03302023 NEWS AND SPORT

Where Will they go?

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HaITIaN pastors asked

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis on Tuesday night to delay shanty town demolition plans and show compassion for the people in those communities.

Haitian Charge d’affaires louis Harold Joseph told The Tribune he helped organise the closed-door meeting at the National Training agency on Gladstone road to discuss issues ranging from shanty town action to the

Haitian pastors call for compassion and delay in demolition courier firms barred as taxes left unpaid

instability in Haiti. The meeting, featuring more than 30 Haitian pastors, came amid signs the government is moving to disrupt shanty town communities.

last week, Defence Force officers served residents in unregulated communities in SC Bottle Highway, abaco, with notices of an upcoming Supreme Court hearing connected to the government’s plans to demolish shanty town structures. according to a summons the Office of the attorney

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Several courier companies have been temporarily barred from clearing imported shipments over their failure to pay up to “seven figures” in due taxes to the Government, a top official confirmed last night.

Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, described the situation with the industry as “an ongoing problem” given that operators can quickly build up substantial tax arrears due to the high volume of goods they are

clearing on a daily basis. Given that couriers are effectively monies provided by their clients to pay due taxes on trust, he told Tribune Business the Ministry of Finance and Department of Inland revenue “don’t look very favourably” on those who either fail to pay in full, on time or are guilty of both offences.

Describing some firms as “repeat offenders, Mr Wilson did not identify the culprits, or give specific figures for the sums involved for some have run into ‘seven figures’ or millions of dollars.

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THe government will toughen up the requirements to obtain licensed firearms, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said yesterday - including testing requiring the owners to show they can safely use the weapons. He was responding to questions about whether people should be allowed

to more easily get weapons to defend themselves.

“We are now looking at the issuance of weapons

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

SHe was displaced in Grand Bahama after Hurricane Matthew, forced from abaco by Hurricane Dorian, and furloughed in New Providence at the height of the COvID-19 pandemic.

Now, the weekend fire in Bimini that destroyed her apartment and belongings is the latest misfortune that has Sirrisa Coyle wondering, “why me?”

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

a BIMINI mother whose son was beaten to the point of bruising said she warned school administrators not to beat him on his hip because his “kidney is in his pelvis”. Davaria Sherman said when she registered her now 11-year-old son at the Bimini Primary School, she told school administrators about her son’s condition.

rules front p orcH

to anybody,” he said. “I’ll give you a starting example of what we are looking to change. We have between 20k or 30k licences for shotguns and rifles. I have a shotgun, I have a rifle. I obtained those about tenodd years ago. I wasn’t able to prove to the licensing authority that I can safely use either of them. Periodically, annually or every two years, I’m not required to prove that I can still safely

rci a bad deal but bay s treet needs to be revitalised page eigH t

‘How MucH more can i bear?’

‘Don’t beat my son on His Hip’

‘Don’t beat my son on his hip’

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“He has pelvic kidney,” she said, a condition where one or both kidneys do not move into their proper position when a baby is developing during pregnancy.

“Under any circumstance, he is not to get hit on his hip,” she said. “So when I heard him complaining about pain and stuff, I examined his hip and I saw all the bruises on both sides of his hip and that’s when I got concerned.”

She said after the beating, a doctor on Bimini examined him and told her to pay close attention to her son.

“The doctor,” she said, “just told me to give him medication, to check his urine, make sure there’s no blood in the urine and to check for fever and vomiting.”

She said her son has not shown signs of internal damage after the beating and is scheduled to be examined by an American doctor next month as part of his regular routine.

However, she said the episode caused her to seek counseling and left her eager for the results of the police investigation into the incident, which sparked debate about corporal punishment in The Bahamas.

National Security Minister Wayne Monroe has said he is awaiting a report from

police on the matter.

Ms Sherman, who shared photos with The Tribune of the bruising, said her son’s bottom was “red and purple over the entire hip”.

“I didn’t let him go to school the following day,” she said. “He was kinda embarrassed as well because they got beaten in front of the entire school for something as simple as talking during break time. I feel like the officer belittled them too. He even used curse words, obscene language, telling them he don’t beat, he does cutass, just speaking down on the kids.”

Shane Rolle-Deveaux, the mother of a six-year-old boy who was also beaten, said she found out about the incident while bathing her child.

“It was like lumpy where he hit him and you could see the lump inside it because when I show the lady from Social Services, she said, ‘oh look at the lumps’,” she said.

Ms Rolle-Deveaux fears the matter will be swept under the rug.

“I feel like nothing coming out of that — that’s how I feel,” she said. “They’re going to throw that under the rug. Furthermore, the police didn’t want to take anyone’s statement from here. That’s why they had to wait for someone out of Freeport to come down and take our statements.”

Davaria Sherman, mother of the 11-year-old who was among the childn beaten by an officer at school in Bimini said she warned school administrators not to beat him on his hip because his “kidney is in his pelvis”. Pictured here is the bruise he got from the beating.

Shane rolle-Deveaux, the mother of a six-year-old boy who was also beaten, said she found out about the incident while bathing her child and finding this ‘lumpy’ bruise. She fears that nothing will come of the investigation.

General filed last month, the government is seeking to demolish 555 shanty town structures in New Providence and Abaco that were allegedly built in defiance of a previous Supreme Court order by Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson.

Bishop Celiner St Louis, the pastor of Gospel Assembly, said Haitian pastors told Mr Davis they want the government to slow down so people can find regulated places to live.

“Haiti is not settled, Haiti has so much problems,” he said in an interview. “For the shanty town, I know since 1948 when Haitians came to Nassau, we always lived on shanty towns. “You can’t find no house to rent. We can’t even find house to live. We get a work permit. We get a permanent residence. We get a Bahamian passport. We cannot find a place to live. But I don’t think it makes sense for the government to not build nothing, but to destroy shanty towns.”

He added: “Last night, we asked them for forgiveness, for compassion. Compassion mean, when you can do something Monday, we give you more time to set up myself before you do what you seek out to do. Compassion for

shanty town for right now is very hard, that’s what I tell them last night. (It’s) very hard right now, (but) we don’t have no place to live.”

“If you have 200 Haitians living in one shanty town,

if you break that, where

these people could go?”

Asked how long Haitian leaders want the government to suspend its plans to demolish shanty towns, Pastor St Louis could not say.

He said leaders are encouraging people here illegally to “buy their ticket and go back home” to take the pressure off struggling legal residents.

“That’s the only thing we could really do,” he said.

As for legal residents in shanty town communities, he said: “So many people looking for house to rent, but can’t find any.”

In an interview with Eyewitness News on Tuesday night, Mr Davis said he

Where will they go? Haitan pastors ask PM Victim of Bimini Blaze: How mucH more can i Bear?

told pastors the government would not “deal with one problem” by creating another one.

“I think all their concerns about this is that due process and (a) humane approach is taken,” he said.

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The 43-year-old mother-of-three and her 17-month-old baby are two of 22 people displaced by Sunday’s fire, which ripped through the Porgy Bay settlement.

Most victims said they are coping reasonably with the fire’s destructive aftermath.

But Ms Coyle said the fire has shaken her, a feeling she knows all too well.

“How many times do you start over?” she tearfully asked in an interview with The Tribune . “I just wonder when I say these things, do people think that I’m careless or something? I’m not starting over at my age because I made poor decisions. I’m starting over because of circumstances. I didn’t ask for these things to happen. I had no control over COVID and being furloughed. I had this awesome job at a law firm and then, boom, I got sent home.

“I only got that awesome job at a law firm because I got displaced from Abaco because of Dorian, and I had just gotten a job before Dorian. I had just started working on Guana Cay a mere month before Dorian, so it’s like, why does this keep happening?

My story is weird. I’m sitting here and I’m overwhelmed because it’s like, water, disease, fire. And then after (Hurricane) Matthew, I got displaced. I used to live in Freeport for 19 years. I worked as a flight attendant during 911. Christ, you people

even know what I’ve already been through? I don’t want to see anymore. It’s a lot. You keep seeing these images and people are devastated and I just want to see something happy.”

“People just assume that I’m this happy fourth-grade teacher and it’s so much more than that. I’m terrified. I’m so scared. It’s so scary. How many times do you come so close? I’m starting to feel like, is this something that’s following me? I don’t know how I’m coping. When people ask me that, I try to avoid it because I don’t know. Honestly, I’m trying my best. That’s why I went to work after the fire. They were like, you should take compassionate leave, you should take some time off. And do what? Do exactly what I’m doing? I’ll sit down and I’ll think about it and it seems surreal. It’s like, how is she still alive?”

Authorities are still determining the cause of Sunday’s fire, which began around 5am. With no functional firefighting equipment, Bimini residents banded together to fight the blaze with water hoses and buckets of water drawn from the sea.

Ms Coyle and her daughter were not home when the fire started, but she can’t help but wonder what would have happened if they were. As a teacher at Bimini Primary School, her job there is her first teaching post. She said the fire disrupted her just as she was adjusting to life on the island.

“It was very hard to find a place to live and then finding this place and settling in and I just had my brother come last week and put this little hanger up by the door, you know, to signify that this is home, like this is the final little perch, like when you put your little homely touch on a place,” she said. “Literally and figuratively to watch it go up in smoke was tough because it was so hard to find a place to work and then I found Ellis Cottage and they made me feel like family.”

After Hurricane Dorian forced her from Abaco, Ms Coyle thought she found a dream job at a law firm, but she was furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said she was forced to repay the company when she returned to work, pushing her to leave the job and enter education. Before that, her 19 years in Grand Bahama came to an end when Hurricane Matthew destroyed her home.

“I know they say that things keep repeating until you learn the lesson, and I’m just trying to figure out what I’m supposed to get from all of these experiences,” she said. “It’s just getting to be a little bit overwhelming now because even when I think to myself, God only gives these trials as tests to the strongest, I don’t think I’m the strongest person I know and yet somehow I’ve had to overcome so much, so that’s overwhelming.”

Ms Coyle isn’t sure what her next move will be.

SirriSa Coyle has dealt with more than a fair amount of disasters in her life, and last Sunday’s fire in Bimini was yet another misfortune to come her way. The latest trial has left her overwhelmed and wondering what to do now.

“In the short term, I’m going to try and leave as soon as possible because I don’t feel well,” she said.

In the meantime, she is looking for a silver lining in her story.

“People keep telling me that I’ll have this testimony that will help people, but I don’t know how much it has helped me to talk about it,” she said.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks with pastors and leaders of the Haitian community at a closed-door meeting to discuss issues affecting their community. Photos: OPm

The Prime Minister heard from pastors and leaders of the Haitian community, as they asked for compassion and to delay the demolition of shnaty towns. They also discussed other matters including the ongoing crisis in Haiti.

Bell says we must be diligent on citizenship applications

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AFTER Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder criticised the lengthy delays people encounter in response to their citizenship applications, Immigration Minister Keith Bell defended the process yesterday, stressing the need for due diligence.

Sir Ian discussed the matter during a lecture at the Eugene Dupuch Law School on Thursday of last week.

“There is absolutely no lawful justification why these applications ought to take years and in some cases decades to be processed,” he said. “Such interactions leave a bitter taste and often hinder these Bahamians from fully embracing their Bahamian identity when their applications are eventually approved.”

Mr Bell, however,

defended the system.

“The reality is, The Bahamas is a sovereign state,” he told reporters after a press conference about an upcoming job fair.

“Everyone has a right to his or her opinion, albeit the Chief Justice, he is the dispenser of justice and the determiner of our laws.

The reality is though, for our country where we have a very significant influx of persons into our country and not just from Haiti, not just from Cuba, not just from Jamaica, but all over the world, persons applying for citizenship or persons who are born in The Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents, we have to ensure that immigration does its due diligence.”

“In many instances, the delay is not necessarily the fault of immigration alone. We have to ensure that documents which are submitted are authenticated, we have to ensure that we get our

birth certificates, we know that there is significant fraud, there are persons taking on the identification of other persons we’ve had the cases. As a matter of

MUNROE: WE’LL TOUGHEN GUN LICENCE RULES

fact, I have three cases on my desk right now.”

“This is our birthright. We want to ensure that we would have done everything we possibly can to

ensure that we are given the right persons citizenship to our country.”

Mr Bell said the government should not give itself a timeline to respond to

citizenship applications.

“We’re talking about citizenship,” he said. “We’re not talking about something else. It is nothing to be taken lightly.”

‘Owning any firearm is a real responsibility and having the wrong attitude in owning it would be problematic and so, of course, care is issued when licences are issued for any class of firearm.’

Wayne Munroe speaking yesterday.

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use them. We intend to change that.

“A handgun, a shotgun, and a rifle is a lethal weapon and so we’re gonna be concerned that the persons who we give permission to own them, to possess them, have sufficient knowledge to safely use them when they get them and to continue to safely use them going forward.”

“Owning any firearm is a real responsibility and having the wrong attitude in owning it would be problematic and so, of course, care is issued when licences are issued for any class of firearm.

Mr Munroe later told The Tribune people should have to take lessons on how to handle a firearm before they obtain a licence.

According to the Firearms Act, the Commissioner of Police can grant a gun licence if satisfied the

applicant is a fit and proper person to receive the weapon. The law further states: “Provided that a licence shall not be granted to a person whom the Commissioner has reason to believe to be prohibited by this Act from possessing a gun to which this Part of this Act applies, or to be of intemperate habits or unsound mind, or to be for any reason unfitted to be entrusted with such a gun.”

IMMIGRATION Minister Keith Bell yesterday.

Photo: Moise Amisial

‘We’re talking about citizenship. We’re not talking about something else. It is nothing to be taken lightly.’

Photo: Moise Amisial

Sweeting denies stall vendor claim of victimisation; reviewing issue

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN says the government is forcing her to give up her only source of income: her stall at Potter’s Cay Dock.

Karesia Darling, the owner of Island Vibes Restaurant and Bar, says she has been given 14 days to cease operating by the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources. She said: “This is how I make my money. This is how I take care of my family. How could you as the ministry say that after 14 days you want me to vacate? Where do you intend for me to go?”

The ministry assigned Ms Darling stall #21 in 2019, according to a March 12, 2019, letter signed by Permanent Secretary Linda Moxey-Bain. However, on March 20,

2023, Ms Darling received a letter from the ministry indicating she must return the stall to its original owner, Dwayne Rahming. The letter said she has 14 days to cease operations at the booth.

Ms Darling said she was subleasing from Mr Rahming before she was declared stall owner in 2019.

During a press conference yesterday, Wendi Constantine, president of the Bahamas Dock and Allied Venues Vendors Association (BDAVVA), said the union supports Ms Darling, adding the quarrel is over a “misunderstanding”.

“We do think it’s strange that she’s the only one (being forced to give up their stall), but then again, we’re thinking that somehow that the minister might have gotten some conflicting information as it relates to her story. That’s why

we’re trying to get clarity,” she said.

However, in a statement, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting denied Ms Darling is being victimised.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs is not in the business of destroying the livelihood of hard-working Bahamians,” he said. “In relation to stall 21, ministry officials have met with the occupant of the stall and informed her of a legal issue — an issue that has been ongoing over the last three years.”

“Ministry officials have found that due process was not followed in relation to the ownership of the stall. The matter is currently under review and will be referred to the Office of the Attorney General.”

Wendi Constantine, President of the Bahamas Dock Vendors and Allied Venue Vendors Association (BDAVVA), says they are seeking clarification on why only Karesia Darling is being forced to give up her stall at Potter’s Cay Dock. Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Clay Sweeting denies claims that it is victimisation, noting that ‘the matter is currently under review and will be referred to the Office of the Attorney General.’

Casuarina Bridge opens Bringing residents of e ast grand Bahama some relief

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Casuarina Bridge reopened yesterday to the relief of many residents who live “Over the Bridge” and in East Grand Bahama. The Lucaya Service Company (LUSCO) has advised that construction work will continue on the bridge, and only vehicles of five tons or less should utilise the bridge. Trucks in excess of five tons are directed to the Sir Jack Hayward Bridge to access all eastern island properties. The company apologised for any inconvenience and thanked the motoring public for their patience as they continue with the

necessary construction repairs.

In early March, a concerned resident raised concerns over the long delay of repairs and demanded answers on

when work would be completed there.

Initial repairs began in November 2021, and was estimated to be a 30-day project. However, the constant openings and

on right) said the meeting was productive and provided residents an opportunity to voice their concerns to the relevant authorities.

closures left residents frustrated.

East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson had also expressed concerns over the lack of lighting in the area.

On Tuesday, LUSCO held a town meeting with

the affected residents to inform them of developments and updates concerning the repairs to the bridge.

Charisse Brown, CEO of LUSCO and the GB

Development Company, attended the meeting. MP Thompson said the meeting was productive and provided residents an opportunity to voice their concerns to the relevant authorities.

east Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson (standing

Charisse Bro W n, CEO of LUSCO and the GB Development Company spoke at the meeting.

The Tribune Limited

he size of our climate fight

WHEN our leaders talk about the impact our nation has suffered from the impacts of major storms, it can sometimes be hard to get an idea of the scale of the blows we have suffered.

A new report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) gives an idea of that – and shows that our concern is far from misplaced.

Compared to other Caribbean countries over the past 20 years, we have suffered almost three times as much when it comes to losses related to hurricanes, or economic damage.

We can name the storms in that period – their names are scars upon our history, some of which have left permanent scars in our landscape. Dorian. Matthew. Nicole. Joaquin. Irma. The list goes on.

The bank has even put a price tag on what it has cost us - $6.7bn. That is more than half our gross domestic product. By comparison, Jamaica’s tally stands at 17 percent. Barbados sits at just two percent.

Imagine all that money back in our economy – the difference it might make both at a national and a personal level.

That of course is just taking into account the financial cost. There is a much more personal cost – the lives of those we have lost.

And those costs will only become more frequent, according to predictions. A once-a-century storm is now once every 25 years.

So there is good reason for us to be at the front of the queue, demanding to be heard. We need to be at the forefront of this fight because this is our fight.

Equally as we thank the IDB for providing this information – a weapon we can use in our battle for greater equality and to push for global action – we

should listen to the advice that goes with it.

The bank suggests improvements to our building code and planning regulations – and particularly an update that would better handle zoning and the risks that go with it.

We need to better consider and more zealously protect ourselves when it comes to land use – there is no point complaining that we suffer from storm damage if we allow buildings to be placed right in the path of a storm surge, or fail to adequately plan for flood plains and so on.

This report is a timely reminder that while we fight the bigger battles on the global stage, there are issues we can deal with right here at home that can help to make a difference.

If we are serious about the larger fight, we must also pay attention to the smaller one.

Gun safety

We must applaud Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe for a good idea – better control of firearms that are legally held. These can be deadly instruments, as we too often see – but even for legally held ones there is merit in exploring the idea that those who wish to own them ought to be properly trained.

It is also fair to ask that any such weapons are safely secured – for personal safety and to prevent their theft.

It is early in the planning it would seem of such rules, so it may be some time before we see the full details – but anything that makes our society safer is to be applauded. And sensible gun owners ought to support safer practices.

King David and LGBTQ members

EDITOR,

I KNOW that from a legal perspective, a dead person cannot be defamed or slandered. This is the position of the judicial system in the United States.

