Royal Gazette

Retail sales volume in May was down 15 per cent year-on-year. The drop largely reflected the impact of Covid-19 safety restrictions that month, which included curfew hours and kerbside pick up sales for some businesses.In value terms, retail sales fell 13.9 per cent to an estimated $86.4 millionWayne Furbert, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “After adjusting for the retail sales rate of inflation, measured at 1.3 per cent in May, the overall volume of local retail sales decreased 15 p

Last week, the Mirrors Programme hosted a prize-giving ceremony for students who entered the Annual Art and Digital Competition held in partnership with the Mirrors Alumni & Friends Association and Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. The theme of the competition was “Home – Exploring different notions of what constitutes a feeling of belonging”. Students from Bermuda’s public and private schools entered 71 pieces of artwork, including nine digital art submissions were displayed at the Ma

Dandy Town 2 Devonshire Cougars 0Dandy Town beat Devonshire Cougars to seal the first three points in the season-opener at Goose Gosling Field last night courtesy of second-half goals by Azendae Furbert and David Blankendal.”It was a good game,” said Kwame Steede, the Town coach and former Cougars player. “It was a time of moments. They had theirs but didn’t capitalise and hen we had ours, we done things with it.”Also, our goalkeeper played well and pulled o

Tyler Butterfield produced a storming run to clinch a place on the podium, finishing second at the Ironman 70.3 Cozumel in Mexico today.Butterfield was highlighted as one of the pre-race favourites along with Matt Hanson and Sam Long but all found themselves well behind Mexican pair Irving Perez Pineda and Joaquin Pereda exiting out of the water.By the 55-kilometre point of the bike ride Long had seized control, with Jackson Laundry and Hanson about two-minutes down. At the end of th

An international day designed to highlight the public’s right to access government information is to be marked tomorrow.Gitanjali Gutierrez, the Information Commissioner, will deliver and International Right to Know Day declaration as part of the Information Commissioner’s Office commemoration.A spokeswoman for the ICO said: “This year, the Information Commissioner’s Office celebrates International Right to Know Day as Bermuda is emerging from a pandemic, facing unprecedented challenges and

A General Election motorcade and drive-in General Election rally was held by the PLP tonight.Hundreds turned out to the field at the old TN Tatem Middle School in Warwick flying PLP flags, beeping their horns and cheering in support of the party.Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier and the party’s candidate in Pembroke East, told the audience: “The people will decide which party and which leaders we want to see through the economic recovery.”I am immensely proud to be a member of the PLP

A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a serious sex assault at knifepoint, police said today.Detective Superintendent Nicholas Pedro added that police had not ruled out more victims.The attack on a 31-year-old woman as she walked to work at about 6.30am last Sunday happened at the junction of Fairylands Road and Pitts Bay Road in Pembroke.The arrested man is from the Pembroke area.Mr Pedro said: “What we have learnt is that the suspect appears to have been loo

The Premier asked the then-Leader of the Opposition for his support on independence for Bermuda, Craig Cannonier has claimed. Mr Cannonier said that David Burt had told him he would back down on his stance against giving Bermudian status to long-term residents because after independence “it did not matter”.He added the exchange came during one of a series of meetings between the two during the Covid-19 lockdown. Mr Cannonier said in a filmed address released last night: “During at le

Signature schools will be introduced in the coming school year, the education minister said today.Diallo Rabain said that the Ministry of Education hoped to bring in two specialised schools by next September after “widespread public consultation”.The move is part of a plan to phase out middle schools and replace them with signature schools, which provide secondary school-aged pupils with specialised education on an academic and vocational level.Mr Rabain said: “I want to remind all t

Fingers crossed, there will finally be a major fishing tournament this weekend. After massive rescheduling and a pair of postponements, the Bacardi Angling Tournament is slated for tomorrow. Hooray!Recognising that the twenty-odd original entrants will have made changes including removing their craft from the water in advance of the storms and, simply, some individual’s availability will also have changed; the organisers have seen fit to open the tournament up to pretty much anyone who want

First Division side Paget dropped a bombshell yesterday when they confirmed to the Bermuda Football Association that their return to the football league would not be happening due to a lack of player commitment. Paget, who dropped out after being relegated two seasons ago, were pencilled in for an immediate return after sitting out last season. However, the BFA confirmed in an e-mail yesterday evening that the club would not be returning after all. “The president of Paget Football

Kristian Singh, the Cleveland County Cricket Club captain, has been reprimanded for breaching the Bermuda Cricket Board’s Code of Conduct.Singh received a warning for a Level 1 offence stemming from his team’s controversial First Division Twenty20 match against Western Stars at White Hill Field on August 23.Cleveland ultimately forfeited the match that was halted after a heated row involving their supporters and one of the club’s own players flared up and threatened to escalate.The B

Police have released two photos in relation to a serious sex assault on a 31-year-old woman and asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.The photos, which show the suspect on a motorcycle, were taken by a CCTV camera at the junction of Par-la-Ville Road and Front Street at 6.30am on Sunday.Detective Superintendent Nicholas Pedro said: “We believe someone in the community may recognise the person on this bike, whether they saw them that same morning, or because they know them p

The Government has turned a blind eye to the West End, many residents have claimed.Voters in the four Sandys constituencies appealed to election candidates to look at the crumbing buildings in the area and the lack of community-building work if they won office.Larry Hunt, 71, said that many roads and buildings in Sandys, such as Clyde Best Lane, named after the man who broke records and racial barriers for black footballers in Britain, had suffered from neglect.He added: “For someone

A man enjoying a lunch break on a dock was stunned to find a message in a bottle sent more than four years ago.Robert O’Connor said the letter inside was written in Swiss German and included a Swiss e-mail address, but appeared to have been thrown into the water in St Lucia.Mr O’Connor said: “The date on it says March 29, 2016, so it’s been floating for four years. Underneath that, it says St Lucia.”I never imagined something like this would happen. It was completely unexpected. We w

A founding member of the Free Democratic Movement has resigned from the group and will not be a candidate in the General Election.Kae Thomas Palacio announced the move yesterday.A press release said: “Kae Thomas Palacio has resigned as a founder and member of the Free Democratic Movement, and has withdrawn her candidature from the upcoming General Election in C31 Southampton West Central. “She extends her best wishes to the FDM in the upcoming election.”It left Ben Smith, of t

David Burt, the Premier, has acted again with some speed to try to close off criticism of the loss of $800,000 of taxpayers’ money after it was lent to a business to establish a recording studio in Dockyard. As is often the case, Mr Burt’s apology ended up being partial. He took the opportunity to jab at the One Bermuda Alliance for the America’s Cup, technical officers who reviewed the loan and this newspaper for reviving this scandal after it was first reported on a year ago. But he does

The continuing fallout from the Covid-19 crisis has left one of the island’s top charities in need of help.Managers of Meals on Wheels, which relies on an army of volunteers to cook and deliver food, said it urgently required 25 new people to step up and help.Older volunteers have been unable to pitch in because of risks from the coronavirus pandemic.Their replacements are now going back to work, leaving a dire shortage of kitchen staff and the drivers who deliver meals.For 77

A charity cruise for a cancer charity is to set sail on Sunday.VaVa Entertainment has organised the Pink Party Cruise to benefit cancer charity Pals. The event was created in honour of Reneé M Carter, a cancer charity founder and Eddie Minors, as well as others who have died from cancer or who are suffering from the disease.The New Unit band will perform on board and soul singer Sheila Smith will direct the Freedom Singers.Jesse Seymour, a former Bermuda Idol, will also be on

Deputy Premier Walter Roban has branded the Free Democratic Movement’s anti-mask stance as “dangerous”.He was speaking after Marc Bean, the leader of the new political party, rejected scientific advice in an interview and insisted that the use of masks did not help to stop the spread of Covid-19. Mr Roban, however, emphasised that the public should follow medical advice. He said: “All of the experts agree – masks stop the spread of the coronavirus.”The Progressive Labour Party

