Dramatic Findings As Case Unfolds Two years ago, Zakynthos penned one of the blackest pages of its history, with the financial scandals centered around Zakynthos Council, and the spoofed decision to contract loans from Piraeus Bank and Emporiki Bank. The events led to the attempted arson of the council's finance department at the "Xenia", and the subsequent arrest and resignation of the Mayor.....[more] Thu, 24 Sep 2009 Poisoned Cats and Birds Found In Agia Triada The deputy mayor Zakynthos, Dionysis Kapandritis, has been accused by Agia Triada resident Dana Schwartz-Kaponis over the poisoning of cats, dogs and birds in the area. She stated that the Council placed rat poison along the streets, and by doing so is responsible for the poisoning of numerous animals and birds. Ms. Schwartz-Kaponis said she will appeal.....[more] Thu, 24 Sep 2009 Icon of St Dionysios of Zakynthos Survives 9/11 Nearly 3,000 people died when terrorists flew two hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Among the victims were also 33 Greek - Americans. The attack not only destroyed the Twin Towers but also the tiny yet historic St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, located south of the second tower of the World Trade Center. It was.....[more] Thu, 24 Sep 2009 Easyjet plans direct flights to Zakynthos Budget airline Easyjet is close to adding Zakynthos to it's expanding schedule according to a recent announcement by members of Zakynthos Council's Hoteliers Association. The announcement came following recent discussions between the company and representatives from Zakynthos and Arkadion Council. According to Yannis Xenos, Chairman.....[more] Thu, 24 Sep 2009 New Marina – Any Closer to Reality? Ways by which to complete construction of the marina, which for decades has remained half finished, have been sought by various concerned parties, in order to put an end to the ongoing saga, and finally provide a much needed facility for the island. Despite the fact that an announcement was made a few short months ago, involving the name of construction.....[more] Thu, 24 Sep 2009 Flu Vaccines Due Soon Zakynthos is due to receive the first batch of swine flu vaccine, according to a recent announcement by Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Association, Nick Vitsos. The outbreak has reached pandemic levels, and the Health Minsitry has recently refrained from announcing new cases. According to reports, the island's pharmacies already have vaccination priority.....[more] Thu, 24 Sep 2009 Incidents doubled from last year The tragic reality of the deliberate deforestation of Zakynthos has been revealed. Figures released by the Fire Department show the extent of the damage caused by this year's fires and the amount of forest and rural land lost, an amount which doubles that of last year. Continued arson attacks, particularly the events of August this year caused major disasters.....[more] Thu, 17 Sep 2009 Zakynthos And Minorca Seal A Cultural Friendship The cultural association "Arrels De Sant Joan" located in the region of Cuitadella Minorca in Spain, arrived in Zakynthos following an invitation by local cultural association “To Fioro tou Levante”. The group was invited to visit the island in a joint co-operation with Zakynthos Council. Both associations met at an international festival last year, and there decided to.....[more] Thu, 17 Sep 2009 5000€ Reward To Catch Perpetrators The same problems as last year with incidents of dog poisoning have been encountered by hunters at the start of this year's hunting season. According to reports, poisoned meat has been found in the mountains, capable of causing death to dogs and other animals. Similar incidents had occurred last year where dozens of dogs were killed.....[more] Thu, 17 Sep 2009 Bomb At 3rd High School A bomb was discovered by council workers at the 3rd High School just days before the start of the new autumn term. The team, which had been sent to clean the school grounds could not believe their eyes when they saw the device placed in an alley between the a classroom and the perimeter fence. The discovery was made at approximately 11 am, and was immediately reported.....