分类： society

PORTMORE, St. Catherine – A tragic incident unfolded at Hellshire Beach on Thursday when an off-duty police officer and a teenage boy disappeared in perilous waters and are now presumed deceased. The officer has been identified as Constable Shamar Grant, who was officially on sick leave from duty at the time of the incident.

According to preliminary reports, the sequence of events began when a woman and the adolescent encountered severe difficulties while swimming. Witnessing their distress, Constable Grant, despite his medical leave status, immediately intervened in a courageous attempt to rescue them. During the rescue operation, Grant himself became overwhelmed by the aquatic conditions and also began to struggle.

Emergency responders managed to successfully extract the woman from the water. She was subsequently transported to Spanish Town Hospital for immediate medical attention. Her current health status remains undisclosed by authorities.

Tragically, both Constable Grant and the young boy were submerged and could not be located. As of the latest updates, an extensive search-and-recovery operation is actively underway. Personnel from the specialized Marine Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force have been deployed to assist local teams in these efforts, combing the area in the hope of locating the missing individuals.

The historic town of Black River in St Elizabeth parish has staged a triumphant comeback with its inaugural fireworks festival, serving as a powerful symbol of community resilience following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. Organized by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), the event formed part of nationwide New Year’s celebrations across five Jamaican locations including Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Negril.

UDC General Manager Robert Honeyghan characterized the festival as representing ‘renewal and rebirth’ for a community that has demonstrated remarkable fortitude. ‘We’ve gone really big and really broad this year,’ Honeyghan told journalists during Wednesday’s festivities. ‘Everyone has come out in renewal and rebirth after transcending significant challenges.’

The family-oriented celebration featured dedicated children’s areas, amusement rides, and a vibrant food village while stimulating economic activity along the Black River waterfront. The strong turnout particularly impressed officials given the category-five hurricane’s severe impact on the region just months earlier.

Local leaders emphasized the psychological significance of the event. Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture and MP for St Elizabeth South West, noted: ‘Nothing can stop the people of St Elizabeth. The hurricane might’ve taken houses and businesses, but it cannot take our spirits.’

Black River Mayor Richard Solomon described the festival as a ‘phoenix rising from the ash’ moment for the historic community. He commended the collaborative efforts between UDC, the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, and essential agencies that made the event possible while acknowledging first responders’ continued service throughout the hurricane crisis.

A mining catastrophe in the remote Pakaraima Mountain Range of Guyana has claimed the lives of two Brazilian nationals, casting a spotlight on the perils of the region’s gold mining industry. The Guyana Police Force confirmed the fatalities, which resulted from a sudden pit collapse on December 30th.

The victims have been identified as Cleumiton Da Silva Santos, 37, and Antonio Filho, 44. The tragic incident unfolded at the ‘S’ Bend Backdam mining site near Chenapou, North Pakaraimas, an area situated within the geologically striking Region 8, renowned for its iconic tabletop mountains.

According to an official police statement, preliminary investigations indicate that a substantial quantity of sand unexpectedly gave way and collapsed into the excavation where the men were working. Fellow miners at the scene managed to escape the cascading debris, but Santos and Filho were tragically entrapped. They were subsequently retrieved by responders but were declared deceased at the scene.

The extreme remoteness of the location has presented significant logistical challenges. The bodies of the deceased currently remain at the ‘S’ Bend Backdam site. Authorities are coordinating complex efforts to transport them to the Mahdia District Hospital, where formal post-mortem examinations will be conducted to determine the exact causes of death.

The Guyana Police Force has emphasized that its investigation into the precise circumstances surrounding the structural failure of the mining pit remains active and ongoing. This event underscores the persistent dangers faced by workers in Guyana’s prolific yet often hazardous mining sector.

In an early morning operation on Friday, January 2, law enforcement officers from the St Catherine South Police Division made a significant ammunition discovery on Dyke Road, St Catherine. The incident unfolded approximately at 5:30 AM when patrol officers observed an individual behaving suspiciously along the roadway.

