Category Archives: Bahamas

Nicholls Sports Information

The Nicholls State University men's basketball team is leaving today for three games against three semi-professional clubs at Sir Kendall Isaacs Gym in Nassau, Bahamas.

Any time you can take a foreign tour it is a huge opportunity for your team, Nicholls coach Richie Riley said. We have a lot of new faces that will be playing together for the first time, so it is certainly a bonus for them to get the chance to compete together. I'm proud of the way that our guys have approached the practices leading up to the tour. They have had a business-like approach each day and a commitment to improving.

The squad will face the Bahamas All Stars at 7 p.m. Friday, IBA Elite at 4 p.m. Sunday and the NPBA All Stars at 8 p.m. Monday. College basketball teams are allowed preseason international trips once every four years.

The Colonels boast an experienced 2017-18 roster with 10 seniors and two juniors. Of those 12, Kimani Jackson, Maurice OField, Daniel Regis, Legend Robertin, Zaquavian Smith and Jeremy Verhangen join the team as newcomers.

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Colonels heading to Bahamas for overseas tour - Daily Comet - Daily Comet

Penn State's foreign tour to the Bahamas won't just be about soaking up the sun in paradise.

The Nittany Lions will get a head start on the 2017-18 season from Aug. 4-11, when they take part in three exhibition games as part of their first international trip since 2013.

While a great opportunity for teammates to bond and have some fun, Pat Chambers, who enters his 7th year at the helm of Penn State, will undoubtedly also look to use the tour as a business trip as the Nittany Lions look to secure their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011.

This trip is exactly what we need at this point, Chambers told GoPSUSports in May. It will give us the opportunity to work on our chemistry and culture with many new faces. We can reinforce good habits and get a good look at what we need to work on heading into the season. Hopefully we will be ahead of the curve a little bit.

The NCAA permits programs to take an international tour for exhibition games once every four years. The last tour four years ago saw the Nittany Lions travel to Belgium, France and England.

Led by D.J. Newbill and Tim Frazier, that season saw Penn State reach its only postseason berth to date under Chambers.

The exhibitions will allow new faces to get up to speed on live game action and better gel with their teammates.

"I'm looking forward to just seeing how we compete," rising sophomore Lamar Stevens said. "With a new group of freshmen in, just seeing how they mix in with the rest of the group. Overall just going out there and having the experience with my brothers, I'm excited for it all."

Satchel Pierce, who sat out last season after transferring in from Virginia Tech, will make his unofficial debut for the Nittany Lions.

Pierce's physical development caught the eye of several teammates in practices during his redshirt season and that has carried over into summer workouts.

"He's been getting his body right," Reaves said. "He's been in better shape. He's lifting better. It's a good sign to see that he's out here and he really wants to get better. He's willing to compete and do whatever it takes."

In addition to getting his body into better game shape, Pierce's physicality and presence has also translated well on the court.

His 7-foot, 266-pound frame towers over all of his teammates, even fellow big men Julian Moore and Mike Watkins.

"Satchel is a really big but skilled center," Reaves said. "His footwork, his touch from 15-feet, he's so versatile. His screens are just ridiculous; it absolutely sucks to get around him on defense."

Joining Pierce in making their first appearances for Penn State are freshmen Trent Buttrick, John Harrar, and Jamari Wheeler.

Despite being the new kids on the block, the trio has impressed rising sophomore Tony Carr with their work-ethic and attitude.

"They've put their stamp on things since day one," Carr said. "The level of intensity and work-ethic that they have is impressive."

In addition to getting some game experience, the trip will also afford Reaves the chance to work on something a little more personal.

The Oak Hill Academy product said he has a big fear of heights and water, something he'll have to overcome with the plane ride to the Bahamas and the time the team spends on the beach near their temporary home at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.

"I'm not a big fan of swimming. Even worse with heights," Reaves said. "So obviously I'm not really a fan of airplanes. I'm going to try and fall asleep before takeoff and hopefully I wake up when we're landing."

