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ATLANTIS 6,000 BACK AT WORK
Staff return to full hours as surge in bookings arrives By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net
ATLANTIS Paradise Island has 6,000 staff members back to work for the holidays as the resort is reporting full occupancy well into the New Year. Audrey Oswell, president of Atlantis, told Tribune Business yesterday the resort will be booked to capacity straight into early next year as
the resort’s promotional events are having a lot to do with this. Ms Oswell said: “We are all set for the holidays and business is doing very well. We’re happy to report that we’re on full occupancy and we have been for about two weeks now, and looking forward to Christmas and New Year’s we will be full straight through to the beginning of next year.”
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis will give a “national update” on Thursday on the government’s response to the fight against COVID-19. According to Latrae Rahming, the director of communication at the Office of the Prime
SUSPECT SHOT BY POLICE IS DEAD
A MAN who was shot by police on Saturday has died in hospital. Police initially reported on Saturday that officers were called to an apartment complex on Bowe Avenue, Montel Heights shortly after 10am, for a man who was said to be in possession of a gun. “On the arrival of the first responding officer, the suspect was identified,” police said. SEE PAGE FOUR
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Minister, Mr Davis was briefed on the situation by the COVID-19 Task Force yesterday morning - and will give the Thursday update to the nation at 11am. The move comes as the omicron variant continues to spark outbreaks around the world and the country experiences an increase in cases. SEE PAGE THREE
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
DAVIS TO ADDRESS COVID CONCERNS By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FACE TO FACE: AND THE AWARD GOES TO... ME!
ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL CLAYTON Fernander being sworn in by Governor General Sir Cornelius A Smith yesterday as Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force - more than two years after he and several other senior officers were controversially ordered to take vacation leave and were then given assignments at government ministries they thought were beneath their roles and experience. See PAGE TWO for the full story. Photo: BIS
MUM-OF-TWO DIES IN HEAD ON CRASH By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A FAMILY has been left devastated after a young single mother was killed in a head on collision in Abaco on Sunday. The victim has been identified by family as 23-year-old Danielle Mackey, a mother of two boys. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen
DANIELLE MACKEY Rolle said shortly after 11pm on Sunday police
received a report of a twocar, head-on collision at S C Bootle Highway, in the area of Bahamas Power and Light. Police at the Marsh Harbour Police Station went to the scene to investigate and discovered a silver coloured Honda Fit, driven by a man, engulfed in flames. He said the vehicle was travelling east on the highway.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE FOUR
CDC LOWERS OUR TRAVEL RISK RATING THE United States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered The Bahamas’ COVID19 Travel Risk Advisory Rating from level three to level two, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. SEE PAGE THREE
PETER YOUNG: HOW LONG CAN BORIS SURVIVE?
- SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 21, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Fernander appointed deputy commissioner By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net GOVERNOR General Sir Cornelius A Smith swore in Clayton Fernander yesterday as Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. DCP Fernander joins Deputy Commissioner Loretta Mackey in that role. His promotion comes more than two years after he and several other senior officers were controversially ordered to take vacation leave and were then given assignments at government ministries that they thought were beneath their roles and experience. A significant player in the fight against serious crime for years, DCP Fernander was shot multiple times in his arm and upper body in 2013 when two masked, armed men confronted him outside his home. He had surgery after the incident, which left him recovering in a Florida hospital. During a swearingin ceremony yesterday, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said: “Listening to the oath, many persons wouldn’t know how true those words are from Deputy Commissioner Fernander. You might never know that I represented the young man who shot him, and questioned him in court. And yet he would have sought me out and taken counsel. He is a man who truly understands the roles that we all play in this land and so it’s most appropriate for the rank that he has now ascended to. “My brother you come
CLAYTON Fernander with Governor General Sir Cornelius A Smith at his swearing-in as Deputy Commissioner of Police yesterday, and, left, Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe. Photos: BIS to a higher rank to assist the Commissioner at a time that we see what is happening in this country and much weight is upon you all in this festive season. While we sleep, you all work.” Mr Munroe represented DCP Fernander and other senior officers after they were sent on leave in 2019.
When his leave ended, DCP Fernander was assigned to the Ministry of Health. He and the other officers did not physically show up to their assigned ministries, saying the posts did not require that. DCP Fernander and two other senior officers were returned to the frontlines of
the force after the general election. In an interview in October on the Royal Bahamas Police Force programme “COP Talk”, DCP Fernander said his time away from the frontlines was not easy. “Why do I say it was not easy? I still was in possession of our police radios then and I tuned in, especially late nights,” he said. “I listened to what was going on out there. I was lying in my bed with my wife and the radio set was on, this was after midnight, and there was a shooting, I think it was a murder somewhere, and I found myself getting up putting on my clothes.” He said he hoped the forced leave never happens to another officer. “I pray to God that what has happened to myself, ACP Strachan, and ACP Deleveaux, I pray to God that it never happens to none of my colleagues — the disrespect. I pray to God that it never, never happens, but I have put it away. I have put it onto God’s hand — leave (it) with Him. I’m here now to continue this fight.” Two other senior officers have also risen in the ranks. Yesterday, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle tweeted congratulations to Bernard Bonamy and Dellareece Ferguson for their appointments as Assistant Commissioners of Police. Commissioner Rolle said ACP Bonamy will have remit for Family Island operations, and ACP Ferguson will have remit for human resources and training.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, PAGE 3
IN this image posted to social media, Prime MInister Philip “Brave” Davis is pictured receiving a briefing from the COVID-19 Task Force.
Davis to address COVID concerns from page one
Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis had earlier urged his successor to address the nation. Dr Minnis declined to say if the country should begin thinking about entering another phase of restrictions. “The government should be in discussions with the healthcare providers and the healthcare providers will guide them as to the way forward, but they must address the nation as to what we are seeing now,” he said.
“What we are seeing is that as the number of COVID cases increase, the number of breakthroughs likewise increase. Those individuals who were vaccinated, you find that in spite of the individuals being protected with the vaccine, as the number of cases increase, the vaccine breakthrough likewise increases and that is very significant. I think it’s time that the Prime Minister addresses the nation as to what our position is now, the severity and seriousness of it and the impact it can have on the economy.” The omicron variant
has been confirmed in at least 70 countries. While scientists await more information about the variant, early research suggests it is more contagious than earlier strains of the virus. Recently, Pan American Health Organization officials said there was no evidence the variant was in The Bahamas yet. However, some observers think it is only a matter of time before omicron is detected here. Dr Minnis said: “I’m very concerned and disturbed that the COVID numbers are increasing and it appears as if we are
now entering our fourth wave and the government has said nothing, the Prime Minister has not addressed the nation as to the severity of this and the way forward. “Not only the numbers (are) increasing but the positivity rate is increasing and once the positive rate continues to increase, then it means we would be entering a phase of communal spread and it is essential that this matter be addressed as urgently as possible. The government must inform us as to what mechanisms they put in place to protect the Family Islands.”
COVID-19 infections have been steadily increasing in recent days. Earlier this month, daily infections were being recorded in the low double digits. However on December 16, the Ministry of Health confirmed 39 new cases of the virus; 37 were confirmed on December 17 and 41 new cases were confirmed on December 18. On Sunday, local infectious disease expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes said it is possible that an uptick in COVID-19 cases is associated with the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and travel. “We’re not in another
surge yet but some of the indicators that we may be getting into a surge is when you see a sustained increase in the number of cases overtime. So this has just really started to happen and so it could be an uptick related to something, like about, I would say two to three weeks ago,” Dr Forbes said. “About three weeks ago was the Black Friday/ Thanksgiving weekend. It could be associated with that, but there’s something we all have to do. There’s something we can do to get these cases back under control and that is to follow public health precautions.”
travellers pay close attention to these barometers. Robert Sands, senior vice-president of government and external affairs at Baha Mar, said in November that The Bahamas’ traditional group, meeting and convention business was particularly susceptible to influence from the CDC rankings and other global COVID-19 health barometers. “Certainly groups, where you have congregations of more persons collectively, may be paying particular attention to these items,” he added. “Groups establish a base by which major properties can build on leisure business on a year-round basis. It’s an extremely important element for many resorts throughout the islands of The Bahamas, accounting for anywhere between 25-30 percent of business.” He spoke to this newspaper after the CDC had returned this country to a level three ranking in November. “The positive news is that we are moving in the right direction, and we must continue to move in the right direction. I would be encouraged that such an announcement may further increase the forward bookings for the destination and add to pent-up demand. “I can tell you that collectively many hotels are seeing week-over-week increases in terms of viewings of their websites, persons reviewing The Bahamas as a potential destination, and actual bookings are growing week
over week every week,” he said last month. The news also comes amid concern from some that
a possible fourth wave of COVID-19 could be on the horizon after a slight increase was noted in confirmed cases
in recent days. However, on the December 19 dashboard, there were only 23 confirmed
COVID-19 cases, bringing the nation’s total to 23,135. On December 18, 41 cases were recorded.
CDC LOWERS OUR TRAVEL RISK RATING from page one
The reclassification, announced in a press release from the ministry last night, had not been reflected on the CDC’s website up to press time. However, the page was last updated on November 15. The Ministry of Health and Wellness said the reclassification “should continue to bode well for our economy and benefit our tourism sector”. A level three rating represents a high risk while level two is moderate risk. “According to the CDC a level two rating advises international travellers to be fully vaccinated before coming to The Bahamas,” the Ministry of Health said. “It also advises that unvaccinated travellers who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should avoid non-essential travel and if travel is necessary discuss any concerns with a doctor.” In late November, the CDC reclassified the COVID-19 threat in The Bahamas from a level four: do not travel advisory to a level three warning. This came after the CDC moved the country to a level four warning from level three in August. This would mark the first time the country has been given a level two risk this year. The news will be welcomed by those in the tourism sector, with one hotelier previously telling this newspaper that
PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 21, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
MUM-OF-TWO DIES IN HEAD ON CRASH from page one
He said officers also observed a second vehicle, a yellow coloured Honda Fit driven by a woman, of Spring City, Abaco. The
female driver was travelling west on the highway. ASP Rolle said both drivers sustained serious injuries and were taken by ambulance to the Marsh Harbour Clinic for medical treatment.
He said the woman driver was examined by a doctor and pronounced dead. Investigations are continuing into the accident. Gilthoneil Mackey, Ms Mackey’s stepmother, said the family is in disbelief
over the news. “We are not coping very well with the tragedy,” she said. “We just know it was a head-on collision. We (have) been in Abaco for several years now. Danielle was happy and always
smiling and dedicated to her two children. Her two boys were her life. They were two and four. “The family is devastated. She was a single, working mother. Her father, Daniel, is feeling
lost and hurt, confused. That’s his baby, that’s his love child.” The deceased and her family were not native to Abaco and had relocated there from another island, the source said.
Suspect shot by police is dead
from page one
“As the officer approached the suspect, who was standing in the front room area of an apartment unit, he noticed a gun in (the) suspect’s waist. The suspect on seeing the officer reached for the weapon. “As a result, the officer, being in fear for his life, produced his service weapon and discharged it at the suspect, who was struck several times about the body. A pistol was recovered from (the) suspect,” police said. The man was taken to the hospital by Emergency Medical Services. Police initially said he was listed in critical condition. However, yesterday
police press liaison officer Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Audley Peters confirmed to The Tribune that the victim died at 7pm on Saturday. A family member confirmed the deceased was Nelson Vincent, When The Tribune visited the Montel Heights area yesterday, a resident recalled hearing the gunshots, but did not initially know who had been hurt. “I only heard multiple shots ring out. Me and another guy was standing out up here. I was dealing with a customer when it happened and when the shots ring out a few minutes later I saw like a lot of people running to where the shots came from to see what happened and the minute after that, police cars came
speeding through. “I got to find out later on that day that it was him that was shot,” he said. He said the deceased had been living in the area for a few months. “All of my encounters with him, it’s always him just passing, heading to work. He don’t have much to say, but he always stop and hail. Show his respect or (say) good morning, good evening as he passing,” the resident said. “But I don’t know too much about him because, like I say, he ain’t been living around here that long, but far as I know he seems to be a humble guy. He don’t hang out and keep company with nobody for as far I know or what I see of him. It’s just a sad situation.”
NELSON VINCENT
MITCHELL SAYS FNM ‘COULDN’T SEE FOREST FOR THE TREES’ By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell said the Free National Movement lost the goodwill of the Bahamian people early in its term and the party “couldn’t see the forest for the trees” and just went downhill. Mr Mitchell, also the Progressive Liberal Party’s chairman, said he hopes his party remembers that lesson on goodwill. “Goodwill is that je ne sais quoi which causes life to move in the right
direction,” Mr Mitchell said yesterday. “A political party and political leaders need that goodwill to operate. “Early in the term of Hubert Minnis and the FNM, 35 to four seats in the House and 12 to four in the Senate, the FNM lost the goodwill of the Bahamian people. Once the Oban deal was found to be fake, it was downhill from there. “They were so selfabsorbed, of course and full of hubris, that they continued with this folly by firing PLPs and then trying to put three of our former parliamentarians in jail. They couldn’t see
the forest for the trees and life for the FNM went downhill.” Mr Mitchell said with 57 months to go, he hopes the PLP government continues to enjoy the goodwill of the Bahamian people. “They never recovered because they lost the goodwill of the Bahamian people,” Mr Mitchell said. “A hundred days have gone since we were elected on the 16th of September this year. We have 57 months to go and the quality of those 57 months will depend on whether or not we continue to have the goodwill of the Bahamian people for the rest of our term.
“I believe, I hope, the PLP remembers this lesson about goodwill. The message of power and goodwill. I would argue that goodwill in the business of politics is, if not more valuable, at least equal to money. And, you know what the Americans say, there are two rules in politics. Rule number one is that you need money to operate. Rule number two is see rule number one.” Mr Mitchell said as someone who has lost an election and come back victorious, he understands the need to be there for constituents. “I try as best I can to deal
with every call, text message and any inquiry even in the dark of night. Goodwill is what causes me to be able to win again and to serve. “For my other colleagues, through the darkest days of opposition politics, that lady who sent you a meal for lunch, the man or woman who sent you unsolicited small contributions in the envelope for the party, people who saw adverse decisions being made against you by the last administration and warned you to duck.” He gave examples of political goodwill and goodwill in general.
“Even FNMs would call and say, ‘I don’t agree with what my party and my leader are doing,’” he said. “An example of goodwill I often use with students of politics is I say a police officer sent to guard a politician can do his or her duties in two ways. “One, they can see the stone about to be thrown and stop it, or they can allow the stone to be thrown and then go and arrest the person. “The outcome, of course, depends on the goodwill of the officer doing his duty, but the outcome is practically different if the stone hits you.”
