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INDUSTRY STARS SHINE BRIGHT AT THE 14TH ANNUAL TCHTA STAR AWARDS

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A night under the stars, for the stars!

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 6, 2023 – The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) proudly presented its 14th installment of the Star Awards.

This heavily anticipated event heralds the roles played by the top performers in the hospitality industry in Turks and Caicos.  Reputed as a night of glitz and glamour, more than 300 individuals were treated to a felicitous time of pomp and circumstance poolside at Beaches Resort’s French Village.

Housekeepers of the Year, Ambassadors, TCHTA Shining Stars, Employees of the Year, Supervisors and Managers of the Year, Taxi Driver and Entertainer of the Year, Hotel, Restaurant, and Hotelier of the Year, and those considered the Heart of Hospitality, were all celebrated in fine fashion on this occasion, aptly held outdoors under the stars.

The awardees, flanked by their Executive teams, were applauded for their hard work and commitment, thanked for being the reason Turks and Caicos is #1.

And this is what makes Star Awards unique; the housekeeper or maintenance worker typically donning a uniform daily while toiling away sight unseen can dress in their red-carpet-worthy attire and enjoy a night of merriment in the company of their Supervisors and Managers, there to honour them.

Remarks were delivered by the Premier Honourable Washington Misick (keynote speaker), the Minister of Tourism, Honourable Josephine Connolly, TCHTA President, Trevor Musgrove, and TCHTA’s CEO, Stacy Cox, brought the night’s vote of thanks.

“As an organization, this event is one of the highlights of the year for us. It allows us to come face-to-face with you and thank you openly for the hard work and sacrifices you deliver to this industry,” said Musgrove. “Make no mistake; tonight is all about you. We are here to celebrate your achievements and acknowledge you as the faces of excellence in our country’s number one industry.”

The Premier and Minister of Tourism’s remarks echoed those of Musgrove, each lauding thanks and accolades to the deserving awardees who work diligently to maintain the standard of excellence for the destination.

The celebrants enjoyed a luxurious evening of fine dining and entertainment, dazzled by saxophonist Dexter “DaxX” Landy, whose opening number was a beautiful instrumental serenade, and the Beaches Resort Entertainment Team, delivering two show-stopping numbers that evoked roaring applause.

The excitement in the air was palpable, and the evening’s Emcee, Bianca “Queen Bee” Harvey, and disc jockey Drexler Smith of Prime DJs ensured that every moment of the night was upbeat and engaging.

The TCHTA used a jaw-dropping video rendition of the Turks and Caicos National Song, produced by Andre Kerr of Spotlight Communications. The piece is a captivating representation of Turks and Caicos’ landscapes and its people. This was a stand-out moment of national pride during the event.

Reflecting on the spectacular night, CEO Cox said, “It was a fitting celebration to honour our 2022 top performers, and we are grateful to everyone who supported so vigorously.” The CEO held high praise for the delivery by the Beaches Team, hosts of the night’s event. “The way they transformed the space for this event is nothing short of amazing. The décor was captivating, and the team delivered without missing a beat. It was perfection.”

The evening’s co-sponsors, Rubis, Fortis TCI, and CSC Insurance Brokers, Ltd. all played a part in the presentation of awards throughout the evening.  The TCHTA extends thanks to these sponsors and to its members for their support.

Hotel of the Year was won by Point Grace Resort, with James McAnally of Beaches Turks and Caicos, winning the title of Hotelier of the Year. These categories were awarded by vote, open to all members of the TCHTA. Award winners in the other categories will be displayed on the TCHTA’s official Facebook page @officialtchta.

The organization shares its thanks with the wider community for acknowledging these bright stars and encourages all to stay tuned for the 15th annual Star Awards event will be one of epic proportions.

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Caribbean News

Bermuda Shaken by Targeted Murder as Crime Returns After a Decade of Calm

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Bermuda is reeling after the brazen murder of 37-year-old Janae Minors, a mother of two, who was gunned down in her own beauty supply store on Court Street, Pembroke. The attack, which police describe as “targeted,” has rattled the island, not only for its brutality but for what it says about the state of law and order in a country that less than a decade ago was celebrating a dramatic fall in violent crime.

The Attack on Court Street

According to police, at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, a lone gunman pulled up on a stolen black motorcycle, walked into the Beauty Monster shop Minors owned, and shot her multiple times. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to hospital.

Detectives say the killer was thin, tall, dressed in dark clothing with a full-face helmet, and wearing bright gloves. CCTV shows him fleeing north on Court Street, down Tills Hill toward TCD, before turning onto Marsh Folly Road. Investigators are pursuing all leads, with a focus on recovering evidence from nearby cameras and eyewitness accounts.

Police Commissioner Darrin Simons confirmed the attack bore the hallmarks of gang-related violence, a chilling indicator that Bermuda’s gang rivalries — long simmering beneath the surface — may once again be spilling into broad daylight.

A Vibrant Life Cut Short

Minors, remembered as a hardworking entrepreneur with “a vibrant, beautiful personality,” leaves behind two children, ages 16 and 18. Her murder has ignited outrage across Bermuda, not just for its senselessness but for its timing: the island had once prided itself on virtually stamping out gun violence.

