分类： society

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A critical security project at Naggo Head Primary School remains in bureaucratic limbo despite allocated funding, prompting urgent calls for action from local officials. Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central, Alando Terrelonge, has intensified pressure on municipal authorities to immediately approve long-delayed plans for constructing a perimeter security wall.

The project, which has languished for over two years despite more than $40 million in allocated funds from the Ministry of Education, faces ongoing delays at the municipal corporation level. Terrelonge expressed grave concerns about the council’s inaction, emphasizing that student and staff safety should transcend political considerations.

“The municipal council’s delay is profoundly concerning,” Terrelonge stated in an official release. “I reiterate my call for the mayor to act decisively in approving these plans. We cannot await a tragedy affecting students or teachers before taking action. This security infrastructure must be constructed without further delay.”

The urgency is underscored by multiple security breaches documented in recent years. Naggo Head Primary School, serving hundreds of students in Portmore, currently lacks proper perimeter protection, enabling unauthorized access to school grounds.

Principal Andria Givans provided disturbing details of the security challenges: “The absence of proper perimeter security continues to expose our vulnerability. We’ve experienced numerous incidents involving unauthorized individuals disrupting classes and school events. During our February sports day, I faced verbal attacks and threats. We’ve dealt with mentally unstable individuals throwing stones at teachers and students, and in 2022, gangs entered campus armed with knives, causing widespread panic and trauma.”

The school has also suffered repeated break-ins and thefts during the 2024-2025 academic year, including stolen security cameras, wall fans, chairs, and classroom furniture.

Councillor Damara Lawson of the Southboro Division emphasized the project’s critical importance: “Naggo Head Primary serves as a central institution for our communities. Hundreds of students, parents, and teachers depend on having safe, secure school grounds. This perimeter wall will dramatically enhance safety and protect school facilities.”

All stakeholders continue to advocate for immediate approval to utilize the allocated funds and address the pressing security concerns threatening the school community.

HOUSTON, Texas – In a dramatic reversal of justice, Carmen Mejia, a Honduran native wrongfully imprisoned for over two decades, walked free from a Texas correctional facility Wednesday after judicial authorities determined her murder conviction relied on scientifically flawed testimony and incomplete evidence.

The 54-year-old woman, who maintained her innocence throughout her 22-year incarceration, expressed profound relief upon her release, characterizing the moment as nothing short of miraculous. “I was strong, I believed in God,” Mejia told assembled journalists outside the prison gates, extending gratitude to both her legal representatives and divine intervention for her long-awaited freedom.

Mejia’s legal nightmare began in 2003 when she was babysitting a 10-month-old infant who suffered critical burns from scalding bathwater and subsequently died at a hospital. Prosecutors built their case primarily on testimony from medical experts who asserted the burns had been intentionally inflicted, resulting in Mejia’s conviction for murder and a life sentence. The conviction additionally cost Mejia custody of her four biological children, who were adopted by others during her imprisonment.

Her defense team, supported by the Innocence Project organization, eventually demonstrated through comprehensive medical analysis that the tragedy resulted from a malfunctioning water heater that rapidly elevated water temperature beyond 60°C within seconds. Critical to the case reversal was the 2025 recantation by the original medical examiner, who testified that with complete information available today, she would have classified the death as accidental rather than homicide.

Travis County Judge David Wahlberg formally dismissed all charges against Mejia this week, prompting extraordinary admissions from prosecution representatives. “We could not have been more wrong, and it turned a tragic accident into a wrongful conviction,” acknowledged county prosecutor Collin Bellair during the hearing. Assistant prosecutor Sarah Byrom added that no judicial action could restore the lost years or undo the familial separation Mejia endured.

Immigration authorities concurrently lifted deportation proceedings that had been pending due to her now-vacated conviction, allowing Mejia to remain in the United States following her release.

In a landmark cultural partnership, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has appointed Grammy Award-winning artist Mojo Morgan of Morgan Heritage as the inaugural musical ambassador for the Kingston City Run (KCR) 2026. The official announcement and signing ceremony took place at Courtleigh Hotel & Suites in New Kingston, featuring the exclusive premiere of Morgan’s newly produced single ‘Spirit’—officially designated as the event’s anthem.

The 2026 edition, themed ‘Pirates Run Di City’ and scheduled for March 15, integrates music, health advocacy, tourism, and philanthropy into its core mission. JHTA President Christopher Jarrett emphasized that the run transcends athletic achievement, serving as a vehicle for community transformation and social impact.

Morgan’s ambassadorship and the anthem ‘Spirit’ align thematically with Kingston’s ongoing initiatives to support vulnerable populations, including those affected by Hurricane Melissa. The track, which samples Hillsong United’s ‘Oceans’, embodies themes of resilience and spiritual strength.

This collaboration coincides with Morgan’s upcoming ‘King in the Royals’ world tour—a pioneering dual-headliner production featuring Morgan Heritage and Beenie Man. The tour aims to elevate reggae and dancehall to global stadium-level platforms, revitalizing the international touring circuit for Jamaican music.