GREAT COMMISSION MINISTRIES TO HOLD GIVEAWAY FOR NEEDY ON BOXING DAY ON Boxing Day, Bishop Walter Hanchell and Great Commission Ministries on Wulff Road will host a free food give-away for the needy. The event is sponsored by People’s Assembly and will be funded by Rajay and the Mobile Scent Family. The public is invited to bring a financial donation at the Boxing Day event in support of the work of Great Commission Ministries, which is planning to construct a homeless shelter set for completion in December 2022. Bishop Hanchell will be at the organisation on Boxing Day to extend his gratitude to supporters and wellwishes who stood with him throughout his recent life-threatening illness. He was diagnosed with both stomach and kidney cancer in March and endured a nine-hour double surgery along with chemotherapy in order to save his life. The procedures and recovery have been quite challenging and Bishop Hanchell, by the grace of God and a great medical team has overcome what many thought was a death sentence. He believes the prayers of the nation have also played a key role in his treatment and healing as he recuperates. Bishop Hanchell is a long-time advocate for the poor and is the founder and president of Great
Commission Ministries, a global mission organisation that has focused on feeding and sheltering poor, homeless and needy since 1987. He also serves as the general overseer of People’s Assembly Fellowship of Churches, which has branches in South-East Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. “Doctors have given Bishop Hanchell a period of one year to recover from the gruelling surgeries,” a press release noted. “His strong unwavering faith in God has been an inspiration to persons from around the world afflicted with cancer and other serious illnesses. The bishop has expressed his (gratitude) for the massive support and prayers he received from the Bahamian people and local pastors. He is very thankful for the overwhelming expressions of love and concern for his healing and well-being and invites his friends and supporters to stop in at Great Commission Ministries next Monday for this special event. He would like to personally thank those who stood by him during the most difficult time of his life.” Great Commission Ministries will soon begin construction of a $3 million state-of-the-art facility called Hope City, which will accommodate 100 homeless persons and families that fall into hard times. Bishop Hanchell said, “The board
of directors of Great Commission Ministries is excited about our Hope City project, which is very much needed to take the growing number of homeless victims off the streets, in particular homeless mothers living in abandoned buildings and in vehicles with their children. We will also continue to provide a warm bed for persons evicted from their homes and apartments. “Homelessness is on the rise and it is our desire to reduce the number of persons affected, especially those who are unemployed and suffering for reasons beyond their control. The pandemic has made life very difficult for many persons and some Bahamians have not yet recovered from the devastation of killer hurricane Dorian. “We seek the support of the government, corporate Bahamas, churches, foundations, civic organizations and individuals, in order to make this dream a reality. “We urge the public to support our feeding and sheltering programmes which have benefited thousands of Bahamians and many refugees over the past 34 years. We also encourage organisations and individuals to pledge finances or materials towards the construction of Hope City Homeless Shelter, which is scheduled to be completed and opened by December 2022.”
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, PAGE 5
Christmas bonus approved for BPL staff despite discrepancy By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net KYLE Wilson, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union head, said government has agreed to give staff of Bahamas Power and Light a Christmas bonus despite a discrepancy in the registration of the parties’ industrial agreement. Just before the country’s September general election, BPL executives, along with executives of BEWU, signed an industrial agreement after four years of failed negotiations and a tumultuous relationship that led to many staff walk outs. That agreement had provisions for Christmas bonuses, however due to a
discrepancy with the registration of that document, BPL’s executive management was hesitant to issue staff bonuses. According to Mr Wilson, executive management deemed the agreement “illegal”. Mr Wilson credited Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis for saving the day. “Brave saves the day for BPL workers,” Mr Wilson said. “The members are already frustrated and feeling down by the fact that there is a ‘new day’ in the country, but not a ‘new day’ in BPL because they are stuck with the same executives who they feel do not show empathy to workers. They are very cold-hearted. “Due to the talks about the contract, their Christmas bonus was in limbo.
The company was saying the contract has to be renegotiated and new clauses added. There was some contention over that and the members saw where they weren’t getting a bonus this Christmas. “At the end of the day, the union would have met and spoken to the Prime Minister, Minister of Works and the chairman and they all stepped in on behalf of the union and saved the day for BPL workers. I appreciate them because had it not been for them, there would be no ‘Merry Christmas’ for the BPL workers.” Mr Wilson commended the government for honouring the industrial agreement despite the discrepancies with this registration. “The bonus would have now been paid to the staff,
despite the challenges through the contract,” he said. “The government still went ahead and honoured the agreement with the union. “I appreciate that. Even though it wasn’t this administration that negotiated it, they still respectfully honoured it. A lot of persons were looking forward to that. It will boost the economy when they get out there and spend some money locally. “I was shocked to learn that there would have been persons here who would try to fight against it, because that is something that they negotiated. So provisions should have been there for that payment. We should never have to get a minister or Prime Minister or a chairman involved in a
situation that has already been agreed upon.” Minister of Works and Utilities Alfred Sears confirmed to The Tribune yesterday that he met with the union and that the bonuses were paid. The Tribune also contacted Quincy Parker, BPL’s public relations director, and CEO Whitney Heastie for comment, but up to press time, neither of them responded. Mr Wilson explained some of the challenges ongoing with the new agreement with BPL. “The contract was already signed by the director of that time, Quinten LaRoda on the eighth of September,” he said. “On the 16th of September, the Progressive
Liberal Party became the new government. “About a week or two later Mr LaRoda, before he could have issued the certificate of registration, was replaced with Mr Robert Farquharson. Mr Farquharson is now saying the actions of Mr LaRoda, coupled with one or two clauses he wanted to have added into the contract, makes it illegal because there were no provisions for male paternity leave. “What we are saying is that in the contract there is a provision for married men to have paternity leave, but if it is law of the government that non-married males have paternity leave, then it doesn’t have to be in the contract because it is already the law.”
GROCERIES AND TOYS DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE IN NEED By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
DUDLEY Seide, the founder of Reach Out Ministries, distributed some 700 grocery packages and Christmas toys to needy residents in Grand Bahama over the weekend. The drive-thru event was held on Saturday at the Reach Out Community Centre on Banyon Lane, Freeport. Mr Seide said the response was overwhelming. They assisted inner-city families and people who are still struggling in Grand Bahama. This year’s Christmas toy and grocery giveaway was held in partnership with Vickie Martel, founder of Santa’s Helpers, who has been spearheading the toy initiative for many years on Grand Bahama. However, due to her age and health issues, Ms Martel is no longer able to do so, and the Reach Out organisation has jumped in again this year to assist her with the toy distribution. Mr Seide said many people are still unemployed and unable to feed their families here in Grand Bahama. “We would normally give
out toys during this time, but what we decided to do this year is to also assist families that don’t have anything to eat. “We handed out about 700 grocery packages, consisting of chicken, mackerel, corn beef, grits, corn flakes, and Ritz crackers,” he said. “Because of the COVID, a lot of people are not working, and things are so bad in GB,” Mr Seide said. “The first car was parked outside the centre at around 9pm on Friday; if someone can sacrifice that long on the line for groceries that tells you a lot of people are hurting,” he said. In addition to the many needy families that came out, Mr Seide said that even employed people who are struggling to make ends meet came out for assistance. “Some of them have a job but can’t put food on the table, while others have to pay their mortgage, and we just wanted to take the stress off some of those families as well.” According to Mr Seide, things are not as good in Grand Bahama as some people would like to think. “They think everything is okay in GB, but it
is not. So, that is why we did the grocery giveaway, and we are pleased it went extremely well. We thank everyone who helped and the sponsors that believe in what we are doing in the community.” Mr Seide said that Reach Out Community Centre relies on donations and contributions from corporate Grand Bahama. “I don’t think the wider community understands the magnitude of what we give year-round. For the past two years, we have given about 30,000 grocery packages to the wider community. So, we continue to ask corporate Grand Bahama, those in Nassau, and anywhere for their assistance. “The work that we do, a lot of families depend on us. If I don’t have any stock in our pantry, we cannot do the work we are doing. “I continue to give because I still remember growing up with no food to eat, and so that is why I am so passionate about helping people to put food on their table,” he said. Anyone interested in donating or assisting Reach Out can call 441-1229 or email Mr Seide at dudley. seide@gmail.com.
DUDLEY Seide unloading boxes at Saturday’s giveaway at Reach Out Community Centre. Cars drive through to collect bags of grocery and toys. Photo: Dudley Seide
PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 21, 2021
The Tribune Limited
THE TRIBUNE
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Good news - but omicron is on its way FIRST, the good news – and there’s quite a lot of it to be seen. Atlantis has 6,000 staff members back on duty for the holidays and the resort is reporting full occupancy well into the New Year. That comes on the back of the Thanksgiving Day basketball tournament at the resort, which brought in more than 7,000 guests. That surge is being reflected elsewhere too. Just look across the stretch of water from Paradise Island, where Senor Frogs is jumping. Day manager Shanika Russell reports the Downtown restaurant is “seeing a lot of business” and “very, very busy days”. Need more good news? The government last night reported that the CDC has lowered the COVID-19 Travel Risk Advisory rating for The Bahamas from level three to level two. That still has to be updated on the CDC website, but that should bring even more visitors to help our economy’s rebound. Good news, and plenty of it. All of which makes it all the more frustrating that the increasing spread of the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus could make all those advances come crashing down. A fourth wave of the pandemic is the last thing we need, and could be crippling for some sectors that are still only just starting to recover. It is very possible the variant is already here – it has been confirmed in more than 70 countries, including some of our major tourist markets, and we’re already seeing increased numbers of COVID cases here. In the meantime, it is encouraging to hear that more than 60 percent of Atlantis staff are fully vaccinated – and we hope the rest of the population sees that number keep rising too to help in the fight against the virus. The battle against the pandemic is far from over – and the battle for our economy can only be helped if we do all
we can to keep the number of infections low.
Davis plan
It is about time we heard from Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis on the government’s plan to fight COVID-19. Mr Davis will give a national update on Thursday at 11am, and given how much emphasis was given on the election campaign trail to the PLP’s plan for dealing with COVID, we have heard very little from Mr Davis himself since his party came to office. So we welcome the opportunity to hear directly from the Prime Minister. We would appreciate even more the opportunity to put questions to him at such a moment, as there are many. We would like to hear exact details of the planned rollout of free testing, for example, including the cost to the public purse and how many tests have been sourced. We would like to hear the plans for dealing with the approaching omicron “tidal wave”, as it was called by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. And Mr Davis could perhaps learn something from his British counterpart – who is struggling politically right now as he is seen to be dithering and not being decisive in response to the virus. The Prime Minister we see on Thursday should be one that is determined and has a set plan, clearly laid out for all to see. Tell us what you plan to do about a fourth wave, Mr Davis, what other measures might be introduced, and what level of new cases would trigger such changes. Let us know what we’re in for. Those campaign trail boasts about a plan are one thing, now it’s time to put them into action. Be clear, detailed – and bold enough to make the tough decisions.
The problems facing Freeport EDITOR, The Tribune.
the southern beach area like a Miami Beach. INTERNATIONAL Freeport is a basket case Bazaar – Freeport – of bad planning – take the aren’t two unions on the name? Hardly conducive property? for a tropical vacation destiThe recent press confer- nation. MOT change it, cut ence by the chair of the PLP Freeport off at the boundwas pure politics against ary of the industrial area GBPA implying to the and create what... ’sexyify ignorant that GBPA were it’... Lucaya or a more tourthe primary owners when ism related name surely unions own the property. that won’t take years to The locating of the decide? Bazaar was bad planning Today Freeport’s future for starters as was the locat- is totally in the hands of ing of the Princess Casino the future of Our Lucaya Hotel and the hotel around — whether RCL and Freewhich they redesigned the port Harbour can conclude roundabout and blocked their deal on landslide of the Bazaar. the cruise port and the We forget GBPA was proposed Carnival Port designed to be the Indus- [interesting that doesn’t trial base not a tourism seem to be as far along the centre if it was to be the process of approvals as the latter we should have seen Minnis Government was hotels and resorts all along stating... advertisement in
The Tribune requesting planners to put forward their names.....this is years away! The airport is all connected to the above... no flights — no people — no passenger service fees no business... simple as that. By the way demolishing the terminal will not do anything except waste hundreds of millions... lag the sides of the terminal with recast concrete slabs ground to ceiling... add hurricane proof doors and windows you ready to go. Don’t look good for Freeport if RCL can’t get their deal with Freeport Harbour and a rush put on Carnival’s port. P SIMMONDS Nassau, December 11, 2021.
Clean-up horror story EDITOR, The Tribune. TO ALL who care about beaches, I just read with horror the story told by Adam Boorman in today’s Tribune Weekend section. Mr Boorman, who usually provides informative planting advice in his weekly gardening column, this week instead sounded the alarm that native vegetation carefully placed to preserve and protect the sand at Saunders
Beach was being ripped up and tossed away by a “clean-up crew”. Is there no training, no education about the importance of sea oats and beach grasses holding sand in place or the role beach morning glory and running vines play in saving what beach and coastline we still have access to? Or maybe whoever is in charge would rather provide jobs for those who push brooms back and forth on the road sweeping
up the sand that got away because the plants that were holding it in place were “cleaned up”. Let’s hope not. And going forward, can we please make sure that before any vegetation on public property is destroyed, those responsible understand why it is there and what purpose it serves. DIANE PHILLIPS Nassau, December 17, 2021.
