Abeng — Jamaica news

Police Constable Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Girlfriend’s Fatal ShootingBy Mckoy's News / July 16, 2026 A police constable charged with the fatal shooting of his girlfriend during a domestic dispute in St Mary last year has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Twenty-four-year-old Constable Patrick Walters entered the plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter, along with using a firearm to commit a felony, when he appeared in the St Mary Circuit Court on Tuesday

Westmoreland’s Aedes index declined for three consecutive months, reaching 8.4 per cent in June. Health officials are urging residents to continue eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

Engineers are assessing hurricane damage at about 100 health centres across five parishes as the Health Ministry prepares for major renovation work.

Westmoreland’s Medical Officer of Health reports a three-month drop in the parish Aedes index and presses residents to keep up anti-breeding habits amid dengue and leptospirosis concerns.

United States President Donald Trump is promising “really big news” in a rare primetime address on Thursday night, though he won’t say exactly what it is. The surprise speech was announced on Tuesday

Fifteen-year-old Owen Jones lines up a strike during the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation’s inaugural Football Bonanza held on July 11, 2026. Photo: Contributed With football capturing the attention of fans around the world this summer, schools closed for the holidays, and parents seeking safe, structured activities for their children, the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation (Grace & Staff) is using the sport to help young people build confidence, strengthen friendships, and stay positively engaged

The Jamaican diaspora has long been a driving force in Jamaica’s development, contributing billions in remittances, investing in communities and rallying to support the island during times of need. From North America to Europe and Asia, Asha Richards, Lisa Rutty, Dr

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says engineers are wrapping up damage checks to set renovation budgets for roughly 100 hurricane-affected health centres in five western parishes, while Operation REFRESH continues reopening upgraded clinics across Jamaica.

Westmoreland’s Medical Officer of Health reports a three-month drop in mosquito breeding checks, while urging residents to keep up weekly search-and-destroy routines against dengue risk.

Displaced market traders in Savanna-la-Mar again face floodwater and rising tides, with Councillor Julian Chang and Mayor Danree Delancy urging relief while no formal relocation plan has been set.

Deputy Prime Minister Horace Chang urged deeper regional security ties in Peru, while Jamaica flagged progress on a Manchester health centre reopening, demerit points, a Kingston waterfront park and justice upgrades.

National Security leaders pressed for deeper hemispheric crime cooperation in Peru, while Jamaica advanced a Manchester health centre reopening, traffic demerit preparations, Kingston’s harbour walk and Denbigh redesign plans.

The Area One Agricultural Protection Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reporting a significant reduction in praedial larceny in Trelawny farming communities, where livestock and crop thefts previously posed major challenges for farmers. Deputy Superintendent of Police and Officer in charge of the branch, Orville Bushay, said reports of theft in those areas are now “almost nil” following targeted enforcement strategies implemented over the past year

St. Catherine Southeast MP Dr. Alfred Dawes is quitting Portmore boundary consultations, alleging gerrymandering. Elections chief Glasspole Brown says the Electoral Commission is only following Parliament’s brief on constituency lines.

Former dancehall star Minister Marion Hall turned 57 on Sunday with quiet reflection, crediting faith and family genetics for her health and youthful look.

In what is being billed as the clash of the titans of European football, two-time champions France face 2010 champions Spain today in the first semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.France, the 1998 and 2018 champions, overcame Morocco in the quarter-finals, while Spain secured their semi-final berth by defeating Belgium.Among the fans watching from afar with hopes that Les Bleus will go all the way and get that third star is Pol (surname withheld), who has been living and working in Jamaica for more than seven years.He is well aware of the head-to-head tally, which shows Spain with the edge with 18 wins to France’s 13.“It’s a semi-final. Anybody can beat anybody in such a match

Westmoreland teen Terrell Tulloch remains in intensive care at Montego Bay’s Hospiten after a Negril bike crash. His family is appealing for donations as hospital costs top $13 million.

Opposition Spokesperson on Land and Works, Mr Lothan Cousins, MP, is calling on the Government to explain the methodology used to select projects under Phase Two of the $25 billion SPARK Main Roads Programme, arguing that the published allocations raise serious concerns about fairness and equitable investment across Jamaica. According to the National Works Agency’s (NWA) published project listings, $12.01 billion, nearly half of the programme’s total budget, is concentrated in the Corporate Area and St

A St. James constable charged in a May fatal shooting heads to Circuit Court, while new PIOJ figures show Jamaica’s net population rose by only 600 in 2025 and the force mourns another officer.

Morgan Heritage Releases First New Recording Since Peetah Morgan's PassingKaboom Editors3 days ago2 min readGrammy-winning reggae family opens a new chapter with its first release since Peetah Morgan's passing. Written and produced by Stephen Marley, the uplifting single celebrates Jamaica's culture, beauty, and enduring spiritMorgan Heritage begins new era with "Come Feel The Love"Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage returns with "Come Feel The Love," an uplifting new single written and produced by Stephen Marley

Westmoreland Central MP Dwayne Vaz has left his role as the PNP’s deputy opposition spokesperson for roads and works, saying he intends to concentrate on constituency duties.

