Bahamas News

Tarino Lightbourne, the paramedic who was arraigned for attempted extortion of $25 million from actor John Travolta, was released on $50,000 bail Wednesday.

He appeared before Magistrate Carolita Bethel in Court #8 Bank Lane.

The prosecution initially objected to bail being granted for Lightbourne. They noted that he was not fit for trial and should remain in custody. Their objections also included the possibility that Lightbourne could obstruct the case, had no proper living accommodations and would not appear for trial.

But Magistrate Bethel objected to the prosecution’s grounds to deny bail.

The exact address of Lightbourne also came into question in court Wednesday as two separate addresses had been provided to the courts.

The court found that Lightbourne did not live on #2 Hillary Lane in Freeport, Grand Bahama, which was the initial address that he gave the court. It was also found that he did not reside with a friend, as claimed by Lightbourne during an earlier court appearance.

The prosecution, however, caught up with Prescott Knowles who lived at #18 Hillary Lane and upon questioning Knowles, they learned that Lightbourne had never lived at #2 Hillary Lane for more than one day but was actually living in a vehicle.

According to the defense, Lightbourne, after his release, will be living at #2 Madeira Lane, Freeport with his wife, which was one of two conditions ordered by the court.

He must also report to the Central Police Station in Grand Bahama everyday before 6 p.m.

Lightbourne turned himself in to police last Friday after an All Points Bulletin was issued for his arrest.

Source: Bahama Journal

The plot thickens into the alleged $20 million extortion attempt of the Travolta family as a member of the House of Assembly, the Senate and a paramedic are said to be assisting the police with their investigation – the latest being former Minister of Tourism and Member of Parliament for West End and Bimini Obie Wilchcombe.

The Journal contacted Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames in Nassau late Friday afternoon and he confirmed that Mr. Wilchcombe, who had given interviews to the international media shortly after the death of John Travolta’s son, Jett, 16, is now assisting police in the investigation.

He said, however, this does not mean Mr. Wilchcombe is under arrest for any crime.

“Yes, he was taken in but I don’t want to suggest that at the end of the day he would be charged. Our investigations are fluid, so as we move forward there are persons that would be of interest, that we would need to see and would have to talk to, to see whether they are able to assist us in our investigations. So yeah, he (Wilchcombe) is one of those persons,” Assistant Commissioner Dames said.

“But then again, our investigations are not yet complete but we’re confident that very shortly we should be in some position to make some determination with respect to the way forward,” he said.

In another shocking twist to this case, early Friday afternoon, the police issued an All Points Bulletin for the paramedic who was seen giving interviews to the international media in the aftermath of Jett’s death.

The police issued an All Points Bulletin for 47-year-old Tarino Lightbourne of #2 Madeira Lane, Royal Bahamia Estates on Friday afternoon, shortly after confirmation that Progressive Liberal Party Senator, Pleasant Bridgewater, had been taken into custody in connection with an extortion attempt of the Travolta family.

The APB listed Lightbourne’s occupation as paramedic, and states that “subject is wanted in connection with Attempted Extortion. He is considered dangerous and should be approached with caution.”

Around 4:30 p.m. Friday, Assistant Commissioner Dames confirmed that Lightbourne was now in police custody.

“He is in our custody as well. He was brought in by his attorney,” he said.

Mr. Dames did not disclose the name of Lightbourne’s attorney.

All over the Internet on various websites from the New York Post to “uClue”, the name Tarino Lightbourne pops up in connection with the Travolta tragedy.

Persons commenting on the stories, claiming to know Lightbourne, alleges that everything he said in the interviews about what transpired during that fretful and emotional journey to the hospital with Jett’s body, were lies.

The New York Post quotes Lightbourne as saying Travolta’s last words to his son were “I’m sorry, Jett.”

The nypost.com and javno.com quotes “Tarino Lightbourne, the first EMT to arrive at Travolta’s vacation condo after Jett was found unconscious, told Inside Edition it was one of the saddest moments imaginable. ‘I think he meant, ‘I’m sorry, Jett. I did all I could do,’ the EMT said in the interview broadcast yesterday.”

Lightbourne was also seen on television doing interviews with other international media.

It is reported that the alleged blackmailers of the Travolta family were demanding $20 million from the actor – or they would release photos of his dying son.

According to the Daily Mail, the crooks were planning on selling the photos to the Travoltas or the highest bidder.

