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EDITORIAL – Saving the Judah Gails; are we doing enough?

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#Turks and Caicos Islands – Saturday August 4, 2018 – Was enough done to rescue murdered man, Judah Gail?  I admit to not knowing all of the intimate details of the life of the man gunned down in the parking lot of a popular Providenciales lounge early on Friday morning, but I do have an understanding of this type of story and it is continues to be, to me, deeply distressing.

If you have been following the reports, you would have read or heard that Judah Gail seems to have been a menace to society, who was cold and heartless, with no respect for the rule of law and, by his own words in a video posted two weeks ago, willing to kill anyone who got in his way.

It is a sad eulogy and those who knew him best are not surprised at his demise.

I did not know Judah Gail.  I do know that his name means Praise and that his life appeared to be exactly the opposite of one which would be praised in a civilized society.

I did some asking though.  I learned that as a little boy, Judah – who is Turks and Caicos, Jamaican and Haitian – lost his mother.  A little boy was suddenly all alone and left to raise himself pretty much by himself.  I have been told that his mother’s sister did come over from Haiti eventually to assist in rearing the child, but perhaps it was too little, too late.

Perhaps no one really considered how the loss of his mother affected him emotionally and how, if left unaddressed, his feelings of sadness and hurt, turned inside out could become a monster and maybe it did.

Learning this about Judah Gail’s life caused me to read the words of other people who lost their mother or father or both parents while still young children.  These words were particularly striking to me:

The sad fact is… there is pain which there is no cure for. This is such pain.
You can’t do anything to fill that void, nor take away the pain.

Life sucks when you lose a single parent let alone both. You stop being a child. Your loss is presented to you daily (friends with their both parents etc.) which all hurt and you can’t really prevent it. You hear the word ”Dad” out of your friends mouths which hurt too…because you can’t use that word anymore (or the word Mom)

Judah, born in the Turks and Caicos Islands, inherited a string of apartments and rented them in his community of Kew Town in Providenciales.

Despite this blessing, young Mr. Gail, was no stranger to incarceration found himself walking through a revolving door.  Judah was in and out of jail since his teenage years.

At around 14, Judah Gail was sent by the Turks and Caicos Islands to a boys’ correctional institution in Jamaica.  There, I am told, Judah saw drug peddling, Judah saw violent stabbings, Judah witnessed murder and bloody assaults.  Judah was hardened and not helped by this experience and then he returned home.

I am also told that the Jamaica boys’ institution to which teen trouble makers were banished by the Turks and Caicos were all ruined not rehabilitated.  These teenage boys were toughened, now as young men, they threaten the peace and serenity of the Turks and Caicos Islands today.

There is an image of Judah Gail flashing a ‘gunk’ of money in his grasp and video of him boldly smoking illegal marijuana as he gives a commentary about street life and rules, using the most profane language.

I asked if the money was authentic and if Judah’s sentiments were his credo.  I am told the money was very real and Gail, without getting regular employment, was living the high life.  There were brand new cars, ‘money like dirt’, and he was a bossy guy and a bully of a man with a deadly habit.

Judah Gail, loved to credit the stuff he sold.  That stuff was said to be illicit drugs.  Gail would borrow the drugs – marijuana and cocaine – with the promise to flip it and pay a profit to the lending drug-dealer.

I know. Sounds fantastic right? And not in a good way!  It is very concerning.  But it is what I am told.  

This is the life young men, too many of our young men are living and loving in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Judah Gails are on brilliant display and our young boys are watching the show.  They are lapping up this apparently luxurious life which seems so very possible, so very profitable when compared to the stories and sagas of their working fathers and uncles.

Gail and his cohorts are earning thousands of dollars per week without a traditional job.  They seem to have all they want and more than they need.  And while the risk is high and the life is illegal, the rewards may seem to be worth the while.  After all, the hard working, honest fathers and uncles are struggling to make ends meet and to buy even a little Japanese car to get around.

Honesty is devalued.  Hard work on a job site is scorned.  The criminal life can become a glamorous alternative to a silly kid bombarded with silly notions about what really matters in life.  Our problem, as those who chose the honest path, is not in the not knowing.  Our problem, as leaders and movers and shakers, is in the not doing enough.  Turks and Caicos must recognize, that despite headlines of falling crime rates and modernisations in policing; we have a problem where a life of crime is dangerously camouflaging itself as good and this is a gross misrepresentation.

