HOUSE & HOME MONDAY
HIGH 82ºF LOW 71ºF
CARS! CARS!
The Tribune
CLASSIFIEDS TRADER
Established 1903
L AT E S T
N E W S
O N
T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M
Biggest And Best!
Volume: 121 No.36, January 15, 2024
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
CRACKDOWN U More intrusive policing coming U Anti-gang laws are promised U More CCTV and increased patrols
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said more intrusive policing is coming in response to the rising murder rate. “We will not violate anyone’s civil liberties, but you are likely to be impacted by more roadblocks and unannounced police SEE PAGE THREE
‘can’t Sleep or eat Since mom and Son were Shot’ By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE mother of the two-year-old who was shot on Thursday said she can’t sleep, can’t eat and keeps replaying the moments when a man emerged from bushes, killed her mother and put her son in critical condition. She told The Tribune yesterday that her SEE PAGE THREE
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks to the nation on the govt’s efforts to aggresively bring crime under control. Photo: OPM
Ex-DRA chief quizzed Slain teen girl’S police queStion as part of police probe MOTHER FACING SuSpect in Fnm’S By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net A TEAM of police officers travelled to Grand Bahama on Thursday to interview former Disaster Reconstruction Authority head Katherine Smith. The interview at a police station on the island lasted about five hours, The Tribune understands.
The interview with Ms Smith suggests police are in the last stages of what is believed to be a wide-ranging investigation. A team of officers had travelled to Grand Bahama in September to interview several DRA employees. Non-DRA employees were also interviewed. The investigation
COURT CHARGES
JOHNSON ASSUALT
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE mother of Davinique Gray, the 16-year-old who was killed in a shooting incident last weekend, appeared emotionless before the court on Friday as she was charged with
POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said a suspect was in custody concerning an argument involving Free National Movement vice chairman Richard Johnson.
SEE PAGE THREE
SEE PAGE FIVE
SEE PAGE FIVE
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
Governor General marks first official visit to Grand Bahama PAGE 2, Monday, January 15, 2024
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GOVERNOR General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt travelled throughout Grand Bahama and met Bahamians from all walks of life during her first official visit last week. On Sunday, she went to East End, visited the memorial site for Hurricane Dorian victims and attended a church service at St Matthew’s Baptist Church in High Rock. Ms Pratt also went to the home of Odetta Cooper, an elderly resident and Dorian survivor. She was accompanied by Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey and other government representatives. The four-day islandwide tour began with visits to charitable organisations in Freeport — The Burrows Home for the Aged
and the Grand Bahama Children’s Home on Thursday. Ms Pratt also visited the Rand Memorial Hospital on Friday, where she toured the facility and met medical doctors, nurses, staff, and patients. The governor-general’s visit was a notable moment for healthcare professionals who were proud to see one of their very own, a retired public healthcare nurse, elevated to the country’s highest position. “I am one of many Governor Generals that have come to Freeport, but none of them were nurses,” Ms Pratt said. Recalling her days as a nurse in the 1960s, the Governor General said the healthcare system has come a long way. She also commended nurses and medical professionals for their service. “I have worked as an
THE TRIBUNE
operating theatre nurse, and the operating room was opposite the X-ray room,” she said. “Now we have an X-ray department. I am saying we have made much progress over the years, and you ought to be proud.” Ms Pratt also visited senior citizens, including the last surviving World War II veteran in Grand Bahama, Mr Henry Kellman. On Saturday, she travelled to West Grand Bahama, where she met three of the oldest living residents, Merlene Smith and Delores Lightbourne, both Eight Mile Rock residents over 90, and Sarah Russell, 97, a resident of West Grand Bahama. The governor general also visited the YMCA, the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, the Rand Nature Centre, and the Beautiful Grand Bahama.
GOVERNOR General Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt makes her first official visit to Grand Bahama where she attended a church service, visited the Rand Memorial Hospital, and spoke with a number of residents including the elderly at Burrows Home for the Aged, Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, January 15, 2024, PAGE 3
Crackdown PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis addresses the nation last night on crime efforts following spike in murders this month. Photo: OPM from page one action,” he said during a national address last night. The murder rate is up 150 per cent compared to the same period last year, with eleven people killed, the most for this period in over a decade, according to The Tribune’s records. Mr Davis said the more intrusive policing “may make you late for your appointments, or delay plans you have, but this is a small price to pay for the collective benefit of having our streets made safer, and our lives less blighted by murder and other violent crimes”. He said officers will be
reminded to operate “at all times within the law and treat each person with the necessary courtesies and dignity”. Mr Davis highlighted the government’s familiar crime-fighting pledges and tactics, promising to invest more in CCTVs and police vehicles and to flood hotspots. He revealed officials are reviewing “the operation of the Confidential Informant Fund” to increase the “effectiveness of information gathering and covert operations”. Some countries use the fund to compensate people who provide sensitive information.
“We are constructing a National Forensic Laboratory in order to reduce our dependency on foreign jurisdictions,” he said. “We will then be able to conduct our own forensic analyses, which will significantly speed up investigations and improve the quality of evidence used in trials. “We are going to introduce the toughest anti-gang legislation ever. If you are associated with a gang, we are coming after you. If you have a lot of shiny things, no way to explain your wealth, we are going to seize what you have.” Mr Davis said he asked Cabinet ministers to recommend measures to improve
how conflicts are resolved. “Cussing, fists, knives and guns have no place in how we resolve our differences,” he said. He added that a “Gang, Crime and Justice Task Force” chaired by the ministers of education and national security was convened in October, meets weekly, and is attended by “a number of ministers, the commissioner of police, commissioner of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, and the commodore of the Defence Force and their teams.” Mr Davis also discussed the contentious bail issue, which featured prominently
in speeches during last week’s Opening of the Legal Year event. Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder and Bar Association President Khalil Parker defended how judges handle bail. “A judge has the right to use his discretion when granting bail,” Mr Davis said. “Judges in The Bahamas live in The Bahamas, and they know the truth of the statistics: releasing these men on the streets is akin to a countdown to a death sentence.” He said repeat serious offenders getting bail and either becoming murder victims or perpetrators of serious crimes is troubling.
“These, in my opinion, justify a more aggressive approach by the judiciary in denying bail in murder cases,” he said. “In my view, the prosecutors must likewise be more aggressive in appealing instances where bail is granted and the elements I have just described exist.” The latest murder happened on Friday night. Police said around 11.50pm, an argument occurred at a bar off Carmichael Road between the victim and the suspect, resulting in the victim being stabbed multiple times. Police said a 30-year-old was questioned in the matter.
Public has a ‘Personal resPonsibility’ to ‘Can’t sleep or eat since make criminals known to Police, says munroe mom and son were shot’ By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
SPEAKING about the recent spike in violent crime in the country, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said on Friday that members of the public have a personal responsibility to make criminals known to police. “The greatest concern is whether or not the public is listening to the advice the police have been giving for the last two and a half years, and we’ve been echoing, which is that we all know that people who have this mindset are not in our national interests,” he said. Mr Munroe was speaking with reporters at an event in which the US Embassy presented four vessels to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. “The police, the Commissioner, Chief Supt Skippings have been saying for two and a half years they’re also not in your personal interests,” he said. “And so as I said on a interview at the beginning of this year, we have to make a decision as to what type of country we want to live in. And we make that decision quite simply. It is clear now, if it wasn’t before, that these young men appear to have no regard for life at all, and no regard for anything. “And so if they’re around you, they have no regard for anybody else’s life and you have a responsibility, you have a personal responsibility, to make them known to the police. You can’t just say it has nothing to do with
you.” Mr Munroe added that firearms only have one purpose. “If you see something, say it to the police,” he said. “A gun only has one purpose, a handgun has one purpose, and that is to kill. An assault weapon has one purpose and that is to kill. So don’t delude yourself into thinking that your son, your nephew, your neighbour has it for anything other than that. “And so, quite clearly, the Commissioner, Chief Supt Skippings, we’ve been saying for two and a half years, the police are counting on all of us. Because after they do these things, (they) will be caught – I think it was under an hour so yesterday. But that’s after the damage is done. “Somebody would have known these young people have the guns. Speak up, otherwise you are part of the conspiracy that’s causing these problems.” On the subject of bail, Mr Munroe said a collaborative effort is needed. “Well, the Commissioner, he speaks from the point of being a law enforcement official. And he speaks with the passion that brings to it. But the one thing he did say, that people need to focus on, is it has to be a collaborative effort. We all have to come to the table. He said that. The Attorney General said that yesterday. Khalil Parker, the president of the Bar, said that yesterday. The Chief Justice said that. “I have indicated from last year, the Chief Justice
has agreed to a task force and that is what it’s going to be focussed on. “What the Attorney General has said, which is an approach going forward, is that the Court of Appeal has said that bail can be denied for somebody’s own safety or for the safety of the public. We have seen that when people come to kill these fellas, other people may be injured. “So the Court of Appeal has said that’s a basis, the Attorney General has said that the office of the DPP will be more aggressive when police provide the evidence that this is gang related, retaliation related, to object to bail. “And, if the Supreme Court judge still grants it, to appeal it to the Court of Appeal. That is in effect what the Chief Justice said as well is the way to go.” The minister added that the Office of The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is going to be more aggressive. “So we’re going to be more aggressive, the office of the DPP, our lawyers, in terms of prosecutions,” Mr Munroe said. “As a lawyer, I can tell you, you get to hold your lawyer to account. So just as the Commissioner produced those statistics, the police will be holding the office of the DPP to account, to make their objections to bail. That if the judges grant the bail then to appeal those grants of bail to the Court of Appeal. And, as the Chief Justice says, the person remains in custody while that appeal moves forward.”
slain teen girl’s mother facing court charges from page one harbouring a man wanted by police. Shinika Johnson, 41, was charged before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans with harbouring a criminal. Karina Rolle represented the accused. Johnson is accused of concealing Gamaliel Gray at her residence on Samson Street in Nassau
Village, between January 5 – 7, knowing he was wanted by police. Police report that Gray was a fugitive for his alleged involvement in the death of Gerrard Coakley on January 2. Gray is presumed to have been the target when Johnson’s residence was riddled with bullets on January 6. This resulted in her 16-year-old daughter’s tragic death when she was
caught in the crossfire. After pleading not guilty to the charge, Johnson was granted $10,000 bail with one or two sureties. Under the terms of this bail the defendant must sign in at South Beach Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 6pm. She is also to be fitted with a monitoring device. Johnson’s trial begins on January 29.
from page one son, Adonai Moss, is in the Intensive Care Unit of Princess Margaret Hospital. She said she hadn’t spoken to doctors to know his prognosis. The 40-year-old woman who wanted her name withheld, saying: “Right now I feel like I’m the cause of why my mummy laying down cuz if I didn’t carry her in the car, this wouldn’t have happened.” She didn’t elaborate but said Facebook users wrongly claimed that her brother was killed earlier this, saying she is not connected to anyone who had
been murdered. The woman, her mother, her son and “a lady” were returning from a Chinese store when her mother was killed on Lily of the Valley corner on Thursday. She said: “I was talking to my mummy, telling her how I walking by faith now and not by sight no more, how if I have a problem I just gon’ let God deal with it because I tired.” “And just after I finish telling her that I hear bullets.” “I couldn’t even panic. I drove straight to the station.” “When I reach to the station, the only thing I could
remember is telling the police, y’all call the ambulance for me please, my mummy and my baby got shot.” She said her mother, Renee Gray, 56, was “everything” in her family: the “grill woman”, the “handy woman”, the “paint woman” and more. “She loved all my children unconditionally,” she said, crying. Police arrested a suspect in his 20s shortly after the ambush. Authorities said he was wanted for another matter that happened earlier this year. Eleven people have been murdered in 2024.
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
PAGE 4, Monday, January 15, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
Hanna Martin says she won’t hop on the bandwagon for capital punishment By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said she won’t join the bandwagon for reinstating capital punishment because the return of the penalty is unrealistic. She said focus should be on taking young people off the streets and teaching them a better way to live. She spoke after former Cabinet minister Leslie Miller said legislators “lack the guts” to bring back the death penalty. She said calling for the death penalty is a “goto” move when violent crime increases. But, she said, “the reality is that jurisprudence is making it more and more unlikely that you are going to see executions any time soon. I have to be realistic about it. I could join the bandwagon, make everybody feel happy, but I’m not that type.” “We are concerned and it’s all hands on deck. We could point fingers, I’m good at that too, but I think that is at such levels now that we have to just determine that we have to come together. The minister of education emphasised the need to enter communities most affected by crime and for rehabilitative school programmes to steer youth in the right direction. Education Director Dominique Russell said her ministry is working to ensure that public schools nationwide provide a safe environment for students. She said the ministry had partnered with several private stakeholders to provide anger management and mentoring programmes to atrisk students. “We are seeking to ensure that all of our children have access to co-curricular and extracurricular activities because of the advantage that they provide,” she said. “And so we have invited a number of our partners to continue to partner with us to provide these mentoring services and some instances anger management sessions or increased anger management sessions, increased counselling, more restorative practices are instituting.” The Ministry of Education launches its Student Development Co-Curricular Activities today.
NATIONAL HOTLINE TO REPORT CHILDREN ON THE STREETS DURING SCHOOL HOURS LAUNCHED By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net MINISTER of Education Glenys Hanna Martin
THE Ministry of Education launched its national school attendance hotline on Friday and called on the public to report any child on the streets during school hours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 50 per cent of students failed to consistently sign in for virtual learning. While school attendance has returned to 90 per cent since in-person classes resumed nationwide, the ministry hopes this latest initiative will further raise the statistic. Education Director Dominique Russell urged the public to use the confidential hotline any time they see a truant child on the streets between the hours of 8am to 5pm. The hotline numbers are 422-4453 or 42- CHILD. “Education is mandatory for students or children ages 5 to 16,” Director Russell noted. “For students to gain academic and social skills
they must be present and engaged.” “Ninety per cent attendance will not do. We are striving for 100 per cent. We are introducing the National School Attendance Hotline.” “Members of the public can call in. They can mark it or rack it, make a complaint or raise a concern. The officers, there are two of them, who are receiving training, and they are going to triage the public, and they are going to go to the schools. So help us, help us help our children by finding every child.” While there are currently 16 attendance officers in New Providence and eight in Grand Bahama, the ministry hopes to add more. The initial focus will be on schools with consistently low attendance numbers. Police officers, under the command of Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Chaswell Hanna, will be stationed at Signature Plaza in New Providence to deal with truant students. Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said that the programme has
already resulted in a missing child returning to school. “This is a confidential way of advising the ministry, and your confidentiality is guaranteed and protected,” she said. “It allows us to go into the community and to seek out the children.” “A missing child is a child at risk. What is going on with that child who ain’t in school? What are they doing? What is happening to that child? That’s scary. And so we have to ensure that at least as far as this human right, which is the school environment and the educational process, is followed as it allows for academic, intellectual and creative stimulus and for needs such as guidance counsellors on campus. “We are focused on getting children in the classroom because when they are there, we can help to mould and shape and guide a young person as they move forward with their lives. We encourage the public to use this hotline. We have to look out for our children. We have to protect our children.”
