Resort take-over bid moves step closer

Developer Don Burkett has moved towards getting another piece of the jigsaw which will allow him to take over the Lantana resort in Sandys.

The American businessman ? who has still not bought the closed property ? has applied for tax breaks under the Hotel Concessions Act.

The application from Spa Resort at Lantana, confirms the developer wants to have 40 spa suites; four corporate wellness units; a spa centre, salon and staff quarters; a restaurant, clubhouse and swimming pool; seven yacht club marinas; and 17 beachfront condominiums with a pool.

The developer wants relief on customs duty for building materials; land tax relief up to $50,000 each year for five years; hotel occupancy tax exemption up to $300,000 a year for two years; payroll tax exemption of up to $97,500 a year for five years; and relief on import duties for alcohol of up to $72,500.

Man robbed at home

A man was beaten and robbed on his own doorstep in One Way Deep Dale, Pembroke on Friday night.

The attacker arrived at around 8 p.m., asked for money and then punched the victim twice before wrestling him to the ground and robbing him of cash. The victim suffered bumps and scratches and was treated in hospital.

Pool upgrade

Sonesta Beach hotel has applied to rebuild and revamp swimming pools destroyed by Hurricane Fabian.

The expanded pool complex will be built six feet higher to ensure it is protected from future storms.

Plans include a large outdoor pool with a hot tub, an improved children's pool and a slide pool and "lazy river" for tube rides.

All the pools will be outdoors and will cover ground previously used for the croquet lawn.

Managing Director Cliff Schorer said he hoped the new pools would be ready for the reopening of the 280-bed hotel in May.

A load of rubbish

East End residents are being asked to take their trash off the roadside until tomorrow.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering and Housing also suggested that residents could take their trash to Tynes Bay Public Drop Off point or to put it back out on Tuesday for collection.

The Ministry apologised for any inconvenience caused to resdidents.

Inquest date

An inquest into the loss of four lives during Hurricane Fabian will be held on March 22 and March 23.

Police Constable Steven Symons was the first confirmed casualty of Hurricane Fabian after his body was recovered the day after the hurricane struck last September. The three other victims, whose bodies have never been found, were station duty officer Gladys Saunders, Police Constable Nicole O'Connor and civilian Manuel Pacheco.

Burglar disturbed

A woman who woke up when the burglar alarm went off saw a trespasser walking off down her driveway in Berry Hill, Paget.

The alarm sounded just after midnight on Saturday morning and as the woman searched the premises she saw a white male in his early forties wearing a navy blue tracksuit and white sneakers walking away before heading east on Berry Hill Road.