The popular McLean's Town Conch Cracking Festival will be held on the 13th October 2008 in McLean's town at the all age school grounds from 10am until . . .
Don't miss it!
For further information please contact Ms. Flo Laing chairman at 373-8949.

a shooting outside a popular eatery in Grand Bahama on Saturday left one man dead and pushed the murder count in the nation’s second city to seven so far this year.

Up to press time Sunday police were withholding the identity of the victim pending notification of next of kin.

Chief Supt. Basil Rahming said it was around 4:05a.m. Saturday when the Duty Officer at the Police Dispatch Centre in Freeport received a telephone call, informing police that a young man had just been shot and had collapsed in the vicinity of the Pepper Pot Take-Away Restaurant on East Sunrise Highway.

Mr. Rahming said uniformed and plainclothes police units were dispatched to investigate.

"Upon arrival at that location, the information was confirmed as officers found the lifeless body of a dark male, clad in camouflage trousers, a white T-shirt and a pair of black shoes, lying face down on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and back," he said.

Mr. Rahming said a preliminary investigation revealed that the nation’s 47th murder victim was at the take-away restaurant, along with a number of other persons, when he became embroiled in a heated argument with three other young men reportedly over a woman.

"This quickly escalated into an altercation, during which one of the young men reportedly pulled out a handgun and fired multiple gunshots at the deceased, hitting him about the head and body, right in front of the other shocked patrons," Mr. Rahming said.

After being shot, Mr. Rahming said the victim reportedly ran towards the car wash at the northwestern section of the parking lot, where he collapsed to the ground and died.

After police had processed the crime scene, Mr. Rahming said the young man’s body was transported to the morgue at the Rand Memorial Hospital, where an autopsy was to be performed.

He said Central Detective Unit officers have launched an intensive investigation into this matter.

Source: Bahamas Local News

Genymphas Higgs, 18, is the first Grand Bahamian to receive the All-Merit Scholarship.

Higgs, scoring an impressive 2210 on his SAT's and seven A's on the BDCSE's this year, has always been looked at by administrators as an intelligent young person. He even managed to really wow his parents by being honored as valedictorian of his graduating class of Bahamas Catholic High School in June.

Higgs has always loved biology and had some interest in engineering. when he began to mix these two interests he peaked an interest towards developing and enhancing agriculture.

He he plans on making his home Bahamas the first site for experimentation. By using bioengineering, Higgs says he can create crop seeds that could be disease and pest-resistant. Also, by modifying them the seeds could adapt and grow in sparse soil conditions.

Such work can allow the Bahamas to become more self-dependent with food and increase exports in produce to new markets. Higgs is very much looking forward to doing this but says it could take up to 10-15 years.

When asked if he feels pressure to succeed, he simply answered that his best isn't always reaching success, but knowing at the end of the day that he's tried his best. Higgs will be attending Pennsylvania University in September.

read the rest of the report at BahamasLocal.com

50 medals for Bahamas swim team.

Grand Bahama's six athletes that made up the CARIFTA 36-member Swim team returned home yesterday, having assisted The Bahamas in collecting 50 medals, 22 of which were gold.

Peter Farquharson, Taryn Smith, Mya Albury, John Bradley, Evante Gibson and Delano McIntosh are all members of the YMCA Waverunners Club. Also travelling with the team as one of the coaches was Stacey Bradley.

When the team arrived in New Providence from Aruba Monday morning, they were met by Government and sporting officials.

Minister of State for Youth and Sports the Hon. Byran Woodside was also on-hand at the Lynden Pindling Interna-tional Airport to greet the team.

He congratulated the youngsters for their outstanding performances, which earned The Bahamas third-place in the overall results. Team Bahamas came in behind the French Antilles and Trinidad.

Later in the afternoon the Grand Bahama contingent of athletes returned to Freeport and were greeted by excited parents and well-wishers.

"The team had a big challenge going into this year's CARIFTA," said assistant coach Bradley. "It didn't look like we were going to do all that well going into this year's competition."

Bradley explained that the team was not seeded well, "we had kids in 15th, 18th and 20th position.

"But we went over there and despite that they stepped up to the plate."

Reiterating that the young swimmers collected a total of 50 medal of which 22 were gold, Bradley noted that the swimmers had quality performances.

"We broke 15 CARIFTA records and we broke 10 National records," she added, "we couldn't ask more of those kids."

Bradley noted that last year the team collected more medals than they did this year; however, this year was more quality swims.

"We had one girl who made the Olympic cut, so she is going to Bejing. We had two girls that were really close so they will be making the Olympic cut and going.

"The competition was stiff this year and a lot of the kids moved up into higher age groups, but like I said they stepped up to the plate and performed."

Unfortunately for one of Grand Bahama's top young male swimmers, John Bradley, who was diagnosed with pneumonia while in Aruba. "Despite that he still competed and did well. He came fourth overall in the 400m free, which is a distance swim and is difficult swimming with pneumonia.

"We had two new competitors, Taryn Smith and Peter Farquharson, who had never been to CARIFTA before. They were up against long odds, but they both made finals and points for the country.

"Evante made medals, Delano made medals and Mya. They all medalled ... Freeport is strong, they are all swimmers from the YMCA and they all did a fantastic job."

John said that despite his illness he did his best. He also praised the team for stepping up despite the tough competition.

source The Freeport News

Vacationing in The Bahamas?

Check out these beaches before you decide which island you want to visit.


The Bahamas have more than their share of great beaches. There's lots of variety, so there's something for every kind of beach fan. but you need to bear in mind that different Islands have a different feel to them. For example, Nassau is the capital and is great for the nightlife, parties, etc. whereas Cat Island is absolutely beautiful but there's nobody which suits some but not all. The Exumas are reckoned to be one of the most beautiful chains of islands in the world, but not really worth visiting unless you have a boat. Having said that, all the major islands have their fair share of idylic beaches:



Abaco

Guana Beach - considered by some guidebooks to be one of the Bahamas' best. It's a white sand beach, all seven miles of it, and there are lovely palm trees at the edge. Just what you'd expect in a beautiful tropical beach!



Treasure Cay Beach - boasts the endorsement of National Geographic magazine as a superb beach - one of the best in the world. It's another white sand beach. The sand is pure and clean, sparkling white, and there are over three miles of beach to enjoy.




Cat Island
North Shore Beach - Five miles of pink sandy beach, with few visitors, make this beach an idea one for the independent traveler who just wants to relax in peace and harmony with the sea.




Fine Beach - Twelve miles of beach, pink sand, and peace and quiet. Really, there's absolutely nobody there!



Harbour Island

Pink Sands Beach - Rated as one of the Caribbean's best beaches by Caribbean Travel and Life magazine. It's about three miles long, and as the name implies, the sands are pink. Combine that with blue water for a wonderful beach!



Grand Bahama Island

Gold Rock Beach - A white sandy beach that extends for over five miles.
Taino Beach - Close to Freeport, this white sand beach is a great place for you to enjoy the beach with your family or indulge in your favorite water sports.




The Exumas
Stocking Island Beach - White sugar sands and very few visitors make this a great beach. It's in the Exumas Land and Sea Park.




Sandy Cay - Another sugar sand beach of tiny white granules. You'll find seclusion here, and lots of shells to enjoy, too.


Nassau
Love Beach - This is a great beach if you want to go snorkeling. Book an excursion with a local dive operator, and enjoy acres upon acres of coral and marine life. The best snorkeling is about a mile from shore. The beach itself is quiet and secluded.

These are some (but not all) of the best beaches in the Bahamas. Of course, each beach has something to offer, and there are many other attractive beaches.