As investigations into the murder of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul continues, a fifth person has been charged.Jolie-Ana Naomi James of Lagoon, Portsmouth, was charged with Perverting the Course of Justice and Possession of Ammunition without a License at the Magistrate Court this morning, Monday, August 31, 2026. 

She pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of ammunition without a proper license when she appeared before Magistrate Alfred. She is alleged to have had in her presence 3 rounds of 9mm ammunition on August 11, 2026, at Leopoldville. That matter has been adjourned to November 2, 2026. 

She was not required to enter a plea relating to the charge of Perverting the Course of Justice as it is an indictable offence and will return to court on November 10, 2026, for further review.James was represented by attorneys Wayne Norde and Gina Abraham-Thomas. Norde informed the court that he intends to make a bail application on behalf of his client but requested disclosure of documents and the presence of witnesses. 

The prosecution was represented by State Attorneys Daina Matthew and Gabrielle St. Hilaire. Matthew informed the court that the prosecution intends to object to bail on both matters. Magistrate Alfred set the bail hearing for Friday, September 4, 2026.James was remanded to the Dominica State Prison until Monday, September 7, 2026, pending the bail hearing. 

James is the third individual charged with Perverting the Course of Justice in relation to Jerbiah Paul’s death. On August 24, 2026, Nyoka Julissa Sarah James of Marigot and police constable Rennick Stevens of Portsmouth were 
charged with Perverting the Course of Justice.Police officers Jean-Luc Langlais and Joshua Hamlet both of Portsmouth have been charged with Paul’s murder.

Dominican businessman Gregor Nassief calls on Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to respond to a series of questions he has repeatedly raised about matters pertaining to the Citizenship by Investment Program and other matters affecting the country like the electoral reform process.Nassief’s comments come in response to remarks made by Skerrit during a Dominica Labour Party Executive meeting on August 29, where he reportedly referred to a 60-year-old who had never voted and a man whose number of villas had increased from four to 46, among other references. 

In a statement titled “What Happened to the Questions?”, Nassief suggested that the comments were directed at him and challenged the Prime Minister to identify him directly and address any concerns he may have about his businesses, loans or other matters.Nassief argued that if the Prime Minister has questions about him, those concerns should be clearly stated and put to him directly, adding that he would be prepared to respond. 

He contrasted this with his own approach to the Prime Minister, noting that he has addressed Skerrit by name and repeatedly raised specific questions concerning the affairs of the country. According to Nassief, asking such questions should not be viewed as disrespectful but as part of the democratic and civic responsibility of citizens. 

A significant portion of his statement focused on Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme). Nassief said he had written to the Prime Minister 14 times over a seven-year period, raising what he described as concerns about illegal activity and serious irregularities within the program.He said his warnings included concerns about discounting, potential losses of billions of dollars in government revenue, the impact on legitimate developments and risks to Dominica’s international reputation, 
particularly in relation to the United Kingdom, European Union & United States.

The Savanne Paille Health Centre was renamed on Friday, August 28, 2026, in honour of Nurses Mary Parillon and Florence Peter during a special renaming ceremony of the health centre. 

Nurse Parillon, who began her nursing journey in 1973 and served for 41 years, spanning midwifery and maternal and child health, shared in a poem the qualities, not degrees, that make for a good nurse. She said that though she is now retired, the passion for nursing is still there.

Nurse Mary Parillon 

Meanwhile, Nurse Peter began her journey as a nurse in primary health care in 1984 and served until the early 2000s. Remarks were given during the ceremony by her niece, Alita Peter, who said Nurse Peter is deeply humbled and grateful for the honour of having her name attached to the Savanne Paille Health Centre.

Credit: Dominica News Online 

Minister of State in the Ministry of Community Development, Senator Oscar George, announced that a new fish processing plant will be constructed in Scottshead to support the local fishing industry across both Soufriere and Scottshead. 

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Scotts Head, George explained that the government aims to expand economic opportunities for fishermen in a region long recognized for its fishing heritage. Known as the Soufriere-Scotts Head Village Fish Processing Plant, the project is valued at $2 million and is co-funded by the Government of Dominica and the Basic Needs Trust Fund. 

George stated that the facility will feature modern equipment and resources designed to process fish through various methods, including drying, smoking, and freezing. He emphasized that local residents should prepare to capitalize on these new opportunities, particularly heading into the new year. 

The project is currently in the tendering phase to select a consultant to finalize the building design before construction begins. Once operational, the facility is expected to transform the local economy by creating new streams of revenue for fishermen & fish vendors.

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission Director General Dr. Didacus Jules has expressed concern and extended well wishes to Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance M. Drew, following his hospitalization from a possible heart attack. 

