ONE-MINUTE READS ... News from across Jamaica

Water improvement for Mile Gully

Residents of Mile Gully Road in Cobbla, Manchester, now have access to piped water supply. This was realised through the completion of the Mile Gully Road Pipeline Project, undertaken by the National Water Commission.

The project, which cost just over $55 million, will benefit approximately 81 households in the community. It involves the construction of approximately three kilometres of distribution pipeline along the Mile Gully Road, terminating at the Sedburgh main road in Manchester.

"Our aim is to improve the lives of residents by providing more reliable and sustainable water supply within the region. As we do that, we urge residents to apply for their water connection," said Jermaine Jackson, regional manager for the Manchester and St Elizabeth region.

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PNP selects Campbell, Crawford for constituencies

Dr Dayton Campbell and Senator Damion Crawford are seeking to make their way back to the House of Representatives. The People's National Party (PNP) has announced that Campbell, its general secretary, will represent Eastern Westmoreland, and Crawford will represent St Catherine North West.

Both Campbell and Crawford were elected to the House of Representatives in 2011. Crawford served one term as member of parliament (MP) for St Andrew East Rural. He also unsuccessfully contested Portland East in a by-election in 2020. His move to St Catherine follows the pending departure of the PNP standard-bearer and sitting MP Hugh Graham.

In the case of Campbell, he served two terms as MP for St Ann North West between 2011 and 2020. He left the constituency after being defeated by Krystal Lee in the 2020 general election.

Eastern Westmoreland, once a bedrock PNP constituency, was represented for many years by former Prime Minister PJ Patterson. It is now held by the Jamaica Labour Party's Daniel Lawrence, who beat the PNP's Luther Buchanan by 11 votes in the last general election.

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Free seedlings on offer

The Forestry Department is distributing a variety of timber and ornamental seedlings in observance of National Tree Planting Day, October 6.

Distribution began on September 25 and will run until October 13.

Jerome Smith, the agency's principal director for forest operations, said the seedlings will be available for free at its head office at 173 Constant Spring Road in Kingston, or its nurseries in Moneague, St Ann, and Williamsfield, Manchester.

"Come in, collect your free seedlings and make your contribution in terms of doing your planting, whether it be on the day itself or within the three-week window that we're offering the seedlings," Smith said.

The seedlings can be collected from Mondays to Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., except on October 6.

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$1-million bail in chopping case

A St Catherine man who allegedly used a machete to chop another repeatedly, almost severing his left arm, was granted $1-million bail when he appeared in the St Catherine Parish Court on Monday.

Tyrone Ellis, 35, farmer of Springvale district, is charged with wounding with intent. A successful bail application was made when Ellis appeared before Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle. Attorney-at-law Cammesha Harrison begged the court to reduce the sum, but the judge said that she was not minded to do so.

The condition of Ellis' bail is that he must not be seen in the Springvale community, and he must surrender his travel documents. He was also relocated to Mount Salem district, St James, and must report three times a week to the Mount Salem Police Station. The matter will again be mentioned on December 4.

Allegations are that about 10:30 p.m. on September 9, the complainant was talking to a man who Ellis accused of being a cow thief. After the man left, Ellis reportedly armed himself with a machete. He then went into the complainant's yard and chopped him repeatedly. The complainant's left arm was nearly severed.

R.T

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