More than half-a-million shares of One Communications Limited were traded on The Royal Gazette/BSX Index.The stock fell 10 cents, or 2.5 per cent, to $3.90, after 555,800 shares changed hands.Argus Group Holdings Ltd was up eight cents, or 3 per cent, at $2.73 after 5,142 shares were exchanged.On the New York Stock Exchange, shares of Butterfield Bank were down 13 cents, or 0.59 per cent, at $21.86.The Royal Gazette/BSX Index was up 0.23 of a point, or 0.01 per cent, at 1,731.

Today there were 344 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19. Bermuda has had 181 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:? there are 5 active cases, who are? all under public health monitoring, and? none are hospitalized or in critical care;? a total of 167 have recovered, and? the total deceased remains 9. The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 56 and th

The Commissioner of Police urged people to stay away from a house near a cliff damaged during hurricane force weather.Members of the public have walked on to the property to take photographs of the home, which gained attention on social media after the cliff underneath it eroded during Hurricane Teddy.Stephen Corbishley wrote on his Facebook page that the family had asked people to refrain from visiting.Mr Corbishley, who did not reveal the location of the home, said: “I suspect many

A One Bermuda Alliance government would remove the sugar tax and help to develop sectors that are particularly attractive to younger people, the party said today.Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, its finance spokeswoman, added that the OBA’s economic framework included tackling immigration policy “to derive more spending and long-term investments in Bermuda”.She said: “The OBA will also pivot Bermuda from its somewhat disconnected approach to development to a more integrated, well informed and resul

Tributes were paid today to one of Bermuda’s most celebrated fishermen, who died yesterday, aged 84.Llewellyn Hollis, who helped save many lives on rescue missions, was described by the community affairs minister as “a true Bermudian treasure”.Lovitta Foggo said: “Mr Hollis was considered one of Bermuda’s finest fishermen who was committed to the arts of the sea throughout the course of his life, including making shark-oil barometers, scuba diving, and powerboat racing. “In addition

Social Justice Bermuda (SJB) is a collective of Bermudians who are inspired by the global Black Lives Matter Movement and the way that communities around the world are standing together to tackle and dismantle oppressive systems of injustice and racism. A SJB task force was formed to address cannabis reform and to advocate for a sensible and regulated cannabis market that is based on restorative justice and empowers those who have been oppressed by historical cannabis prohibition laws.

The Progressive Labour Party was accused of “stunning hypocrisy” yesterday for its barrage of abuse of the airport terminal development.The attack by Douglas DeCouto of the One Bermuda Alliance brought a sharp response from the PLP, which criticised the OBA’s transparency record when it was in power between 2012 and 2017.But Mr DeCouto, the OBA candidate for Warwick North Central, said the OBA had released more information on the deal “than any other Government project in history”.He

Police have released two photos in relation to a serious sex assault on a 31-year-old woman and asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.The photos, which show the suspect on a motorcycle, were taken by a CCTV camera at the junction of Par La Ville Road and Front Street at 6.30am on Sunday.Detective Superintendent Nicholas Pedro said: “We believe someone in the community may recognise the person on this bike, whether they saw them that same morning, or because they know them p

A teenager reported missing yesterday was found safe and well, police said today.The police thanked the public’s assistance in finding Noldre Brown, 16.