Yet it bothers me that the character of the Old Testament King David, who has been dead now for nearly three millennia, continues to be defamed by members of the LGBTQ community in The Bahamas.

According to them, David and Johnathan were homosexual lovers. This was implied by Mr Natino Thompson on Beyond the Headlines with host Shenique Miller and panelist Cassius Stuart.

By adamantly asserting that this ancient king of Israel was a homosexual, LGBTQ members are apparently looking to give biblical validation to their sexual orientation with their customary biblical hermeneutics.

I will start by stating that had David been a practising homosexual, he would’ve been executed, as prescribed by the Old Testament Mosaic penal code in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. Old Testament scholars have stated that the practice of homosexuality was unheard of in Israel during the time of David, who was a heterosexual polygamist, as I will document below. In 1 Samuel 18:1, it reads that the soul of Johnathan, son of King Saul, was knit to the soul of David; and that he loved him as his own soul. Two chapters later in 20:42, both men kissed each other at the stone Ezel.

Yet this was customary in ancient times. In 2 Corinthians 13:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:26, Paul admonished the churches to greet one another with a holy kiss. There was nothing sexual about this ancient custom. Even in recent times men engaged in practices we in the twentieth-first century would automatically view suspiciously. Abraham Lincoln shared the same bed as a traveling attorney with his male assistants, according to Dr Kevin DeYoung of Christ Covenant Church in North Carolina. Ironically, King James I of Scotland,

who sanctioned the publication of the Authorised Version in 1604, was also posthumously slandered in similar fashion by one Anthony Weldon, who wrote a paper in 1650 accusing James of being gay. As is the case with King David and his Bahamian LGBTQ false accusers today, King James was not alive to defend his name. In Acts

13:22, Paul said that David was a man after God’s own heart, something a former strict Pharisee wouldn’t have said had David been a homosexual.

Moreover, in 1 Kings

15:12, it says King Asa banished the male Sodomites from Israel. Ironically, the next verse says that Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord as did David his father -- a statement that would’ve been odd had David been engaging in the same practice as the male shrine prostitutes he expelled. In 1 Kings 22:46, King Jehoshaphat followed in the footsteps of Asa his father by expelling the remaining Sodomites from his territories. Bahamian LGBTQ eisegetes love to reference 2 Samuel 1:26, which records David’s eulogy of the slain Johnathan, stating that his love surpassed the love of women. Dr DeYoung made a shrewd observation about this verse when he said that David, who was married to Johnathan’s sister Michal, was simply saying that Johnathan did far more to assist him as a fugitive from the dangerous King Saul than Michal. When David uttered his eulogy, Michal was the wife of Palti of Gallim (1 Samuel 25:44). David must have felt betrayed by Michal. Furthermore, as a Near East king, David would amass a large harem of wives and concubines in order to ensure that he would have a progeny to inherit his throne. In 1 Samuel 18:27, Michal was given to him as his wife for executing 200 Philistines. In 2 Samuel 3, six of David’s other wives were named: Ahinoam,

Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital and Eglah. In 2 Samuel 5:13, it reads that David took him more wives and concubines. In fact, when fleeing Jerusalem after learning of an attempted coup d’etat by his rebellious son Absolam, David would leave behind ten of his concubines to keep his house (2 Samuel 15:16). In addition to these women, David would marry Bathsheba, wife of Uriah the Hittite in 2 Samuel 11, in addition to a young damsel named Abishag in 1 Kings 1. In all, David may have up between 30 to 40 women in his harem, inclusive of his concubines. Interestingly, David was rightly judged by Yahweh for his adulterous affair with Bathsheba. Why would God judge David for his heterosexual affair with a married woman and not judge him for his homosexual relationship with Johnathan, as Leviticus 18:22 clearly calls for? Bear in mind that both David and Johnathan were married. So even, for the sake of argument, if homosexuality is morally permissible, there’s still the glaring matter of both men cheating on their respective spouses, seeing that the LGBTQ community claims to be a champion of monogamy.

While the Bible goes to great lengths in documenting David’s heterosexual polygamy, it has absolutely nothing to say about any homosexual dalliance he purportedly had with Johnathan. Bahamian LGBTQ eisegetes have to read this homosexual relationship into the biblical text, because it is simply not there. In closing, Mr Thompson would accuse the Beyond the Headlines panelist of not reading.

Yet him implying that King David was a homosexual raises the question of how much of the Bible he has taken the time to read. I would suggest to him to read the Bible without using the lens of Troy Perry and the Metropolitan Community Church.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama, March 29, 2023.

INDONESIAN Muslims perform an evening prayer called ‘tarawih’ marking the first eve of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 22.

Photo: Achmad Ibrahim/AP

$20K Bail granted to man waiting for retrial on QC teaCher’s murder

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN’S bail was reinstated in the Supreme Court yesterday as he awaits retrial for his alleged involvement in the death of a Queen’s College schoolteacher in 2015.

The 24-year-old accused, whose name is being withheld because he was a minor when the initial charges were filed, appeared before Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson for a bail decision on charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and attempted armed robbery.

It is alleged that on November 11, 2015, on Parkgate Road, near the Village Road intersection, the accused lay down in the middle of the road as Queen’s College teacher Joyelle McIntosh was driving in the area. When she stopped, it is said the accused got up and shot her in the neck. The victim then crashed into a nearby wall before dying of her injuries.

It was further alleged that

the victim’s 13-year-old son got out of the vehicle and was also shot at by suspects as he fled.

A retrial was ordered on December 22, 2021, by the Court of Appeal on the basis that the accused’s first confession to being the shooter was made while he was still a minor and not in the presence of his legal guardian or an attorney.

“The evidence against (the third intended appellant), a juvenile and the shooter in the Crown’s case, were two confessions, one of which was given without the presence of his mother or an attorney. The judge below found that confession to be a spontaneous admission. The second confession was given in the presence of a social worker and a pastor as, on the evidence of the police, (the) mother could not be contacted.”

“The court is of the view that the first confession ought not to have been admitted and its admission prejudiced the jury and brings the safety of the conviction into doubt. The circumstances of the case are appropriate for (him)

sentenCed to 15 years for ‘in essenCe a rape offenCe’ with underage girl

to be retried.”

In this same ruling, it was determined that the defendant would be sent to prison as he awaits retrial.

During this same appeal, two of the defendant’s coaccused, Armando Sargent and Johnny Mackey, were acquitted.

After his acquittal, Sargent was himself shot and killed on the intersection of Beatrice Avenue and Charles Saunders Highway in June 2022.

After reviewing his case and taking into consideration his time on remand, Justice Grant-Thompson reinstated the defendant’s bail at $20,000 with three sureties. The defendant is expected to be fitted with an ankle monitor and was ordered to sign in at his local police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 7pm.

The accused was also warned not to interfere with witnesses in this matter and to remain on the island of New Providence.

The accused is expected to return to court for case management on April 4.

bimini poliCe investigate apparent drowning of Cruise ship passenger

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

BIMINI police are investigating the apparent drowning of a male cruise passenger at Ocean Cay on Wednesday.

The victim, a 51-year-old Korean man, was found unresponsive shortly after 1pm at Light House Beach. According to reports, police received information that bystanders pulled a unresponsive male visitor from the waters.

The man was taken back to the ship by a private vehicle. He was seen and examined by the ship’s doctor, who found no signs of life.

Investigations are continuing.

man stabbed at a business in pinder’s point, grand bahama in stable Condition

A MAN convicted of having sex with an underage girl was sentenced to 15 years in prison yesterday, with the justice saying the case was “in essence a rape offence”.

Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson sentenced Walter Gray, 29, after a jury unanimously convicted him on two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor on December 5, 2020.

Gray had sex with a girl he frequently babysat in 2019 and 2020.

During the trial, it was said that the convict allowed the 13-year-old complainant to perform oral sex on him, allegedly at her request in 2019.

Gray, a trusted family friend, had sex with the same girl in 2020 when she was 14.

The girl’s mother pursued legal action against Gray when she found out about the relationship. During the trial, Gray

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to $7,500 bail in court on Wednesday after being accused of having a loaded gun on University Drive earlier this week.

Teko Morley, 29, represented by Kelsey Munroe, stood before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux on charges of possession of

DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

BIMINI police found an illegal firearm wrapped in a towel in the bushes in the Alice Town area this week.

denied the allegations and claimed he was asleep and woke up to find the girl performing oral sex on him in 2019.

The prosecutor, Erica Duncombe-Ingraham, argued he concocted this defence during the trial after admitting to the offence on the record.

After the conviction, the girl’s mother said she did not believe he was remorseful over what he did.

The convict’s probation officer, meanwhile, said Gray’s family believes he is innocent and want him to get a lenient sentence. The probation officer also said Gray’s employers thought he was a good worker and were shocked by his conviction.

The victim testified that she is still recovering from the trauma inflicted on her as a child.

During the sentencing hearing, Gray’s lawyer requested a two-year sentence with a 5-year

an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

According to police reports, at around 4.30am on March 27 outside a building on University Drive, officers found Morley acting in a suspicious manner.

Once authorities stopped and searched the accused, it is said they found a black Ruger 9mm pistol. At the time of his arrest, it is further alleged that Morley

probationary period for his client. He asked for terms that would result in the imprisonment of his client if he breached probation. He asked that his client receive a second chance to re-enter society and help his family as soon as possible.

The prosecutor, however, requested a ten- to 15-year prison sentence.

In making her decision, Justice Grant-Thompson said unlawful sexual intercourse cases are “in essence a rape offence”. In addition to calling Gray’s crime a breach of trust, she said as an adult he should have resisted the sexual advances of a child.

She said she believes the convict is capable of rehabilitation. She said her sentencing decision was made to protect the nation’s youth and to act as a deterrent.

