Residents across the Central and Southeast Bahamas endured the brunt of Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday, as the Category Two storm unleashed heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and the looming threat of severe flooding. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued Alert #24, warning of sustained winds reaching 100 miles per hour, storm surges, and up to ten inches of rainfall. The hurricane, moving northeast at 15 miles per hour, impacted several islands, including Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Rum Cay, and San Salvador. By mid-afternoon, the storm’s core passed approximately 25 miles east-southeast of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, and 60 miles south-southwest of South Long Island, bringing hurricane conditions to the region. On Long Island, residents reported worsening weather, with tropical-storm-strength gusts and power outages. Ann Cartwright, a resident of Gray’s, described the situation as calm but overcast, with winds exceeding 30 miles per hour. Meanwhile, Jill Smith of Stella Maris highlighted repeated power cuts and rapidly deteriorating conditions, particularly in the southern part of the island, where residents faced water and electricity shortages ahead of the storm. In Exuma, Princess McKenzie noted continuous rainfall since 4 a.m., while Gary Rolle expressed resilience despite the panic caused by the hurricane. On Acklins, Island Administrator Herman Gilbert confirmed that 194 residents chose to remain behind despite evacuation efforts, citing poor communication due to weather-related disruptions. Ragged Island residents were evacuated earlier in the week, with evacuees staying with family in New Providence. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis issued a mandatory evacuation order under the Disaster Risk Management (Evacuation – Southeast Bahamas) Order 2025, relocating over 1,400 residents from Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, and Ragged Island. The order prioritized the elderly, sick, and children, with Davis emphasizing the government’s commitment to public safety. Although Hurricane Melissa weakened as it moved north, authorities urged residents to remain vigilant as damage assessments continue.
分类： society
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Supreme, appeal and six parish courts resume sittings on Monday
The Jamaican Judiciary has announced the resumption of court operations across multiple jurisdictions starting Monday, November 3, 2025, following the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Among the courts reopening are the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court at Public Building East on King Street in Kingston, and the High Court Division of the Gun Court. Additionally, six parish courts will resume their activities, including specialized courts such as Family, Coroners, Special Coroners, Traffic, and Parish Courts in Kingston and St Andrew. Courts in Manchester, Clarendon, St Thomas, Portland, and St Mary (excluding Richmond) will also reopen. Both criminal and civil cases will proceed as scheduled, with matters postponed during the week of October 27–31 being rescheduled. Affected parties will be notified of new dates, which will also be published on the official social media pages and websites of the Jamaican Judiciary.
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Soroptimist International Esperance continues Period Positivity Project
Soroptimist International Esperance has made significant strides in addressing period poverty and menstrual stigma among adolescent girls in Trinidad. Initiated in 2021, the club’s research uncovered that many girls from impoverished backgrounds missed school during their menstrual cycles due to the inability to afford or access sanitary products. This revelation spurred the club into action, launching a comprehensive initiative to provide sanitary products, educate students, and advocate for policy changes to support menstrual health. The project, initially a three-year pilot, has been extended into its fourth year due to its critical need and remarkable success. The initiative targets schools such as ASJA Girls’ College Barrackpore, Debe Presbyterian Primary, and Picton Presbyterian Primary, with additional donations to Barrackpore West Secondary and Cedros Secondary. The club’s efforts align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Clean Water and Sanitation. Key achievements include a 12% improvement in school attendance among girls previously missing school due to menstruation, reduced stigma, and the establishment of Menstrual Pad Corners in schools. The club has also engaged in outreach drives, with members, including a 99-year-old volunteer, educating the public and soliciting donations. Corporate partners like Bryden Pi Ltd and Alston’s Marketing Company Ltd have contributed significantly, while individuals and organizations such as Digicel staff and local supermarkets have also supported the cause. Despite funding challenges, the club remains committed to advocating for government support and sustainable solutions, including the removal of import duties on sanitary products. Soroptimist International Esperance’s Period Positivity Project stands as a testament to the power of community-led efforts in promoting dignity, equality, and education for girls.
