RADIO ABACO NEWS
Marijuana Arrest: A foreign boat captain was arrested on 21st February for possession of a quantity of marijuana. A 42’ yacht was at anchor in Hope Town when a police marine patrol boarded and found the illegal drug. The owner of the boat was not on board so the boat captain, John Earl Stevens, 27, was held over the weekend until his hearing on 24th February when he was fined $1,000 and deported.
Christine Stays Calm: The Abaco Schools District Spelling Bee for Grades 6 - 8 took place at the Resource Centre in Marsh Harbour on 21st February. After 35 rounds the winner was Christine Schaefer of Forest Heights Academy, who remained cool and composed as all the rest fell around her. Christine will represent Abaco at the national finals in Nassau. The winner of the nationals will travel to Washington DC in May to take part in the Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee.
Power Cut: Church services were just under way on the morning of 23rd February when the power went off. The cause was an accident on Forest Drive, Dundas Town, which brought down a utility pole. An off-duty police officer driving an SUV had to swerve to avoid a vehicle coming out of a side road and hit the pole. The SUV’s air bag deployed and the policeman walked away with no injuries.
Immigration Surprise: In late February Jos Konsten of Treasure Cay Limited received a letter from Immigration saying he had been denied a work permit and had to leave The Bahamas within 14 days. Mr Konsten has been on Abaco for 10 years and the letter he received was not of the usual format. After enquiries were made, Mr Konsten received a letter on 4th March from Immigration granting him a work permit for a further year and an apology for the first letter, which had been sent in error.
Bringing In the Thieves: Members of the police department on Abaco are feeling good about magistrate Crawford McKee and the penalties he is handing out to convicted criminals. On 6th March magistrate McKee sent a Marsh Harbour man to Fox Hill prison for two and a half year for possession of dangerous drugs. On 8th March two more central Abaco men were sent to Fox Hill, convicted of stealing a safe from Customs at the old Marsh Harbour dock complex some three years ago. One of them had possession of a gun that had been in the safe. Lawyers for the two men had the case delayed many times but on the day one was sentenced to 18 months and the other to three years. Both have a right to appeal which may mean the sentence could be increased.
Crown Haven: The new police station at Crown Haven is only 10’ x 14’ but will provide the base for officers to monitor criminal activity between Grand Bahama and Abaco. Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt praised the people of Little Abaco for their wholehearted effort to establish a police station that will be performing beyond its dimensions. “Those people responsible gave us a sense of pride,” the minister responsible for National Security said. “Your answer to our cause was commendable.” There will be three officers at the station, led by Sgt James Moss.
Roundabout Roadwork: Roadwork at Treasure Cay roundabout commenced without notice as of 10th March. The alternative route through the golf course was rough and dusty. North Abaco Chief Counsellor Steve Pedican is working with Treasure Cay Ltd management to keep the public informed about developments.
Happy Birthday to Us! Radio Abaco celebrated its 6th birthday on 14th March. It was a better occasion than the 4th celebration, when the radio tower was struck by lightning and put out of commission for a short while. Service was also interrupted in 1999 by Hurricane Floyd. Radio Abaco and its staff have provided responsible journalism and lively entertainment over the years, covering many important events with live broadcasts.