News Headlines: Milo Adventist Academy Recovers from Harsh Winter Storm (And Four More Stories)

Winter Storms Cause Two Million Dollars in Damage at Milo Adventist Academy. Milo Adventist Academy suffered two million dollars in damage from a winter storm followed by heavy rain prior to the Christmas break. The school closed early for Christmas vacation, but reopened January 4th. Among the projects facing the school, toppled trees needed removal, leaky roofs required repairs, and water-damaged dormitory rooms demanded attention. Insurance covered some costs, but another $500,000 was needed to deal with damage caused by rain and snow, principal Randy Thornton said. From Adventist News Network, "Winter Storm Inflicts $2 Million in Damage on Adventist School."

Seventh-day Adventism Maintains Majority Status in Jamaica. Seventh-day Adventists comprise the largest percentage of religious groups in Jamaica. They were followed closely by the Pentecostals. These statistics, recently reported in the Jamaica Gleaner, are based on the 2011 census. From Jamaica Gleaner, "Adventist Church Still Commands Strong Following."

Malawi Youth Benefit from Reproductive Health Information. A three-year project, supported with funding from Adventist Health Services, UKAID, and Christian AID, aims to reduce the maternal and neonatal deaths in Karonga, on the northern border of Malawi.  Kossum Munthali, Executive Director for the Foundation for Community Support Services (FOCUS), said despite being a greater proportion of the population, now estimated at 15.8 million, youths in the country are lacking knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. According to Munthali, such challenges are contributing to unwanted pregnancies as well as early marriages, a development that increases the maternal and neonatal deaths in the district. From The Maravi Post, "Karonga Youth Urged to be Focused on Their Future in 2016." 

Australian Adventist Church Serves Community with Soup Kitchen. The Gatton, Australia Seventh-day Adventist Church operates a weekly soup kitchen which features a three-course meal for the needy. Members Lou and Grace Uljarevic head the operation. Up to 80 people are served, including couples, single-parent families, and backpackers The soup kitchen also serves smaller meals like sandwiches, soups, and savouries every Saturday, at 1 p.m. From Gatton Star, "Selfless Helpers Feed the Needy in Gatton."

Maryland Regulators OK Washington Adventist Hospital's Relocation Plans. Maryland State reguators have approved Washington Adventist Hospital's plan to move from its Takoma Park Campus to the White Oak area of Montgomery County. Washington Adventist will build a larger facility with an estimated price tag of between $330 million and $400 million. With state approval, construction will begin almost immediately. The project is slated for completion in 2019. From Washington Business Journal, "Hospital project in White Oak gets OK from Maryland regulators."