Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is to reopen the Sandals Royal Bahamian on January 27, 2022, after a multimillion-dollar revamp.

The all-inclusive resort in Nassau, in the Bahamas, will feature more than 200 fully renovated rooms and suites, plus new river suites.

New additions include the Island Village with butler-style villas, each named after an island in the Bahamas, and with their own private pool and a secluded private island, Sandals Barefoot Cay.

The new Coconut Grove lounge area offers live music and entertainment, and three food trucks.

Adam Stewart, SRI executive chairman, said: From an entirely new village of pastel-coloured private villas and Coconut Grove, our innovative new outdoor lounge and entertainment area, to our offshore island that has been transformed to a romantic hideaway, every moment, every point of guest touch and experience embodies this beautiful destination.

Plans for the revamped resort began almost three years ago and are part of a larger strategy across the organisation, to authentically reflect the unique Caribbean destinations where Sandals Resorts operates.

Sandals Royal Bahamian will offer five new restaurants when it opens in January: La Plume for French cuisine; traditional British pub The Queens Pearl; Kanoo for Caribbean cuisine; Butchs Island Chop House for steaks, fish fillets and seafood; and fresh sushi spot, Soy.

In total, the resort will offer 13 dining options.

Continued here:

Sandals to open renovated Bahamas resort in January - Travel Weekly

The Bahamas will extend its order requiring cruise ship passengers be fully vaccinated if they are above the age of 12 until next year.

Since September 1, 2021, The Bahamas enacted emergency powers requiring only cruise ships be allowed into The Bahamas if everyone over the age of 12 is fully vaccinated, including private islands.

The order is set to expire on November 1, but it now appears it will be extended.

Tourism,Investments and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper told The Tribune that the Bahamian government will look to extend the policy until next year.

"We are taking action to extend that until 2022," Mr. Cooper said before going to a Cabinet meeting.

"We will be looking at it closely moving forward. We are actively in conversations with our various cruise partners.

"We believe vaccination is the right approach in order to be able to attract tourists to our shores in a balanced and responsible way."

Under the order, cruise ships visiting The Bahamas must ensure everyone who is atleast 12 years old or older be fully vaccinated.

The order was first added by Bahamian Prime MinisterDr. Hubert Minnis, but the new Prime Minister of The Bahamas,Philip Davis, supports extending it.

As a result of the order, cruise lines changed their protocols to require everyone above the age of 12 to be fully vaccinated on sailings from Florida. Prior to the Bahamian law, Royal Caribbean cruises from Florida had made exceptions for unvaccinated adults to sail.

Royal Caribbean was already requiring proof of vaccinationfrom passengers 12 and older sailing from other U.S. ports.

Travelers unable to show proof of vaccination are unable to sail.

Royal Caribbean not only visits Nassau, but operates a private island that is visited by so many of its ships operating in the region, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

See original here:

Bahamas will extend requirement for cruise ship passengers to be vaccinated - Royal Caribbean Blog

New luxury expedition vessel Crystal Endeavor rendevoused with Crystal Serenity in a historic meet-up of Crystal ships off the coast of The Bahamas.

The new yacht encircled Crystal Serenity with guests of both vessels waving enthusiastically during the meet-up as the captains saluted each other via blasts of the ships horns, while the companys signature song What a Wonderful World serenaded guests.

Crystal Endeavor was on its inaugural two-day preview sailing from Miami for travel partners and members of the press, while Crystal Serenity was on the last leg of a week-long Luxury Bahamas Escape cruise that departed Miami on October 18.

Crystal Endeavor departed Miami on Monday (October 25) on a nine-day cruise to San Juan and will then spend the winter season in Antarctica where it will offer a series of 11- to 19-night Remote Expedition voyages. Crystal Serenity continued its seven-night cruises in The Bahamas until November 8.

With a staff to guest ratio of one-to-one, the 200-guest Crystal Endeavor is the only expedition yacht to feature a Japanese restaurant, a casino and a two-storey glass-enclosed solarium for nature viewing. It also claims to have the largest lead-in suites in the industry.

View post:

Crystal Endeavor and Crystal Serenity meet in The Bahamas - Cruise Adviser

by: MyValleyTributes Staff

STRUTHERS, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) John David Toker of Great Exuma, The Bahamas, died on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.

John was born in Struthers, Ohio on December 20, 1973, to John and Alberta Lee (Swansiger) Toker.

John David graduated from Struthers High School in 1992 and then worked on an Angus cattle ranch. He then graduated from Penn State with an agricultural business degree.

An avid fisherman since childhood and while at Penn State, he began working as a fly fishing guide. After graduation, he worked at Washington State University in the Agricultural Department continuing to work as a fly fishing guide. While in Washington, he developed a love for mountain climbing and scaled many peaks in Washington and Oregon. After answering an internet ad he moved to Andros Island in the Bahamas and managed a fishing lodge. He also worked the summers at lodges in British Columbia and Alaska.

He married Endalyn Lyn Ferguson of Andros Island on January 17, 2009. They settled on Great Exuma Island and along with a partner, opened a real estate office and property management company The Good Life Bahamas.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Lyn; his parents, John and Alberta Lee; his brother, Matthew (Jennifer) and his niece and nephew, Katelyn and Joshua. He also leaves his mother and father-in-law, Prisilda and Elijah Ferguson; numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A special thank you to his longtime friends, Eric, Craig, Murph, Mike, Kevin and Stef for their caring and support. A very special thank you also to all the friends he has made during his time in the Bahamas.

