TCI News
Editorial: Stop Likin’ Man!
#Providenciales, August 2, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Someone has taken the time to create a video which highlights the more headline-grabbing, violent crimes of the past 12-months and I have received it many, many times.
My editorial has nothing to do with ‘Stop Likin’ Man’ as is said colloquially when young men follow negative or senseless trends. I just gave that headline so that more people could read this. Forgive me, but please read on. My editorial is about CRIME.
The fact that this compelling video lasting just over three minutes, has been shared with me by individuals of distinct status and who are considered leaders in our country and the region, speaks volumes.
A new governor, a new police commissioner, a nearly 3-year old government and a far more modern police force are burdened with a heavy challenge as the main leaders. The challenge is not unique to the Turks and Caicos, but tempers locally are rising and patience appears to be running out as instances of crime grow more callous, calculated and common.
Two stores in Grace Bay were reportedly broken into sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. A couple of shootings were reported this week, two people were struck with bullets and one of them fatally so.
A lone gunman waltzed into a popular down town business and robbed the place at gunpoint and got away on foot with people’s stuff and the company’s cash.
And the video – released today it seems – highlights the string of murders, well over a dozen, which have claimed the lives of 13 men and one woman, a guest to the Turks and Caicos Islands; all of which were recorded – tragically – in the past year and which attracted an outrageously high level in a U.S. Travel Alert.
Turks and Caicos, it is plain to see that we have a problem.
But the problem is not the problem, the problem is our response to the problem.
We seem to be good at making money, getting investors, living the high-life, minding other people’s business, minding our own business, educating our children, getting degrees and complaining.
But we are less good at handling problems, any kind of problem… together.
We comment on social media. We secretly write scathing messages. We remain in the shadows with our outrage and disappointment. We politicise crime, point fingers and trivialise the work required to fix it. We are often inconsistent in our efforts. We don’t show up when called to participate and we are easily discouraged when we are ignored or our ideas, shelved.
Bottom line is, we lack conviction.
The criminals however are focused. The perpetrators are resolute. They are prepared to let their voice be heard, even if it means riddling off bullets in public places because someone made ‘em mad.
They’ve got conviction about committing crime and from where I sit, they are ready to rumble even to the death.
For too many of us on the right side of the law, we have a problem with getting our points across in the light; we are too prepared to distance the helpful because it’s an easier target upon which to focus; we are more famed for our division than our unity and we are so wrapped up in our agendas that we fail to rally around the good idea of a serious, significant reduction in all manner of crime in this territory.
I believe, we can save the day and preserve our country and for me, the mission has to be less about stopping crime and catching criminals and more about saving our lost boys and bringing them home to be loved, properly… again.
I commend the creator of that video on crime currently in circulation even though, once again the maker of it felt the need to hide their identity.
However, it fuels my curiosity as I ask if, maybe, perhaps we could and would lay it ALL down for the sake of our children who are losing their peaceful country, their freedom, their friends and their own lives due to crime!?
#magneticmedianews
#crimeintci
#takebackourtci
#seesomethingsaysomething
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
SALT CAY — Residents say Salt Cay’s prolonged water shortage remains unresolved, with no visible activity or relief from the measures Government said would be advanced last week.
The crisis began in June after a critical filter failed at the island’s reverse osmosis plant, severely disrupting local water production.
Residents told Magnetic Media Tuesday morning that neither the replacement filter nor the promised bulk shipment of emergency water appeared to have arrived.
Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders, however, said the filter is already on Salt Cay.
“The RO filter is on Salt Cay and it’s being installed,” Saunders told Magnetic Media.
The large emergency water shipment has not materialised. Saunders said transporting more than 1,000 gallons in a single container requires a barge, and officials are still attempting to source one.
Government had previously indicated that it would try to deliver up to 2,500 gallons to partially replenish Salt Cay’s depleted storage tanks while repairs continued.
Saunders had initially projected that the RO plant would be fully operational by August 19. He now says the system is expected to return to full operation “in a few days.”
For residents, however, the immediate reality remains unchanged: the shortage continues, the bulk water has not arrived and the promised relief is not yet flowing.
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