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  • Mom dies in crash before seeing daughter graduate

    Mom dies in crash before seeing daughter graduate

    The Bahamas faces another tragic traffic fatality as 34-year-old Shaquell Roberts, a vibrant mother of two, lost her life in a devastating vehicular collision on Western Road this Monday afternoon. According to police reports, the incident occurred when Roberts’ black Honda Accord collided with an oncoming Honda Stepwagon during her commute home from work.

    Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after 2pm to find Roberts’ vehicle overturned with the victim partially ejected and drifting in and out of consciousness. Despite urgent medical intervention, she succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The occupants of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries in the collision.

    Roberts, remembered by family as exceptionally ambitious and energetic, balanced her employment at Bahamas Power and Light with multiple entrepreneurial ventures including a cleaning service, nail salon, and clothing enterprise. Her stepsister, Felicia Russell, recounted their final conversation centered on spiritual growth and childhood memories. “We just talked about how only what we do for Christ will last,” Russell shared emotionally.

    The tragedy resonates deeply within the family, particularly affecting Roberts’ two daughters. Her eldest, anticipating graduation next year, now faces this profound loss while the younger child continually asks for her mother. Roberts, who experienced parental loss herself in childhood, frequently expressed her dreams of witnessing her daughters’ transition into adulthood.

    This incident marks the 62nd traffic-related death recorded this year in The Tribune’s statistics, highlighting ongoing road safety concerns in the region. The family now commits to honoring Roberts’ memory by ensuring her children receive every opportunity she envisioned for them.

  • JN Group hails legacy of Dorothy Pine-McLarty

    JN Group hails legacy of Dorothy Pine-McLarty

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica National Group and the wider Jamaican community are mourning the passing of distinguished attorney-at-law and corporate director Dorothy Pine-McLarty, who died on Sunday. Remembered affectionately as “Mikki,” she leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of professional excellence and nation-building spanning more than five decades.

    Elizabeth Ann Jones, Chairman of The Jamaica National Group, memorialized Pine-McLarty as “a quiet force and leader of high standards” whose contributions were fundamental to the organization’s strength. Her association with JN began in September 1998 when she was first appointed to the board of directors of the Jamaica National Building Society.

    Following the institution’s corporate conversion in 2017, Pine-McLarty extended her governance expertise across multiple JN Group entities, including JN Financial Group Limited and JN Money Services Limited. She additionally chaired the board of trustees for the JN Individual Retirement Scheme, demonstrating versatile leadership across financial services.

    Earl Jarrett, CEO and Deputy Chairman of JN Group, recalled working closely with Pine-McLarty in various capacities, noting her meticulous attention to accuracy and immense contributions to JN’s development. “She was a stickler for accuracy, and we were the beneficiaries of this through her immeasurable contribution to the growth and development of Jamaica National,” Jarrett stated.

    Beyond her corporate impact, Pine-McLarty was celebrated for her passionate advocacy and community development work. A devout Methodist and active alumna of St Andrew High School for Girls, she served as chancellor’s nominee to the University of Technology council and championed initiatives advancing women’s leadership and empowerment.

    Her pioneering spirit was evident throughout her career. In 2007, she became the first woman appointed commissioner of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, later ascending to become its first female chair in 2013. As managing partner of Myers Fletcher & Gordon’s London office, she fostered stronger connections between the United Kingdom and Jamaica, enhancing diaspora relations.

    Pine-McLarty’s exceptional service received national recognition in 2007 when she was inducted into the Order of Jamaica, the nation’s fourth-highest honor. In 2019, the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean conferred upon her an honorary Doctor of Business Administration.

    Chairman Jones concluded, “Her years of service to the people of Jamaica and those within her immediate reach, and of course her service to the building of The Jamaica National Group, are efforts that have laid foundations for success and the growth of many. She is dearly missed, but her legacy lives on.”

  • Defending champ KC and Mona High face Manning Cup elimination Wednesday

    Defending champ KC and Mona High face Manning Cup elimination Wednesday

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The ISSA Wata Manning Cup approaches its dramatic conclusion Wednesday as four critical matches will determine which two title contenders see their championship dreams extinguished in the second round’s final fixtures. The spotlight falls intensely on Group 2 and Group 4, where former champions face elimination scenarios in high-stakes encounters.

    In Group 2, defending champions Kingston College (KC) confront a precarious situation, sitting third with three points. Their survival depends on defeating group leaders Calabar High, who hold four points, in a 4:15 pm clash at Stadium East. Simultaneously, second-placed Hydel High (four points) faces already-eliminated Campion College at Waterhouse Stadium. Both Hydel and Calabar require merely a draw to secure quarterfinal berths, while KC’s fate hangs on victory or hoping for Campion to upset Hydel should they manage a draw against Calabar.

    The defending champions’ campaign nearly derailed initially with a loss to Hydel, but they resurrected hopes with a decisive 3-0 victory against Campion. However, overcoming a resurgent Calabar squad—reportedly among their strongest in recent years—presents a formidable challenge that could end KC’s title defense and ensure a new champion emerges, mirroring the recent DaCosta Cup upset where Garvey Maceo suffered elimination.

    Group 4 delivers equally compelling drama with a historic rivalry rekindled as Mona High (three points) confronts Jamaica College (JC) (four points) in a 2:00 pm knockout duel at Stadium East. JC needs only a draw to advance, while 2023 champions Mona must secure victory to keep their title defense alive. An alternative pathway exists for Mona: advancement should they draw with JC if simultaneously Eltham High (four points) loses to winless St Jago in the parallel fixture.

    This matchup carries intensified significance beyond tournament progression. Mona’s coach, Craig Butler—a former JC Manning Cup player—has openly criticized tournament organizers and officials, alleging preferential treatment toward JC over years. Tensions escalated recently when Butler received a red card following post-match protests against a referee he identified as a JC alumnus after Mona’s loss to Eltham, claiming biased officiating knowing JC would benefit.

    The rivalry intensified last year when Mona supporters stormed JC’s premises during championship celebrations, adding historical context to Wednesday’s potentially season-ending confrontation. Meanwhile, Eltham High stands poised to make history, needing only a draw against St Jago to secure their first quarterfinal appearance in decades, introducing additional narrative layers to the day’s decisive matchups.

  • Jamaican makes Forbes ‘30 under 30 Finance’ list

    Jamaican makes Forbes ‘30 under 30 Finance’ list

    Kristofer Madu, a 25-year-old private equity investor with dual Jamaican-Nigerian heritage, has earned prestigious recognition by being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in the Finance category. Currently affiliated with TPG Investments, Madu specializes in technology, media, and entertainment sector investments, demonstrating exceptional expertise in high-value financial transactions.

    Born in the United States to Dr. Dainia Baugh, a Jamaican mother, and Professor Ernest Madu, a Nigerian father, Madu spent his formative years in Jamaica after his family relocated to the Caribbean nation. His multicultural background has shaped his unique perspective in the finance world.

    Madu’s recent professional accomplishments include his instrumental role in TPG’s monumental US$7.6 billion acquisition of DirecTV from telecommunications giant AT&T. Prior to joining TPG, he honed his skills as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group, where he contributed to landmark deals including the US$17 billion acquisition of Catalent by Ozempic and AbbVie’s US$10 billion purchase of Immunogen.

    Beyond his finance career, Madu maintains a parallel path as a musical artist, releasing original compositions and touring as a professional rapper. Demonstrating his commitment to social impact, he founded the non-profit organization “When We Grow Up,” which aims to provide underserved youth with early exposure and access to high-impact career paths in fields such as finance, technology, medicine, and law.

    Madu’s selection to the elite Forbes list was determined by alumni of previous 30 Under 30 cohorts, recognizing his exceptional achievements across both finance and social entrepreneurship.

  • Kintyre Holdings acquires Kulcha Rum

    Kintyre Holdings acquires Kulcha Rum

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a strategic move signaling significant expansion within the Caribbean spirits sector, Jamaican investment firm Kintyre Holdings (JA) has formally announced its acquisition of the complete Kulcha Rum enterprise. The transaction, finalized on Wednesday, encompasses all commercial operations, intellectual property rights, and the entire product portfolio associated with the distinctive rum brand.

    The acquisition was executed through the purchase of the business from existing owners Richard Lee, proprietor of Miracle Corporation, and Jamaican entrepreneur Peter Bovell. Kulcha Rum, which is presently contract-distilled at a facility on Pechon Street in downtown Kingston, enjoys national distribution through Miracle Corporation. As part of an aggressive growth strategy orchestrated by Kintyre Holdings, additional distribution partnerships are slated to be established to broaden the brand’s market reach.

    Under the new ownership structure, Kulcha Rum will be integrated into a newly formed Spirits Division within Kintyre Holdings. This division has been specifically created to spearhead the company’s ambitious foray into Jamaica’s lucrative rum and spirits industry. The brand’s existing product line, which features White Rum, Gold Rum, and an innovative cannabis-inspired variant, remains intact. Notably, the flavored offering utilizes herbal notes for its distinctive profile while maintaining full compliance with Jamaican regulatory standards for non-infused spirits.

