Santa Cruz, ST. ELIZABETH
As international crude oil prices continue to spiral upwards, the Santa Cruz police have reported an incident of gas theft in the town. On Sunday night, a man driving a pick-up truck drove away from a Shell service station with $10,000 worth of gasolene.
An employee at the service station located along the main street told Across the Nation that, at 10 p.m, the motorist pulled up at the station and ordered gas from a pump attendant who filled some containers placed in the back of the pick-up.
After the attendant was through, the man reportedly sped off without paying. He is now being sought by the police.
Michael McLean
Santa Cruz, ST. ELIZABETH
Some commuters and taxi operators plying routes out of Santa Cruz were quite satisfied with the 25 per cent increase in taxi fares announced by the Government last week Friday.
Following checks by Across the Nation at a number of taxi stands last Monday, it was revealed that most operators had applied between the approved $20-$25 increase to the old taxi fares.
Commuters travelling to Mandeville are now paying $130 up from $110, while commuters from Santa Cruz to Black River and Balaclava now pay $100, up from $80. Commuters have to fork out $320, an increase of $60 when
travelling to Savanna-la-Mar.
Michael McLean
Angels, ST. CATHERINE
The Angels Estate II Citizens Association will present an event called 'Summer Last Lick' at the community centre today. The event, which is geared towards the young, will involve a grab bag, rides, donkey rides, and free treats for the children. The event will begin at noon. Lauren Campbell, vice-president of the citizens' association, told Across the Nation that the event should "foster greater cooperation and unity among the citizens of the Angels Estate II".
Claremont, ST. ANN
An intriguing contest is emerging in the Alexandria division of south-west St. Ann, with two family members representing the two major parties in a soon-to-be called parish council by-election.
The vacancy arose following the death of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Councillor Derrick Frater who represented the division for 28 consecutive years.
Gilbert McLeod, 48, businessman from Bethany and a trained vocational training centre instructor who represents the JLP, and will be opposed by his niece Shirley 'Melory' Campbell, 34, who will be the People's National Party candidate.
Leslie McLean
Rock River, ST. MARY
Nigel Gray, president of Senvia Money Services, has announced that the company would be implementing a number of initiatives designed to promote positive change in the lives and communities of Jamaicans who are working as farm workers overseas.
The Senvia Farm Workers Educational Fund, which will give individual grants to students and will also provide donations to schools, was piloted last year in one of the major farming communities in Ontario, Canada. The Senvia Farm Worker Education Fund, the latest initiative to assist local communities, was piloted by the AIC Group founder Michael Lee Chin and mirrors the National Commercial Bank's Jamaica Education Initiative (JEI). The Rock River All-Age School has reportedly received a contribution of Cdn$1,000. The school's principal, Errol Oliver, gratefully accepted the contribution which will be used to buy a commercial stove to provide hot lunches for the 480 children who attend the school.
Contributed
Walderston, MANCHESTER
On August 20, the Walderston community made a timely statement with its overwhelming presence at a thanksgiving service for the life of housewife Maisie Powell, who died on Independence Day.
Mrs. Powell, 45, was killed by a speeding motor car in a hit and run accident in the Walderston square on the morning of Saturday, August 6. At the time she was a spectator at another fatal hit-and-run incident which occurred less than an hour earlier.
At the service held at the Mt. Olivet United Church, relatives, friends and well-wishers mourned in solidarity for the quiet dressmaker. Also in attendance were Member of Parliament Audley Shaw and Councillor Leeroy Mitchell.
Family friend Sonia Lewis read the eulogy, which described the deceased as "loving, loyal, active, faithful and jovial". Ms. Lewis said that Mrs. Powell had enjoyed dancing at festivals, where she earned prizes, and also liked to cook and crochet.
Maisie Powell is survived by husband Oswald, a machinist at Windalco, daughter Crystal, who also dances, mother Anita, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Byron McDaniel
Walderston, MANCHESTER
Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke has assured stakeholders in the sugar industry of Government's commitment to not abandon them because of the European Union's decision to cut the price of sugar.
The Agriculture Minister was addressing a meeting of heads of union, delegates and sugar producers of the island's seven sugar factories at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville last Monday. The meeting was held under the theme 'Restructuring the sugar sector for profitability and growth'.
Minister Clarke pointed to the strides made by Brazil in the area of ethanol production and said: "The Government of Jamaica is committed to a modern, efficient sugarcane industry diversified in the areas which are profitable: ethanol, rum, co-generation. These are environmentally friendly. The price of gas and oil make ethanol a viable alternative."
Byron McDaniel
Little London, WESTMORELAND
A representative of the Clarendon Police Youth Club, Whendy Johnson, won the national title from a field of 13 contestants on, August 14, at the crowning held at the Little London High School in Westmoreland.
Ms Johnson is a 19-year-old pharmacy technician student at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
"I'm very happy to have won. I never thought that I was going to win. I was very surprised. "I'm looking forward to the opportunities that this crown will present me, to the exposure that I will get and the chance to help empower young people," she said.
She was also adjudged 'Most Intelligent' and was awarded with gift items.
JIS News
Port Antonio, PORTLAND
On Wednesday, there was a ground-breaking ceremony to mark a $247 million dollar state-of-the-art courthouse which will be constructed at Bryan's Bay, Port Antonio, Portland, by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice.
Work on the new courthouse is to commence later this month and the facility is scheduled for completion in April 2006.
At the same time, the old Georgian style courthouse will be used as the newest retail location for the bank.
Chairman of the NCB Group, Michael Lee Chin, praised the idea and thanked the Government for its trust in allowing his group to be in charge of the restoration of the historic building.
"I was born here in Port Antonio, so it is really a humbling experience to be able to come back to Port Antonio and participate in the development of this magnificent and beautiful parish," Mr. Lee Chin said.
Gareth Davis
The old courthouse which was partially destroyed by fire in 2004 - forced all court proceedings to be held at the Parish Council Chamber. The building will be restored at a cost of $120 million.
Gareth Davis
