Mandeville, MANCHESTER
The Hargreaves Memorial Hospital, which has been in a state of limbo for the past two years as to whether it will close its doors to the public or remain open, has received a new lease on life.
The hospital has served the region as a community hospital for over 50 years but fell on hard times over the last 10 years as health care costs escalated.
It narrowly escaped the auction block two months ago when RBTT demanded repayment of more than $9 million it was owed by the hospital. Unable to make the payment, the bank had threatened to sell the property which is said to be valued at more than $120 million.
Hours before the bank was due to make its move, a desperate plea for help saw business operators, Calvin and Sylvia Lyn, going forward to clear the loan, which had climbed to $10 million.
Angelo Laurence
Spanish Town, ST. CATHERINE
Over 1,600 youths from Kingston, St. Catherine and St. Thomas will this summer benefit from summer camps being organised with the assistance of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).
A total of 1,625 young persons between six and 17 years old will benefit from activities, including family life education, career planning, the building of self-esteem as well as social and coping skills.
"Children are at less risk at camps where they have a sense of community, develop inter-generational relationship skills, and learn through first-hand experiences" said managing director of JSIF, Scarlette Gillings.
Contributed
Black River, ST. ELIZABETH
Over the last two-and-a-half months, the St. Elizabeth Parish Council has carried out drain-cleaning activities across the parish.
During an interview with The Gleaner this week, Superintendent of Roads and Works of the St. Elizabeth Parish Council, Kenroy Stewart, said that even before the beginning of the hurricane season, drains were being cleaned.
He revealed that in recent weeks, more than 100 parish council drains were cleaned in Black River, Crawford, Santa Cruz and Lacovia. Among the other areas cleaned were Ipswich, Balaclava and Goshen.
Mr. Stewart said that, throughout the hurricane season, which started on June 1, the agency will be carrying out its routine maintenance programme.
Rayon Dyer
Old Hope Road, KINGSTON
Forty-two firefighters at the junior and middle management levels have successfully completed training in the management development programme offered by the Management Institute for National Development (MIND).
The one-year training programme, which is part of the modernisation process for the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), was developed by MIND in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Environment and the JFB.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held recently at MIND's Old Hope Road campus in Kingston, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Environment, Devon Rowe, said the programme sent a clear message to citizens that the fire service was "serious about its mandate to provide well-trained fire personnel, capable of delivering quality service."
Contributed
Lluidas Vale, ST. CATHERINE
The laboratory of the Lluidas Vale All-Age School in St. Catherine is now fully equipped, following the delivery of five computers this week. This brings its complement to 11.
The latest batch of computers was procured through Teens for Technology, with funding assistance from Acid Security Company, the Worthy Park Sugar Estate and the school's resources.
Underscoring the importance of computers in education, the school's management in recent months had embarked on the task of re-equipping the lab.
The previous machines were over 12 years and said to be outdated.
Elgin Taylor
