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MONTEGO BAY — The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), says it will be working with local government authorities to address flooding in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland and Black River, St. Elizabeth. The move comes against the background of a study, which identified flooding as the primary hazard in the coastal towns. The study, done by a consulting firm, Smith...

KINGSTON — Effective Monday, July 11 the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) will be extending a six-week amnesty to persons, who are building or have had construction done without the approval of the council. “We are appealing to persons to take in whatever drawings they have to be reviewed and we will see whether or not it is possible...

KINGSTON — Residents of Homestead in St. Catherine have welcomed the upgrading of the community centre as a critical element in the process of moving the area forward while contributing to their own development. The $44 million project, undertaken by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) under its Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP II), includes construction of a computer laboratory and...

KINGSTON — A Bill to give Parish Councillors and Mayors the powers of a Justice of the Peace (JP) was approved by the Senate on June 24. Under theAttestation of Instruments (Facilities) (Amendment) Act, Councillors and Mayors of municipalities will be able to verify and attest documents for the period they hold office. Minister of Justice and Leader of Government...

PORT ANTONIO — Increasing incidents of depression leading to acts of suicide, have led mental health facilities to commence a more vigorous campaign to alert persons to the warning signs. The Portland Community Mental Health Service has established additional rehabilitative methods and revamped its outreach programmes, to sensitize persons and bring awareness to prevent its progression. Mental Health Officer at...

KINGSTON — The Department of Local Government will be hosting a roundtable discussion targeting key stakeholders, as it seeks to ramp-up the local governance reform process. The forum, to be held on Tuesday, June 14 at the department’s Hagley Park Road location in Kingston, is being convened under the theme: ‘Perspectives’. It will facilitate the views of stakeholders and assess...

MONTEGO BAY — As cruise ship arrivals become more common in Falmouth, the Trelawny Parish Council is moving to formalize craft vending in the town. Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Collin Gager, told the monthly meeting of the Trelawny Parish Council, on Thursday (June 10), in Falmouth, that a registration process has taken place, and background checks are being done on...

KINGSTON — The media tour of the Christiana Road Project will be held next Thursday (June 16), said Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz. The tour, previously scheduled for Friday (June 10), has been rescheduled due to the inclement weather. Minister of Transport and Works, Hon. Michael Henry, and Finance and Public Service Minister,...

MANDEVILLE — Mayfield All Age School lifted one of several trophies presented at the 2011 St. Elizabeth Health Department’s public awareness campaign against smoking exposition, at the school on Tuesday May 31. The trophy was one of several awarded by the health department at the exposition staged to celebrate World No Tobacco Day under the theme “I will do what...

MANDEVILLE — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has called on residents of Hounslow and Bigwoods to protect their new basic school, constructed at a cost of over $24 million by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). “This asset belongs to you in the community and you must protect...

KINGSTON — Cabinet has approved a US$6,343,220 contract to Kier Construction Limited for the construction of a wastewater pumping facility at Darling Street, Kingston. Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunication and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, informed that the project forms part of the Kingston Water and Sanitation Project, being undertaken...

PORT ANTONIO — The community of Fairy Hill in Portland now has a community centre to serve its citizens. The facility, completed in 2008, was officially opened at a function on Thursday, May 27. It is located on the grounds of Poinciana Park in Fairy Hill, and was built under the Lift Up Jamaica Programme and completed in 2009. The...