Unlike Reaves, Carr and Stevens said they can't wait for the opportunity to hit up the beach when they're not busy with on court duties.

"I'm excited to get my tan on out there," Carr said jokingly. "The beautiful weather. It'll be a good opportunity to take a step back from everything and at the end of the day give us a chance to bond as teammates and become closer."

"Yeah, I'm getting ready for my tan too," Stevens joked.

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Penn State men's basketball looking forward to trip to the Bahamas - The Daily Collegian Online

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Bahamas, August 2, 2017 Nassau A Government employee, Verification Command Center has been established to confirm the roughly 22,000 government employees across the islands of The Bahamas. The Treasury Department is for the second straight year conducting a verification process, to record who indeed works for government.

The verification notice for Government offices appears to have been leaked to the general public and is dated July 31, 2017 and explains that the process will begin in all islands next week Tuesday August 8ending by August 31st. The circular, confirmed as having come from the Treasury wants these weekly and monthly employed Public Officers and Senators and Members of Parliament to show up at the listed centers with their Bahamian passport, Bahamian drivers license, their National Insurance Smart Card and their voters card.

Overseas Government staff is not exempt from this head count and failure to comply, explains the notice, will result in a salary interruption.There are centers established all across the country, with each site dedicated to an area of Government.

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Bahamas Treasury launches national staff verification, includes MPs & Senators - Magnetic Media (press release)

MIAMI The 4th Annual International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit culminated this past Saturday, July 29, in Miami with a keynote address from the Bahamas Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio DAguilar.

During his keynote address, he recognized the importance of the African American Market and proposes initiatives to penetrate that niche.

Hon. Dionisio DAguilar

The summit was designed to educate attendees on how to gain a share in the $90 Billion+ Multicultural & Heritage Tourism market, share minority travel trends and learn how to market the fastest growing segment in the industry, which is Multicultural & Heritage Tourism. It included workshops and panels, some of which included key persons from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

Linville Johnson, Deputy Director of Business Development African American Market, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, who was also a panelist at the summit, expressed how crucial it is for this market to see the Bahamas presence at such events, as it builds faith in the brand.

This market is very important to our tourism industry because we have a shared affinity for heritage and culture. African-Americans primarily travel in groups for reunions, fraternal, religious, and civic events, conferences and meetings, Johnson said.

Johnson added that the Bahamas is now a member of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and developers ( NABHOOD). NABHOOD provides information about hotel ownership, investing, supplier opportunities and other resources.

The Bahamas is committed to the continued growth of this market and DAguilar alongside his ministry will continue to build mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders, corporate decision makers and leaders in key community based organization such as sororities, fraternities and social clubs.

The Bahamas will also increase advertising in key African American magazines and digital platforms and develop sponsorship and branded special events in key markets in an effort to reach more business and leisure travelers.

Our heightened focus on the African American travel market comes at an opportune time when The Bahamas tourism product is being holistically re-calibrated, overhauled and fine-tuned. There are particularly five areas of product improvement that will make The Bahamas particularly attractive to the African American Market, DAguilar said.

He went on to say, The growth of our tourism business is best achieved through expanding our niche markets. For us, the African American travel market is a highly attractive market segment. The Bahamas has been a choice destination where African Americans have been coming for years, to rest, relax and rejuvenate. We will continue to work on all fronts to maintain a very desirable tourism product and to pay close attention to those areas of our product mix that appeal to the African American market.

The Bahamas has already committed to several key partnerships with the African American community including a media partnership with Black Enterprise, which will host its first offshore event called the Women of Power Weekend Retreat in Bimini in October 2017.

Membership with the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP), participation in the Black Caucus week of events held in Washington D.C. and the partnership with Radio One to reach the African American audience via radio in key markets such as Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Miami/Fort Lauderdale will all continue.

