标签： Jamaica

October 25 marks the fourth anniversary of the reported death of Kevin Smith, the controversial self-proclaimed bishop who led the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in Albion, St James. Smith, who styled himself as ‘His Excellency,’ was revered by his followers, many of whom paid $100,000 each for entry into his ‘ark’—a supposed sanctuary from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the ark became a site of horror on October 17, 2021, when a ritual involving human sacrifice led to the fatal stabbing of two church members. The incident escalated into a stand-off with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, resulting in one congregant being shot dead and 42 others detained. Fourteen children were placed in State care, and Smith was taken into custody. On October 25, 2021, while being transported to face charges, the vehicle carrying Smith crashed on the Linstead bypass in St Catherine, killing him and police Constable Orlando Irons. Despite official reports of his death, the absence of a funeral or burial has fueled persistent speculation among his loyal followers that Smith may still be alive. The Jamaica Observer will delve into this haunting saga in a two-part documentary titled ‘Kevin Smith: Cult Pastor — Dead or Alive? The Story that Shook Jamaica,’ premiering on their YouTube channel on October 23 and 26.

Chef Denval Daley’s life is a testament to the power of resilience, mentorship, and seizing opportunities. Born in Lionel Town, Clarendon, Jamaica, Daley’s journey from a small classroom to becoming a baking and pastry instructor at Hocking College in Ohio is nothing short of inspiring. His story is a blend of personal loss, unwavering determination, and the transformative impact of educators and mentors who believed in him.

Daley’s passion for food was ignited during his high school years at Garvey Maceo High School, where a simple Christmas baking experience sparked his dream of becoming a chef. His athletic talent later led him to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), where a chance encounter in a food and nutrition class solidified his career path. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of his mother, brother, and father, Daley found strength in the support of mentors like Jennette Berkeley and Mavis Taylor.

His academic journey took a pivotal turn when he joined the Western Hospitality Institute (WHI), where he earned degrees in Culinary Chef Management and Hospitality Management. WHI not only provided him with education but also practical experience, including running a campus restaurant and catering events. Daley’s career then took him to the United States, where he worked at Sunriver Resort in Oregon and the Boca Raton Resort in Florida before specializing in pastry arts at Hocking College.

Today, Daley is a celebrated pastry instructor, grateful for the mentors who shaped his path—from his sixth-grade teacher Flavia Williams to the late Fluorine Carpenter at STETHS, and Dr Cecil Cornwall at WHI. His story is a reminder that success is not just about talent but also about resilience, gratitude, and the willingness to embrace every opportunity.

ST ANDREW, Jamaica – A high-profile alleged gang leader was fatally shot during a police operation in the Red Hills area of St Andrew on Saturday morning. The deceased, identified as 40-year-old Kevin Rouldson, also known as ‘Bingie’, was reportedly a prominent member of the notorious Bottom York Avenue Gang. According to police reports, the incident occurred during an intelligence-driven mission in the Golden Acres neighborhood. Rouldson allegedly opened fire on the officers, prompting an exchange of gunfire that resulted in his death. Law enforcement officials recovered a 9mm firearm at the scene. Rouldson was a suspect in multiple serious crimes, including murders, shootings, and car thefts in the Waltham Park and Cockburn Pen areas. His death marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to combat gang-related violence in the region.

A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative highlights the severe challenges faced by Caribbean nations, where deep inequalities and escalating climate risks are converging. The 2025 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, titled ‘Overlapping Hardships: Poverty and Climate Hazards’, underscores the dual burden of poverty and environmental threats in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Approximately 23.5% of the population in SIDS, or 13.6 million people, live in multidimensional poverty, which encompasses not only income but also access to education, health, housing, sanitation, and energy. While countries like Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba have achieved significant progress, with less than 1% of their populations living in poverty, Haiti remains one of the most impoverished nations globally, with over 40% of its population experiencing severe deprivations. The report also highlights regional disparities in Guyana, where poverty rates range from 0.1% to 23%. Common issues across the Caribbean include lack of clean cooking fuel, poor sanitation, inadequate housing, and unreliable electricity. Climate change exacerbates these vulnerabilities, with rising sea levels posing existential threats to low-lying coastal communities. The UNDP calls for integrated policies that address poverty reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable development, emphasizing the need to prioritize both people and the planet to build resilient communities.

Authorities in Oregon are intensifying their efforts to locate a 78-year-old man who reportedly fell into a hole and remains missing since Tuesday. Thomas Weightman, who left his family home before 10 am, failed to return, prompting his family to report him missing around 5:30 pm. According to The Independent, Weightman called 911, informing police that he had fallen into a hole but was uncertain of his exact location. Despite deploying advanced techniques such as cell phone triangulation, law enforcement has yet to pinpoint his whereabouts in the remote area where he vanished. Local officials have raised concerns about the challenging terrain and plummeting temperatures, which are expected to drop to as low as 39 degrees. Weightman’s family revealed he was wearing a flannel shirt when he disappeared. As of Friday, search teams, including neighbors and over 10 agencies, have been utilizing drones, search dogs, and foot patrols to locate the elderly man. The search operation continues as the community remains hopeful for his safe return.