It is reported that the Travoltas have returned to Grand Bahama with their lawyers to deal with this matter.

Mr. Dames said the police would be issuing a full statement on Friday evening to give the public an update on their investigation.

Source: Bahama Journal

The story of the death of the son of actor John Travolta, who died in Grand Bahama after suffering a seizure, has taken a different twist as a Progressive Liberal Party senator has been arrested in connection with an alleged extortion attempt.

Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, who recently lost a battle in election court, might see another day in court for a more serious matter.

It was a somber mood in front of the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning as a number of the senator’s political supporters and family members assembled outside. It was rumored throughout Grand Bahama that the senator and former Member of Parliament for Marco City, would be facing serious criminal charges.

However, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames confirmed that the senator had been arrested on Thursday afternoon but charges are yet to be filed. He said she was taken from an “office” but would not confirm if it was her law firm.

“She was arrested at 4:30 yesterday (Thursday) afternoon and yes, she was taken into custody with respect to a complaint of alleged attempted extortion made by the Travolta family. We had initiated an investigation early in the week … the investigation is currently ongoing and we have yet to make any determination as to where the matter will end,” Mr. Dames said.

“As you would appreciate, as in the case of any investigation, we have to see people, talk to them and at the end of the day make some determination as to their involvement or otherwise,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Dames said evidence is still being examined and more arrests could follow.

“No charges have been filed and we have yet to conclude the investigations and therefore, no-one has been charged to this point. We are investigating the matter and as in any investigation we will certainly see other persons to determine to what extent they may be involved,” Assistant Commissioner Dames said.

“We most certainly will have to see other people. That would be determined as we continue our investigations. I don’t intend to get into the evidence or the facts of the investigation. The investigators continue in their work and we have yet to make any determination as to what will happen at the end of the day,” he said.

Sources have confirmed that the Senator is being held at the Central Police Station at the Gerald Bartlett Police Complex and has retained attorney Carlson Shurland.

Jett Travolta was pronounced dead on arrival at the Rand Memorial Hospital, January 2. An autopsy report revealed that the youngster died as a result of a seizure. He was last seen alive on January 1, when he went to use the bathroom. The caretaker, Jeff Michael Kathrain, discovered him in the bathroom in an unconscious state around 10:00 a.m. on January 2.

Initial police reports indicated that the youngster arrived on Grand Bahama on December 30, 2008, aboard a private aircraft, accompanied by his father and mother Kelly Preston. They were staying at Travolta’s suite #1021 at the Old Bahama Bay Resort.

PLP Leader Perry Christie issued a statement that said he is monitoring the situation.

“I have been monitoring all developments throughout the day with regard to Senator Bridegwater. I take this matter seriously. I have no intention of engaging in any speculation. I am to be further advised as to the legal position. Once that is clear I shall forthwith inform the public of any further course of action,” he said.

Source: Bahama Journal

Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium has fired assistant director Glenn Miller for improperly releasing information regarding the death of 16-year-old Jett Travolta.

The former Restview employee told the press that the young man’s body was in fact “in good condition,” and that the death certificate listed the cause of death as “seizure.”

In a statement issued by the funeral home and addressed to the Journal yesterday, the company stated that Mr. Campbell never viewed the body or the death certificate, and therefore could not make such statements.

“Mr. Campbell has no authority to issue statements on behalf of Restview,” the statement read.

According to the statement, Mr. Campbell apparently admitted that he did make unauthorized statements to the press when interviewed by Mr. McSweeney.

It was then that Restview immediately terminated him.

The statement also revealed that Mr. McSweeney took the medical certificate to the Coroner’s Court and waited for the Police to forward their report.

Afterwards Mr. McSweeny personally collected the Coroner’s Certificate.

According to the information in the funeral home statement, Mr. McSweeny was in fact the one to personally collect Travolta’s certified death certificate.

The death certificate, the coroner’s certificate and the medical certificate was hand-delivered by Mr. McSweeny to the Travolta family physician Dr. Mark Smith.

The statement also clarified that Mr. McSweeney, Dr. Smith and Mr. Russ Faber, a Travolta family representative went to the morgue at the Rand, along with CDU officers and collected the remains of Jett Travolta.

It was confirmed in the same statement that Travolta was in fact cremated on Monday and at no time did any other individual other than the aforementioned individuals view the body from the completion of the autopsy to cremation.

During the cremation, Mr. McSweeney was apparently asked to make a statement to the press regarding the death by the Travolta family attorney, Mr. Michael Ossi.

