Opposition Senator Lambert Brown has argued that if the Government is determined to continue withdrawing billions from the National Housing Trust (NHT), then at least $4 billion a year should be used to build homes for Hurricane Melissa victims in western Jamaica. That suggestion was made during Friday’s debate in the Senate on the National Housing Trust (Amendment) (Special Provisions) Act, 2026, which was subsequently passed without amendment, extending the Government’s authority to transfer up to $11.4 billion annually from the NHT to the Consolidated Fund for another five years
The rebuilt Troy Bridge has officially opened, restoring a key crossing between southern Trelawny and north-western Manchester after Tropical Storm Grace destroyed the old structure in 2021.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness officially reopened the Troy Bridge, restoring a key connection between southern Trelawny and north-western Manchester after years of disruption.
Government officials opened the rebuilt Troy Bridge on June 5, restoring a crucial connection for residents, students, farmers and businesses between southern Trelawny and north-west Manchester.
Kingston, Jamaica — The Government will invest $200 million this year to expand capacity at care facilities, thereby easing overcrowding and freeing up bed space. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, explained that the issue of social cases occupying hospital beds has been long-standing
The Senate passed amendments allowing continued annual transfers from the National Housing Trust to central government, despite opposition calls to redirect funds toward hurricane-damaged homes.
St. Elizabeth stakeholders have completed a recovery readiness workshop aimed at strengthening disaster planning after Hurricane Melissa. The assessment will feed into a final report for future resilience and recovery work across the parish.
The Senate approved legislation allowing the National Housing Trust to transfer up to $11.4 billion a year to central government through 2031, despite opposition objections over housing needs after Hurricane Melissa.
PBC Jamaica’s June 5 newscast covered renewed Jamaica-Ghana relations, Hurricane Melissa recovery housing, court disruptions in western Jamaica, market developments, regional health milestones and cricket promotions.
Seattle is preparing to welcome the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a football identity shaped by the Sounders, Indigenous partnerships, African community leagues and a strong sporting culture.
The Government will invest $200 million this year to expand capacity at care facilities, thereby easing overcrowding and freeing up bed space.Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, explained that the issue of social cases occupying hospital beds has been long-standing.He noted that a special effort will be made this year to address the matter in collaboration with other Ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Wellness.McKenzie was making his 2026/27 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 3.Meanwhile, work is under way to rebuild and relocate several infirmaries damaged by Hurricane Melissa across the parishes of Trelawny, Westmoreland, St Ann, and St Elizabeth.A sum of $54 million has been allocated for the restoration of the St Elizabeth, Hanover, and Westmoreland infirmaries.McKenzie announced that new infirmaries will be built in Trelawny, St Elizabeth and St Ann.In addition, a new wing will be constructed at the Spanish Town Infirmary in St. Catherine this year at a cost of $70 million.“We continue to put in the work in our infirmaries to strengthen them and make them places where people will feel comfortable
The names of the Top-10 finalists in the 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Competition, have been disclosed. Minister of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange made the announcement following an exhilarating semi-final showcase held on May 16 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St
Ex-Police Probationer Killed After Alleged Taxi Hijacking and Chase in KingstonBy Mckoy's News / June 4, 2026 A former Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) probationer was fatally shot by police following an alleged taxi hijacking and high-speed chase along Camp Road in Kingston on Wednesday evening. The deceased has been identified as 34-year-old Sean Raby, who police sources said was previously dismissed from the JCF before completing his probationary period
Court Orders Sale of Family Home, Rejects Husband’s Bid for Larger ShareBy Mckoy's News / June 4, 2026 A Supreme Court judge has ruled that a St Catherine couple are each entitled to an equal share of their family home, dismissing a husband’s attempt to secure an 80 per cent interest in the property based on his financial contributions over the years. In a judgment handed down recently, Justice Sonia Wint-Blair declared that Courtney Waul and Maureen Waul each hold a 50 per cent legal and beneficial interest in the property located in Eltham View, Spanish Town
Hanover Man Fined for Ganja After Police Find Drugs Hidden in Vehicle in St MaryBy Mckoy's News / June 4, 2026 ST MARY, Jamaica — A Hanover man has been ordered to pay $165,000 in fines after admitting to drug-related offences stemming from the discovery of ganja concealed in his vehicle during a police operation in St Mary. Kelvin Patrick Esteen, 46, appeared before the St Mary Parish Court, where he pleaded guilty to possession of ganja and dealing in ganja
Vice President of Marketing for the United States based Golden Krust restaurant chain, Steven Clarke, delivers brief remarks during a Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (Photo: JIS/Danielle Myers) The United States‑based, Caribbean‑owned restaurant chain Golden Krust has pledged to rebuild the canteens of seven schools across Jamaica that Hurricane Melissa damaged
The House of Representatives continued the 2026 Sectoral Debate on June 3, with presentations from Desmond McKenzie, Peter Bunting and Zelica Jess covering reconstruction, growth and justice access.
