Today in History: January 18

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On January 18, 1899, the Royal Victoria Hotel lit up with electricity for the first time. The Royal Victoria was the first hotel to open in The Bahamas.

In 2021 Adari Grant returned to Grand Bahama to celebrate the next chapter of his baseball career as he officially became the newest member of the St Louis Cardinals.

The 17-year-old 5’11” 163-pound shortstop, out of the International Elite Sports Academy, headlined the group of 15 free agents signed by the Cardinals to open Major League Baseball.

In 2019, the bribery and extortion trial of former Senator Frank Smith hit a pivotal point when the prosecution began arguing against a no-case submission brought by his defense team.

The proceedings started with a two-hour submission from lead defense attorney Keith Knight Q.C.

The charges stemmed from allegations that Barabra Hanna had to pay smith $5,000 a month after he helped her company Magic Touch cleaning get a $500k contract to clean a portion of Princess Margaret Hospital in 2016, while he was chairman of the Public Hospitals Authority.

He was acquitted of those charges a month later.

In 2012 Brookfield Asset Management canceled its agreement to exchange debt to acquire Kerzner International Holdings Ltd.’s Atlantis resorts in the Bahamas.

Then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham called the deal a big mistake.

The Paradise Island properties were being used as security for a $2.3 billion loan. Ingraham claimed much of the loan money was spent outside of The Bahamas.

Also in 2012, the Rand Memorial Hospital Critical Care Unit was opened by then-Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

Ingragham called it a significant milestone in the advancement of the quality of life for the people of Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas including Abaco and Bimini.

The A & E Urgent Care Centre was expanded from 3900 sq. ft. to 8,200 sq. ft. – doubling in size at a cost of $12 million.