Author: Steve Brown

The recent accusations of bias in the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup football competition have raised questions about fairness and transparency in school sports competitions. JASFORD Gabriel, principal of Manchester High School, has raised concerns about the advantage given to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in the competition. He pointed out that STETHS, led by ISSA President Keith Wellington, was among three runners-up who got two home games in the second round of the competition. This raised suspicions of preferential treatment for certain schools. Gabriel questioned the process that led to the qualifiers from Zone E, including STETHS, ending up in…

The Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/Wata daCosta Cup football competition is heating up as former champions Dinthill Technical, Munro College, and Frome Technical secured their spots in the round of 16. In a thrilling display of talent and determination, these schools showed why they are considered powerhouses in schoolboy football. Dinthill Technical put on a dominant performance against Yallahs High, securing an impressive 8-0 victory. Giovanni Afflick was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to victory. Other goal scorers included Rodain Reid, Tyrese Gowe, Raphael Smith, Omanie Morrison, and an own goal. Dinthill Technical, who…

Renowned Jamaican Track and Field Coach Paul Francis Honored with Order of Distinction Jamaica’s Heroes’ Day celebrations were made even more special this year as national honorees were recognized for their outstanding contributions to various fields. Among them was Paul Francis, a well-known track and field coach who was awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for his services in the field of sport. Paul Francis, along with his brother Stephen, co-founded the MVP Track and Field Club, which has produced some of Jamaica’s most successful track and field athletes. The club has been instrumental in nurturing…

Title: Seventeen Haitians Deported from Jamaica Amidst Ongoing Haitian Crisis Portland, Jamaica — On the night of October 23, 2024, a group of 17 Haitian nationals who had reportedly been living in Jamaica for approximately one year were repatriated back to Haiti. The group, consisting of 13 men and four women, faced deportation after it emerged that they had entered the country illegally. According to sources from Observer Online, state authorities took legal measures over the weekend to gather and prepare the group for their return, following a judicial order mandating their deportation. Amidst this group, individuals had reportedly started…

The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) has strengthened its healthcare logistics with the addition of four new maintenance vehicles. These vehicles were officially handed over on October 17 during the opening ceremony for the $50 million Adelphi Health Centre in St. James. Supporting Healthcare Across Western Jamaica The newly acquired vehicles are set to enhance healthcare services in the parishes of St. James, Hanover, Trelawny, and Westmoreland. Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, highlighted that these units will play a critical role in maintaining health facilities and ensuring the smooth movement of tools, goods, and personnel. “[The vehicles]…

Eddy G Bomba’s Manager Calls for Dialogue with Police Amid Ban on Performances Peyton Morgan-Kenton, the manager of trap dancehall act Eddy G Bomba, has spoken out against the recent decision by police chief for St James, Superintendent Eron Samuels, to disapprove events featuring the artiste. The controversy stems from a song by Eddy G Bomba that allegedly glorifies motorists mowing down cops holding speed guns. In an interview with the Observer Online, Morgan-Kenton expressed the belief that engaging in open dialogue with the artiste could lead to a more constructive solution, rather than imposing an outright ban on performances.…

In separate incidents, five men from St. James were fined $5,000 each after being caught with offensive weapons. The men—David Anglin, Mark Mills, Dejo Jolly, Damion Daley, and Mark Stewart—pleaded guilty in the St. James Parish Court on Wednesday before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton. Although the full details of the allegations were not disclosed, it is understood that the police, while conducting routine operations in various areas, encountered the men and confiscated objects considered offensive weapons under Jamaican law. The court imposed a penalty of $5,000 per offender, or 10 days in jail for failure to pay. Understanding Jamaican Law on…

Herbal Remedies Not a Substitute for Traditional Breast Cancer Treatment, Warns WRHA Clinical Coordinator ST JAMES, Jamaica— Amidst growing concerns over late-stage breast cancer diagnoses, Dr. Delroy Fray, Clinical Coordinator at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), has issued an important advisory to the public: herbal medicines should not be relied upon as a sole treatment for breast cancer. In a statement to JIS News, Dr. Fray highlighted the troubling trend of patients opting for alternative treatments, such as herbal remedies, in lieu of early diagnosis and conventional medical care. This choice, he warned, could be detrimental to patient outcomes,…

PNP Pledges to Revitalize Jamaica’s Ganja Industry Montego Bay, Jamaica — In a bold move to address the struggling legal cannabis sector, Mark Golding, President of the People’s National Party (PNP), has announced sweeping plans to rebuild and revitalize the industry if the PNP comes to power. Golding made this declaration during the recent inauguration of the PNP’s new St James Central constituency office in Montego Bay. The call for reform comes amid criticism of the current Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration’s handling of the industry. Golding accused the ruling government of enacting policies that have stifled the growth and…

Negril Chamber of Commerce President Reports Positive Outcomes from Key Meeting with Royalton Negril HANOVER, Jamaica—In the wake of escalating tensions at Royalton Negril, sparked by employee protests over working conditions, an important meeting took place on Wednesday between the hotel management, tourism officials, and other key stakeholders. Elaine Allen Bradley, President of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, expressed optimism following the closed-door discussions, highlighting significant progress on various fronts. "I left the meeting feeling that we’ve achieved something significant. The discourse led by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and the Royalton management laid down a constructive path forward for the…