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Jamaica’s electricity restoration efforts have reached a critical transition point as international line workers from North America prepare to depart the island this weekend. With power restoration achieving 97.5% completion, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) CEO Hugh Grant announced the strategic redeployment of local crews from eastern and central parishes to tackle the remaining complex work in western regions.

The shift in strategy marks a significant milestone in the prolonged recovery operation following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on western Jamaica’s electrical infrastructure last October. The Category 5 storm necessitated the emergency deployment of specialized international crews equipped with heavy machinery and extensive disaster response experience during the initial phase of reconstruction.

Grant emphasized that the nature of the remaining restoration work requires a different approach. The final 17,000 customers without electricity are primarily located in rural western districts where challenging terrain and limited accessibility demand manual pole-by-pole repairs rather than large-scale equipment operations. The company is now mobilizing Jamaican technical teams who possess intimate knowledge of local topography and community infrastructure.

“We are now at a stage where 12 of 14 parishes are substantially restored, and we have entered the next phase of our recovery,” Grant stated during a recent post-Cabinet briefing. “This phase includes demobilization of overseas workers and redirection of our local and regional teams to complete restoration in the western region.”

The utility company has implemented a comprehensive community engagement strategy alongside technical repairs. JPS has established temporary charging stations, ice distribution points, and relocated incident command centers to the western region. The company plans to expand community fairs and public forums to address resident concerns and provide clearer restoration timelines.

While projecting reconnection of 7,000 additional customers by February’s end, JPS acknowledged that approximately 40% of remaining premises require private electrical repairs before service restoration can occur. The company estimates full restoration may extend through March to April 2026, depending on the resolution of these customer-side infrastructure issues.

Grant concluded with a commitment to affected communities: “We see you, we hear you, we care about you, and we want to assure you—the work will not stop until every light is back on.”

A key prosecution witness in the high-profile murder trial of six Jamaican police officers provided critical testimony on Wednesday, affirming that law enforcement protocol mandates the use of deadly force when officers face armed aggression. Detective Corporal Kevin Adams, the second witness called in the case, addressed the seven-member jury regarding the January 2013 shooting incident that resulted in the deaths of three civilians.

In a celebration of culinary craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit, Felecia Robinson of Slice Divine Jamaica Ltd. unveils a Valentine’s Day spread that embodies her journey of sweet persistence. Her artistic approach to baking transforms traditional desserts into sophisticated indulgences, capturing both romance and decadence in every creation.

Robinson’s culinary foundation was established early through familial influence and formal education. Under the guidance of a baking enthusiast aunt, she developed an innate passion for the craft before pursuing formal studies in food and nutrition during her high school years. This combination of inherited knowledge and academic training provided the groundwork for her current expertise, which she continues to refine through dedicated experimentation and practice.

The baker’s distinctive style merges nostalgic comfort with contemporary luxury. While demonstrating particular affinity for dark fruitcakes and cheesecakes, her repertoire showcases remarkable diversity and creativity. Signature offerings include the Black Forest Luxe, Pink Champagne confections, Red Velvet with berry filling, and an expanding assortment of artisanal cheesecakes. Robinson acknowledges cheesecakes as her preferred medium, describing them as “intricate, delicate, and challenging” creations that initially seemed daunting until she mastered their preparation and began exploring numerous variations.

Customer response has been overwhelmingly positive, with reviews frequently expressing inability to get enough of her creations. Robinson acknowledges the competitive baking landscape but remains focused on her core mission: creating memorable desserts that evoke nostalgia and contribute to celebratory occasions. “Cakes are done in times of celebration,” she notes, “and I want to know that I contributed to the joy in the occasion.”

Her Valentine’s Day collection specifically captures the dual essence of romance and indulgence, representing what she considers one of the year’s best occasions for decadent treats. The visually stunning presentation, documented through professional photography, includes strawberry vanilla ice cream cake cups, cookies and cream ice with piña colada cake cups, pink champagne and chocolate fudge boxes, and a mini cheesecake sampler pack featuring lemon blueberry, Baileys Irish cream, red velvet Oreo, and Guinness variations.

