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Students have returned to school at the start of the New Year.

The return brings to an end the long August holiday.

Many of the students are for the first time attending Secondary schools after they wrote the secondary entrance assessment earlier this year

In a message today education minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby Dolly had some encouraging words for students and parents.

The Minister also confirms that some schools will remain closed today.

And there may be some inconvenience today because of water problems in central and south Trinidad.

The problems are blamed on an electrical fault at the desalination plant in Point Lisas.

A release from the water and sewerage authority said, on Saturday night customers in some areas have been experiencing low pressures or in some instances no supply.

The electrical problem was reported at approximately 2:00 pm on Saturday.

But in the release, Desalcott, owner and operator of the plant, advised the authority that operations have restarted partially and they are in the process of ramping up to 50% capacity of 20 million gallons per day.

Wasa said, further assessment and repairs would be required to return the facility to full production.

The authority said, it is continuing to liaise with Desalcott regarding the completion of these repair works.

Prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley is very concerned about reports, which suggest that guns are now being manufactured in this country.

On Wednesday during a police exercise in the Caparo district police seized what they called ghost guns allegedly manufactured utilizing 3D printing technology.

Addressing an Independence Day gathering at the police admin building in Port of Spain yesterday, Dr. Rowley expressed the hope that the police would win the war on crime.

Nevertheless Dr. Rowley said, he was pleased with the work of the protective services and said, officers are being given his Government’s full support.

Yet another call for a return to twenty-four round trip daily flights between Trinidad and Tobago. 

This latest plea comes from Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. 

Delivering the feature address at a THA town hall meeting on inter island transport at the Mt Irvine Bay Hotel on Tuesday, Mr. Augustine not for the first time stressed the importance of inter-island transport to Tobago. 

He believes profit making cannot be used to determine how the air bridge is serviced. 

Since assuming office, the Augustine administration has been clamouring for more flights between the islands and longer opening hours for the ANR Robinson International Airport, but without success. 

The Chief Secretary believes the time has come for the THA to explore options outside of Caribbean Airlines to move persons between the islands. 

According to Mr. Augustine who recently returned from a trip to New York, persons in the diaspora were trying to book flights to come home for Christmas but were reportedly told by CAL that there were no flights available. 

He said the THA might have to force government’s hand on this issue.  

The town hall meeting comes even as the lone cargo ferry on the sea bridge remains out of service after a fire broke out in engine room number two last Wednesday night shortly after its departure from Scarborough.   

Government Minister Faris Al Rawi hails the San Fernando parkade as a landmark project under the Dr. Keith Rowley led administration.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Faris Al Rawi delivered the feature address at the opening of the facility yesterday.

He spoke on behalf of Prime Minister Rowley, who was originally carded to deliver the address.

Mr. Al Rawi said, the project came in under budget.

The Member of Parliament for San Fernando west told of his vision for the development of the area.

Mr. Al Rawi told of the role of municipal police in treating with crime.

The project was managed by the urban development corporation of Trinidad and Tobago limited.

Renowned producer and entertainer, John Thomas recalls his most recent work with Denyse Plummer.

The calypsonian turned gospel artiste passed away on Sunday after battling cancer.

Yesterday, Mr. Thomas said he worked with Ms. Plummer on her last concert in May this year.

He said, it was at a meeting to begin planning the concert he was told of her diagnosis.

Mr. Thomas said, her strength and courage were remarkable.

Three weeks ago there were rumours of her death which were doused by her son who then claimed she was at home resting comfortably.

However, this time there is no denial, Denyse Plumber passed away at the age of 69.

In a post on her Facebook page on Sunday evening her family confirmed her death, describing her as a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife friend and exemplary example to the younger generation.

The post said, she will live on through her music.

Over the years Denyse Plummer showcased her versatility in performing all genres of music, including pop, reggae, and country songs after landing a job at the Chaconia inn in Maraval.

She went into the calypso arena and excelled winning major titles and awards before she became an acclaimed gospel artiste.

The public relations officer of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organisation, Rondel Donawa describes the late entertainer as extraordinary.

He said, yesterday the new TUCO executive will discuss ways of honouring Ms. Plummer.

Mr. Donawa said, more will be revealed after discussions with the family of Denyse Plummer.

The father of the man shot dead on the compound of the Arima General Hospital is baffled by his murder.

Twenty nine year old Marvin Safe was killed yesterday morning shortly after he arrived for work.

It is reported Mr. Safe had just drove past the security booth at the hospital when a car pulled along side him.

Occupants of that vehicle opened fire hitting Mr. Safe several times.

His father Hugh describes his son as a good boy.

He said, yesterday Marvin never went to jail and never surrounded himself with bad company.

Police recovered several spent shells at the scene of the shooting.

Chief Executive Officer of the north central regional health authority Davlin Thomas yesterday said, even before the killing steps were taken to step up security.

Mr. Thomas also said traumatized colleagues of Mr. Safe will receive whatever help they need to help them deal with this incident.

Mr. Safe was from Manzanilla.

There are reports of a double murder in Arouca.

So far the identities of the duo have not been released but we are told the victims are a male and a female.

Reports say, the incident took place at henry road around 10:56 last night.

We will have more on this story as information comes to hand.

And a teenager is gunned down outside his Caroni home.

He is Jude Hector.

He was 16 year old.

Reports say, that incident took place near his Laundry Road around 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon.

Details surrounding his killing are not yet known.

There are reports of a body being found in a river in Edinburgh. The identity of the deceased has so far not been confirmed

A teenager is electrocuted at her Point Fortin home.

An illegal electrical connection is believed to be the cause.

18-year-old kaya Archibald, was found unresponsive around 11 p.m. On Saturday by a relative at the house at eastern avenue extension, techier.

She was rushed to the Point Fortin hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Her mother Marsha Kerr was yesterday said, to be too distraught to speak to reporters about the incident.

A relative however told the media that Archibald was electrocuted, while she was trying to connect the wire onto a plug for them to get current.

He explained that the squatting area is not outfitted with electricity from the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC).

The area, which has been in existence for over 20 years, is located around heritage petroleum industrial equipment.

T&TEC investigations revealed that there was an illegal feed with extension cords.

An energized illegal cable was also found across the roadway.

Officials from heritage petroleum were on site yesterday.

 In a statement, the company offered condolences to Archibald’s family.

The company encouraged members of the public to report any suspicious activities, or concerns related to heritage’s electrical infrastructure.

A security officer attached to Telecom Services has been shot dead while at an automated teller machine on Chin Chin Road Cunupia.

Yesterday morning 46-year-old Hasely Augustine was among a party of armed officers, making a deposit at the Royal Bank when they were ambushed.

It is reported, that while depositing the money five men came out of a vehicle and announced a hold up.

The men were said, to be carrying assault rifles and handguns.

One of them began to struggle with officer Augustine when several shots were heard.

Mr. Augustine was hit at point blank range.

The bandits then fled the scene in a black Hyundai Loniq, which was later abandoned.

Officer Augustine was taken to the Cunupia Health Center where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Owner of Telecom Security Services Derek Chin is reported, as describing the deadly attack on his officers as horrendous and difficult.

He says this is the second loss in 41 years and it hurts.