In Brief

Four of the five young men accused of attacking and wounding Carlos Pablo Raengo in February 2006 have been given prison sentences, the fifth (O.W.R.R.) was found not guilty. José Cruz Linares, Miguel Ángel Broto, Simón Gil Gregorio and Aitor López Irujo were each sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay 210 euros compensation to the guard's heirs.

Raengo, a security guard at the Iguana Bar in Es Pla, Ciutadella, was attacked by the four accused while trying to break up a fight they had started. He died a few days later but not, according to a forensic report, as a result of his injuries. His death has been attributed to organ failure.

Ramon Orfila soon to leave post as Mayor

After serving as Mayor of Es Mercadal for eleven years, Ramon Orfila is shortly to leave the post to take up a new position as President of the Environment Commission in the Balearic Government. Orfila succeeds Josep Antoni Giménez Serra as head of the commission which, following the Government reshuffle, will now come under the Department of the Environment and Transport.

His place as Mayor will be taken by Francesc Ametller, although no date has yet been set for the changeover.

Mateu Orfila Hospital's beds 91% occupied

The Mateu Orfila Hospital in Maó is 91% full, with 130 of its 142 beds being occupied. This compares to an annual average of 65%.

However, Hospital Authorities state that this is normal for the time of year, with increased numbers of flu cases, especially among the elderly. In addition, more operations are being carried out.

Three skeletons unearthed on Costa de Ronda in Maó

A chance sighting has led to the discovery of three skeletons on the hillside bordering the Costa de Ronda in Maó (the road leading from the roundabout on the Fornells road, at the end of the port, to that on the Maó-Ciutadella road). A peasant farmer coming out of the turning to the Vergers de Sant Joan spotted the outline of a partially buried body last Wednesday morning and raised the alarm.

The downward lane of the road was closed whilst a fire vehicle with a lifting arm was used to raise Simón Gornés, an archaeologist with the Island Council, eight metres so that he could examine the remains at close quarters. Despite the inclement weather conditions he was able to detect three skeletons, two of which were almost completely buried.

The initial hypothesis is that the remains date from sometime between the present and the Roman Era, a margin of some 2,000 years. It is thought that soil erosion following recent rain may have uncovered the skeletons.

ABC Menorca meeting to be held on Tuesday

The next meeting of ABC Menorca will be held next Tuesday, 23rd February, in the offices of CAEB on the Maó industrial estate.

The meeting is open to existing members and anyone interested in finding out more about the association. Further information is available from Colin Guanaria on 971 363 462 or 616 492 837.

Equelia holds its first solidarity dinner

The Fundación Equelia held its first solidarity dinner on Friday, celebrating the Chinese New Year with a menu comprising twelve typically Chinese dishes.

Donations received during the evening totalled 580 euros, 290 euros of which were presented to the Anglican Chaplain, the Reverend Dr. Michael Bunce.

Cat trainer to visit island in March

The Ciutadella Animal Protection Association has invited a cat trainer to visit the island to hold sessions for members of the public who are experiencing problems with their cats.

Jordi Ferrés will be in Menorca on 12th, 13th and 14th March to hold individual sessions, each of which will last an average of one hour and will cost 40 euros. The money raised will go to the Ciutadella Animal Protection and will also be used to cover the costs of the visit. The association asks anyone interested in booking a session to contact them (protectoraciutadella@menorca.es).

The most common problems are fighting, interacting with humans and house-training.

Paco Vallejo finishes third in Gibraltar Open

Es Castell's Grand Master of chess, Paco Vallejo, finished third in the 8th Gibtelecom Masters tournament held in Gibraltar between 26th January and 4th February.

Vallejo finished the tournament unbeaten with five victories and five draws, only succumbing in the four player play-off to Grand Masters Michael Adams and Jan Gustafsson who finished in first and second place respectively.

ViveMenorca in fourth place after two defeats

The island's premier basketball team, ViveMenorca, dropped to fourth place in the Adecco LEB Oro league after suffering two defeats in the last week. This leaves them four wins behind the current leaders Melilla and three behind second-placed CAI Zaragoza.

Playing at home on Wednesday the local team lost 71-82 to CAI Zaragoza and then, on Sunday, lost 75-68 in an away game against Servindustria Tarragona 2017.This Sunday the team will take on Leche Río Breogan at home.

Valeriano Allés remain third despite victory

Despite beating opponents Xacobeo 2010 Ribeira Sacra 3-0 at home on Saturday, the Ciutadella women's volleyball team remain in third place in the Spanish Superliga.The team travel away this week for a game against Cala de Finestrat on Saturday.