Delving into the past

This week we look at the Advertiser’s January 27, 2006, edition.
• Bomb scare in Fifth Avenue
Shoppers and shop owners were ejected from Fifth Avenue in Springs due to a bomb scare at the Standard Bank last Wednesday.
At about 13:00, police received a call from worried staff members at the branch after one of them received an SMS telling them there was a bomb in the bank.
Police responded quickly, clearing the streets and the bank and the bomb unit was called in.
The building was searched and after 15 minutes when nothing was found, the street returned to normal.
But one and a half hours later, at about 14:30, the police were again called to the scene.
“We received another call about a bomb scare from the bank, but again, nothing was found,” explained Capt Roland Ranganathan, adding they would like to thank the public for their co-operation when they were asked to clear the streets.
Standard Bank refused to comment on the incident.

Also read: Delving into the past

• Robbers strike all over Springs
Bakerton – A man was robbed of his cellphone and R1 200 in Sweetpea Road on Saturday.
According to Insp George Raphulu of Springs SAPS, the man was walking along the road at around 17:00 when he was grabbed by five men.
The victim was stabbed with a screwdriver and the suspects fled.
No arrests have been made.
New Era – While counting the day’s earnings, the manager of a business was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money last Friday at 11:00.
Two men, of whom one was armed, approached his office and demanded he hands over the cash.
One robber pointed a firearm at him and threatened to kill him, while the other hit him on the head and grabbed the money.
They also stole his cellphone and were seen driving away in an old Toyota Corolla with two other occupants.
Petersfield – A Ronketti Circle resident woke up at 15:00 on January 21 and found three armed robbers surrounding her bed.
The robbers took her through the house, helping themselves to an array of electrical appliances.
They also demanded she hands over her car keys and then took off in her Nissan Maxima. They apparently gained access to the house by forcing the door open.

Also read: Delving into the past

• Miracle twins turn one
Birthdays are meant to be joyous occasions, but so often people forget they are, in fact, a celebration of life.
The van der Walt family, with friends and medical staff at the N17 Hospital, gathered on Saturday to celebrate the survival and triumph of two little boys, who, against all odds, turned one on January 20.
A year ago, Jean-Pierre and Christiaan were born 12 weeks early by Caesarean section, weighing 570g and 890g respectively.
Jean-Pierre was regarded as the smallest ever surviving premature baby at the N17 Hospital, where he spent the first seven months of his life in the neo-natal ward.
His younger brother, Christiaan, was discharged from the hospital two-and-a-half months earlier.
Although being the eldest, Jean-Pierre still is about half of Christiaan’s size.
Both babies are a few months ‘behind’ in normal development, but they are doing very well.
Jean-Pierre recently gave everyone a fright when he fell very ill and, according to dad André, went ‘back to square one’.
After Christmas, however, he amazingly regained his strength and picked up on his growth rate.
Visitors all had lumps in their throats thinking back on how small and fragile the twins were a few months ago and what a miracle their first birthday was.

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