Skyport confirms the connection won’t return next summer amid airline route changes
Air service between Bermuda and the Azores will not return next summer, Skyport has confirmed.
A spokesperson explained: “Whilst Skyport is equally disappointed in the suspension of the SATA Azores International services from Ponta Delgada, airlines consistently evaluate and adjust routes based on strategic, financial, and operational factors.
“We continue to work closely with several airlines in conjunction with the Bermuda Airport Authority and the Bermuda Tourism Authority to ensure Bermuda has adequate airlift and expanding destinations.”
While the specific reason for suspending the flight remains unclear, The Bermuda Flyer reported to social media that Azores Airlines had cited financial difficulties for the route cancellation, which was among four others.
The Skyport spokesperson added: “Despite the loss of this service, Bermuda continues to have a record number of non-stop gateways, with additional options commencing in the Summer of 2025.”
Michael Dunkley and Jennifer Phillips earn royal salute
Bermuda Broadcasting graphic
Two Bermudians have been recognized by King Charles in his 2025 New Year’s Honours List. Michael Dunkley has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to Bermuda. And Jennifer Phillips has earned a King’s Certificate and Badge of Honour for services to the arts. A press release from the Bermuda Government states: “Michael Dunkley retired from active politics on March 31, 2024, following a distinguished career. He was a Member of the Bermuda Legislature from April 1997, and from May 2014 to July 2017, Michael Dunkley served as Premier of Bermuda. During his political tenure, Michael Dunkley also served as Deputy Premier, the Minister of National Security, Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister of National Security and Health. He is widely recognized throughout Bermuda as a successful and astute businessman, Michael Dunkley is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dunkley’s Dairy, President of Island Properties Ltd, and the President of Dunkley’s Management Holdings Ltd. Even though he has stepped down from active politics, he has continued his dedicated service to the community. Michael Dunkley credits his family’s support in all his achievements, and celebrates this honour with his wife Pamela, daughters, Christine and Brooke, and his three grandchildren. Jennifer L. Phillips has been passionate about the performing arts for over four decades. She has deep roots in the artistic community even from a young age, having trained as a ballet dancer with the Jackson School of Performing Arts from the age of 4. Jennifer was a member of the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda and United Dance Productions (UDP) and has performed both locally and internationally. Jennifer is also an experienced stage manager, having worked closely with the Department of Culture on the annual Premier’s Concert for over a decade. Jennfier also served as Chair of the Bermuda Arts Council (BAC). Her current role at the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG) is one of her greatest passions. Jennifer is one of the longest serving members at the BNG, and has played a key role since 2015, when she joined as Office Administrator. Thanks to Jennifer’s commitment, the Junior Bermuda Biennial exhibition now provides the island’s young people aged 5-17 with an internationally juried, national platform for artistic expression, and will become a core part of BNG’s Biennial programming going forward. Jennifer Phillips’ deep understanding of Bermuda’s arts and culture, and her experience in all aspects of our community’s creative endeavors has helped to inspire creativity, and form a steppingstone to future success of so many in our arts community. This year’s King’s Certificate and Badge of Honour is recognition of Jennifer’s significant contributions to Bermuda.”
Zero tolerance to traffic offences, beefed-up presence at events
Roadside sobriety checks will continue this week. BPS image
Expect increased traffic enforcement and a zero-tolerance approach to road traffic offences, particularly those involving impaired driving. This from police as we approach New Year’s Eve … and after a Christmas holiday that was free of any major incidents or criminal activity. Roadside Sobriety Checkpoints will continue to be in use through to Thursday. Police activity will be beefed-up at major upcoming events, including the Onion Drop in St George’s tomorrow evening and when football fans gather for the Shield and Friendship Cup Finals at Somerset Cricket Club on Wednesday. Detective Superintendent Sherwin Joseph, Officer in Charge of the Crime Divisionsaid: “There will be traffic checkpoints in operation where officers will be exercising their powers of search under various sections of law, should there be grounds to do so. “Our intention is to maintain order and provide reassurance to the public while as you celebrate the coming New Year. We would much prefer there is compliance by members of the public rather than our officers having to exercise their powers of arrest and and/or charge anyone with criminal offences. “However, when and where required, we will decisively address any acts of criminality or anti-social behaviour.”
