The Eleutheran Newspaper Jan/Feb 2020 Issue

web: WWW.ELEUTHERANEWS.COM

(1-242) 422 9350

Volume 13, Issue 1/12, 2020

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells, The Bahamas

Your FREE copy Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, & Eleuthera - North, Central & South

` Information. We Deliver!’’ Monthly In Print & Daily Online.

Since 2008 - ‘‘Eleuthera’s most reliable Source of News and

15th ANNUAL 2020 Eleuthera Young Chef Competition

BACK COVER: Damianos Sotheby’s Int’l PAGE 3: Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty PAGE 5: HG Christie

See Story On Page 28 ADVICE:

19 (...Know Your Number) ; 13 (Tips: Property Tax...) |

Opinion & ADVICE:

12 & 35 | 04

BAHAMAS at roundtable 07

CRIME STATISTICS 10 & 34

The

NATIONAL RECORD

14 23 What’s Happening 36/8 Crime Reports

35 PRAYER

30-33/39-47

20

07

16

DISTRICT TOP SPELLERS

Research started at CEI into Eleuthera’s snakes Last year, the Cape Eleuthera Institute began to investigate the native snake species of Eleuthera to improve our knowledge of these fascinating animals.

Continued On Page 27

4

2

www. EleutheraNews . com

Lo c a l

Jan/Feb, 2020

2020,

Jan/Feb

Lo c a l

The Eleutheran

3

4

www. EleutheraNews . com

loc al +p lu s Bahamas

Participates in US-Caribbean Ministerial Round Table Hosted by Michael Pompeo, US Secretary of State in Kingston Jamaica Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Darren A. Henfield was among a caucus of Caribbean nations whose Foreign Ministers recently attended a Ministerial Roundtable in Kingston, Jamaica, hosted by the United States Secretary of State the Honourable Michael Pompeo.

The high-level meeting held on 22nd January, 2020, provided a platform for discussions on shared

Jan/Feb, 2020 democratic values and critical hemispheric matters particularly security, development cooperation, prosperity and human rights. Talks also centered on financial services inclusive of blacklistings and de-risking, youth empowerment, education and the diversification of the Organization of American States (OAS), all crucial to U.S.-Caribbean relations.

The Bahamas and the Caribbean are valuable partners and allies of the United States and these roundtables are important platforms for working towards shared goals.

On the sidelines of the formal meeting, Minister Henfield and Secretary Pompeo also discussed the humanitarian support that the U.S. provided to The Bahamas post Hurricane Dorian and rebuilding efforts.

They also discussed US travel advisories and tourism. During the talks, Minister Henfield conveyed the gratitude of the Bahamian people, particularly those from Abaco and Grand Bahama, for the solidarity and support of the United States which has P23

2020,

Jan/Feb

Lo c a l

The Eleutheran

5

6

www. EleutheraNews . com

Lo c a l

Jan/Feb, 2020

2020,

Jan/Feb

loc a l +p lu s

“Far too many illegal firearms” RBPF Commissioner releases 2019 stats;

Eleuthera Division highlights local initiatives.

Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) Commissioner Anthony Ferguson hosted a nationwide video-conferenced ‘Meet The Press’ morning event, where he gave a summary of police activity during 2019, on Wednesday, January 8th, 2020, and local media from all over the country were invited to take part, as he presented on the challenges remaining and the successes garnered during the past year in their daily efforts to mitigate incidences of crime within the Bahamas.

According to him, serious intentional injuries continue to be a major concern and challenge to law enforcement, and by extension, their medical colleagues, a consequence in part of ‘far too many illegal firearms’ that continue to be in the hands of individuals with criminal intent.

With regards to the many incidents of shooting, resulting in death, retaliation, drugs and relationships were listed as some of the motives for those shootings.

Eleuthera in 2019 was not untouched, witnessing its first death by gunshot incident in recent time, when 27 year old Dwayne Rolle Jr., was killed in James’ Cistern on August 24th, and more recently in Harbour Island on November 30th, a shooting incident that left an adult male nursing serious wounds.

The Commissioner pointed out, however, that the country continues to see

an overall downward trend in crime figures. Preliminary crime figures for 2019 indicated that crime across the Bahamas, showed a decrease by 7%, when compared to 2018. Violent crime, saw an increase of 1%, while property crimes decreased by 9%. Crime figures across New Providence, were down by 6%, a 10% decrease was seen in Grand Bahama and the Family Islands also showed a decrease of 8%,.

Outlining further details about the violent crime figures, Commissioner Ferguson said, although the overall incidence of murder across the country, for the second consecutive year, remained below 100, it still increased by 4%, with 95 incidents in 2019, compared to 91 incidents in 2018 (Of these incidents, 80 took place in New Providence, 10 in Grand Bahama, 2 in Abaco, 2 in Bimini, and one was recorded on the island of Eleuthera).

When viewed quarterly , the first two quarters of the year showed comparative decreases in both murders and armed robberies. However, there was a dramatic change in the 3rd quarter , when a 100% increase in recorded murders, and a 51% increase of reported armed robberies, were seen compared to the same peP26 riod in 2018.

He commented that,

The Eleutheran

7

8

www. EleutheraNews . com

Lo c a l

Jan/Feb, 2020

2020,

Jan/Feb

Lo c a l

The Eleutheran

9

10

www. EleutheraNews . com

n at i o n a l

Jan/Feb, 2020

Project Sand Dollar

A Bahamian Payment System Modernization Initiative

The Central Bank will introduce a digital version of the Bahamian dollar, starting with a pilot phase in Exuma in December 2019, and extending in the first half of 2020 to Abaco. This initiative has acquired the name Project Sand Dollar, with the sand dollar also being the name assigned to the proposed central bank digital currency (CBDC). This is a continuation of the Bahamian Payments System Modernization Initiative (PSMI), which began in the early 2000s.

The Bahamian PSMI targets improved outcomes for financial inclusion and access, making the domestic payments system more efficient and non-discriminatory in access to financial services.

Although average measures of financial development and access in The Bahamas are high by international standards, pockets of the population are excluded because of the remoteness of some communities outside of the cost effective reach of physical banking services. More onerous customer due diligence standards for AML/CFT international tax compliance have

also resulted in forms of exclusion, including more recent responses to tighter “know your customer� (KYC) systems introduced to preserve international correspondent banking relationships. As recent policy and regulatory reforms have begun to tackle these barriers, the Central Bank is intent on accelerating payments system reform, admitting new categories of financial services providers and using the digital payments infrastructure to make the supply of traditional banking services accessible to all segments of the population.

Recent surveys document that as part of a financial literacy campaign, there is room to improve both knowledge and awareness of financial products and responsible financial behavior. Opportunities also exist to reduce transaction costs for businesses and consumers.

Feedback from Exuma, show a high penetration of mobile phone usage, and a likelihood that a higher share of the population would be willing to use digital financial services including electronic payments. The public though will need more assurances

around the safety of conducting online transactions. The digital currency design and public education will tackle these issues.

Most of the benefits of introducing a digital currency are still unquantifiable.

However, they include a potential suppression of economic costs associated with cash usage, and benefits to the Government from improved expenditure and tax administration systems.

It is expected that the Government, as participant and user, would be a strong promoter of digital payments adoption, alongside non-bank payment services providers as the initial lead intermediaries in this space.

As the pilot progresses in Exuma, the Central Bank will simultaneously promote the development of new regulations for the digital currency, and strengthen consumer protection, espe-

cially around data protection standards.

The Bank will also advance reforms to permit direct participation of non-banks in the domestic payments system. Early passage of the new Central Bank of The Bahamas Bill will support the creation of some regulations, while additional reforms will be possible under the existing Payment Systems Act.

Source: The Central Bank of the Bahamas

Lo c a l

Classified: FOR SALE

BY OWNER:

Johnson Harbour View Estate Limited, Harbour Island BSD $250,000 Layout: Ground Level - Two bedrooms, one bathroom, living and dining area and kitchen. Upper Level - Two one-bedroom units each. Units have a living and dining area and a kitchen.

Land: Area 3,600 square feet, being a portion of Lot 27. Building - 2,100 square feet.

BAHAMAS MONITORING CLOSELY THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS IN CHINA The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with The Bahamas’ Ambassador to China and other officials of the Embassy, is monitoring the spread of the coronavirus, which started in Wuhan, China. There are nine Bahamians who are undergoing higher level studies in Wuhan. However, as the schools are on break, only five students are currently in Wuhan. The Ambassa-

dor and his staff are in close contact with these five Bahamian students, as well as all students and nationals in China. The students in Wuhan are safe, and they have been advised to comply with all safety and security advisories issued by the Government of China.

The Ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely and update the public as needed.

Jan/Feb, 2020

11

12

www. EleutheraNews . com

co m m e n ta ry

Only CARICOM countries can divide CARICOM

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own)

The meeting between U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and the Foreign Ministers of seven Caribbean countries, gave rise to many questions, but the U.S. seeking to “divide CARICOM” should not be one of them.

External forces can try as they wish to divide the members of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM), but only

those Caribbean nations can cause the division.

So, there should be no blame attributed to the U.S. government for “dividing CARICOM” by the invitation to foreign ministers of only six of its 14 independent memberstates to attend a January 22 meeting, hosted by the Jamaica government. The U.S., like every other government in the world, has the perfect right to invite to a meeting any governments with which it wants to confer.

The issue – if, indeed, there is an issue – is with those CARICOM governments, particularly the host government, that agreed to the meeting without insisting that no CARICOM government should have been excluded from a rare opportunity to consult a U.S. representative as high-level as the Secretary of State.

After all, the meeting was held in the Caribbean, under the auspices of a CARICOM government. It was not held in the U.S. under the control of the U.S. government as occurred when President Trump invited five Caribbean leaders to Mar-aLargo, his estate in Florida.

At the very least, it was within the Jamaica Prime Minister’s capacity to advise the U.S. government that it would be both prudent and beneficial for representatives of all 14 independent CARICOM governments to be invited to what Mr. Pompeo’s

own State Department described as “a roundtable discussion” with the named foreign ministers of the seven Caribbean countries. It should be noted that, in addition to the six invited foreign ministers from CARICOM countries, the Dominican Republic was also an invitee as it was to the Mar-alargo gathering with President Trump.

In the past, whenever any CARICOM government has hosted a leader of a major nation, it has been the general practice to invite all CARICOM governments to be present for discussions. The wider CARICOM meeting with such leaders did not preclude a bilateral meeting by the host government with the invited leader.

Indeed, it was the norm that a bilateral meeting would be held between the host and guest leaders, followed by the wider consultation with all CARICOM governments.

In this context, the off-thecuff remark, made by Jamaica Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, at a press conference with Mr. Pompeo, that, “if any­ one wanted to attend, they just had to signal”, was unfortunate. Mr. Holness is a decent man; undoubtedly, had he prepared his response, it would have been more considered and less dismissive than it sounded.

No CARICOM country should have to ask for an invitation between a representative of the world’s superpower and representatives of CARICOM countries. From the inception of the treaty organisation, CARICOM member countries have operated in recognition that there is strength in their taking common positions on the crucial issues that affect them jointly.

A separate collective CARICOM meeting with Mr. Pompeo would not have deprived the Jamaica government of bilateral discussions of matters of peculiar interest to Jamaica. However, apart from specific national interests, Jamaican concerns, that are shared with all other CARICOM countries, would have been bolstered by Mr. Pompeo hearing the collective voice of the 14 independent member states. That opportunity was lost at the January 22 meeting.

It is for the other five CARICOM countries that readily attended the meeting to consider whether they should have accepted an invitation that excluded eight of the countries on whose support and solidarity they depend in global affairs.

Would the arguments that they

Jan/Feb, 2020

advanced, not have had greater effect if Mr. Pompeo had heard them from 14 countries rather than 6, especially as among the remaining eight countries would have been Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname – three countries that possess resources that are of considerable interest to the U.S.?

Of course, at the heart of this matter is that CARICOM countries have never

open holidays

agreed to harmonise their external relations, as have the (still) 28 countries of the European Union (EU), which conduct their collective policies through a single European Commission under the direction of a Council of Ministers of the member states. CARICOM governments have clung to the notion that CARICOM is “a community of sovereign states”. In affirming this position in their external relations, they have placed the rights of “sovereignty” over the obligations of “community”, allowing each of them to pursue short term “benefits” from external sources at the expense of the longer term gains they would get from being seen, indeed and in fact, as a solid and unshakeable group.

But, there should be no mistake. External forces will always try to break

Article Continued Page 13

A DVI cE

Have you paid your

PROPERTY TAX?

pied residential property is tax exempt.

Have you paid your real property tax for 2019?

If the answer is No, make sure you do so to avoid being charged interest on the amount due. You should have received your 2020 property tax bill by now. Pay your 2020 bill by the end of March and you will be able to claim a 10 percent discount for early payment. If you’re property has been reassessed, this will help offset any increase while assisting the cash strapped Public Treasury.

