For over a decade, residents of Greenwich Town in south-west St Andrew, Jamaica, have endured the relentless stench and health risks emanating from the local sewage facility. The National Water Commission (NWC) has now reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the issue, though progress remains slow and challenges persist. In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, NWC’s Acting Corporate Public Relations Manager, Delano Williams, outlined ongoing efforts to mitigate the problem, including reconfiguring truck offloading areas to reduce odour and improve efficiency. Williams explained that a more enclosed receptacle for waste dumping is being designed to prevent odour from escaping into the air, with the project currently in the procurement phase. Additionally, the Central Wastewater Treatment Company (CWTC) will conduct a comprehensive air quality analysis, including testing near schools, to establish benchmarks and measure improvements. Recent upgrades have reportedly reduced sewage overflow risks and persistent malodours, while fence repairs and dust mitigation work are underway. However, unauthorised access to the facility and improper disposal practices by some truck operators continue to exacerbate the issue. Williams called for a coordinated response among stakeholders to address these challenges. The NWC’s assurances come after years of frustration from residents, who have long complained about the facility’s proximity to schools and its impact on daily life. Educators have particularly highlighted the vulnerability of children to the health risks posed by the odour. Williams acknowledged the tension caused by wastewater facilities near residential areas but reiterated the NWC’s commitment to improving conditions. Despite promises made over the years, including a 2015 pledge to enclose the facility and a 2022 commitment to erect boundaries, the odour problem persists. As of 2025, residents remain hopeful but skeptical, waiting for tangible improvements to their quality of life.
作者： admin
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JSP optimistic despite losses; looks at expansion
MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Despite significant setbacks in coffee production due to adverse weather conditions, Jamaica Standard Products (JSP), a leading coffee manufacturer, remains steadfast in its commitment to growth and innovation. John O Minott Jr, the managing director of JSP, shared insights during International Coffee Day last Wednesday, highlighting the company’s resilience and its recent milestone—the first anniversary of the Island Blue Coffee House in Mandeville.
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Five killed in Linstead mass shooting
A tragic mass shooting in Linstead, St Catherine, has claimed the lives of five individuals, including a child, late Sunday evening. The incident occurred in the Commodore community shortly after 10 p.m., sending shockwaves through the area. Details surrounding the shooting remain scarce, but the community is reeling from the senseless violence. Authorities have yet to release information about potential suspects or motives. Observer Online has pledged to provide updates as more information emerges. This devastating event underscores the ongoing challenges of gun violence in Jamaica, raising urgent concerns about public safety and the need for effective intervention.
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4-y-o among five killed by gunmen ‘posing as police’ in Linstead
In a shocking turn of events, the peaceful community of Commodore in Linstead, St. Catherine, was thrust into chaos on Sunday evening when armed assailants, disguised as police officers, launched a brutal attack on a family yard. The incident, which occurred around 8:45 pm, resulted in nine individuals being shot, five of whom tragically lost their lives, including a four-year-old child.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips, who oversees Area 5, the attackers, some wearing police-style vests, stormed the premises along Commodore main road and opened fire indiscriminately. Phillips described the scene as ‘very unfortunate and awful,’ highlighting that the community had been experiencing relative calm before the tragedy struck.
Among the deceased is Shannon Gordon, a four-year-old student from Rosemount Primary and Infant School. The other victims have been identified as Mario Sullivan, 42; Jushane Edwards, 19; Iysha Washington, 39; and Famous Amos, 22. The attack left six males and three females injured, with two females and three males succumbing to their injuries.
Phillips noted that the location was not unfamiliar to law enforcement, having been visited multiple times in the past due to ‘long-standing issues and challenges’ involving the family. He suggested that the incident might be a continuation of gang conflict, which is surprising given the area’s recent tranquility. ‘Unfortunately, among the numbers, we have a four-year-old who was brutally killed… the community is in shock,’ Phillips stated.
In response to the tragedy, senior investigators and multiple police units were dispatched to the scene to expedite the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. Phillips also mentioned that the Linstead area had recorded only eight murders this year, a significant decrease compared to over 20 during the same period last year. ‘Linstead was doing pretty well, and so this really comes as a shocker to us,’ he added.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, with the community left to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating event.
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US government shutdown enters second week
The United States government shutdown has now entered its second week, with no resolution in sight as President Donald Trump’s Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked. The impasse centers on Democrats’ refusal to support a temporary funding bill unless Republicans agree to extend expiring health care subsidies. This standoff has left federal departments without funding since last Wednesday, forcing non-critical services to be suspended and hundreds of thousands of public sector employees to face delayed paychecks. Military personnel could also miss their first paychecks on October 15 if the shutdown persists. President Trump has escalated the crisis by threatening to fire government employees rather than furlough them, a departure from previous shutdown protocols. Republicans, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, have accused Democrats of stalling negotiations, while Democrats argue that Republicans are obstructing progress. The Environmental Protection Agency, along with the Education, Housing, Commerce, and Labor departments, have been particularly affected by the shutdown, with staff placed on enforced leave. Meanwhile, a CBS News poll indicates that the public narrowly blames Republicans for the gridlock. Democrats warn that 24 million Americans could see their Obamacare premiums double next year, while 4 million may lose health coverage entirely if no action is taken. Republicans maintain that health care subsidies should be addressed separately from the shutdown. As the stalemate continues, the White House has hinted at potential layoffs if negotiations fail to progress.
