标签： Jamaica

The tight-knit community of Vineyard Town, St Andrew, was engulfed in sorrow on Thursday as residents grappled with the tragic death of 10-year-old Shamaire Sharpe. The young boy was struck by a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus on Fourth Avenue early that morning, shortly after accompanying his younger sister to school. The news of his untimely demise sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, leaving friends and neighbors in mourning. Described as a cheerful and helpful child, Shamaire was remembered fondly by those who knew him. ‘He was always playful and full of life, never causing any trouble,’ shared one resident, who witnessed the aftermath of the accident. Another neighbor recalled how Shamaire would visit his yard daily to play with his grandsons, highlighting the boy’s vibrant spirit. Shamaire’s mother, Theresa Hopkins, bravely spoke to the Jamaica Observer despite her overwhelming grief. She shared her son’s dreams of becoming a professional footballer and his academic excellence at Mountain View Primary School. Hopkins expressed her anguish and directed her anger toward the bus driver, Shamaire’s father, and other family members. Meanwhile, residents defended the bus driver, noting her typically cautious driving habits. The JUTC issued a statement expressing deep regret and extending condolences to the family. The company pledged full cooperation with the ongoing police investigation, including a breathalyser test for the driver and a thorough examination of the bus. The community was urged to remain calm and empathetic during this difficult time.

In a significant move to support tourism workers impacted by Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has announced that over $1 billion has been secured through a combination of government funding and private sector contributions. Speaking at a press briefing at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, Bartlett revealed that the government has allocated $600 million, while private sector partners have pledged more than $400 million, with recent reports indicating their contributions are already exceeding initial commitments.

When Hurricane Melissa ravaged Jamaica on October 28, Joel Immortal, a renowned dancer, choreographer, and instructor, was thousands of miles away, showcasing Jamaican culture in Russia. Witnessing the devastation through social media left him deeply affected, though he was relieved to learn his family remained unharmed. ‘The hurricane incident was very shocking for me. I was sad because I knew my people back home had to face something dangerous. I was thrown off balance because I was in another country, and I could not stay focused because I was worrying about my family. Thankfully they were safe,’ Joel Immortal shared with the Jamaica Observer’s Splash. Upon returning to Jamaica nearly two weeks later, Joel Immortal immediately immersed himself in relief efforts, collaborating with businessman and music executive Romeich Major of Major Marketing. ‘When I returned, I saw a lot of the devastation first-hand. I was helping Romeich, and we were distributing things and helping the places that got really badly affected by the hurricane. It was devastating to see how bad the place was and the after-effect with everything. Houses were on the ground and covered by water. Cars were destroyed, and people lost a lot. I could not believe this is really Jamaica with all of this happening. It was a sad moment, but I am happy that I am helping to make things better because I believe better days are coming,’ he recounted. Joel Immortal, who won the Red Bull Dance Your Style Street Dance competition in 2022, also reflected on his time in Russia, where he performed in multiple cities. ‘I got booked for multiple shows over there. I was moving from city to city, and every place had a different vibe because dancehall over there is very big, and the people are very passionate about it. For me to be there is a dream come true for them because they get to learn [how to dance] from the source,’ he said. This marked his fifth trip to Russia, each visit reaffirming the mutual inspiration between him and his audience. ‘What I enjoyed most was the love and the support and the passion from the people. It showed me that dancehall really reaches far and that my work is making an impact,’ he added. Despite his recent three-week stint in Russia, Joel Immortal is already preparing for a two-month European tour starting in February 2024, which could extend to nearly three months depending on bookings. ‘What I am looking forward to the most is the energy and the support from people in different countries. It feels amazing to see dancehall growing and to know that I am helping to reach new places and new people every time,’ he expressed. At 28, Joel Immortal has established himself as a trailblazer in the dance world. Born Joel Pennant in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, he attended Central High School in Clarendon and has since founded the Russian Squad dance group, joined Active Immortal, and created Dancehall Family Tree (DFT), a collective uniting dancers. ‘We want to set a new generation with this, and this is why we are connected to share our platform together from different teams and individual teams amongst the DFT unity,’ he proudly stated. Joel Immortal’s journey has been marked by determination and passion. ‘My journey has been amazing… Many things surprised me, but I always believed they would happen because of my work and my determination. I want to make my family, my friends, and my culture proud, and I want to change the world through dance. I want to make my work stay immortal just like my name, Joel Immortal, because dancing is life,’ he declared. Recently, he ventured into music with his debut single, ‘Thumbs Up,’ featuring artiste and media personality Sanjay.

In a recent court hearing in St James, Jamaica, Iro Thomas, a man arrested during a police raid on October 19, contested charges of cocaine possession. Appearing before Parish Judge Gabrielle Wilks, Thomas argued that neither he nor the arresting officers could confirm whether the substance found in his possession was indeed crack cocaine. Represented by attorney Jermaine Campbell, who acted as amicus in the absence of formal legal representation, Thomas maintained his innocence, claiming he had merely found the substance and was unaware of its nature. The incident unfolded when police, conducting a targeted operation at a local beach, observed Thomas and another individual engaged in conversation. Suspecting foul play due to Thomas’s suspicious behavior, officers approached him and discovered seven pieces of a substance believed to be crack cocaine in a bottle he was holding. During the hearing, Campbell highlighted the absence of a preliminary test to verify the substance’s identity, emphasizing that the prosecution lacked concrete evidence to substantiate the charges. Judge Wilks granted Thomas bail set at $150,000 with reporting conditions and scheduled the next hearing for January 14, 2026.

A devastating grizzly bear attack in the remote Bella Coola area of British Columbia, Canada, left 11 people injured, including children as young as nine, authorities reported on Friday. Among the victims, two are in critical condition, while two others sustained serious injuries. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon along the Old Trail, according to Corporal Madonna Saunderson, a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

The Nuxalk First Nation, a local Indigenous community, confirmed the attack on their Facebook page, warning residents of an ‘aggressive bear in the area.’ Acwsalcta School, operated by the Nuxalk Nation, announced its closure on Friday due to the incident. Veronica Schooner, a parent, shared with the Canadian Press that her son narrowly escaped injury as the bear targeted others in the group.

The British Columbia Emergency Health Services reported that seven of the injured did not require hospitalization. As of late Thursday, the bear remained at large, prompting the Nuxalk Nation to advise residents to stay indoors. The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service has assumed control of the investigation, though it remains unclear whether the bear has been located. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event.