标签： Jamaica

FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity, the historic Water Square in Falmouth will host its traditional annual Grand Market from December 24 to 28, despite ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Melissa. Mayor Councillor C Junior Gager made the official announcement during the monthly assembly of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC), striking a note of determined optimism.

Mayor Gager, who also chairs the TMC, issued a concerted appeal to both vendors and attendees, emphasizing that the event requires coordinated management rather than unstructured celebration. “This is not a free-for-all,” he stated. “We are urging all participants to coordinate with the Revenue Services Department for proper tent placement and layout. Although the hurricane has shaken us, we are committed to ensuring no one feels neglected.”

The municipal Revenue Services Department will oversee the arrangement of stalls and vending tents to maintain clear public access and prevent obstruction of key roadways in the town center. In addition to market activities, the mayor revealed plans to include live entertainment, pending authorization from local police authorities. An application has been submitted to the superintendent of police for the necessary approvals.

Gager highlighted the psychological value of the event, noting, “We want to look merry and feel merry. This is an opportunity for our community to relieve stress and, even if briefly, shift focus away from the damages endured.”

The timing of the Grand Market coincides with the expected arrival of cruise ships in Falmouth, offering an opportunity to showcase local culture and festivity to international visitors. The mayor expressed hope that tourists would be drawn to the vibrant atmosphere at Water Square.

Despite the celebratory plans, Gager acknowledged the lingering hardship many residents face due to Hurricane Melissa. He extended Christmas wishes to all stakeholders while recognizing that recovery is still underway for many. Due to budget limitations, the TMC will not hold its annual staff party this year, though planned holiday treats for children and senior citizens will proceed unchanged.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—A St. Elizabeth resident has discovered unexpected entrepreneurial success through a refreshing beverage business after several previous ventures failed to thrive. Junior Nelson, who previously worked in construction and operated an unprofitable hotdog stand, has now found his niche selling ‘sky juice’—a popular Jamaican treat consisting of crushed shaved ice flavored with syrup or fruit juice.

Nelson’s business transformation came as a response to both economic necessity and environmental conditions. His hotdog stand in Santa Cruz struggled to generate sufficient income, prompting him to explore alternative opportunities. The recent Hurricane Melissa, which brought intense heat to the region, created ideal market conditions for chilled beverages as residents sought relief from the sweltering temperatures.

Now operating for three to four months, Nelson’s sky juice enterprise has become a sustainable livelihood. He offers two flavors—fruit punch and pineapple—priced at 250 Jamaican dollars per cup. The entrepreneur attributes his success not only to market demand but to his customer service approach, emphasizing the importance of treating people with respect while conducting business in public spaces.

Nelson expressed satisfaction with his current occupation, noting that his product provides refreshment to community members navigating sun-scorched Santa Cruz. His story represents a case study in adaptive entrepreneurship and resilience, demonstrating how local business owners can pivot to meet evolving community needs amid challenging economic and environmental circumstances.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Two law enforcement officers from Jamaica’s police force have been formally charged with assault following a violent incident involving a handcuffed civilian at the Highgate Police Station in St. Mary. The accused, identified as Corporal Brown and Constable Murphy, face charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The case emerged from an extensive investigation conducted by the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), which culminated in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) recommending criminal charges. Despite the officers’ denial of any misconduct during questioning, both medical documentation and an eyewitness account substantiated the victim’s allegations of being struck in the face while restrained.

Following the altercation on September 1, 2023, the complainant received medical treatment and was later released on bail. During a recent court proceeding, both officers were granted bail set at $200,000 each as their case progresses through the judicial system.

This incident occurs amid increased scrutiny of police conduct in Jamaica. Indecom reports that since January 2024, a total of 54 law enforcement personnel have been charged with various offenses following commission investigations. The breakdown includes 28 officers charged in 2024 and an additional 26 facing charges in 2025.

Notably, Corporal Brown has encountered previous legal troubles, having been charged on September 17, 2025, for wounding with intent in a separate case earlier this year.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida—A transformative leadership platform named WHISTLE made its debut on December 9 in South Florida, assembling over sixty distinguished Caribbean diaspora leaders. This groundbreaking initiative seeks to forge stronger connections among Caribbean-rooted professionals, focusing on collective purpose, economic empowerment, and sustainable regional impact.

The launch occurs amid ongoing challenges faced by Jamaica and neighboring islands, including climate change vulnerabilities and economic instability. These pressing issues highlight the critical need for coordinated diaspora engagement and strategic regional cooperation.

