The Freeport News

13/09/2022

While government and the business community work to boost investor confidence in Grand Bahama, three major entities – Doctors Hospital, Colonial Group International (CGI) and Bonaventure Medical Laboratory – have already risen to the challenge and moved ahead with their projects. https://thenassauguardian.com/investments-on-the-rise/

While government and the business community work to boost investor confidence in Grand Bahama, three major entities – Doctors Hospital, Colonial Group International (CGI) and Bonaventure Medical Laboratory – have already risen to the challenge and moved ahead with their projects. In the past two...

13/09/2022

Grand Bahamians have joined the world to reflect on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and her 70 years of service.

Although the queen visited The Bahamas in 1966, 1975, 1977 and 1985, her first visit to Grand Bahama was with her husband Prince Philip in March 1994, when the royal couple stopped in Freeport before traveling to Nassau. https://thenassauguardian.com/grand-bahamas-royal-connections/

Grand Bahamians have joined the world to reflect on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and her 70 years of service. Although the queen visited The Bahamas in 1966, 1975, 1977 and 1985, her first visit to Grand Bahama was with her husband Prince Philip in March 1994, when the royal couple stopped in F...

13/09/2022

President of AML Foods Gavin Watchorn said the opening of AML’s new Solomon’s food store in downtown Freeport has been pushed back because of construction delays due to prolonged shipping and procurement times. https://thenassauguardian.com/gb-residents-remain-positive-about-solomons-reopening-despite-delay/

President of AML Foods Gavin Watchorn said the opening of AML’s new Solomon’s food store in downtown Freeport has been pushed back because of construction delays due to prolonged shipping and procurement times. “We are not able to provide the exact date yet, but our expected opening date has b...

13/09/2022

Three weeks ago, a massive oil rig (77.0 meters wide by 98.0 meters long) appeared in Freeport Harbour, towering over the area and visible from miles away. Residents in the community voiced concern about its status and wondered whether the rig’s arrival was connected to the platforms still anchored off Holmes Rock near Paradise Cove Resort. Grand Bahama News contacted the Freeport Container Port and the Freeport Harbour Company who advised us to speak to the oil rig’s agent, International Shipping Agency. https://thenassauguardian.com/mystery-oil-rig-slips-in-gb-harbour/

Three weeks ago, a massive oil rig (77.0 meters wide by 98.0 meters long) appeared in Freeport Harbour, towering over the area and visible from miles away. Residents in the community voiced concern about its status and wondered whether the rig’s arrival was connected to the platforms still anchore...

13/09/2022

The government’s revenue collections increased by over $700 million in the 2021/2022 fiscal year when compared to the previous fiscal year, the Ministry of Finance reported last night. https://thenassauguardian.com/700-million-revenue-jump/

The government’s revenue collections increased by over $700 million in the 2021/2022 fiscal year when compared to the previous fiscal year, the Ministry of Finance reported last night. The improved revenue of $2.6 billion represents an increase of $364.1 million over the original revenue forecast ...

13/09/2022

A 14-year-old student of Anatol Rodgers High School in southern New Providence was in surgery yesterday after he was stabbed by another student on the campus two weeks into the new school year, police reported. https://thenassauguardian.com/student-stabbed-at-school/

A 14-year-old student of Anatol Rodgers High School in southern New Providence was in surgery yesterday after he was stabbed by another student on the campus two weeks into the new school year, police reported. “It’s reported that the incident occurred at the rear of the campus on the junior sid...

13/09/2022

Not surprisingly, the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II has raised discussions on whether Commonwealth realms like The Bahamas should remove the British monarch as head of state. https://thenassauguardian.com/will-queens-death-change-local-views-on-monarchy/

Not surprisingly, the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II has raised discussions on whether Commonwealth realms like The Bahamas should remove the British monarch as head of state. It is the one position no Bahamian could ever aspire to as it is unattainable. For Bahamians, the monarchy is unconnecte...

13/09/2022

Davanya Butler, 7, was on her way to a playground with friends when she turned around and told her mother that she loved her and she would see her later, her mother Carmetta Butler said yesterday. https://thenassauguardian.com/mother-recalls-horror-of-childs-death-on-playground/

Davanya Butler, 7, was on her way to a playground with friends when she turned around and told her mother that she loved her and she would see her later, her mother Carmetta Butler said yesterday. But Butler never saw her daughter alive again. Police said she was playing on a swing set at the …

06/09/2022

Three years after Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm that devastated multiple communities, many Grand Bahamians are having trouble moving on from the grimmest natural disaster to occur in their lifetime. https://thenassauguardian.com/struggling-with-dorians-after-effects-three-years-on%ef%bf%bc/

Three years after Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm that devastated multiple communities, many Grand Bahamians are having trouble moving on from the grimmest natural disaster to occur in their lifetime. The lingering impacts of the COVID-9 pandemic have only exacerbated the situation. Remnants of...

