Grandmother ThelmaFoggo, who lost her wooden home to fire on January 3, was given a new home by Government a week later on Lighthouse Hill, St. David?s.

A 28-year-old man was left with a nine-inch gash in his skull after a brutal gang attack on Parsons Road . Kuma Smith, 28, from St. George?s, was set upon by four men on Parsons Road at around 2 p.m. on January 5. A gang attacked him with machetes severing one of his fingers in the process. Three men appeared in Magistrates? Court charged with attempting to murder Mr. Smith in the attack. Harron Lee Powell Evans, 29, of Tills Hill, Pembroke, Davon Michael Marson, 27, of Happy Valley Lane, Pembroke and Akono Shakir Parsons, 23, of Deepdale Road Estate, Pembroke, were charged with attempting to murder Mr. Smith. Jamiko St. Clair Mole Gibbons, 23, of Happy Valley Road, Devonshire, was charged with assaulting Mr. Smith and charged with possessing an offensive weapon, a machete.

Steve Dupres 68, who was a central figure in Bermuda?s famed Esso Steel Band, died on January 6. Mr. Dupres was the arranger and ?echo-phone? player for the band, which was an entertainment favourite for four decades.

On January 9, Premier Alex Scott said it was important for Bermuda to first discuss Independence before any decisions were made. ?They?re saying Bermudians can?t even be allowed to discuss Independence, think about Independence, consider Independence,? he said. ?I haven?t committed the country to Independence, I?ve just said let?s discuss it.?

On January 10 a second fire broke out at the Tynes Bay incinerator. The blaze was a minor one compared to the Christmas Day blaze a few weeks earlier and was quickly extinguished by the Fire Service.

A photographof a Regimental Policeman(left) sending a new recruit flying face first to the ground during the first day of ?Boot Camp? was pictured on the front page of on January 10 and had the community concerned for the safety of soldiers inside Warwick Camp.

Government showed its commitment to the environment and Bermuda?s future when it announced, on January 13, that a British expert would help chart the course for sustainable development. Ross Andrews, who previously worked for the UK government and UN, was hired as a consultant. He described sustainable development as: ??Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.?

After more than 13 years, Calvin White resigned from the Hotel Pensions Board to devote all his attention to his private company, Maximum Pension Services.

A tie was declared during the 2005 International Race Weekend after Kenyan marathoner Simon Sawe stumbled as he began his sprint for the finish line with Moroccan El Afoui Boubker. The Kenyan said his view of a direction sign was obscured by technical director Gerry Swan. After reviewing footage of the race, the BTFA decided to declare the tie and offer both men the same prize money.

A freak storm pummelled houses on Town Hill Road in Smith?s on January 18, causing severe damage to several roofs and cars. Large sections of slate from three separate houses were torn off by the violent winds, with the fragments left strewn across yards and driveways.

On January 20 it was reported that United Bermuda Party?s executive officer Gordon Johnson resigned after a row over a staff member?s holiday time. Mr. Johnson had denied the employee?s request for time off citing the busy time of year, but party chairman Gwyneth Rawlins granted the break. Fundraiser Jim Butterfield also resigned in sympathy with Mr. Johnson.

Cricket enthusiasts were frustrated as technical problems continued to hamper CableVision?s pay-per-view coverage of the Test series between South Africa and England. The company offered refunds for games that were not aired on January 20.