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  • Message buried in time: BWU capsule honours past, future

    Message buried in time: BWU capsule honours past, future

    On the cusp of its 85th anniversary, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) has turned a ceremonial act into a powerful testament to its decades-long fight for working people, burying a symbolic time capsule at its Solidarity House headquarters that holds far more than just historical artifacts. Sealed during an official ceremony led by BWU General Secretary Toni Moore, the capsule carries a carefully crafted message of gratitude, collective resilience, and unwavering commitment to the union’s core mission that stretches across generations.

    During the event, Moore reflected on the union’s 84-year journey, paying public tribute to the generations of rank-and-file members, elected officers, and visionary leaders whose dedication has kept the labour movement thriving through decades of economic upheaval, social change, and systemic challenge. The ceremony drew a cross-section of Barbados’ labour community, with attendees including former BWU General Secretary Sir Roy Trotman, Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union head Mary Redman, National Union of Public Workers General Secretary Richard Greene, and representatives from dozens of other labour organizations across the island.

    As the union prepares to mark its 85th founding anniversary in October 2026, Moore used the gathering to extend heartfelt gratitude to every person who keeps the BWU’s mission active in workplaces across Barbados. “This time capsule holds gratitude to the shop stewards, the officers, the delegates, the members — everyone who keeps this movement alive and moving every single day,” she told the crowd.

    Moore also took the opportunity to honor the trailblazing women who broke barriers to open the door for her historic appointment as the BWU’s first female general secretary, acknowledging the broad base of support that has sustained her leadership through 12 years of significant economic and social turbulence. “A leader is only as strong as those who stand with him or with her,” Moore said. “The past 12 years have been rough. The seas have been choppy, but the journey has been possible because I’m assured that I do not stand alone. To those who walk with me, those who supported me, those who challenged me… it is because of you… that we refuse to break. Instead, we continue to grow in strength.”

    Far from being a mere symbolic archive of past achievements, Moore framed the capsule as a living message to future generations of BWU leadership, scheduled to be opened on the union’s 100th anniversary in 2041. “Today, as we shortly install this time capsule, we are planting more than memories. We are planting a message to the future,” she said, emphasizing that the BWU is “an institution that is built to last.” She stressed that the union’s foundational values — fairness, economic justice, and unwavering advocacy for working people — remain just as relevant today amid the rapid shifts reshaping global and local workplaces. “Our commitment to fairness and justice will always be non-negotiable and…the worker, always the worker, remains at the center of everything that we do.”

    The BWU, Barbados’ oldest and most influential trade union, traces its origins to the widespread labour unrest that swept across the British West Indies in the 1930s, officially forming on October 4, 1941. From its early days, it has represented workers across nearly every sector of the Barbadian economy, from agriculture, transport, and tourism to manufacturing, public services, and media. It quickly emerged as a defining driving force behind Barbados’ social and economic transformation, working collaboratively with the country’s two major political parties at times, and challenging them when necessary to advance worker interests. Many of the parties’ most prominent leaders, including Moore herself — who serves as a backbench Member of Parliament for the ruling Barbados Labour Party — have roots in the union’s leadership.

    In the decades following Barbados’ independence, the BWU grew into a mass-membership organization of tens of thousands of workers, earning a reputation for uncompromising, effective collective bargaining that delivered landmark gains for working people. The union secured transformative improvements to social security, expanded severance protections, and stronger employment safeguards that benefit all Barbadian workers today. In recent years, amid shifting labour market dynamics and changing political landscapes, overall union membership has declined, but the BWU has continued its advocacy against unfair workplace treatment. Most recently, it led the successful push for new legislation that bars companies found to have violated workers’ rights from receiving government public contracts.

    Closing her remarks to the future BWU leaders who will unseal the capsule in 2041, Moore issued a call to continue strengthening the vital institution they will inherit, carrying forward the mission that has defined the BWU for nearly a century.

  • ABCAS Partners with UWI Mona and ABNTA to Host Electric Vehicle Battery Technologies Workshop

    ABCAS Partners with UWI Mona and ABNTA to Host Electric Vehicle Battery Technologies Workshop

    A landmark new training initiative focused on electric vehicle battery technology has officially kicked off in Antigua and Barbuda, bringing together cross-sector stakeholders to build local and regional capacity for the transition to sustainable mobility. Hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) at its Muriel O’Mard Campus, the four-day workshop is the product of a collaborative partnership between ABCAS, The University of the West Indies Mona campus, and the Antigua and Barbuda National Training Agency (ABNTA), and will run from May 5 to 8, 2026.