Graveside Service for JERLENE LOUISE THOMPSON, 80 better known as ‘Denie’
of Blair Estates, Nassau, The Bahamas who died at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Shirley Street, Nassau on Tuesday, 9th January 2024 will be held at Ebenezer Methodist Cemetery, East Shirley Street, Nassau on Tuesday, 16th January, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Hartis Pinder will officiate and interment will follow. She is survived by her husband, William ‘Tony’ Thompson; sons, Johnny (Margaret) and Rockwell ‘Rocky’ (Cherie); daughter, Kimberley (James); grandchildren, Marcus, Justin, Tatum (Jose), Selena and Ashley (Cameron); brother, Tommy Baldwin (Debbie); sister, Kathy Sands; and many other relatives and close friends. Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, January 15, 2024, PAGE 5
Permanent third justice for GB Supreme Court
Bahamian woman from Exuma travels to Antartica
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net CHIEF Justice Sir Ian Winder will permanently assign a third Justice to the Supreme Court in Freeport in another three months to reduce the growing backlog of criminal matters. On Friday, the judiciary marked the opening of the legal year in Grand Bahama with a church service at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King. Father Norman Lightbourne expressed frustration over the long delays in the court system. The clergy said he is tired of hearing complaints after complaints about the constant delays. Father Lightbourne said people are critical because they want to see the wheels of justice turning more quickly. “We are tired of just waiting and waiting,” he said. “Wherever I serve, I am tired of members coming to me and saying, ‘Father, I went to the court today but they tell me to come back next month. The next month, they said, ‘Father, they told me to come back next month’. And when next month reach, they say, ‘Father, they tell me to come back.’ “When is this going to stop?” he said, banging on the podium. I am tired of them coming to me.” Father Lightbourne said the judiciary plays a vital role in ensuring peace and stability in the country as they are the third branch of the government. He also reminded the judiciary that they are held to the highest standards and cannot show partiality because of the nature of their work. “You are to do your
FINA JOHNSON By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
CHIEF Justice Sir Ian Winder stands alongside other justices during a church ceremony marking the beginning of the legal year in Grand Bahama. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn work without fear or favour,” he said. There ought not even be the semblance of interference; you should be independent of the executive.” Fr Lightbourne said Parliament tabled the Court Services Bill 2023, which proposes creating an independent body to administer the Bahamas courts. “I pray these ain’t just words,” said the priest. He advised lawyers to show more compassion to those who seek their assistance. “Attorneys, for God’s sake, it ain’t all about money. Most of the people seeking your help are the poor Joe Blow. These are people trying to make ends meet. They bring their house paper, their land paper. The Lord loves
justice, but he hates robbery,” he said. Following the service, the Chief Justice, the Registrar, Supreme judges, magistrates, attorneys, judiciary staff, and members of the Royal Bahamas Police police marched to the Garnet Levarity Justice Center for the ceremonial legal opening and inspection of the Guard. When asked about the court delays in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder said they are working on delay issues in Grand Bahama. “A third Supreme Court justice is here now in a sense that acting Justice Tavana Saunders is acting for three months, and then the current Registrar Constance Delancey will act for three months as of
January,” he said. “And my hope is at the end of that three-month period to permanently assign a judge to Freeport. “By that time, it is hoped that the court in Eight Mile Rock will be relocated back to Eight Mile Rock, and that court could be the third court for Grand Bahama,” he said. When asked about the backlog, he said: “Grand Bahama is increasing their criminal complement by 100 percent, and that should be two full-time judges. We are addressing the challenge that Justice Hanna-Adderley had with outstanding judgments. “We are taking steps to try to arrest a lot of the problems we have, not just in Grand Bahama,” he said.
FINA Johnson’s love of travelling, adventure and animals has helped her become one of the 170,000 people a year to visit the world’s most isolated continent: Antarctica. The George Town Primary School alumnus lives in Exuma, where she rescues dogs with Fina Fosters, a rescue group, but she is currently on a 13-day trip in Antarctica. She told The Tribune the journey began in Ushuaia, Argentina, on the Scenic Eclipse One, a discovery cruise with 196 people. On the way to Antarctica, the ship took two days crossing the Drake Passage, which she calls “one of the most dangerous in the world” to encounter by boat “because three different oceans collide: the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Southern Ocean.” “We were lucky we had medium seas, which was still pretty rough, but the Eclipse two, which was a day and a half behind us, had to ride out a storm,” she said. She said activities in Antarctica have included Kodiak trips twice a day and helicopter and submersible trips. She said it was not difficult preparing for the trip. “You just need to read up on it,” she said. Her main goal is to see as much wildlife as possible and learn more about that under-explored area of the world. “We have a discovery team on board, and we have lectures and talks every day about everything we are seeing, from rocks and ice to seals and whales,” she said. “We are kayaking, hiking, paddle boarding, and exploring with zodiacs, noting the different wildlife that we see. This helps other scientists with their data.” “We’ve gone to two abandoned scientist huts.” “We did a Kodiak trip this morning. After walking on the ice, we saw a leopard seal and a crab eating a seal (and) a juvenile emperor penguin amongst many seabirds.”
police question suspect in FnM’s Johnson AssuAlt from page one “There was a young man in custody over the weekend for questioning reference to this matter,” he said. “He was later released pending.” Mr Johnson was allegedly attacked outside an FNM meeting on November 30. He said he was talking to FNM members outside when someone came out of nowhere and hit him across his head, prompting him to defend himself. FNM leaders later filed a police complaint against him, saying he falsely
accused them of orchestrating the attack he experienced. Mr Johnson sued the FNM in 2022 after executives unanimously barred him from council meetings. He seeks $500,000 in damages, claiming that neither leader Michael Pintard nor chairman Dr Duane Sands had the authority to suspend his membership rights and reassign his vice-chair duties. He wants $250,000 for “loss and unlawful interference” of his membership, $250,000 for “mental distress concerning the matter”, and interest on damages.
Last year, Justice Deborah Fraser instituted an injunction preventing the party’s leaders from barring him from council meetings until she had addressed the substantive matter. She also ordered them not to personally attack each other or other FNM members in public until she had ruled on the lawsuit. After the controversy over the attack against Mr Johnson, the judge banned Mr Johnson from attending the party’s meetings or visiting its headquarters or precincts until any further court order.
Death Notice for CAPTAIN WILLIAM HENRY DUNN, 87 affectionately known as Harry
EX-DRA CHIEF QUIZZED AS PART OF POLICE PROBE from page one followed a forensic audit into the DRA. Mrs Smith was appointed director of the DRA under the Minnis administration. After the Davis administration terminated her contract, she sued the government, seeking more than $400k. According to The Nassau Guardian, a writ of summons, which was dated December 21, 2021, indicated Smith’s employment contract went into effect on December 3, 2019, and was due to expire on November 30, 2023. Under the terms of that contract, the DRA
agreed to pay Smith an annual salary of $110,000 in monthly instalments of $9,166.66 and an annual housing allowance of $30,000 in monthly instalments of $2,500. It also agreed to an annual duty allowance of
$15,000 in monthly instalments of $1,250 and a monthly fuel allowance of $250. At the end of that contract, Smith was entitled to receive a gratuity of 15 per cent of the sum received under the contract.
died at his home in Blair Estates, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas on Saturday, 6th January, 2024. Harry joined the Royal Air Force in 1954 and was sent to Canada for his training. He came to Nassau in October, 1959 seeking employment with Bahamas Airways and remained with them until its Liquidation in 1970. He was then employed by Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong for Twenty (20) years until his retirement in 1990, returning to The Bahamas. He was pre-deceased by his first wife, Janet A. Dunn, née Simons, his parents, William H. Dunn and Vera M. A. Dunn, his mother-in-law, Iva Simons and his sister, Beth Ellis. He is survived by his wife, Dianne M. Dunn; his son, Stephen Dunn; his daughter, Charlotte Dunn; his “like a daughter”, Gerlyn Agundis; his granddaughters, Sophia and Ella Dunn; daughter-in-law, Val Dunn; a sisterin-law, Scharline Bucci; a brother-in-law, Tom Ellis; Diane Claridge, a Goddaughter, Xania Rolle, other relatives and Many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, Account No.52200112 Transit 24667, FirstCaribbean International Bank, Shirley Street Branch, Nassau OR the Bahamas Humane Society, Account No. 1086176 FirstCaribbean International Bank, Palmdale Branch 09786, Swift Code FCIBBSNS, in memory of Captain William Henry ‘Harry’ Dunn. A Service will be planned for a future date. Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.
PAGE 6, Monday, January 15, 2024
The Tribune Limited
THE TRIBUNE
PICTURE OF THE DAY
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH,
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,
Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt . Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,
C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-
Published daily Monday to Friday
Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax
(242) 322-2350 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348
WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com
@tribune242
tribune news network
Crime is now govt’s top priority FROM the off, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis made it clear he had not expected to be giving a national address on crime last night. He said he would rather have been using the time to set out plans for national development – until 11 murders in 14 days changed that. So crime it was, although that change of plan is the first clue that this was less a sweeping raft of changes and more a repeat in part of what we have heard before. Mr Davis talked of anti-gang legislation – which we have heard talked about before, though we have not yet seen the draft of the law and there is no date set for implementation. We have heard, especially recently, of a push to convince judges to deny bail for murder suspects on the basis, as Mr Davis said last night, that “releasing these men on the streets is akin to a countdown to a death sentence”. The trouble, of course, as pointed out by the judiciary last week, is that people have constitutional rights. How long can people accused – not yet convicted – of a crime be detained before those rights are violated? If someone spends two years in jail only to be found innocent, they cannot get those two years back. Human rights are a counterbalance – and one Mr Davis notes as he warns of another phase in the police response to recent murders. He said there will be “more intrusive policing”, saying “we will not violate anyone’s civil liberties, but you are likely to be impacted by more roadblocks and unannounced police action”. He warns that this may make people late for appointments or delay plans but “this is a small price to pay for the collective benefit”. A price he will not be paying, albeit, as he swooshes past with his police escort. But, more roadblocks and, with talk of more patrols in high-crime areas, more saturation strategy. The same as ever, but more so, presumably. We have had this before, of course, and it comes at a cost, with extra expenditure in times of heavy saturation patrols for police overtime and so on. No mention was made in last night’s speech of a dollar figure attached to the measures Mr Davis described. Not that the dollars are not worth
spending if it makes our streets safer – but it is testament to how seriously the government is taking the matter if it has budgeted extra to deal with the necessary costs. The most notable part of the speech in terms of dealing with the threat of crime is that a strategy to deal with “the entire criminal lifecycle” was agreed in August, and in October a task force to deal with gangs and justice was convened to implement that strategy. It is surprising we have not heard more of this before now – with weekly meetings being held on the matter. What fruit that has borne thus far has not been detailed, while Mr Davis said he was also asking ministers to weigh in with ways to improve conflict resolution in our society. So while we might say that much of what has been announced in the national address is a repackaging in some ways of what we have heard before, there does appear to have been other matters developing in the background too that have come to the fore. What we do not need is a parading of police resources so that things are being seen to be done. What we do need is the current spike of murders to be curtailed, then a sustained effort to keep pressing back against crime, especially the killings driven by gang rivalries and young men who do not know better ways to deal with conflicts than a knife or a gun. The issue of civil liberties cannot be neglected, either – The Tribune has reported too many times on cases where individuals have said confessions have been beaten out of them or that they have been “tortured” by police, while heels seem to have been dragged in cases where officials and officers have been accused of crimes. Justice must be even-handed for all. Nothing has been outlined to show what success looks like in regard to this latest initiative. The Police Commissioner has not so far said that he aims to keep murders below 100 as he did for the past few years, before not keeping to that mark. But what is clear is that if crime was not at the forefront of the government agenda before, then it has been pushed to the top by this wave of murders. The plan has been laid out. Now we will see if it works.
POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander and Charge d’Affaires Usha Pitts share a laugh during a ceremony where Safeboat vessels and other lifesaving equipment was donated to the RBPF by The US Embassy on Friday. Photo: Dante Carrer
NIB hike will be detrimental EDITOR, The Tribune. AS we watch the Laffer curve effect make its way into our economic system, there is one economic behaviour shared amongst politician’s past, present and aspiring is this PUBLIC CHOICE THEORY (how elected officials, bureaucrats and other government agents can be influenced by their own perceived self-interest when making decisions in their government portfolios). The epitome of my point is look at the coming hike in national insurance. The government knows this hike at the national insurance board is bad for the economy, but they still intend to force it on the people because it is in their best interest to collect more taxes to make the people believe they’re accomplishing their goals. They also need more money to continue the party and the lavish spending on trips and to continue to promote nepotism, cronyism and their lobbyists. This tax will have serious ramifications on the business community where they’re getting their taxes from and causing the Laffer curve effect to be enforced. I’m just wondering, why do we have multiple ministries carrying the same role?
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Case in point, disaster preparedness and Nema, Data protection and national security - we have the office of the deputy prime minister, which is of no existence, but money is put aside in the budget for this and each time the ministry the deputy is responsible for, in this case tourism is where their office is. I thought the auditor general’s office was to ensure our money is accounted for, so why is there any office of physical responsibility. The majority of these ministries add no value to the economy, they become a liability to the taxpayers in the name of creating what some Bahamians call a good government job. Not to mention the kraken fees we pay in rent through nepotism and lobbyist and sign onto these ninety-nine plus years contracts at the tax payer’s expense. Also, lest I forget in each budget there is one billion dollars in personal emoluments and this has yet to be explained what are these personal emoluments and why so much? In a nutshell our
governments, past and present, would know these things are not conducive to produce quality favourable results for our economy, but they do it in hopes of being re-elected and taking care of the special interest groups. Then after making a mess in our economy, they would then come with an oration and all the rhetorical speeches trying to sound intelligent as if they did something good. Maybe they did something good to benefit themselves and their special interest people and they use a whole lot of demagoguery, even though they themselves made the issue and benefited from the issues they created. I will close on this note, all the monies that were borrowed from National insurance by other government ministries should be repaid, there are other avenues to bail national insurance and other ministries out of the mess they’re in, if your advisers are being paid and not producing! Why are they there? I forgot the loyal ones and those who paid their way must be reimbursed at our expense. BAHAMIAN TYCOON Nassau, January 11, 2024.
Don’t blame Junkanoo for empty pews EDITOR, The Tribune. I HAVE read remarks in the media about President of the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, Rev Philip McPhee – concerning Junkanoo and its impact on watch night church services in the capital. He said among other things - that Junkanoo was hurting watch night services. McPhee told ZNS News, “just about every Pastor that I have spoken to has echoed the sentiments that this watch night celebration
has been the most devastating watch night in the history of this country. Our people did not come to their churches as they should. They prepare themselves for Junkanoo more than giving God thanks for bringing them to the last day of the year.” Rev McPhee’s view on Junkanoo and watch night services is not divinely sound – in my opinion. Revelation 22:17 says: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him
take the water of life freely. Salvation of man’s soul through the blood of Jesus Christ is free for all who wants it – Reverend McPhee. The church in The Bahamas needs to do some serious soul searching, as it has lost its way – in my humble view. Do not blame Junkanoo for the poor attendance at watch night church services, Reverend McPhee. Search within for the answers, and trust in God! DENNIS DAMES Nassau, January 12, 2024.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, January 15, 2024, PAGE 7
US Embassy donates four SAFE boats to RBPF to support OPBAT FOUR vessels have been presented to the Royal Bahamas Police Force by the US Embassy to help protect The Bahamas, with the boats being assigned to New Providence, Abaco, Bimini and Grand Bahama. The SAFE boats, valued at $1.6m, will be deployed around The Bahamas and will support operations as part of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT). The US Embassy also donated 45 ballistic vests worth about $40,000 and six jaws of life valued at about $200,000, bringing the total value of the donations to $1,840,000. US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts said that the boats are “critical to preserving security in an island nation that has almost 700 islands. You have got to have SAFE boats for patrols. These safe boats – there are four of them – are 27ft long, featuring enclosed cabins and trailers. They will be deployed around The Bahamas to support OPBAT. The boats are worth $1.6m”. Ms Pitts recalled the “heartwarming event” last month of presiding over the renovation of the lighthouse at Abaco, but noted that donations cannot just be about “feel good” events such as that, but “it is also important that we get down to the brass tacks”. She added that the ballistic vests will protect senior officers, but also plain clothes and intelligence officers, and that the jaws of life would help people after traffic accidents, noting that “traffic accidents, traffic fatalities are a huge problem in The Bahamas.” She added that “we know they will save people’s lives.” Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander thanked the US for “standing shoulderto-shoulder with us” and noted: “The Bahamas continues to be a
CHARGE d’Affaires Usha Pitts, Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe KC, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander and other officials pose for a group photo during a ceremony where SAFE boat vessels and other lifesaving equipment was donated to the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) by The US Embassy at the Police Training College on Friday. Photo:Dante Carrer transshipment drop for dangerous drugs and illegal firearms that fuel our crime situations today. “As we embark on this continued fight against crime, let us remain united, vigilant and steadfast in our pursuit of a safer, more secure future for The Bahamas and the US.” National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, who said he had just come from a meeting to discuss the potential deployment of Bahamian troops to Haiti, thanked the US for the donation. He noted that an agreement to buy 40ft safe boats for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force was signed yesterday, although he did not specify details.
