ABACO SHELTER ROOF COLLAPSES
Trusses on hurricane shelter fall on five-year anniversary of Dorian
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
THE trusses on a hurricane shelter being built in Abaco collapsed over the weekend as the island marked the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Dorian’s passage. Photos of the collapse went viral yesterday, sparking criticism, especially from Abaco residents. The shelter was originally slated to open in May 2021. Officials say they expect it to be completed by the end of this year. Former North Abaco MP Darren Henfield expressed concern over the construction’s progress yesterday.
‘Crippling’ for eConomy if AbACo ports not resolved
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A CABINET minister has acknowledged growing concerns over the fate of Abaco’s two commercial shipping ports amid fears this could be “crippling” for the island’s economy if unresolved.
JoBeth Coleby-Davis, minister of transport and energy, in a messaged reply
to Tribune Business inquiries said she hopes to reveal more about the future for both the Marsh Harbour and Cooper’s Town ports “in short order” with the island’s private sector asserting it is “beyond critical” to address the devastation that Hurricane Dorian inflicted on the former facility exactly five years ago.
Flooding and frustration for Pinewood residents
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
TORRENTIAL rains over the weekend left residents of Pinewood Gardens frustrated and calling for a proper drainage system.
Rashad Smith told The Tribune that his family went to bed on Friday night, only to wake up Saturday morning to find 80 percent of their six-bedroom home flooded. They used buckets,
towels, and anything they could find to remove the water, but despite their efforts, the house will take a few days to dry out, and some furniture was
Communities still struggling five yeArs lAter
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FIVE years after Hurricane Dorian devastated Abaco and Grand Bahama, many communities are still struggling to recover, though some have seen significant progress. On Saturday, The Tribune visited Pelican Point, where St Matthew’s Baptist
Church and 16 homes have been rebuilt.
“We just need one more house, and then all the structures will be restored,” said Daniel Bain, the local government deputy chief councillor.
While other areas continue to grapple with home repairs, Mr Bain highlighted Pelican Point’s
POLICE are investigating a fatal traffic accident in western New Providence that claimed the life of a man early
Photo: Nikia Charlton
Flooding and frustration for Pinewood residents
completely water-damaged.
With the water levels rising inside the house, Mr Smith said his family decided to cut off all the breakers to prevent the risk of electrocution.
“You have to shut off everything until you dry up most of the water, and then you can turn the power back on. So, you’re in a house full of water, with no fan, no air conditioning, and you can’t charge your phone,” Mr Smith said.
Mr Smith, who has lived in Pinewood Gardens for 30 years, described the flooding as a “terrible” but familiar problem. He said his family experiences massive flooding three to four times a year and has tried various methods to elevate the house to prevent it. He urged the government to be proactive rather than reactive in addressing the flooding issue, calling for a proper drainage system.
“They can help with the drainage after the fact, but we need something to prevent it from happening because the damage is already done.”
When The Tribune visited Pinewood Gardens yesterday, parts of the area were severely flooded due to heavy rainfall of 4.5 to 6 inches from Friday night to Saturday. Some residents’ homes were difficult to access because of the water pooling in front of their yards.
Seth Hamilton said his family’s home was built on a raised foundation, but many other homes on lower foundations were inundated. He noted that some parts of the neighbourhood were flooded up to six inches from overnight rainfall.
Although Mr Hamilton’s home did not experience flooding inside, the backyard was flooded due to its lower elevation. His family’s construction company had to cancel a job on Saturday because the heavy rainfall made it impossible to access their work truck in the backyard, resulting in a loss of up to $1,000.
Mr Hamilton echoed the
call for a proper drainage system, noting that many people were unable to attend church on Sunday because their cars stalled in the water.
Aaron Smith, a resident of Cascarilla, Pinewood Gardens, said the water in front of his house was so high that he could barely walk through it. He described this as the worst flooding the area has seen in years.
Some residents use well pumps instead of being connected to the Water and Sewerage Corporation system. Mr Smith pointed out that the standing water affects the water table, with debris, dead animals, and other harmful substances potentially contaminating it.
Residents have to add chlorine to their well water to purify it from contaminants caused by flooding.
Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting acknowledged that major flooding occurred in many areas of New Providence. He said the Downtown area quickly subsided in the area where his ministry performed major drainage and culvert work a few months ago.
Mr Sweeting said pump trucks were dispatched to severely affected areas such as Pinewood, areas off East Street, and other communities.
“We will continue to pump throughout the day to help reduce the water in the severely impacted communities,” he told The Tribune. “We have already pumped tens of thousands of gallons of water out of these neighbourhoods.”
Mr Sweeting added that his ministry is working on creating a program to mitigate flooding.
“As announced during my budget communication, we are looking at a major flood mitigation and risk programme that can not only initiate a fast response team, as communities have seen today, but also implement efforts to mitigate flooding in areas where we can. We will continue to clean drains and install new ones where practicable.”
Photo: Clay Sweeting
THERE was significant flooding in the Pinewood Gardens area after heavy rains over the weekend.
Photos: Nikia Charlton
Abaco shelter roof collapses
“The reality of the whole thing is quite rich,” he said.
“The roof has collapsed as we mark the fifth anniversary of Dorian. Residents are actively sharing images of the collapsed roof on social media and raising concerns about the structure’s stability.”
Mr Henfield said during his tenure as minister of foreign affairs, he secured $1m from the United Nations to facilitate the shelter’s construction in 2019. He claimed the original plans were scrapped when the Davis administration took office. Although the government has cited issues with the structure’s foundation as a reason for the increased budget, he called the rise to $4.8m “inexplicable”.
He also questioned the competency of the contractors.
“We don’t want to make things like this political, but the incompetence is rife here,” he said.
He said recent rains, while heavy, were not severe enough to cause such damage to the trusses.
“I shudder to think what would happen in a real crisis where Abaconians would seek shelter in that facility,” he said.
Roscoe Thompson, a
prominent Abaco resident, echoed Henfield’s concerns after seeing photos of the shelter online.
“The sad thing is that it’s undersized for what we need in Abaco,” he said. The original plan was for a bigger building. It baffles me how the government prices these buildings.”
In response to the criticism, Leon Lundy, the minister responsible for the Disaster Risk Management Authority, noted that no one was inside when the roof collapsed and emphasised that safety is the top priority.
He attributed the budget increase to several inherited issues.
Alex Storr, chairman of the Disaster Risk Management Authority, said about fifty percent of the trusses in the middle of the structure collapsed between the night of August 31 and the early morning of September 1.
He said a team of engineers would conduct a detailed site inspection to determine the cause of the collapse and necessary remediation efforts.
He said despite the setback, the contractor remains committed to delivering a quality hurricane shelter capable of withstanding Category 5 winds.
THE PHOTO above shows the Abaco Hurricane Shelter just a day before the trusses in the roof collapsed. The roof failure coincided with the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Doran’s landfall on September 1, 2019.
Photos: Silbert Mills
FLOODED road in Pinewood Gardens on Saturday.
Photo: Nikia Charlton
School violence ‘declines 17 percent’ after introduction of School Resource Officers
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
ASSISTANT Commissioner
of Police Dr Chaswell Hanna said violent incidents in schools have declined by 17 percent since the introduction of a School Resource Officer (SRO) programme.
Chief Superintendent Eugene Strachan, head of the Traffic Division, also mentioned that officers will be stationed at major traffic corridors for the next three weeks to ensure public safety on the roads.
Dr Hanna said the SRO programme, which assigns one officer to each public junior and senior high school nationwide, is now entering its third academic year and has reduced school crime. He said schools are safer with officers intercepting dangerous contraband such as guns, drugs, and knives. Notably, he reported that there were no stabbing incidents in the last academic year.
Dr Hanna said there are approximately 60 trained SROs. While there are no immediate plans to increase this number, there are plans to strengthen their effectiveness to maintain a reduction in school-related crime.
Although there have been no recent reports of drug gummies making it onto school campuses, Dr Hanna advised parents to check their children’s bags for
such items. He pointed out that these edibles are often packaged to look like popular brands to attract children.
Dr Hanna also urged parents to resolve conflicts with teachers peacefully, as there were isolated incidents last year where parents were arrested for assaulting teachers on campus.
He further encouraged barbershop owners to ensure that students are in school from 9am to 3pm in accordance with the Education Act. He warned that businesses found serving students during school hours risk losing their licenses, as police will be patrolling to deter truancy.
Chief Superintendent Strachan announced that, in the interest of public safety, officers will be stationed at corridors with concerning traffic trends at the start of the new school year.
“We want to warn those who drive recklessly or dangerously that such behaviour will not be tolerated,” Chief Superintendent Strachan said.
“We will be particularly vigilant for those travelling from the east to the west, as statistics show some issues during the morning commute.”
He also advised drivers near school zones to pay attention to crossing guards and avoid speeding in those areas.
While acknowledging issues in the Village Road area, Chief Superintendent Strachan indicated that officers would
primarily be stationed in the eastern section of New Providence. He mentioned that officers will be assigned to monitor key corridors, including Baillou Hill, Tonique Darling, and areas around Gladstone Road, Baha Mar, and JFK.
Chief Superintendent Strachan urged motorists to manage their time effectively and leave earlier, rather than arriving just before their shift starts.
Addressing concerns about reckless bus drivers, Chief
Superintendent Strachan said: “Bus drivers are always on our radar. We encourage people to send us videos of reckless driving. While videos are helpful, offences are better addressed when observed by a police officer.”
Two dead in traffic accidents over the weekend
from page one
division, detailed Saturday’s fatal collision between a black Dodge Ram and a silver Ford Edge.
“Sometime around 4.30am police received a
call of a traffic crash that occurred on the New Providence Highway that is just south of West Bay Street,”
Chief Superintendent Strachan said.
“Preliminary inquiries into this matter reveal that there were two vehicles
involved, that being a black heavy Dodge Ram Truck and a Ford Escape. Information is that the truck was travelling north along the corridor, for whatever reason, decided to overtake the vehicles that was also travelling northbound
and collided into the truck that was traveling south.”
“As a result of that crash, the Ford jeep came to rest in the western side into the ditch of the corridor. There were two adult males in the Dodge Ram and there were two males in the Ford Edge. The two males in the Dodge Ram complained about pain about the chest and the head, but they were taken to the hospital via private vehicle.”
“The front seat passenger of the Edge, however, was pinned into the right passenger section of the vehicle. He had to be extricated by the jaws of life. EMS was summoned, and upon their examination they reported that there was no vital signs. However, the driver of the Edge was taken to PMH via ambulance.”
While the identity of the deceased victim has yet to be released to the public, Chief Superintendent Strachan said that the driver of the Edge’s condition was listed as stable but serious.
ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Dr Chaswell Hanna and Chief Superintent Eugene Strachan at a press conference on the weekend.
Photo: Pavel Bailey
A MOTORCYCLIST was one of two traffic fatalities over the weekend.
Communities still struggling
five years after monster storm
progress, attributing it to community collaboration and support from NGOs.
“That is how we did it, and so we are further along than all the other communities, and everyone is now back home,” he said.
Pelican Point, like most East End communities, was severely impacted by storm surges from both the north and south shores during Dorian. The historic century-old church, a community landmark, was destroyed but has since been rebuilt, symbolising hope and resilience.
Nonetheless, on the fifth anniversary, the trauma of Dorian still lingers for many residents.
“It brings back fresh memories of the tragedy,”
Mr Bain said. “I have witnessed many hurricanes, but I have never experienced one like this. It was a traumatic experience, and I pray we don’t have another storm like that again.”
Mr Bain and his brotherin-law survived the hurricane by taking refuge in the rafters of his ceiling in a home near the Jack Hayward Bridge. They constructed makeshift rafts and brought tools, food, and water with them.
