‘THIRD MAN DEAD’
IN HAITI DRUG BUST
Bahamian
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMIAN man who initially survived a deadly maritime drug bust in Haiti has died under suspicious circumstances, the third Bahamian now believed to have been killed in connection with the same incident.
Joey Russell, 43, from Sandy Point, Abaco, was taken into custody on Sunday after Haitian authorities intercepted a vessel reportedly carrying several Bahamians and a Jamaican man. A video that circulated online on Monday showed him on the vessel — bleeding but responsive — speaking to Haitian officers and pointing out suspected drugs at their request. A Jamaican man, also severely injured and bleeding, appeared in the footage.
Yesterday, new footage emerged showing Russell conscious on what appeared to be an operating table. A separate clip showed him
Voters sign up to register - and sound alarm over nation’s path
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter
BAHAMIANS registering to vote outside the Parliamentary Registration Department (PRD) this week expressed deep dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, a sentiment that often signals shifting political momentum. Outside the PRD’s
Harold Road office, voters raised concerns ranging from stagnant wages and poor Family Island infrastructure to weak government transparency and disillusionment with the two-party system.
Andrew, who works in the creative industry, criticised government spending priorities and called for a more decentralised approach to development,
particularly in healthcare.
“We keep doing the same things, foreign investment, same buildings. Where is the innovation?” he asked.
“We could turn clinics into hospitals instead of spending, what? $290m on one thing? Come on, man.” He suggested upgrading community clinics to 24-hour hospitals.
POLITICIANS “must move away from selfgratification and bragging rights”, an ex-prime minister asserted yesterday, joining his former health minster over fears the new hospital will become a “white elephant”.
BAHAMIANS JOEY RUSSELL, left, and Shadrack Stuart, centre, are both believed to have been killed in Haiti during a drug bust by authorities - while Rashad Fox, right, on the run for murder, is also thought to have been involved in the incident.
National Family Week launched
THE Ministry of Social Services Department of Gender and Family Affairs will launch its annual National Family Week from July 19 to 26.
During a press conference yesterday, Social Services Minister Myles Laroda unveiled the week-long initiative, starting with church services on July 19 and 20.
There will be a national marriage recommitment service on July 20 at 6pm at Living
Waters Kingdom Ministries.
The Bahamas Christian Council is a partner, with president Delton Fernander highlighting alarming trends, including rising teen alcohol use and declining marriage rates, saying many young people are losing connection with traditional family structures.
The second annual Family Fun Day will be held on July 26 at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
FROM left, Anthony Hamilton, Sharpie Farrington, Minister of Social Services Myles Laroda, Permanent Secretary Phedra Rahming-Turnquest, Pastor Roseline Astwood, and Bishop Delton Fernander at the launch of National Family Week at Ministry of Social Services yesterday.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
MINISTER of Social Services Myles Laroda speaking yesterday.
BISHOP Delton Fernander at yesterday’s event.
‘I was attacked by my exand police are not taking it seriously’
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune staff reporter
A 25-YEAR-OLD
woman says police are not taking her domestic violence complaint seriously after her ex-boyfriend allegedly body slammed her, punched her in the face, and fractured bones in her face, all in front of her child.
Ashenique Lewis said she had been in a two-year relationship with the man.
Speaking to The Tribune
Ms Lewis said it was difficult to talk due to three fractured facial bones from the alleged attack.
She claimed the abuse
‘Stop trying to cover for these men. You are a woman before a mother. Think about how it would make you feel if you had a daughter.’
started as verbal insults and escalated to being slapped while pregnant. She admitted to downplaying the abuse in the past, thinking it wasn’t “the worst of the worst”.
ASHENIQUE Lewis shows injuries she says she received from her ex-boyfriend.
The mother-of-two said her ex-boyfriend nearly killed her on July 10 in front of her four-year-old son, a child from a previous relationship who also lived in the home.
Ms Lewis said another argument erupted while she was tutoring her older son. She recalled asking him not to curse in front of the child, saying it was not a healthy environment. He allegedly began demanding her car keys to retrieve his carpentry tools. A struggle over her purse followed.
She recalled him shaking her and saying: “Hit me so I could do what I want to do to you.” She said that after she pushed him, he punched her in the face. Although he had hit her before, she said this time the pain was unbearable. The blow brought her to tears as her son cried in fear.
When her ex-boyfriend began walking out, she said she struck him, and the fight continued outside. She alleged he choked her on top of her car and body slammed her onto the driveway, knocking her unconscious.
“He lifted me off the ground, carried me in the room, threw me on the bed. As he passed my son, he said, ‘Your mummy on some dumb s**t,’” she said. She tried to drive to her ex-boyfriend’s mother’s house for help, but said he chased the car, forcing her to flee on foot.
Ms Lewis said she had told both her family and the man’s mother about the abuse, but no one took it seriously. It was only after she showed her family the
MAN ACCUSED OF SEX WITH SEVEN-YEAR-OLD
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
A 36-YEAR-OLD man was remanded to prison on Monday after he was accused of having sexual intercourse with a sevenyear-old girl last week.
injuries to her face that they began to believe her.
“No one is willing to help,” she said emotionally. “Everyone got their big house, but you tell them you’re in a life or death situation.”
Ms Lewis said domestic abuse has been normalised in both her family and her ex-boyfriend’s family. Still, she said she hopes to break that cycle for her children.
Hours after the alleged attack, she filed a complaint at the Nassau Street Police Station and pressed charges. She then went to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with three fractured facial bones, nerve damage to her eye, a damaged tooth, and injuries that may require facial surgery.
When asked if she was satisfied with the police response, she said, “No.” She acknowledged the officers were polite but felt their approach to finding her attacker was too relaxed.
She claimed she informed
police there was surveillance footage from a friend’s home showing her attacker at a specific location, but said officers still did not check the area.
“They need to take it serious and stop beating women with the same stick,” Ms Lewis said. “Do your part still so you can say you did not fail this person.”
Ms Lewis also revealed she was friends with Heavenly Terveus, a 21-year-old woman shot and killed by her boyfriend in front of her newborn son in January
2022. She said she couldn’t stop thinking about what Ms Terveus went through and knew she had to make a change. She also criticised mothers who protect abusive sons.
“Let your son take the consequences of his actions. Stop trying to cover for these men. You are a woman before a mother. Think about how it would make you feel if you had a daughter,” she said. Police did not respond to repeated calls, up to press time.
The defendant will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his VBI is potentially served on October 1.
Inspector Shadrach Coakley served as the prosecutor.
Michael Lightfoot was arraigned on a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt Evans. The defendant allegedly had sexual intercourse with the underaged girl on July 8 in New Providence. Lightfoot was not required to enter a plea at that time. He was informed his matter will proceed to the Supreme Court via a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He was also told of his right to apply for bail through the higher court.
MAN SHOT BY PRISON OFFICER ‘LIKELY STASHING CONTRABAND’
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
PRISON Commissioner
Doan Cleare said that the man shot by a correctional officer at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services last week was likely attempting to stash contraband for an inmate. Commissioner Cleare clarified that the man was not on the prison compound itself, but on the residential side of the facility along Yamacraw Road, a section also housing staff members, including the commissioner.
residential area after being shot. While he described the residential section as “secure”, he acknowledged that the time and location of the incident may have played a role in how events unfolded.
He added that the suspect left a trail as he fled the
He emphasised that the situation is now under control.
