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In a coordinated community effort, the St Mary Municipal Corporation has initiated a comprehensive Christmas preparation campaign in Port Maria, Jamaica. The ambitious project commenced on Sunday with a large-scale urban cleansing operation conducted in partnership with multiple national agencies, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The extensive clean-up involved thorough washing of public sidewalks and systematic removal of accumulated bulk waste from the town’s central district. This initiative represents the first phase of a broader strategy to restore the area’s aesthetic appeal and ensure public safety ahead of the festive season.

Mayor Fitzroy Wilson, in statements to local media, emphasized the psychological importance of this undertaking for community morale. He specifically referenced the recent challenges posed by Hurricane Mellissa, noting that the clean-up effort serves both practical and symbolic purposes in helping the community recover from the storm’s impact.

‘As I have consistently maintained, Christmas celebrations will proceed in St Mary despite previous adversities,’ Mayor Wilson affirmed, highlighting the municipality’s determination to maintain traditional holiday observances.

The current cleaning operations form part of a more extensive program aimed at maintaining Port Maria’s cleanliness and security throughout the holiday period. In a related development, municipal authorities have scheduled a crucial meeting with local vendors for this coming Tuesday. This gathering will focus on establishing formal vending zones and implementing a registration system for all market participants during the Christmas season.

Mayor Wilson further clarified the regulatory approach: ‘The Christmas period will not constitute an unregulated environment for vendors. Through Tuesday’s meeting, we will implement a structured registration process and designate specific vending areas to ensure both orderliness and fair access.’

The multi-agency collaboration demonstrates the municipality’s holistic approach to seasonal planning, addressing both infrastructure cleanliness and commercial organization while working to restore normalcy following recent natural disruptions.

Jamaica’s democratic institutions have lost a foundational figure with the passing of Dorothy Pine-McLarty, the former Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) chairperson. Her death was confirmed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness through an official social media announcement on Sunday, though specific details regarding the cause remain undisclosed at this time.

Pine-McLarty’s legacy is marked by extraordinary professional achievements and dedicated public service. In 1973, she shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first female partner at the prestigious law firm Myers, Fletcher & Gordon—a significant milestone in Jamaican legal history. Her expertise later propelled her to establish the firm’s London office as its inaugural managing partner.

Her most impactful contributions emerged through her nineteen-year tenure with Jamaica’s electoral governance bodies. Initially joining the Electoral Advisory Committee as a selected commissioner in December 2000, she ascended to the chairmanship in 2013. Pine-McLarty presided over the ECJ with renowned integrity until her retirement in December 2019, cementing her status as the first woman to lead the commission.

Beyond her electoral work, she contributed to corporate governance through directorship roles on multiple boards. Prime Minister Holness memorialized her as ‘a public servant in the truest sense’ whose life’s work strengthened Jamaican democracy through courageous and graceful service. The nation now reflects on her pioneering journey from legal trailblazer to guardian of electoral integrity, while official condolences extend to her family, colleagues, and all Jamaicans touched by her remarkable legacy.

Dutch attorney R Bouwman, representing concert promoter Nicardo ‘Papa’ Blake, has issued a public appeal against victim-blaming in the high-profile assault case involving reggae artist Jah Cure. The legal representative expressed bewilderment at public sympathy shifting toward the perpetrator despite clear evidence and judicial outcomes.

The case stems from an October 2021 incident in Amsterdam’s Dam Square where Jah Cure (legally named Siccature Alcock) stabbed Blake during a dispute over unpaid performance fees. Security footage captured the altercation, though not with absolute clarity according to court documents.

Initial proceedings resulted in conviction, but prosecutors appealed for a more severe charge. In October 2025, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal overturned the original verdict, convicting Alcock of attempted murder and increasing his sentence to eight years and four months imprisonment. The court also ordered €9,452.49 in damages for material and non-material losses suffered by Blake.

Medical reports detailed extensive injuries including stomach perforations and retroperitoneal damage requiring multiple surgeries. Blake bears permanent scarring from sternum to lower abdomen and continues experiencing medical complications years after the attack.

Despite publicly forgiving his attacker, Blake maintains vivid memories of the incident he describes as a ‘daylight ambush.’ He recounted how the singer lured him to the location under false pretenses of resolving their business dispute peacefully.

The financial compensation awarded falls short of covering Blake’s complete medical expenses according to his attorney. Bouwman indicated potential civil proceedings might follow depending on developments in the ongoing legal process, as Alcock has appealed the latest ruling to the Netherlands Court of Appeal.

Bouwman emphasized the psychological toll on his client, who seeks closure rather than reconciliation. The attorney criticized segments of the reggae community for blaming the victim and excusing the perpetrator’s actions based on celebrity status rather than judicial facts.