Bahamas News

STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA):

Published

4 years ago

June 9, 2022

#TheBahamas, June 9, 2022 – The National Emergency Management Agency wishes to advise the general public of the timeline of events in wake of the tornadic activity that occurred in the Cowpen Road, Baillou Hill Road, and subsequently, Bamboo Town areas.

NEMA Director, Captain Stephen Russell, received notification of tornadic activity in the Cowpen and Baillou Hill Road areas around 2.15pm Wednesday (June 8) afternoon while conducting a briefing for Parliamentarians with regards to the National Emergency Management Agency’s Plan of Action for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Captain Russell immediately consulted with Mr. Jeffrey Simmons, Acting Director of The Bahamas Department of Meteorology, who presented at the briefing, to confirm the reports of tornadic activity in the aforementioned areas, which Mr. Simmons confirmed.

The NEMA Director immediately contacted the lead officials of several of the Agency’s various Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) with regards to undertaking immediate action to assist persons who may have been affected.

This included a call to the NEMA Warehouse Team who were instructed to mobilize tarpaulin into the areas that were reported to have been impacted in order to begin distributing tarpaulin as soon as they arrived in the area – based on initial reports received. That action was carried out and continued until 5:30pm when the truck returned to NEMA’s Head Office, Gladstone Road.

While this was occurring, Captain Russell, accompanied by Ms. Bahiyyah Hepburn, Ministry of Works, a NEMA partner responsible for Emergency Support

Function #3, immediately departed to personally visit the site and conduct an initial damage assessment of the area. The assessment was completed, photographs taken and posted in the NEMA Chat Group for further action.

Captain Russell remained in Office until 6.30pm, apprising Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response, the Hon. Myles LaRoda of the actions that had been undertaken to bring immediate relief to the affected homes in the Cowpen/Baillou Hill Road areas.

At no time during these interventions, did the Agency, nor any of its Emergency Support Functions, receive reports of residents in the Bamboo Town area being impacted by the tornadic activity.

At about 9pm Wednesday, Captain Russell received communication from yet another partner, advising that there were residents in the Bambo Town area, including Senior Citizens who had been impacted by the tornadic activity and needed assistance.

Captain Russell once again immediately mobilized the NEMA assets, instructing the Warehouse Team to once again mobilize tarpaulin into the newly-reported affected area. As that action was being undertaken, the NEMA Director was contacted by another NEMA partner, Urban Renewal, regarding its assistance in bringing relief into the impacted area.

It was agreed that the NEMA Team, which included Captain Russell, Mr. Bradley King from the Ministry of Works and the Warehouse Team and Urban Renewal, would all meet at the Prince William School to further coordinate the efforts to ensure that those persons who would have been identified as in need of assistance, received it.

As always the first order of business in any disaster and/or emergency event is to conduct an initial assessment, determine the extent of the damage, and how best to mitigate the impacts of that event. This was done as the initial assessments determined there was the need for tarpaulin to secure affected homes of families.

While onsite, Captain Russell contacted the Department of Social Services, another NEMA partner, with regards to conducting social assessments which could not be undertaken until the morning because of the lateness of the hour, which at that time was 10pm. Those social assessments commenced Thursday morning.

Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

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

Published

2 weeks ago

August 20, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

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

Bahamas News

CBC Supports Opportunities for Young Bahamian Basketball Players

Published

2 weeks ago

August 20, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

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.