Mr Bain credits his faith in God for giving him the strength and optimism to endure the ordeal.
Further east in Rocky Creek, progress has been minimal, and families are still living in dire conditions. Judymae Feaster and her family remain in a temporary wooden structure covered only with felt, raising concerns about its safety.
“If the wind blows, it shakes. I am really concerned because we are in hurricane season,” she said.
Mrs Feaster, who lost her job after Deep Water Cay closed following the hurricane, is the primary caregiver for her elderly,
disabled mother and a child with Down syndrome. Her husband, a fisherman, and her own small business of selling pastries barely cover their basic needs.
“The light bill is killing us, and we don’t have much in the house. But if you don’t pay the bill, they turn it off. It’s really tough, especially when you have to care for two disabled people,” she said. She feels that Rocky Creek has been overlooked in terms of home repair assistance.
“When we got home, I was heartbroken. The only thing I saw was the foundation and a toilet — everything was gone. But the most important thing is that I thank God for life. We are still waiting for help to rebuild our home. It seems like they helped people in McLean’s Town, Pelican Point, and other settlements, but passed us by,” she added. In McLean’s Town, there has been more progress. Many homes and businesses have been restored, and a new school has been built. On Saturday, finishing touches were being added to the landscaping in
preparation for the school reopening this week. For the past five years, children from East End and Sweeting’s Cay had to travel to Freeport for school.
A memorial monument in McLean’s Town serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic deaths of the Thomas family — five members who were swept out to sea. In High Rock and Freetown, monuments commemorate the 19 people who lost their lives, 17 of whom were from High Rock.
High Rock, which has the highest elevation among East End settlements, was devastated by a 20-25ft storm surge during Dorian. Rebuilding has been slow, and the seawall has yet to be restored.
Joshua Cooper, a High Rock resident, is still shaken by the loss of so many from his community.
“Right now, I feel a little shaken up because I lost many family members. It was a tragedy, and I never want it to happen again,” he said.
Mr Cooper, who helps with community beautification, said residents need to come together to restore the area. His home was
destroyed, and he is temporarily living in a small building he converted from a former snack store. “People need to help each other to get more accomplished,” he said. “Homes are still in need of repair; it’s been five years.”
Kenneth Rolle, who lives on the main highway towards Bevans Town, is also still struggling with repairs. “It’s been hard, and I got no help. I did everything by myself. My roof is on, and my windows are in,” he said. “I hope we don’t have any storms so we can finish rebuilding. We don’t want to go through another Dorian.”
Mr Rolle also lost his brother, Clarence Jones, a former school principal in East End. “We tried to get him to leave, but he thought it wasn’t going to be as bad. He didn’t make it, and Rosi
(Roswell) Pinder and his whole family didn’t either,” he recalled.
Mr Rolle hopes to complete his home soon. “I am saving, and I hope by Christmas all the doors will be in, and next year I will hopefully be done. In the meantime, we are praying that nothing comes,” he said.
Didier Rolle, another survivor, lost his home in the Over the Bridge/Dover Sound area. After settling with the insurance company, he moved further inland and bought a new home. He has learned to appreciate life more.
“Dorian shed light on how important life is,” he said, empathising with those who lost loved ones.
“I believe that the suffering we endure has a purpose. It brings us closer to God, challenges our faith, and makes us stronger.”
Like many others, Mr Rolle survived by taking refuge in the rafters of his ceiling. His father and cousin, who were a block away, also survived by sheltering in their ceilings. “I just called on the Lord and never shouted so loudly. The house was shaking and cracking, and the waves were hitting against it. In that moment, I never felt so close to dying. But I am here and can share where God has brought me from with others,” he said. Dorian, one of the strongest storms in the country’s history, made landfall in Abaco on September 1 before heading to Grand Bahama, where it lingered for nearly two days. The storm was declared a national disaster, causing $3.4 billion in damage and claiming about 70 lives.
MEMORIAL Monument in High Rock for the 17 residents who lost their lives. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
ABOVE: The seawall in High Rock destroyed five years ago by Dorian still requires restoration.
HIGH Rock resident Joshua Cooper shows where the water level was during Dorian.
PELICAN Point native Daniel Bain, deputy chief councillor of Local government, said they were able to restore their community by helping each other rebuild, and with the support of NGOs.
The Tribune Limited
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH, Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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Much frustration remains five years after Dorian
IF there is such a thing as poetic justice, the collapse of roof trusses on a hurricane shelter in Abaco on the fifth anniversary of the impact of Hurricane Dorian feels like the opposite – a cruel injustice and a further frustration for residents of that island.
The shelter was to have opened in May 2021. That deadline sailed past with no shelter. The Tribune was told recently that it would – despite the doubts of residents – be completed by the end of the year. This collapse will of course raise further doubts in that regard.
The collapse also brings back memories of just over a year ago when a portion of a roof under construction at RM Bailey Senior High School also saw roof trusses collapse.
That incident raised concerns over the contract process, and also saw Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis assert that the contractor “decided that he would self-insure”. He added at the time: “You could self-insure yourself. He takes the risk, which he has done. He said the trusses has collapsed and I’ll make that good. That’s self-insurance.”
Questions will of course be asked about the insurance in place with regard to this latest incident. One hopes it does not follow in the footsteps of that earlier case, or indeed the fire at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute in Andros back in January 2015 when Mr Davis was Minister of Works and the contractor there also did not have insurance.
For locals, however, it is another frustration that more than five years have passed and the needs of those
PICTURE
THE DAY
who suffered through Hurricane Dorian have still yet to be met.
Resident Roscoe Thompson also pointed out that the shelter is “undersized for what we need in Abaco”.
He said of the shelter, which has ballooned in cost from the original $1.8m to its current price tag of $4.8m: “The original plan was for a bigger building. It baffles me how the government prices these buildings.”
Meanwhile, across in Grand Bahama, which also felt the impact of Hurricane Dorian of course, Tribune staff visited Pelican Point, where repairs have still been ongoing –though are close to fruition.
The physical damage may be dealt with, but the emotional damage still lingers. One family over in Rocky Creek, living in a temporary wooden structure, talked of how it shakes if the wind blows, and the fear is that we are in hurricane season.
Over in High Rock, Joshua Cooper talked of still being shaken by the loss of so many family members. He said: “It was a tragedy, and I never want it to happen again.”
In McLean’s Town, there have been positive things to report, with the final touches on the new school ahead of reopening this week.
So many people still have stories of how Dorian affected them personally. As we continue to rebuild, we must remember to rebuild our people’s lives too, to support them after the losses, physical and emotional, that they suffered, and continue to suffer.
It is no easy task, but for those who went through it, nothing is easy. We owe it to our fellow Bahamians to be there for them.
A tribute to ‘Mama’ June Stevenson
EDITOR, The Tribune. IT is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my beloved grandmother, June Ellen Stevenson (née Maplethorpe), affectionately called Mama June. I preface this by saying my letter is based on my personal experiences and recollections. Any omissions or differences in perspective are unintentional and not meant to diminish anyone’s contributions.
Born June 25, 1928, in Billinghay, Lincolnshire, England, June’s remarkable journey brought her to the Bahamas in the late 1940’s early 50’s where she lived a life filled with love, resilience, and unwavering faith, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew her.
June’s life in The Bahamas was intertwined with history, marked by her marriages to two influential men she met during the vibrant Hobby Horse Race Track era. She first married Harold A Munnings Sr, one of the Bahamas’ top 50 legacy men, who made significant contributions to our nation. Later, she married Cyril Stevenson, a prominent political figure, journalist, and one of the founders of the Progressive Liberal Party. Cyril, also recognised among the top 50 legacy men, played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of The Bahamas, and he was profoundly influenced by June’s quiet strength, wisdom, and unwavering support.
June’s impact extended beyond her family; she was an activist for women’s rights and equality during the suffrage movement, passionately advocating for change and standing up for what she believed in. Her commitment to social justice was a testament to her character and her desire to make a difference in the world around her. June’s commitment to nurturing future leaders extended across borders. While living in England, her family opened their home to young black Bahamian scholars pursuing higher education, including Sir Lynden Pindling, who later became the first black Premier of the Bahamas. Her willingness to provide a supportive environment for these scholars exemplified her deep belief in equality, education, and cultural
understanding, leaving an enduring impact on those who were welcomed into her home.
June’s matrimonial home in New Providence became a lush sanctuary in South Beach, where she lovingly planted fruit-bearing trees and indigenous plants with her bare hands. She named the property “The Fen,” a tribute to the Fens of England, whose flat, low-lying lands mirrored those of South Beach. June’s sentimental nature was reflected in every corner of her home, where each piece of furniture and silverware held a memory, and every tree and every stone told a story. Despite residing in the Bahamas for over 60 years, her British accent remained strong and recognizable, reflecting her roots. June was articulate, witty, and fun to be around, often bringing laughter to any gathering. She had a remarkable ability to find humor in any situation and to share that laughter with those around her. One poignant and ironically humorous moment occurred just a few days before her passing. My brother, Richard Munnings Jr, and I were by her bedside, discussing final arrangements and preparations for her send-off. Though some might consider this morbid, Mama June was ever the forward thinker, deeply in tune with reality, and wanted to ensure that all of us knew her final wishes. During our conversation, she instructed us about some stones at The Fen she wanted brought to her tomb, referencing a scripture from Joshua 4:6— “What mean ye by these stones?”—symbolising safe passage and transition. In a moment of levity, Richard joked about including her gallstones among those stones from The Fen—a particularly fitting jest because Mama June, ever the sentimental soul, had held onto them after they were removed years ago. The room erupted with her infectious laughter, a moment made all the more touching as her daughter, Lindy Munnings, who had flown in from Canada to be by her side, was also present. The irony of Mama’s laughter filling the room as we discussed stones— and her unique knack for holding onto things that told a story—was not lost on any of us. Even in her final days, she found a way to bring joy and humor into our lives. June’s friendships were just as enduring. One of her dearest friends was Gwen McDeigan, her first husband’s sister, whose loyalty never wavered. In her final days, Mama June asked me to call Aunty
Gwen, and they spoke like sisters, exchanging heartfelt “I love yous” and bidding each other farewell. Aunty Gwen shared with me that she and Mama June shared a bed when she first came to the Bahamas, making the notion of being sisters all the more fitting. During their brief telephone conversation, Mama reassured her that she was on her way to the other side. Their bond was unbreakable, a testament to the lifelong connections June cherished. June often shared stories of her early years and her encounters with racism across the globe. One particularly moving account was of flying my father, who was an infant at the time, to the USA for an emergency surgery. Navigating a segregated world in the early 50’s with her biracial baby was terrifying, yet June faced it with courage and grace, determined to ensure his safety and well-being. Her strength and compassion defined her, even in the face of such challenges. June’s final weeks were a profound testament to the impact of her love, as her children, grandchildren and friends gathered around her with care, support, and unwavering devotion during her most vulnerable time. It was my duty and privilege to take care of her during her final weeks, returning the love she had always so generously given. She passed away peacefully on August 28, 2024, at the age of 96—a date that held special significance as it was also the birthday of her “baby boy”, Clarke Stevenson. Though I prayed that she’d hang on if only for that day, fearing that her passing would forever shadow Uncle Clarke’s special day, fate seemed to have a different plan, allowing her to slip away precisely on his birthday. In a similar twist of serendipity, her first two children, born to her first husband, shared the same birthday on April 11, and her son Richard Sr, who predeceased her, was laid to rest on June 25 — her own birthday. Mama June’s life was undeniably marked by moments of fate and the sentimental threads that wove her story together.