DRIVER DIES IN ELEUTHERA CRASH
POLICE on the island of Eleuthera are investigating a fatal traffic accident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon in the settlement of Upper Bogue. According to reports, shortly after 1pm, officers responded to a single-vehicle collision on Queen’s Highway. Upon arrival at the scene, they observed a heavily damaged vehicle with an unresponsive male driver inside. A local physician examined the victim and found no signs of life. The driver, who was later confirmed to be a serving member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bishop wants fairness in talk on immigration, not xenophobia
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
IMMIGRATION concerns are a long-standing “legacy issue” that predictably rise to the forefront during election season, Bahamas Christian Council president Bishop Delton Fernander said yesterday.
“It usually comes to attention and to the forefront during election time,” he said. “Maybe these are good times for us as a people to decide what we want to enforce, how we want it enforced, and kind of correct some of the legacy problems we have in our legislation.”
His comments come in the wake of political tension over immigration, spurred by Free National
Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard’s recent accusations that the Davis administration presides over a “broken, politicised and corrupt” immigration system. Mr Pintard has promised sweeping reforms under a future FNM government, including tighter border controls, stricter enforcement, and increased transparency.
The government has forcefully rejected those claims, labelling them as misleading and politically motivated. Officials have pointed to an alleged record 13,000 repatriations in under four years and the demolition of seven shanty towns as evidence of robust enforcement.
Bishop Fernander, while steering clear of political endorsements, called for
national discourse rooted in fairness, compassion, and integrity, not xenophobia.
“From the church perspective, we always err on the side of being firm but fair,” he said. “We want to see our laws informed, but those who are entitled to go through the process must be allowed to do so in a timely and effective manner.”
He added that the Christian Council plans to conduct its own inquiries into the immigration system.
“We will be watching. We will be doing some of our investigations ourselves so that we can get to the bottom of it, because sometimes the information is conflicting, but we have ways of getting the data and understanding what’s going on in every ministry,” he
said.
He emphasised the importance of treating migrants with dignity and avoiding discrimination based on race or nationality.
“What I want to say is, as a country, we must embrace all but, as I said, be firm but fair, enforce our laws,” he said. “We have bad examples in the world today. There’s a lot of this going on where certain races and places are being treated in certain manners. I’m saying to us as Bahamians, let’s show the world how to do it right. Let’s take care of our laws, let’s enforce them, but let’s show the kind of care and concern that we should to people who need our help, because one day it might be us.”
Mr Pintard, in a recent press conference, warned
that illegal immigration has created a national security crisis, placing pressure on public clinics, schools, and housing. He claimed that more than 10,000 work permit applications remain unresolved, and criticised what he called a lack of oversight and tracking, especially concerning increased commercial flights from Haiti.
As part of his proposed solution, he announced “Operation SHIELD,” a plan that includes an immigration oversight board, tighter border surveillance, comprehensive audits of work permits, and stricter vetting protocols, particularly for Haitian nationals. He also pledged that no one who entered The Bahamas illegally under an FNM government would be granted
citizenship.
The government has pushed back strongly, calling Mr Pintard’s allegations “distortion and spin”. In a detailed response, it said that the large number of permit applications cited by the opposition includes decades-old files, duplicates, and expired applications. Officials also clarified that recent increases in National Insurance Board (NIB) registrations reflect efforts to regularise individuals who previously used fraudulent documents.
The Ministry of Immigration noted that the Carmichael Road Detention Centre currently houses just 50 migrants, a historic low, and argued that the administration’s record proves its commitment to enforcing immigration laws.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM FAILURE ‘A BROKEN PROMISE’
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
THE Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) and Free National Movement (FNM) MP Kwasi Thompson have responded to the Prime Minister’s announcement that campaign finance reform will not happen before the next general election - ORG calling for public dialogue, and Thompson accusing the government of deliberately avoiding transparency.
“Today, Prime Minister Philip Davis confirmed what many Bahamians already suspected: this government will not deliver campaign finance reform before the next election,” Mr Thompson said in a press statement. “This admission is not just a broken promise; it is a deliberate choice to keep the public in the dark.”
He pointed to what he called a pattern of secrecy, citing over $400m in government contracts awarded without full disclosure, public-private partnerships lacking transparency, and spending on the Royal Palm site in Grand Bahama without clarity on private partners.
“These are not oversights, they are choices that show a
government operating in the shadows,” he said.
ORG, while more measured in tone, urged the public not to miss the opportunity to engage in a national conversation.
“While campaign finance reform may not currently be on the government’s agenda, ORG believes this is still an important opportunity to start a national conversation,” the organisation said. “For us, campaign finance isn’t about politics—it’s about fairness, transparency, and building trust.”
The organisation stressed that rules on campaign spending can level the playing field and help elevate ideas that matter to Bahamians. It noted that civil society, the Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and international groups like the OAS and Transparency International have long called campaign finance a critical reform area.
“Young Bahamians especially are eager to see a system that reflects their voices and their values—not just their vote every five years,” the statement said.
ORG called campaign finance just one part of a broader
accountability framework that includes the Freedom of Information Act, the Ombudsman Bill, public disclosure, whistleblower protections, and the creation of an Integrity Commission. These reforms, the group said, are key to restoring trust in public institutions.
While ORG has not been invited to contribute to any draft legislation, it said it remains ready to assist with technical guidance, public feedback, and benchmarking. “Public will should help shape political will—and the public has shown that they care deeply about transparency and accountability,” it said.
Mr Thompson said a future FNM administration would implement the Freedom of Information Act on a fixed timeline, publish key data, and enforce financial transparency at stateowned enterprises. He also committed to activating the Office of the Ombudsman and ensuring enforcement of the Public Procurement Act.
“We are not waiting for the next term to make our intentions clear,” he said. “Transparency is not a slogan.”
‘WE NEED A CHANGE IN GOVT - EVERYTHING IS JUST TOO SLACK’
VOTERS - from page one
“Imagine they take the Elizabeth Estates Clinic and say, I’m going to turn it into a six-storey building now, a hospital that runs 24 hours, probably give me less, probably give me faster, probably can be a little bit more helpful because of where it’s at,” he said.
Antoinette, a Family Island resident visiting New Providence, pointed to immigration, healthcare, and education as her priorities, and urged
the government to make Bahamians “feel more comfortable to be at home.”
She called for the government support for Family Island farmers during tough seasons. “You got to work with the farmers, because we need them. We want to eventually be able to feed ourselves,” she said.
She also noted that vague or delayed communication from public officials is eroding trust, particularly in a digital environment where misinformation spreads fast.
“The less information people hear, they fill in the gaps. I think that’s what’s
happening right now. People are starting to fill in the gaps, and they’re getting very nervous,” she said.
“This government is in a position no other government has been in. Now, everybody’s on social media. Not just adults: high schoolers, primary schoolers. Everyone has a phone, and everybody’s pushing information around. It is not just social media anymore, it is AI. People making up stuff and putting it out there.”
“When questions are asked, they have to be specific and not dodge the
question, because people will think you are hiding something,” she added.
“People just say, ‘You know what? Forget them. Let’s try another one.’”
Her concerns extended beyond the current administration. “This is not just a PLP issue,” she said. “It’s been building.”
Other voters echoed that disillusionment. “It is always PLP or FNM, and nothing drastic is changing,” said Tamia. “Maybe we should give a different party a chance, like the Coalition or DNA.”
Another woman said she registers every election cycle but has stopped voting. “None of the parties has even come close,” she said. “You tell me what you think I want to hear, then when you get in, it is something else. I feel like
all the parties just in it for a dictatorship.”
