Frazier: Sex crime was ‘heinous’ but prosecutors bound by laws
PUBLIC Prosecutions Director Cordell Frazier defended her department’s sentencing recommendation in a controversial child molestation case, stressing that prosecutors are bound by the law and legal principles, which require them to consider sentencing guidelines, a mandatory one-third reduction for early guilty pleas, and a defendant’s lack of prior convictions when making recommendations to the court.
Teacher accused of indecent assault of 15-year-old boy
A 45-year-old teacher was granted bail yesterday after being accused of inappropriate behaviour toward a 15-year-old male student at RM Bailey High School last week.
Saints senior girls crowned champions
The Kingsway Academy (KWA) senior girls’ basketball team was the only team to claim the championship in their division with a 2-0 sweep against last year’s defending champions St John’s College (SJC) Giants yesterday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.
Freshman Forward Donnie Freeman out for season
THE Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team will have to get used to playing without the services of Bahamian freshman Donavan “Donnie” Freeman.
Brenden Vanderpool named SoCon Field Athlete of the Week
BAHAMIAN pole vault national record holder Brenden Vanderpool continues to carve out his own path in the pole vault event at Samford University.
Rise Bahamas: Toughen up penalties for crimes against children
RISE Bahamas has joined activists in demanding harsher penalties for violent and sexual crimes against children following last week’s sentencing of a man who molested his three-year-old twin daughters.
Bahamas graft improvement must match ‘story on street’
Governance reformers yesterday said The Bahamas’ improved ranking and score from Transparency International must match “the story on the street” for this nation to beat long-standing corruption concerns.
Investigations Bill ‘doesn’t fully address’ corruption’s causes
Governance reformers have asserted that legislation to create an Independent Investigations Commission “does not fully address” the root causes of corruption while whistleblower protections must be strengthened.
Bahamian firm suffers four supplier price hikes in year
Inflation and a “construction surge” have helped to expand The Bahamas’ now-$4.274bn annual trade deficit, it was argued yesterday, with one local firm suffering four prices increase from its supplier within a year.
Tax-driven airline prices hit Bahamas’ advantage
A senior tourism executive yesterday asserted that high airline ticket prices have prevented The Bahamas from fully capitalising on its proximity to the US as its main tourism source market.
Property declarations ‘just killed the ease of business’
A Bahamian financial services provider yesterday branded the demand to disclose all corporate clients’ real estate dealings by week’s end as “outrageous”, adding: “They have just killed ease of doing business.”
Victims recount shark attack on US morning show
TWO American tourists attacked by a shark while swimming in Bimini Bay last Friday recounted their harrowing experience on Good Morning America, describing the moment they realised they were in danger.
Alleged victims of police abuse and torture grilled by defence lawyer
ONE of the plaintiffs in an alleged police abuse case was pressed yesterday during cross-examination about details of his alleged mistreatment while in custody at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station in Eleuthera in January 2018.
‘Passport verification process weakened by outside decision’
ACTING Chief Passport Officer Nicholas Symonette said a previously made decision outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weakened the Passport Office’s verification process, creating an opportunity for fraudulent activity.
‘Not brave enough’ on marital rape law
SENATOR Michela Barnett Ellis has accused the Davis administration of lacking the courage to criminalise marital rape, contrasting its hesitancy on the issue with the bold legislative moves the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has made in the past, such as legalising gaming despite opposition from religious groups and others.
Water and Sewerage GM faces questions concerning communications with Gibson
THE criminal trial of Long Island MP Adrian Gibson and others continued yesterday, with the lead prosecutor frequently objecting to the defence’s line of questioning on the grounds of relevance.
Health officials note vaccine rates fall short of pre-pandemic levels
VACCINATION rates among children in The Bahamas continued to fall short of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, the last year for which data is available.
Eljhay’s Hilltop Cottage Ministries seeks aid to rebuild after fire
A KEMP Road community centre that burned down earlier this month is seeking at least $250,000 to rebuild and restart its operations.
Report of shooting incident between bus drivers
THE Ministry of Energy and Transport has expressed deep concern over a shooting incident that occurred yesterday morning on Yamacraw Hill Road, reportedly stemming from an argument between two public bus drivers.