June’s faith was the cornerstone of her life, often reminding us to “put God first,” a reassurance that carried her through every season. In her last days, she often sang Psalm 23 with me, and recited one of her favorite scriptures; “and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28. Her spirit lifted by the promise of her faith. She was clear on her final destination, eagerly anticipating her reunion with loved ones who had gone before her, especially her mother Doris, husband Cyril, and my father, Richard Munnings Sr. Even as her body grew frail, her mind remained sharp, and she approached her journey home with peace and confidence. She passed away surrounded by love, in the arms of her beloved son, Michael Stevenson, and me holding her hand while gently stroking her hair, as we recognized that it was time to release her spirit to the heavens.
Mama June was a remarkable woman—a devoted grandmother, an activist, a skilled photographer, and a storyteller whose words will forever resonate in our hearts. I will deeply miss her stories, her warmth, and the loving presence that defined every moment we shared. As I say goodbye, I celebrate a life beautifully lived, guided by faith, and filled with unbreakable bonds.
NADYA MUNNINGSPRATT, MSC, BA Nassau August 30, 2024.
OF
Ten sTudenTs receive a pardon aT
SECOND CHANCE PROGRAMME GRADUATION
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
TEN students who were arrested for bringing knives to school have been pardoned after completing the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Second Chance Programme.
The students were among more than 60 graduates at a ceremony hosted in the Paul Farquharson Centre at police headquarters on Friday.
A total of 62 students, ranging from junior to senior high school, participated in the programme, which is designed to help at-risk youth struggling with behavioural issues. During remarks, Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander said the Second Chance Programme has guided students toward a life away from crime.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by young people growing up in crimeridden areas and urged the
graduates not to become products of their environment. Mr Fernander praised students for choosing a better path and emphasised the importance of resisting peer pressure. Among the graduates were ten students who had been arrested for carrying knives to school with the intent to cause harm. After reviewing their cases, the commissioner decided to pardon them.
On Friday, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis underscored the significance of the programme, stressing the power of perseverance, resilience, and the willingness to embrace change. Addressing the graduates, the prime minister said the ceremony marked a turning point, representing their departure from the past and their step into a brighter future. “This program wasn’t easy. It required you to look in the mirror, confront your mistakes and commit to making different choices.
TEEN THANKFUL FOR HIS SECOND CHANCE AFTER HE made a ‘TerriBle decision’
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
SEVENTEEN year-old Luther Hart’s life changed dramatically in January 2023 when, in a moment of rage, he fired a shot with a high-powered rifle after being attacked on his way home. Since then, he has worked hard to turn his life around.
Mr Hart, a former student of CI Gibson, reflected on the decision that altered his life while attending the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Second Chance Programme graduation ceremony on Friday. He was one of over 60 students who graduated from the programme, which supports at-risk youth in grades 9-12 who struggle with behavioural issues. During his early high school years, Mr Hart fell in with the wrong crowd. He admitted that in his 11th year, he made a “terrible decision” that changed his life in an instant.
“I was attacked on my way home. At that time, I was so angry and upset that instead of calling the police, I took matters into my own hands. I ran home, grabbed a Draco AK-47 rifle, came back, and shot off one without guilty conscience,” Mr Hart said.
“That decision was not only wrong, but it was also something I deeply regret.
I regret letting my mother down, letting Ms White down, and letting myself down.”
A ShotSpotter detected a gunshot near Wilton Street, close to DW Davis High School. The information indicated that a young male, armed with a high-powered rifle, had discharged a shot and fled on foot. Officers quickly responded and
And today, as you sit there, you’re shown not only to yourselves, but to everyone watching that you are capable,” Mr Davis said. He added: “The second chance is much more than what I call a reset button. It’s an opportunity to prove what you are made of. It’s your moment to show your families, your moment to show your communities, your moment to show your country that you are beyond the sum of your past actions you have demonstrated, the courage to change, the strength to grow and the determination to succeed.”
For her part, Minister of Education Glenys HannaMartin reflected on her own mistakes, emphasizing the value of self-forgiveness and the lessons learned from them.
She also encouraged the graduates to seek help from guidance counsellors if they face challenges and to stay motivated as they return to school.
observed the young man dropping a black backpack containing the rifle.
Corporal Alyssa White, the school resource officer at CI Gibson High School, worked closely with Mr Hart during his time in school. On the day of the incident, Corporal White had advised him to take the bus home, but he chose to walk instead. Since the incident, she said, Mr Hart has paid his debt to society.
Mr Hart was charged with possession of an unlicenced firearm and ammunition, to which he pleaded guilty. He was remanded at the Simpson Penn School for Boys and later granted bail with a curfew that allowed him to attend church.
Mr Hart said being arrested was a difficult experience. However, he has since turned his life around by attending the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), completing the National Centre for Construction Education and Research programme, and participating in the National Training Agency’s monetary workforce programme.
“I felt proud of myself for achieving these things,” he said. “But I still carry the weight of my past decision. I have learned a long life lesson.”
Mr Hart urged graduates to remember that one rash decision can have lasting consequences. He also noted he is currently unemployed, finding it difficult to secure a job due to his troubled past. During the ceremony, Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander commended Mr Hart for choosing a better path and gifted him a new iPhone so they could stay in touch.
POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander presents a graduate with a new iPhone during the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) Second Chance Graduation Ceremony at Police Headquarters on Friday.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis (above) speaks during the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) Second Chance Graduation Ceremony at Police Headquarters on Friday. Photos: Dante Carrer/ Tribune Staff
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2024
Faith faltering as promises not met
By MALCOLM STRACHAN
VOTE for me, vote for my party, goes up the cry at election time, and then come the promises.
We will do this, we will do that – and here is our glossy manifesto full of those promises. The question is, do politicians really mean them?
While following the news in the past week, I have also been reading the first book in former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s collected speeches and writings.
The title of that book is “I Say What I Mean and I Mean What I Say”. Now some of you may take issue with whether Mr Ingraham always did that, but one thing is for sure – this current administration sure doesn’t seem to have meant what it said when it put pen to paper for its election manifesto – or as they called it the Blueprint for Change.
It will probably not come as a great shock that the latest example of such a thing comes from PLP chairman and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell, who piped up to talk about campaign finance legislation.
The topic came up courtesy of an undignified round of finger pointing over donations allegedly given by the Grand Bahama Port Authority. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis was asked a question about whether FNM leader Michael Pintard had been given millions in campaign funding by the authority –giving Mr Davis the chance to punt the ball over to Mr Pintard, who promptly labelled the whole thing as “fictitious” but said the authority had given money to both parties over the years. The latter is certainly true.
Mr Pintard also challenged the PLP to a round of I’ll show you mine if you show me yours – to which everything went quiet.
Of course, all of this would be a moot point if we had campaign finance legislation that made donations transparent to us all, so we
could see who was a beneficiary of such donations, which might make it clearer if someone means what they say or whether they’re singing for their supper.
Mr Mitchell piped up to say that “there is no appetite” for campaign finance legislation in this country. He said that “neither side can agree on the terms of disclosure in this country. And that is my personal view.”
Strange that the party chairman would not have put up a stronger fight then on keeping it out of the Blueprint for Change if that is his view. Across the board, members of the party he chairs ran on that set of promises for election to this administration.
Right there, under a pledge on good governance, it says that the party committed to fully implementing campaign finance reform.
Even more recently than that, this year Mr Mitchell stood up in front of the Organization of American States and said work was ongoing on the legal side of things to handle campaign finance.
He said: “As outlined in the administration’s Blueprint for Change election manifesto,” (see? He remembers when he’s talking to people overseas), “the government is committed to campaign finance reform and work is ongoing in development of a legal framework to govern campaign finance.”
This was after the OAS election observer team pointed out the lack of such finance reporting requirements.
Back in 2016, he was also calling for such laws himself amid the row between Peter Nygard and Louis Bacon at the time, saying: “The question is the law needs to be designed to deal with that, disclosure, sources, amounts and public financing campaigns. All that should be on the table, I think.”
Not so much now he’s back in office, it seems.
It’s not the only thing in the Blueprint for Change that seems to have been
cast aside or neglected in office.
Right next to the promise on campaign finance legislation is the promise on fully implementing the Freedom of Information Act. The Information Commission has been handed a budget that largely covers a salary and some photocopy paper, while Mr Davis said in January implementing the act is not one of his top priorities. He said providing relief to struggling Bahamians is a more pressing issue, as if it’s not possible to do both. Mr Davis has said he will do so in his term of office… but there’s little sign so far.
The Information Commissioner had told reporters he expected requests to be facilitated by late last year. Last year’s gone, and this one’s on the way, and there’s no sign of it happening. At the time, FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands told people “don’t hold your breath”. Trust the doctor – you’d have turned blue a long time ago otherwise.
How about marital rape legislation? Mr Davis has outright said that such legislation is not on the party’s blueprint for change – even though the blueprint says right there that the party is committed to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals that ensure quality education, life long learning opportunities, gender equality and empowerment for women and girls, quality water, sanitation and access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. Wait, though, you say, where does it say marital rape? Well, it takes a little further reading – the Sustainable Development Goals referred to including eliminating “all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. They also include ending all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. I will tip my hat in the direction of Tribune columnist Alicia Wallace for pointing out
that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) looked specifically at the Sexual Offences Act, including the section on rape, as needing amended, including the criminalisation of marital rape. So it is in the blueprint after all.
That is just a few examples of things the government said they would do on the campaign trail that they show no sign of supporting in office.
So why should we believe
them when they come knocking next time?
You said you would do this – oh, there’s no appetite, oh we have other priorities, oh we didn’t really say that.
So when you say next time you will do A, B and C, why would we have any expectation that you would not do the same once you got the votes?
This government is in a rocky place between the high murder rate, the police corruption probe, the officials who have been
charged before the courts and the pain that people are still feeling in their pockets while being told how wonderful the economy is even if it ain’t for them.
If you add on to that a lack of belief that the government will do what it said it was going to do, then you’re going to have a major trust problem come the next election. And in our Bahamas, which swings from one administration to the other by habit, that will be a major problem for the PLP’s re-election hopes.
1
2
Jeremiah
The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.
Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
3
And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
4
Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
5
Yea, the hind also calved in the feld, and forsook it, because there was no grass.
6
And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.
7
O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
8
O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
10Thus saith the Lord unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the Lord doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.
11Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
12When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
13Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye
have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
14Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
15Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
16And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
17Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
18If I go forth into the feld, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
19Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!
20We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.
21Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
22Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.
ROAD TO RUIN: Fiscal
the OECD -
ted
by RBC,
openly aided and abet-
CIBC
and Scota
Bankis
a far
more
pressing
danger to our Bahamaland than the ever increasing efects of global climate change.
By Malcolm Rolle
In the August 15 edition of The Tribune, Gowon Bowe, chairman of the Clearing Banks Association, took issue with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell urging the Central Bank to take a more proactive approach to regulating commercial banks - in light of what Minister Mitchell and, many others including this author, deem is the “second rate level of service, forced digitalization [onerous requirements] and excessive charges [levied upon] customers to keep their own money” then, the “legislature may have to intervene”.
Declaring the “country is moving towards a communist state when discussing regulating bank fees or the value of services provided by private enterprise”, Mr Bowe claimed that we would be going down “ a very slippery slope”.
Just the opposite! If our nation’s 50 years of Independence is to mean anything it should be a celebration of Sir Etienne Dupuch’s anti-discrimination legislation; a chance to reflect upon the vision of our founding father (Sir Lynden Pindling) and, recognise the Parliament of our sovereign nation, for passing laws which protect, promote and advance the interest of our citizens and residents. Certainly not acquiese to the ludicrous demands of an unelected EU body, Organization for Economic Co-Operation & Development (OECD) — aided and abetted by
foreign financial institutions — who, in many instances, force customers to comply with requirements far exceeding those of the Central Bank and are imposed by persons who live outside the jurisdiction of The Bahamas (Barbados, Trinidad or Canada).
