Five arrested in post-Harbour night fracas outside City Hall

Five men including a juvenile were arrested during a disturbance outside of the City Hall on Church Street on Wednesday night after the close of Harbour Nights.

About 100 youths were reportedly causing trouble at 10.30 p.m. when Police responded. When contacted yesterday, a Police spokesman could not provide any further information on the incident ? including how it started other than to say they believe a row happened between some youths.

The men range in age from 14 to 20 and court appearances are expected in due course.

Police searching for stolen horse

Police turned into sheriffs yesterday as they began a hunt for the horse rustler that stole "Pleasant Surprise", a brown and black horse from Watlington Lane on Wednesday.

The complainant called the Police to his Devonshire home when he realised his horse was not there, he informed the Police that Pleasant Surprise was probably stolen between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.

If any one has any information about the whereabouts of this horse please call Det. Con. Jasmine Saltus at 295-0011 or 299-4500.

BIU to hose housing forum

A forum will be held to discuss Bermuda's acute affordable housing shortage at the Bermuda Industrial Union on Tuesday, July 20.

Calvin Smith, Chairman of the Political Education Committee of BIU, said the public could expect to hear some alternative options that are "quite different" from anything the Bermuda Housing Corporation has come up with.

Mr. Smith said it was important to address the housing issue because it is causing many social ills. He said that looking for an affordable house can be stressful and for some families can cause child and spouse abuse as well as alcohol and drug abuse.

The forum will be presented by Mr. Craig Laws, Mr. Raymonde Dill, Mrs. Chris Valdes-Dapena and Mr. Clifford Schorer.

Mr. Schorer will discuss the 100 affordable houses he is proposing to build at the former Sonesta Beach Hotel.

As director of "Nantucket Homes" a non profit company that operates in the United States Mr. Schorer has experience in building affordable houses.

The forum will also look into the effect of guest workers and young adults on the housing crisis.

Mr. Smith also said it would look into the "functionality of the family".

He said one solution would be young people living at home longer. He maintained that another problem is that as a society "we are listening to our wants and not our needs" which means people are suffering.

The Forum will be held in the Dr. Gordon Memorial Hall at the Headquarters of the Bermuda Industrial Union. It will start at 7.30 pm on July 20.

New Jersey man fined for cannabis

An American visitor pleaded guilty to importing 1.45 grams of cannabis yesterday. Crown Council Shelia Dill informed the court that Brian Martin Duncan, 42, from New Jersey was stopped at the Bermuda International Airport after a drug dog indicated he had controlled substances on him.

When asked if he had anything on him the defendant just smiled at officers.

Permission granted for office block

Saint John's Ambulance Brigade has been granted permission to build a new administration facility on Point Finger Road.

According to Development Applications Board planning minutes, the facility will be relocated in the back of Dunrossil House.

The has approved the proposal but encouraged the organisation to consider using it for social reasons as well as considering "mixed residential and social use for the property".

The Board advised St. John's Ambulance that in the event that the intensity of use of the property increases, parking may be considered at the final application stage.

Apartment complex proposed for Elliott St.

Realtor Duncan Outerbridge is behind a building project proposing a six storey apartment house development on Elliott Street.

Mr. Outerbridge declined to share details of his plans, with

According to a planning notice the apartment building will be located at 24 Elliott Street, with 21 dwelling units for commercial use at street level.

The application was filed on July 5. Mr. Outerbridge is a partner with Smithbridge realtors.