标签： Jamaica

A tragic incident unfolded on Development Road in Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Monday, November 3, resulting in the death of a 74-year-old security guard. Rohan Murray, a resident of Charlestown, St Mary, succumbed to injuries sustained in a suspected hit-and-run accident. According to reports from the Ocho Rios Police, the incident occurred around 8:00 pm when Murray was struck by a motor vehicle while attempting to cross the road. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop, leaving Murray critically injured. He was rushed to the hospital but tragically passed away during treatment. The police have issued an urgent appeal for the driver to surrender at the nearest police station. Additionally, they are seeking assistance from the public, urging anyone with relevant information to contact 876-974-2523, the police emergency number 119, or their local police station.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Water Commission (NWC) has made substantial strides in restoring water access to 65% of its customer base following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The agency is now working tirelessly to increase this figure to 80% before the weekend, as confirmed by Matthew Samuda, Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, during a media briefing at Jamaica House on Monday.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican Transport Authority has issued a stern warning to public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators against the unlawful practice of hiking fares. The Category Five storm, which struck the island last Tuesday, has reportedly led to several operators exploiting the situation by overcharging commuters.

Ralston Smith, Managing Director of the Transport Authority, emphasized that such actions are not only illegal but also a blatant violation of commuters’ rights. Smith highlighted that demanding fares beyond the approved rates constitutes a breach of the Road Traffic Act, which could result in severe consequences, including the suspension or revocation of road licences.

“Under section 68 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, operators found guilty of overcharging passengers risk losing their licences,” Smith stated. The authority is also advising commuters to steer clear of unlicensed vehicles, which are often the primary culprits in charging exorbitant prices.

To assist in identifying legitimate transport services, the authority noted that licensed vehicles are marked with red licence plates and a light blue Transport Authority sticker on the windshield, valid until 2026.

The public is encouraged to report any instances of fare overcharging by calling (876) 926-8912 or sending WhatsApp messages to (876) 551-8196. Reports should include the vehicle’s licence plate number, route details, and any supporting photos or videos.

Satnerine Tomlin, a resident of Whitehouse in Westmoreland, Jamaica, is grappling with an overwhelming crisis just weeks before the birth of her fourth child. Her home was obliterated by Hurricane Melissa, leaving her and her three children homeless. Tomlin, who is due to deliver on November 22, lost all her possessions, including clothing, her children’s belongings, and essential items prepared for her unborn baby. ‘Everything is gone. The house is completely destroyed. I have nothing left,’ Tomlin lamented in an interview with Observer Online. Currently, she and her children are temporarily sheltered in a relative’s home, but the situation remains dire. Tomlin has appealed for urgent assistance, whether in the form of food, clothing, or help to rebuild her home. She managed to salvage only her baby’s documents, birth papers, and identification. The community of Whitehouse has been severely impacted, with many residents sharing similar stories of loss and devastation. Shanakay Campbell, another local resident, expressed her struggles in finding diapers for her one-year-old and highlighted the widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. The hurricane’s aftermath has left roofs torn off, wooden structures flattened, and power lines scattered across roads. Tomlin recounted the traumatic experience of enduring the storm, describing how she and her children were forced to seek refuge in a bathroom as the hurricane tore through their home. ‘We are traumatized, but God is with us,’ she said. The community now faces the daunting task of rebuilding their lives amidst the wreckage.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the St Elizabeth police have launched a groundbreaking initiative to address connectivity challenges faced by residents in the Brompton community. Superintendent Coleridge Minto, head of the St Elizabeth police, revealed that mobile units equipped with Starlink devices are being deployed to restore communication for those cut off from their loved ones. The service is currently operational along the Brompton main road and has extended to areas such as Spring Park, Speculation, Black River, and Siloah/Maggotty. Minto emphasized that this effort transcends traditional law enforcement duties, focusing instead on providing essential support during a crisis. ‘Today’s initiative is not about operations, but intervention,’ he stated. Residents have expressed gratitude for the initiative, with Jamar Allen, a local, praising the police for their timely assistance. ‘Bless up to the police officer fi weh dem a do…Because [a lot] of persons stand up here for days cyah get to reach out to them family,’ he said. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been commended for its innovative approach, demonstrating its commitment to serving the public in unconventional yet impactful ways.

The Fathers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TFATT) has demanded immediate legislative reforms following alarming data revealing that one in every three men tested over a five-year period was not the biological father of the child they believed to be theirs. TFATT President Rhondall Feeles disclosed that between January 2020 and September 2025, 440 paternity tests were conducted, with 143 men (approximately 33%) discovering they were not the biological fathers. Feeles emphasized the emotional and legal ramifications of such revelations, citing cases where men faced legal troubles over child maintenance for children they later discovered were not biologically theirs. One notable case involved Marlon Thompson, who paid TT$35,000 in maintenance for a child later proven not to be his through DNA testing. Despite the maintenance order being revoked, Thompson still faced legal consequences due to an unresolved warrant, which was eventually quashed by a High Court Judge two years later. Feeles also highlighted a 2019 case where a man learned during a custody hearing that the two children he had been supporting were not his. The magistrate dismissed the wife’s maintenance application, but the man was left emotionally devastated. TFATT is urging policymakers to revisit the 2018 Joint Select Committee (JSC) recommendations, which called for mandatory DNA testing before maintenance orders are issued. The association has written to Attorney General John Jeremie and Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, proposing legislation to criminalize paternity fraud, mandate DNA testing, and provide compensation and counseling for affected fathers and children. While Jeremie expressed interest, Feeles acknowledged that legislative changes would take time. The Chief Justice’s office has indicated that the matter is under consideration.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Significant progress has been made in restoring access to communities severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, according to Robert Morgan, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development. Speaking at a media conference at Jamaica House on November 3, Morgan highlighted the successful creation of critical corridors to facilitate the delivery of relief supplies, particularly to the western parishes hardest hit by the hurricane.

Morgan detailed the establishment of a primary corridor stretching from the border of St Elizabeth to Savanna-la-Mar, as well as another from St James through St Ann and Trelawny to Savanna-la-Mar. Initially, these routes were single-lane, leading to severe traffic congestion due to the influx of vehicles carrying supplies and aid workers. To address this, the government expanded the corridors to two lanes, significantly improving traffic flow.

The minister also emphasized the importance of ensuring that heavy-duty vehicles, such as gas trucks and oil tankers, could navigate these routes. By November 2, several obstacles had been removed to allow these vehicles to traverse the area safely. Key routes now open include Ocho Rios to Port Antonio, Port Antonio to Morant Bay, Morant Bay to Kingston, and several others connecting major towns across the island.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain, particularly in areas affected by flooding, landslides, and fallen trees. The government is collaborating with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to address these issues, with daily meetings to coordinate the removal or relocation of JPS poles obstructing roadways. Over 100 contractors and equipment operators are working across the region, focusing on critical areas while also addressing challenges in parishes like Portland and St Thomas.

Morgan urged the public to avoid visiting impacted areas unless absolutely necessary, as their presence could hinder ongoing relief efforts. The government continues to prioritize the restoration of infrastructure to support recovery and aid distribution in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.