Mr. McSweeney issued the following statement in front of the funeral home: “Jett Travolta was pronounced dead on Friday, 2nd January 2009 at 12:14pm. On Monday the 5th January 2009 at 10:00am an autopsy was performed by medical examiners.

“The cause of death was seizure disorder. The body was brought to Restview. The family requested cremation. The body is being cremated now. May God bless the Travolta family. Thank you very much.”

The statement also clarified that the Restview staff had been briefed by Mr. McSweeney from the moment instructions were received from Ginn Resorts that all communications and correspondence regarding the matter was to be dealt by Mr. McSweeney alone, and that normal protocol regarding confidentiality was to be strictly obeyed.

Source: Bahama Journal

While authorities remained tight-lipped on Monday about the results of the autopsy on Jett Travolta, son of actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston, the Journal learned that the death certificate listed the cause of the young man’s death as “seizure.”

While authorities remained tight-lipped on Monday about the results of the autopsy on Jett Travolta, son of actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston, the Journal learned that the death certificate listed the cause of the young man’s death as “seizure.”

Jett Travolta, 16, died on Friday in Grand Bahama at that Travolta family’s vacation home.

Police initially reported that it appeared the young man had suffered a seizure, fell and hit his head in a bathroom. Police said that before he was discovered in the bathroom unconscious, Jett had last been seen on Thursday.

This information sparked queries about the young man’s supervision, with the family insisting that he was “spectacularly” supervised.

On Monday, local police did not release a statement, and a press conference scheduled for the day did not happen. It is believed that the press conference will now be called on Tuesday instead.

Glen Campbell, Assistant Funeral Director at the Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium, confirmed to the Journal on Monday afternoon that the cause of death listed on Jett’s death certificate was “seizure.” Mr. Campbell also noted that there was no evidence of any head trauma, insisting that Jett’s body was in “great condition.”

He said that the only thing listed on the death certificate as the cause of death was “seizure.”

Mr. Campbell also confirmed that the Travolta’s family lawyers as well as the police both received copies of the Jett’s death certificate and pathology report.

The pathologist report was signed by Dr. Sands – the pathologist brought in on Monday from New Providence to assist local pathologists with the autopsy.

Mr. Campbell said that the body was escorted from the morgue to the funeral home by doctors from the Rand Memorial Hospital.

The body was set to be shipped to Ocala, Florida, on Monday afternoon. While the Travolta family was not present at the funeral home when the body arrived, the family’s personal doctors were there to make the necessary arrangements.

John Travolta and his wife Kelly broke their silence on Sunday in a statement to the media.

“We would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has sent their love and condolences,” they said.

“Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered. We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives.”

The President of Ginn Resorts, Robert Gidel, has also expressed condolences to the Travolta family on the passing of their son.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to John Travolta, Kelly Preston and their family on the tragic death of their son Jett. The Travolta family has become like family to us at Old Bahama Bay and we extend our deepest sympathies to them,” he said

Source: Bahama Journal

At $10,000 per night, the Penthouse Suite at the Reef Atlantis on Paradise Island is among the 101 top hotel or resort suites of the year, according to lifestyle magazine ‘Elite Traveler.’

The magazine, which caters to the global “jet set,” released the list of 101 Top Hotel/Resort Suites of The Year in its July/August issue.

The publishers of the magazine contend that despite the current trend toward ‘staycations’ for much of the population, the so-called “super-rich” continue to traverse the globe on private jets.

It is contended that Elite Traveler readers average 41 trips per year, including 10 intercontinental trips.

The most expensive suite on the 101 Top Suites this year is in Europe, the $52,000 per night Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva Switzerland, followed closely by the $50,000 per night Royal Villa at the Grand Resort Lagonissi in Attica, Greece and the $21,000 per night Imperial Suite at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome.

In the United States, the most expensive suite is the Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons Hotel New York at $30,000 per night, also notable as the most expensive suite ever built in the United States.

The magazine’s editorial director, Laura Hughes, said her readers spend more than $400,000 per year at hotels and resorts.

“So price isn’t an issue to them,” she said. “We just want to alert them to the most unique design styles, best services, and new amenities in the most amazing locations, whatever the price.”

Approximately one-third of the suites on the list cost over $10,000 per night, but a few locations with a so-called “winning combination” of service, amenities, style, and location are included, supposedly within the grasp of those seeking a “once-in-a-lifetime jet set experience.”

