After experiencing significant setbacks in his education consequent on the curtailment of classroom instructional delivery by COVID-19, Laterell McKenzie has emerged as the top business student at José Martí High School in St. Catherine. For attaining nine business subjects in the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) external tests, he was awarded the inaugural Rohan Silvera Business Award, two trophies, a plaque,...

For more than 20 years, Jamaican entertainer and international recording artiste, Orville “Shaggy” Burrell and his Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation have supported the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) programme of ‘mending little hearts’. Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the hospital, Dr. Sherard Little, tells JIS News that the Foundation’s involvement with the health facility has served the institution well, adding...

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) provides a range of pensions and benefits to contributors of all ages and circumstances. The Scheme is funded by taxpayers through compulsory National Insurance contributions and is the source from which pensions and other benefits are paid. All persons between the ages of 18 and 70 who earn an income are required to be registered...

Much like their onion-producing counterparts in the Western end of the parish, farmers in Eastern St. Thomas are looking to make record-breaking strides in the cultivation of cassava. Nigel Levy, who has a plot in the Plantain Garden River Agro-Park, tells JIS News that the farmers there have turned to cassava as a steady crop that can survive the vagaries...

Most persons would gasp in horror at the waves of trash crashing on to the beaches, threatening the island’s pristine shoreline and quickly move on, leaving the responsibility of addressing the issue to someone else. But not Paige Garnett. This young environmental activist is determined to keep Jamaica clean, one beach and community at a time. Her aim is to...

Already, the year 2024 is shaping up to be the dawn of a new era in St. Thomas, with significant improvements in the road infrastructure set to attract major investments to the eastern parish. The Government’s larger-than-life Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) is now at an advanced stage and this has meant many kilometres of four-lane roadways, smooth asphalted...

When The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus held its graduation exercises recently, Jamar Grant was the only male in a quartet of valedictorians selected. Jamar, who is the first in his family to complete tertiary education, never once thought he would be standing at the podium, representing the Faculty of Humanities and Education to deliver the valedictorian...

Norwich, Portland, a tiny coastal district located five minutes outside the parish capital of Port Antonio, has slowly gained over time, the enviable reputation of having the best tasting breadfruit in the world. With its unique flavour and versatile culinary applications, the produce is not only highly sought after locally, but is also one of the most requested items from...

When Dr. Teddy Barks is on duty at the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) you can feel the excitement of the children, see their wide smiles and for a moment many temporarily forget their surroundings as they embrace him. Dr. Teddy Barks is a golden retriever that is part of the Animal Assisted Recovery Care (AARC) Pilot Project, which was...