Latest news with #Gleaner
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New facility gives Central Sales more visibility in all directions from Jamestown
Mar. 29—Editor's note: This story and accompanying photo are advertorial content in the 2025 "Moving the Community Forward" special section of The Jamestown Sun. JAMESTOWN — The new Central Sales Inc. building will give the company more exposure to potential customers in all directions from Jamestown, according to Jeff Romsdal, owner and president. "Everyone's feedback ... they all say it's an excellent location, awesome visibility off the interstate (Interstate 94) and fairly easy access," Romsdal said. Central Sales is currently located about 3 miles south of Jamestown on U.S. Highway 281. The new Central Sales commercial implement dealership will be located at 1700 20th St. SW, east of the new Anne Carlsen Center location and just south of Interstate 94. The new facility is scheduled to be complete by Oct. 15, Romsdal said. He said the state-of-the-art facility will bring more efficiencies to Central Sales' operations. "The new vertical parts storage and the layout of the facility will provide a much better, more efficient design operationally ... for the business," he said. Central Sales sells Massey Ferguson tractors, Gleaner combines, White Planters, Sunflower tillage and Bobcat, among other items. The new facility will have an innovation garage to showcase the largest machinery or for predelivery inspections. Rumor Stokes, marketing manager and customer experience, said the new facility will have an area for toys, merchandise and apparel. He said the current location south of Jamestown could be used for a potential expansion of Central Sales. He said the other option is to lease out the current location. Once the building is complete, Romsdal said Central Sales has a budget to add at least five positions, potentially up to seven, including for parts, sales and office administration. He said Central Sales is currently sponsoring two technicians in training through the ND Career Builders program at the North Dakota State College of Science. He said one of those technicians will join Central Sales full time after graduation this spring and the other will join the team the following spring. "They come to work for us for a minimum of three years and they get their loan forgiven," he said, referring to the ND Career Builders program. "We would be willing to sponsor others if they would want to go down to NDSCS and come join our team." Romsdal said the leadership team at Central Sales and employees deserve a lot of credit for the business' success. Central Sales also supports a number of organizations in the community, including local sports teams, schools, FFA, Stutsman County 4-H, youth activities and local race car drivers. "I think giving back to our communities with some of our profits is a business responsibility, and it shows our pride in our community and the support of our young people that will be the next generation in business, hopefully, in our community," Romsdal said. Romsdal said Central Sales is a third-generation business. "We're locally owned and operated, one of the few that remains," he said. He said his grandfather started Central Sales in 1974, and his father, uncles and cousins were with the business for many years. "Now it's just me," Romsdal said."Hopefully, I can encourage my kids to join us one day, my two boys and daughter, and the new facility hopefully is a better attraction for them as well to join the business, carry on the legacy."
Los Angeles Times
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Jamaican reggae star Cocoa Tea dead at 65
Reggae singer and Jamaican national icon Cocoa Tea has died. He was 65. The singer, born Calvin George Scott, died Tuesday of cardiac arrest in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Malvia Scott, the singer's wife, confirmed the death to the newspaper the Jamaica Gleaner. She told the paper that he was diagnosed with lymphoma and pneumonia in recent years. 'He was definitely very brave,' Malvia Scott told the Gleaner. 'He was positive throughout it all. About three weeks ago when he was admitted in the hospital he asked if I was worried and I said 'I am always worried'. He told me not to worry because everything was going to be all right. He was always very hopeful.' The singer, born in the small village of Rocky Point, Jamaica, was known for his romantic, honey-sweet voice that shaped and shifted with generations of dancehall and lovers rock. Singles 'Rocking Dolly' and 'I Lost My Sonia' were defining genre hits in the '80s, and his debut LP 'Weh Dem a Go Do…Can't Stop Cocoa Tea' made him a superstar within Jamaican music and globally among reggae fans. Follow-ups like 'The Marshall' and 'Come Again' incorporated more spiritual Rastafarian lyrical themes, and he joined a supergroup with Shabba Ranks and Home T that scored a big hit with 'Holding On.' Cocoa Tea remained politically resonant and adaptable as dancehall turned grittier into the '90s. After moving to New York, he released the searing social-critique single 'Riker's Island' in 1991, and anti-war tracks 'No Blood for Oil' and 'Oil Ting' that opposed the first Gulf War, leading to radio bans in Jamaica and the U.K. He kept up his string of genre hits throughout the decade with releases on top reggae labels Greensleeves and VP, with Motown issuing a compilation 'Holy Mt. Zion' in 1997. He founded his own label, Roaring Lion, which released records by top acts such as Buju Banton, Cutty Ranks and Sizzla, and paid tribute to America's first Black president with a 2008 single 'Barack Obama.' He performed at Buju Banton's Long Walk to Freedom concert in Kingston in 2019, and last performed three years ago on the Welcome to Jamrock cruise. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness wrote on Instagram that 'I extend condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Calvin George Scott, affectionately known as Cocoa Tea. His smooth vocals and compelling lyrics gave us timeless classics like 'Rocking Dolly' and 'I've Lost My Sonia,' songs that have become anthems in our cultural landscape.' 'Beyond his musical genius,' Holness continued, 'Cocoa Tea was a beacon of kindness and generosity, consistently uplifting the less fortunate and embodying the warmth of our nation. Cocoa Tea's influence extended beyond our shores, touching hearts worldwide and solidifying Jamaica's place on the global musical stage.' Cocoa Tea is survived by wife Malvia and eight children.