ISLAND CABLING CELEBRATES 10 YEARS BY DONATING $10K TO SEVERAL LOCAL CHARITIES
ISLAND Wide Cabling president Timothy Walker presents a cheque for $10,000 to Anthony Polycarpe-Rose who has been with the company for 10 years. Mr Polycarpe-Rose also received a plaque. Photo: Moise Amisial By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net THE owner of Island Wide Cabling and Consulting Services celebrated his company’s ten-year anniversary by donating $10,000 to local charities on Saturday. Balmoral Club Island Wide Cabling president Timothy Walker presented $1,000 cheques to representatives of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Zonta, Liberty United Missionary Church and Mount Horeb Baptist Church at an event on Friday. Six other charities will be presented with similar cheques at a later date. Mr Walker said his company had endured its fair share of challenges in the last ten years but that he always believed in giving back to the community. “Yesterday was a ten-year
celebration of my business, Island Wide Cabling and Consulting Services, and so what I decided to do in celebration of that is to donate to ten different charities,” Mr Walker said. “It’s been ten years, ten challenging years obviously with COVID somewhere in the middle and God was good. I was able to survive that and come out of those years strong.“ In addition to announcing the building of a new plaza on Farrington Road and Warren Street, which will also serve as his new head office, Mr Walter also presented long-time employee Anthony Polycarpe with a commemorative plaque. Mr Walter said it was rare to meet an employee that dedicated ten years of his life to a single business and presented Mr Polycarpe with a $10,000 chewy as a token of his appreciation.
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2024
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
Time for blame has passed, action needed
MEMBERS of the RBPF comb the crime scene for evidence on Lily of the Valley Corner off East Street following a shooting that left a grandmother dead and a toddler in critical condition froma head wound on Thursday last week. Photo: Dante Carrer
By MALCOM STRACHAN PEOPLE are often quick to take credit, but quicker still to shift blame elsewhere. Take our recent crime spike, for example. Back at the end of last year, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander was talking about how “we are still down” on murders despite missing his target of fewer than 100 murders for the second year running. As for his solution, it was to “go back to the table and see where we could strategise and do some things differently”. That suggests of course that whatever the plan was to get the number below 100, it was not working. Fast forward to the bloody start of this year with murders in double digits already and what do we see? Well, the Commissioner has hit out at the bail system, saying that there was something “definitely wrong” in people being released on bail “within two or three months” and seemingly suggesting that people should be locked
up in prison while awaiting trial for two or three years before they get bail. The Chief Justice at the opening of the legal year rightly pushed back on that idea, noting that constitutional rights don’t end the moment you are charged with a crime. Notably, though, the Commissioner is not looking close to home for the solution – but blaming the judicial system. He is not talking there about how to focus saturation patrols or building community links to reduce crime, he’s saying hey, it’s the fault of that system over there. That system, the judicial one, has not changed in the past two weeks – so the spike in murders is nothing to do with anything going on in that regard. The Commissioner is dealing with the same landscape as when he was talking about murders being down in number just a couple of weeks ago. There was also some criticism levelled at the police force by the chairman of the Bahamas National Neighbourhood Watch Council, Keno Wong, who
said that there had been a breakdown in relations between the force and the organisation. What was the Commissioner’s reaction to that? Did he pledge to fix matters? Did he dash to rebuild those relations? Did he cement the importance of Neighbourhood Watch in tackling crime? No, he said he was disappointed in Mr Wong, saying: “I don’t know how the president got to this. This isn’t the time for that. This is a time to come together, and if it’s any concern, my door is always open. He should reach out.” Mr Wong had pointed out that liaison officers had been pulled out of communities, adding “the communities kind of went back on its own and so it’s a struggle now”. He added: “Who do you call? If you call this station, there’s always an issue. If you call 919, they take down the information, and sometimes no one shows up.” He talked of how it had been helpful to have officers in communities because there was direct contact,
“and we saw the dividends of them getting involved and sending mobile patrols to come in very quickly, or someone from the station may have come in quickly … that has stopped”. Meanwhile, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe is also getting in on shifting the blame, saying it is up to the public. He said that criminals are “around you, they have no regard for anybody else’s life and you have a responsibility, you have a personal responsibility, to make them known to the police. You can’t just say it has nothing to do with you”. He also spoke out about guns, saying they only have one purpose, “and that is to kill”. An interesting perspective, considering he is the same man who has previously said he sees no reason why lawabiding citizens should not be approved to have gun licences. He did indicate that there would be a task force that the Chief Justice has agreed to, and that there will be some pressure to reduce bail in cases of “somebody’s
own safety or for the safety of the public. We have seen that when people come to kill these fellas, other people may be injured”. There is an obvious missing link in that, however, in that the would-be killers are still on the streets. Will they stop killing just because some of their targets are still behind bars, or will they just find different targets? Prevention by locking up everyone they have a disagreement with is going to see some very full jails. As I write this, I await the speech by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis on the issue of crime – so I do not know what personal actions he will be talking about. So my recommendation to readers is this – go back through his speech and count the things that are actual actions that he or his administration will take. Don’t get caught up in the thoughts and prayers, which will be on show tonight in Rawson Square as part of a National Day of Prayer. We can always use the prayers, but we need
more than that. What will be the actual actions? And what are the things he says where the blame is being pushed somewhere else? The public can help, of course, but it’s not the public’s job. The public does not set policy or write laws or carry out patrols. Saying it’s up to the public is tantamount to washing your hands and saying it’s not my job. So watch out for that. Count the actual concrete proposals in the speech. Perhaps there will be plenty. Perhaps there will be few. And ask yourself if this will make a difference, or is this just giving a speech because we’ve had a rush of murders and is the administration hoping that spike will fade soon. Make no mistake, though. If we keep having 100+ murders each year through this administration, crime is very much going to be an issue at the next election. And hopefully given a higher priority by both sides than last time around. With the bodies piling up on the streets, however, we cannot afford to wait.
Davis distorting history - FNM contributed to country’s growth INSIGHT
PAGE January 15, 2024 PAGE10, 10 Monday, MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2024
By DR HUBERT MINNIS THE address delivered by Prime Minister Philip Davis to the Lyford Cay Club on November 25, 2023, was disgraceful and filled with historical distortions. It is unsurprising that it was difficult for the media to obtain a copy of the speech from the Davis administration. The Prime Minister used the occasion to diminish the extraordinary accomplishments of the Free National Movement (FNM) over four administrations, while giving the impression that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) led nearly all the good things that were done in government. That untruth belittles the hard work of so many FNMs over the decades. The Prime Minister should not have gone before a community in which mostly non-Bahamians reside and talked down the contributions of fellow Bahamians to the nation-building project. I am proud of the work of FNMs over the many decades to help build The Bahamas. I stand in defense of our party and its members’ accomplishments in the face of this blatant disregard of basic facts. FNM SUCCESSES The FNM first won government on August 19, 1992. The defeated Pindling administration had lost credibility. The country’s economy was stagnant. Major investments had dried up. Corruption and cronyism were rampant. The PLP stifled freedom of speech via a statecontrolled broadcasting monopoly. The Pindling administration was mired in an international drugrelated scandal that harmed many Bahamians
FORMER PRIME MINISTER DR HUBERT MINNIS and damaged the country’s reputation. The exhausted party that led us to majority rule and independence – after 25 consecutive years in power – had collapsed into a patronage structure from which only certain entitled and elite PLPs benefited. The Bahamas was no longer marching to a common loftier goal. Instead, the PLP elite ruled the country for their own selfish benefit. The Bahamian people desperately wanted change. They overwhelmingly elected the FNM. What ensued was one of the greatest decades in Bahamian history. The FNM took The Bahamas in a new direction. It ushered in transparent and accountable governance. The FNM’s policies were progressive, fair and modern. The period 1992 to 2002
revived The Bahamas, creating historic prosperity. Atlantis and other major resorts came to the country. The arrival of new tourism properties, the privatisation of state-run hotels and the return of visitors to a revived tourism product boosted employment and the economy, significantly expanding the middle class. The remarkable recovery revitalized public finances. This enabled the distribution of wealth to new investments in infrastructure, education, health care, social services and other areas of our development. Across the archipelago, in numerous communities in the Family Islands and Grand Bahama, the FNM upgraded infrastructure. There were new airports, bridges, town centres, roads, docks, schools,
THE TRIBUNE EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
water works, health-care centres, expanded housing, new government offices, police stations, postal offices and other facilities. The FNM, under the leadership of Hubert Ingraham, opened up broadcast media, allowing greater freedom of speech and new business and career opportunities. Parliament was televised live for the first time on the Parliamentary Channel so that Bahamians could see the work of their legislators. Cable TV and the internet were introduced across the country. The Bahamas experienced a “second birth of the nation” under our party. A modern and more meritocratic country was created by FNMs who believed that all Bahamians deserved a chance. This “second founding” was necessary. The early PLP did much to end institutional racism. They created universal education and expanded health-care services. They helped build parts of the modern state. They created the College of The Bahamas. The PLP, though, fell prey over time to greed, corruption, self-interest and cronyism. The party betrayed much of the vision it initially stood for. The Bahamas needed the FNM. The FNM delivered. FNM DID MORE FOR THE PEOPLE In a third, non-consecutive Ingraham administration, the FNM was again called on to rescue the country from PLP neglect and failure. In this term, the FNM resurrected the Baha Mar deal, which had collapsed. Nassau Harbour was dredged to facilitate the arrival of the largest cruise ships in the world. This act would be key to the explosive growth of cruise arrivals that is still ongoing, and growing. The New Providence road network was transformed. A new and modern critical care block at Princess Margaret Hospital was built, providing enhanced health services for Bahamians. The downtown container port was moved to Arawak Cay. This helped with alleviating congestion downtown. A mechanism was also created to allow Bahamians to become shareholders in the new entity, expanding ownership in a sector that was once only for a select few. Mr Ingraham and the FNM transformed The Bahamas over three terms. From arriving in a modern Lynden Pindling International Airport, to travelling on new streets, to navigating new neighbourhoods built with new
wealth created via FNM policies, everyone could see, touch and feel all the FNM did. No right-thinking person could deny the overwhelming success of our party. CONTINUED FNM LEGACY OF WORK FOR THE PEOPLE The Bahamian people again called on the FNM to rescue the country in 2017 after five years of PLP scandal and excess. My administration got to work on day one on behalf of Bahamians. We fixed the New Providence Landfill, ending the era of fires that sent hazardous smoke across the island. We made the University of The Bahamas (UB) and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) free for qualifying students, providing opportunity to many young Bahamians. We launched the free pre-school initiative that allowed thousands of children access to early education. It also helped create more pre-schools. Furthering our investment in Bahamians, we created the Small Business Development Centre. Through it, tens of millions of dollars were invested in small businesses, allowing many of our people to realize their dreams of entrepreneurship. We signed the deal for the $300m Nassau Cruise Port development. This historic project is helping to make the port at the city of Nassau one of the largest passenger cruise ports in the world. Our cruise arrivals are soaring in part as a result of this investment. The current minister of tourism continues to brag about our tourism numbers, much of which was made possible by dredging the harbour and the creation of Nassau Cruise Port, both of which were done by the FNM. We purchased a new set of generators in New Providence to help Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) meet the demand of increased consumption on our most populous island. We advanced the digitisation of government services. We also led organizational initiatives to help with the ease of doing business. Mirroring the work of previous FNM administrations, we improved bridges, docks, seawalls, roads and other public infrastructure across the Family Islands and Grand Bahama. Crime has been a serious problem in The Bahamas for two decades. We were able to make some progress with the murder count, recording consecutive years with
fewer than 100 murders for the first time in many years. The level of murder in the country was still too high, but that progress was notable. During our term the two worst crises in our history occurred: Hurricane Dorian and the COVID19 pandemic. We marshaled the full resources of the state to help the residents of Grand Bahama and Abaco. We spent tens of millions of dollars restoring the road network, repairing the electricity grid, fixing the water works, clearing debris, and helping homeowners rebuild. We created major tax breaks to help the people and businesses in the north with reconstruction. We created an historic aid package during the pandemic to ensure Bahamians could survive during the worst of the crisis. Tens of millions in unemployment benefits and tax breaks to businesses were extended. No civil servants were laid off. Millions more went to small businesses to help them during these difficult times. We created the largest food distribution programme in Bahamian history to ensure that those in need had food throughout the worst of the global health crisis. PROUD OF RECORD
FNM’S
These are just some of the highlights of the FNMs achievements over nearly 20 years and four administrations. Every FNM should be proud of what our party has done in government. The Prime Minister sought to diminish our great party and its members. FNMs must always answer those who distort history. The FNM has expanded opportunity for many Bahamians. We enhanced equality for women and addressed many of the needs of the poor. We deepened democracy. Philip Davis is now Prime Minister. Rather than engaging in the worst type of revisionist history, he should focus on what he will do to promote greater equality and opportunity. He has not done much thus far, and travels too much unnecessarily. There is a cost-of-living crisis. There is a crime crisis. Illegal immigration is out of control. The roads are poorly maintained. We are nearly halfway into the Davis administration and the Prime Minister is struggling to address the issues of his time. Rather than distorting the legacy of others he should seek to build his own.