Real property tax, in its present form, was established in 1969 to help government meet its financial commitments, for instance, to pay for garbage disposal, building maintenance, public service salaries and so on.

The bills should be ready in October of the previous tax year.

Everybody in New Providence has to pay real property tax on their homes unless it is valued under $250,000 and is owner occupied. Under this circumstance there is no tax. Any amount above $250,000 is taxable.

There is no exemption on developed commercial properties and the tax rate is different.

Non-Bahamians pay on any type of property they own in New Providence, whether developed or not. Bahamians do not pay on vacant properties.

Bahamians in the Family islands are exempt from real property tax whereas non-Bahamians pay whether the property is developed or not. No property taxes are paid in the Freeport area by anyone.

The tax is calculated on a graduated scale. * The first $250,000 on Owner Occu-

Commentary-

* On the value of owner/occupied properties between $250,000 and $500,000, the rate is 3/4 of one percent. * On the portion over $500,000, the tax rate is 1% of the market value of the property. * There is a tax ceiling of $60,000 on an owner-occupied home. * In the case of non-Bahamians, on vacant land, a flat fee of $100 is charged annually on the first $7,000 of the value of undeveloped land. Anything above $7,000 incurs a tax of 2% of the remaining property value To qualify for the $250,000 exemption, the home must be occupied at least on a seasonal basis which allows for persons who do not live in the home full time (Bahamians and non-Bahamians) to qualify for the exemption.

CAN I PAY IN INSTALMENTS? Homeowners who are unable to pay their bill in full may do so in monthly or quarterly instalments. If the tax is not paid by the end of the tax year, interest of five percent is applied to the outstanding amount. The government’s treasurer may also put a lien against a property and the government can take it after due process. I am unaware of this ever happening, but some years ago a few persons were sued for outstanding taxes.

TAX RELIEF If it becomes necessary, homeowners may apply for tax “relief” on an annual basis. This can be granted after an investigation has been carried out, or a deferral of the tax, meaning that the tax will be held

Ronald Sanders

Continued from Page. 12 any solidarity of CARICOM countries if it is in their interest to do so. No CARICOM government should behave as if such attempts are an affront – it has always been a fact of international relations. Instead, CARICOM countries should consider what they lose individually and collectively by fragmenting themselves, instead of acting in solidarity.

As for the Jamaica meeting, Mr. Pompeo had one overriding objective and that was to secure the support of the seven attending countries to vote for Mr. Luis Almagro to be re-elected as the SecretaryGeneral of the Organization of American States.

The U.S. has calculated Mr. Almagro’s

support and reached the unavoidable conclusion that he does not now have the 18 votes required to be re-elected. There is nothing wrong with the U.S. government promoting and advancing a candidate it favours; many countries in the Lima Group and in the Caribbean are also promoting the candidates they back.

The more fundamental issue is not whether external forces are trying to divide CARICOM, but whether CARICOM will allow itself to be divided. Maybe, at the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in February in Barbados, the 14 Heads of independent member states should lock themselves in a room, without anyone else, and thrash out this issue.

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

until the sale or transfer of the property.

Jan/Feb, 2020

13

By Mike Lightbourn

Senior citizens may be entitled to a tax break on owner occupied property. After the exemption on the first $250,000, a 50% discount on the balance of home value may be given provided the home is not valued above $1 million.

In order to qualify, a homeowner must be 65 years or older and have an NIB Senior Citizen’s card.

PAYING REAL PROPERTY TAX Thankfully, the nightmarish process of queuing up in long lines to pay the tax is no longer necessary. You can now pay your real property tax at any Royal Bank of Canada or via online banking.

You can use your credit card and (I’m assuming) your debit card. You can also try paying on the Department of Inland Revenue’s website by credit card. Or you can pay the old-fashioned way, by queuing up at the Department of Inland Revenue on Carmichael Road.

Questions or comments?

Contact me at info@cbbahamas.com (Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty).

14

www. EleutheraNews . com

An Eleutheran Profile:

f e at u r e

Jan/Feb, 2020

Mrs. Edith Hanna

(January 11th, 1930)

BY elizabEth bryan

An Eleutheran Profile: Mrs. Edith Bernice Hannah

Introduction: At 90-solid-years old, nonagenarian, Mrs. Edith Bernice Hannah (nee Dean), of Hatchet Bay, Central Eleuthera, does not look a day over 65. With her beautiful style, quick smile and quiet grace, she serves as the anchor around whom her family rests.

During January of 2020, she was celebrated in grand style, with a birthday party hosted at a guest property at Whale Point, where her immediate and extended family members, friends, and church family, were invited to spend the special day with her.

During the week following her 90th birthday bash, Elizabeth Bryan, from The Eleutheran Newspaper, had the opportunity to visit with Mrs. Edith, and chat about her nine decades of life experience - in her hometown of Hatchet Bay, and other places life took her.

Early Days: Mrs. Edith Bernice Hanna, was born to her mother, Ramona Curlene Dean (nee Bethel), and her father, George Henry Dean, on January 11th, 1930, on the cusp of the Great Depression in the U.S. “My mother was a seamstress, and my father was farmer and a fishermen.

He had his boat for fishing, and when we were small he would take us out sometime,”

she recalled as she let her mind travel down a lane of very old memories.

“On weekends, almost every home would bake potato bread, cassava bread and flour bread. Then they would cut off ‘so much’ and say this piece is for this person, this piece is for the other. This was done on Saturday evening or early on Sunday morning, because you had to have the bread to go with the stewed fish or boiled fish. Like that we all lived like neighbours. We lived good. Everybody was poor, but everybody shared together, and you didn’t know you were ‘poor’. We thought we were flowing in it,” said Mrs. Edith, smiling as she gave a hearty laugh.

“When I was between 12 and 13 years old, in school, I was made a ‘monitress’. I would stand in front of the school, helping to keep the children quiet, and it wasn’t too hard - and I was being paid. However, when I turned 14, they had to let us go, and there was nothing I could do… So, then I helped my mother with her sewing. Even before I left school, I would spend a lot of time with my grandaunt, Irene Dean, who was also a seamstress. I used to be with her most of the time, and only at night I would come home to sleep. At that time girls didn’t learn

too much more than, how to sew. At my grandaunt’s, I would help her hem dresses, working button holes, and other things. I was like an apprentice… My mother and her, both of them were seamstresses…

“Growing up, my mother had nine living children. I had seven brothers and one sister. The house was full.

That’s why we lived close. Back then we lived close with our family, and in those days family was family. So, Irene Dean, who was my mother’s aunt, she would have me home with her, and I would be with her all day - so I grew up between my mother and my grand aunt.

“I grew up in what people now call Alice Town, but you know, when I was growing up it was all called Hatchet Bay. After Mr. Levy came (Austin T. Levy, established the Harrisville Company around 1936 in Hatchet Bay), he tried to make the division - because, the whites up and bought the property. His business was over here (an area called ‘White town’), and he cut it off, and said let the black people be over there (current main Hatchet Bay township) - which was Alice Town. Over here (White town) was called Hatchet Bay. No blacks could come over here afterwards, only workmen and women - to work in the white people’s homes or his business, which we called then, ‘The Company’.

“With the Levy Company, they had the grocery store, the dry goods store, and the notions store - where they sold blades, and pans and dishes etc. Before I left school, in the dry goods store, I was a helper there, helping to serve when people came in for stuff - like clothing, ready-made dresses and pants for men and shirts.

We also sold material, and we had to measure you up. People would come for 3 yards of this or 4 yards of that. I was in that department. I helped to serve, and then carried the item to the counter. I was not a cashier then, because they had all the ‘white folks’ doing that. I was just a ‘black’ girl helping to serve. So, it was after school, in between, I would help out in the store.

“Around that time, my mother bought me a Raleigh bicycle, with three speeds, and from school, I would go to the store until closing time. That was my hobby/past-time then. I worked there, along with Mary Roberts, whose father was the manager at the slaughterhouse.” Smiling happily, Mrs. Edith interjected into her recollections, saying, “She (Mary Roberts) called me just yesterday,

and we were talking about old times.”

Then she continued with her memories of working in the store, “Before her, there was a lady who I was first working with. Her name was Agnes Knowles - she was from Rock Sound.

After she left, then Mary Roberts was there.”

Work, Family and Change: After leaving school in 1944, Mrs. Edith continued to work at the Dry Goods store with the Harrisville Company, and assisting her mother and grandaunt with their sewing work. As she grew into a lovely young lady, she began to garner the attention of the young men within the community, looking to find their life partners. As was the custom back then, older family members took an active role in looking out for future spouses for their younger family members. Edith’s husband-to-be, Mr. George Hannah (now deceased), who had been born in the U.S. before his family returned to live in New Providence, was then a young man, sent to live with his aunt in Hatchet Bay. When they met, said Mrs. Edith, who described him, with a smile, as both tall and handsome, he was working on the dairy farm at the Harrisville Company, milking and taking care of the cows. “During my time working at the store, I would ride my bicycle, and when I came home, I would talk to him. I met him through his aunt, who was a neighbour to my mother.

He and I would talk, and I gradually liked him. I had several suitors liking me at that time, and he wanted to get in between… His aunt came to know that these other boys were also after me. So, she encouraged me for him, and taking her advice, I went along with it, and fell in love with him. After that, I got married.” Mrs. Edith was 18-years-old, when she and George were married, and she was blessed with nine children - six with her husband, and her younger three, later in life.

As a young, married woman, Mrs. Edith’s work at Harrisville Company changed. “They (Levy’s Harrisville Company) also had a school, near here (her current home in the former ‘White town’ area), with only white children. Only after the government changed, they had to have some of the black children attend there. Before that, only the ‘whites’ stayed here.

Locals could only work, that’s all women as maids, and the men on the farm and in the slaughterhouse, like

P15

f e at u r e

Jan/Feb, 2020

Eleutheran Profile Continued from Page. 14 that. After I got married, I worked there at the school as a janitress, and at a place called ‘The Sleepers’, a guest home at the Company, where when tourists and visitors came, they would live. It had several rooms, and I kept them always ready for the guests.”

The Hatchet Bay Yacht Club, also a part of the Harrisville Company, was where Mrs. Edith would also be asked to assist. “They got me to work a number of days at the Yacht Club, as well.

They had a black bartender, Mr. Bertram Davis. He was the head bartender, and they got me to assist him. I started with washing glasses, and taking orders in the bar - things like that…

Then he had me help to serve and he showed me how to mix the drinks… If it was not busy in the bar, I would help in the kitchen too. I worked there for many years, until it was shut down, after it burned in a fire. I was around 39 then.”

After her husband George, lost his job at the dairy farm, with operations waning down at the Harrisville Company, Mrs. Edith and her family made a move to the capital, where she became a hairdresser. “My husband’s mother invited us to come into Nassau, and my husband found a job there. When I was in Nassau, one of my neighbours had a beauty shop, close to where I lived on Meeting Street. She was a very nice lady, Mrs. Moultrie, and she found out that I used to do hair. So, the hairdresser had me come over, and I started off shampooing, putting on treatments and the like. Then they got me to do the comb presses, that the older ladies preferred, and the younger ladies would have their hair permed. I also learned how to curl hair there as well. That continued through my 40’s and going onto my 50’s.”

While in Nassau, Mrs. Edith parted ways with her husband George. Working, with six children on her own in New Providence, she shared, was not a feasible option, so, following her family’s advice, she returned to Eleuthera with the children. She then lived with her mother. On her return, she got a job working as a maid at the Club Med Resort located in Governor’s Harbour. It was there, where she would stay, supporting her family, until she retired at 65 years old - just a few years before they closed down in 1999, following the destruction of Hurricane Floyd. “I was on a pension, so I got a few dollars from Club Med,” she smiled.

Mrs. Hannah’s current home, where she resides with several of her now adult children and extended family, is in the area of Hatchet, formerly referred to as ‘White town’. She acquired it, while working at Club Med, when

15

the old homes in the area came up for sale by the government. Extensive renovations and additions were made to the original structure she said, resulting in the very comfortable residence she now spends time in with her family. She also added a side shop to her home, where after retirement until today, she sells convenience items to surrounding residents in the neighbourhood.

Faith, Harmony and Active Living: Mrs. Hannah when asked what the secret was to her health and longevity, she smiled, and said, “Giving your life to the Lord. I got baptized, and gave my life to the Lord when I was 13.” St. Stephen’s Baptist in Hatchet Bay has been her home church since she was a young girl. She remembered being asked to join the choir as a young teenager, and has been involved in that way for all of her life. “I always sang alto… and after I left Hatchet Bay to go into Nassau, I used to go to Bethel Baptist Church, and also sang in the choir there.” At ninety years old, she is still singing in St. Stephen’s Baptist ‘Sanctuary Choir’, and loving it, she said.

