First woman Senate president

CAROL Anne Bassett has become Bermuda's first female Senate president. The five-term, independent Senator said, "It's really an honour. It's really humbling. I wouldn't have thought it would be me." She said she wasn't officially told she was in contention for the seat left vacant in September by former independent Senator Alf Oughton until immediately before last Friday's Throne Speech. However, her husband had heard rumours she might be asked, and encouraged her to take on the role. Now that she has accepted the role, she hopes the role will enable her to place greater community focus on education and seniors - two areas she feels that need to be addressed.

Governor, Premier honour war dead

HUNDREDS of people lined along Front Street in front of the Cenotaph while many more jockeyed for space on the Cabinet grounds to watch the Remembrance Day Parade ceremony on Tuesday. Governor Sir Richard Gozney, who was taking part in the ceremony for the first time, joined Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, Opposition Leader Kim Swan and those watching in a moment of silence to remember the dead. It was followed with a laying of wreaths at the base of the Cenotaph and while the warm weather made watching the parade and ceremony a joy for spectators, it proved to be too much for at least one war veteran and a number of cadets. St. John Ambulance workers were kept busy helping those who had fainted or felt ill from dehydration or low blood sugar, though none were seriously injured.

Police probe Sandys man's death

A MAN'S dead body was found in the water at Dockyard a day after he is believed to have fallen overboard. Police have not ruled out foul play after 43-year-old Tyrone Berkeley - described as a very strong swimmer - got into difficulties while out fishing on his own. Neighbours are said to have heard cries for help at about 9.30 p.m. on Monday, a few hours after Mr. Berkeley, of Sandys, was last seen alive. The victim's devastated father Howard Berkeley says his body was found near the shore at about 1.45 p.m. Tuesday, following a search involving Police divers. "It's mysterious, very mysterious, but we have to wait for the autopsy," said Mr. Berkeley Sr.

Dr. Froncioni backs graduated licensing

ACCORDING to campaigner Joseph Froncioni, new legislation including night-time curfews for young motorcyclists will end the anarchy on Bermuda's roads - but only if it's policed properly. Dr. Froncioni is delighted with the Graduated Licensing System (GLS), a scheme he has been advocating for the past decade, that means 16 to 18-year-old motorcyclists can only get full licenses after they have proved they are capable drivers. However, he warned it will make no difference if the new law is ignored in the same way as speeding and helmet legislation has been.

Inflation hits 17-year high

CUSTOMERS saw their fuel and power bills rocket by a staggering 14 percent between August and September as the annual inflation rate hit a 17-year high of 5.9 percent, according to the latest statistics released by Government. The cost of electricity was the driving force behind the 12-month increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as revealed by the Department of Statistics' CPI report, with Belco bills being impacted by a hike in the fuel adjustment clause as the annual rate of price increase for the fuel and power sector reached 40.4 percent. But Belco said there will be some relief for its customers next month, when the fuel adjustment rate will be cut by 7.3 percent - to 19 cents per kilowatt hour from 20.5 cents in December. Belco also expects further adjustments in the New Year.

Board lays out hospital plans

THE Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) and partners unveiled a $315 million five-year plan to upgrade King Edward VII Memorial Hospital's acute care facilities. The initiative is part of the 25-year plan for KEMH, which is to be completed in stages. According to the second phase of a report completed by Johns Hopkins, the group recommended, among other items, that within five years a three-story, 75,000-square-foot ambulatory car centre to be built, a six-story patient tower with 90 private beds and a two-story central utility plant to be constructed and renovations to the current KEMH. The cost of the construction will be spread out over five years by increasing hospital fees by three percent over that period.