grandbahama

The family of 16-year-old Kaden Smith said he had a way of making people laugh, making friends feel valued and filling a room with his unmistakable smile and big hugs.

Kaden, a Bahamian-American teenager and junior at Portage Northern High School in Michigan, died on August 12 following an accidental drowning at Gun Lake, leaving his family, friends and school communities struggling to understand a loss that came far too soon.

“He was delightfully goofy, loved to laugh, and possessed a deep, authentic compassion for others,” his family wrote in his obituary.

Kaden was a talented musician who played clarinet in his school’s symphonic and jazz bands, bringing what his family described as “soul and comedy” to his performances.

Outside the band room, he could often be found shooting hoops with friends, gaming or enjoying the water he loved so much.

His father, Grand Bahama resident Audley Dean, remembered the simple moments they shared.

“We laugh, we cried, we ate, swim and talk,” he said in a social media post. “This kid was humble and I thank God I got to reconnect with him at the right time.”

Those memories now carry a weight that is difficult to describe.

Kaden’s family says his presence extended far beyond his immediate family. He had close friendships at both Portage Northern and Portage Central High Schools, creating connections that his loved ones hope will continue to live on.

And that is why his family is trying to turn an unimaginable loss into something that can help others.

A GoFundMe campaign is seeking $24,000 to assist with Kaden’s funeral expenses. Any remaining funds will be used to establish memorial scholarships for graduating seniors at both schools.

The family is also asking that memorial contributions be made to the Portage Northern Band Program, a reflection of the music that meant so much to Kaden.

His family says Kaden left behind an immeasurable void, but also a legacy of laughter, kindness, friendship and compassion.

“He will forever be in our hearts,” they wrote.

New Horizon Worship Ministries was filled with songs of praise, memories and silent grief on Saturday as family and friends gathered to lay Nica Juilen to rest.

For Nica’s mother, the moment seemed almost too heavy to absorb.

As the praise team sang, “Goodness of God,” she sat nearly motionless, her head resting on the shoulder of another as she sought comfort in the middle of an unbearable goodbye.

But around her were mourners carrying their own memories of Nica, who they said had a remarkable ability to make others feel loved.

Nica, 26, died after leaving a function and crashing into a utility pole. She later succumbed to her injuries in hospital, leaving behind family, friends and a young son trying to understand a loss no one expected.

For Chloe Miller, Nica became like a sister in just one year.

Their friendship deepened through moments of joy and pain, including when Miller lost her father.

Nica was there to wipe her tears.

“You always encouraged me to do what’s best for me and celebrate my achievements,” Miller remembered. “You have no idea how much you healed me.

“So many priceless memories in so little time.”

Shasheena Clarke remembered Nica as a loving person whose presence could fill a room.

“Her smile lit up a room a mile away,” she said.

Nica may have been small in stature, Clarke said, but she carried herself with a confidence that made her seem much larger.

“She might have been short in stature, but in her mind she was at least seven feet tall.”

Her heart, Clarke said, belonged to three things above all: God, her mother and her son.

She had met Nica through her aunt, but said their connection quickly felt much longer than it actually was.

Pastor Karol Roach urged the grieving family to trust God even when the answers remain beyond their understanding.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” he reminded them.

He spoke about the fragility of life and the limited number of days given to each person.

“Life is short. Life is fragile,” Roach said, reminding the congregation that life is not a rehearsal.

“We measure life in years, but God measures in days.”

Nica’s final day, he said, was June 28, 2026.

The pastor urged those gathered to consider their own numbered days and to make each one count.

“Teach us to number our days,” he said.

As her casket was slowly rolled out of the church, the congregation continued to sing, “It’s Alright Now.”

The song carried her away from the sanctuary, but the memories remained.

Video credit: JS Event Management

Just weeks ago, Sukeerth Babu sat at his favorite spot, guitar in hand, surrounded by friends and family with music and laughter.

There were moments no one imagined would become some of the last memories shared with him.

His guitar has now fallen silent.

