Handbag snatcher gets away with cash, digital camera

A family visiting Bermuda from Belgium fell victim to thieves who stole the mother's handbag.

According to the Police, the visitors, a 73-year-old man, his 68-year-old wife and their 43-year-old son, were travelling to the Mid Ocean beach on two rental cycles on Tuesday.

"An unknown man on a motorcycle overtook the son and mother, who were riding on the same rental cycle, as they approached the junction of South Road and Paynters Road," said a Police spokesman.

"The visitors then realised that the suspect, described as a black male of slim build, had removed the woman's canvas handbag from their rental cycle's basket," the spokesman said.

"The son attempted to give chase. However, the suspect made good his escape."

The handbag contained cash, a Fuji digital camera and personal items.

The visitors were not injured and inquiries are underway.

Anyone with information should call the St. George's Criminal Investigation Unit on 293 2222.

Seasonal lobster licences granted

Lobster licences were awarded to the Island's commercial fisherman on Monday by the Department of Environmental Protection.

A total of 31 fishermen were awarded licences for the lobster season, which begins on September 1 and ends March 31.

The Department will allocate 11 lobster pots to each fisherman for a total of 341 pots.

These pots all belong to the Department and are standard sizes. Licences cost $1,500 per year.

Recreational lobster divers can renew their licences at the licensing office of the Department of Environmental Protection located in the Botanical Gardens, daily Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. The cost for a recreational licence is $121.

Recreational lobster divers are permitted two lobsters per day and lobsters must be of a legal size.

All terms and conditions of recreational licences are available at the Department of Environmental Protection.

Ministry confirms no principal move

The Ministry of Education confirmed yesterday that it has made no firm plans to transfer the principals at three public primary schools.

Officials had proposed moving Gina Tucker, headteacher of Victor Scott, to Northlands and replacing her with Livingston Tuzo, headteacher of West End. Mr. Tuzo's position was to be filled by Northlands headteacher Stanfield Smith.

But The Royal Gazette reported earlier this week that the scheme had been shelved, according to the Association of School Principals.

A Ministry spokesman confirmed yesterday: "The Ministry has not announced neither informed anyone outside of the Ministry of any changes in principals of any of our schools.

"Any discussions with principals on any of their school assignments was done on an administration level, the results of which were that no principals have been moved thus far."

Bermuda Union of Teachers vice-president Reeshemah Swan said acting Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Radell Tankard told her there would be no transfers for principals for the beginning of the school term on September 8.

2009 'A Somers Evening' re-enactment cancelled

The St. George's Foundation will not hold its annual 'A Somers Evening' in 2009.

The historical event, when actors re-enact scenes from Bermuda's early years as an inhabited island, will return in 2010.

The foundation was forced to withdraw the evening from its events calendar next year due to limited resources.