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The Jamaican media community gathered in a profound display of respect and remembrance during a memorial service for Anthony ‘Tony’ Smith, the late Chief Executive Officer of the RJRGleaner Communications Group. Held at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College in St Andrew, the service painted a portrait of a leader defined by humility, integrity, and an exceptional capacity for listening.

Joseph Matalon, Chairman of the RJRGleaner Communications Group, delivered a pre-recorded tribute that framed Smith’s legacy not through corporate achievements, but through his foundational character. Matalon emphasized Smith’s “unwavering sense of responsibility” and a deep-seated belief that any entrusted role—in business, public service, or community—carried a duty to act with foresight and principle. “Short-term inconvenience never tempted him away from long-term principle,” Matalon stated, highlighting a leadership style that carefully weighed decisions for their future impact years down the road.

Smith, who passed away on December 14 at age 61 after a brief illness, was celebrated for his unique balance of firmness and humanity. Colleagues and family alike recalled a man who could be resolute when necessary but never lost sight of the people affected by his decisions. This was exemplified by his ability to “create space for others” in environments where people typically compete to be heard, earning him widespread trust and admiration.

His family provided intimate glimpses into the man behind the title. His youngest sibling, Collin Smith, remembered him as a “humble” and “assured” brother who served as a constant reinforcement. His eldest sister, Carmen, described him as “a helper, a listener, and a comforter” who remained calm amidst familial storms. His eldest brother, Trevor, simply called him “a true friend—not just a brother, but a friend.”

Professionally, Smith’s tenure at the media entity was marked by significant industry challenges. He steered the company through steep declines in traditional advertising revenue and initiated a strategic push toward digital transformation. A key development under his leadership was the establishment of a joint venture between the RJRGleaner Communications Group and the Jamaica Observer, creating a shared framework for printing and distribution logistics to ensure sustainability in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

The service, attended by a packed auditorium and viewed by hundreds more via Zoom and YouTube, culminated with Reverend Daniel Thompson offering biblical comfort to the family, assuring a meaningful afterlife for “the righteous dead.” Throughout the homily, Smith’s widow, Karen, was seen seated beside their son, Daniel, their shared glances a silent testament to a family supporting each other through profound loss.

Distinguished Jamaican attorney Peter Champagnie, King’s Counsel, has proposed establishing a Criminal Justice Board to address systemic inefficiencies within the nation’s legal framework. This recommendation follows recent tensions between correctional authorities and defense lawyers regarding electronic device access in prisons.

The proposal emerges against the backdrop of a recent confrontation where Correctional Services Commissioner Brigadier (Ret’d) Radgh Mason appeared before the Supreme Court to address allegations that prison officials were preventing attorneys from bringing electronic devices to client meetings. Following vigorous arguments from defense attorneys Tamika Harris and John Clarke, the commissioner conceded, authorizing formal notices permitting electronic device access for attorneys, mirroring privileges already extended to medical professionals and investigative officials.

Champagnie cites Belize’s successful implementation of a similar multidisciplinary board as a model for Jamaica. “Belize has established a Criminal Justice Board that meets regularly with representation from correctional services, judiciary, security forces, medical facilities, lawyers, and prosecutors,” Champagnie explained. “This collaborative body ensures all stakeholders operate under consistent protocols and can address implementation gaps when judicial directives aren’t properly followed.”

The veteran legal expert emphasized that such a body could additionally serve as a mechanism for reviewing outdated legislation. He specifically referenced Jamaica’s Obeah Act, Unlawful Possession of Property Act, and aspects of the Firearms Act that inadequately address modern legal realities. Champagnie highlighted a 2017 case where alleged gang leader Tesha Miller received only a $100 fine for making false declarations to immigration officials as evidence of systemic inadequacy.

The electronic access controversy stems from an April 2024 practice direction issued by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes authorizing electronic disclosure methods for criminal trials. Despite this judicial mandate, defense attorneys reported continued resistance from prison facilities when attempting to utilize electronic devices for client consultations and document sharing—a critical capability given the shift toward digital evidence management.

Justice Vinette Graham-Allen, who originally advocated for the electronic disclosure reforms based on her Case Management Court experience, recently urged the Jamaican Bar Association to formally document these ongoing access issues, indicating persistent implementation challenges within Jamaica’s correctional system.

Residents of Dover, St. Mary, are confronting severe flooding that has surpassed the impact of Hurricane Melissa, attributing the crisis to chronically clogged drainage systems. Following an initial reprieve from the hurricane’s full force last October, the community has been subjected to intense rainfall from an unstable weather system persisting into the new year, resulting in impassable roads and homes inundated with murky water.

Eyewitness accounts reveal the sudden and alarming nature of the flooding. Latoya Hall described receiving a frantic call from her uncle, prompting her to discover her verandah submerged and water encroaching into her home. Immediate action to elevate appliances and belongings prevented destruction, but Hall emphasized this was an unprecedented event, with water levels exceeding those experienced during the hurricane.

The persistence of the problem is evident days after the rains, with stagnant water pools remaining throughout the community. Investigations point to obstructed drains as the core issue. Laura Samuels explained the failure of local flood mechanisms, noting that a nearby gully, overwhelmed by volume and debris, overflowed for the first time since its construction. She and her neighbors manually extracted a significant pile of branches and sticks from the drains, which they identified as a primary cause of the water buildup.

This sentiment is echoed across Dover, with multiple households reporting flood damage. Donnaree McIntosh shared that her home and business were affected, with water marks indicating ankle-high flooding inside her bar. She warned that the already saturated land could lead to worsening conditions with any additional rainfall.

The community’s response includes urgent appeals for improved infrastructure management. Residents are calling for systematic and regular cleaning of drains and the riverbed under a key bridge, arguing that partial efforts are ineffective. An anonymous resident noted that overgrown vegetation under the bridge constricts water flow through culverts, exacerbating flooding. Additionally, the force of the water has damaged local pipes, disrupting the domestic water supply.

While most blame poor maintenance, some, like Latoya Clemetson, propose structural solutions, suggesting that raising the height of drain channels at hillside bases could prevent water from overflowing into homes situated below road level. The collective experience has left the community of Dover advocating for comprehensive and preventative measures to mitigate future disasters.

PORT ANTONIO, Portland — A critical infrastructure crisis persists within Portland’s law enforcement facilities, with health authorities revealing that seven of the parish’s nine police stations remain in dire need of urgent rehabilitation. Despite commencing repairs at the severely dilapidated Port Antonio Marine Police Station, the overwhelming majority of facilities fail to meet satisfactory operational standards.

Lorenzo Hume, Portland’s Chief Public Health Inspector, provided this concerning assessment during the recent monthly meeting of the Portland Municipal Corporation. While acknowledging ongoing renovation efforts at the marine station located at Errol Flynn Marina, Hume emphasized the extensive work required across the police infrastructure network. “Only two stations are currently considered satisfactory,” he stated, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem.

The Inspector referenced previous communications regarding the Manchioneal Police Station, where authorities had committed to addressing sewage system issues by December’s end. Although these repairs remain incomplete, Hume expressed optimism that progress would accelerate following the holiday season.

However, significant bureaucratic challenges continue to impede resolution efforts. Hume detailed frustrations in maintaining consistent communication with police leadership, citing frequent managerial changes that necessitate repeated re-engagement processes. This administrative instability, combined with jurisdictional ambiguities regarding facility maintenance responsibilities within the Ministry of National Security, has substantially delayed essential improvements.

Amid these systemic challenges, a tangible achievement has emerged at the Port Antonio Marine Station. Following November 2024 reports by the Jamaica Observer that documented officers working under leaky roofs and in substandard living conditions, visible repairs were underway during a recent visit. Law enforcement personnel expressed relief and satisfaction with the improvements, with one officer noting: “This is long overdue and will make our working conditions better and more comfortable.”

A devastating collision on the Crawford to Font Hill main road near the St Elizabeth and Westmoreland border has claimed four lives, intensifying national concerns over Jamaica’s escalating road safety crisis. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday afternoon as a Toyota Voxy, transporting a family returning from a beach outing, collided head-on with a utility truck operated by a Canadian worker.

The victims have been identified as 30-year-old Jeneen Dawkins, her 10-year-old daughter Antwasia Glenziler, and their neighbors—sisters Jonnessa Dunkley, 17, and Janneilia Dunkley, 12. All residents of Brighton district, Santa Cruz, perished at the hospital after emergency extraction from their severely damaged vehicle. The truck driver emerged from the catastrophe physically unharmed.

Preliminary police reports indicate the collision occurred approximately at 5:27 PM while both vehicles traveled in opposing directions. Although initial speculation suggested swerving to avoid road defects might have caused the tragedy, official investigations remain ongoing to determine precise causation factors.

This catastrophic event has propelled Jamaica’s road fatalities to 11 deaths as of Sunday morning—marking a concerning increase compared to the equivalent period last year. Dr. Lucien Jones, Vice Chairman of the National Road Safety Council, characterized the incident as a ‘terrible tragedy’ during his Sunday address, emphasizing its implications within broader systemic failures.

Dr. Jones highlighted critical safety deficiencies across multiple dimensions, questioning whether excessive speed, inadequate vehicle safety features, or insufficient seatbelt usage contributed to the fatalities. His analysis extended to Jamaica’s infrastructure challenges, referencing his recent advocacy for improved road conditions just days before this tragedy.

The safety expert urgently reiterated demands for implementing the Safe Systems Approach—a comprehensive framework addressing five crucial elements: road quality, appropriate speed limits, vehicle integrity, responsible user behavior, and post-crash emergency response. He specifically emphasized accelerating the deployment of the demerit point system under Jamaica’s new Road Traffic Act to penalize reckless drivers.

With 374 road fatalities recorded in 2025, Dr. Jones warned of impending disasters unless authorities promptly execute safety measures. ‘Our children’s lives are at stake,’ he asserted, underscoring the national imperative for immediate action across all safety domains to prevent further preventable tragedies.

