Hale's Moon ground facilities reopen

As the cleanup in Hale's Moon colony continues, Port Authority has been able to reopen the main pads and cargo handling facility. Though the facilities are not yet operating at full capacity, as resources are needed elsewhere, they are once again available to handle limited cargo and personnel transfer.

As before, priority is going to relief supplies and evacuation cases. Commercial cargo destined for the colony and ships picking up ore shipments will be given second priority, while transhipment cargo will receive the lowest priority until the backlogs are cleared.

Small craft are asked to use secondary facilities if possible, and the Orbital will remain available for both transhipment and personnel transfer at least until the ground facilities return to full capacity.

Alliance troops raid Destiny and Hale's Moon

While still reeling from recent fires and rock impacts, a small contingent of Alliance soldiers executed an armed raid on the Destiny enclave and parts of Hale's Moon earlier today.

Injuries were few and, fortunately, mostly light, according to Infirmary staff. The raiders, identified as Alliance, though not matching the known markings or transponder codes of the local 1st marine Raiders unit, were initially chased from the Destiny enclave by local residents. The raiders evacuated by shuttle, only to return a short time later with a larger force. This second force was also repulsed by a coordinated effort of the Hale's Moon Militia and members of Destiny's own internal self defense force.

The Alliance forces were based aboard a vessel identified as the Ticonderoga, which broke orbit before the IAV Abraham Sinkov could respond. The Ticonderoga is apparently an Alliance warship, but her transponder codes do not correspond to an active vessel. Alliance officials aboard the IAV Sun Tzu had no comment on the incident other than "We'll look into it."

Deputy Mayor Genni Foxtrot, speaking for the Mayor's office in Mayor Kawanishi's absence, was quoted as saying "We've been right civil with the Alliance for a while now. Not friendly, but not fighting either. Not sure who these jokers are, but they want to get frisky with us we'll show 'em them business end of a rifle."

Orbital remains open

In light of event on the surface, the Hale's Moon Orbital Maintenance Facility is remaining open to handle some limited cargo transfer duties and to serve as a transfer point for supplies destined for the colony. The Orbital's shuttles will remain operational to serve emergency needs, and most emergency supplies are being routed through the colony's indigenous lift capacity.

While the station is primarily intended for maintenance work and has limited warehousing for cargo transfer, priority is being given to emergency supplies destined for the colony.

While the town's main cargo handling facility is subject to the curfew, the remote landing area remains operational. However, this is considered an "unimproved" drop zone and spacecraft that are not certified for 'unprepared surfaces' should use extreme caution before attempting to land. Cargo landed at the remote site will need to be conveyed to the colony by surface transports.

Sheriff returns to post

After a brief departure "to settle some personal matters," Sheriff Gallagher has returned to duty as Hale's Moon's lead lawman. Details are sketchy, but Town Elders have confirmed that Hale's Moon has full time Law Enforcement at this time.

One of the Elders was quoted as saying: "The Militia's spread a bit too thin to be keepin' watch on folk an' fightin' Reavers at the same time. Folks like havin' a Lawman about."

The Mayor's office had no official comment on the Sheriff's departure and subsequent return.