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In a dramatic turn of events, the Court of Appeal has overturned a previous Supreme Court ruling that had influenced Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg’s decision to cut funding to one faction of the Valley Boys. Minister Bowleg, who had previously cited the Supreme Court’s March ruling favoring the “Way Forward” faction led by Trevor Davis, has now declined to comment on the appellate decision, stating he would “let the Court deal with it.” The Court of Appeal criticized the Registrar General’s Office for its handling of the registration of Mr. Davis’ group, calling the actions “beyond belief” and granting the rival “World Famous” Valley Boys faction, led by Brian Adderley, leave to appeal, citing “excellent prospects of success.” The World Famous Valley Boys expressed optimism about receiving overdue seed funding, totaling $70,000 for the past two years, while the Way Forward faction described the appellate court’s comments as “unfortunate” but vowed to continue their legal battle. The dispute, which began in 2023, stems from internal divisions over leadership and compliance with the Non-Profit Organisations Act, with both factions pledging to uphold the legacy of the Valley Boys in upcoming parades.

The Bahamas was struck by tragedy over the weekend as two young men lost their lives in separate violent incidents. Mekhi Taylor, a 20-year-old beach attendant, was fatally shot early Saturday morning in a parking lot on University Drive. According to police reports, a Japanese vehicle pulled up shortly before 2 a.m., and its occupants opened fire on a group of people standing in the area. Taylor’s family believes he was not the intended target but was tragically caught in the crossfire. His older sister, K’nelle Taylor, described him as a jovial and carefree individual who often joked about enjoying life to the fullest, even in the face of danger. Just hours before the shooting, Taylor had dined with his younger brother and friends at Carnivale Bahamas, promising to return home after dropping off a neighbor. His workplace, The Blue Zone Experience, paid tribute to him, calling him a hard-working and irreplaceable asset to their team. In a separate incident, 25-year-old Philip Lockhart, a twin and restaurant server, was killed following a brawl at Arawak Cay on Sunday morning. His best friend, Iranique, expressed profound grief, remembering him as an extraordinary and caring individual who had been a pillar of support in her life. Police have detained a 29-year-old man in connection with Lockhart’s death. These latest homicides have brought the country’s murder count to 70 for the year, according to records from The Tribune.

In response to the impending threat of Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has issued a mandatory evacuation order for over 1,400 residents in the southeast Bahamas. The order, effective from October 27 to November 1, targets vulnerable islands including Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, and Ragged Island. Priority is given to the elderly, the sick, and children, with air and sea transportation provided to relocate evacuees to New Providence, where shelters and accommodations have been arranged. The decision follows consultations with the Disaster Risk Management Authority and the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, emphasizing the precautionary nature of the evacuation to ensure safety before conditions worsen. Forecasts predict hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges of up to six feet in the southeast Bahamas. Supplies and emergency personnel have been pre-positioned, and all government agencies are operating under the National Disaster Response Framework. Deputy Director of Meteorology Jeffrey Green reported that Hurricane Melissa, currently a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 mph, is expected to impact Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Evacuation flights began early yesterday and will continue today, with over 370 people already relocated. Authorities anticipate the number of evacuees to exceed 1,400. Prime Minister Davis expressed solidarity with Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Haiti, which are already experiencing the storm’s effects, acknowledging the fear and uncertainty such storms bring.