Flights back on track

Flights are back on track and the airport is running smoothly after disruptions caused by the recent storm, according to General Manager, Aaron Adderley.

Monday's storm caused US Airways, Delta, Air Canada and Jet Blue flights to be delayed with Jet Blue returning to New York..

Mr. Adderley said that after an employee was struck by lightning while serving an aircraft on the runway, they have introduced precautions during storms.

A lightning detection system has been installed and if a thunderstorm is detected within a two mile radius, all operations on the apron are to cease and workers are to go to designated areas.

Three flights, USAir 1266, Delta 508 and Air Canada 942 were held on the airfield while the storm passed. Then the planes were cleared to taxi to the terminal. The Delta flight was held in Bermuda while the USAir and Air Canada left later in the day.

According to Mr. Adderley, the airport only closes down if there is a looming hurricane, strong gale force winds and lightning.

Airliner had a 'fuel imbalance'

An Airbus A300 airplane that diverted to Bermuda last Wednesday did so because a "fuel imbalance" was discovered, according to Bermuda Radio.

It had 207 people on board and was heading to New York after departing San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Upon the aircraft's arrival at LF Wade International Airport at 8.32 p.m., emergency personnel were standing by.

New warning about counterfeit money issued

Police have issued another warning about counterfeit Bermuda notes currently being passed around.

Officers advise that three security features in genuine Bermuda bank notes — the 'tuna fish' watermark, the security thread and the 'ship' hologram — are not being copied properly on the fraud notes.

The easiest way to spot a fake note is to examine the security thread or the hologram. They are made using material which resembles tin-foil and has a polished, reflective surface; either silver or gold in colour.

On the counterfeit notes, although the detail on these security features is produced fairly accurately, the printers cannot reproduce the polished reflective surface.

Anyone with information about those responsible for distributing fake notes should call the Bermuda Police Service Fraud Unit on 295-0011 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.

Police offer community education courses

Road safety will be among the topics discussed at a series of Police community education classes in the first two weeks of June.

The sessions are aimed at improving everyone's knowledge of how and why Bermuda Police Service operates the way it does and their rights when interacting with Police.

Issues to be discussed include: You And The Road; Police And The Law; Structure of the Police Service; Community Partners.

The first round of classes are in the first two weeks of June, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The public is encouraged to go along.

A statement said: "We are looking to attract anyone from our community — including teenagers, parents, senior citizens, religious or community groups, Government or private sector workers and guest workers."

To reserve spaces, contact Dwayne Caines or Robin Simmons on 299-4291 or 299-4321 or e-mail PMR@bps.bm before Wednesday, May 28.

Police issue warning to slow down

Road accidents were down last week — but Police yesterday reminded motorists of the need to drive carefully.

There were 29 crashes in the seven days leading up to Monday, of which nine resulted in injury, compared with 48 (including ten injuries) the previous week, and 46 (including 18 injuries) the week before.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.

However, a Bermuda Police Service statement urges drivers to use care, caution and courtesy on the roads, always wear seat belts, fasten cycle helmets and avoid making a third lane.

During the week, eight vehicles were reported stolen, including a jet ski and trailer.

'Stanley is a little trooper'

Stanley the cockapoo — mauled half to death by a pit bull before Easter — is back at home making a remarkable recovery.

The pet is likely to be permanently scarred and is still nervous of large animals, but owner Sandra Curtis says she is just relieved he has survived his ordeal.

Stanley was fighting for his life after the big dog appeared from nowhere and ripped the skin off the whole of one side of his body in the incident in Trinity Church Road, Bailey's Bay, in March.