Describing what a typical busy day looks like for her now, Mrs. Edith shared, “Child, I still work all the time it seems, with no off day,” she chuckled. “Sundays are my active days.

You go to Sunday school, you prepare for church, and then when they have a meeting or concert, I’m right there - at my church or at other churches - where ever St. Stephen’s Choir is invited. I’m still active at church.” At home, she also takes great pride in her beautiful yard, filled with fruit and flower trees, and takes time out to take care of it on her own. “I keep my own yard. Did you see my rose trees, as you were coming in. I trimmed those,” she said, her eyes sparkling with pride and energy. “When it rains, you know, they really start growing, so yesterday, I said, these are too high, and I clipped them.”

Food, like most mothers, has been a big part of her daily life as well. “When it comes to food - I love fish, and I like my chicken - either broiled or boiled. I bake bread myself too. I used to bake bread every week, but now I bake it when I feel like it. I also used to bake for my shop - coconut tarts, regular cakes, pineapple tarts, cupcakes.

That’s what my shop actually started off with. The store is still open nowadays. I just don’t have as much in it as I used to. Just before you came, I was restocking the fridge in the store with some drinks.”

16

Lo c a l

www. EleutheraNews . com

‘Kids 4 Kids’

Jan/Feb, 2020 In Spanish Wells, North Eleuthera

Twin Preteens continue their generous efforts

Above: Arianna McIntosh, presenting the full proceeds of the Kids 4 Kids Family Fun Day to Hands For Hunger.

Ten-year-old twin girls, Arianna and Brianna McIntosh, both students at the Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School (SGPAAS) in Spanish Wells, during the month of December organized a Kids 4 Kids Family Fun Day and Toy Drive, which was hosted at the community park in Spanish Wells on December 14th, 2019.

The sisters, following the successful event, went on to donate all the proceeds, of more than $1,200, to Hands For Hunger, a New Providence based humanitarian organization committed to the elimination of unnecessary hunger and the reduction of food waste.

Earlier in January 2019, as grade five students at SGPAAS, Arianna and Brianna, who saw a need at their school to assist the underprivileged, started ‘Kids 4 Kids’. Twice per week, on Wednesday and Friday, the girls would plan menus, prep, cook, and distribute lunch to children in their school, who would usually go without. Partnering with Hands for Hunger during their December event, was a natural extension of their efforts during the school year.

In response to the interest and generosity shown by the McIntosh sisters, Hands For Hunger commented, “We salute you ladies!

Super proud to be the recipient of all pro-

ceeds from your... Kids 4 Kids Family Fun Day... So grateful for these handy helpers all the way in Spanish Wells, spreading holiday cheer by fundraising on our behalf. Our hearts are full from your continuous support. We thank you Arianna and Brianna!”

Hopia McIntosh, the girls’ Mom, following the Family Fun Day event on the park in Spanish Wells, expressed thanks to everyone who had come out and supported the event and to everyone who had donated time, money, items or anything to assist

in the worthy cause; including special thanks to Pinder Bereness, Nehemiah Brown, Food Fair, North Eleuthera Shopping Center, Hon. H. Rickey Mackey, Shana Roberts, Jamie Sweeting, Island Dance Academy, Lynton Pinder, Danica Sands, Spanish Wells Methodist church, The People’s Church Spanish wells, SGPAAS, Alexander Symonette , Mr. & Mrs. Mullin, family members, all school volunteers, and everyone who helped to make the day successful.

2020,

Jan/Feb

Lo c a l

The Eleutheran

17

18

www. EleutheraNews . com

loc al +p lu s

All Eleuthera SPELLING BEE 2020 NEHS, Emma Cooper and CEHS Students take 2020 Eleuthera Spelling Bee Titles

Jan/Feb, 2020

Classified: FOR SALE HOUSE / CONTAINER

1. A 40 Foot Container - $3,500 (Call: 359-7899) 2. HOUSE FOR SALE: Located in Rock Sound, South Eleuthera. Two Bed, Two Bath, with Sea Views (Waterfront). FOR SALE BY OWNER. Asking Price: $275,000. (Call: 359-7899)

Above: Top three spellers left standing in the Eleuthera District Spelling Bee, held on Friday, January 24th at the Resource Center in Savannah Sound, with DSE Mr. Michael Culmer. (L-R) WINNER - Michaela Lockhart, 2nd Place - Sohan Bryan, and 3rd Place - Shaunia McCardy.

The atmosphere, during the penultimate round of the 2020 Eleuthera District Spelling Bee Competition, was electric, as parents, teachers, coaches and other students watched the three final competitors duke it out for bragging rights as the ‘top speller’ on the island, and the opportunity to represent Eleuthera at the National Spelling Bee Competition. Although, the audience had to remain as quiet as possible, ears were perked with bated breath, not wanting to miss the pronunciation of each word, and the exhales as each competitor moved forward through the stiff competition, were almost audible.

Two girls - Shaunia McCardy, a seventh grader from Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS); Michaela Lockhart, an eighth grader from North Eleuthera High School (NEHS); and one boy - Sohan Bryan, a nine-year-old fifth grader from Emma E. Cooper Primary School, were the last three standing from a starting pool of twenty seven (27) students following the eighth round, on Friday morning, January 24th, 2020.

After tackling words like ‘calamitous’ and ‘arborio’, CEHS’s Shaunia McCardy was taken down by the tricky ‘skedaddle’, bowing out during round nine, in third place.

The tenth and final round saw Sohan come up first, spelling ‘vacuum’ incorrectly. It was then on to Michaela, who was given the same word ‘vacuum’, which she did spell correctly. So, according to the final round rules, Michaela was then asked to spell the next word on the pronouncer’s list, ‘calico’, which she confidently spelled correctly to secure the win and take the top spelling title in Eleuthera for 2020. The top finishers were Shaunia McCardy in third,

World food prices continue rising in Dec ‘19 FAO Food Price Index hits highest level in five years amid strong biofuel demand for palm oil and sugarcane World food prices rose for the third consecutive month in December, as a strong rally in vegetable oil prices drove the FAO Food Price Index to its highest level in five years.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 181.7 points during the month, a 2.5 percent increase from November and the highest level since December 2014.

For 2019 as a whole, the index - which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities - averaged 171.5 points, some

Sohan Bryan in second, and Michaela Lockhart in first place.

Earlier rounds during the very competitive Bee saw a number of bright spellers doing extremely well. Round one saw bright eyed primary and junior high school students, from grades four to eight, tackling the first level of spelling words on the

P20

1.8 percent higher than in 2018 but still 25 percent below its peak in 2011.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index rose 9.4 percent from November, increasing for the sixth consecutive month. The latest upturn was once again driven by palm oil prices, buoyed by both solid demand, especially from the biodiesel sector, and concerns about tightening supplies.

Despite the December increase - which also concerned soy, sunflower and rapeseed oils - the vegetable oil sub-index had over the course of 2019 reached its lowest annual average since 2007.

The FAO Sugar Price Index rose 4.8 percent from November. The rally was in part prompted by rising crude oil prices, which encouraged Brazil’s sugar mills to use more sugarcane supplies to produce ethanol, leading to reduced sugar availability in the global market.

The FAO Dairy Price Index increased by 3.3 percent during the month, led by cheese prices, which rose by almost 8 percent amid tighter export availabilities from the European Union and Oceania.

The FAO Cereal Price Index rose 1.4 percent, driven mainly by wheat prices amid accelerating import demand from China and logistical problems in France due to continued protests in the country.

However, maize and rice price quotations remained broadly stable.

The FAO Meat Price Index averaged 191.6 points in December, almost unchanged from its revised November value.

The sub-index ended the year 18 percent higher than in December 2018, driven by pig meat quotations both by solid import demand from Asia and pre-festivity internal demand in the European Union and Brazil.

Source: FAO of the UN

2020,

Jan/Feb

Lo c a l

The Eleutheran

19

Know Your Health Numbers These are the numbers everyone should learn about themselves: • • • •

Blood sugar levels Blood pressure Cholesterol level Body mass index (BMI)

It is important to check your numbers regularly even if you don’t feel sick. Many of the diseases affecting Bahamians are silent killers that affect you before you feel anything wrong.

That’s why knowing your numbers today is much better than waiting to see the doctor after you’re sick.

Blood Sugar/Diabetes What is Blood Sugar?

Everyone’s blood has some sugar in it because your body needs sugar for energy. When you eat your body breaks food down into sugar and sends it into your bloodstream. Then your pancreas makes insulin to help get the sugar from the blood into the cells for energy. Too much sugar in your blood can mean that you have diabetes.

Knowing your blood sugar can tell you if you have prediabetes or diabetes; and can tell you how to prevent diabetes or prevent complications if you have diabetes.

Diabetes symptoms may go unnoticed until one or more of the complications related to the disease occur. If you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes and experience any symptoms of high blood sugar such as excessive thirst, hunger, fatigue, excessive urination or numbness and tingling in hands or feet - you should discuss having a blood sugar test with your doctor.

Understanding your Blood Sugar Test?

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) estimates your average glucose over the past 3 months and can be used to diagnosis diabetes and to help guide management if you have diabetes.

• A normal fasting blood sugar is less than 99 mg/dl and a normal HbA1C <5.9% • A fasting blood sugar of 100-125 or HBA1C 5.9 to 6.4 indicates Prediabetes • A fasting blood sugar of 126 mg/dl or more; or HbA1c> 6.5 means you have Diabetes For most patients with Diabetes your goal fasting blood sugar should be maintained between 80-130 mg/dl and your target HbA1c should be <7% Ask your doctor: Is my blood sugar high?

What can I do to maintain a healthy blood sugar?

High blood Pressure

Why do you need to know about your blood pressure?

Because it can warn you if you are at high risk of having heart disease-- even if you don’t feel that anything is wrong. The good news is that it is easy to lower blood pressure with medications, exercise, eating more fresh foods and less fatty or salty foods, having regular screenings and following your doctor’s instructions. If you smoke--quitting smoking will have an immediate and positive impact on your total health and often lowers your blood pressure as well.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the measurement of how hard your heart works to pump blood through your body. Your blood pressure test results will have 2 numbers. The larger number (systolic) is the pressure while your heart is pumping; The smaller number (diastolic) is the amount of pressure between beats of your heart. A healthy test result for most people is to have a top number under 130 and a bottom number under 80 (130/80)

Cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat like substance found in your blood. Cholesterol comes from two sources: (1) food and (2) your body, which actually makes cholesterol. The good news is that not all cholesterol is bad, while too much bad cholesterol open brackets LDL and triglycerides close brackets can clog your blood vessels and arteries which can lead to heart disease and stroke . The good cholesterol HDL can actually clean away the bad cholesterol.

Get your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked regularly.

Ask your doctor for a cholesterol test and discuss

how often you should be tested. The cholesterol test will show you your good HDL, bad LDL, triglyceride and total cholesterol. If your levels of LDL and or triglycerides are high, your doctor will help you make changes to lower your cholesterol or may

start you on a medication called a statin.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI is a measurement system that uses height and weight to determine the best weight and proportion for a person. Being overweight puts you at risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, vision problems, depression, knee or ankle troubles or more. The best way to maintain a healthy weight is to develop healthy eating and exercise habits. Set short-term realistic goals for better eating habits and exercise. Don’t forget to keep a record of what you eat and the exercises you have done. Keeping track of what you are eating and how much or little you are exercising will make you more aware of your behaviors. For most adults a BMI in the 19 to 24 range is normal, and a BMI of 25 to 30 means you are overweight and a BMI> 30 means you are obese.

Written by Dr Ariane Davis Simmons, Endocrinologist

20 www. EleutheraNews . com

Lo c a l

Jan/Feb, 2020

Spelling Bee Continued from Page. 18 prepared list, which was shared with all the spelling coaches at the beginning of the competition, promoting full transparency of the morning’s process.

After round one, six competitors were eliminated, leaving twenty one students to move on to round two of the morning’s Bee. Round two proved slightly more challenging, with words like ‘barograph’, ‘rabble-rouser’ and ‘juncture’, as five more students were eliminated, having misspelled their words.

Sixteen competitors remained as round three began shortly before 11:30am on Friday morning, a number lessened by another three students as the round closed - having been challenged with words like ‘sojourner’, ‘palindrome’ and ‘diaphoresis’, to name a few. The Bee continued with thirteen competitors in round four, then twelve in round five, and ten students in round six. Seven remained of the original twenty seven competitors as round seven began, four in round eight, then it came down to the final three competing students in round nine, before the final and deciding round.