Since its inception in 2013, Kingston City Run has raised over $21 million for charitable causes. For the 2026 event, organizers aim to generate an additional $5 million for beneficiaries including Marie Atkins Night Shelter, Open Arms Development Centre, Alpha Institute, Missionaries of the Poor, and Food For The Poor, with special attention to western parishes impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on Jamaica last October, a powerful narrative of corporate compassion has emerged from the devastation. Tastia Stephens, an Account Manager at Parkmere Group Investment, found herself confronting the storm’s fury firsthand in Montego Bay, an experience that would fundamentally reshape her perspective and trigger a significant humanitarian response.

Stephens described the hurricane as an unforgettable ordeal marked by genuine fear for personal safety, with the haunting sound of violent winds still vivid in her memory. Torrential waters breached structures through roofs and windows, creating scenes of utter destruction that reduced many residents to tears. While Stephens emerged physically unscathed, she witnessed countless others suffering catastrophic losses—including complete destruction of homes, possessions, and devastating flooding that overwhelmed communities.

This traumatic experience served as a profound reminder of life’s true priorities, shifting focus from mundane worries to fundamental values of safety, survival, and communal resilience. Motivated by renewed gratitude and deep compassion, Stephens channeled her experience into action by engaging her employer, Parkmere Group Investment, to initiate relief efforts.

The company responded with remarkable solidarity, partnering with established disaster response organization Nazarene Disaster Relief to deliver critical supplies through respected humanitarian conduit Kiwanis Rose Hall Montego. Their comprehensive donation included essential items such as canned food, clothing, bedding, protective tarpaulins, temporary tents, personal hygiene products, and both adult and baby diapers.

Parkmere’s leadership emphasized that their response was driven by personal connection to the disaster, stating that witnessing devastation firsthand made assistance an undeniable responsibility rather than mere corporate slogan. This initiative reflects the organization’s dual commitment to financial empowerment and humanitarian outreach, demonstrating their philosophy that true investment value extends beyond monetary metrics to encompass tangible human impact.

As recovery efforts continue across affected Jamaican communities, Parkmere remains dedicated to providing sustained support through both innovative financial programs and targeted disaster relief initiatives. Their response exemplifies how corporate entities can effectively blend professional excellence with genuine compassion, ultimately proving that meaningful investment centers not on property, but on people, resilience, and hope.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — The upcoming 10th anniversary of the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run received a monumental boost with Sandals Resorts International (SRI) Executive Chairman Adam Stewart announcing a landmark $6 million sponsorship for the event. This contribution, revealed during Tuesday’s media launch at S Club, represents a 100% increase over last year’s donation and sets a new benchmark for corporate support.

The substantial funding injection serves as both a celebration of the event’s decade-long impact and a critical response to educational infrastructure needs exacerbated by Hurricane Melissa’s devastation last October. Event conceptualizer Janet Silvera expressed profound gratitude, noting Sandals’ consistent support since the run’s inception 14 years ago as an initiative for education.

In a significant evolution, the event now carries the name of Adam Stewart’s late wife, Jill Stewart, whose legacy as a dedicated supporter has attracted increased community and business backing. Silvera emphasized that the rebranding has generated unprecedented generosity, enabling expanded outreach.

The 2026 edition adopts the theme ‘Run for Recovery… Run for Education’ with ambitious goals: directly investing $10 million into educational institutions, including five hurricane-damaged high schools and five longstanding tertiary beneficiaries. Organizers issued a compelling call to action for private sector entities, foundations, and the Jamaican diaspora to participate in school adoption programs, emphasizing that collective effort is essential for comprehensive recovery.

Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon endorsed the initiative, framing educational restoration as a civic imperative crucial for preventing learning loss and social disintegration. He highlighted the symbolic significance of routing the race through the city center as a public declaration that education occupies central importance in community life.

Since its establishment, the event has contributed $45 million to educational causes, with last year’s allocation reaching $12 million. The 2026 target of $15 million in donations reflects both the urgency of post-hurricane reconstruction and the event’s growing fundraising capabilities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court ruling on Tuesday resulted in significant penalties for a local man apprehended with an unauthorized machete and engaging in disruptive public behavior.

Court documents indicate that Anthony Brown faced judicial proceedings following his January 9, 2026 apprehension along Dunrobin Avenue. Law enforcement officials confirmed Brown was carrying a machete without legitimate authorization or justifiable purpose, violating Jamaica’s weapons regulations.

Additionally, Brown faced charges for creating a public disturbance at the BOOT service station in St Andrew. Witness accounts described his behavior as excessively noisy and disorderly, disrupting normal operations at the fueling facility and causing concern among patrons and staff.

