CARS! CARS!
FOX HILL DAY SEE PAGE 11
WEDNESDAY
HIGH 90ºF LOW 81ºF
The Tribune L AT E S T
N E W S
CLASSIFIEDS TRADER
O N
T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M
Biggest And Best!
Volume: 123 No. 174, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
BPL POWER FAILURES A ‘SIGN OF DEEPER ISSUE’
Former CEO: If you put equipment under more stress than it’s designed for, then it will fail By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Bahamas Power and Light chief executive Whitney Heastie has rejected the utility’s claim that extreme heat and ageing equipment caused the latest power outages, arguing that parts of the electricity system are instead being pushed beyond their design limits. Mr Heastie said repeated
cable faults, fires and equipment failures point to excessive strain on the system rather than temperatures that industrial-grade equipment should be capable of withstanding. His comments followed five days of prolonged outages across western New Providence and an islandwide blackout earlier last week. Residents in parts of New Providence and the HEAT - SEE PAGE FIVE
PMH KITCHEN DELAYED AFTER Andros Bridge collapse disrupts travel and electricity $5M DRAINAGE ISSUE FOUND Ministry of Works condemns Fresh Creek Bridge in Andros after a failure of one of the pile columns.
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Fresh Creek Bridge has been condemned after a structural support sank and shifted its weight dangerously, severing Central Andros’ main transport link and disrupting electricity restoration, government services,
businesses and access to the airport. Officials said a temporary bridge identified in New York could take about two months to arrive, leaving residents and workers dependent on boats and a proposed ferry service in the interim. The closure has already prevented Bahamas Power and Light crews from transporting heavy equipment needed to restore electricity in Cargill
Photo: MOW
Creek and parts of South Andros. Ministry of Works and Family Affairs senior engineer Antonne Taylor said a visual assessment yesterday found that an intermediate pier at one of the bridge’s pile caps had sunk, shifting the weight to two external supports. He said the pile cap had tilted BRIDGE - SEE PAGE THREE
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
THE long-awaited reopening of Princess Margaret Hospital's kitchen has been delayed by a newly discovered sewage and drainage problem expected to cost about $5 million to fix, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville
revealed yesterday. The hospital's kitchen has been out of service for more than a year after it was deemed unsafe, forcing the Public Hospitals Authority to outsource meal preparation while patients and staff continue to wait for the facility to reopen. Health officials previously PMH - SEE PAGE FOUR
GOFUNDME LAUNCHED FOR BOY BITTEN BY DOGS OVER 100 TIMES By PAVEL BAILEY and LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporters A BIMINI dog owner was sentenced to 12 months in prison yesterday after six dogs mauled a nine-yearold American boy about 100 times, leaving him with life-threatening injuries and facing what his family
described as a long and difficult recovery. Harrington Rolle, 34, received the sentence from acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans after pleading guilty to negligently causing grievous harm. He was also sentenced to six months for being the SUPPORT - SEE PAGE FOUR
BEAU BRATTAIN, nine-year-old bitten by dogs in Bimini.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
PAGE 2, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Hundreds gather for goods and services at National Family Week finale HUNDREDS of Nassau residents packed R.M. Bailey Park on Saturday to collect groceries, school supplies, and access government assistance during Family and Community Day. The event marked the conclusion of National Family Week 2026. More than 36 government agencies, charities, and faith groups set up stations to distribute essentials directly to vulnerable families. Social Services Minister Barbara Cartwright and Minister of State Bacchus Rolle attended the event to hand out care packages. Cartwright identified poverty reduction as a primary focus for her ministry, noting that bringing resources directly into neighborhoods is the most effective way to reach people in need. Cartwright said the goal is to meet immediate needs and help families build a stronger future. Attendees received free groceries, hot meals, blankets, backpacks, and school supplies throughout the day. Several organizations offered specific assistance, including Bahamas Power and Light, which provided ten $50 electricity vouchers. The International Men’s Day organization and
the Zonta Clubs of New Providence and Nassau distributed business attire to residents preparing for job interviews. Families also had direct access to representatives from National Health Insurance, the Disaster Risk Management Authority, and the police Domestic Violence Unit. Other participating groups included Teen Challenge, Prison Fellowship Bahamas, the Water and Sewerage Corporation, and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. The day featured activities for children and a visit from Demetrius Senior Citizens Home residents, who received custom care packages before returning to their facility. Department of Gender and Family Affairs Director Sharmie Farrington thanked the volunteers and sponsors for their work. The week’s earlier events included a church service, a marriage recommitment ceremony, and a support forum for single and divorced individuals. Following the high turnout at R.M. Bailey Park, Cartwright plans to expand similar poverty reduction and outreach events to the Family Islands.
CHILDREN enjoying the bouncing castle during Social Services Family and Community Day.
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
Photos: BIS
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, PAGE 3
Fresh Creek Bridge condemned after structural support sinks
MINISTER of Works Clay Sweeting and government officials inspect the bridge at Fresh Creek, Andros after a sinking pile cap leaves the bridge unsafe for use. BRIDGE from page one between 20 and 30 degrees, causing three bridge slabs to sink. “This is a great concern. This is not the way the bridge was designed,” Mr Taylor said. “As a result, we have officially condemned the bridge. We are not allowing vehicular traffic to traverse the bridge at this particular time, and we are in the process of developing temporary solutions to address the matter.” Central Andros District Administrator Jackson McIntosh said the failure was not unexpected, arguing that the bridge’s deteriorating condition had been apparent for years despite plans under successive administrations to replace it.
“There had been very concrete plans to replace the bridge, not only under this administration but under the former administration,” he said. “However, it never materialized. Mother Nature decided it was going to fast-track dealing with the situation.” He said there are no plans to repair the existing bridge, which also carries water and electricity infrastructure across Fresh Creek. Those services will have to be reconfigured, with the water line potentially placed along the seabed, he said. Mr McIntosh said the existing bridge would be demolished after the necessary process is completed. A temporary bridge has already been identified in New York, but he estimated that it would take about two
months to reach Andros. He said the government hoped to begin a ferry service today to move people across the creek until vehicular access is restored. After engineers identified the structural damage, authorities allowed residents and workers two hours to cross before closing the bridge, he said. BPL said the closure delayed restoration work in Cargill Creek and parts of South Andros because crews could not move the personnel and heavy equipment needed to repair the outage. The utility explored several routes, including access by sea, but said no suitable vessels were available. It expects the planned ferry service to allow crews to reach the affected areas and continue restoration work.
The closure has also affected employees travelling to the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Centre and residents trying to reach the airport, government offices and businesses on the opposite side of Fresh Creek. Minister of Works Clay Sweeting said he travelled to the area yesterday morning with Mangrove Cay, Central and South Andros MP Leon Lundy and a technical team after learning of the failure the previous evening. Mr Sweeting said the government had begun discussions with Acrow Bridge, which previously supplied bridges in Abaco and Eleuthera, about providing a temporary crossing. Director of Public Works Robert Mouzas said the temporary structure was
Photos: MOW
already part of the broader replacement plan because the new permanent bridge is expected to have two lanes and stand between 16 and 20 feet higher than the existing crossing. Central Andros Christian Council president Dr Dorinda Dean described the closure as “a great loss, great disappointment, great setback”. Dr Dean lives in Andros Town but her church is in Calabash Bay on the opposite side of the bridge. She was unable to attend a Ministry of Youth-sponsored workshop at the church, where attendance was also affected by the closure. She said residents now have to arrange separate taxis on each side of Fresh Creek and cross by small boat, making travel significantly more complicated.
Workers commuting from Cargill Creek, Behring Point and Blanket Sound are also facing difficulty reaching their jobs, she said, while some businesses have been affected. South Andros resident Julian Gibson said erosion around the bridge’s supports had long caused concern. “If you see things getting rusty and starting to chip away and starting to fall apart, eventually, with trucks going back and forth, they could collapse,” Mr Gibson said. He said the bridge was the main route for people travelling between northern and southern Andros and that its closure had restricted access to the airport and other essential services.
Union boss says Bahamians MAN WEARING ANKLE MONITOR blocked from top hotel jobs DROWNS AT A GB RESORT POOL By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net QUALIFIED Bahamians have been shut out of senior hotel and restaurant management posts despite decades of industry experience, Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union president Darrin Woods said as he backed a government review of tourism-sector hiring practices. Mr Woods said the union has long pushed for Bahamians to be appointed as directors and senior managers whenever qualified local candidates are available, arguing that they are too often denied the opportunity to prove themselves while foreign executives are placed in key positions. His comments followed Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell’s disclosure last week that the government is reviewing employment practices in Grand Bahama and the wider tourism sector, particularly the appointment of foreign workers to management positions, as part of efforts to protect Bahamian jobs. “As long as there is a Bahamian who is qualified for the position, we believe that Bahamians should fill in those roles, and we’ve always advocated for that, particularly when it comes to the hospitality industry, because who can train Bahamians on being hospitable? That’s something we’ve learned from an early age,” Mr Woods said.