An Ocean Front Suite at Fort Lauderdale’s St. Regis Resort, a one bedroom suite at the Palms Place Hotel and Condo, Las Vegas, Suite #1 at Phinda Mountain Lodge, Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, and a pool villa at the Alila, Cha-Am in Amphur Cha-Am, Thailand all rank among the best in the world and can be secured for less than $1000/night.

The magazine’s publishers said “101 Top Suites” was compiled by the editors of Elite Traveler and a panel of celebrity readers including Barry Manilow, Lindsay Davenport, Sean Combs, and Kelly Ripa.

Other suites in the region that made the list include the Amanyara Suite at the Ocean Villas, in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos ($12,000 per night), and the Eden Rock Suite at Villa Nina in St. Barths, which goes for $76,100 per week.

Source: Bahama Journal

The Ministry of Tourism has reviewed its plans for the upcoming fiscal year and now intends to be as visible as possible in the European market.

Director General of Tourism, Vernice Walkine told the Bahama Journal that officials plan to continue capitalizing on that market’s “good” growth.

“What we have been doing is out of home advertising like the tube stations in London and we’re going to do more of that,” Ms. Walkine said.

“…The European market – United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Spain – have been responding to our messages and so we need to continue to do that.”

According to the director general, a new non-stop airlift will be coming out of France to The Bahamas towards the end of the year, leaving tourism executives “very excited.”

“We are also working on new airlift out of Germany into Nassau and Grand Bahama. You’ll learn more about that as negotiations continue. We recognize that there are tremendous opportunities for us,” she said.

Janice Antonson, vice president of marketing for the Nassau Airport Development (NAD) Company told the Journal that destinations like the UK, Germany and Holland are NAD’s next “target areas” since Linding Pindling International Airport [LPIA] currently has only one carrier - British Airways - servicing the European market. British Airways flies into London.

With the U.S. dollar still quite weak against both the pound and the euro, tourism officials are banking on the fact that Europeans would have more spending power in The Bahamas.

Tourism research has shown that in terms of visitors’ stay, Americans stay an average of four days, Canadians around six to seven days and the Europeans 10 to 11 days.

Tourism officials estimate that stopover visitors spend an average $1,150 per visit.

Zooming in on the ministry’s efforts in the Family Islands, Ms. Walkine said in the first quarter, the Family Islands did “fairly well” with the exception of Exuma that has suffered some softness in its economy.

“We’re working to correct this by pushing the Delta airline service into George Town, Exuma. And so, there are some things we can and will do to try and sort of mitigate the losses that might have occurred there,” Ms. Walkine said.

“Grand Bahama stands to benefit dramatically from Norwegian cruise calls and that’s very good news because their passengers tend to spend more than the average cruise passenger.”

But tourism officials have stressed that the idea is not to promote one destination to the detriment of the others. According to Ms. Walkine, the goal is to promote them all.

“Having said that, the Family Islands are not all equal,” she said.

“We have a disproportionate share of rooms here in Nassau and Paradise Island where most of the people are employed. So we have to make sure that Nassau/ Paradise Island sustains itself even as we seek to drive increased numbers to Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.”

While presenting the 2008/2009 budget in the House of Assembly last Wednesday, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham noted that in light of the current global economic environment and significant competitiveness in the tourism sector, the government has increased its budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Tourism by an additional $9.3 million.

“We believe that this increase combined with strategic spending by the Ministry will go a long way in helping to increase the promotion of tourism over the next 12 months,” Mr. Ingraham said.

Tourism Minister Neko Grant is expected to expand on the issue when debate on the new budget begins in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

Source: Bahama Journal

The sport of beach volleyball continues to grow in The Bahamas with the help of businessman Peter Nygard and the Defenders Volleyball Club who recently completed their annual beach tournament.

Nygard said this is the only sport in The Bahamas where the facilities of beach, sun and sand are already provided.

Nygard, a former Olympian in sailing pledged his support for the continuation of beach volleyball in The Bahamas and to the athletes who play the sport.

Nygard said they have been trying to get a Bahamian team into the 2008 Olympics for beach volleyball but were unable to do it.

He said they are not going to stop because he believes the talent is there and they will continue and try out for the 2012 London Olympics.

“My major ambition for sports in The Bahamas is to see a beach volleyball team at the Olympic games because we have the best beaches in the world to achieve that goal and whenever you travel to Brazil, you will see on all of the beaches volleyball nets,” said Nygard.

