A fire gutted one of the three buildings at the old Dunnottar School in La Pansee on Tuesday night, disrupting plans to repurpose the site as a parent support center for families of children with disabilities. While the cause of the blaze remains unknown, speculation points to vagrants. Despite relocating years ago due to safety concerns, educators and advocates had hoped the space could still serve the special needs community.
On Thursday, March 6, the Alliance Française will host an art exhibition showcasing the works of Ken “Scotty” Lawrence, a Saint Lucian artist who has dedicated over 40 years to his craft, earning international recognition. The exhibition, titled “Contemplations,” is a collaborative effort between Alliance Française and the Patricia Charles Endowment for the Arts, aiming to reignite appreciation for visual arts in Saint Lucia—a country once regarded as a regional artistic mecca.
The OECS Council of Ministers for Immigration has convened to advance regional free movement policies while ensuring border security and modernized immigration systems. The discussions come amid deportation developments in the U.S. and the lasting impact of Hurricane Maria, which displaced many Dominicans.
As Saint Lucia moves closer to establishing a regulated cannabis industry, the Regulated Substances Authority (RSA) is seeking public input on the draft Regulated Substances Bill. The legislation aims to standardize the use, sale, and commercial regulation of substances like cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol. At a town hall meeting in Gros Islet, RSA officials emphasized the importance of community engagement, particularly regarding amnesty provisions for traditional cannabis cultivators. Additional consultations are planned across the island.
Saint Lucia is taking steps to strengthen marine conservation while boosting economic opportunities. The Department of Sustainable Development has launched the SIDS Restoration Flagship Project, an initiative aimed at restoring coastal ecosystems and advancing a sustainable blue economy. At the same event, officials reintroduced the ABS Project, which promotes stakeholder involvement in managing and benefiting from the island’s native genetic resources under the Nagoya Protocol.