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
Action on criminal gangs and firearms is urgent THE TRIBUNE EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
ECUADOR, once celebrated for its tranquillity, now finds itself at the epicentre of a distressing surge in gang violence, its streets marred by the ominous shadow of armed groups fuelled by the trafficking of illicit drugs. On January 7, President Daniel Noboa deployed the nation’s armed forces to clean up prisons from which gang leaders were directing their criminal activities. This desperate response came after days of unrest, during which two formidable gang leaders escaped from jail, prison guards were held hostage, and explosive devices wreaked havoc in cities across the country. These events starkly illustrate a broader crisis, one that extends its menacing grip across Latin America and the Caribbean. Ecuador, nestled between the world’s two largest cocaine producers, Colombia and Peru, faces the dire consequences of its geographic vulnerability. The United Nations Global Report on Cocaine 2023 reveals a record surge in cocaine production, with Ecuador serving as a tragic victim of its easily accessible coastal routes. However, Ecuador’s plight is not a solitary narrative; it is a haunting prelude to a region-wide symphony of chaos. The issue of gangs, guns, and violence cannot be confined within borders. Governments are now awakening to the problem, but it has already spiralled out of control in some nations, while others are teetering on the brink. The Caribbean, in particular, stands as a sobering example, with four of the five most murderous countries and territories in the region in 2022 being the Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica, Venezuela, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Disturbingly, there were no reliable figures for Haiti, leaving a void in understanding the full extent of the crisis which, in any event, is known to be completely unmanageable. Statistics for the region
INSIGHT
Monday, January 15, 2024,PAGE PAGE 11 11 MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2024,
World View By SIR RONALD SANDERS reveal a grim reality; eight out of ten countries with the highest homicide rates in the world are located in Latin America and the Caribbean. The average homicide rates, according to 2021 data, stood at 9.3 per 100,000 for South America, 16.9 per 100,000 for Central America, and 12.7 per 100,000 for the Caribbean. The Caribbean also grapples with a dual challenge: an influx of illicit firearms, primarily sourced from the United States, and a decrease in funding for crucial security initiatives. The United States, despite being a major source of the region’s illicit firearm woes, paradoxically reduced its budget for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative by 11.8% in fiscal year 2022. This initiative provides vital aid for border and port security, a lifeline desperately needed to combat the influx of weapons. The alarming prevalence of American-made guns in the hands of Caribbean gangs has spurred heads of government to call for stronger U.S. efforts in curbing arms trafficking. In June 2023, Bahamas’ Prime Minister, Philip Davis, emphasised to U.S. VicePresident Kamala Harris, the urgency of reducing the flow of illegal guns entering his nation from the United States. However, the U.S. account of the meeting made no mention of this serious concern, not because the Biden government is not troubled by gun crimes, but because it is a domestic political issue in the U.S. Hence, not enough is being done to stop the flow of illegal weapons into the Caribbean. Even as these nations grapple with the inflow of illegal firearms, their capacity to intercept and prevent such activities remains a
significant challenge. Ports of entry often lack the necessary interdiction capacity, and limited enforcement resources hinder their ability to curb the tide of arms. The traffickers exploit the short distances between Caribbean islands, utilizing go-fast boats and yachts to move weapons seamlessly across the extensive coastlines. Efforts to control and combat this phenomenon have been ongoing since the late 1990s. Despite these efforts, gangs continue to proliferate, fuelled by drug traffickers who arm their criminal enterprises. Recognizing the urgency and gravity of the situation, during my term as President of the Organization of American States (OAS), I placed the topic of “Guns, gangs, and violence” on the agenda of the Permanent Council. An expert panel, convened to address the growing crisis, proposed approaches to tackle the root causes and consequences of criminal gang violence, particularly gun-related violence. The resulting Resolution, adopted on December 12, emphasized the necessity for greater collaboration between governmental agencies. It acknowledged that no single state possesses the capacity to match the formidable resources available to organized criminals operating across borders. The resolution underscored the links between transnational organized crime, criminal gangs, and the vital importance of a cross-border, collaborative approach. We strongly proposed that the matter be addressed at the upcoming OAS general assembly in June, with the objective of establishing practical
THE POLICE in March of last year unveiling a sample of the many weapons they have taken off the streets. systems of collaboration machinery to punish regional and hemispheric between Latin American drug traffickers, and action. Gangs, guns and lawlessnations and Caribbean prison reforms to prestates. The criminals are vent them from becoming ness now threaten every organized; if governments recruitment centres are person – the examples are and their law enforcement imperative. Equally too many to ignore. agencies fail to follow important is raising awareThe writer is Antigua and suit, the consequences ness among communities Barbuda’s Ambassador to will be more disastrous about the dangers, conthe US and the OAS. He is than they already are. But sequences, and sanctions also the current President of this alone, while a start, is associated with memberthe OAS Permanent Counnot enough. Much more ship in criminal gangs and cil. The views expressed needs to be done. At the the possession and illegal are entirely his own. For regional level, collabora- use of firearms. comments and previous tion is paramount, as no As the Caribbean concommentaries, see: www. single state can confront fronts this multifaceted sirronaldsanders.com the vast resources of trans- crisis, the imperative is U A repository of the national organized crime clear: collective, resolute independently. action is not just an option commentaries, interviews, At the national level, but an absolute necessity. and lectures of Sir Ronald robust legislation, effec- The path forward demands Sanders at www.sirronaldtive implementation a commitment to national, sanders.com
PAGE January 15, 2024 PAGE12, 12 Monday, MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2024
INSIGHT
THE TRIBUNE EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
‘King of the NRA’: Civil trial scrutinises lavish spending by gun rights group’s long-time leader By MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press THE longtime head of National Rifle Association operated as the “King of the NRA,” spending lavishly on himself, punishing dissent and showering allies with country club memberships and no-show contracts, a lawyer for the New York attorney general’s office told jurors Monday. Wayne LaPierre’s methods as the NRA’s executive vice president and chief executive officer allowed him to operate the powerful gun rights organization “as Wayne’s World for decades,” Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell argued in an opening statement in a civil trial scrutinizing his leadership and spending at the nonprofit. LaPierre, who said Friday he is leaving the NRA after leading it
since 1991, watched stoically from a seat along a courtroom wall as six jurors and six alternates were seated for the trial, which is expected to take six weeks. He moved to the front of the gallery as Connell spoke, her argument augmented by a slideshow showing the NRA’s leadership structure and expenses at issue in the case. Connell said LaPierre charged the organization more than $11 million for private jet flights over the years and authorized $135 million in NRA contracts for a vendor whose owners provided him repeated access to a 108foot (33-meter) yacht and free trips to the Bahamas, Greece, Dubai and India. At the same time, LaPierre, 74, consolidated power and avoided scrutiny by hiring unqualified underlings who looked the other
way, routing expenses through a vendor, doctoring invoices, and retaliating against board members and executives who questioned his spending, Connell said. In one example, Connell said, the NRA’s former chief financial officer, Craig Spray, found himself unable to log into the organization’s computer system after he objected to LaPierre’s way of doing business. In a November 2020 email to organization brass, Spray took issue with the boss’ authoritarian rule, writing: “There are no ‘Wayne said’ approvals at the NRA.” LaPierre kept quiet about gifts he received from vendors until the morning he testified in the NRA’s failed bankruptcy in Texas in 2021, Connell said. For years before that, she said, he’d been checking “no” on an internal disclosure form
WAYNE LAPIERRE, CEO of the National Rifle Association, arrives to a courtroom in New York last Monday. The longtime head of the National Rifle Association is resigning, just before the start of a New York civil trial that’s poised to scrutinize his leadership of the powerful gun rights organization. The trial in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against the NRA, LaPierre and others who have served as organization executives started last week. Photo: Seth Wenig /AP that asked if he’d received any gifts worth more than $300. LaPierre’s actions and that of the “entrenched leadership” that enabled his alleged behavior “breached the trust” of the organization’s five million members, Connell said. Their conduct violated laws governing nonprofit charities and the organization’s internal policies governing travel, expenses, conflicts of interest and whistleblower protections, she said. “They acted illegally over and over again for years,” Connell told jurors. New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the NRA, LaPierre and three current or former executives in 2020, alleging they cost the organization tens of millions of dollars from questionable expenditures. In recent years, though, the organization has been beset by financial troubles, dwindling membership and infighting. LaPierre is accused of setting himself up with a $17 million contract with the NRA if he were to exit the organization, and spending NRA money on travel consultants, luxury car services and five-star travel. Defense lawyers are expected to give their opening statements Tuesday. LaPierre has defended himself in the past, testifying in another proceeding that his yacht trips were a “security retreat” because he was facing threats after mass
shootings. The other defendants, NRA general counsel John Frazer and retired CFO Wilson Phillips, have denied wrongdoing. Another ex-NRA executive turned whistleblower, Joshua Powell, settled with James’ office on Friday. He has agreed to testify at the trial, pay the NRA $100,000 and forgo further nonprofit involvement. One private jet flight, from Washington, D.C. to Dallas, Texas, with a stop in Nebraska to pick up LaPierre’s niece, cost the NRA $59,000, Cornell said. Another, with a Nebraska pitstop on the way to Orlando, Florida, cost the organization $79,000, Cornell said. An NRA policy shown in court said the organization only reimburses for coach-class airline flights. A commercial flight on the same routes would’ve run no more than a few hundred dollars per person, listings show. James, a Democrat, is the state’s chief law enforcement officer and has regulatory power over nonprofit organizations incorporated in the state, such as the NRA. James initially sought to shut the organization down, but a judge rejected that as a remedy. Now, James is asking that LaPierre and the other defendants be ordered to pay the NRA back and that they be banned from serving in leadership positions of any charitable organizations conducting business in the state — such as accepting donations from New Yorkers or having state residents as members. That would effectively bar them from any NRA involvement. The NRA trial is being held in the same Manhattan courtroom as former
President Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial. Closing arguments in that case are scheduled for Thursday, forcing the NRA trial to relocate to a different courtroom for a few days. LaPierre said he would resign at the end of the month. The NRA said he was exiting for health reasons. NRA lawyers argued in a court filing over the weekend that LaPierre’s departure is an example of “clear corrective action” taken by the organization, but state lawyers disputed that. The NRA was chartered as a nonprofit in New York in 1871 by Union Army officers who wanted to improve marksmanship among soldiers after the Civil War. Some of the organization’s earliest meetings were at an armory about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) north of the courthouse where the trial is being held. LaPierre is expected to testify, possibly as early as this week, along with one of his chief nemeses: former NRA board member and president Lt. Col. Oliver North. A major signal of internal strife roiling the NRA burst onto the public scene in 2019, when North tried to oust LaPierre with damaging allegations about travel expenses and accusations that LaPierre had charged tens of thousands of dollars in wardrobe purchases to his expense account. LaPierre complained that North had “started to interfere” with his leadership and, with allies among most of the organization’s 76 board members, won the struggle. North was ousted instead. Associated Press reporter Lindsay Whitehurst in Washington, D.C. contributed to this report.
THE TRIBUNE
Contract for temporary BTVI location for Exuma signed
Monday, January 15, 2024, PAGE 13
MAN REMANDED ON CHARGE OVER ATTEMPTED MURDER OF THREE PEOPLE EARLIER THIS MONTH By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 22-YEAR-OLD man was sent to prison on Friday accused of attempting to kill three people in a car earlier this month. Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Kendron Russell with three counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger
life. Russell faced an additional charge of damage. Alphonso Lewis represented the defendant. Russell is accused of attempting to shoot and kill Deontea Darville, Quintin Rutherford and Ethan Lewis with a handgun while they were driving in New Providence on January 7. In this same incident Russell is also accused of causing $700 worth of
damage to Ms Darville’s champagne coloured 2001 Mercedes Benz ML300. The accused was told that his case would be transferred to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Meanwhile he will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants him bail. The defendant’s VBI is due for service on May 10.
MAN CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL SEX WITH 14 YEAR-OLD ON TWO OCCASIONS IN FOUR MONTHS By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
CAPTION: From left, BTVI board director Ann Rolle, who is a resident of Exuma; Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper; BTVI’s acting president, Veronica Collie, who was sitting in for interim president, Dr Linda A Davis and contractor, Vincent A Adderley. Photo: BTVI A CONTRACT signing for renovations to the Exuma Foundation Resource Centre will see it become a temporary location for the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute’s satellite location on the island. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said: “This is more than just a contract signing. It’s the completion of a vision. BTVI will help us build capacity, help us develop our people to support growth.” Vincent A Adderley, trading as DC Construction, is expected to complete the work in just over five weeks, paving the way for technical and vocational training across trade areas such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, office administration, human resources management and the beauty trades. Previously, Exuma students studied massage therapy and esthetics online before flying to New Providence for face-to-face instruction. More recently, BTVI was able to identify a local instructor in Exuma to deliver a programme in nail technology. An inaugural Exuma cohort consisted of 17 graduates who participated in a ceremony at Sandals Emerald Bay Resort
in George Town in June. Mr Cooper also noted the “severe housing challenge” on the island. It is his expectation that this will change with BTVI’s help. He said: “I’m delighted that BTVI’s arrival is going to help us train more people in the process of construction whether it is tiling, sheetrock work, carpentry or masonry. I hope we have expedited programmes because we certainly need more skills on the island… BTVI will help us to ease some of the pain of the very quality of life here on the island.” He considers BTVI’s presence on the island as a “big deal”, particularly for the younger generation. He said: “If we are able to begin training a carpenter from grade nine or ten, in three years, they’re ready to meet the world. I think this is going to be transformative for many of our young men and women. It’s an opportunity not only for a bright future for them, but a bright future for the island of Exuma through improved capacity with skills that are much needed in industry but also and importantly to improve the quality of life on the island.” Also present at the
contract signing were BTVI acting president Veronica Collie, Director of Education Dominique McCartney-Russell, BTVI board director Ann Rolle, BTVI’s dean of academic administration Dr Pleshette McPhee, Exuma administrator Earl Campbell, district education officer Don Barr, Chair of the Exuma Foundation Lourey Smith and members of the Exuma Foundation where the BTVI satellite site will be located. Ms Collie said: “This is something we’ve been looking forward to. It’s another milestone. We realise the importance of technical education, especially if you look around us. Nothing can actually work without it. When we look at advancement going on in the country, the world and industries, we need technical education.” Ms McCartney-Russell said: “The curriculum at BTVI is based on industry. That makes those students who graduate from BTVI more employable.” Anyone in Exuma interested in joining the team as instructors is encouraged to come forward. Larry Herman Pinder serves as the coordinator for BTVI Exuma.
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
A 20-YEAR-OLD is behind bars after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl twice in the last four months. Ramon Johnson was charged with two counts
of unlawful sexual intercourse before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans. Johnson allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with an underaged girl twice when she was 14 and 15-years-old in the Bluff, Andros, between October 1, 2023 and January 3.
Johnson was informed that his case would be moved to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants him bail. Johnson’s VBI is set for service on May 6.
MAN ACCUSED OF TWICE BREAKING INTO THE SAME SHOP IN CAT ISLAND GRANTED $5K BAIL By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was granted $5,000 bail after he was accused of breaking into the same shop twice in Cat Island earlier this month Senior Magistrate
Shaka Serville charged Pedro Miller, 44, with two counts of shop breaking. Miller allegedly broke into Carolyn Pratt’s shop in Cove, Cat Island, on two occasions between January 4 and 6. After electing to continue his matter before the magistrate and
pleading not guilty to the offence, Miller was informed that he is to be fitted with a monitoring device as a term of his bail. He must also sign in at the New Bight Police Station every Tuesday and Saturday. Miller’s trial begins on April 17.
PAGE 14, Monday, January 15, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
Frederik X is proclaimed Denmark’s new king after his mother abdicates COPENHAGEN Associated Press DENMARK’S prime minister proclaimed Frederik X as king on Sunday after his mother Queen Margrethe II formally signed her abdication, with massive crowds turning out to rejoice in the throne passing from a beloved monarch to her popular son. Margrethe, 83, is the first Danish monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne in nearly 900 years. Many thousands of people gathered outside the palace where the royal succession took place, the mood jubilant as the Nordic nation experienced its first royal succession in more than a half-century, and one not caused by the death of a monarch. Denmark’s monarchy traces its origins to 10th-century Viking king Gorm the Old, making it the oldest in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. Today the royal family’s duties are largely ceremonial. Margrethe signed her abdication during a meeting with the government at the Christiansborg Palace, a vast complex in Copenhagen that has been the seat of Danish power for centuries. It now houses the Royal Reception Rooms and Royal Stables as well as the Danish Parliament, the prime minister’s office and the Supreme Court. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen next proclaimed Frederik king from the balcony of the palace before the cheering crowd. Frederiksen read the proclamation three times, which is the tradition, as Frederik stood beside her wearing a ceremonial military uniform adorned with medals. He was then joined on the balcony by the new, Australian-born Queen Mary and the couple’s four children, and the crowd spontaneously sang the national anthem. “My hope is to become a unifying king of tomorrow,” Frederik said. “It is a task I have approached all my life.”
