Road damage has taken a heavy toll on travel services in the Alishan area, one of Taiwan's most iconic tourist destinations, causing the number of visitors to the mountain resort during this year's spring flower season to drop to a 27-year low, sources said yesterday.

The Railway Reconstruction Bureau (RRB) of Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) is to take over the repair work of Alishan alpine railway; the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) is expected to operate the alpine railway service after it is fixed, local media reported yesterday.

The Alishan firefly season kicked off yesterday and will last until June 30, according to Alishan National Scenic Area Administration's statement.

Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) caught the prime suspect in the 1985 Emperor Hotel arson case two days ago in Chiayi County and charged him with homicide.

Murky tap water has been appearing in Chiayi County, but the local water supplier said the water is safe to use.

A district court yesterday found an opposition lawmaker from Chiayi not guilty of violating an election law for an accusation he had made against a candidate seeking to become the head of the southern county's government last year.

The restoration of Alishan Mountain Railway (AMR) Zhu Shan (竹山) line will be finished this month. According to the estimation of the Forestry Bureau (FB), the section will resume service in April at the earliest, after inspections and test runs.

A 74-year-old man in Chiayi County became a father again earlier this year when his newly-married wife gave birth to a boy, local media reported yesterday.

The speaker of the Chiayi City Council was detained Wednesday after being questioned over alleged vote-buying in a recent city council speaker election.

A fireworks display at the 2010 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi injured 33 spectators on Sunday, Feb. 28, when the festive event kicked off.