The charity arms of three of the island’s major utility companies joined with Food For the Poor to give back to residents of St. Elizabeth on July 10. Digicel Foundation, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation and Flow Foundation, came together to distribute much-needed care packages containing non-perishable food items and water, and tarpaulins to persons in Parottee, Slipe and Crawford,...

The Banana Board is urging banana and plantain farmers to be prepared for possible increases in pest populations, following the recent heavy rains caused by Hurricane Beryl. Bananas are known to attract varying numbers and types of pests. Once flooding occurs, roots are often left waterlogged, which creates the ideal environment for pests. General Manager of the Banana Board, Janet...

The opportunity to help people who have been victims of crime was what inspired Sergeant Shermaine Hassock to join the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Having lost her father at the hands of gunmen as a child, she imagined that by becoming a police officer she would help rid communities of criminals and prevent others from experiencing the same intense pain...

Although residents of Rocky Point in Clarendon South East suffered devastation and losses with the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3, they are grateful for their lives and those of families and neighbours. When JIS News arrived at the Rocky Point Community Centre on Saturday, July 6, which is still an active shelter for those who lost their homes,...

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Universal Service Fund (USF), Dr. Daniel Dawes, made a significant contribution to Jamaica’s technological advancement. “Under his remarkable leadership, the USF navigated through some of the most challenging times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Dawes immediately understood that technology was not...

Over 600 local economic initiatives (LEIs) and business owners (own account workers) have benefitted from grant funding totalling $160 million under the Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP) since 2017. Director of Local Economic Development and Community Projects at the Social Development Commission (SDC), Avril Ranger, tells JIS News that the funds have been used by the recipients to improve...

The University of Technology (UTech) Students’ Union Council is targeting the enrolment of at least 600 youngsters in its 2024 ‘Teach the Youth’ summer programme, which gets under way on Wednesday (July 3). The three-week camp will benefit students aged six to 18 from Papine Kintyre, Highlight View, Tavern, Sandy Park, August Town and Hermitage. Over the duration, members of...

Hydrography is a branch of applied sciences dealing with understanding, measuring and mapping seabed topography and coastal features, which is of particular importance to island territories such as Jamaica. The Topographic and Hydrographic branch of the National Land Agency (NLA) is responsible for the island’s hydrographic surveying and is the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) focal point for Jamaica. Jamaica officially...

Jamaican-born Professor of Law and Education in the United States (US), Dwight Elliott, says he is grateful for the experience and accomplishments gained while attending the recent 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference. He was among the more than 1,000 persons drawn from 17 countries, including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Canada, who had the opportunity to network...