JI, who had come to collect his voter card, called for better investment in Family Island infrastructure. “Every Family Island should have an ambulance, fire station and mini hospital,” he said. “Go home and fix your island. If you love your people, your family, your parents, go home and appreciate them by fixing those islands.”
Sue, another registrant, highlighted the cost of living and stagnant wages.
“We need a change in the government. Everything is just too slack nowadays,” she said. “First of all, I want to talk about the minimum wage. That needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. People are living paycheck to paycheck.”
According to Acting
Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson, the current registration drive targets first-time voters and those who last voted before 2017 but have not re-registered under the continuous register system. Voters who have changed constituencies must also update their information. He said around 15,000 names have been removed from the register due to death or duplication since the last general election. While early turnout has been slow, he expects activity to increase in the coming months.
The PRD continues its registration and transfer services ahead of the expected 2025 election. Officials are encouraging all eligible Bahamians to ensure their voter records are current.
GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR GUILTY OF ASSAULT
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GUIDANCE counsel-
lor Sophia Morley has pleaded guilty to assaulting a colleague during a heated dispute at Jack Hayward Junior High School, which left the victim’s eyeglasses damaged.
During a hearing on July 11, Senior Magistrate LaQuay Laing granted Morley a conditional discharge. Upon paying $520 in compensation for the damaged eyewear, she will receive an absolute discharge.
The altercation occurred on May 12 following a disagreement over student lunches distributed through the National Lunch Programme. Morley, coordinator of the school’s Guidance Department, confronted fellow counsellor Shani Bowe, accusing her of setting aside meals for her
drama club students on a day Morley was assigned to handle distribution.
Testifying in court on July 2, Bowe recounted that the dispute escalated when she refused Morley’s demand for the lunches. She said Morley ordered her into her office, where she pushed her and then slammed the door, hitting her on the right side of her body. Inside the office, Bowe alleged Morley locked the door and physically attacked her. The struggle moved from the desk to the floor as school administrators attempted to intervene. Bowe said Morley blocked the door to prevent entry, but she eventually managed to unlock it, allowing vice principal Anderson-Brown and senior mistress AdderleyStuart to separate the two. Bowe testified that her eyeglasses, valued at $118, were damaged during the incident. She recalled the vice principal pleading,
“Please, do not step on her eyeglasses.” Under cross-examination, Morley’s attorney, Ernie Wallace, suggested Bowe had contributed to the conflict by failing to inform Morley ahead of time about reserving the meals. Bowe denied undermining Morley but admitted she had not given prior notice. She acknowledged the physical nature of the altercation but maintained her actions were in self-defence.
Police Constable Abigail McKenzie, who led the investigation, confirmed the charges were based on witness statements, as Morley had declined to comment during the inquiry. The case was adjourned until July 11 for further testimony. However, on that date, Morley changed her plea from not guilty to guilty. Morley has since filed a counter-complaint against Bowe.
FNM MP Kwasi Thompson.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Family seeks answers over Haiti death
motionless, seemingly dead. The source and context of the videos are unclear, but they have intensified suspicion around how he died.
According to his older brother, Lionel Russell, shortly after the shooting, Russell called a family friend and said that only he and the Jamaican man had initially survived, but the Jamaican later died.
Lionel said the family was later told Joey had only a minor shoulder injury and was recovering in the hospital. They even sent money to help cover his medical expenses.
He said the family friend visited the hospital and was told by a doctor that Joey had just come out of surgery and everything had gone well. He said the doctor did not let the friend speak to Joey because he was sedated.
He said minutes later, the doctor called the friend back to say Joey had died from a heart attack and hadn’t made it through surgery.
Lionel believes Joey may have recognised the person filming him in the operating room and was afraid for his life. He suspects his brother was killed because of what he knew.
He said: “It didn’t sound right to us. It’s like two different stories with everything that’s going on.”
‘It didn’t sound right to us. It’s like two different stories with everything that’s going on.’
The deaths of two other Bahamian men have also been linked to the same incident. One of them, Shadrack Stuart — a father of three from Moore’s Island — was identified by his family after photos of his body floating in the water surfaced online. Details about the other Bahamians are unclear.
Lionel said he does not believe the men were killed at sea. He suspects they were killed on land and that efforts were made to make it appear as though the shootings happened in the water. He pointed to photos of one of the victims, saying they showed the body in two different locations — one in shallow water near a buoy close to land, and another in the open ocean — and questioned how that could be possible.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it is having difficulty obtaining accurate and timely updates
from Haitian authorities. Officials told The Tribune they remain in contact with some of the families but have received no new information.
Early reports from the ministry suggested the group was travelling on a speedboat when they came under fire from “unknown persons”. One man was hospitalised — believed to be Russell — and another was unaccounted for.
Haitian police later gave a different account, saying that officers intercepted a rowboat, that “two Jamaicans drowned”, and that a Bahamian man was taken into custody. They also said over 90kg of cocaine was seized and claimed other suspicious vessels may still be at large.
Lionel criticised the government’s response, saying it lacked urgency and seriousness.
“Our government them too slack,” he said. “They catch the Haitian them on the water, you bring them in and carry them to the land. You carry them to the Detention Centre. You clear them, you feed them, you clothe them. They give them money and ship them back home. Why can’t (Haitian authorities) do the same thing for our people?”
He said the family is trying to bring Joey’s body home themselves.
“We can’t wait on the government,” he said.
MURDER SUSPECT ON RUN THOUGHT TO BE INVOLVED IN HAITI DRUG OPERATION
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
AN Abaco man who had been on the run for seven years is believed to be among the Bahamians connected to a deadly drug operation in Haiti — with his family now desperate for answers about his whereabouts and whether he is still alive.
Rashad Fox, 37, of Sandy Point, Abaco, had not been seen in the country since police issued a wanted poster for him in connection with the 2018 murder of his cousin Mario Sawyer.
Sawyer was reportedly shot after an altercation outside a nightclub, and his body was later
found on a beach in Crossing Rocks.
Fox’s name recently resurfaced after reports linked him to a deadly drug bust in Haiti last weekend, which left three men dead — including well-known Abaco residents Shadrack Stuart and Joey Russell, who later died at a clinic.
The identity of the third deceased man remains unconfirmed. Some speculate whether Fox survived, escaping on another vessel.
Yesterday, his mother, Felicha Fox, told The Tribune she has spoken with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, but has received no definitive information.
She said she was informed her son may have been among the
men killed in Haiti, but no one has seen a body or received official confirmation. Russell’s relatives, who also spoke to The Tribune, claimed Joey had told a friend he watched all of his companions, including Rashad, get shot.
“I don’t know the story. I’m hoping and wishing that he’s alive. I’m praying to the Almighty. We’re looking for answers. We’re hurting,” she said.
News of Rashad’s possible death has sparked a firestorm on social media, with some calling it “justice” for his alleged involvement in Sawyer’s killing.
Sawyer’s mother, Pastor Paula Arnett, condemned those celebrating, saying she takes no pleasure in the tragedy.
“Everyone is talking and people are saying ‘oh, you get justice.’ I don’t call that justice.’ Justice is not gloating,” Pastor Arnett said.
“Because how is it that I can take pleasure. Even if he wasn’t my cousin, that mother is feeling pain. That mother is hurting. That mother now has to find finances to go to another country if she can retrieve her son’s body.”
Having lost her own son to gun violence, Pastor Arnett said only those who’ve experienced such grief can truly understand the pain.
