Community lives in fear
A community blighted by gang violence is living in the shadow of fear, we were told by church minister Musa Daba.
He lamented that gang crime and gun violence has deprived St Monica’s Road of its natural vibrancy.
The South African national, who has preached in the area for nearly four years, lived through apartheid and his father was a political activist.
He told us that despite the disturbing changes in the St Monica’s area, most families there are law-abiding and honest.
Union’s beef with KFC
Union officials and their supporters picketed KFC after management cancelled a collective bargaining agreement. The eatery said it was willing to negotiate a new deal.
Gunmen get 30 years
Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves handed down unprecedented 30-year sentences in an attempted murder trial.
Jahmel Blakeny, 30, and Sanchey Grant, 20, were sent down for the attempted murder of Renee Kuchler and Shaki Minors. In a crime that shocked the island, the couple was gunned down outside Southside Cinema. Ms Kuchler was pregnant at the time.
Senator cites sleaze
OBA Senator Michael Dunkley caused a stir when he suggested prostitutes were roaming Front Street. Critics said he was perpetuating an urban myth, to make Government look bad.
Police said they had received no reports of such activity in the area.
Superhero teachers
Bermuda High School teachers dressed as elves, superheroes and celebrities to raise money for the school’s bursary fund, which pays for events and activities.
Stage hit
The Cinderella pantomime was a big hit at City Hall, mixing a classic fairytale with local jokes. Pictured right, leading lady Katie Witkowski gazes lovingly at her Prince Charming, Matthew Wedlich.
Father dies in crash
Road accident victim Dion Richardson died only days before his oldest daughter’s birthday, his grieving family told us.
The father-of-three was due to celebrate Kaijea’s 17th birthday but died after a crash in the early hours.
Mr. Richardson, 38, of Hamilton Parish, was remembered by his loved ones as an intelligent and popular man.
Inmate uses ‘cell’ phone
A prisoner posted a photograph of himself on Facebook — using a ‘cell’ phone.
Desmond Richardson’s self-portrait shows his reflection in his jail cell mirror.
His cell was searched and when he made death threats against prison officers, his jail term was extended by six months.
In a subsequent story we reported how Westgate bosses use a high-tech scanner to detect calls.
Year in Review 2011