The more than 90 students and four teachers at the Blackwood Gardens Basic School in Old Harbour Bay will be operating under better conditions following the official handing over of a new school building at a cost of $10.1 million from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

The ceremony took place on the school grounds on Thursday and saw a wide cross section of persons from the community flockingthe venue.

- Rasbert Turner

MONTEGO BAY, St James

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) staged a seminar in Montego Bay on Tuesday to sensitise representatives of Government and related organisations and groups about preparedness.

The aim of the seminar was t the readiness levels of these entities so that, in the event of a disaster, they would lead the charge in responding positively at the community levels until external help is available.

- JIS

PORT ANTONIO, Portland

Several senior police officers in Portland are frustrated at not being included among a batch of more than 80 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) who received promotions recently from Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas.

Although requesting anonymity for security reasons, the officers are pondering their future in the JCF, wondering whether or not a promotion will ever come their way. The officers said they may have to opt for transfers to Kingston, where they believe a promotion is more likely.

- Gareth Davis

HIGHGATE, St Mary

A new type three health clinic is being built in Highgate, St. Mary to enhance the delivery of public health care to the residents of that community and surrounding areas.

Work on the $87 million project, which is being funded by the National Health Fund, began in January of this year, and is scheduled for completion in December. The new facility will replace the old clinic, which has been serving the community for many years, but could no longer adequately meet the needs of citizens.

- JIS

MONTPELIER, St James

The 2007 renewal of the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial show is scheduled for the Montpelier Show Grounds in St. James, on Monday, April 9.

Under the theme, 'Grow our fortune through agriculture - Eat Jamaican', the one-day show, which has been described by Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Roger Clarke, as "the premier agri-expo in the western part of Jamaica" is expected to attract some 20,000 patrons.

President of the St. James Association of Branch Societies, Glendon Harris, said the show is expected to bring together farmers, horticulturalists, craftsmen and other agricultural interests from across the island, to exhibit their various products, and compete in a range of activities. He informed that the exhibits would include livestock, birds, fish, craft, and a variety of local products.

- JIS

MAY PEN, Clarendon

Customers served by the Clarendon Park Water Supply Facility in Clarendon, will experience a disruption in their piped water supply from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Monday, April 2, according to the National Water Commission.

The disruption is to facilitate repairs to the well, which will be carried out by the National Irrigation Commission. Customers are therefore being advised to store water for use during this period of disruption. The areas to be affected are, Clarendon Park, Tooles, Land Settlement and Toll Gate.