06/09/2022

Award-winning yacht manufacturing company Xquisite Yachts officially sealed the deal with the purchase of the Running Mon Marina and Resort in Freeport last week, and the new owners are scheduled to begin the multi-million-dollar transformation immediately. https://thenassauguardian.com/running-mon-marina-to-undergo-xquisite-transformation/

Award-winning yacht manufacturing company Xquisite Yachts officially sealed the deal with the purchase of the Running Mon Marina and Resort in Freeport last week, and the new owners are scheduled to begin the multi-million-dollar transformation immediately. Xquisite Yachts owns and operates several....

06/09/2022

Forty-five swimmers took to the ocean at Lucayan and Coral Beach on Saturday in the Bernie Butler Open Water Swims 2022, a new event separating it from the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) Annual fundraiser, held in Freeport each year. https://thenassauguardian.com/bernie-butler-swims-back-with-two-new-categories/

Forty-five swimmers took to the ocean at Lucayan and Coral Beach on Saturday in the Bernie Butler Open Water Swims 2022, a new event separating it from the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) Annual fundraiser, held in Freeport each year. Though swimmer turnout was lower than during the races...

06/09/2022

A new digital billboard has been installed at one of the busiest roundabouts in Freeport as part of an initiative to reduce the use of plywood printed advertisements. https://thenassauguardian.com/gbpa-moving-to-digital-billboards-in-freeport/

A new digital billboard has been installed at one of the busiest roundabouts in Freeport as part of an initiative to reduce the use of plywood printed advertisements. The TV-style billboard at the Ranfurly Circus is managed by Exteri-ad, a new marketing agency determined to advance outdoor marketing...

06/09/2022

Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday outlined his administration’s eight top priorities toward advancing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in The Bahamas. https://thenassauguardian.com/pm-outlines-eight-sdg-priorities/

Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday outlined his administration’s eight top priorities toward advancing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in The Bahamas. Those priorities encompass health and national health insurance, energy, education, the economy, youth empowerment,...

06/09/2022

The cost of eggs is set to increase due to the deaths of millions of egg-laying hens in the US as a result of an aggressive strain of bird flu, Super Value owner Rupert Roberts warned yesterday, adding that eggs could be up to $5.00 per carton by the end of the week. https://thenassauguardian.com/eggs-could-jump-to-5-per-carton-says-super-value-owner/

The cost of eggs is set to increase due to the deaths of millions of egg-laying hens in the US as a result of an aggressive strain of bird flu, Super Value owner Rupert Roberts warned yesterday, adding that eggs could be up to $5.00 per carton by the end of the week. According to …

06/09/2022

Prime Minister Philip Davis said yesterday he found a recent ruling by a Supreme Court judge declining to accept marital r**e as a ground for divorce “curious” given that r**e amounts to physical abuse. https://thenassauguardian.com/pm-suggests-r**e-a-ground-for-divorce/

Prime Minister Philip Davis said yesterday he found a recent ruling by a Supreme Court judge declining to accept marital r**e as a ground for divorce “curious” given that r**e amounts to physical abuse. Supreme Court Justice Denise Lewis-Johnson did grant the woman the divorce on the ground of ....

06/09/2022

Prime Minister Philip Davis reiterated yesterday he is “not pleased” with the state of Abaco three years after Hurricane Dorian and said the government has “stepped up the pace” to address the housing crisis on the island. https://thenassauguardian.com/davis-insists-govt-has-accelerated-plans-for-abaco/

Prime Minister Philip Davis reiterated yesterday he is “not pleased” with the state of Abaco three years after Hurricane Dorian and said the government has “stepped up the pace” to address the housing crisis on the island. “As you would have heard when I spoke to the residents of Abaco las...

06/09/2022

The country’s highest court has refused to hear the appeal of convicted murderer Kofhe Goodman.

The Privy Council denied Goodman leave to appeal his conviction and sentence for the 2011 murder of 11-year-old Marco Archer, saying his proposed appeal had no prospect of success. https://thenassauguardian.com/privy-council-denies-kofhe-goodmans-leave-to-appeal-conviction/

The country’s highest court has refused to hear the appeal of convicted murderer Kofhe Goodman. The Privy Council denied Goodman leave to appeal his conviction and sentence for the 2011 murder of 11-year-old Marco Archer, saying his proposed appeal had no prospect of success. The permission to app...