Frankly, the time has come to put an end to the endless attacks on our citizens — which, Minis-
those - lacking the moral, legal, legislative or statutory authority - who yet propogate a false narrative based upon highly speculative conjecture based on the absurd proposition that if we wish to live our lives in peace and harmony with our neighbours it will create “unfair” [“harmful”] competition that risks distorting trade and could lead to the ero -
tition is harmful either to one’s own or other countries, no matter how unpleasant it may be for the treasury concerned, states Dr Terry Dwyer, Visiting Fellow, Asia Pacific School of Economics and Management, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Any flaw in defining tax competition as being “harmful” is exemplified
can explain why it took a doctor and his wife over a year to open a savings account for their infant twins. Or, how about RBC’s seventh oldest customer — in good standing and no indebtedness — being forced to wait one year and four months to open a new account.
Switching to Scotiabank, Some bright spark in Barbados is insisting that cop -
let’s not talk about fees. A client recently informed us that a $500,000 wire cost them $6,200 in fees. In the US that charge would be in the region of USD $500 Minister Mitchell is spot on! The Bahamas needs to a Customer Bill of RIghts — with enforcement provisions lest the dreams of our nation and its people will die suffocated by burdensome, ill-thought out
ter Mitchell rightly points out, have wrecked havoc on our way of life; and, in some cases the very survival of various sectors of our economy and family islands. Clearly nothing fruitful, could ever emerge from an association with
sion of some unknown Euroean nations’ tax bases.
All the same, an expression of fear or unfounded supposition that tax competition might lead to a loss of domestic revenue does not amount to an argument that tax compe-
by the fact the Bahamian dollar is a non-tradable currency. In essence, the Central Bank would have to explicitedly condone money laundering as Bahamians need permission to hold foreign currency. Either way, perhaps RBC
ies of Bahamian passports need to be notarised by a law firm in order to meet KYC requirements? Come on! But go to the United States with your passport, drivers licence and a utlitiy bill and your account is open the same day. And
regulations induced by the OECD’s financial threats for the express purpose of forcing us design our legal and administrative systems to facilitate the demands of other countries. And that sounds awfully like fiscal colonialism.
of Foreign Affairs & Public Service, Hon. Fred Mitchell
It all adds up for Kristina
FOR 50 YEARS, University of The Bahamas (UB) has been a catalyst for change, shaping industries, communities, and lives. Its impact resonates through the stories of over 22,000 alumni who have carried the university’s legacy of excellence into the world. Among them is Kristina Dames, a 2020 graduate nurtured in UB’s rigorous academic environment, who is now a part of the thriving energy sector.
Equipped with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in finance, Kristina navigates the complex world of crude oil trading as a crude analyst for Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited (SWST) — an integral member of the Shell Trading network, trading crude oil from Latin America and West Africa — covering the Latin America region. Her success is a testament to the university’s ability to prepare its students for the global stage.
“My experience at UB was an integral part in molding me into the professional I am today,” shares Kristina.
“Throughout my programme, I worked a full-time job while also
GAIN AN EDGE
DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
maintaining a full-time school schedule, and although it was tough, that experience taught me how to effectively manage my time and how to handle any adversity in a professional capacity.
“Juggling both the high demands of school and work and successfully managing to do so has prepared me to handle any pressure I may face throughout my work and personal life. I was able to excel academically and perform all my professional duties to a high standard.”
During her time at UB, Kristina didn’t quite appreciate how much subjects like economics, statistics, and international trade finance would become the foundation of her current role. Today, she applies that knowledge to manage profit and loss (P/L) and exposure for SWST’s crude oil traders, providing critical analysis for regional and global teams. Her hard
work learning valuable lessons both within and outside the classroom is paying off.
“Something that I love and appreciate from UB is that the technical knowledge I gained from the lectures of my finance 411 (international trade finance) classes have set me up well for the tasks of my current role in Shell,” said Kristina. “Although I spent long days and nights juggling between classes and work, all that hard work that I put into my time there has paid off. Putting in the hours that I did gave me the confidence in my ability to work hard for the life that I want for myself and my family.”
UB takes immense pride not only in Kristina’s achievements but also in its growing partnership with SWST. The collaboration between the university and this global energy leader is opening doors for more students to explore careers in crucial industries.
“We know the academic rigour of UB adequately prepares students for the real world, and we are delighted to have a corporate partner like SWST’s
strategic investment in UB,” says executive director of corporate and foundation relations at UB, Kandice Weech. “By offering dynamic career
opportunities, SWST has opened a pathway for students to gain exposure to a critical industry that we hope more graduates decide to explore.”
Climate change and consumerism
CORPORATE GREED PREYS ON CONSUMER NEEDS AND THE PLANET BLEEDS
By JERVON SANDS
A WORSENING illness of the modern world is the epidemic of mass consumerism. Our new trend-based society is taking a serious toll on the planet. Through the mechanism of targeted advertising, corporations have inspired within their consumers a dire need to purchase in excess thereby appeasing overgrown appetites for novelty products and services. It is common knowledge that the most polluting industry on the planet is fossil fuel energy – extraction, production, distribution, and consumption. The fossil fuel industry deals devastating blows to our planet’s health at every link on its value chain. To make matters worse, essentially all other industries are dependent on it. Among the other most polluting industries are those that cater to some of our most basic needs. These include transport, manufacturing and construction, agriculture, food retail, fashion, and technology. Due to our dependence on these industries, increasingly more consumers are being manipulated by corporations that rely on or even incite economic disparities for profit. Take the fashion industry for instance, we have been socialised to believe that our appearance, particularly the clothes we wear, provides us with social currency to purchase approval from our peers. Knowing this, the fashion industry has taken two approaches to secure profit while disregarding the environment.
The first approach involves offering stylish products, often high-fashion dupes, of low quality for extremely low prices. Conversely, the second approach is to create absurd, short-lived fashion trends and sell bizarre, conceptual products for extremely high prices.
The success of these approaches is facilitated by the prevalence of online distribution sites and the media coercing consumers to stay current with the latest trends. Consequently, consumer closets become saturated with outfits that can only be worn once creating an
unsustainable industry and rigid economy.
The issue is not only that these clothes eventually end up in the landfill but also that the resources used to create them are wasted, the emissions from manufacturing them add to the greenhouse effect, the laborers involved in their creation are not fairly treated, and the corporations responsible for this negative value chain are not held accountable.
The developed world continues to exacerbate the climate crisis through the carbon intensive industries that bolster their economies and the high rates of consumerism that is poisoning their populations.
Disturbingly, due to these influences beyond our borders, Bahamians are becoming complicit in our own demise. Our consumption habits are beginning to mimic those of consumers in the United States who are responsible for around a fifth of global cumulative emissions since 1850.
Although our mitigative efforts would have little effect on reducing global emissions, it is still important for us to lead by example in global climate change response. However, this is easier said than done since we remain dependent on fossil fuel energy to power our country; we possess limited public transportation infrastructure; we import nearly 90 percent of our food and our economy is dependent on tourism – a carbon intensive industry that contributes approximately eight percent of global emissions.
The future of our nation is dependent on making the necessary infrastructural changes that are currently underway. As citizens we can ensure that these changes are realised by holding our leaders accountable. Otherwise, we must exemplify climate action by participating in sustainable national development and by practicing sustainable consumer habits.
Please stay tuned for upcoming articles on topics related to climate change impacts in the Bahamas. You can also get updates on more of our work by following us @bccya.242, @cceaubahamas, & @sdgunit242 on Instagram.
Kristina’s story is one of many that illustrate how UB’s commitment to excellence continues to empower its graduates to make their mark on the world.
JERVON SANDS
Poverty - the root cause of global and national tensions: A call for OAS action
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
POVERTY is the festering wound at the heart of the world’s social, economic, and political tensions. In the Americas, it is a stark reality that not only divides but destabilises entire nations. Despite advances in the fight against poverty, the
The grim truth is that without decisive action, the world will become increasingly unsafe, more chaotic, and less conducive to peace.
rich continue to grow richer, while the chasm between the wealthy and the impoverished remains perilously wide. This division, both within and between nations, is exacerbated by the compounded crises of climate change, insufficient access to concessional financing, and unfavourable terms of trade, particularly for developing nations.
The recent “Manifesto Against Poverty,” submitted to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) by the Ambassador of Colombia, Secretary-General Luis Almagro and me, as the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, is a clarion call to address this issue head-on. This manifesto underscores a fundamental truth: poverty is not just a domestic issue but a global crisis that fuels inequality, stunts development, and incites conflict. It is the root cause of many of the challenges facing our world today, from mass migration to escalating crime rates. As such, the fight against poverty must become a central priority for nations, especially those in the Americas — the most unequal region on the planet. The statistics are alarming. According to the World Bank, poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean increased from 28.3 percent in 2019 to 30.3 percent in 2021, a surge driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and global economic disruption caused by the Russian war against Ukraine.
majority of countries were attentive to the gravity of the problem and recognised the urgent need for action. However, it was troubling that representatives from a few countries, despite the prevalence of poverty within their own borders and their subjection to global disparities, became bogged down in questioning the relatively small cost of establishing a Working Group.
‘Poverty is not just a statistic; it is a powerful force that undermines peace and security. It drives people to desperation, forcing them to undertake perilous journeys in search of better lives, as we have seen with those who trek through the treacherous Darien gap, to suffer as desperate refugees on the southern border of the US. It fuels crime, violence, and instability, creating fertile ground for organised crime and drug trafficking, including among gangs of young persons.’
This group would collaborate with other organs of the Inter-American system to advance the cause of poverty alleviation as outlined in the manifesto. Their hesitation underscores a troubling position that, if not addressed, could undermine the broader, more critical goal of fostering long-term development and stability across the region. This manifesto is not just about alleviating poverty; it is about transforming the structures that perpetuate it. The manifesto highlights the need for inclusive institutions that empower the poor and provide them with the tools they need to escape the vicious cycle of poverty. It calls for a universal basket of services that ensures access to housing, education, healthcare, and social protection for all.
The impact of poverty is particularly severe on the most vulnerable — children, indigenous communities, people of African descent, and women. In many cases, families must choose between feeding their children or buying essential medicines, a tragic illustration of the daily hardships faced by millions.
Poverty is not just a statistic; it is a powerful force that undermines peace and security. It drives people to desperation, forcing them to undertake perilous journeys in search of better lives, as we have seen with those who trek through the treacherous Darien gap, to suffer as desperate refugees on the southern border of the US. It fuels crime, violence, and instability, creating fertile ground for organised crime and drug trafficking, including among gangs of young persons.
The ripple effects of poverty do not respect borders; they spill over into neighbouring countries and destabilise entire regions. Thus, the fight against poverty must be inclusive and comprehensive, involving all sectors of society and requiring a coordinated international response. The manifesto’s call for the OAS to adopt a unified stance against poverty is not only timely but essential. It is a significant opportunity for the OAS to demonstrate leadership and make a meaningful impact on the lives of millions. The adoption of this manifesto would be a landmark achievement, signalling the organisation’s commitment to addressing the root causes of inequality and underdevelopment.
By establishing a Working Group on Poverty, the OAS can mobilise the collective efforts of the organs of the Inter-American System, including the Inter-American Development Bank, the Pan-American Health Organization and the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights to develop and implement strategies that address the multifaceted nature of poverty. At the meeting of the Permanent Council, it was encouraging to see that the
This approach recognises that poverty is not simply about a lack of income but is a multidimensional problem that requires a comprehensive and targeted response.