    Unlike generic technical conferences, this event is tailored to address the specific gaps in small island developing states’ EV ecosystem, gathering a diverse cohort of attendees spanning government regulators, public and private fleet managers, energy sector authorities, transport agency officials, electric utility providers, national standards bodies, and solid waste management teams. All participants will engage in hands-on, targeted training covering the latest advances in electric vehicle battery technology, a critical component of scaling EV adoption across the Caribbean.

    The opening ceremony featured opening remarks from a lineup of senior institutional and government leaders, starting with Dr. E. Jonah Greene, President of ABCAS, and Ms. Latoya Reynolds, Principal of the Harrison Centre. Representatives from both co-organizing partners, The University of the West Indies Mona and ABNTA, also took the stage to address attendees, emphasizing that regional coordination is key to accelerating the shift to low-carbon sustainable energy and electric mobility across the Caribbean region.

    Dwayne Edwards, Project Manager at Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Environment, also delivered remarks during the opening ceremony, highlighting that as the global EV sector rapidly evolves, it is increasingly urgent for small island nations to strengthen their domestic technical and regulatory capacity to keep pace with the transition. The training program is made possible through financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKK), delivered via the ministry’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

    At the conclusion of the workshop, all participants who successfully complete the full program of training and pass required daily assessments will receive an official Certificate of Completion to recognize their newly acquired skills. The initiative marks a key step for Antigua and Barbuda in preparing its workforce and regulatory framework for the growing adoption of electric vehicles across the country, aligning with global and regional climate action goals.

  • Saharan Dust advisory

    Saharan Dust advisory

    A distinct cloud of mineral dust originating from the arid Saharan Desert in North Africa is currently traversing the Atlantic Ocean, carried westward by dominant transoceanic winds. According to an official advisory issued by the Grenada Meteorological Service, this natural weather event is projected to primarily impact the southern portion of the Windward Islands, with the Caribbean nation of Grenada facing the most significant effects.

    The advisory, which remains in force from Monday evening through Wednesday, May 6, projects that moderate reductions in air quality will begin across Grenada later on Monday and persist through the end of the advisory period. Analysis of real-time satellite imagery and atmospheric modeling data confirms that concentrations of Saharan dust in Grenada’s lower atmosphere will climb steadily through Monday afternoon, reaching their highest peak during the overnight hours between Monday and Tuesday. Gradual improvement in air and atmospheric conditions is forecast to begin by early Thursday morning, as the dust plume continues its westward movement away from the island.

    The Grenada Meteorological Service has confirmed that it will maintain continuous, close monitoring of the plume’s trajectory and concentration levels, with updates to be issued if conditions change significantly. Two primary impacts have been highlighted for residents and visitors: first, general reductions in horizontal visibility that may affect ground transportation and small vessel navigation; second, elevated health risks for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, who are advised to take appropriate preventative precautions to minimize exposure to fine particulate matter.

    This report was published by NOW Grenada, which notes it is not liable for third-party contributor content, and provides a channel for users to report any inappropriate content shared on its platforms.

  • Road Upgrades Advance Across Antigua and Barbuda as April Works Continue

    Road Upgrades Advance Across Antigua and Barbuda as April Works Continue

    ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Across the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, ongoing road improvement projects maintained consistent momentum through the month of April, with government officials confirming that key infrastructure initiatives, most notably the rehabilitation of the heavily traveled All Saints Road, are moving forward as planned.

    The entire nationwide infrastructure overhaul is being backed by a $100 million regional development loan, which is structured to speed up upgrades to smaller neighborhood access roads even as crews continue work on the country’s primary transport arteries. Among the scheme’s flagship projects, the All Saints Road rehabilitation has logged steady progress over the past four weeks, with construction teams maintaining consistent activity along the high-traffic corridor to keep the timeline on track.

    Delivering the upgrades is a coordinated partnership between the Ministry of Works, the national Project Implementation Management Unit (PIMU), contracted construction firms, and several cross-agency supporting bodies including the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board (ABTB).

