MONTEGO BAY, ST. JAMES:

The Salvation Army in western Jamaica officially launched its Annual Christmas Kettle in the heart of Montego Bay, Sam Sharpe Square, yesterday.

Deputy Mayor, Cecil Davis, representative from the Jamaica Police Co-op Credit Union, Corporal Carlton Sterling, and president of the Lay Magistrates' Association of St. James, Joseph Williams, all made the first contributions to the kettle.

In addition, a contribution was made on behalf of former Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and his wife Lady Cooke, who were unavoidably absent.

There are eight kettles in Montego Bay in locations from Super Plus, Fairview at Bogue to Shoppers Fair at the Blue Diamond Shopping Centre at Ironshore.

- Denise Reid

MANDEVILLE, MANCHESTER:

Deputy Mayor of Mandeville, Sally Porteous, has given what some in the town are calling a break from the daily diet of scandal-related news when she proposed that Brooks Park in Mandeville be turned into a rainforest. Her proposal came during a meeting of the Manchester Parish Council last week Thursday and has been the talk of the town ever since.

When The Gleaner spoke with Mrs. Porteous on Wednesday, she said she made the proposal because the park is the last piece of green open land left in the town.

According to Mrs. Porteous, Brooks Park could be a pilot project and a proper study done to see if other such areas across the island could be turned into mini-forests with the help of other environment al agencies.

- Angelo Laurence

JUNCTION, ST. ELIZABETH:

The Junction Vocation Training Centre in, St. Elizabeth, challenged a number of young persons during its annual Open Day.

The day's activities, including the exhibitions took place at Roye's Plaza in the busy town of Junction on Wednesday.

Speaking with The Gleaner following the day's activity, Jackie Wright, administrative assistant of the centre, said it was very beneficial to the students who participated and a lot of interest was generated on behalf of trainees.

Elain Holloway, manager of the centre, explained that the purpose of the Open Day, was to familiarise the participants with furniture making, electical installation, date, operations/web page design, welding, cosmetology, and early childhood care and development.

- Rayon Dyer

YALLAHS, ST. THOMAS:

Double Deuce Jamaica Limited officially opened a multimillion-dollar agro-processing factory at the Yallahs Industrial Complex in St. Thomas on Thursday.

Double Deuce will initially be a processing plant primarily for ackees.

The new factory is expected to generate jobs, as more than 70 employees will make up the labour force at th of the ackee season.

The Chong family, who operates Patty King in Toronto, Canada, will run the newly-opened factory.

The Chong family's venture into Jamaica is an extension of existing distribution operations in the New York metropolitan area of the United States of America, and Toronto.

- Contributed

MONTEGO BAY, ST. JAMES:

Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, has said the Government will be revitalising the neighbourhood watch and police youth club programmes to build better relations between police and civilians and reduce crime and violence.

The minister, who was delivering the main address at the 20th annual Neighbourhood Watch Conference in Montego Bay, recently, said crime and violence couldn't survive where community spirit thrives.