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Five local authorities and two organisations were given special awards at the Third Annual Local Government Recognition Awards ceremony, held at Laughing Waters, Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on November 30.  The ceremony was the culmination of activities for Local Government and Community Development Month, which is observed in November each year.  This year’s activities were observed under the theme: ‘Local...

It is now official.  The Very Reverend Canon Hartley Perrin is the new Custos Rotulorum for the parish of Westmoreland. He was installed by the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, at the Manning’s High School, in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on November 29. The new Custos replaces the Hon. Owen Sinclair, who has retired after serving the parish...

Members of the public are being invited to take advantage of the multi-faceted services being offered at the Hope Zoo as part of the upgrading and refurbishing work now underway. Curator of the zoo, Orlando Robinson, tells JIS News that these services include guided school tours, and a petting zoo “where you can have an interactive experience with the animals”....

The parish of St. Elizabeth is expected to benefit significantly under Phase II of the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP). This was stated by Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, at the 20th St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation Golden Awards Banquet, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on November 28. Senator Falconer said one of...

The 32 fire personnel attached to the Santa Cruz Fire Station in St. Elizabeth are now serving the public from more comfortable and modern facilities. The fire station was recently refurbished at a cost of $14.7 million, through funding provided by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, with contributions from other public and private sources. Addressing the re-dedication...

Government Senator, Floyd Morris, says removing the sociological, structural, and environmental barriers impeding the progress of persons with disabilities, is essential for them to make meaningful contributions to the society. "The talent is there, the potential is there, but it is being suppressed by the barriers that are there within the society and the lack of awareness by the general...

Government Senator, Floyd Morris, says removing the sociological, structural, and environmental barriers impeding the progress of persons with disabilities, is essential for them to make meaningful contributions to the society. “The talent is there, the potential is there, but it is being suppressed by the barriers that are there within the society and the lack of awareness by the general...

Jamaican-born senior specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Dr. Winsome Leslie, is the recipient of the 2012 Antonio Ortiz Mena Award, presented by the bank annually. Dr. Leslie is one of only five IDB staff from the Caribbean to have received the award, which was introduced in 1989.  She is currently theCoordinator for the English-speaking Caribbean and Haiti in...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says the Government is looking to pass legislation to protect the nation’s women and children against abuse. Mrs. Simpson Miller said that she has asked Justice Minister, Senator Mark Golding, to look at legislation that will allow DNA evidence to be used , “so that when somebody rape, they can’t say is...

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) will be observing Disabilities Awareness Week from November 25 to December 3, under the theme: Jamaica: Removing Barriers…Creating Access. Public Relations Officer at the JCPD, Adrienne Pinnock, said this year's observance will seek to promote the rights of persons with disabilities and the fact that they too, are entitled to the enjoyment...

The Evidence (Special Measures) Act 2012 was passed in the Senate on November 23. The Bill seeks to introduce special measures that can be used to facilitate the giving of evidence by vulnerable witnesses and other specified witnesses. Opening the debate, Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, noted that the Bill provides for the admission of video recorded...

Government Senator, Floyd Morris, is calling on the private sector to employ more persons with disabilities. Senator Morris, who was addressing a receptive audience at the recent Inaugural Disability Friendly Awards and Gala Dinner at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel, said that persons with disabilities have demonstrated their capacity to perform academically and would like the opportunity to demonstrate their skills...