Chairman of Bermuda Cement Company (BCC), Jim Butterfield announced his intention to wind up the 40-year-old family business at the end of this year after an often acrimonious four-year lease re-negotiation ? a decision which forced the West End Development Company (Wedco) into preparing to take control of the enterprise until a suitable replacement could be found. Amid much fanfare, an agreement was reached in January between Wedco and the BCC on a 20-year deal, which would see the cement operation move to a new site 300 yards further down the dock from its current location as well as the destruction of the plant and its unsightly silos, up to 20 percent of the company taken public and the rent increased by up to 2.5 percent of gross revenue of $100,000, whichever was greater. Mr. Butterfield described Wedco's handling of the matter as "diabolical" and intimated that they had deliberately made it impossible for him to continue the business in order to seize what it considered to be "a great golden egg".

Bermudians rushed to pick up emergency supplies as news of Hurricane Nate's arrival spread. It swerved clear of the Island at the last minute. But thousands of homes across Bermuda faced electricity blackouts as high winds from Nate affected overhead power lines.

A new $2-million Doppler Radar Weather Tower was officially opened allowing the Island to monitor weather systems up to 500 miles away and see clearly into the eye of approaching hurricanes. With the new technology, Bermudians will be more prepared for possible hits by hurricanes. The Island joined other countries in acquiring its own Doppler Tower, which stands in Clearwater, St. David's, near the old NASA station.

Security staff at Bermuda International Airport threatened to strike and bring the Airport to a standstill in a row over pay and working hours. The dispute had already been rumbling since January 2004 and talks between union officials and Bermuda Security Group remained in arbitration.

Postal workers marched through the streets of Hamilton to protest aggressive dogs that threaten them on their daily rounds. And Bermuda Industrial Union president, Derrick Burgess warned people to secure their dogs if they want to get their mail. "If you want your mail make it safe and friendly for the postman," Mr. Burgess said. "Postmen will no longer service houses that have dogs that pose a threat to their health and safety. We have warned the public before and we are now advising postmen not to deliver to people who have dogs running loose." In the last two years, two of our workers have been seriously attacked, including one in September. Police blocked off streets to make way for the march, as they called for ? "No more dog attacks".

Two road fatalities in one month ? bringing the total to ten since January ? as 24-year-old Canadian barmaid, Annette Farkes was killed along North Road, Pembroke. She was a passenger on a motorcycle, while 18-year-old Shellee Smith, from Smith's Parish, died as a result of her injuries following a crash on South Road. A six -foot long gouge in the road marks the place where the popular Bermuda College student, who was on a motorcycle, was involved in a collision with a white-coloured taxi, either during or just after a rain shower.

Less than four months after opening their doors and pristine beaches to visitors and locals, 9 Beaches Resort in Somerset reports it's struggling despite a significant renovation and massive marketing effort costing nearly $8 million in the first year. With summer occupancy rates under 50 percent and autumn occupancies at only 30-40 percent, the resort owners were working to re-capitalise so that they can continue their mission to create a very different, viable tourism product for Bermuda. In the meantime the resort tightened its financial belt and worked through acceptable arrangements with vendors.

The Human Rights Tribunal hearing a racial discrimination complaint began nearly five years after it was lodged by businessman Harold Darrell against 16 Bank of Bermuda directors and its former chief executive officer. Mr. Darrell, a former bank customer, contends that a complaint he made to the bank's board in 2000 was never properly dealt with and that this was racially motivated. His initial dispute with the bank dates back to the 1990s after an alleged confidentiality breach.