Latest news with #Grants


Scoop
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Central Honiara Constituency Gives Back Over $500K Funding To Churches, Promotes Transparency
Press Release – Solomon Islands MRD This initiative was made possible through the SIG Church Grants arrangement for church organizations under the Ministry of Traditional Governance and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGEA) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), under the Constituency Development … The Central Honiara Constituency (CHC) office on May 17, 2025, commenced the rollout of its $546,323.76 funding support program to 42 churches in the constituency. To date, 18 of the 42 churches have received their financial support in the form of tithes and offerings, with others scheduled to receive theirs throughout this week and next week, once the constituency office receives their bank details. This initiative was made possible through the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) Church Grants arrangement for church organizations under the Ministry of Traditional Governance and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGEA) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), under the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) program. Half of the funding came from the Church Grants, while the remaining amount was allocated from the CDF under the CHC's 2024 budget. A ceremony to kick off the program's implementation was held at Holy Cross Cathedral on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in the presence of media and the public. Having the media and the public witness the disbursement is part of the constituency office's ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability, under the esteemed leadership of Honourable Gordon Darcy Lilo, in line with the new CDF Act 2023. Earlier this month, CHC also delivered two buses to Mataniko Pikinini Clinic and Mbokonavera Clinic to support healthcare services for both health workers and patients within the constituency. Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Paul Rexford stated that MP Lilo and the constituency office are pleased to facilitate support to the churches. 'Giving back to churches what is due to them is important to ensure they can support their operations and outreach programs to spread the gospel of our Lord and Savior to our people,' he said. He added that CHC, under MP Lilo's guidance, has decided that before delivering other projects, the primary focus is to prioritize Community first—by supporting the churches first. 'Despite Central Honiara having the largest number of registered voters—over 17,000 in the last election—we continue to see it as both fitting and important to give back to these churches through their tithes and offerings. This is to ensure the work of our Lord Jesus Christ continues in this country,' CDO Rexford emphasized. 'As the CDO for CHC, I am humbled and pleased to see church leader's express gratitude and delight for the support provided by the CHC, made possible through the national government via the constituency office. '…As Christians, let us all pray for each other, pray for our constituency and country, and work together as a team for the betterment of CHC and our nation,' Mr. Rexford urged. He also noted that similar support was provided last year through Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo's discretionary fund. 'For 2025, this marks the first time the CHC team has facilitated support through the Church Grant and CDF especially for churches,' he said. 'Under the payout, smaller churches received $10,098.80, while bigger churches—such as Holy Cross Cathedral, Central SSEC, St. Barnabas Cathedral, and Wesley United—received amounts exceeding $10,000,'Mr. Rexford said. Church leaders who attended the ceremony expressed profound gratitude to the government, Hon. Lilo, and the CHC officers for their generous support and commendable efforts for the constituents of CHC. 'This is the first of its kind. It has never happened before. Your wisdom in recognizing churches from all denominations, big and small, is laudable and praiseworthy. Thank you, Hon. Lilo, for your leadership,' the church leaders stated. One church pastor illustrated this with the parable of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus healed ten men with leprosy, but only one returned to thank Him (Lord). 'CHC is like the one who returned to thank Jesus. CHC has come back to give support to its constituents and churches through these tithes and offerings,' Mr. Rexford quoted the pastor. The church leaders assured that churches will continue to pray for the government, CHC constituents, Hon. Lilo, and his officers as they continue serving His people.


Scoop
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Central Honiara Constituency Gives Back Over $500K Funding To Churches, Promotes Transparency
Press Release – Solomon Islands MRD This initiative was made possible through the SIG Church Grants arrangement for church organizations under the Ministry of Traditional Governance and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGEA) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), under the Constituency Development … The Central Honiara Constituency (CHC) office on May 17, 2025, commenced the rollout of its $546,323.76 funding support program to 42 churches in the constituency. To date, 18 of the 42 churches have received their financial support in the form of tithes and offerings, with others scheduled to receive theirs throughout this week and next week, once the constituency office receives their bank details. This initiative was made possible through the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) Church Grants arrangement for church organizations under the Ministry of Traditional Governance and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGEA) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), under the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) program. Half of the funding came from the Church Grants, while the remaining amount was allocated from the CDF under the CHC's 2024 budget. A ceremony to kick off the program's implementation was held at Holy Cross Cathedral on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in the presence of media and the public. Having the media and the public witness the disbursement is part of the constituency office's ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability, under the esteemed leadership of Honourable Gordon Darcy Lilo, in line with the new CDF Act 2023. Earlier this month, CHC also delivered two buses to Mataniko Pikinini Clinic and Mbokonavera Clinic to support healthcare services for both health workers and patients within the constituency. Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Paul Rexford stated that MP Lilo and the constituency office are pleased to facilitate support to the churches. 