Bahamas News

Minister Moxey, pleased with home repair project in East Grand Bahama

Published

4 years ago

January 9, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

By ROBYN ADDERLEY

Bahamas Information Services

#GrandBahama, The Bahamas, January 8, 2023 – Thirteen homes are being repaired in East Grand Bahama by the Ministry for Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Finance, targeting elderly residents as well as those with disabilities whose homes were destroyed during Hurricane Dorian in September 2019.

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, accompanied by a team of Project Officers, toured the homes on Friday, January 6, 2023 and spoke with not only the contractors but some of the residents, all of whom expressed joy and excitement at being able to move back into their homes within weeks.

She said: “We thought it was important to come out and see some of the work that was being done with home repairs,” a project within her Ministry for the elderly, disabled and indigent of East Grand Bahama who have been displaced because of Hurricane Dorian.

“We thought we’d make them the priority projects within the Ministry to try and get some of them back in their homes. There are some who are living in Freeport and living on (their) pension and receiving $250 per week, but they’re having to spend $900 a month on rent. So, we thought it was important to try and get them back in their homes and that’s what we’ve been working on.

“I’m excited to see the progress here today because we’re visiting some of the homes and many families will be able to move back into their homes soon. That’s a big deal.”

The Minister also commended the work being done on the homes, describing it as a community effort. “You have contractors who are from the communities, they’ve employed people from the communities and they’re working on homes of people in the communities they know. They grew up in the communities. It’s an exciting thing to see here today and have that type of partnership, that type of collaboration.”

Building contractor Rev. Lawrence Laing was also present and said residents are “excited and grateful” with the repairs being done and will be able to move into their homes shortly.

There are 13 homes in this, the first and second phases of the project stretching from McClean’s Town to High Rock. It is anticipated that the third phase will begin in February.

While this small home repair project is going on, there are also those being carried out by the DRA, as well as the Urban Renewal Home Repair Programme.

According to the Minister, “I’m very pleased with what I see here today and hopefully we can get a lot more going.”

Photo Captions:

Header: Project officers accompanied the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey on Friday, January 6 to East Grand Bahama where progress inspections were done on several homes being repaired. The project is coordinated by the Ministry for Grand Bahama and has targeted elderly and disabled residents whose homes were destroyed during Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. Shown from left are: Arnold Cooper, Project Officer; Rev. Lawrence Laing, contractor; Minister Moxey; Jermaine Sawyer, Project Officer; and Conrad Jones, Administration.

1st insert: While touring the homes being repaired under a project by the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama, toured the homes on Friday, January 6 accompanied by a team of Project Officers. Shown are Rev. Lawrence Laing with Minister Moxey and Project Officer Jermaine Sawyer.

2nd insert: Pelican Point residents, Mr. and Mrs. Bursil Cooper, are the among the homeowners having their residence repaired under the Ministry for Grand Bahama’s Home Repair Programme. They arrived just as the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama and project officers arrived to view the progress during a tour on Friday, January 6. The home has had a wheelchair ramp installed and the bathroom has been equipped to facilitate Mrs. Cooper’s disability.

(BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)

Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

Published

2 weeks 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

3 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

3 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.