He acknowledged that investors spending hundreds of millions of dollars on developments may want trusted executives overseeing their interests, but said Bahamians should be afforded the same chance to demonstrate their abilities. “If I’m spending $400 million, $500 million, a billion dollars, I want someone in those key positions who’s going to be looking out for my interest,” he said. “But you don’t know that if they’re not given the opportunity, because we’ve had Bahamians excel to high levels in foreign countries.” Mr Woods said the lack of senior opportunities at home also contributes to the country’s brain drain, with Bahamians studying and gaining qualifications abroad only to return to limited career prospects. “If we could do it in someone else’s country, why can’t we do it in our own country?” he said. “Because we are at home, and this would help with the brain drain in our country. People going off to school, qualifying themselves, come back home, and there’s nothing for them to do.” He also called for Bahamians promoted into senior management to receive compensation packages comparable to those offered to expatriate executives. “They may not get the children’s school fee and all that, but they should get something in that vein,” Mr Woods said. “Whatever the package is, we’re not saying that you just give them the total
package. But my Lord, they should get something out of the package.” Mr Woods also questioned whether immigration understudy arrangements are creating genuine pathways for Bahamians to advance into senior roles. Under the system, foreign employees granted work permits may be required to train Bahamians to eventually assume their positions. However, Mr Woods said Bahamian understudies are frequently passed over when vacancies arise. “Once you have someone as an understudy, that person is supposed to move to the next level, but it doesn’t happen,” he said. “They will bring in someone else, so they will always only understudy. Even if you’re saying that our persons are not up to the level, when they get up to the level, when are they going to have the ability to show that they’re up to that level?” Mr Woods said he previously raised the issue with Prime Minister Philip Davis and Mr Mitchell during discussions with government officials. He welcomed the review but said its value would depend on whether it produces meaningful opportunities for Bahamians. “We believe that in our country we should be able to serve at any level once we have qualified, dedicated and committed persons to do the work, and I believe we have those persons,” he said. “I believe it with all my heart.”
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A 40-YEAR-OLD man who was found at the bottom of a swimming pool at a resort in South Bahamia on Monday was recently released on bail and was reportedly wearing an electronic monitoring device at the time of the incident, The Tribune understands. Grand Bahama police are investigating the apparent drowning but have not confirmed the monitoring device details. The victim, who is believed to be a resident of Eight Mile Rock, had reportedly gone to the resort with his girlfriend. According to police, officers were called to the resort at Sunken Treasure Drive shortly before 4.30pm after receiving reports of an unresponsive man in the pool. Investigators said the man's girlfriend told them he had been swimming in the deep end when she noticed him sinking beneath the water. She immediately called for help, and a person at the resort pulled the man from the pool and CPR was administered. On arrival, Emergency Medical Services personnel continued resuscitation efforts but were unable to revive him. Resort manager Stacey Knowles said an employee responded after hearing the woman's cries for help and found the man
submerged at the bottom of the pool. The employee entered the water, pulled him to the surface and assisted until emergency responders arrived. Ms Knowles said the incident occurred on the Emancipation Day holiday when the resort's administrative office was closed. She explained that, as is customary on public holidays, a staff member was assigned to monitor the property in a security capacity. She said the woman accompanying the victim had obtained a pool umbrella and a flotation device before entering the pool area. Additional life-saving equipment, including throwable flotation devices and life vests, was also available nearby for guests, she said. According to Ms Knowles, the pool is clearly marked with signage warning that the deep end reaches approximately eight feet. She added that there were two women and two children in the pool area around the time of the incident. Ms Knowles also noted that the pool is reserved for registered guests and that signs advising there is no lifeguard on duty are posted on the property. She said management strictly enforces its guest policy because people have occasionally attempted to use the pool without authorisation. Police have not released the man's identity. Investigations are continuing, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Unexpected $5M sewage issue delays hospital kitchen reopening PMH from page one
said they hoped the renovation would be completed or nearing completion by the middle of 2025, but that deadline has passed. Dr Darville said engineers uncovered the ageing sewage and septic system while preparing to begin renovations to the kitchen and Legacy Ward, delaying the awarding of the kitchen contract. “The septic system and the drainage that is at the Princess Margaret Hospital is old. It was built in the 50s. It’s at the end of its life, and we have to put in a new system in order for the septic system to work, which drains into Shirley Street,” he said. “This is a major challenge that we just found. It delayed the awarding of the contract for the kitchen because we must have a
proper septic system in order for the hospital to function effectively.” He said the government has decided against repairing the existing system because of its age and condition and will instead construct a new sewage and drainage network alongside it before connecting the hospital. “We already have our engineers looking at the current sewage drainage system. We have Veritas, who is now quantifying the cost for the repairs. We’ve made a decision that we would not touch that system. We will create another system parallel to that system and connect the hospital to it. It’s too expensive to repair the old antiquated sewage drainage system that exists that was built in the 50s.” Dr Darville said the additional work is expected to cost about $5 million,
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS DR MICHAEL DARVILLE separate from the renovations already planned for the kitchen, Legacy Ward and dialysis unit. “As it stands right now,
the cost is around $5 million just to do that repair. That’s outside of the repairs for the kitchen, the Legacy Ward, and the dialysis.
We’re finding additional costs, and this is the same challenge I had when we started to do the work at the accident emergency. “You scope a section of work, and then as you begin to do the work, you realise there are some things that were missed. This is an incidental finding to the necessary repairs for the kitchen and the legacy ward, and we must get it done in order for the Princess Margaret Hospital to function effectively,” Dr Darville said. The prolonged closure of the kitchen has generated repeated complaints from patients. Since the facility was shut down because of health and safety concerns, meals have been prepared off-site and transported to the hospital, while employees have also been without an operational cafeteria. Last month, Dr Darville said funding through
the government’s CIBC loan had already been allocated for renovations to the kitchen, Legacy Ward and a new dialysis unit. At the same time, he acknowledged that ongoing upgrades to the hospital’s operating theatres had temporarily disrupted elective surgeries, although emergency surgical services remained available. During the recent interview, Dr Darville also defended the government’s decision to pursue construction of a second tertiary hospital in New Providence despite continuing investment in Princess Margaret Hospital. He said Princess Margaret Hospital, which was built in the 1950s, is nearing the end of its operational life and has become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.
EV dealers reject claims that chargers strain grid By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net ELECTRIC vehicle dealers Pia and John Farmer have accused Bahamas Grid Company executives of scapegoating EV owners for longstanding failures in the country’s electricity system after the company’s chief executive described home chargers as a substantial, unseen drain on the grid. The Farmers, co-founders of Easy Car Sales, said the estimated 2,500 electric vehicles on Bahamian roads represent an insignificant share of national electricity demand and argued that the system’s capacity shortfall is the result of inadequate investment and poor planning, not the growing adoption of electric transportation. Their response followed comments by BGC chief executive officer Dareo McKenzie and chief operating officer Ryan Holder during a press conference with Bahamas Power and Light at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday. Mr Holder said several faults had been caused by system overloads and pointed to what he called unsanctioned connections that add demand without the utility’s knowledge. He used homeowners adding air-conditioning units without completing the necessary administrative process as an example.
Mr McKenzie then singled out EV chargers. “There’s a reason why we have processes in place where you ought to report when you’re connecting a new EV charger, right?” he said. “That’s a substantial drain, and that’s unseen to the system operators.” However, the Farmers said there is presently no government requirement for homeowners to obtain permission to install an EV charger and described the suggestion that chargers should be reported as absurd. Ms Farmer is managing partner of Easy Car Sales, while Mr Farmer is its executive director. The company specialises in electric vehicles. They said most residential chargers operate within a home’s existing electrical service and rarely require an upgrade. They also challenged the suggestion that routine home charging places exceptional or unmanageable demand on the electricity system. According to the Farmers, an electric vehicle travelling a typical annual distance consumes about 3,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, or 250 kilowatt-hours monthly. They said this is comparable to the consumption of a conventional electric water heater, residential pool pump or clothes dryer, and far below the electricity frequently consumed by household air-conditioning. “We find using EVs as
AN ELECTRIC vehicle charging its battery. the main example of strain on the grid to be at best, uninformed,” they said. They argued that EV charging is also more flexible than air-conditioning use because drivers can charge their vehicles overnight or during other periods when electricity demand is lower. The Farmers suggested that BPL introduce preferential rates for motorists who charge during off-peak hours, saying this could support the conservation measures discussed during the press confeence. They also questioned why attention was being placed on residential EV owners rather than the electricity consumption of large resorts, food stores and proposed data centres. They said the country’s electricity problems predate the recent growth of electric
transportation. “The reality is the capacity shortfall of the electrical generation and grid distribution is a legacy issue including lack of continual investment in burgeoning demand and poor planning,” they said. “It has nothing to do with the adoption of electrical mobility.” The Farmers also questioned whether BPL and BGC are planning for the Davis administration’s stated climate commitments. They said The Bahamas’ nationally determined contributions to the United Nations call for fully electric vehicles to account for 50 percent of new vehicle sales by 2035, with hybrids representing another 30 percent. According to the Farmers, meeting the anticipated
demand from electric vehicles would require an additional 25 megawatts of generating capacity over the next decade, representing an increase of about ten percent from the present baseline. They argued that the increase should be manageable if the electricity system is properly developed. The Farmers also said consumers are turning to EVs because of lower fuel and servicing expenses, reliability and efficiency. They estimated that electric vehicles cost 65 percent less to own than petrol-powered cars and said drivers save thousands of dollars annually. They further argued that wider EV adoption would reduce fossil fuel imports, preserve foreign exchange and cut carbon dioxide
emissions, potentially strengthening the country’s access to carbon credits and climate financing. “In our opinion, EV drivers are to be applauded, not blamed for the inadequacies of our grid,” they said. The Farmers said BPL itself operates a significant fleet of electric vehicles and urged both electricity companies to prepare for the continued transition away from petrol-powered transportation. “The revolution in transportation is already here,” they said. “The People and the Government are on board. BPL and BGC please plan for the energy future we Bahamians deserve and want, and don’t ask us to stay in the dark ages of fossil fuel transportation.”
