作者: admin

  • Sunshine Girls’ Henry-Wright remains in Australia for coaching workshops

    Sunshine Girls’ Henry-Wright remains in Australia for coaching workshops

    In a strategic move to enhance elite coaching capabilities, Netball Jamaica has announced that national head coach Sasher Gaye Henry-Wright will remain in Australia for an intensive three-week developmental program following the recent international series between Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls and Australia’s Diamonds.

    The coaching immersion initiative, confirmed through an official press release on Friday, represents a significant investment in Jamaica’s netball leadership development. Henry-Wright will engage in comprehensive workshops and observe training methodologies within Australia’s premier Suncorp Super Netball league, widely regarded as the world’s most competitive professional netball competition.

    Her developmental agenda includes direct collaboration with coaching staff from two top-tier Australian clubs: West Coast Fever based in Perth and Adelaide Thunderbirds. The program also facilitates mentorship sessions with Jill McIntosh, Henry-Wright’s former coach and mentor who previously served as technical director for Netball Jamaica.

    Coach Henry-Wright expressed enthusiasm about the learning opportunity, stating: ‘This experience promises to be invaluable as Australian netball facilities and coaching development opportunities are unparalleled globally. I anticipate gaining substantial knowledge during this intensive period and deeply appreciate the collaborative efforts making this possible.’

    Simone Forbes, First Vice President and Chair of Netball Jamaica’s Technical Oversight Committee, endorsed the initiative as a crucial step in coaching excellence. The organization additionally acknowledged GC Foster College and its principal Maurice Wilson for facilitating the extended Australian stay, highlighting institutional partnerships supporting national coaching development.

  • Newcomers WiFi seek to extend winning start in JFF Championships

    Newcomers WiFi seek to extend winning start in JFF Championships

    The Jamaica Football Championships continue this weekend with several compelling fixtures following an explosive opening round. All eyes are on Zone A’s marquee matchup where two dominant squads, WiFi United and Grays Inn SC, prepare for a high-stakes confrontation at Grays Inn Sports Complex this Saturday at 3:30 PM.

    Both teams announced their championship intentions with commanding 3-0 victories last weekend. WiFi United, the competition newcomers from Portland, delivered a stunning blow to last season’s semi-finalists Meadforest FC. Meanwhile, St. Mary’s Grays Inn SC demonstrated equal prowess with their comprehensive defeat of Baptist Alliance.

    The weekend schedule features multiple intriguing storylines across both zones. In Zone A, Lime Hall Academy seeks consecutive victories against Progressive FC of Portland, who make their seasonal debut after a postponed opening fixture. Zone B presents St Bess United, that zone’s sole opening weekend victors, facing newly formed Roaring River FC at Llandilo Sports Complex on Sunday. Roaring River impressed observers by securing a draw against Reno FC in their inaugural Westmoreland derby match.

    Several traditional rivalries add historical context to this round’s matchups. The Effortville Community Centre will host a renewed confrontation between Humble Lion FC and Reno FC, recalling their previous Premier League encounters. Humble Lion enters this match following relegation from the top flight last season, with both teams desperately seeking their first Championship victory after disappointing opening draws.

    Falmouth United, still recovering from last season’s heartbreaking semi-final penalty shootout loss that denied them Premier League promotion, travels to face Petersfield FC. Petersfield looks to rebound from an opening defeat while Falmouth aims to convert their opening 2-2 draw against STETHS Elite into a full three points.

    The weekend’s complete fixture list includes debut appearances for Holland PYC of St Elizabeth, who host Duncans United at Lacovia Community Centre. Duncans United enters this match feeling unfortunate not to have secured victory in their opener, setting the stage for an intensely competitive encounter.

  • Cops make AK-47 find in east Kingston

    Cops make AK-47 find in east Kingston

    Kingston Eastern Police Division executed a targeted operation in the Rockfort area of east Kingston on Friday evening, resulting in the significant seizure of an illegal high-powered weapon and extensive ammunition. The strategic raid, conducted between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, was initiated based on specific intelligence regarding weapons storage and distribution.

