Truck driver Noel Meylor, 67, of Burnt Savannah in Westmoreland, was held for questioning and later released by the Savanna-la-Mar traffic police in connection with the death of an elderly man.

At about 10:45 Thursday morning, 86-year-old Neville Green, of Russia in Westmoreland, was reportedly crossing Great George Street on his bicycle when he collided with an Isuzu truck.

Meylor, who was travelling along Rose Street, told the police that he stopped at the junction before entering Great George Street, and after the roadway became free of oncoming traffic, he proceeded along Great George Street. Green, who was on Great George Street, allegedly attempted to cross the street before thetruck could reach him, but was unable to do so.

- Dalton Laing

MONTEGO BAY, St James

Efforts to enhance the standard of early childhood education in Jamaica got under way recently, with the launch of an islandwide public education campaign, to sensitise all stakeholders in the system about the objectives of the new thrust.

With the aim of reaching all parents, teachers and members of school boards in all areas across the country by the end of April, workshops are being held in western Jamaica, under the theme 'Start them right, make them bright'.

- JIS

OCHO RIOS, St Ann

The Ministry of Justice has embarked on a series of public consultations to engage communities and citizens for suggestions that will allow members of the Task Force on Justice Reform to shape recommendations for the way forward.

The meetings, which began on March 15, will continue until April 13 throughout the island. To this end, a consultation was recently held in St. Ann at the Ocho Rios Baptist Church Hall, where members of the public were engaged in discussion with key justice system stakeholders, sharing concerns and highlighting problems with regard to the justice system.

- JIS

CLareMONT, St Ann

Farmers in Douglas Castle can look forward to growing pepper and scallion and market the products through the assistance of Walkerswood Caribbean Foods.

This assurance was given by Rupert Francis, marketing manager of Walkerswood Caribbean Foods at a Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) marketing workshop on integrated approach to sustainable agricultural development at the Douglas Castle Basic School on Monday.

- Leslie McLean

LUCEA, Hanover

Agricultural production in Hanover is poised for growth, as the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in that parish has established its own vegetable plant nursery.

According to the Hanover RADA parish manager, Bernard Goffe, the nursery was producing between 23,000 and 27,000 seedlings for farmers in the parish, but the demandhas outgrown the production levels. As a result, a new high nursery was established on the grounds of the RADA office in that parish to meet the demand.

- JIS

BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth

On Thursday, April 5, the St. Elizabeth Health Department will be staging a health walk from Top Hill to Yardley Chase Road in the south-east section of the parish.

This is being done to encourage persons to get involved in a programme of physical exercise for personal well-being.

Health educator with the department, Delphine Grandison, noted that the theme for the day would be 'Come and Walk for Health'.

- JIS