Sakeerth, who was known for his kindness, his love for music and his welcoming spirit died after being struck in a hit-and-run while out for an evening jog in Grand Bahama.

Police said Sukeerth was jogging along Royal Palm Way shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday when he was hit by a black SUV traveling in the wrong direction. The driver fled the scene, leaving him critically injured on the roadway. He was rushed to Rand Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Police have since arrested a suspect in connection with the incident.

Those who knew him, however, remember how he lived.

At Cool Breeze Lounge, where Sukeerth was a familiar face, he was remembered as someone who found joy in music and the people around him. He often spent time there playing the guitar, filling the space with melodies and creating moments that friends now hold close to their hearts.

“Just weeks ago, Sukeerth was at Cool Breeze with friends and family, enjoying the music and creating memories,” the lounge shared.

“Looking at this photo and video now, it is hard to believe that such a bright young life has been taken so suddenly.”

The post captured the shock many are still struggling to process.

“A young man with so much ahead of him is now gone, and our hearts are heavy.”

His love for music was only one part of who he was. He was a familiar face in the Freeport community—a young man who enjoyed simple things, meaningful friendships and staying active.

Vonny Medic remembered him as “a young, kind and humble man.”

He recalled seeing him regularly as an enthusiastic member of their neighborhood tennis group.

“This is so heartbreaking,” he wrote.

“What a senseless death of such a young, kind and humble man.”

Tears flowed and hymns filled the sanctuary at First Baptist Church in Grand Bahama, where family and friends gathered not only to mourn the loss of Joshua Rolle but to celebrate the life of a man many described as a friend, a father and a presence that could never be forgotten.

For some, the pain was overwhelming.

As loved ones approached his open casket, emotions poured out. His daughter cried, “O God, O God,” struggling to catch her breath as she faced the reality of saying goodbye.

Others stood in silence, overcome by grief.

They were visibly heartbroken.

But woven through the tears were memories of a man who brought joy to those around him.

Friend Lynden Lundy remembered Joshua in a social media post as “a giant of a man, a true friend.”

Joshua, a security officer and father of three, died last month in Grand Bahama after being struck by a flatbed tow truck while walking home after work.

He had just completed his final shift at LaRoc Bar and Grill and was walking along Coral Road near Indiana Lane shortly after 10 p.m. when the tragedy struck.

The loss came during an already painful season for Joshua’s family. He had been mourning the passing of his sister and was expected to sing at her funeral.

But those who knew Joshua said he would be remembered for his warmth and friendliness.

During the service, a minister reminded mourners that although Joshua was absent from the body, he was present with the Lord.

He encouraged family and friends to allow the joy of their memories to eventually replace the pain of their loss.

The choir lifted the atmosphere with hymns including “Heaven’s Jubilee” and “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” reminding mourners of faith, comfort and hope.

“Brother Joshua has done his work,” Reverend Keith Russell told those gathered.

“Jesus is coming again and every eye will see him, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord.”

He encouraged those grieving to reflect on their own lives and ensure that the things they do have lasting meaning.

“The Lord will evaluate the lives we have lived in the flesh,” he said. “Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

As Joshua was laid to rest at Grand Bahama Memorial Park, the heartbreak of losing him was felt deeply.

His daughter held tightly onto the coffin as family and friends prepared to say their final goodbye.

With voices raised in song, loved ones sang: “Goodbye Brother Joshua, take your rest. Lay your head upon the Savior’s breast.”

Featured images: Paparazzi Lundy

For many friends and loved ones in Grand Bahama, the hardest part is not understanding how a man so widely described as kind, humble and respectful is now gone senselessly?

After 44-year-old Stafford Ferguson was fatally shot, friends, customers and acquaintances shared memories of a man they say touched countless lives through his humility and kindness.

At Smitty’s Restaurant and Bar, where Ferguson was a regular customer, staff members say his absence is already being felt.

“He was family,” the restaurant said in a statement.

“Every morning, we could count on seeing his smile as he joined us for breakfast. Over the years, he became a cherished part of the Smitty’s family, and his kindness, friendship and presence touched all of our hearts.”

