MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco -- In only it's second instance, the 2013 event held in March more than doubled it's participation from the inaugural year.  185 eager athletes and families competed from across North America and the Bahamas, selling out the event host, the Treasure Cay Beach, Marina & Golf Resort.  Participants competed in a 1-mile open water swim, Sprint and Olympic triathlons, and a 5k/10k fun run/walk.  Cheer Bahamas also put on a Junior Cheer Clinic for the spirited youth.  

Friends of the Environment, a local non-profit environmental organization devoted to preserving Abaco's fragile environment and working towards a more sustainable future, was one of the beneficiaries of the event.  

Two members of their staff, Kristin Williams and Lindsey McCoy, also competed in the events.  For the second year, FRIENDS' was able to team up with event sponsor Cycles Unlimited to hold a raffle for a Jamis bicycle, which raised over $700 for the charity.  The Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend also donated $750 to the organization, raising close to $1500 in funds.

The other beneficiary of the event was the Rotary Club of Abaco, a local and international volunteer organization that provides support for many programs throughout Abaco.  

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT issued by the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

THIS IS A SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT FOR GRAND BAHAMA, BIMINI, ANDROS AND NEW PROVIDENCE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY AT 3:15 P.M. TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 UNTIL 5:00PM.

AT 3:15PM, RADAR, SATELLITE AND GROUND OBSERVERS INDICATE STRONG CLUSTERS OF THUNDERSTORMS LOCATED OVER THE MENTIONED ISLANDS AND MOVING VERY LITTLE.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS ARE PRODUCING VERY STRONG GUSTY WINDS, DANGEROUS LIGHTNING, WATERSPOUTS AND POSSIBLE TORNADIC ACTIVITY. REPORTS FROM OBSERVERS REPORT WATERSPOUTS IN THE GLADSTONE ROAD AREA TOWARDS CORAL HARBOUR.

RESIDENTS SHOULD SEEK SHELTER AND REMAIN INDOORS AND BOATERS SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOR UNTIL THE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE OUT OF THE AREA.

BIMINI, Bahamas — For those teams braving a rough crossing to Bimini, the First Annual Billfish Bonanza this past weekend was worth the chop with sails, blues, dolphin and tuna waiting for action.

The following is a recap from Tournament Director Capt. Paul Cameron:

The Captain’s Meeting kickoff featuring conch and other native treats and plenty of rum punch to wash it down greeted  anglers at the  kickoff party and captains meeting. Each team received nearly $300 worth of highly sought after custom designed tee shirts, sponsored hats, lures and other gifts in custom duffle bags carrying  the Bimini Big Game Club logo. Following tradition started by another well-known Bahamas tournament they also received bottles of sponsored spirits from Titos Vodka.

Day one the lines-in call was made at 8 AM and the 60 anglers aboard 11 boats that did make the crossing went to work. The tournament's smallest boat, Sweet M' Ocean drew first blood with a sailfish. Several calls of hook ups cackled over the airwaves during the day and at the end of day one Pantropic Caterpillar's Wild Cat was in the lead with a blue marlin on time. They also collected the lone Wahoo taken in the whole event. The evening ended with an Island Dinner at the Shark Bar.

Day two saw low pressure due to a persistent line of rainsqualls really shut the bite down. No position changes took place that day in the billfish categories. Vacant dolphin and tuna positions however were filled. Day two closed with a poolside dinner with baked island chicken and fish.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- The 2013 hurricane season will officially start on June 1, 2013, and end on November 30, 2013.  This season is expected to have 18 named storms; nine hurricanes with four of them being major hurricanes.

In preparation for this year’s hurricane season, the East Grand Bahama Constituency will host a Hurricane Awareness Seminar under the theme, “LET’S BE AWARE AND PREPARE,” on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Church Of The Ascension, West Beach Drive, and beginning at 6:00pm.

According to the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, seminar facilitator, a number of speakers will present various topics relevant to Hurricane Preparedness ranging from insurance matters, to property security, disaster preparedness and weather warnings. 

Included among the speakers are, Mr. Kirkland James Chief Meteorological Officer, Ms. Tammi Mitchell, Co-Chair Grand Bahama Disaster Consultative Committee, Insp. Doyle Burrows, Royal Bahamas Police Force and Mr. James Carey, Branch Manager of Insurance Management.

