Bog Walk, St. Catherine:

Nine outstanding educators who have given unselfish service to the field of education will be honoured by the Church Road Citizens' Association (CRCA) in Bog Walk, St. Catherine.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Sunday at Bethel Baptist Church in the community.

Heading the list of educators is Oren Cousins, retired principal of Bog Walk High School and author. Mr. Cousins is a lover of the literary arts, music and gardening.

He is the recipient of several literary awards including the Vic Reid Award for Children's and Young People's Literature, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Bronze Medal in creative writing as well as The Gleaner Silver Pen award.

His first novel, entitled Road To Damascus, was recently published by LMH Book Publishing Ltd. Other Awardees

The other awardees are: Frederick Lewis, principal of Bog Walk High School; Dennis Clarke, principal of Dinthill Technical High; Rufie Bromfield, retired principal of Troja Primary and Junior High; retired teachers, Violet M. Lee and Ancelata Worrell; Beryl Demetrius, retired vice principal of Linstead Primary and Junior High; Ansell White, retired principal and senior instructor at Spanish Town Training Centre; and Sybil Duncan, acting principal at Harewood All-Age.

Tribute will also be paid to five outstanding community stalwarts. They are: Emla Thomas, president of the West Prospect Senior Citizens' Club; Ruby Cameron, president at Orangefield Senior Citizens' Club; the Rev. Denzil Jack and Roy Stennett, the president of Church Road and Senior Citizens' Club; and Dean Rhoden, president of the Hermitage Citizens' Association in August Town, St. Andrew.

Seven students will also receive educational awards; one will pocket the Church Road Citizens' association Scholarship valued at $12,000.

Karen Sudu, CRCA's president, told The Gleaner that paying tribute to the honourees is an added feature of the association's annual educational awards programme. She noted that the contribution they have made could not go unnoticed, as they have given 'service beyond the call of duty' and must be thanked wholeheartedly.

Ms. Sudu explained that the honourees were selected based on recommendations and the visibility of their sterling contribution to their respective fields.

Montego Bay, St. James

The failure of a large number of applicants to pass the entry-level diagnostic assessment has hampered efforts to certify the nation's workforce, according to George Coleman, regional manager of HEART/NTA Northern Region.

"One of the major challenges we face as a region is getting qualified applicants for some of our training programmes," Mr. Coleman said this week. "Currently grade nine-level achievement is the minimum requirement, yet some persons have failed to pass the assessment exercise."

The HEART/NTA regional manager was giving his general report at the annual regional certification ceremony for some 901 students, from the Falmouth, Beechamville and Port Maria vocational training centres, at the Starfish Resort in Trelawny on Wednesday.

- Mark Titus

Port Antonio, Portland

The National Works Agency (NWA) will be implementing a one-way rotary system for motorists in Port Maria, in order to improve the flow of traffic in that town.

The NWA's Senior Communications Officer, Collin Morrison, said the system would be put in place on the completion of a new bridge which is being constructed simultaneously with major rehabilitation work currently being carried out as part of the implementation of the Northern Coastal Highway project between Ocho Rios and Port Antonio.

- JIS

Lluidas Vale, St. Catherine

Personnel from the Ministry of Education and Youth conducted a cluster workshop on Thursday at the Lluidas Vale All-Age School in St. Catherine.

It was geared to improve members of the Curriculum Implementation Team's understanding of the Revised Primary Curriculum.

This is part of an islandwide thrust to enable stakeholders to better understand the integrated aspect of this programme of study.

- Elgin Taylor

Falmouth, Trelawny

The Falmouth Town Hall/Courthouse, often described as an eyesore, is to get a $5 million facelift.

The plan comes under the umbrella of the Lift Up Jamaica Programme and will be completed before the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC). Already a local committee has been formed and within weeks applications will start being accepted. The work will require 20 workers.

- Richard Morais

Yallahs, St. Thomas

The former executive director of Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Dr. Omer Thomas, was on Wednesday confirmed as the Jamaica Labour Party's candidate for the next general election in Eastern St. Thomas.

Dr. Thomas was the only nominee put forward as, for some time, he has been working in the constituency and has received the endorsement of the party's leadership.

- Arthur Green

Port Antonio, Portland

Residents of Portland joined with the rest of Jamaica to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought in both World Wars at the annual Remembrance Day Service, held in Port Antonio last Sunday.

The function, which was organised by the Portland Parish Council, was attended by Custos of Portland, Roy Thompson; Mayor of Port Antonio, Benny White; and Councillor Dexter Rowland, representing Member of Parliament for Eastern Portland, Dr. Donald Rhodd.

Uniformed groups on parade included the police, cadets and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.