The spiritual enemy, which so many of us believe exists due to our predominantly Christian faith, is working creatively and assiduously to delude and deceive our young men and the Satan we know will kill them, steal them, destroy them.   

In keeping score or a tally by strictly looking at the national murder rate, we may be distracted and duped into believing we are way ahead of that enemy’s game.

But a murder rate is not a true indicator of what is really happening among our youth and young men in a broader sense.  In one day, two are killed and what a tragic loss this is… but in the one day, we also see how many more young men are rejoicing in the killings, endorsing the murders and prepared to keep on taking lives and creating havoc.

Crime and criminality is not a Turks and Caicos problem.  But the ongoing spree of violence – which we have seen is unafraid of threatening preachers, teachers, executives, government ministers, law enforcers, grand-mothers, little children or tourists and guests – begs the question, are we doing enough?  Are we finding creative and effective ways to represent a life of rightness and discourage a life of wrongness.  Are we there for each other at those critical, pivotal, life-shaping times.  Is there enough energy toward empathy? Are we investing the time, creating an equitable environment and are we willing to invest the sweat today to shape the Turks and Caicos we want for tomorrow?

I do not believe we are there.  I want to be wrong. I need to be wrong.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

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Beaches Turks and Caicos loyal guests celebrate Welcome Home Week 2026  

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Beaches Turks and Caicos resort General Manager Deryk Meany shares with the loyal return guests at the Welcome Home Cocktail reception at the Treasure Beach beach

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos recently transformed into a massive reunion hub, rolling out the red carpet to celebrate its highly anticipated Welcome Home Week 2026. Held recently, the spectacular five-day event saw more than 2,000 loyal repeat guests return to the pristine shores of Providenciales. For these returning vacationers, it was not just another vacation but a heartfelt homecoming filled with exclusive events, community giving and unforgettable island entertainment.

Welcome Home Week is a staple tradition for the resort, designed specifically to honour and pamper guests who make Sandals and Beaches resorts their preferred vacation destination year after year. This year’s iteration proved to be an extraordinary showcase of hospitality, packed with a wide range of activities tailored specifically to celebrate the resort’s extended family of loyal visitors.

The festivities kicked off with a lavish welcome reception, setting a warm and inviting tone for the days ahead. Guests reconnected with favourite team members and mingled with fellow returning visitors while enjoying signature cocktails and local culinary delights. The momentum continued to build throughout the week with a vibrant line-up of daytime events. A breathtaking catamaran cruise allowed guests to soak in the famous turquoise waters, while the highly competitive yet hilarious pool olympics brought out the playful spirit of attendees of all ages.

Beyond the poolside fun and ocean adventures, the week featured moments of meaningful connection and community impact. Guests enthusiastically participated in the Sandals Foundation’s “Pack for a Purpose” initiative, bringing much-needed school supplies and resources to support local educational programmes in the Turks and Caicos community. This philanthropic effort was beautifully paired with a relaxed sip and paint session, where guests could unleash their inner artists while enjoying fine wines.

General Manager Deryk Meany was thrilled with the turnout and the vibrant energy that filled the property. He noted that this year’s celebration stood out as one of the most successful Welcome Home Weeks the resort has ever hosted. According to Meany, a major highlight that elevated the 2026 festivities was the introduction of the Treasure Beach Village experience. This new addition provided an immersive, localized atmosphere that gave returning guests fresh memories to take home, proving the resort always has something new to offer.

Orchestrating an event of this magnitude requires seamless coordination, and the resort’s dedicated staff delivered on all fronts. Samantha Bartholomew-Roberts, the loyalty and travel manager, expressed immense pride in her department. She was visibly excited about the incredible work her team achieved, noting that celebrating with loyal guests is one of the most rewarding aspects of their roles. Her team worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every detail was perfect, from the personalized room greetings to the execution of the massive group activities.

The unforgettable week was perfectly capped off with an entertainment-packed farewell dinner. Under the Caribbean stars, the returning guests were treated to spectacular live performances, gourmet dining, and a final toast to the memories made. As the 2026 Welcome Home Week came to a close, it was clear that the bond between Beaches Turks and Caicos and its loyal guests remains stronger than ever.