She said she has since forgiven Fox, attributing this to her faith.
“People don’t understand,” she said. “It isn’t easy. There are sleepless night. I get plenty phone calls I said, ‘How can you be
happy?’ and I’m crying.”
Meanwhile, Ms Fox had this response to the negative social media chatter: “You don’t rejoice over nothing because you never know what’s going to happen to you.”
Reflecting on the 2018 killing, she admitted the incident hurt her deeply, but claimed it was accidental.
“He didn’t mean to do it but he should’ve turned himself in because he didn’t mean to do it but that was his choice and I couldn’t talk to him because he’s his own man.”
Ms Fox described her son as kind-hearted and generous.
“He ain’t a bad person. He’s just trying to make ends meet.”
REPORT CITES ‘LOSS OF CONTROL’ IN PLANE CRASH
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor
A US-REGISTERED
aircraft that went down near Marsh Harbour last year likely crashed due to a loss of control in flight, according to the final report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA), which cites gusty crosswinds and possible pilot impairment as contributing factors.
The August 4, 2024, crash claimed the life of 59-yearold pilot Chris Moore of Louisville, Kentucky, the sole occupant of the aircraft.
The light aircraft, identified as N351BL, was found with extensive damage after a two-day, multi-agency search and rescue effort led by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, United States Coast Guard, and Royal Bahamas Police Force. No distress call was received prior to the crash.
The AAIA concluded that “loss of control in flight (LOC-I) resulting in subsequent impact with terrain” was the probable cause. Weather conditions at the time, affected by the proximity of Tropical Storm Debby, may have exceeded the aircraft’s crosswind limitations. Winds were reported at 15-25 knots with gusts surpassing 25 knots, well above the 15-knot crosswind limit recommended for average pilots and even the 22-knot limit for skilled operators.
The pilot, who held a Sport Pilot Certificate issued by the
Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), was not required to maintain a medical certificate under US regulations. However, medical history reviewed during the investigation revealed a diagnosis of seizure disorder, along with other conditions including hypertension, ADD, and hyperlipidemia. The pilot managed the seizure disorder with a surgically implanted neurostimulator device, which showed no abnormal activity prior to the crash.
Toxicology tests found the presence of multiple substances in the his system, including diazepam, cyclobenzaprine, lamotrigine, cetirizine, and delta-8-THC, a psychoactive compound derived from cannabis. The combination of these substances raised the possibility of impaired cognitive and motor function, although the investigation could not
definitively conclude that impairment occurred due to limitations in post-mortem analysis.
“There would potentially exist a greater possibility for the pilot to be impacted in a negative manner by these substances,” the report noted, while acknowledging that the precise effects could not be confirmed due to decomposition and limited sample availability.
Wreckage recovered from the crash site showed no signs of mechanical failure. The airframe and engine were both found to be free of pre-impact defects. Control surfaces such as the elevator, rudder, and ailerons were connected and intact at the time of investigation, though many components exhibited impact-related damage.
The flaps were deployed at the time of impact, and
the elevator trim was found in a neutral position, suggesting the aircraft was configured for landing.
The left side of the aircraft showed heavier damage than the right, indicating it likely struck the ground on that side first.
The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, and although it had ADS-B capability, no tracking data was recovered. Multiple electronic
devices, including two Dynon SkyView displays, a Garmin GPS, and an Apple iPad, were recovered but yielded no usable data due to water immersion and impact damage.
The AAIA found that the aircraft was properly certified, registered, and maintained according to FAA regulations. There were no anomalies in the aircraft’s maintenance history, and it was determined to have been within its weight limits at the time of the accident. The human factors analysis in the report highlighted a mismatch between the pilot’s abilities, the aircraft, and the challenging environmental conditions. The investigation referenced the SHEL model — software, hardware, environment, and liveware — as a framework for analysing the pilot’s interaction with both the aircraft and the surrounding conditions.
Hands-on
Must
Serious
To
JOEY Russell seemingly in custody after the incident. He subsequently died.
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-
Published daily Monday to Friday
Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207
TELEPHONES
News & General Information
(242) 502-2350
Advertising Manager (242) 502-2394
Circulation Department (242) 502-2386
Nassau fax (242) 328-2398
Freeport, Grand Bahama (242)-352-6608
Freeport fax (242) 352-9348
WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK
www.tribune242.com
A response to Sebas Bastian
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I PENNED these words coming out of my morning prayer time before learning that Sebas had answered me. I had wished for a better response from Mr Bastian but sadly that did not happen. Instead, he unleashed his employees at his TV station to go after me. And then this morning I got to read his letter. It is a well written letter but ultimately a smoke screen that did not deal with the charge laid before him. It was gaslighting at its finest, no doubt written by a team skilled in gaslighting.
is told of how God called Ananias while he was praying to go and pray for Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:10-19). He attempts to correct God and tell him absolutely not, the man is a menace to society, but God tells him no, but I have a plan to use him for my purposes and it will begin by you going to pray for him.
@tribune242 tribune news network
14 million children without vaccine
MORE than 14 million children did not receive a single vaccine last year — about the same number as the year before — according to UN health officials. Nine countries accounted for more than half of those unprotected children.
In their annual estimate of global vaccine coverage, released Tuesday, the World Health Organization and UNICEF said about 89 percent of children under a year old got a first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine in 2024, the same as in 2023. About 85 percent completed the three-dose series, up from 84 percent in 2023.
Officials acknowledged, however, that the collapse of international aid this year will make it more difficult to reduce the number of unprotected children.
In January, US President Trump withdrew the country from the WHO, froze nearly all humanitarian aid and later moved to close the US AID Agency.
And last month, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. said it was pulling the billions of dollars the US had previously pledged to the vaccines alliance Gavi, saying the group had “ignored the science”.
Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic, has previously raised questions the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine — which has proven to be safe and effective after years of study and real-world use. Vaccines prevent 3.5 million to five million deaths a year, according to UN estimates.
“Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
UN experts said that access to vaccines remained “deeply unequal” and that conflict and humanitarian crises quickly unraveled progress; Sudan had the lowest reported coverage against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
The data showed that nine countries accounted for 52 percent of all children who missed out on immunisations entirely: Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Angola.
WHO and UNICEF said coverage against measles rose slightly, with 76 percent of children worldwide receiving both vaccine doses. But experts say measles vaccine rates need to reach 95 percent to prevent outbreaks of the extremely contagious disease. WHO noted that 60 countries reported big measles outbreaks last year.
The US is now having its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades, while the disease has also surged across Europe, with 125,000 cases in 2024 — twice as many as the previous year, according to WHO.
Last week, British authorities reported a child died of measles in a Liverpool hospital.
Health officials said that despite years of efforts to raise awareness, only about 84 percent of children in the UK are protected.
“It is hugely concerning, but not at all surprising, that we are continuing to see outbreaks of measles,” said Helen Bradford, a professor of children’s health at University College London.
“The only way to stop measles spreading is with vaccination,” she said in a statement. “It is never too late to be vaccinated — even as an adult.”
By the Associated Press
I have a new word, an additional word for Sebas. “Call off the imps and the attack dogs. You are fighting against the call of God, you are not fighting against me.”
