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For over a decade, the residents and educators of Greenwich Town in South West St Andrew have been grappling with an unbearable stench emanating from the nearby National Water Commission (NWC) sewage plant. Despite repeated promises from the NWC to address the issue, the foul odor continues to plague the community, severely impacting the quality of life for its inhabitants.

The Trelawny Parish Court was engulfed in sorrow on Wednesday as staff mourned the sudden passing of 59-year-old Parish Court Judge Ruth Lawrence. Lawrence, a revered figure in Jamaica’s legal system, was pronounced dead on Tuesday evening at Falmouth Public General Hospital after being found unresponsive at her Coral Spring home earlier that day. Her 47-year-old partner reportedly discovered her in distress and rushed her to the hospital, where she was declared dead at 7:18 PM. A high-level investigation is underway, with unconfirmed reports suggesting possible poisoning as the cause of death. Lawrence’s absence from her morning routine and work raised initial concerns, and her partner’s attempts to assist her were tragically unsuccessful. The incident has sent shockwaves through the legal community and beyond. Chief Justice Bryan Sykes expressed profound grief, lauding Lawrence’s over two decades of dedicated service, particularly her leadership in children’s and family courts. Grief counselors were dispatched to support the court’s distraught staff, many of whom were seen weeping uncontrollably. Lawrence’s death follows the loss of Senior Parish Court Judge Stanley Clarke four years ago, compounding the grief in Trelawny. Custos of Trelawny Hugh Gentles and Cornwall Bar Association President Michael Hemmings were among those who visited the court to offer condolences. Opposition Spokesperson on Justice Zuleika Jess described Lawrence as a dedicated servant of justice whose legacy will inspire future generations. Lawrence’s career, which began in Westmoreland in 1997, was marked by integrity, compassion, and a commitment to fairness, leaving an indelible mark on Jamaica’s legal landscape.

In a dramatic turn of events at the Home Circuit Court in Kingston, Jamaica, a visibly frustrated delivery truck driver was summoned back to the witness stand on Wednesday in the ongoing murder trial of Constable Noel Maitland. The driver’s testimony aimed to clarify crucial details surrounding the mysterious disappearance of 24-year-old Donna-Lee Donaldson, a social media influencer, on July 12, 2022. Donaldson was last seen at the Chelsea Manor Apartments in St. Andrew, where Maitland resided at the time. Maitland faces charges of murder and obstructing the lawful burial of a corpse in connection with Donaldson’s case.

During the court proceedings, audio recordings of conversations between Maitland and the truck driver were played. The recordings, made by the driver after police seized his truck, revealed a tense exchange. The driver had picked up a settee from Maitland’s apartment and transported it to a carwash on Lyndhurst Road in St. Andrew, as per Maitland’s request. In the recordings, the driver expressed his frustration over the seizure of his truck, questioning Maitland about the situation. Maitland, seemingly puzzled, inquired why the police had taken the vehicle, to which the driver responded, “How me fi know? Police took the truck and all kinds of things.”

The driver repeatedly emphasized his desire to avoid involvement in any suspicious activities, stating, “Mi nuh want nobody involve me in no form of thing. I’m a big man who works hard. This thing is getting out of hand.” Maitland, however, appeared to dismiss the driver’s concerns, even laughing when the witness struggled to recall his correct name. Before leaving the courtroom, the driver expressed his exhaustion with the legal proceedings, telling the prosecution, “Mi tired a oonuh now,” and highlighting the negative impact on his business. The trial is set to resume on Tuesday.

A violent attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Thursday left two people dead and three critically injured, as the Jewish community observed Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The assailant, who reportedly used both a car and a knife in the assault, was shot and killed by police officers responding to the scene. The incident, which occurred in the Crumpsall neighborhood, prompted the activation of a national terrorism-response protocol and was declared a “major incident” by Greater Manchester Police. Authorities reported that the suspect had suspicious items on his person, necessitating the presence of a bomb disposal unit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack as “horrific” and announced heightened security measures for synagogues across the UK. King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed their shock and sadness, emphasizing the significance of the day for the Jewish community. The attack comes just days before the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, raids on Israel, which have heightened tensions globally. Manchester, home to one of the UK’s largest Jewish communities, has a history of tragic terror attacks, including the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. The Community Security Trust, a Jewish charity, is collaborating with police to support the affected community. Local officials urged the public to avoid speculation on social media and emphasized the strong inter-community relations in the area.