News
Message for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 3rd June 2024: Saturday, June 1, 2024, marked the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season which will end on 30 November. It was quite appropriate for the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) and its partners to seeks God’s protection for a safe Hurricane Season. The team joined with Pastor Juan Montano and members of the Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Long Bay, Providenciales for worship.
Ms. Allison Gordon, Director, DDME brought Remarks and Mrs. Patrina Pollard Harris, Training Officer, shared the Scripture
Reading. Other partners in attendance were Dr. Holly Hamilton, Director of Meteorology, TCI Airport Authority and Ms. Charlene Higgs, Director – Health, Disaster Education and Training.
Pastor Montano commended Team DDME for its family emergency management plan which provided step-by-step procedures on how to prepare. He spoke on the topic “Preparation and God’s People”. His key text came from St. Matthew 7:24-25 which addressed one’s attitude towards preparation: a wise man who built his house upon a rock. This house did not fall when the winds blew because it was built on a rock. He emphasised that we must be prepared to help our neighbours. He reinforced the Church’s commitment to provide support to the work of the DDME. He stressed that it is wise for one to prepare for a storm or any adverse event; but most importantly, one must prepare for the coming of Christ.
The DDME’s theme for the 2024 Hurricane season is: “Proactive Resilience: Thriving through the Hurricane Season with Preparation and Vigilance”.
This theme aligns with the forecast of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is the main governing body that issues watches and warnings for much of the Atlantic Basin. NOAA has stated that the stage is set for what could be the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history. The official forecast called for 17-25 total named storms, 8-13 hurricanes, and 4-7 major hurricanes. It is, therefore, imperative for the people of the Turks and Caicos islands to continue to foster the mindset and culture of Proactive Resilience. In order to survive and thrive through this Hurricane Season, the public is encouraged to be prepared and be vigilant.
Here are a few preparedness tips:
- Have a family emergency plan and ensure that all members of your family are aware of the details of this plan.
- Remember that your home is your primary shelter. Reinforce it and secure it well. However, if your home is vulnerable, you must know where the nearest emergency shelter is and the safest route to get there. Make sure you take at least three (3) days’ supply of food and water with you to the shelter.
- Trim trees that threaten buildings.
- Have your “Grab and Go Kit” ready. This should include, but not limited to, items such as non-perishable food, clothing, medication, flashlight, water, important documents and your child’s favourite toy.
- Ensure property insurance is up-to-date. If your property is not insured, now is the best time to get it done.
- Download the DDME Alert App by either scanning the QR Code to be found on DDME Printed literature or from your Google Play or Apple Store. Also get the latest weather updates from the TCIAA National Weather Service Facebook page facebook.com/tcinws
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Thursday, June 6 – Press Conference, Providenciales
- Tuesday, June 11 – State of Preparedness Meeting, Providenciales
- Thursday, June 13 – Volunteer Stakeholders Conference, Providenciales
- Friday, June 28 – Hurricane Preparedness Expo, Downtown, Providenciales
Disaster Resilience everybody’s business and requires the collaborate efforts of Government, Non-government, Private Sectors, ALL.
We pray for a safe hurricane season. Despite the forecast, it only takes one storm, so Be Proactive! Be Prepared! Be Vigilant!
Photo Captions:
1st insert: Pastor Juan Montano, Speaker at the Hurricane Preparedness Church Service held at the Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Long Bay, Providenciales on Saturday, 1 June 2024.
2nd insert: Attendees at the Church Service – Saturday, 1 June 2024 – Ephesus SDA Church (Left to Right)Mrs. Patrina Pollard-Harris, DDME; Ms. Charlene Higgs, Ministry of Health; Pastor Juan Montano – Ephesus SDA; Dr Holly Hamilton, TCIAA National Weather Service; Allison Gordon, Director-DDME.
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