The Tynes Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility, now three decades old, is in need of significant investment to sustain its operations.
The urgency became clear in December 2021 when boiler failures and issues with the baling contingency system forced a temporary shutdown of the plant. Minister Burch acknowledged the lack of TLC over the years.
“It has not been subjected to the type of maintenance it should have had over those thirty years. Three governments can take the blame for that—the UBP, the PLP, and the OBA. That said, you move on and figure out where you’re going next,” he stated.
In 2022, the Government authorized a $22 million stabilization program to replace critical systems and preserve the facility until major maintenance could begin. This was followed by a commissioned Business Case Study.
“We hired KPMG to do a business case for us on how we would go about refurbishing the plant or building a new one and what the costs of that were,” Minister Burch said. “I can tell you Cabinet finally approved the plan going forward.”
While the details of the study are yet to be made public, Minister Burch revealed that future plans for Tynes Bay involve expanding its responsibilities.
“The plan going forward is to expand the responsibility of Tynes Bay to not just dealing with waste but also to deal with water and sewage. And so you have a combined entity that will deal with both of those issues and generate revenue for the country,” he explained.
While the plans for Tynes Bay evolve, Minister Burch says progress is on track to ensure the facility’s critical role in managing Bermuda’s waste. However, it comes with a heavy price tag.
“We’re talking about a quarter of a billion dollars, probably in funding or more to get the plant completely refurbished so that it will last another 30 years,” said Minister Burch.
Myron Simmons, the husband of the former Attorney General, owes around $52,000 plus interest after failing to pay Stamp Duty to the Office of the Tax Commissioner on behalf of his clients purchasing a home.
Shadow Legal Affairs Minister Scott Pearman has called for an independent investigation into the work of a now disbarred former government consultant and spouse of the former Attorney General.
The announcement that Myron Simmons was disbarred by the Bermuda Bar Council came to light on Friday in the Official Gazette.
It has prompted calls from the OBA for an independent investigation into Mr. Simmons’s conduct while a Government consultant.
Mr. Simmons, the husband of former Attorney General Kathy Lynn Simmons, admitted to three charges that he misused land tax funds meant for the Office of the Tax Commissioner on behalf of his clients’ Stamp Duty payment.
It happened at the now defunct Lightbourne and Simmons law practice he co-founded with Mrs. Lynn Simmons.
In November 2011, his clients purchased a new home through the law firm then later found out in May 2019 the house was still listed in his client’s mother’s name and nothing was paid to tax officials.
The transfer of the property, in effect, never happened and his actions of withholding the funds was deemed a breach of the Barrister’s Code of Professional Conduct.
According to a judgment delivered by the Supreme Court in March of 2022, Mr. Simmons was ordered to pay $51,000 plus interest of $18,800 but had failed, refused or neglected to repay the funds.
Then-Justice Larry Mussenden stated, “In my view, it could be said that the Plaintiffs have been robbed of all the joys of homeownership, an emotional and factual experience that they thought they had since 2011.”
The judgment was then submitted to the Bermuda Bar Council, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police.
Shadow Legal Affairs Minister Scott Pearman said in a statement, “Now misdeeds have finally been admitted. Will the victims ever be reimbursed?… The crucial point here is these were not victimless crimes.”
News broke in January that the Government paid nearly $167,000 to Mr. Simmons while a consultant under Onyx Law between May and December last year. This prompted criticism from the Opposition about the AG’s chambers having Mr. Simmons working for the same office while his wife was still an MP and AG.
The former AG resigned in August this year, though reasons for her departure were never disclosed.
We have sought comment from the Ministry of Justice and the Bermuda Bar Council.
Carter served as the United States’ 39th President
AUSTIN, APRIL 8– Former President Jimmy Carter shown during a Google Hangout session held during the LBJ Presidential Library Civil Rights Summit on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, in Austin, Texas. Photo by Lauren Gerson.
Former US President Jimmy Carter (born James Earl Carter Jr., 1st October 1924) passed away on Sunday the 29th of December in Plains, Georgia at the age of 100. Premier and Finance Minister David Burt honouring the late statesman via press release:
“It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of former United States President Jimmy Carter, a leader who dedicated his life to service, peace, and the betterment of humanity.
