FROME, WESTMORELAND:

Chairman of the Jamaica National Bicentenary Committee, Professor Verene Shepherd, has called for an expansion of the national heritage calendar to embrace critical moments in the country's history, which have helped to shape the nation.

Professor Shepherd, who was delivering the main address at a ceremony last Thursday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the labour riots at the Frome Sugar Estate in Westmoreland, said while the existing calendar was commendable, there were still critical gaps in the country's history not accounted for.

Professor Shepherd clarified her statement by saying she was not lobbying for all significant dates in the country's history to be declared public holidays, but that some form of recognition be given to them, no matter how small.

Professor Shepherd said a more accurate calendar would incorporate some of the dates recognised by the Jamaica National Bicentenary Committee, in addition to other significant dates.

The function was staged through the collaborative efforts of the Institute of Jamaica and the Frome Sugar Estate to mark the 1938 riots, which changed Jamaica's social and political history. A monument was laid to mark the spot where the labour unrest, which led to the riots, began.

Businessman shot in Ocho Rios

OCHO RIOS, ST ANN:

A 42-year-old businessman was shot and injured during a robbery at a bank on Main Street on Monday morning.

The injured businessman has been identified as Collin Lee, the manager of the Ocho Rios branch of Caribbean Turf Services Ltd.

Lee was shot at Scotiabank, Ocho Rios, where he had gone to make a lodgement of $300,000.

Reports are that shortly after Lee drove on to the compound and alighted from his vehicle he was pounced on by two gunmen, who demanded that he hand over a bag with the cash.

Lee reportedly refused the order and one of the gunmen opened fire, hitting him twice.

The men escaped with the money though Lee, who is said to be a licensed firearm holder, fired back at his attackers. It is not known whether any of them were hit.

Lee was rushed to hospital and was in stable condition.

The Ocho Rios police are investigating.

MORANT BAY, ST THOMAS:

There has been a marked improvement in the number of food establishments seeking to comply with health regulations in St Thomas.

Chief public health inspector of the St Thomas Public Health Department, Charles Lewis, made the announcement recently while addressing a meeting in Morant Bay.

Lewis said that since a zero- tolerance initiative was launched, whereby only one notice was served on delinquent operators, followed by a cease and desist order, many persons without proper licences from the health department have come forward to formalise their operations.

The situation, Lewis said, had got out of hand, and food preparation, for public consumption, could soon cause major health scares.

According to Lewis, similar actions were about to be taken against barbers and hairdressers.

More development for the green parish

PORT ANTONIO, PORTLAND:

An all-inclusive facility is to be constructed in Port Antonio as Government seeks to revive the fragile tourism sector in the resort town, which is rapidly declining.

While bidding farewell to captains and crew of the various vessels participating in the World Clipper Yacht Race in Port Antonio, Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, told The Gleaner exciting days were ahead.

"This will be the most luxurious all-inclusive facility to be built in the Caribbean," he said. "Construction of this facility is scheduled to start towards the end of this year. It is important to note that the Caribbean has never seen a six-diamond property, which will be a plus," said Bartlett.

The minister explained that a 165 all-suite spa hotel is also included in the construction, which will be built by Plantation Grande.

Bartlett, however, said it was highly unlikely casino gambling would be one of the attractions because the facility would not be large enough to accommodate it.

Portland, through the efforts of Michael Lee Chin, has been undergoing development recently with the restoration of the Titchfield peninsula, renovation of Trident Hotel, preservation of the Port Antonio courthouse, along with the construction of a new court at Bryan's Bay.