CANINE CRISIS Dozens of puppies are being rushed to the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA), suffering from severe gastroenteritis, bloody diarrhoea, and agonising pain before many ultimately die. Veterinarians say they are locked in a race against time to save the young animals from a surge in canine parvovirus infections – now proving even more deadly than leptospirosis in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
OUSTER HICCUP WESTERN BUREAU: Tension erupted inside the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC) yesterday as Councillor Lidden Lewis launched a dramatic but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to oust his People’s National Party colleague, Councillor Devon ‘Don Don’ Thomas, from his post as deputy mayor.
Christmas plans, livelihood go up in flames Sixty-two-year-old Ray Moore could only watch helplessly on Thursday as firefighters battled the blaze that consumed his home on Mountain View Avenue in St Andrew. Moore’s house of 25 years was one of three destroyed in the fire, which began around 11:20 a.m. and displaced 20 people, including eight children. He recalled being inside his five-bedroom home when he noticed smoke coming from his neighbour’s house.
Concerns about risky rebuilding raised at St Elizabeth MC meeting
Former Gordon House manager faces possible surcharge over personal use of gov’t vehicle The former facilities and operations manager (FOM) at Gordon House could face surcharge action after being cited for using a 2022 Toyota Prado for his personal use over an extended period. In a special audit report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis said the expenditure relating to the FOM’s unauthorised personal use of the fleet vehicle are considered improper payments. This, she said, ultimately resulted in a loss to the Government.
IFC validates Gov’t’s fiscal response to Hurricane Melissa damage The Independent Fiscal Commission (IFC) says it has validated the Government’s decision to temporarily suspend the country’s fiscal rules following the severe economic and social impact of Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 storm, the most powerful in Jamaica’s history, caused catastrophic damage when it made landfall on October 28 in the western end of the island.
Contract chaos The administrative arm of the Houses of Parliament has been found wanting as the Auditor General’s Department places the spotlight on a $24-million contract to renovate the Members’ Lounge at Gordon House, as well as procurement breaches in the purchase of 16 air-conditioning units. A special audit was conducted by the Pamela Monroe Ellis-led Auditor General’s Department into the operations of Parliament following allegations of mismanagement at the seat of the nation’s legislature.
‘Why we paying for security?’ Residents of Phoenix Park Village in Phase 3, Portmore, St Catherine, were left shaken yesterday after a reported police operation ended in gunfire, leaving one alleged robber dead and another on the run. The incident, which unfolded along Hellshire Drive, has ignited fresh anxiety in the gated community, where homeowners say crime has been quietly creeping in despite heavy investments in security. Residents say explosions echoed across the midday atmosphere, and The Gleaner arrived in time to see the scene littered with spent casings.
I would do it every day and twice on Sunday – Vaz Defending the decision to lend the Jamaica Public Service Company US$150 million towards its early restoration efforts following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has shrugged off criticisms, labelling them as “misinformation and noise”. Addressing yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Vaz again defended the Government’s decision, saying he was confused by the criticism. The decision to make the multimillion US dollar loan to the privately owned JPS has been widely criticised and the subject of fiery parliamentary sittings.
1,000 Jamaicans still in shelters Over 1,000 Jamaicans remain in shelters almost six weeks after the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 storm, which slammed into Jamaica on October 28, making landfall on the western belt, left much of the housing stock in tatters as it ripped off roofing and toppled houses, even as floodwaters poured into dwelling places, resulting in residents having to flee for their lives.