News
TCHTA Arbor Day Initiative Sparks Joy Among Turks & Caicos Students
#TurksandCaicos, April 12, 2022 – Launched with an exciting video announcement by TCHTA Young Leader, Judith Guerrier, the TCHTA took its annual Earth Day TCI Shines initiative to another level as a part of their 30-year commemoration calendar.
Since 2009, TCI Shines has played a significant role in keeping Turks & Caicos beautiful by nature, and clean by choice. This year, the TCHTA’s Sustainable Tourism Committee joined forces with its Educational Committee and the DECR team to carry out a week-long tree planting exercise that would begin on Earth Day and carry on until Arbor Day.
With assistance and guidance from the DECR, the “Mighty Mahogany” was the clear tree choice for its resilience, size at maturity, and ease of care during the growth phase which was crucial as the country’s students would be the stewards of these majestic trees.
The mahoganies were collected by a team of TCHTA volunteers, and distribution began on April 20th, in preparation for Earth Day with the first shipment headed to North and Middle Caicos via the COMO Parrot Cay ferry. Each tree was accompanied by an information packet which would educate the students on the features of the Mighty Mahogany and provide instructions on how to plant and care for the trees. Most significantly, each tree came with a commemorative wooden plaque etched with the name of a TCHTA past President, Director, or stalwart in honour of this 30-year anniversary initiative.
Managing the first leg of the journey, Education Committee Chair, Tendra Musgrove, shared her enthusiasm, “At COMO Parrot Cay, we are always thrilled to be a part of efforts that allow us to engage with our local students. It is also a joy for me personally, which is why leading the Educational Committee is so important. It was a pleasure delivering to the schools, seeing the students’ excitement and eagerness to take responsibility for the trees. This is what our work is all about; engaging our students in ways that make it enjoyable to do their part in the sustainability of their island and our tourism product.”
Moving from one community to another throughout the islands, the team – which included Nello Lambert of TCI Distributors and Karen King of Point Grace Resort, both members of the TCHTA Sustainable Committee – delivered trees to thirty-eight schools, ensuring all islands throughout Turks & Caicos were a part of this grand exercise with the help of interCaribbean Airways. A video collage of the team and the students was shared on the association’s platform, celebrating Arbor Day 2022.
Speaking on the decision to organize this exercise, TCHTA CEO, Stacy Cox, explained, “There was no question…all schools and islands needed to be touched to the best of our abilities, and the hardworking team led by Mona Beeson, did just that. As we put our 30-year anniversary calendar together, we knew we wanted to make this year’s Earth Day TCI Shines truly impactful. As the time approached and we learned of the Ministry of Tourism’s plans to launch the Climate Change Summit, there was full alignment on all fronts. The DECR came on board in a stellar way, helping us decide on tree selection and being completely hands-on in mobilizing the project. We cannot begin to thank Amy Avenant and the team for their commitment and assistance.”
Through the collaboration, the tree-planting exercise will not only increase the population of indigenous trees and help to build the resilience of our ecosystems, but will also aid in teaching students to be stewards of their environment and responsible citizens in the fight against climate change.
Amy Avenant of the DECR shared her encouragement to the TCHTA, “We have been delighted to partner with the TCHTA on this commemorative initiative. The TCHTA is one of the DECR’s greatest allies in advocating for the natural environment, through regular clean-ups and initiatives such as these and we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on 30 years of a job well done!”, said Amy Avenant, DECR’s Outreach Coordinator.
Mona Beeson of The Hartling Group has led the Sustainable Committee for years and is passionate about the accomplishments achieved through the TCI Shines program over the years.
“For more than a decade TCI Shines has been a channel through which the communities of Turks & Caicos have taken pride in keeping the islands clean. What started out as a yearly initiative grew to bi-annual frequency and our members, individuals throughout the community, church groups, and civic organizations are always eager to participate,” Beeson said.
She continued, “Now celebrating 30 years as an Association, we wanted to make TCI Shines 2022 truly unforgettable. I am always excited for our sustainable activities, but this has been especially heart-warming to me. Partnering with our Education Committee and the DECR, delivering the trees directly to our precious children and seeing the joy this has brought them energizes us to keep challenging ourselves to continue amplifying our reach and engagement as we work to maintain the natural beauty and viability of these islands.”
Since tree deliveries have been completed, the TCHTA has received hundreds of photos from the schools that designated a special day for the children to plant the trees. The association says the smiles in those images speak more loudly than words ever could.
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