According to police, Ferguson was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds beside his vehicle outside a business establishment in Hunters on Friday night. He later succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment.

Investigators say he was walking toward his vehicle when he was approached by a lone gunman dressed in dark clothing who opened fire before fleeing the area.

As news of his death spread, many struggled to process what had happened.

“Never in my life I thought I would be putting RIP to your name and picture,” wrote Denethra Bridgewater. “My chest is so tight. I can’t process what is going on right now. My Dribbles. Oh my Dribbles.”

She remembered him as “the sweetest person anyone could have ever met.”

Others echoed similar sentiments.

“A gentle giant,” wrote Alfred Williams.

“Wow, there are no words,” said Shelly Carey. “I saw you and spoke to you the day before.”

Friends described Stafford as calm, respectful and dependable.

April Garvey remembered him as one of her best customers. “Always polite, calm and respectful,” she said.

Rochell Minnis recalled someone she could always count on. “He was always there when I needed him. His demeanor never changed.”

The question she asked is one many are now asking themselves. “Why? Why?”

His friend Anthonese Williams described Ferguson as “a pillar of strength” whose generosity and support impacted countless people. “His presence brought comfort, laughter and encouragement to so many.”

Others had just seen him at the beach just a day earlier.

As loved ones continue to mourn, many are also calling for justice.

After losing Central Grand Bahama to Free National Movement candidate Frazette Gibson, the Iram Lewis’ gamble appears to have failed.

Lewis’ move to the Coalition of Independents was politically significant because he was a sitting member of parliament, leaving one of the two dominant political organizations to test whether his popularity could outweigh FNM party loyalty.

The loss suggests it could not.

Central Grand Bahama has long been viewed as traditional FNM territory. In 2021, voters overwhelmingly supported Lewis while he carried the FNM banner. But in 2026, many of those same voters appeared to return to the FNM party.

Lewis’ decision to join the Coalition of Independents gave the movement something it previously lacked: a presence in Parliament and a degree of legitimacy. As the COI’s lone MP, he became proof that the third party could attract experienced political figures and compete in national conversations.

But visibility in Parliament did not automatically turn into big numbers at the polls.

Instead, the election reinforced one of the harshest realities of Bahamian politics: party machinery, organization and long-standing voter loyalty still carries weight, especially in stronghold constituencies.

Gibson entered the race backed by the full machine of the FNM, a party with deep roots in Central Grand Bahama. And ultimately, the FNM brand proved stronger than Lewis.

Marco City will be watched closely in the upcoming general election, and at the center of it is Michael Pintard.

The Free National Movement leader is seeking a third consecutive term as Member of Parliament for the Grand Bahama seat, a break from the constituency’s long-standing pattern of turnovers.

This time, the PLP has put forward Edward Whan, a businessman from Freeport, while the Coalition of Independents is represented by Jillian Bartlett. It raises familiar questions about vote splitting and whether third-party candidates can meaningfully disrupt the two-party race.

Historically, Marco City has switched between the FNM and the Progressive Liberal Party every election cycle, making sustained dominance rare.

The seat has moved from Pleasant Bridgewater (PLP) to Zhivargo Laing (FNM), then to Greg Moss (PLP), before Pintard’s back-to-back victories.

Pintard first won the seat in 2017 and held it again in 2021, where he secured 2,340 votes, comfortably ahead of PLP candidate Curt G. Hollingsworth, who received 1,359. Third-party and independent candidates, including those aligned with the Coalition of Independents, collectively drew a smaller but notable share of the vote.

Still, the focus remains on Pintard.

As both incumbent and party leader, his candidacy carries weight beyond the constituency. A third win would solidify his local political strength but also show momentum for the FNM nationally. A loss, however, would raise immediate questions about the party’s path to government.

What was billed as a public town hall to “clear the air” about the government’s arbitration battle with the Grand Bahama Port Authority quickly turned into something far more political.