    Project leads have been transparent about the short-term impacts of the large-scale works, acknowledging that the construction activity has caused unavoidable disruptions to regular traffic flow and daily community movement across affected areas. In a public statement, authorities extended gratitude to local residents and commuters for their patience and ongoing cooperation as the works proceed.

    Looking ahead, the Antigua and Barbuda government confirmed that road development activity will ramp up in the coming months as additional tranches of the funding are disbursed. The expanded effort will prioritize improvements to both high-capacity major roadways and less prominent secondary routes that serve local communities across both islands, with the goal of delivering a safer, more reliable national transport network for all users.

  • MWAG mourns the passing of Linda Straker

    MWAG mourns the passing of Linda Straker

    The Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG) has issued an official statement mourning the passing of Linda Straker, one of the Caribbean nation’s most respected veteran journalists, who died on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. Straker’s death has been met with an outpouring of grief from media communities across Grenada, the wider Caribbean region, and the global journalistic landscape, with MWAG leading tributes to her decades of service.

    In the statement, MWAG extended its deepest condolences to Straker’s children, extended family, and close friends, who are navigating profound grief following her passing. For years, Straker carved out a reputation as a uniquely formidable voice in Grenadian journalism: unwavering in her convictions, deeply engaged with national issues, and unshakable in her commitment to the media’s core role in supporting a functional democratic public life. Her entire career was anchored in a core belief: that journalism’s primary duty is to hold power to account, while expanding public understanding of the issues that shape everyday life in Grenada.

    Throughout her decades-long professional career, Straker prioritized ongoing growth and skill development, actively pursuing specialized training opportunities to strengthen her expertise across critical journalistic domains, from in-depth research and hard-hitting investigative reporting to the evolving landscape of digital journalism. Her published work was consistently distinguished by its analytical depth, dogged persistence, and unwavering commitment to unpacking the most pressing issues of national importance.

    A lifelong, vocal advocate for unfettered press freedom, Straker maintained close working partnerships with global press freedom watchdog organizations, including Reporters Without Borders. Through these collaborations, she helped document threats to media independence in Grenada and bring these concerns to a global audience, contributing meaningfully to the broader international movement to monitor and protect the safe operating space that journalists rely on to do their work.

    Straker also played a key leadership role within MWAG itself, serving as a sitting member of the organization’s Executive Committee. In this capacity, she contributed to critical conversations around organizational governance, institutional integrity, and the defense and interpretation of MWAG’s founding constitutional framework, playing an active role in the association’s evolution while working tirelessly to uphold its core guiding principles.

    Just recently, Straker received public recognition for her work in the latest cycle of the MWAG Media Awards, where she was named the recipient of the People’s Choice Award for Best Digital Reporter. The honor reflected the strong, trusting connection Straker built with Grenadian audiences over her career, and the far-reaching impact of her digital-first reporting. She was also selected as a nominee for the inaugural Leslie Pierre Press Freedom Award, a recognition of her decades of advocacy for the sector.

    Straker built her career within a rapidly changing, often challenging media landscape, one that requires consistent professional discipline and careful navigation of competing political and commercial pressures. Even amid these challenges, she never stepped back from engaging with the most contentious issues of the day, consistently contributing thoughtful, incisive analysis to national public discourse through her reporting.

    MWAG closed its statement by reiterating its condolences to Straker’s family, colleagues, and all readers and community members whose lives were touched by her work. The association emphasized that Straker’s passing marks a profound loss for Grenada’s entire media community, but that her life’s work stands as a lasting reminder of why an independent, curious, and public-interest-focused media sector matters.

    This statement was released by MWAG. Editor’s note: NOW Grenada does not take responsibility for opinions or content shared by contributing organizations, and invites users to report any abusive content via the platform’s official reporting channel.

  • Drought Is Coming; Belize Puts Cash in Farmers’ Hands Before It Hits

    Drought Is Coming; Belize Puts Cash in Farmers’ Hands Before It Hits

    As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season draws near, a far quieter but equally dangerous climate threat is already looming over Central America’s Belize: a severe, prolonged drought that threatens to wipe out harvests for thousands of small-scale agricultural producers across the country. With just 26 days remaining before the official start of hurricane season, meteorological forecasts have already painted a stark picture for the coming months, prompting government and international aid partners to roll out an unprecedented pre-emptive response to protect vulnerable farming communities.