    Law enforcement officials uncovered an AK-47 assault rifle, a weapon notorious for its military-grade capabilities, concealed within a bag and hidden inside a white plastic pipe at the rear of a property. The location was described as heavily obscured by dense vegetation, indicating deliberate attempts at concealment.

    Subsequent search operations revealed additional contraband including 248 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 50 cartridges of 5.56mm caliber—ammunition types compatible with various assault weapons. These were discovered separately, wrapped in black-market packaging at another section of the premises.

    Police intelligence reports directly linked the confiscated arsenal to the Top Temple gang, a known criminal organization operating in the region. According to official statements, the location served dual purposes as both a storage facility and an active point of sale for illegal firearms and ammunition.

    Despite the substantial seizure valued at considerable street worth, no arrests were made during the operation. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities pursue leads regarding the ownership and trafficking operations connected to the discovered weapons cache.

  • 8 heavyweight sound systems set for ‘Juggling’ Sunday at Mas Camp

    8 heavyweight sound systems set for ‘Juggling’ Sunday at Mas Camp

    Jamaica’s cultural landscape is poised for an unprecedented celebration of its musical heritage this Sunday as Mas Camp hosts a groundbreaking juggling event during Reggae Month. In a historic first, eight premier sound systems will unite in a single venue, shifting focus to the foundational elements that forged reggae music from its grassroots origins.

    This meticulously curated event, operating from noon until midnight without admission fees, deliberately diverges from traditional competitive clashes. Instead, it positions itself as both cultural exhibition and educational experience, tracing the evolution of Jamaican music through its most authentic medium. Organizers emphasize the event’s purpose is to honor the juggling culture that predated modern broadcasting technologies and served as the primary vehicle for musical dissemination throughout the island.

    Veteran selector Ricky Trooper characterizes the gathering as dual-purpose: both celebration and historical lesson. Attendees will experience an auditory journey spanning ska, rocksteady, mento, straight reggae, and dancehall—showcasing the complete spectrum of genres comprising Jamaica’s monumental musical contribution. Each participating sound system brings distinctive sonic characteristics and stylistic approaches to their performances, yet all share the common objective of paying homage to the juggling tradition that established modern sound system culture.

    The event strategically addresses narratives suggesting sound system culture’s decline. Trooper asserts Sunday’s showcase will demonstrate the culture’s continued vitality and relevance through its evolutionary adaptations. The programming will progress chronologically, with early arrivals experiencing foundation genres like mento and ska before selectors transition through reggae’s various eras into dancehall as the day progresses.

    Adding international resonance to the proceedings, guest selectors from France will participate, highlighting the global permeation of Jamaica’s sound system culture and its enduring influence on international music scenes.

  • Ken Boothe for Jamaica Music Museum Hall of Fame

    Ken Boothe for Jamaica Music Museum Hall of Fame

    Jamaica’s vibrant music scene is set to celebrate its living legends as the Ministry of Culture and Entertainment unveils its 2026 honorees. Veteran reggae icon Ken Boothe, renowned for timeless classics including ‘Everything I Own’ and ‘Crying Over You,’ has been selected for induction into the Jamaica Music Museum Hall of Fame. The 77-year-old Denham Town native, whose career spans six decades across international stages, will receive this prestigious recognition during Reggae Month festivities next year.

    Culture Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange made the formal announcement on Friday, revealing a comprehensive list of award recipients that underscores reggae’s enduring global influence. ‘I am proud to announce the 2026 awardees who represent the depth, diversity and enduring strength of reggae music,’ Minister Grange stated. ‘Through their talent and dedication, they have strengthened Jamaica’s cultural identity and contributed to the global reach of our music.’

