC News:

Videos

Two persons were fortunate to escape serious injury as galvanize got loose from a transport truck. There are reports that the incident occurred in Fyzabad.

Stabbing incident at Signal Hill Comprehensive School (COMPRE)

Three men were killed while driving along west-bound lane of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Wednesday afternoon near Spring Village, Valsayn. The men were in a station wagon when gunmen opened fire on the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into the pillars of a sign outside a business. Three men bolted from the vehicle but were chased after by gunmen. One man was killed on the highway as he fled. Another was killed at the wheel of the crashed vehicle after one of the at least three gunmen fired into the vehicle. A third was chased and killed outside a house. One woman, a bystander, was also shot in the head according to residents in the area.

Shortcuts

Address
Alerts
Contact The Business
Videos
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Country:

City:

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

20/02/2025

19/02/2025

19/02/2025

19/02/2025

19/02/2025

19/02/2025

19/02/2025

19/02/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Videos

Shortcuts

Share