A WOMAN holds a child as they stand inside a Christmas tree made of lights in Vigo, Spain. Photo: Lalo Villar/AP
Incompetence and lack of transparency over carnival EDITOR, The Tribune. THERE are still so many questions on the Christmas Carnival mess the government is refusing to answer. After he read a statement on the carnival, press secretary Clint Watson refused to answer questions. This is not the kind of transparency and accountability the PLP promised. His boss, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, didn’t even come out to read his own statement. Is he hiding from the press on this matter? Mr Davis hasn’t answered any questions on the carnival from the press and the public. Did the Prime Minister approve the carnival as stated by a representative of the carnival? Mr Davis is Minister of Finance. Did his ministry give any approvals for the carnival? He should accept responsibility if Finance gave any approvals. The Tribune pointed out in an editorial: “After a representative of the carnival said that Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis gave them permission to hold the event, press secretary Clint Watson dismissed that as ‘absolute nonsense’. “He went on to say: ‘The Prime Minister has never spoken about this issue, neither has he been involved in this issue’. Then why doesn’t the prime minister come out and say this? He should say it in the House of Assembly.” The editorial also stated: “Again, it seems the PLP was involved in this process – so why did Mr Watson not avail himself of the opportunity to tell the public how closely involved with the organiser the ruling party was?” Mr Watson better begin to understand that he has an obligation to the press
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net and the public to get out the full story or his credibility will come into question. He is not just a mouthpiece for the PLP. The Tribune also said: “It would be best as this government moves forward to see Mr Davis at the helm in press conferences on such matters, particularly issues as important as COVID-19. “The questions surrounding the arrival of the carnival also deserve answers – the funding, the application process, the work permits granted and so on. These are early days still for this new government, but we would encourage Mr Davis to ensure it is his voice that is heard and that he is present to answer questions.” What role did Minister of Foreign Affairs and PLP chairman Fred Mitchell play in this matter? He seems to be ducking answering questions about any role he may have played as chairman. Did he meet with any carnival representatives? Was there an agreement with the Carnival operators? The Prime Minister’s failure to fully address the carnival is, in my opinion, a serious lack of transparency and accountability. The whole carnival affair is a sign of terrible incompetence by the Prime Minister and his government. How did the carnival get into the country without permission from the competent authority? There seems to be no coordination by a government that is looking chaotic and disorganised. Anyone who has been paying even a little
attention to the COVID19 pandemic knew that another wave was very likely and that large events were not a good idea. Yet somebody in the PLP seemed to think it was okay for the Christmas Carnival to come into the country this year. In my opinion it is a mixture of incompetence, recklessness and irresponsibility during a pandemic. Neither the Ministry of Health nor the Prime Minister has held a full press conference on the pandemic in the nearly three months the PLP has been in office. Why is this the case? With another wave on our doorstep, the Government needs to get serious. The Prime Minister and his Minister of Health need to have press conferences and speak more directly to the public. Having gotten rid of most restrictions, how is the Davis administration going to respond to the next wave, especially after they criticised the former government over and over about the measures they put in place to save our lives. Mr Davis had plenty to say when in opposition and plenty criticism of the then government. Now that he is prime minister he has mostly gone quiet about the pandemic as the criticism is about to come his way. Be careful what you say in the Opposition because it will come back to haunt you in Government. It is my opinion that the The PLP and Mr Davis are about to get a baptism by fire with the coming waves of COVID-19. Talk is easy in opposition. In government, action counts more than easy talk. SLB Nassau, December 17, 2021.
jamaaltheartist@gmail.com Jamaal Rolle is on holiday
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, PAGE 7
Murder probe as body found in parking lot By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net POLICE are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday night after a man’s body was found in the parking lot of an apartment building. Shortly before 10pm, police were called to a shooting incident that occurred on East Avenue, Millers Heights. “Units were dispatched and on their arrival at the scene they were directed to the body of an adult male lying in the parking lot of an apartment building unresponsive. The officers made a check of the body and discovered wounds consistent with gunshot. Emergency Medical Services visited the scene and pronounced the
victim lifeless,” police said in a crime report “Initial investigations revealed that the victim was outside his neighbour’s residence when a male approached him and discharged a firearm in his direction, hitting about the body, fatally wounding him. The suspect made good his escape north along East Avenue. This matter remains under active investigation.” This homicide comes after the teenage son of a police officer died after being stabbed during an argument at Arawak Cay on Saturday night. According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, officers were called to the scene of that stabbing after 11pm. “On the arrival of the first responding officers, they found a male suffering from stab wounds to the
chest,” a police crime report noted. “The victim was transported to the hospital via Emergency Medical Services where he later succumbed to his injuries.” In a tweet on Sunday, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said a team of officers visited their colleague Cpl McPhee to give support after his son was fatally stabbed at the Fish Fry. He said he also extended his condolences to the officer on behalf of the police force. A suspect is in custody assisting police with that investigation. Anyone with information on these incidents or any other crime is asked to call the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991, Crime Stoppers at 328TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station.
WOMAN TESTIFIES ABOUT DAMAGE TO CAR By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN testified yesterday about how she made a complaint to police after being informed by a friend that her car had been damaged. Precious Moss gave testimony against Alphonique Strachan, 21, during the latter’s trial before Magistrate Kendra Kelly. Strachan is charged with causing damage and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for actions she is accused of committing in May of last year. Police allege the 21-year-old caused $2,154 worth of damage to a 2010 Honda car, belonging to Ms Moss and also assaulted Tyesha Williamson and
Venique Jean with a motor vehicle on May 13 2020. However, the defendant has denied the offences. When Ms Moss took the stand yesterday, she recalled how she lent her car to a friend that night who she claimed wanted to visit another friend. She said about ten minutes later, her friend called her saying the vehicle had been hit. Asked by the prosecutor if she saw the vehicle, she replied in the affirmative. Asked what she saw, Ms Moss explained that she noticed that her car’s rear bumper was hit as well as the backlight and front bumper. She said she also saw the car’s tyre was flattened.
Ms Moss said after seeing the damage, she made a police complaint. Asked about the estimated cost of the damage, the witness told the court she received two estimated costs, one for around $2,000 and the other a little less than that. Documents detailing the estimates were later shown to the witness, who confirmed her signature on the documents. During cross examination, Strachan’s attorney asked Ms Moss if she agreed that she did not personally see what happened to her car. She replied: “Yes ma’am.” The defence attorney said she had no further questions and the matter was subsequently adjourned to January 24.
BEHIND BARS AFTER STEALING $60 OF GROCERIES By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 36-YEAR-OLD man who admitted to stealing over $60 worth of supplies from a local grocery and retail store was yesterday remanded into custody pending sentencing. Tarrence Adderley was charged before Magistrate Kendra Kelly yesterday with stealing after officers caught him with three packs of unpaid for Airwick mixed essential oils while he was leaving Cost Right on December 17. The items were valued at $67.15. The court was told on the date in question, officers received information that Adderley was found with stolen items while at Cost Right on
Baillou Hill Road. Prosecutor Sgt Vernon Pyfrom said the items were found by security officers after they conducted a search of Adderley, who was trying to leave the establishment. Police were called and the accused was subsequently arrested and taken to the nearest police station, where he admitted to the offence. During yesterday’s hearing, the 36-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing from a shop. However, his sentencing was deferred after Sgt Pyfrom told the court he needed to verify the accused’s identity. He told the magistrate he recognised the defendant’s face and believed him to be “Sunny Brown” from Greencastle, Eleuthera, who he
said he knew personally and had previous antecedents. When asked by the magistrate if he knew Sgt Pyfrom, the accused said he didn’t. He also said his real name was Tarrence Adderley. However, Sgt Pyfrom said he wanted to have the defendant fingerprinted to verify his claim. He also told the court that based on his knowledge, he knew the defendant was a substance abuser, saying he believed this was the reason why he allegedly gave police the wrong name. However, when asked if he smoked cocaine, Adderley told the magistrate he did not and said he only smoked cigarettes and marijuana. As a result, Magistrate Kelly deferred sentencing to 10am today.
DISCHARGE FOR OBSTRUCTION By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 32-YEAR-OLD man who obstructed an officer while she was executing her duties earlier this week was granted a conditional discharge yesterday. Lavon Stuart was charged before Magistrate Shaka Serville with obstruction after he tried to stop police from arresting his niece at his residence on Saturday. Prosecution told the court that around 9.30 pm that day, a team of officers were on patrol when they received information about a certain suspect. As a result, officers went to King Street where the suspect was believed to be and upon arrival, the suspect was pointed out. Officers then tried to arrest the suspect, but the defendant obstructed her from doing so which then led to his arrest. Stuart was transported to the Central Police Station, where he admitted the offence during his interview with police. After accepting the facts read by the prosecutor, Stuart, a father-of-two, told the court he was sorry for his actions. However, he also explained he was caught off guard when officers entered his home. “I was not aware that my sister let the officers inside in the house,” he told the court. After instructing officers to leave the premises, Stuart said he pulled his niece toward him and told her “not to go anywhere” with police. Asked if he was aware officers were searching for his niece, Stuart replied: “Yes.” In response, Magistrate Serville said because of his actions, he was liable to spend up to six months in prison. He also said the situation could have ended smoothly if he had just allowed officers to do their job. “We can’t go stopping police officers from doing their job… That’s an absolute no, no,” the magistrate said. She said in view of the circumstances surrounding the incident, she didn’t believe Stuart deserved to be convicted and subsequently placed
him on six months’ probation. Magistrate Serville also warned him if he failed to comply with the conditions of his release, he would be fined $500 or spend a month behind bars. Also appearing in court was 22-year-old Brandon Watkins. Watkins was arraigned before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on charges stemming from allegations that he acted unruly, resisted lawful arrest and assaulted a police officer on September 15. According to the prosecution a police inspector reported that while she was leaving Super Wash on Nassau Street, she observed a vehicle pulling into the establishment blocking the driveway. The court heard the officer used her horn and demanded for the driver to pull over in an attempt to leave the area. However, the defendant exited the vehicle and approached her, waving his hands in her face. Prosecutor Sgt Vernon Pyfrom said the defendant, who was warned about his behaviour, continued to act disorderly. As a result, the police inspector informed Watkins he was under arrest, but in response, he turned away and walked off. A minute later, additional officers arrived, and the accused was subsequently arrested and taken to a local police station. The court also heard that a video capturing the incident is currently in police custody. During yesterday’s hearing, Watkins pleaded guilty to the offences. In mitigation, Watkin’s attorney noted that her client, a father-of-one, was extremely remorseful for his actions. She also said the accused had lost his job because of the charges and was currently looking for other means of employment to support him and his growing family. “He’s under a lot of stress…It’s been a difficult year,” the attorney said, while begging the court for leniency. Magistrate Kelly said she didn’t want to make a judgment until she had a chance to review the video and as a result, sentencing was deferred until 10am today.
MURDER SUSPECT REMANDED TO PRISON By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A 25-YEAR-OLD man accused of murdering a man earlier this year was remanded to prison yesterday. Orville Forbes appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, charged with the September 28 murder of Kevin McKenzie. He is further accused of using a handgun to rob a woman of $500 cash, which belonged to J C F Supermarket, on November 7 while being concerned with others. According to police reports, initial investigations revealed a man was sitting on a porch in a community known locally as “Big Yard” when a shooter came from behind the building on the southern side and fatally wounded him. Police said when responding officers arrived at the scene, they found a man lying on the ground in a pool of blood near the door. He was later pronounced dead. Due to the nature of the offences, Forbes was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to March 13, 2022 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time and he has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. In a separate case, a teenager also appeared before the chief magistrate for actions he is accused of committing on November 7. Police said the 17-yearold, while being concerned with others, used a handgun to rob a woman of $1,945 belonging to Balfour
Consumer Market. He was
Meat
not
Fresh
required
to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned until next year.
Requiem Mass For
Walter Reginald Darville, 90 affectionately called “Spriggy” a resident of Oxford Avenue formerly of Roses, Long Island will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, 10:00 a.m. at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Wulff and Balliou Hill Roads. Officiating will be Rev’d Fr. Roderick Bain, Rev’d Fr. Kristopher Higgs and Canon Basil Tynes. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road. Due to Current Government COVID-19 regulations attendance at the Requiem Mass Seating is limited. Walter is predeceased by his wife: Rowena Jane Darville; son: Ricardo Darville. Cherished memories are held by his children: Norman Darville, Arlene Johnson, and Dr. Cheryl Darville (USA); adopted children: Racquel Horton, Deborah Sturrup, Rayanne and Carla Cartwright, Andriel Newry and Delano Thurston, Jr.; two sisters: Hazel Darville and Thelma Russell; one brother: Ephraim Darville; five sisters-in-law: Barbara (USA), Maxine and Sybil Darville, Myrtle Turnquest and Gloria Smith; two brothersin-law: Leonard and George Knowles; twenty-six nephews: Patrick, Berkley, Harvilley, Kyron, LeRon, Lorenzo, Eric, and Derrick Darville, Phillip and Kendal Robins, Leslie Turnquest, Ryan Russell, Dennis, Kirkwood, Hubert and Kenny Deal, Edward, Julian Dr. George, Pedro, Geno, Hugo and Daniel Knowles, Vincent Smith and Kermit Turnquest; twenty-eight nieces: Brittenna Hart (USA), Bernadette and Dorothea Robins, Christine Archer, Collette and Laverne Darville, Karen Robertson (Canada), Linda Johnson, Carmen Jenkins (USA) Carrol Bethel, Kayla Neilly, Judith Cleare, Montess Johnson, Macushla Pinder, Makeba Sands, Antoinette Arahna, Deborah Granger, Nicollette Woodside, Geraldine Symonette, Pamela Seymour, LeeAnn Bain, Sandra Deal, Barbara Bain, Loretta Parris, Beverley Gibson, Linda Malcolm and Angela Mosley; numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends including, but not limited to: The family of the late Samuel Darville, Cresswell Sturrup, Capt. Stephen Russell, Noel Darville (Gregory Town) Barbara Bastian and Family, Jerome Bethel, Brad Johnson, Clyde and Sharnessa Cartwright, Dolly Albury, Essiemae Deveaux, Alice Johnson, Delano and Denise Thurston, Gary and Alfred Rolle, William Taylor (Global Tiles), James Bodie, Lenny, Gregory Wright and Family, Minerva Butler and Family, Lincoln Major (Freeport) Diane Pindling, Drs. Sirisha Nara, Inge Ford (USA), Leonie Kemp, Alice and Stephen Miller, Winston C Rolle, Deloris Pratt (Elks Lodge) Canon Basil Tynes, St. Barnabas Church Family, St. Joseph Church Family, Oxford Avenue Family (past and present), Butlers Funeral Home Staff, the Burrows, Darville, Dean, Pratt, Ritchie and Turnquest families. Relatives and Friends may pay their last respects at Butlers’ Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ernest and York Streets, (TODAY) Tuesday, December 21, 2012 from 11:00a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p. m. Current Emergency COVID-19 regulations are in effect. Social Distancing and Face Masks will be enforced.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 21, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
And the award goes to...me! D
ECEMBER got off to an amazing start for me. I had an unexpected surprise that has really inspired me to press on with my personal mission of “Getting Good News in the News”. I was chosen as the “Media Advocate of the Year” and received an Icon Award during celebrations for Disability Awareness Week. I started out on my mission in 2010 and since then, it has been my pleasure to show the newsworthiness of human interest stories that educate, motivate and advocate. Over the years, that advocacy has taken shape for many good causes in society. Earlier this year, I was awarded as a champion by the Bahamas National Breastfeeding Association. This most recent award comes as I continue to advocate for differently-abled people who deserve the same level of respect, admiration and access to opportunities as anyone else. In a way, we are all different. There are things that make each one of us as human beings unique. There are things we can do well, and other things that we cannot. There are flaws people can see and those that are invisible to the human eye. We all need help from our fellowman in some way. This is what makes life and living so beautiful. We are interconnected. Why then, has it taken so long for us to realise people who are deemed to have disabilities are no different from any of us? They should not have to fight for the right to be recognised as equal, despite being different. I give special thanks to members of the Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired (BABVI) and the Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO), the organisations that nominated me for the award. Guardian Talk Radio was also nominated. The winners were announced during “A Jolly Extravaganza” hosted by the Training Centre for the Disabled in collaboration with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and Icon Awards. The event was held at the National Art Gallery on Friday, December 3. I was elated to have been selected to receive the Icon award, and I will cherish it, as well as the many friends I have made along the way. Other Icon Award winners include: Self Advocate of the Year Sheri Fountain; Board Member of the Year Alvira Dean; Educator of the Year Maria Deleveaux; and Volunteer of the Year Fruzen Langdon Bethel. The ceremony at the National Art Gallery was lively with host Latoya Smith. Remarks came from Wendy Clarke, Assistant Director of the Disability Affairs Division; Rivianna Smith, Managing Director of the Training Centre for the Disabled; and Steven Cox, representative of Persons with Disabilities.