Marks Band’s first new recording since passing of one of their founding members, Peetah Morgan Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage returns with “Come Feel The Love,” an uplifting new single written and produced by nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter Stephen Marley. Released on July 10th through Ghetto Youths International, the song serves as a vibrant musical invitation to experience Jamaica through its people, culture, landscapes, and unmistakable spirit

Former Manchester MP Dean Peart is remembered after his death at 77, while police hunt suspects in Westmoreland, the PNP reshuffles spokespeople, and demographers flag Jamaica’s near-flat population growth.

Westmoreland health officials urge vigilance against hand, foot and mouth disease in young children, while authorities outline long-term drainage plans for St. James and warn that a strengthening El Niño will keep temperatures high.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green has proposed that the location hosting the popular Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in May Pen, Clarendon, be redesigned. “We have said to the president and the CEO [of Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS)] that we want to come up with a comprehensive Denbigh rehabilitation plan, and we have indicated that we will provide the resources for an architect to do a full redesign of the Denbigh Showground,” said Green

The Westmoreland Public Health Department is urging parents and school administrators to remain vigilant, following an increase in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease among children in several educational institutions across the parish.Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr Marcia Graham, said the highly contagious viral illness has primarily been affecting students in basic, infant and early childhood institutions, with some primary schools reporting cases.Speaking during the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation on Thursday, July 9, Graham said the health department has intensified its public health response to limit the spread of the disease.Graham noted that the affected schools are in several communities, with the majority concentrated in the eastern and central sections of the parish.“These are from several different communities, predominantly in the eastern and central part of the parish. We really don’t have many cases from the western part of the parish,” she said.She informed that the health department has been carrying out targeted interventions through public health inspectors and health educators, who visit affected institutions, once cases are identified.The Medical Officer of Health pointed out that in many instances, schools are not the first to report cases.“Sometimes it’s not the institution that alerts us, although they might be aware of students who are out, but when they come for healthcare in our history taking, we usually find out where they attend school… and therefore we do targeted intervention,” Graham noted.She said the department is also using WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms to educate parents and caregivers about preventing the spread of the illness.Describing hand, foot, and mouth disease as highly contagious, Graham underscored the importance of proper hygiene.“Hand hygiene is very important, as well as the sanitisation of toys and other shared objects that children will interface with in the school and early childhood setting,” she emphasised.She further encouraged parents to keep sick children at home until they have recovered to minimise transmission.“We encourage vigilance and that if a child is ill, we keep them home until they have recovered so we don’t expose others

Clarendon police are investigating two men found dead in a fire-damaged vehicle at Bullet Mountain. Separately, a St. Ann security guard was charged after a supermarket shooting, while a missing man’s family offered a reward.

Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Central, the People’s National Party’s Dwayne Vaz, has stepped down as Deputy Spokesperson on Roads & Works. The PNP says this follows discussions with Opposition Leader Mark Golding

Kingston, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Central Dwayne Vaz has stepped down from his position as Deputy Spokesperson on Roads and Works. In a brief statement on Saturday, the People’s National Party (PNP) said following discussions with Opposition Leader Mark Golding, Vaz had decided to focus on his constituency responsibilities and would no longer serve as deputy spokesperson

After talks with Opposition Leader Mark Golding, MP Dwayne Vaz will step away from his Deputy Spokesperson role and give priority to work in his constituency.

Westmoreland Health Officials Warn of Rise in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease CasesBy Mckoy's News / July 12, 2026 WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The Westmoreland Public Health Department is urging parents and school administrators to remain alert following an increase in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) among children attending schools across the parish. Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr

Government Working to Clear ROOFS Grant Delays, Says Pearnel Charles Jr.By Mckoy's News / July 12, 2026 ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. says the Government is intensifying efforts to ensure all eligible beneficiaries receive assistance under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme

For years, the arrival of Jamaica’s dry season has brought with it an all-too-familiar ritual for thousands of households: empty pipes, water trucking, and anxious residents wondering when supplies will return. But Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda says that cycle could soon come to an end for those living in the Corporate Area

Malia and Miya Myrie, aged 13 and 12, are awarding four PEP students five-year scholarships covering tuition, uniforms, supplies and lunch, building on outreach that began during the pandemic.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the New Social Housing Programme will roll out modular, semi-permanent units in Hurricane Melissa’s hardest-hit parishes, speaking at a Portland handover on July 3.

The Westmoreland Public Health Department is urging parents and school administrators to remain vigilant, following an increase in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease among children in several educational institutions across the parish. Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr

Area 1 SSP Eron Samuels told the St. James Municipal Corporation that a heavy police presence and extra traffic teams will support Dream Weekend, as the festival shifts to Montego Bay for the first time.

Savanna-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — While not at an alarming level, the Westmoreland Health Department is reporting an increase in the number of young children in the parish being diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) over the past two weeks. The revelation comes at a time when children are attending summer programmes and preparing for the upcoming school year in September