NEEDLESS TRAGEDY A simmering feud between two teenage schoolboys, marked by repeated clashes, taunts and reports to authorities, erupted in deadly violence on Monday, with both families insisting that the teen’s death could have been prevented had both sides come together earlier to peacefully resolve the dispute.
Mental health concerns surface as cops probe baby’s death The mother of a three-month-old boy, whose body was found wrapped in a blanket in house in Rockfort, Kingston, on Sunday night, has been placed in a mental health facility as investigations continue into the child’s death. The child, identified by the police as Judah Shaw, reportedly had abrasions on his head. Relatives spoke to The Gleaner on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, saying that the development underscores long-standing concerns about the woman’s “on-and-off” mental state.
Barbed wire on Negril’s famed beach sparks outrage WESTERN BUREAU: A viral video showing a barbed wire fence blocking a section of Negril’s famed Seven Mile Beach has sparked public outrage and swift action, but the man at the centre of the controversy insists the intention was never to deny access. Diego Heaven, an instructor at Reef Explorer dive centre, said the fence was misunderstood. “Our intention is never ever to lock anyone out from the beach … . All we’re trying to do is protect our property,” he explained.
Chang: J’cans to reap ‘peace dividend’ after major crime drop Minister of National Security and Peace Dr Horace Chang says that after a massive slash in major crimes last year, Jamaicans are now set to reap a “peace dividend”, putting the benefits of safer communities at the forefront of the country’s progress. He explained that this “peace dividend” refers to the tangible social, economic, and developmental gains flowing directly to communities as crime declines, including safer streets, stronger families, expanded opportunities for young people, and an overall improved quality of life.
Paulwell calls for renewable push, grid reform in new JPS deal Opposition Spokesman on Energy Phillip Paulwell says while his government counterpart, Daryl Vaz, has reportedly suggested that the high price of electricity was attributed chiefly to the terms of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) licence, there was no legal barrier at this time preventing the Government from initiating early negotiations to grant a new licence to supply power to the country. The licence granted to JPS expires in July 2027.
Partying under the gun The shooting of a teenage girl at an entertainment event early Monday morning has intensified concerns about the frequency of gun-related incidents at entertainment events, with several security lapses this month alone. The victim, who police reports seen by The Gleaner suggest is 16 years old, was attending a party at Chocolate Hole in Junction, St Elizabeth, when she was shot by a male patron reportedly known to her. She remained hospitalised up to news time last night.
More heat on JC The mother of the former Jamaica College (JC) schoolboy who suffered injuries after a violent attack weeks ago believes her claim that the school has a gang and bullying culture has been supported by the emergence of footage showing another boy being assaulted at the school last week. The video, which has drawn the ire of the Ministry of Education, which has begun a probe of the events, showed a group of uniformed boys around another boy who is repeatedly being slapped in the face and whipped with a belt.
NCB Foundation gifts $250K towards Mesheka Brown’s eye surgery WESTERN BUREAU: Since 2019, Mesheka Brown had been trying to adjust to life with glaucoma, which had robbed her of her sight in one eye and was threatening the other, so she was not taken totally by surprise when the second eye went dark last year, leaving her only able to glimpse. While the 29-year-old’s sight was steadily deteriorating, she managed to maintain a level of independence, caring for her 13-year-old daughter, a student at Maggotty High School in St Elizabeth, while working as an assistant with the laser tag team at Camp Irie in the parish.
Staff protest locks down Westmoreland courts office Western Bureau: Operations at the Westmoreland courts office in Savanna-la-Mar were brought to a standstill on Monday after members of the staff failed to report for duty, citing poor and unsafe working conditions arising from damage left behind by Hurricane Melissa. Attorney-at-law Lambert Johnson, former president of the Cornwall Bar Association, said he was caught off guard when he turned up at the facility only to find out he could not access the building.
Clarendon councillors question ALGAJ’s effectiveness amid governance concerns Councillors within the Clarendon Municipal Corporation have raised concerns regarding the operational effectiveness, leadership, and strategic orientation of the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ). They are lamenting what they describe as a troubling dissonance between the organisation’s stated mandate and its current performance. At the centre of the concerns is that no date has been announced for an annual general meeting (AGM). ALGAJ is the umbrella body representing municipal corporations and local authorities across Jamaica.