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Prime Minister Bruce Golding this morning (Sept 2) received a cheque for J$20-million from Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) which will go towards assisting the rebuilding of houses destroyed by Tropical Storm Gustav. The presentation took place at Jamaica House and saw the launching of a Gustav Recovery Fund account by Minister of State for Project Implementation and Service Delivery, Daryl...

Two students in South Florida, are winners of this year's annual Jamaica Independence Essay Competition. They are 13 year-old Rhyssa Kathryn-Marie Beckford of Miami, and 18 year-old Christina Pengelley of West Palm Beach. The competition, now in its eighth year, is organised by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), in Miami, and entries were invited from all Jamaican children, residing in...

The Roselle main road in St. Thomas, which has been a source of concern because of storm surges affecting its surface, was virtually unscathed during the recent passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. Secretary/Manager of the St. Thomas Parish Council, Clinton Gordon, told JIS News, that following the passage of the storm, checks were made on potential trouble spots, including Roselle...

Jamaica's triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt continues to be the toast of Jamaica's success at this year's Summer Games in Beijing, China, with astounding performances in the individual Men's 100 and 200 metres events, and the 4x100 metres sprint relay finals. It was a proud moment for all Jamaicans in the Diaspora, including Louis Grant, Vice President of Irie Jam...

Commercial activity in St. Thomas has been seriously affected by the recent passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. The storm destroyed the bridge at Harbour View, which links the parish with Kingston and the rest of the South Coast, disrupting the vital commercial link between the parishes. Work is currently in progress to install a Bailey Bridge at Harbour View, to...

Is Paul Smith the most patriotic Jamaican living in Canada? Most Jamaicans are wondering, every time he drives past them in Toronto, Canada. He has decorated his vehicle, a Mitsubishi SUV, in honour of Jamaica's athletes to this year's Olympic Games in Beijing, China, with four large flags on the roof, a large one on the bonnet and another large...

Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Jasper Lawrence, has advised that the majority of schools would re-open on Wednesday, September 3. In the meantime, he said assessments are taking place to put a timeline on reconstruction efforts for the schools that were adversely affected during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. "Based on the reports we have had...

Twenty two of 23 schools in western Jamaica, that were used as emergency shelters during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav, have been vacated and cleaned by the occupants, and are ready for the re-opening of schools on Wednesday, September 3. During the passing of the storm, five schools in St. James, 11 in Hanover and seven in Westmoreland were...

Social workers in St. Catherine are currently assessing persons at shelters, who were severely affected by the heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Gustav. Some 60 officers from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Poor Relief Department and the Red Cross, are conducting the assessment, which began on August 31. Parish Disaster Co-ordinator, Office of Disaster Preparedness and...

Approximately $581 million worth of damage has been done to the agricultural sector in Portland by Tropical Storm Gustav, according to preliminary estimates carried out by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). The findings, which have been presented to the Ministry of Agriculture, will be followed up with a final assessment, which is expected to be completed by the end...

It's the start of the new school year, and oftentimes, in the hustle and bustle of back-to-school preparations, the importance of good nutrition and its significance to a child's education, as part of the planning process, is overlooked. Paediatric Dietician and Nutrition Internship Co-ordinator in the Ministry of Health and Environment, Deon Bent, is appealing to parents to make the...

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has commended the latest batch of United States (US) Peace Corps volunteers, who have come to serve across the country. "We are very pleased that on this occasion the volunteers will be focussing on Health (HIV/AIDS), Youth and the Environment, including Agriculture. These are among the Government's top priorities and areas of focus, as...