分类： society

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — In a remarkable display of international solidarity, a specialized team of volunteer builders from Wisconsin has successfully constructed eight new residential units for Jamaican families devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The humanitarian mission, orchestrated by The Issa Trust Foundation, specifically targeted employees of Couples Resorts who lost their homes during the catastrophic Category 5 storm.

Dirk Bartalozzi, owner of Bartalozzi Homes and leader of the volunteer contingent, expressed profound personal motivation for participating in the rebuilding initiative. Having witnessed the extensive destruction across Westmoreland parish, Bartalozzi—whose wife is Jamaican—felt compelled to leverage his professional expertise in service of the recovery efforts.

The construction process demonstrated both technical proficiency and adaptive problem-solving. While Bartalozzi noted that the fundamental building techniques mirrored those used in his Wisconsin-based residential projects, the team encountered unique challenges working with elevated foundations designed for flood protection. “Building on stilts presented distinct structural considerations,” Bartalozzi explained, highlighting the specialized approach required for hurricane-resistant construction.

The volunteers arrived fully equipped with professional-grade tools, including battery-powered framing systems, precision saws, industrial drills, and critical hurricane strapping components. This comprehensive preparation enabled the team to complete each home within an impressive two-day timeframe, significantly accelerating the community’s recovery process.

The initiative represents a successful collaboration between corporate social responsibility through The Issa Trust Foundation and skilled volunteerism, demonstrating how targeted technical assistance can effectively address post-disaster housing needs in vulnerable communities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican media community gathered in solemn tribute at the University of the West Indies Mona Chapel to honor the life and legacy of esteemed sports journalist Donald Oliver, whose sudden passing on December 30th sent shockwaves through the nation’s media landscape. The veteran journalist, who had dedicated two decades to sports reporting across prominent media outlets including CVM, SportsMax, and Jamaica Observer, succumbed unexpectedly after experiencing chest pains.

The emotional thanksgiving service, streamed live via YouTube channel LiveStreamJA, drew hundreds of virtual attendees whose condolences flooded the commentary section, reflecting Oliver’s profound impact on both professional circles and personal connections. The ceremony highlighted not only Oliver’s professional accomplishments but also his cherished roles as husband and father.

In a moving tribute, Oliver’s wife Noretta painted an intimate portrait of their life journey together, beginning in Allman Town. ‘What we shared was beautiful,’ she emotionally recounted, noting how fatherhood revealed even greater dimensions of his character. She described the extraordinary bond between Oliver and their daughter Zabella, and reflected on his sports journalism career as a true vocation rather than merely professional pursuit.

Jamaica Observer Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun eulogized Oliver as ‘a consummate professional deeply committed, consistently enthusiastic and unwavering in his delivery of quality and excellence,’ while simultaneously recognizing his innate warmth and kindness that distinguished his interpersonal relationships.

The memorial service featured tributes from notable figures including Minister of Sport Olivia Grange and Dr. Coleen Beckles of Love 101 radio, underscoring Oliver’s significant standing within both sports media and broader Jamaican society. Photographs from the service captured poignant moments of familial comfort and respectful homage, illustrating the deep personal and professional void left by Oliver’s untimely departure.

MINNEAPOLIS — A fatal encounter between federal agents and an armed individual in Minneapolis has resulted in the death of the man involved, according to statements from local authorities and federal officials. The city’s Police Chief confirmed the death to U.S. media outlets on Saturday, marking a troubling recurrence of lethal force incidents in the region. This event occurs less than three weeks after the fatal shooting of Renee Good, amplifying community concerns and scrutiny over the use of force.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in an official statement to AFP, acknowledged that its agents were involved in an operation where the individual was armed. However, the federal department declined to provide specific details regarding the sequence of events or to formally confirm the fatality, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The lack of immediate transparency has drawn criticism from public figures and community advocates.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a strong condemnation of the incident, characterizing it as ‘another horrific shooting’ and calling for a thorough and impartial review. The shooting has reignited debates over policing protocols, interagency cooperation, and the broader issue of gun violence, placing renewed pressure on both local and federal law enforcement to address systemic challenges and enhance accountability measures.

The Jamaican Government has announced a substantial $31 million emergency funding package to assist private educational institutions, predominantly early childhood facilities, in recovering from destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa last October. Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon unveiled the initiative during a Senate ministerial address on Friday.

According to preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Early Childhood Commission, 318 privately-operated early childhood institutions and independent schools sustained varying degrees of damage during the hurricane’s devastating passage. The comprehensive evaluation revealed a spectrum of destruction ranging from minor cleanup requirements to severe structural compromise.