    The induction ceremony, scheduled for February 27, 2026, at the National Arena, will feature spectacular musical tributes led by Reggae Month Ambassador Etana. She will be joined by Richie Stephens, the sensational group LUST (featuring Lukie D, Singing Melody, Thriller U and Tony Curtis), and emerging star Chris Malachi in honoring Boothe’s monumental legacy.

    Simultaneously, the government will present bassist Frankie Campbell, founding member of the iconic Fab 5 band, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his substantial contributions to Jamaican music. Boothe himself had previously received national recognition in 2003 when he was awarded the Order of Distinction.

    Fifteen additional artists will receive Reggae Gold awards, established in 2019 to commemorate reggae’s 50th anniversary and preserve the genre’s essence. This year’s distinguished recipients include guitarist Steve Golding, songwriter/producer Mikie Bennett, singer Desmond Young, music engineer Delroy ‘Fatta’ Pottinger, and vocalist Noel Phillips ‘Echo Minott.’ The list continues with Tristan Palmer (singer/producer), Colin ‘Bulby’ York (producer), The Wailing Souls (represented by George Bancroft ‘Buddy’ Haye), and deejays John McMorris ‘Little John,’ Anthony Alphanso Waldron ‘Lone Ranger,’ Delroy Thompson ‘Pinchers,’ Lester Randall Bullock ‘Dillinger,’ and Hugh James ‘Redman.’ Broadcast journalists Elaine Wint and Winston Barnes round out the honorees.

    The celebration will also feature a special performance by ‘Reggae’s Messenger’ Luciano accompanied by the Reggae Symphony Orchestra under conductor Peter Ashbourne, with the Megaband ensemble led by Michael ‘Megabass’ Fletcher. Demonstrating reggae’s international reach, Chinese reggae band KAWA will perform, highlighting the genre’s universal appeal. ‘Though born in Jamaica, reggae belongs to the world and the world continues to embrace it,’ Minister Grange noted, emphasizing the music’s powerful messages of resilience, faith, and social consciousness.

  • Courtni Jackson thrills at Back 2 Bass-es

    Courtni Jackson thrills at Back 2 Bass-es

    A poignant musical convergence unfolded at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts on February 6th. The Back 2 Bass-es event, orchestrated by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), became the backdrop for a special father-daughter performance. Courtni Jackson, a vibrant emerging vocalist, took the stage alongside her father, the revered bass guitarist Jackie Jackson, a foundational figure in reggae history.

    The performance was deeply symbolic, held at the very institution from which Courtni graduated in 2024. She delivered renditions of iconic tracks intimately connected to her father’s legacy, including The Wailers’ ‘Hypocrites’ and Desmond Dekker and The Aces’ ‘Israelites’. Jackie Jackson was one of six legendary bassists honored that evening, sharing the tribute with peers Boris Gardiner, Lloyd Parks, Flabba Holt, Daniel ‘Axeman’ Thompson, and Donald ‘Danny Bassie’ Dennis.

    Reflecting on the experience, Courtni described it as an ‘immaculate feeling,’ citing her father as a lifelong inspiration. The event also served as an emotional tribute to her late mother, singer Karen Smith, who passed away in 2021. Courtni acknowledged that her deep appreciation for classic reggae, particularly the works of pioneers like Toots Hibbert and Jimmy Cliff, was cultivated by her mother’s influence.

    Now six years into her own recording career, Courtni Jackson is focused on carving her own path while honoring her rich musical heritage. She expressed a determined vision to continue releasing music, stating her goal is to clearly communicate her artistic identity and purpose to the world.

