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The House of Representatives yesterday (Nov. 21) passed an Act to Repeal the Public Gardens Regulation Act of 1899, to among other things, increase the fines for breaches of the law. Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Hon. Roger Clarke, in outlining the amendments to the legislation, which governs the use of public parks and zoos, explained that, "although the Act...

The European Commission and the Government of Jamaica today (Nov. 22) signed a $165 million (two million euros) financial agreement to provide funding for the rehabilitation and maintenance of more than 30 rural and parochial roads. "This is a very important signing ceremony as it reflects continuation of the European Union's support for the Government of Jamaica, directed specifically through...

Jamaican-born Shirley Graham Paul is one of several residents whose stories are featured in a new book 'Routes to Reading', which chronicles the lives of immigrants who live in Reading in South East England. Mrs. Graham Paul, who is originally from Kingston, told JIS news, that she was both humbled and honoured to have been selected. "I am terribly humbled...

Scores of students are expected to gather at the Stella Maris Resource Centre at 62 Shortwood Road at 9:00 a.m. on November 24 to participate in the annual Youth Forum organised by the National Child Month Committee (NCMC). The forum will focus on the theme this year for Child Month, 'Restore the Family: Save the Children' and will see representatives...

Many Jamaicans across the island can now contribute to the governance of their communities and parishes. This is possible through the Community Development Committees (CDCs), an entity facilitated and supported by the Social Development Commission (SDC). Director of Governance at the SDC, Richard Billings, tells JIS News that one of the main functions of the CDCs is to provide a...

To improve the literacy level among primary school students, the Education Transformation Team at the Ministry of Education and Youth will be launching an activity dubbed, Reading Pals, in January 2007. Elaine Cunningham, Curriculum Teaching and Workstream Lead of the Education Transformation Team, tells JIS News that the overall mandate of the programme is to improve the reading levels of...

Cabinet on (November 20), approved the award of contracts in the sum of $405.2 million for repair work to be done on 26 roads in 10 parishes, under the special flood damage rehabilitation programme for 2006/07. Addressing the weekly post Cabinet press-briefing at Jamaica House, Minister of Information and Development, Donald Buchanan, said the works to be carried out included,...

Proceeds from this year's annual charity ball of the Children of Jamaica Outreach, Inc. (COJO), will go toward its Scholarship Fund, to benefit needy young persons in Jamaica as well as the United States. The gala event will be held on Saturday, December 2, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, LaGuardia Airport, Queens in New York. Minister of Housing, Transport, Water...

The maroon community of Moore Town in Portland will be hosting a special function on Sunday, November 26 to honour former Colonel C.L.G Harris, for his contribution to the development of the community and the advancement of education in the parish. In an interview with JIS News, Colonel Wallace Sterling, said the function was being planned by the Moore Town...

Eleven persons from Hart Hill in Portland were honoured by the Hart Hill Community Scouts Troop Committee, for their contribution to community development, during a special function held in that community on Sunday, November 19. Those honoured were Everald Anderson, Edna McKenzie, Herbert Aitken, Altimont Robinson, Clement Jackson, Maxine Senior, Kenneth Clarke, Benjamin Shirley, Zola Muir, Reginald Robinson and Clovis...

The National Child Month Committee (NCMC), will be hosting some 200 children today (November 22), at Wynter's Park in St. Catherine. The children selected are from the Glenhope Place of Safety, Early Stimulation Project, 3D Project and the Union Gardens and Trench Town Basic Schools. Chairperson for the Committee, Dr. Pauline Mullings, told JIS News that the trip was partly...

Persons in Eastern Westmoreland who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the community, will be recognized and awarded by the Sandals Whitehouse European Village and Spa, when it launches its 'Community role-model and outstanding citizens scheme', later this week. This first community leaders awards initiative by the hotel forms part of efforts to single out unsung heroes of...