Owner gets 12 months after dogs maul boy SUPPORT from page one owner of a dangerous dog that caused injury and 30 days for permitting a dangerous dog to be at large. The sentences will run concurrently. The victim, Beau Brattain, of Florida, was holidaying with his parents in Bimini when the dogs attacked him as he collected sand on a beach at about 10am on July 28. The dogs bit the child’s face, head, arms and legs before an unidentified passerby intervened and chased them away. Beau was taken to the local clinic and later airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in the United States with life-threatening injuries. Prosecutors previously told the court that he underwent two surgeries, including one that lasted ten hours. Photographs of his injuries were shown to Magistrate Evans, who described them as “disturbing”. The magistrate said one photograph appeared to show that “two large chunks of his arm have been bitten out”. Rolle appeared forlorn during sentencing and accepted full responsibility for his actions. He said the dogs had been kept in a storage shed, but admitted that the lock was defective.
BEAU BRATTAIN, nine-year-old bitten by dogs in Bimini. When Magistrate Evans previously asked what would have happened had the child died, Rolle said he had no answer and acknowledged that he would have been in the wrong. Beau’s relatives have since launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking $350,000 to help pay for his medical care, rehabilitation, travel and other recovery expenses. The campaign had raised more than $240,000 by press time
yesterday. “In the days and months ahead, Beau’s family will be focused on one thing: his healing,” the family said. “Alongside the overwhelming emotional toll, they are now facing significant medical expenses, travel costs and rehabilitation needs related to this tragic incident.” The family said Beau faces “a long and difficult road to recovery”. Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom prosecuted the case.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, PAGE 5
Ex-CEO blames overloaded grid HEAT from page one Family Islands had already been experiencing recurring disruptions. BPL officials have attributed the latest outages to faulty cables, increased electricity demand, summer heat and operational faults. Mr Heastie, who led the utility before resigning in 2022, said the failures appeared to have a simpler explanation. “They’ve had faulted cables. They’ve had fires. They’ve had everything underneath the sun that’s been going on and to me it boils down to one simple thing,” he said. “Either you’re putting the equipment under situations that the equipment is not designed for, and that’s really what I believe is the issue that’s going on, because as with anything, if you stress something more than it’s designed for, it will fail.”
Mr Heastie said cables and other equipment can fail when increased electricity loads expose them to more current than they were designed to carry. “So, when I hear of cable failing, well to me, the cable failed because you have stressed the cable beyond its design capacity or its rated capacity,” he said. “To me, you should never let a piece of equipment get above and beyond its capability.” He agreed that electricity generation should not be the principal problem, saying BPL has added significant generating capacity in recent years and that those units are nowhere near the end of their expected lifespans. “I don’t believe ageing equipment can be referred to when it comes to generation,” he said. Mr Heastie also disputed BPL’s reliance on elevated temperatures as an explanation for the failures, saying the utility uses
industrial-grade equipment designed to operate under harsh environmental conditions. He acknowledged that temperatures in The Bahamas have been unusually high but said they remain below those recorded in many other countries. “If we are going to claim the equipment that we have is failing due to extreme temperatures, then I would think as well that those areas that are seeing 105 degrees, which The Bahamas is not seeing, should have similar situations, which they are not,” he said. Mr Heastie also questioned whether Bahamas Grid Company, which is responsible for New Providence’s transmission and distribution network, has properly assessed the condition of the infrastructure it now oversees. About $130m in foundational grid upgrades, assisted by US electrical utility provider Pike, were
expected to be completed by the end of June. However, it is understood that the transfer of the grid assets has not yet been completed. Pike Electrical has since left The Bahamas after completing the upgrades, The Tribune understands. Mr Heastie said Pike had the expertise needed to configure protection systems and prevent circuits from becoming overloaded, but questioned who now performs that role locally. He said: “If Pike is no longer there — because Pike does know what they’re doing, make no mistake here, they know what they’re doing, okay — but if you take Pike out of the equation, who now is the local expert to be able to set protection, know what protection device to set, how to go ahead and configure full so that you don’t overload the circuits?” “Who is the engineering arm of The Bahamas grid
FORMER BPL CEO WHITNEY HEASTIE that is now taking care of all of that? BPL is now out of the equation, if I understand the split correctly.” Davis administration officials have said the departures of Island Grid
Solutions and Pike will not affect continued investment in and upgrades to New Providence’s transmission and distribution network under Bahamas Grid Company.
‘Go to the beach’ says BPL BPL EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN SAYS OUTAGE REBATES RARELY PLEASE THE PUBLIC COO amid power crisis By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Power and Light chief operating officer Anthony Christie yesterday said of the recent spate of power outages: “Sometimes it may not be a bad thing.” “I go out and sit on the beach and enjoy what this beautiful island has to offer. But to each his own, and it does not override our sacred responsibility to the consumers, which is to provide safe, reliable, and resilient service.” He also said BPL cannot guarantee fewer outages in the coming weeks as above-normal temperatures place greater strain on its ageing system. Even as the utility maintains it was prepared for the summer, officials urged consumers to reduce their electricity use. He said August and September are expected to bring even hotter conditions and higher demand, preventing him from assuring frustrated consumers that the frequency of outages will decline. New Providence has suffered weeks of widespread power cuts, with some residents reporting that they were without electricity for days. At an Office of the Prime Minister press conference yesterday, BPL and Bahamas Grid Company officials attributed the outages to unusually high temperatures, ageing infrastructure, damaged equipment, unauthorised connections and increased demand driven by greater use of air conditioning. A representative of the Department of Meteorology said The Bahamas has experienced above-normal temperatures during the past two to three months and that August and September are also expected to be hotter than usual. Mr Christie said BPL plans annually for peak summer demand but did not anticipate temperatures and electricity consumption reaching their present levels. “Based on abnormal conditions, we’re seeing higher loads, higher temperatures and more frequent failures on equipment,” he said. “So that’s now straining a lot of our resources that we did not really anticipate would be needed at this level.” Pressed on whether the utility had been unprepared,
BAHAMAS Power and Light (BPL) Executive Chairman Christina Alston declined yesterday to say whether customers would receive rebates on their electricity bills following ongoing power outages, saying rebates are often not well received by the public. Ms Alston's comments came after Prime Minister Philip Davis KC said last week that he had asked BPL to examine whether it could provide further financial relief to customers following last Wednesday night's islandwide disruption to homes and businesses across New Providence. “If you are a consumer, and I say to you, ‘Well, I'm
BPL COO ANTHONY CHRISTIE Mr Christie rejected that characterisation and said BPL was confronting unforeseen conditions. He said crews are working to strengthen the grid, shorten outages and reduce their impact, but warned that uninterrupted service cannot be guaranteed. “They don’t want the light to never go off, but that’s not reality,” he said. “The light will go off. The power will go off. There will be an issue, a challenge that has to be addressed. But again, we’re trying to shorten the outages and lessen the impact.” BPL executive chairman Christina Alston also defended the utility’s summer preparations, arguing that no mechanical or electrical system operates without interruption. “Saying that the system is going to be on 100 percent of the time, that is a very unrealistic goal,” she said. “No system is 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. Your car doesn’t work 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. “Nothing mechanical or electrical works 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. But what we have done is systematically gone through and mitigated where we could see problems occurring.” Ms Alston described The Bahamas’ electricity network as one of the most complex in the Caribbean and urged homeowners to give BPL some “breathing room” by conserving energy during the remaining summer months. BGC chief executive officer Dareo McKenzie stressed that officials were not asking residents to stop using air conditioning or abandon household comforts. “We’re not saying do without,” he said. “We’re not saying do without your
air condition or the luxuries of your home enjoy that. All we’re saying is conserve — very different.” Mr McKenzie said New Providence experiences two daily peaks in electricity demand, leaving the system with little relief. Referring to the outages, he said: “Sometimes it may be not a bad thing. I go out and sit on the beach and enjoy what this beautiful island has to offer. But to each his own, and it does not override our sacred responsibility to the consumers, which is to provide safe, reliable, and resilient service.” BPL recently asked government agencies to reduce electricity consumption, particularly by limiting air-conditioning use in public buildings. Ms Alston said that initiative had helped the utility reconnect more residential consumers and small businesses. The Davis administration has made energy reform a central priority, pursuing power purchase agreements and transferring New Providence’s transmission and distribution network to BGC for upgrading and maintenance. When the transfer was announced, the government said Island Grid Solutions, a Bahamian subsidiary of Pike Corporation, was the majority shareholder in BGC. Pike has since withdrawn from the arrangement. Mr McKenzie said BGC also faces difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled workers. He said the company has recruited from the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, advertised vacancies and hired experienced former BPL employees, including retirees. BGC currently has between 60 and 80 line workers, he said.
going to give you a rebate, and it's $45, or it's $100,” she said, adding that some people may still not be satisfied. “So, realising that we in the utility space, we're not going to please all the people all the time. We recognise that, and it's very easy to beat up on BPL, especially at this point where we're in a low. You know, we've had a lot of fires, we've had a lot of electrical outages due to lightning strikes.” Ms Alston said she had not yet had a chance to speak with either the Prime Minister or the Energy Minister about the matter. Pressed further on whether she believed consumers deserved a reduction in their bills after suffering numerous outages, Ms Alston described the question as “difficult.”
