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All schools will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday as rains associated with Hurricane Wilma are expected to continue for the next 36-48 hours. An assessment will be carried out on Thursday to determine if schools will reopen on Friday. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Committee called by Prime Minister Patterson at Jamaica...

Prime Minister Patterson has instructed the PIOJ to work with the sugar industry to formulate a country strategy and plan of action for developing a sugar cane based industry that will include the production of ethanol. The plan is to be ready for submission to the European Union by December 2005. The Prime Minister said that the plan would provide...

Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson, has expressed support for the government's environmental record and practices, as it relates to the granting of permits for developmental projects. Speaking against the background of the development the US$150 million 2,000 room development in the Point area of Lucea, Hanover by the Fiesta Hotel group, Minister Robertson said critics were being grossly unfair...

Despite persistent heavy rains associated with a tropical depression, some 138 of 157 Jamaicans turned out to be recognised at the National Honours and Awards ceremony, held at King's House in Kingston today (October 17). Of that number, four persons were conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ) for outstanding contribution in the areas of Sports, Religion, Ophthalmology and Art....

During the fiscal year 2004/2005, the Jamaica Fire Brigade saved property valued at an estimated $2 billion. This disclosure was made by Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport Portia Simpson-Miller, at the presentation ceremony of fire-fighting equipment at the Ministry's Hagley Park Road offices, on October 13. Minister Simpson-Miller also told the gathering that the Fire Brigade had...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised that as the island continues to experience the effects of Hurricane Wilma, the threat of flooding still remains imminent. Recent reports have been received from sections of St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon St. Ann and St. Catherine as the rains continue to severely affect these parishes. In case of...

The National Works Agency (NWA) is working feverishly to restore access to all thoroughfares on the road network that have been affected by the heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Wilma. Petra-kene Williams, NWA's Acting Communications and Customer Relations Manager told JIS News that the agency has already received 80 reports of flooded or blocked roads and the agency was working...

Due to the poor weather condition affecting the island, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is advising passengers to be present at their respective bus stops as early as possible. Gwyneth Harold, Manager of Marketing and Public Relations at the JUTC told JIS News in an interview that the constant showers would affect the regular schedule of the company's buses,...

As Jamaica continues to be drenched with heavy rains as Hurricane Wilma drifts away from the island, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has reported that more than 300 persons are currently being housed in 11 shelters across the country. Director General of ODPEM, Dr. Barbara Carby, who was speaking at an emergency meeting of the National...

Many persons turned out yesterday (October 17), at the Anglican Church in Port Antonio to pay tribute to the National Heroes and to observe the annual Heroes Day Parade in Portland. The function, which was originally scheduled to be held at the Market Square in the town in front of the cenotaph, had to be diverted to the church because...

St. Mary High School has emerged winners of the annual heritage debating competition for high schools in Portland and St. Mary, organised by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS). St. Mary High and Titchfield High Schools took part in the final, which was held at the Portland Parish Library in Port Antonio on October 13. The moot debated was: 'Be it...

The severe weather condition associated with Hurricane Wilma, has caused major water damage to the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine. Affected at the hospital are the maternity and accident and emergency wards, which are now isolated due to flooding. Speaking at an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Committee, held at Jamaica House today (Oct. 18), Dr. Marion Bullock-Ducasse,...