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.
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.
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.
Dozens of UWI students scrambling for exam clearance amid financial strain Dozens of struggling University of the West Indies (UWI) students are racing against time to secure clearance to sit end-of-semester examinations as mounting financial pressures threaten to derail their academic progress. The situation is “alarming”, according to Guild President Roshaun Wynter, who said he has been inundated with calls from anxious students in the lead-up to the exams, which began yesterday. Financial clearance is tied to the payment of tuition, hall and miscellaneous fees, and for some students, the process is proving to be a last-minute hurdle.
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.
Shocked and confused When Courtney Anderson went to court last Thursday, the last thing he expected was that the judge would order his arrest, have him jailed, and place a stop order against him.
Casino caution Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Donna Scott-Mottley is urging the Government to put stronger safeguards in place to protect vulnerable Jamaicans as the country moves to grant three casino licences under its integrated resort development model. Contributing to debate in the Upper House on Friday on the Casino Gaming (General) Regulations, 2025, Scott-Mottley warned that gambling is an industry that often exploits human vulnerability and can lead to addiction.
St James police resolute about keeping murders low, says operations officer WESTERN BUREAU: Deputy Superintendent of Police Linroy Edwards, the operations officer for the St James Police Division, says that while the 20 murders recorded in St James this year is one more than the corresponding period last year, the police remain fully committed to keeping the murder tally low. Edwards, who was speaking during a press briefing in Montego Bay on Friday, disclosed that the St James police have also strengthened their operating capacity with the addition of 31 personnel, five motorcycles, and three pickup vehicles.
Celebrating ‘TeTe’s Super Brain’ Parents of a child diagnosed with either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or autism often face a range of emotions in dealing with the impacts of the situation. In terms of autism, some parents experience fear as they are uncertain about the child’s future and safety, while others may experience shame or guilt because of the social stigma attached and the reaction of people in general.