Kimone Francis/Senior Staff Reporter

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Commander Alvin Gayle. - File photo.
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

NONE SPENT

The Government has confirmed that US$1.68 million and J$635 million have been donated to Hurricane Melissa relief accounts controlled by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management…
News
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

Teacher paid for nine years without assignment gets reinstated

A demand by the Ministry of Education for a Westmoreland teacher to repay $18 million in alleged unearned salary has collapsed following the teacher’s move to seek the court’s intervention, resulting…
The victorious JLP candidate, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

BALLOT RIFT

The Supreme Court is expected to rule next month on the case filed by Paul Buchanan against the Constituted Authority, which rejected his bid to have the St Andrew West Central general election…
News
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

Gov’t adopts container housing strategy for storm victims

Facing a possible housing crisis in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Government has announced a controversial, yet immediate, plan to utilise container homes to shelter displaced families in western…
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

Gov’t creates NARA to lead multibillion-dollar Melissa recovery

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has announced the establishment of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARA), assessing that a fragmented approach by ministries will not meet the…
New York Attorney General Letitia James.
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

Melissa’s fury sparks demand for temporary protection for J’cans in US

New York Attorney General Letitia James has called on the Trump administration to extend its Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Jamaicans in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.…
Dr Christine Hendricks, executive director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities.
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

Hendricks calls for inclusive rebuilding

Jamaica’s multibillion-dollar rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Melissa must put the needs of persons with disabilities at the centre, the country’s chief disability advocate has urged. Thousands of…
People are seen in Petersfield High School, Westmoreland which was converted as a hurricane shelter.
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

Shelter crisis

Shelter managers at Petersfield High School in Westmoreland are scrambling to relocate families displaced by Hurricane Melissa, as pressure mounts to free up classroom space for fifth- and sixth-form…
Crystal Morris stands outside the cramped minivan where she shelters with her mom, son and two other relatives in New Works, Westmoreland.
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

Pregnant and homeless

Nine months’ pregnant and rendered homeless by Hurricane Melissa, Crystal Morris is awaiting the birth of her child while living in cramped conditions inside an immobile minivan with her family. The…