In response to the many tears of tens of thousands of Christians crying out against the injustice of the “Numbers boys” and the massive destruction in their wake, God has heard their prayers and decided to act. There were many persons trying to destroy the early church and one of them was Saul of Tarsus (later to become the apostle Paul). God chose to go after him and call him to himself. This likewise is a work of God. God is after Sebas Bastian to stop him from further evil and destruction and call him into the Lord’s service in complete opposite to what he had been doing. Throughout the scripture we see God say he has heard the cries and prayers of the people. When the children of Israel were crying out about their slavery, God sent Moses (Exodus 2:23-25 and 3:9-10). This pattern was repeated again and again and again in the book of Judges. You hear the constant refrain “and the people were oppressed by the Philistines/ The Midianites, and God raised up so and so to deliver them”. There were many an unlikely character that God chose to use like the enigmatic unlikely candidate Samson. I believe there is also a precedent going on here. God has heard the pleas of the poor, the disenfranchised, and the massive waves of cries coming from the lips of thousands upon thousands of Christians who are disgusted with what is going on with the Number Boys and their rape and oppression of our country.
In the book of The Acts of the Apostles, the story
During this last Lenten season that we use for our 40 Days of prayer time at Grace, God arrested me one day and told me I needed to start praying for Sebastian Bastian. I, like Ananias of old, told the Lord that prayer was a complete waste of time as the young man is a sensate, arrogant and self-absorbed and one who honestly does not care about the lives he is destroying or corrupting by the hour. But the Spirit of the Lord persisted, and I yielded knowing that a divine work must somehow be taking place although I did not fully know what or how.
So, for that 40-day prayer period and many days beyond Sebastian Bastian was added to my prayer and fasting list. So, when Sebastian Bastian showed up in the papers again, with talk of running as an MP, and talk about waiting on the Lord for an answer, I knew instantly that Lyall Bethel, as reluctant as he was, needed to step forward in obedience to God and put the thoughts expressed in my letter on the table – and to do so publicly! So, I say to all the sycophants, (the paid attack dogs in the media hired to attack me), “Sit down and be quiet! You are interfering foolishly in affairs too big for your small minds to comprehend. You are opposing a work of God bathed in years of anguished prayer from thousands of people’s lips.”
As the old folks used to say, “stop interfering in big people business!” and I would add to that rebuke, “Sit small, be quiet and get out of God’s way!”
If indeed I am correct, and this is a move of God, my detractors are wasting time snipping at me. Move me and God will raise up another. You are opposing a move of God, so I say sit down and be quiet! Most of you have not even taken the time to read my pastoral letter of rebuke, but only issue a mindless response.
I believe judgement began when Sebas said he was seeking a word from the Lord. Either he was being politically correct using right sounding language to impress the people or he was serious! Be careful young man not to play with God. Regardless, God has answered him through me, the one who had been praying for his soul’s salvation, and to see him turn away from this great evil! It may not be the answer you were looking for, but I believe it is God’s answer to your prayer. REPENT! Wash your hands of the blood of the widow and the orphan. Stop doing evil, fight the oppression of gambling! Learn to do good! Your gaslighting of your business deeds was pathetic.
So once again let me make it clear to the nation, this is not about Pastor Lyall Bethel and Sebas Bastian, this is about God trying to get this young man’s attention and turn him from his evil doings, to the plan of God to undo the great evil of gambling, and he now has a choice to make! Bend and be used of God, or be broken by God and removed out of the way! The Prophet Daniel pastorally warned King Nebuchadnezzar about his arrogance and power and when he failed to listen, he was broken.
Sebas, I speak to you now directly. God has you as his target, you’ll have no peace, no joy, no rest, no satisfaction until you yield to Him! Do not be like the rich young ruler who when asked by Jesus to give up everything he had to follow him, instead he turned away from that appeal by Jesus and walked away sorrowful (Matthew 19:20-26)!
Sebas, you have a great choice before you, be used of God to overturn this incredible evil sucking the lives of tens of thousands and ruining the economic wealth of our country (keeping it in the hands of a selfish few), or to endanger your eternal soul pursuing wealth that will never satisfy. But it begins with repentance! With God, you must call sin what it is. Jesus did not die to save us from our excuses, he died to save us from our sins! Call off your silly attack dogs and come see me and hear a word from the Lord! Or don’t, the choice is yours.
PASTOR LYALL BETHEL July 15, 2025.
Repent, Pastor
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I READ Pastor Lyall
Bethel’s open letter in The Tribune three times. Once as a Christian. Once as a citizen. And once as someone who still believes the Church has a place in public life. By the third read, I was no longer disappointed. I was disturbed.
This wasn’t spiritual leadership. This was a personal attack. Calculated. Intentional. And delivered in full view of the nation. There’s no hiding what that was. A pastor, using a newspaper to single out one-man Sebas Bastian under the guise of offering public wisdom. But this wasn’t wisdom. It wasn’t doctrine. And it certainly wasn’t an act of faith. It was a performance. If this had been about moral conviction, we would’ve seen this same public fire when church leaders failed their own congregations. We would’ve seen it when pastors abused their power, when they betrayed their vows, when they brought shame to the same gospel, they now weaponise. But we didn’t. We saw silence.
And what’s most ironic?
Just days before Pastor Bethel’s letter, the President of the Bahamas Christian Council, Bishop Delton
Fernander, called it out plainly. He said too many religious leaders are caught in a culture of hypocrisy. They speak loudly in certain instances, and remain silent when certain people, certain circles, or certain issues do wrong. And he didn’t just express disappointment. He called on those leaders to step aside. This is exactly what we’ve been saying. Instead, we watched a pastor use his platform to call out a Bahamian man who, from what I can tell, has built his own path, contributes where he can, and creates opportunities for others. I don’t know the man from Adam. But like most people, I’ve seen his journey from the outside. He seems to be doing his part, building something of value, and making a difference in his own way. And for that, he deserves a measure of respect, not because he’s perfect, but because he’s contributing. I’m proud of Mr Bastian. People like him, from our background, rarely get a chance to even come close to what he has been able to do. What disturbs me is the tone we keep seeing from too many spiritual leaders. Harsh when it suits them.
Silent when it doesn’t.
Outspoken against people, but quiet when the harm is coming from within their own walls. This is exactly why so many Bahamians, especially our young people, are distancing themselves from church institutions, not from God, but from the people who speak in His name while acting nothing like Him. Sebas Bastian didn’t need to be preached at. He deserved a conversation. A call. A quiet moment of reflection if the intent was truly pastoral. But what happened wasn’t guidance. It was judgment. And it was public, not because it had to be, but because someone wanted it to be. There’s nothing holy about that. This country is facing real struggles. Families are trying to make ends meet. Children are growing up without direction. Women are carrying more than their share. And instead of using his platform to lift the nation, Pastor Bethel used it to target one man. That’s not ministry. That’s misuse. Pastor Bethel, we expected better from you. Do better. And you should go REPENT, sir.
JANICE KEMP Nassau, July 13, 2025.
‘Who’s enforcing laws on alcohol for teenagers?’
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Union of Teachers (BUT) president Belinda Wilson is calling for greater enforcement and oversight of alcohol sales, following the release of the latest Global School Health Report, which shows a troubling rise in teen alcohol use.
The report reveals that 34 percent of Bahamian teenagers are actively drinking, with 74 percent having tried alcohol. Rates of binge drinking and intoxication have also increased.
While Mrs Wilson welcomed the finding that teenage sexual activity has declined “considerably”, she expressed deep concern over the escalating alcohol consumption among teens, particularly given the lack of ID checks during alcohol purchases.
Despite the legal drinking age being 18, 75.7 percent of teenagers who reported buying alcohol said they were never asked for identification. The data also indicated that girls were less likely than boys to be challenged when making alcohol purchases.
