Bahamas News
CC Sweeting Hospitality Students to Benefit from Sandals Internship
– Commitment adding to host of facility upgrades spearheaded by philanthropic arm, Sandals Foundation-
#TheBahamas, February 11, 2022 – Hospitality students at the C.C Sweeting Senior High School are set to benefit from an internship at the newly reopened Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort and Offshore Island.
Speaking at a recent tour of the hospitality training facilities, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), and President of the Sandals Foundation, Adam Stewart, committed to providing students with work experience at the luxury included resort to sharpen their skills and create a seamless transition from the classroom to the workforce.
“What’s happening here is quite amazing. I am happy to have students learn from and hone their skills by working with our world-class leaders and team members at the Sandals Royal Bahamian,” said Stewart.
C.C. Sweeting Senior High School is the first of its kind in The Bahamas – piloting a high school hospitality programme which caters to vulnerable students from some of the country’s underserved communities
During the Sandals Foundation organised visit which showcased the talents of student cooks and servers, the Executive Chairman shared words of inspiration to the young men and women present.
“The best university to go to is the one that makes you happy, and the best thing to do is the line of work that makes you want to get up every morning and have fun. Continue to work hard, stay positive, stay focused and you will achieve all of your goals. I think you are doing just fine right here. You join Sandals when you’re done and we’ll take you to the moon and as far as you want to go,” Stewart shared.
Principal of C.C Sweeting, Venessa James Rolle was elated by the announcement, noting, “We are excited about the partnership where our students will be able to go to Sandals and see how the industry works in real time. This is something that we’ve wanted for our students for a while. It’s phenomenal.”
As tourism-driven economies around the world position themselves to capitalize on the rebound and unleashed pent-up travel demands, the Sandals Foundation is making significant investments into state of the art hospitality training and education to position the next generation of service providers to meet the needs.
In keeping with its 40 For 40 Initiative to use the power of travel to implement 40 sustainable projects with the power to transform Caribbean communities, the philanthropic arm of SRI has continued to expand and strengthen the hospitality training programme at the high school.
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at Sandals Foundation impart words of advice to student hospitality student at C.C. Sweeting Senior High School.
For the second year running, the Sandals Foundation has provided funding for international certification through the premier American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) National Restaurant Certification program in the areas of Guests Services and Restaurant/Tourism Certification. The support adds to the training kitchen and dining room upgrades with the provision of culinary training utensils, kitchen supplies, cooking and serving equipment, an electrical commercial washer and dryer and the servicing of a pre-existing industrial refrigerator.
“As the tourism industry continues its path to recovery, we believe in the power of education, certification and training to give the Caribbean that competitive edge,” says Heidi Clarke, executive director at the Sandals Foundation, “The C.C. Sweeting School of Hospitality provides a unique experience for young people and we are happy to bolster its efforts.” said Clarke.
One hundred and forty students aged 15 to 18 will benefit from this year’s program with 20 enrolling in the international certification courses.
In the 2020/2021 academic year, the Sandals Foundation funded the participation of 20 students in the AHLEI international certification programme. All 10 students who sat the Guest Service Gold Certification exam were successful, while nine of the remaining 10 students were successful in the Guest Service Tourism Certification exam.
Captioned Photos:
Header: Hospitality students at C.C. Sweeting Senior High School showcase skills and share moments with Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International and President of the Sandals Foundation, Adam Stewart in a recent visit.
Release: Sandals Resorts
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
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
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
