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KINGSTON, Jamaica — The nation is in mourning following the untimely death of Dwayne Mullings, a dedicated bus driver for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC). Mullings tragically lost his life after the bus he was operating veered off the road and crashed into a ditch on Wednesday. The incident has sent shockwaves through the transport sector and the wider community. Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz, expressed profound grief over the loss, extending heartfelt condolences to Mullings’ family, friends, and colleagues. Minister Vaz highlighted Mullings’ unwavering professionalism and pride in serving the commuting public, noting that public transport operators like him are indispensable to the daily functioning of Jamaica. “The JUTC family and the entire transport sector are deeply affected by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mullings’ loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Vaz stated. The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s unwavering support for the JUTC, emphasizing solidarity as they navigate this period of sorrow.

In St Ann, Jamaica, a 32-year-old construction worker, Richard Levy, known locally as ‘Sleepy,’ has been arrested and charged following an alleged gun threat incident. The charges against Levy include unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon and assault at common law. The incident reportedly occurred on October 4 around 6:40 PM at a bar on Main Street in Priory, St Ann. According to police reports, an argument escalated between Levy and another individual, prompting Levy to leave the bar briefly and return armed with a firearm. He allegedly pointed the weapon at the complainant, leading to immediate concerns and a subsequent police report. Authorities swiftly apprehended Levy, who now awaits a court date that is currently being finalized. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and illegal firearm possession in the region.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—A groundbreaking initiative, the Agents for Transformation programme, has delivered life-changing outcomes for at-risk students at Charlie Smith High School in Trench Town. This collaborative effort between Sterling Asset Management Limited and the Joy Town Community Development Foundation, which ran from August 2022 to March 2023, targeted 30 third-form students at risk of expulsion, suspension, gang involvement, and other detrimental behaviors. Of these, 23 students successfully completed the programme, which integrated life skills training, academic support, counseling, case management, and parental engagement to foster positive change. Additionally, 13 parents received positive parenting training to reduce household violence and enhance support for their children. The results were transformative: the school’s pass rate in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) English exams surged from 13.1% to 75%. Michelle Valentine, AVP of Marketing and Communications at Sterling Asset Management, emphasized the programme’s dual focus on academic and real-world skills, equipping students to make better decisions and envision brighter futures. Students also engaged in career-focused life skills sessions hosted by the University of Technology (UTech), the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and HEART/NSTA Trust, which broadened their horizons and inspired goal-setting. Camille Johnson, Programme Manager at Joy Town Community Development Foundation, highlighted the holistic impact on families and communities. Academically, students showed marked improvements in vocabulary, reading, comprehension, and mathematics, with 100% reporting enhanced reading skills and 90.5% valuing education more. Kasheina Allison, a 17-year-old graduate and President’s Award recipient, credits the programme with helping her manage anger and improve her grades. Now working in retail and preparing to study food and nutrition, Allison aspires to become a chef and serve in the JDF, urging others to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

A Montego Bay man, Melbourne Forrester, is set to face trial after mediation efforts in a domestic violence case collapsed. Forrester, charged with unlawful wounding, allegedly struck his stepdaughter on the head with a pot during a heated argument, leaving her with a wound that required stitches. The incident escalated when Forrester reportedly brandished a knife, threatening to stab her, and later hurled stones, causing further injuries. A neighbor alerted the police, leading to Forrester’s arrest. Initially, Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton referred the case to mediation and restorative justice, but the process failed to yield a resolution. With the necessary medical certificate still pending, the judge scheduled a case management hearing for October 16 and extended Forrester’s bail. Meanwhile, tensions ran high in the St James Parish Court as another complex cross-case involving Angella Reid, Oshane McIntosh, and Ann Lawrence also saw mediation fail. Reid is accused of unlawful wounding against McIntosh, while McIntosh and Lawrence face charges of assault occasioning bodily harm against Reid. The court has set the next mention date for October 28, with all defendants’ bail extended.

A tragic domestic violence incident in Waterbury, Connecticut, has resulted in the arrest of a 25-year-old man for the alleged murder of his parents. The victims, identified as 51-year-old Carlene Williams and 55-year-old Marc Adams, were found with fatal gunshot wounds at their Beverly Avenue residence on Monday evening. Authorities were alerted to the scene, where the couple was pronounced dead. The suspect, Javan Adams, has been charged with multiple offenses, including murder with special circumstances, murder during the commission of a felony, larceny of a vehicle, and criminal use of a weapon. Javan is currently held on a $5 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. Reports indicate that the suspect has a lengthy criminal history, with over seven prior domestic violence offenses, underscoring the severity of the case. The incident has reignited concerns about domestic violence and its devastating consequences.

In response to severe flooding in Trafalgar Park, St Andrew, caused by heavy rainfall in September, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has committed to assisting affected residents. During a recent visit to the area, Terry Forrester, the parish disaster coordinator at KSAMC, assured residents that the corporation, in collaboration with partner agencies, would provide essential comfort items to those impacted. Forrester emphasized the role of the welfare health committee in coordinating these efforts.