IRIE FM

The leadership dispute at the Clarendon Municipal Corporation is expected to intensify, with the People’s National Party (PNP) indicating that it also intends to seek legal redress.

This comes after the Supreme Court granted an injunction to sitting Mayor Joel Williams and Deputy Mayor Clive Mundle, who are members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

The Court issued the order this morning to temporarily restrain the Corporation from proceeding with specified agenda items at a special meeting that would have paved the way for the Mayor and his Deputy to be replaced.

The injunction, granted by Justice Tracey-Ann Johnson, will remain in force until November 13, unless the court orders otherwise.

With the temporary restrictions in place, this morning’s special meeting was adjourned five minutes after it commenced.

The situation has concerned the PNP, which described the developments as profoundly anti-democratic.

Speaking with IRIE FM News this afternoon, minority leader in the Corporation, Scean Barnswell, said that while PNP Councillors respect the Court’s decision, they remain militant.

Following Thursday’s announcement and subsequent confirmation that a JLP Councillor was switching allegiance to the PNP, the Party maintains that it now commands a 12 -10 majority at the Corporation.

It has also argued that leadership of the Municipal body should reflect that shift in support.

Barnswell also highlighted issues with the injunction order, noting that it was obtained without notice to the PNP Councillors, and without them being represented in court.

He said it is anticipated that when the PNP lawyers bring the matter of the breaches to the Court, the judge will permit them to continue the process of electing a PNP majority-supported mayor and deputy mayor.

Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake is urging members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force not to allow this morning’s shooting incident in Sligoville, St. Catherine, to define how they operate moving forward.

The incident, which involved a team from the Special Operations Branch, led to the death of one cop and the wounding of another.

The deceased lawman has been identified as Corporal Trevoy Shaw.

He and his teammates were on an operation in the Five Miles area.

Speaking to members of the Constabulary this afternoon, Dr. Blake revealed that the perpetrators involved were given the opportunity to surrender.

He urged lawmen to remain resolute in their pursuit to keep Jamaica safe.

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has described as evil characters the men who used a child as a shield during a gun battle with police in Sligoville, St. Catherine, this morning.

The female child who sustained wounds remains hospitalised.

The incident also resulted in the deaths of one officer, three gunmen, and the wounding of another cop.

A manhunt has been launched for other perpetrators who fled into nearby bushes.

The Minister visited the community today to support the security forces.

He extended condolences to the relatives and colleagues of the fallen cop, Corporal Trevoy Shaw, who was attached to the Constabulary’s Specialised Operations Branch.

He also expressed concern for a police officer and a 10-year-old child who were wounded during the exchange of gunfire and wished them a full and speedy recovery.

Dr. Chang warned that perpetrators of serious crime will find no safe haven.

Dr. Chang commended the security forces which confronted an extremely dangerous situation and also assured citizens of the force’s ability to pursue and apprehend those responsible.

IRIE FM’s DJ Smurf says winning a Grammy Award and touring Africa are two milestones he hopes to achieve in his career.

During his Road To Success interview with Kshema Francis on the Easy Skankin show on Thursday, Smurf identified the two goals as major accomplishments he would love to add to his résumé.

With decades of experience behind the turntables, DJ Smurf has established himself in the entertainment industry as a DJ, music producer and promoter. His work across these areas highlights his versatility and continued involvement in the music business.

Despite receiving Grammy consideration for their joint project Eminence, Beenie Man and producer Kemar “Flava” McGregor appear to be at odds.

The tension began after Beenie Man shared a video on Instagram explaining how the collaboration with rapper Lola Brooke came about.

In a separate video, McGregor fired back at Beenie Man, asserting that he is the producer of Eminence and would not allow anyone to take credit for his work. He also threatened legal action.

In the caption accompanying the video, McGregor further called out Beenie Man, accusing the deejay of belittling other artistes featured on the album.

He wrote in part, “You had no knowledge of which artistes would be collaborating on the Eminence album. It was only after the album was completed, mixed, and mastered that you heard the entire project and became aware of the collaborations.”

Beenie Man’s album Eminence, produced by Kemar “Flava” McGregor, features a star-studded lineup of international and Jamaican artistes, including Snoop Dogg, T.I., Ashanti, Rick Ross, Mya, Rotimi, Etana, Stefflon Don and Elephant Man, among others.

Members of the Senate have expressed sadness following the death of a police officer during an armed confrontation with gunmen in Sligoville St. Catherine this morning.

Government Senator Marlon Morgan condemned the incident noting that the officer’s death is regrettable.

He said this morning’s incident underscores the hazard of the job.

He called for a moment of silence to be observed in the Senate.

He was supported by Opposition Senator Donna Scott Mottley who extended her condolences to the deceased officer’s family.

She said when an officer is cut down in the line of duty, the country must respond.

The Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake has condemned this morning’s deadly attack on police officers during an operation in Sligoville, St. Catherine.

One police officer was shot and killed, while another was wounded and is in critical condition.

Dr. Blake said this tragedy lays bare the brutal conditions police officers confront daily.

The Commissioner stated that those responsible and the criminal networks that enable them will be pursued, dismantled, and brought to justice.

A policeman was shot dead and another wounded, during a police operation in Sligoville St. Catherine this morning.

The wounded officer is hospitalized in critical condition.

Reports are that around 5:15 a.m., lawmen went on an operation in the Five Miles area.

Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake says they were in search of wanted persons.

It was further reported that the officers were in the process of clearing a building when they were fired on by men who barricaded themselves, along with other occupants, inside the home.

The police have not yet issued a full report on the incident.

The proposed Lionel Densham Aerodrome Project in St. Elizabeth remains at the assessment and approval stage.

Providing an update on the matter, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said technical studies are being conducted, following requests for additional information from the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Finance Ministry.

This after a review was done on a draft proposal of the project, which was submitted by the Airport’s Authority of Jamaica.

Mr. Vaz said following completion of the new studies, the government expects to re-submit the revised proposal and responses, by December 23.

Mr. Vaz said the proposed project can bolster the economy of St. Elizabeth.

He emphasized that the Government must meet the necessary requirements before it proceeds.

The National Road Safety Council has welcomed plans by the Island Traffic authority to tackle the 5 main causes of fatal crashes.

Vice Chairman Dr. Lucien Jones noted that Director General Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Bryan outlined the plans at yesterday’s quarterly meeting.

Dr. Jones highlighted the 5 main causes, of which speeding tops the list.

Dr. Jones pointed out that all stakeholder agencies play key roles in executing the safe systems approach to road safety.

He said yesterday’s meeting allowed for discussions on what approach to take, in light of the delayed implementation of the demerit points system.