News
Farmers say Gov’t Finally Taking Agriculture Seriously; Gratitude for Agro-Grant funding
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 16, 2022 – There were smiles all around as 20 thousand dollars letters of approval were presented to seven different farmers in a heartwarming handover ceremony on Tuesday Morning.
There was an atmosphere of not just joy, but overwhelming gratitude as the farmers spoke about what this injection of cash into their businesses would mean for them and the Agriculture Sector.
A promise delivered is how Rev Courtney Misick described the Agro-Grant.
“I have always been a voice making noise over the years saying that the government should assist farmers and her (Josephine Connolly, Minister with responsibility for Agriculture) administration is the first [to do so]. Right now in North Caicos I’ll be able to revolutionize what I’m doing because of the grant. From the depths of my heart I want to say thank you.” He said
Misick insisted that Farmers have the potential to contribute to food security and improvements in the health of residents. “We can bring down the price of food here in the Turks and Caicos if we stay consistent.
As farmers Let us take this thing seriously. People are depending on us.” He said.
One of only two female farmers who received a grant, corn and grain farmer, KacyDee Higgs expressed that she too is eternally grateful.
“Food security is paramount.” Showing of some of her oils including pumpkin she said “This is proof that these things can be grown and with the grant that we’re getting they will be able to be grown on a larger scale.”
The plan is just got bigger with Sean Penn from Sky Farms in Providenciales who hopes to build a slaughterhouse capable of putting out 500 birds an hour. Penn, during the presentation ceremony held at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, said with the grant monies he can now accelerate construction and be complete his poultry slaughter house in 3 to 4 months.
The first of its kind, Agro-Grant was made possible in partnership between the Government, through its Department of Agriculture and Invest Turks and Caicos Agency.
Minister Josephine Connolly for her part simply said, “We want to see you do your best because I would much rather buy food from you guys than from the supermarkets so I’m depending on you to do well.”
Other farmers receiving their letter of approval, which is to be followed shortly by cheques in the amounts of $10,000 and $15,000 were Royal Robinson, Robinson Farms in North Caicos; Emmanuel Misick of Green Acre Farms in North Caicos.
Present at the handover were: Cheryl-Ann Jones, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism; Annissa Adderley, VP of SME Development (acting) at Invest Turks and Caicos and Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh, Director of Agriculture.
Washington Misick and E Jay Saunders, Premier and Deputy Premier (respectively) also popped into the session to offer congratulations to the first Agro-Business recipients.
Ninety-eight of the grants went to North and Middle Caicos growers; these grants are the first in a series to be approved informed Minister Connolly.
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
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
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