“Who’s policing?” Mrs Wilson asked. “Who is monitoring the liquor stores, the bars and the illegal 30-day establishments to ensure that the standard is being adhered to or that the law is being adhered to?”
Dr Cherita Moxey, head of policy and planning at the Ministry of Health, noted that by age 13, 54 percent of youths had already used illegal drugs.
Mrs Wilson said the government should not be surprised by these figures, noting that leading psychiatrist Dr David Allen has been “sounding the alarm” on drug and alcohol abuse for over 25 years.
“The same way he has started his crusade now about the access, the use and the dangers of fentanyl in The Bahamas, I ask what was done then and what is being done now, and is it enough?” she said.
She emphasised the urgent need for a thorough review of how young people, particularly minors, are able to access drugs and alcohol.
Data from the report also showed that 40 percent of teens live in homes where drugs are used, and 13
percent admitted to attending school while under the influence.
Mrs Wilson stressed that students under the influence struggle to think clearly, impairing their ability to learn and perform academically.
“It is paramount that a multi-sectoral approach and full cooperation between relevant stakeholders must work together to resolve these issues,” she said.
“There is an urgency to address these issues that emanate from this report, because each day these social ills are not addressed adequately, we will see a further decline in our nation.”
She recommended the immediate formation of a working committee with representatives from the Ministries of Health, Education, Social Services, and Youth, Sports and Culture, along with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, unions, NGOs, and civil society.
“The committee should provide a framework within the next six months, clearly articulating programmes, policies, laws and initiatives toward the reduction and
eradication of these issues,” she said.
She argued that in light of the national budget surplus, the government should allocate funds to ministries and NGOs to expand current initiatives and launch effective new ones, including support for teachers, guidance counsellors, and attendance officers in schools.
“There also must be an aggressive parenting programme and support mechanism for parents, and maybe attendance should be mandatory for the parents,” she added.
She warned that if these social issues are not addressed, academic outcomes will continue to decline.
“Ministry of Education, the academic performance of our children will continue in a downward spiral as 51 percent of BJC and BGCSE examinations are D or lower, if these social ills are not corrected,” she said.
She recommended that the Global School Health Report be conducted every three years to maintain consistent monitoring of youth health and behaviour trends.
BAIL APPEAL DENIED FOR SUSPECT IN 2023 BAR SHOOTING
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN accused in a deadly 2023 bar shooting had his second bail appeal dismissed yesterday by the Court of Appeal.
Cordero McDonald, 32, was denied bail by Justices of Appeal Milton Evans, Gregory Smith, and Bernard Turner as he awaits trial on charges of murder, three counts of possession of an unlicenced firearm, and two counts of possession of ammunition.
Prosecutors allege that McDonald, along with accomplices, shot and injured Theo Williams while driving a black Nissan Note. The shooting occurred around 10pm on March 24, 2023, outside a
$1.45M
bar on Hospital Lane. An off-duty officer reportedly pursued the fleeing vehicle, which was later abandoned on Hay Street after the suspects exited it. McDonald was allegedly found in possession of three pistols and 26 rounds of ammunition. A witness reportedly identified him as one of the shooters. Williams, 29, died of his injuries on May 10, 2023. McDonald’s first bail appeal was dismissed by Justice Neil Braithwaite on February 19. At that time, the defendant argued the evidence against him was weak and noted that two co-accused had already been granted bail. Justice Braithwaite denied the application, citing the presence of a prima facie case, eyewitness
identification, the plausible nature of the case, potential flight risk, threat to public safety due to multiple gunshots being fired in a public space, the risk of retaliatory violence given alleged gang affiliations, the risk to the defendant himself, and the potential danger to witnesses. He concluded that no bail conditions could adequately mitigate these risks.
The prosecution maintained that McDonald had known gang affiliations.
In his second appeal, McDonald argued that the prior judge had erred in assessing the risk of witness interference, failed to distinguish his case from that of his co-accused, improperly denied bail on the basis of his own safety, misjudged the strength of the evidence, and failed to properly
AIRPORT HEIST TRIAL DELAYED UNTIL SEPTEMBER
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
THE trial of Akeil Holmes, one of the last surviving suspects in the $1.45m airport heist in 2023, was delayed yesterday until September.
Holmes, 26, appeared before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly-Burrows to face charges of stealing, conspiracy to commit stealing, receiving, and money laundering.
A former ICS security officer, Holmes is accused of stealing $1.475m from the Bank of The Bahamas during a security vehicle heist at Lynden Pindling International Airport on November 2, 2023.
Although four prosecution witnesses were present, the matter was adjourned
to September 17 and 18 due to the absence of Holmes’ attorney, Sonia Timothy Knowles. She arrived at court after the matter was postponed, having been delayed by a separate Supreme Court matter. Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom is the prosecutor. Holmes’ alleged accomplices, Michael Fox Jr and Oral Roberts, 34, were both killed before they could be charged. Roberts was shot dead in the Fox Hill area last July. Fox Jr was killed two months earlier, in May. Fox Jr and another man, Dino Smith, were central figures in a leaked voice note conversation that allegedly featured senior officer Michael Johnson and attorney Bjorn Ferguson discussing a bribe to avoid prosecution. Smith
MURDER CHARGES FOR PAIR
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
TWO men had charges of murder and attempted murder discontinued yesterday in connection with a 2019 triple shooting in Peardale, after prosecutors indicated they no longer wished to proceed with the case.
Derron Deveaux, 30, and Wesley Delhomme, 25, were informed by Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns
was killed in January 2024, also before he was formally charged in connection with the heist.
Retired Chief Superintendent Johnson, the former head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), is set to stand trial in the Supreme Court alongside Ferguson and Sergeant Deangelo Rolle in connection with the alleged voice notes. Johnson is accused of involvement in the theft of $90,000 from the heist proceeds. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, stealing, receiving, and accessory after the fact to stealing. Ferguson is charged with accessory after the fact to stealing, while Rolle faces a charge of abetment to stealing.
DISCONTINUED
that their trial for one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder would not continue. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had filed a nolle prosequi, formally discontinuing the charges against them. Justice Archer-Minns advised the defendants that while the case was being dropped, the DPP retains the authority to reinstate the charges at a later time.
The jury previously empanelled to hear the case was also dismissed. Deveaux and Delhomme were accused of fatally shooting James Delean in Peardale on May 28, 2019. They were also charged with the attempted murders of Kevin Telusnord and Walvins Garconville in the same incident.
Kristin Butler-Beneby and Timothy Bailey prosecuted the case, while Cassie Bethel and Calvin Seymour represented the defendants.
exercise judicial discretion.
Although the Justices of Appeal disagreed with the finding that McDonald posed a risk to witnesses due to his proximity to them, they upheld all other reasons for denying bail.
The court also cited broader safety concerns, noting that since November
2021, 55 electronically monitored individuals had been killed, 22 of them in 2022 alone. They further emphasized that McDonald was already on bail and being monitored in connection with attempted murder and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
McDonald will remain on remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 18, 2026. Geoffrey Farquharson represented the defendant, while Dornell Dorsette appeared for the prosecution.
BAHAMAS Union of Teachers (BUT) president Belinda Wilson pictured last year. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Statistics only a shock because teenagers are being ignored
IT SEEMS to have shocked government officials and education administrators that 20 percent of teenagers have attempted suicide and 25 percent have considered suicide.
