分类： society

In a shocking turn of events, Lawrence Sergeant, the father of 13-year-old Shantina Sergeant, has been formally charged with her murder. The grim discovery of Shantina’s charred remains behind their family home in Baillieston, Clarendon, on October 6, has now led to a harrowing legal case. Forensic evidence, including DNA analysis, conclusively identified the remains as those of the young girl, prompting detectives to charge Sergeant on Wednesday. Police investigators believe Shantina was struck with a blunt object before her body was discarded behind the residence. A post-mortem examination confirmed that her death resulted from blunt force trauma. Sergeant, who was questioned weeks ago in the presence of his attorney, was arrested in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, just four days after the discovery. Adding to the gravity of the situation, Sergeant is also facing a separate charge of grievous sexual assault, stemming from allegations that he molested a six-year-old child several years ago. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about safety and justice.

In a remarkable display of determination and resilience, Dr. Joel Sugrim, a general surgeon stationed at Mandeville Regional Hospital, embarked on a grueling 24-hour journey across two parishes in Jamaica to reunite with his wife and children in Westmoreland. His odyssey began early Wednesday morning, shortly after Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc across the island, leaving widespread destruction and disrupted communication lines.

Dr. Sugrim’s journey was fraught with challenges. His car became trapped in mud in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, forcing him to wield a cutlass to clear fallen trees and light posts obstructing his path. Despite these setbacks, he pressed on, driven by concern for his family, who reside in a flood-prone area and were unreachable due to downed communication services.

Along the way, Dr. Sugrim encountered a caravan of Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) vehicles and ambulances en route to evacuate patients from Black River Hospital. He joined forces with soldiers, ambulance drivers, and volunteers to clear debris and ensure the safe passage of the convoy. This collaborative effort continued through the night, with Dr. Sugrim working tirelessly despite exhaustion.

By Thursday afternoon, Dr. Sugrim resumed his journey, navigating a dirt track on Holland Estate to bypass the final stages of cleanup efforts. His unwavering determination was fueled by thoughts of his family, whom he had not been able to contact since the storm.

Dr. Sugrim’s story highlights the resilience of individuals in the face of natural disasters and the power of community collaboration in overcoming adversity. His journey serves as a testament to the lengths people will go to protect and reunite with their loved ones.

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Zuleika Jess, Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth North Eastern, has taken decisive action to assist constituents stranded in their communities following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Despite the Government’s directive against using private means to clear roads, Jess prioritized saving lives and restoring access to essential services.

A devastating fire erupted in Montego Bay, Jamaica, early Thursday morning, destroying a warehouse located along River Bay Road. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a garbage fire near the warehouse shortly before the building was engulfed in flames. The Montego Bay Fire Brigade received an emergency call at approximately 12:15 am and dispatched two units to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found the entire structure ablaze and deployed three water jets to combat the flames. After nearly two hours of intense firefighting efforts, the blaze was successfully contained. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire caused significant damage to items related to customs brokerage. The estimated financial loss stands at $50 million, though it remains unclear whether the warehouse and its contents were insured. The incident was part of a busy day for the local fire department, which also responded to a house fire in Valley Heights later that morning. The house fire, which began just after 11:00 am, partially destroyed the residence and left one individual homeless. Authorities are continuing their investigations into both incidents to determine the exact causes and circumstances.

In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Dr. Dayton Campbell, Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, has introduced an innovative ‘adopt-a-family’ initiative to provide direct support to the most affected residents. The program aims to connect donors with families in need, ensuring both immediate relief and long-term recovery assistance.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact, global rap icon Nicki Minaj, alongside Jamaican artists Skeng and Shaniel Muir, has stepped up to provide critical aid to affected communities in western Jamaica. The Trinidadian-born superstar’s team, donning shirts emblazoned with ‘The Barbz Foundation’ logo, distributed essential supplies such as stoves, cooking gas regulators, containers, and food packages to residents grappling with the aftermath of the storm. Minaj took to X (formerly Twitter) to share updates on the relief efforts, expressing her commitment with the message, “Plus tmrw & possibly longer. One Love, Jamaica. Love you.” Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 5 storm, wreaked havoc in southwestern Jamaica, leaving widespread destruction, displacing countless families, and cutting off access to clean water and electricity. The collective efforts of these celebrities have brought much-needed support to the region during this dire time.

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Renowned international dancehall artist Spice has taken a proactive role in aiding the recovery of Bethel Town, Westmoreland, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. On Wednesday, the singer, whose real name is Grace Hamilton, mobilized a significant effort to provide essential building materials to residents left homeless by the disaster.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation in western Jamaica, the Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) has initiated a robust relief program to aid affected communities. Partnering with international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, JBG is delivering critical support to families and farmers impacted by the disaster. Through its Best Dressed Chicken division, the company has distributed free chicken products to local quick-service restaurants and caterers preparing hot meals for residents in need. Additionally, JBG employees have been encouraged to donate essential items such as non-perishable food, water, bedding, hygiene products, and emergency supplies, with donation drop-off points established across all JBG locations. A significant aspect of the relief effort is the collaboration with Samaritan’s Purse, which has established an emergency field hospital in St. Elizabeth and transported vital medical supplies from Norman Manley International Airport to Black River. Teams from JBG, Hi-Pro, and the Jamaica Defence Force have worked tirelessly to set up the field hospital at Black River High School. JBG has also provided meals for Samaritan’s Purse volunteers offering medical and humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, Hi-Pro Division is engaging agricultural associations to assess the storm’s impact on farmers and develop a targeted assistance plan. Colonel (Ret’d) Jaimie Ogilvie, Hi-Pro’s vice president, emphasized JBG’s commitment to national recovery, stating, ‘We are more than chicken and agriculture; we are about nation building.’ The company has also received support from Wysinco, which donated 100 cases of water to ensure hydration for patients and families at the field hospital.