标签： Jamaica

A severe winter storm system sweeping across the United States has triggered widespread power outages affecting more than 600,000 customers nationwide as of early Sunday morning, according to data from the utility tracking platform PowerOutage.com. The extreme weather event, characterized by heavy snowfall and freezing rain, has created particularly critical conditions across southern states including Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana, where each state reported over 100,000 affected residential and commercial customers without electricity. The storm’s path extended from the southern regions toward the northeastern United States, disrupting essential services and creating hazardous travel conditions. Utility companies across affected regions have mobilized emergency response teams to address the extensive damage to power infrastructure caused by accumulated ice and snow on power lines and equipment. Meteorological services had issued advanced warnings about the approaching storm system, noting its potential to cause significant disruption to daily life and critical infrastructure. The widespread nature of the outages highlights the vulnerability of power systems to extreme winter conditions and the challenges faced by utility providers in maintaining service during severe weather events. Emergency management agencies in affected states have activated severe weather protocols and are coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance to vulnerable populations during the power disruption.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s education system continues to grapple with the extensive aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, with complete rehabilitation of damaged schools projected to require up to eighteen months. The disclosure came from Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon during a ministerial address to the Senate on Friday.

While all educational institutions officially resumed classes on January 14th, Minister Morris Dixon acknowledged that many facilities are operating under suboptimal conditions. Numerous schools have implemented rotational attendance systems to accommodate ongoing repairs while ensuring continuous learning.

The minister expressed particular concern about rotational learning arrangements, stating emphatically, ‘I want rotations ended as quickly as possible.’ She explained the varying timelines for repairs, noting that while some facilities require approximately six months of work, others need nearly complete reconstruction, extending the process to a year and a half.

Complex reconstruction efforts present significant logistical challenges, as work must proceed around academic schedules. Contractors are conducting repairs during nights and weekends to minimize disruption. In some cases, rehabilitation includes infrastructure upgrades—replacing temporary zinc roofs with more durable concrete slabs, which contributes to extended timelines.

To address classroom shortages, the education ministry has implemented a strategic redeployment of temporary structures. Once repairs conclude at one facility, tents are relocated to other schools still undergoing reconstruction, helping reduce rotational attendance numbers.

The ministry maintains a firm policy requiring all examination-year students to attend school five days weekly. This applies to pupils preparing for Primary Exit Profile (PEP), Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) tests. Rotational schedules affect only those students not facing imminent external examinations.

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — In a remarkable display of international solidarity, a specialized team of volunteer builders from Wisconsin has successfully constructed eight new residential units for Jamaican families devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The humanitarian mission, orchestrated by The Issa Trust Foundation, specifically targeted employees of Couples Resorts who lost their homes during the catastrophic Category 5 storm.

Dirk Bartalozzi, owner of Bartalozzi Homes and leader of the volunteer contingent, expressed profound personal motivation for participating in the rebuilding initiative. Having witnessed the extensive destruction across Westmoreland parish, Bartalozzi—whose wife is Jamaican—felt compelled to leverage his professional expertise in service of the recovery efforts.

The construction process demonstrated both technical proficiency and adaptive problem-solving. While Bartalozzi noted that the fundamental building techniques mirrored those used in his Wisconsin-based residential projects, the team encountered unique challenges working with elevated foundations designed for flood protection. “Building on stilts presented distinct structural considerations,” Bartalozzi explained, highlighting the specialized approach required for hurricane-resistant construction.

The volunteers arrived fully equipped with professional-grade tools, including battery-powered framing systems, precision saws, industrial drills, and critical hurricane strapping components. This comprehensive preparation enabled the team to complete each home within an impressive two-day timeframe, significantly accelerating the community’s recovery process.

The initiative represents a successful collaboration between corporate social responsibility through The Issa Trust Foundation and skilled volunteerism, demonstrating how targeted technical assistance can effectively address post-disaster housing needs in vulnerable communities.

The Jamaican Government has announced a substantial $31 million emergency funding package to assist private educational institutions, predominantly early childhood facilities, in recovering from destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa last October. Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon unveiled the initiative during a Senate ministerial address on Friday.

According to preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Early Childhood Commission, 318 privately-operated early childhood institutions and independent schools sustained varying degrees of damage during the hurricane’s devastating passage. The comprehensive evaluation revealed a spectrum of destruction ranging from minor cleanup requirements to severe structural compromise.

The damage classification indicates 122 schools experienced severe impacts, 115 sustained moderate damage, while 81 facilities registered mild effects. Minister Morris Dixon emphasized the human dimension of this educational crisis, noting that “24,143 children and 2,313 staff members enrolled or employed in ECIs have been impacted.”

Highlighting the critical importance of early childhood development, the Minister stated: “Neuroscience and developmental studies are clear: the early years are when the brain is most adaptable. Our institutions are therefore an important pillar of that early development during these critical years. We cannot allow our early childhood institutions to operate in a substandard state.”

The damage assessment identified moderate damage typically involving flooding, debris accumulation, sanitation challenges, roof leaks, and destruction of learning materials. These conditions necessitate immediate cleanup and minor remedial works to restore safe learning environments for young children.

The government will implement a tiered grant system through an extension of the Rapid Resumption Grant program. Severely impacted institutions will receive $120,000, moderately affected facilities get $100,000, while mildly damaged schools will obtain $80,000. These grants are designed to support urgent restoration activities and ensure the safe and timely resumption of educational services.

Minister Morris Dixon indicated that this initial $31 million disbursement represents the first tranche of funding, with additional resources available if needed. The grants complement separate credit facilities offered through the Development Bank of Jamaica, creating a comprehensive recovery framework for the island’s damaged educational infrastructure.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican media community gathered in solemn tribute at the University of the West Indies Mona Chapel to honor the life and legacy of esteemed sports journalist Donald Oliver, whose sudden passing on December 30th sent shockwaves through the nation’s media landscape. The veteran journalist, who had dedicated two decades to sports reporting across prominent media outlets including CVM, SportsMax, and Jamaica Observer, succumbed unexpectedly after experiencing chest pains.

The emotional thanksgiving service, streamed live via YouTube channel LiveStreamJA, drew hundreds of virtual attendees whose condolences flooded the commentary section, reflecting Oliver’s profound impact on both professional circles and personal connections. The ceremony highlighted not only Oliver’s professional accomplishments but also his cherished roles as husband and father.

In a moving tribute, Oliver’s wife Noretta painted an intimate portrait of their life journey together, beginning in Allman Town. ‘What we shared was beautiful,’ she emotionally recounted, noting how fatherhood revealed even greater dimensions of his character. She described the extraordinary bond between Oliver and their daughter Zabella, and reflected on his sports journalism career as a true vocation rather than merely professional pursuit.

Jamaica Observer Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun eulogized Oliver as ‘a consummate professional deeply committed, consistently enthusiastic and unwavering in his delivery of quality and excellence,’ while simultaneously recognizing his innate warmth and kindness that distinguished his interpersonal relationships.

The memorial service featured tributes from notable figures including Minister of Sport Olivia Grange and Dr. Coleen Beckles of Love 101 radio, underscoring Oliver’s significant standing within both sports media and broader Jamaican society. Photographs from the service captured poignant moments of familial comfort and respectful homage, illustrating the deep personal and professional void left by Oliver’s untimely departure.