News Briefs

Grange: Monument to ‘Aunt V’ ready by September

A life-size bust will be erected in the Trelawny district of Duanvale to honour the memory of Violet Moss-Brown, the one-time oldest living person in the world who passed away on September 15, 2017.

The monument to Moss-Brown, who lived to the age of 117, is set to become the first in a series to mark Jamaica’s Diamond Jubilee in 2022.

Culture and Gender Minister Olivia Grange said arrangements were being made to “have the bust ready for unveiling on the anniversary of ‘Aunt V’s passing”.

Falmouth Mayor Collen Gager said Palmers Crescent, the road on which ‘Aunt V’s home is located, will be renamed in honour of the supercentenarian.

Jamaica celebrates 60 years of Independence on August 6 next year.

St James farm worker dies in Canada

An investigation has been launched into the death of a Jamaican farm worker eight days after departing the island for Canada on March 5.

Logan Grant, 57, reportedly fell ill on Saturday, March 13, and was taken to hospital by paramedics, where he died approximately three hours later. Foul play is not suspected, a statement issued by Jamaica's Ministry of Labour and Social Security said on Sunday.

Grant, who is from St James, presented a negative COVID-19 test result prior to departing Jamaica as part of a batch of fellow farm workers.

Labour Minister Karl Samuda and Permanent Secretary Colette Roberts Risden expressed shock at Grant's passing and extended condolences to his family. Grant was in his 24th season as a farm worker.

Since January, more than 2,000 farm workers have left the island for job opportunities in Canada and the United States. Farm workers have to indemnify the Jamaican Government from liability if they contract COVID-19 overseas.