Janet Silvera/Gleaner Writer

Incoming President, Kiwanis International, Hope Markes, poses with the Proclamation declaring the ‘Hope Markes Day’ in Lauderhill, Florida.
January 16, 2026 by Janet Silvera

Hope Markes breaks barriers as first Caribbean woman to lead Kiwanis Int’l

WESTERN BUREAU: Her election as the first black woman and first Caribbean national to head the 110-year-old Kiwanis International service organisation is already inspiring renewed confidence,…
The 2009 winner of Digicel Rising Stars, Mitsy ‘Shuga’ Campbell, is using music to help reposition the tourism capital, unveiling her remake of Bobby Bloom’s classic, ‘Montego Bay’. The singer from Montego Bay performed during the Celebration of
January 10, 2026 by Janet Silvera

Shuga unveils musical love letter titled ‘Montego Bay’

WESTERN BUREAU: As Montego Bay recovers from Hurricane Melissa, recording artiste Mitsy ‘Shuga’ Campbell is using music to help reposition the tourism capital, unveiling her remake of Bobby Bloom’s…
Dorian Samuels and her son Kamar.
January 2, 2026 by Janet Silvera

‘The sky was always the limit’

WESTERN BUREAU: On Wednesday, when Jamaican-born educator Kamar Samuels was appointed chancellor of New York City public schools by Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, the decision placed him at the helm of…
TUI UK passengers on arrival into the arrivals hall just outside customs at the Sangster International Airport earlier this month. They were among the first UK passengers to arrive on a charter flight from the UK since the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
December 31, 2025 by Janet Silvera

Bartlett hails strong tourism rebound

WESTERN BUREAU: As 2025 draws to a close, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica’s tourism sector is staging a strong and confidence-boosting recovery just weeks after the island was battered…
From left: Direct Relief’s response manager Luis Rodriguez greets National Health Fund’s executive director Everton Anderson and Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton during the handing over of medical relief supplies valued at US$1 mil
December 19, 2025 by Janet Silvera

Direct Relief, partners deliver over US$3m in medical supplies to Jamaica

WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica has received more than US$3 million (J$486 million) in critical medical and humanitarian supplies over the past week as international partners intensify support for the…
Travel agents, influencers and journalists share lens time aboard a Jamwest catamaran in Negril. Seated at right is Alltours’ contracting manager, Marius Michaelis, while Paula Powell of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Europe, is standing at centre, back.
December 19, 2025 by Janet Silvera

New German tour operator sees opportunity in Jamaica’s recovery

WESTERN BUREAU: Just days after Hurricane Melissa battered Jamaica’s tourism sector, German tour operator Alltours made an unexpected decision: to launch Jamaica anyway, insisting that pulling back…
Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism.
December 15, 2025 by Janet Silvera

Build-back booster

WESTERN BUREAU: The Government has committed J$600 million to help displaced tourism workers repair and rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Melissa as part of a broader public-private recovery…
Eighty-five-year-old Myrtle Coke, who died on November 9, days after being airlifted by JDF relief team from her home in Springfield, St Elizabeth, where she was injured during Hurricane Melissa.
December 13, 2025 by Janet Silvera

Senior siblings triple tragedy

WESTERN BUREAU: She could not run when Hurricane Melissa tore apart the tiny house in Springfield, St Elizabeth. The disabled daughter survived, but her mother and two uncles, inseparable siblings who…
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and executives of LCH Development topping out Tower One at The Pinnacle Montego Bay in St James yesterday.
December 11, 2025 by Janet Silvera

Holness urges developers to help rebuild Ja

WESTERN BUREAU: Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says the topping out of Tower One at The Pinnacle marks a major step forward for Jamaica’s tourism diversification strategy. However, he insists that…