    This acquisition coincides with a period of remarkable financial performance for Kintyre Holdings, which reported record-breaking results for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025. The purchase represents a key component of the company’s ongoing mergers and acquisitions strategy, designed to diversify its investment holdings and capitalize on high-growth market segments. The involved parties have indicated that a forthcoming press conference will be scheduled to provide further details on the acquisition and its implications for the future of the Kulcha Rum brand.

  • Signal Hill reawaken Tobago’s football power

    Signal Hill reawaken Tobago’s football power

    In a dramatic reshaping of Trinidad and Tobago’s football landscape, Signal Hill Secondary School has emerged as a formidable force that has permanently altered the competitive dynamics of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL). Under the guidance of head coach Downie Marcelle, the Tobago-based team came within touching distance of claiming the 2025 premiership title, ultimately falling 2-1 to traditional giants Naparima College in their November 27 showdown.

    The significance of Signal Hill’s campaign extends far beyond their final-match disappointment. Their seismic victory over Presentation College on October 11 at Manny Ramjohn Stadium served as a watershed moment that compelled Trinidad coaches to scout the Tobago outfit with unprecedented seriousness. Naparima’s coach Angus Eve resorted to intensive video analysis to decode Signal Hill’s high-intensity, aggressive style—a testament to their disruptive impact on the established football order.

    Marcelle’s philosophy centers on structured gameplay rather than raw athleticism, implementing clear pressing triggers, purposeful transitions, and a continuity system fed by his Ball Blasters Youth Academy—recent national U-17 club champions. This methodology has produced a squad where most starters share championship pedigree and tactical cohesion.

    The psychological dimension of their campaign proved equally crucial. Marcelle’s innovative approach included team-building exercises at the beach and cricket matches to maintain rhythm during postponed fixtures. The team adopted Jamaican reggae artist Popcaan’s ‘Firm and Strong’ as their anthem following the Presentation victory, creating an emotional soundtrack that fueled their conviction throughout the season.

    While acknowledging the legendary legacy of former coach Bertille St Clair—whose teams built Signal Hill’s reputation through bullish brilliance and produced talents like current national team coach Dwight Yorke—Marcelle recognizes that tangible silverware remains the final hurdle to full restoration of the fear factor associated with Signal Hill’s glory days.

    With the Tobago Zone Intercol finals against Speyside Secondary approaching at Dwight Yorke Stadium, and their sights firmly set on making history as Tobago’s first SSFL premiership champions in 2026, Signal Hill has delivered an unambiguous message to Trinidad’s football establishment: the rising tide of Tobago football represents a permanent shift in the balance of power.

  • ‘Green Machine’ edge way to boys’ national intercol semis

    ‘Green Machine’ edge way to boys’ national intercol semis

    In a fiercely contested national intercol quarterfinal match characterized by physical intensity and dramatic late-game ejections, St Augustine Secondary School advanced to the SSFL boys’ semifinals with a narrow 1-0 victory against Carapichaima East Secondary. The decisive moment occurred in the sixth minute when captain Giovanni Hospedales converted a penalty kick with clinical precision after a handball violation in the box.

    The match escalated dramatically in the 88th minute when a physical altercation between St Augustine’s Elijah Baptiste and Carapichaima’s Keilon Forde resulted in straight red cards for both players. The incident began when Baptiste’s attempted control of a long ball resulted in accidental contact with Forde, who responded with a retaliatory strike to the head. The confrontation required intervention from both teams and technical staff to restore order.

    Despite being reduced to ten men, St Augustine maintained their defensive composure during extended stoppage time. Goalkeeper Tyrese Henry faced a critical moment when his clearance attempt rebounded off an attacker, creating a dangerous scramble in the penalty area that was ultimately cleared by his defenders.

    Carapichaima East had earlier appealed for a penalty seconds after halftime when Damarion Boswell went down under pressure from Raeland Dillon, but referee Jovann Peters dismissed the claims. St Augustine created several additional scoring opportunities, with Mikel Murray missing a close-range chance in the 54th minute and Hospedales seeing a long-range effort saved by Carapichaima goalkeeper Jayden Meharris, who delivered multiple impressive stops throughout the match.

    The victory sets up a semifinal confrontation between St Augustine and south zone champions Naparima College, who demonstrated their offensive prowess with a 4-0 win in their zonal final. The upcoming match will determine which team advances to the national championship final.

  • Army book Concacaf Champions Cup spot at the death

    Army book Concacaf Champions Cup spot at the death

    In a stunning reversal of fortunes, Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force FC secured qualification for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup despite suffering a 2-1 defeat against Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC in their Caribbean Cup third-place playoff encounter on December 2. The match, played at Santiago de los Caballeros, culminated in dramatic fashion with both the decisive goal and subsequent post-match altercation occurring during stoppage time.

