The Davis administration took a significant step in its downtown revitalization efforts by demolishing the historic Arnold’s Department Store on Elizabeth Avenue last Friday. The move is part of a broader initiative to rejuvenate Bay Street, Nassau’s main thoroughfare, following the devastating fire at Victoria Court in May. Tourism Minister Chester Cooper emphasized that the demolition aligns with the government’s vision to transform the area into a vibrant hub for business, tourism, and community life. ‘We’ve already demolished over a dozen buildings and are making steady progress,’ Cooper stated during a press briefing at the site. ‘This is about planning for the future and creating something magnificent for this space.’ The minister highlighted the government’s long-term goals, which include attracting investment, enhancing the tourist experience, and improving the area’s aesthetic appeal. Cooper also expressed optimism about fostering a lively atmosphere on Bay Street, which currently ‘goes dead at five o’clock.’ He encouraged Bahamians to seize the emerging business opportunities and envisioned mixed-use developments, including residential spaces, hotels, and innovative rooftop areas. The demolition, he noted, is intended to spark public interest and engagement in the revitalization project.
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People with leptospirosis symptoms urged to seek immediate medical attention
Jamaica is grappling with a surge in leptospirosis cases following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, prompting health officials to issue urgent warnings to the public. Dr. Karen Webster Kerr, the National Epidemiologist, has emphasized the need for immediate medical attention for anyone exhibiting symptoms of the disease. Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton confirmed the outbreak during a press conference on Friday, revealing that confirmed and suspected cases have been reported across eight parishes, including St. Elizabeth, St. Catherine, Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny, St. Ann, St. James, and St. Mary. Between October 30 and November 20, there have been nine confirmed cases, 28 suspected cases, and six suspected deaths linked to the illness. Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, particularly rodents, presents initially with mild, flu-like symptoms such as high fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches. However, severe cases can lead to kidney or liver failure, internal bleeding, and even death if untreated. Dr. Webster Kerr highlighted that advanced symptoms include coughing up blood, blood in stool, inflammation around the heart, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath, and swollen feet. Treatment often involves intravenous fluids and, in severe cases, intensive care. The outbreak has been exacerbated by stagnant water left in communities after the hurricane, creating ideal conditions for the Leptospira bacteria to thrive. Residents are advised to avoid contact with standing water, especially farmers and those with open wounds. Meanwhile, Dr. Webster Kerr reassured the public that there is no outbreak of gastroenteritis, and influenza cases, while increasing seasonally, remain below epidemic levels. COVID-19 activity is also low, with minimal respiratory virus circulation. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie reported that 60% to 75% of health centers in the most affected parishes—Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St. Elizabeth—have resumed normal operations.
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Costaatt graduates urged to live boldly, think critically
The College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (Costaatt) marked its 25th anniversary with a vibrant graduation ceremony on November 22 at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya. The event highlighted exceptional achievements across diverse fields, including graphic design, mass communication, accounting, and radiography. Among the standout graduates was Zoe Laydoo, who earned her BA in Mass Communication with an impressive GPA of 3.963 and delivered a heartfelt valedictorian speech. Laydoo emphasized the power of storytelling in fostering human connections and paid tribute to her peers who balanced work, family, and studies to achieve their degrees. Shakira Jones graduated magna cum laude in Accounting, while Niema Rahaman, Kareena Rampersad, and Travis Ali shared the Wilma Collins Award of Excellence in Radiography. Leah Hanley received the Academic Excellence Award in Library and Information Studies. The ceremony also commemorated Costaatt’s institutional accreditation milestone in 2010 and featured reflections from Aventa Group CEO James Walker, who encouraged graduates to embrace confidence, critical thinking, and perseverance. Minister of Tertiary Education Senator Prakash Persad highlighted the challenges and opportunities posed by AI and climate change, urging students to remain resilient. Acting President Naseem Koylass praised the graduates’ determination and announced the new Dr Gillian Paul Award for Academic Excellence and Community Service. The event concluded with the conferral of degrees across multiple disciplines and the presentation of the Partnership Award to Republic Bank and the National Petroleum Institute of TT for their support in Costaatt’s cashless initiative.