I learned so much from my years of advocating for and with them. Some of those lessons stand out: * Many of them were not born that way. They were going about their everyday lives, never expecting that an accident or disease could change the way they live. In this way, I see people with disabilities as having amazing coping abilities and level-headedness. They are cheerful and optimistic. Kendrick Rolle, for example - I worked with him in the early 2000s when he led the Peace on the Streets campaign in Pinewood. He had vision back then. Today, he has lost that ability, but has not lost his fight or passion for community. He serves as project officer for the Disability Affairs Division. • They are technologically savvy. I especially want to give props to BABVI members. Through software on their devices, they are able to use technology just like anyone else. As a matter of fact, they have been more efficient. Antoine Munroe is a consummate professional who answers emails promptly. He is the current DPO president, and he is an on-time, conscientious, intelligent individual who can send you a Whatsapp or email on any information you require right away. Abbie Munroe is always updating her Whatsapp status with uplifting messages. Robertha Johnson, current BABVI president, sends me the coolest Ticktock videos from people with disabilities. Desmond Brown is a public relations specialist who knows how to get the job done. It’s truly amazing. All persons with disabilities that I have dealt with have been very efficient and professional with technology. I find them even more courteous, which may have to do with the fact that they have to do things with care and are in less of a rush than those who may take their abilities for granted. • They are not only concerned about themselves, but the entire community. They are so giving. Tyrone Johnson, for example. He runs an after school programme at Gerald Cash Primary. On the occasions that I visited him before the pandemic, it was amazing to see how the kids would rush to him after class and nearly throw him down as they hugged him all at once. Without seeing them, he knew exactly who was running to him before they even got close. Then I think of my dear friend Shyann “Shaggy” Chipman. He and his father, John “Chippy” Chipman gave back to the
RIGHT: Felicity Darville with her daughter Victory, accepting the Icon Award for Media Advocate of the Year for National Disability Awareness Week. BELOW: Jonathan Moxey, centre, is the happy winner of the money raffle from the Disability Affairs Division Family Fun Day. He is accompanied by (left to right) Linda Smith. Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled; his father, Henry Moxey; Kendrick Rolle; Technical Program Officer, Disability Affairs Division; Wendy Clarke, Administrator, Disability Affairs Division.
community on a consistent basis for many years. Shyann had an accident that has affected his ability to walk. Yet, he pushes on, even after his father’s death, giving to neighbours in need, near and far. The late William Lightbourne, former president of the DPO and his wife were cheerful givers who went into their own pockets to help fund many programmes for people with disabilities. Sheila Culmer has also been a pioneer in fighting for their rights and helping make a difference in policy, which ultimately affects the entire nation. We now have the Equal Opportunities Bill that has come about thanks to many advocates like these. Disability Awareness Week was held from November 27 to December 4. In addition, December 3 is recognised each year as International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). It was started by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992, and national celebrations are led by the Disability Affairs Unit. This year’s IDPD theme is “Leadership and Participation of Persons with Disabilities Toward an Inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable Post-Covid-19 World”.
Funeral Service for Retired Nurse Rev. Dianna Elizabeth Pratt-Stubbs, 72 of Price Street, Nassau Village who died on Thursday, December 2, 2021 will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, 11:00 am at Cornerstone Ministries, Kemp Road. Officiating will be Apostle Terrance Wilson assisted by other ministers. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road. Her memories will live on in the hearts of children: Cherril Timothee, Terrance Stubbs and Shanell Dorsett; step children: Prophet Brendan Stubbs, Jeremy Troy, WPC 5010 Stubbs, Rochelle Oliver, Paula Cox, Shannon Mackey, Ramona Edgecombe and Kimberley Stubbs; grandchildren: Deangelo Moss, Cordell, Cordero, Marvin Jr., Shaquille, Joshua, Sh’treeva, Trevor Robinson Jr., Terez, Reeka, Latavia, Valentino and Karan, Adrian Clair; great grandchildren: Deangela, Shandell, Cautnee, Jamara, Nathaniel Moss Jr., Deangelo Moss Jr., Devinaive, Grace and Valentina; sisters: Beverley Brown, Judyann Farrington, Shelly Pratt; sons-in-law: Fritzly Timothee, Marvin Dorsett; nephews: James Brown, Swanson, Dwight, Kevin, Stephen, Garth, Devon, Craig, Sandy, Deon, Torrien Farrington, Darron, Travis Pratt; nieces: Indera, Darnell, Lisa, Evlyn, Sherell, Keyla; sisters-in-law: Coramae Stubbs, Vendamae Stubbs, Olgamae Meadows, Willamae Stubbs; brothers-in-law: Daniel Stubbs, Nathaniel Stubbs, Joe Stubbs, Rosevelt Stubbs, Rupert Stubbs Jr; godchildren: Adrian Archer, Candice Antonio, Naomi Adderley, John Adderley Jr., Cynthia Neymour and Michael Rolle; special friends: Prenetta Antonio, Pastor Bowen, Cynthia Adderley, Cynthia Archer, Sandra Thompson, Alice Miller and Gloria McPhee; numerous friends including: Alice Miller and Family, Chantel Johnson, Levans Dorelad and Family, Ms. Longeley and Family, Tiffany Moss and Family, Rosella Moxey and Family, Ms. Butler and Family, Ms. Newbold and Family, Ms. Joan and Family, Christian Rolle and Family, Sherese Smith and Family, Tanya Smith and Family, Watson and Family, Agatha and Family, Wadge Hepburn and Family, Ronald and Family, Derek Rigby and Family, Katherine Mackey and Family, The Sands Family, Paulette Wilson and Family, Ednal Frazier. Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite of Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on (TODAY) Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
STEVEN COX, Persons with Disabilities rep, shares his story of receiving a bionic hand after an industrial accident. The DPO highlighted several people to commemorate the day: “We highlight the achievements of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) like Mr Floyd E Morris, President of the Jamaican Senate from 2013-2016; Mr William E Lightbourne, a Bahamian educator who received The British Empire Medal in 2008; Mr Tyrone Johnson, former BABVI president who sat on the Executive Committee of The Caribbean Council for The Blind (CCB) during the introduction of the 2020 Vision Plan in 2000; and Mr Breyman Darling-Ferguson, Mr Gary Russell and the late Mr Bradley Coakley who were cultural and musical Bahamian icons. Many others can be recognized as unsung heroes in the fight for equal rights and opportunities worldwide and we congratulate them.” The DPO also stated; “Although we would have made significant strides to improve the quality of life for PWDs, it is our view that much more can be done in order to realise our goals of inclusion for all. Educational opportunities and vocational training are of paramount concern in our community, which would enable us to pursue and obtain gainful employment. This is an initiative that NGOs have been struggling with due to the lack of financial support or sponsorship. Our tertiary institutions must play a vital role in this endeavour. “In the year 2021, it is unbelievable that PWDs in the Bahamas are still being refused employment based on their disabilities. Discriminatory laws must be enforced and adjusted if they already exist, to eradicate this vexing problem (PWDs Equal Opportunities Act 2014, A16S2ptA ptB). The language used when referring to persons with disabilities by journalists and news reporters must be improved as well as access to relevant technology as it relates to television and movie theatres. This would allow all persons with disabilities to participate in entertainment and social activities just as other people can.”
AWARDS event host Latoya Smith donned in a hat made by the Training Center for the Disabled. PHOTOS by Victor Darville
“During this worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, PWDs who are already experiencing insurmountable challenges financial and otherwise - are having to cope with the greatest difficulties. Our resilience and sustainability are drastically and constantly being put to the test. We are finding it almost impossible to survive. Much more needs to be done to address the specific needs of PWDs both in the Government and private sector. There must be a collaborative effort and an increase in Government subventions which will enable us to create opportunities for equality. If these improvements are made, it would cause a paradigm shift that would allow more persons with disabilities to contribute at national and international levels.” “A clarion call is being made for local countries to place more emphasis and resources to aid in the fight for PWDs. It is being recognized that we as disabled persons can, if given the opportunity, produce a high level of competencies and capabilities in any workplace or even in Governmental or political leadership. It is time in our country that we are allowed to advance and perform above the expectations of society at large. We must remove the limitations imposed on us by those who refuse to see our true worth. This is the season for unity, solidarity, progressive mobility and undaunting courage to be displayed by persons with disabilities, which was initially used by our forefathers in their quest to provide a sovereign nation for The Bahamian people. DPO: A Voice of Our Own, Forward, Upward, Onward, Together.” The 2021 Disability Awareness Week closed on Saturday, December 4, with a Family Fun Day, Celebration of Unity and Strength Rally Concert, and Drive-In Movie. The events were held at the Western Esplanade, West Bay Street from noon until late evening. There was free food, rides, games and entertainment for all children with disabilities. There were vendor booths
with displays highlighting the talents of persons with disabilities and information about the various special needs of schools and organizations. Music was provided all day long by the blind DJs, “JC Productions” along with “DJ Ellie”. The Family Day closed out with a live performance by The Mighty Beacons, a rake n’ scrape band featuring predominately blind individuals. The Celebration of Unity and Strength Rally Concert was opened with Erin Brown and hosted by comedian “Sawyer Boy”. There were performances by, The Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Blairwood Academy School, Centre for the Deaf, Training Centre for the Disabled, Disabled Person’s Organization, Erin Gilmour School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Marjorie Davis Institute for special learning. Zavier Nottage, a young man who is blind awed the audience with his close out performance, “Father take control of my soul” accompanied by “Tall Blacks”. Other performances on the night included inspirational artist, “E Man” and the Soulful Groovers band. The highlight of the evening was the “Money Raffle”. The Disability Awareness Week Fundraising sub-committee led the way with the first donation and encouraged attendees to make donations. At the end of the evening, one student with a disability who attended the events that day walked away with this grand prize. The winner, Jonathan Moxey, an individual with autism, received the cash prize along with a computer tablet, donated by the Disability Affairs Division of The Department of Social Services. Special thanks goes out to the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Disability Affairs Division and all supporting disability organizations and institutes for their hard work and efforts in making this year’s Disability Awareness Week a success.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, PAGE 9
HOW LONG CAN BORIS SURVIVE WITH THE BODY BLOWS RAINING DOWN? AFTER writing last week about the trials and tribulations of beleaguered Prime Minister Boris Johnson, I hesitate to return to the current political turmoil in Britain. But there have been two further blows in recent days that are said to have put him at his lowest point since becoming leader of the Conservative Party in 2019 - and what happens politically in the UK matters, given the country’s international standing and role in the world. Last week, the ruling Conservatives were heavily defeated at a by-election in the rural constituency of North Shropshire, a parliamentary seat which had been a political stronghold for them for some 200 years - and this has come some two years since their landslide general election victory. The Liberal Democrats won comfortably in the third largest swing in more than half a century. Many saw it as a referendum on Mr Johnson’s leadership and performance. He was found wanting as the voters turned on him with a fury in reversing a massive Tory majority - and, it is being
The Peter Young column said, they wanted to send a message that they did not trust him. Then, at the weekend, cabinet minister Lord Frost, who was the chief Brexit negotiator and a political ally of the PM, resigned on the grounds that he had become disillusioned with the direction of Tory policy and especially the new COVID restrictions and vaccine passports as well as environmental policies and the green agenda.
AN ANTI-Conservative Party protester holds a placard with an image of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson including the words “Now Partygate” backdropped by the Houses of Parliament, in London, after recent scandals over reports of parties being held by politicians and staff while the rest of the country was in lockdown. Photo: Matt Dunham/AP The two events together amount to a huge setback for the Tory government in what are already difficult times for the country.
A VOICE TO BE HEARD IN THE BATTLE AGAINST WOKENESS LEGENDARY comedy superstar, John Cleese - of, in particular, “Monty Python” and the BBC comedy series “Fawlty Towers” fame - is back in the news again after abruptly walking out of a BBC interview In Singapore. He later said he intended to complain formally over the “deception, dishonesty and tone” of his exchange with a BBC presenter. What appears to have irked him was the latter’s insistence on quizzing him - in a somewhat querulous manner - about his views on “wokeness and cancel culture” instead of focusing on the programmes and comedy shows he had come to Singapore to do and which were supposed to be the purpose of the interview. I wonder whether others, like me, rather enjoyed his exchange about this controversial issue with the interviewer in so far as he, as an acknowledged master of the art of comedy, explained lucidly and persuasively why he was sceptical about “wokeness” which he called a relatively new phenomenon that had a damaging effect on comedy and was destructive of creativity. He acknowledged the importance of respect for other people’s feelings but he questioned, for example, the wisdom of over-protecting young people. He suggested, rather than mollycoddling them by encouraging too great a degree of sensitivity in dealing with daily life, they needed to be prepared as adults to face an increasingly tough and unfriendly world. He went on to point out that nowadays everyone wanted to be right about everything to the extent they will not listen to differing views and are unwilling to compromise; and, by so doing, they themselves were not respecting the sensitivities of others. If they did not like what you had to say, they would unashamedly “cancel” you so that your views could not be heard and he said that because of this he had already blacklisted himself from his alma mater Cambridge University. But, in protecting people from the extremes of criticism, and what could be perceived as a form of psychological assault, it was important to seek the right degree of protection - not too much and not too little because there were different levels of sensitivity. There is a risk of such arguments becoming convoluted. It is important that people should be alert to the dangers of
racial prejudice and discrimination which should surely never be underestimated and, with that in mind, it is clear that, in order for a society or community to function, there have to be certain norms of behaviour and constraints on how people interact in accordance with established customs and the law. As regards the spoken or written word, protections are already built in to the system in the form of slander, libel and defamation laws; for example, in relation to hate speech, incitement of violence, offending public decency, disturbing the peace and infringing the rights of others in a variety of ways. But looking for something to be offended about at the slightest provocation brings in a level of subjectivity which in the view of many is inappropriate and unacceptable. Cleese cites the admiration people used to feel for those who managed to control their feelings and were tolerant and accepting of others even if they disagreed with them. But now, if people are unable or unwilling to control their own emotions, they try to complain about the attitudes or actions of others in a bid to control those people’s behaviour towards them. Alongside all this, it was interesting to read a report that Oxford University has recently stressed the importance of embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in making academic appointments. At first sight that may seem reasonable enough, but some might regard it as a form of mandatory “wokeness”. Academics invariably say they encourage tolerance and freedom of speech. But the evidence suggests otherwise since they tend to be left-leaning and do not like their views challenged. There is no space today to examine this further but, from what I have read, some people claim even questioning left-wing ideology in UK universities and colleges is nowadays often dismissed as right-wing babble - and this happens in places of learning where ideas ought to be discussed and debated in an open, non-judgmental way that can lead to rational conclusions. Cleese’s interviewer suggested his views might be old-fashioned. Others will say that, on the contrary, they simply reflect good, sound common sense which is everlasting. But could this be the beginning of a fightback against “wokeness” by people of stature in their own field to whom others will listen?
