The closure of Coco Point Lodge in Barbuda at the end of the tourist winter season, last week, has raised concerns that the cash-strapped Barbuda Council will face further financial woes.

Residents on the sister isle are complaining about the shortage of police officers at the Barbuda Police Station as reports indicate the facility is staffed with about half the number it is supposed to have.

All is in place for the sentencing hearing for murder convicts Kaniel Martin and Avie Howell tomorrow.

Heavy winds have been blamed for the crash landing of a small aircraft flown by a couple who were about to take off the airstrip serving Coco Point Lodge, a hotel in Barbuda, investigators yesterday said.