Traffic management equipment will be in place while the work is carried out
Motorists are being alerted to a continued lane closure due to ongoing repair work to restore the bride deck on the Causeway Bailey Bridge in St. George’s.
A Ministry of Public Works and Environment spokesperson said, “This extension is necessary to complete essential maintenance work safely and efficiently.”
The closure is expected to be in place this Saturday and Sunday between 6am and 6pm, daily.
They also said traffic controls managed by Ministry staff will be set up using traffic lights and stop-and-go signs.
A spokesperson concluded, “The Ministry appreciates the public’s continued patience as these important infrastructure works progress.
“Motorists are urged to proceed with caution while travelling through the affected area.”
Michael Miranda last seen in Hamilton Parish on Wednesday afternoon
58-year-old Michael Miranda. Photo: Bermuda Police Service
[UPDATE 28.3.24: Mr. Miranda has been found safe and well.]
Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 58-year-old Michael Miranda.
He is a Bermudian National, according to a Bermuda Police Service news release today.
They said, “Mr. Miranda is described as being 5’ 5” in height, of slim build, white complexioned, with brown hair.
“He was last seen around 4:30 P.M. on Wednesday, March 26th, walking in a westerly direction along North Shore Road near the junction with Old Road, Hamilton Parish.”
Mr. Miranda was wearing blue pants and a white T-shire with writing on the front, when he was last seen yesterday.
Police are asking that anyone with information on the whereabouts of 58-year-old, Michael Miranda, to call the main police number 295-0011.
‘This government is focused on people, not politics’, says newly instated Minister of Home Affairs
Credit: Government of Bermuda
Stabilizing electricity bills, tackling the rising cost of essential goods, advancing a sustainable energy transition, and strengthening consumer protections — these are among the core Throne Speech pledges outlined in more detail today by Minister of Home Affairs, Alexis Lightbourne.
The newly refocused Ministry is tasked with the ambitious goal of reducing the cost of living – starting with reforms to energy legislation.
“Our energy sector is at a crossroads, said Minister Lightbourne. “The Integrated Resource Plan, also known as the IRP, has laid out a transformative path toward sustainable and cost-effective electricity. Since 2019, we’ve been laying the groundwork to reduce fossil fuel dependence and transition to modern energy solutions.
The goals defined in the IRP include:
Reducing our fossil fuel reliance
Stabilizing costs
Infrastructure development
Outreach and education on energy efficiency and conservation and
Deploying new energy technologies which will chart our path toward building a sustainable future.
Energy transitions worldwide are being addressed systematically and we endeavour to do the same. This day-one reality means that, while customers may not see major improvements in their bills overnight, they should feel confident knowing that the next phase is designed to stabilize electricity bills through amending the Electricity Act to ensure transparent and efficient operations.”
Minister Lightbourne acknowledged that the cost-of-living crisis won’t be solved overnight, but promised to move forward with “urgency, transparency, and action”.
A key initiative she unveiled is the launch of Bermuda’s first-ever Cost of Living Summit, aimed at bringing together stakeholders from across sectors to examine the root causes of high living costs and identify tangible solutions.
Minister Lightbourne further explained, “In the lead-up to the Summit, the Ministry has launched a two-part national engagement effort:
Stakeholder Consultations with businesses, a survey which is already underway, engages with service providers, and community leaders to identify barriers, bottlenecks, and solutions from every sector.
Those findings will support focus group efforts to better drill down on the core drivers of costs in Bermuda.
We will then launch a Public Survey, in the coming days, which will capture lived experiences and ideas from residents on how affordability challenges are affecting their lives.
The insights gathered will inform a Cost-of-Living Report, and will provide clear recommendations for reform, especially in consumer protection and regulatory oversight.”
While a date for the Summit has not yet been announced, it is expected to take place later this year.
As for when residents might begin to feel relief in their energy bills or grocery receipts, Minister Lightbourne stressed the importance of first gathering robust data to inform any sustainable solutions.