30/08/2022

Australian architect Stephen Bell has created a bold new design that could not only change the island’s façade but also revolutionize the decrepit International Bazaar property. https://thenassauguardian.com/new-concept-eyed-for-intl-bazaar/

Australian architect Stephen Bell has created a bold new design that could not only change the island’s façade but also revolutionize the decrepit International Bazaar property. Founder of Archiform, a 3D architectural design company, Bell has lived on Grand Bahama for several years, and believes...

30/08/2022

Early September will see the start of dredging in the channel leading to the canals serving the residential areas of Fortune Bay and Fortune Village, and homeowners and boaters who have been seriously inconvenienced by the silted-up waterway for at least a decade are welcoming the news. https://thenassauguardian.com/long-awaited-dredging-to-begin-in-fortunebay/

Early September will see the start of dredging in the channel leading to the canals serving the residential areas of Fortune Bay and Fortune Village, and homeowners and boaters who have been seriously inconvenienced by the silted-up waterway for at least a decade are welcoming the news. Lucaya Servi...

30/08/2022

While Airport Authority Managing Director Peter Rutherford did not provide a specific timeline of when the modular offices at Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) will be ready for workers, he confirmed that the construction phase for the trailers’ foundation is underway. https://thenassauguardian.com/work-ongoing-to-install-modular-offices-at-gbia/

While Airport Authority Managing Director Peter Rutherford did not provide a specific timeline of when the modular offices at Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) will be ready for workers, he confirmed that the construction phase for the trailers’ foundation is underway. “Construction for ...

30/08/2022

Summer break came to an exciting end for the 20 young residents of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home (GBHC), who were recipients of a special donation and two days of unexpected treats. https://thenassauguardian.com/gbch-children-treated-to-trip-and-more-by-tourist-and-community/

Summer break came to an exciting end for the 20 young residents of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home (GBHC), who were recipients of a special donation and two days of unexpected treats. The youngsters received three PlayStation 4 Gaming Systems and two containers filled with toys; were treated to a...

23/08/2022

Since announcing a week of activities to mark the third anniversary of Hurricane Dorian, which tore a destructive path across Abaco and Grand Bahama, the government has come under fire from residents, some of whom took to social media to express their displeasure over Hurricane Dorian Memorial Week events being held on New Providence, which was not impacted by the storm. https://thenassauguardian.com/hurricane-dorian-memorial-week-provokes-mixed-reactions/

23/08/2022

After years of residents agitating for the widening of the Sweetings Cay harbor channel, dredging has finally begun, but some people have raised concerns. https://thenassauguardian.com/sweetings-cay-dredging-project-underway/

23/08/2022

Carnival Cruise Line’s initial phase of maritime work on its multi-million-dollar cruise port in East Grand Bahama is well underway, according to officials. https://thenassauguardian.com/coral-reef-protection-is-top-priority-for-carnival-official-says/

23/08/2022

As Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) Freeport campus prepares for its first White Coat Ceremony on September 10 at the Grand Lucayan resort, officials are also marking the completion of phase one and start of phase two of what they believe could ultimately be a $200 million investment in Grand Bahama. https://thenassauguardian.com/wausm-begins-phase-two-of-campus/

16/08/2022

Old offices are stripped bare at the Kipling Complex in downtown Freeport, the future campus of University of The Bahamas–North (UB-North). https://thenassauguardian.com/ub-north-finding-new-home-in-downtown-freeport/

16/08/2022

Nearly one year after applying for permits to begin executing its mangrove restoration project in East Grand Bahama, Waterkeepers Bahamas finally received the documents, and teams are now well on their way to growing the plants which will replenish the mangrove forests severely impacted by Hurricane Dorian. https://thenassauguardian.com/mangrove-project-gets-green-light/

16/08/2022

Residents of East Grand Bahama and motorists traveling to and from the eastern settlements are concerned and frustrated about continuing delays and closures due to the restorative construction of the Casuarina Bridge which started late last year. https://thenassauguardian.com/bridge-commuters-frustrated-over-lengthy-restoration/

16/08/2022

As gas prices at the pumps continue to fluctuate and environmentalists decry the impact fossil fuel emissions are having on climate change, promoting the use of electric vehicles (EV) will be the next big venture for Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), according to President Dave McGregor. https://thenassauguardian.com/gbpc-expected-to-rev-up-electric-vehicle-program/

16/08/2022

This week’s GB Eyesore: Each week, Grand Bahama News will feature a local eyesore. Since our stories on dilapidated buildings and unkempt properties, we have received multiple calls and emails about this issue. If you spot an eyesore to include, please send an email to [email protected]. https://thenassauguardian.com/eyesore-of-the-week-intl-bazaar-ravaged-by-fire-once-again/