The US Naval Air Station, which closed its gates for three weeks following a road accident, has invited residents back for July 4 celebrations.

The closure followed a June 9 collision that injured the wife of a man assigned to the base, Ens. Marie McGahan said.

Markings on buses were improved to show no passing is permitted in either direction when buses are stopped, she said. Visitors will also receive more thorough safety briefings at the front gate and through the local media.

The public visits the base on Sundays and Wednesdays to eat at the popular McDonald's Restaurant. That right was suspended while the military investigated the accident, which involved a Bermudian motorist passing a stopped bus and colliding with a woman who disembarked.

The regular Sunday and Wednesday visiting hours are now restored, Ens. McGahan said.

With recent cutbacks at USNAS Bermuda, Sunday's July 4 festivities will include everything but the usual fireworks, Ens. McGahan said.

There were fewer people on the base this year to raise funds to purchase fireworks, she said. Since the Corporation of Hamilton is sponsoring a fireworks display on Front Street as part of its bicentennial celebrations on Sunday, the base will instead provide a bus into the City for base personnel.

A horseshoe tournament, rides, a firetruck demonstration, a water tug of war, radio-controlled airplanes, and a Navy Ceremonial Guard performance are among the attractions on Sunday. The base opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.

GOALKEEPER IN COURT AGAIN CTS Goal keeper in court again Well-known Bermuda sportsman, Winslow (Scaly) Williams, blamed drugs as the reason why he was appearing in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The 26-year-old Somerset Trojans goalkeeper admitted his guilt to two charges of breaking and entering, one charge of attempted break-in and one charge of entering with intent to steal.

Sgt. Peter Giles, prosecuting, told the court that during the early hours of March 16, Williams broke into two houses on West Side Road, Somerset. He stole $795 worth of cash and belongings before attempting to break into another home on the same road.

That same afternoon, the owner of a Tankard Lane home discovered Williams in his ground floor bedroom. He fled empty-handed.

Williams was arrested later that day and, following interviews with the Police, helped them to recover some of the stolen goods.

Williams, who lives on Harvest Lane, Hamilton, was already on probation for previous breaking and entering offences when these occurred. He has a long history of similar convictions.

Magistrate, the Wor. Cheryl Ann Mapp, was not impressed with Williams' record, calling him "a nuisance'' and telling him it was time to take responsibility for his actions.

Sentencing was adjourned for two weeks pending an update from Williams' probation officer and a report of his attendance at Addiction Services.

SPECIAL FORUM ON SICKLE CELL DISEASE CON Special forum on sickle cell disease Together with the Sickle Cell Foundation, The Department of Health is inviting the public to attend a special forum today on the "Current Treatment and Research in Sickle Cell Disease.'' Guest speaker for the forum will be Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers, chief of Molecular Hematology Unit at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

Dr. Rodger's presentation will focus on the future strategies for the treatment and management of sickle cell disease that are currently being researched.

Sickle cell disease is the most common hereditary disease among blacks. There is no known cure. For this reason those who have the disease or no someone that does are urged to attend the forum.

The forum will be held at the Cathedral Hall on Church Street at 7.30 p.m.

CITY CAR PARK WILL BE CLOSED TODAY TFC City car park will be closed today The City car park at Number 1 Shed will be closed today, Corporation of Hamilton secretary Mr. Roger Sherratt said yesterday.

The popular Front Street car park, which holds 110 cars, will be the site of a tea and concert for senior citizens as part of the Corporation of Hamilton's bicentennial celebrations, Mr. Sherratt said.

On Saturday, the usual access to the car park will be closed, but motorists can enter and exit by the west entrance near the Birdcage, Mr. Sherratt said.

Front Street is closed on Saturday from Parliament to Queen streets for a bicentennial street festival.

The last of a weeklong series of free lunchtime concerts is set for City Hall today from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.

The Bermuda Suzuki Academy, the Elliott Primary School Bell Ringers, the six-part harmony acappella singing group Consorted Effort, and the vocal duet of Kingsley and Suzanne Swan will be featured.

CONSTRUCTION WORKER SENT TO HOSPITAL AC Construction worker sent to hospital A worker was burned yesterday when his drill struck an electrical cable at the Bank of Bermuda construction site on Bermudiana Road.

A 30-year-old worker was drilling shortly before 3 p.m. when he struck a live high-voltage cable running along the edge of the site, officials said. The man was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital with undisclosed injuries. A D&J Construction official who was on the scene investigating the accident said the man was not seriously hurt.

Witnesses heard an explosion and saw a large puff of smoke when the cable was struck. A worker appeared "blinded'' by the jolt, one witness said.

The accident caused a 20-minute power outage in office buildings near the junction of Church Street and Par-La-Ville Road, a Belco spokesman said. "We had repeatedly advised the contractor of the location of the high-voltage cable, and the fact that it was live,'' the spokesman said.

The Health and Safety at Work division of the Ministry of Labour is investigating the accident.

AMERICAN SOCIETY ELECTS NEW CHIEF CLB American society elects new chief Mr. William Cook, assistant director of Parks with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, has been elected president of The American Society, a social club that brings together Americans living in Bermuda.

Mr. Cook's recent election took place at Chelston, the Paget home of the US Consul General during the society's annual general meeting.

Also elected were: Dr. Roberta Dow as vice-president, Mrs. Betty Parris a secretary and public relations officer and Mr. Joseph Lattyk as treasurer.