CHURCHILL’S GREATEST SHOCK FOLLOWING my piece two weeks ago about Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, a reader has chided me for failing to write about a separate Japanese attack only days later, this time against the British. In fact, I did mention last year that, soon after Britain’s wartime leader, Winston Churchill, had expressed what he called his “greatest Joy” at the forced entry of the US into the Second World War as a result of Pearl Harbour, he was in for a terrible shock. I now repeat what I
wrote then; namely, that on December 10 the British battleships HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales were spotted off Singapore and attacked by Japanese fighter-bombers. Without their own fighter cover, both were sunk and two months later Singapore fell to the invading Japanese army. Churchill wrote that, after being given the news of these terrible losses by telephone, he was thankful to be alone at that moment because in all the war “I never received a more direct shock”. That was his low point. But, thereafter,
with the Americans alongside them, the fortunes of the Allies started to improve. Less than a year later - after winning the Second Battle of El Alamein against the Germans in the North African desert - Churchill was able to utter his famous words about the war: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning” - for everyone was confident that with US involvement an Allied victory was the only possible conclusion to the most destructive global conflict in history.
In addition to the political turbulence, the economy is stuttering as the pandemic is heading into its third year, with the Omicron variant causing havoc. At the time of writing, there is uncertainty and confusion as the Prime Minister has delayed a decision about the threatened imposition of new COVID curbs in the face of opposition from his own MPs. I described last week the reasons for the predicament in which the Prime Minister has found himself as a result of what are considered to be self-inflicted wounds. These do not bear repeating today, but there is reported to be a good deal of anger in the country about what has been happening - not only about the government’s handling of the pandemic and the recent scandals but also a failure to stick to Conservative principles and policies and, for example, to deal with the current immigration crisis. The conventional wisdom seems to be developing is that, without some radical improvement, Mr Johnson could be “one strike” away from being forced out of office through a leadership contest in the coming
months; and the danger for him is many now appear to regard his reputation as an election winner as a declining asset. Such considerations prompt reflection, more generally, on politics and on those who seek power and influence through public office. In Britain, the most recent evidence suggests the vast majority of the public do not believe their political leaders act in the country’s best interest since most of them are self-serving and more concerned with what they perceive as their own priorities, and that may include feathering their own nest - if the opportunity arises - by dipping in to the public purse with impunity. Some regard such a harsh claim as a cynically wild generalisation applying only to a limited number of bad apples. Nonetheless, it is said trust in politicians has seriously diminished if not practically disappeared. The old gag, which goes back to the days of the Labour government led by Harold Wilson in the 1960s, is being recirculated: “How do you know when a politician is lying? When you see his lips moving.” So nothing has changed and most
people assume that all too often politicians simply lie their way out of trouble and, by so doing, they have collectively forfeited the nation’s trust in them. This raises the question whether it was always like that. The Westminster system of government has traditionally been held up as an example to the rest of the world. But that does not mean its practitioners have necessarily been squeaky clean. On the contrary, political history contains many scandals, not least involving financial impropriety, and so much so that as far back as the 1950s Harold Macmillan, a renowned former British Prime Minister and world statesman, famously summed it up by saying “If it’s morality you want, go and ask the bishops”. Trust in politicians may be at a low ebb in Britain but it is said there is no perfectly just form of government on earth. The checks and balances in a democracy may not always work, but it is surely a better system of governance than the alternatives of communism and dictatorship - or theocracy that can lead to despotism - as long as those politicians are held to account by the people.
Funeral Service for Estina Jeaneva Jolly, 87 affectionately called “Geneva” of Sisal Road, Golden Gates No.1 and formerly of North Caicos who died on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, 11:00 am at Grace Community Church, Grace Avenue, Palmetto Village. Officiating will be Senior Pastor Lyall Bethel assisted by Other Ministers. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Deaconess Lucille Jones, Samuel ‘Sammy’ Jolly, Sr., and Antonia Jolly; step daughters: Monica and Lurlene Jolly; sister: Penditha ‘Thiney’ Williams; granddaughters: Chanel and Kendi Jones, Kiayah, Antonia and Antoinette Brennen, Kyatra Mills and Chemise Jolly; grandsons: Samuel ‘Alex’ Jr. and Dantley Jolly, Javon Johnson, Sr., Amos Woodside, Antonius ‘AJ’ Jolly, and Kevin Jolly; great-grandchildren: Alexiou and Cambria Jolly and Javon Johnson, Jr.; nephews and nieces: Morris, Stephen, John and Charles “Junior” Glinton, Jr., and Esther Turner, Sheila Lattimore, Dorothy Major, Ruth Judy Williams, AcNeal and Lovey Williams, Minister Judymae Knowles, Elder Samuel Knowles, Willam Lightbourne, Watson Jolly, Lighton “Lyte’ Jolly, Leo Jolly, Jackie Jolly-Lockhart, Ricardo Jolly, Bettyanne Roberts, Renne Roberts, Derek Roberts, and Glen Roberts; grand nephews and nieces: The Hon. Kyle Knowles, Kate-Rene James, The Hon. Randy Howell, Yolanda Edwards, Cordero Glinton, Rachel Glinton, and Delroy Walkin; and a host of other relatives and friends including: Senior Pastor Lyall Bethel, Pastor Leroy ‘Tinkle’ Hanna, Elder Greg Williams, Elder Cyril Peet, The Leaders and members of Grace Community Church especially the Senior Women’s Small Group, Senior Pastor Emeritus Dr. Rex Major, Pastor Emeritus Marcel & Leila Lightbourne, Pastor Bradley & Minister Rachel Handfield and the Community Fellowship Centre Family, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, E. Shirley Burrows, Carolyn Tinker, Angela Wallace, Cyd Ward and Family, Yvette Thompson and Family, Kendra Cooper, Gilbert Smith and Family, Wilda & Takisha Williams, Lorraine Moss and Family, Alice Harvey, Merlene Mott, Mother Gerlean Jones and the Jones Family, Jennifer Munnings, Lisa Adderley, Dr. Ashley Adderley, Donna Hamilton and Family, Janet Hutcheson and Family, Faith Lochan and Family, Bishop Kevin and Karen Myers and Family, Marie Carter-Glasgow and Family, Angela McCollum and Family, Tameka Thompson and the Staff of Turks & Caicos First Insurance Co. Ltd., administrators and staff of C.V. Bethel Senior High School. Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite of Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on (TODAY) Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, December 21, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
PHILIPPINES DEATH TOLL REACHES 375
THE death toll from the strongest typhoon to batter the Philippines this year climbed to 375, with more than 50 others still missing and several central provinces struggling with downed communications and power outages and pleading for food and water, officials said yesterday. At its strongest, Typhoon Rai packed sustained winds of 121 miles per hour with gusts of up to 168mph before blowing out into the South China Sea on Friday. At least 375 people were killed, 56 were missing and 500 were injured, according to the national police. The toll may still increase because several towns and villages remained out of reach due to downed communications and power outages, although massive cleanup and repair efforts were underway. Many were killed by falling trees and collapsing walls, flash floods and landslides. A 57-year-old man was found dead hanging from a tree branch and a woman was blown away and died in Negros Occidental province, police said. Governor Arlene Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands, among the southeastern provinces first hit by the typhoon, said Rai’s ferocity on her island province of more than 130,000 people was worse than that of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful and deadliest typhoons on record which devastated the central Philippines in November 2013 but did not inflict any casualties in Dinagat.
QUEEN TO SKIP CHRISTMAS TRIP TO ESTATE QUEEN Elizabeth II has decided not to spend Christmas at the royal Sandringham estate in eastern England amid concerns about the fast-spreading omicron variant. The palace said yesterday that the 95-year-old queen will spend the holidays at Windsor Castle, west of London, where she has stayed for most of the pandemic. Other members of the royal family are expected to visit over the Christmas period, with precautions taken against spreading the virus. Coronavirus infections are surging in Britain — up 60 percent in a week — as omicron replaced delta as the dominant variant, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said more new restrictions may have to be introduced to slow its spread. His health minister has refused to rule out imposing new measures before Christmas.
TRUMP SUES IN BID TO HALT CIVIL PROBE FORMER President Donald Trump sued New York Attorney General Letitia James yesterday, resorting to a familiar but seldom successful strategy as he seeks to end a yearslong civil investigation into his business practices that he alleges is purely political. In the lawsuit, filed in federal court two weeks after James requested that Trump sit for a January 7 deposition, Trump contends the probe into matters including his company’s valuation of assets has violated his constitutional rights in a “thinly-veiled effort to publicly malign Trump and his associates”. The lawsuit describes James, a Democrat, as having “personal disdain for Trump” and points to numerous statements she’s made targeting him in recent years, including her support of “die-in” protests against him, her boast that her office sued his administration 76 times and tweets during her 2018 campaign that she had her “eyes on Trump Tower” and that Trump was “running out of time”.
A CARAVAN drives to the airport after departing from the Christian Aid Ministries headquarters at Titanyen, north of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, last Thursday. Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP
Captive missionaries ‘made daring escape’ CAPTIVE missionaries in Haiti found freedom last week by making a daring overnight escape, eluding their kidnappers and walking for miles over difficult, moonlit terrain with an infant and other children in tow, according to the agency they work for, officials said yesterday. The group of 12 navigated by stars to reach safety after a twomonth kidnapping ordeal, officials with the Christian Aid Ministries, the Ohio-based agency that the captive missionaries work for, said Monday at a press conference. The detailed accounting of their journey to safety comes after news Thursday that the missionaries were free. A total of 17 people from the missionary group — 12 adults and five minors — were abducted Oct. 16 shortly after visiting an orphanage in Ganthier, in the Croix-des-Bouquets area, where they verified it had received aid from CAM and played with the children, CAM has said. The group included 16 Americans and one Canadian. Their captors from the 400 Mawozo gang initially demanded millions of dollars in ransom. Five other captives had earlier reached freedom. It is still unclear if any ransom was paid. CAM general director David
Troyer did say supporters of CAM raised funds for possible use for a ransom, but he refused to say whether one was paid for any of the releases. The 12 who fled last week carried the infant and three-year-old, wrapping the baby to protect her from the briars and brambles, said CAM spokesman Weston Showalter. “After a number of hours of walking, day began to dawn and they eventually found someone who helped to make a phone call for help,” he said, his voice beginning to choke. “They were finally free.” The 12 were flown to Florida on a US Coast Guard flight, and later reunited with five hostages who were released earlier. CAM displayed photos at the news conferences showing the freed hostages being reunited, along with a video of the group singing a song that had inspired them during their captivity. The missionaries were taken hostage on their way back from the orphanage on the afternoon of Oct. 16. “They had no idea what was ahead of them,” Showalter said. Only five or ten minutes after getting underway, they saw a roadblock up ahead. The group’s driver
– the one Canadian in the group -turned around, but a pickup truck pursued them, and “gang members surrounded the van,” CAM spokesman Weston Showalter said. He said early reports that the driver was a Haitian national were not accurate. He said they were initially crowded into a small room in a house, but were moved around several times during their captivity. They were not physically harmed by the kidnappers, Showalter said. He said the main physical challenges included the heat, mosquitoes and contaminated water for bathing, which led some of them to develop sores. Sometimes the young children got sick. However, he said everyone appears to have emerged from captivity in good health. The adults received small food portions, such as rice and beans for dinner, although the captors provided plenty of food suitable for the small children, he said. The hostages gathered multiple times during the day for prayer and religious devotions, and sometimes singing loud enough for each other to hear when they were in separate rooms, Showalter said. They also sought to encourage other hostages who were being held
for ransom in separate kidnappings, Showalter said. Over time, the hostages agreed to try to escape, and chose the night of December 15 to flee. “When they sensed the timing was right, they found a way to open the door that was closed and blocked, filed silently to the path they had chosen to follow, and quickly left the place they were held, despite the fact that numerous guards were close by,” Showalter said. Based in Berlin, Ohio, CAM is supported and staffed by conservative Anabaptists, a range of Mennonite, Amish and related groups whose hallmarks include nonresistance to evil, plain dress and separation from mainstream society. None of the freed hostages were at the press conference. They came from Amish, Mennonite, and other Anabaptist communities in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Ontario, according to CAM. After the news conference, a group of CAM employees stood and sang, “Nearer My God to Thee” in the robust, four-part acapella harmony that is a signature of conservative Anabaptist worship.
EVENTS CANCELLED AND RESTRICTIONS INTRODUCED BOSTON Associated Press
THE nation’s second-largest city called off its New Year’s Eve celebration yesterday, and its smallest state re-imposed an indoor mask mandate as fears of a potentially devastating winter COVID-19 surge triggered more cancellations and restrictions ahead of the holidays. Organisers of the New Year’s Eve party planned for downtown Los Angeles’ Grand Park announced that there will no in-person audience. The event will be livestreamed instead, as it was last year. In Rhode Island, which has the most new cases per capita over the last two weeks, masks or proof of vaccination will be required in most indoor establishments. And in Boston, the city’s new Democratic mayor announced to howls of protests and jeers that anyone entering a restaurant, bar or other indoor business will need to show proof of vaccination starting next month. “There is nothing more American than coming together to ensure that we’re taking care of each other,” Mayor Michelle Wu said at City Hall as protesters loudly blew whistles and shouted “Shame on Wu.” Much of the fear centres around the new omicron variant, which scientists say spreads even easier than other coronavirus strains, including delta, and it is expected to become dominant in the US by early next year. Many details about omicron remain unknown, including whether it causes more or less severe illness. But even if it is milder, the new variant could still overwhelm health systems because of the sheer number of infections. In New York City, where a spike in infections is already scuttling Broadway shows and causing long lines at testing centers, Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to decide this week whether the city’s famous New Year’s Eve bash in Times Square will come back “full strength” as he promised in November. North of the border, the Canadian province of Quebec imposed
A BILLBOARD urging citizens to wear face masks in Nottingham, England. His top medical adviser, Dr. a 10pm closing time for restaurants, banned spectators from sporting Anthony Fauci, has promised that events and shuttered gyms and the Democrat will issue “a stark schools and mandated remote warning of what the winter will look like” for unvaccinated Americans. work. Cases are surging in parts of the Across the Atlantic, the World Economic Forum announced that US, particularly the Northeast and it would again delay its annual Midwest, though it’s not always meeting of world leaders, busi- clear which variant is driving the ness executives and other elites in upswing. Data from the Centers for DisDavos, Switzerland. But in Britain, Prime Minister ease Control and Prevention from Boris Johnson said yesterday that earlier this month found that the officials decided against imposing omicron variant represented three further restrictions, at least for now. percent of new cases. But in Texas, one hospital system The conservative government reimposed face masks in shops and reports that omicron already ordered people to show proof of accounts for 82 percent of new vaccination at nightclubs and other symptomatic COVID-19 cases it is crowded venues earlier this month. treating. That’s a dramatic increase It is weighing curfews and stricter from Friday, when testing showed that omicron was responsible for 45 social distancing requirements. “We will have to reserve the pos- percent of the system’s cases, Dr S sibility of taking further action to Wesley Long, a medical director at protect the public,” he said. “The Houston Methodist Hospital, said arguments either way are very, very on Sunday in a tweet. In Missouri, an early epicenter finely balanced.” Johnson’s warning throws into of the delta surge, the variant stark relief the unpalatable choice still accounts for 98 percent to 99 government leaders face: wreck percent of COVID-19 samples, holiday plans for millions for a according to the state’s Department second consecutive year, or face a of Health and Senior Services. Idaho state health officials yespotential tidal wave of cases and terday deactivated crisis guidelines disruption. In the US, President Joe Biden for rationing care that had been in planned to address the nation on place in northern counties since the latest variant on Tuesday, less September, saying the number of than a year after he suggested that COVID-19 patients remains high the country would essentially be but no longer exceeds available back to normal by Christmas. health care resources.
Meanwhile, hospitals in Ohio, Maine and other states have postponed elective surgeries, and governors have sent in National Guard reinforcements to help beleaguered hospital staff in recent days. In Kansas, rural hospitals are struggling to transfer patients, with some left stranded in emergency rooms for a week while they wait for a bed. Overwhelmed hospitals as far away as Minnesota and Michigan have been calling looking for beds in larger Kansas hospitals. Often there simply isn’t room. “It’s already as crazy as it can be when you are talking about moving people from Minnesota to Kansas City for treatment,” Dr Richard Watson, founder of Motient, a company contracting with Kansas to help manage transfers, said on Friday. Still, many political leaders are reluctant to impose the stiff measures they resorted to earlier in the pandemic. France is desperately trying to avoid a new lockdown that would hurt the economy and cloud President Emmanuel Macron’s expected re-election campaign. The government in Paris, however, has banned public concerts and fireworks displays at New Year’s celebrations. Ireland has imposed an 8pm curfew on pubs and bars and limited attendance at indoor and outdoor events, while Greece will have 10,000 police officers on duty over the holidays to carry out COVID-19 pass checks. In Spain, where the national average for new cases is double what it was a year ago, authorities are betting primarily on mandatory mask-wearing indoors, with no further restrictions planned. Neighbouring Portugal is simply telling most nonessential workers to work from home for a week in January. Cases of omicron are doubling in Britain about every two days, and the latest surge has decimated the economy in the busy pre-Christmas period. The government has so far pinned its hopes on vaccine boosters. It has set up temporary clinics in soccer stadiums, shopping centers and cathedrals to meet a goal of offering everyone 18 and up an extra shot by the end of the month.
SPORTS PAGE 11
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2021
Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals underway By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
I
t was an easy day in the office for some of the top players as day one of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s week-long Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals got underway yesterday at the National Tennis Centre. Although some of the big names in the sport opted not to compete this time around, the field of players still entered makes for an exciting march to the selection of the first two players on both the Bahamas’ 2022 Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup for women) and the Davis Cup for men. Veteran Davis Cup player/captain Marvin Rolle, playing as the number two seed, blanked Shavano Hanna 6-0, 6-0,
OPENING DAY - Shown, from left to right, are Michael Major Jr, Spencer Newman, Donte Armbrister and Denali Nottage in action on day 1 of the Giorgio Baldacci Open Tennis Nationals yesterday at the National Tennis Centre. Photos courtesy of BLTA Public Relations while No.3 seed Spencer a 6-3, 6-4 decision over Ferguson, also unseeded, be top seed and defending Newman took the first set Kofi Bowe out of Grand prevailed with identi- champion Sydney Clarke, 6-0 and was leading 3-0 Bahama. cal scores of 6-3, 6-3 over who will go up against when Nathan Thompson On the ladies’ side, Sierra Rodgers. Sierra Donaldson, while was forced to retire. unseeded Sierra DonToday, the action will No.2 seed Elana Mackey Collegian Donte Arm- aldson ousted youthful heat up on the court with will take on Sapphire brister, the No.3 seed, had Maddison Bowleg with a some exciting matches: Ferguson. to work a little harder 6-0, 6-1 victory and another At 9am, highlighting the before he prevailed with rising young star Sapphire female side of the coin will SEE PAGE 12
Bridgewater helps his team win Coupe de Provence title By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net DOMINICK Bridgewater helped his Sapela Basket 13 club to the Coupe de Provence title in France’s NM2 League. Bridgewater finished with 17 points and six assists in his team’s 77-65 win over HTV yesterday. HTV led 18-16 after the first quarter and the teams took a 31-31 tie into the half. Bridgewater scored nine points in the third as Sapela outscored their opponents 26-12 to take advantage for good. Bridgewater leads the team in scoring at 18.3 points per game. He opened the season with 34 points, 10 assists and five steals to lead Sapela 13 to a 104-99 win over Sorgues BC in the season opener. A member of the FOSSur-Mer Byers of the Pro
B League, Bridgewater was placed on loan to Sapela Basket 13 for the second consecutive season. In his short four-game stint with Sapela 13 last season, the 6’2” point guard averaged 16.7 points and 10.4 assists per game with three double doubles. Although his time with the team came to an early end due to COVID-19, he went on to receive a promotion in the Byers’ system with the Pro B team. Following his stint with Sapela, Bridgewater joined the Byers’ Pro B roster for the first time in his career. He appeared in three games in limited minutes and made his debut with four points and three assists. At the national team level, Bridgewater averaged 12.5 points per game for Team Bahamas against Canada in the first window of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers.
FOR her achievement in making every junior national team as the top high school sprinter in the country this year, as well as the Olympic Games, Lacarthea Cooper was awarded the RedLine Athletics’ Athlete of the Year honours. The club, now in its fourth year of existence, staged its third Stallion Awards and Christmas Party on Saturday on board the Blackbeard’s Revenge where more than 30 of their athletes were recognised for their performances on the track and in the classroom. Club founding president and head coach Tito Moss said the awards presentation was just their way as the coaches and the management team, to show their gratitude to their student-athletes for a job well done. “I am really pleased with the performances we had as a club this year,” he said. “It was very difficult
JOEL EMBIID SCORES 41 POINTS, 76ERS BEAT CELTICS BY 5 BOSTON (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 17 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter, hitting three jumpers in the final minutes and three free throws in the last four seconds to ice it as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 108-103 last night. With both teams fighting COVID-19 outbreaks, Embiid also had 10 rebounds and a steal on the Celtics’ last-chance inbound pass while playing 40 minutes, 14 seconds — a season high for a game that didn’t go to overtime. Seth Curry scored 26 points and Tobias Harris had 25 for Philadelphia. Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, Jayson Tatum had 17 and Enes Kanter Freedom had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who had seven players in COVID-19 protocol, with Robert Williams III a late scratch for personal reasons.
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STINGERS RUNNERS-UP AT DYNASTY HOOPS CLASSIC IN ORLANDO By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
happy when her name was called as the winner, she was a bit surprised. “I didn’t expect to get it because of how the season ended up for me not going to the Olympics, but I’m happy that I got it,” Cooper said. “This season was so great. I think this was God’s plan. Without him, I couldn’t do it. “I had a very difficult season at the end, but I’m looking forward to qualifying for every national team. I want to make my parents and coaches very proud. I know I have some things to work on, but I won’t say it right now.” Cooper said she was just happy that the coaches hosted another awards presentation to honour her and her team-mates for their stellar performances this year and she is hoping that they can carry that trend into 2022. More than 70 awards were handed out during the course of the night. The Red-Line Athletics recipients were as follows:
THE Sunland Baptist Lutheran Stingers junior and senior boys’ basketball team made their trip to Orlando, Florida, a memorable one at the Dynasty Hoops Basketball Classic over the weekend. The Grand Bahamabased team made it to the finals of both divisions where they fell short of hoisting the championship titles. They did have some reason to celebrate, finishing up as the runners-up in the pools of 18 teams each. In the junior boys’ division, the Stingers, coached by Marco Cooper, went into the final with an undefeated win-loss record, only to fall short 46-32 to Team Puerto Rico. Mario Carey, a ninth grader, led the Stingers in four games, including the championship. The Stingers senior boys, coached by Jay Philippe, also advanced to the final after they posted a 2-1 record. But in the final, they lost to Nona Academy 51-40, despite getting 13 points from Jordan Saunders. Coach Philippe, whose Stingers are coming off their latest victory at the Island Cares High School Basketball Challenge in Grand Bahama two weeks ago, said it was so gratifying for Sunland Lutheran Baptist to advance to the finals in both divisions. “The guys fought well for the entire game,” Philippe said. “I’m so proud of these guys because these are some new faces to the programme and they were able to execute the game on the defensive and offensive end. The guys played with a lot of tenacity, which was good for us. But this is just a build up to what we are
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DOMINICK Bridgewater shows off his trophy after he helped his Sapela Basket 13 club to the Coupe de Provence title in France’s NM2 League. Bridgewater finished with 17 points and six assists in his team’s 77-65 win over HTV yesterday.
Lacarthea Red-Line Athletics’ Athlete of the Year By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
NFL, Page 13
to determine some of the winners because we had so many outstanding athletes, particularly in the under-20 boys, with Joshua Miller, Otto Laing and Shimar Bain. “It was the same thing in the under-17 boys with Clinton Laguere and Johnathon Fowler. I’m just honoured to see that we had so many kids who performed so well, not just on the track, but academically.” The highlight of the night was the Athlete of the Year. In winning the award, Cooper joined Megan Moss, now in her junior year at the University of Kentucky, who was the first recipient in 2020 and last year’s winner Shimar Bain. “Out of those three, two of them are Olympians. That’s how tough it is to win this award in Red-Line Athletics,” Moss said. “So I’m really pleased with the performance of this year’s winner, Lacarthea. She is in grade 12 and has already received more than 13 offers, so we’re just trying to find the right place for her to go next year.”
COACH Tito Moss presents Lacarthea Cooper with her awards. Cooper, who had to turn down the trip to Tokyo, Japan, for the Olympics after she came up with a case of COVID-19 on the eve of her travel, said while she was
PAGE 12, Tuesday, December 21, 2021
MARIO CAREY, Stingers junior boys’ top scorer.
JORDAN SAUNDERS, Stingers senior boys’ top scorer.
STINGERS RUNNERS-UP AT DYNASTY HOOPS CLASSIC IN ORLANDO FROM PAGE 11 trying to achieve long term with this Stingers programme. We want to be known as winners. We want to be known as an elite basketball team in the country. I think we’re definitely making steps towards that.” As for their junior boys, coach Cooper said not having a chance to play since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, they stepped up to the challenge, but just fell short when it counted the most in the final. “Coming second overall is just icing on the cake and it proves that our guys are still in sync with basketball,” Cooper said. “We had a chance to practice for a couple weeks, so to come out here and display our skills at such a high level was quite remarkable. “Anytime you get an opportunity to represent
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the Bahamas, that’s a good thing. “We’re looking forward to playing some more games before we head back to the Bahamas and once we get into Grand Bahama, we hope that there is a season to carry on. But its been a successful tournament and I’m happy for these guys.” The Stingers will visit Polk State College and Weber International, the alma mater of coach Philippe, where they will participate in college visits and workouts. Once they return home and they can participate in any high school league or tournament in Grand Bahama and New Providence, Philippe said they want to ensure that the Stingers will be able to hold their own like they did in winning the last Hugh Basketball Campbell Classic in February, 2019.
SUNLAND Lutheran Baptist Stingers junior boys’ team with coach Marco Cooper.
SUNLAND Lutheran Baptist Stingers senior boys’ basketball team with coach Jay Philippe.
ATHLETICS FROM PAGE 11
Most outstanding male athletes on the track: Jayden Allen - under-9; Jonathan Morris - under-11; Eagan Neely - under-13; Tyler Frazier - under-15 with Jaden Clarke as honorable mention; Clinton Laguerre - under-17 and Johnathon Fowler as honorable mention and Joshua Miller - under-20 boys with Shimar Bain as honourable mention. Most outstanding female athletes on the track: Syrmiah Crawley - under-13; Maddison Moss - under-15 with Kennedy Hanna as honorable mention; Nya Wright - under-17 with Ezthia Maycock as honourable mention and Lacarthea Cooper - under-20 with Apryl Adderley and Shanai Sweeting as honourable mentions. As the most outstanding senior boy, Joshua Miller said in addition to battling a hamstring and knee injury, he also grieved the loss of his mother, Denise, on April 11 and the coaches helped him to get through it. “I just hope this coming season will be way better,” he said. “But I was surprised when I heard my name called for the awards that I got. My opponents
KOFI Bowe
TENNIS
FROM PAGE 11 Both Clarke and Mackey are home from college and will be getting their first taste of competition as they seek to secure another spot on the Billie Jean King Cup, following their selection this year with player/ captain Kerrie Cartwright and Sierra Donaldson, another collegian. Following those matches, the men’s play will intensify when the Newman brothers will share the spotlight.
COACH Tito Moss with outstanding under-20 boys’ Joshua Miller. ran fast early, so I was generally surprised that I came through at the end.” Miller, an 18-year-old 12th grader at St Augustine’s College, said his goal is to secure a division one athletic scholarship and continue his performances as a representative for the Bahamas on the international stage. Special awards: Tyler Frazier - newcomer of the year; Eagan Neely - most improved athlete; coaches awards - Eagan Neely and Clinton Laguerre; Coach Mike Armbrister Leadership Award - Joshua Miller
and Tyler Frazier - Scholar of the Year; Madison Major newcomer of the year; Meghan Moss - Collegiate Athlete of the Year; D’Arjha Davis - Female Scholar of the Year; Otto Laing, Shimar Bain, Brandon Hutchinson, Megan Moss and Lacarthea Cooper - National Team Member Awards and Lacarthea Cooper - Athlete of the Year. Now in his third year in the club, Eagan Neely said he was pleased with the awards he got, but the St Augustine’s College rising
RODNEY Carey Jr
ANTHONY Burrows Jr
Top seed Baker Newman will clash with Rodney Carey Jr, while Spencer Newman, the No.3 seed, will compete against Michael Major Jr. Two other seeded players will be in action later in the day as Marvin Rolle will square off against either Vontenken Rolle or Sharano Hanna, who will play an early match at 8:30am. Donte Armbrister will be back in action when he faces off against Denali Nottage. The BLTA expected a bigger draw with players
like Kerrie Cartwright and Grand Bahamian Simone Pratt entered on the ladies’ side and Kevin Major Jr, Philip Major Jr and Jacobi Bain on the men. But none of those players, nor Justin Roberts, the top ranked Bahamian player on the International Tennis Federation, showed up to participate. While the top two players from the Open Nationals will automatically qualify for the national team, the BLTA is expected to hold another trials next year to complete both teams.
COACH Tito Moss presents Tyler Frazier with his awards_.jpg star said there’s still more work for him to do. “I just need to improve on my form and increase my steps,” said Neely, who has run lifetime bests of 12.33 in the 100 metres, 25.17 in the 200m and 59 in the 400m. “I’m looking forward to running much faster next year.” Scholars Awards - Justin Butler; MaKyaha Johnson, Eagan Neely, Leonardo Johnson, Ezthia Maycock, Shanai Sweeting, D’Arijha Davis, Otto Laing, Kimola Gibson, Jonathon Fowler, Sara Williams, Jayden Allen and Tyler Fowler.