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The Bahamas to increase focus on African American market segment - South Florida Caribbean News

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Bahamas, August 1, 2017 Nassau In order to meet fiscal targets, Bahamas Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister told Rotarians last Thursday that The Bahamas Government will now be run like a private company. the business case for expenditures must be made. This is a practice in the private sector that will be strengthened within the public sector as we take and encourage our internal stakeholders to take an entrepreneurial view to Government business and services provided to our clients [namely] you the public.

The comments come following the National Address by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, where it was explained there will be a 10% across the board cut in an austerity move to revive the economy of the country. The DPM explained that every little bit helps as he outlined a reduction in emoluments and less travel and smaller travel delegations.

We will ask our Permanent Secretaries in their roles as Chief Financial Officers and our Directors, in their technical role, to review the services and programs that are offered and to look for areas of wastage, duplication, low-level priorities and extravagance.

On the earning side, the Finance Minister explained, We expect to ramp up our investment promotions to jumpstart the economy over the coming months. DPM Turnquest said the Government is also in the process of developing fiscal responsibility legislation inclusive of consultation with the International Monetary Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank that will provide a legal framework for reducing government debt to prudent levels.

Deputy Prime Minister, Peter Turnquest wasspeaking onFiscal Reform & Accountability in Government Financeduring a meeting of Rotary Club of West Nassau at Poop Deck Sandyport.

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Turnquest tells Rotarians Bahamas Govt to be run like a business - Magnetic Media (press release)

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Bahamas, August 1, 2017 Grand Bahama Heavy downpours for Abaco, Bimini and Grand Bahama as the remnants of Tropical Storm Emily create, what is being called a rain event for the islands which are both water logged and storm weary. During a press conference yesterday, Minister for Grand Bahama, Kwasi Thompson said officials are watching the system which developed on Monday morning and are ready to activate anything needed to keep the public and property safe.

Remnants of Emily are moving ENE at 12mph with 30mph winds, and so the storm did downgrade as forecast. Yesterday, we inadvertently said there would be 18 inches of rain. Rainfall will actually be between three quarters of an inch to four inches for the Bahama islands in the feeder bands of this disintegrating system. We apologize for the error.

Kirk James of The Bahamas Department of Meteorology warned though that the rain expected is cause for concern. A regular monthly meeting of the Disaster Consultative Committee was held yesterday in Grand Bahama which included Social Services, which oversees the Shelters and Grand Bahama Health Services, which was prepared to dispatch an emergency team to West Grand Bahama, in the event of flooding of the Fishing Hole Road. Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Works and the Rotary Water Relief Plant were all put on standby.

Tammi Mitchell, Co Chair of that Committee told Magnetic Media that, it is important to conduct these meetings not just when there is a threat but year round so that the Committee remains a functioning team and can address any areas of concern. Rainy conditions and flood warnings continue into Wednesday for Grand Bahama.

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Flood watch for Northern Bahama Islands, agencies geared up - Magnetic Media (press release)

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas must "tell a better story" to correct its tourism "product deficiency", a Cabinet Minister yesterday confirming he is targeting a 15 per cent increase in African-American visitors.

Dionisio D'Aguilar, minister of tourism, told Tribune Business this was likely one of the easiest niche markets for the Bahamas to penetrate, given its proximity to the US and shared history and culture.

While he acknowledged that a 15 per cent increase would only grow the Bahamas' annual African-American stopover visitors to around 100,000, Mr D'Aguilar said it was part of a drive to provide improved tourist experiences that established a stronger 'connection' with this nation's market.

"We feel there's a great connection between African-Americans and the Bahamas," the Minister told this newspaper. "There's a historical relationship. The loyalists emigrated to the Bahamas with their slaves, and many Bahamians today are descended from those immigrants.

"As a result a lot of our culture is connected to African-American culture in terms of similar foods, singing, worshipping and, as a result, we feel we can connect easily with them because of the historical relationship."

Mr D'Aguilar said Bahamian actor, Sidney Poitier, and Martin Luther King's visit to Bimini, where he wrote the 'I have a Dream' speech, provided further further historical and cultural reference points that connect this nation to the African-American community.