    Climate forecasters confirm that El Niño conditions are nearly certain to develop across the Pacific region by July 2026. For Belize, this climate pattern translates to an extended dry period far longer than the nation typically experiences, raising the risk of widespread crop failure, livestock loss, and long-term livelihood collapse for smallholder farmers who lack the resources to adapt to sudden water scarcity.

    In response to this confirmed threat, Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture, the National Meteorological Service, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have jointly activated the country’s specialized Anticipatory Action mechanism – a pre-planned framework designed to intervene before a disaster strikes, rather than mobilizing aid only after damage is done. Under this initiative, direct cash transfers will be distributed to smallholder farmers operating in the three districts identified as facing the highest drought risk: Orange Walk, Corozal, and Cayo.

    Recipients retain full flexibility to use the cash for whatever drought adaptation measures their operations need, including the purchase of water storage tanks, expanded irrigation infrastructure, and certified drought-resistant crop seeds that can thrive through extended periods of low rainfall.

    Brian Bogart, a senior WFP representative working on the initiative, emphasized that early, pre-emptive action can fundamentally alter the outcome of a coming climate shock. “Acting early in these scenarios can mean the difference between a manageable shock and a devastating, generational crisis,” Bogart explained. He added that the anticipatory action model leverages peer-reviewed climate science and on-the-ground data to get ahead of drought impacts, protect vulnerable farmers’ livelihoods, and ultimately reduce the long-term economic and humanitarian costs of climate disasters that often far outstrip the price of early intervention.

    This groundbreaking anticipatory action framework was nearly two years in development, with multi-donor financial support from the international community, including the governments of Canada, Ireland, and the United States, as well as the European Union. The model represents a growing shift in global climate adaptation policy, moving away from a purely reactive response to natural disasters toward proactive planning that protects at-risk communities before harm occurs.

  • Sazeek Joseph Jailed Four Years for Attempted Rape of 18-Year-Old Woman

    Sazeek Joseph Jailed Four Years for Attempted Rape of 18-Year-Old Woman

    A local man has been handed a four-year custodial sentence following a guilty verdict on charges of attempted rape and serious indecency against an 18-year-old woman. Sazeek Joseph was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict back in March, with the court ordering his separate sentences to be served concurrently: four years behind bars for the attempted rape count and an additional one-year term for the second charge of serious indecency.

    The legal case traces back to a traumatic incident that unfolded in June 2022, according to testimony and evidence presented during the trial. Prosecutors laid out the sequence of events, explaining that Joseph had driven the young victim to an isolated, out-of-the-way location before launching his attempted sexual assault. The teen fought back against Joseph’s attack, and after the incident, she recorded a portion of a subsequent conversation between the two, in which he explicitly acknowledged that he had damaged her clothing during the encounter.

    Prosecutors further told the court that Joseph carried out a second assault on the victim before she was finally able to escape from his presence. The victim did not delay in reporting the crime, contacting local law enforcement and filing an official report the very same day she managed to get away.

    During the trial, jurors were presented with a robust body of evidence to consider, including text message exchanges, the audio recording made by the victim, and tangible physical evidence tied to the crime. Throughout the legal proceedings, Joseph provided multiple conflicting, inconsistent accounts of the June 2022 encounter, explanations that the jury ultimately rejected when delivering their guilty conviction. Following the guilty verdict in March, Joseph was taken into custody and held in remand, with his final sentencing hearing held this Tuesday to formally issue the prison term.

  • CoP calls on lawyer to produce evidence

    CoP calls on lawyer to produce evidence

    A sharp public dispute has erupted between the top law enforcement official in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and a prominent local attorney over explosive allegations that sitting police officers are redirecting surrendered illegal firearms back into criminal circulation on public streets.

    Enville Williams, Commissioner of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), has issued a direct public challenge to attorney Grant Connell: produce concrete proof to back the extraordinary claim, or withdraw the damaging accusations that he argues undermine public safety and erode trust in the national police service.

    Connell first made the controversial remarks during April 20 court proceedings at the Serious Offences Court, while handling the trial of 25-year-old Deondre France, a resident of Stubbs who had been taken into custody and charged with illegal possession of a .380 caliber pistol. France was ultimately found guilty of the weapons offense and sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment. During the course of the trial, Connell warned individuals considering turning over unlicensed firearms to police to exercise extreme caution over which officer they hand their weapon to, claiming some officers could potentially put the guns back into circulation on the streets.

