Bahamas News
Caribbean Wines & Spirits Raises $7,200 for National Art Gallery with Immersive Art and Dining Experience
Nassau, BAHAMAS — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS) hosted an intimate and immersive dining experience with the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) to mark the opening of NELEVEN: Into the Void, the 11th National Exhibition featuring of 23 Bahamian artists.
The evening was the perfect blend of culinary finesse and art. Throughout different stages of the experience, guests enjoyed the finest
champagnes, wines and cognacs provided by CWS.
Keeping true to its philanthropic pillar, CWS sold all tickets and raised $7,200 for the NAGB.
Waylon McHardy, General Manager for Caribbean Wines & Spirits spoke to what prompted CWS to host, “A Night at the Museum.”
“As a 100% Bahamian owned company which is focused on the advancement of culture, we felt it was important to contribute towards the growth of Bahamians in the orange economy.” McHardy said.
Maelynn Ford, Director of the NAGB expressed her gratitude in receiving such a generous donation from CWS.
“I am so pleased that Caribbean Wines & Spirits saw the opening of this National Exhibition, not only as an opportunity to showcase their phenomenal wine selection, but also to donate to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. We look forward to deepening this partnership.”
she said. 60 philanthropists were welcomed to the museum with glasses of Bleu Brut and Brut Rosé from CWS’ Besserat de Bellefon champagne line along with various hors d’oeuvres. For an hour they had exclusive access to view NELEVEN: Into the Void, which was unveiled to the public only days before.
DeCarlo McPhee, Sales Advisor for CWS shared why Besserat de Bellefon champagne and rosé were the perfect sips to start the evening.
“For an evening such as this there is no better way to greet our guests than with champagne from the “Maison” Besserat de Bellefon. Founded in 1843 this champagne house is known for its elegance and finesse. It has fine bubbles that are pleasing to the sight and palate making a great start to a beautiful night.” he said.
Following their gallery exploration, guests were invited into the ballroom which held various art pieces, one being from artist Jonnique
Beadle. Before dinner, host Nicholas Mitchell gave a warm welcome and an overview of dinner, officially starting the culinary portion of the night. Patrons indulged in a delicious six course Italian tasting menu fused with many Bahamian delights prepared by Chef Alexandra Maillis-Lynch.
Dishes such as the: thyme and goat pepper braised Bahamian octopus, with roasted bone marrow on squid ink risotto, and the seared fish, with creamy coconut sauce, on fried breadfruit bruschetta offered an explosion of flavor.
Guests enjoyed a curated selection of exceptional Italian wines from CWS’ extensive collection. The wines—Villa Matilde Greco di Tufo, Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo, Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto, Michele Chiarlo Barbaresco, Michele Chiarlo Barolo, and Fonseca 10-Year—
were carefully curated to complement each course, creating a complete gastronomic experience. At the dinner’s midpoint Beadle spoke to the audience about her straw mannequins ‘Straw Doll Series: Sentinel and Nexus Nostalgia’ along with the exhibit’s Co-curator, Letitia Pratt.
Artist Jordanna Kelly was also in attendance. Her piece titled ‘95%’ which she co-created with fellow artist Jenna Chaplin is partially sponsored by Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), CWS’ sister company.
After the final course, guests were escorted outside to the gallery’s lawn which was transformed into a tropical lounge for the final treat of the night – cognac and cigars. Guests got exclusive access to CWS’ newest product ABK6, the finest French cognac in The Bahamas. The cognac was perfectly accompanied by hand rolled cigars from Graycliff.
“In our desire to give our guests the ultimate dining experience we chose to give them a taste from our ABK6 line, an exquisite French single estate cognac. We featured the VSOP, XO Renaissance and the Honey Cognac Liqueur, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed.” McPhee revealed.
Guests left the evening transformed by the incredible blend of culinary and artistic flair. CWS is proud to have hosted such a successful event in support of programming at the NAGB.
To learn more about the latest products, sampling schedules and upcoming events, visit Caribbean Wines & Spirits’ website at www.cwsbahamas.com.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1st insert: Guests seen engaging in stimulating conversation at the start of the dinner. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
2nd insert: Jordanna Kelly adorns a bright smile in her piece titled ‘95%’ which is partially sponsored by Coca-Cola. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
3rd insert: A big smile along with the various cognacs CWS offers from the ABK6 line. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
4th insert: Bubbles Galore: CWS Team members standing at their champagne stations, one being a lush champagne wall to greet guests. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
5th insert: An up-close shot of Chef Alexandra’s seared fish, with a creamy coconut sauce, on fried breadfruit bruschetta. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
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.