The 159 days Gray spent in remand were deducted from his sentence.

had three unfired rounds of 9mm ammunition. In court Morley pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bail of $7,500 was granted to the accused with one or two sureties. Under the conditions of the bail the accused is expected to sign in at the Grove Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday by 7pm. His trial in is set for May 23.

Police officers attached to the Drug Enforcement Unit, acting on a tip, went to Queen’s Highway shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, and searched nearby bushes. A white

towel, containing a silver and black l38 revolver was found.

No arrest was made and the weapon was confiscated. Investigation are continuing.

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m an found with loaded gun ‘pleads not guilty’, granted $7,500 bail

Police find revolver wra PPed in a towel hidden in the bushes; no arrests made

RCI beach club a bad deal, but Bay Street needs to be revitalised

MANY generations of Bahamians have walked or driven past St Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk (Church) on Shirley Street in downtown Nassau. The iconic buildings, just east of Peck’s Slope, Market Street, Gregory’s Arch and Government House atop Mount Fitzwilliam, form part of an historic cityscape.

The Kirk, especially in the mind’s eye of a child, was always a complex of gleaming, pristine white structures, and somewhat mysterious.

Drive past the main church structure today and one is disturbed, saddened by the layers of black dirt or soot that seems caked onto the stairs of the building facing Shirley Street directly across from the Central Bank.

Last week, in the middle of the day, with Bahamians and scores of tourists bustling throughout the City, there was a homeless man stretched across the steps rolling a cigarette. A tourist peered at the man through the black iron fence. One can imagine what she was thinking.

The scene seemed a metaphor for the state of downtown Nassau: an unkempt, grimy locale daily welcoming millions of cruise ship and other visitors to a city in dire need of sweeping transformation, improved amenities and general restoration.

According to the Kirk’s website: “The St Andrew’s Society, formed in 1798 … agreed to donate £200 towards procuring a church site, constructing a building, and paying a minister’s stipend …

“In 1873 the cornerstone was laid for the Kirk Hall … [which was] built by Mr Joseph Elias Dupuch, with the plans drawn up by Mr James B Smith, an architect from New York. The stonework and carpentry were done by local workmen and overseen by the stonemason foreman, Mr Thomas Dorsett.”

RICH HISTORY

There is other layered and rich history resident throughout the City of Nassau, including Government House, which after some refurbishments over the years, is finally undergoing extensive upgrades and repairs.

Over the last several years there have been new developments and upgrades, both commercial and historical, in downtown Nassau including: the new Straw Market, Pompey Museum and Square, the

Pointe and others. The new Nassau Cruise Port and new US Embassy will help to improve the image of the City. The previous government was set to build a new judicial complex on the site of the now demolished main post office, and permission was given for a new central bank on the site of the Royal Victoria Hotel Grounds.

Despite some progress, much of downtown Nassau and the surrounding city environs from east to west and from north to south, are mostly grimy, seedy, putrid and heartrending.

STATE OF BAY STREET

A Bahamian professional recently noted in a post: “I worked in the downtown area a long time ago and then more recently, in the last 10 years. I have watched the deterioration of the area with much sadness and regret.

“Today, I had occasion to go downtown and was amazed at the amount of people on Bay Street and the side streets. There seemed like thousands or many hundreds of people on the north and south sidewalks, on the cross walks, standing around in the street.

“The people who were headed west had lots to see. But my heart went out to the people who were heading east. I am almost certain they were looking for Atlantis which was a relatively shortish walk from the cruise port.

“But I am sure nobody told them they would have to go through the ‘war zone’ that is the space between Elizabeth Avenue and Christie Street to get there.”

“The jitney buses, the broken-down buildings, the garbage - yes garbage - in the road, the rundown side streets, the terrible state of the road, potholes everywhere. The sidewalks themselves are a danger to

walk on, any next step could land you flat on your face.

“There are little oases here and there, but if you are walking with young children, like I saw some of them doing, you are going to turn back long before you get to one.”

There has been some progress and reimaging of downtown Nassau, including legislation offering a range of incentives for redevelopment. But our progress has been too slow, too unimaginative, and lacking in bolder and new thinking on city governance and new ideas for economic development.

There needs to be some sort of independent authority and perhaps private maintenance group, both with the necessary funds, to maintain downtown. Public authorities clearly and demonstrably lack this ability, which is a failure of imagination, will and competence.

ROYAL FAILURE

We have failed so miserably in refurbishing downtown that both an FNM and a PLP government have given a cruise line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), permission to build its own beach club cum enclave, in part to keep their passengers away from Nassau.

RCCL, like other tourism businesses, seeks to maximize profits. Our responsibility as a sovereign nation is to what is in the best interest of Bahamians and to place our guidelines and necessary strictures on how we deal with international airlines, hotel groups, cruise lines and foreign investors.

The RCCL deal is a failure on at least two major fronts: A failure to improve our tourism product and services, and a failure of economic justice and progress for greater Bahamian ownership and involvement in tourism.

On our part, the deal feels more a boon for certain Bahamian oligarchs, black and white, and a failure to realise greater opportunity for other entrepreneurs who are not connected to certain power and economic structures and clubs.

THE EXPERIENCE

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham would likely not have approved such a deal, and Perry Christie has publicly stated his difficulties with the project. In a story in this journal, Mr Christie argued: “One of the challenges I’ve always had with cruise lines is that I accepted their argument that they needed a destination within The Bahamas

where they could put a special experience in place. In the case of Royal Caribbean, that was done in the Berry Islands. I think they put a major investment there. I never saw that as important for New Providence.

“What was important for New Providence to me was not to be victim of the argument that people have very little to do because huge numbers are now coming through cruise ships but to improve the experience so that the greatest number of people are able to access the revenue that is available from cruise passengers as opposed to having a limited experience, peculiar to Royal Caribbean or any other cruise ship.”

“So quite frankly, I’ve always been an advocate for widening the amount of people who people are exposed to [sic] New Providence is a place where we have to do a much better job developing the experience of Bay Street. I mean, we tried, and governments have tried and we’ve never somehow been able to put together a sustained approach to rehabilitating the environs of Bay Street and making it in itself a destination.”

“We have places like Clifton that we have not integrated into the tourism mainstay, even though it is

some distance. And I think the country has to continue to recognise that if we’re going to get the real value from cruise passengers that we must expose them as best we can to many more people than they are now exposed to, enabling therefore the revenue that comes from them to benefit more.”

Mr Christie is on the mark. There is a place for the cruise industry, more of which in subsequent columns. But no cruise line should have its own foreign-owned enclave on New Providence or Paradise Island.

The RCCL idea of establishing a private island experience for its cruise passengers in the heart of downtown Nassau began with the previous administration.

Under this arrangement, hundreds of thousands of their passengers would sail into Nassau, get off the ship, transfer to their controlled Paradise Island Beach Club, return to the ship, and sail away having left a few proverbial crumbs behind.

The Beach Club will also deprive taxi drivers, tour providers, Junkanoo Beach vendors and Fish Fry vendors of an opportunity to earn directly from those hundreds of thousands of visitors. The Bahamas will count those visitors but they will leave

relatively little behind for the general economy.

BAHAMIAN GROWTH

The notion that a minority portion of the RCCL investment will be reserved for Bahamians is a poor substitute for depriving hundreds of Bahamian vendors of direct income.

The Atlantis objection is seeking to solve the minor problem. While there might be some environmental issues to be solved, those solutions will still leave the stench of economic betrayal of the small man and other Bahamian entrepreneurs in this deal.

The job of the government is to use taxpayers’ money to accelerate the economic growth and development of The Bahamas and ensure that the benefits derived therefrom are spread as equitably and widely as possible. This is a bad deal for the environment. It is a poor deal economically. It is a colossal failure by some Bahamian leaders to dramatically transform downtown and to transform their own thinking in terms of industrial strategy in tourism, including diversification within the industry and the redevelopment of the City of Nassau.

More in the weeks ahead.

HEAdING eastward on Bay Street leads to run down and abandoned spaces where stores and restaurants used to exist, no a mere eyesore.

‘The RCCL deal is a failure on at least two major fronts: A failure to improve our tourism product and services, and a failure of economic justice and progress for greater Bahamian ownership and involvement in tourism.’

US making strides in renewable energy, but more must be done

IT’S safe to say that most of us are significantly more aware of climate change, and its potential affects on our lives and those of our children and grandchildren, than we were even a decade ago. Also, the political import of the issue of climate change has receded somewhat in the US, particularly inasmuch as guns, anti-wokeness and abortion have overtaken climate change denial as a rallying issue for conservatives and Republicans.

People seem to be responding rationally to climate concerns. Electric cars are all the rage, demand is soaring for more and more car charging stations, and a casual remark about gas stoves not long ago sparked a brief panic and a stampede toward electric alternatives.

Reducing Western European dependence on Russian oil and natural gas has become a major sidebar issue as it becomes clear that the major European economies and societies have weathered the winter without flinching under steady Russian energy pressure. Still, we’re all talking about energy and climate change a lot these days.

The United Nations is at the forefront of the conversation. Just last week, its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued the following assessments: “Human activities, principally through

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

emissions of greenhouse gases, have unequivocally caused global warming, with global surface temperature reaching 1.1°C above 1850–1900 levels in the most recent decade (2011–2020). global greenhouse gas emissions have continued to increase, with unequal historical and ongoing contributions arising from unsustainable energy use, land use and land-use change, lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production across regions, between and within countries, and among individuals (high confidence).

“Continued greenhouse gas emissions will lead to increasing global warming, with the best estimate of reaching 1.5°C in the near term in considered scenarios and modelled pathways. Every increment of global warming will intensify multiple and concurrent hazards (high confidence).

Deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would lead to a discernible slowdown in global warming within around two decades, and also to discernible changes in atmospheric composition

within a few years (high confidence).”

In view of this blunt analysis, it was heartening to read this week that according to the US Energy Information Administration, in 2022 electricity generated from renewable energy sources like wind and solar surpassed coal in the United States for the first time ever. Renewable energy sources also surpassed nuclear power generation in 2022 after first doing in 2021. growth in wind and solar significantly drove the increase in renewable energy and contributed 14% of the electricity produced domestically in the US last year. California produced 26% of the national utility-scale solar electricity, followed by Texas with 16% and North Carolina with 8%.

The most wind generated power occurred in Texas, which accounted for 26% of the US total. The Lone Star state, whose independent energy grid basically collapsed two years ago, was followed by Iowa (10%) and Oklahoma (9%).

“This booming growth

is driven largely by economics,” said gregory Wetstone, president and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy. Speaking to reporters, he said “over the past decade, the cost of wind energy declined by 70 percent, while the cost of solar power has declined by an even more impressive 90 percent.

“Renewable energy is now the most affordable source of new electricity in much of the country,” said Wetstone.

The Energy Information Administration projected that the wind share of the U.S. electricity generation mix will increase from 11% to 12% from 2022 to 2023 and that solar will grow from 4% to 5% during the period. The natural gas share is expected to remain at 39% from 2022 to 2023, and coal is projected to decline from 20% last year to 17% this year.

These aren’t startling percentage improvements, but the US still has the largest, most influential economy in the world. Marginal progress there is meaningful for the entire world.

Landmark moment in L abour L aw

MICHIgAN’S popular and glamorous governor

gretchen Whitmer signed into law this week a repeal of the state’s Right to Work law that had been on the books for a decade. This is important for two reasons.

First, it keeps this talented and steady Democratic leader in the forefront of national politics, especially in the context of organised labour, long the mainstay of support for the Democratic Party in the US.

Secondly, it may mark a reversal in a 40-year downward trend for big labor unions in America. Once major power players on the national economic scene whose leaders were widely known and respected figures of real consequence, big labor unions in the US started to lose political influence rapidly under the administration of president Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. The decline has continued.

Right to Work laws prohibit union security agreements, which are contracts between a labor union and employers that require all employees benefiting from the union contract to pay union dues, according to a national organisation that

tracks labor-management relations.

Thus, workers in unionised jobs can opt out of paying union dues and fees. Deprived of those dues, most labor unions are almost immediately disabled.

When Whitmer signed the bill, it made Michigan the first state in decades to repeal Right to Work legislation.

“Today, we are coming together to restore workers’ rights, protect Michiganders on the job, and grow Michigan’s middle class,” Whitmer said.

“After decades of antiworker attacks, Michigan has restored the balance of power for working people by passing laws to protect their freedom to bargain for the good wages, good benefits, and safe workplaces they deserve,” said a state labor union president.

Even after Michigan’s repeal, 26 states still have right to work laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. They are virtually all politically Red.

And according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, trade union membership has been steadily falling for decades and reached an

all-time low last year. Only roughly 10% of US wage and salary workers were members of unions in 2022, a decline from 2021 and

the lowest union membership rate on record. It’s hard to tell if Whitmer has initiated a trend. The Democrats certainly hope so.

“Wind and solar are going to be the backbone of the growth in renewables, but whether or not they can provide 100% of the US electricity without backup is something that engineers are debating,” said Brown University’ ecology professor Stephen Porder.

Reliance on wind and solar energy sources presents challenges for engineers and policy-makers, Porder said, “because existing energy grids were built to deliver power from a consistent source. Renewables such as solar and wind generate power intermittently. So storage in battery cells, long-distance transmission capacity and other steps will be needed to help address these challenges.”

Notwithstanding America’s progress, US government reports show that the US remains too heavily reliant on the burning of climate-changing fossil fuels. Coal-fired generation still represented 20% of the electricity sector in 2022, a decline from 23% in 2021. Natural gas, still abundant in America, remained the largest source of electricity in the US in 2022, generating 39% last year compared to 37% in 2021.

In other words, our western neighbour is making some progress in reversing climate change, but, along with other major economies, the US must do more, and do it more quickly.

m arch m adness is weLL-named

March Madness has lived up to its name in the 2023 US men’s collegiate basketball championship tournament. This is also true to a lesser extent for the women’s tourney.

The Final Four of both tournaments occur this weekend. South Florida is well represented with both the University of Miami and Boca Raton’s Florida Atlantic University among the men’s semifinal teams. The Miami women made it to the quarterfinal round before they were eliminated.

Tomorrow evening’s women’s semifinal pits undefeated and defending champion South Carolina

against Iowa, whose Caitlin Clark has become the predominant player in either tournament this month. The winner will be heavily favored against the LSU – Virginia Tech winner on Sunday.

Three Final Four rookie schools feature on the men’s side. The FAU Owls are underdogs to San Diego State on Saturday, and the Hurricanes are tipped to lose to Connecticut, the overall favorite and only program that’s been to the Final Four before.

Don’t tell that to our local teams. They’ve been defying the odds so far and have played fearlessly.

Wind turbines contributed to 14 percent of electrcity produced in the US in 2021

Photo: Ajit Solanki/AP

MichigAn Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a law repealing the Right to Work law.

Photo: Al goldis/AP

MiAMi guard Nijel Pack celebrates after scoring against Houston in the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game in the Midwest Regional of the NCAA Tournament Friday in Kansas City, Missouri

Photo:charlie Riedel/AP

Permit to buy handgun no longer required in North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA

Associated Press

North Carolina residents can now buy a handgun without getting a permit from a local sheriff, after the republican-controlled legislature on Wednesday overrode the Democratic governor’s veto

— a first since 2018. the house voted 71-46 to enact the bill, which eliminates the long-standing permit system requiring sheriffs to perform character evaluations and criminal history checks of pistol applicants. the Senate overrode Gov. roy Cooper’s veto in a party-line vote on tuesday.

the permit repeal takes effect immediately. Cooper and Democratic lawmakers warned it allows a greater number of dangerous people to obtain weapons through private sales, which do not require a background check, and limits law enforcement’s ability to prevent them from committing violent crimes.

those who purchase pistols from a gun store or a federally licensed dealer are still subject to a national background check, and concealed weapons permits are still required.

Bill supporters say the sheriff screening process for handguns was no longer necessary in light of significant updates to the national background check system. they also argue the permit system wasn’t very effective at preventing criminals from obtaining guns. the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association supports the repeal in light of national system updates, but its current president does not.

Although republican seat gains in the midterm elections gave them veto-proof margins in the Senate, they were one seat shy of a similar majority in the house.

Wednesday’s house vote tally showed three Democrats — reps. tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County, Cecil Brockman of Guilford County and Michael Wray of Northampton County — failed to vote on the override, creating enough of a margin to meet the constitutional requirement. republicans needed at least one Democratic member to join them, or as few as two Democrats not to vote.

Brockman was in urgent care Wednesday morning, according to a statement released by his office. Cotham said in a statement that she was receiving scheduled hospital treatment and had informed both parties that she would be absent. She said she does not support the permit repeal.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore speaks in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Dec. 7, 2022. North Carolina legislators repealed yesterday, the state’s requirement that someone obtain a permit from a local sheriff before buying a pistol, as the Republican-controlled legislature overrode successfully one of Democratic Gov Roy Cooper’s vetoes for the first time since 2018.

A phone message left at Wray’s legislative office wasn’t immediately returned Wednesday. republicans gave Wray and Cotham key committee chairmanships this year — a rarity for the majority party in power.

A liberal-leaning group called Carolina Forward put out a fundraising tweet soon after the vote targeting the three representatives, vowing to “hold them accountable.”

house Speaker tim Moore, a Cleveland County republican presiding over the chamber during the override vote, said the provisions contained within the bill “have been longstanding goals of Second Amendment advocates in our state, and we have finally brought this legislation over the finish line.”

Moore used parliamentary manoeuvres Wednesday to block floor debate before the vote, causing frustration among Democrats.

Andrew harnik/AP

Cooper, who is term-limited from seeking reelection next year, criticized the move by house leadership, saying in a tweet that arguments to uphold his veto would have been “too compelling for them to hear.”

Before the Senate vote tuesday, some Democrats urged against loosening gun access in the immediate aftermath of Monday’s mass shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville, despite republicans’ insistence that lawmakers refrain from politicizing the shooting.

“For us to come in this tone deaf about what happened in Nashville and to pretend that it doesn’t matter, to pretend that that might not be an issue that we’ve got to bring up, is disturbing — with a bunch of kids sitting up here,” said house Minority Leader robert reives, referring to the school group watching from the gallery.

Photo:

GermAN President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, right, and his wife Elke Buedenbender, left, welcome Britain’s King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. King Charles III arrived Wednesday for a three-day official visit to Germany.

Photo: matthias Schrader/AP

THURSDAY,

Giants take 2-0 lead in the NPBA Finals BLTA’S SPRING CLASSIC TOURNEY BEGINS TODAY

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Commonwealth Bank Giants went up 2-0 on the division one Discount Distributors Liquors Rockets after game two of the New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) Finals last night.

The Giants toppled the defending champions 101-83 to take control of the series. Both teams showed up to play in the first half with undefeated regular season Rockets leading after both the first and second quarter.

However the Giants, like they usually do, responded in the second half, leading by nine going into the final period of the game.

By the final buzzer, the Giants went up by as much as 18 points and never looked back en route to a victory on the night.

Perry Thompson, head coach of the CB Giants, talked about how it felt to take care of business after an ugly game one.

“I felt we came out from the jump and we played a better and complete game overall so it’s a great feeling and we get to play game three with no pressure,” Thompson said.

He added that he knows the team struggles with slow starts at the beginning of games. However, they will look to try something different in game three in efforts to close out last year’s NPBA champions. On the night, the Giants finished up where they left off last game, leading in fast break points 31 to 12.

The difference maker Wednesday night was bench points as the Giants’ bench pumped in 40 points compared to the 30 from the Rockets.

The Giants took charge in the paint with a dominant 54 on 51% to trump the Rockets’ 42 on 40% shooting.

Lerecus Armbrister scored 16 of the Giants’ 40 bench points and operated as the team’s momentum shifter on offence.

He splashed four timely treys from behind the arc on an efficient 80% shooting clip.

Thompson said he gives the guys coming off the bench the green light to come on the court and run and score within the flow of the game. Armbrister did just that.

The winning team had five players score in double digits in a big win.

Dylan Musgrove led all scorers with 19 to go

IN THE HUDDLE: The Commonwealth Bank Giants went up 2-0 on the division one Discount Distributors Liquors Rockets after game two of the New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) Finals last night. The Giants toppled the defending champions 101-83 to take control of the series.

alongside six rebounds and two blocked shots. On the defensive end, Jordan Wilson grabbed 11 boards and three blocks.

Musgrove talked about how it felt to go up 2-0 in the series.

“It was sloppy at first but in the second half we locked in on defence and

executed better than game one and came out with the win,” Musgrove said. He added that the game plan for game three is the same as always - to come out, play hard, play defence - as they will look to win the NPBA championships. Despite winning game two by double digits, the

LOC CEO: FINAL CARIFTA TEST EVENT A SUCCESS

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) hosted this past weekend’s combined CARIFTA trials and Nationals with it being the final test event ahead of the 50th CARIFTA Games. With The Bahamas’ ninth hosting of the games being only one week away, officials are confident the country will be able to successfully put on the major track and field event. Officials of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and BAAA gave raving reports of their respective areas after managing 1,200 athletes ahead of April’s games.

Despite handling more than double the amount of athletes expected to be at

Oaktree Medical Center’s CARIFTA games, officials only had a few minor shortcomings at the final test event.

Lynden Maycock, chief executive officer of the LOC, talked about the areas that will be worked on in the final stages of preparation ahead of Easter weekend.

“There were some areas in security with respect to zoning, there were persons that were in zones that should not have been in some zone areas [and] that will definitely be worked on,” Maycock said.

“From our competition area, there were some issues with our measuring and there was some new equipment that came in that did not work but we have taken those under control, “ he added.

US to play Mexico in Nations League semis on June 15

MIAMI (AP) — The defending champion United States will play Mexico in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League on June 15 at Las Vegas. The winner advances to the final against Canada or Panama on June 18, also in Las Vegas, the regional governing body said yesterday.

The semifinal match kicks off at 10pm EDT, following the CanadaPanama match. No. 13 US also plays 15th-ranked Mexico in

an exhibition on April 19 at Glendale, Arizona.

That match is not on a FIFA fixture date and neither team figures to have most of its Europe-based players.

The US beat Mexico 2-0 at Cincinnati and drew 0-0 at Mexico City during World Cup qualifying.

The Americans defeated El Tri 3-2 in extra time in the 2021 Nations League final at Denver and won 1-0 in that year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup final at Las Vegas.

Maycock assures the public that those minor issues will be rectified in time for the CARIFTA Games as security presence will be top notch and the

Giants will look to remain focused and capitalise on the ground gained in game one and two of the big dance.

The poised teams will battle it out in a critical game three for both sides 9pm at the A F Adderley Gymnasium on Friday night.

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) will host the Royal Bank of Canada sponsored Spring Classic tournament March 30 to April 2 at the National Tennis Center.

The junior tennis tournament is scheduled to begin at 4pm today and is expected to feature approximately 70 participants, including girls and boys of the under 12, 14, 16, and 18 divisions.

With more than one hundred matchups expected to be played over the course of the four-day tournament fans can expect lots of excitement from this year’s Spring Classic.

Perry Newton, president of the BLTA, talked about his excitement leading up to the beginning of today’s third event of this nature post COVID-19.

“We are really excited about this iteration of the Spring Classic Tournament, we see growth in all age categories [and] we want to encourage players to keep working hard and to be dedicated because there is a reward for each one of them,” Newton said.

SEE PAGE 16

faulty equipment has been sent back and new ones are expected to arrive before the games.

SEE PAGE 15

Holiday scores career-high 51 points, Bucks beat Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)

— Jrue Holiday scored a career-high 51 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 38 points in a triple-double and the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers 149-136 last night.

Antetokounmpo added 17 rebounds and 12 assists to help the Bucks improve to 55-21. The two-time NBA MVP was an assist shy of a triple-double at halftime with 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. He returned after sitting out Monday night in a victory at Detroit because of a sore knee.

Holiday had 18 points in the third quarter, when the Bucks scored a season-high 46 points to build a 12-point lead. He was 20 of 30 from the field with three 3-pointers and hit 8 of 10 free

(AP Photo/Michael

throws. His previous best was 40 points in an overtime victory over visiting Boston on February 14.

in

— playing without its top three scorers — with 29 points. Aaron Nesmith had 22 and Jordan Nwora 18. Jalen Smith fouled out early in the fourth with 17. Rookie Andrew Nembhard had 15 points and 15 rebounds.

LAKERS 121, BULLS 110 CHICAGO (AP) — LeBron James scored 25 points in his return to the starting lineup and Los Angeles beat Chicago. James also had seven rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes in his second game back after he was sidelined for a month because of a torn tendon in his right foot.

)

Brook Lopez added 21 points for the Bucks. Rookie Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana

The four-time MVP scored 19 points Sunday in as 118-108 loss to Chicago

SEE PAGE 15

BUCKS forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives on Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) during the second half last night

Indianapolis.

Conroy

LYNDEN MAYCOCK, CEO of the Local Organising Committee, speaks during Tuesday’s press conference.

Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

Event was a great success

BY all accounts, the Bahamas

Hope Challenge was a great success. Many of you have sent us a note to say thank you for the fabulous day you had. But it’s you who we thank.

Thank you for joining in this great cause. Your support pays dividends throughout the coming year to the many Bahamians who are fighting cancer.

Here, some of the 215 participants gathered at the gantry for our traditional group photo. Thank you to TH for climbing the ladder to snap this great shot.

Two thirds of our 215 participants cycled. And of those, 45% of you did 40 miles or morewell done. Incredibly, over 10% of you tackled the 100 miles — cycling’s Century Ride — in all that wind and Eleuthera’s elevations.

Having the wind at your backs for the journey home must have been a huge relief after battling it all the way out.

Of the third of you who walked or ran, 16% of you completed the half or full marathon, and nearly 20% of you did the 5K and 10K. We are excited to see the growth in team participation and will continue to cultivate this very fun way for companies and groups of friends to get involved.

At our minimum fundraising level, three participants provide assistance to one Bahamian fighting cancer.

If each participant raised $250 more than the minimum, the power of our fundraising is wonderfully leveraged.

At this increased fundraising level, only two participants are needed to help one Bahamian fight cancer.

At this year’s 50th CARIFTA Games, there is expected to be more than 50 media houses for the first time ever at the event. After a full 80-member CARIFTA team was announced, local media can expect more organisation and structure as they will want to report on local athletes at the games.

Tonique Williams, director of event media services, has ensured that four of seven media areas will be at their disposal during the three days of activity.

The areas will include the media press centre coshared with the copy centre, the media tribune or press boxes located in the stands, trackside which will be a mixed zone that allows the press to interact with athletes first, and the press conference room.

With this year’s CARIFTA Games coinciding with the 50th year of Independence, officials are doing it big, according to Maycock.

He maintains that officials will look to tighten up on security, ensure equipment is efficient and improve on communication in the final stretch of preparation.

Big Red Machine awarded two team spots in the Penn Relays

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

NOT only did the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine win all three divisions of the National High School Track and Field Championships and final CARIFTA trials, but they were awarded the two spots for the relay teams to go to the prestigious Penn Relays next month.

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, in conjunction with the Ministries of Youth, Sports and Culture and Education, provided the incentives to the teams competing in the under-20 girls and boys 4 x 100 metre relays on the final day of the meet on Monday night at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

SAC’s team of Amari Pratt, Nya Wright, Darvinique Dean and Shayann Demeritte ran away from the rest of the field in the A final of the girls’ race to clock 46.65 seconds to book their trip to Philadelphia.

Queen’s College was second in 48.21 and Grand Bahama’s Bishop Michael Eldon got third in 50.10.

The Big Red Machine’s boys team of Khalon Christie, Andrew Brown, Tumani Skinner and

NBA FROM PAGE 13

in just his second appearance as a reserve in his 20-year NBA career. Fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, Los Angeles (38-38) kicked off a five-game trip with its fourth win in five games overall. Anthony Davis had 38 points and 10 rebounds in his hometown, and D’Angelo Russell scored 17 points.

Nikola Vucevic had 29 points and 12 rebounds for Chicago in its second straight loss.

76ERS 116, MAVERICKS 108

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Joel Embiid had 25 points and nine rebounds, James Harden added 15 points and 12 assists and Philadelphia beat Dallas.

Embiid flashed his MVP credentials when he powered the Sixers back in the fourth against Luka Doncic and the Mavs. Embiid hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 103 and followed with a 16-footer the next time down for what ended up the winning basket.

Doncic had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Kyrie Irving scored 23 points for the Mavericks.

Tyrese Maxey added 22 points to help the 76ers snap a three-game losing streak. They returned from a 1-3 trip.

Jonathon Fowler clocked 42.15 to hold off Grand Bahama’s Tabernacle Baptist Falcons, who fell in second in 42.37. CI Gibson Rattlers were third in 44.16.