By the time the meeting got underway at the Bahamas Union of Teachers Hall in Freeport, the atmosphere already hinted at the direction the evening might take. The room was filled, though many attendees wore clothing and hats associated with the governing Progressive Liberal Party, including the party’s familiar “Safe with Brave” slogan tied to Philip Davis.

Even before the panel discussion began, moderator Joan Davis Rolle praised Davis.

Click here to watch the town hall meeting

The event’s stated purpose was to explain the recent arbitration ruling between the government and the Port Authority. Panelists — including attorneys Gregory Moss, Terrance Gape and Ernie Wallace — walked the audience through elements of the tribunal’s decision. Moss described the ruling as being “substantially in favor of the government,” echoing the position the Davis administration has taken since the decision was handed down.

Davis defended the decision to pursue arbitration, arguing that successive governments had long struggled with what he described as stagnation in Freeport’s development. He said the legal action was not personal but necessary.

“This is about Grand Bahama and the people,” Davis said, adding that the government is now open to negotiating the next phase of the relationship with the Port Authority ahead of the expiration of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement in 2054.

But the evening’s most dramatic moment came when Michael Pintard, leader of the opposition Free National Movement and MP for Marco City — the very constituency where the meeting was held — asked to address the room.

What followed was less dialogue and more confrontation.

As Pintard attempted to speak, sections of the crowd booed loudly, repeatedly shouting over him during his roughly 11-minute attempt to make remarks.

Pintard suggested that the people of Freeport, central government and licensees of the port collaborate. “Brother and sisters, you’ve heard the case by the four attornies, surely at the end of the presentation, if you have a problem with what I say, you will have an opportunity to make a decision. At least give me an opportunity to make the point.”

The crowd shouted, “Nooo, nooo.”

Later, when East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson attempted to raise questions during the forum, he too was heckled and faced interruptions, and at one point, his microphone was cut off.

He asked for clarification on the tribunal’s dismissal of the government’s claim of $375 million owed by the GBPA and Moss’ interpretation that it is “a judgement with damages to be assessed.”

In the end, the meeting offered a preview of how fiercely contested the debate over Freeport’s future is becoming as election season intensifies.

Grief settled over parts of Grand Bahama after the tragic death of G’Tero Foster, a 17-year-old student remembered by family and friends as a respectful young man with a bright future.

Leroy Bowe said he had only seen Foster days before the attack and remembered him as a polite young man.

“He was well-mannered,” Bowe said, still shaken by the news. “No parent wants to wake up to a nightmare like this.”

Foster died early Sunday morning after he and two other teenagers were attacked around 3 a.m. near a business establishment along Queen’s Highway. According to accounts, a group exited a vehicle and confronted the young men. Foster was stabbed multiple times and later died in the hospital.

In the hours that followed, tributes poured in across social media.

Abagail Higgs said the loss has left many struggling to make sense of the violence.

“He was a good child with plenty of potential,” she said.

One barber said he had just cut Foster’s hair on Saturday and was still in disbelief after hearing what happened hours later.

“He was just here,” the barber said. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Foster was a student at St. George’s High School, where he was remembered as a “beloved fellow Jaguar.”

Among the most heartbreaking reminders of the loss was a screenshot shared online of the final conversation between Foster and his mother, Latara Knowles.

“Why you ain’t home yet?” she asked him. “Don’t let me have to come for you.”

He replied: “Mommy, I ask you if I could’ve gone out.”

She responded, reminding him that he still had church in the morning.

“I never answer you. And you don’t like get up for church.”

“I coming to church,” he told her.

But he never made it.

For many who knew him, the pain of the moment is difficult to put into words.

“Tero, Tero. Oh my Lord. This hurts,” wrote Anishka Rolle.

Kim McKinney said the loss will stay with her. “I will forever miss and love you.”

Others spoke about the cruel reality that a life so young could end so suddenly.

“He was just a child who just started to live life,” Agnes Pratt said. “Now his life has been cut short by cowards with knives.”

Higgs said the family and community now hope for justice.