RADIO ABACO NEWSHTML Copyright © 2001-2002, awsltd.netPlenty Politics: Most of the news during April and May was generated by the general election and the rallies leading up to 2nd May. This has been absorbed by other articles on the election.
Plane Pursued: Since the happenings of 11th September 2001 the monitoring of flights near the United States has been intensified. On the morning of 4th May residents of Coopers Town were treated to the sight of four F-16 fighters in pursuit of an aircraft which was flying without FAA approval. The plane was "persuaded" to land at Treasure Cay International Airport.
Signal Located: At around 11 pm on 6th May a Coastguard helicopter flew over Marsh Harbour in an attempt to locate the source of a distress signal emanating from the area. Marsh Harbour Volunteer Fire Department members and Trauma One were put on alert and assisted in the search. In the end the signal was identified as coming from a boat tied up to the Long's Landing dock in the harbour. The boat was locked and the owner away, a clear case of equipment failure.
BEC Service: The Bahamas Electricity Corporation has announced the opening of a BEC sub-station in Hope Town which will be open on Wednesdays only for revenue collection. The sub-station is intended to provide enhanced service to the residents of Elbow Cay.
Meeting Under the Fig Tree: The residents of Great Guana Cay held a town meeting under the fig tree on 8th May to discuss garbage. Literally. The old public dump site was in an area of swampy land which is now part of the Orchid Bay development. It was decided that the island's effluvia would be barged to the mainland for disposal until a new site is established.
Dry, Dry, Dry: Abaco has had very little rain since Christmas and none at all during April and early May. This may be fine for visiting tourists but the dry conditions have led to several fires caused by sunshine passing through bottles and broken glass. The local fire departments have been busy putting out fires which threaten buildings. Certain parts of Abaco received heavy downpours on 13th May and this should signal the end of the drought.
Abaco a Key island: In an exclusive telephone interview with Prime Minister Perry Christie, Radio Abaco was told that Abaco was considered a key island in the economy of The Bahamas and a key island in the expansion of the economy of The Bahamas. Because of Abaco's yachting facilities, second home ownership and time share properties it would figure prominently in the government's plans. Abaco, Christie said, would be featured on its own in some advertising.
Bahamas Billfish Tournament: The third leg of the Bahamas Billfish Tournament took place at Treasure Cay starting on 14th May. On the first day there were two blue marlins brought in: 553 lbs by Seeing Double and 488 lbs by Prime Time, skippered by Abaco's own Simpson McKinney. Any fish caught which beats the tournament record of 1,068 lbs wins $800,000 from Rolex.
911 Remembered: The Bahamas Post Office has issued souvenir sheets of four $1 stamps featuring the Statue of Liberty and other scenes from 11th September. The stamps were issued to show our solidarity with the United States and are available from local post offices.