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Friday, July 3, 2009

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FOODIE SPORTS SCOPE REAL TALKS Bring on the land crabs Appropriate template important for Caribbean Games success
Chief Justice: More judges won't erase case pileup By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: Simply increasing the number of judges on the bench would not magically reduce the number of cases waiting to be heard before the Supreme Court, according to Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall. Accused drug lord kept in 'inhumane' conditions By ARTESIA DAVIS ~ NG Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: Accused drug lord Melvin Maycock Sr. won't know until August 4 whether he'll be freed on bail pending the determination of his extradition request and other criminal cases. Pastor calls $1/4 million vehicle 'a blessing' By JUAN MCCARTNEY ~ NG Senior Reporter ~ juan@nasguard.com: The worldwide recession isn't being felt equally by everyone. Former TCI premier faces criminal inquiry By JUAN MCCARTNEY ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ juan@nasguard.com: Not only is there no hope of the Turks and Caicos Islands having its constitution reinstated and power returned to its parliamentarians in the near future, but former TCI Premier Michael Misick and four ministers who served in his cabinet are facing a criminal investigation by a special prosecutor. Importance of relationship between United States and The Bahamas stressed By GENEA NOEL ~ Freeport News Reporter ~ genea@nasguard.com: The importance of the relationship between The Bahamas and the United States was underscored at the first US Embassy Independence celebrations held in Grand Bahama Wednesday evening at the Our Lucaya Resort. Union losing thousands of dollars By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: The Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union has lost $30,000 to $40,000 per month since the end of last year when hundreds of its members lost their jobs in the hotel indus Decomposing body found By JASMIN BONIMY ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ jasmin@nasguard.com: The decomposing body of a man was found in bushes off Skyline Drive yesterday morning, police reported. Sir Burton Hall: Next chief justice 'no concern of mine' By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: The outgoing Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall has no preference on who should replace him as the head of the judiciary after he retires in August. Works minister defends govt's decision to dredge harbor By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: While the Progressive Liberal Party continues to slam the government for continuing to forge ahead with plans for the $50 million Nassau Harbour dredging exercise despite the global economic meltdown, Works and Transport Minister Neko Grant said yesterday the economic crunch won't last forever and The Bahamas' infrastructure "must be in good condition" when the economy rebounds. Immigration officials probe detainee abuse claims By JASMIN BONIMY ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ jasmin@nasguard.com: The Department of Immigration has launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct within its ranks, according to Director of Immigration Jack Thompson. Media blitz launched against downtown container port relocation By JUAN MCCARTNEY ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ juan@nasguard: A committee headed by Senator Jerome Fitzgerald has launched an all-out media blitz designed to prevent the government from relocating the downtown container port to Arawak Cay. 'RICK' Hayward and Port Group reach agreement By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL ~ Freeport News Reporter ~ krystal@nasguard.com: Businessman Richard "Rick" Hayward exited a meeting late yesterday afternoon with Port Group Limited President Ian Rolle with favorable news that his three restaurants that had locks placed on them should reopen by week's end. Autopsy results into hanging death delayed By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: An autopsy into the death of security guard Mark Campbell, 36, who was found hanging from a chain link fence in the security booth at Pepsi Cola Bottling Company on Tuesday, has been delayed, police said yesterday. Coalition formed to deal with crime problem By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: Last month, Customs Officer Collier Knowles was chopped to death with a cutlass in the Pinewood Gardens area. Weeks prior to Knowles' untimely death, Marlon Javon Smith was shot down in a hail of bullets just blocks away from where Knowles took his last breath. Still no resolution to nurses dispute By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter krystel@nasguard.com: The government and the Bahamas Nurses Union were unable to resolve its dispute over health insurance benefits for nurses yesterday, according to the union's attorney Obie Ferguson. Tenant feud escalates in Freeport, G.B. By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com: As the jobs of approximately 75 people in Freeport hang in the balance, the St. George family, a part owner of Port Group Limited, has hit out at the "draconian measures" the company took against businessman