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Cummings: Government locked out 300 aspiring farmers
Former Minister of Youth Development and National Service, Foster Cummings, has publicly accused the United National Congress (UNC) government of dismantling a significant labor-intensive agricultural initiative, leaving hundreds of young people unemployed. In a widely circulated social media video, Cummings revealed that the Youth Agricultural Shade House Project in Tucker Valley, Chaguaramas, has been abruptly shut down, barring access to approximately 300 trainees involved in the program. Launched in August 2024 by former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, the project aimed to equip young nationals aged 16-35 with agricultural skills through shade-house cultivation of high-value crops. The initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service and The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, provided trainees with a daily stipend of $150. Cummings highlighted that the project was inspired by a successful Guyanese program and had four completed shade houses with 16 more under construction before the UNC came to power in the April 28 general election. He criticized the government for discontinuing the program, locking out the co-operative established to market produce, and halting construction work. Cummings also expressed concern over broader social-programme cutbacks, including the discontinuation of URP and CEPEP initiatives, and urged the government to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the impact on young people’s livelihoods. He further alleged that the site might be handed over to a private individual, sidelining the trainees. Despite multiple attempts to seek clarification from Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram, no response has been received.
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PM, Opposition mourn UNC councillor’s ‘tragic’ death
The nation of Trinidad and Tobago is reeling from the tragic deaths of UNC Siparia East/San Francique South councillor Romona Victor and her husband, Rodney Ramsumair, whose bodies were discovered on November 23 at Coora Road, Siparia. The incident has prompted an outpouring of grief and calls for urgent action against domestic violence. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, also the UNC political leader, expressed profound sorrow in a Facebook post, describing Victor as a dedicated and compassionate public servant who tirelessly served her community. She emphasized the need for support systems to help those facing personal struggles. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles echoed these sentiments, stressing that the tragedy transcends political affiliations and calls for a unified national response. Beckles highlighted the urgent need to strengthen legal frameworks, enhance gender-based violence units, and improve police sensitivity and victim support services. She also noted the poignant timing of the incident, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls on November 25. Patriotic Front leader Mickela Panday also expressed her condolences, urging humanity to take precedence over politics in such moments of shared grief.
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US driver ‘forgot’ road rules in head-on crash that killed two
A pre-dawn journey to school in North Abaco turned into a heart-wrenching tragedy on Friday, claiming the lives of Monique Williams, a seasoned pre-school teacher, and her 13-year-old nephew, Terrance Williams. The fatal head-on collision occurred on SC Bootle Highway, leaving a close-knit family shattered and the Treasure Cay community in mourning. Ms Williams, 53, was driving Terrance and another teenager to school when her vehicle collided with a Ford Excursion carrying an American couple en route to a bone-fishing trip. According to Abaco journalist and pastor Silbert Mills, the visitors had missed their turn and mistakenly drove on the wrong side of the road, marking their first visit to The Bahamas. Terrance, an eighth-grade student at SC Bootle High School, and Ms Williams, who had dedicated nearly 30 years to teaching, were both deeply cherished in their community. The third passenger, Calsey Rolle, remains hospitalized. The Williams family, already tightly bonded, is grappling with the immense loss. Emmise Bootle, Ms Williams’ niece and Terrance’s cousin, described the duo as inseparable, with Ms Williams treating Terrance as her own son. Terrance, a quiet and thoughtful boy, was beginning to explore life’s deeper questions, while Ms Williams was eagerly anticipating retirement. The Ministry of Education and SC Bootle High School have paid heartfelt tributes to the victims, celebrating Terrance’s promise and Ms Williams’ unwavering dedication to education. The tragedy has left parents and former students reflecting on the profound impact Ms Williams had on their lives, even as they seek solace in faith.