“Since my appointment, I’ve sought first to understand the current landscape and what the Ministry has already advanced,” she stated. “You may recall the 2020 amendment to the Cost of Living Act, which included the Cost of Living Commission’s remit and the designation of 33 essential goods to be duty-free. Our current efforts are focused on collecting further data through surveys and stakeholder engagement — to better understand the challenges faced by both businesses and residents — and to inform a strategy that can deliver sustainable impact on the cost of living.”
In addition to Bermuda, the North America Cup will feature the National T20 teams of Bahamas, Canada, Cayman and the USA
The Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) said it is excited to announce the team for the upcoming North America Cup being held in Cayman Islands, 19-27 April 2025.
The team will depart Bermuda on April 14th and will play two warm-up matches, prior to the start of the inaugural tournament.
The team will include the following players:
Terryn Fray (Capt)
Derrick Brangman
Alex Dore
Dalin Richardson
Delray Rawlins
Dominic Sabir
Jarryd Richardson
Jermal Proctor
Marcus Scotland
Kevon Fubler
Onias Bascome
Sinclair Smith
Zeko Burgess
Allan Douglas Jr
In addition to Bermuda, the North America Cup will feature the National T20 teams of Bahamas, Canada, Cayman and the USA.
The community festival coincides with the grand re-opening of two well-known St. George’s businesses
Women-owned businesses based in St. George’s will be part of a showcase at a special community event this weekend.
HERstory Women’s History Month Festival is branded by organisers as a vibrant celebration of women’s history, culture, and entrepreneurship.
Sponsored by the Women’s Resource Centre and curated by Long Story Short, the event opens at The Arcades at 12pm on Saturday, with a speech by St. George’s Mayor Quinell Francis.
Following that, the day will be filled with storytelling, entertainment, historical site visits and tours with various artisans. Area MP Renee Ming will speak at the close of the cultural activities at 4pm.
The Festival coincides with the grand re-opening of two well-known St. George’s businesses in their new spaces at The Arcades—Long Story Short, a tour company and retail store owned by Kristin White, and Frequency Café and Hub, owned by Rolisa Camille.
The building, located on the western end of Water Street and also accessible from Duke of York Street, also houses Lacquered Lounge, East End Variety, and St. George’s Dance Studio.
“Rolisa and I are so excited about our new locations and eager to welcome the community to The Arcades! On Saturday, guests can enjoy incredible food and drinks, browse for books and gifts, take a tour and see the remarkable potential of the space for future events,” Kristin White explained.
Long Story Short’s story began in 1979 in the cellar of the 18th-century Bermuda National Trust property, Tucker House. At that time it was a small bookshop called The Book Cellar. In 2012, to save it from closing down, Kristin White purchased it, and over the last 12 years, she has rebranded the business, expanded into gifts and other products, as well as tours that have gained international media attention.
“Over the years, my history tours have turned into lots of other cultural offerings, including lectures, food and cocktail experiences, and scavenger hunts. My team and I also curate larger events, like group trip itineraries, corporate dinners and community festivals,” Ms White explained.
“Now, I’m repositioning the brand to focus more on these, with a full tour centre and expanded tour calendar. Our new fleet of electric bicycles will be arriving soon, just in time for the height of the summer visitor season! And, though we’ll be putting more focus on tours, my retail store will continue to be a mainstay. The space has been beautifully designed and merchandised by my friend Nicole Golden, owner of Urban Cottage. And we will continue offering a thoughtful selection of books, particularly those that feature Black and female authors, and eco-friendly, fair trade, and local goods. Soon, we’ll be adding a gourmet pantry, with wine & spirits for purchase as part of our partnership with Gosling’s. We will also have a new section of our own designed merchandise and souvenirs.”
Frequency Café and Hub started in February 2022, born from Rolisa’s vision of a café where impact mattered; you left feeling on a higher frequency than you came in, with hopes that would then ripple to the next person and so on.
Her return to The Arcades is a full circle moment.