The responsibility to eradicate poverty lies not just with individual nations but with the international community.
The OAS, as the most important and inclusive regional organisation, has a moral and legal obligation to lead this fight. The OAS Charter explicitly states the organisation’s purpose to “eradicate extreme poverty, which constitutes an obstacle to the full democratic development of the peoples of the hemisphere”. This mission is more critical now than ever before. Caribbean and Central American countries, being among the most deprived in the Americas, should be at the forefront of promoting this manifesto. These nations should fully understand the devastating impact of poverty on their people and their societies. Their leadership in this initiative would not only benefit their citizens but would also set a powerful example for the rest of the region and the world.
The adoption of the “Manifesto Against Poverty” by the OAS represents a pivotal moment. It is an opportunity for the organisation to assert its role as a force for good, leading the charge in the global fight against poverty.
The OAS must seize this opportunity to fulfil its charter obligations and demonstrate that it is committed to not only defending democracy and human rights but also to advancing development and eradicating poverty. The time to act is now, for the sake of our region, our world, and future generations.
The OAS, through its Permanent Council in collaboration with its Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, still have the chance to act in the coming days, and, by doing so, demonstrate that the organisation is relevant to the people of The Americas.
• The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com.
The weight of leadership in a healthy democracy
By TIMOTHY ROBERTS troberts@tribunemedia.net
“The price of greatness is responsibility.” -
Winston Churchill
THE scandal involving the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) is not just another blip in the news cycle - it is a test of our democracy and the integrity of those sworn to protect it. Allegations of a quid pro quo arrangement between a senior police officer, a gang leader, a prominent lawyer, and two murdered gang members have sent shockwaves through our nation. These revelations have understandably shaken the public’s faith in the very institution meant to uphold law and order.
Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, promising an investigation by the Security and Intelligence Branch, overseen by the Inspectorate Board. However, this board has been criticised for its chronic inability to fulfill its mandate, raising serious doubts about the effectiveness of this oversight.
In response to these doubts, the RBPF has reached out to Scotland Yard for independent assistance, a move endorsed by Prime Minister Philip Davis. Yet, despite the enormity of this crisis, Mr Davis has been conspicuously silent on the issue. His few statements have been tepid, lacking the forceful leadership this moment demands.
In July, he called the voice notes “terribly disturbing” and spoke of the need to restore public confidence in the police force. But since then, his silence has been deafening.
This silence is unacceptable.
The Prime Minister, as the head of government, bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that
this investigation is not only thorough but also transparent. The public deserves to know that those entrusted with their safety are not compromised by corruption. Yet, the lack of updates and the absence of a clear commitment to an independent investigation leave us wondering: Does the Prime Minister truly understand the stakes?
National Security Minister Wayne Munroe has expressed confidence in the RBPF’s ability to investigate itself - an assertion that defies common sense. In a small, tightly-knit community like ours, the involvement of an independent body is not just desirable—it is essential. International participation, such as that of Scotland Yard, is crucial to reassure the public that this investigation will be conducted with integrity.
The Davis administration came to power on a promise of good governance, with integrity and accountability as its cornerstones. But promises mean nothing without action. The Prime Minister’s inaction, his reluctance to take a strong, public stand on this issue, raises serious questions about his commitment to these principles. Does he wish to be remembered as a leader who stood by his words, or as one who shrank from responsibility when it mattered most?
The Commissioner of Police has already declared that no further updates will be provided until the investigation is complete. This is deeply troubling. Transparency is not an optional feature of good governance; it is its very foundation. The public has a right to know that this investigation is being conducted fairly and thoroughly. Anything less is an affront to our democracy. If they are choosing silence to mitigate or protect their reputation, it will indeed have the
reverse effect.
As Bahamians, we have heard much about good governance from Mr Davis, both in his criticisms of the opposition and in his praise of his own party. Now, it is time for him to show us that these are not just empty words. The Prime Minister must stand up and demonstrate that he is a leader of integrity, committed to rooting out corruption wherever it exists - whether in the police force or any other institution.
moment of challenge. Will you rise to it, or will you allow this scandal to undermine the public’s trust in your leadership?
Martin Luther King Jr once said: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Mr Davis, this is your
The Prime Minister must not only work behind the scenes but must be visibly and actively involved in restoring public confidence in our law enforcement agencies. The Bahamian people deserve nothing less.
PRIME MINISTER PHILIP ‘BRAVE’ DAVIS
Tributes paid to ‘Sonny’ Ramphal
CARIBBEAN statesman Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal died aged 95 on Friday, prompting a flood of tributes.
A statement issued by his family described Sir Shridath as “a towering figure in international diplomacy and a cherished elder statesmen of the Commonwealth and the Caribbean”.
Sir Shridath, was born on October 3, 1928, in New Amsterdam, British Guiana (now Guyana), and was educated at King’s College London and Gray’s Inn, London.
His roles over the years included Assistant Attorney-General of the West Indies Federation, Minister of Justice and Foreign Affairs of Guyana, and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
He also held concurrent positions as Chancellor of the University of Guyana, the University of the West Indies, and Warwick University.
He was the only individual to have served on all the Global Commissions that produced landmark reports on the environment, development, and disarmament between 1980 and 1995. As chairman of the West Indian Commission, his 1992 report, “Time for Action,” remains a seminal blueprint for Caribbean development.
Commonwealth Secretary-General from 1975 to 1990, Sir Shridath was instrumental in the fight against institutional racism in Southern Africa, playing a key role in the termination of apartheid in South Africa.
Nelson Mandela once said of him: “He is one of those men who have become famous because, in their fight for human justice, they have chosen the whole world as their theatre.”
In his later years, Sir Shridath continued to serve with distinction. At 92, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, he was the first lawyer to appear virtually before the International Court of Justice, representing Guyana in a significant border dispute with Venezuela.
‘He is one of those men who have become famous because, in their fight for human justice, they have chosen the whole world as their theatre.’ Nelson Mandela
He also served in various capacities, including president of the World Conservation Union, special adviser to the UN Conference on Environment and Development, and chief negotiator for the Caribbean on External Economic Relations. He was also a mediator and facilitator in elections and constitutional crises.
As the longest-serving
Sir Shridath was the recipient of numerous prestigious honours, including the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG), the Order of Excellence of Guyana (OE), the Order of Merit of Jamaica (OM), the Order of the Companions of Oliver Tambo from South Africa, Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), and an appointment to the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand’s highest civil honour.
Patricia Scotland KC, the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, said: “It is with the greatest sorrow that we mourn the passing of Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal. He was a giant of the Caribbean and one of the Commonwealth’s brightest lights.
“As a
committed internationalist, and my longest-serving predecessor as SecretaryGeneral, Sir Sonny served the Commonwealth with extraordinary vision, compassion, wisdom, and a steadfast commitment to the values which bind our family of nations.
“His statesmanship was rooted in his humanity. His leadership was characterised by his belief in the power of dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation, and his unwavering dedication to justice.
“His committed advocacy for the rights of small states, and his tireless work to bridge the divides which too often separate nations and peoples, was remarkable and visionary.
“Above all, he will remembered for his principled and essential role in coordinating international opposition to apartheid in South Africa – the central achievement of a tenure marked by a resolute
dedication to justice, equality, and the dignity of all people.
“He guided the Commonwealth through some of its most challenging and transformative moments, and steered us into the modern era.
“His life reminds us of the transcendent impact that one individual can have on the global stage.
“His legacy is one of unity, hope, and a relentless pursuit of a more just and equitable world, with an influence which extends far beyond the Commonwealth. He leaves an indelible mark on international relations and his work will continue to inspire future generations of leaders.
“As we mourn his loss, we celebrate a life extraordinarily well-lived. The Commonwealth is stronger, richer and more just because of his leadership, and the world is a better place for his vision and impact.
“On behalf of the Commonwealth family of 56 nations and 2.7 billion citizens, I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to Sir Sonny’s family, his loved ones, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
“I will hold them all in my heart and in my prayers as we continue to serve the Commonwealth and honour the values he so passionately believed in.”
The Bahamas government also sent its condolaneces, with a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying:
“Sir Shridath had a personal commitment to peace and justice and to the fight against institutionalised racism and apartheid that was felt globally.
“Sir Shridath is remembered for his presence and able executive support as Secretary General during the
Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Nassau, The Bahamas, in 1985, presided over by Prime Minister Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, which resulted in the Nassau Accord, calling on the government of South Africa to dismantle its apartheid policy. Sir Shridath served in many significant roles: Assistant Attorney General of the West Indies Federation; Chairman of the West Indian Commission, which helped define The Bahamas’ role within what would become the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); and Minister of Foreign Affairs for his homeland Guyana.” Sir Shridath passed away on August 30, surrounded by his children. His son-inlaw, Sir Ronald Sanders, is a regular writer for The Tribune
His wife of 67 years, Lady Lois Ramphal, died on September 20, 2019.
Large-scale polio vaccinations begin in Gaza after first case in 25 years
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip
Associated Press
PALESTINIAN health authorities and United Nations agencies on Sunday began a large-scale campaign of vaccinations against polio in the Gaza Strip, hoping to prevent an outbreak in the territory that has been ravaged by the Israel-Hamas war.
Authorities plan to vaccinate children in central Gaza until Wednesday before moving on to the more devastated northern and southern parts of the strip. The campaign began with a small number of vaccinations on Saturday and aims to reach about 640,000 children.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said more than 72,600 children received vaccines on Sunday.
The World Health Organization has said Israel agreed to limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign. There were initial reports of Israeli strikes in central Gaza early Sunday, but it was not immediately known if anyone was killed or wounded. The pause ended Sunday afternoon, according to a schedule released by Israel.
Israel has said the vaccination programme will continue through September 9 and last eight hours a day.
Gaza recently reported its first polio case in 25 years — a ten-month-old boy, now paralysed in a leg. The World Health Organization says the presence of a paralysis case indicates there could be hundreds more who have been infected but aren’t showing symptoms.
Most people who have polio do not experience symptoms, and those who do usually recover in a week or so. But there is no cure, and when polio causes paralysis, it is usually permanent. If the paralysis affects breathing muscles, the disease can be fatal.
The vaccination campaign faces challenges, from ongoing fighting to devastated roads and hospitals shut down by the war. Around 90 percent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, with hundreds of thousands crammed into squalid tent camps. Health officials have expressed alarm about disease outbreaks as uncollected garbage has piled up and the bombing of critical infrastructure has sent putrid water flowing through the streets. Polio is spread through fecal matter. Widespread hunger has left people even more vulnerable to illness.
“We escaped death with our children, and fled from place to place for the sake of our children, and now we have these diseases,” said Wafaa Obaid, who brought her three children to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah to get the vaccinations.
Ammar Ammar, a spokesperson for the UN children’s agency, said it hopes both parties adhere to a temporary truce in designated areas to enable families to reach health facilities.
“This is a first step,” he told The Associated Press. “But there is no alternative to a cease-fire because it’s not only polio
that threatens children in Gaza, but also other factors, including malnutrition and the inhuman conditions they are living in.” The vaccinations will be administered at roughly 160 sites across the territory, including medical centers and schools. Children under 10 will receive two drops of oral polio vaccine in two rounds, the second to be administered four weeks after the first. Israel allowed around 1.3 million doses to be brought into the territory last month, which are now being held in refrigerated storage in a warehouse in Deir al-Balah. Another shipment of 400,000 doses is set to be delivered to Gaza soon.
