http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/ JamaicaObserver.com, the most concise and in-depth website for news coverage on Jamaica and the Caribbean. Updated daily 7 days a week, 24 hours a day en-us copyright Jamaica Observer, 2011 http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Phillips--We-are-mindful-of-the-challenges-of-the-depreciating-dollar--but---_14524923 ROSE HALL, St James — Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips says Government is mindful of the hardships which the sliding dollar is causing for Jamaicans, but noted that all is being done to maintain a competitive exchange rate. Local News Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Hotels-report-high-bookings-from-diaspora-conference_14518898 MONTEGO BAY, St James — Several north coast hotels yesterday reported occupancy levels in the high 90s, due mainly to the staging of the 5th Biennial Diaspora Conference now under way in the resort city of Montego Bay. Local News Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Marketplace-facilitates-business-interactions-at-Diaspora-conference_14518600 MONTEGO BAY, St James — A Diaspora Marketplace was opened yesterday at the Fifth Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, being held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Local News Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Negril-Health-Centre-gets-new-examination-rooms_14497441 NEGRIL, Westmoreland — The scores of people who visit the Negril Health Centre will now access consultations and medical examinations in a comfortable environment with increased privacy as the public facility is now outfitted with two new, furnished examination rooms. Observer West Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Diaspora-backs-VCB_14514306 MONTEGO BAY, St James — the Jamaican Diaspora last night reacted with shock to the positive drug test of Olympic champion Veronica Campbell Brown, but gave her support with the hope her name would be cleared. Local News Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Not-our-Veronica---Campbell-Brown-s-dad--Clark-s-Town-community-say-positive-drug-test-hard-to-believe_14502082 CLARK'S TOWN, Trelawny — VERONICA Campbell Brown's father reacted with shock and dismay that his offspring had been fingered in a doping scandal that threatens to gnaw away at the gains of Jamaica's glittering athletic programme. General News Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Thousands-welcome-new-Catholic-Bishop-of-MoBay_14480731 MONTEGO BAY, St James — MORE than 3,000 persons from across the length and breadth of Jamaica and many parts of the world, including the USA, Canada, England and the Caribbean, flocked the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Montego Bay on Saturday, to witness the ordination and installation of the Most Reverend Burchell Alexander McPherson as the third Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Montego Bay in its 46-year history. Observer West Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Massive-facelift-for-Falmouth THE Trelawny Parish Council has undertaken a massive clean-up and beautification programme in Falmouth, as the local authority moves to improve the aesthetics of the historic Georgian town, and to make it more appealing to visitors and residents. Observer West Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:01:24 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Western-football-officials-weigh-in-on-Whitmore-s-departure_14481829 MONTEGO BAY, St James — Former Reggae Boyz midfielder Hector Wright said he would have advised his former teammate Theodore Whitmore not to resign but to stay on and complete his job. Local Sports Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Bridal-Bliss-_14481214 ROSE HALL, St James — THE Bridal Dreams Jamaica week of events climaxed on Sunday with the much anticipated Bridal Dreams Showcase themed 'Fruits of Passion' at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Observer West Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Cornwall-College-wins-Sandals-environmental-debate_14480966 MONTEGO BAY, St James — Cornwall College walked away champions in the Sandals Environmental Debate competition held last week at the Mount Alvernia High School in Montego Bay, after defeating neighbours Mount Alvernia High. Observer West Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/First-blood_14480501 MONTEGO BAY, St James — MONTEGO Bay Boys' Club took a vital one-goal lead over former champions Fogo United in their first leg semi-finals of the St James Football Association's Sandals/ATL Senior League at Jarrett Park on Tuesday. Observer West Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/JBWF-to-construct--6-m-home-for-school-leavers_14481288 ANCHOVY, St James — THE Jamaica Baptist Women's Federation (JBWF) has commenced the construction of a building, estimated to cost $6 million, to house secondary school leavers who currently reside at the Garland Hall Memorial Child Care Facility in Anchovy, St James. Observer West Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/MoBay-folk-express-mixed-feelings-about--Tappa-s--resignation_14482080 The Jamaica Observer Observer took to the streets of Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore's heartland of Montego Bay to get reactions about his decision to quit as Reggae Boyz head coach after the team's 2-0 loss to Honduras in that country on Tuesday night. Local Sports Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Congrats--St-James-High_14480564 Mickena Mc Lean (third left), marketing coordinator Bigga, pose with students of the St James High School (from left) Chavanne James, Halema Harper and Javon Scott, after the group was adjudged the first runners- up in the recent finals of the Dancing Dynamite competition held in Kingston. Observer West Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Stop-pressuring-the-youngsters_14479965 THE last two weeks have been very busy for our young boys and girls who are involved in sports. There was the St James Football Association's VMBS Under-13 football league, the INSPORTS/Lime Under-12 and a variety of track meets. Observer West Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/ENTERTAINMENT-DIARY_14480571 THURSDAY, JUNE 13 Observer West Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/27-100-plastic-bottles-in-six-weeks_14442067 WHITEHOUSE, Westmoreland — The Bluefields community in eastern Westmoreland became the third district to join the Sandals Whitehouse Plastic Recycling Project when it was launched to dozens of residents on World Environment Day. Local Environmental Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/More-takers-needed-for-energy-loans_14471505 MONTEGO BAY, St James — PERSONS are being urged to access single-digit interest rate loans from the Energy Fund operated by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). Local Business Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Don-t-touch-it-_14451904 OPPOSITION spokesman on housing, water, and environment, Dr Horace Chang, says Negril stakeholders are uncomfortable with the proposed use of ShoreLock technology to restore the Negril Beach and he wants the technology tested on a smaller beach first. Local News Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Howard-Cooke-win-Western-Primary-Champs_14451641 CATHERINE HALL, St James — Howard Cooke Primary amassed 201 points to gain their first hold on the JPSCo Western Primary Schools Track and Field Championships at Saturday's fifth staging of the one-day event at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. Local Sports Mon, 10 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Jaguars--Hoopers-stay-on-course_14451556 MONTEGO BAY, St James — Mid-season champions Granville Jaguars and beaten finalist Hoopers stayed on course for a place in the finals of the Flow National Basketball League-West competition after scoring good wins in third round games on Saturday. Local Sports Mon, 10 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Accused-child-killer-remanded_14444621 CLARK'S TOWN, Trelawny — Marvia Patterson, the woman charged with murder for the beheading of four-year-old Natasha Brown last week, was remanded into custody when she appeared in the Clark's Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. Local News Sat, 08 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Sandals-Foundation-partnership-enhances-rural-school-sports_14387270 FIFTY students at the Lucea Christian Fellowship Basic School in Hanover will no longer have to share two footballs, thanks to a donation from the Ottawa South United Soccer Club, the Penning family and other Canadian donors, through the Sandals Foundation. Local Sports Sat, 08 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Granville-upset-Corinaldi-to-claim-VMBS-U-13-title_14425179 MONTEGO BAY, St James — Granville All-Age scored a mild upset when they beat Corinaldi Avenue Primary 4-2 on penalty kicks to win the St James Football Association VMBS Under-13 title in an exciting game played at the UDC field on Wednesday. Local Sports Fri, 07 Jun 2013 02:00:00 GMT