Warwick shuttle bus service ends today

After a six-week trial run the Warwick auxiliary bus service will conclude today.

The Ministry of Transport announced yesterday that the popular pilot service, which began in February, will come to a halt to allow the department to decide if the service should become permanent.

Minister Ewart Brown said the service received positive marks from Warwick residents. ?It was an indication that the Ministry was hitting a positive chord with the Warwick community when, in only the first week, we had to expand the service to include the Harbour Road Belmont ferry stop to the route,? he said.

Permanent Secretary Marc Telemaque told yesterday the service has stopped for a couple of months to look into fuel costs, drivers? salaries and the overall economics of running the service. The department is also examining whether the mini bus service will be supported by taxpayers. ?The process will not be long,? said Mr. Telemaque.

The conclusion of the service comes two weeks after a recent PTB survey showed that close to 1,000 people, including students, had utilised the connector service, and found it to be a beneficial addition to the Warwick area.

Public Health Fair opens at CedarBridge

Minister of Health and Family Services Patrice Minors opened the Public Health Fair at CedarBridge Academy yesterday.

Mrs. Minors said the one-day fair provided an opportunity for seniors and the physically challenged to learn about services that are available to them at the Department of Health.

Fair goers were also offered hearing, dental, nutritional, osteoporosis, blood pressure-sugar and cholesterol screenings.

Immunisations for travellers were also promoted by Mandy Ingham, a school nurse for the Health Department.

Thief takes DVD player from Devonshire home

A Devonshire woman arrived home on Tuesday to discover that her home had been broken into. At around 12.25 p.m. she discovered a culprit had stolen a black Sony DVD player. Inquiries into the incident are underway.

Kite festival and fishcakes at Horseshoe beach

Rodney Smith will be handing out samples of his fishcakes, but tomorrow?s kite festival will be without the presence of Dale Butler. Mr. Smith?s fishcake comrade in arms, who is Minister of Sport, will be fully engaged with the Carifta Games this weekend.

Still, organisers are promising a family fun day at Horseshoe Bay with local entertainment provided by Spanish Town International, a fun castle, free face painting and children?s games.

And for the first time children and adults will have a chance to learn how to make kites.

Chester Trott will be providing hands-on tutorials to all interested. Materials will be provided.

The highlight of the festival is the kite contest. Participants must register for the contest by 1 p.m. for the 1.30 p.m. contest. Competing kites must be home made and not manufactured.

Easter Sunday has been chosen as the rain date for the festival.