Special parents awards: Shanique Russell, Vernice Forbes, Melissa Major, Mark Major, Yvette Clarke, Dr Melciannia Moxey and Parent of the Year - Thallise Maycock. As the proud mother of Ezthia Maycock, a 15-year old 11th grader at St Augustine’s College, who is a middle distance runner, Maycock said she came to tears when her name was called. “I wasn’t expecting it. It was just very hearttouching for me because coach Moss and his wife have been very supportive from day one when my
daughter joined this club,” she said. “From when she joined, I never had a level of regret. They bring a level of professionalism that is second to none. They take the children’s interest to heart. They recognise them in athletics and academics. They always tell them that they need both of them to excel in college, which is the ultimate goal.” Maycock assured people out there that if they are looking for a club for their children to excel, the RedLine Athletics is the club to join. The parents, she noted, are all very supportive of everything that the club does and that is why they continue to flourish. Dedicated Service Awards - Rev. Franklyn Clarke, coach Lashan Patton and Rickey Miller. Based on what he saw this past year, Moss said as their numbers continue to grow with more than 70 athletes registered, he anticipates that their performances will also improve. Red-Line Athletics is now looking forward to hosting their annual Track Classic January 28-29 at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium. “We are excited. The kids have put in the work and they are all ready to go,” Moss said.
76ERS centre Joel Embiid (21) shoots over Celtics centre Enes Freedom (13) and guard Marcus Smart, left, during the second half yesterday in Boston. (AP Photo/ Charles Krupa)
NBA
FROM PAGE 11 THUNDER 102, GRIZZLIES 99 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points, Josh Giddey added 19 points and 11 assists, and Oklahoma City beat Ja Morant and Memphis. Morant returned from injury and the league’s COVID-19 protocols after a 12-game absence.He finished with 16 points. Desmond Bane led Memphis with 25 points and Dillon Brooks scored 19.
The Thunder overcame an 89-84 deficit in the final 4:36 and took the lead for good at 96-95 on Giddey’s layup with 50 seconds remaining. The last time these teams met, the Grizzlies set an NBA record for margin of victory in a 152-79 thrashing. BULLS 133, ROCKETS 118 CHICAGO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points and Chicago beat Houston. DeRozan, who scored 38 points in
Sunday’s win over the Lakers after missing three games due to the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, received help from five teammates who scored in double figures. The Bulls never trailed and led by 25 points during the first half. They have won two consecutive games and six of their last eight. Christian Wood had 23 points and 11 rebounds, but the Rockets lost for the fifth time in seven games. Jae’Sean Tate added 16 points.
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Tuesday, December 21, 2021, PAGE 13
Several asymptomatic NFL players test positive for virus By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer SEVERAL asymptomatic, vaccinated NFL players tested positive for COVID-19 on the first day of “targeted” testing, a person familiar with the results told The Associated Press yesterday. Overall, 47 players were placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list, the most in a single day since the pandemic began. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of privacy issues, didn’t specify how many of the players are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated. Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa and Lions quarterback Jared Goff are among the players who landed on the reserve list. Bosa will miss this week’s game, according to coach Brandon Staley. Players who test positive must quarantine until they’re cleared to return. Under the NFL’s revised protocols which went into effect yesterday, asymptomatic, vaccinated players can return in less than 10 days. Kelce, cornerback Charvarius Ward and kicker Harrison Butker tested positive. All played last Thursday night against the Chargers, when Kelce had a career-high 191 yards
receiving and caught the tying touchdown pass in the fourth quarter and the winner in overtime. Kansas City already has defensive tackle Chris Jones, wide receiver Josh Gordon and linebacker Willie Gay Jr on the list. Also added with Goff were Detroit receiver Quintez Cephus and tackle Matt Nelson. Other Chargers added were DBs Trey Marshall, Kemon Hall and Tevaughn Campbell, linebacker Chris Rumph, centre Corey Linsley and WR Andre Roberts. New England was hit hard as WR Kendrick Bourne, LBs Harvey Langi and Cameron McGrone, and DE Ronnie Perkins went on the list. Philadelphia saw starting guard Landon Dickerson and backup tackle Andre Dillard added, meaning they could miss tonight’s game. Jets right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who opted out last year to work on the pandemic’s front lines, was asked about the chances some players might try to conceal their symptoms in order to continue playing. “Of course that’s the down side, and I guess we’ll know more in the next week and we’ll see after next Sunday what really happened in terms
CLEVELAND Browns quarterback Nick Mullens throws during the first half against the Denver Broncos on October 21. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) of the number of cases and Chicago Bears defensive everything,” said Duver- coordinator Sean Desai nay-Tardif, who has a cleared COVID-19 protodoctorate in medicine and cols and was expected to a master’s in surgery. “I just call plays against the Minhope that guys are going to nesota Vikings last night. be honest with themselves, Desai tested positive because at the end of the last week, as did offensive day they’re putting me at coordinator Bill Lazor and risk as a player who’s fol- special teams coordinator lowing the rules and the Chris Tabor. It was unclear guidelines because they’re if Lazor or Tabor would going on the field with work the game. The Bears symptoms. said Saturday quarterbacks “We’re all in this coach John DeFilippo together. The goal is obvi- would serve as offensive ously to finish the season coordinator if Lazor is out, and play all the games, but and assistant special teams it’s also to stay healthy, so coordinator Brian Ginn I think we’ve just got to be would fill in for Tabor if he honest with ourselves.” is not cleared.
The Bears also had 14 players on the reserve/ COVID-19 list as of yesterday afternoon, including receiver Allen Robinson, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, safety Eddie Jackson and backup quarterback Andy Dalton. Cleveland, which lost 16-14 to Las Vegas yesterday — a game moved from Saturday because of the Browns’ COVID-19 outbreak — started thirdstring quarterback Nick Mullens with Baker Mayfield and his backup, Case Keenum, both out while in coronavirus protocols. Only one Cleveland starter, safety John Johnson III, was activated from the protocols before the game Monday. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was also out after he tested positive last week, when a slew of positive tests tore into Cleveland’s roster. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer served as Cleveland’s interim head coach and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt handled play-calling duties. Two other games were moved from Sunday to tonight: Washington at Philadelphia and Seattle at the Los Angeles Rams. Washington and the Rams had the major COVID-19 outbreaks that forced those games to be moved.
VIKINGS STOP BEARS 17-9 By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) — Thomas Graham Jr and the Chicago Bears held Justin Jefferson in check. Robert Quinn and company managed to slow Dalvin Cook. The penalties, the overall discipline issues, that was just too much for them to overcome. Teez Tabor and Trevis Gipson were whistled for 15-yard penalties on a key Minnesota scoring drive in the third quarter, part of a flag-filled Monday night for the Bears in a 17-9 loss to the Vikings. Tabor was part of a patchwork secondary for Chicago after cornerback Jaylon Johnson and safety Tashaun Gipson joined safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Artie Burns on the team’s sizeable reserve/ COVID-19 list. But the defence held up just fine without its entire starting secondary, limiting high-powered Minnesota to 193 yards. Cook, who rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings’ 36-28 win against Pittsburgh on December 9, gained 89 yards on the ground against the Bears. Jefferson finished with just four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. Kirk Cousins was 12 for 24 for a season-low 87 yards. But Chicago (4-10) hurt itself repeatedly in its eighth loss in nine games.
CARLSON FG GIVES RAIDERS 16-14 WIN VS COVID-RAVAGED BROWNS By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Daniel Carlson’s 48-yard field goal as time expired sent the Las Vegas Raiders to a 16-14 win yesterday night over the COVID19-depleted Cleveland Browns in a game pushed back two days by the NFL amid an uptick of virus cases across the league. Down by a point, quarterback Derek Carr patiently drove the Raiders (7-7) into Cleveland territory in the final two minutes. Then Carlson shrugged off being iced by the Browns to boot his winner, keeping Las Vegas in the playoff mix. The Raiders, who weren’t happy when the league delayed their visit, danced off their sideline when the kick went through. The loss was devastating for the Browns (7-7), who would have vaulted into first place in the AFC North with a win. Instead, they fell into last place in the tightly packed division with three games remaining. Due to a virus outbreak, the Browns were without quarterback Baker Mayfield, coach Kevin Stefanski and several other prominent players.
Cleveland’s third-string quarterback Nick Mullens had given the Browns a 14-13 lead by throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to Harrison Bryant with 3:45 left. And after Greedy Williams intercepted Carr, it appeared the Browns were on their way to taking their roller-coaster season to new heights. But they couldn’t come up with a first down and gave the ball back to Carr with 1:50 left. The Raiders quarterback took care of the rest, setting up Carlson’s kick that kicked new life into a team that has dealt with adversity and drama all season, including the resignation of coach Jon Gruden in October. The Browns were ravaged by positive COVID-19 cases last week. Despite the league postponing the game for two days, an asymptomatic Mayfield was unable to produce a negative test in time to play. Cleveland was without a dozen regulars. The Browns were also without Stefanski, forced to miss his second big game in less than a year after he tested positive. Nick Chubb’s 4-yard TD run came shortly after the Browns got a turnover they
LAS Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) boots a winning 48-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns yesterday in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) of 38 for 236 yards and a a few years back after perdesperately needed. They ennial All-Pro Joe Thomas jarred the ball loose from touchdown. HOLD THE LINE retired. Carr, who fumbled near Cleveland’s issues up NEXT WOMAN UP midfield and appeared to For the second straight injure his leg while being front led to a major shift, taken down by Sheldon with Pro Bowl left guard year, Browns chief of staff Joel Bitonio sliding over to Callie Brownson was called Day and others. Carr was checked by play left tackle as Jedrick on to fill in for an assistant trainers before limping to Wills Jr was one of the coach. With acting running the sideline. He came back Browns’ COVID-19 cases. Bitonio had a brief stint backs coach Ryan Cordfor the Raiders’ next possession and finished 25 at tackle in training camp ell out with COVID-19,
Brownson stepped in. Last year, she became the first woman in league history to work as a position coach during a game. Brownson is in her second season with Cleveland. She was recently hired as coach of the US women’s national team for this summer’s world championships. INJURIES Raiders: LB Will Compton was a late scratch. He left the team to be with his family following his mother’s unexpected death. ... LB Divine Deablo hurt his shoulder in the third quarter. S Jonathan Abram immediately went to the locker room with a shoulder injury midway through the fourth period and didn’t return. Browns: DE Takk McKinley was carted off in the third quarter with a potentially serious ankle injury. McKinley covered his face and struggled to contain his emotions while being taken to the locker room. UP NEXT Raiders: host the Denver Broncos on December 26. Browns: Christmas Day visit to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers.
Nadal positive for virus after EPL PLAYS ON, URGING 16 PERCENT OF PLAYERS UNVACCINATED GET JABBED returning from Abu Dhabi MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal tested positive for the coronavirus after playing in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, the Spaniard said yesterday. Nadal wrote on Twitter that the positive result came from a PCR test he took after arriving in Spain. Nadal said he is enduring “unpleasant moments” but hopes to improve “little by little.” He is in isolation at home and everyone who has been in contact with him was informed of his positive result. Among those possibly in contact with Nadal was Spain’s former monarch, Juan Carlos I, who has been living in the United Arab Emirates since allegations of financial scandals swirled and embarrassed the Spanish royal household last year. According to Spain’s El Mundo newspaper, Nadal and Juan Carlos, who is 83, shared a meal on Saturday. The paper also published photos of both of them posing together without masks. Nadal said he had been tested every two days while away and all results had come back negative, with the last one on Saturday. Nadal said that as a consequence of the positive result he will have to be flexible with his playing schedule. He said he will analyse his upcoming options depending on
By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer
RAFAEL NADAL, of Spain, leaves the court after he lost to Lloyd Harris, of South Africa, in the Citi Open tennis tournament, on August 5. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) his condition. Nadal played his first match in more than four months on Friday, losing in straight sets to Andy Murray at the exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi. The 20-time Grand Slam champion’s chronic foot injury had forced him to sit out the final months of this season. Nadal had not competed since early August when he lost to Lloyd Harris in Washington. He missed Wimbledon, the Tokyo Olympics and the US Open.
LONDON (AP) — Premier League clubs decided against pausing the season yesterday despite 10 fixtures being postponed in the previous week due to the most widespread coronavirus outbreaks to date across squads. While more than 90% of players in the Italian and Spanish leagues have been fully vaccinated, the Premier League disclosed that only 77% of its players had received two doses. In its first update on vaccine take-up in two months, the league also said 16% of players had not received even a single dose. Coronavirus cases across players and staff hit another high in the last week, more than doubling from 42 to 90. It reflects a spike in infections across Britain — up some 60% in the last week — with more than 90,000 daily cases
reported in three of the last four days. Premier League clubs met virtually yesterday after six of the weekend’s 10 games were called off. “While recognising a number of clubs are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and challenges,” the league said after the call, “it is the league’s collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible. “The health and wellbeing of all concerned remains our priority and the league will continue to monitor and reflect public health guidance, always proceeding with caution.” Due to the looming fixture congestion to play postponed games, it was announced yesterday that plans for replays in the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup have been scrapped. The league has urged players to get vaccinated
to avoid squads being depleted and games called off due to coronavirus cases. “The league continues to work with clubs to encourage vaccination among players and club staff,” the Premier League said in a statement. Wolverhampton is a rare case in England of a team saying its squad is all vaccinated with booster shots received at its Molineux stadium after Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Chelsea. “Everyone in our building is fully vaccinated, which is the right thing to do, especially with the increase in positive cases in the Premier League and wider society,” Wolves manager Bruno Lage said. “We have a responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe, so when the players and staff were offered the booster jab, it was a simple decision for us, and it was great to do it together after the game.”
