Jamaica road deaths top 100 as relief housing units arrive

Jamaica’s road fatality count has moved beyond 100 for the year, although official figures show the toll is running well below last year’s pace. The number of people killed in crashes is down by 43, representing a 29 per cent year-to-date reduction.

The Government’s temporary housing response for families displaced by Hurricane Melissa is also advancing, with about 924 containerised housing units now in the island. Another 500 units are projected to arrive within the next three weeks, forming part of a wider order for 2,500 units.

Former State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and former Member of Parliament Leslie Campbell is to receive an official funeral. The Government said the honour recognises his service to Jamaica and his contribution to public life. Campbell died on Sunday, May 3, at age 67 after a period of illness.

In sport, Portmore United secured a spot in Sunday’s Jamaica Premier League Super Final after defeating Mount Pleasant 4-2 in the second leg of their semi-final at the National Stadium on Wednesday. The result gave Portmore a 4-3 win on aggregate.

At midday in currency trading, the US dollar was selling for J$157.62, the British pound sterling for J$216.66, and the Canadian dollar for J$118.05.

The forecast for Friday calls for partly cloudy conditions across eastern parishes. Widely scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms are expected over western and north-central parishes.