Friday, March 12, 2010

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National stadium taking shape By Juan McCartney ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ juan@nasguard.com: There are no pneumatic tools, nail guns or electric saws in use at the construction site of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, at least none that were apparent when The Nassau Guardian visited the site yesterday. Report: Recession fueling discrimination against By Brent Dean ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: Poor conditions for inmates at Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) and the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, along with social discrimination against Haitians and homosexuals in The Bahamas, all received mention in the information is the currency of democracy." Cop arraignment postponed A magistrate has postponed the arraignment of a police corporal on fraud charges to give officers from the commercial crimes unit time to redo the dockets. Police allege that Eddie Florival, 42, of Faith Avenue, is the fifth person in a fraud scheme that was allegedly orchestrated by prison inmate Shane Mackey. Prison guard Freeman Basden, Mackey's girlfriend Tamanica Bethel and Alfie Hanna were arraigned in connection with the alleged scheme last December. BHRDA installs new executive team On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, the Bahamas Human Resources Development Association (BHRDA), under the theme "Engineering the HR Profession for Productivity and Profitability," installed its new executive team as well as its new members. This event was a combination of the old, the present, and the future of the Association. Joining the new executives were founding members, past presidents, and HR professionals from a wide cross section of industries. The new members of this dynamic executive team are: Blue Hill Rd., Market St. businesses question one-way plans By Keva Lightbourne ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: Some local business owners in the Blue Hill Road and Market Street areas are outraged over government's plan to make significant parts of the roads one-way thoroughfares. Cartwright: Cabinet meeting for Mellor brothers unlikely By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Larry Cartwright has confirmed that it is unlikely two Grand Bahamian businessmen will get a meeting with Cabinet for a final pitch of their aquaculture project, which involves purse seine or net fishing. Suicide victim identified Police have identified the man who took his life on Wednesday as Peter Joseph, 38, of Shirley Park Avenue. Joseph's body was discovered in the Home Furniture store in the Palmdale Shopping Center around 3:50 p.m. Man gets two years for gun, bullets possession By Artesia Davis ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: A magistrate yesterday imposed a two-year sentence on a man who pleaded guilty to having a firearm and bullets without a special permit. Bahamas escapes tax blacklist By Scott Armstrong ~ Guardian Business Editor ~ scott@nasguard.com twitter.com/guardianbiz: Suicide victim found in furniture store By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: The body of a Home Furniture employee was discovered yesterday at the company's store in the Palmdale Shopping Center, the victim of a suicide, said police. Judy Terrell-Hamilton joins Nassau Guardian team The Nassau Guardian is pleased to announce that Judy Terrell-Hamilton has joined its team as Associate Editor/Online Editor. A journalist with some 20 years experience, Judy holds a MA Degree from City University, London, in International Journalism and is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC). Passenger killed in car crash By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: Three people were hospitalized and one person is dead after a driver lost control of his vehicle on Yamacraw Hill Road and crashed into a cedar tree Tuesday night, said police yesterday. Challenges plague witness protection program By Keva Lightbourne ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: The attorney general and a senior police official said yesterday work is continuing to perfect the witness protection program given the important role it plays in the administration of justice. AG: More courts, judges will help reduce case backlog By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: Attorney General John Delaney said efforts to reduce the heavy backlog in criminal cases that has plagued the judicial system for years hinges on the expansion of the country's court facilities and the recruitment of additional judges. Unions complain about hospital swipe card system By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: While two major unions are voicing concerns over a new swipe system introduced by the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), the system has already saved almost a million dollars according to the PHA's managing director. Senator blasts govt's management of economy By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: Senator Hope Strachan lashed out at the government yesterday, pointing to the thousands of people who are currently unemployed and the high level of debt that has been amassed since the Ingraham administration came into power. She offered harsh criticism to the government for what she termed its mismanagement of the country's economy over the last two-and-a-half years. Police force recommending changes to traffic laws By Brent Dean ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: The Traffic Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is compiling recommendations for government to amend some traffic laws, including a proposal that the penalty be increased for the crime of killing in the course of dangerous driving. Man sentenced to three years for possessing guns By Artesia Davis ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: A resident of Yamacraw Estates told a magistrate yesterday that he had two illegal guns for his protection. Police found a 9mm and .38 pistol as well as bullets for the guns when they carried out a search warrant on the home Ryan Taylor, 27, shared with his mother and grandfather on Tuesday. Man convicted of manslaughter By Artesia Davis ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: The man who admitted to setting up a robbery during which another man was killed has been convicted and is remorseful over the victim's death, according to his lawyer Geoffrey Farquharson. Case involving theft of BEC funds fast-tracked Prosecutors have fast-tracked the theft case of a former Bahamas Electricity Corporation employee to the Supreme Court. Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez informed Parnell Barker yesterday that she has to appear in the Supreme Court on July 2 for an arraignment. Prosecutors decided to eliminate a potentially lengthy preliminary inquiry before the magistrate to determine whether there is enough evidence for a trial in the Supreme Court. Murderers in limbo By Candia Dames ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com: None of the condemned men at Her Majesty's Prison have exhausted all of their appeals and it is therefore unlikely that any of them will be hanged anytime soon, according to an analysis of death row inmates at the Fox Hill facility. New voter register to start in April By Candia Dames ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com: The government is preparing to start a new voter register, and plans to use the latest technology to help ensure that mistakes that arose on the register used for the 2007 general election are kept at an irreducible minimum, according to Tommy Turnquest, the minister responsible for parliamentary elections. Police arrest 3 they believe are part of LPIA stealing ring By Keva Lightbourne ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: Police have arrested three persons they believe are part of a major stealing ring operating