John David was a man who truly loved life and lived it to the fullest.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, St. Matthias Church,915 Cornell Street, Youngstown on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. John Jerek officiating.

Masks or facial coverings are requested by the Diocese of Youngstown.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Bahamas in December.

Arrangements are being handled by Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, 11 Spring Street, Struthers. Condolences may be sent to Johns family at http://www.beckerorbits.com.

To send flowers to Johns family, please visit ourfloral store.

A television tribute will air Monday, November 1 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV.

View original post here:

John David Toker, Struthers, Ohio - WKBN.com

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

WHILE the pandemic along with the election and its aftermath have been front and centre in public discussion for a long time now, make no mistake the spectre of crime has not gone away.

The news of four deaths from shootings over the weekend in two different incidents is a stark reminder of that.

In the first shooting on Friday, a group was doing nothing more than sitting on a porch when two gunmen approached and opened fire. Two men were killed at the scene and another died later from his wounds.

Then, just two hours later, a man was sitting in his car outside a business on Carmichael Road when a gunman approached and shot him. He died the next day.

You wouldnt think from the election campaign that crime was much of a problem these days. The focus instead was on COVID recovery, both from the virus itself and the economic effects it brought with it.

The PLP manifesto had just one short section on crime in which it pledged to ensure that the necessary reforms are executed for a safe Bahamas. The party said it would strengthen the nations border protection with increased funding to RBDF and Immigration Department, increase investment in the Community Policing Unit for community policing throughout The Bahamas, introduce research-based analysis and policies on countering anti-social behaviour, violence and crime, and establish partnerships between the Department of Corrections, BTVI, UB and the National Training Agency.

Since coming into office and it is early days, let us not forget we have heard little of any of that. The National Security Minister seems to have been more focused on staffing issues, whether it is moving prison staff around, or criticising police over leaving a woman in a cell where she was subjected to an indecent assault from a male cellmate or for the secrecy over tribunal outcomes. Some of those are important subjects to tackle but theres no sign of the new governments plan for a safe Bahamas yet.

Earlier this month, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle revealed a 26 percent rise in crimes against the person. That includes murder, robberies, rape and more.

Murder alone is up by 61 percent.

Despite that, Commissioner Rolle was keen to focus on crime being down overall by two percent. However, when asked if curfews and emergency orders had played any part in that crime reduction, his hackles rose.

Which curfew are you referring to? Are you telling me that the work that these officers did day-in and day-out, that it didnt have anything to do with that? I dont accept that, the police chief said.

Why dont we look at the officers and the work that the officers have done? I have said that the officers have done a tremendous amount of work. I gave you the facts of what we did. I dont have anything (about) what curfew did because curfew did not give me a report, but I gave you a report about the officers. Lets just focus on that. I can speak to that.

Well, lets focus on that. After all, back in January Commissioner Rolle was saluting the reducing in murder figures then down by 23 percent. He proudly said: This is the least amount of persons killed in a year in 15 years.

Again, he dismissed the suggestion that COVID restrictions which kept people off the street for hours each day might have played a part in the reduction as nonsense and credited the hard work of police officers instead.

He said: Yall have to give us the credit because we have done a whole lot and when crime goes up, we take responsibility.

Fine then, murders have now gone up, take the responsibility. What are police doing differently since it hit that low number, if COVID restrictions really had no effect, Commissioner Rolle? Or did they really play a part?

More importantly, as we face this new rise in cases, what is this research-based analysis and policies on countering anti-social behaviour, violence and crime which the PLP feels will make a difference now that it is in government?

All this current focus on promotions and staffing looks a lot like rearranging the deckchairs but were still on the Titanic when it comes to our murder rates.

These killings shatter homes, destroy families, leave children without parents. Worse, they can lead to reprisal shootings as gangs take on gangs. Our crime rates are a frequent feature of warnings from the US, something we can well do without as we try to rebuild our economy.

Four killings in one weekend have reminded us there is a long way to go to solve this problem and that it is time for this new government to show us how it plans to do so.

See more here:

INSIGHT: A bloody reminder that we need more than promises in a manifesto - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS A Bahamian software development company said its new human resources and payroll platform will increase efficiency and provide significant cost savings for businesses through the automation of key functions.

Duran Humes, chief executive officer of Plato Alpha, said the companys recently launched TriBlock HR software improves a businesss operational efficiency by drastically reducing the time its Human Resources and Payroll department spends managing payroll.

Plato Alpha is a Bahamian custom software development company that launched at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The company builds business systems, automates business processes and provides consultation on how to improve business efficiency and profitability using software and hardware solutions.

We launched TriBlock HR with business efficiency in mind, Humes stated.

We saw a lot of inefficiencies in the way human resources and payroll functions are managed. We decided that it would be good to take that challenge on, especially here in The Bahamas where a lot of the HR work is done manually.

We designed a system specifically for The Bahamas with our employment law in mind, a system that is also well integrated and at a price point that small businesses can afford.

Humes further explained: The main benefit of the system is that it automates a lot of mundane tasks you have in your Human Resources Department, meaning that your human resources professionals dont have to put in so many hours around pay day in terms of getting things put together.

With a few clicks, your payroll work will be made easier and your human resources professionals can have more time for actual employee engagement and not just pushing paper.