Rick Hayward, who is threatening to take legal action against Port Group for "unlawful interference" in his establishments. Murder in Bimini By STAFF WRITER ~ Guardian News Desk: A man was stabbed to death in Alice Town, Bimini, during an altercation yesterday evening, police reported. Death sentence for Keith Carey's murderer By ARTESIA DAVIS ~ NG Senior Reporter ~artesia@nasguard.com: A judge yesterday imposed the death penalty on the man found guilty of shooting and killing businessman Keith Carey during an armed robbery. Harl Taylor murder trial to begin today By Artesia Davis ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: NIB director denies victimization claims By JASMIN BONIMY ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ jasmin@nasguard.com: Director of the National Insurance Board (NIB) Algernon Cargill has categorized claims made by PLP MPs in the House of Assembly on Tuesday concerning the decision to send home five NIB executives earlier this week as "embarrassing" and "insulting." Maynard-Gibson attacks govt on dredging project By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: Progressive Liberal Party Senator Allyson Maynard-Gibson yesterday continued the Opposition's attack on the government's decision to carry out a $50 million harbor dredging project to make way for larger cruise ships calling on Nassau. Vanderpool-Wallace: New amendments will boost cruise tourism arrivals By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: Amendments to the Cruise Ships Overnighting Incentives Act will result in a boost to the country's visitor arrivals, tourism minister Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said yesterday. Sir Burton: Spread out Supreme Court creating inefficiencies By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: Not being in one building is a "serious handicap" to the functioning of the Bahamian judiciary, according to outgoing Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall. Gas price increase for Shell service stations By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has approved a price increase for gas sold at Shell service stations. Man denied bail on second rape charge By ARTESIA DAVIS ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: A man who was previously charged with rape has been denied bail on a subsequent rape charge. Police close to filing charges in Dewitt Butler murder By STAFF WRITER ~ Guardian News Desk: The police may be in a position to charge someone with the murder of Dewitt Butler within the next several days, according to Assistant Superintendent Leon Bethel, who heads the homicide division. Call for leadership challenges at upcoming political conventions By JUAN MCCARTNEY ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ juan@nasguard.com: The prospects of another showdown between Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and Opposition leader Perry Christie in the next general election are leading some in the political realm to call for leadership hopefuls in the Free National Movement (FNM) and Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to step forward and offer an alternative for the leadership of the parties. Security officer found hanged By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: A security officer was found hanging from a chain link fence on the premises of Pepsi Cola Bottling Company on Prince Charles Drive yesterday afternoon, according to police. Government to launch formal BTC sale process By CANDIA DAMES ~ NG News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com: With the regulatory framework now in place, the government will in the coming week launch a formal process to sell off 51 percent of the ownership of The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced in the House of Assembly yesterday afternoon. BEC board wants rate increase By JUAN McCARTNEY ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ juan@nasguard.com: The board of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) has asked the government on several occasions — and as recently as last month — to approve a rate increase that will allow the company to recoup the heavy losses it has suffered since the tariffs were lowered in 2003, The Nassau Guardian understands. Jury in Harl Taylor murder case selected By ARTESIA DAVIS ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: The jury that will decide the fate of a 22-year-old man accused of the 2007 murder of international handbag designer Harl Taylor was selected yesterday. Troyniko McNeil, the son of Taylor's business partner Troy McNeil, is accused of fatally stabbing Taylor in an apartment above his design studio at Mountbatten House, West Bay Street. Taylor's body was discovered on November 18, 2007. PM reveals Straw Market sketches in House By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has revealed the sketches for the new Bay Street Straw Market and refurbished Supreme Court complex, which are expected to cost no more than $10 million and $6.2 million respectively. Man killed during gambling game identified By Staff Writer ~ Guardian News Desk: The man who was gunned down on Monday night during a gambling game was identified as 36-year-old Dewitt Butler, police confirmed yesterday. Port sues Sir Jack Hayward's son By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com: A company owned by Port Group Limited has taken legal action against Rick Hayward, the son of Port owner Sir Jack Hayward, seeking to recover the $229,760 he reportedly owes in rent for his Port Lucaya restaurants. 