分类： society

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Law enforcement authorities are conducting intensive interrogations of a private security operative following a late-night shooting incident at a bar near the Mandeville market. The investigation centers on the guard’s use of his legally registered firearm during a physical confrontation that erupted Tuesday evening.

According to preliminary police reports, the violent encounter occurred approximately after 9:00 pm along Manchester Road, adjacent to the market’s side entrance. Initial findings indicate an escalating dispute between the security guard and another individual within the establishment culminated in the drawing of a knife.

Official statements confirm that the security personnel responded to the perceived threat by discharging his weapon, striking the alleged aggressor. The wounded man was subsequently transported to a medical facility where he remains hospitalized receiving treatment for his injuries.

Criminal investigators continue to piece together the precise sequence of events, examining witness testimonies and forensic evidence to determine whether the firearm discharge constituted justified self-defense or excessive force. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding security protocols in public spaces and the appropriate use of lethal force by licensed weapon holders.

The Jamaican government has formally renewed its commitment to supporting Maroon communities during the 288th anniversary commemoration of the pivotal 1738 Treaty between Leeward Maroons and British forces. Prime Minister Andrew Holness delivered a significant address in Accompong Town, St. Elizabeth, emphasizing the state’s obligation to provide protection and resources to these historic communities.

Speaking during Tuesday’s ceremony that also honored the birthday of Chief Kojo, Holness reframed the Maroon narrative beyond slavery to highlight their extraordinary achievement of forcing British authorities to sign a treaty. ‘When people hear about Jamaica and they hear about the Maroons, they see a side of us that is not just about enslavement. It is also about resistance,’ Holness stated, noting Jamaica’s unique position among former colonies.

The Prime Minister acknowledged historical underinvestment in Maroon regions while assuring corrective measures are underway. ‘The Government of Jamaica supports the Maroon communities. We see you as an invaluable asset,’ he affirmed, praising the community leadership as essential to national development.

Culture Minister Olivia Grange highlighted the cultural resilience and unity demonstrated by Maroon communities, particularly their recovery from Hurricane Melissa’s impact in late October. ‘I see the plants, the trees are getting green again, so it means that we will be getting stronger and we will rebuild,’ Grange observed, referencing Jamaica’s national motto ‘Out of Many, One People’ to emphasize national solidarity.

The commemorative event saw participation from multiple government officials including Dr. Andrew Wheatley (Science and Technology), Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon (Education), and Rhoda Moy Crawford (State Minister for Education), demonstrating cross-governmental support for preserving Jamaica’s Maroon heritage.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican judicial system is demonstrating significant progress in case management and operational efficiency, according to Chief Justice Bryan Sykes. Speaking at a recent swearing-in ceremony for six newly appointed judicial officers at King’s House, Justice Sykes highlighted several key achievements and ongoing reform initiatives.

The parish courts have maintained exceptional performance levels despite facing substantial challenges, including inadequate physical infrastructure and disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa. Notably, these courts have successfully reduced their net case backlog to under three percent, even with a tightened time standard of 20 months for case resolution.

Justice Sykes reported that the Court of Appeal continues to excel regionally, delivering an impressive 56 judgments for every 10 cases reserved. This performance metric establishes Jamaica’s appellate court as one of the most efficient within the Caribbean region.

Substantial structural reforms are underway at the Supreme Court, particularly within the civil registry system. With support from the Ministry of Finance, the judiciary is implementing a docket system that will organize judges, masters, and administrative staff into specialized teams. This reorganization will assign each team responsibility for cases from initial assignment through final disposition, creating greater accountability and streamlined processing.

In a landmark development, multiple judicial entities including the Court of Appeal, the High Court Division of the Gun Court in Kingston, the St. Thomas Parish Court, and the Court Administration Division are expected to receive ISO certification within approximately twelve weeks. This certification will establish measurable service standards and enhance accountability throughout the judicial process.

Justice Sykes simultaneously called for comprehensive reforms to address systemic challenges. He identified the circuit court system as inadequate for handling modern case volumes and complexities, noting that ‘there is no such thing as a simple case anymore.’ The four-week circuit court sessions, even with highly efficient judges, prove insufficient for addressing complex evidentiary matters.

The Chief Justice advocated for reevaluating jury trials, citing international precedents. He referenced England and Wales, where officials are considering curtailing jury trials to address a massive backlog of 78,000 cases projected to reach 100,000 by 2030. Similarly, he pointed to the United States federal system, where over 97% of cases are resolved through plea bargaining.

With Jamaica facing approximately 3,000 backlogged cases—over 1,000 concentrated in the Home Circuit Court alone—Justice Sykes urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to develop positions for case resolution in every matter. He emphasized that trying all cases conventionally is impossible and previously discussed reform necessities with the justice minister.

Finally, Justice Sykes called for increased judicial control over capital budgeting to better address the system’s operational needs and modernization requirements.

The Jamaican educational community is mourning the passing of distinguished educator Dottlyn Norma Dawes, whose remarkable 36-year career left an indelible mark on Carron Hall High School in St. Mary. The former principal, who dedicated her professional life to the institution from 1977 until her retirement in 2013, passed away on January 3, 2026, following an extended period of illness.

Current principal Carlinton Johnson announced the loss through an emotional tribute on the school’s official Facebook platform, commemorating Dawes’ extraordinary contributions to educational development in western St. Mary. During her transformative eighteen-year leadership tenure from 1995 to 2013, Dawes engineered the institution’s evolution from the formerly designated Carron Hall Vocational School—an all-girls establishment—into a progressive co-educational facility that expanded opportunities for countless students.