A founding member of the Free Democratic Movement has resigned from the group and will not be a candidate in the General Election.Kae Thomas Palacio announced the move this morning.A press release said: “Kae Thomas Palacio has resigned as a founder and member of the Free Democratic Movement and has withdrawn her candidature from the upcoming General Election in C31 Southampton West Central. “She extends her best wishes to the FDM in the upcoming election. “It leaves Ben Smith

Chaka DeSilva will rest his Johnnie Walker Classic title on the line at Ocean View Golf Course this weekend.The 40-year-old is among 19 professionals competing for a share of the $4,000 purse during the 36-hole championship, which will take place at the Devonshire course tomorrow and Sunday.”I am extremely excited to get out on the golf course and play some competitive golf,” DeSilva said. “Obviously the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to a lot competitive golf, so it’s really nice to g

Three political newcomers are to run in St George’s in the General Election.Dwain Smith of the new Free Democratic Movement will stand in St George’s West, the One Bermuda Alliance’s Thomas Harvey will contest the same seat and James Perry of the OBA will run in St George’s North.Mr Smith said that the economy was a top priority, along with education and immigration reform. The former police officer added: “People feel like St George’s is the forgotten of the nine parishes – the step

Following a “chat & chew” event in July at which community clubs were hosted to discuss and identify areas of need, Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, and the Minister of Community Affairs and Sports, the Hon. Lovitta Foggo, JP, MP, presented cheques to eight (8) local community organisations. Cheques were presented today to:Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club – $50,000Boulevard Community Club – $12,500Devonshire Colts Football Club – $12,500Devonshire Recreation Club -$36,

A man was fined a total of $1,200 and banned from the roads yesterday after he admitted drink driving and driving without a licence.David Brunson, 30, pleaded guilty to the offence at Magistrates’ Court.The court heard that Brunson was seen driving a car at high speed along Trimingham Road in Paget and almost collided with a police car at its junction with South Road.Police suspected Brunson of drink driving when they confronted him about the incident.Brunson admitted he had b

A man was given a six-month suspended sentence yesterday after he admitted the theft of a motorcycle.Jovon Virgil, 32, pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court to taking a motorcycle without the consent of the owner.The court heard that police officers on patrol on Front Street, Hamilton, saw Virgil walking a bike through Albouy’s Point in the early hours of May 23 last year.Virgil said when questioned that he had borrowed the motorcycle from a friend, but left his keys at the nearby Roy

A Progressive Labour Party politician is the new leader of the Immigration Board.Scott Simmons, who was an MP in the last Parliament and is a General Election candidate for Southampton West, took up the board chairman’s post on September 16.The announcement was published in the Government’s Official Gazette this week.The appointment came after Renée Ming the previous chairwoman, became Minister of National Security in July.Mr Simmons, who will face Christoph

Kayakers will take to the water this weekend to complete a loop of the islands in aid of a child sexual abuse prevention charity.They will be joined by surf skiers and paddleboarders for the fifth annual Kayak For Kids, to raise money and awareness for Saving Children and Revealing Secrets.Jerry Rivers, one of the organisers, said that the 2020 event was expected to include 23 participants – an all-time high – and that there were “more corporate sponsors this year than ever before”.H

A former top nurse appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 20 years ago for her contribution to healthcare has died.Jacqueline Lightbourne, the island’s first Chief Nursing Officer, was 84. Ms Lightbourne started at the Department of Health in the early 1970s and rose through the ranks.She became the first Co-ordinator of Nursing Services in Bermuda before she became Chief Nursing Officer.Ms Lightbourne told the Mid-Ocean News in 1991:

This morning, when I reached for my mask before entering work, I instead pulled a thong out of my handbag. What makes this worse is that it happened in front of someone else. I wasn’t quite sure how to pull it off …. pretend that was my plan along? Wear my thong-mask with pride? Or just laugh about it … I went with the latter. To be fair, it IS easy to mix them up – especially when you’re rummaging through a pile of clean laundry at 6.30am in the half-light. I’ve had my fair share of handbag mix-u

Cross-party election candidates featured at a youth forum have backed a debate among party leaders in the run-up to the General Election.Would-be MPs who took part in a virtual forum organised by youth group Bermuda Youth Connect said a debate before polling day on October 1 was a vital part of the democratic process.Gavin Smith, the Free Democratic Movement candidate for Pembroke South East, said: “It shouldn’t be perceived as audacious that our young people are asking for this.”He