Teenagers who are struggling through the days of a high school that is not responding to their learning needs and hearing the national ridicule of them and their supposed inability to perform at the academic standards required. Teenagers who are responsible for their younger siblings and, in the absence of appropriate public services and support mechanisms, must take them to school, pick them up from school, prepare meals for them, and help them with their homework.
By Alicia Wallace
them through a difficult situation. Teenagers who do not have access to mental health care and are, instead, told to pray, made to go to church, and/or sent to untrained or undertrained “counsellors” who cannot give them the support and tools they need to navigate the challenges they face.
made about them, the accusations made against them, and the general sentiment toward them. Some of them even know that they are not all having the same experience, and that their race and class make a difference. It is difficult for adults to understand themselves as having value and being worthy of love, care, and life itself.
How much more difficult must it be for young people for whom even the shortest encounter is magnified and can feel devastatingly insurmountable?
Teenagers who are preyed upon by adults, sexually assaulted, and blamed for the violence they experience. Teenagers who are forced to participate in crime lest they become victims of violent crime, then are characterised solely on their criminal affiliations and activities with no consideration of the the failure to prevent or intervene.
Teenagers who are bullied at school and either get no support from adults or never bother to report it because their first bullies were adults. Teenagers who are forced to work in order to meet the basic needs of their households, and are harassed, disrespected, and dehumanised at work, whether by employers, employees, or customers.
Teenagers who cannot participate in extracurricular activities because of cost barriers and/or the adult responsibilities they must shoulder. Teenagers who are harassed by people in positions of authority, including police, just because they are young and visible.
Teenagers who are experiencing changes in their bodies and their moods that they do not understand and for which they are punished. Teenagers who witness violence in their homes every day and live with the fear that they will one day return home and find a dead parent/ guardian/sibling.
Teenagers who cannot identify a single adult they trust to listen to them and help
Teenagers who struggle with addiction. Teenagers who are abused and told it is discipline. Teenagers who are beaten by adults who use them as punching bags on which they unleash their frustrations. Teenagers who carry the stress of “holding” illegal substances and weapons for people who have power over them.
‘The realities of young people are often ignored, sometimes discussed with complete detachment from the people involved, and almost never acknowledged.’
Teenagers whose homes are less safe than the street. Teenagers who can barely sleep at night. Teenagers who are keeping secrets no one should have to endure, much less refrain from ever speaking, preventing them from getting help. Teenagers who put their lives on the line in various ways that are ignored anyway.
The realities of young people are often ignored, sometimes discussed with complete detachment from the people involved, and almost never acknowledged — a requirement for appropriate intervention to take place.
Generalisations about young people are publicly made with little challenge. They are seen as unintelligent, troublesome, ungrateful, and even deserving of any misfortune that befalls them. They are well aware of the assumptions
Recommendations
1. The Bear. The hit show about a restaurant and the people who work there is now in its fourth season. Carmy is a young chef, back home to run the family sandwich shop. As a fine dining chef, he wants to transform the restaurant into something far different than it ever was or was imagined to be at any point. The writing, cinematography, and acting are all beautiful, and the soundtrack is perfect. The dialogue is sharp, complete with weighted pauses and intense nonverbal communication. It is heavy with grief that runs through every character and plot point, balanced with the dreams of the individual characters and the collective hope that drives them to work together, care for each other, and keep trying to do what may otherwise seem impossible. The food is praised by guests, the service is a choreographed dance, and the Michelin star is elusive as reviews are up and down. In this show, every second counts.
2. Take an art class. During the summer months, there are many opportunities to be a beginner at something. Try something different, and challenge yourself to enjoy the experience
Schools may now be focused only on academic development, but that is a missed opportunity and an injustice to the people — the children — it is meant to serve. School should not be a place for children to be spoon-fed information in order to regurgitate it while being molded into robots that do as they are told in order to be easily controlled when they enter the workforce. It should be a place for them to engage in learning, through the delivery of the curriculum and interactions with the people around them.
Children, including teenagers, need to connect with one another. They need to connect with their teachers.
They need to learn to navigate relationships, to build trust, to identify unsafe situations, to work through disagreements, and to recognise the difference between what is normalised (and unsafe) and what is actually a normal situation or behavior.
Schools are a critical site for intervention. This is where irregularities should be most apparent. Teachers and administrators should notice the state of children’s clothing and hygiene. They should notice changes in patterns of attendance, behaviour in class, homework delivery, and testing. They should understand that the interest and
rather than focusing on the end product. Studio Tela is offering arts and crafter for adults on July 16, 23, and 30 at 6pm for $60. Registration is required to secure one of the ten available seats per session. They also offer one-on-one art tutoring lessons for all ages at $60. Call 806-7150 to secure a space. Poinciana Paper Press is offering full-day summer classes on Saturdays in July and August. There may still be space in this week’s pulp painting class. Upcoming classes include silkscreen printing and lego letterpress printing. All classes are $150. More information and registration are at lu.ma/pppsummerclasses25.
effort of the child is not the only factor involved.
Which children are sleepy? Which children are hungry or undernourished? Which children are showing signs of stress, anxiety, or depression? Signs that a child needs help can only really be investigated when there is a real relationship and trust exists so that the child can honestly answer questions.
Emotional intelligence needs to be a part of the curriculum, and it needs to be an area of focus in professional development for educators. All teachers and administrators need to be able to empathise with children. They need to be aware of their own beliefs and biases, and they need to know how to regulate their own emotions. They need to truly care about the children who are in their care, and help them to develop the skills to recognise their emotions and talk about them. They need to be trained in suicide intervention.
Children need to feel safe enough to share what is happening, especially when there is a chance that they will feel embarrassment or they fear that they will be punished for telling the truth (which may be framed to them as “private” or “family business”). Building this level of trust takes time and intention.
Children need to know that there is help available for them. If there is a free breakfast programme, they should know where and when to go, and it should be easy to access. If there a mental health professional on staff, they need to know how to find them. They also need to be aware of the Department of Social Services and what can be accessed there. The assumption cannot be made that parents/ guardians know or that they will initiate necessary processes.
Sometimes children are considering suicide because their lives seem untenable. Living does not seem worth it. It could be that they do not have the support they need. It could be that they think they are making life difficult for their parents/guardians. It could be that they are struggling to manage strong emotions. It could be that they need ongoing mental health support, without judgment. Life is not easy for all children. There are challenges they face, and many of them try to face them alone.
We need to ensure that the children in our lives know that they can safely talk to us and that we will help them through anything they are experiencing. Parents/ guardians are not always able to provide all of the support that children need, and they may not notice that something is wrong. There are many reasons this could be the case, and there may be the desire to cast blame, but first, focus on the children. It is not their fault. As long as there are other adults in their lives, they should have attention, they should receive care, and they should be given the access to the resources and services that are life-affirming. The statistics have been shared. The shock should have worn off by now. The concern should still be there. Action is needed. Mental health needs to be a priority. The curriculum needs to respond to the needs of the children, and educators need to acquire the skills to do the same.
ONE TECH TIP: ‘CLICK-TO-CANCEL’ IS OVER, BUT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO UNSUBSCRIBE
By CORA LEWIS
Associated Press
A “CLICK-TO-CANCEL” rule, which would have made it easier for consumers to end unwanted subscriptions, has been blocked by a federal appeals court days before it was set to go into effect. But there are ways to end those subscriptions and memberships, even if they take some work.