She added that around the world officials have seen that when consumers are given a rebate, the response has never been positive. “But that's something for the PM and the ministry to address and to instruct, as we are their entity,” she said. “This is a company owned by the Bahamian people, and so when we receive those instructions, I'm sure that there'll be those who say, ‘well it's not enough’, and then there'll be those who may say, ‘well, thank you.” Last week, Mr Davis said he had discussed whether consumers affected by repeated outages and high electricity bills could receive concessions from the utility. "I've asked BPL to look at that, and they'll see what they can do," he said.
BAHAMAS POWER AND LIGHT (BPL) EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN CHRISTINA ALSTON
PAGE 6, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
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 Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax
(242) 502-2350 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348
WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com
@tribune242
tribune news network
Public interested in action not excuses THE root cause of the country’s power challenges came into focus yesterday when a former Bahamas Power and Light chief executive questioned the reasons behind the repeated outages. Whitney Heastie, BPL CEO until his resignation in 2022, identified what he considers the structural problems. “They’ve had faulted [sic] cables. They’ve had fires. They’ve had everything under the sun that’s been going on, and to me, it boils down to one thing,” he said. “Either you’re putting the equipment under situations that the equipment is not designed for, and that’s really what I believe is the issue that’s going on, because as with anything, if you stress something more than it’s designed for, it will fail.” “So, when I hear of a cable failing, well to me, the cable failed because you have stressed the cable beyond its design capacity or its rated capacity,” Mr. Heastie added. “To me, you should never have let a piece of equipment get above and beyond its capability.” This explanation is more direct than the response from Bahamas Grid Company CEO Dareo McKenzie, who said of the outages: “Sometimes, it may not be a bad thing. I go out and sit on the beach and enjoy what this beautiful island has to offer.” For a senior official involved in ensuring the public has power to suggest going to the beach as a solution is an outrage. Perhaps he should tell that to senior citizens stuck inside with no way to reach the beach. Or to families whose loved ones were left sweating in the heat and dark. Or maybe he should tell it to those relying on power for life-saving medical equipment. Mr. McKenzie urged the public to conserve energy, saying: “We’re not saying do without. We’re not saying do without your air conditioning or the luxuries of your home, enjoy that. All we’re saying is conserve.” He also singled out drivers of electric vehicles, saying: “There’s a reason why we have processes in place where you ought to report when you’re connecting a new EV charger, right? That’s a substantial drain, and that’s unseen to the system operators.”
Pia and John Farmer, co-founders of Easy Car Sales, disagree. They state there is no requirement for homeowners to obtain permission to install an electric vehicle charger. “We find using EVs as the main example of strain on the grid to be at best uninformed,” they said. Pointing to the actual issue, the Farmers added: “The reality is the capacity shortfall of the electrical generation and grid distribution is a legacy issue including lack of continual investment in burgeoning demand and poor planning.” In this year’s Budget, the government offered incentives to encourage people to drive electric cars. If they strain the grid, why is the Davis administration encouraging ownership of these vehicles? We are a long way from when BPL promised it was ready for the summer. No one wants to hear excuses. Many Bahamians have lived in countries where power remains on nearly 100 percent of the time. In those places, residents do not worry about starting their days in darkness or throwing away spoiled food. BPL falls so far short of 100 percent that customers no longer expect it. What percentage is acceptable? And for what percentage should the Bahamian public be expected to show gratitude? This is a harsh reality. We may have to conserve energy to get through the current situation, but it should not be necessary. Generation capacity must meet our needs. Officials should have maintained and upgraded the infrastructure over the years. If that is not the case, we must deal with the current reality. However, we cannot pretend everything is fine. News reports highlight crumbling bridges. At Princess Margaret Hospital, officials recently discovered an aging septic system that needs a $5 million fix before the kitchen can open. These incidents point to a broad national infrastructure problem, with the power grid acting as just one component. We need action, not suggestions to sit on the beach. We need a bold strategic plan and a clear timeline for ending these outages. Anything less is an insult to the public and a cost to the nation.
Jet ski dilemma: Where are we at? EDITOR, The Tribune. THERE are always two sides to a coin. Here we have the government of the Bahamas and the U.S. Ambassador. The matter at hand being the plight of the local water sports/jet ski industry. Having been so very vocal regarding. Let’s begin with the “Hall of Famer”. At best. The Ambassador’s approach has been direct and engaging. However. It is also coupled with hypocrisy and bias. He leads with his commitment to assists. Only to conclude by “advising” American citizens to Not engage in
such activities (whilst here). Is this his idea of working together? Question(s) (if l may). Are they in turn advised to Not solicit illicit drugs and controlled substances? Does he discourage those who are here on private vessels to Not engage in activities in which they are not licensed or entitled to? And most importantly. In all matters to conduct themselves according to ethics and civility? And now for our government. Thus, for the government’s response has been to implement laws that
have adversely affected the industry. That is both unreasonable and discriminatory. Diametrically opposed to our civil liberties and the very nature and culture or the (water sports) industry. And therefore. Can. And should be questioned or challenged on the basis of constitutionality. Apparently and most unfortunately. This is where we are at. From a very confused and concerned Bahamian citizen and businessman. CONCERNED BAHAMIAN Nassau, July 31, 2026.
Bahamians in a national crisis of confidence EDITOR, The Tribune. THE Commonwealth of The Bahamas is currently navigating a period of profound national introspection, grappling with pervasive challenges that have significantly eroded public confidence. A palpable sense of unease permeates the citizenry, stemming from a perception of leadership detachment and systemic vulnerabilities that threaten the nation’s foundational stability. This sentiment transcends mere policy disagreement; it reflects a deep-seated apprehension that governance is failing to adequately address critical issues, leaving citizens feeling increasingly marginalised. A lack of transparency, accountability, and clear strategic direction from official channels has contributed to this public disillusionment. The metaphor of “navigating in the dark” resonates acutely across the islands, extending beyond the immediate discomfort of recent, extensive power outages—a direct consequence of an aging and neglected energy infrastructure, exemplified by the incident at the Blue Hill Power Station. It speaks to a more profound opacity in governance, fostering an environment where trust in national institutions and elected officials has been considerably diminished. This erosion of trust is further exacerbated by the perceived contrast between historical ideals of public service and contemporary challenges. While the nation reveres the memory of figures like A Loftus Roker, known for his unyielding dedication to national sovereignty and principled advocacy, recent events have highlighted a concerning departure from these standards. The conviction of Darrin Alexander Roker, a former high-ranking military official, for exploiting his position to facilitate international drug smuggling, starkly underscores instances of institutional betrayal. Such incidents create a profound chasm between the nation’s aspirations for ethical leadership and the current realities of misconduct. The archipelago is presently contending with a convergence of critical issues demanding
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net immediate and decisive intervention: (1) The Persistent Energy Crisis: Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) has become emblematic of systemic operational failures. The recurring grid collapses, inherent infrastructure fragilities, and the escalating cost of electricity imposed substantial economic and personal burdens on Bahamian households and businesses. While political discourse often devolves into partisan blame, the practical impact on ordinary citizens includes damaged appliances, disrupted daily life, and the relentless pressure of rising utility expenses. This is not merely an operational oversight but represents a fundamental breakdown in a vital national service. (2) Pervasive Institutional Integrity Concerns: Recent extensive investigations have unveiled troubling instances of high-level corruption within our national security apparatus. The arrests of military and police personnel for compromising national security for personal enrichment constitute a severe breach of public trust and critically undermine the very institutions established to safeguard our citizens. (3) Stagnant Economic Progress For Many; Despite a thriving tourism sector and a substantial influx of visitors, the economic benefits are not being equitably distributed across society. Persistent challenges such as stagnant wages, unchecked inflationary pressures, and prohibitively high housing costs continue to strain local communities. This creates a stark divergence between the national economic narrative and the lived realities of many Bahamian citizens, raising fundamental questions about the true beneficiaries of the nation’s prosperity. There is a palpable sense of exhaustion among Bahamians, a weariness born from systemic issues that appear to persist irrespective of political shifts. Yet, beneath this fatigue lies an unwavering expectation for genuine, ethical, and
uncompromising governance. The enduring legacy of leaders who championed integrity serves as a potent reminder of the moral fortitude and steadfast leadership desperately required in the Bahamas today. In closing, I wish to remind my compatriots that even amidst these formidable challenges, the inherent resilience of us as Bahamians remains a powerful force with which our leaders must remember. Grassroots initiatives, robust community networks, and vibrant cultural celebrations continue to serve as essential anchors of unity, hope, and collective strength. It is from this deep wellspring of popular will that if, I hope and pray, the leaders, of the country, are reading and listening, a truly effective path forward must emerge, demanding transparent leadership, accountable institutions, and a collective national commitment to forging a brighter, more equitable future for all Bahamians regardless of their political persuasion. If the nation’s leadership continued on its present course, I wish to remind them of the fact that Bahamas’ history is and has defined been by transformative “Awakenings,” periods of collective action against injustice by the following events: (1) The 1942 Burma Road Riot established critical labor rights. (2) The 1958 General Strike ignited electoral reforms. (3) The event of 1967 which culminated in Majority Rule, securing national self-determination. In my final thrust, I wish non the less to remind the present absentee leadership of the perils caused by growing economic hardship and immigration pressures now threaten a severe “Fourth Awakening,” potentially surpassing past struggles in intensity, and demanding immediate, comprehensive national strategies. To the leaders of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, in finality, God gave Noah the rainbow sign, No more “water”, the “fire” next time! Emancipate God’s people! DR DONALD M MCCARTNEY Freeport, Grand Bahama August 2, 2026.