An historic entertainment venue that attracted world-class entertainers to the island is being razed to the ground. The Clayhouse Inn on North Shore, Devonshire, deteriorated after it was damaged in a 2002 fire and will soon be levelled. But people in the area yesterday had mixed emotions about the end of an era.Maurice Brimmer, a manager at takeout restaurant and bar The Inferno Lounge Two, which neighbours the building, said he spent much of his youth at the Clayhouse and admitted he watc

If football clubs required a reminder that Covid-19 remains a threat to the current campaign, they needed only look at the chaos that ensued at the London Stadium on Tuesday evening.Less than an hour before kick-off in their Carabao Cup encounter against Hull City, Hammers manager David Moyes, defender Issa Diop and midfielder Josh Cullen all received positive coronavirus tests.All three were forced to leave the ground immediately and while West Ham went on to win the third-round tie 5-1, t

Legislation to revamp the financial assistance system is in the pipeline, the Minister of Labour announced yesterday.Jason Hayward said that the changes, if approved by the next government, would help give assistance to people who needed it and assist recipients to return to the workforce.Mr Hayward added: “The reformed system will focus less on policing and administration of rules and more on helping more individuals achieve access to services and support available to help them. This appro

Tem sido um ano desafiador: it has been a challenging year. That’s likely how the Portuguese School of Bermuda would describe 2020 after Covid-19 wrecked its fundraising efforts and threw a monkey wrench into plans for teacher recruitment.A donor drive is in the works but, meanwhile, the hope is that virtual classes will keep the programme alive. The school has helped hundreds of children learn Portuguese since it was launched as an afterschool initiative for prima

American music promoter Anthony Blakey was allowed an “initial rent-free period” in a government-owned property at Dockyard after he proposed setting up a recording studio there.Andrew Dias, the general manager of the West End Development Corporation, told The Royal Gazette that Savvy Entertainment, owned by Mr Blakey, was given the rent reprieve at historic Moresby House to “assist the business during the start-up phase”.Mr Dias said: “At the end of the rent-free period,

Hefty discounts will be on offer as the former ASC Women store holds its final liquidation sale.Today, there is 40 per cent off all items, tomorrow 50 per cent, and on Sunday, 60 per cent.Liquidators KPMG Advisory Ltd said: “The sale will include all of the women’s store stock, a limited amount of men’s apparel, and some other accessories.”No Vineyard Vines stock is included in this sale. The sale will be cash and credit card only.” No gift cards will be accepted. AS Cooper gi

Staff thrown out of work by the closure of the Fairmont Southampton hotel will be helped to find jobs elsewhere, the labour minister promised yesterday.Jason Hayward said the news, announced on Wednesday, was “yet another blow to an already challenged workforce and our economy”.He added the ministry would work with the Bermuda Industrial Union and its hotel division to make sure redundancy payouts were fairly calculated.He added that staff who hit financial troubles would be helped t

The central bus terminal kiosk in Hamilton is closed to for repairs to its air conditioning unit, the Government announced tonight.The Department of Public Transportation apologised for the late notice and for any inconvenience caused to the public.A Government spokesman said an update on the reopening date would be provided as soon as possible.

A total of 787 tests for the coronavirus came back clear today.The news meant the number of cases remained at 181, with five active cases, all monitored by health officials.None are in hospital.A total of 167 people have recovered from infection and the number of deaths stands at nine.The average age of confirmed cases is 56 and the age range is from 9 to 101.The average age for deaths is 74 and the age range is 57 to 91.The number of on-island transmissions with

Staff left jobless by the closure of the Fairmont Southampton Hotel will get linked with work elsewhere, according to Jason Hayward, the labour minister.The mass redundancy on October 23 of up to 750 employees, roughly 500 of whom are Bermudian, will allow for 18 months of renovations at the South Shore resort, largely shut down because of the Covid-19 pandemic.Mr Hayward called the news, announced yesterday, “yet another blow to an already challenged workforce and our economy”.He sa