427 persons repatriated By STAFF WRITER ~ Guardian News Desk: The Bahamas Immigration Department repatriated 427 persons during the month of June. Hubert Ingraham: Disney port expansion employing 40 workers By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ brentldean@nasgard.com: About 40 people are currently working at Castaway Cay, Abaco on the $30 million expansion of the Disney cruise port facility on that island, according to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. Ten people on gambling charges By Artesia Davis ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: Ten people pleaded not guilty to illegal gambling charges when they appeared before Magistrate Derence Rolle yesterday. Customs officers taking legal action By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: Twenty customs officers in New Providence have decided to take legal action against the government, claiming they were allegedly by-passed for promotions this year following a restructuring exercise. Probe still pending into misconduct of Gaming Board employees By ARTESIA DAVIS ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: An investigation is still pending into allegations of misconduct by three Gaming Board employees, The Nassau Guardian has confirmed. Concerns about reckless driving of prison buses By JASMIN BONIMY ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ jasmin@nasguard.com: Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest recently admitted that his ministry has received an increasing number of complaints regarding the reckless driving of Her Majesty's Prisons' buses that transport inmates to court. Govt owes cruise lines $11.1 million By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: The government owes two cruise lines $11.1 million in departure tax rebates for bringing cruise passengers to The Bahamas, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said in the House of Assembly yesterday. Police: Man found hanging from tree murdered By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ NG Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: Although the autopsy report has yet to be completed into the death of Adrian Major, who was found hanging from a tree on Saturday, the killing has been classified as a murder, according to Superintendent of Police Elsworth Moss. Cops accused of armed robbery, extortion attempt By ARTESIA DAVIS ~ NG Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com: Four officers stationed at the Wulff Road Police Station were arraigned yesterday on armed robbery and attempted extortion charges. Man shot in head after gambling feud By STAFF WRITER ~ Guardian News Desk: A man was shot in his head and other parts of his body last night following a dispute during a gambling game on East Street, police reported. AG urges property owners to pay outstanding taxes BY KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: Attorney General Michael Barnett yesterday implored members of the public to pay their outstanding property taxes, while pointing out that the public is quite aware of the steps taken by the National Insurance Board to recover monies owed to it. Outrage at 'lenient' child rape sentence By JUAN McCARTNEY ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~juan@nasguard.com: Even though the Office of the Attorney General has filed an appeal to the one-year sentence of Lemuel "Stevie S" Stephen Smith that was handed down last week after he had previously been found guilty of raping a 13-yr-old girl, local child rights advocates and religious officials are livid at what they believe was much too lenient a sentence. Wilchcombe: New cruise ship act important for GB tourism By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: The new cruise ship overnighting act is an important step in the creation of a cruise port in Freeport, Grand Bahama, that would boost the tourism industry and bring more than one million visitors to the northern island, according to West End and Bimini Member of Parliament Obie Wilchcombe. Hodder: COB on way to university status despite budget cuts By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com: Despite the government's current financial inability to help The College of The Bahamas (COB) in its transition to a university, COB's President Janyne Hodder believes that the school is well on its way to attaining that goal as it has recently secured a "large, large fund" for itself. Maynard-Gibson: Govt should limit land foreigners can buy By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com: Progressive Liberal Party Senator Allyson Maynard-Gibson said yesterday that as a part of its land policy, the government should consider limiting the amount of land that non-Bahamians can buy. Minister: Harbor dredging may cause murky water By JASMIN BONIMY ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ jasmin@nasguard.com: With the multimillion-dollar harbor dredging project slated to begin next month, Minister of the Environment Earl Deveaux has admitted that dredging near one of the island's most popular beaches is likely to cause "milky" water.