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Speaking at the St Elizabeth Justices of the Peace (JPs) Association awards ceremony, yesterday, He highlighted murders in the parish and their link to interpersonal conflicts.

He said while overall major crimes are down by 23 per cent murders remain high with 22 committed in the division so far, when compared to the corresponding period last year.

Superintendent Minto noted that conflicts among relatives and intimate partners accounted for over 60 per cent of the murders.

He is also appealing to JPs to assist in promoting peaceful resolution to disputes.

Gender Minister Olivia Grange expressed satisfaction with the construction, as she toured the facility, on Thursday.

This is the final of the three shelters Ms Grange committed to establish to provide safe spaces for women who live in abusive relationships.

The Gender Ministry will officially take charge of the latest facility on September 1.

Soon after, it will be staffed and operationalised with the date for its opening to the public to be announced.

In the last few years, the Ministry completed and began operating two shelters for women, as part of the Government’s strategy to eliminate domestic violence and provide a therapeutic environment for women to rebuild their lives.

Grange said the completion of this third shelter enables the Government to provide much needed services to vulnerable women.

Some residents of Coopers Pen in Trelawny are demanding justice and assistance from the Government, two weeks after their homes were demolished.

The residents gathered from as early as 5 o’clock this morning, dressed in white and holding placards while calling for relocation and compensation.

The residents are also calling on the Government to engage them in talks to find a solution to their housing needs.

A few residents are also seeking legal action against the State alleging that their constitutional rights were breached during the demolition exercise.

This, after some men were detained by police just ahead of the exercise.

In the meantime, caretaker for North Trelawny, Dennis Meadows says there are other lands the Government could consider for relocating the affected residents.

He says urgent dialogue is needed.

By Sugar Ray Thomas

“Water has no colour.”

That is the response of Water Minister Matthew Samuda to allegations that the Government is politicising the development of water infrastructure across the island.

He said many residents will benefit from one of the largest water investments being made in the Caribbean under the multi-billion-dollar Western Water Resilience Improvement Project.

Mr. Samuda added that every constituency is benefiting from water upgrades under other initiatives such as the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to Our Road Network (SPARK) Programme.

The minister pointed to the replacement of pipelines, from Great River in St. James to Negril in Westmoreland as another sign of the non-politicisation of water.

While acknowledging that a lot more work is needed to be done, Head of Operations of the Jamaica Kingsmen Atishai Mansingh says cricket is very much alive and well following the

For the first time since 2019, Sabina Park hosted matches in the CPL, and the newly minted Jamaican franchise, won two of the four games hosted at the venue.

Mansingh spoke on what the future holds for the franchise in Jamaica.

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), has strongly condemned the apparent physical and verbal abuse of a female child, depicted in a video, currently circulating on social media.

The CPFSA is also appealing to members of the public, for assistance, in identifying and locating the child.

The agency says it was made aware of the video, and is deeply concerned by what appears to be the physical assault, and verbal abuse, of the child by an adult woman.

CPFSA reiterates that there is no justification for any form of violence against a child, whether physical, verbal or emotional.

It says children have a right to be safe, protected and treated with dignity, while adults have a responsibility to safeguard them from harm.

The agency notes that it is working closely with the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s cyber crimes unit, to assist in identifying both the child and the adult woman seen in the video, in an effort to locate and safeguard the child.

CPFSA Chief Executive Officer, Laurette Adams Thomas, said the agency’s immediate concern is the child’s safety and well-being.

Mrs. Adams Thomas is also urging individuals, who have received, or encountered the video, to cease all further sharing, or redistribution of the footage.

She says, permanently perpetuating the circulation of material, depicting harm to a minor, further compromises their dignity, anonymity, and emotional well-being.

She adds, that the enduring presence of such content online, exposes the child to prolonged psychological distress, and future reputational harm.

The CEO stressed, that protecting the child, must take precedence, over sharing disturbing content.

She appealed to parents and caregivers, to seek support, when they are struggling with the demands of parenting.

Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holness has re-emphasised that Jamaica’s tourism offerings must go beyond sun, sea, and sand to expand on the visitors’ experience.

Echoing the sentiments of Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, Dr Holness said safety, security, and seamlessness, are important parts of the tourism product.

These features are complemented by historical sites-and-symbols, that capture the interest of tourists.

Speaking at the official opening of the alpha mercy historical centre, Dr Holness said the Government has addressed the safety and security aspects, and is working towards making the visitor experience, more seamless.

Dr Holness pointed to the alpha mercy historical centre, as being an important part of the government’s strategy, to develop museums, as part of the new tourism thrust.

The centre showcases the 146-year-journey of alpha, from its founding-as-an-orphanage, to being the cradle of Jamaican music, and a centre of vocational and tertiary education.

Dr Holness said, among the new museums being planned, is one in honour of the post-emancipation history of Jamaica, in Morant Bay, St Thomas.

Reggae singer Bugle is on a mission to revive live music in Jamaica’s inner-city communities through his Apex Live initiative.

According to Bugle, live music is dying out and is no longer getting the mileage it once did. He says his love for music motivated him to take action rather than sit by and watch the decline continue.

Bugle also acknowledged that reviving live music is not a one-man effort and expressed gratitude to the Ruff Cut Band, Turbulence, I-Wayne, Spragga Benz and others who have supported the initiative.

Apex Live launched in July, with Bugle explaining that the monthly series will not necessarily visit every inner-city community, as he is currently funding the initiative out of his own pocket.

However, the reggae singer is hoping sponsors will come on board to help expand the initiative and further his mission of bringing quality live Reggae music back to communities across Jamaica.

Apex Live’s next staging is set for Tivoli Gardens on September 27.

Dancehall artiste Vanessa Bling is continuing her push for greater opportunities for women in the genre.

The “Independent Ladies” hitmaker has announced that female entertainers will have access to free recording sessions at her newly opened multimillion-dollar recording studio.

In a Music News exclusive, Vanessa Bling explained that the challenges women face in the music industry influenced her decision to create a space where female entertainers can develop their craft and thrive.

The initiative comes on the heels of Vanessa Bling advocating for female entertainers to be given the opportunity to headline and sell out Barclays Center, arguing that women in Dancehall are equally capable of achieving major milestones.

Her call appears to have caught the attention of Reggae Fest promoter CJ Milan, who has hinted that something may be in the works.

Dr Morris Dixon was speaking at the Jamaica Teachers Association’s (JTA) annual conference this week.

She noted that at least three schools will be given attention for the upcoming school year.

Meanwhile, she highlighted that the ministry has launched a task force to deal with the gazetting process for some schools.