MONTEGO BAY, St James — In a formal recognition of exceptional law enforcement achievements, local government officials in Jamaica’s St James parish are moving to establish an annual ‘Police Day’ celebration. Deputy Mayor Dwight Crawford has presented an official resolution to the St James Municipal Corporation seeking to designate June 8 as a permanent day of honor for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The proposal comes amid widespread acclaim for the police force’s remarkable success in combating violent crime throughout the region. Statistical evidence reveals an extraordinary turnaround: murder rates plummeted from 125 fatalities in 2024 to just 58 in 2025—representing a dramatic 67-case reduction within a single year.

Crawford emotionally recalled the parish’s troubled past during Thursday’s monthly council meeting, stating, ‘I remember when citizens feared even their own shadows and many had completely lost faith in our police institution. Some felt compelled to seek justice through their own means when confronting criminal elements.’

The resolution gained momentum following an impressive operational report delivered by police representatives that left municipal counselors visibly impressed. ‘What we’re witnessing in St James results directly from the dedicated efforts of our local police personnel,’ Crawford emphasized. ‘Jamaican professionals are effectively addressing our national security challenges through commendable, tangible results.’

The proposed June 8 date carries particular symbolic significance, marking the anniversary of Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake’s launch of the JCF Transformation Initiative. This comprehensive reform program publicly outlined the force’s structural and operational modernization plans, whose positive effects are now becoming statistically evident.

Crawford further acknowledged broader governmental contributions to national security improvements, specifically praising Finance Minister Fayval Williams and National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang for their supportive roles in the crime reduction achievements.

PORT ANTONIO, Portland — Dr. Sharon Lewis, Medical Officer of Health for Portland, has issued an urgent appeal for the immediate allocation of additional garbage collection trucks to the parish. This call to action aims to build upon and sustain the recent successes achieved in controlling the local rodent population through targeted eradication efforts.

Addressing the monthly meeting of the parish’s municipal corporation last Thursday, Dr. Lewis emphasized the visible diligence of National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) teams but stressed that their efforts are hampered by insufficient resources. She formally requested that Portland be prioritized to receive a minimum of two new garbage trucks by 2026, framing the issue as critical for public health and community well-being.

The appeal is directly linked to the outcomes of an extensive, multi-month rodent baiting initiative. Dr. Lewis provided a detailed report on a major operation conducted on December 6, 2025. A team of nine public healthcare workers serviced 255 bait stations at key locations, including all three points of entry to the port and the Musgrave Market in Port Antonio. The operation utilized 284 packs of three different rodenticide brands and involved replacing 37 stations that had gone missing.

Notably, the data revealed extremely high bait consumption. All baits previously placed in the park areas of the Errol Flynn Marina and the main market were completely consumed by the time of the replenishment mission. Only 11 stations in secondary locations, such as the boat yard and the old marina, contained stale, unconsumed bait, which was promptly replaced. An official evaluation of the bait uptake is scheduled for this month, with findings to be shared subsequently.

Dr. Lewis directly connected efficient garbage collection to public health safeguards. She expressed deep concern over frequent delays in solid waste collection across Portland communities, noting that accumulated refuse creates ideal breeding grounds for disease-carrying pests like rodents, flies, and mosquitoes. While acknowledging that Portland was fortunately spared significant outbreaks of leptospirosis and dengue fever recently, she warned that this positive health status is fragile. The officer concluded that bolstering the NSWMA’s operational capacity is an essential investment in preventing vector-borne diseases and maintaining the parish’s overall health security.

A high-profile trial involving 25 alleged members of the Klansman Gang faction faces significant delays as Jamaica’s Supreme Court grapples with critical evidence disclosure issues. The prosecution, led by Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Janek Forbes, acknowledged substantial evidentiary gaps during Friday’s proceedings before Justice Dale Palmer in downtown Kingston.

Prosecution representatives revealed multiple outstanding documents including DNA reports for several defendants, chain-of-custody documentation, expert statements, and crime scene reports. Particularly concerning is the forensic laboratory’s indication that DNA analysis alone would require six to eight weeks, followed by additional time for peer review and report completion.

Defense attorney John Clarke, representing alleged faction leader Tesha Miller, raised constitutional concerns about the prosecution’s proposed ‘ongoing disclosure’ during trial proceedings. Clarke argued this approach could violate defendants’ rights to adequate trial preparation and a fair hearing, stating that receiving crucial evidence mid-trial would effectively abrogate these fundamental rights.

The complexity deepened with additional defense challenges, including attorney Denise Hinson’s objection to obtaining a DNA sample from client Nashaune Guest five years after evidence collection. Hinson characterized the belated request as fundamentally unfair given the extended timeframe without prior forensic analysis.

Justice Palmer, who had previously indicated reluctance to grant the prosecution’s requested adjournment to June, delayed his ruling until Monday following these substantial submissions. The court extended bail for one defendant while remanding others who attended virtually via Zoom, underscoring the case’s complex logistical dimensions.

The proceedings highlight persistent challenges in Jamaica’s judicial system when handling complex organized crime cases, particularly regarding forensic evidence processing and the balance between trial efficiency and defendants’ constitutional rights.