The polio virus that triggered this latest outbreak is a mutated virus from an oral polio vaccine. The oral polio vaccine contains weakened live virus and in very rare cases, that virus is shed by those who are vaccinated and can evolve into a new form capable of starting new epidemics.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 hostages. Around 100 remain in captivity, about a third of whom are believed to be dead.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which does not say whether those killed were fighters or civilians. The war has caused vast destruction across the territory, with entire neighborhoods wiped out and critical infrastructure heavily damaged.
SIR Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal, who has died aged 95.
SECTION E
Brown Jr 8th overall SPORTS
By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
Bahamian junior athletes did not get the results that they expected at the 2024 World Athletics Under-20 (U20) Championships in Lima, Peru.
The Bahamas concluded the junior global meet with zero medals and in a six-way tie for 61st place overall with one point.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2024
World U20: Team Bahamas tied for 61st overall
Carlos Brown Jr closed out competition for Team Bahamas on Friday evening in the boys’ 200m finals. Brown crossed the finish line with a time of 21.51 seconds for the eighth position and top eight in the event at the junior global level. The Pan-American U20 champion was the lone competitor from Team
Bahamas to advance out of the opening qualification rounds, make the finals and compete in multiple events.
Team head coach Daron Lightbourne spoke highly of Brown’s performance in his third and last World Under-20 Championships appearance.
“Carlos’ experience at those championships prior,
talent and hard work with his coach got him into the finals. His performance was remarkable with or without a medal.
“He fought hard in his semifinals to get there and fought hard to the end in the finals. That race will forever be written in history that he was top
DAWN CHARLTON EARNS PRO CARD
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
AFTER having her fitness pro card rescinded because of a mistake by the judges about five years ago, ageless wonder brains and beauty Dawn Charlton could have easily packed her bags and left the sport.
But she pressed on, switching to the bikini class three years ago and on Saturday night, she finally got redemption as she rightfully earned her pro card at the MPC North American Championships
at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Pittsburgh. The aspiring lawyer competed in the bikini category D against 14 other competitors in the show which got started on Wednesday wirth the male competition and Thursday it was fitness and figure. The bikini and wellness wrapped it up on Saturday. In total, more 100-150 pro cards were presented. Charlton, who declined to reveal her age, said she was thrilled to finally get the pro card as the first Bahamian bikini
THE SPORTS CALENDAR
TRACK RED-LINE CROSS COUNTRY
IN preparation for the off-season training, the Red-Line Athletics Track Club is scheduled to hold its inaugural Cross Country & Fitness Run on Saturday, September 14, at the St Augustine’s College Campus. The categories for the male and female runners are under-9, under11, under-13, under-15, under-17, under-20, under-30, under-40, under50 and over-50. The male and female walkers will compete in the under20, under-30, under-40, under-50 and over-50 categories.
The course length will be one-mile over two hills, a staircase, road and grass surfaces that will feel like two miles. Trophies will be distributed to the first three all age groups and divisions for both the walkers and the
WOMEN’S 60 metres world indoor and record holder Devynne Charlton was back in action for the first time over the weekend since she competed in her second straight Olympic Games.
Charlton, who duplicated her sixth-place finish from the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan to the 2024 games in Paris, France, lined up in another highly competitive women’s 100m hurdles at the Wanda Diamond League Meet in Rome, Italy.
After getting out with the pack of competitors from the start, Charlton clipped the ninth of 10 hurdles and pushed down the final hurdle. She was unable to finish the race as she fell and rolled over on the track at the Stadio Olimpico.
The 28-year-old Bahamian national record holder
JOHNSON AND YOUNG TAKE TOP TWO SPOTS
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
JASON Johnson and Kaif Young emerged with a 1-2 finish in the Men’s Physique category at the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation’s Mr Mexico Pro Bodybuilding and Fitness Show over the weekend.
Johnson and Young captured the top honours at the show held in Mexico City and have qualified to compete in the IFBB Pro World Championships in Madrid, Spain, October
September
runners. The registration fee is $20 per athlete and interested persons can register online at redlineathletics242@gmail.com UB CROSS COUNTRY THE University of the Bahamas will hold its annual Cross Country 2K24 Invitational on Saturday, September 28, starting at 7 am at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. Interested persons can contact coach Ednal Rolle at 424-6469 or ednql.roolle@ub.edu.bs for more details. SOFTBALL EXUMA HOMECOMING THE Williams Town Exuma Homecoming Association is scheduled to hold a softball game and road race over the weekend of October
ALIV teamed up with the Bahamas Esports Federation (BESF) and Atlantis to host the inaugural Crush Counter Showdown on Saturday, August 24. The Crush Counter Showdown is a premier esports event that brought together gamers from across the region to compete in Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. ALIV powered players with ALIVFibr’s cuttingedge fibre technology, underscoring the crucial role of superior connectivity as the local esports and gaming culture rapidly grows.
“ALIVFibr is not just about speed – it’s about unlocking the full potential of the gaming community in The Bahamas,” said John Gomez, chief ALIV officer.
10-12. Johnson has also qualified for the 2025 championships.
This was the second show that Johnson competed in and he came out victorious with Young placing second.
Johnson adds the Mr Mexico title to the Mr Colombia crown he won in November with Young as the runner-up.
“I want to thank the Lord for beginning me here and giving me the strength to perform the way I did,” said Johnson, a 33-year-old who became
TENAJH
By
SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
FRIDAY night marked the end of the 2024 Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA) regular season and now teams will begin their quests to the finals starting tonight at the DW Davis Gymnasium. Before embarking on their playoff journey, the Nassau Flight Services Ballers took care of business 88-74 against the Police
SEE PAGE 16
advanced fibre technology is
designed to meet
demands of gamers who require low latency and uninterrupted connections.”
and
SHOWN, from left to right, Daniel Belton, executive director of resort programming and activities at Atlantis, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, John Gomez, chief ALIV officer, Michael Armogan, president and founder of the Bahamas Esports Federation.
YANKEES’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr celebrates in the dugout after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning yesterday in New York. SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 17 (AP Photo/Noah K Murray)
DAWN Charlton
JONQUEL JONES
SCORES SIX POINTS, GRABS 11 REBOUNDS TO HELP LIBERTY BEAT STORM 98-85
SEATTLE (AP) — Bre-
anna Stewart scored 32 points, Sabrina Ionescu added 25 and the New York Liberty pulled away for a 98-85 win over the Seattle Storm on Friday night.
Leonie Fiebich added 12 points for the Liberty (27-7), who bounced back after losing to the last-place Los Angeles Sparks to end a three-game West Coast road trip.
Jonquel Jones, who missed the last game with illness and was still under the weather, scored six points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Liberty dominated the boards 45-17. Jones also contributed three assists and two blocks. New York shot 50.7% and was 12 of 26 from 3-point range, which helped offset 18 turnovers Seattle turned into 24 points. Seattle (19-12) dropped into a tie with Las Vegas for fourth place but clinched a playoff spot because of losses by Atlanta and Chicago. Seattle shot 46.5% from the field but was just 5 of 16 in the fourth quarter. Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 26 but had just two in the fourth quarter to go with seven assists. Jewell Loyd had 20 points and Nneka Ogwumike had 15.
The game seemed destined to be New York’s
when Ionescu scored an unusual basket midway through the fourth quarter to make it 89-79. On a drive to the basket, she fell as she attempted a contested layup. The rebound fell to her, and from her knees she banked it in.
The Storm got back within six with under three minutes to play but Fiebich grabbed two offensive rebounds before hitting a 3-pointer and then Ionescu closed it out with six more points. There were seven ties and seven lead changes in the first quarter that ended with the Liberty up 27-26. New York then scored the first 11 of the second quarter, using three 3s, the last two by Stewart.
A driving layup by Stewart made it 40-30 but Seattle stormed back with eight straight points and took a 44-42 lead on a pair of 3-pointers. It was 51-49 for Seattle at the break, the most points the Liberty allowed in a half this season.
Diggins-Smith had 14 points and Ogwumike 11 for Seattle while Stewart, back where she started her career, had 22, more than her per-game average (20.1).
Ionescu scored 12 points in the last 5 1/2 minutes, to help New York take a 74-71 lead after three quarters.
BGDBA playoffs set to begin tonight
FROM PAGE 15
Crimestoppers to emerge as the league’s pennant winners in weekend action.
The Solid Rock/E and G Legends also closed out the regular season on a high note, defeating the Bahamas Customs Taxmen 76-72
in their final game of the regular season. Nassau Flight Services Ballers vs Police Crimestoppers - The Nassau Flight
Services Ballers and Police Crimestoppers both came onto the court on a mission to secure the top record in the league and be crowned pennant winners when it was all said and done.
The BGDBA’s top teams certainly delivered in the crowd-thrilling affair.
Abel Joseph was just one of three Ballers to hit double digits in the narrow win. He was involved in all the action with a gamehigh 28 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
Deonta Tinker also got it going with 23 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Lamont McPhee pitched in 19 points, four rebounds and four assists while shooting 7-for-13 from the field on 53.8 per cent and 5-for-7 from deep.
The opening quarter was tightly contested by both basketball teams but the Ballers would claim a 20-16 edge going into the second quarter of play.
Tehrad Rahming, representing the Ballers, threw down a dunk at the 5:25 mark to give his team a 27-22 lead. However, the lead was short-lived as the Crimestoppers poured in seven straight points to level the score at 29 apiece.
From that point, both teams exchanged baskets but refused to give their opponents a sizable advantage, leading to the score being tied 39-39 at the halftime break.
Going into the third quarter, the contest was still too close to call. The Crimestoppers tried to pull away after a big three made by Dastyn Baker early in the quarter to shift the score to 45-39.
Despite that, Abel Joseph’s offensive flurry continued and the Ballers
were right back in it. The Crimestoppers managed to close out the third period with a slim two-point lead (65-63).
In the fourth quarter it came down to which team wanted it more. The Ballers fell behind by single digits early on but then mounted an insurmountable 14-0 run which translated to a 79-72 advantage with less than 4 minutes remaining in the game. After that portion of the game, the Crimestoppers were unable to recover.
Adam Johnson put up a monster double-double for the Crimestoppers. He bullied his way to a team-high 20 points and a game-high 22 rebounds to pair alongside five blocks. Kirklyn Farrington posted 16 points, five boards and three dimes in the loss.
With the win, the Nassau Flight Services Ballers ended the regular season with a 12-1 win/loss record while the Police Crimestoppers wrapped up with an 11-2 win/loss record for the third spot heading into the postseason.
Solid Rock/ E and G Legends vs Bahamas Customs Taxmen
The Legends utilised efficient shooting to help them get over the hump against the Taxmen on Friday night.
Anton Marshall gave his team a game-high 19 points and four rebounds which included five makes from long range.
Raynold Culmer was a monster on the glass all game long. He dropped 13 points and crashed the boards 12 times for a double-double performance.
The Legends opened up the ball game with a bang against the Customs Taxmen. They accelerated ahead of their opponents
30-18 in the first quarter to establish their dominance early on.
Despite the early separation, the Taxmen continued to chip away at the lead and eventually trimmed it down to single digits.
After trailing by as much as 14 points, Reginald Chisholm drained a threepointer at the 4:47 mark of the second quarter to bring the deficit down to 9 (3829). The Taxmen continued to play catch up and pulled within 8 (41-33) at the halftime break.
The Legends came out of the locker rooms determined to run the score back up. Marshall connected on back-to-back bombs from deep to put his team back in charge 47-33. The pesky Taxmen refused to go down without a fight and trailed 54-52 with one quarter of play remaining. The Taxmen finally saw their efforts pay off with less than one minute on the game clock. Chisholm scored a go-head layup to give Bahamas Customs their first lead of the second half 72-71.
