The Ministry of Tourism has announced that a 1.3-Million-Dollar financing package has been invested into the restoration of iconic cultural centers of Dominica.
 
Some of these buildings include the Dominica Arawak house of culture, the old mill cultural center and others.
 
Chief Cultural Officer Raymond Lawrence is happy to announce that the work has commenced on the Arawak House of Culture and that preparations are being made to construct a new permanent stage at the Old mill cultural Centre.
 
He is hopeful for completion by May this Year.” 

​Chief Cultural Officer, Raymond Lawrence

​Carnival Queen Contestant Ms Aaliyah Martin representing the community of Campbell says she is proud to be sponsored by ORISAV Inc and is looking forward to representing them at the Show.
 
ORISAV is a registered full-service Architecture-Engineering) and Construction Management company providing innovative and sustainable A-E designs; structural; geotechnical; civil; transportation; construction management services.
 
Their team claims that they bring passion and enthusiasm to every project, to deliver quality and overall customer experience with pride and integrity. By utilizing high level and tested principles, codes, best practices, and project management techniques, they provide clients with the best services to safeguard their lives, appeal to their requirements while maximizing investments.
 
Keron Walters Architect / Project Manager says they are proud to be a sponsor of the future queen.

​He says her only concern should be the ascension to the throne and not about sponsorship. He added that it is a good way to give back as well.

Meantime Ms Martin says she is very grateful for the opportunity and thanks everyone who assisted on her journey.

​Queen Contestant Ms Aaliyah Martin
 
Meantime, DFC Events Coordinator, Marva Williams believes the five young ladies are contributing positively to society, and should be commended.
 
Williams gave some pointed advice to the contestants at the Wednesday press conference, stating that “at the end of the day, know that you are doing something different and adding to the elevation of Mas Domnik, and to the development of Dominica in general”.
 
Williams revealed that part of the final prize is a scholarship, stating, “and I am sure that your participation in the Miss Dominica pageant will allow you an additional opportunity to receiving a scholarship to study somewhere overseas.”
 
Chrisline Tavernier of  Grand Bay is sponsored by Big Edge Financial Express; Marisol John of Sultan/Copthall is sponsored by D-Treads/Tire Inc; Britney Felix from St Joseph is sponsored by Dominica National Lottery, and Annick Williams of Goodwill is sponsored by National Health Insurance.
 
The Miss Dominica pageant is one of the highlights of Carnival, and is carded to take place on March 1st, 2019.

Dominica Red Cross has come away with the 1st place at the Carnival Float Competition, out of 10 corporate competitors.
 
This year’s carnival opening saw numerous and various styles and verities of floats being displayed on the streets of Roseau. Judges graded the floats on originality, creativity, design and other key elements that showcased the Dominica culture.

Acting Events Coordinator of the Dominica Festivals Committee Marva Williams invites interested companies or groups to take part in the next float competition.

Ag Dominica Festivals Committee Events Coordinator, Marva Williams.

​President of the National Youth Council, Paul Baron, says his committee plans to explore partnerships with the private sector and government, in an effort to bring to fruition, all of the plans of the National Youth Council, for the benefit of Dominica’s youth.
 
Baron told media, that the partnerships, once confirmed, will provide unwavering support to the young citizens in their development, and thereby play its part in securing the future of the country.

​President of the National Youth Council, Paul Baron

The magistrate's court ruled on Thursday that the case of incitement against Opposition Leader Lennox Linton is indeed set for June 11th 2019.
Lead counsel for the Police, Trinidadian Israel Khan says  the magistrate was satisfied that the defence was served with all the statements that it will be used in the case.
The Police are reportedly expecting 74 witnesses.

Lead counsel for the Police Trinidadian Israel Khan
Meantime Opposition Leader Lennox Linton says the government is quite happy to be paying high priced prosecutors, i.e; three lawyers from Trinidad to come in, not to prosecute, but to persecute him.

​Opposition Leader Lennox Linton.

Former Calypso Monarch- Tronada living in the US, will be performing at this year's Calypso Quarter Finals slated for this Saturday.
He is among 34 Calypsonians who will compete.
Among the 34 includes the three reserves from the Eliminations.
President of the DCA Davidson 'the Observer' Victor says it is customary that the judges take three reserves from the Eliminations, besides the 12 moving on.

President of the DCA Davidson 'the Observer' Victor
Meantime, four times Calypso Monarch De Karessah is celebrating his 21st anniversary on the calypso scene with the launch of his CD which enlists 10 calypsos, both old and new.
The launch took place Tuesday.

​Four times Calypso Monarch De Karressah

Stardom Tent's Royalty night is set and ready to go this evening.
The tent has been shifted to this Wednesday as this Saturday sees the Calypso Quarter Finals competition.
Events Promoter Leroy Wadix Charles says that's where Kaiso meets Pageantry.

​Events Promoter Leroy Wadix Charles.

​Barbados based Maria Holder Trust has invested into Dominica's Education's sector, with the seeing of rehabilitation works at 5 primary schools on the island.
Consultant at Visor  - of the Maria Holder Trust Foundation Jane Armstrong says her team originally came into Dominica with the hope at looking at Early Childhood Education.
Keys to the completed Trafalgar Primary School were handed over to the Education Ministry on Tuesday.

Consultant at Visor - of the Maria Holder Trust Foundation Jane Armstrong
Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer Melena Fontaine says all the schools within the project sustained damages from Hurricane Maria, and so the rehabilitation involved major works.

​Chief Education Officer Melena Fontaine.

Ag Program Officer with the ODM Viola Pascal says the Office of Disaster Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Education initiated and carried out a national earthquake drill in all schools.
She says this is part of activities to increase awareness on earthquake hazards and safety plans.

​Ag Program Officer with the ODM Viola Pascal.

Station Officer & PRO of the Dominica Fire & Ambulance Services Wayne Letang has confirmed that on Monday January 28th 2019 at approximately 8:30pm, officers at the Roseau Fire Station responded to a fire call in Roseau.
That blaze occurred at Roseau, near the Big Edge Financial Services.
The fire reportedly affected two residential structures.

Letang commends the on duty crew and other off duty personnel who performed in controlling the blaze.

​Station Officer & PRO of the Dominica Fire & Ambulance Services Wayne Letang.