DENMARK’s King Frederik X and Denmark’s Queen Mary wave from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark on Sunday. Queen Margrethe II has become Denmark’s first monarch to abdicate in nearly 900 years when she handed over the throne to her son, who has become King Frederik X. Photo: Martin Meissner/AP It is the custom for each new sovereign to adopt a royal motto as a guiding principle for their reign, and Frederik’s is: “United, committed, for the kingdom of Denmark.” “I want to return the trust I meet,” the new king said. “I need trust from my beloved wife, you and that which is greater than us.” Frederik kissed Mary, the queen, who wore a white dress with a sash over one shoulder, and another great cheer rose from the crowd. They then left Christianborg Palace in a horse-drawn coach as church bells rang out, and headed to their Amalienborg residence, where they once again appeared before people cheering and waving the nation’s flag of a white cross on a red background. Frederik, who was visibly moved, placed both hands on his heart in a gesture of thanks. The abdication document was earlier presented to Margrethe as she sat at a massive table covered in red cloth around which royals and members of the Danish
government were seated. Frederik sat beside her. After signing it, Margrethe, dressed in a magenta skirt suit, rose and gestured to Frederik to take her place. “God save the king,” she said as she left the room using a cane for support. The abdication leaves Denmark with two queens: Margrethe keeps her title, while Frederik’s wife becomes Queen Mary. Frederik and Mary’s eldest son Christian, 18, has become crown prince and heir to the throne. Citing health issues, Margrethe announced on New Year’s Eve that she would step down, stunning a nation that had expected her to live out her days on the throne, as is the tradition in the Danish monarchy. Margrethe underwent major back surgery last February and didn’t return to work until April. Even the prime minister was unaware of the queen’s intentions until right before the announcement. Margrethe had informed Frederik and his younger brother Joachim just three days earlier, the Berlingske
newspaper wrote, citing the royal palace. People from across Denmark gathered outside parliament, with many swarming streets decorated with red-and-white Danish flags. Several shops hung photos of Margrethe and Frederik, while city buses were adorned with small Danish flags as is customary during royal events. Many others across the kingdom of nearly 6 million people followed a live television broadcast of the historic event. “It was worth the four hours wait,” said Anders Pejtersen, 25. He made the trip from Aalborg, in northern Denmark, to witness Frederik’s proclamation. His mother, Helle Pejtersen, said “it was intense.” Marina Gregovic, 32, a Copenhagen resident, said she believed Frederik “will be fantastic. And we loved his speech.” Royals across Europe sent their congratulations including UK King Charles III, whose late mother Queen Elizabeth II and Margrethe were third cousins.
Charles said he was committed to working with them “on ensuring that the enduring bond between our countries, and our families, remains strong.” Earlier in the day, the royal guards’ music band made their daily parade through downtown Copenhagen, but wore the red jackets used to mark major events, instead of their usual black. The last time a Danish monarch voluntarily resigned was in 1146, when King Erik III Lam stepped
down to enter a monastery. Margrethe abdicated on the same day of January that she ascended the throne following the death of her father, King Frederik IX, on Jan. 14, 1972. Australians also turned out on the streets of Copenhagen to celebrate one of their own becoming queen. “I think it’s good that she’s not from royalty and has a normal Australian background. We can relate more to that, because she’s from a middle-class background, and we are too,” said Judy Langtree, who made the long journey from Brisbane with her daughter to witness the royal event. A survey — commissioned by Denmark’s public broadcaster DR — published Friday showed that 79% of the 1,037 people polled by the Epinion polling institute said that they believed Frederik was prepared to take the reigns and 83% said they thought his wife Mary was ready to become queen. The survey margin of error was 3 percentage points, DR said. Though a hereditary monarchy might seem contradictory to the egalitarian principles of modern-day Denmark, the royal family remains highly popular and the anti-monarchist movement is small. “The republicans in Denmark have no future,” former parliamentary Speaker Pia Kjærsgaard said on public television.
PEOPLE dressed as kings and queens wait at Christiansborg castle in Copenhagen, Denmark on Sunday the country’s Crown Prince Frederik takes over the crown from his mother, Queen Margrethe II. Photo: Martin Meissner/AP
NICARAGUA SAYS IT RELEASED 19 JAILED CLERGY TO THE VATICAN
NICARAGUA’s government released Rolando Alvarez, bishop of Matagalpa, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison for conspiracy and other crimes, sending him by plane to the Vatican, according to the auxiliary bishop of Managua, Monsignor Silvio Baez, yesterday. Photo: Moises Castillo/AP MEXICO CITY citizenship. Associated Press Bishop Álvarez has remained in prison for THE Nicaraguan gov- more than a year after ernment said Sunday it being convicted of conspirreleased Bishop Rolando acy and receiving a 26-year Álvarez and 18 clergy prison sentence. One of members from jail and the country’s most outhanded them over to Vati- spoken clergy members, can authorities. had refused to get on the They had been jailed February flight to the US more than a year ago, in without being able to conmost cases, as part of a sult with other bishops. crackdown on the oppoIn October, Nicaragua sition and church by released a dozen Catholic President Daniel Ortega, priests jailed on a variety who accused them of sup- of charges and sent them to porting massive 2018 civic Rome following an agreeprotests that he claimed ment with the Vatican. were a plot to overthrow Since repressing popuhim. lar protests in 2018 that The government said in a called for his resignapress statement the release tion, Ortega’s regime has was part of negotiations systematically silenced with the Vatican. In the opposing voices and past, imprisoned priests zeroed in on the church, have been quickly flown to including confiscating the Rome. prestigious Jesuit-run UniOrtega’s government versity of Central America said those released Sunday in August. also included Bishop IsiNicaragua’s Congress, doro Mora. dominated by Ortega’s Ortega sent 222 prison- Sandinista National Libers to the United States eration Front, has ordered in February in a deal the closure of more than brokered by the US gov- 3,000 nongovernmental ernment and later stripped organizations, including those prisoners of their Mother Teresa’s charity.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, January 15, 2024, PAGE 15
Defending champion Djokovic fends off first-timer Prizmic in 4 hours to advance in Australia By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Until he took on defending champion Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena on opening day yesterday in Australia, Dino Prizmic had never played a Grand Slam match. The 18-year-old Croatian qualifier, who was born seven months after Djokovic made his Grand Slam debut in 2005, made it last as long as he could. He unsettled the 24-time major winner before Djokovic finished off the match 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4. Djokovic has developed a record at the Australian Open that no man can match, with 10 titles here among his unprecedented career haul. He later said he’d been feeling “under the weather” for four or five days but credited Primzic’s talent. The first set played out just about as expected. From there, it became quite a ride. Prizmic took the second set off Djokovic and went up a break in the third, stunning a capacity crowd, before the world’s No. 1-ranked player broke back and took the set. Prizmic didn’t give up when he trailed 4-0 in the fourth, either, saving a breakpoint before getting a service break back. He saved three match points at 5-3 down and made Djokovic serve it out. He then saved a further two match points before it ended in 4 hours and 1 minute. “He deserved every applause, every credit he got tonight,” Djokovic said. “Amazing performance for someone that is 18 years old and never had the experience of playing on a big stage. Kudos to him.” The first of three Sundays — an extra day was introduced at Melbourne Park to try to reduce the number of post-midnight finishes — didn’t have quite the desired outcome. Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev needed four hours to beat Thiago Seyboth Wild 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (6). He later admitted fears his first-round match against Seyboth Wild would end like his friend Daniil Medvedev’s did at
SERBIA’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the third set against Croatia’s Dino Prizmic during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park yesterday. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Djokovic and won the Sorribes Tormo 4-6, 6-3, Davis Cup. “Means a lot to 6-2. Another Russian qualme to start off with a win,” ifier, Maria Timofeeva had fourth-seeded Sinner said a 6-2, 6-4 win over Alize in a post-match TV inter- Cornet, who was appearing view as a half-dozen fans in a women’s record 68th dressed in carrot costumes consecutive Grand Slam cheered from the stands. event. “Physically, I feel good. I’m Timofeeva will next face here in good shape. I think 2018 champion Caroline I can be happy for today.” Wozniacki, who in her first Women’s eighth seed Australian Open since Maria Sakkari admitted becoming a mom advanced her relief after she beat when 20th-seeded Magda Nao Hibino of Japan 6-4, Linette retired while trail6-1, her first Grand Slam ing 6-2, 2-0. win since last year’s AusAmanda Anisimova contralian Open. tinued her comeback from “I lost three first rounds a career break with a 6-3, in my last three Grand 6-4 win over No. 13-seeded Slams,” she said. “For me, Liudmila Samsonova. LEYLAH Fernandez of Canada plays a forehand return to Sara it was a very difficult match Rublev did it tough, Bejlek of the Czech Republic during their first round match at today emotionally. I’m wasting four match points the Australian Open yesterday. happy I managed to do the in the fifth set. He then fell (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) job right and play a good behind 5-2 in the match tiebreaker before winlast year’s French Open: in women’s champion Aryna second set.” Also advancing were ning eight of the next nine Sabalenka didn’t start until an upset. No. 12 Taylor Fritz 11:41 p.m. local time. The 2021 U.S. Open finalist points to clinch it against needed a medical timeout No. 2 seed didn’t waste Leylah Fernandez, who a player on his Australian 17-year-old Sara Open debut. to get his left ankle taped much time until right near beat Seyboth Wild upset in the second set before he the end, ousting 18-year- Bejlek 7-6 (5), 6-2 and recovered to beat Facundo old Ella Seidel 6-0, 6-1 in No. 9 Barbora Krejcikova, major winner Medvedev Diaz Acosta 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 53 minutes on her seventh who rallied from a set and in the first round at Roland a break down to beat Mai Garros last year and 6-2, 6-4 in a seesawing four- match point. Rublev admitted he felt the The first match on Hontama 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. hour match. Two 16-year-old play- momentum going the same Frances Tiafoe, the 17th Rod Laver was also over seed, beat Borna Coric quickly, with Italy’s Davis ers advanced to the second way before he decided to 6-3, 7-6 (7), 2-6, 6-3 in 3 Cup star Jannik Sinner round: Brenda Fruhvir- relax and go for broke. 1/2 hours and Daniel Elahi advancing after a 6-4, 7-5, tova recorded her first “For sure, I will not forget Galan needed almost five 6-3 first-round win over Grand Slam win, overcom- this one,” said Rublev, who hours to beat Australia’s No. 59-ranked Botic van de ing Anna Bogdan 2-6, 6-4, opened the year with a title 6-3, and Alina Korneeva in Hong Kong. “Thiago is Jason Kubler 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 Zandschulp in 2 1/2 hours. It was his first match — the Australian Open a super dangerous player. (3), 4-6, 7-6 (8). Djokovic’s late since a memorable Novem- junior champion last year Super talented. He’s hitting finish meant defending ber when he twice beat — who rallied to beat Sara so hard, so clean.”
FLEETWOOD WINS BY ONE SHOT IN DUBAI DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Tommy Fleetwood benefited from two huge errors on the back nine from Rory McIlroy and produced his own strong finish to win the Dubai Invitational following a back-and-forth final-round duel yesterday. McIlroy had already three-putted from 2 feet at No. 14 by the time he reached the 18th tee with a one-shot lead over Fleetwood and pulled his drive into the water. Fleetwood followed that by driving into the middle of the fairway and sent his approach to 16 feet, well inside McIlroy after the world No. 2 had to take a drop. McIlroy missed his winding putt up the hill and Fleetwood made his own to shoot 67 for 19-under 265 overall, securing a first win since the Nedbank Golf Challenge in November 2022. He was a stroke clear of McIlroy (67), who tied for second place with Thriston Lawrence (64) in the first European tour event of 2024. “First week back out, I think you’re going to expect some of those sloppy mistakes,” McIlroy said, “and unfortunately for me those mistakes came at the wrong time today.” McIlroy smiled and gave Fleetwood a big hug on the 18th green after missing out on a first victory since the Scottish Open in July. They are close friends and were playing partners at the Ryder Cup last year. “It’s always very special when you play with one of your friends, one of the best players in the world, challenging yourself against those guys,” the 15thranked Fleetwood said. “Rory’s been a very, very supportive influence on me over the past ... I’ve watched him do amazing things down the stretch in golf tournaments, and today was my turn.” McIlroy, the world No. 2, started the day a stroke back from Fleetwood, was three behind after the 10th hole but four birdies in a five-hole stretch — either side of that unfathomable three-putt on the par-3 14th — put him in a tie with Fleetwood. After a sloppy bogey at No. 16, Fleetwood holed a birdie putt from 30 feet at the 17th to stay within one shot of McIlroy and then capitalized on his playing partner’s worst swing of the day on the 18th tee.
Ratcliffe takes in Man United’s 2-2 draw with Spurs that underlined his team’s strengths and flaws By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer SITTING beside Alex Ferguson in the directors’ box at Old Trafford, Jim Ratcliffe took in a Manchester United game in person for the first time since agreeing a deal to buy a 25% stake in the boyhood club he hopes to restore as a major power. If he wasn’t aware already, the rebuilding job is going to take some time. A 2-2 draw against Tottenham in the Premier League yesterday underlined the current state of United — a team capable of stunning isolated passages of play but, in general, is ragged and can be outplayed by its rivals. United’s goals, scored by Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, were things of beauty at the start and end of the first half. Between them, the marking was poor at a corner to allow Richarlison to glance in a header and Tottenham’s equaliser — scored barely 50 seconds into the second half — also exposed defensive flaws as Rodrigo Bentancur was allowed to
INEOS Sport CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the stands during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in Manchester, England, yesterday. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP) Ratcliffe, the owner wander into United’s area before unleashing a fierce of petrochemicals giant INEOS, agreed last month shot past Andre Onana. The result left United to buy a minority stake in seventh place and eight in United and will take points off the top five, from charge of United’s soccer where England’s Cham- operations. The deal was worth $1.3 pions League entrants for next season — it remains to billion for “up to 25%” of be seen whether there will the club and will see him be four or five — will come. invest a further $300 million Tottenham is among in the Old Trafford stadium. The deal requires Prethem — in fifth — after an encouraging display mier League approval, with the team still miss- which Ratcliffe said Sunday ing a clutch of key players he expects to come next like James Maddison, Son month. “I have done a few Heung-min and Yves Bissouma, whose return could exciting things,” the Brityet help qualify Spurs for ish billionaire told media before kickoff, “but this Europe’s top competition.
caps it all. There’s no question about that.” Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said he was aware how big the game was for United, given Ratcliffe’s presence and United’s position in the standings, and was “delighted” with his team’s performance. “I just thought we played really well,” the Australian said. “Knowing the situation Man United are in, I thought our response was outstanding.” Germany forward Timo Werner made his debut for Tottenham and laid on the goal by Bentancur. MISSED OPPORTUNITY Aston Villa’s players headed to Everton seeking a win to move level on points with league leader Liverpool, the team from just across Stanley Park. They missed their opportunity. A 0-0 draw at Goodison Park will still be seen as a solid result for Villa, keeping the team in the thick of the title conversation — two points behind Liverpool and level on points
with second-place Manchester City. Villa had a goal by Alex Moreno ruled out for offside in the buildup and needed a couple of stunning saves from Emiliano
Martinez later in the first half. Set back by a 10-point penalty at the end of last year for financial mismanagement, Everton restored its one-point cushion above the bottom three.
