News
Wilkie Arthur in Civil Suit vs DMV & AG; calls demand for 11 years of Driver’s License fee unfair
By Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, July 17, 2023 – Wilke Arthur was on July 4, 2023 in court not as court reporter but in a civil proceeding as plaintiff or appellant as he had filed against the Hon Attorney General and the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
His issue or claim in the civil proceedings was that since being released from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) or the prison after serving an 11 year prison term, he attempted to take the lawful steps in renewing his driver’s license; that effort has been fraught with challenges, Arthur filed at the court.
In his submission, Arthur says he was told he has to pay the annual license fee for the past near 11 years. Arthur explained he requested to see the director who said the fee has to be paid based on TCI law.
While all who faced the law have been compliant and paid the years and years of fees, Arthur informs that he reminded the Director that he was in prison and under no circumstances he should be compelled to pay for back fees
when he have snot driven on the streets of the TCI for years. His driver’s license expired while he was in prison and obviously renewal was out of the question whilst incarcerated.
After the back and forward between the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the plaintiff, Wilkie Arthur researched the law and sought further legal assistance and found where any person who is aggrieved or dissatisfied with any decision of the Director may appeal to the Magistrate court.
On July 4, Mr. Arthur did exactly that and filed his appeal in the Magistrate’s Court.
Tamika Simms Williams is representing the Attorney General and the Director of the DMV.
Hon Resident Magistrate Mrs. Oreika Selver-Gardiner asked counsel for the AG to please let her see the laws in this matter. This was after Mr. Arthur outlined his case and stated there’s no provision in law for the director to charge him back fees as he had been incarcerated. Arthur was adamant that TCI law does not provide for it at all.
The law is clear on driver’s license being renewed and back dated to the date of its expiration, but it never says that the fees must be backdated to be paid accordingly.
The learned Resident Magistrate asked Ms. Simms Williams if she can show her where in law it says the director can charge back fees or is it just a matter of policy? Counsel for the AG could not show what was requested. The Magistrate Selver has therefore set the matter down for hearing, requesting that she would like to hear evidence on the matter and that director, Mr. Wilbur Caley has to testify.
The civil case is adjourned to August 8 for trial.
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