"They're an easier group to sell to and entice to our country than others," he added. "A lot of them know of and like the Bahamas, and we need to entice them to historical events that connect them and our two countries. It's low-hanging fruit."

The Minister of Tourism said his ministry was focusing on providing visitors with experiences of the Bahamas that they will remember for a lifetime, moving this nation's business model away from reliance on 'sun, sand and sea'.

"We're trying to tell a better story and make it a more interesting destination," he told Tribune Business, "creating a more interesting story to tell so that people have a connection.

"We've got a product deficiency we've got to work on in terms something interesting to do. We've put emphasis on this, and need private sector companies to rise up and take advantage."

Mr D'Aguilar cited the recent Junkanoo in July event as an example, saying it attracted a mostly Bahamian audience despite being an ideal venue to immerse tourists in local culture.

"I thought we could have done a better job of attracting more tourists to come," he said. 'While we have great products, we're not marketing it sufficiently to visitors, so they can participate and have that experiential experience."

Mr D'Aguilar, speaking at the fourth annual International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit Apex Awards last week, said: "Our heightened focus on the African-American travel market comes at an opportune time when the Bahamas tourism product is being holistically re-calibrated, overhauled and fine-tuned.

"There are particularly five areas of product improvement that will make the Bahamas particularly attractive to the African-American market."

Those areas are refurbishment and development of historical and heritage sites; strengthening the Bahamas' heritage and cultural events; embracing quality customer service; the increase in authentic experiences; and strengthening social connections between guests and local Bahamians.

"The growth of our tourism business is best achieved through expanding our niche markets. For us, the African-American travel market is a highly attractive market segment. The Bahamas has been a choice destination where African-Americans have been coming for years to rest, relax and rejuvenate. We will continue to work on all fronts to maintain a very desirable tourism product and to pay close attention to those areas of our product mix that appeal to the African-American market," said Mr D'Aguilar.

The Bahamas has already committed to key partnerships with the African-American community, including a media partnership with Black Enterprise, which will host its first offshore event called the 'Women of Power Weekend Retreat' in Bimini in October 2017.

Membership of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP); participation in the Black Caucus week of events held in Washington D.C; and the partnership with Radio One to reach the African-American audience in markets such as Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Washington, Los Angeles and Miami/Fort Lauderdale will continue.

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Bahamas Urged To Correct Tourism 'Product Deficiency' - Bahamas Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Minister of Tourism yesterday said the Bahamas may have to offer airlines financial guarantees to generate the extra 314,000 seats required for Baha Mar, promising: "We're on top of it."

Dionisio D'Aguilar told Tribune Business that this nation may have to initially underwrite the launch of additional flights, or service to Nassau/Paradise Island from new destinations, in order to convince the airlines to meet its visitor supply needs.

While acknowledging that generating sufficient airlift to meet Baha Mar's phased opening deadlines remained a concern, Mr D'Aguilar said he was "feeling better" about the situation due to collaboration between his ministry and the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board.

"I think it's going well," the Minister told this newspaper. "I received a presentation by the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board where they are partnering with the Ministry of Tourism to address the problem they see exists, what additional airlift we need, and are beginning negotiations with the airlines well in advance.

"They [the airlines] plan their schedules well in advance, and we have to see where we can increase that airlift and I think we'll be successful."

Previous tourism industry projections suggest that Nassau/Paradise Island needs to attract another 314,000 airline seats annually to ensure there is sufficient visitor supply to fill Baha Mar's additional room inventory and all existing hotels.

The $4.2 billion Cable Beach development will add an extra 2,300 rooms to the destination's room inventory when it fully opens in March/April 2018, with the Rosewood's launch timed for the winter season peak.

However, Nassau/Paradise Island's airlift capacity will likely have to steadily 'ramp up' over the next eight-nine months to meet Baha Mar's phased opening timetable. Its 1,800-room Grand Hyatt property is already open, and the SLS Lux is due to come online by October/November 2017.

