Police service probes five vehicle fires in one day

Police are investigating five vehicle fires all of which happened in one day.

The vehicles – cars and bikes were damaged on Monday. It brings the total vehicles damaged by fire this month to eight.

In the latest incidents, Police were called to a fire on Union Street in Pembroke at 3.35 a.m on Monday. A Police spokesman said: "It appears two motorcycles were extensively damaged by the blaze while a taxi received rear end smoke damage."

Less than 12 hours later, two cars were found burning at Clay Court, in Hamilton Parish. Firefighters put out the fire, but Police said the cars were extensively damaged. Arson has not been ruled out in either incident.

Earlier this month, a car and a motorcycle were found in flames on North Shore Road, Pembroke, near The First Church of God, and a car was found burning on Boundary Crescent, Devonshire.

City announces Reid Street parking changes

The Corporation of Hamilton announced yesterday that new parking restrictions will be imposed on parts of Reid Street.

Starting November 16, car parking between King and Queen streets will be closed to the public between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Distributors making deliveries and motorcycles will be the only vehicles allowed to park.

According to Corporation of Hamilton secretary Edward Benevides, parking will return to normal after 10 a.m., with the usual one-hour limit.

"These parking enhancements are being made to improve the flow of traffic into Hamilton during the morning commute," said Mr. Benevides, who also serves as the Corporation's Chief Operating Officer.

"Reid Street is a main artery into Hamilton, and based on current traffic flow it becomes a bottleneck causing delays due to double parking, especially when distributors are making deliveries or commuters are stopping to drop off passengers."

He added that a similar restriction has been successfully enforced between Burnaby and Queen streets.

"We found that traffic flowed smoothly in the area and it worked well for merchants, distributors and commuters," he said.

In addition to planned radio and print ads, more details about the new parking rules, including a map illustrating the affected area of Reid Street can be found at www.cityhall.bm.

Six arrested on drinks driving charges last week

Last week Police reported a total of 38 traffic accidents, 11 of which resulted in injury. Police also arrested six people on suspicion of driving while impaired.

Thirteen vehicles were reported stolen Island-wide, with almost half of the robberies taking place in Pembroke. Of the stolen vehicles, four have already been recovered.

BVI ombudsman officer here for training

The Assistant Complaints Commissioner for the British Virgin Islands Ombudsman office is in Bermuda to be trained by the local office. Monique Hodge-Bell is being trained by Bermuda Ombudsman Arlene Brock about measures which could be used in the newly-established British Virgin Islands office.

"In 2006, we conducted similar training for the new Complaints Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos," said Ms. Brock. "We are delighted to welcome her."

Film follows writer in off-grid quest

A man's quest to have no impact on the environment for one year is the subject of the next BIFF Film Series Presentation.

The documentary 'No Impact Man' follows New York writer Colin Beavan and his family as they give up cars, electricity and toilet paper in an attempt to live without causing any damage to the environment.

Mr. Beavan also wrote a book about the experience, subtitled "The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process."

The film will be screened at 6.30 and 8.30 p.m. on October 29 at the Tradewinds Auditorium of the BUEI, with tickets available at the door one hour before screening times.

Tickets cost $10, or $8 for BIFF Film Club members. For information of reservations, email info@biff.bm.

Appointments added to Consulate's booking system

Additional appointments have been added into the US Consulate's online appointment booking system.

Persons seeking nonimmigrant visas (NIV) and visa waivers have until November 9 to take advantage.

Appointments were previously available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Until November 9, appointments can be made Monday through Friday.

Consul General Grace Sheldon worked with Washington to acquire an additional visa specialist to make the extra dates possible, a Consulate spokesperson said.

"With the arrival of new Consul Jacquelyn Rosholt in September, the Consulate's visa section is in the midst of transition," said Ms Sheldon.

"To better serve our customers at this time, the State Department has seconded an additional visa specialist to Hamilton and doubled the number of appointments available."

The Consulate will return to its regular schedule after November 9. Appointments must be made online at http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov.