Blackout fallout, flood watch and Jonestown shooting lead Jamaica news agenda

Jamaica’s islandwide blackout on Friday night has intensified calls for stronger backup systems across public utilities, after the loss of electricity also disrupted piped water service for thousands of people. Opposition water spokesman and Westmoreland Western MP Ian Hayles said National Water Commission plants remain too reliant on the Jamaica Public Service grid, while Negril tourism leader Richard Wallace argued that solar technology could improve reliability and reduce costs.

Consumers’ Intervention of Jamaica chief executive Michael Diamond said the outage exposed a serious infrastructure weakness at the start of the hurricane season. By news time, JPS and the NWC said all affected customers had been restored. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz said he was still awaiting JPS’s full report on the cause, but rejected claims of a cyberattack and said the company’s licence renewal in 2027 is not guaranteed. He also signalled changes to the Office of Utilities Regulation and the wider licensing framework.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade is also continuing its probe into a fire at Jamaica Defence Force headquarters at Up Park Camp in Kingston. Commissioner Stewart Beckford said investigators had not yet determined the cause of the blaze, which sent heavy smoke into the air before the blackout.

In Jonestown, residents blocked roads on Monday after police fatally shot 24-year-old Alexander Marsh. Police said officers pursued a man in Admiral Town who allegedly pointed a submachine gun at them, and that the weapon and three 9mm cartridges were recovered. The Independent Commission of Investigations and internal police oversight bodies are investigating.

In court, Justice Dale Palmer admitted into evidence a statement from deceased witness Chenise Roberts in the ongoing Clansman gang trial. The judge said the prosecution had met the required legal threshold, while noting that the defence could still challenge the statement’s weight and reliability.

The Meteorological Service issued a flash flood watch until 5 p.m. Wednesday for several parishes, including Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Kingston and St. Andrew, as a tropical wave and trough continued to produce unstable weather.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton also warned about alcohol misuse, citing 2023 National Council on Drug Abuse data showing high alcohol use in St. Ann. He said authorities would step up school-vendor checks and anti-vaping efforts aimed at protecting students.