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DAVIS CANS 33 POINTS AS SMU ROLLS PAST NEW MEXICO, 90-71
USA Basketball announces Kerr as next Olympic men’s coach
By GLEN ROSALES Associated Press
STEVE Kerr saw everything that Gregg Popovich went through as coach of the US men’s national team, saw exactly how difficult it was last summer for the Americans to emerge from the Tokyo Olympics with another gold medal. And when he walked off the floor for the last time in Tokyo, he was drained. “It wasn’t easy,” Kerr said. It was just further proof that the days of US cakewalks to gold are over. He decided to take the job anyway. Kerr was formally announced as the next coach of the US men’s team yesterday in San Francisco, a not-very-well-kept secret in recent weeks that the Golden State coach would be taking over for Popovich and leading the Americans — if they qualify — into the 2023 Basketball World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kerr’s assistants will be Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams and Gonzaga coach Mark Few. Williams has been an assistant before, under former US coach Mike Krzyzewski. Spoelstra and Few were involved in coaching the US select team, which was assembled to practice against the Olympic team, this past summer. “Coaching the USA men’s national team comes with great responsibility — one that calls for a group effort with a team of coaches committed to the team, to the goal and to
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Kendric Davis scored a season-high 33 points and provided an answer for SMU every time it needed it against New Mexico in a 90-71 win Sunday. “He was sensational,” SMU coach Tim Jankovich said. “He was just sensational. Obviously, he was ad-libbing. Give him some room and he makes some great plays. Other guys stepped up too, but he was sensational.” The Mustangs (9-3) won for the sixth straight time, using an early 8-0 run to build a 19-7 lead, then holding the Lobos (6-6) at bay for the rest of the game. Jamal Mashburn Jr scored 25 for New Mexico and Jaelen House Jr. added 16, but the Mustangs got 13 from Marcus Weathers and 11 from Zach Nutall. SMU also controlled the interior, with a 42-28 scoring advantage and a 48-32 rebounding edge. Still, several times down the stretch, the Lobos were able to cut the lead into single digits before Davis and the Mustangs responded. “The way we responded over the last four or five minutes, when it really gets hard and which is when the games are won or lost, I love the way we played the last four or five minutes,” Jankovich said. SMU is a good model of a programme that New
Mexico looks to emulate, Lobos coach Richard Pitino said. “I think they are an NCAA tournament team,” he said. “They’ve got veterans, 1,000 points scorers. They’re old. We still cannot find a way to get a stop when we need to. We cut it to eight or nine in the second half a couple of times. Couldn’t get a stop. I like the fight in the second half. I thought it was good. But give SMU credit. They’re where we want to be in a couple of years. They’re a really talented team.” BIG PICTURE: SMU continues to show well after rebounding from back-to-back losses just before Thanksgiving, rolling through a series of second-tier teams en route to an impressivelooking record. What was supposed to be a pleasant December filled with good home cooking has turned into something altogether unappetising as New Mexico has lost three of four games thus far, with undefeated No. 23 Colorado State on tap December 28 to start Mountain West play. UP NEXT: SMU returns home to play Evansville today in a final tuneup before American Athletic Conference play begins the following week. New Mexico continues a month-long homestand with a final non-conference game against Norfolk State today.
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
WARRIORS head coach Steve Kerr reacts to action on the court during the first half against the Pacers on December 13. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) each other — and I couldn’t ask for a finer group of high character individuals to help me lead our national team,” Kerr said. “Our goal, of course, is to win and make our country proud. We will work hard to do so.” Kerr would be the 16th different coach to take the US men into an Olympics. Of the previous 15, 13 have emerged with gold. His hiring for the job represents the first major decision by Grant Hill in his role as managing director of the men’s national team, the position he’s taking after Jerry Colangelo helped the Americans win the last four Olympic gold medals in that role. “I have been very, very blessed, very lucky, in my career,” Kerr said at the news conference, a few minutes before Hill presented him with a USA Basketball jersey bearing the number “24” — a nod to the Paris Games. “And this opportunity is a result of being in the right place at the right time, working with
the right people, having a lot of people lift me up along the way.” Kerr has three NBA titles as coach of the Warriors, won five more as a player, was part of the staff that won gold at the Tokyo Games and won a seniorlevel gold medal for USA Basketball as a player in the 1986 World Cup. “His basketball acumen, his ability to connect with people, I think his understanding and respect of the international game, along with some other factors, certainly played a role in this process,” Hill said in an interview with The Associated Press about the selection process. “As I talked to people and went through consideration, he was the perfect fit. His wealth of experiences, including that on the international stage, I think really differentiated him.” There are plenty of parallels between Popovich and Kerr, plenty of ties that bind. They are close friends, Kerr played for Popovich in San Antonio
and both are taking the Olympic job after missing out on Olympic bids as players. Popovich tried to make the 1972 US Olympic team; Kerr was a finalist for the 1988 Olympic team. “I just did whatever he told me,” Popovich said with a smile earlier this month when discussing what it was like to have Kerr on his Olympic staff. The Americans currently are in the process of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup — which will end in the Philippines, the homeland of Spoelstra’s mother. A strong finish at the World Cup would be the easiest way to qualify for the Paris Olympics; simply being the reigning gold medallist and world’s No. 1-ranked programme doesn’t get the Americans into the Games by default. Hill said he and Kerr already have had conversations about how to approach the next 2-1/2 years in terms of building a roster, putting their own touches on the programme and still maintaining the best of what has delivered results for the US in the past. “I don’t think you want to totally depart from what’s worked,” Hill said. “But I also think there’s an opportunity to press the reset button on some things and look for opportunities to improve the experience and ultimately, the goal for everyone involved. Look at this staff and they’ve all been a part of USA Basketball. Monty Williams was with Coach K’s last quad. Erik Spoelstra and Mark Few were part of this past select team. So, it’s something that can be looked upon as a continuation.”
Mystics win WNBA draft lottery for 1st time By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer THE Washington Mystics have won the WNBA draft lottery for the first time in franchise history. Washington had the third best chance — 17.8 percent to get the top pick — and with star guard Natasha Cloud in attendance, the Mystics bucked the odds on Sunday. “This is a huge moment for us,” Mystics coach and general manager Mike Thibault said. “I remember 10 years ago sitting and watching Sheila Johnson’s face when I was still not with the team, when the team had the best odds, and she was sitting there so sad when they got the fourth pick. ... So this is a changer for us.” The Indiana Fever, who had a 44.2 percent chance to earn the top pick, will draft second. Atlanta will pick third and Dallas fourth.
“Although we did not get the first pick, we have two first-round picks and with this deep draft class, I am confident we will secure very talented players who will be great additions to our team,” said Tamika Catchings, the Fever’s vice president of basketball operations and general manager. Washington had the first pick in the 1999 draft, but there was no lottery back then. Chamique Holdsclaw was the Mystics’ pick. “We’ve been studying very carefully eight to 10 players and I don’t know who we’ll pick,” Thibault said. “We’re open to anything right now. I think the biggest thing is that you have to pick the best player.” NaLyssa Smith of Baylor could go No. 1. A few minutes after her fifth-ranked team lost to Michigan, Smith said she’d be thrilled to go to Washington.
BAYLOR’s NaLyssa Smith (1) and Michigan’s Naz Hillmon (0) look for a rebound in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
“That would be great. I have family in D.C., too,” she said. “That’s where my dad’s from. That’s looking pretty right now.” The Mystics already have a loaded roster that suffered through one of the worst runs of injuries in Thibault’s storied career. Former MVP Elena Delle Donne missed most of the season while recovering from back surgery. There were games when Thibault barely had enough healthy players to field a team. New York will pick fifth, followed by Dallas, Chicago, Minnesota, Seattle, Indiana, Las Vegas and Connecticut. The Lynx acquired Phoenix’s pick via New York and Seattle. The Fever got Minnesota’s No. 10 pick. Lottery odds are based on the cumulative records of the two most recent regular seasons (2020 and 2021). With a cumulative record of 12-42, the Fever had the best shot at No. 1.
BROWN HELPS NO. 13 MICHIGAN BEAT NO. 5 BAYLOR 74-68 IN OVERTIME By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Michigan has had many good wins in programme history but never has been able to beat a topfive opponent until Sunday. That Michigan could end that 0-33 mark against Baylor made it extra special because the Bears ended the Wolverines’ season last year in the Sweet 16. Leigha Brown scored 25 points to lead No. 13 Michigan to a 74-68 win over fifth-ranked Baylor in the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. “It hasn’t sunk in yet we beat a top-five team,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said. “It’s a great signature win.” The game was a rematch of last season’s NCAA Tournament overtime thriller that Baylor won 78-75. NaLyssa Smith made all 11 of her shots from the field in that game. While the stakes weren’t the
same, this game was just as competitive. “We had a bad taste in our mouth how it ended,” Brown said. “That’s in the back of our minds this whole season. It feels great. Leading 66-65 in OT, Emily Kiser made two free throws and Brown added a jumper that gave the Wolverines (11-1) a five-point lead with 1:23 left. Baylor (9-2) got within 70-68 and after a turnover had a chance to tie it, but Smith missed a drive down the lane with 15 seconds left. Maddie Nolan converted two free throws with 11.7 seconds left to seal the win. Smith had 21 points and 14 rebounds for Baylor. With the game tied at 59, Baylor had a chance to win it at the end of regulation. After Michigan star Naz Hillmon fouled out with 22.2 seconds left, the Bears missed a drive by Jordan Lewis. After the ball went out of bounds off a Michigan player, Smith missed a
BAYLOR’s Ja’Mee Asberry (21) is pressured by Michigan’s Leigha Brown (32) and Michigan’s Naz Hillmon (0) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday night in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) turnaround jumper on the baseline. “No mystery. Not going to use her as a decoy,”
Baylor coach Nicki Collen said. “Because the problem of using her as a decoy, it’s great if the play works. If
it doesn’t, I’m an idiot. Put the ball in your best player’s hands and let her make a play.”
Michigan grabbed the rebound and couldn’t get a shot off in the final fourtenths of a second, sending the game to overtime. The Wolverines were up comfortably by nine late in the third quarter before Hillmon picked up her fourth foul and the Bears were able to rally. Michigan trailed by three after one quarter and led by four at the half. Hillmon finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. DRAFT PROSPECTS Smith and Hillmon are two of the top potential picks in the WNBA draft next spring. The league was holding its annual draft lottery Sunday. Many WNBA scouts were in attendance at the game. “That would be great,” Smith said of going to Washington, which got the No. 1 pick in the draft. “I have family in D.C., too. That’s where my dad’s from. That’s looking pretty right now.”
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, PAGE 15
BAHAMAS BOWL COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Middle Tennessee tops Toledo 31-24 to kick off bowl season
MIDDLE Tennessee Blue Raiders and the Toledo Rockets face off in the Bahamas Bowl college football championship at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Friday, December 17, 2021. The Blue Raiders defeated the Toledo Rockets in a fourth-quarter comeback to hoist the Bahamas Bowl college football championship trophy. After being interrupted by rain before the half, the Blue Raiders came back from a 17-14 deficit to overpower the Rockets on 17 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to clinch a 31-24 victory. Offensive most valuable playerfreshman quarterback Nick Vattiato came through with 23-of-35 passes for 270 yards and two scores. Senior linebacker DQ Thomas was named the defensive MVP after he finished with a team-high eight tackles, 1.5 tackle for loss and a pass broken up. Finn’s 90-yard touchdown pass to Matt Landers in the second quarter was the longest play in Bahamas Bowl history. Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
Australia wins 2nd Ashes test by 275 runs to take 2-0 lead ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Australia took a 2-0 lead in the five-test Ashes series yesterday by beating England by 275 runs and all but ensured the century-old urn will remain Down Under. Set 468 runs to win, England was bowled out for 192 with 21 overs remaining on the final day of play in the day-night test at Adelaide Oval. Jos Buttler (26) faced 207 deliveries for England before treading on his stumps to be out hit wicket in a losing cause. “That’s the attitude we have to harness through the whole game,” England captain Joe Root said. “The fight and attitude was great today and we just have to do more of it.” Australia stand-in captain Steve Smith said England “showed some really good resistance and fight.” “We always felt (it would only take) a couple of balls, there was still plenty of time left. We just tried to stay calm,” Smith said. Only one team has come from 2-0 down to win an Ashes series: Don Bradman’s Australians in 1936-37.
As holders of the Ashes, Australia needs only to draw the next match. Paceman Jhye Richardson took five wickets as Australia followed its nine-wicket triumph in the first test in Brisbane with another resounding win, its ninth consecutive win in day-night matches. Meanwhile, Australia has named an unchanged 15-man squad for the remaining three Ashes tests. Josh Hazlewood missed the Adelaide test because of a side strain. Fast bowler and captain Pat Cummins, a late scratch from the second test because he was a close contact of a COVID-19 case, will rejoin the squad on Thursday. Hazlewood will need to prove his fitness in the Melbourne Cricket Ground nets to play the Boxing Day test starting December 26. The fourth and fifth tests in Sydney and Hobart, respectively, are in January. Under-pressure opener Marcus Harris, who averages 22.19 from 12 tests after scores of three and 23 in Adelaide, is expected to remain at the top of the order.
PAGE 16, Tuesday, December 21, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
COACH YO LEADS REBELS TO 11TH STRAIGHT WIN By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net COACH Yolett McPheeMcCuin’s Ole Miss Rebels are one of the hottest teams in all of NCAA Division I basketball and streaked to their 11th straight win.
The Rebels defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders 65-50 Monday afternoon at the West Palm Beach Invitational in West Palm Beach, Florida. McPhee-McCuin has led the Rebels to their longest win streak in two decades. They last won
11 straight games in the 2000-01 season, the third longest streak in programme history. “Definitely grateful for another win,” McPheeMcCuin said. “We started off slow. The gameplan for them was to stop [Shakira Austin], and open the floor
MISSISSIPPI head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin calls to players in the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game against Samford on Friday, December 17. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill) up for our wings, so I had to play. We’re gonna have to get wings that were looking really lock-in defensively for their shot and wanted and take away the threeto be aggressive. That was ball or it’s gonna be a long something that was impornight.” tant for us. I told the team The Rebels are scheduled afterward that I feel like to open play in the Southany team that thinks that eastern Conference against they can just triple-team the Arkansas Razorbacks Kira and not have to guard on December 30. anybody else it’s just disreRebels are expected spectful of everybody else to improve in one of the on the team, and so they most keenly contested conhave to take pride in knockferences in all of NCAA — McPhee-McCuin ing down those shots.” Division I. on tonight’s matchup Defensively, Ole Miss has The Rebels were listed at against South Florida held nine of its last 11 oppoNo.6 in the SEC Preseason nents to 50 points or below. Coaches Poll, the highest Earlier in the season, the projection in programme The Rebels are ranked atop the SEC and No. 7 in Bulls played four ranked history since the conferthe NCAA at 49.2 points teams over a five-game ence began the practice in stretch and got two wins in 2007-08. allowed per game. The Rebels were upset in the Bahamas. At the Baha Ole Miss was also picked a season-opening loss to the Mar Hoops’ Pink Flamingo to finish eighth in the SEC Belmont Bruins on Novem- Championship, the Bulls Preseason Media Poll last ber 11, but have been defeated the No. 3 Stan- week, its best in that poll undefeated ever since and ford Cardinal and the No.9 since 2015-16. became one of just three Oregon Ducks. Last year, the Rebels fin“I am very familiar with ished the season 15-12, for teams in NCAA Division I South Florida,” McPhee- their first winning season with 11 straight wins. Ole Miss will complete McCuin said. “They run a since 2016-17. After an its non-conference sched- lot of actions, they’re going 11-11 regular season, 4-10 ule today and looks to to try and make us play in the SEC, they advanced extend its win streak with a their pace, so we’re gonna to the first SEC Quarmatchup against the No.16 have to be extremely disci- terfinal since 2004. Their plined. They’re gonna pack résumé included three wins South Florida Bulls. This will be the first the paint on us and make us against ranked teams and matchup in programme his- make shots, and then they four Top-50 NET wins. tory for the two schools on shoot the three at a high clip They eventually fell to Rice and they rebound the ball in the WNIT title game. Tuesday. The Bulls are coming very well. I’m very comfortOle Miss recently signed off an appearance in the able with this matchup, but McPhee-McCuin to a new second round of the NCAA it will be a challenge for this four-year contract extengroup because of how they sion that runs through 2025. Tournament last season.
“We’re gonna have to really lock-in defensively and take away the three-ball or it’s gonna be a long night.”