Gratitude is an attitude EDITOR, The Tribune. LETTERS to these pages are so often a platform for grievances bearing a litany of complaints, political shortcomings, and the daily frustrations that wear us down. Today, however, I write not to add another voice to the chorus of discontent, but to offer something quieter and, I hope, more enduring. A message of gratitude and hope for our present and future. I was recently reminded of a simple yet profound truth. Only two days count. The day you are born and the day you die. Between birth and death lies a time where legacies are created. The choices made in between are what truly matters. In a country where trials and tribulations so easily consume our attention, where the headlines shout, and our daily struggles whisper
anxieties, it is easy to forget that our lives are being written in the dash between those two dates. Today, I want to gently encourage your readers, and myself, to look beyond the immediate. Yes, our nation has its burdens, and yes, each of us carries personal weights. But if we can pause long enough to honestly assess our position within this broader story, we might discover something remarkable. Our presence here is not a waiting room before some final destination. It is a living opportunity. Every day, even the hard ones, is a gift handed to us with the chance to build something meaningful. The legacy we leave need not be carved in stone or recorded in history books. It can be the kindness we sowed, the integrity we upheld when no one was watching, the courage we mustered to lift another soul, and the quiet hope we refused to surrender.
These are the threads that weave a life that outlasts the generation that knew us, continuing to warm the world long after our names have faded from memory. So, as we navigate the challenges of daily life in our country, let us not be defined solely by what we have endured or complained about. Let us be defined by how we choose to live, right here in the “time in between.” Let us craft legacies of compassion, bridge divides with empathy, and plant trees whose shade we may never sit under. That is how we make our presence deeply, lastingly meaningful. With heartfelt gratitude for the gift of this day, and unwavering hope for all the days still to come, A fellow citizen, choosing to build. B AZZAN JOHNSON Freeport, Grand Bahama August 2, 2026.
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, PAGE 7
Workers locked out as legal battle engulfs resort By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net EMPLOYEES at Old Bahama Bay Resort were barred from entering the West End property on Tuesday as a long-running legal battle over control and management of the resort again disrupted its operations. West Grand Bahama MP Kingsley Smith and Department of Labour officials went to the resort after workers were denied
access, with both saying their immediate concern was protecting employees caught in the dispute. “The employees have been barricaded out, and not everybody is allowed on the property,” Mr Smith said. The confrontation is the latest development in an ownership and management dispute that has repeatedly raised questions over who is entitled to operate parts of the resort while litigation remains before the courts.
Mr Smith said there had been several previous attempts to take control of the property by parties claiming ownership. “We know there’s a matter before the court, and in the interim some workers are being affected as a result,” he said. “I’m only here to ensure that my constituents and the workers of this property are not taken advantage of.” The dispute escalated last year when Lubert Adler-Old Bahama Bay, the resort’s ownership entity,
sought to terminate a management arrangement with Island Ventures Resort and Club. IVRC was formed by condominium owners to operate the resort after Ginn’s financial collapse in 2011. The attempted management change prompted court action and government intervention over whether the incoming group had the approvals required to operate in The Bahamas. The dispute has since continued over
attempts to transfer management while the litigation remains unresolved. Princess Flowers, officer in charge of the Department of Labour in Grand Bahama, said the agency was seeking to ensure workers did not lose their legal rights and entitlements because of the conflict. “We’re here today in solidarity with the workers,” Ms Flowers said. “We’re here to see what is happening and to ensure that all of their entitlements are protected and that they’re
not negatively affected by whatever happens here today.” She said employees should not bear the consequences of the prolonged ownership dispute. “We do hope some resolution comes about and that the workers are able to continue their work or, if their services are to end, that whatever happens is done in accordance with the law,” Ms Flowers said. “We just want to ensure that the workers’ rights are protected.”
Doctor details injuries Eco-tourism pioneer Keith in attempted murder trial Cooper dies at the age of 69 By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A DOCTOR testified yesterday about the serious injuries suffered by an elderly woman and man who were set on fire at their Gibbs Corner home in 2023, allegedly by a relative following an argument over dogs. Dr Joseph, an emergency physician, gave evidence in the attempted murder trial of Ricardo Richardson before Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns. Richardson is accused of setting fire to his grandmother, Magnolia Moxey, then 74, and his uncle, Emile Humes, following an argument on November 27, 2023. Dr Joseph said Mr Humes and Moxey were treated at Princess Margaret Hospital on the day of the incident. The doctor said Mr Humes told medical staff that gasoline had been thrown on him. Mr Humes suffered burns to his body, singed nasal hairs and shortness of breath. His airways and lungs were compromised, and he experienced severe, generalised pain. Dr Joseph said Mr Humes was in critical condition and his life was at risk. A breathing tube had to be inserted.
The doctor said the hospital form was completed on November 30, 2023, explaining that it had taken several days because caring for the patient took priority. Mr Humes was admitted to the intensive care unit and required plastic surgery. Dr Joseph told the prosecution that it was extremely serious for a patient to remain in intensive care for five to six weeks. Mr Humes was placed in a medically induced coma so he would not feel the pain, the court heard. Dr Joseph said Moxey told authorities that she had been doused with gasoline and set on fire. She also complained of pain. Her injuries were described as serious, and she was said to be in serious condition. Moxey had singed nasal hairs and fluid-filled blisters, known as blebs, on her arms. The blebs indicated that she had suffered at least second-degree burns. Dr Joseph said Moxey received pain medication, plastic surgery and burn treatment. Medical staff had to cut the blebs and dress her wounds. The doctor told defence attorney Walton Bain that the detailed medical notes for Mr Humes were not available in court. Those records would have shown precisely where he had
been burned. When asked by the defence whether Mr Humes’ injuries could have been self-inflicted, Dr Joseph said he was not a mental health patient. The doctor said any indication that he was suicidal would have been recorded on his medical forms. Dr Joseph said Moxey’s injuries were not as severe as those suffered by Mr Humes. The doctor also said Mr Humes would have been able to speak to police on the first day he was admitted to hospital. During questioning, Dr Joseph said that if a person who was on fire fell on another person’s chest, the second person would be expected to suffer burns to the upper part of the body where contact occurred. The doctor also said that burns to a person’s legs could indicate that a flammable substance had also come into contact with them. The court previously heard that gasoline was splashed on Moxey and that Mr Humes fell on her. It was also said that Moxey was the only one who suffered burns to her legs, while Mr Humes’ legs were not burned. Cephia Pinder-Moss and Khaula Reid appeared for the prosecution.
Haitian woman sent to prison for vehicular manslaughter By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A HAITIAN woman accused of causing a fatal traffic accident near Cowpen Road last month was remanded to prison yesterday. Prosecutors allege that Maudeline Eugene, 40, was driving a white van dangerously south along Damian’s Way when she struck pedestrian Eumines Baptist, 52, at about 7am on July 27.
Baptist was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries. Eugene allegedly fled the scene but turned herself in at Carmichael Road Police Station at 12.30pm later that day. She was not required to enter a plea to vehicular manslaughter when she appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. With the assistance of a Creole interpreter, Eugene was informed that the
case would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment. She was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Eugene is expected to return to court on August 10, when prosecutors will confirm whether she has any other matters pending before the court. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case. Gary Russell held brief for Devard Francis, who represented Eugene.
