标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The picturesque Holland Bamboo corridor in St. Elizabeth, historically celebrated for its majestic canopy of interlocking bamboo trees, now displays extensive damage following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage. The catastrophic weather event has not only altered the landscape but also profoundly impacted local livelihoods, exemplified by Kemar Kennedy’s personal struggle.

Kennedy, who established a thriving vending business specializing in peanuts and jelly coconuts three years ago, recounts how the hurricane simultaneously demolished his commercial stall and inflicted substantial damage to his residential property. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2023 following personal tragedy and relocation, driven by a determination to transition from skilled construction work to self-employment.

“I possess various trades and culinary skills,” Kennedy explained to JIS News during a site visit last Friday, “but I ultimately decided to cease working for others and venture into independent enterprise.” His distinctive stall, famously painted in vibrant red, gold, and green, evolved into a beloved local landmark and popular social media backdrop for content creators.

The October 28 hurricane utterly destroyed this business establishment while causing flood-related damage to his home from river overflow. Kennedy noted the paradoxical fortune that despite the flooding, the house structure remained partially habitable with no roofing sheets lost to the powerful winds.

Currently operating from a makeshift setup, the vendor admits lacking motivation to restore his business to its former aesthetic glory. Nevertheless, persistent customer inquiries and difficulty locating his temporary stall have sparked growing encouragement to rebuild. This rejuvenated optimism coincides with nature’s own recovery—surviving bamboo specimens gradually arching back toward their original formation and new shoots emerging across the area.

“The bamboos are bending back; they simply need time to reconnect over the roadway,” Kennedy observed. “Some specimens weathered the storm, and we’re witnessing young bamboo sprouting extensively—where there’s life, there’s inherent promise.”

The entrepreneur identifies specific needs for his business resurrection: three plywood sheets for stall reconstruction and a compact refrigerator to resume selling chilled jelly coconuts. Beyond material requirements, Kennedy emphasizes the hurricane’s profound lessons in community solidarity and gratitude for survival.

“Everyone should appreciate the preservation of life,” he reflected. “We can rebuild from nothing if necessary, but ultimately unity sustains our community through adversity.”

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A grim discovery unfolded Monday morning in Brokenhurst, Manchester, where local authorities identified a homicide victim found along a secluded haul road. The deceased has been confirmed as 41-year-old Everol Richards, a maintenance worker residing on Villa Road in Mandeville.

Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester police, provided preliminary details at the crime scene after responding to the incident. According to Superintendent Duncan, area residents reported hearing what sounded like loud explosions approximately at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. Despite these audible disturbances, law enforcement officials received no immediate alerts.

The situation escalated the following morning when an anonymous passerby encountered the grim scene at approximately 6:25 a.m. on Monday. The individual promptly notified authorities, who subsequently arrived to find Richards’ body bearing visible injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. The remote location of the haul road, typically used for industrial transport, suggests the possibility of a targeted attack, though police investigations remain ongoing to establish motive and circumstances surrounding the killing. The Manchester police are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward as they work to apprehend those responsible for this violent crime.

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A violent double homicide has shaken the community of Mandeville, following a targeted shooting at a local bar on Manchester Road this Monday evening. The victims have been officially identified by law enforcement as Nicholas Tomlinson, a 40-year-old truck driver, and Chester Smith, a 32-year-old laborer. Both men were residents of the May Day district in Manchester parish.

According to police reports, the incident occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. Local residents reported being startled by a series of loud explosions, later confirmed as gunfire, which prompted emergency calls to the authorities. Upon arrival, police discovered both men with severe gunshot wounds. They were urgently transported to a nearby medical facility but were subsequently pronounced dead upon arrival.

This tragic event marks the third homicide recorded in the Manchester parish within a devastating 24-hour timeframe. In a separate but related incident, the body of an unidentified man was discovered earlier on Monday morning along a haul road in the Brokenhurst community, further intensifying concerns over a potential surge in local violent crime. Investigations into both incidents are actively ongoing, with authorities pursuing multiple leads to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the latest attack.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Commuters and motorists traversing St. Mary parish are facing severe transportation disruptions following a major vehicular incident on Tuesday. A large truck overturned along the critical Junction main road, specifically in the Friendship Gap area, rendering the thoroughfare completely blocked and impassable for all traffic.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force issued an urgent public advisory confirming the incident and warning of extensive traffic delays. The obstruction has effectively severed a key transportation artery, significantly impacting the flow of vehicles and commerce in the region.

Law enforcement officials are actively directing traffic management efforts, advising drivers to exercise extreme caution when approaching the affected zone. Authorities have officially designated Scott’s Hall as the primary alternative route for motorists seeking to bypass the obstruction until clearance operations are completed.

Recovery and cleanup crews have been dispatched to the scene to remove the overturned vehicle and restore normal traffic conditions. The police service has committed to providing regular updates to the public as the situation evolves and additional information becomes available regarding the expected resolution timeline.