According to Humes, Triblock HR has robust payroll, time and attendance, performance management, reward/recognition and learning management features, as well as a mobile app.

The system also features an employee onboarding process to reduce the time and hassle incurred when hiring a new employee or rehiring an old employee.

It also allows for employee access delegation, where a manager can grant access to another employee to approve timesheets or other tasks in their absence.

Link:

AUTOMATED SOLUTIONS: Bahamian software firm introduces HR and payroll platform - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Minister of Labour and Immigration Keith Bell said yesterday that an investigation has been launched into the most recent interdiction of dozens of undocumented migrants from Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, Ecuador, Romania and Turkey on one boat.

Bells comments follow weeks of apprehensions and the detention of more than 1,000 undocumented Haitian migrants in Bahamian waters as Haiti continues to face challenges ranging from the ongoing pandemic, consecutive natural disasters including a recent earthquake and political unrest.

Speaking to Eyewitness News on the matter outside Cabinet, Bell advised that there were two recent interdictions: one vessel with 28 Cuban migrants on board and one yacht with 44 people on board, not including minors.

Bell noted that the latter apprehension was particularly of note given that there were multiple nationalities on board, along with one Bahamian man who is believed to be the suspected smuggler.

Among those migrants detained were 10 Colombian men, two Colombian women, three Ecuadorian men and a minor, five Ecuadorian women, five Jamaican men, six Romanian men, one Romanian woman, one Turkish man, five Haitian men, and six Haitian women two with minor children and one currently pregnant.

We are pursuing an investigation to determine where these migrants came from, where they were housed, Bell said.

Its obviously a major concern, so all of our law enforcement agencies are working together to investigate the matter thoroughly and to also ensure there is an effective and quick prosecution.

The immigration minister noted that the apprehension has raised concerns of illegal harboring in the country that warrants a deeper investigation.

He advised that the Bahamian man found aboard the yacht is in police custody and the group is expected to be charged this week.

See the original post:

MIGRANTS CAUGHT ON YACHT: Police investigate smuggling of mixed bag of nationals into The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

I should never have said that I would not seek a contract renewalSearch for Smiths replacement already down to 3 finalists

NASSAU, BAHAMAS University of The Bahamas (UB) President Dr Rodney Smith has requested that his contract of employment with the university be extended beyond 2022.

In an email sent to faculty and staff yesterday, and obtained by Eyewitness News, Smith admitted that since 2017, several mistakes were made in regard to the governance of UB, pointing to several missteps with the appointment of the board of trustees under the Minnis administration.

He said that over that period, he acted in accordance with what he thought was the right thing to do.

Smith explained that among those mistakes was the finalization of his presidential contract, which should have implemented a way for him to retire gracefully and with dignity.

The current UB present noted that about three years ago, he made a proposal to the boards chairman for the universitys outgoing president to be allowed to a have a faculty position upon leaving office, which is a standard practice in the United States.

He said after no action was ever taken on the matter, he began feeling hopeless and rudderless with an incomplete contract, and out of desperation applied for a job at another institution in June 2020.

Applying at the eleventh hour of this search for this position was a mistake I deeply regret, Smith wrote.

He noted that the process happened quickly, with him moving from semi-finalist to finalist in seven days.

He said on the day that the university was to announce its new president, he withdrew his name in an effort to remain committed to UB.

However, the damage had already been done and in an effort to do damage control, he was forced to state his position in a statement that was edited by the board.

In June 2020, the university confirmed that Smith will not renew his contract at the university in August 2022 and had begun actively seeking employment.

The move came as a surprise to UBs faculty, staff and even then Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd.

At the time, Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB) President Daniel Thompson called Smiths actions an abandonment of duty during a pandemic.

Smith said yesterday:I should never have panicked and sent my CV for consideration for another presidency.

I should never have said that I would not seek a contract renewal. I should have continued fighting for what I know is the right thing to do.

Smith added that he shared his feelings with the boards executive on June 7, 2021, and they agreed to propose a post-tenure position for the president to remaining board members, however, up to today, he remains in limbo with an incomplete contract.

Colleagues, you will agree that now is not the ideal time to bring in a new president, Smith said in the email.

UB needs stability in leadership as we move to complete the rebuild of UB North; especially as we continue our struggle through the pandemic. I repeat, now is not the time to begin new leadership.

I asked the board, in June 2021, to consider allowing the work to continue by considering the continuation of my contract of employment beyond 2022. This is my sincere and heartfelt request.

Smith noted, however, that the request was denied by Dr Jonathan Rodgers, board chairman and chairman of the Presidential Search Committee, which has been working on finding a new president since last year.

He contended that there remains much work to be done including completion of the residential complex, the acquisition of SACS accreditation, the completion of UB North and maximization of the fundraising unit.

I am aware that Mr Daniel Thompson is using his position as president of UTEB to lobby for the sole Bahamian candidate from the search committee, Smith added.

I only ask that those who have the best interest of the university and the country at heart to please speak out.

Smith, whose tenure at UB has been controversial, was granted a new five-year contract in 2017.

He previously served as president of the tertiary education in 2004, but soon after his start, he was embroiled in a plagiarism scandal and resigned in 2005.

In July, the Presidential Search Committee announced that it had narrowed its search to three finalists: Dr Erik Rolland, Sir Anthony Seldon and Dr Ian Strachan.