  • Defence’s attempt to discredit cop witness collapses

    Defence’s attempt to discredit cop witness collapses

    A high-stakes legal confrontation unfolded Friday in the Supreme Court of Jamaica as defense attorneys for 25 alleged members of the Tesha Miller Klansman Gang faction unsuccessfully attempted to undermine the credibility of a key prosecution witness. The dramatic courtroom exchange centered on forensic evidence collected from a 2017 murder scene in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

    Detective Corporal [Name], a forensic crime scene investigator, provided detailed testimony about processing the scene where George Richards was fatally shot in September 2017. The officer described discovering a vehicle with multiple bullet holes in the windshield, blood smears on the passenger door, spent shell casings nearby, and a substantial pool of blood near the vehicle’s front alongside discarded brown slippers.

    Following protocol, the investigator documented the chain of custody for all evidence before proceeding to Spanish Town Hospital where he photographed and processed the victim’s body—a male with Rastafarian hairstyle displaying apparent gunshot wounds to the upper chest. The body was properly tagged, sealed in a white body bag with initialed seals, and documented before transfer to morgue attendants.

    Defense attorneys Javed Grant and Tamika Harris launched an aggressive challenge, accusing the detective of recently fabricating evidence about a container collected from the crime scene. Grant pointedly questioned why this container wasn’t mentioned in the officer’s original 2017 statement, crime scene photographs, or schematic drawings.

    ‘The suggestion is that your reference to obtaining a container on September 16, 2017, is a recent fabrication,’ Grant asserted during cross-examination. ‘There is nothing in your documentation to support any presence of a container that day.’

    The prosecution effectively countered this challenge by recalling the evidence disc entered Thursday and displaying two separate photographs that clearly showed the disputed container at the crime scene. An acting deputy director of public prosecutions emphasized that the defense’s insistence on the container’s absence necessitated this photographic verification.

    This case represents the second major judicial proceeding against factions of the Klansman Gang, with all 25 defendants pleading not guilty to 16 separate offenses allegedly committed between August 2017 and November 2022. The trial continues Monday before Supreme Court Justice Dale Palmer, who is hearing evidence without a jury.

  • Hanover police to intensify road ops after fatal crash

    Hanover police to intensify road ops after fatal crash

    LUCEA, Hanover — In response to the first traffic fatality recorded this year, the Hanover Police Division has launched an aggressive new road safety initiative. Superintendent Andrew Nish, commanding officer of the division, announced the intensified measures following a tragic collision that claimed the life of a senior citizen.

    The fatal incident occurred early Thursday morning on Watson Taylor Drive in Lucea, involving a commercial Toyota Coaster bus and a pedal cyclist. The victim has been identified as 75-year-old Keith Campbell, a resident of Cousins Cove in the parish.

    Police reports indicate that the accident transpired approximately at 7:00 am when the bus, traveling from Negril toward Lucea, collided with Campbell who was cycling ahead in the same direction. The impact occurred near the Hanover Parish Library section of the road, resulting in the cyclist being thrown from his bicycle.

    Campbell sustained catastrophic injuries including a fractured skull, broken arm, and severe head lacerations. Despite being transported to medical facilities, he succumbed to his injuries. The bicycle was completely crushed in the accident.

    Superintendent Nish emphasized the police’s renewed commitment to implementing more rigorous traffic enforcement strategies. “We have determined to tackle the streets robustly to prevent these accidents that ultimately lead to fatalities,” Nish stated during his announcement.

    While acknowledging that any loss of life remains significant, the superintendent noted comparative improvement in road safety statistics. The parish has recorded only one fatality this year, contrasting sharply with four fatalities during the same period last year.

    Despite this relative improvement, Nish reiterated the division’s unwavering commitment to enhancing road safety through increased police visibility and strict enforcement of traffic regulations to further reduce accident risks.

  • Sugary drink tax not a burden

    Sugary drink tax not a burden

    Jamaica’s government has announced a groundbreaking fiscal policy targeting sugar-sweetened beverages as part of a comprehensive strategy to address the nation’s growing public health crisis. Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Chris Tufton has defended the new special consumption tax (SCT) of $0.02 per milliliter on non-alcoholic sweetened beverages, asserting it represents a balanced approach to modifying consumption patterns without creating undue economic hardship.