At the end of the threeday meet, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and assistant sports director Norris Bain from Grand Bahama presented the individual winners of the most points scored.

• A look at the winners:

CLIPPERS 141, GRIZZLIES 132

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)

— Russell Westbrook had a season-high 36 points, Robert Covington also had a season best with 27 points and Los Angeles beat Memphis to open a twogame set. The teams — both shorthanded Wednesday — will meet again Friday night in Memphis. Westbrook made five 3-pointers without a miss and had 10 assists. Covington was 9 of 10 from the field, making all seven of his 3-point attempts.

Bones Hyland added 20 points for Los Angles, including 12 in the fourth quarter as the Clippers pulled away in the final seven minutes.

Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points and nine assists. Dillon Brooks added 30 points as all five Memphis starters finished in double figures. The Grizzlies had won seven in a row and 12 straight at home.

JAZZ 128, SPURS 117

SAN ANTONIO (AP)

— Talen Horton-Tucker scored a career-high 41 points and Utah beat the Spurs in what could have been coach Gregg Popovich’s final game in San Antonio.

Utah snapped a fourgame skid to keep its fading playoff hopes alive. But San Antonio (19-57) lost

Most Outstanding

Athletes on Track

Under-14 girls - Keyezra Thomas, Bishop Michael Eldon.

Under-14 boys - Keyshawn Pinder, St Paul’s Methodist.

Under-17 girls - Darvinique Dean, St Augustine’s College.

Under-17 boys - Ross Marin, CR Walker.

Under-20 girls - Quincy Penn, Moorse Island.

Under-20 boys - Clinton

Laguerre, St Augustine’s College.

Most Outstanding

Athletes on Field

Under-14 girls - Tarjahnaye Green, Queen’s College.

Under-14 boys - Tavaris Roberts, CH Reeves.

Under-17 girls - Terrell McCoy, Windor High School.

Under-17 boys - Joshua Williams, Tabernacle Baptist Academy.

Under-20 girls - Lanaisha Lubin, Queen’s College.

Rookie Malaki Branham led San Antonio with 21 points.

NETS 123, ROCKETS 114

NEW YORK (AP) —

Cam Johnson had 31 points, Mikal Bridges scored 12 of his 27 in the fourth quarter and Brooklyn rallied to beat Houston.

Johnson and Bridges came over together from Phoenix in the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Suns. Durant finally made his home debut for Phoenix on Wednesday night.

Nic Claxton added 18 points and 10 rebounds for Brooklyn.

Kevin Porter Jr. had 31 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Houston. The Rockets have lost seven in a row.

Under-20 boys - Johnathon Rodgers, CI Gibson.

Most points scored

Under-14 girls - Keyezra Thomas, Bishop Michael Eldon. U-14 boys - Zion Bradford, Sunland Baptist and Kamron Henfield, Queen’s College.

U-17 girls - Jamiah Nabbie, Queen’s College.

U-17 boys - Ross Martin, CR Walker.

U-20 girls - Annae Mackey, Queen’s College.

Under-20 boys - Emmanual Adams, CC Sweeting.

THUNDER 107, PISTONS 106 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Rookie Jalen Williams’ putback with less than a second remaining lifted Oklahoma City past Detroit.

The pressure was on for the Thunder, who entered the night two games under .500 and hanging on to the final Western Conference play-in spot. Oklahoma City guard Shai GilgeousAlexander — the league’s No. 4 scorer with 31.3 points per game — was out with a sprained ankle for the second straight game.

Williams had 27 points, eight rebounds six assists — and the tip-in on Josh Giddey’s miss in the closing seconds. Lu Dort scored 20 points, Jaden Ivey had

Security will be a key area as the CARIFTA trials/ high school nationals only housed 2,000 spectators but with 600 athletes coming from 28 different countries, Maycock expects to see 15,000 plus in attendance on Easter weekend.

“Our security detail is going to be very tight. We [are] expecting leaders of countries and the president of the World Athletics so the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defence Force and security personnel team will work in collaboration together to ensure that security will be at its strictest,” Maycock said.

As the days wind down ahead of the looming 50th CARIFTA Games, the CEO of LOC has seen an increase in ticket sales for April’s event. He predicted that this would happen and encouraged more Bahamians to purchase the remaining tickets as the full 80-member CARIFTA team will need the support of the home crowd in efforts to win gold for the host country.

For persons that wish to purchase tickets for all three days, the gold tickets are $75, silver is $55, and bronze is $40. The daily ticket prices are $25 for gold, $20 for silver, and $15 for bronze.

For those unable to attend the games in-person, they can tune in via livestreams broadcasted locally and abroad.

The colours for CARIFTA are black on Friday, white on Saturday, aquamarine on Sunday and gold on Monday.

24 for Detroit. The Pistons have the NBA’s worst record and have lost seven straight and 18 of 19.

KNICKS 101, HEAT 92

NEW YORK (AP) —

Immanuel Quickley scored 24 points, Quentin Grimes had 23 and New York moved closer to a postseason berth with a victory night that sent Miami closer to the play-in tournament. The Knicks overcame the loss of Julius Randle to a sprained left ankle to win their second straight and remained firmly in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. They are 2 1/2 games ahead of Brooklyn four games ahead of the seventh-place Heat. Gabe Vincent scored 21 points for Miami.

its fifth straight in its worst season since 1997, the year it drafted Tim Duncan with the No. 1 overall pick.

Popovich has given no indication that he is retiring or even that he will return for his 28th season. The annual speculation has intensified, though, especially since the 74-year-old coach allowed his expected induction this summer into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame after years of refusing to even be nominated. The Spurs have two home games remaining, but those will be played 73 miles away in Austin’s new Moody Center.

ON THE RUN: Young athletes compete in the National High School Track and Field Championships and final CARIFTA trials at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

Photos: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

LAKERS’ LeBron James drives to the basket as Bulls’ Alex Caruso defends during the first half last night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Reloaded Baseball invitational kicks off this Friday to Sunday

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

RELOADED Baseball, a new programme with the sole interest of developing youth in baseball fundamentals and skill set, is inviting the general public to its first ever invitational games, where the young ballers in Nassau will face off against Family Island teams in three divisions this weekend.

The invitational kicks off tomorrow (March 31) through Sunday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. It will feature games over the course of the weekend in Coach Pitch, 10U and 12U divisions.

The official Reloaded Baseball teams in Nassau will engage in friendly matchups against Family Island teams, including Abaco Youth Baseball and Softball led by Tory Feaste, Twin City Baseball League (Palmetto Point, Eleuthera) led by Elline Sineus and Grand Bahama Athletics led by Oscar Greene.

The general public is invited to attend the games which are also a fundraising initiative sanctioned by the Bahamas Baseball Association.

Food for the event will be offered by Blue Plate Catering and will support the development of youth in baseball, a fast-growing sport in The Bahamas.

Much more than friendly match-ups, Reloaded Invitational games were executed with the goal of creating more opportunities for local competition for youth baseball players across the islands - something the Reloaded team believes has been lacking.

Started by a group of coaches/parents, Reloaded seeks to help develop kids with sound baseball skills and on the field intelligence.

Peron Burnside, an executive team member of Reloaded, shared the genesis of the programme.

“Reloaded came about after attending a PG Tournament (Orlando) in the summer of 2022 because of the noticeable disparity in skill level between us and

MLB OPENING DAY OFFERS CLOCKS, SHIFT BANS, OHTANI AND JUDGE

By BEN WALKER AP Baseball Writer

A MAJOR shift in how Major League Baseball is played. About time, too.

Aaron Judge aiming at his own home run record, Shohei Ohtani trending with every pitch and swing, Dusty Baker trying to win another World Series ring.

All-Stars in different spots, a new scheduling concept featuring each team facing all 29 opponents.

If it sounds like these plot lines are from a movie — “Everything Everywhere All at Once” comes to mind — it’s true.

Opening day is today and the full slate includes games at Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium. And good news for fans — there’s no snow in the forecast at any of them.

TICK-TOCK

Manny Machado drew the first pitch clock violation in spring training and it was nuisance. A game between the Braves and Red Sox ended on a clock call and it was a novelty.

our international counterparts. A few of us coaches made a conscious decision to chart the way forward in the fundamental development of our kids,” he said.

And upon their return, Reloaded Baseball came into being.

“We focus on developing the fundamentals of the game. We also wanted to have a programme that did not put any financial burden on the parents and hence we fund everything internally without any charges to the parents. We cover all the costs for our kids in the programme and our motto in Reloaded is that there is not going to be any child left behind in our programme.”

Mr Burnside said education is also a main thrust of the programme. “We

have laid out in our plans to assist kids who may fall behind academically and bring them back to where they need to be. Our ultimate goal is to, through our international connections, to walk our kids into scholarships.”

In pursuit of development, Reloaded Baseball engaged Family Island teams to start some interactive play between the teams and it was widely welcomed. “The sentiment is that this is lacking in the country and is much needed. We then plotted out as to how to start this process and hence the first inaugural Reloaded. The Reloaded Team is in pursuit of helping out

our family island teams and have offset some of the cost to come to the Reloaded Invitational and we aim to assist in their development moving forward.

“We are nonprofit and fund our programme internally so hence the need for fundraisers that we hold to finance our programme,” he said.

Moving forward, Reloaded Baseball has engaged international coaches and organisations to assist in the development of all of the kids in the programme. The Reloaded executive team and coaches consists of: Peron Burnside, Mandell Curry, Tarah Curry, James Clarke, Lisa

Bostwick Dean, Javier Bowe, Desmond Ferguson, Barry Nairn, Kennellis Gibson, Stephen Hubert Beneby (Bishop), Thalia Culmer, Kenue Mcphee, Dcarl Rolle, Jay Seymour, Javardo Bain.

