Premier Brown at CARICOM meeting

Premier Ewart Brown is in Trinidad and Tobago for a CARICOM meeting and to discuss the Haiti relief effort.

Dr. Brown attended a Council for Finance and Planning meeting yesterday where the group discussed the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility.

The insurance fund was created to ensure that the governments of its 16 members will have immediate access to liquidity if hit by a hurricane or earthquake.

Bermuda contributed $1.5 million when it was set up in 2007 and has given $500,000 every year since.

The Premier's press secretary Arnold Minors said: "The meeting began with an update on CARICOM's work to assist Haiti in its reconstruction efforts.

"CARICOM's initial decision was to focus mainly on health in Port-au-Prince as its contribution to the rebuilding of Haiti after the earthquake devastated the Caribbean nation in January."

KBB praises anti-litter plans

Keep Bermuda Beautiful has praised Government for its proposals to clamp down on litter louts.

The charity, which organises clean-ups throughout the year, welcomed plans to issue fines to anyone dumping trash on the Island's parks.

In Friday's Budget, Government announced it will amend National Parks Regulations to tackle litter, vandalism and scrambling.

Department of Parks officers will also be trained to issue fines.

Amy Shillingford, KBB president, said yesterday: "KBB commends the Minister of the Environment (Glenn Blakeney) for taking this much needed step toward enforcing Bermuda's litter laws by giving Parks officers the authority to ticket offenders.

"I understand that this will apply to park lands including the Railway Trail and public beaches, so this is a great 'victory' as far as KBB is concerned in our ongoing battle to tackle littering and illegal dumping across the Island."

Andrew Vaucrosson, president of sustainable development group Greenrock, added: "It's about time. We have had park rangers without any teeth."

Premier in tribute to ADHT influence

The funeral of an American travel agent who helped launch the African Diaspora Heritage Trail in Bermuda took place in Atlanta yesterday. Jacob Henderson, of Henderson Associates Inc., died a week ago of liver cancer, aged 66. Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown said: "Without Jake Henderson there would have been no revival of the International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference and his refreshing drive stimulated us to breathe life into the conference after years of silence. We will miss our friend Jake."

Cyclist in hospital after collision with car, motorcycle

A cyclist suffered back injuries in a collision with a car and a motorcycle on Sunday.

The accident took place at the junction of North Shore Road and Hilltop Drive, Hamilton Parish, at 7 a.m., and resulted in two people being injured.

A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said the car was travelling west and the motorcyclist and cyclist were heading east when "all three vehicles collided".

The motorcyclist, a 40-year-old man from Warwick, suffered back and leg injuries. He is currently on a general ward at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where his condition was last night described as "stable".

The cyclist, a 41-year-old man from Sandys, received injuries to his back and left elbow, but was not admitted to hospital.

The car driver, a 28-year-old woman from Devonshire, was uninjured.

The Police spokesman said: "Inquiries into this incident are underway."

Four suspected of impaired driving over weekend

Police arrested four motorists on suspicion of impaired driving at the weekend.

Officers received reports of 16 damage-only collisions, four accidents resulting in injury, plus three burglaries.

Four vehicles were also reported stolen.

Lindo's to Lindo's walk and run to be held Sunday

The annual Lindo's to Lindo's walk and run for charity will take place Sunday.

Part proceeds from the four-mile walk and ten-kilometre run will go toward the Bermuda Diabetes Association.

The event is being organised by the Mid Atlantic Athletic Club and the Bermuda Track and Field Association.

They are looking for 1,000 participants.

Trevor Madeiros, chairman of the Bermuda Diabetes Association, said: "It's fantastic that Lindo's Family Foods, Validus Re and Mid Atlantic Athletic Club are working together to help Bermuda Diabetes Association tackle this disease.

"Diabetes is a significant problem in Bermuda and we are asking everyone who values their health to do something practical to fight this disease. Please put on your sneakers, bring along your friends and family and participate on Sunday."

The race starts from the Lindo's on Middle Road, Warwick at 9 a.m. and ends at Lindo's in Devonshire.

The entry fee is $25 for adults and $15 for juniors. Applications are available from Sportseller in the Washington Mall and Lindo's supermarkets.

Applications are also available online at www.lindos.bm.

Nominations sought for Public Health Awards

People are being asked to make nominations for the Public Health Awards 2010 which this year will recognise "Health Champions in the Community".

According to the Department of Health, a health champion is an individual or an organisation who has introduced initiatives that have made the environment more accessible for physical activity or have developed sustainable campaigns to promote healthier lifestyles.

Individuals and organisations nominated can be from any sector of society, provided that they have gone over and beyond the call of duty to contribute to and advance health in the community.

The Public Health Awards ceremony is on April 8 and nominations are to be submitted no later than Wednesday March 31.

For more details on who is eligible or to submit a nomination call Pauleter Stevens on 278-6504 or email healthpromotion@gov.bm.

Free bluebird box workshop at Government House

A free bluebird nest box building workshop is taking place at Government House on Saturday (March 6).

The 9 a.m. session has been organised by the Bermuda Audubon Society to tie in with bluebird nesting season.

Participants will work alongside experts to learn how to construct their own box and get advice on where to put it for best results.

"Additional boxes completed during the workshop will be offered for sale, with proceeds going to bluebird conservation efforts.

Society president Andrew Dobson said: "Families are particularly welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult.

"All materials will be provided but participants should bring their own hammer.

'This is the time of the year to start putting boxes up in the garden, so anyone who needs a box is welcome to come and join us.

"We will also be giving full instructions on how to monitor the box, which is crucial if you want to keep the sparrows out and raise bluebird chicks."

l To register email infor@audubon.bm or call 238-8628.