Mickalia Kington/Gleaner Writer

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.
December 16, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

Holness stresses Petersfield High must reopen January

WESTERN BUREAU: Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on Saturday told displaced hurricane survivors sheltering at Petersfield High in Westmoreland that the Government is committed to relocating them to…
Councillor Devon ‘Don Don’ Thomas.
December 12, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

OUSTER HICCUP

WESTERN BUREAU: Tension erupted inside the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC) yesterday as Councillor Lidden Lewis launched a dramatic but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to oust his People’s…
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie (second left) tours a section of the Savanna-La-Mar Market in Westmoreland last Wednesday to assess the damage caused by the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa. Joining him are (from
December 9, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

Market meltdown

Savanna-la-Mar’s storm-ravaged market has once again become the centre of public frustration and political attention as residents and vendors plead for urgent repairs and clarity on its future. The…
Tacine Lawson carefully braids a young girl’s hair with the belief that looking good makes you feel good, despite the circumstances after Hurricane Melissa.
December 9, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

Duty’s call

Delta Airlines employees are lending a helping hand to communities affected by the Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, bringing care packages, essentials, and even personal services, to residents in need.…
Desmond McKenzie (second left), minister of local government and community development, addresses a concerned resident at the Petersfield High School shelter yesterday, following a break-in at the facility.
December 9, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

‘No compromise’

A break-in at the Petersfield High School shelter has escalated tensions between residents and authorities, prompting Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie to demand round-the-clock police…
Desmond McKenzie (right), minister of local government and community development, and Dr Dayton Campbell left), member of parliament for Eastern Westmoreland, lead by example yesterday, assisting in removing debris to help restore community spaces in the p
December 9, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

Local gov’t minister galvanises Cornwall citizens for cleanup campaign

A call to unity and community action resonated through Pentecost Lane, Darliston, yesterday as Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government and community development, officially launched the…
The recently built male ward, which usually houses up to 50 men at the Savanna-la-Mar Infirmary, is now unoccupied because of roof damage sustained during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
December 9, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

WRECKED TOO SOON

WESTERN BUREAU: Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie says he is “deeply disappointed” with the construction quality of the relatively new male ward Savanna-la-Mar Infirmary in Westmoreland,…
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (left) interacting with Deputy Superintendent Joel Hamilton (right), project manager at the Services Branch, and other cops during a tour of the facilities.
December 9, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

DIGNITY MATTERS

WESTERN BUREAU: Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has renewed his call for dignity to be placed at the centre of Jamaica’s hurricane recovery efforts, urging that assistance to affected residents be…
Beth Robertson explaining the functionality of the filters, urging recipients to follow the instructions clearly.
December 9, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

Safe water push intensifies amid lepto outbreak

WESTERN BUREAU: As Westmoreland grapples with contaminated water sources and a leptospirosis outbreak, more than 270 households in and around Frome received urgently needed water-filtration units on…