RADIO ABACO NEWS

Suspected Robber Apprehended: A man was shot in the leg by police after he had apparently attempted to rob a house in Great Cistern at about 11 am on 21st June. Police were called and found Jeffrey Cox, 44, of Dundas Town, in nearby Bahama Coral Island. It is claimed that Cox pulled a knife and resisted arrest. He was shot in the leg during a scuffle with police. Cox appeared before Magistrate Crawford McKee charged with housebreaking, unlawfully carrying arms, assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer whilst in execution of his duties. Cox pleaded not guilty and was remanded to Fox Hill Prison until 26th July.

All Aboard for Adventure: Boy scouts from the US are partaking in the 11th annual High Adventure programme. The scouts sail aboard the William H Albury and learn sea craft even though they had no previous experience in sailing a large vessel. Activities include fishing, snorkeling, cooking and doing ship watches. In August local scouts will have their opportunity to sail on the William H Albury for a whole week.

Budget Increased: It was announced at a Local Government seminar in Marsh Harbour that the operating budget for Abaco would be be increased for 2001-2 by over $150,000 to a total of $2,800,000.

Haitians Fined: Two Haitian nationals were fined for building houses without a building permit. For years such houses have been built with impunity but since the 2000 fire that destroyed 26 houses in Pigeon Pea the Prime Minister's Office has ordered that all construction in the Pigeon Pea and Mud area be halted. Magistrate Crawford McKie fined the two $500 each and ordered the buildings demolished within 28 days.

Fire Again: One of the families left homeless by the 2000 Pigeon Pea fire suffered loss through fire once again. Mary Sands and her children had been relocated by the Department of Social Services and the Department of Education to the old Dundas Town School campus. On 5th July fire and smoke damaged the area they were living in despite the efforts of the Marsh Harbour Volunteer Fire Department. District Education Superintendent Jackson McIntosh noted that some vagrant men had been known to use the building as a shelter on occasion. The DSS is looking after Mary Sands and her family at a new location.

Thief! The Murphy Town Ballpark needed two new softball dugouts so Anderson 'Papa Nasty' Wilmore left 100 concrete blocks on the site overnight on 5th July so he could work on the dugouts next day. Plans were changed to build only one dugout. Half of the concrete blocks had been stolen during the night.

Regatta Time on Abaco: For over 20 years Regatta Time on Abaco has provided sport and entertainment for seafaring visitors to Abaco, though it receives little attention from locals. The series of races started at Green Turtle Cay then went to Great Guana Cay, Hope Town and Marsh Harbour. Bill Anderson was the coordinator and he thanked Dave and Kathy Ralph for their help as local representatives.

Independence Day 2001: The 28th Anniversary of Bahamian Independence was celebrated on Abaco at several locations. St Martin's Anglican Church, Sandy Point, was the venue for the first celebration, an ecumenical service moderated by Frank Hepburn. Music was provided by the Voices of Zion and Senator Mike Bethel, Senior Island Administrator Everette Hart and Anglican minister Fr Hepburn addressed those present. A flag raising by Sandy Point and Crossing Rocks scouts followed. The following evening a service was held at Central Abaco Primary School in Dundas Town. The main speaker was vice president of the Abaco Christian Council Pastor Kenneth Knowles and MP Robert Sweeting also spoke. Following the service the local police force marched to the music of the Wesley College band and there were fireworks and refreshments.

Police Reserve Officer Arrested: Reserve police constable Anton Lightbourne of Sandy Point was arrested and charged in Marsh Harbour magistrate's court with assisting the passage of illegal immigrants. The charges follow a series of incidents involving illegal Haitians taken from Sandy Point to Crown Haven in an effort to deliver them to Freeport, then on to the US. Also charged with smuggling of illegal immigrants were Frederick Missick of Freeport, Charles Albury of Casuarina Point, Levy Severe of Dundas Town, Luc Thervil and Rosner Thervil of Pigeon Pea. The men were each granted $2,000 bail with one surety. Ten Haitians were charged with illegal landing and fined $1,000 each, then deported to Haiti

Bahamas Games: The fourth Bahamas Games opened on 14th July in Nassau but before the opening ceremony there were dramatics on Abaco in order to get the full team of 260 competitors fully looked after. Although the government provides $2 million for the Games, islands have to provide their teams with uniforms and refreshments while in Nassau, to a cost of $15,000. Joe and Bea Shirley of Man-O-War came up with a $7,000 donation and Steve Pedican $500. Then Patty Toler of the Cruisers' Net solicited help from visiting yachtsmen to the tune of $2,000. Penny Turtle of Mangoes received donations from boaters and Man-O-War and the team was close to its required total.