The rule would also have required companies to disclose when free trials and promotional offers would end and let customers cancel recurring subscriptions as easily as they started them. But even without the new federal guidance, here are some ways to stay on top of subscription and membership fees.
Use calendar reminders and regularly review your bills
Experts at the Consumer Federation of America recommend setting calendar reminders for whenever a free trial period ends, to alert yourself to cancel promotional offers before the real recurring costs kick in. The auto-enrollment process, in which the company does not remind the consumer via email that a trial is about to end and higher monthly payments will begin, was also at the heart of the FTC’s rule.
“No subscription business model should be structured to profit from a gauntlet-style cancellation process,” said Erin Witte, in a statement on the click-to-cancel rule.
Regularly reviewing your credit card and debit card bills can also help you keep track of any recurring charges — including price increases you may have missed or that you didn’t anticipate when trying out a new membership or subscription.
Know the terms and conditions of a given subscription
“Companies make it easy for consumers to click to sign up and easy for the companies to automatically withdraw funds from consumers’ accounts,” said Shennan Kavanagh, in a statement on the FTC’s click-to-cancel rule. “People should not (have to) spend months trying to cancel unwanted subscriptions.”
Given the FTC’s vacated rule, though, companies may still legally require that customers cancel memberships or subscriptions by phone, even as they permit signing up, enrolling, and paying bills online. Consumer advocates say this places an extra burden of time and energy on the consumer to stop an unwanted recurring fee, but sometimes knowing the terms of the subscription and getting on the phone is worth the trouble.
There are some services that unenroll
you
Apps like Rocket Money and services like Trim, which is accessed through a browser, can keep track of your recurring monthly fees and subscriptions, for free — or for a fee — and can help you catch new ones or even unsubscribe from some services.
For parents, especially, a service like Trim could help inform them that a child has started a new subscription, game or membership before the fees recur. And Rocket Money will actively work to end unwanted subscriptions for you, for a monthly price. If the company can’t successfully end or cancel the subscription or membership, it will give the customer the information needed to do so. Trim also provides this service, in its premium form, for an additional fee.
Resist deals when canceling
The FTC is currently moving forward with preparations for a trial involving Amazon’s Prime program, which accuses the retailer of enrolling consumers in its Prime program without their consent
and making it difficult to cancel subscriptions. Often, when a consumer tries to cancel a subscription for something like Prime, which offers free delivery and streaming video, the company will offer a month or more of the subscription at a promotional rate — half off, or at other, better-seeming values, to entice a customer to stay. Staying strong in the face of what may appear to be a good deal can help you stop recurring monthly fees before you forget to cancel them again.Agreeing to yet another trial or promotional rate, which is another onramp to auto-enrollment, just continues the cycle, according to consumer advocates. What would the FTC’s rule have done?
The FTC’s rule would have required businesses to obtain a customer’s consent before charging for memberships, auto-renewals and programs linked to free trials. The businesses would have also had to disclose when free trials and promotional offers would end.
The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said this week that the FTC made a procedural error by failing to come up with a preliminary regulatory analysis, which is required for rules whose annual impact on the US economy is more than 100 million dollars.
The FTC said that it did not have to come up with a preliminary regulatory analysis because it initially determined that the rule’s impact on the national economy would be less than $100 million. An administrative law judge decided that the economic impact would be more than the $100 million threshold, and the court decided to vacate the rule.
Former President Joe Biden’s administration had included the FTC’s proposal as part of its “Time is Money” initiative, which aimed to crack down on consumer-related hassles.
SESAME WORKSHOP REGAINS CONTROL OF ELMO’S HACKED X ACCOUNT AFTER RACIST POSTS
By The Associated Press
SESAME Workshop regained control of its Elmo account on the X platform Monday after a hacker gained access and posted a string of racist and antisemitic messages.
“Elmo’s X account was compromised by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts,” Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind “Sesame Street” and Elmo, said in a statement Monday.
The account was compromised over the weekend and instead of the usual posts of encouragement and kindness, Elmo’s 650,000 followers were given antisemitic threats and a profane reference to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. Those tweets were soon deleted.
X did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Elmo’s social media account has lately become a place for mental health awareness. Last year, the red fuzzy monster, eternally 3 ½, caused a sensation when he asked: “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” It prompted responses from then-President Joe Biden and Chance the Rapper.
STILL NO SIGN OF END TO REPAIR WORK AT GO SLOW BEND
Sands relaunches summer contest
By RALIYAH STUBBS and CHRISTIAN TURNQUEST
A DRINK company has launched a summer promotion packed with prizes.
The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company Ltd (BBB) is running the offer for Sands beer – with prizes including jetskis and cash.
The offer follows a previous version of the contest and encourages followers to “Drink Sands and win”.
Jimmy Sands, owner and CEO of BBB, said: “Every summer, our team goes
the extra mile to create something exciting for our consumers, and this campaign is a testament to the strength of the Sands brand. Consequently, we can give back in meaningful ways through prizes, local sponsorships, and events that bring people together.
That’s what it’s all about.”
Last year, winner Andre Musgrove won a Yamaha jet ski. This year’s contest includes a top prize of a Yamaha VX Waverunner.
The second and third place winners will receive thousands of dollars in cash,
along with weekly winners selected throughout the campaign.
To participate, customers need to purchase any six Sands products including Sands Regular, Sands Light, Sands Pink Radler, or Sands Passion Radler and submit their entry at Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits locations and other participating bars and restaurants throughout the islands.
For updates, people are encouraged to follow #SANDSBEER on social media or visit Jimmy’s Wines and Spirits locations.
GAS STATION PARTNERS WITH FARM PROJECT
A GAS station owner has joined forces with a farmer to launch a partnership to boost food security and help young people.
Peter Roker of Roker’s Gas Station (RGS), on Fire Trail Road, has partnered with Dr Rochelle Johnson, affectionately known as Farmer Shelly of Nu Gaia Farm for the collaboration. It sees a shared commitment to endorse and promote the Nu Gaia Jr Farmers’ Programme, which teaches young
Bahamians how to grow their own food, care for the environment, and embrace backyard farming.
As part of this new venture, RGS Farmers Market will launch this Saturday, featuring Nu Gaia Farm’s fresh, naturally grown produce, local natural raw honey, preserves, farm animal petting area, and chances to get answers to your backyard farming questions.
The market will continue every Saturday and
will be open to other local farmers.
“This is about re-learning our natural ability to produce our own food, it’s about legacy, sharing knowledge, empowering our future, and growing together,” said Dr Johnson.
“We’re planting seeds of change with every young person we encounter and nurturing growing minds eager to be eco-friendlier and more sustainable.”
The event runs from 8am to 4pm.
FOR months, readers have been contacting The Tribune wanting to know what is going on at Go Slow Bend. The West Bay Street corner has had a wooden structure in place for months, blotting out the view but with little sign of any further progress in carrying out any further repairs. The eyesore has become a regular source of complaint - despite queries being raised with the government on when any work will be completed. The rudimentary barricade is pictured yesterday.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
THE CRUMBLING STATE OF DOWNTOWN
DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper this week touted that the government is “courting investors” for proposed hotel sites in Downtown Nassau and Cable Beach as it seeks to revive nightlife on Bay Street.
The Tribune toured the Downtown area to look at sites in need of repair and restoration - including areas in the aftermath of the blaze that ravaged the Bay Street and Elizabeth areas in May this year.
Downtown has long had issues with crumbling buildings and weak infrastructure even before the blaze - but the fire gutted areas leaving them exposed and in need of significant renovation.
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff