ST JAMES, Jamaica – Delroy Dove, a tour guide from Johns Hall in St James, narrowly escaped death during the devastating Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that claimed two of his homes. Despite losing everything, Dove expresses gratitude for surviving the harrowing ordeal. One of the homes, a wooden three-bedroom structure, collapsed with Dove inside, leaving him with injuries to his head, back, and hand. Recounting the traumatic event, Dove described how the 185 mph winds shifted the house from its foundation, causing it to tumble downhill with him trapped inside. ‘I saw complete darkness and then light,’ he said, visibly shaken. Another caretaker, Devral, witnessed the house being lifted into the air but was unaware Dove was inside. The wooden house, which served as Dove’s temporary residence at Johns Hall Adventure Tours, was completely destroyed, along with all his belongings. Dove, now homeless after his permanent residence in Spring Mount was also destroyed, is living in an unfinished section of the property with minimal shelter. He is appealing for assistance to rebuild his life and secure a new home.
分类： society
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NEPA calls on public to support wildlife recovery by feeding birds with fruits
KINGSTON, JAMAICA — As Jamaica continues its recovery efforts following the devastating Category Five Hurricane Melissa, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has highlighted the severe impact on the island’s wildlife, particularly its bird population. The agency is calling on citizens to play an active role in aiding the recovery of these vulnerable species.
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Volunteerism alive and well in Caroni Central
In an era where many communities rely on systemic solutions to address local issues, Caroni Central stands out as a beacon of grassroots activism and volunteerism. Spearheaded by MP Dr. David Lee and Councillor Anil Baliram, a dynamic team of volunteers has taken charge of transforming neglected public spaces and tackling overgrown vegetation, a long-standing problem in the area. With Cepep and URP services temporarily suspended, the leaders adopted a hands-on approach, rallying residents to maintain high-risk zones such as roadsides, recreational grounds, and open lots. This initiative not only ensures cleaner and safer communities but also fosters trust between citizens and their representatives. A particularly inspiring aspect of this effort is the active participation of young people, who are learning the value of civic pride and responsibility through direct involvement. This model of community engagement promotes teamwork, environmental respect, and a shared sense of purpose, leaving a lasting impact beyond the immediate results. As the work progresses, Caroni Central is witnessing the growth of something far more significant than well-kept spaces—a revitalized community spirit that underscores the essence of true governance.
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US based-foundation to offer counseling to Jamaican educators on hurricane trauma
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Pamella’s Sunrise Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s guidance counseling unit and the Jamaica Poets Nomadic College and School Tour, has redirected its efforts to provide psychotherapeutic and trauma-informed interventions for educators. Originally scheduled for December, the foundation’s ‘Make the Children Laugh’ event, aimed at alleviating emotional pain in children, has been postponed to prioritize hurricane recovery and restoration efforts.
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Morgan assures Trelawny Southern residents of road restoration efforts post hurricane
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Robert Nesta Morgan, Minister with Responsibility for Works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, has pledged unwavering support to the residents of Trelawny Southern. The hurricane left a trail of destruction, severely damaging road infrastructure, homes, and destabilizing the soil across the constituency. Minister Morgan, accompanied by Member of Parliament Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert and representatives from the National Works Agency (NWA), conducted an extensive tour of the hardest-hit communities on Friday to evaluate the devastation firsthand.
During the visit, Minister Morgan highlighted the extensive damage caused by the hurricane, emphasizing the urgent need for recovery efforts. ‘We have seen houses damaged, road infrastructure compromised, and the soil rendered unstable,’ he stated. The NWA has been fully mobilized to restore critical road access and facilitate emergency operations. ‘The NWA is working tirelessly to create pathways for emergency services and enable residents to resume their daily activities,’ Morgan explained. He cautioned residents about the reduced safety of certain roads, which are now single-lane with breakaways, urging them to exercise caution.
Despite the challenges, recovery efforts are progressing steadily. Minister Morgan assured residents that relief supplies are being prioritized, though road damage has hindered delivery. ‘Help is on the way; we just want you to bear with us,’ Dalrymple-Philibert reassured the community. The government remains committed to restoring normalcy and providing essential support to those affected by the hurricane.