Judges volunteering their time to assist with the competition on the day, were; Chief Judge, Mrs. Sybil Forbes; Guest Judge, Mrs. Stella Randall; Guest Judge, Nickal Symonette; Pronouncer, Mrs. Kar-

Above: 27 students from 11 schools across the island, competed for the top spelling titles within the Eleuthera District on Friday, January 24th at the Resource Center in Savannah Sound.

en Crean; and Dictionary Consultant, Mrs. Levada Ingraham.

Eleven schools were represented during the exciting contest; including Emily G. Petty Primary with Carson Charlow, Kyaja Knowles and Rashad Sands; Emma E. Cooper Primary School with Tamia Knowles, Eckward Ferguson and Sohan Bryan; Laura L. Anderson Primary with Kymethera Albury, Ava Charles and Phelton Petit-Frere; Deep Creek Primary with Devano Miller and Evans Joseph; Green Castle Primary with Westleter Sturrup and Timmico Brown; Tarpum Bay Primary with Nahjee Symonette, Genesis Sands, and Brian Young; Wemyss Bight Primary with Kelisha Rolle, Rotayvia Butler and Valdemia Moultrie; Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School with Amari Pinder (2019 District Spelling Bee Winner); Central Eleuthera

High School with Shaunia McCardy, Terrinique Sands and Juvens Ben-aime; North Eleuthera High School with Michaela Lockhart, Kezia Johnson and Mahalia Lockhart; and Preston Albury High School with Machlia Butler.

Overall Winner, Michaela Lockhart of NEHS, will now go on to represent the Eleuthera District in the Bahamas National Spelling Bee, scheduled to take place in New Providence during March 2020.

2020,

Lo c a l

Jan/Feb

The Eleutheran

21

Community Outreach

- Police in South Eleuthera

Visit with the elderly ‘Pearls’

On the day before Christmas Eve 2019, police officers stationed in Rock Sound, carried on what is now a 13 year tradition at the South Eleuthera law enforcement station. Each year, the police officers there would choose a different settlement in South Eleuthera, and seek out the elderly ‘Precious Pearls’ of the township of 80 years old and older, and present them with a special gift basket of thanks and appreciation.

ASP Franklyn Neely, Officer in Charge of the South Eleuthera District, accompanied by members of his team, including; W/Sgt. Rodgers, W/R/Insp. Brown, Constable Brown, and W/R/Cpl. Forbes, this year, singled out nine elderly members of the Tarpum Bay community, who ranged in age from 80 years to 92 years. During each home visit, the elderly ‘Pearls’ were thanked by the officers for their commitment within their hometown communities and offered to them words of encouragement.

Feedback from the recipients, said ASP Neely, was that they cherished the token from his team of officers, and were grateful for the kind gesture.

Above: Tessa, with her group of young girls on the beachfront in Governor’s Harbour.

Tessa Barlyn aims at Girls Empowerment Hosts Program fOR youth in Governor’s Harbour During the final two months of 2019, Tessa Barlyn, now a young university student, who grew up spending time with her father, David Barlyn of Pineapple Fields, in Eleuthera, took time out to give back, to young girls in the Governor’s Harbour community, with an ‘Eleuthera Girls Empowerment’ program.

The group met for eight weeks, beginning in November, meeting twice per week at the Haynes Library, in the heart of the township, talking about relevant issues impacting young girls today, shared Tessa. “The focus of our program was specifically on equality - not that

one sex is better than the other - but that both sexes can do whatever they put their minds to. We have been talking a lot about body positivity, women’s representation in the media, and the cultural norms that society tries to put women and girls in specifically.”

Local speakers were invited to also share with the girls on different topics during the course of the program.

The idea for the program, said Tessa, just came to her, while up studying one night. “I said I’m going to do an empowerment program at the library. I knew Mrs. Althea Willie would be willing to help me, and I know that there are a lot of really beautiful, smart, amazing girls in Governor’s Harbour who are willing and want to learn, and have a lot of potential.” On the final day of the program, Elizabeth Bryan, of The Eleutheran, had the opportunity to speak with the group of girls who ranged from upper primary to junior high. After the engagement she commented that

the group proved to be inquisitive and engaged. “ The girls seemed very interested in learning about who they were and could be within their community, and about the opportunities awaiting them ahead, ” she said.

Tessa, now back at school, shared that she was currently studying International Relations with a minor in History. “I hope to, and want to come back to the Bahamas when I am done with school, and work in education or for a non-profit, because this island is just everything. The library itself has been my home since I was really little, and I’ve done camps here. So, I would like to keep giving back as much as I can… All of these girls are so smart and dynamic thinkers. I can tell after being with them that they are going to persevere, and that they really want the best for each other and for themselves. I think the future of the Bahamas is in really good hands.”

22 www. EleutheraNews . com

n at i o n a l

Jan/Feb, 2020

Marijuana - Bahamas Nat’l Commission Marijuana Report Presented to PM

Release of Those Imprisoned Solely for Possession Supported PM supports release of those imprisoned solely for possession of small amounts of marijuana; report to be made public for input; analysis and information to help guide policy decisions.

See statement below: Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis said once reform laws are passed and through proper legal mechanisms and procedures, he supports the release from prison all of those who are solely incarcerated for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The Prime Minister was speaking during the presentation of the national marijuana commission’s preliminary report at the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday 21 January. He was presented with the Report by members of the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana (BNCM).

The Commission’s official findings will be made

public and the report will be discussed in the public domain. The analysis and information contained within the report will help guide the policy decisions taken by the Government.

“We welcome the input of Bahamians as we make these long-needed changes to our marijuana laws,” said the Prime Minister.

The Report makes 24 recommendations on a range of topics, said BNCM co-chair, Mr. Quinn McCartney.

The Prime Minister also re-iterated his support for decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana and making the substance legal for medicinal and scientific use.

Prime Minister Minnis also supports expunging the records of Bahamians convicted of possession of small amounts of marijuana.

“They deserve to move on with their lives free and clear of the stigma of a criminal conviction,” said the Prime Minister.

Reforming the country’s marijuana laws and changing how people with small possession convictions are treated are a matter of social justice and fairness, said Prime Minister Minnis.

The Prime Minister said it is the decent and moral thing to do.

“As a country, we should not consider Bahamian marijuana users as criminals,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

The Prime Minister said that the laws of The Bahamas regarding possession of small amounts of marijuana

have unfortunately led to the arrest, prosecution, conviction and punishment of countless Bahamians who used the plant for religious purposes, personal or medical reasons.

“Our current marijuana prohibition causes unnecessary confrontations between police and citizens,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

“I grew up and come from Over-the-Hill. I have seen firsthand how our laws especially harm young people from modest backgrounds. Many good Bahamians have been burdened with criminal records, making travel to certain countries impossible and finding work more difficult.”

TIDBITS - more online at www. Eleutheranews.com NEMA: “The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) advised that a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake occurred 83 miles northwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica at approximately 2:10pm on, Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at the depth of 6 miles which was felt in New Providence around 2:15pm. The PTWC then issued possible Tsunami threat for Belize, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

Coral Harbour Base, 25 JAN. ‘20 (RBDF): Members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force along with members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force CDU visited the Ragged Island Chain investigating the discovery of three bodies washed ashore; 2 on Double Breasted Cay on Friday and another on a nearby cay.

This came after a group of 31 migrants were discovered between Maycock Cay and Double Breast Cay after their vessel reportedly capsized and were subsequently rescued by HMBS L. L. Smith, arriving in the capital on 21st January. The group had reportedly left from Haiti on 10th January 2020, with varying reports that they had capsized around the 13th January, being able to survive on the cay for some 5 days. All persons rescued appeared to be in good health and required no further medical attention. Both the RBDF air assets, along with OPBAT air support combed the area with no sighting of the reported capsized vessel or debris.

2020,

loc a l +p lu s

Jan/Feb

‘through FEB. 2020 highlights in FEB ‘20 JUNIOR JUNKANOO PARADE (NASSAU): Thursday, January 30th, 2020 Several schools from Eleuthera will be represented at the National Junior Junkanoo parade hosted in New Providence, including Preston H. Albury High School. The ELEUTHERA JUNIOR JUNKANOO Parade is currently scheduled to take place on March 21st, 2020

Girls Night Out - Pretty In Red Mixer Date: February 8th, 2020 Time: 6:45pm Venue: Daddy Joes Restaurant

Royal Bahamas Police Force

ANNUAL Church Service Date: February 9th, 2020 Time: 2:00pm, Venue: St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Rock Sound (The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band will be in attendance).

URCA Town Hall Meetings

Governor’s Harbour & Rock Sound: Coming in February Times and Venues: To Be Announced

Earth Day at CTI SAVE THE DATE: April 25th, 2020 Venue: Center for Training & Innovation (CTI), Queen’s Highway and Mingo Drive, Rock Sound, Eleuthera.

Community EVENTS TASTE OF CENTRAL ELEUTHERA Friday, February 7th, 2020 This annual event, is sponsored and spearheaded by the five Methodist Churches in the Central Eleuthera Region of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church. The aroma of delicious native dishes, mouthwatering deserts and an assortment of drinks and teas fill the air and the temptation to taste everything will be hard to resist. This festival attracts locals and visitors, for a down home flavor filled experience. For more information, contact Mrs. Vernita Bethel at (242) 332-2720.

Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve

2020 Terrestrial Natural History Summer Internship Applications will be available on the Preserve’s website in early February.

Save The Dates!

FEBRUARY 22 - CULINARY GUIDED TOUR APRIL 4 - 3RD ANNUALART IN THE PARK APRIL 18 - BNT’S NATIONAL PARK DAY

3 DAY - Native Plant Sale Thursday, January 30th / Friday, January 31st/ and Saturday, February 1st Hours: 10am - 3pm Venue: Levy Preserve Native plants help prevent soil erosion, maintain biodiversity, provide variety and attract pollinators.

NEW WEEKLY MEETINGS: Friends of Bill W, we have new weekly meetings on Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30pm, in the lower hall at the Wesley Methodist Church on Cupid’s Cay, Governors Harbour. If you have any questions, kindly call Shannon at 427-0977.

School EVENTS Q1-2020: Monday, February 3rd, 2020 -National BJC/BGCSE Awards Ceremony (Celebrating top performers in the 2019 exams) Wednesday, February 19th & Thursday, February 20th, 2020 -Teacher’s Professional Development Days Friday, February 21st & Monday, February 24th, 2020 -Midterm Break Tuesday, February 25th, 2020 -Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS) Christmas Term Awards Ceremony Wed.-Fri., February 26th-28th, 2020 -E. Clement Bethel, National Arts Festival Eleuthera Schools Adjudications.

US/Bahamas Continued from Page. 4

provided safe harbour and aid to some 400 persons as well as $34 million in humanitarian assistance for The Bahamas.

His ninth visit to the “region”, Secretary Pompeo noted that this special visit represented President Trump’s resolve to deepen the United States’ relationship with the Caribbean and promote democracy and human rights.

Accompanying Minister Henfield were His Excellency Sidney S. Collie, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States, and Ms. Sherry Johnson Deal, Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The high-level meeting concluded with a Public Policy Forum on US-Caribbean Relations, which included more than 200 attendees from civil society, government, the diplomatic corps, the local chamber of commerce, visiting delegations and others.

The Eleutheran

23

Holidays and Observance Days: Friday, February 14th Valentine’s Day

************ Royal Sounds Marching Band 1st ANNUAL Church Service Date: February 2nd, 2020 Time: 11:00am, Venue: Wesley Methodist Church, Savannah Sound

************ 4th Annual Eleuthera Island Jam Basketball Tournament

1st ANNUAL Church Service Date: February 14th & 15th, 2020 Time: Evening games, Venue: Eleuthera Bible Training Center, James’ Cistern (Men’s and Junior Divisions to compete)

CONTACT The Eleutheran Newspaper at 422-9350 or send email to services@theeleutheran.com,

to have your community notices and events listed.

26 www. EleutheraNews . com

Lo c a l

Jan/Feb, 2020

RBPF Stats Continued from Page. 7 while attention was focused in Abaco (following the passage of Hurricane Dorian late in the third quarter), a handful of criminals wreaked havoc in New Providence seen in the major increase in murders and armed robbery in September and October.

In response, a 24 hour major crime fighting operational team was implemented - which he said was able to stabilize crime in New Providence until the end of 2019. He further reported that during the final quarter of 2019, recorded murders decreased by 31%, while reported armed robberies were down by 9%, compared to 2018 figures.

The use of illegal firearms during the committing of crime remains a major concern, with figures revealing that 470 armed robberies were committed with the use of firearms in 2019. In 2019 Police recovered 359 firearms, and more than 11,000 rounds of ammunition - an increase over 2018, which had 285 firearms recovered along with 6,000 rounds of ammunition. Of the murders recorded in 2019, 83% or 79 were committed with firearms. “A number of people were arrested, charged, and put before the courts, as a result of the work of the major crime fighting operational team,” commented the Commissioner.

