Bahamas News
Enrollment of Meteorological Cadets, almost double that of last year’s inaugural cohort
From: Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Niccolo P. Small Meteorology Cadet Programme was launched in 2023 with nine cadets; and now, in 2024 it boasts installation of 17 cadets.
Energy and Transport Minister, the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis at the Baha Mar Closing and Recognition Ceremony for this year’s Meteorology Cadet Programme, August 22, commended the young cadets’ achievement and, also, the service to the nation of past and present meteorologists.
Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis
She said: “The Bahamas Department of Meteorology is an important agency of the Government of The Bahamas. Its work is truly invaluable and touches every facet of our lives. Led by the Acting Director, Jeffrey Simmons, the Department of Meteorology has worked tirelessly over the years to provide a critical service to our country and the Bahamian people.
“I publicly express my sincere gratitude for the tremendous work that the Department of Meteorology does every day.”
She noted, “It is no secret that climate change is leading to more extreme weather and climate events such as longer and more intense heat waves, heavier rainfall, and severe hurricanes.
“Our vulnerability to the adverse impacts of weather events is increasing in many areas. It is a fact that our islands are low-lying, and that many Bahamians live near the sea.
“By investing in the Niccolo P. Small Meteorology Cadet Programme, the Government of The Bahamas is giving young Bahamians an opportunity to become meteorological scientists and foster a sense of environmental stewardship. We launched the Programme in 2023 with 9 cadets. Today, in our second installment there are 17 cadets – all young Bahamians who represent the future of our nation.”
Minister Coleby-Davis spoke to the dedication and service of former and Met trail blazers and department directors: “As the Acting Meteorology Director indicated in his speech, the Department of Meteorology has provided dedicated service to our nation over the years.
“As Minister with responsibility for the Department, I am acutely aware of some of the personal sacrifices made by past and current staff members of the Department of Meteorology in the fulfillment of keeping our country updated on weather systems and Bahamians safe.
“In far too many instances, the work of these individuals has gone unnoticed and unrewarded. I intend to change this observation.
“Last year, we recognized the work of former Director, Kenneth ‘Ken’ Lightbourne and the first female meteorologist, Donna Duncombe.
“This year we acknowledge the work of former Directors, Arthur Rolle, and Trevor Basden, as well as the current Acting Director of the Department, Jeffrey Simmons.
“Mr. Arthur Rolle became the third Director of the Bahamas Department of Meteorology. Under his directorship, Family Island Weather Stations went fully automated. With the assistance of the United States of America Voluntary Co-operative Programme, Mr. Rolle developed a storm surge atlas for the Northwest Bahamas. In 2009, Mr. Rolle was elected President of the World Meteorological Regional Association IV.
“Mr. Trevor Basden was the fourth director of the Bahamas Department of Meteorology. Under his directorship, the Government of The Bahamas invested over twenty million dollars for acquisition and installation of four doppler weather radars to effectively cover the entire island chain. During his career, Mr. Basden was a member of The Bahamas Hurricane Forecasting Team and the principal officer from the Department of Meteorology attached to the then Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). He has given numerous talks and lectures on hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and disaster preparedness to schools, civic groups, and disaster preparedness officials.
“Mr. Jeffrey Simmons joined The Bahamas Department of Meteorology in 1979 as Meteorological Trainee and now serves as the Acting Director. Mr. Simmons has more than 44 years of experience in tropical meteorology forecasting with emphasis on hurricane tracking and forecasting. He has also been actively involved with climate change for more than 25 years contributing to many documents on global climate change issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Mr. Simmons is The Bahamas’ Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization. Under his directorship, the Niccolo P. Small Meteorology Cadet Programme was established.
“In the future editions of the Niccolo P. Small Meteorology Cadet Programme, we will recognize other Bahamian pioneers in the field of meteorology and their contributions to the development of our nation.”
