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Since its genesis in 1952, the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show has traditionally been known for its display of the very best in local livestock, agricultural and horticultural exhibits from all 14 parishes. However, come July 30 to August 1, Jamaicans are in for a treat with some very special and unique additions to the usual displays, exhibits and competitions....

All 24 emergency shelters that were opened in St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland during the passage of Hurricane Dennis on July 7, have now been closed. Some 250 persons who left their homes for precautionary and other reasons to seek shelter, have returned to their homes. At the peak of the passing of the hurricane, three emergency shelters were opened...

The National Works Agency (NWA) will be carrying out repairs to the Railway Bridge in St. Margaret's Bay, Portland to facilitate the movement of vehicular traffic, following the damage done to the Rio Grande bridge by Hurricane Dennis on July 7. Located in the same community on the main road between Port Antonio and other important commercial centres, including Kingston...

While Portland and sections of neighbouring parishes were battered by strong winds and heavy rains caused by Hurricane Dennis on July 7, residents of the western parishes of Westmoreland, Hanover and St. James are breathing sighs of relief, having escaped the devastation many were dreading. Except for the usual heavy showers and moderate winds, these parishes escaped much of the...

The parishes of St. Elizabeth and Manchester are reporting very little damage from Hurricane Dennis, which caused significant flooding and landslides in a number of communities across the island.Parish Disaster Coordinator for Manchester, Sherina Smith told JIS News that the emergency structure was put in place very early to offer any assistance needed. "Of course our Emergency Operation Centre (EOC)...

Senior Superintendent of Police, Owen Ellington has said that the passage of Hurricane Dennis on July 7, was relatively free of looting, with only two reported cases. "For the entire period of the hurricane, we had just two reports of break-ins into business premises; one in the St. Andrew South Division and the other in the St. Andrew North division....

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is encouraging pensioners who have not yet registered to receive electronic swipe cards under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pensioners' health plan to do so, or risk losing the benefits which the card provides. The electronic swipe cards, which came into effect April 1, replace the previously used paper cards, which are now...

Monday, July 11 will be observed as World Population Day, under the theme: 'Gender Equality'. Manager of the Social Development and Gender Unit at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Mary Clarke explained to JIS News that, "equality is important for national development". Assessing the status of women in Jamaica, Miss Clarke said that with the ratio of men to...

The Ministry of Agriculture is currently conducting a census of the bee industry, aimed at providing relevant data for further development and future planning. Reginald Peddy, Chief Apiculture Officer at the Apiculture Unit at Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine, informed JIS News that teams have been in the field for the last week and a half gathering information. "They...

The National Works Agency has been instructed by Prime Patterson to proceed beyond emergency work to restore roads in St. Thomas and Portland that have been badly affected by Hurricane Dennis. He has also contacted the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) to supply petrol to these two parishes. The Prime Minister was speaking with journalists at Jamaica House this afternoon...

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has called for Caribbean Countries to create alliances especially in the area of agricultural trade, as this would ensure the region's competitiveness in the global economy, and more importantly ensure the region's food security. Noting that a contingent of dignitaries from 14 Caribbean countries was expected at this year's Denbigh...

The St. Catherine Parish Disaster Committee is compiling a list of volunteers who will offer their services in the event of a disaster. Co-ordinator for the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in the parish, Patricia Lewis told JIS News that the decision was made at a recent disaster committee meeting, as it was felt that there was...