PAGE 16, Monday, January 15, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
Love, Packers pull wild-card stunner, beat Cowboys 48-32 By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Aaron Jones grew up idolising Emmitt Smith and the Dallas Cowboys. The Green Bay running back found a new, and most painful, way to torment the all-time rushing leader’s former team. Jones ran for three touchdowns, Jordan Love threw for three more in his postseason debut, Darnell Savage returned an interception 64 yards for a score and the Packers handed the Cowboys their first home loss since the 2022 opener in a 48-32 wild-card stunner Sunday. “This was my dad’s team,” Jones, who shared a moment with Smith before the game and now has 488 yards in four career games against the Cowboys, said of his late father. “You always want to be like your father, so that’s how it became my team. Dallas is a special place to me, so it’s a fullcircle moment. It feels like home.” Even against a team that had won 16 consecutive home games. Green Bay (10-8) will visit top-seeded San Francisco in the divisional round next weekend. Dak Prescott threw two interceptions before three mostly empty touchdown passes in another playoff flop for him and the No. 2 seed Cowboys (12-6). The first home loss for the Cowboys since nowretired Tom Brady and Tampa Bay beat them 16 months ago was also the most points the franchise has allowed in a postseason
game. The previous high was 38. The Cowboys, who haven’t reached an NFC championship game since the most recent of their five Super Bowl titles 28 years ago, didn’t trail by more than eight points at AT&T Stadium this season before falling behind 27-0 in the first half. The loss will raise questions about the future of Dallas coach Mike McCarthy after the Cowboys lost their playoff opener at home for the second time in three postseasons under the former Green Bay coach. Dallas is the first team to win at least 12 games in three consecutive playoff seasons without making a conference title game. The Cowboys surged to the NFC East title in the final two weeks and had a chance to be home at least twice this postseason. Instead, they head into a suddenly uncertain offseason. “Just shocked, honestly,” Prescott said. “From the beginning of the game, we got beat. There’s no which way around it. There’s no way to sugar coat it. Shock.” Romeo Doubs had a career-high 151 yards receiving a week after being hospitalised with a chest injury as the Packers rolled after finishing the regular season 6-2 to grab the NFC’s final playoff spot. “We came in here with a mindset of we’re going to dominate,” Love said. “A lot of people were counting us out, and we didn’t care about that.” The Packers have never lost in six trips to AT&T
GREEN Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones reacts after a long run against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half Sunday. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth) Stadium — including the Facing the NFL’s fifthSuper Bowl over Pitts- best defence, Green Bay burgh during the 2010 matched its Super Bowlseason. They now have winning team from 2010 for two playoff victories over the most points in a playoff the Cowboys after Aaron game. That was also on Rodgers led a 34-31 divi- the road, a 48-21 victory at sional win when Dallas was top-seeded Atlanta in the the NFC’s top seed in 2016, divisional round. Prescott’s rookie year. Doubs, who returned Those Packers let a 21-3 to the Green Bay sideline lead slip away. These Pack- after his hospital trip before ers, with the four-time the end of last week’s 17-9 MVP’s successor, left little home victory over Chicago doubt with a 48-16 fourth- that secured a playoff spot, quarter lead before two had 102 yards at halftime. late Dallas TDs. It was seven more than the “We knew it would take second-year player’s previtime,” said Jones, who was ous best. a high school and college First-half catches of 22, standout in the far West 26 and 39 yards helped get Texas city of El Paso. “You Love going, and the fourthwould hear me during the year QB finished 16 of 21 season and other play- for 272 yards as the Packers (say), we were right ers scored touchdowns there, we’re right there, on six of their first seven we’re right there. We’ve offensive possessions in been able to get over that their highest-scoring game hump.” since 2014.
One of them was set up by Prescott’s first interception at the Dallas 19-yard line, from Jaire Alexander after he was questionable coming in when he sprained an ankle during the week. A 46-yard grab by Doubs early in the second half helped finish off the Cowboys after they had scored 10 points on either side of the break. Doubs, Luke Musgrave and Dontayvion Wicks had TD catches. Jones rushed for 118 yards, putting him over the century mark in all four career games against the Cowboys with nine touchdowns. “That was fun,” said Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur, who took over in 2019 after McCarthy was fired during the 2018 season. “To put on a performance like that. Couldn’t be happier for them.” The crowd under the retractable roof on a frigid day in the Dallas area had already been stone-cold silenced when Prescott tried to throw a slant to top receiver CeeDee Lamb. Savage, who went without an interception in the regular season for the first time in his five-year career, stepped in front and run untouched for a 27-0 lead with 1:50 left before halftime. “They were mad at me ‘cause I wasn’t celebrating afterward,” Savage said. “I was like, ‘We gotta keep playing. But it was definitely a momentum swing in the game, I think.” Prescott finished 41 of 60 for 403 yards, with all three of his touchdowns to tight end Jake Ferguson.
BLTA
ATHLETES OVERSEAS FROM PAGE 20
8.09. Charlton had the second fast time in the semifinals in 8.13 behind Russell’s leading time of 7.96 and ahead of James in 8.13. But in the preliminaries, Charlton topped the list with 7.99 with Russell with second best in 8.09 and James third in 8.12. “I thought I had a great meet overall. The 60 metres was first and I ended up running my fastest time since college so that was the first indicator of the shape I’m in,” Charlton said. “I think I’m right where I expected to be. Based on how practices have been going, I knew that I was in 7.8 shape or better.” As she prepares for her trek to World Athletics’ World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland
By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer DETROIT (AP) — Jared Goff threw for a touchdown and completed a game-sealing first down against the team that cast him away, and the Detroit Lions won a playoff game for the first time in 32 years, beating Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams 24-23 last night. The Lions (13-5) ended a nine-game postseason losing streak — the longest in NFL history — that dated to a victory over Dallas on January 5, 1992. They lost a home playoff game two years later and hadn’t hosted one since. Detroit will have two home playoff games for the first time in franchise history, hosting either Tampa Bay or Philadelphia in the divisional round next Sunday. The Rams (10-8) had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but Detroit’s defence held. A holding penalty pushed Los Angeles out of field goal range, and Stafford — the Lions’ longtime quarterback who won a Super Bowl after he was traded to the Rams — threw incomplete on fourth down. On the first play after the two-minute warning, Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for 11 yards, allowing the Lions to run out the clock — much to the delight of long-suffering fans who witnessed the franchise’s second postseason victory since winning the 1957 NFL title.
THE PERFECT START: Champions were crowned on Sunday at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) under 14 and under 16 New Year’s Tournament to get the 2024 season underway. Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff However, Beukes showed “It feels amazing. I have I needed. It caused me to who downed Synaj Watkins signs of life in the following been working all year to think a lot. I never knew in straight sets to repeat set and had her opponent pull off a win and this is that I could come back as the U14 boys’ singles on the ropes 5-3. just the beginning because from being down in the champion. Despite a valiant effort I want to keep doing this second set. It feels good Mactaggart coasted to a by Beukes, Ferguson was over and over again as long but just because I got this 6-0, 6-0 victory to add yet able to regain her footing as I can,” she said. win does not mean the next another U14 trophy to his in the match and gutted Although she got the one will be easier, it is going collection. out a 7-5 victory to become comeback victory, she to be way harder so I am The 13-year-old, who also the U16 victor at the New acknowledged that it was gonna keep working,” the played in the U16 category, Year’s tourney. not easy and it will not get champion said. was impressed with his level For the newest cham- easier going forward. In a matchup between of play. pion, it felt great to pull off “It was good but it was the first and second ranked “I thought I played a gritty win on Sunday. challenging which I think players, it was Mactaggart very well. I think that this
morning I was more consistent. I got more balls on the court and I did not miss as much. It feels excellent, hopefully next time I will come out and be stronger and do better,” Mactaggart said. McCartney finished as a runner up in the U16 division last year, but this time around he upgraded his position. After losing to Jackson Mactaggart in 2023, McCartney got revenge on his younger brother in consecutive sets one year later. He knocked off his competitor 6-4, 6-3 to hoist this year’s championship hardware. The junior was happy to get the winning honours but felt he made a lot of mistakes on the court. “The match was good but I felt like I could have made less errors but overall it was good competition. “I feel like I should have a strong year because I am doing a lot more training so it should be good this year. I am looking to see much more improvement in my game,” McCartney said. Next up on the BLTA calendar will be the Bahama Pure Water & Ice Junior National Tournament to be hosted in Grand Bahama February 10-13.
from March 1-3, Charlton said she wants to run a full season, which would include some sprinting to keep with her hurdles. In the 60m, she had the fourth best time of 7.39. Paige Archer, competing for the University of Central Florida, was 61st in 9.44. Also on the track, Adam Musgrove, in his freshman year for Howard University, clocked 22.01 to win his heat for eighth place in the men’s 200m. He was 20th overall in the 60m in 6.89. And Otto Laing, also at Howard, was third in the men’s 60m hurdles in 7.95. Laing had the second fastest time in the semifinal in 7.89 and the fourth best in the preliminaries in 7.91. On the field, Calea Jackson, competing for the University of Miami, was 18th in the women’s discus with a heave of 43-feet, 6-inches or 13.26m and she
to compete in the finals, missing the final cut by one spot. Philip Gray, yet another freshman, competed in the men’s 400m where he was 12th in 49.58. On the field, Mateo Smith, a sophomore at Louisiana Tech, had to settle for seventh in the men’s long jump with his best leap of 23-feet, 4 3/4-inches or 7.13m. The winning leap was 24-11 (7.59m) by Jedidiah Udunna, a sophomore at UT-Rio Grande. Senior experience At the Clemson Invite at Clemson University Indoor Track in Clemson, South Carolina, Wendira Moss had a series of events as she goes through her senior year at Northern Colorado. In the women’s 100m, she was 23rd overall. Her best performance came in the 200m where she got seventh in her season’s best of 24.79. And in the 400m, she was 10th in 56.06.
FROM PAGE 20 when she took down her opponent 6-1, 6-1 on Sunday at the NTC. The 13-year-old, who is playing her final year in the U14 age group, described the matchup as a good experience but said there are still improvements to be made to her game as the season progresses. “Considering that this is my last year of under-14, I feel pretty good. I am looking to see a few more wins than last year. Last year was a bit rough but I hope that I can do better this year. When I was playing I saw a lot of stuff I needed to work on so I will definitely take that into consideration leading up to the next tournament,” she said. The U14 girls champion was also delighted to play against her teammate for the World Juniors Boys and Girls 14-and under Tournament set for March 2-10 in El Salvador. Ferguson, who came into the U16 matchup as the fourth seed, upset Millie Beukes, the third seed, in their finals matchup. The 16-year-old had a stellar showing in the initial set, winning 6-3.
LIONS EARN FIRST PLAYOFF WIN IN 32 YEARS
was 22nd in the put with a toss of 35-8 ½ (13.26m). National record-breaking performance At the Birmingham Metro CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama, Brenden Vanderpool, coming off a sensational year as a senior in high school, made his collegiate debut for Samford an impressive one, soaring 16-feet, 8 3/4-inches or 5.10 metres to improve on his Bahamian national record. His team-mate Jed Sisco, a junior, followed closely behind with 16-6 ¾ (5.05m). Come-from-behind victory At the 2023 Texas Tech Stan Scott Memorial, hosted by Texas Tech University Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas, New Mexico Junior College’s sophomore Lacarthea Cooper took the tape in a come-from-behind victory in the women’s 400m in 54.04, edging out Niesha
Burgher, a senior at UTEP, who did 54.35. Her team-mate Amari Pratt, now in her freshman year at New Mexico JC, was 20th in the women’s 60m in 7.73. Pratt also doubled up in the 200m where she was 20th in 25.57. Two Bahamian seniors competed in the men’s 60m final where Grand Bahamian Terrence Jones got the better of the match-up with a time of 6.61 for fifth place, while Karon Dean, representing UTEP, was eighth in 6.80. Jones had the fourth fastest qualifying time of 6.71 and Dean got the sixth best in 6.80. Xavier Butler, a freshman at UTEP, fell short of advancing to the final after he placed 10th in the preliminaries in 6.76. Butler had a better showing in the 200m, placing fourth in 21.21 with Dean coming in 13th in 21.96. And in the men’s 60m hurdlers, Jalen Cadet, a
junior at UTEP, was 14th in 8.63. Antoine Andrews, a sophomore at Texas Tech, didn’t advance either after he had a false start in his preliminary race. Andrews, however, came back and ran the second leg for Texas Tech’s 4 x 400m relay team that placed third in 3:12.45, ahead of UTEP, anchored by Butler in 3:12.87. On the field, Cadet was fourth in the men’s long jump with 23-0 ¾ (7.03m). Freshmen introduction At the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jonathon Fowler, a freshman at Oral Roberts University, was eighth in the preliminaries of the men’s 60m in 6.98, but he missed making the cut of the top six for the final. Grand Bahamian Shatayla Dorsett, also in her freshman year at Louisiana Tech, was ninth in the women’s 60m in 7.54, but she too didn’t get a chance
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, January 15, 2024, PAGE 17
Patrick Mahomes leads Chiefs to 26-7 playoff win over Dolphins By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It was so cold that Patrick Mahomes’ helmet shattered on a hit. Andy Reid’s mustache froze on the sideline. Fans and players alike huddled for warmth, trying their best to grit their way through the fourth-coldest game in NFL history. The Kansas City Chiefs managed to handle the adversity well Saturday night. Handled the Miami Dolphins quite well, too. Mahomes threw for 262 yards, found Rashee Rice eight times for 130 yards and a touchdown, and made several daring runs for key first downs. Isiah Pacheco pounded over the frozen turf for 89 yards and another score. And the Chiefs shut down a prolific Miami offence in a 26-7 victory in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Harrison Butker added four field goals for the reigning Super Bowl champs, who appear to be warming up for another run. “Guys came with that attitude, that mentality — we knew it was going to be cold,” Mahomes said. “All week we were preaching, ‘Let’s come in there with that fire and just get after it and see what happens.’” Meanwhile, the injurydepleted Dolphins (11-7) looked nothing like the same dynamic offence that led the league in yards. Tua Tagovailoa was pressured relentlessly by the NFL’s second-ranked defence, wide receiver Tyreek Hill had a 53-yard TD catch but was otherwise shut down in his return to Kansas City and the Dolphins finished with 264 yards in all. They have not won at Arrowhead Stadium since November 6, 2011, nor won a playoff game since December 30, 2000. “Losing is never fun, and when the stakes are higher — when it’s playoff time — you feel that maybe 10 times more,” said Tagovailoa, who was just 20 of 39 for 199 yards passing with an interception. “We’ve got to live with that loss.” The Chiefs get to live with another win in their 15th consecutive home playoff game, not counting a trio of Super Bowls that netted them two Lombardi Trophies. But they will head to Buffalo next week if the Bills beat the Steelers today in a game pushed back a day by a blizzard.