With the game knotted at 72, Kenrio Ingraham made a game-winning layup and Stephen Hall followed it up with two makes at the charity stripe to ice the game.
Chisholm made some big plays down the stretch and ended the loss with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four steals.
The BGDBA playoffs begin at 7:30pm tonight with the Nassau Flight Services Ballers against the Real Deal Rangers.
The Bahamas Department of Corrections (BDOCS) Challengers will go head-to-head with the Bamboo Shack Patrollers in the second game of tonight’s double header.
JONQUEL Jones tries to hold onto the ball under pressure from Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd, left and forward Nneka Ogwumike, right during the second half.
FROM left, New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44), forward Jonquel Jones (35), forward Leonie Fiebich and forward
Breanna Stewart, right, celebrate in the final seconds during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Friday, August 30, in Seattle. (AP Photos/Lindsey Wasson)
JONQUEL Jones bats the shot away from Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) as Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich (13) looks on during the first half.
Chisholm Jr scores on an error as Cards rout Yankees 14-7
By LARRY FLEISHER Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Jordan Walker went 5 for 5, Lars Nootbaar hit a basesclearing two-strike double in the seventh and added a two-run homer in the ninth as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Yankees 14-7 yesterday afternoon. Walker hit a long two-run homer in the fifth and drove in three runs. Walker had the first five-hit game by a Cardinal since Matt Carpenter in 2018 after going 1 for 8 in his first two games following his recall from Triple-A Memphis.
Nootbaar followed Walker’s fourth hit by lifting a fly ball to right field. New York’s Juan Soto appeared to struggle getting a read on the ball, ran back and the ball went over him as the Cardinals took a 10-7 lead.
Victor Scott II hit an RBI double and scored on a throwing error by reliever Phil Bickford as the Cardinals set season highs for runs and hits (21) and were 8 for 18 with runners in scoring position.
Nootbaar blasted his ninth homer after Walker opened the ninth with his fourth single.
Yankee Stadium before winning the final two games of the series.
April 30, was activated after completing his rehab from a back injury and could start later this week.
Anthony Rizzo hit an RBI double to start a three-run fifth ahead of run-scoring singles by Alex Verdugo and Gleyber Torres. Anthony Volpe hit an RBI single and Torres lifted a tying sacrifice fly in the sixth but the Yankees lost for the fourth time in six games and gave up their most hits since allowing 24 to Cleveland on Aug. 15, 2019.
Walker hit his first homer since September 17 to push the St. Louis lead to 7-2. He also hit an RBI single in the second to give the Cardinals a 1-0 advantage.
JoJo Romero (6-2) retired Soto to end the sixth and set up the big inning for the Cardinals.
US OPEN: COCO GAUFF LOSES TO EMMA NAVARRO
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
NEW YORK (AP) —
This is pretty much all anyone needs to know about defending champion Coco Gauff’s 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 loss to Emma Navarro in the U.S. Open’s fourth round yesterday: Gauff wound up with more double-faults, 19, than winners, 14. “I don’t want to lose matches like this anymore,” Gauff said, attributing her serving problems to a mix of mechanical issues and mental ones.
The No. 3-seeded Gauff had won 10 matches in a row at Flushing Meadows, including the run to her first Grand Slam title a year ago.
Four of those came after she dropped the opening set — including in the 2023 final and in her third-round victory on Friday — but the 20-year-old from Florida could not complete the comeback this time. That’s despite a mid-match, fourgame run in which she claimed 14 of 17 points to steal the second set and get off to a good start in the third.
“Had a little bit of a lull there,” said the 13th-seeded Navarro, an American who was 0-2 at the U.S. Open until this year, “but I was able to regroup ... and come into the third set with a fresher mindset.”
After each of her past two contests in New York, Gauff headed back out onto the practice courts to work on her serve. That didn’t help much on Sunday, when she tied her career high for double-faults: She also had 19 in a loss at the 2020 French Open. Against Navarro, Gauff delivered a trio of double-faults in three different games — two of which she lost, at 1-all in the first set and, more significantly, at 1-all in the third. Eleven of the doublefaults came in the final set alone.
Aside from those issues, Gauff finished with a total of 60 unforced errors — a whopping 29 on her forehand side, the biggest weakness in her game. The 23-year-old Navarro, who also eliminated Gauff in the fourth round at Wimbledon in July, was far steadier on Sunday and had 35 unforced errors.
“Coco’s an amazing player, and I have a ton of
respect for her,” said Navarro, a U.S. teammate of Gauff’s at the Paris Olympics, “and I know she’s going to come back and win this thing again one year.”
This result follows the surprising third-round loss by defending men’s champion Novak Djokovic on Friday night, meaning the lengthy droughts without anyone winning consecutive titles in New York will continue. The last woman to win at least two in a row was Serena Williams with three from 2012-14; the last man to do so was Roger Federer with five from 2004-08.
The Wimbledon win over Gauff earned Navarro, the 2021 NCAA singles champion for the University of Virginia, her first appearance in a major quarterfinal. Her second will come Tuesday in New York against No. 26 Paula Badosa, a 6-1, 6-2 winner against Wang Yafan.
Earlier Sunday, with 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams watching in Arthur Ashe Stadium and offering a thumbs-up at match’s end, No. 9 men’s seed Grigor Dimitrov held off Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (3), 1-6, 3-6, 6-3 to get to the quarterfinals.
The No. 6-seeded Rublev is known for violent displays of frustration, and he needed medical attention from a trainer for a cut on his left hand after hitting it against his racket in the first set. He slapped himself in the face during a meltdown in the second-set tiebreaker, which he led 3-1 before losing the next six points.
Dimitrov now faces No. 20 Frances Tiafoe or No. 28 Alexei Popyrin, the player who stunned Djokovic on Friday. Also moving on Saturday was No. 12 Taylor Fritz, who beat three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Fritz’s quarterfinal opponent will be 2020 U.S. Open runner-up Alexander Zverev, who got past Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. “I’m at the point now where I’m still happy to make quarterfinals, but I wouldn’t be happy with it ending here,” said Fritz, who has yet to reach a Grand Slam semifinal. “I definitely am at the point where I really want more than that.”
Rookie Masyn Wynn hit a two-run double and Luken Baker hit a two-run homer in a four-run fourth off Nestor Cortes for the Cardinals, who were 0-7 in the regular season at
Giancarlo Stanton homered and Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr scored on an error in the second. Aaron Judge remained at 51 homers, going homerless for the sixth straight game.
St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas allowed five runs (three earned) and seven hits in four-plus innings. Cortes allowed five runs and nine hits in four innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cardinals: LHP Steven Matz, who last appeared
OF Michael Siani also was activated after missing nearly a month with a strained right oblique and will join the team Monday in Milwaukee.
Yankees: RHP Luis Gil (lower back strain) threw 80 pitches in 3 2/3 innings in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. … RHP Clarke Schmidt (strained right lat) will pitch in Somerset’s makeup game at Binghamton on Monday. Both pitchers could return to
the rotation next weekend against the Cubs in Chicago. … RHP Ian Hamilton (strained right lat) threw a bullpen session Sunday and will make a rehab appearance for Somerset Wednesday.
UP NEXT
Cardinals: RHP Andre Pallante (6-6, 3.80 ERA) opposes RHP Freddy Peralta (9-8, 3.70) in the opener of a three-game series Monday in Milwaukee.
Yankees: RHP Gerrit Cole (5-3, 3.86) opens a three-game series in Texas today. The Rangers did not announce a starter.
YANKEES’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., front left, runs home after a throwing error to Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, right, during the second inning yesterday in New York.
NEW York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., right, scores after a throwing error to St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (not shown) during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in New York.
(AP Photos/Noah K. Murray)
Team Bahamas tied for 61st overall at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships
FROM PAGE 15
eight in the world in Lima, Peru, that’s a mark in itself and no one can take that away,” he said.
South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza took gold in 20.52 seconds. Placing second in a personal best of 20.60 seconds was Australia’s Gout Gout for the silver medal. Great Britain’s Jake OdeyJordan ran away with the bronze medal finish in 20.81 seconds.
Team Bahamas experienced some hardships at the World U20 Championships as no other athletes advanced out of their respective events.
Shayann Demeritte ran a time of 12.19 seconds in the girls’ 100 metre heats and finished seventh. She ended the event ranked 42nd overall and was well under her personal best of 11.69 seconds
achieved at the 2024 CARIFTA Games.
Jeremiah Adderley had a tough time with the competition in the boys’ 100m heats. He capped off the race in eighth place with a time of 11.06 seconds and placed 63rd overall.
University of Miami student Calea Jackson turned in a heave of 43.62m in the girls’ discus throw qualifying round. She settled for 14th place in Group B and finished 29th overall.
Kei-Mahri Hanna made her junior global debut in the girls’ 400m hurdles but clocked 1:04.84 for a ninth place spot in the heats. She wrapped up the meet 50th overall.
CARIFTA gold medallist Taysha Stubbs came into the meet with a personal best toss of 50.94m but heaved the spear to a distance of 44.28m in the girls’ javelin qualifying rounds.
She came out of Group A with an eleventh placement and ranked 21st overall.
CARIFTA and national men’s pole vault record holder Brenden Vanderpool was not his usual self in the boys’ qualifying round. He cleared 4.80m in Group A to end his experience in the 14th spot and 26th overall.
Andrew Styles competed in the boys’ 200m heats but was unable to make it out of the qualifying round with a time or 21.72 seconds. Styles wrapped up the heat
in fourth place and 34th overall.
Alexis Roberts came up short in the girls’ 200m heats in her World U20 Championships debut. She ran 24.82 seconds for sixth place in the heats and 39th overall.
Tahj Brown and Tayshaun Robinson both competed in the opening rounds of the boys’ 110m hurdles. Brown was fifth in his heat and 47th overall in a time of 14.28 seconds.
Meanwhile, Robinson crossed the line in ninth place with a time of 14.69 seconds for 61st overall.
Coach Lightbourne said despite the medal count, this was a crucial experience for the junior athletes.
“As much as anyone would love to medal, sometimes it’s just not about the medals. It’s about the experience, it’s the feeling of ensuring the athletes
JASON JOHNSON AND KAIF YOUNG TAKE TOP TWO SPOTS
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the first Bahamian to win two pro cards in 2021 when he secured his WBFF World Beauty Fitness card before he claimed his IFBB Pro card two months later.
“I would love to express my gratitude to Mr Joel Stubbs for being there for me and always giving me the right information and speaking positively to me and being a mentor in the sport as the best that The Bahamas has to offer.”
He also thanked J-Line Fitness for not only allowing him to work there as a personal trainer, but for the support that they provided in helping sponsor him at the show, along with Fitness Connection, who provided his supplements and his fiancée, Androl, for her support as well.
“My performance was great. From the time
I walked on the stage, the judges told me they were impressed with my physique and the way I looked,” he said.
“It was undeniable that I was the winner because of my symmetry. They said they loved my physique and they would love for me to come back and compete again in Mexico.”
As for the competition, Johnson said there were a number of champions from some of the previous shows, including the winner in May in Barbados where Johnson was seventh and Young was ninth.
“It was amazing because as amateurs, we also shared the same room when we competed and we helped each other out,” Johnson said. “I always told Kaif that me and him will always get first and second.
“So it’s always good to have him as my team-mate
because we always help each other out. We bring the energy together. I appreciate him. This is his second professional show that he placed second since he got his pro card.”
The 39-year-old Young, who turned pro in 2022 at the Miami Grand Prix, said it was a good experience for him coming out of his training camp at Mac Fit on 360 Baha Mar Boulevard.
“To come and do a show like this is a blessing,” he said.