The Minister declared that she was proud of the young men and women in the second edition of the Niccolo P. Small Meteorology Cadet Programme, and encouraged other young Bahamians to enroll. It was in 2016, under the leadership of then Minister of Transport and Aviation the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, she said, that the capabilities of the Bahamas Department of Meteorology were expanded.
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
DEAR EDITOR,
Sometimes the best ideas come from experiences far away from home.
It was while I was living in Europe that I saw how excited people were about England’s iconic double-decker buses. It was a symbol of culture – and visitors looked forward to the ride as an experience in itself rather than just a method of transportation.
That sparked a thought: What if we brought that same excitement to The Bahamas, but made it uniquely Bahamian?
In November 2024, that thought became 2 Storeys Tours. I wanted visitors to see Nassau in a way they had not been able to before. That meant they could come straight off a cruise ship and onto a double-decker to see what makes our country what it is – to see our beautiful waters and to discover what makes us Bahamian.
We wanted to create something memorable, something visitors would associate with their Bahamian vacation, just as people associate double-decker buses with England.
The bus may catch your attention, but The Bahamas is what makes the experience unforgettable.
We also believe tourism should create opportunities for Bahamians.
We started less than five years ago with one very used double decker bus.
Now thanks to cruise ship business, we have quadrupled the size of our little fleet. We now have four shiny new red and blue buses, so we can say Welcome Ashore in style.
Depending on the season, between 70 and 80 percent of our business is cruise-passenger driven. Even during the slower season for hotels, the cruise ships arrive filled with people looking to explore historic Nassau and we are giving them the closest to a bird’s eye view as they can get. And they love it.
Turning an idea into a functioning business has been an exciting journey, but certainly not without challenges. From planning and preparation to finally seeing our buses on the road, the experience has taught us patience, perseverance, and the importance of believing in a vision.
We are proud of how far we’ve come, and even more excited about what lies ahead.
Building partnerships helped us to get to where we are today – building them further will take us to where we can reach tomorrow.
Our ambition is to make 2 Storeys Tours a recognised and trusted name in Bahamian tourism. We want to continue improving our tours, developing new experiences, embracing environmentally responsible tourism, and building meaningful relationships – and eventually take the 2 Storeys Tours experience beyond Nassau to other islands.
Above all, we want to build something that lasts.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think that an observation while living in Europe could lead to a business right here at home.
What began as an idea became a business with a purpose, and we’re only getting started.
Our inspiration came from abroad. Our passion comes from home. And our future is proudly Bahamian.
By: KEEVON MAYNARD
President, 2 Storeys Tours
Bahamas News
Federal Investigation into Florida Turnpike Tragedy that Killed Three Children of Bahamian Mother
NTSB examining roadside assistance driver’s actions, SUV speed and seat belt use after six people perish in fiery collision
ORLANDO, FLORIDA — October 29, 2026 — Federal investigators have joined the investigation into a horrific Florida Turnpike collision that claimed six lives, including all three children of a Bahamian mother, as questions intensify over what caused the deadly crash.
The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that it is opening an investigation into the October 23 accident, which occurred around 9:31 p.m. near mile marker 252 in Orange County.
The agency’s involvement brings federal scrutiny to a tragedy that has devastated several families and prompted an extraordinary
outpouring of sympathy and disbelief.
Among those killed were siblings Charles Milton, Jakara Milton and Dalvena Green, the three adult children of Marshall Clarke-Milton and her husband, Charles Milton Sr.
The siblings were traveling with three others to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, reportedly on their first trip together.
They never arrived.
FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS EXAMINE WHAT WENT WRONG
The NTSB confirmed to FOX 35 Orlando that its investigation will examine the training and performance of the roadside assistance driver, the actions of the SUV driver, including speed, and whether the occupants were wearing seat belts.
The agency investigates serious transportation accidents to identify safety failures and recommend measures that could prevent similar tragedies.
Its involvement does not establish wrongdoing by either driver.
The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting a separate investigation into the collision.