LPIA robbery suspect cleared of shooting cop but guilty of robbery By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was acquitted of attempting to murder a police officer at LPIA in 2021 but was convicted of robbing the female Bahamasair employee the officer was escorting when he was shot. Garnett Newbold, 59, was found guilty of armed robbery by a 6-3 jury verdict before Justice Neil Braithwaite. He was acquitted of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with
intent to endanger life by 8-1 verdicts. Despite the armed robbery conviction, Newbold was also unanimously acquitted of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. He sat stoically in the prisoner’s dock as the verdicts were read after more than an hour of deliberations. Newbold and his accomplices robbed Karen Bain of a deposit bag containing $2,654 belonging to Bahamasair as she attempted to place it in a drop box at LPIA’s domestic terminal on October 2, 2021.
Corporal 1964 William Smith was shot while escorting Ms Bain to the drop box near the RBC ATM. Corporal Smith testified that he continues to suffer pain from his gunshot injuries and remains unable to bend his left thumb. Newbold’s attorney, Wendawn Miller-Frazier, requested a probation report. Newbold is expected to return to court for sentencing on October 15. Destiny Morley and G’ann Hepburn prosecuted the case.
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE West End community is mourning the death of Keith Cooper, a pioneering eco-tourism operator and community advocate credited with introducing generations of residents and visitors to the marine life of West Grand Bahama. Cooper, founder of West End Ecology Tours, collapsed and died on Sunday, August 2. He was 69. The West End native established the tour company in 2010 and became widely known for taking visitors to Sandy Cay, where they could interact safely with stingrays and learn about the area’s sharks, fish and broader marine ecosystem. West Grand Bahama MP Kingsley Smith said Mr Cooper’s death was a tremendous loss for the settlement, where he had promoted tourism, created programmes for young people and used his international contacts to assist residents after hurricanes. “Whenever we lose one of our own, the community feels that loss,” Mr Smith said. Although Mr Cooper spent years away from West End, Mr Smith said he made an immediate impact after returning more than two decades ago, combining his love of the marine environment with a commitment to the community’s children. He established programmes that taught young people how to fish and swim before later introducing sailing. “What I admired was what he did with the young people in West End,” Mr Smith said. “He started a camp teaching children how to fish and swim and eventually introduced sailing. It was something new for the community, and many young people benefited from his programme.” Mr Cooper’s ecological tours became a major attraction, drawing visitors beyond West End’s nightlife and into the village to experience its natural environment. “He was focused on how we get tourists into the village and show them
KEITH COOPER, founder of the West End Ecology Tours. what West End is all about, especially its incredible marine life,” Mr Smith said. Mr Cooper recently expanded into the restaurant business after acquiring the former Coffee on the Bay property and transforming it into Conchshells, which was intended to offer residents and visitors another authentic West End experience. Save The Bays chairman Joseph Darville said Mr Cooper had been excited about the restaurant’s renovations when they spent time together at Sandy Cay about two weeks before his death. “I was in West End with Keith about two weeks ago,” Mr Darville said. “We were observing the mating of nurse sharks, and it was a phenomenal experience. He was also bringing me up to date on the renovations to his new restaurant, which he was excited to open.” Mr Darville said he spent hundreds of hours exploring the waters off West End with Mr Cooper, whom he described as having an extraordinary understanding of the ocean and marine life. “Keith Cooper had an intimate, almost divine knowledge of the ocean, the fish and everything connected to marine life,” he said. “I learned a great deal from him. I always looked forward to spending time with him, and I spent hundreds of hours with Keith exploring the
waters off West End.” Mr Darville said environmental students were frequently taken to Sandy Cay so Mr Cooper could teach them about sharks, stingrays and the surrounding ecosystem. “We took our environmental students there frequently so they could experience and appreciate the marine environment firsthand,” he said. “Keith spent countless hours teaching people how to interact safely with stingrays and how to feed them.” Mr Smith also praised Mr Cooper’s work after hurricanes, saying he drew on relationships developed overseas to secure donations and assistance for West End. “Any time there was a disaster, Keith used the many international contacts he had built over the years to help West End,” he said. “People donated, and he always used his reach for the benefit of the community.” Tributes also poured in on social media from residents, visitors and friends, with one person saying Mr Cooper had left a lasting mark through his contribution to Grand Bahama’s marine experience. Another described his death as “such a huge loss”, while others said the island would never be the same. Mr Smith extended condolences to Mr Cooper’s family and loved ones. “He will be greatly missed,” Mr Darville said.
Accused kidnapper remanded over viral child stealing incident By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN accused of attempting to kidnap a tenyear-old boy on East Street last month was remanded to prison yesterday. Prosecutors allege that Lionel Johnson, 33, took the boy from his mother near a Chinese restaurant
on July 28. A video of the alleged incident was widely circulated on social media. Johnson was reportedly driving a red subcompact vehicle. The child was later returned to his parents. Johnson was not required to enter a plea to child stealing when he appeared before Acting Chief
Magistrate Ancella Evans. He was informed that the case would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment and that he could apply to the higher court for bail. Johnson is expected to return to court for service of the voluntary bill of indictment on November 5. Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom prosecuted the case.
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
PAGE 8, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Alicia Wallace
James Baldwin and Emancipation and the importance of a letter to a nephew
EMANCIPATION Day, you, had every reason to be on this earth, you have been marking the 1834 abolition heavyhearted, yet they were told where you could go and of slavery, is celebrated on 1 not. For here you were, Big what you could do (and how August. Enslavers kidnapped James, named for me—you you could do it) and where 3.1 million people from the were a big baby, I was not— you could live and whom you west coast of Africa, trafcould marry.” ficked them through the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Persons, and forced them to work on plantations in horrific conditions. The effects of slavery continue today, including in the majority-black country that is The Bahamas, as many incorrectly and insultingly insist that racism does not exist and race does not matter. The Bahamas National Reparations Committee—and the CARICOM Reparations Committee along with other national committees—is working to help people in the country, the region, international agencies, and all over the world to Photo: lithub.com understand the longstanding consequences of here you were: slavery and the debt owed to to be loved. To the descendants of enslaved be loved, baby, hard, at once, people. forever, In a LinkedIn post, Chair and of the United Nations Per- to strengthen against manent Forum on People you loveless of African Descent, Gaynel the Curry, said, “What strikes me world.” This is a most about this date, every year, is not just what was nudge for us the achieved but also the active toward role the enslaved themselves light. It pushes the played for hundreds of years toward in bringing chattel slavery place where we to an end. Emancipation are most loved was claimed by people who and respected. acknowlunderstood their moment, It the who organised across dis- edges that tances for generations, who ugliness voted with their feet when we can face at they had no other instrument any turn, yet it and who refused every com- focuses on the promise that fell short of full good that holds freedom. That is the spirit we us up and keeps us going. honour.” “That journey is not over,” Two: Surshe continued. “Today, when vival, and we think about reparatory justhe impetus tice, gender equality, climate to survive, is action, socio-economic inclugenerational. sion, and human rights for It’s both a gift all people of African descent and a responglobally, we are still motiPhoto: Thirdman/pexels sibility to vated by the same spirit that ancestors and drove our ancestors to say we Mediocrity is not a destiny those who will come after want freedom and we want for us. It’s often what others us, looking to our actions to it now. Freedom, justice and intend for us, but we need not guide their own. equality.” “We have not stopped settle. While understanding August 2, one day after Emancipation Day, is the trembling yet, but if we had the perception they have of birthday of novelist, essayist, not loved each other none us is important, it’s critical and civil rights activist James of us would have survived. that we reject them in favour Baldwin. In The First Next And now you must survive of our own inner knowings of Time, a letter from Baldwin because we love you, and for ourselves and our people. to his nephew (his name- the sake of your children and Four: Your experience sake “James”), appears. In your children's children.” is your truth. Let no one My Dungeon Shook: Letter control your narrative or Three: Defy expectations. to My Nephew on the One destiny. Reject the limitations a Hundredth Anniversary of “I know your countrymen racist society tries to foist the Emancipation, Baldwin do not agree with me about upon you. wrote about being black, the “You were born where you this, and I hear them saying, constraints of a racist society, and the way to access to were born and faced the future ‘You exaggerate.’ They do not freedom. In this letter, there that you faced because you know Harlem, and I do. So do are several lessons for black were black and for no other you. Take no one's word for reason. The limits of your anything, including mine— people. ambition were, thus, expected but trust your experience. to be set forever. You were Know whence you came. If One: You are here because born into a society which you know whence you came, you are loved and to be spelled out with brutal clarity, there is really no limit to loved, even as the racist ways of the world challenge and in as many ways as possi- where you can go. ble, that you were a worthless your right to survive it. Five: You “[…] Though your father human being. You were not “The details and symbols and mother and grandmother, expected to aspire to excellooking about the streets lence: you were expected to of your life have been deliberthrough which they were make peace with mediocrity. ately constructed to make you carrying you, staring at the Wherever you have turned, believe what white people walls into which they brought James, in your short time say about you. Please try
to remember that what they believe, as well as what they do and cause you to endure, does not testify to your inferiority but to their inhumanity and
fear. Six: There is no acceptance more important than your own acceptance of yourself. “Please try to be clear, dear James, through the storm which rages about your youthful head today, about the reality which lies behind the words acceptance and integration. There is no reason for you to try to become like white people and there is no basis whatever for their impertinent assumption that they must accept you. The really terrible thing, old buddy, is that you must accept them. And I mean that very seriously. You must accept them and accept them with love. For these innocent people have no other hope. They are, in effect, still trapped in a history which they do not understand; and until they understand it, they cannot be released from it. They have had to believe for many years, and for innumerable reasons, that black men are inferior to white men.