[more] Thu, 03 Sep 2009 Kidnapping in Skoulikado The perpetrators and victims of armed kidnapping which took place at dawn on Monday morning are being sought by police. Witnesses say two vehicles, carrying between 8 and 10 passengers approached a bakery where three foreign nationals were standing, and forced one of the men to climb into the boot of a car at gun-point. According to reports.....[more] Thu, 03 Sep 2009 Firefighting Pilot Killed On Kefalonia The pilot of a Greek fire-fighting plane died in a crash on Kefalonia last Thursday. The PZL plane fell at 12:45pm some 2 miles away from the airport while attempting to extinguish a wildfire on the southern tip of the island. The 55-year-old pilot, a reserve colonel and father of two, was the first casualty of the massive fires that raged across Greece last week, the worst of which destroyed more than 80 square miles of forestland and at least 150 homes on the.....[more] Thu, 03 Sep 2009 “Biblical Disaster” Zakynthos has suffered one of the worst catastrophes in recent history. Over the past few days fires raged out of control in the mountainous regions surrounding Anafonitria, Maries, Exo Hora, Kampi and Volimes. The devastation left behind once the flames were extinguished has been discribed as a disaster of biblical proportions. Luckily, no lives were lost, and despite.....[more] Thu, 27 Aug 2009 St Denis Day St Dionysus, otherwise known as St Denis is the Patron Saint and protector of Zakynthos. St Denis Day is celebrated twice a year. On 17th December the island celebrates to mark the anniversary of his death on 17th December 1622. The many Zakynthians named after the Saint, Dionysis and Dionisia celebrate their name day on this date. The other celebration.....[more] Thu, 27 Aug 2009 Pleasure Boat Owners Warned by NMPZ The owners and captains of speed boats have been warned by the National Marine Park take extreme care when in the Bay of Lagana. The warning came following the discovery of a dead loggerhead turtle in the Argassi region on August 13th. Reports say that the male turtle was injured in a collision with a speed boat. The particular turtle had been fitted with a.....[more] Thu, 27 Aug 2009 Human Remains Found On Strophades Island Men from the Port Authority of Zakynthos were called to the Strophades Island of Arpia when a tourist discovered human bones while exploring the island last Saturday. The small group of islands lie 50km south-southeast of Zakynthos and belong to the Municipality of Zakynthos. The larger one is inhabited by just one monk who lives in the Strophades Monastery, the island's only real structure. Zakynthos Police Chief told the press that a number of officers went to the island on .....[more] Thu, 13 Aug 2009 First batch of turtles appear in Vassilikos The first baby turtles to hatch on Zakynthos this summer appeared at Sekania Beach in Vassilikos on 25th July. The first batch left their nest and made their big journey to the sea. Only a few of those baby turtles will survive to adulthood in order to return to Zakynthos to breed. The turtles need all the protection we can give them so that they can continue to survive, as they have.....[more] Thu, 13 Aug 2009 Zakynthos Earthquakes - 1953 remembered Fifty six years have gone by since a series of severe earthquakes almost destroyed the island of Zakynthos. Much of what happened was recorded and has since been published. One of the most comprehensive accounts was recorded in the book, “Ράγισε η φλούδα του ροδιού”, which was published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the earthquakes that devastated.....[more] Thu, 13 Aug 2009 Behavior warning issued after British tourist set alight HOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned to behave after a court case in Greece in which a local woman was accused of setting fire to a British tourist after he allegedly groped her in a bar. Marina Fanouraki is an unlikely Greek heroine. In the early hours of Tuesday in the Electra bar in Crete, the 26-year-old is said to have doused a drunken English plumber with sambuca and.....[more] Thu, 13 Aug 2009 “Anastasia” loses her anchor The port authorities were alerted by the captain of the pleasure boat “Anastasia” last Friday afternoon, when he discovered that he had 'lost' the boat's right anchor. The boat had earlier carried 178 tourists to St Nicholas Harbour in Volimes. The captain brought the boat back to Zakynthos Harbour, where checks were carried out. It is thought the anchor was lost.....