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US travel woes mount as govt shutdown prompts flight cuts
The United States is grappling with significant disruptions in air travel as a directive to reduce flights at 40 major airports took effect on Friday. This measure, aimed at addressing air traffic safety concerns, comes amid a prolonged government shutdown that has left tens of thousands of air traffic controllers and airport security staff without pay. The Trump administration has mandated a four percent reduction in flights, which is expected to escalate to 10 percent by next week. Major hubs such as Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles are among those affected. Over 800 flights were canceled on Friday alone, with American Airlines reporting 220 daily cancellations, Delta Airlines cutting 170 flights, and Southwest Airlines canceling approximately 100 flights. Travelers are experiencing extensive delays, with some airports reporting average wait times exceeding two hours. Authorities emphasize that the reductions are a proactive measure to prevent potential safety hazards. ‘We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself,’ stated FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
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Judicial complaints procedure ‘regrettably’ not yet finalised, says Chief Justice
Chief Justice Ian Winder has acknowledged the failure to finalize the long-promised judicial complaints procedure in The Bahamas, nearly a year after committing to its completion. Speaking to The Tribune, Justice Winder admitted that progress has been hindered by the challenge of identifying committee members and other pressing judicial priorities. Despite the delay, he pledged to intensify efforts to collaborate with Bahamas Bar Association President Khalil Parker to establish the framework. He emphasized that complaints against judicial officers are currently handled by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, which regularly receives and investigates such grievances. However, the lack of a formalized procedure has drawn criticism from attorney Tavarrie Smith, who warned that the delay undermines public confidence in the judiciary. In a letter titled ‘The Urgent Need for a Judicial Complaints Procedure in The Bahamas,’ Smith highlighted the absence of updates or a published procedure since the December 2024 pledge to finalize the framework before the 2025 legal year. He argued that the delay raises serious concerns about accountability, transparency, and the administration of justice, particularly in light of high-profile controversies involving judges last year. Smith stressed that the proposed mechanism would enhance judicial independence by ensuring fair and transparent review of allegations. He described most judges as ‘unsung heroes’ but cautioned that a lack of accountability could erode public trust. The issue gained traction in late 2024 when Justice Winder and Parker announced plans to finalize a unified framework. Attorney General Ryan Pinder has also supported the initiative, emphasizing the need for clear conduct standards for judges. Critics argue that the current process lacks transparency and public redress mechanisms, with some viewing the Judicial and Legal Services Commission as a political body. Smith urged swift action, asserting that judicial accountability is essential to maintaining public trust and upholding the integrity of the legal system.
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Homeless Williamsville family grateful for public support, seeks materials to rebuild
A family of ten from Williamsville, left homeless after a devastating fire destroyed their two-storey home on Pooran Street on November 4, is expressing profound gratitude for the outpouring of public support. Elaine Mohammed, the 53-year-old matriarch and a cancer survivor, shared her heartfelt appreciation for the community’s generosity in an interview with Newsday on November 7. The family has already received essential grocery items and clothing from kind-hearted individuals. ‘I am grateful to all the people who reached out to us. Even if it is only one brick, we would be thankful, because if 100 people give one brick, that’s 100 bricks,’ Mohammed said. Despite the challenges, the family remains hopeful of rebuilding their home. Mohammed, who is unable to work due to her age and health condition, emphasized her reliance on faith and community support. Her husband, Kamaludin, is set to retire next month at the age of 60. The family, including their young grandchildren, is currently staying in a cramped room at the back of the damaged house. The fire, which broke out on the first floor while the family was on the ground floor, left them with nothing. Mohammed, overwhelmed by the incident, experienced a spike in her blood sugar and blood pressure, requiring emergency medical attention. ‘I was stressed. I had to be taken to the hospital because of my sugar and blood pressure,’ she recalled. Despite her health scare, Mohammed discharged herself to be with her family. The prompt response of the Mon Repos Fire Station contained the flames, but the family lost everything. Local officials, including Princes Town MP Aniya Ali and councillor Vincent Raghoo, visited the family to offer support. Those willing to assist can contact the family at 355-4449.
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‘Only two new ankle bracelets successfully tampered with’
The Bahamas has witnessed a remarkable improvement in its electronic monitoring system for individuals on bail, with only two successful attempts at tampering reported under the Migrafill-managed system. National Security Minister Wayne Munroe highlighted this as a significant advancement in tightening bail supervision. This progress follows the government’s contentious decision in 2023 to terminate its contract with the previous provider and reinstate Migrafill Electronic Security, which had previously managed the program. The decision has coincided with a notable decline in murders involving individuals on bail, contributing to a broader reduction in the national murder rate. Minister Munroe emphasized the robustness of Migrafill’s technology, which provides immediate alerts to law enforcement when tampering is detected. He noted that the system also offers advanced features such as curfew reminders and the ability for individuals to report emergencies, ensuring a swift police response. The government’s decision to switch to Migrafill in March 2024 has proven effective, with murders involving individuals on bail dropping to 11 percent of total killings by the end of the year, a sharp decrease from 42 percent in November 2023. Munroe attributed this success to Migrafill’s advanced equipment and real-time communication capabilities, which have significantly enhanced the monitoring process.
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Portland cookshop feels the pinch of Melissa
PORTLAND, Jamaica — While the northeastern parish of Portland escaped the most severe impacts of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica over a week ago, local businesses are still grappling with the aftermath. Ricardo ‘Ric Boss’ Oharo, a chef at a local cookshop, shared his struggles with Observer Online during a visit by the news team on Friday. Oharo noted that business has slowed significantly since the hurricane, as many residents have been unable to work due to storm-related disruptions affecting their employers. This has led to reduced spending in the community. Additionally, Oharo highlighted the rising operational costs, particularly the increased price of fuel needed to power the shop’s generator. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that his establishment remains affordable for customers. Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28 as a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph, caused widespread devastation across Jamaica, resulting in over 30 fatalities and leaving nearly 80% of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers without power. Many areas in Portland remain in darkness. Oharo expressed gratitude that Portland was spared major damage this time, recalling the severe impact of Hurricane Beryl in July last year. ‘We give God thanks still,’ he said. ‘Everything is intact, giving thanks!’