“It felt good competing coming against almost 30 competitors and for us to come out first and second is just a great feeling.
“Thanks to the Ministry of Sports, the bodybuilding federation and anybody who helped us to get prepared for the show. It goes a long way. It’s a lifestyle for me so there’s more to come.”
As for the competition, Young said it was very stiff so he’s just thrilled to be able to finish as the runnerup to Johnson. He feels he just needs to work on his posing for future shows.
Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president Wellinton ‘Cat’ Sears, who served as a judge during the show, said he was proud to witness the performances of the two Bahamians.
Sears thanked the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and Director of Sports Kelsie Johnson-Sills for the assistance provided to the competitors.
He noted that four other Bahamians - Terrion Kemp, EnderichRahming, Rashad Edgecombe and Tammy Stubbs - were scheduled to travel as well to compete, but because of financial constraints, they didn’t make the trip.
are mentally okay, the lessons and accomplishments of every athlete stepping on the stage with Bahamas on their chest and that the world is aware that The Bahamas has great talent.
“Be aware and don’t lose focus on The Bahamas, we will be back in 2026 in Eugene, Oregon,” he said.
The head coach is expecting the younger junior athletes to bounce back in a big way at the 21st World U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in 2026.
“The future is bright. They will take this moment as a stepping stone to build on their future success in this sport and until the next championship representing The Bahamas.
“Speaking with the athletes, this experience was an eye opener and it showed them that they cannot take anything for granted. The athletes will be mentally
prepared for any weather and any competitor.
“The competition in The Bahamas is nothing compared to what happened at these championships. Some are going back to college, high school and will reset about this experience and know they have two years to prepare. “As they start their off-season training, they will put in the extra work to not only qualify for World Juniors but qualify to be in the top eight to have a fighting chance to be on top,” he said. The USA racked up 16 medals (eight gold, four silver and four bronze) for
The
DAWN Charlton earns pro card
FROM PAGE 15
competitor after she competed in her fourth competition for the year.
In addition to winning the pro card, she returned to the stage for the overall posedown and she also won that title as well on Saturday night.
“This year was dedicated to getting my pro card,”
Charlton said. “I set out this year to accomplish getting my pro card. I’m just happy that I finally got it.” On Wednesday, Charlton is expected to return home, having completed her mission. She was coming off her last show in Medellin, Colombia, in July where she won her category, but she didn’t win overall.
The Pittsburgh show, she
noted, was her redemption show. Prior to that, she was second in the Arnold Classic in March and she went to Canada in June where she was third.
After winning her category in Medellin, Charlton felt the only thing left was earning the pro card.
“There were about 16 of us, but I really didn’t see anybody,” Charlton said.
“I was there to work. I was there to get my pro card. I was just prepared because I really want to go to Mr Olympia, which is the most important show of all.
“I didn’t look left or right when I step out on the stage. I knew what I had to do and I went out there and did it.”
With no time to celebrate or bask in her glory,
Charlton said her focus is now on her first competition as a pro competitor at the Battle of the Bodies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on September 14.
“I am trying to qualify for Mr Olympia. There is no time to rest,” she stated.
“I got some feedback from the head judge, who is also the head judge for Mr Olympia. She told me she loves my presentation and my physique, so there’s really no need to change anything.”
After competing in the sport about a decade ago, Charlton said about five years ago, she was awarded her pro card as a fitness competitor. The performance was splashed all over the news.
But unfortunately, by the time she got back home to celebrate, Charlton said she was informed by the organisers that they made a mistake and they rescinded the decision.
“I could have easily stopped competing after that because it was so devastating,” Charlton said. “But three years ago, I decided to get into the bikini class and now I have gotten my pro card again. This one is for sure. The judges assured me of that.”
While she’s strutting her skills on stage, Charlton is also working hard at securing her law degree.
She just completed her bachelors in law and is now a legal assistant. She hopes to continue her education
towards completing her goal as a lawyer by either enrolling in a UK school or staying home to attend the Eugene Dupuch School.
“You have to dream big and to hold onto these dreams,” he pointed out.
Charlton thanked her mother, Mavis Charlton, her coach Paul Revelia from the United States, her mentor Joel Stubbs, past president of the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, her team of supporters at Mac Fit where she trains and all of her supporters who were there for her from the time she started competing.
With her pro card secured, Charlton said she’s reaching out to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for some financial assistance by putting her on subvention to continue to compete at a high level of competition.
She noted that although there are athletes who are all making their presence felt in track and field, she wants everyone to know that the bodybuilders are right up there performing on the world stage and they need some financial support as well.
“All of these shows that I competed in, I did them with my own resources and some sponsorship that I received,” she noted. “But now that I got my pro card, it’s only going to get harder to compete, so I really could use all of the financial support I can get.”
first place. Ethiopia was second on the medal table with 10 medals (six gold, two silver and two bronze).
People’s Republic of China came third overall with 11 medals (four gold, four silver and three bronze).
JASON Johnson on stage.
INAUGURAL CRUSH COUNTER SHOWDOWN
FROM PAGE 15
to family-friendly events are both instrumental in supporting The Bahamas Esports Federation’s mission.
“We are excited to host this tremendous event in our 14,000-square-foot Teen Club as Atlantis is always looking to generate new and exciting ideas not only for our hotel guests, but for our local community,” said Daniel Belton, executive director of resort programming at Atlantis.
“Our goal is to produce more large-scale inclusive family events such as this.”
These partnerships strengthen BESF, empowering our youth, and nurturing a burgeoning industry that has the potential to elevate The Bahamas and its players to a global stage.
“The Crush Counter Showdown positions The Bahamas as a formidable player on a global sports stage,” said Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Mario Bowleg,
“By showcasing our talent and hospitality, we invite international attention and investment, solidifying our reputation as a hub of esports and excellence.”
Michael Armogan, founder and president of BESF, acknowledged The Bahamas as “the best poised country” to lead in esports, highlighting the diverse job opportunities that this growing industry will create. “It really brings in a whole gamut of different jobs that maybe people have never looked
THE New Providence Softball Association’s double header playoff games Saturday at the Bankers Field in the Baillou Hills Sporting complex got rained out.
Game three of the ladies series between the Black Scorpions and the R&B Operators and the men’s series between the Renegades and the Xhances Mighty Mitts will be played this week as the postseason continues.
On Thursday, the Blacks Scorpions ladies knocked off the R&B Operatora 16-9 and in the men’s feature encounter, the Cybertech Blue Marlins out slugged the Titans 25-7 in an abbreviated affair to snatch a 2-0 lead.
Blue Marlins 25, Titans 7: Cybertech ignited an abbreviated three-inning
SPORTS CALENDAR
FROM PAGE 15
11-14. The softball game will be played on October 11-12 between the Corner Boyz from the New Providence Oldtimers Softball Association and the local All-Star team from Exuma. Then on October 12, a five-mile road race will be staged, starting at 7am from the Culture Centre in Forbes Hill to the Public School in Williams Town.
Competitors in the under9, under-11 and under-13 divisions will compete in a 2 1/2 mile run, while those in the under-15, under-17, under-20 and open divisions will compete in a five-mile run.
TRACK FUN RUN/WALK
RACE THE Roots Junkanoo Group is scheduled to hold its Fun Run/Walk Race under the theme “Let’s Do This Together,” on Saturday, October 12. The event will start promptly at 6:30am at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium and will be sponsored by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Sports Authority. The registration fee is $25 per athlete. Categories include under male and female Under-15, Under-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 and 61-and-over.
BODYBUILDING
NOVICE
SHOW THE Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and
at or thought about,” said Armogan. At the end of the night, Crush Counter Showdown winners received up to $3,500 in prizes and giveaways, including several Sony PlayStation 5 consoles, hi-tech gaming gear, and Atlantis Dolphin Cay and Aquaventure passes. ALIV is proud to support this event and encourages gamers to experience the difference ALIVFibr can make by signing up at www.alivfibr. com.
rout by scoring 20 runs on seven hits in the first inning. They added two more in the second and three in the third to preserve the short night at the park.
Kristen Collie was the winning pitcher and Marino Cartwright was tagged with the loss.
Stephen Russell led the attack for the Blue Marlins by going 2-for-3 with a home run with four runs batted in and three runs scored.
Aaron Wood was 1-for-2 with a homer, three RBI and three runs scored; Thomas Davis was a perfect 2-for-2 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored and Anbngeko Watson was 1-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored.
For the Titans, Deshawn Woods was 1-for-2 with a RBI and two runs scored.
Fitness Federation will hold its 2024 Novice and National Bodybuilding Competition on Saturday, September 7 at the University of the Bahamas.
Competition will be held for men and women in fitness, classic, physique, figure, bikini, wellness and bodybuilding.
Tickets are priced at $30 for general admission and $40 for VIP and can be purchased from any of the bodybuilding gymnasiums.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $35 general admission and $45 for VIP.
BASKETBALL/ CYCLING/TRACK BBSF MEETING THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is scheduled to hold a joint meeting at 5pm on Saturday at the Baptist College, Jean Street for all churches interested in participating in the upcoming basketball, cycling and track and field events. The basketball tournament is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, September 26-27 at the CI Gibson Gymnasium; the cycling event will be held on Saturday, October 6 and the track meet, being held in memory of the late Renee “Sunshine” Curry-Davis, will take place in November at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
During the meeting on Saturday, representatives from the churches will be provided with the full details of all three of the events being planned by the federation as they conclude their initial season since
Scorpions 16, Operators 9: Akia Rose was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI and as many runs scored to lead the winners.
Briana Knowles was 1-for-5 with a pair of RBI and runs scored and Miranda Knowles was 1-for-3 with four runs scored.
The Operators came up with four runs in the first and third, one in the fourth and seven in the sixth to secure the win. R&B responded with three runs in the third, fourth and sixth, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback.
Kendalia Turner was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and Ciera Bowe was 2-for-4 with a RBI.
Dorinda Knowles was the winning pitcher and Ramona Hanna was tagged with the loss.
changing the name from the Baptist Sports Council.
ALL CARIBBEAN WRESTLING FIGHT FOR PARADISE
THE All Caribbean Wrestling (ACW) will hold its Fight for Paradise Show on Saturday, October 19 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Doors open at 1pm. Wrestlers from throughout the Caribbean and the United States of America will be participating.
at 12.44 ended up with a DNF (did not finish) behind her name. In contrast to the Olympics when she had a similar outcome in Paris as she DNF, Jamaican Ackera Nugent pulled away from the field to post the winning time in a personal best of 12.24 seconds for a national record. It was a world-leading mark, surpassing the previous best of 12.25 by American Olympic champion Masai Russell, the meet record of 12.37 by Puerto Rico’s Olympic bronze medallist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, whose time was 12.37. Russell, the training partner of Charlton in Lexington, Kentucky, who ran 12.33 for the gold in Paris, was second in 12.31, while the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser, who was short of the medal stand at the Olympics in fourth in 12.43, got third in 12.52 in Rome. Cyréna Samba-Mayela of France, who was fourth in Paris in 12.57, finished in that same spot in 12.57 and American Alaysha Johnson, seventh in Paris, came through for fifth in 12.66.
Former world record holder Kendra Harrison, who didn’t compete in the Olympics, was sixth in 12.70 and Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, who didn’t make the final in Paris, was seventh in 12.78 and Giada Carmassi of Italy came in eighth in 13.20. Charlton, who got left in the blocks and wasn’t able to make up enough grounds to get in the medal hunt in Paris, went out with the pack. She was actually in a shot for one of the top spots until she clipped the ninth hurdle and didn’t make it over the 10th and final one and wasn’t able to finish the race.
Deal