Then: Near-Zero Murders

Back in 2014, Bermuda made international headlines for reporting zero firearm murders — a remarkable achievement given the small island had endured a spate of gang-related shootings in the early 2010s. Police credited intelligence-led operations, tighter firearms interdictions, and aggressive prosecutions of gang leaders. Community programs and mentoring initiatives also played a role, giving at-risk youth alternatives to gang life.

By 2015 and 2016, gun crime was at historic lows. That period was hailed as proof Bermuda could beat back the tide of violence with coordinated policing, social investment, and political will.

Now: Alarming Resurgence

Fast forward nine years, and the picture looks starkly different. In 2024 and 2025, Bermuda has recorded a rise in gun-related deaths. Rival gangs such as Parkside and 42 have resurged, fueled by a new generation of recruits. Economic pressures, high youth unemployment, and the easy flow of smuggled firearms through maritime routes have undermined earlier gains.

Community trust in the police has also eroded, making investigations harder and retaliations more likely. Opposition MPs and neighborhood leaders warn that without sustained focus, Bermuda risks sliding back into the violent cycles of the early 2010s.

Public Alarm and Political Pressure

Premier David Burt condemned Minors’ killing as “an escalation of community violence that cannot be tolerated,” promising stronger enforcement and deeper engagement with residents. The Bermuda Police Service has appealed for CCTV, dashcam, and doorbell footage from the area, urging residents that even the smallest detail could break the case.

Yet among the public, frustration is growing. People remember the calm of 2014 — when zero murders were recorded — and cannot understand how the island has returned to headlines dominated by gun violence. The contrast is stark: from celebrating the elimination of gun murders to confronting the targeted execution of a businesswoman in broad daylight.

A Test for Bermuda’s Future

The murder of Janae Minors has become more than a single case; it is now a symbol of Bermuda’s struggle to hold on to the progress it once made. The question facing the island is whether the successes of a decade ago can be replicated and sustained in today’s harsher climate of economic pressure and gang rivalries.

For Minors’ family, nothing can erase the tragedy of losing a mother and daughter so violently. But for Bermuda at large, her death is a wake-up call — that the island cannot afford complacency when it comes to crime.

As one community leader put it: “Nine years ago, we had beaten this. Now, we’re back to fearing what happens when the sun goes down. That is not the Bermuda we want to live in.”

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Crime

Two Injured in Sunday Blue Hills Shootings

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Magnetic Media & Eagle Legal News

 

Turks and Caicos, August 29, 2025 – A quiet Sunday afternoon in Blue Hills was shattered on August 24 when bursts of gunfire erupted along Front Street, leaving two people injured and sparking renewed fears in the community.

According to Eagle Legal News Media, residents reported hearing a barrage of bullets around 3:30 p.m., forcing people to run for cover. Videos from the crime scene later showed more than two dozen evidence markers scattered across the roadway, documenting the scale of the attack.

At least two individuals were struck by gunfire, though police sources said their injuries were not considered life-threatening. The victims were treated at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where emergency services were briefly disrupted as staff responded to the influx of casualties.

The spray of bullets also damaged property. A small black Japanese car had its window blown out, while a truck parked nearby bore visible bullet holes.

The shooting came on the very same day that senior police and national security officials had gathered for a special church service in Providenciales, where prayers were offered for peace and protection across the islands. Just hours later, residents of Blue Hills were ducking for cover as bullets tore through their community.

The attack also followed weeks of heightened restrictions. Though Blue Hills had only recently emerged from a community-wide curfew, neighboring Five Cays remained under emergency restrictions until August 26. Additional late-night rules — including 2 a.m. closures for businesses and a ban on after-hours alcohol sales — remain in place following the July 27 Hookah Lounge mass shooting that killed four people.

Police cordoned off Front Street during their investigation, but as of press time, no arrests had been announced.

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Crime

Police Seize Rifle and Ammunition in Blue Hills, 2025 Marked by Guns and Drug Arrests

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos — August 22, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) has recovered a high-powered rifle and more than 250 rounds of ammunition following a targeted operation in the Blue Hills community of Providenciales.

According to police, officers from the Tactical Unit and the Criminal Investigations Division acted on intelligence and searched an open area where they discovered the weapon, 255 assorted rounds, and firearm accessories. No arrests were made. The investigation is continuing.

This seizure adds to a string of police actions in 2025 against guns and narcotics.

On March 27, officers executed a warrant at a residence in Pete Court, Kew Town. Police say they discovered several bags of suspected cannabis and tablets believed to be methamphetamine. A 58-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

In July, the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force intercepted two separate narcotics shipments under Operation Transit Shed. More than 26 kilograms of cannabis and other drugs, with an estimated street value of over US $260,000, were seized. The contraband had been vacuum-sealed and hidden in boxes with detergent odors to mask the smell.

Days later, the country faced its first mass shooting when gunmen opened fire at a nightclub in Providenciales. Three people were killed and ten others injured. No arrests have been reported. Police are offering a US $10,000 reward for information leading to those responsible.

Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey has urged the public to cooperate with investigations, while Premier Charles Washington Misick described the surge in gun violence as a serious threat to the nation’s security.

Residents are being encouraged to report illegal activity by calling 911, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or using the P3 app.

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