In 2019, 57 traffic related deaths were recorded, a decrease of 17% compared to 2018, which had 69 traffic related deaths.

About this, the Commissioner said that police would continue road safety education programs, and encouraged the public to adhere to the traffic laws.

He went on to share the efforts made to enhance training opportunities during 2019, describing the participation of hundreds of his team members in various programs, and also reemphasized the RBPF’s focus on community relationships - targeting businesses and schools, with 200 presentations made by police in 2019. He closed with an invitation to the public to continue to partner with the police to create safer communities throughout the Bahamas.

In an interview following the Briefing by Commissioner Ferguson, Chief Superintendent Stephen Adderley, Officer In Charge of the Eleuthera Division, spoke to some of the challenges with crime, specific to Eleuthera, and summed up with general advice for the public in 2020.

In response to being asked about policing challenges in Eleuthera during 2019, C/Supt. Adderley, commented, “There are in particular, two serious matters that caused us concern - one was the homicide in James’ Cistern. We are following leads in that matter, and hope to bring that to a closure soon. We are still looking for community assistance in providing additional details. Then there was the shooting in Harbour Island, so, we are actively investigating that matter. Both of those matters, we suspect may have been associated with criminal activity or criminal gangs. As the Commissioner indicated, he developed a special team, which we did here in Eleuthera as well, to tackle those issues, and to keep crime in check. So, we can have our fingers on the pulse of what is happening within our communities. Basically, for

housebreaking, stealing, and other matters, there were decreases. So, overall we had a fairly good year in 2019, despite some of the challenges we’ve had.”

With community policing being a continued point of focus for him and his team, Adderley highlighted, “We’ve created new bonds with community partners, and during this first quarter we hope to do some training for neighbourhood watches, throughout Eleuthera. We are anticipating that members from each settlement, each community will set up a team, which we will assist - and have a police/neighbourhood watch partnership in dealing with various issues within the communities. They would span from beyond Deep Creek, to Harbour Island and Spanish Wells in the north. So, every community would have a neighbourhood watch, and then we would set up a neighbourhood watch council, where all of them would come together collectively and have discussions. The whole idea of the neighbourhood watch, is not only to encourage safer communities, but to also task the police and ensure the police is doing what they are supposed to be doing, in regards to crime and community involvement.

We are hoping to train over 100 people, and the Minister of National Security would come down, and address the graduates after the training is completed, and then we would do township walk-abouts. We hope to initiate this training program at the end of this month if nothing causes that schedule to change.”

In reference to incidents of crime, Ch./ Supt. Adderley pointed out, “In most areas, we have been quiet. The most active areas for complaints are Governor’s Harbour and Harbour Island, but significantly, we have had decreases in those areas. The operational support team, headed by Inspector Oldham, has seen a number of successes in drug arrests, and have had good conviction rates thus far. They have been putting quite a dent in the criminal enterprise in Eleuthera.”

In road traffic matters, Eleuthera reportedly experienced one traffic related death during 2019. Ch./Supt. Adderley further stated, “We’ve had quite a few road accidents in 2019 - small minor accidents, and we’ve had rollovers - some due to people just not paying attention and others due to speeding. Again, we advise people not to be using their cell phones - it is illegal, and wear your seatbelts. The operational support team that we organized to address crime is also responsible for traffic. It’s a core of well-trained officers who go out there and do what they are required to do.”

Adderley, further commented on changes being seen in traffic flows on island, saying, “What we’ve seen happening is a lot of new business, because of the nat-

Above: Chief Superintendent, Stephen Adderley (center), stands with his executive team members within the Eleuthera Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). (L-R) Insp. Newbold, Insp. Farquharson, Supt. Sands, ASP Rolle, Ch/Supt. Adderley, ASP Neely, Insp. McCartney, Insp. Oldham, R/Insp.

ural disasters in Abaco and Grand Bahama - there is a lot of tourist business coming here. So, you would notice lately the streets are filled with tourists, both pedestrian and in vehicles. You also see a number of Nassau plates. People are actually moving back home. Some are also moving out of the city - Abaconians who are in Nassau are now moving into Eleuthera - coming out of the city, looking for more of a family island setting. So, the population is growing, and the traffic on the streets is growing. We are ensuring that we have the necessary resources on the streets, to ensure the traffic laws are being obeyed and the streets kept safe. We have had sizeable ticketing operations throughout the island, to remind

people that there are traffic laws that need to be followed. This year we will continue to enforce this, and will be a little more aggressive, especially with the number of vehicles now moving on the streets.”

As a reminder to the public, Ch./ Supt.

Adderley advised that it was now mandatory to have your driver’s license with you when driving, also, the insurance for the vehicle should be present at all times. “I would advise that those things remain in your car, so that if you are stopped by an officer, you can present them - right then and there. Otherwise, you would be ticketed, and that’s a sizeable fine. Any open alcohol container in your car, is also illegal.”

2020,

Jan/Feb

CO NSE RVAT I ON CORNER

Snake Research Begins

The Eleutheran

27

The reproductive organs of a Bahamian boa (top) and a Bahamian racer (below).

at the Cape Eleuthera Institute Last year, the Cape Eleuthera Institute began to investigate the native snake species of Eleuthera to improve our knowledge of these fascinating animals.

Eleuthera is home to four different kinds of snakes. All of these are endemic to The Bahamas, meaning they are only found here and nowhere else, and are completely harmless to humans.

Snakes are oftentimes negatively perceived which is mainly due to a lack of understanding. Not only are these snakes harmless, they are also extremely beneficial to have around. By removing rodents from around our homes, snakes prevent diseases carried by these pests from entering our living spaces.

One species, the thunder snake or pygmy boa, is particularly intriguing. In our latest publication (Hoefer, S., Mills, S. & Robinson, N. J. (2019). Autohaemorrhaging in a Bahamian Pygmy Boa, Tropidophis curtus barbouri. Herpetological Bulletin, 150, 39-40), we describe one of this species’ unique defensive behaviours.

These snakes are amongst the only ones in the world, that use cephalic autohaemorrhaging or the deliberate bleeding from the head, to convince a predator that the snake is no good to eat.

It’s an incredible defensive strategy that we know almost nothing about and underlines the need of further research to better our understanding and ensure the pro-

tection of Eleuthera’s snakes.

In December, the Cape Eleuthera Institute, in cooperation with the Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) and the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University, hosted a snake dissection and preservation workshop under the guidance of Dr. Theodora Pinou, an expert in snake morphology (the study of anatomy and structural features), to improve our understanding of the reproduction in these reptiles.

Male snakes have what is called hemipenes, which are two muscular tubes used to deliver sperm to a female. These hemipenes come in an incredible diversity of shapes, sizes and exhibit ornamental structures which even vary across different populations of the same species. The function of these diverse structures and how exactly snakes mate is still somewhat a mystery.

The snakes were labelled and preserved so that they can continue to better our understanding of these fantastic animals endemic to The Bahamas, for years to come.

With Dr. Pinou’s help and expertise, we were able to, for the first time, preserve whole specimen and hemipenes of different species of snakes on Eleuthera.

These could provide a gateway into understanding the different morphological characteristics of snake reproductive organs and give us an idea of how snakes use

these elaborate structures in copulation as well as providing information on speciation and biogeographic distribution of Bahamian snakes.

No animals were harmed in this workshop, as the only snakes that were dissected were those found already dead on the road. We are very excited to learn more about Eleuthera’s amazing snakes in the future!

The four species of snakes found on Eleuthera. Images clockwise: Bahamian racer (Cubophis vudii vudii), Blindsnake (Typhlops lumbricalis), Bahamian thunder snake (Tropidophis curtus barbouri), Bahamian boa (Chilabothrus strigilatus). Snakes that were found dead on the road on Eleuthera are examined and studied in the CEI labs.

28 www. EleutheraNews . com

Edu c at i o n B e at

Jan/Feb, 2020

NEHS Sweeps the 2020 Eleuthera Young Chef Competition Seven passionate young students, three in the senior competition and four in the junior competition, set out to impress the palates of three guest judges at the 15th Annual 2020 Eleuthera Young Chefs Competition, hosted within the kitchen facilities at the North Eleuthera High School campus in Lower Bogue on Friday, January 24th. The theme for this year’s event highlighted the push to have the young talents showcase the foods

and ingredients that embodied their islands, “Preserving Our Heritage; Exploring Bahamian Gastronomy & Tourism”.

Along with the title of winner in the Eleuthera Young Chefs competition, participants’ were all vying for the opportunity to represent the island at the National Young Chefs competition slated to take place in New Providence during the week of March 16th - March 20th.

Senior Head Chef at Atlantis Resorts in New Providence, Chef Gerald Rolle was on island again for the third year in a row, demonstrating his commitment to making sure that Family Island competitors received a comparable mentoring and preparation experience to their counterparts in the nation’s capital - for the best possible opportunity to compete well at the national level.

As done in both 2018 and 2019, a

special workshop was held a day before the competition, this year on the Thursday, to educate the students, coaches and parents on what to expect when they hit the competition, both in Eleuthera, and in New Providence in March.

This year, both the Eleuthera senior Young Chefs and junior Young Chefs competitions were hosted at the North Eleuthera High School campus. Four students competed in the junior competi-

Above: DSE Michael Culmer (center back row), with guest judges, organizers, coaches, and junior and senior participants in the 2020 Eleuthera Young Chefs Competition, hosted at the North Eleuthera High School campus on Friday, January 24th.

Left: Senior WINNER in the Eleuthera Young Chefs Competition 2020, Bre’onna Strachan of North Eleuthera High School.

tion on Friday morning, including; Coco Fitzek of the Green School - Harbour Island, Tanay Bain of Preston H. Albury High School, Nikita Deal of Central Eleuthera High School, and Tashae Brown of North Eleuthera High School.

Later the same afternoon, three students contested the 2020 Eleuthera Young Chef’s senior title, including; Wadaniya Weinburger of Central Eleuthera High School, Kristen Ingraham of Preston H. Albury High School, and Bre’onna Strachan of North Eleuthera High School.

Following the intense cook offs, each participant had the opportunity to present their two dishes, one a flour dish, and the other a rice dish, to the panel of three professional judges, describing the content and techniques, as well as the inspiration for their creations. Having been encouraged to take advantage of local ingredients,’spiced pumpkin cake’, ‘coconut and shrimp rice balls with spicy mango sauce’, and ‘Eleuthera tropical delight’, were just a few of the dishes, made and described by the competitors. Chef Gerald Rolle was assisted in the adjudications by two talented local professional chefs; Chef Merez Culmer, and Chef Katiusia Johnson.

After the presentations and the tasting of all the co-

lourful dishes by the judges, Chef Rolle - who originally came up in the culinary industry through the Young Chefs program - took the opportunity to give a full critique of the day’s performances, giving the competitors invaluable advice on how to improve their weak areas, and hone their current strengths.

Once all the dust of the busy afternoon food battle had settled, Bre’onna Strachan of North Eleuthera High School was announced as the winner of the island title in the senior Young Chefs category, while Tashae Brown, also of North Eleuthera High School nabbed the top spot as Eleuthera’s new junior Young Chef 2020 winner.

Results for the full day of cooking competitions held during the Young Chefs program on island are outlined below: Senior Winner - Bre’onna Strachan of NEHS 2nd - Wadaniya Weinburger of CEHS 3rd- Kristen Ingraham of PAHS Junior Wnner - Tashae Brown of NEHS 2nd - Tanay Bain of PAHS 3rd - Nikita Deal of CEHS Honourable mention - Coco Fitzek of The Green School, Harbour Island

2020,

Jan/Feb

e duc at i o n b e at

The Eleutheran

29

Clockwise from bottom left: Passion and confidence displayed during the competition with colourful dishes, sporting native ingredients; Coach, Mrs. Cleare-Ellis (back center) and her team of support teachers, with her winning senior and junior Young Chefs, Bre’onna Strachan, and Tashae Brown of North Eleuthera High School; Central Eleuthera High School’s junior and senior Young Chefs participants, Nikita Deal, and Wadaniya Weinburger, with their proud coaches.

Kristen Ingraham, senior Young Chef participant from Preston Albury High school, presenting her culinary creations.

Preston Albury High School’s junior and senior Young Chefs participants, Kristen Ingraham and Tanay Bain, with their dedicated coach, Mrs. Rahming.

Junior participant, Coco Fitzek, of the Harbour Island Green School, with her coach.