    The controversial measure, revealed by Finance Minister Fayval Williams and scheduled for implementation in the first quarter of the 2026/2027 fiscal year, emerges against a backdrop of alarming health statistics. Recent ministry data positions Jamaica as the tenth highest global consumer of sugary drinks, with 70-86% of children and 77% of adults consuming one or more sweetened beverages daily. This consumption pattern has directly contributed to escalating rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases nationwide.

    Minister Tufton emphasized that the policy aims to foster a culture of moderation rather than simply generate revenue. “This initiative seeks to improve health outcomes and reduce disease burden while maintaining constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders,” he stated following meetings with ministry unit heads. The minister recalled earlier efforts dating back to 2018/2019 when the government first restricted certain sugary drinks in schools and public health institutions.

    The health ministry has presented compelling evidence supporting the measure, citing successful implementations in Mexico, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Barbados, and Chile where similar taxes have significantly reduced consumption. Dr. Simone Spence, Director of the Health Promotion and Protection Branch, highlighted that sugar-sweetened beverages represent a major source of free sugars whose affordability and heavy consumption contribute substantially to Jamaica’s non-communicable disease burden.

    Despite government assurances, industry representatives including Wisynco Group Chairman William Mahfood have expressed concerns that the tax might disproportionately affect lower-income households while failing to meaningfully improve public health outcomes. In response, the health ministry has suggested implementing a tiered tax system that would incentivize manufacturers to reduce sugar content through product reformulation.

    The policy development follows World Health Organization recommendations regarding fiscal policies for diet improvement and reflects Jamaica’s urgent need to address health disparities, particularly among socio-economically vulnerable groups. Current data indicates that while 92.5% of Jamaicans with diabetes receive treatment, only 27.5% achieve adequate disease control, underscoring the critical need for preventive population-level interventions.

  • Clocking out for politics

    Clocking out for politics

    Amidst the ceremonial opening of Jamaica’s Parliament on Thursday, a revealing social phenomenon unfolded as dedicated Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters openly admitted to skipping workplace obligations to attend the political event. Many attendees concealed their identities with party-colored coverings and makeshift disguises, attempting to avoid photographic recognition while expressing unwavering loyalty to their political representatives.

    Longtime JLP adherents, clad in the party’s signature green, revealed they have consistently attended the annual parliamentary ceremony for years, considering it a priority above professional responsibilities. While some exhibited caution when approached by media, others spoke with defiant pride about their attendance decisions.

    One prominently dressed supporter articulated her justification for absenteeism, stating Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s performance warranted her presence. ‘He is the biggest man in the country right now, away from God,’ she declared, employing the leader’s ‘Brogad’ campaign moniker. She explained to her employer that she required time off to ‘uplift my country’ and expressed no intention to conceal her participation.

    Another attendee awaited the arrival of Finance Minister Fayval Williams, her local parliamentary representative, asserting she had openly informed her supervisor of her political allegiance. ‘I tell my boss say him know me a Labourite…him can’t stop me,’ she stated confidently.

    In a particularly bold declaration, a Jamaica Urban Transit Company employee claimed ultimate accountability to Minister Daryl Vaz, whose portfolio oversees her state-owned employer. ‘My Government give me my work so me have to come to Parliament,’ she reasoned, expressing confidence that ministerial approval superseded immediate supervisory concerns.

    Contrasting these vocal supporters, numerous attendees actively avoided media documentation, with some physically retreating from camera ranges and others obscuring facial features with ski masks. ‘Wait, is it a picture you a go tek? Mek me move, because mi nuh want my boss si mi,’ one individual exclaimed while exiting photographic frame.

    Groups of supporters privately exchanged anecdotes about fabricated excuses and coordinated attendance strategies, though these conversations diminished when journalists approached. One participant defended her right to take personal time, noting: ‘If you take a half day it’s out of your pay…As long you are a good worker, him a guh give you the time.’