The Portland Parish Council will be serving an eviction notice on a junkyard and auto parts dealer, whose operations have reportedly been polluting the Ken Jones Heights community in St. Margaret's Bay.

Port Antonio Mayor, Benny White, says a court order was served on the junkyard operator, Winston Thomas, sometime ago, for him to clear the area of the many old cars, gasolene containers, motor vehicle rims and scraps of metal, but that he has failed to comply.

"We will be serving an eviction notice on him, ordering him to clear the area of all the junk which is a public nuisance," said the mayor.

- Gareth Davis

The spirit of caring and sharing was evident in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, on Thursday, when the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), in observation of its seventh anniversary, took time out to extend courtesies and generosity to the aged and homeless with a goodwill donation to the St. Thomas Infirmary at Church Corner.

The donations comprised items such as wheelchairs, walkers, clothing, toiletries and food valued at approximately $300,000. In making the presentation, Sergeant Dahlia Garrick, liaison officer at the CCN, said that it was significant for the force to make the gesture.

- Arthur Green

Phillip Paulwell, the Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, has called on Caribbean nationals to seriously consider the importance of information and communications technology (ICT), in the prediction and management of disasters throughout the region.

He said the current technological revolution of which ICT is an integral part is transforming Caribbean societies in a profound way and, if harnessed and directed properly, can improve regional disaster management.

Mr. Paulwell also said that communication and information flows during the early warning and response periods are critical determinants to averting the worst impacts of any disaster. He was speaking at a three-day Caribbean Disaster Management Forum which took place at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

- Devon Evans

The parish of Portland had 49 cases of chemical poisoning last year, the highest rate in the island, according to the Ministry of health. Portland was in fact, among the top five parishes with the highest rates in 2003 and 2004.

The other parishes were Westmoreland, St. Mary, St. Thomas and Trelawny.

Registrar of the Pesticides Control Authority, Hyacinth Chin Sue, told JIS News that although the parish did not have the highest incidence of chemical poisoning, based on the small population, the rate was not only high but it also warranted attention.

"They only had 49 cases last year, but because of the small population that translates into 0.03 per cent being poisoned, not just from pesticides but from other chemicals like bleach, which is common," she informed.

- JIS News

Dr. Hopeton Dunn, chairman of Creative Production and Training Centre (CPTC), is urging Jamaicans to make better use of the available technology.

Dr. Dunn, who was addressing members of the Rotary Club of Mandeville, said Jamaicans have become 'downloaders' without being measurable 'uploaders'. As a result Jamaicans have failed to maximise the many opportunities emerging technologies have presented. He said there was a disparity in the Internet market caused by countries of the "global north " with access to more computers and servers as they are more able and inclined to upload information than we are.

This, according to Dr. Dunn, has resulted in Jamaicans downloading cultural influences that are much different from theirs. He noted that only six per cent of Jamaican households have computers that are Internet ready.

- Angelo Laurence

More than 180 small business operators in St. Thomas have benefited from a two-day business development clinic, which was aimed at providing them with information to improve the sustainability of their operations. The clinic, which began on Wednesday, September 20, at the Morant Villas Hotel & Conference Centre in Morant Bay, was organised by the Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC). Among the topics covered were: starting a business, record keeping, money management, marketing and customer service.

"There is great need for business information in St. Thomas and what we do at the JBDC is promote entrepreneurial activities and development, so the clinic will expose participants to information relating to business and starting a business in Jamaica," explained Lisa-Anne Edwards, team leader, Business Advisory Services.

- JIS News

A special drain is currently being constructed in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall. The project is being implemented by the National Works Agency (NWA).

Speaking with JIS News during a recent tour of the area, Richard Azan, the State Minister for Housing, Transport, Water and Works, indicated that the work would be completed soon, as phase two was currently under way.

"We are here to actually hand over the contract for the start of the box culvert system. Our estimate is that in about 90 days, all should be completed," he said.

Mr. Azan pointed out that the overall cost for the project was approximately $8 million.