30 www. EleutheraNews . com

Isl a n d “B u z z ”

Junkanoo Recap Costumes, Color, Music - rush Energy Filled Eleuthera Junkanoo Rushers in Tarpum Bay, Christmas Day The splendour of the costumes blended with the traditional rhythms of Bahamian Junkanoo were on display in Tarpum Bay on Christmas Day 2019 with locals and tourists out to take it all in. Weather was not an issue this year, and the three groups, from Tarpum Bay (Tarpum Bay United), Hatchet Bay (Village Boys), and The Bluff/Gregory Town (Cowboys), gave it their all in capturing the attention of the snapping cameras and focused eyes. The energetic and colorful performances revealed the effort put forward by the many junkanooers out to entertain the crowds of spectators lining the main thoroughfare. This was the first of this season’s Junkanoo Parades, followed by Boxing Day and New Year’s ‘rushing’ in Harbour Island and it happened again in Governor’s Harbour as a ‘Unity Rush’, without the glitz of the traditionally colourful junkanoo costuming, showcasing more of the music and sounds of junkanoo P32

Jan/Feb, 2020

2020,

Jan/Feb

Isl an d â&#x20AC;&#x153;B u z z â&#x20AC;?

The Eleutheran

31

Themes, Smiles, Creativity, Craftsmanship, Culture and holiday spirit Beauty in sound and appearance was on show on the main street of Tarpum Bay over the Christams 2019 holiday and tourists - national and international along with residents were out in large numbers to take it all in.

More from this new season festival

P32

32 www. EleutheraNews . com

Isl a n d “B u z z ”

Jan/Feb, 2020

JUNKANOO Continued from Page. 30 - during the second weekend of the new year on Saturday evening, January 12th, 2020.

Harbour Island Boxing Day Junkanoo The sights, colours and energy of the Boxing Day Junkanoo parade showdown in Harbour Island, seen below, were brought to life by two competing groups, the Zulu, and the Warriors.

The Warriors began the exciting evening, paying homage to the Islands of The Bahamas, with their theme highlighting Bahamian flag colours and cultural icons, followed by the Zulu who brought to life the world of Bahamian Festivals.

The Rush Celebrated: 2020 Eleuthera Junkanoo Festival The penultimate Eleuthera Junkanoo event of the season, and the third since the splendour of Junkanoo action began on island during Christmas Day, the Eleuthera Junkanoo Festival Parade hosted in Governor’s Harbour on Saturday, January 11th, following the Majority Rule Day holiday, did not bring out their typically large display of four groups performing. Funding challenges, said organizers (Governor’s Harbour Community Cultural Organization), played a role in the smaller parade display this year.

The regular four groups, including; the Savannah Sound Lucayans, Tarpum Bay Unity Builders, Rock Sound New Vision and Governor’s Harbour Harbour Boys, brought smaller groups of t-shirted members and showcased more of the music and sounds of Junkanoo in a ‘Unity Rush’. As in Tarpum Bay on Christmas Day, and in Harbour Island on Boxing Day, a large number of visitors were amongst the residents in the crowd - snapping, tapping, and smiling at the exhilarating Junkanoo music display.

Scenes from Harbour Island

A large contingent of visitors joined a big showing of locals who came out to support the Boxing Day Junkanoo on the Bay Front in Harbour Island.

2020,

Jan/Feb

Isl an d “B u z z ”

The Eleutheran

More Junkanoo

P39

33

34 www. EleutheraNews . com

n at i o n a l

InThe Sky RBDF Touts Benefits of The Bahamas

Unmanned Aerial System In a statement released on December 31st, 2019, The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) highlighted the benefits of a new ‘Bahamas Unmanned Aerial System’ (BUAS), which would see the addition of drone equipment and technology to the Force. See statement below: “The Royal Bahamas Defence Force looks forward with great anticipation to the addition of drones to their workforce. The contract signing for The Bahamas Unmanned Aerial System (BUAS) occurred on Monday December 16, 2019 and signified a positive step in the fight against illicit activities.

It is expected that these drones will be cost effective, increase the technological capacity of Defence Force personnel as decentralization of operations begin, assist with multilayered security strategies and help usher the Force into a new age with utilization of smart systems, even as criminals’ patterns are changing. Because of their light metered sensors that

can detect vessels at sea, law enforcement agencies will be better able to mitigate challenges by detecting threats, mapping postdisaster sites and conducting Search and Rescue missions while also monitoring developing situations in and around the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Another benefit comes from the establishment of an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Academy which will provide expert training for pilots, engineers and support staff for the drones, nationally and we can foresee regionally and internationally. This in and of itself exponentially increases the value and impact of this latest decision. Royal Bahamas Defence Force personnel will initially undertake the courses, alongside their law enforcement partners in the Police Force, Department of Corrections, Bahamas Customs and Immigration. It is envisioned that the cadre of trainers for the Academy, as time progresses will also be selected from amongst our agencies as their skills are honed.

The drones will be effective also in helping to raise Maritime Domain Awareness on issues which impact the safety, security, economy or environment of The

Elite

Customs Brokers *DHL Courier *Brokerage *Trucking; Tel: 332-3066

Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera

Jan/Feb, 2020 Bahamas, in tandem with our Automated Identification Systems (AIS), CCTVs, Over the Horizon Radars and other detection equipment being employed. These varied drones will allow operators to have a bird’s eye view of targeted areas from land and sea, and to effectively assist in search and rescue efforts, identification of areas of concerns for a plethora of issues as well as extending Force reach during routine patrolling. The fuel cost effectiveness also allows these drones to operate both shortand long-term assignments without need for expensive fossil fueling.

One of the geographical challenges of the country remains the over 100,000 square miles of water and 700 islands with porous borders to patrol. These drones will strengthen the resolve of the Ministry of National Security, and by extension the Royal Bahamas Defence Force as we continue our thrust in the prevention, monitoring, detection and/or apprehension of those who violate the laws on land and sea.

(Photo by: Marine Seaman Wellington S. Ramsey)

op i n i o n

Prayer By: Andrew L. Burrows

One of the most repeated prayers that we know of is what is commonly called ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. It was Jesus’ response to his follower’s request that he teach them how to pray. We would be much more benefited if we would examine this example prayer, instead of mindlessly repeating it over and over.

The disciples of Jesus noticed that he did not pray like all of the other religious leaders of that time in Israel. They would pray in crowded public places with the expressed purpose of being seen, and they were of the opinion that the more pious they were thought to be, the more deserving they were of receiving God’s favour. Jesus did not follow their example, he resorted to quiet reclusive places where he was alone with God. The disciples noticed that this gave Jesus a powerful defense against evil and he was more focused in his knowledge of God and dealings with people.

Jesus told his followers not to be like the misguided prayers who do what they do for show; he instructed them to approach God with reverent awe, acknowledging God’s relationship, his position as deity and his holiness. They were instructed to ask only for true basic needs and for mutual forgiveness.

For most people this is just too simple and must be made more complicated, others think it must be repeated as is, with no thought given. It is God who deserves all the Glory! Not us, worship God and only after you have done that, thank all your brothers and sisters with

NOTICE MINISTRY OF HEALTH 22nd January, 2020

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-nCoV) The Ministry of Health wishes to advise the public of the occurrence of a newly discovered novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) which has been associated with an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan City, capital of Hubei Province in China. On 31st December 2019, the China Country Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause, detected in Wuhan City. A novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was identified as the causative virus by Chinese authorities on 7th January, 2020.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, such as, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). These viruses are zoonotic, meaning that they are transmitted between animals and people. A novel coro-

the deepest respect and sincerity.

Accountability is the Key. How we pray is a clear indication of how we relate to God. The following are samples: God; the bag holder who must be stoked to share out the goods: Never have I heard so much begging being done to get God to share the goods fairly. Believer, know that God is all knowing. So, why do we think that he needs to be told what we want? We are instructed to ask for what we need, so, that when we receive it we will give thanks to God who is the absolute giver of all good things. What we perceive to be God’s failings, are ours. The God we serve is never wrong, and we live to honour Him by ascribing dignity on all. Don’t share in my doubts. Scold me gently, but sternly, and in my times of doubting don’t gloat over my failures. Our community is in crisis and the bitterness, must stop.

The healing is taking place and it is Glorious to see! God is faithful, He answer’s in His own way, not always as we desire, or expect. Don’t you just - love – HIM. God; that forgetful old man in heaven: “And remember Lord”. This shows that you are placing God on the same level as a mortal man who forgets and need to be constantly reminded of your personal needs.

How wrong can we get? The eternal creator of the universe has a memory problem? I don’t think so. If you approach God in prayer recognizing who he is, reminding him is not necessary. Who needs to be reminded is you, and don’t fail to remind me!

navirus (nCoV) is a new strain which has not been previously identified in humans.

Cases have been reported in Wuhan City and provinces outside of Wuhan in China.

Other countries including Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States have now reported cases. The latest reports indicate that there have been nearly 500 confirmed cases with 17 deaths.

The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor the occurrence of this novel virus with ongoing updates to the public.

Common signs of infection with this virus include: • respiratory symptoms, • fever, • cough, • shortness of breath and • breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases, infection can cause: • pneumonia, • severe acute respiratory syndrome, • kidney failure and • even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent the spread of this infection include: • regular proper hand washing, • covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing,

Jan/Feb, 2020

35

“The I Am That I Am” is without fault or defect, and don’t forget it - we all share the problem! We forget His tender mercies. And so we say, “To God be all the Glory”.

Like all of the many other gifts that God has given to us, the invitation to pray to Him also is a gift. It is difficult to imagine that the great Creator desires us to seek Him and blend into His will, for when we pray to God he already knows our needs, wants and conditions. He is waiting for you to synchronize your will with His. When our will is in agreement with the will of God we are guaranteed to receive whatever it is we seek. Keep on looking! Knocking, in all sincerity. Our God hates my doubting, but loves for me to trust Him. God: are you deaf? The longer and louder we pray is hailed as ‘effectual’ prayer by many believers, but is that what Jesus teaches us?

Or is this simply another one of our misconceptions of the great God that we serve? He who created the gift of hearing is not deaf and He hears the unspoken thoughts of our minds. So, be real. God does not have a hearing problem. We have a problem because God has declared that He will not listen to us when there is unrepented of sin in us.

Read the record of Elijah’s encounter with the prophets of Baal, and you will get a sense of where this concept of God comes from.

God does not need us to pray to Him, He wants us to acknowledge that He alone is our source of supply. Jesus said “He makes the sun

• •

andrewburrows1@gmail.com

to rise on the just and the unjust, and sends rain on the evil and the good”.

The apostle Paul acknowledged, ‘Our God shall supply all our needs’. The Psalms are full of references to the goodness of God and in #23 He is compared to a good shepherd who takes the best care of his sheep. So, don’t follow me in blaming God. Dear believer, our God has revealed to us who and what He is in the book we call The Bible. Jesus, teaches us to relate to Him as “Father”. The way we approach God in prayer should display how we relate to Him. When you pray, say, “Our Father”. The creator of this universe is my father?! Prayer is a privileged gift! Now let’s Pray.

thoroughly cooking meat and eggs and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

The international medical community, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the regional Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) are concerned that this new virus can result in a pandemic (a worldwide occurrence of the virus) as occurred

with SARS and H1N1 avian influenza.

Should the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) become more efficient at human-to-human transmission, the threat of a pandemic will increase dramatically. The global nature of travel and trade could increase the likelihood of the risk of rapid transmission around the world in a very short period of time.

36 www. EleutheraNews . com

Crime News

Jan/Feb, 2020

Police Contact Numbers

Reports issued by the RBPF locally.

Reports are printed to keep the public informed of the incidents of crime that are reported within our communities. All reports are to be treated as allegations only.

Eleuthera Reports SHOPBREAKING & STEALING On Monday, January 13th, 2020, sometime around 9:36am, an adult female contacted the Rock Sound Police Station via telephone and reported that, sometime between the hours of 4:45pm on 12.01.2020 and 9:30am on 13.01.2020, some unknown person/s broke and entered her business establishment. Entry was gained by prying the locks off of a western back door. A quantity of flea and tick medication and Heart Guard was stolen along with several small dog and cat leashes. Police action was requested.

Officers visited and processed the scene where they spoke with the complainant. Investigations are ongoing.

CAUSING HARM, STEALING & POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS WITH INTENT TO SUPPLY - On Monday, January 13th, 2020, sometime around 8:20pm, Officers came into the Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male under arrest for a complaint of stealing and causing harm made on January 08th, 2020. He was also under arrest for possession of dangerous drugs. The mentioned officers reported that sometime around 7:40pm, same date, acting on information, they executed a search warrant on the premises of the suspect reference to stolen goods and possession of dangerous drugs. While searching the kitchen area, Officers discovered a one gallon plastic jar which contained suspected Indian Hemp wrapped in plastic. As a result, the suspect was further cautioned. He was processed and charged with both offences.

CAUSING HARM On Monday, January 13th, 2020, sometime around 4:30pm, an adult male came into the Rock Sound Police Station and was informed about a complaint of causing harm made against him on January 08th, 2020. He was arrested and cautioned in reference to the same. The suspect was processed and charged with Causing Harm contrary to section 135(1) of the Penal Code, Chapter 84. He was further cautioned and did not reply to the charge.