A parliamentary committee reviewing the Child Diversion Act examined whether children accused of diversion offences should be sent automatically to intervention programmes before court action.
Kingston, Jamaica — The Government is looking to roll out the Nurturing Early Scientific Thinking (NEST) programme in all early childhood institutions (ECIs) across the country by year’s end. The NEST pilot, conducted between February and June 2025, engaged 25 early childhood institutions in Kingston and St Andrew and, according to the Minister of Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr Andrew Wheatley, they were deliberately selected to include schools in zones of special operations, low-performing institutions, and compliant schools
Opposition Spokesperson on Justice, Zuleika Jess, is pointing to what she calls a crisis in the court system in western Jamaica, in particular in the parishes hardest-hit by Hurricane Melissa last October. Jess, in her maiden presentation in the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, called attention to the matter and accused Justice Minister Delroy Chuck of incompetence
At the June 3 post-Cabinet briefing, ministers Camina Johnson Smith and Andrew Wheatley updated Jamaica on foreign affairs, student welfare, technology policy, diaspora engagement and recovery projects.
Opposition MP Zuleika Jess criticised the Justice Ministry over conditions at rural courthouses, citing water, security and repair problems in Santa Cruz, Westmoreland and wider western Jamaica.
Zuleika Jess, MP, says Westmoreland residents are being unfairly burdened as court users must travel to Lucea, Hanover, because the parish court cannot host circuit matters.
Peter Bunting says Jamaica’s short-term rental operators are being unfairly taxed while large hotel investors continue to receive major incentives. He argues tourism policy should help Jamaicans own more of the sector.
The House of Representatives resumed on June 3, 2026, with sectoral debate contributions from Desmond McKenzie, Peter Bunting and Zelica Jess, alongside routine parliamentary business.
Jamaica Teams Up With China to Revive Local Rice ProductionBy Mckoy's News / June 3, 2026 KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government of Jamaica is taking steps to increase domestic rice production through a new partnership with China aimed at strengthening food security and reducing the country’s dependence on imported rice. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green announced the initiative, describing it as part of a broader effort to expand local food production and build greater resilience within the agricultural sector
Government ministers used the June 3 post-Cabinet briefing to update Jamaica on foreign affairs, student welfare in Cuba, the USS Nimitz visit, diaspora engagement and new technology initiatives.
Cabinet ministers outlined new foreign policy, diaspora, education and technology initiatives, including renewed Jamaica-Ghana cooperation, support for students in Cuba, the USS Nimitz stop in Kingston and national AI training plans.
Western BUREAU:The National Works Agency (NWA) yesterday served notice on the persons claiming ownership of the popular Old Steamer Beach in Hopewell, Hanover, to remove fencing and columns that have erected on the property.Over recent weeks, residents of Hopewell and the surrounding communities of Lookout, Orchard Gardens, Orchard Housing Scheme, and Pondpiece, who have been using the beach unimpeded over many years, have been questioning the authenticity of the claim of ownership by the persons who have been fencing off the larger section of the beach.“The beach has been opened to the public all my life and I am over 60n years old,”one resident told The Gleaner. “I am very suspicious about this belated claim of ownership and the attempt to rob us of our beach.”Responding to the concerns of the residents, the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) issued a stop notice on the claimants, who had constructed eight concrete columns as a part of their efforts to close off a section of the beach.The residents also call on Andrea Purkiss, the member of parliament for Hanover Eastern, to join their effort to get clarity about the ownership of the beach.Since then, Purkiss has put out a statement in a Hanover Neighbourhood Watch WhatsApp group, outlining the involvement of the NWA in the matter, while outlining plans for the development of the beach.“Allow me to educate the community on a few key points regarding the Old Steamer Beach, also referred to as the Orchard Public Beach,” she wrote
Kelvin Patrick Esteen of Hanover was ordered to pay $165,000 after admitting two ganja charges in the St Mary Parish Court over drugs police said were hidden in his vehicle.
About 150 Rose Heights residents are expected to receive land titles once surveyors settle boundary concerns in the St James Central community, MP Heroy Clarke has announced.
A St. James road crash killed 22-year-old Bianca Wallace, while police laid a Hanover murder charge and the Government began a phased public transport fare increase.
Tuesday’s Jamaica news update covered a fresh Rose Hall main road crash, a missing Manchester man, a Hanover murder charge, stolen gaming equipment allegations and a court award from a 2011 Mandeville accident.
Hanover detectives have charged Aldean Jermaine Blake with murder after Kadian “Kadi” Bradshaw was found dead at a Bulls Bay rental property. Police say the case also involves alleged immigration breaches.
Bianca Wallace, 22, died Monday after being struck during a three-vehicle crash along the Rose Hall main road. Several other people, including two female students, were taken to hospital.
