News On The Go

Portmore man and woman missing 

Melissa McKoy, 35, of Stamp Shaw Way, Portsmouth, and Antwon Marsh, 21, of Waterford are missing.

McKoy has been missing since Wednesday, August 22, while Marsh has been missing since Saturday, August 18.

McKoy is of dark complexion and slim build and is about 170 centimetres (five feet, seven inches) tall.

Reports from the Waterford police are that she was last seen about noon at the Waterford Post Office in the parish and wearing a black blouse and black tights. All efforts to contact her have proven futile.

Marsh is of dark complexion slim build is about 168 centimetres (5 feet, 6 inches) tall. He sports a braided hairstyle.

Reports from the Waterford police are that Marsh was last seen on Orange Street, Kingston, at about 11:30 a.m.

He was wearing a blue T-shirt, white shorts, and white sneakers. All efforts to contact him have proven futile.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of McKoy and/or Marsh is being asked to contact the Waterford police at 876-988-1763, the police 119 emergency number, or the nearest police station.

Woman who stole from sister to be sentenced 

A woman who stole $43,000 from her sister's business while employed as a cashier is scheduled to return to court on September 10 for sentencing.

Carol Hughlet pleaded guilty on Monday to the charge of larceny as a servant when she appeared in the St Elizabeth Parish Court.

The court was told that Hughlet was employed by her sister in a lottery sales outlet, and on July 25, when her sister went to check off sales, it was discovered that $43,000 was missing.

When confronted, Hughlet admitted to taking the money and said she borrowed it to pay off a loan.

The court was also told that she had promised to make restitution. however, when the time passed, a report was made to the police, and she was arrested and charged.

In court, following her guilty plea, she told her sister that she would make full restitution within a week, but she was given until September 10.

The court also heard that this was the second time she had stolen money from her sister's business and that she has also been before the court for a similar offence.

BGLC awards millions in education grants

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) has awarded grants totalling $11 million to 220 tertiary students this year, which will offset tuition costs at the 17 schools they attend.

The grants, awarded annually, are presented to students who are either beginning first-year studies at accredited local tertiary institutions or continuing their education.

Finance and the Public Service Minister Dr Nigel Clarke encouraged the recipients to make the most of the opportunities provided to them.

"The scholarships that you received will help you further your academic education, and I want to encourage you [to bear in mind] that success in life goes beyond merely the academic component," he said.

Cabinet approves contract for additional textbooks

Cabinet has approved the awarding of a contract valued at nearly US$2 million to Carlong Publishers Limited to supply and distribute textbooks for students in grades one to three islandwide under the Government's 2018/19 Primary Textbook Programme.

The company has also been awarded a contract in the sum close to $111 million to procure and distribute textbooks for students under the National Textbook Loan Scheme for the new academic year.

Education Minister Ruel Reid said that Carlong is one of three companies contracted under the National Textbook Loan Scheme for 2018/19.

The others are Kingston Bookshop Limited and Book Wizard Limited.

Spend wisely on school books - CAC

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is encouraging parents to take advantage of the varied options to minimise expenses for the purchase of textbooks for the 2018/19 academic year.

Communications Specialist at the CAC Dorothy Campbell said that among the options are schoolbook rental schemes and using social media platforms to facilitate book exchanges or buying books advertised on these platforms at a discounted rate.

Another option, she says, is the purchase of books from independent distributors who have established relationships with schools to supply textbooks at a reasonable cost.