May Pen, CLARENDON
Minister of Finance, Dr. Omar Davies, recently said that one of the reasons for his current leadership bid in the People's National Party was to put together and design policies to give investors and business persons confidence in Jamaica.
Dr. Davies was speaking at the launch of the Juici Patties Entrepre-neurship programme at the company's head office, Clarendon Park on November 23.
The Finance Minister said he wants to rebuild confidence in the country's economy in the minds of potential investors to create a better future for Jamaican citizens.
Stephanie Elliott
Lluidas Vale, ST. CATHERINE
Director of Region Six of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, Dr. Fitz Russell, has revealed that 85 guidance counsellors have been approved for the parishes of St. Catherine and Clarendon.
The schools which will benefit are in the categories of primary, junior high and high schools. He was addressing a group of principals from these two parishes at a forum at McCooks Pen Primary School in St. Catherine recently.
Elgin Taylor
Spanish Town, ST. CATHERINE
Several councillors from the St. Catherine Parish Council have expressed disgust at the $23,000 they have been given by the Ministry of Local Government for Christmas work.
During a recent meeting, the councillors said that it is grossly unfair at this time for them to get only $23,000. In 2003, the councillors got $75,000 plus $100,000 from the Prime Minister. Last year each councillor from St. Catherine got $27,900.
Rasbert Turner
Spanish Town, ST. CATHERINE
A 29-year-old wheelchair-bound man, Ezekiel Bailey, was found in possession of an illegal semi-automatic pistol on November 30 by the Spanish Town police, the 80th illegal gun found in the St. Catherine North division this year.
Bailey was charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. Reports are that a police party went to Bailey's premises where they conducted a raid. During a search, the weapon, along with eight live rounds was seized. He will appear in the Spanish Town RM court on December 6.
Rasbert Turner
Morant Bay, ST. THOMAS
The festive season and its customary celebratory activities in Morant Bay are likely to face drastic downsizing as funding for the usual Grand Market Gala has not been realised, according to Clinton Gordon, secretary manager of the St. Thomas Parish Council.
"With the paltry amount of $23,000 which was given to the local authorities, not much can be done, but the parish council will carry out the usual bushing and road cleaning exercise in the parish with the allocation of the parochial fund which is specially designated for such a purpose," Mr. Gordon said.
Arthur Green
Ocho Rios, ST. ANN
A major security breach took place at the St. Ann's Bay courthouse between Wednesday afternoon and early Thursday morning, when staff discovered a nine-inch long kitchen knife plunged deep into the back rest of the judge's recliner chair, just before the start of the regular court sitting.
Detective Inspector Everton Grant has assured Across the Nation that the police will not take the matter lightly. "We believe that this is some form of symbolic threat on the judge," he said.
Devon Evans
Montego Bay, ST. JAMES
The National Works Agency (NWA) will be curtailing the flow of traffic along the Howard Cooke Boulevard in Montego Bay for six hours today to effect repairs to the road surface
Stephen Shaw, acting senior communications officer at the NWA, says east-bound traffic will be restricted in the vicinity of the Montego River and North Gully bridges, between the hours of 6 00 a.m. and noon.
During this period, traffic will be reduced to single lane in the vicinity of both bridges.
Nagra Plunkett
Lucea, HANOVER
The Christmas treat for children living in and around the town of Lucea which is staged annually by the mayor, in collaboration with the Hanover Parish Council, will be held on Monday, December 19.
Mayor Lester Crooks said the event would coincide with the municipal Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the town, and that $1.5 million was needed to fund the treat for 1,500 children.
JIS News
Hampstead, ST. MARY
The community of Hampstead is currently benefiting from an improved water supply system and an upgraded all-age school, with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) providing most of the funding for both projects.
A total sum of $29.5 million was spent on the projects, with the JSIF donating $22 million, and the rest coming from community contributions.
The Hampstead water supply system was implemented at a cost of $22.5 million, while the Hampstead All-Age School project was completed at a cost of about $7 million.
JIS News
