The house in Twickenham Heights in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, where three members of a family, including two teenagers, were murdered Thursday night, A three-year-old child was also injured during the incident. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

WALDERSTON, Manchester

The Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester was recently nominated as the best public sector agency in Jamaica and was congratulated by Minister of Health, Horace Dalley, who spoke of a development plan for the institution while accepting a refurbished conference room from the 'Friends of the Hospital' recently.

The 119-bed hospital, which also received awards for being the most innovative, and the most customer friendly, has been catapulted to the top through the efforts of its staff, a Hospital Improvement Programme, and the group which call themselves 'Friends of the Percy Junor Hospital'.

Minister Dalley praised the dedication of the staff with special mention of the Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Bradley Edwards; the Chief Executive Officer, Stanhope Scott; and Matron Jacqueline Pennicook.

- Byron McDaniel

KINGSTON

The Jamaica Ornamental Fish Farmers Association (JOFFA), in celebration of its 10th anniversary, will be staging the country's first ever ornamental fish exposition next month in Kingston.

The two-day event, which will get under way on October 28 at the Jamaica College campus, will be held in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. The theme for the event is: 'Treasures beneath the water: Highlighting Opportunities In The Pet Fish Industry'.

- JIS

LLUIDAS VALE, St Catherine

Linstead businessman, Hugh Graham, has been tipped to become the new People's National Party (PNP) caretaker/councillor for the Lluidas Vale Division in the constituency of North-West St. Catherine.

The endorsement came at a meeting held recently at the Lluidas Vale All-Age School.

Mr. Graham, who was elected unopposed, seeks to replace Glenmore McLean, the sitting councillor, who will not be seeking re-election due to ill-health.

Mr. Graham is said to have already begun to make his presence felt by engaging in a number of small projects in the division, which also encompasses districts like Top Hill, Juan de Bolas, Tydixon and Cassava Pond. It has on register over 2,800 electors.

- Elgin Taylor

MANDEVILLE, Manchester

After years of complaints, including a demonstration earlier this year in front of their Villa Road office, employees of the National Water Commission's Mandeville office are to be relocated to new quarters.

The NWC-owned Villa Road building, which houses the administrative and maintenance departments of its Manchester operation, has been plagued by rats, roaches and infrastructural problems, including gaping holes in the walls, a leaking roof and broken furniture.

However, according to Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Junior Minister for Water, the employees will be relocated to Leaders Plaza on Main Street in the town. The building is currently being furnished and computer and telephone lines are being installed to accommodate the move which is slated for early next month.

The NWC's flood-prone Villa Road building has been advertised for sale, while plans are being drawn up to construct a new office building to house its operation on Ward Ave. where it owns property.

- Angelo Laurence

LLUIDAS VALE, St Catherine

Teachers in the parish of St. Catherine on Wednesday rejected the Government's latest salary offer.

The special meeting, which was convened at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education, saw 14 teachers voting to accept the offer and 32 voting against. Some 100 teachers did not vote.

The JTA had been conducting islandwide meetings over a three-day period to fully apprise its members of the complete package and to gauge whether they accept or reject it.

- Elgin Taylor

LACOVIA, St Elizabeth

Minister of Housing, Water, Transport and Works Robert Pickersgill, says immediate work will soon be carried out to replace the old bridge which connects the communities of Siloah and Thornton in St. Elizabeth.

Since the breakaway of the old bridge more than a week ago, residents have been forced to use alternative routes.

The Transport Minister, who was the guest speaker at the PNP's North East St. Elizabeth constituency conference last Sunday, said tenders for a new bridge are already out and that he will be making an announcement shortly.

- Michael McLean

MANDEVILLE, Manchester

Egg farmers islandwide recently attended a seminar in Mandeville, aimed at improving the quality and quantity of eggs produced by layers on their farms, thereby increasing their profits.

The seminar was hosted by the Rural Enterprise Agriculture Community Tourism (REACT) Project, in collaboration with the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association, under the theme: 'Managing Laying Hens for Improved Productivity and Profit'.

Key note speaker of the opening ceremony, State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Victor Cummings, said, "Efficiency in production and farm management are the keys to profit-making in the egg sub-sector, as in any other industry."

Currently, there are approximately 2,000 egg farmers, who supply an average of 11 million dozen eggs annually, with earnings of some $660 million.

- JIS