The Reloaded programme also extends thanks to the National Sports Authority members Moses Johnson (general manager) and Martin Burrows (deputy manager of baseball Stadium) who have collaborated and been supportive in this process.

“It takes a village to raise a child and we have fortified a strong core or personnel to assist in our development journey,” Mr Burnside said.

BLTA’S SPRING CLASSIC TOURNEY BEGINS TODAY

This year’s junior tournament will include players from Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and New Providence. For the under 14 girls and boys, and the under 16 boys there will be a 32 draw size. The under 12 girls and boys and under 16 boys will be a draw size of 16. Additionally, the under 16 girls will be a draw size of 8.

Although the entry deadline for the tournament ended this past Monday at 5pm, adults and kids interested in tennis are encouraged to join the BLTA’s “ Play Tennis” programme as the president believes this is the key to sustainability within the sport. This weekend’s RBC tournament is geared towards allowing junior tennis players to test out their skills, measure their game and enhance their skill set in friendly competition.

The tournament is free for all persons interested in attending, beginning today at the National Tennis Centre.

For those that wish to keep up with the daily matchups they can visit https://www.blta.net/bltaspring-classic-tournament/ for more information.

Also, they can keep up with BLTA tennis action on their Twitter and Instagram pages Bahamaslta as well as BSLTA on Facebook.

The matchups will begin today at 4pm and will start at 9am Friday through Sunday. The next major tennis event will be

BLTA Junior Nationals which

Chances are, if Max Scherzer or Nolan Arenado or some other intense star gets timed out in a key spot, it could go nuclear.

But MLB realised it had to do something to cut all the dead periods when absolutely nothing was happening. Well, except for hitters adjusting their batting gloves or pitchers pawing at the rubber. So with games routinely dragging on for more than three hours, the slowdown is getting sped up.

The sport that never had a clock suddenly has them all over the park. Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and the rest of the pitchers get 15 seconds to throw with nobody on base, 20 seconds with runners on. Vladimir Guerero Jr., Mookie Betts and the hitters need to be ready.

The early returns were good, spring training games lasted nearly a half-hour less this year. But remember, that was in Clearwater, Tempe and Lakeland — it might be a lot different, especially early in the season, when umpires begin pointing to their wrists at Busch Stadium, Camden Yards and Petco Park.

VERY SHIFTY

NL home run champ Kyle Schwarber, 2020 World Series MVP Corey Seager and a bevy of left-handed boppers should benefit hugely by this rule change. Because from now on, those pull hitters won’t face a wall of three infielders on the right side.

Defensive shifts dominated the game in recent years, a big reason why batting averages plummeted so sharply. José Ramírez, Cody Bellinger and other lefties increasingly found themselves being thrown out from shallow-to-medium right field.

No longer. Realising that shifts were a winning strategy on the field but a losing proposition with fans, MLB banned them. These days, two infielders must be standing on each side of second base. And no playing deep on the grass to rob hits, either — Dansby Swason, Jeremy Peña and other infielders need to be on the dirt.

One likely effect: With more grounders sneaking through for singles, look for the number of no-hitters and near-gems to drop.

SHO OR GO?

All eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani when he starts for the Los Angeles Angels on opening day at Oakland. Here’s what fans will really watch: Where will the twoway sensation wind up?

Quite possibly the most popular and talented player on the planet, Ohtani clinched the World Baseball Classic for Japan and earned the MVP trophy by striking out Angels teammate Mike Trout.

THE RELOADED Baseball invitational kicks off March 31 through Sunday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The general public is invited to its first ever invitational games, where the young ballers in Nassau will face off against Family Island teams in three divisions this weekend.

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS/FINAL CARIFTA TRIALS

On your marks...

1500 metre medallists: BAAA President Drumeco Archer, second place finisher Cordell Munroe, first place finisher Arjay Roberts and third place finisher Brandon Hanna at medal ceremony for under 14 boys 1,500m race.

KEYEZRA THOMAS, of Bishop Michael Eldon, runs hard off the curve en route to her first place finish in the under 14 girls 200 metres.

ON THE REPLAY: Athletes compete in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National High School Track and Field Championships and final CARIFTA Trials at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. C R Walker’s Reanno Todd (232) won first place in the boy’s high jump octathlon.

Photos: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

JOHNATHON RODGERS, of C I Gibson, leaps 7.32m in the under 20 boys’ long jump to qualify for the CARIFTA Games.

KINARD ROLLE, left, and #91 Maverick Bowleg compete in the 100 metres.

RUNNING unattached, Adam Musgrove (1207) breaks the national high school record in the under 20 boys’ 200 metre dash.

DENIKA MAKING HER PRESENCE FELT

DENIKA Lightbourne has left an indelible mark on Tallulah Falls. Since her freshman year on the basketball court, she’s been that player that has turned heads. She was always destined to shine, and she’ll be soon taking her talents to NCAA Division I Dayton University as a member of the Lady Flames women’s basketball team.

In signing her letter of intent, Lightbourne became the first Tallulah Falls basketball player to go D-I. Her senior season was nothing short of sensational. She set a single-season scoring record of (523) points, topping the next four spots on the list set by Nyah Williams. Lightbourne finished second to Williams in career points (1,494), and became one of just two players (with Williams) to be a 1,000-point, 500-rebound member.

Lightbourne, a 1st Team All-State selection, 3-time 1st Team All-Region honouree, and one time 2nd Team member, finished her prep career third all-time in rebounds (634), and is the all-time leader in assists (311), blocks (52), and steals (293). She tied Williams’ mark of most points in single game with 40 on a January 2023 game against Commerce.

Lightbourne tallied six 30-point games in her final season, marking the most by any player in school history. Furthermore, she had a total of 13 career games with 25 or more points.

Tallulah Falls has helped shape the future for Lightbourne.

“Playing for TFS really made me grow as a player,” says Lightbourne. “I have experienced different types of teams, work ethic and chemistry and it made me realise the type of people I want to be around and the type of leader I would

like to be. I am grateful for this journey because I never would’ve believed in myself as much as I do now without the help of all my coaches and teammates.”

Lightbourne often took an active role in leadership rather than vocally early on, though she enhanced the latter part during her final season at TFS.

“I would say I was more of a quiet leader,” adds Lightbourne. “I would rather pull you to the side and have a conversation, but now I would consider myself more vocal and outgoing. Mainly because I’m expected to come out of that comfort zone. I try to let everyone be comfortable, learn how to take criticism, and just want to get better and remain focused while having fun.”

While Lightbourne has always been a standout since her 2019-20 freshman season, the players around her have helped her become the player she is now. “This year my teammates have really pushed me,” says Lightbourne. “Although they might not think so, I owe it all to them for helping me become the player I am today.”

Lightbourne has her place atop almost every statistical category, but more importantly is her team’s success.

Since her first game at Tallulah Falls, Lightbourne has been a part of four consecutive state playoff teams, including an Elite 8 run and Region Championship in 2021-22, a Sweet 16 run in ’19-20, and two other first round appearances.

In each of her four seasons, the Lady Indians were at one point state ranked, peaking as high as #6 in 2021-22. The teams have been four of the top six scoring units in school history and have won (56) games.

BASKETBALL standout Denika Lightbourne.

MARATHON WOMEN CONQUER THE SIX ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJORS

By TONY LONGLEY BRRC Public Relations Officer

TWO dynamic Bahamian female athletes have recently paced their way into an elite circle of international marathon runners when they completed the 16th edition of the Tokyo Marathon. Shavaughn Blades and Linda Williams, who are both members of The Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club (BRRC), were among the 38,000

marathon runners. The 26.2 miles race event was held on Sunday, March 5, in Tokyo, Japan. Blades and Williams were also among a total of 3,033 runners who earned the coveted “Six Star medal” by completing all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in Tokyo.

This being the largest number of Six Star finishers ever in a single marathon event, it was officially designated a Guinness World Record. The Abbott World

Marathon Majors is a series of six of the most prestigious marathons in the world which include Tokyo (March), Boston (April), London (April), Berlin (September), Chicago (October) and New York City (November).

According to Marathon Handbook, globally there are about 1.1 – 1.3 million marathon finishers each year, that’s roughly 0.01% of the global population. Mrs Blades is a veteran marathon runner - since

2007 she has completed 52 marathons and ultra races. “I run for overall health and fitness. It allows me to combine my two passions, the benefits of staying fit and the joy of travelling.”

In March 2024, Mrs Blades intends to run the Tokyo Marathon again, completing another round of the Abbott World Majors and possibly becoming the first Bahamian to hold two Six Star medals. The other Six Star awardee is Mrs Linda Williams, who started running in 2010 and joined Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club soon after. Between September and December 2011, she ran her first three marathons in less than 12 weeks. This qualified her as a member of “Marathon Maniacs”, a club whose members have completed at least three marathons in 3 months.

“I attribute my running success to the support and encouragement provided by fellow members of Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club, my friends and my immediate family,” said Williams.

To date, she has completed 25 marathons and numerous half marathons and 10K races. Only two other Bahamians are known to have earned the Marathon Majors Six Star Medal - Doctor Kathryn D’Souza and BRRC past president, Charles Johnson have completed the Abbott Marathon World Majors. Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club was formed in 1990 with the objective of advancing the sport of long distance running in The Bahamas.

Members come together for weekly group training runs. They gain additional experience by travelling regularly to compete in international marathons around the world.

The club organises two signature road race events each year - Midnight Madness Fun Run/Walk in June and Bahamas Half Marathon, 10 & 5K Race Series in November. Persons interested in BRRC’s activities can email: bahamasroadmasters@ gmail.com or website: www. bahamasroadmasters.com

SHAVAUGHN Blades LINDA Williams