According to official reports from the Portmore police, the suspicious male promptly fled the scene upon noticing the approaching police unit, abandoning a plastic bag he had been carrying. The law enforcement team retrieved the discarded bag and conducted a thorough search, uncovering a substantial cache of ammunition.

The seizure included forty-three .22 cartridges, forty 9mm cartridges, six .38 cartridges, and four 12-gauge cartridges, totaling ninety-three rounds of various calibers. Despite the significant find, no arrests were made in connection with the abandoned ammunition.

Police authorities have confirmed that investigations remain ongoing as they work to identify the individual involved and determine the origin and intended use of the confiscated ammunition.

Nigerian authorities have formally pressed charges against the chauffeur responsible for transporting British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua prior to a devastating collision that claimed two lives. Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, faces multiple allegations including reckless driving resulting in death, operating a vehicle without a valid national license, and driving without due care causing bodily harm and property damage.

The incident occurred along the heavily traveled Lagos-Ibadan expressway in southwestern Nigeria’s Ogun state. Preliminary investigations by the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) indicate the Lexus SUV was traveling at excessive speed when it experienced a tire blowout before colliding with a stationary truck.

Casualties included Joshua’s long-time strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele, both pronounced dead at the scene. Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment at Lagos hospitals before being discharged Wednesday. Kayode was subsequently transferred to police custody in Abeokuta, where he secured bail set at five million naira ($3,500) with two sureties, though he remains detained pending fulfillment of bail conditions.

The crash holds particular significance as it occurred in Sagamu, the ancestral homeland of Joshua’s family. The boxing champion frequently visits the region and maintains strong connections to the area. Local reports indicate Kayode had previously served on Joshua’s security detail during Nigerian visits.

Authorities have scheduled Kayode’s court appearance for January 20. Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased victims have reportedly been repatriated to the United Kingdom, while Joshua’s current whereabouts remain undisclosed.

Jamaica’s national power infrastructure is receiving a substantial boost in its recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has officially deployed 270 specialized trucks and equipment units alongside 470 newly commissioned linesmen to regions most severely impacted by the October Category Five storm.

The strategic enhancement was formally commissioned during a ceremony at the JPS Hunts Bay Power Plant in Kingston on January 2, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness personally overseeing the deployment. The acquisition was made possible through a $150 million government loan approved by the Cabinet in November 2025, demonstrating unprecedented public-private partnership in disaster recovery.

Prime Minister Holness defended the substantial financial commitment to the privately-owned utility company, emphasizing electricity as an essential public good that forms the foundation of economic growth, national security, and daily convenience. “The Government must do everything in its power to ensure our electricity grid is up and running effectively,” Holness stated, acknowledging while controversial, the decision aligned with the administration’s strategy of driving national recovery through power restoration.

Current restoration statistics indicate approximately 90% islandwide electricity recovery, with severely affected parishes reaching 70% restoration—figures that exceed industry standards for disaster recovery timelines. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz characterized the equipment commissioning as “hope for the new year,” noting that combined with previous deployments, Jamaica now has nearly 300 equipment pieces and 470 linesmen dedicated to restoration efforts.

JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant credited the accelerated recovery pace to strategic pre-hurricane positioning of overseas line workers and strong governmental partnerships. The ceremony was also attended by Finance Minister Fayval Williams, underscoring the cross-governmental priority placed on infrastructure restoration.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant corporate social responsibility initiative, Couples Resorts has channeled approximately US$455,000 through its philanthropic arm, the Issa Trust Foundation, to aid employees and local communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The resort group initiated the relief drive with a direct contribution of US$100,000, demonstrating its commitment to workforce welfare during natural disasters.

The comprehensive recovery program addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term reconstruction for staff members who suffered property damage or complete loss of their homes. Remarkably, the company maintained full wage payments and employment stability throughout the crisis period, ensuring financial continuity for affected employees.