The damage classification indicates 122 schools experienced severe impacts, 115 sustained moderate damage, while 81 facilities registered mild effects. Minister Morris Dixon emphasized the human dimension of this educational crisis, noting that “24,143 children and 2,313 staff members enrolled or employed in ECIs have been impacted.”

Highlighting the critical importance of early childhood development, the Minister stated: “Neuroscience and developmental studies are clear: the early years are when the brain is most adaptable. Our institutions are therefore an important pillar of that early development during these critical years. We cannot allow our early childhood institutions to operate in a substandard state.”

The damage assessment identified moderate damage typically involving flooding, debris accumulation, sanitation challenges, roof leaks, and destruction of learning materials. These conditions necessitate immediate cleanup and minor remedial works to restore safe learning environments for young children.

The government will implement a tiered grant system through an extension of the Rapid Resumption Grant program. Severely impacted institutions will receive $120,000, moderately affected facilities get $100,000, while mildly damaged schools will obtain $80,000. These grants are designed to support urgent restoration activities and ensure the safe and timely resumption of educational services.

Minister Morris Dixon indicated that this initial $31 million disbursement represents the first tranche of funding, with additional resources available if needed. The grants complement separate credit facilities offered through the Development Bank of Jamaica, creating a comprehensive recovery framework for the island’s damaged educational infrastructure.

MIDDLE QUARTERS, St Elizabeth — The internationally celebrated YS Falls attraction is poised to welcome visitors once again this Saturday, signaling a major step forward in recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. Operator Simon Browne confirmed full operational resumption, including tractor transport services, three swimming pools, and waterfall access, though he noted the landscape would initially lack its pre-hurricane lushness as regrowth continues.

The reopening represents a significant achievement for community-led restoration initiatives across St Elizabeth parish. Jason Henzell, chairman of the BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation, expressed measured optimism regarding recovery progress. “We feel extremely proud of the progress that has been made, although we are not where we want to be yet,” Henzell stated, emphasizing the foundation’s role in distributing millions in grants to local businesses and tourism workers.

Beyond YS Falls, the recovery timeline shows encouraging momentum with multiple attractions returning to operation. Captain Dennis’s beach lunch and boat tours have resumed, while the iconic Pelican Bar is scheduled to reopen January 31st with support from corporate sponsors including Red Stripe and Spectrum Roofing. The Appleton Estate Rum Tour is anticipated to resume operations by February, alongside small restaurants like Lobster Pot and Wassy Jerk that have already reopened.

BREDS Foundation’s comprehensive recovery program has distributed approximately $55-60 million in combined cash, vouchers, and building materials. The initiative provided business grants ranging from $150,000 to $580,000 to over 20 enterprises, supported 300 tourism workers with employment grants, and assisted more than 400 farmers through agricultural vouchers. The NCB Foundation contributed significantly with $5.2 million in activated vouchers.

The recovery effort now enters its third phase focusing on housing reconstruction, utilizing innovative building designs developed specifically for hurricane resilience. A new affordable housing model featuring concrete columns—already implemented in three structures—represents a sustainable approach to rebuilding stronger communities. Non-profit partners including Creators of Hope have joined these efforts, addressing needs for the most vulnerable populations while coordinating container shipments of roofing materials for heavily affected areas.

Jamaica’s education system has mobilized an extensive nationwide response to address the psychological aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the island in October 2025. Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon revealed that comprehensive psychosocial support has been provided through 2,086 specialized sessions, reaching approximately 50,000 students and 4,000 educators across northwestern regions identified as experiencing trauma. The initiative has additionally extended support to 167 regional education staff members and over 9,700 parents affected by the catastrophic weather event. Minister Morris Dixon emphasized the critical importance of addressing psychological wellbeing before attempting to restore normal educational standards, acknowledging that ‘It’s not perfect, it’s not going to be perfect, especially after trauma.’ The ministry’s multifaceted approach combines virtual and in-person counseling services, leveraging both public resources and private expertise. Thirty-six private clinicians have been enlisted island-wide to supplement the government’s guidance counseling teams, with the ministry compensating psychologists and psychiatrists for their specialized services. International collaboration has strengthened these efforts, including a visiting delegation from Israel with expertise in school-based psychosocial intervention and support from global organizations such as UNICEF and Children First. The program further integrates resources from the University Hospital of the West Indies, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and faith-based counseling services. Minister Morris Dixon highlighted the interconnected challenges of restoring educational quality with infrastructure recovery, noting that adequate water and electricity access remains prerequisite to normalizing school operations, particularly in severely impacted parishes like Westmoreland.