Tragedies dominated the news as a teenager was murdered, and a much loved and respected politician died.

Ethan Arruda died after a stabbing incident at a home on Devonshire Bay Road on October 26.

The 17-year-old, who suffered a single stab wound, was at a party attended by between 50 and 100 people when the incident occurred. Police later arrested two people.

Tributes poured in for Leslie Robinson, a government senator, who died suddenly in late October at the age of 57.

The Premier expressed “profound sadness” at the news and said: “This is an unimaginable tragedy which has shocked so many of us to the very core.

“Bermuda has lost an eminently qualified professional woman who had chosen public service in addition to a busy career in the private sector.”

David Burt described Ms Robinson as a “dedicated servant” to the Progressive Labour Party and the people of Bermuda.

One Bermuda Alliance leader Jarion Richardson said: “She was clear, audacious and bold. She led her team with a professionalism that made her incredibly admirable. She often asked me deep, perceptive questions.

“My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the friends and family of Leslie Robinson, a truly wonderful person.”

A story that prompted an island-wide debate was that of Janice Battersbee, who refused to pay her land tax in protest at having to take matters into her own hands and clean her road.

She said that for 2½ years since a street sweeper stopped attending, she had cleared trash on Gilbert Lane, Sandys, where she has lived for more than 25 years.

Her protest seemed to hit a nerve with the Government as, a few days later, action was taken on some of the issues she had highlighted.

As ever, politics also dominated much of the headlines as the One Bermuda Alliance and the PLP held their annual meetings, and a by-election was called.

The election in Sandys North was a four-way contest: the Reverend Emily Gail Dill for the PLP, former PLP leader Marc Bean for the Free Democratic Movement, independent candidate Ci’re Bean, and Carl Neblett, of the One Bermuda Alliance.

The seat was held for the PLP, as Dr Dill won 162 votes, Marc Bean 108, Ci’re Bean 95 and Mr Neblett 91.

The Royal Gazette reported on both the OBA’s annual conference and the PLP’s annual delegates conference.

OBA leader Jarion Richardson said the party was ready to return to government and put Bermuda on “the road back to success”.

In anticipation of a General Election, the Opposition also unveiled its manifesto, which contained a raft of proposals that included a review of the parliamentary system, tax reductions and increased accountability in government.

At the PLP annual delegates conference, party leader David Burt warned of a “new combined Opposition” in reference to the OBA, the resurgent Free Democratic Movement and the Movement for Independent Candidates.

Portraying the PLP’s opponents as “three peas in the same pod”, he called on the membership to stand strong against other political groups, warding off what he described as a retreat to “the old system”.

Problems within the education system also dominated the news, as two schools were affected by a walkout and a sick-out.

Staff at Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy withdrew their labour on October 8 over safety issues, writing to parents that incidents beyond their control were putting children and workers at risk.

They urged parents to call on the Ministry of Education to provide necessary resources to address the problem.

Three weeks later, on October 30, CedarBridge Academy was forced to close after the majority of its educators called in sick.

Students were sent home after 59 of 77 educators and para-educators failed to turn up for work, with the Ministry of Education claiming most of the absences were “uncertified”.

The Royal Gazette also reported on industrial unrest at CedarBridge earlier in the month when staff staged a sit-out to discuss recruitment challenges at the school, which included cover by regular teachers for signature-learning teachers who had not yet been hired.

A stark reality was also highlighted by a survey that showed almost one in ten retirees had returned to work because of economic conditions.

The survey, conducted by Narrative Research between August 27 and September 11, showed that an identical proportion reported that it applied to someone else in their household.

“It is clear that Bermuda residents continue to face challenging economic conditions due to inflation and other pressures, including the high cost of living,” said the survey.