PRISON FOR DEVELOPER A Supreme Court judge has ordered the arrest of developer Andre De La Motta after he repeatedly defied court orders in a dispute with a retired American couple who paid more than $64 million to build their dream home in St Thomas but left the project largely unfinished. Justice Althea Jarrett last month ruled that De La Motta be taken into custody and imprisoned for six weeks at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, or another suitable facility, or until he purges his contempt of court.
Gov’t seeks future path for Sangster Int’l beyond 2034 concession The state-led Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) wants a consulting firm to develop a master plan for Sangster International Airport to span the next two decades for the nation’s largest gateway. The project comes as Hurricane Melissa last October led to travel disruption and contributed to the reduction in airport revenue.
SUGAR RECALL WESTERN BUREAU: The Ministry of Health & Wellness has ordered an immediate halt to the production, distribution, and sale of sugar from Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company Limited (PCSC) after preliminary tests detected metal fragments in the packaged sugar. Additionally, batch codes ‘01 2029’ to ‘01 2028’ have been identified in a recall of packaged sugar produced by the company. This specific batch, according to the company, has been the only set in circulation since January 2026.
J’can farm worker wins US labour case over delayed recall A Jamaican farm worker who said his recall to a New York farm was delayed in 2024 after he supported union activity has won his case before the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Owen Salmon brought the complaint against Wafler Farms with the backing of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), which filed initial unfair labour practice charges in July 2023 and added him in one of several later amendments.
NaRRA set to drive south coast tourism reset, says Bartlett WESTERN BUREAU: As the local tourism and hospitality sector continues to rebound from Hurricane Melissa, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) bill will be the reset to unlock full transformation on the south coast tourism corridor. Bartlett, who toured the south coast corridor on Thursday, said the legislation, which is now in its final stages of debate in Parliament, will provide the legal and institutional framework for what the Government is calling the “reimagining of tourism”, following the hurricane.
Innovation and enviro awareness impress at Ecofest WESTERN BUREAU: Creativity, sustainability and community spirit took centre stage as Savanna-la-Mar Inclusive Academy in Westmoreland hosted its first-ever Ecofest earlier this week in celebration of Earth Day, showcasing student innovation and environmental awareness. From recycled musical instruments to hydroponic farming displays, students across all grade levels demonstrated what they have learned about sustainability through hands-on projects, impressing parents, teachers and community partners alike.
Five-year-old Kaleo Thomas crowned spelling champ WESTERN BUREAU: Five-year-old Mount Alvernia Preparatory and Kindergarten student Kaleo Thomas emerged the toast of Thursday Kiwanis Club of Providence Montego Bay’s 10th annual Kiddie Bee Spelling Competition, copping the much-coveted first-place prize.
Barbaric attack WESTERN BUREAU: A jubilant church service in Montego Bay, St James, was shattered by gunfire on Wednesday, leaving a choir member dead at the doorway as worshippers screamed “Jesus! Jesus!” and fled in panic. The deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Cora Thompson, a member of the New Testament Church of God on Water Lane in St James, where she worshipped and sang on the choir. Thompson resided at Humber Avenue in Montego Bay with her 12-year-old son.
Party patrol The Government has signalled a firmer stance against rising violence at entertainment events, with Deputy Prime Minister and National Security and Peace Minister Dr Horace Chang warning that criminals will not be allowed to hijack Jamaica’s party scene. Making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Chang pointed to what he described as “emerging trends” in violent incidents at parties, while insisting that the authorities are moving decisively to contain the threat.
Fake gun flaw Changing Jamaica’s gun law to provide lesser penalties for possession of an imitation firearm is not enough if the “fundamental flaw” of possibly criminalising citizens for an object that cannot discharge a projectile is not addressed, a criminal defence attorney has asserted. Minister of National Security and Peace Dr Horace Chang announced in Parliament on Tuesday that new amendments to the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022 will be tabled “in short order”.