Kingston, KINGSTON
Government will be releasing an initial sum of $8 million to assist communities suffering as a result of drought conditions plaguing the island.
Colin Campbell, Minister of Information and Development, said this week that the funds will be used to provide emergency supplies for needy communities.
The communities to which emergency funds will be released for aid are to be determined by the Government. The monies will be sourced from the Equalisation Fund.
Gareth Manning
Sp Town, ST. CATHERINE
Three persons have been hospitalised after gunmen shot up a wake in the Thompson Pen area of St. Catherine yesterday morning. Those in hospital have been identified as 40-year-old Gloria Brown, 29-year-old Wayne Graham and 27-year-old Erna Graham. All were relatives of taxi operator Deidre Simone Graham who was murdered two weeks ago.
Reports reaching Across The Nation are that about 3:00 a.m., the relatives were at the wake when a group of gunmen kicked off a gate and proceeded to fire shots, hitting them all over their bodies. They were subsequently taken to the Spanish Town Hospital where Erna was said to be in critical condition and Wayne and Gloria remained in serious but stable condition. The Spanish Town police are investigating.
Rasbert Turner
Black River, ST. ELIZABETH
Closing in on its 10th anniversary this year, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) says it has made significant achievements that can be seen in several communities across the island.
Speaking during the contract signing ceremony for the rehabilitation of the Morningside Primary School, at the institution on Thursday, Grace Ann Miller, JSIF human resource manager, said the fund will be tallying more than $11.1 million obtained from the Government to cover the construction, rehabilitation and sanitation works to be carried out on both the basic and primary schools.
"Since the inception of the JSIF, in St. Elizabeth alone we have approved 59 projects which represents total investment of approximately $400 million," Miss Miller said. "Of this amount, approximately $150 million was spent on various school projects."
Rayon Dyer
Black River, ST. ELIZABETH
Principal of Munroe College, Brandford Gayle, says he is on a mission to bring discipline and order back to the institution.
Mr. Gayle told Across The Nation this week that the problems of ragging and indiscipline have been long standing at the all boys school. He said that, for the past year, he has been trying to get all concerned to come
together to deal with the existing situation.
Rayon Dyer
Montego Bay, ST. JAMES
Recently released crime statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force indicate that, of the five western parishes, only Westmoreland has failed to show a decline in its murder rate since the start of
the year.
The rural parish recorded 12 homicides in the first quarter of this year, three more than the comparative period for 2005. The cleared-up rate for those killings is 17 per cent, down from 33 per cent
last year.
Commanding Officer for the Westmoreland Police Division, Superintendent Delcita Taylor, says the murders, particularly those in the Savanna-la-Mar region, are a mix of domestic violence, robberies and gang-related violence.
Nagra Plunkett
Montego Bay, ST JAMES
Researchers involved in a coral restoration project in the Montego Bay Marine Park were dealt a cruel blow by thieves who on Monday morning stole their 28-foot modified research boat.
"Some fishermen with whom we work closely in the marine park, saw the boat in the Half Moon Bay area, heading east," researcher Andrew Ross told The Gleaner Thursday. The vessel, which is valued at $500,000 is labelled "Marine Park Science" and is designed to support marine research and search and rescue functions.
The boat's white hull is six inches taller than standard fishing canoes to accommodate bulkhead along gunwales and is powered by a 65hp Yamaha, long-shaft (25"), two-stroke engine - bearing blue/white "JICA" stickers on each side.
Anyone spotting the boat is being asked to report said sighting to the marine park or nearest police station.
Western Bureau