STEALING FROM A VEHICLE On Tuesday, January 14th, 2020, sometime around 9:00am, Officers came into the Rock Sound Police Station and informed that, on Monday, January 13th, 2020 an adult male reported that, on Tuesday, January 07th, 2020, at about 7:30pm, he parked his vehicle on the property of a friend.

Same was unlocked with nine cartons of Rothman’s cigarettes and two wallets with cash, all totaling two hundred and thirty-five dollars ($235). The complain-

ant further stated that, sometime around 3:30am, he went to start his vehicle and discovered that the battery was missing along with the aforementioned items. Police action requested. This matter is under active investigation.

Shopbreaking and Damage report: On Sunday January 12th, 2020, sometime around 7:44pm an adult female contacted the Rock Sound Police Station and reported that it appeared that some unknown person had broken into the main office, in at a business establishment in Waterford. Police Assistance requested.

Officer responded saw and spoke with the complainant who led officers and pointed out a southern glass door which appeared to be shattered, glass pieces was seen on the outside on the floor. It appeared to be point of entry at first glance.

The scene was processed, investigations are ongoing.

Causing Damage Report: An adult male Reported that He Is the Owner of a local Resort and at about 10:30am Friday 10th January 2020 he discovered one of the Cottages that is under renovations Extensively Damaged with a piece of Block by a male he knows , He did not wish to press Charges at the time, But on Saturday 11th January 2020 he discovered that the same person, had caused damages to his grill and Vacuum cleaner together Valued $375.00 dollars he then requested police action in this matter.

Arrest reference to Damage Report: At about 10:12am Saturday 11th January 2020 Officers arrested an adult male in reference to Causing Damage.

The suspect was processed and charged with Damage.

Possession of Dangerous Drugs Arrest Report: On Saturday 11th Jan,2020 Officers arrested an adult male sometime around 9:40pm in the vicinity of Thompson Lane, Governor’s Harbour in reference to possession of dangerous drugs namely; Indian Hemp. He was processed and charged with that offence.

Housebreaking and Stealing On Friday 10th January, 2019, around 4:55pm, an adult female , contacted the G.H.P.S. via telephone and reported that between the hours of 11:00pm on Thursday 9th January, 2020 and 7:00am on Friday 10th January 2020, some unknown person/s entered her rental home” and stole from her grey handbag $2,600.00 assorted cash. Police action was requested.

P/C 2638 Ellis recorded a written statement from the complainant. This scene was processed. Investigations are ongoing.

Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs On Thursday 9th January, 2020, sometime around 4:40pm, Officers while in the area of G.H. Airport reported arresting and cautioning an adult male in reference to dangerous Drugs, after a blue plastic wrapper with suspected marijuana was found in his left rear pant pocket. He was transported to G.H.P.S. for processing. He was sub-

HeadQuarters (GH) Governor’s Harbour OR O/C Governor’s Harbour Gov.Harb. Airport Station Deep Creek Station Tarpum Bay Station Rock Sound Station

332-3500 332-2111 332-2117 332-2723 332-2323 334-8207 334-4033 334-2244

sequently Interviewed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2)b of the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000. He was released on bail in the amount of $1,000.00 with one surety to appear in court on the 7th February, 2020.

Stealing and Causing Harm On Wednesday 8th January, 2020, at about 5:05pm, an adult came into the Rock Sound Police Station and reported that sometime around 4pm on Saturday 4th January, 2020 he was beaten about his head and body by males known to him which caused him some injuries and put him in fear. He further stated that one of the males took his grey G-Shock watch from his left wrist valued at two hundred and fifty dollars and when he fell to the ground his black A50 cellular phone dropped from his front right pants pocket and was picked up by this same male who kept the same without his permission. Police Action Requested. The suspects were subsequently arrested and charged for this offence.

Shopbreaking Report Arrest On Tuesday 07th January 2020, Officers came in at the Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male under arrest in reference to Shop breaking. He was arrested and cautioned while at his residence sometime around 12:00pm.

Arrest reference to Possession of suspected Dangerous drugs and stolen items On Tuesday 31st December, 2019 sometime around 11:20 am Officers armed with a search warrant conducted a search on the residence of an adult male in reference to dangerous drugs, firearms and stolen property. Officers found a quantity of suspected cocaine and a white ductless AC unit suspected to be stolen. As a result officers arrested and cautioned the suspect for possession of dangerous drugs, house breaking, stealing and receiving. He was transported along with the suspected drug and the stolen item to the Rock Sound Police station for further investigation.

Damage Report On Friday 27th December, 2019 sometime around 9:00pm an adult female , came to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that some unknown person(s) caused damage to the front windshield of her black 2007 Honda Fit while it was parked at her daughter’s residence . Police action requested. This vehicle was photographed. The suspect was apprehended and charged with Damage.

Assault Report At 12:59am on Saturday 28/12/19 an adult female reported that her Ex Boyfriend Choked her. She is requesting police action in this matter.

At 1:00 am Saturday 28/12/19 Officers came in at Governor’s Harbour Station with

Rock Sound Sgt. Office Rock Sound Airport Stn L. Bogue Station (Airport) Harbour Island Station O/C Harbour Island Spanish Wells Station Gregory Town Station Hatchet Bay Station

334-2212 334-2052 335-1208 333-2111 333-2327 333-4030 335-5322 335-0086

an adult male Suspect and Reported that one of the officers saw the suspect assault a female, he intervened and was attacked from behind by the suspect who Choked him and Pushed him against the car as a result he then used the necessary Force to subdue the suspect who was highly Intoxicated and resisted violently. They were able to eventually subdue and arrest the suspect.

He was processed and charged with assault and Assaulting a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.

House breaking Sometime around 10:00am on the 24/12/19 an adult female came in at the Governor’s Harbour police station and reported where sometime between 4:50pm and 7:00pm on Sunday the 22/12/19 some unknown persons broke and entered her home through a northern back door. Nothing was reported stolen from her home and she suspects a male known to her , She requested immediate police action in this matter.

A written statement was recorded from the complainant and visited the scene of the crime where the complainant pointed out a rear northern door and indicated what appeared to be damage to the lock. Investigations are ongoing in this matter.

House breaking Sometime around 2:00pm on the 24/12/19 an adult female reported to police that sometime between 11:50pm on the 23/12/19 and 3:00am on the 24/12/19 some unknown persons broke and entered her home through a western kitchen door and stole a blue plastic container filled with house hold groceries and a black Samsung s7 cell phone valued at $150. She suspects a male she knows of br eaking in her house and stealing the said items. Immediate police action requested.

Officers visited the scene and recorded a written statement from the complainant.

Investigations are ongoing in this matter.

Arrest Reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs On Tuesday 24th December, 2019 at 2:40pm Officers came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an adult male under arrest reference to possession of dangerous drugs. They reported that at 2:00pm 24/12/2019 while in Rainbow Bay Eleuthera they stopped the suspect’s vehicle - a gold Honda Accord sedan, and conducted a search of same. The search ended with the discovery of a small quantity of suspected marijuana/Indian hemp in the vehicle’s cup holder. As a result the suspect was arrested and caution and transported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station Results: The suspect was interviewed under caution and charged the suspect with possession of dangerous drugs. The accused was later released on bail in the sum of $500.00

Crime News to appear before the Magistrate Court in Governor’s Harbour February Harbour Island Reports Stealing Report On Thursday 2nd January 2020 at 1pm an adult male of Gregory Town, Eleuthera came to the HIPS and reported that on sometime between Saturday 28th December 2019 and Thursday 2nd January 2020 some unknown person(s) entered a white 27th Boston Wailer boat which he care takes of and stripped the dashboard, also stole two (2) Sony speakers, and gauges together valued at $1,000.00. Police action is requested.

Police recorded a written statement from complainant and processed the scene.

Burglary Report A police officer reported that he received information at around 4:45Pm on 2nd January 2020 that person(s) unknown gained entry to a winter rental residence situated Bay &Princess Street Harbour Island and stole cash and other properties from the occupants between 31/12/19 and 1/1/20, as there is video surveillance footage of the suspects. Police visited the scene and spoke with the complainant.

They were shown a door that had been accidentally left open by the complainant.

Police action was requested.

Suspect Interviewed Ref: House Breaking/Stealing Police conducted an interview with a young male adult suspect of Pitt Street under caution at 10:13Am on Saturday 4th January 2020 in reference to House Breaking/Burglary Stealing where he admitted to the Offences. Police further conducted an interview under caution with a second young adult male suspect, of Princess Street, who was in custody, in reference to this matter who admitted to the offence.

Suspects Charged At about 2:25Pm on 4/1/20 while at the Harbour Island Police Station Sgt 1401 Carey informed both suspects that they were Charged reference to Burglary contrary to section 363 and Stealing Contrary to section 345 of the Penal Code Chapter 84.They said nothing in reply to the Charges.

Threat of harm report On Thursday 2/1/20 at about 10:30pm an adult male came in at Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at about 10:00pm 2/1/20 while at “J.J’S Night Club located Barrack street Harbour Island a young Caucasian male visitor whom he later learnt the first name of came inside the Night Club with three natives of Harbour Island and after he informed the mentioned male that it’s a private party at the mentioned club they had an exchange of words and the mentioned male threatened him by saying “ this is not over, I’m coming back for you, I’ll get you tomorrow” putting him in fear for his safety. Police action requested.

Arrest Ref: Trespassing Report Police came in at the Harbour Island Police Station on 3/1/20 at around 9:10Pm with one (1) adult male suspect under arrest of no fixed address in reference to a Trespassing case. Police reportedly arrested and cautioned him while in the area

of Colebrooke Street Harbour Island in the vicinity of Love Lane.

Police Subsequently interviewed and Charged the suspect in reference to Shop Breaking contrary to section 362 of the Penal Code Chapter 84, At 12:30OPm on 4/1/20, and later Charged the suspect in reference to Trespassing contrary to section 160(1) of the penal code chapter 84 at 1:50Pm on 4/1/20.He said nothing in reply to the Charges.

Arrest Ref: Interfering With a Prisoner - Police came it at the Harbour Island Police Station with an adult male suspect of New Dunmore Subdivision. The suspect was reportedly arrested and cautioned along Goal lane in reference to Interfering with a prisoner. Police subsequently Charged the suspect in reference to Interfering with a Prisoner contrary to section 249 of the Penal code chapter 84. The suspect was taken in Police custody with bail scheduled to be granted on the 5th January 2020.

House breaking Report On Saturday 4th January 2020 at 6:15pm a female of Coconut Grove Ave Harbour Island contacted the Harbour Island Police Station and reported for her sister that person(s) unknown gained entry to her residence on Coconut Grove Ave between the 30th December 2019 and 4th January 2020. Police action requested.

Disturbance Report An adult female of Pitts Street Contacted the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that her daughter’s ‘baby daddy’ was at that time at their residence creating a disturbance and refusing to leave as requested. Police assistance requested. On the same date police saw the complainant and the young adult accused male, of Coconut Grove Ave, who was also present. The complainant stated that the young man and her daughter were involved in a verbal altercation prior to the police arrival, where he was requesting that her daughter give him their 4 weeks year old baby. As a result police warned the suspect of his actions and behavior and further advised civil action. The young man left the area quiet and in order.

Stealing Report On Sunday 5th January 2020 at around 5:55Pm an adult male of Trianna Shores Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime in the early part of December 2019 he last saw and used his 19feet Galvanize gray trailer which is kept on a vacant lot on the northern side of his residence. However on Saturday 4th January 2020 he discovered that person(s) unknown stole same which is value at $1,000.00.Police action requested.

Attempted housebreaking report - On Friday 10/1/20 at about 11:15am Italian national c/o a House located Chapel Street Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that on the 9th of January 2020 sometime between

8:00pm and 8:15pm an unknown young male attempted to gain entry to his rental residence however he was unsuccessful in the attempt after being verbally chased of the property. The complainant further added that there was nothing stolen or damaged. Police action requested.

Assault report On Saturday 11/1/20 at about 11:00pm an adult male of New Dunmore Subdivision Harbour Island came in at Harbour Island Police Station and reported that on same date at about 10:30pm while walking on Barrack Street Harbour Island in the area of the “Vic-hum” Night Club he was approached by a male of Harbour Island whom punched him with his fist to the back of his head for no reason causing pain Police action requested.

Assault Report On Tuesday 14th January 2020, sometime around 8:40 pm, an adult female of Princess Street, Harbour Island came to the HIPS and reported that while walking in the area of Johnson’s Gas Station, Princess Street she was approached by a young man she knows who questioned about where she was coming from. She further reported that upon her refusal to respond, he beat her about the body causing pain and injury. Police action requested.

