The Bank of Butterfield has registered a planning application for additions to be made to the existing five storey building in Bermudiana Road. Renovations are currently being made to the Rosebank Centre, but the proposed additions will create additional office space.

A bank spokesperson said yesterday they were currently renovating the building to improve facilities for both customers and employees, but the work was unrelated to their application.

In another application, a new five storey office building is proposed at 46B Brunswick Street for Corner Holdings Limited.

Planning applications were made on behalf of the company by Trott and Duncan, who are also located in Brunswick Street.

Horse owner plans Railway Trail rides

A Warwick horse owner has applied for a commercial licence to enable tourists to use his horses to ride along the Railway Trail.

According to the Planning Department, Keith Woodley, who lives on Cobbs Hill Road in Warwick, has applied for a licence to operate a commercial stable. He is in fact “changing the usage” of his current licence to include renting his horses to tourists.

Mr. Woodley will be in direct competition to Spicelands Riding Centre and stables owned by Mike Watson. Both places are in Warwick and cater to tourists.

Judith Baum from Spicelands said yesterday that this was the first she had heard of Mr. Woodley's plan and could not comment any further. Mr. Watson said he knew Mr. Woodley well and even though he had never mentioned his intention of getting into that line of business, he welcomed the competition.

Crimestoppers: $28,000 in rewards so far

Crimestoppers has given out just over $28,000 in rewards in return for information over the past nine years, deputy chairman Shawn Pitcher announced this week.

The anonymous hotline has taken more than 3,000 phone calls which have led to 168 arrests and cleared more than 180 cases, Mr. Pitcher said. Information from Crimestoppers tipsters has led to millions of dollars in drugs seizures and property recovery.

Awards can run up to $1,000, and are given if information received leads to an arrest, or a conviction, or the recovery of drugs or property, Mr. Pitcher told Hamilton Rotarians yesterday.

He also made a point of repeatedly noting the organisation's one and only product: its hotline telephone number: 1-800-623-8477.

Referendum movement launches website

The Bermudians for Referendum launched its website on Wednesday as its movement to ensure Independence is decided via referendum continues. The website - www.bdareferendum.info - provides information about where Bermudians can sign the referendum petition, as well as some background articles on Independence and the processes used to decide it.

At last report the petition itself had more than 10,000 signatures. Organisers said they are targeting 20,000 before the petition will be sent to the UK Government, which has the last word on whether Independence will be decided by referendum or General Election.

Police recruitment campaign extended

The Bermuda Police Service recruitment campaign has been extended until March 4. Applicants must be between 19 and 49.

The starting salary is in the range of $51,000 a year.

For more information, contact the recruitment officer on 299-4485 or e-mail recruitingbps.bm

Get your free health screening

Free health screenings will be offered from a van in front of City Hall at lunch time this week as part of Healthy Heart and Nutrition Month.

A Health Department spokesman said the screenings will include blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol testing, body weight and percentage of body fat. Counselling sessions will also be provided.

The health van, donated by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, will be open for screenings from noon to 2 p.m.

The spokesman said: “This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about how to care for their health.”

Police website to go live

A Police website is scheduled to go live on March 14.

It will feature daily Press releases, crime statistics, service history, crime prevention and safety information and information for those who want to sign up.