We are not meant to collapse ourselves into the ways of being, living, or working that have been imposed by a racist society. It’s
not for us to make ourselves invisible, or even palatable, for that society. We don’t need to seek acceptance. Instead, we can look at the people whose lack of information and processing of historical facts—whether or not by their own refusal—as unfortunate. Could it be for this reason that they seek dominate, even today? What does it mean for the movement of black people, whose rights and daily lives are negatively impacted by racism and the expectation that we make ourselves “acceptable?” Seven: Commitment requires action, action can shift reality, and shifts in reality can weaken identity. “Many of them, indeed, know better, but, as you will discover, people find it very difficult to act on what they know. To act is to be committed, and to be committed is to be in danger […] Any upheaval in the universe is terrifying because it so profoundly attacks one's sense of one's own reality. Well, the black man has functioned in the white man's world as a fixed star, as an immovable pillar: and as he moves out of his place, heaven and earth are shaken to their foundations. You, don't be afraid. I said that it was intended that you should perish in the ghetto, perish by never being allowed to go behind the white man's definitions, by never being
allowed to spell your proper name. You have, and many of us have, defeated this intention; and, by a terrible law, a terrible paradox, those innocents who believed that your imprisonment made them safe are losing their grasp of reality.” Be unafraid in breaking the barriers set for black people. It’s not for us to make ourselves smaller, but to take every opportunity to find and create for ourselves and for one another to shine. Many chips were stacked against us, yet we’re here. There’s further to go, and we will make those steps together too, changing reality minute by minute, achievement by achievement, creation by creation. Know that a racist society will not enjoy the new reality, and that is due to its own (many) shortcomings. Eight: Remind yourself of your freedom “But these men are your brothers—your lost, younger brothers. And if the word integration means anything, this is what it means: that we, with love, shall force our brothers to see themselves as they are, to cease fleeing from reality and begin to change it. For this is your home, my friend, do not be driven from it; great men have done great things here, and will again[…] It will be hard, James, but you come from sturdy, peasant stock, men who picked cotton and dammed rivers and built railroads, and, in the teeth of the most terrifying odds, achieved an unassailable and monumental dignity. You come from a long line of great poets, some of the greatest poets since Homer. One of them said, The very time I thought I was lost, My dungeon shook and my chains fell off. In this year, as we celebrate Emancipation, let us see it as a reminder of our freedom to be here. To be here, and not at all religious. To be here, and to be a woman. To be here, and to live with a disability. To be here, and to be an artist. To be here, and to be queer. To be here, and to be disobedient, or impolite, or whatever they choose to call the person who will not conform, who will not follow nonsensical rules, who will not accept the unacceptable, who insists on making a home in a place a racist society still wants to think it can control. We come from a long line of resisters, of rebels, of overcomers, and they are depending on us to continue their legacy, and chart a path for those after us who will be more unacceptable, more demanding, more radical, and who will shift reality beyond the recognition of the people in it now.
state-run energy company and have sought to install Cubans sleep on seaside boardwalk to seek came after sweeping out- solar panels to keep the ages across western Cuba, lights on. the cities of Pinar Cubans have long disrelief from crippling blackouts and summer heat including del Río, Matanzas and played a characteristic By ARIEL FERNÁNDEZ and ANDREA RODRIGUEZ Associated Press
HAVANA (AP) — Alexey Ríos García awoke not to his bed in Cuba 's capital on Monday, but to an ocean breeze and the concrete of Havana's famous seaside boulevard. The 30-year-old construction worker ended up curling up with other Cubans on the city's sea wall, the Malecón, in a desperate attempt to escape the suffocating summer heat during yet another island wide blackout.
Sunday night marked the sixth island wide blackout since Trump administration effectively cut Cuba off from oil — its main energy source — in January. The move plunged the endemically crisis-stricken country into free-fall. While authorities on Monday said they were working to get the power back on, much of the island still had no electricity. The energy grid collapses have left people like Ríos García with fewer options to get by as the U.S. maintains its pressure campaign against the communist-led government. "Things are only getting worse. Tomorrow it’ll
collapse again ... and we’ll be back to sleeping on the Malecón,” said Ríos García, who used a piece of yellow foam as a pillow to cushion his head from the tough concrete. The recurring power outages combined with the stifling heat have created collective insomnia on the island as residents struggle to get through the night. While some like Ríos García have slept on the boulevard, others struggle to get some rest on balconies and front porches. The day of the latest blackout on Sunday, the temperature hit 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 Celsius), but
ended up feeling like 106 F when combined with the Caribbean's 80% humidity levels. It marks just one of a growing number of struggles on the Caribbean island where day-to-day life has grown increasingly difficult since the U.S. threatened to impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide it with oil. That was a debilitating blow after decades of U.S. economic sanctions, with the island's infrastructure crumbling and a surge in migration. Multiple outages since March Sunday's latest total blackout confirmed by the
Havana the day before. Energy authorities reported two nationwide grid collapses in March and three in July, along with several partial outages. Rolling blackouts now last more than 20 hours a day. Obtaining gas and basic goods have become daylong endeavours. Cubans worry about precious food like frozen chicken rotting in their fridges without power. The island’s once bustling tourism industry has bottomed out, leaving even fewer with a source of income allowing them to get by. With little fuel, public transportation in Havana has effectively collapsed. Hospitals have been left reeling
resilience to hardship, adapting to twists and turns and unexpected shortages after decades of living under a U.S. trade embargo. But in recent months and years, a sense of hopelessness has increasingly gripped those still remaining on the island. Among them was 30-year-old physical education teacher Elaine Delis Ramos, who curled up next to loved ones on the boardwalk on top of a thick blanket in search of a breeze. “Just when we start hoping (the energy grid) wouldn't collapse again, there it goes again," she said. “We don’t have any solution.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, PAGE 9
Elon Musk's xAI sues Minnesota over first-inthe-nation ban on 'nudification' technology By MARC LEVY and BARBARA ORTUTAY Associated Press
WORKERS cast bronze bells at the 400-year-old, family-owned Grassmayr bell foundry in Innsbruck, Austria, Friday, July 17, 2026. AP Photo/Matthias Schrader
Can tech save the bell-makers? By PHILIPP JENNE Associated Press
INNSBRUCK, Austria (AP) — Wearing protective gear to shield from the extreme heat of molten bronze, workers at one of the last bell foundries in Europe are casting bells weighing several tons. One after another, the artisans carefully pour the molten metal into specially shaped molds held together with steel bands to create 12 bells for churches in Italy, Germany and Romania. Founded in 1599, the Grassmayr Bell Foundry, in Innsbruck, western Austria, has survived wars, famines, epidemics and economic challenges. These days, the family business is run by brothers Johannes and Peter Grassmayr. During the Renaissance in the late Middle Ages, there were hundreds of bell makers in Europe, while today only a handful remain across the continent. The Grassmayrs' secret to success: tenacity combined with innovation, such as 3D printing, scanning, lasers, and computer simulation apps. "Certain things are just like they were 400 years ago. But we innovated a lot. Especially within the last 20 years, we've changed a lot," Johannes Grassmayr told The Associated Press. The production cycle for making a bell takes three to four months. In the past,
cleaning a freshly cast bell and polishing it made up 30% of total production time. Nowadays, with the help of modern tools, that process takes only a tenth of the time. Grassmayr keeps some of its most innovative production steps a secret, such as a special chamber where the bells are cleaned with a high-pressure sandblaster, not to mention the specialized apps used to calculate the sound of each particular bell. Even with modern technology, the process of designing and forming the molds for a large bell can take up to six months. "The important thing is that you have calculate, form and then cast the bell as a musical instrument." Johannes said, adding that the greatest difficulty in creating the bell is the risk that molten metal pressure will destroy the mold. When the workers cast a large bell weighing several tons, the liquid bronze creates up to 125 metric tons (137 tons) of pressure inside the molds, he said. To ensure the integrity of the mould, only high-quality clay is used and then encased in steel sleeves designed to withstand extreme pressure. But it's not only the difficulty of the production that has Grassmayr worried. The modern bell-making industry is under pressure as fewer churches are being built, changing the demand for
bells. Rising energy costs due to the war in Ukraine are not helping, and labour costs have risen 30% since the pandemic in 2020. But the main cost factor of a newly cast bell is still the price of materials. The best bells require high-quality bronze, which is 80 parts copper to 20 parts tin. A few years ago, the price of bronze was 8 euros ($9.23) per kilogram compared with 23 euros ($26.17) today, Johannes said. "That's why I can't even say how much a bell is going to cost in a year. I just hope the metal price is going to come down again," he added. To keep the business going, the family has increasingly turned to restoring old bells, often with the help of modern technologies. Hundreds of defective bells from 12 European countries have been restored at the Grassmayr bell foundry, according to the company. Bells made by Grassmayr can be found in over 100 countries, ranging from Japan to the United States. One of the largest the brothers have cast was for Romania's National Cathedral in Bucharest. Cast in 2016, it is 3.3 meters (10.8 feet) tall and weighs more than 25 metric tons (27.5 tons). Another creation, weighing 15 metric tons (16.5 tons), hangs in a church on Mount Tabor in Israel.