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Guevarro pays tribute to former CoP Dwayne Gibbs: He was widely respected
The law enforcement community is mourning the loss of Dwayne Gibbs, the former Commissioner of Police (CoP) of Trinidad and Tobago, who passed away on October 30, 2024. Gibbs, a Canadian national and former superintendent with the Edmonton Police Service, served as CoP from 2010 to 2012. He died in Australia, ten days after suffering cardiac arrest during the Age Group Standard Aquabike Championships in Wollongong on October 16. Current CoP Allister Guevarro paid tribute to Gibbs, describing him as a man of integrity, discipline, and a strong advocate for ethical leadership. Guevarro highlighted Gibbs’ contributions to modern policing and his dedication to public service during his tenure. Gibbs, alongside deputy commissioner Jack Ewatski, implemented reforms aimed at enhancing the professionalism and effectiveness of Trinidad and Tobago’s national police service. Guevarro also noted Gibbs’ lifelong passion for fitness and personal excellence, which saw him remain active in competitive sports well into his 70s. On behalf of the law enforcement community, Guevarro extended heartfelt condolences to Gibbs’ family, friends, and colleagues in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago, emphasizing that his legacy of service and leadership will endure.
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Trinidadian, 44, gunned down in Tobago
Tobago has witnessed its sixth homicide of 2025 following the fatal shooting of Ronald Alleyne, a 44-year-old Trinidadian man, in Calder Hall on October 28. Known by the alias ‘Butcher,’ Alleyne was reportedly socializing near the intersection of Calder Hall Main Road and Friendsfield Road in Scarborough when multiple gunshots were heard around 11:15 pm. A relative discovered Alleyne lying on the road, severely wounded, and rushed him to Scarborough General Hospital. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead at 11:42 pm. His body has been transferred to the hospital’s mortuary for an autopsy. Javon Thompson, President of the Calder Hall village council, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the personal pain of losing someone he knew well. Thompson urged the perpetrator(s) to reconsider their actions, highlighting the irreversible consequences of gun violence. He advised against succumbing to the allure of a reckless lifestyle and encouraged striving for a better future. Authorities are actively investigating the case.
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Bmobile joins global movement to protect oceans through coastal cleanup
In a significant environmental initiative, bmobile volunteers recently joined forces with Nature Seekers at Matura Beach, a protected turtle nesting site in Trinidad and Tobago, as part of the 2025 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). The effort, which saw the removal of over 1,100 pounds of debris, underscores bmobile’s commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement. Plastic bottles, fishing nets, food wrappers, and other non-biodegradable materials were collected, safeguarding the habitat of endangered leatherback turtles and other marine life. Anjanie Ramesar-Soom, bmobile’s corporate environmental and social responsibility specialist, emphasized the company’s broader vision of building stronger communities and a sustainable future. The cleanup is part of bmobile’s long-standing corporate social responsibility agenda, which includes coastal preservation as a key pillar. Vanessa Rampersad, a network performance systems engineer at TSTT, highlighted the importance of such efforts in protecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity. The 40th anniversary of the ICC, organized globally by Ocean Conservancy, saw data from local cleanups coordinated by the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) informing regional waste-management strategies. CNIRD’s executive director, Marissa Mohammed, praised bmobile’s consistent involvement, calling the company a ‘green pioneer.’ Nature Seekers’ tour coordinator, Larissa Hosein, expressed gratitude for bmobile’s support, noting the positive impact on Matura’s coastline. The cleanup was further supported by the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, ensuring proper waste disposal. Matura, a globally recognized nesting site for leatherback and green sea turtles, plays a vital role in eco-tourism and local livelihoods. Through its participation in the ICC and annual volunteer programs, bmobile reaffirms its dedication to environmental stewardship and the global movement for cleaner, healthier seas.