    In an official video response published after the comments came to light, Commissioner Williams forcefully rejected Connell’s allegations, saying the RSVGPF viewed the lawyer’s claims with deep alarm. “I want to state emphatically that there is no truth, absolutely no truth in this crazy suggestion by counsel,” Williams stated in his address.

    The police chief pushed back on every element of the claim, noting that every unlicensed firearm held in police custody is tracked and fully accounted for, and that no weapons held by the force have ever been diverted back to criminals on the street. He reiterated that if Connell possesses any documentation, testimony or other evidence to verify his allegation, the attorney has a responsibility to bring it forward immediately. Once evidence is submitted, Williams added, full investigations will be launched immediately, and any officer found to have broken the law will face full accountability.

    Williams went on to condemn Connell’s remarks as “wanton and lawless,” arguing that the unsubstantiated claims are designed to stoke unnecessary fear among the general public and tarnish the reputation of all officers serving in the RSVGPF. He stressed that the police force operates with full transparency when it comes to allegations of misconduct: any credible claim of wrongdoing by an officer will be examined through a full, open and impartial investigation, with no effort to protect personnel who break rules.

    The commissioner further warned Connell that he must stop overstepping legal boundaries with his public remarks, noting that the attorney could ultimately be held legally responsible for the unsubstantiated damage his comments have caused.

    Williams also explained the far-reaching public safety risks created by Connell’s comments, pointing out that illegal firearms are not minor public hazards — they are tools of violence that are used to threaten, injure and kill innocent people. Every unlicensed weapon removed from illegal possession lowers the overall risk of violence for law-abiding citizens, and Connell’s claims are intentionally designed to dissuade people from surrendering illegal weapons through legal channels.

    “This is not responsible guidance; this is a dangerous message. It benefits only criminals and weakens public safety and increases the risk for further violence,” Williams added. In closing, the commissioner reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to reducing gun violence, and renewed a call for any person holding an illegal firearm or with information about hidden unlicensed weapons to contact local law enforcement without delay.

  • Police battle hub

    Police battle hub

    MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Facing an alarming three-fold jump in murder rates compared to last year, law enforcement in Jamaica’s Manchester Parish officially unveiled a fully renovated police conference room this Tuesday, rebranding it as the central command hub for an aggressive new crackdown on rising criminal activity across the region.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony attended by local business leaders and senior law enforcement officials, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips, head of Police Area Three, delivered a firm warning to offenders: Manchester will not be allowed to become a safe haven for criminal activity. He framed the updated facility at Mandeville Police Station as more than just office space — it is a purpose-built “war room” for a coordinated campaign against individuals and groups that have destabilized the parish with violent crime.

    “Some criminals have started to see Manchester as a safe space to operate, and that ends now,” Phillips emphasized. “We will push back, we will fight hard, and we will reclaim our communities. This space will serve multiple critical roles: it will be a briefing center before major operations, a training ground for new young constables, and a collaborative meeting space where police can partner with local stakeholders — from faith leaders to business associations — to address the root of Manchester’s violence together.”

    The J$7 million renovation project was completed entirely through a groundbreaking public-private partnership, with 13 local organizations stepping forward to fund and carry out the work. Contributing partners included C&D Construction, Power Services Company Ltd, Matthews and Clarke Roofing, Samfo Meats, Hylton and Sons, Superlatives Auto, Vicbern Roofing, the Youth Ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Denron, Pavecon Ltd, Rymac Rentals, J Crawford and Sons Limited, and Grant’s Welding.

    Beyond structural renovations, which covered full retiling, new partitions, doors, air conditioning systems, updated electrical wiring, replacement windows, fresh painting, plumbing repairs, and new built-in cupboards, the business community also donated critical operational equipment. Donations include 50 matching chairs and tables, a new laptop, a large smart television with a portable stand, a glass podium, a microwave, a water dispenser, and a fully stocked coffee station for officers. Following the renovation work, participating business leaders also organized a large-scale clean-up of the entire police station compound to clear leftover construction debris and refresh the grounds.

