City to unveil walking tour plaques

A series of plaques around Hamilton map out a new self-guided tour allowing both visitors and locals to learn more about the historical city.

Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling and Chairman of the Bermuda 2009 Committee Conchita Ming yesterday announced the 'Walkway of History,' a self-guided tour around the city's landmarks.

A series of plaques installed around the city mark areas of historical, cultural or architectural importance, while a map attached to a brochure leads visitors from landmark to landmark. Mrs. Ming said: "It is our sincere hope that people, both local and visitors, will take advantage of this beautiful tour to understand the significance and importance of our heritage within the City of Hamilton."

The circular tour starts and ends outside of Hamilton's City Hall, and organisers estimate the entire walking tour will take as much as two hours to complete.

Some of the landmarks included on the tour include City Hall, Victoria Park, the St. Paul AME Church, Sessions House and the Bermuda National Library.

Mr. Gosling announced that a reception in the foyer of City Hall will officially open the walking tour on Tuesday, saying: "Many who provided assistance to ensure the success of this project, together with residents and business owners who live and work along the route, will join in celebration."

Deborah Blakeney named Director of Human Affairs Dept.

Government has named Deborah Blakeney as the new Director of the Department of Human Affairs.

Ms. Blakeney will now be in charge of the Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE) and Consumer Affairs. She was appointed the new position on September 1. "I am up for the challenge and I look forward to serving in this capacity," Ms. Blakeney said.

A government spokesperson said yesterday that Ms. Blakeney brings a "wealth of legal, managerial and administrative skills to the position."

Ms. Blakeney began working for Government in the Attorney General's Chambers as a legislative Draftsman, and was called to the Bermuda Bar in 1989 after graduating from Tuskegee University in Alabama, the University of Buckingham in England and the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago.

Hamilton Parish man fined $800 for having .92 grams of cannabis

A Hamilton Parish man admitted possessing 0.92 grams of cannabis yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Brandon White, 31, of Kitty's Drive, was stopped by Police at the junction of Union and King streets in Pembroke on Friday, April 10, at 10.20 p.m.

Officers conducting a routine search for weapons in the area, searched White and found a foil wrap containing a brown rocklike substance in his front pants pocket. White was cautioned by officers but made no reply. He was then taken to Hamilton Police Station to be processed.

Yesterday Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined White $800 for the offence. He ordered him to pay immediately or face 80 days' imprisonment. White asked for more time to pay, but Mr. Warner replied: "I've said all I have to say."

Cash, jewellery taken in burglary

Cash and jewellery were stolen from an unoccupied Devonshire home this week.

A Police spokesperson said the Alexandra Road home was broken into sometime between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday. "The culprit stole a quantity of cash and jewellery, as well as a cellular phone and a quantity of DVDs," the spokesperson added.

Thieves also targeted two homes in Pembroke, stealing cash, a flat-screen TV, motorcycle, and other personal items.

The first theft occurred between 8.15 a.m. and 12.45 p.m. at a Second Avenue residence on Wednesday. According to Police, the culprit stole a 42in flat-screen TV and a gold ring.

Later that day, officers were told a Market Lane residence had also been burgled.

Said a Police spokesperson: "The complainants stated that sometime between 6.50 a.m. and 9 a.m. that day, an unknown culprit gained entry into their home.

"The culprit stole a black purse containing a quantity of cash and personal items, as well as a silver Canon digital camera, a Motorola cellular phone, a pair of black Ray-Ban sunglasses and a black Mio Sym motorcycle, licence number BN 361."

Police are investigating both incidents. Persons with information are asked to contact the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011.

Persons with information on the stolen bike are asked to contact the Roads Policing Unit, also on 295-0011.