Contact Information:
Slice Divine Jamaica Ltd
Tel: 876-847-2289
Instagram: @slicedivineja

Visual documentation by Aceion Cunningham showcases the exquisite detail and artistic presentation of Robinson’s creations, from the richly textured dark fruitcake to the meticulously crafted red velvet cake with berry filling.

MONEGO BAY, Jamaica — Prominent local entrepreneur Milton Russell has declared his intention to pursue all available legal avenues, including Jamaica’s final appellate court, to contest a recent judicial mandate requiring the demolition of unauthorized sections of his acclaimed Snappaz Seafood Grill and Sports Bar.

The St James Parish Court’s late January ruling found Russell in violation of multiple planning regulations, including the Planning Act and Town and Country Planning Development Orders from 1982 and 2018. The court instructed Russell to terminate operations and dismantle all unapproved structures on his Kent Avenue property by February 2026, authorizing the St James Municipal Corporation to execute the demolition at his expense if compliance is not met.

Russell, expressing bewilderment at the judgment, informed media that he has formally initiated appellate proceedings. “I have instructed my lawyer to appeal because I simply cannot comprehend this decision. If unsuccessful, I will proceed to the Privy Council,” he stated.

The conflict originated in January 2021 when municipal authorities issued a stop order against Snappaz for constructing without proper permits. Aviation safety concerns subsequently emerged, with officials citing potential interference with flight paths from nearby Sangster International Airport. The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, adhering to international standards, regulates building heights near airports to maintain safe obstacle limitation surfaces.

Russell contends that authorities have failed to specify the exact height restriction he allegedly violated. “Nobody can tell me what the height restrictions are, despite claims that I’m in the flight path,” he asserted, adding that he had offered to modify the roof to address concerns.

The businessman further challenges the zoning justification, noting that the area has organically evolved into a mixed-use community where commercial and residential properties coexist harmoniously. He emphasizes the restaurant’s economic significance, employing 47 staff members and serving approximately 300 patrons, while highlighting its community contributions including post-hurricane relief efforts and providing free Wi-Fi services.

Despite ongoing health concerns exacerbated by the legal stress, Russell confirms he is engaging in dialogue with municipal leadership to explore regularization possibilities while preparing his legal defense.

A pivotal police witness concluded his four-day testimony in the high-profile Klansman Gang trial on Wednesday, maintaining his credibility despite intense scrutiny from defense attorneys. The detective corporal, whose identity remains protected, staunchly defended his professional conduct while acknowledging his involvement in multiple fatal shootings throughout his career.

The court proceedings at Kingston’s Home Circuit Division revealed operational details of a March 5, 2023 raid conducted by the now-disbanded Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC). The officer testified that during a confrontation at Spanish Town premises, he fatally shot an individual who had directly challenged him. This operation resulted in two arrests, including the Crown’s currently anonymous star witness.

Defense attorneys Denise Hinson and Kymberli Whittaker launched aggressive challenges against the witness’s credibility, alleging he manipulated evidence against all 25 defendants. They accused the marksman of using his documented history of over ten fatal shootings to intimidate former gang members into providing fabricated testimony. The defense further claimed the March shooting constituted an extrajudicial killing with a planted firearm.

The cross-examination revealed the officer was undergoing active investigation for the March incident and faced previous disciplinary scrutiny. Defense counsel particularly focused on the officer’s alleged reliance on intelligence from YouTube vlogger ‘Sir P’ and his program ‘Politricks Watch’ during operations.

The witness admitted to consuming Sir P’s content with colleagues but vehemently denied acting on its information before the March operation. His qualification that the vlogger became ‘a source’ of information only after the incident prompted reactions from engaged defendants.

Prosecution objections led to Supreme Court Justice Dale Palmer warning against conflating online commentary with official intelligence. The acting deputy director of public prosecutions subsequently conducted a rehabilitation examination, establishing the officer had never faced murder charges despite his shooting record and had been fully acquitted in a prior corruption case.

The trial continues Thursday with testimony from another police witness regarding a 2017 fatal incident in Cross Roads, St. Andrew.