'Giving back to churches what is due to them is important to ensure they can support their operations and outreach programs to spread the gospel of our Lord and Savior to our people,' he said. He added that CHC, under MP Lilo's guidance, has decided that before delivering other projects, the primary focus is to prioritize Community first—by supporting the churches first. 'Despite Central Honiara having the largest number of registered voters—over 17,000 in the last election—we continue to see it as both fitting and important to give back to these churches through their tithes and offerings. This is to ensure the work of our Lord Jesus Christ continues in this country,' CDO Rexford emphasized. 'As the CDO for CHC, I am humbled and pleased to see church leader's express gratitude and delight for the support provided by the CHC, made possible through the national government via the constituency office. '…As Christians, let us all pray for each other, pray for our constituency and country, and work together as a team for the betterment of CHC and our nation,' Mr. Rexford urged. He also noted that similar support was provided last year through Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo's discretionary fund. 'For 2025, this marks the first time the CHC team has facilitated support through the Church Grant and CDF especially for churches,' he said. 'Under the payout, smaller churches received $10,098.80, while bigger churches—such as Holy Cross Cathedral, Central SSEC, St. Barnabas Cathedral, and Wesley United—received amounts exceeding $10,000,'Mr. Rexford said. Church leaders who attended the ceremony expressed profound gratitude to the government, Hon. Lilo, and the CHC officers for their generous support and commendable efforts for the constituents of CHC. 'This is the first of its kind. It has never happened before. Your wisdom in recognizing churches from all denominations, big and small, is laudable and praiseworthy. Thank you, Hon. Lilo, for your leadership,' the church leaders stated. One church pastor illustrated this with the parable of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus healed ten men with leprosy, but only one returned to thank Him (Lord). 'CHC is like the one who returned to thank Jesus. CHC has come back to give support to its constituents and churches through these tithes and offerings,' Mr. Rexford quoted the pastor. The church leaders assured that churches will continue to pray for the government, CHC constituents, Hon. Lilo, and his officers as they continue serving His people.


Scoop
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Central Honiara Constituency Gives Back Over $500K Funding To Churches, Promotes Transparency
The Central Honiara Constituency (CHC) office on May 17, 2025, commenced the rollout of its $546,323.76 funding support program to 42 churches in the constituency. To date, 18 of the 42 churches have received their financial support in the form of tithes and offerings, with others scheduled to receive theirs throughout this week and next week, once the constituency office receives their bank details. This initiative was made possible through the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) Church Grants arrangement for church organizations under the Ministry of Traditional Governance and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGEA) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), under the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) program. Half of the funding came from the Church Grants, while the remaining amount was allocated from the CDF under the CHC's 2024 budget. A ceremony to kick off the program's implementation was held at Holy Cross Cathedral on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in the presence of media and the public. Having the media and the public witness the disbursement is part of the constituency office's ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability, under the esteemed leadership of Honourable Gordon Darcy Lilo, in line with the new CDF Act 2023. Earlier this month, CHC also delivered two buses to Mataniko Pikinini Clinic and Mbokonavera Clinic to support healthcare services for both health workers and patients within the constituency. Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Paul Rexford stated that MP Lilo and the constituency office are pleased to facilitate support to the churches. 'Giving back to churches what is due to them is important to ensure they can support their operations and outreach programs to spread the gospel of our Lord and Savior to our people,' he said. He added that CHC, under MP Lilo's guidance, has decided that before delivering other projects, the primary focus is to prioritize Community first—by supporting the churches first. 'Despite Central Honiara having the largest number of registered voters—over 17,000 in the last election—we continue to see it as both fitting and important to give back to these churches through their tithes and offerings. This is to ensure the work of our Lord Jesus Christ continues in this country,' CDO Rexford emphasized. 'As the CDO for CHC, I am humbled and pleased to see church leader's express gratitude and delight for the support provided by the CHC, made possible through the national government via the constituency office. '…As Christians, let us all pray for each other, pray for our constituency and country, and work together as a team for the betterment of CHC and our nation,' Mr. Rexford urged. He also noted that similar support was provided last year through Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo's discretionary fund. 'For 2025, this marks the first time the CHC team has facilitated support through the Church Grant and CDF especially for churches,' he said. 'Under the payout, smaller churches received $10,098.80, while bigger churches—such as Holy Cross Cathedral, Central SSEC, St. Barnabas Cathedral, and Wesley United—received amounts exceeding $10,000,'Mr. Rexford said. Church leaders who attended the ceremony expressed profound gratitude to the government, Hon. Lilo, and the CHC officers for their generous support and commendable efforts for the constituents of CHC. 'This is the first of its kind. It has never happened before. Your wisdom in recognizing churches from all denominations, big and small, is laudable and praiseworthy. Thank you, Hon. Lilo, for your leadership,' the church leaders stated. One church pastor illustrated this with the parable of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus healed ten men with leprosy, but only one returned to thank Him (Lord). 'CHC is like the one who returned to thank Jesus. CHC has come back to give support to its constituents and churches through these tithes and offerings,' Mr. Rexford quoted the pastor. The church leaders assured that churches will continue to pray for the government, CHC constituents, Hon. Lilo, and his officers as they continue serving His people.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Police arrest suspect in Grants trailer fire investigation