According to the preliminary police account, a Road Ranger roadside assistance truck had been parked in the highway median before its driver received instructions to assist a disabled box truck on the opposite shoulder.
As the Road Ranger moved across the northbound lanes, it collided with a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse carrying six adults.
Both vehicles left the roadway and caught fire.
All six occupants of the SUV died at the scene. The Road Ranger driver survived with minor injuries.
MOTHER CHALLENGES EARLY ACCOUNT
Witnesses reportedly told investigators that the SUV was traveling at high speed without its headlights illuminated.
However, those observations have not been established as the definitive cause of the collision.
Clarke-Milton has challenged suggestions that her children or their companions were responsible, urging investigators to examine the evidence before reaching conclusions.
She wants investigators to establish the SUV’s actual speed and determine whether its headlights were operating.
The family’s concerns underscore the importance of the continuing investigations, particularly given the movement of the roadside assistance vehicle across active highway lanes.
ALL THREE CHILDREN LOST
For Clarke-Milton, the investigation unfolds against an almost incomprehensible personal tragedy.
She lost all three of her children simultaneously.
In an emotional interview with FOX 35 Orlando, the grieving mother described the terrible feeling that overcame her when she could not reach them.
“My heart sank,” she said, recalling the moment she feared her children were involved.
The siblings were among six people whose lives ended during what should have been an enjoyable evening together.
The other victims included Timothy Williams and Shawn Palmer. A sixth person’s identity had not been publicly confirmed in the latest reports reviewed.
The family’s heartbreak has resonated across The Bahamas and beyond, with expressions of sympathy accompanying calls for answers.
SEARCH FOR ANSWERS CONTINUES
The Florida Highway Patrol has indicated that a crash report is expected within approximately ten days of the accident.
The NTSB’s investigation will examine broader transportation safety concerns, including the operation of roadside assistance vehicles and the circumstances surrounding the collision.
For the grieving families, the findings cannot reverse the tragedy.
But they may establish what happened on that stretch of Florida’s Turnpike and whether anything could have prevented six people from losing their lives.
For one Bahamian mother, the loss is especially devastating.
Three children left for an evening of entertainment. Not one came home.
Nassau, The Bahamas, October 22, 2026 — The National Computer Incident Response Team of The Bahamas (CIRT-BS) has issued a cybersecurity advisory warning businesses, government institutions and other organisations about the growing threat posed by Akira ransomware, a cybercriminal operation capable of stealing sensitive information, disrupting networks and demanding ransom payments.
Active since March 2023, Akira operates through a Ransomware-as-a-Service model, with affiliates exploiting weaknesses in computer networks to gain unauthorised access.
Once inside, attackers can steal confidential data, disable recovery systems and encrypt files, preventing organisations from accessing critical information.
Particularly concerning is Akira’s use of double extortion, threatening to publish stolen information unless victims pay. Some attacks involve data theft without encryption.
The October 22 advisory identifies vulnerabilities involving Cisco and SonicWall firewalls, VPN services, Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol, Veeam backup systems and outdated Windows and Linux operating systems. VMware ESXi and Nutanix AHV environments are also potential targets.
Attackers may exploit unpatched software, stolen login credentials and inadequately secured remote-access applications, including AnyDesk and RustDesk.
Warning signs include unexpected administrator accounts, unusual remote logins, unauthorised software installations, suspicious backup activity, mass file changes and ransom notes.
CIRT-BS recommends immediate security updates, multifactor authentication, restricted remote access, stronger network monitoring and secure backups maintained separately from operational systems.
Organisations should also remove unnecessary internet exposure of remote desktop services, limit administrative privileges and regularly test backup restoration.
The advisory does not identify any confirmed Akira attack against a Bahamian organisation but highlights vulnerabilities that could expose institutions to serious financial and operational disruption.
Cybersecurity incidents can be reported to CIRT-BS at soc@cirt.bs or through its official website.