[more] Thu, 13 Aug 2009 3.88% reduction on July 2008 The figures for July, recently released from Zakynthos Airport show a 3.88% reduction compared with this time last year. As far as the Ionian Islands go however, Zakynthos is in the best position if you consider that Corfu suffered a 10.8% loss compared to July last year, and Kefalonia's figures fell by a massive 25.95%. More analytically, the official figures released by.....[more] Thu, 06 Aug 2009 Tourist 'attacks' bus and patrol car! Unacceptable scenes unfolded at approximately 3am on Monday in Laganas, when a tourist began kicking buses and a police patrol car. The unfortunate incident was reported to the HMEPA newspaper by the chairman of the tourist coach drivers, Sakis Stravopodi, who claimed that the policemen arrested the tourist only when he started kicking.....[more] Thu, 06 Aug 2009 Children's Festival In Zante Town The first summer children's festival is taking place today at the Lobby Cafeteria on the harbour road in Zakynthos Town. Those attending will have the opportunity to make their own printed artwork in the shop next to Lobby, owned by Ada Vlahoutsikou. The creative evening is sure to delight young and old alike, with children's songs by a friendly giant 'lemon' and face painting..[more] Thu, 06 Aug 2009 'The Ship of Fools' Docks At Zakynthos Harbour The Azart, a 90 foot long oceangoing vessel otherwise known as The Ship of Fools, has docked in Zakynthos Harbour together with its unique crew. The actors and musicians who travel around the world carrying out bizarre theatrical performances, describe themselves as “a timeless image of mankind adrift”. Their publications state that the ship Azart is.....[more] Thu, 06 Aug 2009 Mayor Threatens To Sue National Greek TV Channel Mayor of Laganas, Dionyssis Komiotis, says he is determined to make appeals against the TV station STAR. He claims that the Greek channel has been showing footage filmed 5 years ago, trying to "prove" that British tourists are still behaving scandalously in the resort of Lagana. Mr Komiotis told the HMEPA, "I have conferred with the legal counsel and next week.....[more] Thu, 06 Aug 2009 Fire Traps 20 on Daphni Beach Secret services are investigating a number of possible arsons that have been devastating Zakynthos. Greek secret services (EYP) are investigating eight separate fires, suspected arsons, that devastated the island recently. The deputy Interior Minister, Christos Markogiannakis, at the end of a security meeting with police, rescue services and fire-fighters, said, as quoted.....[more] Thu, 30 Jul 2009 Bible Goes Missing While In Care Of Zakynthos Council The mysterious disappearance of the Holy Bible Of Saint Paraskevis of Krioneri is being investigated by Zakynthos Council. The precious book was in the care of Zakynthos Council while the Church of Saint Paraskevis was being renovated. The worrying discovery that the bible was missing came when, just before the celebration of St Paraskevi, the resident priest asked for the return.....[more] Thu, 30 Jul 2009 Memories of WWII Memories of the Second World War and especially the Italian and German occupation of the island, come alive for those who visit the ground floor of the public library building at the Cultural Center. The Centre, in Solomos Square, Zakynthos Town. is housing an exhibition with pieces from the period 1941-1944. The pieces have been donated by Nikolas Barviani.....[more] Thu, 30 Jul 2009 Cliff fall man named The man who fell to his death from a cliff top in Tsilivi last week has been named as Henry Stephenson. It is believed he was from Lancaster, and was on holiday in Zakynthos. Mr Stephenson was found on the beach by a local fisherman, Police are investigating but are not looking for anyone in connection with the tragic incident...[more] Thu, 30 Jul 2009 Zakynthos Council Takes Measures Against Graffiti Vandals The sight of graffiti on the walls of the 'Kokkino Vraho' in Solomos Square, and the playground behind the building, is causing increasing problems for Zakynthos Council. Over the past few months the council painted the walls around the building, in order to disguise the graffiti, but the 'artists' were not put off, and immediately seized the opportunity to create.....[more] Thu, 30 Jul 2009