During a press conference held at Nygard Cay, members of the NPVA beach volleyball tournament consisting of Glen Rolle, Lahaundro Thompson, Muller Petit Tony and Rony Simon made a special presentation to Nygard.

Tony Simon acted as the spokesman for the group said their relationship with Nygard has grown to the where they consider him a brother.

Simon said a few weeks ago, they took part in two volleyball tournaments here in The Bahamas with one indoor and the other outdoor.

Simon along with the group presented their first place trophy to Nygard thanking him for his full support to their development and the development of the sport.

Source: Bahama Journal

Mariah Carey really did get married to Nick Cannon in the Bahamas last week — and they have the tattoos to prove it.

Mariah Carey says only a few people knew of her secret wedding to actor Nick Cannon.

The 38-year-old singer and the 27-year-old actor confirmed to People magazine that they tied the knot at Carey’s Bahamian estate April 30 after a courtship that began in late March.

In an interview from the magazine’s May 19 issue, Cannon said they clicked instantly when Carey cast him as a lover in the video for her new single, “Bye Bye.”

“From the first time we sat down to discuss the video at the Beverly Hills Hotel, we connected,” Cannon said. “We had so much in common spiritually, and we laugh at the same things. I didn’t have to put on my Mac Daddy suave mode. I was able to be myself with her. We are both eternally 12 years old.”

They began a whirlwind romance, and raised eyebrows when Carey was seen sporting a huge diamond ring on her finger at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of her movie “Tennessee,” in which she plays a waitress. Carey said she told “only about four people” about the wedding.

Were Carey’s friends surprised?

“Some were, but some weren’t,” she said. “One thing (few people) knew was we got tattoos a few weeks earlier. So anyone who saw my (Mrs. Cannon) tattoo wasn’t surprised.”

Chiming in, Cannon said, “To me rings are special and exciting, but tattoos mean more than anything. They’re forever and ever. They professed our love.”

A dozen guests attended their sunset wedding, where they served Maine lobster and Dom Perignon champagne. The bride wore a gown by Nile Cmylo that showed off her curves and faded from off-white to pale pink.

“My pastor Clarence Keaton flew in from New York,” Carey said. “The whole wedding was really beautiful and sweet. Being there with loved ones under the sky … it was a spiritual moment.”

Cannon said he was speechless watching Carey walk down the aisle: “I was elated, but I was thinking, `Don’t pass out.’ … (The pastor) said, `The eyes are the window to the soul,’ then gave us an entire minute to stare into each other’s eyes. So I was saying, `Don’t cry.”‘

The pair said they’ve thought about having kids.

“It’s part of the whole purpose of getting married,” Carey said. “I’d just want our children to have the best childhood and upbringing they possibly could.”

Source: CNN

An emergency landing of a Western Air plane caused passengers to be delayed at Lynden Pindling International Airport Saturday evening, according to Director of Operations at Western Air Captain Wolf Seifert.

Captain Seifert said one of the company’s aircraft, a Fairchild Metro airliner, left Mangrove Cay, Andros, en route to New Providence shortly after 4pm.

He said as the aircraft approached New Providence, the plane’s landing gear began to experience difficulties.

“Upon reaching the vicinity of Nassau in preparation for landing, the captains selected to extend the landing gear on the aircraft, but they discovered that one of the gears didn’t extend,” Captain Seifert explained. “At that point they followed all the procedures listed in the company’s manuals, contacted the air traffic controllers and declared an emergency.”

He said the captains continued to attempt to extend the landing gear, but to no avail.

At this point, Captain Seifert said the captains decided to carry out a “precautionary landing”.

“They elected to do a precautionary landing with two emergency landing gears, which they did accomplish and which was the safest maneuver in that respect,” he said. “After doing a successful landing, they evacuated immediately and prevented any injuries.”

There were 12 passengers on the 19-seat aircraft.

According to Captain Seifert, there was a slight delay of a half hour on the LPIA main runway.

“The delay was kept to a minimum,” he said. “The main runway was closed for about half an hour and that was to facilitate the emergency vehicles to cross the runway and come to where the aircraft came to a rest.”

He said the aircraft, which received no major damage, was removed from the runway around 7pm.

“No one was really hurt or anything,” Captain Seifert said. “Procedures were followed and everything came out fine.”

Source: Bahama Journal