Excerpt from:

BUYER'S REMORSE: Outgoing UB pres deeply regrets decision to leave; asks for contract to be extended - EyeWitness News

Barbados: The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI) has appointed Jens Thraenhart as the next chief executive of the tourist board. He will assume charge from November 1.

Thraenhart has worked in the tourism industry for more than 26 years.

Chairman Roseanne Myers cited that, We undertook the challenge to find the best candidate for the chief executive position to assist in shaping the way forward, & we are exceptionally glad to have done so, after a thorough & a transparent process.

He worked for the Canadian Tourism Commission, which is now known as Destination Canada, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which is part of Accor. Currently, he serves on industry boards, including the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) and the International Federation of IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT).

While on appointing the new chief executive, BTMI cited that, This appointment will usher in a new era for the organisation as it becomes a more commercial marketing enterprise and reshapes operations to better compete in the new covid-19 pandemic era of global tourism.

On the other hand, Chairman Myers noted that the team of BTMI has done a great job of reopening markets by utilising their knowledge, experience and establishing trade relationships.

The Chairman further asserted, We have a firm belief that coupled with Jens international tourism experience, proven track record in strategy execution and entrepreneurial perspectives, the BTMI will emerge from this period of the COVID-19 pandemic, a much stronger, high-performing destination marketing company that brings increased benefit to our industry and the wider economy.

The functions of BTMI

BTMI functions include to promote, assist and facilitating the efficient development of tourism; to designing as well as implementing suitable marketing strategies for the productive promotion of the tourism industry.

BTMI make provision for adequate and suitable air and sea passenger transport services to and from Barbados, encourages the establishment of amenities & the facilities essential for the proper enjoyment of Barbados as a tourist destination, to carry out market intelligence in order to inform the requirements of the tourism industry.

Related

Read more:

Jens Thraenhart will assume charge as new chief executive of the Bahamas tourist board - writeups24

There's nothing frightening in our Treasure Coast Halloween forecast

Weather is projected to be great for trick or treaters of all ages Oct. 31, 2018. CHERYL MCCLOUD/TCPALM

Wochit

(EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this column included the incorrect name for the Sebastian Bridge.)

I love a good ghost story.

So much so that, as a young reporter, I spent a night in the Bell Witch Cave in search of a talethat would be fitting for the holiday we're celebrating this weekend.

The Bell Witch is kind of like Tennessee's version of the Loch Ness Monster. If you Google her, you'll find plenty of interesting reading.

Now that I'm back in Florida, I wanted to find a local equivalent.

Our intrepid entertainment reporter Laurie Blandford produced a pieceearlierthis month about the most haunted places on the Treasure Coast. I want to check some of those places out.

However, it's going to be hard for a few unexplained creaks and groans in some old buildings to top the story involving the demise of the notorious Ashley Gang.

The gang's exploits are well documented. Its members were accused of a variety of crimes in South Florida and the Bahamas during the late 1910s and early 1920s, ranging from bank robbery to moonshine running to generalized murder and mayhem.

Treasure Coast terrors: Ashley Gang struck fear into the hearts of Stuart residents

A gruesome trophy: Guess who took outlaw John Ashley's glass eye as a key fob memento? | Historical Vignettes

Silver screen adaptation: Ashley Gang movie filmed in Stuart

Some of the historical accounts of those crimes are quite colorful, such as the time gang member Handford Mobley allegedly robbed a Stuart bank while disguised as a woman. Or the time the gang left a suitcase on the side of Dixie Highway near Miami as bait to attract robbery victims.

Some accounts describe the gang as havingRobin Hood-like qualities that endeared them to the local populace, although I've also heard those parts of the story may have been based more on romantic revisionism than fact.

All of which is interesting, but there are paranormal elements to the gang's legend as well.

For example, "Ghosts of the Treasure Coast," an excellent book by Patrick S. Mesmer and Patricia A. Mesmer, describes how gang leader John Ashley once had a dream while he was in jail about two of his brothers being lost at sea during a liquor smuggling run to the Bahamas.

In his dream, Ashley reportedly saw three rival smugglers approaching his brothers' boat during a storm.

When he awoke, Ashley learned his brothers had, in fact, gone missing at sea and were never seen or heard from again.

A few months later, a similarfate befell the three rival smugglers from Ashley's dream, which could have been coincidence ... or payback if Ashley believed his dream was prophetic.

Ashley's life, along with the lives of three of his lieutenants, ended the night of Nov. 1, 1924, in theatrical fashion.

According to an account published in The (Fort Pierce) Tribune in 1997, Ashley and the other three gang members were headed north toward Jacksonville, possibly with plans to relocate out of state, when law enforcement agents got wind of where they were going.

Police and sheriffs'deputies from several jurisdictions set up a roadblock at the SebastianBridgelocated on the border of Indian River and Brevard counties, and took the outlaws into custody.

Eyewitnesses said the gang members were captured and handcuffed at the scene, but later their bullet-riddled corpses were taken to a funeral home in Fort Pierce.

Were the gang members, who had been feuding with law enforcement officers for years, executed in cold blood? Or were they shot while attempting to escape?

The Tribune took excerpts from Ada Coats Williams' book, "Florida's Ashley Gang," which included an interview with Ed Merritt, a descendant of one of the law officerspresent that night.

Merritt said the gunplay might have been triggered by a sudden moment by one of the captured men.

"My grandfather said John Ashley had dropped his arms," Merritt recounted. "He'd been known to carry a sleeve gun. That's when the shooting started."

Merritt said the gang members were well-knownescape artists, which may have also played a factor in the violence that night.

"There was no way they were going to put those guys in jail," Merritt said. "It just wasn't going to happen."

The Nov. 6, 1924 edition of The Stuart Messenger described the shooting's aftermath in a relatively short front-page story with a Fort Pierce dateline:

"Sunday, from early morning until the bodies had been removed, there was a crowd congregated in front of the undertaking parlors. People from every section of the county and many from Palm Beach county (sic) came here hoping to get a glimpse of the dead men."

The Messenger story went on to say about 300 people attended the dead men's funeral later in the week in Fruita, a small hamlet in what is now Martin County.

The "Ghosts of the Treasure Coast" version of the story had a chilling footnote, from the years following the men's death:

"In the early morning hours of the first day of November, people would find four puddles of blood in the very spots where the outlaws were shot. No one saw anything during the night, but the puddles would always be there. According to locals, this continued for many years after the shootings. Was this a paranormal occurrence or a ritual perpetrated by someone to remember the bloody truth of what happened that night?"

The younger version of me would be on that bridge Halloween night, keeping vigil to see if the grisly ritual would be repeated this year.

The oldbridge where the shootings happened is long gone, though.So I guess I'll get to stay home and eat all our leftover Halloween candy instead.

Like I said, I love a good ghost story.I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups even more.

This column reflects the opinion of Blake Fontenay.Contact him via email at blake.fontenay@tcpalm.comor at 772-232-5424.

Link:

Who needs the Headless Horseman Bridge? We've got the Ashley Gang's final stop | Opinion - TCPalm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a new Order for all air passengers traveling to the United Statesplease read the full details on the new requirements attravel.state.govandCDC.gov.

Starting on November 8, foreign national air travelers (i.e. who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents) to the United States will be requiredwith only very limited exceptionsto be fully vaccinated, and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the United States.

What Else Travelers Need to Know:

What Else U.S. Citizens and LPRs Need to Know:

For full details about the updated requirements for air travelers, frequently asked questions, and other details from the Department of State and the CDC, please refer to the following websites:

By U.S. Embassy Nassau | 27 October, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases

See the rest here:

Updated Requirements for Air Travelers to the United States - US Embassy in The Bahamas

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration has appointed 19 Bahamians to various public board positions and is expected to meet today to finalise the remaining government appointments.

Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Clint Watson announced the first list of board appointments during a press briefing yesterday.

Notable appointments include North Eleuthera MP Sylvanus Petty, who was named chairman of Water and Sewerage Corporation; Mount Moriah MP McKell Bonaby as executive chairman of Public Beaches and Parks Authority; Senator James Turner-Rolle, chairman of the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas and Senator Quinton Lightbourne as chairman of the Bahamas Development Bank.

Other appointees include Barbara Cartwright, chairman of the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation; Pedro Rolle, chairman of Bahamas Power and Light; Anthony Kikivarakis, chairman of Bahamasair, Wendy Craig, chairperson of Bahamasair Navigation Services; Devard Francis, chairman of Civil Aviation Authority and Daniel Johnson, chairman of the Gaming Board.

Roderick Colebrooke has been appointed chairman of the Hotel Licensing Board; Senator Ronald Duncombe as chairman of Nassau Flight Services; Phillip McKenzie as chairman of the National Insurance Board; Tavares Laroda, chairman of the Port Authority; Andrew Edwards, chairman of Public Hospitals Authority; and Southern Shores MP Leroy Major, executive chairman of Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation.

The Airport Authority is being chaired by Paul Bevans, while Lucayan Holdings Ltd is being chaired by Julian Russel.

Terrel Young is the chairman for BAMSI.

As for the remaining appointments, Mr Watson said the government hopes to wrap up the matter today, adding that those chosen for board positions will be well-rounded and skilled from various backgrounds.

Cabinet is still working on that, he said. Cabinet is expected to meet again tomorrow (Friday) afternoon to deal with board appointments and theyre expected to wrap up the board so you could imagine its a very, very detailed process 140 boards and so theyre hoping to wrap up.

If you noticed, Cabinet has been meeting a lot and thats because theyre trying to wrap up boards. What theyre trying to do is get the critical boards that need to have the chairman or chairpersons in office. Theyve been trying to do that quickly and we can make some of those announcements for you. Again, it reflects the deepening of what the Davis administration is about, a well-rounded list of people of all ages, sectors, capabilities and skills.

Original post:

First round of board appointments revealed - Bahamas Tribune

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS A photo of a bowl of sausage souse, dubbed the Grand Cay Special, made the rounds through the Bahamian social media sphere recently, sending hundreds of users into a frenzy over the legitimacy of the controversial dish.

The viral photo, which was posted by Good Eats by Queen Cuisine, a Grand Bahama-based takeaway, had those unfamiliar with the dish boiling with contempt for the unorthodox meal, whilst others acquainted with the souse voiced alternative feelings.

The struggle souse, opined one social media user.

Dont diss it until you try it. If they make it right, that is taste so good, stated another social media user.

Denise Duncombe, the owner of the takeaway and an Abaco native, told Eyewitness News that it was not her first time preparing the dish.

I grew up on [it]. In Grand Cay, sausage souse thats one of our favorite breakfasts, said the self-taught cook.

Im a cook, but I post it when I just do it for myself.

Everybody was just like: So, whats that? Ive never seen it before.

So, I actually started making it for them and they just keep demanding it more and more.

Its not only known to me; most islands you go to, especially Abaco, thats like a normal thing.

Sausage souse is a thing

Chef Simeon Hall Jr, Bahamian food writer and culinary historian, offered insight into the origin of sausage souse, suggesting that the meal is a regional dish that may have hailed from Harbor Island.

I know sausage souse. Sausage souse is a thing, he told Eyewitness News.

Hot dog souse is a big thing in Briland. Sausage souse I was eating sausage souse since I was about 12.

My uncle at the time made sausage souse all the time.

But when you know and understand Bahamian cuisine, where it came from and that every island prepares food differently, then youd understand.

When you go to each and every island, everything is different. Its all based in the same food culture, but its different.

He used the example of conch salad, noting that tropical conch salad is only served on New Providence, whereas pickled conch salad is served on Grand Bahama, particularly in West End.

Move over, chicken souse

According to Duncombe, since her takeaway restaurants post went viral, sausage souse has been a hot-ticket item at her establishment, outselling its more traditional counterpart, chicken souse.

Everybody [who] comes in who hasnt tried it before wants to try the sausage souse, she told Eyewitness News.

It has replaced chicken souse, actually.

I had chicken souse the first and second day and it didnt even sell. Now, Im doing two pots of sausage souse.

Speculating as to why her customers opt for sausage rather than chicken in their souse for breakfast, Duncombe said she believes its because sausage is a breakfast thing.

She suggested sausage is probably the best option if youre looking for breakfast and you dont want like a heavy breakfast [and]not chicken, because you might want chicken for lunch.

She added: The sausage souse, I guess it just takes it up a notch. You could get a more filling breakfast you have the potatoes, the carrots, the gravy and you can also have yellow grits if you want it, or you could have it with the Johnny cake.

Written by Eyewitness News Intern Gabrielle Sterling

Originally posted here:

STEWED IN CONTROVERSY: Viral photo of native dish sparks online uproar - EyeWitness News

Since opening in 2017, Baha Mar has become a center of gastronomy in the Bahamian capital of Nassau. With over 40 restaurants and bars, the resort has lured some of the worlds leading chefs, including Katsuya Uechi and Daniel Boulud, to name a few. Now, six-time James Beard Awardwinning chef Marcus Samuelsson joins the resorts collection of culinarians with this summers debut of Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House.

While developing the concept, Samuelsson spent nearly four years learning about Bahamian culture and meeting with local purveyors. The result? A deeply collaborative menu reflective of native ingredients with an innovative take on Caribbean comfort food. Think fried chicken with sour orange hot honey or tuna tartare with cassava chips. Yes, youll find his signature Marcuss Cornbread on the table, but here it comes with a spice-infused rum-spiked butter.

We spoke with Samuelsson to learn more about his new restaurant in the Bahamas and his hopes for creating a more inclusive industry through intention and empathy.

Why the Bahamas?

We get a lot of opportunities in front of us, and before we say yes, we have got to like [the location]. A great location for me means Whats the path towards opportunity? So, looking at farming, looking at fishing, looking at cooking school here, I said, OK, this makes sense! And with a place like Baha Mar, I wanted to make sure that we have something experientialnot just a great restaurant, it has to be an experience.

With restaurants in Newark, Harlem, Overtown, Bermuda, and now the Bahamas, why is it important for you to open in predominantly Black destinations?

Its important to acknowledge your privilege, right? When I left Aquavit, I did a lot of soul searching about my role as a Black chef. I want to figure out how I can open up more doors, specifically in the African diaspora.

Weve been very strategic with Harlem, with Overtown. We feel proud to work with the cultures and the history, but also to provide jobs locally. For a chef of any color, but specifically for chefs of color, you must figure out where in the industry you fit. Our restaurants have become the hub for that.

Tell us about your process of learning about Bahamian culture.

When I say it takes four years [to open a restaurant], one year could just be researching. Islands are not monolithic. We have to be very respectful . . . and we have to learn the culture. We pay homage to that, and it shows up on the menu. We eat at restaurants. We go to markets, and we go with local people. Our goal is to make the menu relatable to locals and unique for visitors, too.

What are some of the Bahamian ingredients youre loving right now?

Sour oranges! It might not be a big thing for locals, but its a big thing for me. So, we marinate in that. Then there is this incredible hydroponic farm [in Nassau] where we get fresh herbs and tomatoes.

Locals take pride because they see themselves in the food. We have a hot sauce that we do with passion fruit that came from them. The pickles on our fish, that came from them. They say, Oh, these pickles are my aunties pickles! Its been really fun.

How do you find balance in blending your cultural experience and culinary expertise with local cultures?

Coming from two backgrounds allows me to have windows into Ethiopia, or Africa, or Scandinavian Sweden. When youve grown up through it, you dont know that eventually that can become an assetits about empathy.

When we do the conch salad, I dont touch a thing. I may present it with dry ice or something like that, but in terms of the flavor, I dont dare go near it because [the locals] are the ones that know. Im not coming with my menu set, and I dont think I would have that sensitivity if I say, Im a Swedish chef. Heres the Swedish food. Im an American now, and Im from African culture. Its about sensibilities and sensitivities.

What do you hope it brings to the Bahamian community to have a celebrated Black chef open a restaurant here?