“I worked at Café Latte when I was 14 years old, a café that was right here in The Arcades where my café is now,” Rolisa Camille explained. “This space holds a great deal of meaning for me, and I am overwhelmed with happiness to have this beautiful new space.”
The vibrant café, designed by St. George’s-based multidisciplinary artist and entrepreneur Tara Sapien, features several eating nooks, window seating, bright murals and a full kitchen.
Rolisa’s plans for Frequency Café & Hub include an expansion of food and beverage offerings, growing the catering services, and she intends to obtain a liquor licence to offer wine and beer.
She described, “Now that the brand is established, the goal is to introduce my grander vision for Frequency, which includes community kindness and connection initiatives, including a Café Conversations podcast geared to uplifting, connecting and inspiring Bermuda as a whole.”
Rolisa and Kristin said, “We are so excited to welcome new faces to our businesses, see familiar customers and friends, and just celebrate being in our new space. We are thankful to everyone who made this possible.”
As whale watching season peaks, Andrew Stevenson highlights rising humpback numbers and the importance of respectful observation
“Be patient, be passive and you’ll have an amazing encounter,” said Andrew Stevenson, who, for nearly two decades, has dedicated himself to researching, filming, and writing about humpback whales in Bermuda.
March and April are peak months for whale sightings as the mammals travel from Southern breeding grounds to Northern feeding grounds.
“We have this incredible opportunity here in Bermuda, which is unique where we have a platform providing a window into the pelagic social lives of humpback whales,” Mr Stevenson said.
Just yesterday, he identified 29 individual whales by their fluke patterns. In the past 18 years, he has identified nearly 2,500 whales through fluke IDs.
While sightings anecdotally appear to be on the rise due to the positive impact of conservation efforts, Stevenson warns that humpback whales still face threats, including boat strikes, entanglement, and plastic ingestion.
“We did publish a paper a couple of years ago on an abundance analysis of the humpbacks and it does indicate that the humpbacks are definitely increasing in numbers and there’s obvious reason for that because we’ve stopped hunting them since 1986,” he said. “So, if we’re not killing them, then they are going to increase in numbers. However, they still have exposure to getting hit by motorboats, boat strikes, ship strikes. Entanglement is a big, big issue. I think every single whale that I see has got entanglement scars. And, then ingesting plastic is also a big problem.”
As part of his passion for sharing knowledge, Mr Stevenson created the Facebook group Whales Bermuda Sightings for fellow enthusiasts to report their humpback sightings.
As whale watching activity intensifies, boaters are reminded to adhere to guidelines, including keeping a respectful distance – at least 100 meters (or 300 feet) away from any whale.
Credit: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Under the Protected Species Act, it is illegal to harm, harass, or disturb a humpback or sperm whale—with violations resulting in fines of up to $25,000 or imprisonment.
Stevenson urges boaters not to chase whales and said he has noticed a recent positive shift in behaviour.
“I got to a point some years ago where I was really quite dismayed at watching the number of boats out there and how aggressive they were in pursuing the whales,” he said. “Recently I noticed that there has been a change in boaters’ behaviour, and I think the message is getting out there that if you just sit there and wait, you can have these encounters. So, I’ve been really pleasantly surprised at how patient people have been in trying to observe whales.”
The public can soon have a chance to see Mr Stevenson’s work at a double screening of his films, Where the Whales Sing and The Secret Lives of Humpbacks, at Specialty Cinema on April 9th. Tickets are available for purchase at the theatre.
Currently, a third film is in the works.
He says his passion for whales is driven by a desire to increase understanding and advocacy for their protection.
“I have no background in marine biology or film making and that encounter that I had with a whale almost 20 years ago has changed my life,” Mr Stevenson said. “So I’m passionate about these whales. I do everything I can to increase our knowledge of them, increase our understanding of them. And the more we know, the more we understand, the more we can. And so that’s my ambition – that’s my call to action personally.”