J.J. MCCARTHY ENTERING NFL DRAFT By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer
KANSAS City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, second from right, and tight end Travis Kelce, third from right, huddle with teammates before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night in Kansas City. (AP Photos/Charlie Riedel) Otherwise, the Chiefs will host Houston, which A FAN in costume gestures before beat the Browns earlier the wild-card playoff football game Saturday. between the Chiefs and Dolphins. “Everybody was out there playing for each other,” Rice said. “We just put the weather to the side and knew that our opponent didn’t want to be out there just as much as we didn’t, and we showed our love for the game.” It was minus-4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-20 Celsius) at kickoff, easily setting a record for the coldest game at Arrowhead Stadium. But it was wind gusts, whipping through at more than 25 mph (40 kph) and driving the wind chill to a bone-rattling minus27 degrees, that made the weather truly miserable for just about everyone. That included pop star Taylor Swift, who once again turned up to see her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She at least got to watch with a smile. “It was like in November in Germany. “Butker was phenomfrom an enclosed suite. frozen.” They were just 1 for 12 enal,” Reid said. Most fans bundled up outThe weather didn’t seem on third down, and they “That was like kicking a side in parkas, ski goggles to bother Hill, who was never put together a truly block of ice.” and snowpants, and play- playing in Kansas City for sustained drive until the The Chiefs added ers huddled around heaters the first time since his old fourth quarter. another field goal in the on the sidelines as if they team traded him to Miami “We knew they were third quarter, but it was were oases in the cold. The two years ago. The league’s going to put a lot of atten- still a two-possession National Weather Service leading receiver warmed tion toward our receivers,” game in the fourth when even issued a warning for up in a short-sleeve shirt, Dolphins coach Mike the Dolphins appeared to what it called “dangerously then proceeded to scorch McDaniel said. “We force another field goal. cold” weather that had the stout Chiefs defence thought we had the right But a late flag on Chrisblanketed the Midwest. and All-Pro cornerback plan and obviously it tian Wilkins for roughing In fact, the cold may Trent McDuffie for a long wasn’t, and hats off to them the passer on third down have made Mahomes’ touchdown reception for executing their plan in gave Kansas City a fresh helmet brittle enough that midway through the first the most important time.” set of downs, and Pacheco a hit in the third quarter half. On offence, the Chiefs plowed into the end zone knocked a chunk of the “It’s where it all started scored on four of their six moments later to give the plastic shell from it. Once for me,” Hill said after- first-half drives. Mahomes Chiefs a 26-7 lead. officials saw the fist-sized ward. “Just being back on capped the first with his The Dolphins never hole, they made Mahomes the field brought back so TD toss to Rice, and while threatened down the get a backup helmet from many memories.” ensuing drives continu- stretch in their 11th the bench. The Dolphins other- ally fizzled in the red zone, straight loss when game“We have to talk wise struggled on offence, Butker added a trio of field time temps are 40 degrees about where we store the though, just as they did in goals to help Kansas City or less. backup,” Mahomes said a 21-14 loss to the Chiefs forge a 16-3 lead. Far less, in this case.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s national-championship winning quarterback, is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. McCarthy made the announcement yesterday, a day after being begged to stay. “The decision was not easy and how could it be — I love my teammates, I love my coaches and I love it here in MCCARTHY Ann Arbor,” he wrote on his social media accounts. Jim Harbaugh might be the next to go. Harbaugh will meet with the Los Angeles Chargers about their head coach vacancy this week, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity yesterday because the person wasn’t at liberty to publicly discuss personnel moves. Besides the Chargers, Atlanta, Carolina, Las Vegas, Seattle, Tennessee and Washington have openings and at least some of those teams may have an interest in bringing Harbaugh back to the NFL. The Wolverines had a parade through town Saturday, winding their way to their basketball arena. When it was McCarthy’s turn to talk to the sold-out crowd, a chant broke out as he stood and smiled. “One more year! One more year!” the maize-andblue clad fans shouted in unison. McCarthy reminded the audience of his social media post on November 15, 2020 — amid the team’s 2-4 pandemic-shortened season — when he asked Michigan fans to take three deep breaths and gave thanks for the faith they had in the coaches and players. Then, he addressed his future. “I know lots of us got some big-time life decision to make,” McCarthy said on a stage at Crisler Center. “But I just want to let you guys know, whatever decisions come, Michigan will forever be in my heart and will always be in my heart. And, I will be proud to be known as a Michigan man.”
Stroud becomes youngest quarterback to win a playoff game as Texans rout Browns 45-14 By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — As the games get bigger, C.J. Stroud just keeps getting better. The rookie became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game after throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns, and the Houston Texans returned two interceptions by Joe Flacco for scores in a 45-14 rout of the Cleveland Browns in a wild-card matchup Saturday. “C.J. is the reason why we’re in this position,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s special, a special young man. Special player. Continues to shine no matter how big the moment is. “Our whole team is leaning on him and he has the shoulders to carry that weight.” Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft last April, is also the highestdrafted rookie QB to win in the postseason. He picked apart Cleveland’s vaunted defence, throwing touchdown passes of 15 yards to
Nico Collins, 76 to Brevin Jordan and 37 to Dalton Schultz. “It’s been a heck of a year and I thank God, I can just go another week with my teammates,” Stroud said. “This is like a dream come true.” At 22 years and 102 days old, Stroud passed Michael Vick, who was 22 years, 192 days old in 2002 when his Falcons beat the Packers. “I’m super blessed to be considered with a great name like Michael Vick, who was my favourite quarterback growing up,” he said. “And hopefully I can make it two (wins).” Stroud threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns before halftime as the Texans built a 24-14 lead. The defence took over after that, with Steven Nelson and Christian Harris returning interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive drives in the third quarter to extend the lead to 38-14. “It was really, really big to put up 14 points on top of what C.J. was already doing,” Nelson said. “That just put the icing on the cake for us.”
TEXANS quarterback Stroud. (AP)
C.J.
With the Texans up 45-14 with nine minutes to go, Stroud’s work was done, and he was replaced by Davis Mills. It’s the Browns’ worst postseason loss since a 34-0 thumping by the Baltimore Colts December 29, 1968. Houston is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, and Stroud’s stellar play and the leadership of Ryans, who’s in his first year, transformed the Texans (11-7) from NFL laughingstock to AFC South champions. Flacco, who turns 39 on Tuesday, came off the
couch to go 4-1 as a starter to end the regular season. He led the Browns (11-7) to just their third playoff appearance since their 1999 expansion rebirth, but second in four seasons under coach Kevin Stefanski. Playing in his 17th postseason game but first in nine years, Flacco couldn’t continue his magical run under the bright lights of the playoffs. “It’s definitely a shame the way it went down and hard to deal with at the moment,” Flacco said. He finished with 307 yards and had a touchdown pass in the first half, but his mistakes under pressure in the third quarter were too much for the Browns to overcome on a day when Stroud easily outshined him in his playoff debut. The sellout crowd was rowdy and ready for Houston’s return to the postseason after three awful seasons where the team combined for just 11 wins. They chanted “MVP! MVP!” throughout the game when Stroud dropped back to pass.
Collins had six receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown, and Devin Singletary ran for 66 yards and a late score for Houston. Kareem Hunt ran for a touchdown and had a TD reception in the first half, but had just 26 yards rushing. The Browns took a 7-3 lead on Hunt’s 1-yard run with about two minutes left in the first quarter. Collins’ 15-yard TD catch put the Texans back on top 10-7. The Browns regained the lead on their next drive when Hunt grabbed a shovel pass from Flacco and ran 11 yards for a touchdown. But the advantage would last only 10 seconds as Jordan grabbed a short pass and outran multiple defenders for a 76-yard touchdown to make it 17-14. It was Houston’s longest play this season and the longest in franchise playoff history. “I was a running back my whole life,” Jordan said. “So I feel like that’s one of those things that I really carry with me as a tight end.”
Stroud’s 37-yard TD pass to Schultz pushed the lead to 24-14 with about a minute left in the second quarter. Flacco was hit by Derek Barnett as he threw and his pass was picked off by Nelson and returned 82 yards for a touchdown to make it 31-14 with about six minutes left in the third quarter. The Browns went for it on fourth-and-2 on their next drive and Flacco was picked off again. This time, Harris returned it 36 yards for the score. The Texans are the first team to return two interceptions for touchdowns in a game since Seattle did it against Washington on January 5, 2008.
TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394
PAGE 18, Monday, January 15, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
Jokic leads balanced offensive effort in Nuggets’ 117-109 win over Pacers By CRAIG MEYER Associated Press DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic recorded 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, finishing an assist shy of his 13th tripledouble of the season, to help lead the Denver Nuggets to a 117-109 victory against the Indiana Pacers yesterday. Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray matched Jokic with 25 points apiece for the Nuggets, who shot a season-high 64.8% from the field and had all five starters finish in double figures. Aaron Gordon added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who improved to 17-4 at home this season. Jokic made 12 of his 13 field-goal attempts. The two-time NBA MVP is shooting 81% (85 of 105) from the field over his past nine games. The offensive output was enough to overcome a sloppier-than-usual performance for the reigning NBA champions, who finished with a season-worst 21 turnovers and allowed 14 offensive rebounds, off of which the Pacers got 20 second-chance points. The victory was Denver’s 14th in its past 18 games. “I think we’re in a good spot,” Porter said. “We’re about what you can expect with a vastly different bench lineup than last year coming off a championship and a short summer. Obviously, we’d love to be No. 1 in the west, but we’re a couple of games behind it. We’re feeling good. Guys
DENVER Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game yesterday in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) are healthy. That’s all you can ask for.” Indiana, which had won nine of its past 11 games, fell to 2-2 since losing star Tyrese Haliburton to a strained left hamstring. In a matchup of the NBA’s top scoring offence against its No. 2 scoring defence, the Pacers, who entered the day averaging an NBA-best 126.6 points per game, were held to 17.6 points below their season average. Indiana was also limited to seven fast-break points after averaging 17.2 per game in its first
38 games, the second-best mark in the league. “It was just a point of emphasis to get back,” Murray said. “We knew that’s what they do and they do it really well and they’ve been doing it all season.” The Nuggets trailed by four in the third quarter, but recovered and built a nine-point lead after a Christian Braun basket with 9:16 remaining in the fourth. In his return to Denver, where he helped lead the Nuggets to the franchise’s
first NBA championship last season, Bruce Brown had a team-high 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Pacers. Before the game, Brown was presented with his championship ring and mobbed by his former teammates, with the crowd serenading him with chants of his name. “It was more than I expected,” Brown said. “I didn’t know the crowd was going to cheer like that. I almost started crying, but I had to hold it in because I told one of the fans I wasn’t
going to cry, so it was tough. I loved it, though.” Six other Pacers finished in double figures, led by Buddy Hield’s 16 points. Indiana was without forward Aaron Nesmith, who’s making 46.6% of his 3-pointers this season, the fourth-best mark in the NBA. “I thought we fought hard in this game,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “There were some frustrating parts of it. A lot of this came down to Jokic’s greatness and Murray’s greatness.”
PISTONS SEND BAGLEY AND LIVERS TO WIZARDS FOR GALLINARI AND MUSCALA By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer THE Detroit Pistons agreed to trade Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Livers to the Washington Wizards yesterday for Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The Pistons also will send two future draft picks to Washington, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because the deal was still pending NBA approval. ESPN first reported the trade, which was later confirmed by several other outlets. In Detroit at practice Sunday, Pistons coach Monty Williams told reporters he could not comment because the trade was not finalised. The Detroit News captured video at that practice of Bagley and Livers bidding teammates farewell after learning of the deal. Bagley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft, averaged 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Pistons this season. Livers averaged 5.0 points and 2.1 rebounds for Detroit, which has lost 35 of its last 36 games and visits Washington on Monday. Gallinari averaged 7.0 points and Muscala averaged 4.0 points for the Wizards this season. Washington is 7-31, tied with San Antonio for the secondworst record in the NBA this season ahead of only Detroit. The move will give Detroit in excess of $60 million in salary cap space for this coming summer.
Celtics rout Rockets 145-113 to improve to 19-0 at home BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 27 points and eight rebounds before being ejected on back-toback technical fouls and the Boston Celtics remained unbeaten at home with a 145-113 victory over former coach Ime Udoka and the Houston Rockets on Saturday night. Jaylen Brown scored 32 points and the Celtics improved to 19-0 in the TD Garden – the first time in the history of the muchdecorated franchise that it has opened a season with more than 17 wins in a row. Cam Whitmore scored 22 points and Alperen Sengun had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Houston. The Rockets have lost three of their last four to drop their record to 19-19. They won just 22 games all last season. Tatum was tossed for the second time in six weeks, picking up his first technical for complaining about a non-call with 10:17 left in the fourth quarter and Boston leading 117-90. He continued to complain while Aaron Holiday took the foul shot and picked up a second T, then walked over to referee CJ Washington and leaned in to shout something before walking off the court.
THUNDER 112, MAGIC 100 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai GilgeousAlexander scored 37 points and Oklahoma City beat short-handed Orlando to tie Minnesota for the Western Conference lead. Gilgeous-Alexander had his high points total without making a 3-pointer. He missed all four of his 3-point tries, but was 13 of 16 inside the arc and made 11 of 12 free throws. Jalen Williams scored 16 points and Chet Holmgren added 15 to help the Thunder improve to 27-11. Paolo Banchero had 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Magic. They have lost three straight. JAZZ 133, LAKERS 123 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lauri Markkanen had 29 points, nine rebounds and five assists to lead Utah past Los Angeles for its fifth straight victory and eighth in a row at home. Collin Sexton scored 27 points and Jordan Clarkson added 21. With LeBron James out with a left ankle injury, D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers with 39 points and eight assists. Anthony Davis had a triple-double with 15 points, 15 rebounds
BOSTON Celtics’ Jaylen Brown (7) drives between Houston Rockets’ Amen Thompson (1) and Alperen Sengun (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday in Boston.
HOUSTON Rockets head coach Ime Udoka gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics on Saturday in Boston. (AP Photos/Michael Dwyer) and 10 assists, but shot 5 of 21 from the field. BUCKS 129, WARRIORS 118 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points and Milwaukee Used a big fourth quarter to pull away against short-handed Golden State. The Warriors rested Stephen Curry in the second night of a road back-toback and are still without
Draymond Green. Coach Steve Kerr said he could return from his suspension Monday in Memphis or Wednesday at Utah. Damian Lillard added 27 points for the Bucks. Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 28. KNICKS 106, GRIZZLIES 94 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Julius Randle had 24 points and 11 rebounds,
OG Anunoby scored 18 points and New York beat makeshift Memphis. Miles McBride, starting in place of the injured Jalen Brunson, added a careerhigh 19 points, along with six assists for the Knicks. They have won six of seven. GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 20 points and six rebounds. Over the last week, leading scorer Ja Morant had
season-ending shoulder surgery, and Marcus Smart’s injury to his right ring finger will keep him out at least six weeks. Then, Friday night in a loss to the Clippers, Desmond Bane, the team’s second-leading scorer, sprained an ankle and was on crutches Saturday. WIZARDS 127, HAWKS 99 ATLANTA (AP) — Kyle Kuzma scored 29 points and Washington took advantage of Atlanta’s worst offensive night this season to rout the Hawks. Jordan Poole added 20 points to help the Wizards snap a six-game losing streak and improve to 4-18 on the road. It was their largest victory of the season. Atlanta shot a season-low 34%. Trae Young had 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting. BULLS 122, SPURS 116 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 16 rebounds and Chicago overcame a career-high 30 points from Tre Jones to past San Antonio with Spurs rookie star Victor Wembanyama sitting out. Wembanyama did not play the second game of a back-to-back. The Spurs continue to proceed cautiously with the No. 1 pick following a sprained ankle last month. Keldon Johnson had 26 points for San Antonio. PELICANS 118, MAVERICKS 108 DALLAS (AP) — Rookie Jordan Hawkins scored a season-high 34 points and New Orleans beat Dallas in a game in which most of both teams’ regular starters weren’t in uniform. Herb Jones scored 15 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and a 12 rebounds for the Pelicans, who split a back-to-back after losing at Denver 125113 on Friday night. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 33 points with six assists.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, January 15, 2024, PAGE 19
VJ Edgecombe commits to Baylor University By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net THE Bears Nation will have to make room for Bimini native Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe who committed to Baylor University last night. The top five prospect narrowed down his long list of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One recruiters to three teams which included Duke and Kentucky but ultimately Baylor impressed the senior the most. The 6-foot-5 guard, who currently attends Long Island Lutheran High School, made his announcement during the Hoophall Classic which was broadcasted on ESPN. After visiting the final three top basketball schools, Edgecombe’s highly-anticipated decision came down to basketball culture. “Baylor has a winning culture, a great staff and head coach. Coach Drew is a genuine person. He has built an incredible programme.” he told ESPN reporters. “There was a deep connection with Baylor. They have a strong foundation of faith, and there was also a spiritual connection. That was important to me,” he continued. With the latest commitment from the Bimini
KAI JONES
FROM PAGE 20 (NBA) roster, will prove to be a viable option as the senior men’s team will not include the prowess of Eric Gordon, Deandre Ayton
SPORTS NOTES
FROM PAGE 20 Tuesday CI Gibson Gymnasium at 4 pm - SC McPherson vs DW Davis junior girls and boys. DW Davis Gymnasium at 4 pm - RM Bailey vs CI Gibson senior girls and boys. Wednesday CI Gibson at 4 pm Anatol Rodgers vs AF Adderley junior girls and boys. DW Davis Gymnasium at 4 pm - CR Walker vs Government High senior girls and boys. Thursday CI Gibson at 4 pm - LW Young vs TA Thompson junior girls and boys. DW Davis Gymnasium at 4 pm - CI Gibson vs CC Sweeting senior boys. Friday CI Gibson at 4 pm CH Reeves vs DW Davis junior girls and boys. DW Davis Gymnasium at 4 pm - CV Bethel vs Anatol Rodgers senior girls and boys. BASKETBALL BAISS ACTION The Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools will continue its basketball regular season this week with the following games on tap: Today at 4 pm Senior boys - Kingsway Academy at Jordan Prince Williams; Charles W Saunders at St John’s Colelge; St Andrew’s School at Bahamas Academy; Nassau Christian Academy at Aquinas College. Tuesday at 4 pm Senior girls - St Augustine’s College at St Andrew’s School; Jordan Prince Williams vs St John’s College. Junior boys - St Augustine’ College at Kingsway Academy; Bahamas Academy at Jordan Prince Williams; Aquinas College at Queen’s College; St Anne’s at St Andrew’s; Nassau Christian Academy at St John’s.
native, Baylor’s 2024 recruiting class skyrocketed from no.24 overall into the top 10. Edgecombe along with five-star prospect Jason Asemota and four-star point guard Robert Wright III all favoured the Bears Nation, making a Big 12 title push a possibility for the men’s basketball programme in the near future. The 2023 Tribune Junior Male Athlete of the Year turned in a dominant performance at the second edition of the Hoopfest in Paradise High School Tournament last December. In his homecoming, the high school phenom helped the Crusaders to leave the tourney with a 2-0 unblemished record. The Crusaders first collected a 81-68 win against the Mater Dei Catholic High School after the top prospect dropped a gamehigh 30 points. The team then defeated the Riviera Preparatory School 83-50. Egdecombe had 25 points in the win and averaged 27.5 points in the competition. The 18-year old was named the 2022-23 Player of the Year for the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC). During this period, his team boasted a stellar 10-2 win/loss record while he turned in a team-high 17.3 points per game, 5.3
BIMINI native Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe committed to Baylor University and Bears Nation last night. rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals. He was also impeccable at the Sportradar Showdown in Las Vegas last summer where he averaged 21.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Earlier in January, the athletic guard
almost put together a triple double with his 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists performance against La Lumiere (Indiana) which resulted in a win. The future is bright, not only for Baylor University who reeled in their fourth
straight five-star prospect, but also for the Bimini native, the programme’s highest ranked commitment since Isaiah Austin from the 2012 class. The top high school senior will join his NCAA Divison one team in the fall.
and Chavano “Buddy” Hield. The trio that led Team Bahamas to the FIBA Qualifying Tournament are currently playing in NBA games. Additionally, the two games will be void of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
players, who are also in the midst of collegiate action. Following the first window in February, there will be two remaining windows scheduled for November 2024 and February 2025. The top three teams of the qualifiers will move on to the FIBA AmeriCup
2025 slated to be hosted at the Alexis Argüello Sports Centre in Managua, Nicaragua. As for Jones, this will be an opportunity for him to rebound after a questionable NBA offseason which saw him request a trade that ultimately resulted in him being waived by the
Hornets team. In FIBA competition, Jones last averaged 18 points per game, eight rebounds on 60 per cent shooting from the field. Team Bahamas is hopeful to have a good showing and the support of Bahamians in the first window next month.
Wednesday at 4 pm Senior boys - St Augustine’s College at Charles W Saunders; St John’s College at Queen’s College; Kingsway Academy at St Anne’s; Aquinas College at Jordan Prince Williams; Nassau Christian Academy at Bahamas Academy. Junior girls - Queen’s College at Aquinas College. Thursday at 4 pm Senior girls - Kingsway Academy at St Augustine’s College; Queen’s College at Aquinas College. Junior boys - St Augustine’s College at Temple Christian Academy; St John’s at Bahamas Academy; Nassau Christian Academy at Queen’s College; Aquinas College at Charles W. Saunders and St Anne’s at Kingsway Academy. Friday at 4 pm Senior boys - St Augustine’s College at Nassau Christian Academy; Kingsway Academy at St Andrew’s School; Jordan Prince Williams at Bahamas Academy; Charles W Saunders at Aquinas College. Junior girls - Queen’s College at St John’s College. VOLLEYBALL NPVA ACTION The New Providence Volleyball Assocation will continue its regular season action this week at the DW Davis Gymnasium with just games being played on Wednesday at the Davis Gymnasium. In the ladies’; opener at 7:30 pm, the Panthers will take on the Lady Techs and in the men’s feature contest at pm, the Intruders will face the Warhawks. No games will be played on Friday or Sunday. MD – Temple Christian School vs Hillcrest Academy. PG – Freedom Baptist Academy vs Temple Christian School. PG – C. W. Sawyer Primary vs Freedom Baptist Academy. PM – Temple Christian School vs Hillcrest Academy. JB – Jordan Prince William vs Teleos Christian
School. JB – Akhepran International Academy vs Freedom Baptist Academy. SB – Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy vs Boost Academy. AD – Teleos Christian School vs St. John’s College. BASKETBALL BSAA ACTION The Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association will continue its basketball regular season action this week with games played every day at the Hope Center’s Michael ‘Scooter’ Ried Basketball Corts, with the following games on tap; Monday’s schedule, starting at 4 pm MD– Hillcrest Academy vs Teleos Christian School. MD – Temple Christian School vs Queen’s College. PB – Temple Christian School vs Jordan Prince William A. PB – Jordan Prince William B vs Kingsway Academy. SMD – Queen’s College vs ISBET. JB – Greenville Preparatory Academy vs Teleos Christian School. SB – Boost Academy vs Akhepran International Academy. AD – Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy vs Teleos Christian School. Tuesday’s schedule, starting at 4 pm MD – Queen’s College vs Hillcrest Academy. PB – Hillcrest Academy vs Genesis Academy. PB – Jordan Prince William A vs Queen’s College. SMD – Teleos Christian School vs Queen’s College. JG– Achiever’s Christian Academy vs St. John’s College. JB – Teleos Christian School vs Freedom Baptist Academy. SB – Teleos Christian School vs Boost Academy. SB – Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy vs Genesis Academy. Wednesday’s schedule, starting at 4 pm MD – C. W. Sawyer Primary School vs Hillcrest Academy. PG – Sandilands Primary School vs Teleos Christian School. PB – Genesis Academy vs Temple Christian School. JB – Teleos Christian
School vs Greenville Preparatory Academy. JB – Jordan Prince William vs Achiever’s Christian Academy. JB – ISBET vs Akhepran International Academy. INT – ISBET vs Teleos Christian School. SB – Akhepran International Academy vs Genesis Academy. Thursday’s schedule, starting at 4 pm JG – C. W. Saunders vs Achiever’s Christian Academy. JB – Teleos Christian School vs Achiever’s Christian Academy. JB
– Freedom Baptist Academy vs Greenville Preparatory Academy. JB – ISBET vs Jordan Prince William. SB – Akhepran International Academy vs Boost Academy. SB – Genesis Academy vs Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy. SB – Greenville Preparatory Academy vs Teleos Christian School. AD – Akhepran International Academy vs St. John’s College.
MARATHON BAHAMAS FROM PAGE 20
Ocho Rios, Jamaica in 20.51 with fourth place overall. There was also a relay component with GBPA Sprinters out-distancing the rest of the field with their victory in 3:53.55. The team called Run Now, Wine Later got second in 3:55.12 and Snooze Control came in third in 4:09.20. Persons from all walks of life participated in the event, which this time around, combined all of the races to be staged on Sunday. One of those persons who participated and finished second in her age group in the 5k race was tennis coach and fitness guru Marion Bain. “I always wanted to do the run, but it’s usually cold and so this year I felt I could tolerate the cold a lot better and so I sucked it up and went for it,” Bain said. “It was great for the first time. I went out with the younger kids and then I let them go and I did my own pace. I can’t wait for the next 5K.” After putting the event on the back burner for the two years of COVID19 in 2020 and 2022 and still uncertain about the efforts of the pandemic in 2023, Sunshine Insurance founder and race organiser Sir Franklyn Wilson said they were just happy to bring the event back for its 14th edition. “It was nothing short of amazing,” Wilson said. “When we started the planning, it was very difficult to plan. “Today, the standard of the event has been nothing short of phenomenal. The spirit here and the camaraderie that we experienced gives us the incentive to continue to put on the event.” A large group of guests from Sandals attended the event. Also in attendance were Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell as well as Janet Bostwick, the first female Member of Parliament and the first female Acting Prime Minister under the Free National Movement government. The event was held to honour the lives of the cancer survivors and Garrette Bowe was recognised for one month. “It’s a great experience. It’s an honour to be around cancer survivors who have been in this fight longer than I have,” Bowe said. “I am really grateful to see how they are living through this experience and I hope to one day be able to tell others about how I have survived.”
SPORTS PAGE 20
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2024
Marathon Bahamas returns By BRENT TUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
A
s Marathon Bahamas returned to the local calendar after a three-year hiatus, Yusheng Ni, Yunelis Lightbourn, Kemar Leslie, Tracey Eckert, Lisa Bostwick-Dean and Matthew McGuire all inked their names in the 14th edition of the event yesterday. Ni, who resides in Western Washington, took the gruelling 26.2-mile race in the full marathon in two hours, 52 minutes and 26 seconds. Chris Calimano out of Staten Island, New York, was second in 3:05.23 and Ralph Peterson from Roslyn, New York, was third in 3:16.40.
Speaking very little English, Chinese native Ni said while this was his first time in the Bahamas, he will also cherish the trip here because he won the marathon. It was the 359th marathon that he had run in his 74th country he visited to compete, but there was nothing like the Bahamas. “The course was very beautiful, running along the shores of the sea,” said Ni through his telephone interpreter. “It was very cool here and the spectators on both sides of the course were very enthusiastic, shouting and cheering.” Against that backdrop, Ni said he was hoping to eclipse his personal best time of 2:43, but he fell short in the race that
started and finished at Long Wharf after taking a trail out on the western side of the island. Lightbourn, the first Bahamian to cross the finish line in fourth place overall, won the women’s category in 3:22.32. The second female finisher was Agnieszka Bubolz out of St Louis, New Orleans, in 3:55.56 and Kristina Klein from Dulles, Virginia was third in 4:19.06. An exhausted Lightbourn said the pain was worth the thrill of victory. “The weather wasn’t too bad, although it’s been humid. The sun is out and it was a little cool, so it wasn’t that bad. I’m happy with my results too,” she said. “It’s definitely better in the Bahamas because it
was my best time ever and I qualified again for the Boston Marathon, I did it in 2021. I may go back. I will see. It’s always an amazing experience. It’s a challenge.” In the half-marathon, Leslie emerged as the overall champion, taking the men’s title in 1:22.38. Matthew Johnson out of Ontario, Canada was second in 1:31.49 and Grand Bahamian Keitrell Hanna was the first Bahamian, placing third in 1:31.59. Eckert, eighth overall, took the bragging rights as she took the women’s title with her to Fort Lauderdale, Florida with her winning time of 1:44.08. Amal Mheddebi of Angers, France, 13th overall, was the second
finisher in 1:51.12 and Sara Schaefer of Boise, Idaho, 17th overall, was third in 1:54.29. The first Bahamian finisher was Barbara Kiraly, who was 32nd overall in 2:02.40. The 5-kilometre race was won by a female as Bostwick-Dean took the tape in 20.31. Second place went to McGuire out of Plattsburgh, New York in 20.32 and Jimmy Semes from Toronto, Canada was third in 20.39. Behind Bostwick-Dean in the women’s category were fellow Bahamians Elliana and Maria Roper in 22.47 and 22.52 for 17th and 19th respectively. The third male finisher was Jack Abel Smith of
SEE PAGE 19
‘Buddy’ scores 16 in loss to Nuggets
VJ, Page 19
ATHLETES COMPETE OVERSEAS By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net ELITE professional hurdler Devynne Charlton, pole vaulter Brenden Vanderpool and quarter-miler Lacarthea Cooper posted victories in their respective events to lead a host of Bahamian athletes over the weekend in various meets around the United States of America. Prelude to World Indoors Charlton, the Bahamas women’s national indoor and outdoor high hurdles record holder, cleared her way to victory at the Rod McCrary Memorial Track and Field Meet at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Representing Puma, Charlton took the tape in the 60m hurdles in 7.88 seconds, holding of Kentucky’s graduate Masai Russell, competing unattached, who was second in 7.89. Rayniah James was third in
SEE PAGE 16
BLTA: FOUR CHAMPIONS CROWNED By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
INDIANA Pacers guard Buddy Hield, right, drives past Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game yesterday in Denver. Hield contributed 16 points with two steals. SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 18 (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
SPORTS CALENDAR
Jan. 2024
Saturday’s schedule at Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium - 7pm - Discount Distributors Rockets vs Mekaddish Millionaires (DII). 8pm - TMT Giants vs Brandon Deli Kings (D1). 9pm - Island Development Rebels vs Discount Liquors Rockets (D1). BASKETBALL GSSSA ACTION THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association will continue its regular season action this week at both the CI Gibson and DW Davis Gymnasiums. Here’s a look at the schedule of games: Today CI Gibson Gymnasium at 4pm - TA Thompson vs HO Nash junior girls and boys. DW Davis Gymnasium at 4pm Dame Doris Johnson vs CV Bethel senior girls and boys.
SEE PAGE 19
SEE PAGE 16
KAI JONES TO PLAY FOR BAHAMAS IN FIRST WINDOW OF AMERICUP QUALIFIERS By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
BASKETBALL NPBA ACTION THE New Providence Basketball Association will continue its regular season action this week with the following games on tap: Tonight’s schedule at CI Gibson Gymnasium - 7:30pm - Mekaddish Millionaires vs Your Essential Store (DII). 8:30pm - Commonwealth Bank Giants vs TMT Giants (D1). Wednesday’s schedule at CI Gibson Gymnasium - 7:30pm - Javon Medical Shockers vs Cyber Tech Blue Marlins (DII). 8:30pm - Zula Media & Symphony vs Sand Dollar High Flyers (D1). Friday’s schedule at Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium - 7pm - Your Essential Store vs BIBT Grat Whites (DII). 8pm - University of the Bahamas Mingoes vs Zula Media & Symphony (D1); 9pm - Caro Contractors Shockers vs Commonwealth Bank Giants (D1).
FOUR champions got a perfect start to their year at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) under-14 and under-16 New Year’s tournament hosted at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) over the weekend. Briana Houlgrave and Breann Ferguson earned bragging rights for the U14 and U16 divisions respectively in girls’ singles action. Meanwhile, Patrick Mactaggart and William McCartney got the job done for the boys’ singles in the U14 and U16 categories. Houlgrave, who won last year’s U14 girls division, got the victory once again at the New Year’s Tournament against the second ranked Caitlyn Pratt. The first seeded Houlgrave made it look easy
THE Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team will have a familiar face join the fold for the first window of their FIBA (International Basketball Federation) AmeriCup 2025 quest. Kai Jones, who previously played for the Charlotte Hornets, has committed to play for The Bahamas against Puerto Rico in the first window of the qualifiers next month in a home and away game, according to 10th Year Seniors. The news was first released by the aforementioned over the weekend on their various social media platforms. “Kai Jones has committed to play for Team
KAI JONES Bahamas against Puerto Rico in the first window of the AmeriCup qualifiers,” 10th Year Seniors post stated. The news was confirmed by the Bahamian big man who reposted the initial post on his Instagram story on Friday with the caption “Goat Life” followed
by some arbitrary emojis. Additionally, national team coach Moses Johnson confirmed the revelation. Team Bahamas will first play Puerto Rico on Thursday, February 22 in an away game at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico at 7:10pm Eastern Time. The national team will return home and face the same team on Sunday, February 25 at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium. The game is slated to begin at 8:10pm Eastern time. The Bahamas will have their work cut out as they are grouped along with the United States of America, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Jones, who is currently not a part of a National Basketball Association
SEE PAGE 19