    Official police statistics paint a stark picture of the crisis the new command center is designed to address: between January 1 and May 2, 2026, the parish recorded 14 murders, up from just five homicides during the same period in 2025. Investigators have identified interpersonal conflicts and domestic violence as the primary driving factors behind most of the recent killings.

    Phillips praised the Manchester division police leadership for successfully engaging the private sector in the project, noting that upgraded, professional working conditions directly translate to better operational outcomes. “When officers work in a space that is professional, clean, and functional, morale rises, and performance follows,” he explained. “I charge every member of the Manchester division to take ownership of this space, and build a culture of continuous improvement that spreads across every part of the station. Even small improvements, from a fresh coat of paint to working air conditioning, build pride, and that pride leads to bigger partnerships and stronger community engagement.”

    He added that public perception of police is shaped as much by how law enforcement stewards public resources as it is by crime-fighting results. “A clean, modern, functional station sends a clear message to the people of Manchester: we respect you, and we respect ourselves,” Phillips said. “Our officers run toward danger when everyone else runs away — they deserve a headquarters that matches their courage. My hope is that every briefing held in this room leads to safer streets, every strategy session saves a life, and every community meeting held here builds deeper, stronger trust between police and the people we serve.”

    The ceremony concluded with Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester police, cutting the ribbon to officially open the new facility, as participating business leaders and senior officers looked on.

  • Calls for bridge fix after father dies in Exuma crash

    Calls for bridge fix after father dies in Exuma crash

    A tragic fatal crash off a poorly maintained Bahamian bridge has reignited long-simmering calls for critical infrastructure upgrades, after a retired prison officer who was days away from reuniting with his family lost his life in an incident his loved ones say was entirely preventable.

    Preston McKenzie, a 60-something retired corrections official who had recently moved back to Exuma to be closer to extended family, was scheduled to board a flight to New Providence on April 30 to reunite with his wife and three children. He never arrived for the trip, and his body was later recovered from his partially submerged overturned blue Honda Civic near the Barraterre bridge, according to law enforcement and family statements.

    Authorities confirmed that the George Town Police Station received the initial distress call shortly before noon on April 30, after a local resident spotted the vehicle in the water off the bridge’s northern end. The good Samaritan used a hand tool to gain access to the car and helped pull McKenzie’s body from the wreckage before officers arrived. A local physician pronounced McKenzie dead at the scene, and preliminary police investigations indicate the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the curved bridge into the water below.

    For McKenzie’s daughter, Pruzyia McKenzie, the tragedy is not an accident — it is the avoidable consequence of years of unaddressed safety hazards on the Barraterre bridge. In an emotional interview, she explained that the family grew concerned after her father stopped responding to messages and missed his scheduled flight. The family soon received the devastating confirmation from a relative in Exuma that his body had been found in the water.

    Evidence from the scene backs up the family’s claims of long-standing danger. Video footage obtained by The Tribune shows McKenzie’s vehicle submerged after crossing over the bridge’s inadequate guardrail, with barely any visible signage warning drivers of the sharp curve ahead or the bridge edge. Pruzyia McKenzie noted that her father was not the first driver to go off the bridge — two previous motorists survived similar incidents, but she says repeated warnings about the structure’s flaws have gone unheeded.

    McKenzie was described by his daughter as a loving, humble man with a contagious joyful energy, who often served as the center of social gatherings. After a decades-long career in corrections where he recruited dozens of new officers — many of whom are now grieving his loss — he had been preparing to launch a new small business ahead of the upcoming annual Barraterre festival. The last video his family received from him, taken the night he is believed to have crashed, shows him sharing a toast with friends and repeatedly saying he was bound for heaven.

    Pruzyia McKenzie says the stiffness of her father’s body when it was recovered suggests he had been in the water for more than 12 hours, meaning emergency responders were not alerted to the crash until long after he was gone. She added that the bridge’s core hazards — non-existent nighttime lighting, a sharp curve that restricts driver visibility, insufficient guardrails, and a total lack of proper warning signage — make it a death trap waiting for more victims. Her family’s greatest hope now is that McKenzie’s death will finally force authorities to carry out the long-overdue upgrades, so no other family has to plan a funeral instead of welcoming a loved one home.

    “My daddy was supposed to be here,” Pruzyia McKenzie said through tears. “We were expecting to see my daddy not plan a funeral. We don’t want another life lost to this dangerous bridge.”