Grand Bahama Island - Each year, on the third Saturday in September groups of energetic students, teachers, churches civic groups’ volunteers descend upon beaches and shorelines along Grand Bahama Island’s southern coast, to take part in Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 19^th, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer event of its kind. Last year, 390,000 volunteers from 76 countries and 45 states cleared six million pounds of trash from oceans and waterways and recorded every piece of trash collected. Enclosed is more information on Grand Bahama beaches where cleaning will take place. All Grand Bahamians are encouraged to participate on any coastal area...

During the entire month, persons living throughout the Bahamas are being encouraged to let go of the accumulated stuff on the inside: anger, resentment, hurt, old wounds they have been nursing and even people who owe you money from way back then...

We also traveled to Nassau to cover the Miss Universe Bahamas Fashion Showcase presentation at Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort and returned for Miss Universe Pageant 2009 at Atlantis on August 23, 2009.

The behind the scenes photos in this article were snapped on-location at Garden of The Groves on Grand Bahama Island by Erika Moultry.  The Bahamas Weekly News team traveled in tandem with the NBC production team as they shot video footage of Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza’s tour of Garden of The Groves. Rudy Sawyer conducted the tour...

Grand Bahama , Bahamas - As Lucaya International School reopens for the 2009/10 year, they are celebrating the TOP achievement of their valedictorian Shane Russell who was one of the selected recipients of this years’ National Merit Scholarship as well as a Grand Bahama Port Authority Scholarship.

With every graduate you will see a brightness in their eyes that comes from the hope and dreams of a higher education. At times the graduates financial ability can dim these aspirations. But proving that hard work does pay off, Shane Russell has proved that dreams can become realities. Russell graduated from Sunland Baptist and then decided to attend and complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at the Lucaya International School...

During a brief ceremony yesterday at the store, Outten expressed his thanks to God for blessing him and allowing his business to prosper over the years.

The businessman explained that he was involved in a bad accident in June 1998 in which his Jeep Cherokee turned over five times...

Freeport, Grand Bahama - Bahamas Oil Refining Company International Ltd. (dba Vopak Terminal Bahamas) today announced the resignation of Mr. Thijs Jan Huizer as Managing Director of BORCO, effective October 1, 2009. The announcement at the same time named Mr. Raymond Jones, formerly COO at Freeport Container Port as his replacement.

Mr. Pieter Bakker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bahamas Oil Refining Company International Ltd. said that the Board accepted the resignation of Mr. Huizer who resigned to pursue new career opportunities, and thanks him for his leadership, dedication and hard work during the recent dynamic and turbulent period of the company...

Freeport, Grand Bahama – Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) Board of Directors recently decided to defer the dividend normally paid in the second quarter of the year, which resulted in ICDU not paying its customary July dividendfor 2009. Wayne Crawley, President and CEO of ICDU noted, “GBPC executives felt it would be prudent to defer dividends which would have been normally paid to ICDU...

The downturn in the economy and low visitor arrivals affect us all.  The affect is also being felt at the Freeport animal shelter which is swamped with animals many of which are there as a result of economic woes. While we realize that there are many organizations seeking funds for worthy causes please consider that these animals have no control over their circumstances and need our help.  

Unlike the shelter in Nassau that is funded by the Bahamas Government the Freeport shelter is dependent on private donations. The Port Authority contributes substantially but there is still a major shortfall in revenue to cover operating expenses particularly for animal care... 

The Down Town Revitalization Program was launched on 1st April 2009 as ‘Down Town Turn Around'. This revitalization project will make a major impact on the Town Centre, will breathe new life into this once popular native and tourist destination...

You can assist her advancement in the pageant by way or their Internet Miss Popularity voting. The winner of Internet Miss Popularity will automatically advance to the top 15 in the World Final.

Go to:  http:// vote. missglobalbeauty.org/ contestants.php  and Click on the Image of Miss Grand Bahama.

Voting Closes on 30th July 2009 at 1700 hours (GMT+8)...

Freeport, Grand Bahama- Are women advancing fast enough into leadership positions? Yes, they've made impressive strides, but have they conquered the scientific stereotypes? This is a question that summer intern Shonique Miller is hoping to help change.

Miller returned to Grand Bahama Power Company two weeks ago for her second year as a summer intern in the Engineering department. Miller graduated in December 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State. Not content with that or placing second in her engineering class, she took on a fellowship offered by the school so she can obtain her Master’s Degree in Engineering...

Freeport, Grand Bahama - The Jr. Miss Grand Bahama Pageant took place at the Regency Theatre on Sunday, July 5th.

This year's winner is Miss Burnai Capron.

Enclosed are photos provided by Derek Carroll of the new queen and her court...