Paragon City's re-opening after the Rikti invasion has been delayed for at least 4 - 6 months, according to an official press release. Despite previous information indicating that Paragon City would start to let small groups of heroes into Paragon City by the end of March as part of the Beta Resolution, it appears that it will be at least third quarter 2003 before heroes will get to glimpse the city.

Sources indicate that despite construction crews working with "noses to the grind stone", Paragon City is still unsafe for the majority of heroes and citizens to enter in large numbers. Roc Stone, spokeman for the Roadworkers and Repair Crews Union, says that "parts of the city are just not stable at this point in time, with there also being a huge bug problem. We could let people in, but they sure wouldn't enjoy the ride."

"If it makes it easier," he added, "The villain groups aren't enjoying it much either!"

News about the delay has been met with relief, with the community aware of what is happening and now able to make alternate accomodation plans. Some heroes have indicated they are going elsewhere, such as the leader of the Jumonji Ryu, Adam Selene, who has indicated that he will be honing his team's tactical skills "in a galaxy far away" but will return when Paragon City opens.

There has been some anger at the news. "I can't believe it!" said Marcus Hampson, an office worker. "I'm currently staying at my mother-in-law's house and it's been a nightmare thus far... but another six months! She's driving me insane!"

In related news, volunteer moderators MacAllen, Jazz, Geist and SENSAI have stood down from their roles, replaced by official moderator Aura. The volunteer moderators had been maintaining order amongst the community camped outside Paragon City, but it had reached a point where an official moderator was better suited to the responsibilities that the job entailed.

Yesterday the police formally detained the 18 year old superhero Radical on reckless endangerment charges that were made against him by the Mothers Against Reckless Heroes chair person, Mrs Mary Jones-Smith.

Radical was observed by a television crew surfing on top of a monorail in Paragon City. Superheroes normally perform dangerous acts like this on a daily basis in the effort to fight crime in our fair city, but Radical was observed doing this for two hours and not for law enforcement purposes.

This is not the first time Radical has been performing such activities in Paragon City, two weeks ago he was seen base jumping off the top of buildings using an anti-gravity device. The following week we have unconfirmed rumours he was playing SuperSpeed Chicken with a fellow superhero on a main street near Liberty Plaza.

"Radical is a famous hero that is endangering his life for fun, that is inappropriate behaviour for a hero, his actions have an influence on children, he should be more responsible" was one of the comments made by Mrs Jones-Smith who made a press announcement after the hero was detained by police. She also made the comments "Last year alone 117 children were seriously injured imitating superhero acts, and some of them even died from those injuries." and "Superheroes should be more responsible and cautious in there actions, they are role models and children are impressionable" during her M.A.R.H. press statement.

No formal comments have been made by Radical, or his legal representatives.

The following comments are from Miss Alice Springs, one of Paragon Beholder's fame analysts who specialise in understanding the nature of heroic fame...

"His actions have a lost him respectability amongst the parental and senior citizen demographics, but his profile as a fun loving superhero has actually increased his fame amongst the younger generations. All in all the negative and positive impact of his actions should effectively cancel each other out. Expect Radical to be endorsing sportswear, video games and soft drinks in the future, but I don't think he will be selling financial products or insurance in his lifetime."

Insurance costs for superheroes have increased rapidly in the months following the Rikti invasion. Many heroes are now finding it impossible to afford cover that protects either themselves or citizens that may come into contact with them.

"Sure, it used to be costly, but nothing like it is now," says IronClad, a gadgeteer. "I need insurance to cover damage to my suit, which is obvious, but then I need public liability insurance, in case I blow up someone's car by accident. Plus some medical insurance to make sure I'm looked after right... all these costs just add up. It's the reason I can't afford a headquarters and have to be a hero out of my basement!"

"And then there are the forms! If you've got no ranged powers, forget it - most companies won't insure a pure melee fighter unless they've got some kind of regeneration or healing power. If you fly, superspeed or teleport that's another black mark due to the risk of running into something you shouldn't by accident. Radiation power users are blacklisted from the very start too. It's getting to the point where you can't get insurance cover unless you've got eight different types of invulnerabiltiy!" says IronClad.

Hero lobby groups are currently campaigning Paragon City Hall to gain subsidies for heroes' insurance costs, but have thus far been unsuccessful.

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