The sixth homicide victim for Grand Bahama this year, 2012, was officially identified as Kirklyn Swendel Lightbourne DOB 19th April, 1979 of Spinney Road.

It was 4:23pm on Saturday afternoon, July 7th, 2012, when the police were notified and responded to the report of gunshots being heard in the Yeoman Wood area. Upon their arrival to East Indianman Road West near Spoonbill Loop, the body of 33 year old Lightbourne was found lying on the northern side of the East Indianman Road with multiple gunshot wounds to the body.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Officials of the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development July 5 kicked off the first in a series of workshops on Domestic Violence designed to reduce, if not "stamp out", the number of cases of violence perpetrated against women, children and in some instances men, in the country.

The workshops serve as a critical part of the Ministry's new thrust for the promotion of safe children, safe families, safe homes and safe communities programme.

Twenty-three young members of the Scout Association of The Bahamas and 7 chaperones were invited by Captain John M. Dorey and the U.S. Embassy to celebrate the United States Independence Day on July 4 aboard the USS ANZIO docked in Nassau's Prince George Warf.

The Scout Association of The Bahamas is currently celebrating its100th Anniversary as a way to demonstrate the unity of the global Scouting movement and illustrate the organization's commitment to preserving nature and the environment.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Minster of Labour and National Insurance the Hon. D. Shane Gibson, began negotiations On July 5, to resolve the outstanding issues of negotiating the pay out of over $3 million to City Market workers, left redundant after the Bahamian food chain's closure.

"We started our process of meeting with, first of all, the two umbrella organisations that represent organised labour in the country, the National Congress of Trade Unions and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Trade Unions Congress, over the past weeks. And, coming out of those meetings, we agreed to meet with individual unions, who had some concerns that we wanted to help them to address," said Minister Gibson.

NASSAU, Bahamas - Education, Science and Technology Minister the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald recognised the Bahamas Baptist Community College for its role in educating Bahamians and said the institution is well-positioned to assist the Ministry in advancing its mission to foster competence, character and citizenship in the pursuit of excellence in education.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The sounds of striking hammers and circular saws cut through the air in the northern neighbourhood of Pitt Road, on July 5, 2012, as strangers and neighbours joined together to help those in need of repairs to the structures that they call "home". Fort Charlotte Urban Renewal Office and Bahamas Methodist Habitat joined with Methodist volunteers from Tennessee and Pitt Road residents to repair roofs, clean out structures and, in some cases, change a few lives.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- More than 70 women were honoured on Friday, July 6 for their efforts in advancing the cause of women in the country. The five principal honourees, which included Mrs. Mary Ingraham, Mrs. Mable Walker, Mrs. Georgianna Symonette, Mrs. /Eugenia Lockhart, OBE and Dame Doris Johnson, fought feverishly to gain equal rights for women.

NASSAU, Bahamas - Thirty-three public school teachers have been nominated for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology's 2012-2014 National Teacher of the Year Award. Education Director Lionel Sands officially launched the 2012-2014 programme that recognises outstanding educators within the public school system at a press conference on July 4.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) thanked its many Grand Bahama supporters yesterday at a ceremony at the Lucayan National Park Bridge at Gold Rock creek. Honorary Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Sir Jack Hayward, who donated over $130,000 to the restoration project, was guest speaker at the ceremony.

"I remember when we first built this bridge with Operation Raleigh in 1984," said Sir Jack.

Hundreds are expected to turn out for the opening of BTC's latest retail centre Saturday when officials cut the ribbon on the store in the Seahorse Plaza, Grand Bahama and reveal a major renovation that transformed dated administrative space into a bright and cheerful retail environment complete with original art work and packed with new smart phones and other products.

A full day's events with food and entertainment will mark the re-opening along with the highly-anticipated launch of 4G following the ceremony to which the public is invited with BTC Senior VP, Commercial and Family Islands Tellis Symonette and Grand Bahama Manager Michael Laing.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville on July 5 encouraged students participating in the Government's Summer Employment Programme to learn what they can from the various companies to which they are being attached.The Minister was addressing some 250 students assembled at the Freeport Anglican High School Auditorium. They were participating in a training sessions.

Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Melanie Griffin is pictured with the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville as they talked about Social Services on Grand Bahama.FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Melanie Griffin said Thursday that social serves remains a very strong focus of the government headed by Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie.

She said this was pointed out in their charter for governance and "one again under the current prime minister, it has become a full ministry which will bring again full focus to the social issues facing our country."

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- On a surprisingly cool July evening the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) members and guests were treated to a wonderful Mix and Mingle (M&M) at GB's newest hot spot, the Flying Fish.

Recently voted the #1 restuartant by Trip Advisor for the Bahamas, Flying Fish and the owners Tim and Rebecca Tibbitts teamed up with the GBCC to host the monthly business event at their new outside bar. "The Chamber is delighted that Flying Fish extended the offer to host our monthly M&M at its their fabulous restaurant," said Lisa Turnquest, GBCC 2nd Vice President.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Young Mateo Lopez is only 11 but he is quickly becoming a leading ornithologist in Grand Bahama. Choosing to work with the Bahamas National Trust for his CAS hours (Creativity, Action and Service in your community), this focused Lucaya International Student watched, recorded and presented his bird count findings to the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) last month.

Lopez logged roughly 30 hours of time on his project over a 5-month period and then created a 22-page power point for his school and the Trust. During the process he also became quite the photographer, borrowing his mother's camera to record the over 20 species he detailed.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Thirty -two (32) young people spent a week at the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) Summer Safari learning about conch. Camp Conchservation provided the boys and girls with an opportunity to get to know conch on all levels by learning about its habitat requirements, biology, uses and the rules and regulations governing its harvest in The Bahamas.

Day one saw the students visiting Bonefish Pond National Park. Bonefish Pond is an extensive coastal mangrove area providing an excellent habitat for juvenile conch and other marine life. The young explorers snorkeled and learned about mangroves and the importance of coastal wetland areas as marine nurseries, as well as, places for visitors to learn about our unique Bahamian ecosystems.

Kids were able to bring out their talent, creativity as well their artistic sides through dancing, singing and acting. Each day the kids were given various themes using the words CURIOSITY, COURAGE, CONFIDENCE and CREATIVITY. They were separated into four (4) teams and were allowed to create different scenes, whether it be a ring-play, skit, dance or mini musicals.

The campers were able to be free and explore their creative sides. Incentives were added for the kids where their performances were turned into a competition and the teams were awarded points each day.

Martin A Dale joined the Grand Bahama Port Authority in 1965 as a vice-president (he claimed the additional title of 'Adviser to the President' which I remember did not go down too well with the other vice-presidents). Dale had previously been economic advisor to Prince Rainier of Monaco. While in the Principality, Charles de Gaulle, then the President of France, let it be known he was not happy with the choice of an American wunderkinder in what was, and is, (arguably) a virtual province of France. The American wife of Rainier, Grace Kelly probably suggested the appointment. Martin's wife Joan, who was a Grace Kelly look-alike, sometimes stood in for Princess Grace for minor events or when security was likely to be a problem.

Groves, through Martin Dale, invited Prince Rainier to visit Freeport since the Prince claimed to be intrigued by a casino in the Lucayan Beach Hotel that was named the 'Monte Carlo Room'.