Co-founded by Trinidadian-born visionaries Denise Williams and Stacey Luces, WHISTLE establishes structured frameworks for leadership development, collaborative influence, and purposeful action across the Caribbean diaspora network.

Dr. Keith Levy, Chairman of JN Bank and Managing Partner at Visionario Venture Capital, emphasized the importance of trust in economic rebuilding: “Capital moves at the speed of trust. We must cultivate mutual confidence and act courageously to advance shared Caribbean priorities.”

Philip Rose, Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, highlighted tourism’s vital role in regional recovery, noting that visiting Caribbean nations remains one of the most significant contributions to communities rebuilding after natural disasters.

The launch event incorporated philanthropic efforts through the Breaking Healthcare Barriers initiative, collecting donations to provide accessible healthcare for Jamaican communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. This charitable component operates under WHISTLE’s humanitarian arm, “We WHISTLE With Love.”

Stacey Luces, WHISTLE’s Chief Purpose Officer, stated: “Our leaders arrived not merely to network, but to construct meaningful change. WHISTLE emerges from our collective refusal to progress in isolation.” Luces brings decades of experience in public systems, executive leadership, and philanthropy across Caribbean and American contexts.

WHISTLE’s founders announced plans to activate membership models, expand leadership programs, and strengthen partnerships ahead of its global launch in January 2026. The organization will also introduce WHISTLE Next Gen, dedicated to nurturing emerging Caribbean-descended leaders through mentorship and networking opportunities.

Denise Williams, WHISTLE’s Chief Impact Officer, remarked: “Our community deserves a platform that harmonizes influence, generates prosperity, and accelerates collective impact.” Williams brings extensive expertise in growth strategy from major corporations across banking, telecommunications, and finance sectors throughout the Caribbean diaspora.

Jamaican authorities are mobilizing a comprehensive $1-billion safety initiative to address a hidden danger lurking in thousands of hurricane-damaged homes: compromised electrical systems that could trigger fires or short circuits when power restoration begins. This emergency response targets households where floodwaters, structural damage, and prolonged moisture have created potentially lethal electrical hazards following Hurricane Melissa’s October 28, 2025, landfall.

The National Energy Poverty Reduction Project has been strategically repurposed as an emergency safety lifeline, with engineers and contractors from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) initiating door-to-door inspections in the most severely affected parishes. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz emphasized the urgency during a Jamaica Observer Press Club session, noting that entire communities like Catherine Hall—submerged under six feet of water—require complete electrical recertification before safe reconnection can occur.

JSIF Managing Director Omar Sweeney explained the program prioritizes homes with evident structural and electrical compromise, particularly those experiencing flooding or severe roof damage. The initiative aims to prevent residents from attempting dangerous self-reconnections once power returns to their communities. “What we want to ensure is that any compromise in the integrity of their system doesn’t cause short circuitry or fire,” Sweeney stated.

Over the next four months, the program will deliver: 3,500 minor building repairs to enable safe electrification; 1,800 complete house-wiring interventions; 5,300 Government Electrical Regulator certifications mandatory for legal reconnection; solar solutions for grid-inaccessible families; and social-service support for approximately 3,000 residents through electrification fairs.

The effort concentrates on seven hardest-hit parishes—Manchester, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, Trelawny, St Ann, and Hanover—with specific high-priority communities already identified. Affected residents can access services through multiple channels including direct JSIF contact, local Social Development Commission offices, or political representatives, ensuring streamlined accessibility for those in need.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A wave of economic relief has swept through Kingston’s Coronation Market this week as consumers witness a notable downturn in previously soaring food prices. The market, a vital hub for the city’s shoppers, is experiencing its first significant price reduction following weeks of steep inflationary pressures on agricultural products.

The most dramatic reversal appears in the scotch bonnet pepper market, where prices have plummeted from a record high of $5,000 per pound to a more manageable $4,000. This development comes as welcome news to both household consumers and local food vendors who rely heavily on the iconic Jamaican pepper.

Tomato prices have similarly trended downward, now available at approximately $700 per pound compared to last week’s $800 price point. Cabbage has also joined the deflationary trend, dropping from $350 to $300 per pound, providing marginal but meaningful savings for budget-conscious shoppers.

Market stability remains evident in other produce categories, with escallion, yam, and sweet potato maintaining consistent pricing despite the overall market fluctuations. This mixed pricing landscape suggests a complex interplay of supply chain factors affecting different agricultural products uniquely.

The improved market conditions coincide with the latest episode of ‘Market Bag,’ a popular market analysis program hosted by Brittania Witter featuring special guest Carlysia Ramdeen. The show typically provides expert insights into market trends and consumer guidance during periods of economic volatility.