Bahamas News
BAMSI LETTUCE PROJECT
BAMSI OFFICIALS MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM CENTRAL STATE
Nassau, Bahamas, February 22, 2023: THE BAHAMAS Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) has struck gold, the green kind, with a new variety of lettuce, the Dov Romaine. The lush looking vegetable, known for its excellent taste, is thriving in the fields of Andros, and is quickly proving to be a cost-effective variety. This is the first time BAMSI has grown the Dov variety.
“We are yielding even more than we expected and the flavour is excellent by international standards. And even
though it’s getting warm, the lettuce is still thriving so we will see how long it will flourish under these conditions, said Ayrett Lightbourne, BAMSI’s Farm Manager.
Initially planted about nine weeks ago, Mr. Lightbourne said the farm is slowly rolling out the lettuce, with about a third of an acre of lettuce planted each week.
“We plant tomatoes and other produce, but I grew romaine lettuce on my personal farm before joining BAMSI and I wanted to try this variety on a larger scale. Early on we went through different management practices to be able to introduce this crop to the market. Another factor also is that this is a multi-million-dollar crop and I wanted to be able to encourage Bahamian farmers to grow this as well,” Mr. Lightbourne said.
The training of the staff to support this new variety is also going well, Mr. Lightbourne said, adding that this component was a large part of the crop’s success. “A lot of [the staff] are not used to growing this particular crop, so we had to identify certain things, such as at what stage to cut the lettuce, where to cut the leaves, we had to teach them how to package it and take off the outer leaves and leave the pretty inner leaves intact. The lettuce can’t be left out in the field. They must go into the cooler within an hour and a half of being harvested, a cooler set at 42 degrees to keep them nice and crisp while being shipped. Every person must be reliable and dependable so the lettuce arrives in the best condition possible. We had to emphasize that this a more precise crop, and they have to stay on top of the management and care of it.”
The Dov lettuce takes six to seven weeks from planting to harvesting, which makes it a quick maturing plant and enables farmers to earn a significant amount of money in a short period of time. The wholesale market currently sells
the lettuce at about $70 a case. BAMSI however, is selling the lettuce at a much lower cost to the retail consumer.
The success of this variety of lettuce in the warm climate of the Bahamas, means that health conscious Bahamians and backyard farmers can expand their options for healthy foods, while avoiding hefty sticker prices. Persistent rising food costs across the globe has meant that Bahamians are facing not only high prices, but a lower quality of imported produce, including lettuce. With BAMSI’s Dov project and as more farmers opt to include this crop in their rotation, the Bahamian consumer can now purchase produce less than five days from harvest, meaning fresher, better tasting and more nutrient rich foods added to their diet.
Mr. Lightbourne said that for his next specialty project, he is looking at a different variety of iceberg lettuce. “The head is small and soft, I’ve heard of two varieties that will give a better product, they may be more difficult to grow than the traditional variety, but I want to try if for our next season.”
Photo Caption:
Header: Rows of Dov Lettuce at the BAMSI farm in North Andros
Inserts: Workers sort and package lettuce at BAMSI’s Packing House in North Andros
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.