at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. Man gets one year for drugs worth $3 million By Artesia Davis ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: A Supreme Court judge yesterday sentenced a man who admitted to having drugs worth $3 million in an apartment. Ministry clears new batch of school teachers By Keva Lightbourne ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: On the heels of the latest sexual assault allegation that resulted in a female teacher of a Central Andros school being placed on administrative leave, the Ministry of Education is assuring that with its new security vetting process implemented last August the latest group of educators hired has been cleared to work in the public school system. URCA's deadline for submissions is Friday By Brent Dean ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: Stakeholders seeking to influence the process to create new content regulations for the broadcast sector in The Bahamas have until Friday to hand in submissions to the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA). Hall wants 10,000 Haitians worldwide to rebuild Haiti By Keva Lightbourne ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: Prominent Baptist clergyman Simeon Hall yesterday called for 10,000 Haitians who have amassed a comfortable lifestyle while living in The Bahamas to return home to help rebuild Haiti. Bahamasair boss optimistic about its financial future By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: Bahamasair Managing Director Henry Woods said he is "very optimistic" that by next year the airline will be in a better financial position, adding that it has implemented several cost saving measures. Hotels, police ready for spring breakers By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: Hotel operators have implemented new regulations ahead of the arrival of thousands of spring breakers. Student stabbed during altercation By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: A 17-year-old St. Johns College student is in stable condition in hospital after being stabbed to the right side of his body on Monday afternoon, police said yesterday. Small part of prison concerns By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: While prison officials do not condone homosexual activity among inmates, Prison Superintendent Dr. Elliston Rahming admitted yesterday that it does exist in the holding facility. Ruling set for April 16 on woman accused of having drugs By STAFF WRITER ~ Guardian News Desk: A magistrate will render a decision in the case of a woman accused of drug possession with intent to supply next month. Hywel Jones murder accused sentenced for shopbreaking, stealing By Artesia Davis ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: The man accused of the murder of expatriate banker Hywel Jones was yesterday sentenced to three years in prison for shopbreaking and stealing. Three appear in court in connection to murder By Artesia Davis ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: Three people appeared before a magistrate yesterday in connection with last month's murder of David Bowleg. Government announces Market St. Blue Hill Rd. road work By Brent Dean ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: The government has announced a major restructuring of the New Providence road network making significant parts of Market Street and Blue Hill Road one-way thoroughfares. Senator calls for crime-fighting plan By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: The crime spree that is sweeping the country could be the "catalyst that destroys the golden egg of tourism," warned Senator Jerome Fitzgerald, who yesterday encouraged the government to devise a comprehensive crime-fighting plan. 3,500 sign-ups so far in drug plan pre-registration By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: Roughly 3,500 people have registered so far for the National Insurance Chronic Diseases Prescription Drug Plan, which is in its pre-registering phase, said National Insurance Board Director Algernon Cargill yesterday. Foulkes Up to $300K for budding entrepreneurs By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: The government will grant up to $300,000 to budding entrepreneurs when the second phase of the National Training Program is launched later this year, according to Labour and Social Development Minister Dion Foulkes. Labour minister laments lack of union unity By Keva Lightbourne ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: Labour Minister Dion Foulkes yesterday expressed concern over what he termed the "lack of unity and cohesiveness" within and among labor unions in the country. Butler-Turner $2m for Social Services will be great help By Keva Lightbourne ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: The $2 million allocated in the government's mid-year budget to assist with the food stamp program will be of great help, but is not an entitlement to people who come to the Department of Social Services, Minister of State for Social Development Loretta Butler-Turner pointed out yesterday. Nurses set to get health insurance in April By Keva Lightbourne ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: The long-awaited health insurance for public sector nurses is on tap for next month, according to Bahamas Nurses Union President Cleola Hamilton. P.I. bridges being assessed By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: A second assessment looking at the age and stability of the two bridges that link Paradise Island and New Providence commenced yesterday. Chipman denies Bradley Roberts' accusations By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: Accountant Reece Chipman, who has recently come under attack from Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts, yesterday threatened to take legal action if his character or business is defamed any further. Boy admits breaking into six homes A 15-year-old boy admitted to committing six break-ins in Faith Gardens when he appeared before the juvenile court yesterday. The teen broke into the homes of Shammon Peters, Christopher Minus, Lamont Gaitor, Rohelle Rolle, Shannay Sawyer, and Deloris Adderley from January 28 to February 25, and stole electronics, jewelry and money, according to the evidence. All that glitters Dear Editor, Some throne speech promises unfulfilled By Candia Dames ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com: While the government made headway in completing important parts of its legislative agenda outlined in the Speech from the Throne, the current parliamentary session is ending without some key initiatives - that were promised on May 23, 2007 - being introduced. GB brothers appeal to govt to reconsider net fishing ban By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: Less than one year after an official in the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources advised that net fishing was legal in The Bahamas, the government reversed that position and decided to ban the practice. Four weekend stabbings By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: Four people including two teenagers are in hospital after they were stabbed over the weekend during three separate incidents, police reported yesterday. The nassau Guardian announces new business editor The Nassau Guardian is pleased to formally announce the appointment of Scott Armstrong as its new business editor. Since his arrival at The Guardian, Armstrong has already had a significant impact in exploring topics impacting the business and financial communities in The Bahamas. Kenyatta Gibson hits out at PLP chairman By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: A claim lodged by Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) chairman Bradley Roberts that Bahamas Mortgage Corporation chairman Kenyatta Gibson has awarded a government contract to his business partner was described by Gibson yesterday as a "distortion of the facts" and a "futile" retaliation attempt.