Albert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green presenting Novelette Moore, a St James banana farmer, with her Hurricane Melissa recovery assistance cheque on February 25.
February 26, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Green: Don’t import bananas, it could cause deadly disease

WESTERN BUREAU: Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is urging Jamaicans to resist any move to import bananas during the current production shortfall, warning that doing so could expose the island to a…
Cadet Major Se’rena Sutherland.
February 24, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

From Hanover to US military: Sutherland siblings united in service

WESTERN BUREAU: From the tranquil coastal town of Lucea, Hanover, to the exacting corridors of American military academies, siblings Se’rena and David Sutherland are emerging as proud standard-bearers…
From left: Tommy Clemenson, parent; Patricia Robinson-Jones, vice-principal; Ryan Wright, senior teacher; Zipping Chen, president of the Fujian Association of Jamaica and representative of the Chinese community; Dr Anthony Taylor, principal; Sheri-Kay Morr
February 23, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Chinese community gives $1m boost to hurricane-hit St Mary’s Prep

WESTERN BUREAU: The Chinese community in Montego Bay, St James has donated J$1 million to the Montpelier-based St Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten School, to assist with its rebuilding, having…
Moses Chybar, president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
February 21, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Westmoreland Chamber urges balance on proposed digital, sin taxes

WESTERN BUREAU: Moses Chybar, the president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce, is urging the Government to strike a careful balance as it moves to impose new taxes on digital services, alcohol,…
Chensie Allen (centre) accepting a symbolic cheque valued at $500,000 from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s ROOFS Programme. Presenting the cheque were Dwayne Vaz, member of parliament for Westmoreland Central (left), and Pearnell Charles Jr,
February 20, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Tailor among 4,700 W’land residents receiving $787m in ROOFS grants

WESTERN BUREAU: Seventy-three-year-old tailor Chensie Allen of Hudson Street in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, says the $500,000 he received under the Government’s ROOFS programme could not have come…
Richard Vernon (centre), mayor of Montego Bay, interacts with local and international partners of his Mayor’s Charity Fund Adopt-a-House Programme during its launch at the St James Municipal Corporation chamber. From left are Deon Richardson, CEO of Comm
February 18, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

MoBay mayor pushes Adopt-A-House plan to rebuild 500 homes

WESTERN BUREAU: Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon has announced plans to rebuild some 500 homes damaged by Hurricane Melissa across St James, declaring that the municipality must act decisively to…
Delano Seiveright, minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce,, meets with the full executive management team of the Cannabis Licensing Authority during a recent boardroom briefing and working visit to the Authority’s offices.
February 16, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Seiveright: Jamaican cannabis ready for expanding regional, international markets

WESTERN BUREAU: Delano Seiveright, the state minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), says Jamaica’s regulated cannabis industry is gaining traction as with 196 licences…
Kelli-Dawn Hamilton, chief executive officer, Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority.
February 10, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Urgent e‑waste disposal approved amid rebuilding push

WESTERN BUREAU: In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which battered western Jamaica last October, the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZ) has moved to address a bottleneck that industry…
From left: Abbi-Gaye Phillipps, co-founder and managing director, and Krishna Phillipps, co-founder and director, cut the ribbon during the opening of Organica Whole Foods Store’s new Montego Bay location in St James. They are joined by team members (fro
February 7, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

New whole foods store to support MoBay’s journey towards healthier lifestyles

WESTERN BUREAU: Jason Russell, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has welcomed the Organica Whole Foods Store to Montego Bay, saying it is timely and aligned with the…