“President Carter’s commitment to human rights, diplomacy over conflict, and the fight against poverty both during and after his presidency, transformed countless lives and set a powerful example of servant leadership.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I extend our deepest condolences to President Carter’s family, the American people, and all those around the world mourning the loss of this outstanding statesman.”
Carter served as the 39th President of the United States between 1977 to 1981.
Multiple reports of FB Marketplace-related theft received between the 24th and 26th of December.
(Stock image)
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is urging residents to prioritise their safety if intend to meet up with any unknown individual to buy or sell items advertised online.
A police spokesperson says that three reports were received between the 24th and 26th December 2024, where an unknown individual stole an item offered for sale on Facebook Marketplace, after meeting unsuspecting sellers at three separate prearranged locations.
Inquiries are ongoing, but police say that there is a possibility that the crimes are linked. Stolen items included popular brand name electronics.
Noting the popularity of Facebook Marketplace and other similar online commerce sites, the BPS recommend the following if buying or selling items online:
Safety First
View the buyer or seller profile. Take a screenshot of it, if possible and take note of the profile’s web address (URL). Check how long the profile has been active, when it was created and how many friends the account has.
Be wary of newly created profiles that only have a few friends, or no friends at all. Also, be suspicious of promoted accounts that have testimonials from recently created profiles.
Ask for a phone number and speak to the person before meeting.
Never go alone. Bring a relative or friend along and let other family members or friends know where and when the exchange is taking place.
Meet in well-lit, public areas before the hours of darkness. Avoid inviting an unknown individual to your home.
Take note of the vehicle used by the buyer or seller, including the colour, type and its licence plate. Report any suspicious activity to the police immediately by calling 211, or 911 in an emergency.
Solar-powered RV pilot programme set to bring sustainable tourism to Bermuda’s parks
An innovative eco-tourism pilot programme aimed at utilizing Bermuda’s natural spaces while promoting sustainable tourism has been approved by the Ministry of Public Works.
It will allow Off Grid RV Bermuda, a business operated by local entrepreneur Tomika Pacheco, to provide a single solar-powered recreational vehicle as luxury accommodation on a rotational basis across ten designated government parks.
Public Works Minister Lt. Col. David Burch praised the initiative for its sustainable approach. “By integrating temporary accommodations into our parks in a sustainable manner, we are providing unique opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy these locations without compromising their integrity,” he said.
The RV will rotate between sites such as Fort Scaur, Church Bay, Warwick Long Bay East, and Coney Island to minimize environmental impact. Minister Burch emphasized the importance of regulations to protect the parks, stating, “The RV will not be permanently stationed; it will rotate between locations to minimise environmental impact and ensure all park users continue to have access.”
The eco-friendly RV is equipped with sleeping quarters, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. Guests can book their stays online, choosing from one of the ten designated sites.
Describing the vision behind her business, Mrs. Pacheco said, “Off Grid RV Bermuda was created to inspire a deeper connection with nature while providing a unique and sustainable way to recharge and relax.” … We strive to offer an unforgettable escape that celebrates the island’s beauty while prioritising sustainability, environmental responsibility, and leaving no trace behind.”
The RV is fully set up at each location before guests arrive, and after their stay, Off Grid RV Bermuda ensures the site is thoroughly cleaned, adhering to the “leave no trace” principle.
The project also earned praise from the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Senator Owen Darrell, who highlighted its potential to add to Bermuda’s tourism offerings. “This is an innovative way for our tourists to engage in Bermuda’s beautiful open spaces and pristine water views,” he said.“I’m looking forward to seeing how this project enriches outdoor experiences for our visitors and enhances our tourism product.”
A motorcyclist was hospitalised following a serious crash in Paget last night. It happened around 11:30pm on Middle Road at the junction with Berwyn Hill. Police discovered an unresponsive male lying in the road; was taken to hospital and his injuries are described as being serious. It appears the man was travelling west when his motorcycle struck a wall at the entrance to Berwyn Hill. Witnesses are asked to contact Police Constable Rajiv Bailey on 211.
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