Concerns over the Bahamas' efforts to build the additional airlift capacity were raised last week by Atlantis's top executive, Howard Karawan, who said previous "missteps" surrounding Baha Mar - its missed opening deadlines, and subsequent Chapter 11 filing and legal battle - had made airlines wary about offering additional service due to concerns over whether the demand would actually materialise.

Mr Karawan said: "We have met with JetBlue, Southwest and other airlines. I don't think you can wait until the last minute. You have to build demand.

"You have to be out in the market usually two years in advance of opening, building that anticipation, knowledge and desire, so that when you open the demand is there. If the demand is there the airlines will come.

"Given the missteps of the past, the airlines are saying we will believe it when we see it; show us the real stuff, show us new demand. If all you are doing is taking an existing customer going to Atlantis or Sandals or someplace else and going to another hotel, that doesn't create more demand for the air seats. We need new bodies; we need new business."

Mr D'Aguilar told Tribune Business yesterday that while airlift remained a concern, he had seen sufficient evidence that the tourism industry and his ministry were "all over it".

"It's not that I'm not worried about it, but I feel better about having the matter in hand," he said. "We know what the issues are, and are discussing them with the airlines.

"When they see the demand, are aware of the demand, they will be willing to provide the additional seats. But in some areas where there's a perceived risk they will want a guarantee.

"Maybe we will have to guarantee the first one, two or six months until they see the demand," Mr D'Aguilar added. "We're aware of it, have done the maths, and know how many additional seats we have to bring in.

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Bahamas May Have To 'Guarantee' Extra Baha Mar Airlift - Bahamas Tribune

PHOTO: Yvette Edwards, Director of Sales and Marketing for Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. (photo by Brian Major)

The anchor property of Nassaus $4.2 billion Baha Mar development, the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, is in operation after nearly three years of construction delays, bankruptcy and litigation.

The hotel is nonetheless fairly close to luxury-resort vision first expressed by original developer Sarkis Izmirlian envisioned nearly a decade ago.

The 1,800-room resorts eastern wing began accommodating guests this summer following an April soft opening and in June hosted a showcase conference for American Society of Travel Agents and National Association of Career Travel Agents members.

Yvette Edwards is charged with leading the crucial sales and marketing effort for perhaps the most eagerly awaited anchor property in recent Caribbean history. We spoke with Ms. Edwards recently for her perspective on the key resort launch.

TravelPulse: What are your priorities now that the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is open?

YE: One of the biggest priorities is making sure everyone knows were open andthat the Grand Hyatt brand is going to bring a superior level of service and a lot of new experiences that we havent seen in the past.

TP: How would you describe the resorts character?

YE: Certainly were a reflection of the Bahamas, and thats really important to us and making sure that when someone comes to visit us, theyre going to have the opportunity to experience a lot of things that are authentic to the Bahamas here in Nassau, but also little things, like the outer islands.

If you go back by the pool deck, you have beautiful pools. Youll see the marine life thats in the area. The little village in itselfwalking through it should remind you of what its like to be in the outer islands. Really, we want you to feel like youre in the Bahamas when youre here. When people are here, theyre going to see a lot more than just a resort. We really about where we are.

TP: Its almost an understatement to say Baha Mar was a controversial project. Do you think the long delays and court battles will impact the resorts operation?

YE: I dont think its about looking back. There are so many positive things that Baha Mar brings to the Bahamas, whether it be jobs or whether it be a beautiful destination for people to enjoy.

READ MORE:Nassau's Baha Mar Was Worth the Wait

TP: What is the profile of the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar vacationer?

YE: Certainly, we will have honeymooners here. Youll see a lot of weddings here; that is certainly a market we will target. We certainly are family friendly as well, and there are family activities here; we have an explorers club for kids. We also have a world-class casino, which of course is going to bring in a client who has interest in casinos as well.

Also, theres the affluent traveler looking for an experience thats truly Bahamian. Thats what were about. I think thats where were really going to find our niche, as a resort for someone wanting to come and have an experience where they get to engage with cuisine, culture and architecture.

