The Opposition People’s National Party has achieved a significant victory in the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation after the recent local government elections on February 26, 2024.
Notably, the contested Kintyre Division in East Rural St. Andrew was claimed by the PNP’s Vivienne Brown-Bond with a margin of 32 votes.
With a resulting 20-20 split, the PNP will assume control due to its triumph in the popular vote within the capital city and its environs.
This win grants the PNP the most influential and powerful local government authority in the country, solidifying its position as a key political player.
The outcome of the local elections has bolstered the PNP’s political strength under the leadership of Mark Golding. Despite entering the contest with five municipalities, the PNP, led by Mark Golding, emerged with six, including the coveted KSAMC.
Moreover, the PNP has expanded its electoral divisions and garnered more votes nationwide than the governing JLP.
As of 5:00 p.m. on February 28, 2024, the JLP is poised to oversee seven municipal corporations: Clarendon, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Ann, Portland, Trelawny, and St. Elizabeth, with a total of seventy-five divisions. Meanwhile, the PNP has secured victory in seventy-four divisions, marking a significant achievement.
St. Elizabeth police named ten men wanted in connection with various crimes.
The St. Elizabeth police have identified ten individuals as wanted for various crimes, including wounding and sexual offenses committed in the parish.
Acting Superintendent Coleridge Minto, head of the St. Elizabeth Police Division, has urged the men to surrender to the Black River police for questioning.
They include Lincoln Farquharson, wanted for rape and grievous sexual assault; Jerome Bartley wanted for having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16 and grievous sexual assault; Devon Blake wanted for the same offense; and Christopher Morgan, wanted for wounding with intent.
Shamore Morgan, also known as ‘Brown Man,’ is wanted for wounding with intent. Aldaine Bailey, of Union district, is wanted for buggery; David Pottinger is wanted for having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16; and Lloyd White, from a Manchester address, is wanted for rape.
The remaining wanted men are Andrew Carby and Fabian Brown, who are both being sought for sexual-related offenses.
Court ordered repairman to pay more than $100,000 for damage done to woman’s house.
A man from the Corporate Area, contracted by an older woman to carry out repairs at her house, has been ordered to pay over $100,000 for the damages he caused to the property.
Jaheim Hamilton pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious destruction of property following an incident on January 20, 2024, at the complainant’s residence.
During the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court hearing, it was revealed that Hamilton visited the complainant’s home to collect an outstanding payment for a job he had completed. The woman had agreed to remunerate Hamilton with $90,000 for his services. She initially paid him $50,000, with the remaining $40,000 to be settled later.
On January 20, Hamilton returned to collect the outstanding sum, but the woman informed him that she did not have the money and requested he return later in the afternoon.
According to the complainant, Hamilton became enraged upon hearing this, and he proceeded to hurl stones at her house, causing damage to the windows. He also used a machete to attack the door. Prosecutors revealed that a stone struck the complainant’s back, while glass splinters caused a cut to her nose.
“Would you be willing to settle this matter if he were to cover your medical expenses and repair the damages to your home?” presiding judge Carlo Mason inquired.
“Yes, Your Honour,” she replied, stating that she incurred $8,000 in medical expenses, and the total damages amounted to $105,000.
Hamilton agreed to compensate for the damages.
“Just like that, Sir, you lose all the money she was going to pay you,” Judge Mason remarked to Hamilton.
The proceedings were adjourned until May 3, 2024, when payments are to be made in court.
Thieves rob and set fire to a church in St. Ann.
The Ocho Rios Police in St. Ann are currently seeking to identify the individuals responsible for the theft of items from an unfinished church, as well as the deliberate setting of a section of the building on fire.
On Monday morning, February 26, 2024, residents observed a fire emanating from the Exchange Seventh Day Adventist Church. Promptly responding to the alarm raised by residents, the Ocho Rios Fire Department arrived at the scene.
The destructive blaze damaged the church’s interior, including its benches and other pieces of furniture. Additionally, it was discovered that the public address system and construction boards were missing.
Lamenting the senseless vandalism, the church’s pastor, Amiel Summerbell, expressed that the incident deeply affected the congregation. He emphasized the profound disappointment and disbelief caused by witnessing such disregard for the sanctity of the church and its possessions.
In pleading for a change of heart from the perpetrators, Pastor Summerbell stated, “While we are witness to a time when some individuals display a disregard for the sacred, we are nonetheless taken aback by the depths of iniquity that led to the disregard for the church and the house of God. Despite this, we denounce the deplorable act while extending the message of God’s love. We earnestly hope for a transformation in the hearts of those responsible, urging them to repent and return the stolen items.”
Amiel Summerbell, Pastor of Exchange Seventh Day Adventist Church.