AI-assisted staging draws boos at the Richard Wagner festival in Germany BERLIN (AP) — An experiment with artificial intelligence at the annual Richard Wagner festival in the southeastern German town of Bayreuth drew boos from the audience after producing a staging that appeared to leave some spectators confused. Curator Marcus Lobbes and his team were greeted with boos and whistles as they took to the stage at the end of Saturday evening's performance of "Götterdämmerung," German news agency dpa reported. However, there was warm applause for the singers and musicians, and particularly for conductor Christian Thielemann. Festival organizers said ahead of the performance that it would be the first time AI took part on stage at the event, "not as a character, but as an image-generating force." They said that singers would be "the fixed point within a visually seething cosmos of light, texture, history, and association, amidst projections that erupt,
constantly shift, and merge into one another." The AI-assisted projections included scenes from previousperformances of Wagner's "Ring" cycle and historical themes, and drew from images pre-selected by Visitors walk the grounds of the festival opera house “Festspielhaus” in Bayreuth, Lobbes, the southern Germany, on July 17, 2010. director of Photo: Eckehard Schulz/DAPD via AP the Academy for Theater The festival website said and Digitality in Dortmund, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, the towers of the World that "every performance will and his team. The collage that the technol- Trade Center after the Sept. be unique — because the ogy projected on stage puzzled 11, 2001 attacks, and a spe- images and associations never the audience, dpa reported, cial postage stamp marking stand still." Two more performances are scheduled. with images including former German reunification in 1990.
Elon Musk's company xAI has sued Minnesota over the state's first-in-the-nation law that bans “nudification” technology on websites and apps, potentially providing a test for how far states can go in constitutionally regulating the use of artificial intelligence. Musk's company sued Monday in federal court, days before the law is set to take effect Saturday and make Minnesota the first state to try to outlaw the increasingly proliferating technology that lets people use AI to to create fake nude images of real people. The law was signed in May. In the 38-page lawsuit, xAI — whose AI model chatbot and image generator Grok is available on the social media platform known as X, formerly Twitter, and elsewhere — said it does not contest the state's interest in banning the distribution of AI-generated nude images of real people without their consent. But it said Minnesota's law “extends far beyond that goal,” banning many constitutionally protected images and video and subjecting the company to a penalty of $500,000 per violation. Africa's off-grid solar courts mainstream investors with landmark financing deals By ALLAN OLINGO Associated Press
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Landmark fundraising deals by two of Africa’s largest off-grid solar companies are raising hopes that private capital markets could become a major source of funding to help bring electricity to millions of homes lacking access to reliable power. A $50 million green bond issued by affordable energy company D.light in June, and $286 million in securitized debt by rival Sun King mid-2025 are testing whether institutional investors will back a pay-as-you-go business model on a commercial scale. Such strategies are fueling debate over whether Africa’s off-grid solar sector has reached a financial turning point, attracting mainstream investors beyond its traditional base of donor agencies and development finance institutions. Both d.light and Sun King sell solar home systems and appliances to households that lack electricity using a pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) model. FBI investigates as Michigan joins Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on its water systems By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press
Michigan on Saturday joined Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on nine of the state's water systems but an official said all systems were operating “safely.” Earlier this week, authorities said cyberattacks targeted over 30 water systems in Minnesota. The source of the attacks is being investigated, but they came amid warnings that Iranian hackers have been focused on such systems. The reports in Michigan surfaced after the state received a federal cyber alert Tuesday about attempts to tamper with operational technology at water systems. Soon after, the state received “a small number of reports from Michigan communities indicating activity consistent with what federal agencies described,” said Dale George, the director of communications at the state's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. He later said nine systems were impacted.
PAGE 10, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Officers celebrate Police Reserves Month in Grand Bahama for first time
POLICE Reserve month is celebrated in Grand Bahama for the first time. To celebrate the occassion reserve officers along with Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles attended a church service and distributed gifts to homes for children and the aged. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
UTILITY’S IDLE TRANSMISSION TOWER CAUSED 2025 EATON FIRE THAT KILLED 19, LA OFFICIALS SAY LOS ANGELES Associated Press SPARKS from an idle transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison caused the 2025 Eaton fire in the Los Angeles area that killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 homes and businesses, Los Angeles County fire officials said in a report released Tuesday. It took firefighters nearly a month to extinguish the blaze, which scorched 22 square miles (57 square kilometres). The Eaton fire burned at the same time as the wind-whipped Palisades fire. An AP analysis at the time showed both blazes torched more urban area than any California fire in decades. The Eaton fire was caused by electrical arcing on the utility’s out-of-service tower atop a ridge covered with dry fuel, the agency said in a statement. When bare, uninsulated wires touch or come
close together it can cause arcing, which is when electricity jumps through the air, producing sparks. The report said SoCal Edison was responsible for maintaining and operating its electrical lines and equipment “in a manner that would minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfire posed by them.” The utility indicated previously its equipment may be involved. In early reports to the California Public Utility Commission, SoCal Edison said it detected a “fault” on one of its transmission lines around the time that the Eaton fire started. Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokesperson for SoCal Edison, said the utility is reviewing the report. “We have taken our potential role in the start of this fire seriously from the very beginning,” Dunleavy said. Dunleavy added the utility has claims against other
agencies over issues such as emergency response and the condition of surrounding vegetation. SoCal Edison claimed in lawsuits earlier this year that Los Angeles County agencies failed to send timely evacuation warnings to residents in east and west Altadena. Eighteen of the 19 people who died in the fire lived in west Altadena. “Ignition is different from spread,” Dunleavy said. “A fire of that magnitude – it’s never just one thing. There are numerous factors.” Attorney Gerald Singleton, whose firm represents some Eaton fire victims in pending civil cases against SoCal Edison, said the report confirms that the utility’s failure to maintain its equipment caused the blaze. “For 18 months, Edison tried to shift blame onto county evacuation warnings and local water agencies instead of owning its own equipment’s failure,” Singleton said in a statement. “We
will continue to fight for full accountability and fair compensation for the survivors we represent.” Joy Chen, executive director of Every Fire Survivor’s Network, said the report confirms what thousands of fire victims already knew about what caused the blaze. “The real question is who pays?” asked Chen, whose home sustained smoke damage. Utilities have been blamed for many of California’s most destructive fires in recent years. SoCal Edison, which provides electric service to about 15 million people in California, has paid out hefty sums due to its equipment sparking fires, including $2.2 billion to settle insurance claims from the deadly, destructive Woolsey wildfire in 2018. The utility is facing hundreds of lawsuits from fire victims, insurers and government entities related
to the Eaton fire. The U.S. Department of Justice has also sued the company over damage to National Forest land, and has asked for more than $40 million in damages to the federal, state and local governments. Attorney Mira Hashmall, who is representing Los Angeles County in Eaton fire-related litigation, said the report shows what “Edison knew all along.” “Enough of Edison’s strategy of delaying justice for the victims of the fire and blaming first responders despite their best efforts to protect lives and property,” Hashmall said in a statement. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday that it will review the investigative report and will work with local, state and federal authorities to determine if criminal charges are warranted. The California Department of Justice didn’t immediately comment. Another California utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, filed for bankruptcy after its outdated equipment ignited wildfires in California that killed more than 100 people
and wiped out entire towns, including Paradise. The utility pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2018 Camp Fire. The Los Angeles County Arson Fire Investigation Unit jointly conducted the Eaton fire investigation with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or Cal Fire. The blaze was sparked during extreme weather conditions that included high temperatures, low humidity and powerful winds. Two “electrical arcing events” occurred in quick succession, causing an unknown burning material to fall from the tower to the ground below, according to the report. The report cites interviews with several residents who saw the fire in its early stages on Jan. 7, some who said it occurred below power lines. One witness who noticed flames under an electrical tower said “he observed an arc while watching the fire; he described it as a blue light,” the report said. The witness began taking photos around 6:25 p.m., then watched as the blaze spread rapidly amid heavy winds.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, PAGE 11
FOX HILL COMMUNITY celebrates Emancipation Day with Vibrant Junkanoo Rushout
RESIDENTS of the Fox Hill community come together to celebrate Emancipation Day in true Bahamian style, featuring a Junkanoo rushout at Fox Hill Park on the morning of Emancipation Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
PAGE 12, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Dame Cynthia Pratt hosts US Ambassador Walker at Legacy Museum NASSAU, The Bahamas - The Governor General, H.E. the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, received U.S. Ambassador H.E. Herschel Walker and Mrs. Walker in a guided tour of her Legacy Museum, Poinciana Avenue and 6th Street the Grove, New Providence, on July 30, 2026. BIS Photos: Patrice Johnson
THE TRIBUNE