TP: Baha Mar was originally marketed as the Bahamian Riviera. Does the Grand Hyatt, as themega-resorts anchor property, reflect that vision?

YE: It really is more about having life experiences here. Its more about creating memories, and the Grand Hyatt brand is about that. Its about giving people something that when they leave, they say I didnt know that, or Ive never seen that before or I have to come back because I cant that get anywhere else. Thats really what were focused on.

TP: Will guests have reciprocal privileges at Baha Mars sister properties, the SLS and Rosewood resorts?

YE: Yes. As a Baha Mar guest, you may come for the Grand Hyatt brand but you get to experience three different, world-class brands. Its one of those things where there is truly something for everyone. So you could be here for an incentive program but youre going to stay a couple of extra days because there are so many things here you didnt have time to go with your group.

I think its more about a truly integrated resort experience. While its a large resort, the footprint is tight and youre engaged at every corner.

READ MORE:Underrated, Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Nassau

TP: What other features will Grand Hyatt Bar Mar guests notice?

YE: We have an amazing art collection, and I think that will bring in a lot of customers looking for experiential travel. The art collection continues to grow and, moving forward, well be able to involve art in group events as well.

In the bar were sitting in, we have live jazz at night. Theres a steel drum playing now in Churchills. There are the show fountains at night. Theres a lot to see, but its easy to get to. You dont have to worry about transportation or long walks.

TP: How are you connecting with the travel agent community?

YE: Were doing a lot right now, whether its related to airline-related programs, group planners or leisure travel agents, including the recent ASTA conference here. Were making sure we bring those people in because really the best advocates for us will be the people whove been here. I can go out and tell people Its beautiful and you want to come, but when you hear it from a customer who was here and had their own experience, thats what really resonates with people.

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Realizing a Bahamas Luxury Resort Vision - TravelPulse

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Bahamas, July 31, 2017 Grand Bahama Grand Bahama residents are today begged to rush storm preparations or to evacuate residences which may not be able to stand up in the rains and winds of the remnants of Emily. Tropical Storm Emily formed this morning over West Florida and already there is a state of emergency in effect for areas like Tampa Bay.

Grand Bahama Minister, Kwasi Thompson a short while ago led a press conference in Freeport to issue warning to the storm weary island. It is not anticipated that there will be a direct hit of the storm on Grand Bahama but there will be some bad weather. it will be a very heavy rain event.

Minister Thompson said the Office of the PM in Grand Bahama with NEMA and other agencies are monitoring the storm. Many homes are still in disrepair following the pounding by Hurricane Matthew last October.

Meteorologist, Kirk James said it is the size of the storm system with the rain and flooding which makes officials most concerned. The heavy rainfall will greatly diminish visibility, waterspout activity remains heightened, boaters and mariners are cautioned and thunderstorm activity is expected.

At this hour, Tropical Storm Emily is 35mls WSW of Tampa, Fl with 45mph winds. TS Emily is expected to be downgraded tonight and the real concern is the rain event Emily is expected to be.

Up to an 1 1/2 inches of rain is forecast for Grand Bahama and storm shelters information will come later today. Transportation is being considered for those who may not be able to get to shelters.

Tammi Mitchell, Deputy Co-chair of the Disaster Consultative Committee and NEMA supplies officer in Freeport recommended that residents remain tuned in to local media; these she said will have Grand Bahama specific info for residents. Mitchells input included shelter mobilisation information.

Pakesia Edgecombe, MP for West End and Bimini advised residents to be their brothers keepers to check on those within communities who are most vulnerable.

Even now construction is happening at the Fishing Hole Road for a bridge to end flood concerns and aide continues for residents with property damage from Matthew. August is the start of the more vigorous part of storm season; the Atlantic Hurricane season lasts until Nov 30.

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Storm battered Grand Bahama on Alert, Tropical Storm Emily to be major rain event - Magnetic Media (press release)