Restructuring of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is among the top priorities for the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in fiscal year 2025/26. This was disclosed by Custos Rotulorum for Kingston, Hon. Steadman Fuller, while delivering the Throne Speech during the 2025/26 Ceremonial Opening of Parliament at Gordon House on Thursday (February 13). Mr....

The partially collapsed Craig Mill Bridge in Buff Bay, Portland, is to be declared a disaster requiring immediate attention as the Government moves to fast-track the implementation of temporary and permanent solutions for affected residents. The declaration will trigger an emergency response to the situation. “We consider this to be a real emergency, so under the Disaster Risk Management Act,...

In a move aimed at promoting responsible event planning, the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Cooperation (KSAMC) has passed a resolution for the inclusion of fees in applications for hosting entertainment events. The new policy applies to all events requiring permits, licences or other forms of authorisation that are granted by the KSAMC. The resolution, which was passed during the...

Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will be officially presented with the Keys to the City of Kingston on Thursday (February 13). The ceremony will be made held at Wolmer’s High School, which Fraser-Pryce attended. “This follows a resolution approved in September 2024. It is to honour her at the school where she first showcased her extraordinary talent and where she...

Redevelopment of the Jubilee Commercial Centre, formerly called the Jubilee Market, marks a significant step in improving downtown Kingston’s accessibility and infrastructure, says Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby. Forty vendors are now occupying the newly refurbished facility, which was officially reopened by the Mayor on February 5. As part of the transformation, the relocation of vendors will help ease...

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (February 11), passed the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act, 2025, which seeks to grant parish status to the Portmore City Municipality, making it the 15th parish of Jamaica. In his opening remarks, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said this is the first time in the history of post-colonial Jamaica...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), says Jamaica’s tsunami response protocol was triggered at the weekend. However, it said data supplied by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not indicate a threat that warranted the issuance of a tsunami watch or warning. The tsunami response protocol followed an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 at a depth...