Norma Russell (left), Western Union representative in Spanish Town, is all smiles before she declared open the Muriel Johns Continuing Education Centre in Spanish Town last Saturday. Looking on are Sandra Forbes (second left), marketing manager of GraceKennedy Remittance Services Limited, Deacon Ivy Scott of the Phillippo Baptist Church (second right) and Angella Pryce, daughter of the late Muriel Johns, in whose name the centre is dedicated. - Contributed

Crimes concern Sp Town residents

SPANISH TOWN, ST. CATHERINE:

While the authorities claim to be moving towards a zero-tolerance approach in St Catherine, several persons from Spanish Town have expressed concern about a deadly attack on the lives of two men on Wednesday night.

Erwin Pettigrou and another man, Basil Reid, of Fairview, St Catherine, were shot and killed by a group of gunmen in a white motor car near the municipal bus park in Spanish Town.

"We cannot have this sort of problem like a few years ago when you could not walk through the town. We've come a long way, but the problems have to stop now. Too much shooting," remarked a woman.

Sections of the March Pen Road community remain tense as residents claim the 55-year-old Pettigrou was a hard-working person, who helped bring peace to the community.

The St Catherine North homicide police are investigating the murders.

- Rasbert Turner

Western Union pumps $1.3m into education

SPANISH TOWN, ST CATHERINE:

Students in Spanish Town will benefit from the establishment of the Muriel Johns Continuing Education Centre in their community, courtesy of Western Union.

The centre was handed over to the community during a ceremony on Saturday, June 14.

The project, which was donated to the Phillippo Baptist Church in Spanish Town, was erected on the very same site where the founder of the church, the Rev J.M. Phillippo, had established a school more than 170 years ago.

Valued at $1.3 million, the 40-foot container-turned-learning centre is equipped with chairs, desks, doors, windows, electricity and air conditioning.

The establishment of learning centres across the island is among the initiatives being undertaken by Western Union in its education thrust for 2008. The initiative was launched by the company earlier this year with the objective of strengthening literacy development in schools and promoting excellence in reading, comprehension and writing skills among students.

The centre, which can accommodate 20 children, will also receive computers from Western Union.

- Contributed

Rapes and murders plague Grange Hill

GRANGE HILL, WESTMORELAND:

Residents of Church Lincoln in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, are crying out to the police force to beef up their presence in the area.

According to the residents, they have been plagued with rapes and murders.

The call followed the latest incident in the area. It is understood that alleged rapists went to the house of Esmilda Moore and broke the window of a rear bedroom, where a teenage girl occupies. The frightened girl screamed and ran from the room. The men then fled.

The men allegedly returned, drenched the house with gasolene and set it ablaze. The men then waited in nearby bushes for the family to come out.

Moore's son, who tried to help, and a police officer were shot in the incident.

The Morgan's Bridge police say they have been patrolling that area extensively but obviously there is a need for different methods to be applied.

- Dalton Laing