As a Black chef with a large platform, its about that intersection of inspire and aspire. Having the privileges and the opportunities that I have, it comes down to how I hire. Here, we started with a big open kitchen, because then its very clear who works in the kitchen. When you have someone like chef Garrette [Bowe]shes the chef, and shes a localits not a coincidence.

Pastry chefs, servers, cooks, bartenders: These people dont have to leave the island to have the best opportunities. Someone can learn sushi from chef Katsuya and the best French cooking from chef Daniel, and now you can come down here and work with us.

Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House is now open for dinner at Baha Mar (1 Baha Mar Blvd., Nassau). Reservations are recommended and can be made online.

>> Next:The Bahamas Is Open for Travel, With Restrictions

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Chef Marcus Samuelsson on Cultural Collaboration and His New Restaurant in the Bahamas - AFAR Media

Travel has changed.

Increasingly, travelers dont just want to stay in a destination they want to live there, even if just for a few days.

They want to understand the destination in an authentic way.

Thats turned travelers toward a different kind of luxury.

Since the pandemic, the trend towards so-called residential resorts has only strengthened, as more and more travelers demand the independence and security of residential living at their Caribbean resorts.

That means being able to make dinner one night; to have the space for multiple generations; to have the seclusion of a residence with the quality and amenities of a traditional resort.

And thats exactly what you get at Grand Isle, the residential resort on Great Exuma thats the islands best place to stay.

The resort, set on Emerald Bay, has a mix of 78 villas, ranging from one to four bedrooms.

All of them are wonderfully appointed: think Sub Zero refrigerators, whirlpool spa baths; Wi-Fi and a pervasive tropical vibe.

And while its a residential community, the amenities are vast: that means a pair of pools, including the spectacular, 30,000-square-foot 23 North Beach Club, set right on the sands edge.

Thats along with the excellent poolside Palapa restaurant, with an international menu featuring a focus on fresh Bahamian catches.

And then theres the Seastar Spa, home to Elemis-branded treatments and even mini mani and pedi treatments for younger guests.

The party piece, though, is the Greg Norman-designed Emerald Reef, managed by shared with the adjacent Sandals Emerald Bay all-inclusive resort.

Its the back, which wraps around the villas at Grand Isle, which is the star, a remarkable stretch of windy, cliffside, links-style golf with dramatic ocean views.

Of course, Grand Isle is also a jumping-off point, a place from which to discover the marvels of Great Exuma, whether youre bone fishing in White Bay off the southwestern coast of the island or finding tucked-away beaches like Coco Plum and Jolly Hall.

It all adds up to a rather special place to stay, one that marries the amenities of a traditional resort with the comforts of your temporary Bahamian home.

For more, visit Grand Isle.And see more in the latest CJ Video at the top of the page.

CJ

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The Best Resort in Great Exuma, The Bahamas - Caribbean Journal

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CDC adds 6 destinations to 'very high' Covid-19 travel risk list, including the Bahamas - CBS46 News Atlanta

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Several independents and third parties are reportedly finalizing details for a new coalition to increase their chances at the polls come September 16.

Eyewitness News understands that former FNM MPs were courted alongside established third parties like the Bahamas Constitution Party, and the Bahamas Democratic Movement.

The group met over the weekend, and the results of a vote taken yesterday determined BDM Leader Cassius Stuart would helm the organization, with Bain coming in second.

Eyewitness News understands Bain was offered an agreement to co-lead, and the position of prime minister if they won but he and his financial backers pulled out.

The group is expected to reconvene again today to finalize a list of candidates, after which a formal announcement will be made.

Eyewitness News understands that the Democratic National Alliance was also involved in initial discussions but did not return to the table.

COI Leader Lincoln Bain insisted today the decision not to join the collective was not motivated by ego but after a full analysis.

We already have a full slate of candidates, no one else does, Bain said.

I participated in talks now for several months, this is the final hour and we have already ratified a full slate of candidates so we will move forward and if there is anything possibility of coming together after we win our seats then we can talk.

He continued: I was the one reaching out to try and get everyone to come together. I have no ego as it relates to this.There is no ego issue. I have an organization and Im very transparent and whatever decision my executives make, thats the decision I go with.

Bain added: At a certain point (party executives) they realized that they didnt want to go forward. I didnt make the decision, my executives made that decision.

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STRONGER TOGETHER?: Independents, third parties forming coalition to challenge general election - EyeWitness News

- Bravo, Brett Owlson.

- Financial disclosures for candidates running for Sen. Rob Portman's seat show the Republican batch are all just like us super, uber, stinkin' rich.

Here's the Dispatch on what Bernie Moreno's showed:

On top of that, his auto dealership, M Motors Group, Inc. is worth between $5 million and $25 million. He also holds between $100,000 and $250,000 in bitcoin. Moreno has mortgages and business loans that add up to between $13.5 million and $66 million. An $805,000 Paycheck Protection Plan loan to Moreno's auto dealership in Miami was forgiven in July.

- The long-awaited diversion center that will hopefully keep more people out of the Cuyahoga County jail and instead in a center focused on mental health, drug addiction services has been open for three months now and already faces one big roadblock, according to Cleveland.com's reporting this week.

Thats not the way it works with all of the other diversion centers weve looked at across the country, said ADAMHS Board CEO Scott Osieki, whose agency oversees the diversion center. That defeats the whole purpose of the diversion center. We hope they can work through the issue, because we need the city of Cleveland to be participating.

Of the 43 people brought to the center as of Aug. 13, only seven have been taken there by Cleveland police. By contrast, about 80 percent of county jail inmates are brought in by Cleveland police.

- A headline and story for our times: "Bath man accused of laundering $311 million in bitcoins through Google of the dark net," from the Akron Beacon Journal.

- Digit Widget:

0 Times the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point will run the rest of the season after a piece from the ride hit a woman in the head last week, causing severe injuries, according to eye witness accounts. The theme park, local officials and state investigators are conducting a review of the incident but have released few details, including her condition.

$67.5 million Total of cleanup work over the last three decades on the Ashtabula River, which this week was removed from the EPA's list of most-polluted Great Lakes waterways.

19 New murals being installed in MidTown next week as part of the Cleveland Walls! festival.

2 City Council seats that will be lost, according to the city charter, after Cleveland's population fell below 375,000 in the latest Census. The 372,624 residents is the fewest since the 1800s.

- What's Scene dining editor Doug Trattner eating this week?

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Titillating Tidbits: A Spot-On Lakewood Version of Monopoly, Plus Bernie Moreno's Bahamas Pad - Cleveland Scene

Richard Tribou| Orlando Sentinel

Orlando, Fla.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated is guidance Friday to warn those at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to avoid cruise ships, whether theyve had the vaccine or not.

It is a shift from the previous warning that only targeted unvaccinated travelers.

Severe illness means that a person with COVID-19 may need: hospitalization, intensive care, a ventilator to help them breathe or they may even die, according to the CDC.

The updated guidance specifically warns those at high risk including older adults, people with certain medical conditions and people who are pregnant or recently pregnant.

The CDCs update comes during the recent wave of the delta variant of COVID-19, which can prove deadly to even vaccinated people with underlying conditions.

Cruise ships returned to sailing from the U.S. for the first time in June, now with more than two dozen vessels departing from Florida, Texas, California, Washington and soon New York.

Most sail with a vaccine requirement for any passenger 12 and older. Children 11 and under do not have a vaccine option. In Florida, though, a state law that went into effect July 1 threatens to fine businesses $5,000 per instance if they require proof of vaccination, so most cruise lines have shifted their stance in the state to allow unvaccinated passengers.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the parent company of NCL, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas, filed a lawsuit over the law and federal judge this month granted an injunction against the state from enforcing it. That opened the door for NCL to begin sailing from Florida with its vaccine-only policy.

Even with Floridas law shifting cruise lines stance on vaccination status, some of the destinations cruise lines most often go to have begun to require vaccinations of cruise line passengers. The Bahamas updated an emergency order this week with just such a requirement, forcing lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and MSC Cruises to limit sailings to only vaccinated passengers 12 and older from Florida when headed to the Bahamas. Carnival and Disney have announce any changes for their Bahamas cruises.

Most cruise lines have focused on the Bahamas as their main destination as they attempt to restart business after more than a year and half of shutdown. That includes stops at private islands such as Disneys Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbeans Coco Cay.

Cruise lines were at the epicenter of several outbreaks in early 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic expanded. The industry shut itself down in March 2020 and was then under a CDC no-sail order. Sailings only began after the CDC shifted to a conditional sail followed by months of shifting guidance before it allowed any cruise ship to sail from U.S. ports.

The chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high since the virus appears to spread more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships, the CDC states.

Several cruise lines have increased safety policies including more mask wearing and pre-cruise COVID-19 testing as the delta variant has taken hold.

Despite the COVID-19 health protocols in place on board ships now up and running with the CDCs approval, there have been several sailings in which passengers tested positive. Most cases were limited to just a few passengers, and in several cases involved unvaccinated children, who then also infected their vaccinated parents.

The lines, though, enacted their quarantine policies and have been able to continue sailing without any major outbreak.

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CDC issues warning to not cruise to those at high-risk whether vaccinated or not - The Detroit News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield said yesterday that the government is in discussions on how it would be able to provide assistance to Haiti, whichwas struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake over the weekend.

Henfield told reporters outside the Office of the Prime Minister that The Bahamas is currently in discussions with its CARICOM partners to provide assistance through that mechanism.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the people of Haiti, he said.

Just coming out of a political crisis almost with the assassination of President [Jovenel] Moise, exacerbated by the fact that they hadnt begun their COVID vaccinations, and to add insult to injury comes an earthquake at a time that is really inopportune for them.

We have not yet determined what we will do as a country but we are determined to work with CARICOM through CDEMA (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency) to respond to Haiti in whichever way we can, as we always do in these incidences.

The death toll in Haiti has climbed to 1,900 people and thousands were injured or displaced from damaged or destroyed homes. An unknown number of people are still missing.

Henfield said there were no reports of Bahamians in Haiti being injured or killed inthe earthquake.

Several Bahamians and residents have been stuck in the country due to an ongoing travel ban, which was issued in mid-February for 21 days and has since beenextended several more times.

Following the ban, Henfield said the government was concerned citizens traveling from Haiti could pose a greater risk of spread of the virus, especially as Haiti had yet to implement a vaccination program.

Haiti began its vaccination program in recent weeks.

The foreign affairs minister said yesterday that the government is still working assiduously to see how to remedy the situation.

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HELP FOR HAITI: Bahamas govt to work with CARICOM on providing support to disaster-stricken nation - EyeWitness News