作者： admin

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s road safety landscape presented a complex picture in the final quarter of 2025, with the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) reporting 81 fatalities resulting from 68 separate fatal collisions occurring between October and December. While the overall figures indicate a downward trend in road deaths, certain user groups and parishes experienced concerning increases.

The geographical distribution of fatalities revealed significant disparities across the island. St. Catherine Parish emerged as the most dangerous region, recording a distressing 22 deaths. It was followed by St. Elizabeth, often called the nation’s breadbasket, with 12 fatalities, and St. Ann with nine. Manchester and Westmoreland parishes each reported seven deaths, while St. Thomas and St. James recorded four fatalities apiece. Portland stood out as the safest jurisdiction with zero fatalities during the three-month monitoring period.

Comparative analysis with the same quarter in 2024 showed a 6% reduction in total fatalities and an 11% decrease in the number of fatal crashes. However, this overall improvement masked troubling trends among specific road user categories. Motorcyclists remained particularly vulnerable, accounting for 28 deaths (35% of all fatalities), though this represented a 13% improvement from 2024.

Conversely, private motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians both experienced 7% increases in fatalities compared to the previous year. Drivers accounted for 16 deaths (20% of total fatalities), while pedestrians represented 15 deaths (19% of the total).

The data revealed a pronounced gender disparity, with males comprising 85% of all fatalities compared to 15% for females. Most concerning was the statistic showing that vulnerable road users—including pedestrians, motorcyclists, pillion passengers, and pedalcyclists—collectively accounted for 57% of all deaths during the review period.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s education system continues to grapple with the extensive aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, with complete rehabilitation of damaged schools projected to require up to eighteen months. The disclosure came from Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon during a ministerial address to the Senate on Friday.

While all educational institutions officially resumed classes on January 14th, Minister Morris Dixon acknowledged that many facilities are operating under suboptimal conditions. Numerous schools have implemented rotational attendance systems to accommodate ongoing repairs while ensuring continuous learning.

The minister expressed particular concern about rotational learning arrangements, stating emphatically, ‘I want rotations ended as quickly as possible.’ She explained the varying timelines for repairs, noting that while some facilities require approximately six months of work, others need nearly complete reconstruction, extending the process to a year and a half.

Complex reconstruction efforts present significant logistical challenges, as work must proceed around academic schedules. Contractors are conducting repairs during nights and weekends to minimize disruption. In some cases, rehabilitation includes infrastructure upgrades—replacing temporary zinc roofs with more durable concrete slabs, which contributes to extended timelines.

To address classroom shortages, the education ministry has implemented a strategic redeployment of temporary structures. Once repairs conclude at one facility, tents are relocated to other schools still undergoing reconstruction, helping reduce rotational attendance numbers.

The ministry maintains a firm policy requiring all examination-year students to attend school five days weekly. This applies to pupils preparing for Primary Exit Profile (PEP), Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) tests. Rotational schedules affect only those students not facing imminent external examinations.

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — In a remarkable display of international solidarity, a specialized team of volunteer builders from Wisconsin has successfully constructed eight new residential units for Jamaican families devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The humanitarian mission, orchestrated by The Issa Trust Foundation, specifically targeted employees of Couples Resorts who lost their homes during the catastrophic Category 5 storm.

Dirk Bartalozzi, owner of Bartalozzi Homes and leader of the volunteer contingent, expressed profound personal motivation for participating in the rebuilding initiative. Having witnessed the extensive destruction across Westmoreland parish, Bartalozzi—whose wife is Jamaican—felt compelled to leverage his professional expertise in service of the recovery efforts.

The construction process demonstrated both technical proficiency and adaptive problem-solving. While Bartalozzi noted that the fundamental building techniques mirrored those used in his Wisconsin-based residential projects, the team encountered unique challenges working with elevated foundations designed for flood protection. “Building on stilts presented distinct structural considerations,” Bartalozzi explained, highlighting the specialized approach required for hurricane-resistant construction.

The volunteers arrived fully equipped with professional-grade tools, including battery-powered framing systems, precision saws, industrial drills, and critical hurricane strapping components. This comprehensive preparation enabled the team to complete each home within an impressive two-day timeframe, significantly accelerating the community’s recovery process.

The initiative represents a successful collaboration between corporate social responsibility through The Issa Trust Foundation and skilled volunteerism, demonstrating how targeted technical assistance can effectively address post-disaster housing needs in vulnerable communities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican media community gathered in solemn tribute at the University of the West Indies Mona Chapel to honor the life and legacy of esteemed sports journalist Donald Oliver, whose sudden passing on December 30th sent shockwaves through the nation’s media landscape. The veteran journalist, who had dedicated two decades to sports reporting across prominent media outlets including CVM, SportsMax, and Jamaica Observer, succumbed unexpectedly after experiencing chest pains.

The emotional thanksgiving service, streamed live via YouTube channel LiveStreamJA, drew hundreds of virtual attendees whose condolences flooded the commentary section, reflecting Oliver’s profound impact on both professional circles and personal connections. The ceremony highlighted not only Oliver’s professional accomplishments but also his cherished roles as husband and father.

In a moving tribute, Oliver’s wife Noretta painted an intimate portrait of their life journey together, beginning in Allman Town. ‘What we shared was beautiful,’ she emotionally recounted, noting how fatherhood revealed even greater dimensions of his character. She described the extraordinary bond between Oliver and their daughter Zabella, and reflected on his sports journalism career as a true vocation rather than merely professional pursuit.

Jamaica Observer Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun eulogized Oliver as ‘a consummate professional deeply committed, consistently enthusiastic and unwavering in his delivery of quality and excellence,’ while simultaneously recognizing his innate warmth and kindness that distinguished his interpersonal relationships.

The memorial service featured tributes from notable figures including Minister of Sport Olivia Grange and Dr. Coleen Beckles of Love 101 radio, underscoring Oliver’s significant standing within both sports media and broader Jamaican society. Photographs from the service captured poignant moments of familial comfort and respectful homage, illustrating the deep personal and professional void left by Oliver’s untimely departure.