In addition, various companies will be on hand offering their services and displaying their products to help us better prepare before and recover after in the unfortunate event of a major storm.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Pharmacists are health care professionals with a legal right and obligation to assess the validity and authenticity of any/all orders or prescriptions that are submitted for dispensing. If a pharmacist feels that there is any part or portion of the order that does not fully meet any of the requirements of the Pharmacy Act & Regulations, they are within their rights to refuse dispensing.

If a pharmacist has concerns about any prescription presented, he/she is encouraged to call and speak with the physician before making a final decision not to dispense.

Any employer/owner/supervisor who directs dispensing to be done when it constitutes a violation of the Act and/or Regulations, commits an offense under the Act, and is subject to the penalties that are specifically assigned to the offense, or if none is specified, the general penalty which may include fines up to $5000 and/or incarceration up to 5 years.

The dispensing of any controlled substance (inclusive of codeine) without a proper and valid prescription or medical order is a serious offense, both under the Pharmacy Act (2009) and the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Please note that proper detailed documentation and submission to the Council of any incident involving the refusal of a pharmacist to fill a prescription will assist in helping the Council to adequately address any concerns.   www.pharmacycouncil.net

NASSAU, Bahamas -- WOMEN ON THE R.I.S.E is a celebration of women advancing throughout our country encouraging us to Reflect. Inform. Support. Empower. Our unique symposium is free and open to the general public and affords us the collective opportunity to engage one another. We extend a special invitation to all women to join us as an impressive and diverse roster of speakers will explore:

• Me, Version 1.0 (Self Image & Self Perception)
• Unity Among Women (Political Power & Social Change)
• The Promise in Our Purpose (Purpose & Holistic Development)
• Wealthy Women (Economic Empowerment)
• Whole & Healthy; Mind, Body & Spirit (Mental, Physical, Spiritual Health)
• The POWER of WOMEN

2013 heralds the 50th year that the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has provided exceptional service throughout communities in Nassau, Bahamas.  Eta Psi Omega blossomed as the vision of four phenomenal women and since then, we have supported innumerable environmental, economic, health and women's empowerment initiatives both locally and internationally. During this celebratory year, we will continue to engage and service our community and take this opportunity to connect with you as a civic partner.

SEYMOUR’S, Long Island – The Ministry of Tourism and its partners have come together to further heighten the awareness of the invasive venomous Lionfish in Bahamian waters and steps to eliminate its impact on local species.  One such avenue is the Lionfish Hunt II, a competition and cook-off between local fishermen and chefs, held May 17 to 18, 2013 at Seymour’s Dock.

A predominately fishing economy, the island, which is 90 miles long and four miles wide, is split by the Tropic of Cancer. It is noted for the famous Dean’s Blue Hole and steep rocky headlands. A concerted effort has been launched to heightened the presence of the Lionfish which has been sighted following the passage of the devastating Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

The Department of Marine Resources has classified the Lionfish as an invasive alien species outcompeting and preying on commercially and ecologically important marine species. And, the best way to manage the species is to eat it.  Hence the two-day hunt and cook-off explored the hunting, handling, cleaning and eating of the Lionfish, which is proving to be quite the delicacy.

Approximately 270 fishes were caught, the largest up to 16 inches in size. Organiser and fisherman Charles Knowles and Frederick Arnett, Assistant Fisheries Officer at the Department of Marine Resources donned impenetrable gloves and spearheaded the handling and cleaning of the catch which was fillet and shared amongst the restaurants involved in the cook-off.

Chefs from Cape Santa Maria and Stella Maris Resort prepared the fish in a variety of dishes such as fish cakes garnished with locally gown pineapples, and stir-fried Lionfish in a tropical Thai curry sauce also with freshly grown pineapples.

“STABBING INCIDENT REPORTED - GRAND BAHAMA”

On Tuesday 21st May 2013 around 12:26am, police received a report of a stabbing incident in the Williams Town area.

Reports are that a 39 year old male of Freeport, Grand Bahama and his girlfriend were involved in an argument in the Williams Town area. A group of males who was known to the female intervene and attacked the male who was stabbed in his back and skull.

EMS personnel assisted the male to the Rand Memorial Hospital where his injuries are listed as serious.

Police are following several leads and are seeking the public assistance for any information that can assist the police in solving this matter, to contact them at telephone numbers 350-3107/8, 911/919, or you can call your nearest police station.

Police are actively investigating this matter.