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Ex-PM: ‘March election’ if PLP wins
Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has forecasted that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) may call for an early general election if they secure victory in today’s Golden Isles by-election. Speaking at a Free National Movement (FNM) rally on Friday, Ingraham emphasized the high stakes surrounding the by-election, which both major parties view as a critical political litmus test. “If they win on Monday, they’ll push for an early election by March. If they lose, they’ll stagnate,” he remarked. The by-election, necessitated by the passing of Vaughn Miller, features PLP’s Darron Pickstock and FNM’s Brian Brown as the leading contenders, alongside Brian Rolle of the Coalition of Independents and independent candidate Karen Butler. Historically, by-elections have favored the ruling party, and political analysts are closely monitoring the outcome to gauge public sentiment ahead of the general election, which must occur before October next year. Voter turnout is expected to play a pivotal role, intensifying recent campaign efforts. Results are anticipated by early evening. Ingraham revealed he initially advised Brown against running, citing historical trends favoring the PLP in by-elections. However, Brown’s determination to represent the community prevailed. Ingraham framed the contest as both a referendum on the Davis administration and an opportunity for the FNM to reclaim influence in a constituency he believes has been neglected. He praised Brown as a grounded candidate with deep community ties, likening him to former Adelaide MP Frank Watson. Ingraham expressed surprise at Brown’s 2021 loss, given his strong local support, and highlighted Brown’s integrity, stating he seeks no personal gain from the position. “Brian Brown isn’t looking for anything; he’s here to serve,” Ingraham concluded.
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UNC councillor’s in-laws: Stop speculating on cause of death
The families of UNC councillor Romona Victor and her husband Rodney Ramsumair, who were tragically found dead in their Siparia home, have appealed to the public to refrain from speculating about the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The couple was discovered by Victor’s father on November 23 around 3:30 pm at their residence on Coora Road. Upon entering, he found their decomposing bodies lying motionless on a bed and immediately alerted his other daughter, who subsequently contacted the police. Officers arrived to find Victor covered with a blanket and Ramsumair lying beside her with froth on his face. Speaking to Newsday at the Forensic Science Centre in St. James on November 24, Ramsumair’s father expressed the family’s confusion and distress, stating, ‘We don’t know exactly what happened or how it reached to that.’ He acknowledged that while the couple had occasional disagreements, there was no indication of anything as extreme as the speculated murder-suicide. He emphasized that both families remain united and urged the public to cease spreading unverified theories, particularly on social media, as it exacerbates their grief. ‘People saying all kinds of things and posting things all over social media. They need to stop that because they don’t know what happened either for sure,’ he said. The families are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death.
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Opposition Leader Mark Golding pays tribute to cultural icon Jimmy Cliff
Mark Golding, the leader of Jamaica’s opposition, has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Jimmy Cliff, a monumental figure in Jamaican music and culture. Golding’s heartfelt tribute emphasized Cliff’s unique contributions to music and his global influence that transcended generations and borders. He described Cliff’s voice as unparalleled and his career as extraordinary, marking him as a pivotal figure in the evolution of Jamaican popular music. Cliff’s role in the 1972 film ‘The Harder They Come’ was highlighted as a significant milestone that brought reggae to a worldwide audience. Golding also celebrated Cliff’s impact in South America, particularly in Brazil, where he helped popularize reggae and expanded its global reach. Furthermore, Golding lauded Cliff’s enduring songwriting and his role as a musical rebel who used his art to advocate for social justice and inspire empowerment. The tribute concluded with a poignant reflection on Cliff’s memorable performance during Jamaica’s 1998 World Cup campaign, which galvanized the nation. Golding’s final words were a message of gratitude, honoring Cliff’s legacy and the indelible mark he left on the world.
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RIU says it will reopen all Jamaica hotels before year-end
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28, international hotel chain RIU has taken a proactive role in the recovery of the island’s tourism sector. With its hotels already prepared to resume operations, RIU has prioritized both employee welfare and community support as part of its comprehensive recovery strategy.