Albert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer

The ruined remains of the St Elizabeth Parish Court on High Street in Black River, six months after Hurricane Melissa made a destructive landfall in the parish on October 28, 2025.
April 28, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Black River recovery advances, but challenges remain

WESTERN BUREAU: Richard Solomon, chairman of the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation and mayor of Black River, says the historic town is steadily recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane…
Denever Forbes, owner of Floyd’s Pelican Bar in Parottee, St Elizabeth.
April 28, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Pelican Bar stands once more amid Parottee’s struggle to recover

WESTERN BUREAU: When Hurricane Melissa battered Jamaica’s southern coastline six months ago, the fishing village of Parottee in St Elizabeth was left reeling from heavy losses. Homes were damaged,…
Jason Henzell, chairman, Jakes Hotel Villas & Spa in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth.
April 28, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Treasure Beach rises again

WESTERN BUREAU: Treasure Beach in St Elizabeth has mounted a remarkable recovery in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, with residents and tourism stakeholders crediting not only reconstruction efforts but…
Howard Moxam, a fisherman from Calabash Bay Beach in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, six months after Hurricane Melissa made a destructive landfall in the parish on October 28, 2025.
April 28, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Fishermen slowly returning to sea as Mother Nature restores coastline

WESTERN BUREAU: Months after Hurricane Melissa battered Jamaica’s south coast, fishermen at Calabash Bay Fishing Beach in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, are gradually returning to the sea, signalling…
Christopher Jarrett, president of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association.
April 25, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Tourism players cite global uncertainty and soft bookings amid recovery push

Western Bureau: As Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett tours hospitality properties along Jamaica’s south coast to assess recovery efforts and reinforce the sector’s readiness to welcome international…
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett addressing students at the Jamaica Youth Tourism Summit and Artisan Experience in Montego Bay.
April 24, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

NaRRA set to drive south coast tourism reset, says Bartlett

WESTERN BUREAU: As the local tourism and hospitality sector continues to rebound from Hurricane Melissa, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority…
Claudette Bryan, western regional vice-president of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica (LMAJ), delivered the sermon at the association’s 41st anniversary church service held at Norwood Wesleyan Holiness Church, hosted by the St James Chapter of t
April 22, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

‘Some JPs should not be there’

WESTERN BUREAU: Claudette Bryan, western regional vice-president of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica (LMAJ), has said that some individuals holding the title of Justice of the Peace (JP)…
Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism.
April 20, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Bartlett: Despite training and certification, tourism sector unlikely to match other industries in remuneration

WESTERN BUREAU: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has acknowledged that, even while efforts are being made to professionalise the local tourism sector through training and certification, wages in the…
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett addressing students at the Jamaica Youth Tourism Summit and Artisan Experience in Montego Bay.
April 20, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Youth creativity tagged as key to shaping future of tourism

Western Bureau: Young Jamaicans are being urged to harness their creative ideas so that they can develop the skills needed to shape the future of Jamaica’s tourism. Edmund Bartlett, minister of…