Discussions with US officials include financial innovation, international cooperation, and regional affairs
Government Press Release:
Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, departed Bermuda yesterday for Washington, D.C., where he will hold a series of meetings with U.S. government representatives and participate in the DC Blockchain Summit 2025.
The Premier is joined by the Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward JP, MP.
While in Washington, the Premier and Minister will meet with senior U.S. officials to discuss matters related to financial innovation, international cooperation, and regional affairs.
Scheduled meetings include:
Rep. Bryan Steil – Chairman of House Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets
Rep. Joaquin Castro – House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rep. Zach Nunn – House Financial Services Committee
Rep. Young Kim – House Financial Services Committee
Rep. Gabe Amo – House Committee on Foreign Affairs
These meetings were arranged through Mr. Darrell Thompson of theGroup in collaboration with the Government of Bermuda’s Overseas Representative and Washington DC Office Director, Anthony Howell.
As part of the DC Blockchain Summit today, Premier Burt participated in a fireside chat titled “Blockchain & Bermuda” with journalist and host of the Crypto America Podcast, Eleanor Terrett. The discussion focused on Bermuda’s regulatory leadership in digital finance and our island’s success in attracting major industry leaders to our shores, like Coinbase, Circle and Kraken.
While attending, the Premier and Minister engaged in strategic dialogue with US officials also in attendance, including:
Governor Mark Gordon of Wyoming
Sen. Tim Scott – Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee
Rep. French Hill – Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee
Rep. Warren Davidson – Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions
Speaking before his departure, Premier Burt said, “At a time of growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, maintaining strong and strategic relationships in Washington, D.C. is more important than ever for Bermuda. This visit is an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the United States through productive dialogue with U.S. lawmakers and officials.
“At the DC Blockchain Summit, we continued telling the story of how Bermuda is building a fair, well-regulated, forward-looking financial services sector and discussed important topics with tech leaders, such as secure technology for options to enable important functions that the people of Bermuda have called for such as absentee voting. We will continue to advocate for Bermuda’s interests and engage directly on the issues that matter to our economy and our people.”
The Premier and Minister are scheduled to return to Bermuda on Thursday, March 27.
Nations League Football: Senior Men’s National Squad Eliminated By Honduras
In Concacaf Nations League action, the third time was not a charm for Bermuda’s senior men’s national squad. Despite some courageous football, Team Bermuda was eliminated from the 2025 Gold Cup qualifiers after a 3rd straight defeat to Honduras last night in the second leg of the two-match play-offs.
It was found after Spanish Point residents reported suspicious activity
Credit: Bermuda Police Service
Police have launched an investigation after discovering suspected live ammunition in Spanish Point.
At around 10:20 pm last night, officers were called to a report of suspicious activity outside a home in the Spanish Point Road area of Pembroke Parish.
A police spokesperson said, “Upon arrival, officers spoke with occupants who reported hearing a strange noise outside a bedroom window and upon going out to determine the source, observed two individuals wearing dark coloured clothing and black helmets, running out of the driveway.”
Officers conducted a search of the area and recovered two rounds of suspected live ammunition.
Police are appealing for anyone with information, particularly residents of Spanish Point Road who have Ring cameras or other CCTV devices, to check for recordings of suspicious activity or individuals matching the suspects’ descriptions. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Crime Unit at 247-1739.
You may also call 211 or the main police number at 295-0011.
Alternatively, you can share information with a police officer you know or via the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.
Senator John Wight (IND) was responding to the Government’s 2025 Throne Speech pledges during the Senate session.
Independent Senator John Wight has given the Government ‘high marks’ for their support of a thriving International Business sector.
However, he lamented the lack of policies outlined to encourage growth in the domestic economy which he said has been lacking for many years.
Mr. Wight flagged problems with the government’s proposal to increased the powers of the cost of living commission to inspect the finances of local businesses.
He said, “What I don’t understand however,, for example the government would want to expand the powers of the Cost-of-Living Commission to examine the books and records of food and essential goods companies.
