Monday, November 2, 2026
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Man hospitalised following shooting incident in Paget

Police confirmed that a suspect has not yet been identified in connection to the shooting incident.

Units were dispatched to the location where they found the male unresponsive with an apparent head wound, lying near an unattended motorcar with the engine running.

They responded to the emergency around 12.45am Sunday, December 16th.

EMTs were on scene and commenced life-saving efforts which continued as the victim, a “young man”, was transported to the hospital for further treatment.

A forensic support unit attended the scene and recovered evidence to suggest a firearm had discharged at that location. However, there were no reports of gunshots in the area.

Acting Chief Inspector Clifford Roberts spoke to from the scene of the incident at Tribe Road No. 5 near Ord Road in Paget confirmed that the severity of the victim’s condition in hospital is unknown.

He also could not disclose how many rounds of ammunition were recovered from the scene as the investigation is in its early stages.

Police are asking anyone with information or witnesses to the incident this morning to contact them on 295-0011 or 211.

Members of the public were also encouraged to speak with a police officer you may know.

The investigation continues.

MPs to debate the air quality monitoring laws in the House of Assembly

Residents will be given a means of reporting suspected air pollution under a newly proposed amendments to the Clean Air Act 1991.

Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, has tabled the Clean Air Amendment Act 2024.
It aims to raise emission quality standards higher than those in the EU, UK and the U.S.A. and embraces new technologies to monitor air quality.
More details in the video above.

Town hall meeting called on tax reform

Takes place next Tuesday and everyone is welcome

Image supplied

Islanders interested in the evolution of our tax system are invited to a public meeting.
The ‘Bermuda Tax Reform Commission Town Hall Meeting’ will take place at St. Paul’s AME Centennial Church Hall on Victoria Street on Tuesday, December 17, between 6pm and 8pm.
It will include an introduction to the Tax Reform Commission, members of which will explain their mandate, share their work, and discuss how it impacts Bermuda.

Move to streamline pre-clearance checks at airport

Consulate hosts meeting of government, border officials

Officials from the airport, the Bermuda Government, U.S. Customs and Border Protection were among those who gathered on-island to discuss modernizing the pre-clearance process.    Photo supplied

The United States Consulate General recently hosted a meeting with the Ministry of Transport and a visiting delegation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In a press release, government said the meeting “marked the launch of a collaborative effort to enhance the relationship between the Ministry of Transport and CBP in delivering secure, high-quality services at Bermuda’s airport”.

A key focus of the meeting was the U.S. preclearance process, which allows travellers to complete U.S. Customs and Immigration checks before leaving Bermuda. 
The group discussed ways to modernize the preclearance process and make it safer, smoother and more traveller-friendly.
Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert said: “This meeting was an important step forward in improving the travel experience for Bermudians and visitors alike.”
Acting U.S. Consul General Vanja Vukota added: “Expanding pre-clearance will improve collaboration and coordination between CBP and Bermudian law enforcement, provide an improved experience for all travellers, and allow for deeper ties between the people of the United States and Bermuda.” 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance Director Glenn Rogers highlighted the longstanding security ties between the United States and Bermuda, adding: “Through collective investment in enhanced travel and border security, we are strengthening our capabilities and ensuring safer, more secure borders for both nations.  This partnership facilitates improving Preclearance’s foundation in Bermuda for long-term cooperation, benefiting our citizens and fostering collaboration between the U.S. and Bermuda.” 

Teacher to be sentenced in Supreme Court for luring a young person

A school teacher who admitted to luring and sexually exploiting a student will await sentencing in January after details of the offenses were revealed in the Supreme Court.

A teacher who admitted to sexually exploiting a young person will await sentencing in January after details of the offenses were delivered in the Supreme Court this morning.  

Guyanese national Ronald Forde, 39, an English school teacher, pleaded guilty to luring a young person under the age of 18 while in a position of trust, sexual exploitation while in a position of trust, and accessing child pornography.  

He had admitted to all three offenses earlier this year.  

Forde began tutoring the victim after school hours in February 2024.  

The crown said social media messages including nude photographs of the victim and sexually explicit texts were discovered on a mobile phone.  

When the victim’s family found the messages on their phone on March 5th, an investigation was launched.  

Forde was brought to Hamiton Police Station for questioning and arrested a day later, and his phone was seized.  Police searched his home and confiscated his passport and laptop. Police also found a pair of the victim’s underwear.  

The young person, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told police that she and Forde had kissed in his bedroom.   

He declined to comment during all recorded interviews with police.  

Director of Public Prosecutions Cindy Clarke had called for a jail term of 10 to 12 years as this the first conviction under the newly legislated offense of “luring.” 

Among aggravating factors of the case … the number of sexual images recorded and retained by Forde and his previously dismissed cases of a similar nature reported in Guyana.  

Forde’s only mitigating factors were lack of previous convictions and an early guilty plea, the DPP added.  

In a victim impact statement, a relative of the victim described Forde as a “selfish, demon…”

Defense lawyer Elizabeth Christopher cited Forde’s remorse for the crimes.

In a lengthy address to the court, Forde extended an apology to the people of Bermuda, and said neither the Government nor his employer made a mistake by letting him come to Bermuda. Quote: “All anger should be heaped on me alone”. 

Justice Juan Wolffe reserved judgment to the 6th of January 2025.

Forde was remanded into custody at the Westgate Correctional Facility.

Is Corporate Income Tax putting too many eggs in one basket?

That’s a concern of economist Craig Simmons.

International Business already contributes heavily to payroll tax, and CIT revenues will come from the same sector.

Premier David Burt in this year’s budget said other taxes on the sector would be reduced – such as employer payroll tax. So what will be the net revenues? Economist Craig Simmons wants answers.

He also told Gary Foster Skelton that tax reform could include a value added tax, or even tax credits for low income earners… and he says it’s incumbent on middle and high income earners to support those at the bottom.

Police seek help solving year-old murder case

Fresh appeal seeks to jog memory of anyone who was at the scene

Steve Parkes, 53, was gunned down outside his Devonshire home.       Photo courtesy of BPS

Detectives continue to investigate the murder of Steve Parkes, which occurred a year ago.
Mr. Parkes was 53 years old when he was fatally shot outside his home, as he was about to get on his motorcycle.
It happened around 7:48pm on Monday, the 11th of December 2023, in the Mary Victoria Road, Devonshire area.
Investigators today renewed their public appeal for information and in particular, they want to hear from area residents who may have seen any suspicious individuals or vehicles in the Mary Victoria Road, Devonshire neighbourhood on the night Mr. Parkes was killed.
Police say all information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Anyone who can assist is encouraged to call Acting Detective Inspector Anneka Donawa on 717-2250, or e-mail adonawa@bps.bm
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided through the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline on 800-8477, as well as their website, www.crimestoppers.bm

Patients urged to pay bills online

Starting in the new year, BHB will not accept payments at its city offices

Let your fingers do the work; it’s time to make the switch to online medical payments.       File photo

Bermuda Hospitals Board has announced that it will no longer accept payments at its Hamilton location in Craig Appin House on Wesley Street.
Patients are encouraged to make payments online where possible.
The change takes effect on January the 1st. 
Butterfield and HSBC Banks have included BHB in their list of payees for online payments.
Clarien Bank clients can also make an online transfer.
Payments can be made with cash, credit card or personal cheque at the cashier’s window on the ground floor of the hospital’s Acute Care Wing, the Emergency Department Admitting Window and the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre.