分类： society

In a tragic incident near the Manchester/Clarendon border in Jamaica, 26-year-old Lavar Malcolm, a resident of Kintyre district in St Andrew, was fatally shot by an armed assailant on Sunday. Malcolm, who was also known as ‘Jamie Warlock’ on TikTok, was among a group of patrons at a section of the St Toolies River when the attack occurred. According to police reports, the gunman demanded Malcolm’s belongings, but Malcolm resisted, leading to multiple gunshots to his upper body. Law enforcement officials discovered five Blaze Luger 9mm spent casings at the scene. A senior police source suggested that the killing might be connected to an ongoing feud in the Papine area. The incident has sparked widespread attention on social media, where Malcolm was recognized as a popular influencer.

Residents of McNeil Land in Westmoreland, Jamaica, are grappling with severe and recurrent flooding exacerbated by heavy rainfall, prompting urgent calls for intervention from local authorities. The community, situated in a flood-prone area, has been inundated for months, with water levels reaching waist height in some instances. This has disrupted daily life, hindered transportation, and threatened livelihoods, including livestock farming. One resident lamented the inability to access their property to feed their pigs due to the overwhelming water levels. Despite repeated appeals to local councillor Ian Miles, residents claim their concerns have gone unaddressed. Member of Parliament for Western Westmoreland, Ian Hayles, has pledged to escalate the issue to central government agencies, including the National Works Agency and the Ministry of Local Government, to implement a permanent solution. Hayles acknowledged the community’s frustration and inconvenience, emphasizing the need for immediate action to alleviate the crisis.

MANCHESTER, Jamaica—The administration of Manchester High School in Mandeville has renewed its appeal for the safe return of Jayden Smith, a 12-year-old student who has been missing since Friday. The school’s principal, Jasford Gabriel, expressed deep concern in an audio statement released on Sunday, emphasizing the anxiety gripping the school community and the wider Jamaican diaspora.

Jayden was last seen leaving school on Friday evening after prayers, reportedly spotted in Mandeville around 5:00 pm. However, conflicting reports from the Alligator Pond police suggest he was last seen at home earlier that morning, dressed in his khaki uniform and brown shoes. The police have since activated a high alert and are urging the public to assist in locating the boy, described as having a dark complexion, slim build, and standing approximately 152 centimetres (5 feet) tall.

Principal Gabriel described Jayden as a quiet yet brilliant student who had recently joined Manchester High School with an exceptional primary exit profile average of over 90%. He emphasized the school’s efforts to collaborate with law enforcement and other agencies to ensure Jayden’s safe return. The principal also called for national and international support in the search efforts, expressing hope and faith in Jayden’s safety.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Alligator Pond police at 876-224-3113, the police emergency number 119, or the nearest police station. The community remains united in its prayers and efforts to bring Jayden home safely.

In a momentous ceremony at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, St Catherine, the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands welcomed its 15th Lord Bishop, Right Reverend Leon Paul Golding, on Sunday. The liturgy of induction, investiture, and enthronement began with three symbolic knocks on the cathedral door by Golding, a former suffragan bishop of Montego Bay. Upon entering, he was greeted by a congregation of clergy and laypeople who had elected him during a special synod in March 2025. Adorned in a golden cape and mitre bearing the diocesan emblem, Golding sought permission to enter the church, a tradition followed by his predecessors. The ceremony included prayers for the church, the nation, and Christian causes, culminating in his installation as the spiritual leader of the diocese. Chancellor Zaila McCalla and Registrar Rev Peter DePass officiated the reading of letters conferring episcopal rights and duties. Outgoing Lord Bishop Howard Gregory passed the pastoral staff, a symbol of Christian leadership, to Golding. The service featured hymns such as Noel Dexter’s Psalm 23 and Te Deum Laudamus, accompanied by a fanfare of drums and applause. In his inaugural sermon, Golding emphasized unity within the diverse Christian denominations, quoting 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 and the hymn Summoned by the God who made us. He urged church workers to collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organizations in serving communities. The service included scripture readings by Golding’s daughter LeeAnne and Vincent Lawrence, with Deacon Anna-Lise Wisdom proclaiming the gospel. Representatives from the Roman Catholic and Methodist churches, including Archbishop Kenneth Richards and Rev Wayneford McFarlane, also participated. Music was led by the Diocesan Festival Choir, St Hilda’s Diocesan High School Choir, St Jago High School Choir, and Philippians Steel Band, showcasing Jamaican composers and traditional hymns. Golding, ordained a deacon in 1984 and a priest in 1985, has served in various churches across Kingston, St Andrew, and St James. He was consecrated as a suffragan bishop in 2012 and assumed the role of canonical administrator on January 1, 2025, following Gregory’s retirement. Married to Lauren, Golding has three children actively involved in the church. The diocese will convene an elective assembly in November to determine his successor as bishop of Montego Bay.

As Jamaica grapples with a renewed debate over school dress codes, Calabar High School Principal Sian Mahay Wilson has staunchly defended the policy, emphasizing its role in fostering psychological well-being, equity, and institutional identity. Speaking during the commissioning of an $8-million infrastructure project funded by Carib Cement Company, Mahay Wilson argued that dress codes standardize students’ appearance and mindset, creating a sense of unity regardless of their backgrounds. She highlighted the policy’s contribution to students’ self-esteem, confidence, and character development, asserting that it prepares them for life beyond school.

In a significant development in Jamaica’s fight against praedial larceny, Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has announced that the newly established Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) has more than doubled arrests related to farm theft in 2025. Launched on June 13, 2025, at the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Tactical Training Academy in Kingston, the APB focuses on surveillance, investigation, and stakeholder engagement to protect agricultural assets and support farmers.

Minister Green highlighted the substantial progress, noting that arrests for praedial larceny surged from 63 in January to September 2024 to 190 during the same period in 2025. Additionally, court cases increased from 137 to 263, and convictions rose dramatically from just two in 2024 to 32 in 2025. These figures underscore the effectiveness of the APB’s enhanced case preparation and operational strategies.

The APB has also made strides in recovering stolen farm goods, with recoveries doubling from $2 million in the first half of 2025 to $5 million after the branch became fully operational. Inspector Orville Bushay, head of the APB for Area One, emphasized that praedial larceny costs the country an estimated $14 billion annually, impacting food security, agricultural investment, and rural poverty.

Minister Green acknowledged that while progress has been made, the fight against praedial larceny remains a work in progress. He commended JCF Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake and Assistant Commissioner Oral Pascoe for their leadership and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers. Plans are underway to train and deploy agricultural wardens and utilize drone units for surveillance in vulnerable farming areas.

The JCF described the APB as a strategic imperative, emphasizing its role in developing specialized expertise in agricultural crime investigation and implementing proactive strategies such as increased patrols, community engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders to prevent losses before they occur.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kaysia Kerr, CEO of the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC), has issued a heartfelt plea to parents, urging them to remain vigilant about behavioural changes in their children amidst a concerning rise in student suicides. Speaking to JIS News, Kerr emphasized that even subtle shifts in behaviour could signal underlying emotional distress or trauma. She advised parents to approach such changes with care and empathy, ensuring their children feel safe to express themselves. Kerr highlighted several critical warning signs, including sudden bedwetting, altered sleep or eating habits, social withdrawal, and unusual agitation or hyperactivity. She stressed the importance of early intervention, encouraging parents to seek professional help from trusted sources such as pastors, doctors, teachers, or school counsellors. Additionally, Kerr pointed to resources like the NPSC and the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA), which offers a 24-hour helpline for confidential support. Kerr underscored the value of parental intuition, particularly among mothers, and urged immediate action if something feels amiss. ‘Early intervention can save lives,’ she concluded.

Over a century since the Obeah Act of 1898 criminalized the practice, Obeah remains one of Jamaica’s most contentious cultural issues. Recently, Christian groups have vehemently opposed its legalization, warning that it would unleash ‘demonic forces’ across the nation. However, this fervent opposition raises a critical question: Why is there not a similar level of unity and outrage when addressing pressing societal issues such as child abuse, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, or the rampant violent crime plaguing communities? The selective indignation is striking. For instance, Indian astrologers freely advertise their services in newspapers and on television without sparking protests, yet Obeah is singled out. This disparity reveals a deeper issue: practices tied to African heritage are still viewed with suspicion and prejudice. The root of the problem lies in a Eurocentric mindset that has conditioned society to perceive African traditions as inherently evil while uncritically embracing other cultural practices. Some even falsely attribute Haiti’s struggles to its recognition of Vodou, a claim that is not only baseless but also dismissive of historical complexity. Obeah is an integral part of Jamaica’s history, once serving as a tool of resistance against colonial oppression. To erase it is to deny a legacy of survival and defiance. While there are deviant practices within Obeah, Christianity, with its over 40,000 denominations, is not without its own controversies. True emancipation requires dismantling the stigma surrounding Afrocentric religions and confronting the colonial prejudices that continue to shape perceptions. Obeah must be discussed honestly, free from fear or bias, as it is not merely a religious issue but a matter of identity, history, and the freedom to embrace one’s heritage without distortion.

In a tragic discovery, the decomposed remains of a man believed to be mentally challenged were found in an overgrown area of George Reid, Manchester, on Monday. The body is suspected to be that of Marlon Corinthian, a 46-year-old resident who was last seen on September 20. Concerned family members had filed a missing person’s report on September 27 after growing anxious about his disappearance. The grim find was made when residents, alerted by a foul odor, searched the area. A local woman recounted how a man from the community used a machete to clear the bushes, uncovering a part of a foot. Police were immediately notified. The woman, who identified herself as Corinthian’s friend, expressed her sorrow, stating that she last saw him nine days ago. She speculated that Corinthian, who often foraged for herbs to make tea, might have fallen into a ditch and become trapped. ‘He had a mental problem, but everyone loved him. I don’t think anyone would harm him,’ she added. A relative revealed that Corinthian was a mental health patient and had been missing from his usual spots, including the Mandeville Regional Hospital. Firefighters assisted in removing the body, with onlookers using masks and fabric to shield themselves from the stench. The community mourns the loss of a man described as kind and well-loved.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to adapt to evolving educational and employment trends, the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) of Jamaica has unveiled plans to diversify its loan offerings. The initiative aims to cater to Jamaicans seeking flexible learning opportunities beyond traditional degree programs, including professional certifications and emerging skill areas crucial for national development.