“Widely want to penalise those businesses, in this example, the two largest food retailers for continuing to invest in Bermuda and Bermudians when so many others have chosen not to.
“I find the logic counterintuitive to the outcomes of increasing the competitive local business market that we’re trying to achieve.”
The Government’s Throne Speech contains a promise to amend the Cost of Living Commission Act 1974 to expand the investigatory powers of the Cost of Living Commission to examine the books and records of all businesses involved in the supply of good and other essential goods.
It said, “For far too long business has profited at the expense of everyday Bermudians and the sunshine of public scrutiny cannot just apply to the Government, it must also apply to those on whom Bermudians rely to purchase the goods to sustain themselves.” Due to technical delays, the streaming of the Senate session this morning started late, at 10.40am, picking up where the Opposition Senator Leader Marcus Jones was presenting his party’s response to the 2025 Throne Speech.
Senator Wight also was supportive of the Government’s pledge to introduce an independent Education Authority to improve the public education system.
He shares the same goals of a ‘truly independent’ authority to make tough decisions to hold those in positions of authority to account and ensures education is ‘not politicised.’
During his brief remarks presented in the Senate, Sen. Wight further called for the government to increase working class workers by encouraging more Bermudians to become employed in the sector or hire visitors on work permits.
The ratio of those working and not working in Bermuda, he said, is ‘dangerously low’ population size which he claimed will only ‘get worse’ unless something is done about it.
He encouraged proactive plans to address an ‘overheated housing market’, affordable housing, issues with mental health services, the urgent medical issues at the hospital and long term care for the elderly.
Addressing a proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund, Senator Wight said, “I was pleased to see a reference in the Throne Speech to using funds, when received, from the new tax regime to paying down the debt.
“This, is in my view, needs to be the number one priority.
“I am not, however, supportive of Government’s initiative to create a Sovereign Wealth Fund.
“Sovereign Wealth Funds are typically established by large countries who have surpluses of oil and gas economies -we have neither.”
Senator Wight argued that if the country is fortunate enough to received surplus funds from new Corporate Income Tax, paying down the debt, reducing government’s large unfunded patient plan liabilities and increasing funding to the hospital should be prioritised over creating a government wealth fund.
He added that a there was no mention of strong governance which he said should have been included in the Throne Speech.
Senator Wight called good governance integral to managing public funds and critical to maintaining the trust of citizens.
Vehicles found abandoned on parkland have been impounded; fees must be paid to reclaim them
This white Renault van is among the impounded vehicles. Photo supplied
Press release: The Department of Parks, in line with the Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1988, issues this public notice requesting the owners of abandoned vehicles found on park properties to come forward and claim their impounded vehicles by Friday, 4 April 2025. The vehicles, identified below by their license plates, have been held for 30 days without being claimed and will be disposed of if not retrieved promptly:
Black Peugeot Licence # 51345
Blue Suzuki Licence # 24755
Blue Yaris Licence # 07624
Sea ray Boat registration # 16023
White Renault Van Licence # HA695
Grey Peugeot Licence 18661
Despite multiple attempts to reach the owner through the Transport Control Department, there has been no response. Therefore, the Department of Parks urgently requests the owners to contact the department immediately. The department can be reached between Monday and Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 236-5902. If the vehicles are not claimed, the Minister of Public Works and Environment will dispose of them in accordance with the Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1988. The Department of Parks highlights the need for swift action to avoid this outcome and clarifies that it is not responsible for any damage or deterioration that may occur during the transport and storage of impounded vehicles. Furthermore, the release of impounded vehicles requires the payment of fees related to towing, removal, and storage as specified in the Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1988 and the Bermuda National Parks (Fees) Regulations 2018 Schedule. These fees must be paid before the vehicle is released to the owner or their authorised representative. For further inquiries or additional information, concerned parties are encouraged to contact the Department of Parks directly. The Department of Parks appreciates the public’s cooperation and underscores the importance of adhering to park regulations to maintain Bermuda’s parklands for the benefit of the entire community.
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