    Entering the second leg with a commanding 3-0 aggregate advantage from their home fixture at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Defence Force appeared poised for comfortable progression. However, Cibao mounted an extraordinary first-half comeback with Rivaldo Correa and Yunior Peralta finding the net during stoppage time to narrow the aggregate deficit to 3-2.

    The match turned decisively in the 59th minute when Defence Force goalkeeper Isaiah Williams, hailed as ‘Blinky’ by teammates, produced a spectacular penalty save against Correa after a handball decision against right-back Isaiah Garcia. This critical intervention revitalized the Trinidadian side, who had been under sustained pressure throughout the second half.

    The climactic moment arrived in the 94th minute when veteran captain Kevin Molino, largely contained throughout the match, engineered a brilliant counterattack. Molino shrugged off defensive challenges along the right flank before delivering a precision pass to substitute Darius Ollivierra, who converted from close range to secure the vital away goal.

    The aggregate 4-2 victory triggered immediate celebrations from the Defence Force contingent, though the euphoria quickly gave way to confrontation as players from both teams engaged in an on-field altercation following the final whistle. Despite the tense conclusion, Defence Force’s third-place finish guarantees their participation in next year’s continental championship alongside Caribbean Cup finalists Mount Pleasant Football Academy and Universidad O&M FC.

  • Zara Chase leads Pleasantville to girls’ south intercol crown

    Zara Chase leads Pleasantville to girls’ south intercol crown

    In a spectacular display of offensive prowess, Pleasantville Secondary School secured a resounding 5-0 victory against St Joseph’s Convent San Fernando in the Secondary Schools Football League’s girls’ south zone intercol final. The championship match, held December 2 at Couva’s Ato Boldon Stadium, witnessed winger Zara Chase emerge as the undeniable star with a second-half hat-trick that dismantled the opposition.

    Despite controlling first-half proceedings, the reigning girls’ Big 5 champions only managed a single goal before halftime—a 13th-minute finish from Kaeley Martin, expertly set up by midfielder Ayoka Muhammad’s precision through pass.

    The match transformed dramatically after the interval as Pleasantville, under coach Brian London, returned with intensified determination. The breakthrough came swiftly when St Joseph’s goalkeeper Amara Bhagan mishandled a long-range effort in the 47th minute, presenting Chase with an opportunistic close-range tap-in.

    Demonstrating remarkable individual skill, Chase doubled her tally merely two minutes later, elegantly navigating past multiple defenders before slotting a left-footed strike into the far corner. The relentless offensive continued as captain Natalia Gosine converted a 56th-minute penalty with composed accuracy following a handball violation.

    Chase completed her hat-trick moments later, cutting inside from the left flank and driving a powerful right-footed finish past the goalkeeper at the near post. Bhagan partially redeemed herself with a critical foot save denying Chase a fourth goal in the 62nd minute, while Gosine nearly added another with a late long-range effort that sailed just over the crossbar.

    The final whistle confirmed Pleasantville’s successful defense of their south zone intercol championship, advancing them to the national intercol semifinals against the north zone victors.

  • ‘Disaster looming’: Spring Mount residents worried breakaway could be a nasty surprise

    ‘Disaster looming’: Spring Mount residents worried breakaway could be a nasty surprise

    Residents of Spring Mount in southern St James, Jamaica, are issuing urgent appeals for visible warning signage after Hurricane Melissa carved a massive 30-foot chasm through a critical section of the main highway connecting Montego Bay to Kingston. With the area still without electricity, the gaping precipice becomes virtually invisible after dark, creating an imminent lethal hazard for unsuspecting motorists.

    Local resident Nicole Heaven articulated the community’s primary fear: travelers unfamiliar with the catastrophic road damage risk plunging into the abyss. Despite residents’ improvised efforts to direct traffic, the situation remains perilous. The only vehicular detour available is through the notoriously dangerous Hampton route via Charlie Mount—a narrow, winding, and poorly lit corridor with steep drops, partial debris clearance, and frequent traffic bottlenecks that fuel driver frustration.

    Beyond the safety crisis, the infrastructure collapse has triggered severe socioeconomic repercussions. Transportation costs have doubled, with taxi fares skyrocketing from $250 to $500 JMD for the journey to Montego Bay. Elderly and medically vulnerable residents face isolation, as emergency vehicle access is now impossible. Community member ‘Bibs’ expressed additional concerns that impending rainfall could further erode the unstable terrain, expanding the chasm.

    While representatives from the National Works Agency have assessed the site, no timeline for repairs has been provided. The agency’s Community Relations Officer, Janel Ricketts, has advised residents to avoid the unstable area entirely. Currently, only pedestrian access is permitted to the Spring Mount Police Station, leaving the community grappling with both immediate danger and long-term accessibility challenges.