Causing Harm Report: An adult female of Grant and Barrack Street Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station at about 1:25pm on Monday 16th December 2019 and reported on behalf of her juvenile son that on Saturday 14th December 2019 at around 8:45pm her son informed her that while walking along Dunmore Street en route to their residence in the vicinity of Sybil’s Bakery a male known to him shot him with what he suspects to be a BB gun causing pain and injures to his left upper arm and left side. Police action requested.

• Police viewed two apparent small circular bruises to the victim’s. arm which were photographed.

Stealing Report An adult male of King Street came in at the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime between 9:00 pm on 16th December, 2019 and 7:30 am on 17th December, 2019 some unknown person(s) stole $1,000.00 cash from his black leather wallet which was secured in his bedroom. Police action requested.

Action Taken: Police processed the scene and were made aware of a nearby surveillance camera.

Abstracting Electricity An adult male of Lower Bogue North Eleuthera, Assistant supervisor c/o Water and Sewage Cooperation came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that he received information from the company electrician that some person(s) has/have three wires running from their main breaker panel of the pump house station onto a property across from the plant. He said he received information about the owner of the premises. He request Police action on behalf of the

Jan/Feb, 2020

37

company.

Police recorded complainant and witness statements. They reported visiting the scene and observed three (3) wires one being a bare wire which was connected to the pump station main 200 Amp service breaker panel that ran through the building and up a BPL utility police and onto a piece of wood which was attached to a wooden fence at the property iand down into his yard. The same was photographed for further investigations.

Causing Harm Report On Tuesday 17th December, 2019 at about 6:10 pm an adult female came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at around 5:20 pm while at her place of employment, her children’s father punched her in the mouth causing pain and injuries.

Police action requested.

Suspect interviewed and charged Re: Possession of Dangerous Drugs On Friday 20/12/19 police reported that while at Harbour Island Police Station an adult male suspect of Lowe Sound Drive Lowe Sound Andros was interviewed under caution in reference to Possession of dangerous drugs. He was questioned, charged, and given bail with one suretor at the sum of $2000 to appear before Magistrate Court Harbour Island on 5/2/20 Causing Harm Report On Friday 20th December, 2019 at around 8:30 pm an adult male of Munnings Street came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at around 8:00 pm while at the rear of his residence, a male known to him ‘chapped’ him on his left hand and left cheek causing injuries. Police action requested..

Possession of D/DrugsOn Thursday 26th December 2019 at 9:58pm, police came in at S-3 with an adult male suspect of Colebrook Street, Harbour Island in reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

PC 3531 Brancaccio reported that he had arrested and cautioned the suspect on Thursday 26th December 2019 at 9:45pm while in the area of Harbour Island Government Dock.

Unlawful entry and assault with a deadly weapon (knife) - Police Assistance On Friday 27th December 2019, an adult female of Love Lane Harbour Island came to the HIPS and reported that sometime around 4:15am she arrived home from

by Sammy night club, but before she went home she stop by one of her aunts’ house to collect some food. She got the food and then went home, when she arrived at her house, she noticed that the front door was open she stated that she went inside the house and also notice that her bedroom door was open, she went inside her room and saw a man she knew lying on the bed.

She further stated that she went inside the front room, he then came behind her with a black handle kitchen and held it to her throat and started beating her about the body. Police action requested.

On the same date at about 8:40am police came in at the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at about 8:38am while on the Harbour Island Government

38 www. EleutheraNews . com Continued from Page. 37 Dock he arrested and cautioned the accused adult male of Colebrooke Street Harbour Island.

Suspect interviewed/charged Trespassing/Assault Granted Police bail On Saturday 28/12/19 a police officer reported that while at Harbour Island Police Station he interviewed the adult male suspect under caution in reference to Trespassing and Assault a complaint made on 27/12/19. The suspect was subsequently charged with the mentioned offenses processed and given bail in the sum of $2000 with one suretor to appear before Magistrate Court on 5/2/2020.

Arrest Ref: Assaulting a Police Officer - On 28th December 2019 sometime around 12:55Am police reported that while in the area of Chapel and Dunmore Street they arrested and cautioned the occupant of a white golf cart – young adult male of Princess Street in reference to Assaulting A Police Officer - a complaint made on 25/12/19.

Causing Harm Report A young adult male of Princess Street Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station at around 11:25Pm and reported that at about 9:00Pm on 28/12/19 while on the soft ball field situated Grant Street (Harbour Island), he was attacked by a young male known to him with a silver blade flip out knife which

Crime News

resulted in him being cut to his left arm causing injuries and pain. Police action requested.

Arrest: Crew of Eskimo 1-6 came in at the Harbour Island Police Station at round 1:05Am with the suspect under arrest in reference to Causing Harm and Unlawfully Carry Arms.

Drug Arrest Report Crew of Eskimo 1-6 reported that while in the area of Duke Street at about 1:05Am on 29/12/19 arrested and cautioned a young adult male suspect of Trianna Shores Harbour Island in reference to an outstanding Causing Harm complaint at the Harbour Island Police Station. However a search was conducted of the suspect person which revealed a silver plastic bag containing a small amount of grassy like substance suspected to be marijuana. As a result he was arrested and Cautioned reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs. In addition whilst at the Harbour Island Police Station a further search was conducted of the suspect person where four (4) foils wrapping were found in his front right pocket each containing a grassy like substance suspected to be marijuana.

He was further cautioned in reference to the offence.

Stealing ReportAn adult male of Nesbitt Street Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station on the 1st January 2020 and reported that sometime between the 20th and 28th of December 2019 person(s) unknown stole his battery out his Jeep along with

a black and green Pittsburg ratchet set tool box valued at $150.00.He further added that on the 28th of December he saw his tool box on a golf cart in the area of Nesbitt Street occupied by a male known to him of Princess Street Harbour Island. Police action requested.

Drug Arrest - On Wednesday 1/1/20 police reported that while in the area of Barrack Street beckoned and stopped a beige golf cart occupied by two (2) males acting in a suspicious manner. Subsequently the vehicle was stopped and a search was conducted of their person. During the search a quantity of four (4) packages was found on the adult male suspect who gave his name and listed his address as Yamcraw Beach. He was arrested and cautioned in reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs. The other occupant who also an adult male of Yamacraw Beach Estates was searched and the search revealed two (2) foil packages of suspect marijuana. He was arrested and cautioned in reference to the offence. Both suspects were later transported to the Harbour Island Police Station for safe keeping and further investigations. The exhibit was handed over to PC 3616 Austin Station Diarist.

Action Taken: Police conducted interviews with the suspects separately under caution and subsequently charged each with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2) B of the Dangerous Drug Act Chapter 228..

Each was granted bail in the sum of $1,000.00 to appear before Magistrate Court on 5/2/20.

Drug arrest report On Wednesday 1/1/20 police came in at Harbour Island Police Station with suspects An adult male of Colebrooke Street Harbour Island, an adult female of Alice Street Harbour Island and and an adult female of Alice Street Harbour Island and reported that at about 10:00pm they arrested and cautioned the suspects while on Colebrooke Street Harbour Island in reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs after a vehicle driven and owned by the adult male was stopped and searched on Colebrooke Street in reference to firearms and dangerous drugs and the search revealed a beige brass and blue “El Dorado 21 Rum” can containing a large plastic bag containing suspected Marijuana, one small foil wrapping containing suspected marijuana. As a result the suspects and mentioned exhibit was taken to Harbour Island police Station for safekeeping and further enquiries.

Assault Report Location: Bluff, Eleuthera On Thursday 12th December 2019, sometime around 7:30pm, a female came into the North Eleuthera Police Station and reported that sometime around 3:30pm, her brother , a Juvenile of Bluff, Eleuthera, while walking home from the schools bus stop, was approached by a male known to him, who pulled up to him in a silver Nissan, and asked him what he said to his girlfriend

Jan/Feb, 2020 at school, and punched him to the left side of his face, which caused pain, and minor injuries. She is requesting Police action in this matter.

Results: On Friday 13th December 2019, sometime around 10:20am, a young adult male of Bluff, Eleuthera, came into the North Eleuthera Police Station, where he was arrested and cautioned by Sgt. 2175 Larrimore reference to assault. He was interviewed and released pending further investigations.

TrFound Drugs Location: North Eleuthera High School On Monday 16th December 2019, sometime around 5:00pm,, Principal c/o North Eleuthera High School, came into the North Eleuthera Police Station and handed over (1) one clear piece of plastic containing a quantity of suspected marijuana, and reported that the same was found at the security booth by the Security Officer.

Police action requested.

Drug Arrest Report (Outstanding Warrant); Location: Lower Bogue, Eleuthera On Wednesday 18th December 2019, sometime around 6:40pm, police arrived in at the North Eleuthera Police Station along with a young adult male of Lowe Sound, Andros, and reported that they arrested the suspect sometime around 6:20pm, on today’s date, while in the area of Lower Bogue reference to an outstanding arrest warrant in reference to possession of dangerous drugs.

Drug Arrest Report On Thursday 19th December 2019, sometime around 1:45pm,police while conducting enquiries in the area of Queen’s Highway, Lower Bogue, observed a gray Honda Civic, with (3) male occupants, driving away from a residence, which is known to be used to facilitate the sale of dangerous drugs. As a result the officers pursued the vehicle, which came to a stop in the front a Healthy Choice Restaurant. The officers approached the said vehicle and observed the front seat passenger, who was identified as a adult male of Queen’s Highway, Lower Bogue, seated with a white piece of plastic, containing a quantity of suspected marijuana on his lap. The same was retrieved and the suspect was arrested and cautioned reference to possession of dangerous drugs. He was transported to the North Eleuthera Police Station, where he was handed over to PC 3044 Lockhart for further investigations.

Results: On Thursday 19th December 2019, while at the North Eleuthera Police Station, PC 3044 Lockhart interviewed the suspect, under caution, and during which he admitted to the offence. He was subsequently charged with possession of dangerous drugs and released on bail to appear before Harbor Island Magistrate Court.

Isl an d â&#x20AC;&#x153;B u z z â&#x20AC;?

Jan/Feb, 2020

39

Eleuthera Christmas Junkanoo

- Continued

from page 33

Chinese theme - a part of the Cultural Weddings depictions

More Junkanoo

P40-47

40 www. EleutheraNews . com

Isl a n d “B u z z ”

Jan/Feb, 2020

Junkanoo in Tarpum Bay

Honouree

Resplendent

Mr. Decosta of Governor’s Harbour, a Junkanoo Legend, who has and continues to contribute to this cultural art on the island was the Honouree of the 2019 Christmas Day Junkanoo event. He’s pictured here with the Cow Bells and Whistle in his Junkanoo Legends Jacket and enraptured in the beat of the Eleuthera Junkanoo.

2020,

Jan/Feb

Isl an d “B u z z ”

The Eleutheran

key Elements People, Spirit, Horns, Drums, Dance, Music, Celebration - all sizes, Colors, Smiles ! __

41

42 www. EleutheraNews . com

Isl a n d â&#x20AC;&#x153;B u z z â&#x20AC;?

Jan/Feb, 2020

Junkanoo in Tarpum Bay

Going All Out ! Gregory Town/North Eleuthera looked absolutely splendid in their variety of costumes, dancers, pieces and music.

2020,

Jan/Feb

Isl an d “B u z z ”

The Eleutheran

43

Isl a n d “B u z z ”

44 www. EleutheraNews . com

Junkanoo in Briland

Continued from Page. 33

Pictured: Harbour Island’s population swells during the Christmas Holidays, with visitors from around the world converging on the renown destination. The perfect time to show off the Bahamas’ number one cultural expression. Shown are the colours, sounds, and creativity of JUNKANOO bursting along the main Bayfront thoroughfare with hundreds of onlookers out to enjoy the grand show hosted on Boxing Day evening.

Jan/Feb, 2020

2020,

Jan/Feb

Isl an d â&#x20AC;&#x153;B u z z â&#x20AC;?

The Eleutheran

45

On page: The spectacle of the Junkanoo Parade on Boxing Day evening in Harbour Island was enjoyed by all, with visitors and locals joining in the dancing on the street.

Isl a n d “B u z z ”

46 www. EleutheraNews . com

Junkanoo in Briland

Jan/Feb, 2020

Continued from Page. 45

ZULU & WARRIORS

Spontaneous Dance surrounded by smiles, Island Style.

Coordinated dance troupes brought a high level of energy and excitement to the 2019 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade!

Fabulous colors and local fabrics were on display during the JUNKANOO Parade in Briland.

2020,

Jan/Feb

Isl an d â&#x20AC;&#x153;B u z z â&#x20AC;?

On Page: Along with bright smiles and fabulous costumes, large Junkanoo pieces along the parade depicting different Festivals celebrated across the Bahamas, were featured by the Zula group in Harbour Island.

The Eleutheran

47