分类： society

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A severe pedestrian accident involving a five-year-old girl has sparked urgent calls for improved road safety infrastructure in the Greenvale community. The incident occurred on Bethel Street during mid-afternoon hours this past Friday when the young student, returning from school, attempted to cross the roadway.

The vehicle struck the child, resulting in critical injuries that required immediate emergency medical attention. First responders transported her to Mandeville Regional Hospital where physicians ordered comprehensive diagnostic imaging, including both X-ray and CT scan procedures. Due to equipment availability, portions of the medical evaluation were conducted at nearby Hargreaves Memorial Hospital.

Family members maintained a vigil at Hargreaves Memorial throughout the evening as medical staff worked to stabilize the child. By 6:00 PM, the patient had been formally admitted to Mandeville Regional Hospital where she remained in serious condition under close medical supervision.

The tragedy has prompted relatives to formally petition local government representatives for immediate traffic calming measures. Community advocates specifically demand the installation of additional speed bumps—colloquially known as ‘sleeping police’ in Jamaica—to force motorists to reduce velocity through residential areas.

Law enforcement authorities have initiated a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. Police officials confirmed they have questioned the driver involved, though no charges have been announced pending completion of the ongoing investigation.

The incident has highlighted persistent concerns about pedestrian safety in residential zones near schools, with community members emphasizing the urgent need for preventive infrastructure to protect children during peak travel hours.

TRINIDAD — A brutal assassination has shocked the community of Rio Claro, southeastern Trinidad, after freelance journalist Kellyann Lemessy was murdered in a targeted attack outside her home on Thursday. The 38-year-old mother of three was ambushed by two masked assailants as she arrived at her residence with her two young daughters in the vehicle.

According to police reports, Lemessy was shot multiple times in the head and body while seated in her car. Investigators believe she heroically shielded her nearly two-year-old child, who was on her lap at the time of the attack. Remarkably, both her toddler and nine-year-old daughter emerged physically unharmed from the horrific incident.

Lemessy had worked as a correspondent for CNC3 television, building a career in freelance journalism. The killing has raised serious concerns about journalist safety and organized violence in the region.

This tragedy marks the second violent death in Lemessy’s family within a year. In June 2023, her sister Cassieann was similarly shot and killed in her vehicle near their Mayaro home, with one suspect currently facing charges for that murder.

Adding to the family’s complex history, Lemessy and another sister were previously charged with causing grievous bodily harm to their brother after an alleged boiling water attack. They had been released on bail of TT$200,000 (approximately US$32,000) pending trial.

Authorities are actively investigating possible motives behind the killing, including potential connections to her journalistic work, the previous family violence case, or her sister’s unsolved murder. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has vowed to prioritize the investigation amid growing public concern about violence against women and media professionals.

A formidable winter storm system is poised to unleash a perilous combination of freezing rain and heavy snowfall across the continental United States, placing approximately 160 million Americans under threat beginning Friday. The National Weather Service has issued grave warnings, forecasting potentially ‘catastrophic ice accumulation’ that could trigger prolonged power outages, significant tree damage, and dangerously impassable travel conditions.

Meteorologists indicate the storm originated off the California coast before commencing its eastward trajectory, expected to impact vast regions including the Rockies, Plains, and ultimately the densely populated mid-Atlantic and northeastern states. The system’s prolonged duration will introduce an arctic air mass capable of crippling daily activities across multiple regions.

Transportation networks already show strain with over 1,500 weekend flight cancellations recorded by Flightaware, particularly affecting Texas airports. This has revived memories of the 2021 winter catastrophe that collapsed the state’s power grid, resulting in numerous fatalities. Republican Governor Greg Abbott sought to reassure citizens, asserting the grid ‘has never been stronger, never been more prepared and is fully capable of handling this winter storm’ during a Thursday press briefing.

Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul adopted a more cautious stance, warning residents that mere minutes outdoors could precipitate hypothermia or frostbite. The Democratic leader emphasized comprehensive preparedness measures including pipe protection, safe heater usage, and checking vulnerable neighbors. Her administration has mobilized thousands of utility workers, snowplows, and emergency crews to maintain road access and power restoration capabilities.

The meteorological phenomenon stems from an elongated polar vortex—typically a compact circular system of cold, low-pressure Arctic air that has distorted into an oval shape, permitting frigid air to spill across North America. Scientific discourse continues regarding potential connections between increasing polar vortex disruptions and climate change, though natural variability remains a contributing factor.

Former President Donald Trump utilized his Truth Social platform to question climate science in light of the extreme cold, while state officials concentrated on immediate public safety measures. Fourteen states from southern to northeastern regions plus Washington DC have declared states of emergency, urging residents to stock emergency supplies, maintain vehicle fuel tanks, and avoid unnecessary travel as wind chills approach -55°F (-48°C) in Upper Midwest regions.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a strategic move to address post-hurricane recovery challenges, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has called upon justices of the peace (JPs) to assume an expanded role in land administration and titling processes. The initiative was launched during a virtual training session convened by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on Thursday.

Minister Chuck emphasized the critical timing of these capacity-building sessions, noting that Hurricane Melissa’s widespread devastation months earlier had created urgent land-related complications. “As we reconstruct communities and restore livelihoods, clear and secure land ownership will be fundamental,” Chuck stated. He identified property titles, boundary demarcations, succession issues, and documentation gaps as particularly pressing concerns during rebuilding operations.

The Justice Minister highlighted the unique position JPs occupy as primary contacts for citizens requiring affidavits, statutory declarations, and document authentication services. Through coordinated efforts with the National Land Agency (NLA) and strict adherence to established protocols, JPs are expected to streamline procedures, mitigate fraudulent activities, and prevent documentation barriers from excluding vulnerable populations from recovery programs.

Echoing these sentiments, State Minister Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert reaffirmed that land titling constitutes a paramount national priority for the administration. She elaborated on the transformative potential of secure land tenure, explaining that legally recognized ownership not only provides familial security and legal safeguards but also enables economic advancement through investment opportunities, credit access, and intergenerational wealth building.

The state minister concurrently addressed systemic vulnerabilities, noting that persistent land disputes and fraudulent practices continue to undermine Jamaica’s land management framework. She urged JPs to enhance their expertise in land titling protocols to better educate and guide community members.

The sensitization session featured comprehensive technical guidance from the NLA, delivering practical methodologies and service delivery best practices designed to augment JP capabilities in land administration matters.

International dancehall performers Kiprich and Kizzy Don find themselves in a dire medical crisis after the premature birth of their daughter during a professional engagement in Colombia. Their newborn, named Miracle, requires immediate specialized neonatal care unavailable at their current medical facility, necessitating an emergency airlift to the United States that carries an estimated cost of US$250,000 (approximately J$40 million).

The unexpected medical emergency occurred while the artists were abroad for a scheduled performance, having previously obtained medical clearance for international travel. Currently, Miracle remains under intensive care in Colombia while demonstrating promising signs of vitality despite her premature condition. Her parents report strong cardiac function and responsive behavior to auditory stimuli.

This developing situation has triggered substantial digital engagement across social media platforms, generating both compassionate support and skeptical scrutiny. Some online commentators have questioned the legitimacy of the couple’s circumstances, prompting the artists to conduct live social media broadcasts to provide transparent updates and authenticate their pleas for assistance.

Despite facing public skepticism, the family’s primary objective remains securing adequate medical intervention for their infant daughter. A verified GoFundMe campaign has been established to facilitate financial contributions, having accumulated over US$19,000 toward their substantial target. The emotional toll on the parents is considerable, with Kizzy Don expressing profound distress while maintaining hope for divine intervention throughout their ordeal.

The medical complexity of international neonatal transportation, combined with the artists’ temporary immigration status, has created a multifaceted humanitarian challenge that transcends national boundaries and highlights broader issues regarding healthcare accessibility for citizens abroad.