The island’s four major utility providers have moved to allay fears that if the Corporate Area is hit by a major adverse weather event this hurricane season their services to the rest of Jamaica would be curtailed. After Hurricane Melissa ravaged Jamaica’s south-western and north-western parishes last October, there were concerns voiced that if it had made landfall in the Corporate Area, where the nerve centres for the major utility providers are based, the impact on the rest of the island would have been catastrophic
Police say the woman found dead in Hanover on Monday was Kadian Bradshaw, who had links to Tampa and Bulls Bay. Her partner remains in custody for questioning but has not been charged.
Police are investigating several serious incidents across Jamaica, including deaths in St Elizabeth, St James, Hanover and St Catherine, while a doctor is calling for tighter Ebola quarantine controls.
Police are probing several serious incidents reported Monday, including a constable’s fatal motorcycle crash, deaths in Hanover and St. Elizabeth, and the death of a three-year-old girl in St. James.
A Jamaican-born Florida resident is among the main items in a national news roundup after his arrest in connection with his wife’s fatal stabbing at a Hanover Airbnb.
Police in Hanover are questioning a man believed to have a United States passport after his spouse was found dead at a rental property in Bulls Bay. Investigators say it is too early to identify who killed her.
Hanover police have taken a Jamaica-born Florida resident into custody after his wife was fatally stabbed at an Esher Airbnb. The couple was reportedly vacationing with their two-month-old baby.
St Elizabeth Car Dealer and Alleged Thief Killed in Suspected Confrontation at Auto MartBy Mckoy's News / June 1, 2026 ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Police are investigating the deaths of a St Elizabeth car dealer and an alleged thief following a fatal confrontation at an auto mart in the Longwood community near Santa Cruz. The deceased have been identified as 64-year-old businessman and car dealer Melvin Blythe and 34-year-old Romele Johnson, otherwise known as “Cutty” or “Cow Man,” of Santa Cruz
Florida Resident Arrested After Wife Fatally Stabbed at Hanover AirbnbBy Mckoy's News / June 1, 2026 HANOVER, Jamaica — A Florida resident is in police custody following the fatal stabbing of his wife at an Airbnb property in Esher, Hanover, late Sunday night. The couple, both Jamaica-born, had been visiting the island with their two-month-old baby when the tragic incident occurred
Western BUREAU:Bethel Primary School in Hopewell, Hanover, on Friday joined Lucea Infant School as the schools from the parish to be outfitted with technology resource hubs to help students develop greater mastery in mathematics. The two Hanover schools join Westmoreland’s Maud McLeod High School and Grange Hill High Schools as the four recipients of such facilities in western Jamaica.The resource hub, which was commissioned into operation at the Bethel Primary School, is the third one being financed by the Hanover Charities organisation, which is based in Hopewell
Western BUREAU:St James Central Member of Parliament (MP) Heroy Clarke wants the water shortage issues currently affecting Appleton Hall and surrounding areas to be resolved before the new Western Children and Adolescent Hospital is official opened.Clarke, who was speaking during Thursday’s Constituency Development Fund consultation meeting at Cornwall College in Montego Bay, said the water supply challenges in the area, which is already complicated by an outdated pump in Appleton Hall, will worsen once the medical facility, which is located on the grounds of the Mount Salem-based Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), is opened.“What has happened is that in the 1960s, when the Appleton Hall’s pump was put in place, there were about 300 or 400 houses. That same pump today has not changed, although they have fixed it on so many occasions, but it is now serving Rose Heights, which has grown leaps and bounds, plus Cornwall Courts, which has some 20,000 households and growing, and it has to serve Rosemount Gardens, Farm Heights, Green Pond, Salt Spring, and all the way up to Flower Hill,” said Clarke.“That same pump serves the hospital, and the water has to go into the hospital first
Police have identified 33-year-old Kadian Bradshaw as the woman killed in Esher, Hanover, late Sunday. Her husband remains in custody while investigators continue to probe the fatal stabbing.
A Jamaican-born man living in the United States has been arrested following the gruesome stabbing death of his wife at an Airbnb in Hanover late Sunday night. The deceased is a 33-year-old woman from Tampa, Florida, who had travelled to Jamaica with her husband and their two-month-old baby for vacation
Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Acting Regional Manager, Nickieta Sterling (centre), peruses JIS publications with contestants in the 2026 Miss Hanover Festival Queen Competition Miss Filco Gas & Oil, 19-year-old Derisha Thompson (left) and Miss Energy Pool and Spa Services, 18-year-old Destinya Locke. Occasion was a courtesy call by the contestants at the JIS Montego Bay Regional Office on May 21, as part of their grooming and training activities
Clarendon Motorcycle Crash Claims Life of 22-Year-Old Welder After Collision With Police VehicleBy Mckoy's News / May 31, 2026 A motorcycle crash early Saturday morning has left a 22-year-old man dead and a young woman hospitalized following a collision involving a police service vehicle in Denbigh. The deceased has been identified as Kevin Baker, a welder from Havana Heights, Clarendon