GRANTS, N.M. (KRQE) – Back on May 10, a Grants Police Officer arrived to a fire at a trailer on Second Street. He could tell no one lived there, given the lack of power/electrical hook ups, but he was still concerned somebody was inside. When firefighters arrived, they helped the officer get inside the trailer. Story continues below Crime: Two ABQ police officers placed on leave in critical pedestrian crash on Central Real Estate: 'Nothing short of a personal resort' luxury property listed for $12M in Santa Fe National: 'I'm sincerely sorry': Billy Joel cancels all concerts due to brain disorder diagnosis The officer later watched a security video and says he noticed Dion Victoriano, who identified themselves as Kailene to police, in the area. The following day, the officer questioned them, but according to police, the story didn't add up. Victoriano described their day, and it included them being in the area of the fire, yet they did not mention the fire. Victoriano told the officer the fire must have started from the ash of a cigarette, but then backtracked on part of that statement. They went on to say it was marijuana instead. To the officer, that didn't make sense, as there was no brush around. Victoriano then said they were 'just messing with' a broken piece of insultation with their torch. The officer took them into custody. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BBCC fall enrollment deadline incoming
May 22—MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College's last day for new students to sign up for new student enrollment sessions is June 10. For those still deciding on what they would like to study, Big Bend has recently expanded their programs with the addition of new bachelor's degrees. "Big Bend has a long history of building and sustaining collaborative relationships with local employers and developing educational programs that prepare students for local employment," said Dr. Bryce Humpherys, Vice President of Learning and Student Success. "The BAS degrees the college is offering are a continuation of the college's efforts to provide higher education programming that addresses local employment demands." Anne Ghinazzi, the director of Title V and Other Grants at BBCC was the one to kick start the push for the new bachelor's programs being the Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management and the Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Health. These BAS degrees were created in response to the needs of students as well as the needs of companies that needed more educated workers in the area. "The bachelor's degree was a way for us to provide that next level of education and have it be available locally, so students aren't needing to leave their jobs or the community," said Ghinazzi. The BAS program builds on any associate degree and supports students who have completed workforce programs like welding, automotive technology, medical assistant, and early childhood education, she said. This also gives the opportunity for those who have already completed an associate's degree with the college to return if they would like to earn their bachelor's. The BAS-Management program was launched in the Fall of 2021 and has allowed for working students, students with limited financial resources and those coming from workforce education programs to get their bachelor's degree without the need for transfers. This program has had local employers assisting with ensuring that students receive on-the-job training and can apply what they learn in the classroom to the workplace. "We really were intentional about making sure that the program was going to provide students with the workforce skills that they would need to go into local management positions," said Ghinazzi. The bachelor's in behavioral health is set to launch this Fall and is currently enrolling for its first cohort of students. This program will directly address the behavioral health workforce shortage in North Central Washington and improve the availability of local services. "That degree is going to be offered in partnership with Wenatchee Valley College," said Ghinazzi. "We'll be admitting a full cohort of 30 students and those students will be split evenly between the two colleges for our inaugural cohorts this fall." BBCC programs of major industries in the area, such as health, agriculture, and manufacturing, will benefit from the addition of the BAS degrees and have seen increasing support from local organizations. Those currently undecided on classes can earn an associate in these programs to create a bridge toward the bachelor's programs. Students wanting to enroll in BBCC's nursing and other health care programs will have to focus on completing their prerequisites first, said Katherine Christian, director of Allied Health Programs at Big Bend. BBCC provides detailed degree maps on its website for choosing what classes to enroll in based on degree. "We're just getting ready to see our next incoming group," said Christian. "Our current cohort will be finishing up this summer, and those people will be working in doctors' offices and clinics around the Basin." Graduates from the nursing program at BBCC have a high success rate in finding employment in their first year out of college and have consistently received positive feedback from employers, she said. BBCC's agricultural programs have seen steady growth in the past couple years and have become a sustainable program, said Dr. Aaron Mahoney, head of Agriculture and Chemistry programs at Big Bend. He said most students in the program were individuals who had prior agricultural experience when he first started teaching but have recently seen an increase in interest from people who have never had any experience wanting to get into the industry. "That's been really interesting because it's a fun and unique experience to be able to pivot that type of education for our program," said Dr. Mahoney. Mahoney said because of this around 20 labs have been created across the six courses that he teaches in the program. BBCC recently added a greenhouse learning center where they can work on year-round crop production and crop research education as well as a raised bed project that will allow for the use of irrigation, soil fertility and pest and disease management. The Manufacturing and Process Technology program is also relatively new to the school and has been building steady enrollment, said Justin Henley, head of the Manufacturing & Process Technology department. This program was created from combining the curriculum and skills learned from the industrial systems, electrical, mechatronics, automation and maintenance programs. They have also been increasing their relationships with industry partners and companies in the community to get them involved and receive direct input for the students "For those students that are looking to get into electrical apprenticeships like with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, previously they were coming in and doing a two-year degree," he said. "Now we have the majority of that focused in that first year so that students can get certificates of accomplishment in the areas of electrical and electronics and be able to put that on their application to get into those union apprenticeships without having to do a two-year degree."