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Power Bills Shift As Fuel Costs Fluctuate Across TCI

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Turks and Caicos, May 4, 2026 – Electricity costs in the Turks and Caicos Islands are seeing modest adjustments this month, reflecting ongoing shifts in global fuel prices and their direct impact on what residents pay at the meter.

According to Pelican Energy TCI’s April 2026 fuel factor update, customers in Providenciales, North Caicos and Middle Caicos will benefit from a 2.5 percent decrease, bringing the rate down to $0.1616 per kilowatt hour. The change offers slight relief for households and businesses already grappling with high living costs.

However, the picture is not uniform across the islands.

In Grand Turk and Salt Cay, fuel factor rates have edged up by 0.6 percent, now sitting at $0.1578 per kilowatt hour, while the rate for South Caicos is still pending. Last month, South Caicos recorded a decrease, with the rate falling to $0.1714 per kilowatt hour, one of the highest across the islands.

The fuel factor is a key component of electricity bills, rising and falling in line with international oil prices. As a result, even small shifts in the global energy market can ripple quickly into local utility costs.

The Government’s Department of Trade, Industry and Fair Competition (DTIFC), in its April 16 fuel price report, said it continues to monitor fuel pricing trends as part of its mandate to protect consumers and ensure transparency in the market. The report is designed to give residents a clearer understanding of how fuel costs are determined and how they may change over time.

Regionally and globally, fuel prices remain volatile.

Oil markets have been influenced in recent months by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, production decisions by major oil-producing nations, and fluctuating demand as economies adjust to post-pandemic realities. While some Caribbean countries have reported slight easing at the pumps, others continue to see elevated prices compared to pre-2020 levels.

For Turks and Caicos, where electricity generation relies heavily on imported fuel, the link is direct and unavoidable.

Consumers are therefore likely to continue experiencing incremental changes rather than dramatic swings, with monthly adjustments reflecting the unpredictable nature of the global energy market.

For now, the slight decrease in key population centres may offer temporary relief—but the broader trend suggests that energy costs will remain a closely watched issue for both households and policymakers.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

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Beaches Turks and Caicos Cricket Club dominates the TCICA T20 Prelim Round  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — The Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Cricket Club has officially topped the preliminary round of the Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association T20 competition in spectacular fashion. The squad concluded this crucial phase with highly impressive statistics, establishing themselves as the undisputed team to beat moving forward.

Team captain Sidue Hunter has been heavily instrumental in guiding the squad through their impressive run, expressing deep confidence in their collective abilities. “I am very comfortable with the progress of the squad because we have been playing good, cohesive team cricket,” Hunter stated. He further highlighted the reason for the team’s success this season, “the different areas within the squad, batting, fielding and bowling have been truly representing themselves well out there on the pitch, this is the main reason for our success this season.”

Beyond his strategic captaincy, Hunter has led by brilliant example at the crease, currently topping the competition’s overall batting charts with a staggering 383 runs. However, he is certainly not carrying the offensive load alone, as the profound depth of the Beaches batting order has been a major factor in their high-scoring victories. Teammates Kenneth Lewis and Jerome Daley have provided critical support through the middle overs, securing their places among the league’s top ten highest run-scorers with 139 and 134 runs respectively.

On the defensive side of the pitch, the bowling attack has been effectively spearheaded by the exceptional form of Anthony ‘Moses’ McKnight. The talented bowler has successfully captured 11 crucial wickets so far in the tournament, consistently dismantling the top orders of rival clubs. Reflecting on the squad’s remarkable chemistry and raw talent this year, McKnight confidently noted, “the composition of the team this season is simply the best I have ever seen.”

General Manager Deryk Meany has actively praised the seamless transition of the resort’s collaborative culture onto the competitive cricket pitch. “The team has been showing the true strength of teamwork, as the maturity and experience they display within the different areas of the resort have seamlessly translated onto the field of play,” Meany explained. This unique corporate-athletic synergy highlights the profound benefits of balancing demanding professional responsibilities with competitive recreational sports.

The overarching success of the Beaches cricket team ultimately boils down to their unwavering mutual support and highly unified goals. Meany further emphasized this internal dynamic, proudly adding, “these players represent the true meaning of teamwork, constantly providing support for each other to produce the best possible results.” As the T20 competition inevitably advances into its later stages, this unified and disciplined front makes the club a heavily favoured contender for the championship title.

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