标签： Jamaica

A dramatic aviation incident unfolded on a Florida highway Monday evening when a single-engine aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing directly onto a passenger vehicle. The Beechcraft Baron 55, experiencing critical engine failure approximately at 5:40 PM local time, attempted to utilize a busy thoroughfare as an impromptu landing strip. During the desperate maneuver, the aircraft ultimately collided with an automobile traveling along the roadway. Emergency services promptly responded to the scene following reports of the mid-highway collision. While the vehicle’s operator sustained injuries requiring hospital transport, medical officials confirmed these were non-life-threatening. Remarkably, both the pilot and sole passenger aboard the aircraft emerged completely unscathed from the incident. Aviation authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the mechanical failure and subsequent emergency landing procedure.

NEW YORK — A devastating traffic incident in Queens has cut short the homecoming plans of a retired correctional officer, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety and unlicensed vehicle operation in New York City.

Trevor Lloyd Samuels, 68, a former Department of Correctional Services officer and father of five, was fatally struck by a moped while crossing at the intersection of 168th Street and 93rd Avenue in Jamaica, Queens on December 5. The Springfield Gardens resident was engaged in final shopping preparations for what would have been his first visit to Jamaica in three years.

According to police reports, the collision involved Yunior Buleje Rodriguez, 26, of Richmond Hill, who was operating the two-wheeled vehicle without proper licensing. Authorities apprehended Rodriguez at the scene and charged him with aggravated, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The Daily News revealed that Samuels had planned to depart for Jamaica on December 9, carrying gifts for family members and friends affected by Hurricane Melissa. The trip also included intentions to attend a colleague’s funeral service.

Kievette Samuels, the eldest of his children, described her father as possessing extraordinary recall abilities, capable of vividly recounting events from half a century past. The retired correctional officer had previously served in the medical section of Kingston’s General Penitentiary.

Samuels’ personal story reflects transnational family connections—four of his children remain in Jamaica, while his nonagenarian mother resides in Florida. He is survived by five grandchildren in addition to his immediate family.

While expressing acknowledgment that the arrest cannot reverse her loss, Kievette Samuels noted her satisfaction that investigative measures had been implemented following the tragic incident.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Kingston courtroom became the stage for a legal debate over the distinction between occupational tools and prohibited weapons this Tuesday. Oneil Thompson, a local tradesman, entered a guilty plea with explanation before Chief Parish Judge Chester Brooks in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. The charge stemmed from his possession of a ratchet knife, which authorities classified as an offensive weapon.

Thompson presented his defense by asserting the implement was essential for his profession, describing it unequivocally as “a working knife” integral to his trade. The judicial proceedings took an intriguing turn when Judge Brooks questioned the defendant about initially telling police officers he carried the blade for self-defense during his arrest.

In a nuanced rebuttal, Thompson revealed that law enforcement personnel themselves had conceded the tool’s inadequacy for personal protection. This admission formed the cornerstone of his argument that the instrument should be recognized as vocational equipment rather than a weapon.

The court ultimately rendered its verdict, imposing a financial penalty of $2,000 Jamaican dollars with an alternative sentence of 15 days imprisonment should the fine remain unpaid. The case highlights ongoing legal interpretations surrounding tool possession and public safety regulations in urban environments.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant relief measure for small businesses grappling with economic pressures, Jamaica’s National Water Commission (NWC) has announced the extension of its financial amnesty program for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) until December 31, 2025. The initiative, initially scheduled to conclude in November 2025, provides substantial debt forgiveness opportunities for qualifying businesses.

Andrew Canon, Content Creation and Development Manager at NWC, confirmed the extension, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to supporting local enterprises during challenging economic times exacerbated by Hurricane Melissa. “We recognize the widespread impact of the hurricane on small businesses,” Canon stated during an interview with JIS News at the National Emergency Operations Centre. “This amnesty represents our tangible effort to provide financial reprieve and support recovery.”

The program offers structured financial benefits: eligible businesses with inactive accounts disconnected for over three months qualify for a 50% debt write-off. Similarly, active accounts carrying arrears exceeding $30,000 for more than 180 days receive equivalent relief. Approved applicants gain additional protections, including a 90-day grace period to settle remaining balances without service interruption and potential negotiated settlement arrangements for exceptional circumstances. The amnesty additionally provides complete waiver of reconnection fees where applicable.

Canon clarified that the program contains specific eligibility requirements rather than constituting a universal forgiveness initiative. “Interested parties must consult our official channels for detailed conditions,” he noted, directing businesses to the NWC’s website and customer service departments for personalized assessments. The targeted approach ensures that enterprises most affected by economic hardships receive appropriate support while maintaining the utility’s operational sustainability.

The extension reflects Jamaica’s broader disaster response strategy, coordinated through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), acknowledging the prolonged recovery period needed after significant weather events. This policy demonstrates how public utilities can adapt billing practices to function as social safety nets during regional crises.

The Jamaican Government has secured a critical $150-million loan agreement with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to dramatically accelerate electricity restoration efforts in regions devastated by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz announced that 300 additional linemen will be mobilized to arrive before Christmas, significantly boosting recovery operations during the holiday period.

This strategic intervention follows intense negotiations between the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance, and JPS. The reinforcement will increase the total workforce to 470 linemen, as the original contingent of 170 will remain operational rather than being demobilized as previously planned. Minister Vaz emphasized that this accelerated timeline—projecting 90% restoration by December and full recovery by January—represents a substantial improvement over initial projections that indicated some communities might have waited until May 2026 for power restoration.

Vaz defended the government’s position, stating that reducing the timeline constitutes a matter of national interest rather than mere convenience. “The Government’s responsibility is to protect the people and there can be no restoration and no progress and no economic growth without electricity,” he asserted during a Monday update.

The enhanced crews are prioritizing areas connected to economic activity and essential services, with significant progress already reported. According to JPS data from December 7, approximately 82% of customers now have electricity, with restoration work continuing across the island. The most severe outages remain concentrated along the western coastline, particularly in Westmoreland where nearly 90% of customers remain without service. Significant disruption also persists in St Elizabeth (54% out), Hanover (48%) and St James (45%).

Notable achievements include the restoration of 97% of major public and private hospitals, including Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, Falmouth Hospital, Cornwall Regional Hospital, and several other critical healthcare facilities. Crews have also restored key water facilities, including the Lower White River NWC pump, which returned to service within the last 24 hours.

Finance Minister Fayval Williams is expected to publish the terms of the $150-million loan shortly. Minister Vaz maintained that the collaboration between government and JPS is working effectively, while urging residents still without power to remain patient as major improvements are expected throughout Christmas and into the new year.