标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, has urged families to take responsibility for their homeless relatives rather than abandoning them on the streets. Speaking at the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation’s (KSAMC) Wellness in the Park event on World Homeless Day (October 10), McKenzie emphasized the need for a cultural shift toward personal accountability. The event, held at St William Grant Park in downtown Kingston, was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness. McKenzie highlighted that many homeless individuals were once part of stable households but were left vulnerable due to various circumstances. He warned that the Government would take decisive action against those who continue to neglect their family members. As part of its ongoing efforts to address homelessness, the Government plans to construct 14 homeless shelters across Jamaica in collaboration with the National Housing Trust. McKenzie noted that these shelters, to be built in every parish during the new financial year, aim to provide care and rehabilitation for vulnerable populations. He also shared that the Government’s initiatives have already yielded positive outcomes, with many individuals from shelters being reunited with their families and securing meaningful employment. Additionally, the Government is enhancing mental health services by training psychiatric assistants within the local government system. McKenzie stressed that while the Government is expanding facilities and support systems, lasting progress requires collective responsibility from all sectors of society. ‘It cannot be for government alone. It cannot be for the private sector and others to support it when people abandon their families,’ he asserted.

A devastating three-vehicle accident on the Winston Jones Highway near the Russell Place intersection in Manchester, Jamaica, has resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The fatal crash occurred on Friday night, claiming the lives of Evroy Dixon, a resident of Content, Manchester, and Adrimar Smith, a 35-year-old woman from the Heartease district in Manchester. Preliminary investigations reveal that the collision involved a Toyota Wish taxi, a Nissan Tiida, and a Mitsubishi Fuso motor truck, believed to be an unmarked police vehicle. Reports indicate that the taxi swerved to avoid a stationary sand-laden trailer, inadvertently veering into the path of the oncoming Mitsubishi Fuso truck. The ensuing collision caused the truck to crash into the Nissan Tiida, trapping its driver and passenger. Emergency responders were called to extricate the victims, who were unresponsive upon removal from the wreckage. Both were transported to the hospital by police pickup trucks but were pronounced dead upon arrival. The condition of the occupants of the other vehicles remains unknown. The incident has left the community in shock, highlighting the dangers of road travel and the need for heightened safety measures.

In a significant development in the tragic case of 13-year-old Shantina Sergeant, her father, Lawrence Sergeant, has been apprehended by law enforcement. The arrest occurred on Friday afternoon in Old Harbour, St Catherine, between 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm, following an intensive manhunt. Authorities had earlier identified Lawrence as a person of interest in connection with the murder of his daughter, whose charred remains were discovered on Monday behind their family home. The grim scene included a burnt-out refrigerator and zinc sheets, adding to the chilling nature of the crime. The arrest marks a crucial step in the ongoing investigation, as police continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident.

A catastrophic explosion at an explosives manufacturing facility in Bucksnort, Tennessee, has resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals, authorities confirmed on Saturday. The incident, which occurred on Friday at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant, initially led to fears that 18 people had perished. However, two individuals previously thought to be among the victims were later located and confirmed safe. The blast, described as a ‘tragic accident’ by the company, obliterated an entire building on the expansive campus, caused widespread structural vibrations, and scattered debris across the area. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis noted that the vehicle and personal belongings of the two missing individuals were found at the scene, initially leading to the assumption of their demise. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) official Brice McCracken stated that the cause of the explosion remains undetermined, with investigations ongoing. Sheriff Davis emphasized that foul play has not been ruled out, and the process of examining the site is being conducted meticulously, with bomb technicians deployed as necessary. DNA testing will be utilized to identify the remains of the victims.