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#MelissaAftermath: Chicken & Tings partners with World Central Kitchen to distribute meals
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a remarkable display of community solidarity, the beloved local eatery Chicken and Tings has joined forces with the global humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) to deliver thousands of hot meals to residents of Kingston and St Andrew devastated by Hurricane Melissa. This unprecedented storm, one of the most severe in Jamaica’s history, has left countless families in dire need of assistance.
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Six years after Dorian, anger at state of Treasure Cay airport
Residents of Abaco, Bahamas, are voicing their frustration over the prolonged neglect of the Treasure Cay International Airport, which remains in disrepair six years after Hurricane Dorian devastated the region. The Category Five storm, which struck in September 2019, reduced the airport to rubble, leaving it without a functional terminal. Visitors are reportedly forced to wait in a makeshift plastic shed and use portable toilets, highlighting the dire conditions. Bishop Cedric Bullard, a member of the North Abaco Pastors Association (NAPA), described the airport as overgrown with grass and primarily used by private planes. Customs and Immigration staff have been operating from two trailers for the past five years, enduring uncomfortable conditions, including encounters with snakes. Mr. Bullard emphasized the need for immediate repairs, including rebuilding the terminal, resurfacing the runway, and providing a functioning ambulance. He noted that the airport’s poor condition has led Bahamasair and US carriers to cease operations, redirecting travelers to the Marsh Harbour Airport. The NAPA recently held a meeting to address the lack of progress on the airport, the North Abaco Port, and the island’s deteriorating roads. Residents argue that rebuilding the airport is crucial for revitalizing the local economy. Despite being included in the government’s Family Island Airports Renaissance Programme, a public-private partnership initiative to upgrade 14 Family Island airports, the Treasure Cay Airport’s revitalization remains stalled. Mr. Bullard expressed the community’s sense of neglect, stating, ‘Honestly, we feel neglected. The airport is sitting there. It’s a long runway, it’s a safe runway. It’s in a good area, it’s near the world’s best beach, and they refuse to prepare it. It is a slap in the face.’
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#MelissaAftermath: Residents flock Gutters service station to restock fuel and food supplies
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, residents of Manchester and St Elizabeth in Jamaica faced severe challenges as they scrambled to secure fuel and essential supplies. On Thursday, a large crowd gathered at the Mid-Island Service Station in Gutters, the only operational fuel station in the area, with cash in hand to refuel vehicles and generators. The Category 5 hurricane has left much of southern Jamaica without power, communication, and access to ATMs, exacerbating the crisis. Patrenia Kennedy, manager of the Mid-Island Service Station, highlighted the critical role of the on-site supermarket in providing food and household essentials, though supplies were rapidly depleting. She noted that while suppliers were en route, items like bread had already run out. Nearby communities remain isolated, with extensive damage to homes, roads, and farmlands. Imran, a resident of Prospect, Manchester, described the situation as dire, urging government officials to assess the devastation firsthand. He emphasized the urgent need for assistance, particularly for families whose children have lost school uniforms and books. The hurricane’s impact has surpassed that of previous storms, leaving residents in desperate need of relief and recovery efforts.
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#MelissaAftermath: JDF mobilises Jamaica National Reserve to support recovery efforts
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a decisive move to address the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has activated the entire first class of the Jamaica National Reserve (JNR). Effective Thursday, October 30, 2025, all reserve members are required to report to their designated duty stations. This mobilization is a critical component of the nation’s comprehensive response and recovery strategy following the widespread destruction caused by the hurricane. Reserve personnel will play a pivotal role in relief distribution, search and rescue operations, logistics management, and the safeguarding of vulnerable areas. Their efforts will be coordinated in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other governmental bodies. The activation, authorized by Governor General Sir Patrick Allem, is part of Jamaica’s national emergency management framework, designed to protect lives, secure property, and expedite the restoration of normalcy in storm-affected communities.