Initial disaster response prioritized urgent survival needs, with extensive distributions of care packages containing food, water, batteries, flashlights, and other essential supplies across storm-ravaged regions. The organization provided temporary accommodation for more than 100 displaced employees, enabling them to remain proximate to workplaces while navigating personal crises.

A transparent disaster relief fund established in the hurricane’s aftermath attracted generous donations from returning guests, international partners, and global supporters. Resource allocation follows a needs-based methodology, with assistance distributed according to detailed damage assessments of each household.

Paul Issa, Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, noted the strategic decision to expand the foundation’s typical pediatric healthcare mission: ‘Following Hurricane Melissa’s destruction, we prioritized rebuilding our staff’s damaged homes. Donor generosity has enabled active reconstruction efforts.’

Despite ongoing recovery operations, Couples Resorts resumed full guest operations on December 1. Reconstruction intensified through a volunteer construction initiative led by Dirk Bartolizzi of Wisconsin-based Bartolizzi Homes, alongside advisory board members Rob Barkema and Chris Panetta. Teams deployed primarily to Westmoreland parish, focusing on employees from the severely impacted Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away properties.

Volunteers collaborated directly with affected families, delivering construction materials, performing structural repairs, and offering psychosocial support. Additional volunteer missions are scheduled for the new year to continue rehabilitation work.

Diane Pollard, President and CEO of the Issa Trust Foundation, reflected on two decades of community engagement: ‘Jamaica’s resilience consistently shines through during adversity. Our volunteers arrived not merely as builders but as compassionate supporters during families’ most challenging periods.’

Bartolizzi emphasized the critical importance of timely intervention: ‘Rapid reconstruction is essential when families lose their homes. We prioritize both structural safety and the restoration of personal security.’

The four-property resort group indicates its hurricane response forms part of a broader strategic commitment to housing security, family stability, community resilience, and sustained investments in healthcare and education through its foundation. Organizational leadership affirms that rebuilding homes transcends physical construction—it fundamentally restores dignity, stability, and future optimism for impacted communities.

Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has significantly intensified its regulatory oversight, rejecting seven multi-storey residential proposals throughout 2025 amid growing concerns about excessive urban density and environmental compliance. This represents a notable increase from the five refusals recorded in 2024, with the majority concentrated in Kingston and St. Andrew where land scarcity continues to drive developers toward increasingly intensive projects.

The agency’s decisions reveal a pattern of rejecting developments that exceed established planning thresholds rather than merely addressing procedural deficiencies. In Kingston 6, NEPA dismissed two high-density housing proposals containing 78 and 82 units respectively at Dillsbury Avenue locations, declaring them ‘premature and overintensive’ for the Jack’s Hill area. The agency determined that both projects surpassed approved density levels and plot area ratios for the locale.

Critical examination of refusal notices indicates NEPA’s heightened focus on substantive planning violations including excessive densities, inadequate sewage treatment solutions, and unsuitable site conditions. A Russell Heights development was rejected for proposing 50 habitable rooms per acre where only 30 were permitted, while a Barbican Heights project faced refusal due to steep slopes and unstable limestone formations that rendered the site inappropriate for intensive construction.

Wastewater management emerged as a decisive factor in multiple rejections. Proposals in Arlene Gardens and Pigeon Valley were refused primarily due to absent or inadequate sewage treatment plans, with NEPA warning of potential environmental and public health risks. A Westmoreland project met similar resistance on sewage-related grounds.

This regulatory hardening occurs against a backdrop of significant legal challenges that have exposed weaknesses in Jamaica’s development approval framework. The protracted legal battle over the Birdsucker Drive apartment complex resulted in the Supreme Court overturning permits granted by both NEPA and the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) in 2020, though the Court of Appeal partially reversed this decision in June 2025. The case prompted KSAMC to implement procedural reforms aimed at preventing future legal challenges and ensuring proper community consultation.

NEPA’s stringent approach extends beyond residential projects. The agency refused a commercial subdivision in St. Catherine for violating agricultural zoning regulations and rejected a slaughterhouse operation in St. Elizabeth due to inadequate effluent treatment and odor control measures, citing environmental safety concerns.