Growth expected for St Ann

OCHO RIOS, ST. ANN:

Members of the business sector in St. Ann are looking forward to another positive year of growth in business for the parish in 2008.

President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, Norma Walters, said the parish was blessed with increased capital injection during 2007 and that the business sector anticipated further growth in the economy in 2008.

In her forecast for the New Year, Mrs. Walters pointed to a major housing and commercial development at Richmond Estate, a new shopping centre to be opened in Ocho Rios and the planned opening of the Chamber's conference and business information centre, also in Ocho Rios, as some of the many projects that would impact positively on the economy of the parish.

Despite the positive outlook, she was, however, mindful of the negative effect that the increasing oil prices and the spiralling trend in basic food items could have on the overall economy.

For the year 2008, Mrs. Walters said members of the chamber would love to see serious attention given to crime, harassment, squatting and sidewalk vending.

- Devon Evans

No chicken shortage - Tufton

KINGSTON:

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said the recent decision by the Government to permit duty-free importation on chicken meat during the Christmas season, should alleviate any possible shortage of the commodity.

Dr. Tufton added that this action, however, might not prevent a price increase.

He also noted that the Government has made provisions for the importation of eggs and kidney beans to prevent any possible shortage of those commodities during the season.

Dr. Tufton said the Ministry would be undertaking a number of activities to cushion the impact of increasing food prices on local consumers. One activity would be the launch of a backyard gardening programme next year.

- JIS

Fire destroys dwelling

SANTA CRUZ, ST. ELIZABETH:

One family at Brighton in Santa Cruz did not have much to celebrate this year after a fire of unknown origin destroyed their four-apartment dwelling early Christmas morning.

According to reports, neighbours saw fire coming from a section of the dwelling some time after 12:30 a.m. and called the fire department.

One unit from the Santa Cruz Fire Station responded and it took some time to bring the fire under control.

Owner of the house, Faith Findlay, was not at home when the fire occurred.

Fire fighters from the Santa Cruz station have estimated losses of $4.5 million dollars.

Both the Santa Cruz police and the fire department have commenced investigations to determine the cause of the fire.

- Neville Paul

Westmoreland son dies in car accident

LLANDILO, WESTMORELAND:

Ryan Samuels, 22, of Bay Road in Westmoreland, died tragically when the car he was driving lost control and crashed into a parked truck.

Samuels was reportedly driving his father's Red Honda Civic along the Llandilo main road in the direction of Little London when the vehicle reportedly got out of control.

Persons in the vicinity at the time of the crash said they saw the car sliding sideways after coming around a curve. The vehicle then skidded off the road and crashed into the parked truck. Samuels, who was alone in the vehicle, died on the spot.

The Savanna-la-Mar police, who are investigating, insist speeding was one of the main contributors to the accident and warned motorists to exercise extreme caution when using the roads in the holiday season.

Motorists are asked to drive within the speed limits for their own safety and the safety of other users of the road.

- Dalton Laing

Gunman kills one, injures three

SILOAH, St. Elizabeth:

A shooting at a dance at Crown Land, Thornton, St. Elizabeth, has left one man dead and three injured, including a police officer.

The dead man has been identified as 35-year-old, Devon Austin of Williamsfield, while those injured are district constable attached to the Siloah Police Station, Richard Josephs, Clayton Dennis and Leonard Malcolm, all of Thornton.

Mr. Austin, who only returned to the island on Christmas Eve, had a dispute with a man yesterday following a minor motor vehicle accident.

Last night, while at a dance at Crown Land in the Thornton community, the man again confronted Austin and another dispute developed.

It is alleged that the man pulled a gun and opened fire, hitting Austin in the head.

Incident

Mr. Austin died on the spot and it was later discovered that the three other persons were injured.

Constable Richards' forehead was grazed, while Mr. Dennis was shot in the shoulder and leg and Mr. Malcolm was shot in the mouth.

All four were taken to the Black River Hospital where Austin was pronounced dead and the injured were admitted.

The Siloah police have since launched a search for the man responsible for the shooting, who, they claim, is well known.

- Neville Paul