In a statement issued on Monday, August 31, Dr. Jules said he was deeply concerned to learn of the Prime Minister’s hospitalisation and conveyed heartfelt wishes to Dr. Drew, his family and the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis on behalf of the OECS Commission. 

Dr. Jules said the Commission was keeping the Prime Minister in its thoughts & prayers during this period, while praying for his recovery and for wisdom and strength for the medical team responsible for his care. 

He expressed hope that Prime Minister Drew would make a swift and full recovery, regain his health and return soon to his duties in service to the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

​UWP Candidate for the Salisbury Constituency, Cara Shillingford-Marsh.

Photo: Bin in St. Joseph 

The Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation has cautioned members of the public that under the laws governing public health, 
environmental protection, and public property damage, that setting fire to municipal waste collection receptacles is a punishable offence. 

The warning comes after the bin in St. Joseph was recently set on fire. In a post to Solid Waste’s official Facebook page, the corporation said setting fire to Solid Waste’s waste bins is illegal property destruction, and perpetrators are subject to criminal prosecution, fines, and potential imprisonment. 

Solid Waste added that open burning of municipal solid waste releases toxic pollutants into the atmosphere and violates public health standards. 

The corporation said the bin in St. Joseph was neither full nor overdue for collection, and that unlawful combustion of waste will not be tolerated. It also said destroying collection infrastructure directly impedes the corporation’s operations, leaving the St. Joseph community without functional waste disposal services. 

Solid Waste urged residents to report any unauthorised burning or tampering with its infrastructure to law enforcement immediately.

Speaking on "Roots Connections," Philson George reflected on his early life in Dominica, where two family members first shared the gospel with him. Although he did not commit to his faith at the time, he later migrated to the United States and immersed himself in a lifestyle of partying and performing in a band. 

Despite traveling widely and engaging in the entertainment scene, George felt a persistent sense of incompleteness, which he attributed to the spiritual seeds planted during his upbringing in Dominica that had yet to fully take root. 

George explained that his life reached a pivotal turning point in 1981 when he officially dedicated his life to God, describing how the Holy Spirit transformed those early spiritual foundations into a meaningful purpose. 

Looking back on the loss of several friends and former schoolmates over the years, he expressed deep gratitude for what he views as divine intervention, noting that his decision to embrace faith altered his trajectory and spared him from the tragic outcomes experienced by many in his former social circle.

Airline carrier Winair is offering a special promotional airfare discount designed to benefit travelers heading to Dominica for the upcoming 2026 World Creole Music Festival. According to an announcement shared by the Dominica Festivals Facebook page, the airline is celebrating its 65th anniversary by providing travelers with a 65 percent reduction on eligible fares to the island when using a designated promotional code. 

The promotional offer covers travel dates between August 28 and October 31, 2026, with bookings required by August 27. The airline noted that applicable taxes and fees must still be paid separately and that standard terms and conditions apply. 

The three-day festival is set to take place from October 23 to October 25 at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Roseau, serving as a centerpiece of the island's annual Creole Heritage Month celebrations. Promoted under the theme “The Festival That Never Sleeps,” the event will feature a broad international lineup of artists from the Caribbean, the French Antilles, Africa, and North America. 

Attendees can expect a diverse range of musical genres, including cadence-lypso, kompa, zouk, bouyon, soukous, reggae, soca, dancehall, and amapiano, with Grammy-winning R&B singer Ne-Yo performing among the main headline acts.

Kalinago Chief Annette Sanford and members of the Kalinago Council recently travelled to St. Kitts for a visit described as a deeply meaningful opportunity to honor Kalinago history, strengthen regional partnerships and advance discussions on recognition and reparative justice. 

During the visit, Chief Sanford, along with Councillors Miranda and Renny Auguiste, joined St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources, Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives and Creative Economy, Hon. Samal Duggins, for the lighting of the Twin Torch of Remembrance. The ceremony served as a powerful symbol of St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to remembering and honoring the Kalinago people and their history. 

According to a Social Media Post from Chief Sanford, Minister Duggins also pledged St. Kitts & Nevis’ continued support & assistance to the Kalinago people as they pursue greater recognition, reconciliation & reparative justice.Sanford said the engagement helped transform historical lessons into meaningful action by strengthening partnerships, creating opportunities and deepening relations between the Kalinago Council & Caribbean governments. 

A significant part of the visit also involved a historical journey to a canyon where hundreds of Kalinago ancestors were reportedly massacred while they slept, including Chief Tegremond. The Council described the visit as an emotional and deeply moving experience that underscored the importance of preserving and remembering the history of the Kalinago people. 

She added that the Twin Torch of Remembrance should continue to represent truth, healing, solidarity & hope as the Kalinago people & their regional partners work toward a future grounded in recognition & reconciliation.