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Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, addresses the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation’s (KSAMC) monthly meeting on Tuesday (March 10).

KSAMC Reviewing Carnival 2026 Routes And Event Applications

The proposed routes for the 2026 Jamaica Carnival road march in the Corporate Area are currently under review by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), as preparations intensify for the upcoming season. The deadline for applications for Carnival-related...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (second, left), engages in a discussion with Director General at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle (left); Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley (second, right); and United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, Dennis Zulu. The interaction took place during the opening ceremony of the regional after-action review (AAR) workshop on Hurricane Melissa at the S Hotel in Kingston on Tuesday (March 10).

Regional Stakeholders Undertake Review of Response to Hurricane Melissa

Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited Chair, Shirley Carby (fifth left), presents a copy of one of the textbooks donated by the company for primary schools affected by Hurricane Melissa to Principal of Park Mountain Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth, Carlene Williams-Heath. Other participants (from left) are Carlong Publishers’ Chief Executive Officer, Jason Carby, and Director, Carl Carby; Assistant Chief Education Officer, Media Services Unit, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Nadine Simms; National Education Trust (NET) Executive Director, Latoya Harris-Ghartey; and students of Park Mountain Primary. The textbooks were officially presented during a formal handover ceremony on Thursday (March 12), at the Ministry’s Student Assessment Unit, Caenwood Centre, Kingston.

Carlong Publishers Donates $15.6m In Textbooks to Hurricane-Affected Primary Schools

Incorporated Master Builders Association (IMAJ) President, Richard Mullings, addresses a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’.

IMAJ Endorses ODPEM’s Hurricane Strap Campaign

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (centre), shares the lens with Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Group, Frank James (right), and President of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), Keith Wellington, during the handover of a symbolic sponsorship cheque at the official launch of the 2026 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Arena in Kingston, on Wednesday (March 11).

ISSA/Gracekennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships to Honour Recovery and Renewal

2 days ago Economic Growth & Infrastructure DevelopmentHousingHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & Recovery

Modular Container Homes for Hurricane Victims Arriving In the Island

Modular container homes, aimed at providing rapid, affordable, and durable housing, have begun arriving on the island, says Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Robert Montague. The Minister, who has responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, said the units will address the urgent shelter needs following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. He...

City Engineer, Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), Xavier Chevannes, details the proper installation of hurricane straps during a recent Jamaica Information Service Think Tank.

2 days ago HousingLocal Government

Homeowners, Builders Urged to Use Hurricane Straps Correctly to Strengthen Roofs

Homeowners, builders and developers are being encouraged to adopt proper hurricane strap installation practices to strengthen building resilience and reduce damage during severe weather events. The guidance forms part of key messages being advanced through the ‘Strap Up Jamaica’ campaign, spearheaded by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), which aims to promote safer roofing practices and improve...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre, front row), responds to questions on March 6 during a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at Gordon House, where members were reviewing the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure. He is joined by State Minister, Hon. Delroy Williams (left, front row); Permanent Secretary Marsha Henry-Martin (right, front row), and other representatives from the Ministry.

4 days ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

11 Per Cent Increase in Operational Fire Hydrants Nationwide

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has reported an 11 per cent increase in the number of operational fire hydrants nationwide as of December 31, 2025. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the disclosure on March 6 while responding to questions during a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at Gordon House where...

4 days ago Hurricane Relief & RecoveryTourism

All Hotels Expected to Fully Reopen by December 2026

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, announced on March 6 that all hotels are expected to be fully operational by December 2026, following the devastation caused to the sector by Hurricane Melissa. He noted that while early stakeholder assessments had suggested that only about 80 per cent of rooms would be available, the recovery outlook has since improved. “The energy and...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre, front), responds to questions during a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at Gordon House on March 6. He is joined by Minister of State, Hon. Delroy Williams (left, front); Permanent Secretary, Marsha Henry-Martin (right, front) and other representatives from the Ministry.

5 days ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

Streetlight Programme to Resume Following Hurricane Disruption

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has assured citizens that the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) will soon resume the installation and repair of streetlights across the island. This follows a disruption in the programme caused by the widespread damage to the island’s power grid during Hurricane Melissa. In his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation, Mr. McKenzie announced...

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon.

7 days ago Local Government

Mayor of Montego Bay Calls for Development of Disaster Response Manual

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, is proposing the development of a disaster response manual to guide agencies and improve coordination during emergencies. The manual is intended to strengthen preparedness, improve logistics and streamline response efforts for future disasters. “We need a manual, a quick reference guide, so we don’t need to be asking questions when we should be...

Senior Instructor at the HEART College of Construction Services, Shalimar Blair, speaks during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS)

1 week ago Hurricane Relief & RecoverySkills

HEART Urges Builders to Access Free Training for Stronger Resilience

Senior Instructor at the HEART College of Construction Services, Shalimar Blair, is urging builders and homeowners to take advantage of free construction training offered by the HEART/NSTA Trust, aimed at strengthening building resilience across the island. He was speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’, held as part of the national ‘Strap Up Jamaica’ campaign led by...