Presiding Magistrate Sophia Clarke handed down a structured penalty system: a $2,000 fine for the unauthorized weapon offense, with an alternative two-day incarceration period if unpaid. For the disorderly conduct violation, Brown received a $1,000 fine with a one-day prison sentence contingency. The court emphasized that these concurrent penalties reflect the seriousness of combining weapon possession with disruptive public behavior.

Legal experts note this case exemplifies Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to maintain public safety through strict enforcement of weapons laws and public order regulations. The judicial outcome demonstrates the court’s balanced approach between punitive measures and practical sentencing alternatives.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a significant demonstration of solidarity, the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has announced that revenue generated from ticket sales at the upcoming GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships will be allocated to support educational institutions in western Jamaica devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

ISSA President Keith Wellington unveiled this philanthropic initiative during the official media launch event for the championships, held Wednesday at the National Arena. The decision directly responds to the severe challenges faced by schools in the western region, where hurricane impacts in October 2025 substantially disrupted academic and athletic programs.

Specifically, proceeds from the sale of 10,000 bleacher seats at the National Stadium during the highly anticipated 100-meter finals on March 25 will constitute the donation pool. Wellington emphasized the remarkable commitment shown by western Jamaican schools that have persevered with championship preparations despite facing considerable adversity following the natural disaster.

The upcoming 115th edition of the championships, scheduled for March 24-28, will feature defending champions Kingston College (boys’ title) and Hydel High (girls’ title) among the competing institutions.

Separately, Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association President Garth Gayle, who also attended the launch, highlighted the importance of the championships as a critical qualifying platform for upcoming international events including the Carifta Games and the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, anticipating exceptionally strong performances from the student-athletes.

ST JAMES, Jamaica — In a vibrant celebration aligning with the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer, Sagicor Bank transformed the scenic White Witch Golf Club in Rose Hall into a tribute to female agricultural pioneers. The event, themed ‘From Her Farm To Your Table,’ served as both a festive gathering and a powerful platform to recognize the women who form the backbone of the global food supply chain.

The brunch was an immersive experience, meticulously crafted with artisanal decor from Pussbackfoot featuring signature straw-woven pieces and culinary displays. The gastronomic journey showcased the expertise of chef Oji Jaja from Ashebre, who masterfully incorporated produce from female-led Halifax Farms, including delicate micro greens and edible flowers cultivated by CEO Janice Dacres-Jones.

Female clients enjoyed an array of activities including cocktail sampling, miniature golf, body butter crafting, and treasure hunts, fostering both recreation and community bonding. Sagicor Bank CEO Chorvelle Johnson-Cunningham opened the proceedings by encouraging attendees to initiate backyard gardening projects while honoring the resilience of women farmers in sustainable development.

Daidre Sloley-McKay, Vice President of Group Marketing at Sagicor, emphasized the dual purpose of the event: “We’re delighted to celebrate with our clients while spotlighting the women who nourish our nation. This gathering demonstrates our collective commitment to mutual empowerment.”

Honoree Janice Dacres-Jones expressed gratitude for the recognition while highlighting systemic challenges: “This acknowledgment is profoundly meaningful, but we must advance further with improved financing access and land rights for female farmers. When afforded opportunities, women excel at innovation and problem-solving in agriculture.”

Dacres-Jones also addressed critical industry challenges: “Climate change, hurricanes, and external factors threaten food security. Our future depends on integrating technology to mitigate impacts, accelerate recovery, and protect our farmers.”

The culinary program featured locally sourced ingredients including pan chicken, roasted snapper, pimento-smoked crispy pork belly, and jerk barbecue crispy cauliflower. Chef Jaja explained his philosophy: “We intentionally prioritized local sourcing from female farmers to align with the event’s mission. The micro greens and edible flowers allowed us to enhance multiple dishes with both visual appeal and nutritional value.”

Despite weather-related adjustments, the event concluded successfully with guests celebrating through dance, symbolizing the joyful solidarity among Jamaica’s professional women and agricultural innovators.

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Significant traffic disruptions are anticipated along the Winston Jones Highway this week as a major road rehabilitation project gets underway. The National Work Agency (NWA) has announced comprehensive repair works scheduled from Thursday, March 12, through Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The critical infrastructure initiative will focus on the segment between Hanbury and Russell Place Meadows, where crews will first remove the existing asphaltic concrete surface on Thursday. During this initial phase and subsequent repaving operations, traffic will be constrained to single-lane movement, substantially reducing flow capacity along this vital corridor.

Stephen Shaw, Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, provided detailed scheduling information: “While the complete repaving will occur over the weekend of March 14-15, motorists should prepare for congestion beginning Thursday when we commence surface removal operations.”

This substantial $90 million road enhancement project forms part of the Jamaican government’s Graded Overlay (GO) Road Rehabilitation Programme, representing significant investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure. Authorities are strongly advising drivers to exercise heightened caution when navigating through construction zones, adhere to instructions from traffic flag personnel, and observe all posted warning signs to ensure safety during the renovation period.