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Haiti battles rabies with vaccines and vigilance
In a grim yet transformative public health initiative, Haiti is leveraging tragic deaths caused by rabies-infected dogs to galvanize action against the deadly disease. Supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), Haitian health authorities are addressing a crisis that has claimed multiple lives this year, including that of a nine-year-old boy in the remote village of Butête. The boy, bitten by a stray dog, succumbed to rabies after exhibiting severe symptoms such as muscle spasms and hydrophobia. His death underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare access and preventive measures in a country grappling with political instability, economic hardship, and widespread poverty. Between 2022 and 2024, Haiti investigated over 8,000 suspected rabies cases in dogs, with 46 confirmed cases and eight human deaths. In response, PAHO and WHO have mobilized a nationwide network of health workers, including epidemiology assistants and mobile lab technicians, to combat the disease. A canine vaccination campaign launched in August aims to immunize 140,000 dogs, supported by innovative tools like a mobile app for real-time data collection. The initiative also focuses on public education and improving access to post-exposure rabies vaccines. Despite Haiti’s ongoing challenges, the campaign has been hailed as a significant success, with an estimated 80% vaccination coverage expected to curb the virus’s spread. Rabies remains a global threat, causing 59,000 deaths annually, 40% of which are children. However, the Americas have achieved a 98% reduction in human rabies cases since 1983, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated public health efforts.
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Paquee Golf Club donates J$10.5m to Mustard Seed
In a remarkable display of philanthropy, the Miami-based Paquee Golf Club has successfully raised J$10.5 million (approximately $68,000 USD) through its inaugural charity golf tournament. The funds will benefit Mustard Seed Communities, a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for disabled and abandoned children and adults in Jamaica and beyond. This significant contribution underscores the club’s commitment to social causes and its alignment with values of community and compassion.
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Canadian arrested for suspected ganja at Kingston airport
A 20-year-old Canadian resident from Brampton, Ontario, was detained at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday evening. Authorities reportedly discovered approximately two pounds of a plant-based substance resembling ganja (marijuana) in his luggage during a routine inspection. The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation by local law enforcement. This arrest comes just months after a high-profile narcotics bust at the same airport in March, where a British couple was apprehended for allegedly smuggling cocaine valued at $92.7 million. The recent case underscores the continued vigilance of Jamaican authorities in combating drug trafficking and illegal substance transportation through its airports.
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Macron under pressure as French PM resigns after less than month
France has plunged deeper into political turmoil as Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned on Monday, merely 27 days after assuming office. His departure, the shortest tenure for a prime minister in modern French history, exacerbates the ongoing crisis that has gripped the nation for over a year. Lecornu cited unfulfilled conditions for his role, blaming ‘partisan appetites’ for his forced exit. His resignation came just 14 hours after announcing his government, which faced immediate backlash across the political spectrum and risked a no-confidence vote in parliament. The Paris stock market reacted negatively, with the CAC 40 index dropping 1.7% following the announcement. President Emmanuel Macron, who appointed Lecornu on September 9, now faces mounting pressure to navigate the crisis. Macron has resisted calls for snap legislative elections or his own resignation before his mandate ends in 2027. The political instability has reverberated across Europe, with Germany emphasizing the need for a ‘stable France’ to ensure continental stability. Lecornu’s government, largely unchanged from its predecessor, drew criticism, particularly from the right-wing Republicans, who accused it of lacking reform. The new cabinet included Bruno Le Maire as defense minister, a move seen as contradictory to Lecornu’s promises of change. France’s public debt has reached a record high, with its debt-to-GDP ratio now the EU’s third-highest, close to double the permitted 60%. Analysts warn that Macron’s options are fraught with risks, with snap elections potentially empowering the far right. The 2027 presidential elections loom as a pivotal moment, with Marine Le Pen’s National Rally eyeing its best chance to seize power. Macron’s next steps remain uncertain as he grapples with a fragmented parliament and a deepening fiscal and political crisis.
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Montego Bay United edge 10-man Chapelton Maroons, extend JPL lead
Montego Bay United solidified their position at the top of the Jamaica Premier League with a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Chapelton Maroons at Turners Field in Clarendon. Despite falling behind early, Montego Bay showcased resilience to secure the win, extending their lead to 16 points, four ahead of Racing United and Portmore United, who played out a goalless draw. Chapelton Maroons, now winless in their last four matches, took an early lead through Andrew Vanzie’s sixth-minute penalty. However, Okeemo Jones leveled the score with a stunning free-kick in the 31st minute, marking his first-ever JPL goal. Dwight Merrick sealed the victory with a decisive strike in the 53rd minute. Chapelton’s struggles were compounded when Carlton Brown received a second yellow card in the 82nd minute, leaving them a player short for the second consecutive game. Meanwhile, Waterhouse FC fought back from a goal down but were held to a 1-1 draw by Mt Pleasant FA, thanks to goalkeeper Tafari Chambers’ late penalty save. Defending champions Cavalier secured their second straight win, defeating Tivoli Gardens 2-0, while Molynes United staged a remarkable comeback to draw 2-2 with Spanish Town Police FC, courtesy of a brace from substitute Wisdom Ubani.