Beyond her administrative accomplishments, Dawes received national recognition as a 2002 finalist for the prestigious Lasco/Jamaica Teachers’ Association Teacher of the Year Award, highlighting her exceptional pedagogical approach and dedication to student development. Her community engagement extended into the judicial sphere through her service as a St. Mary justice of the peace, demonstrating her multifaceted commitment to social advancement.

The digital memorial space has become flooded with heartfelt remembrances from former students and colleagues, painting a portrait of an educator who possessed extraordinary belief in her pupils’ potential. Testimonials consistently highlight her unique ability to recognize and nurture talent in young learners, with many attributing their subsequent professional and personal achievements to her inspirational guidance and unwavering support. The overwhelming response underscores the profound personal connections she fostered throughout her decades of educational service, establishing a legacy that continues to resonate across generations of Jamaican students.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a landmark address at the 20th ‘Heal the Family, Heal the Nation’ Day of Prayer Service, Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a compelling appeal for ecclesiastical collaboration in Jamaica’s ongoing battle against violent crime. Speaking at Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, St Catherine, the leader outlined an ambitious strategy to transform religious institutions into active participants in crime prevention.

The nation has achieved a notable milestone with fewer than 700 homicides recorded in 2025—the lowest figure in thirty-one years. Despite this progress, the administration remains focused on an even more ambitious objective: reducing murder rates to match the regional standard of 15 per 100,000 residents. Current statistics indicate the nation is approaching this benchmark, with rates now dipping below 25 per 100,000.

Holness emphasized that achieving this goal requires addressing the root causes of social violence, including domestic altercations, intimate partner conflicts, and neighborhood disputes that frequently escalate into fatal encounters. “We require the church’s assistance beyond spiritual support—we need concrete action,” he asserted. “Society must hear from pulpits everywhere that violence is unacceptable as a conflict resolution mechanism.”

The Prime Minister highlighted the unique positioning of religious organizations to implement immediate intervention strategies. Churches can offer counseling services and diversion programs to at-risk youth before they become entangled in criminal networks. “Many young people in our communities could just as easily join church choirs as they might join gangs,” Holness observed. “The difference often lies in which group extends the invitation first. We need the church’s army to redirect these youngsters toward positive alternatives.”

Holness envisions a collaborative framework where religious institutions work alongside law enforcement and military units to foster what he defines as true peace: the capability to resolve disagreements without violence. He additionally called for prayers to influence those involved in criminal enterprises, urging them to abandon violence and voluntarily surrender their weapons.

The event, organized by Power of Faith Ministries International under the theme ‘Reunite and Build the Family with Love and Forgiveness’, coincided with Jamaica’s sixth Annual National Day of Prayer, underscoring the government’s commitment to integrating spiritual approaches with security policy.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant push toward digital inclusion, Jamaica’s Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr has publicly praised elderly citizens engaging with the government’s GetConnected Digital Literacy Programme. During an impromptu visit to the National Council for Senior Citizens on West Kings House Road, the minister witnessed Cohort 3 of the initiative in progress, where 33 seniors are currently mastering essential digital competencies.

Minister Charles Jr emphasized that the program dismantles the notion that senior citizens are merely observers of technological progress. “Every time I see this programme in action, it sends a powerful message — our senior citizens are not on the sidelines of development; they are active participants in Jamaica’s future,” he stated.

The comprehensive curriculum is designed to foster active and healthy aging by equipping participants with practical skills. These include operating computers and mobile devices, maintaining social connections through digital platforms, accessing online services, and implementing crucial safety measures in cyber environments. The minister highlighted that beyond reducing social isolation, these skills enhance personal independence and can potentially lead to new economic opportunities.

Adding international credibility to the initiative, the program utilizes globally recognized training materials and offers participants the chance to obtain certification from City & Guilds. This aspect reinforces that age presents no barrier to achieving technological proficiency.

With Safer Internet Day approaching in February, Minister Charles Jr also stressed the inseparable link between digital access and cybersecurity awareness, particularly for vulnerable demographics. “Digital empowerment must go hand in hand with digital protection. Confidence, safety, and responsible online engagement are just as important as access,” he remarked.

The minister extended an invitation to all eligible senior citizens across Jamaica to enroll in future sessions by contacting the National Council for Senior Citizens, reaffirming the government’s dedication to creating inclusive opportunities throughout all stages of life.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In an innovative approach to literacy advocacy, the Di Cawna Library organization has inaugurated its seventh community facility in Cheshire Village, marking a significant expansion of its unique program that converts discarded refrigerators into functional bookcases. The newly established Di AMO Cawna Library, officially opened on December 11, 2025, features inclusive design elements ensuring accessibility for both able-bodied and differently-abled community members.

The project represents a collaborative effort between international and local supporters, including Friends of Annette Martin Ozaltin (AMO) and the American International School of Kingston (AISK) community. Their combined contributions have transformed repurposed appliances into vibrant educational hubs integrated within neighborhood settings.

Founded on the principle that literacy constitutes a fundamental right rather than a privilege, the initiative directly brings literature to communities by creatively converting once-discarded items into spaces fostering imagination, learning, and opportunity. During the opening ceremony, founder Rachael McDonald emphasized the organization’s core philosophy: ‘Di Cawna Library emerged from the conviction that books must be universally accessible, and that every individual—regardless of age—deserves the chance to read, dream, and develop personally.’

The launch event gathered diverse stakeholders including community residents, parents, students, educators, authors, and national and multilateral partners. Notably, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams delivered formal remarks and received recognition as the first governmental minister to publicly endorse the Di Cawna Library initiative approximately three years prior. Minister Williams commended the project and expressed aspirations for its replication across additional Jamaican communities.