A letter signed jointly by the Attorney General and the Solicitor General has advised that Clause 32 of the Local Governance Act clearly lays out what happens when a tie occurs after a by-election. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has informed that their response states that: “Where there is a tie in the political representation...

The St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation is ramping up its disaster preparedness activities, aimed at strengthening the parish’s readiness and resilience to natural disasters. Parish Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness, Ornella Lewis, said as part of this initiative, the Disaster Preparedness Committee will begin shelter re-inspection activities in February. This is to ensure that the designated emergency shelters are in top condition...

The Universal Service Fund (USF) has donated 20 desktop computers, and two printers to the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), valued at more than $5.5 million. The items will be distributed to fire stations islandwide and will play a critical role in improving the agency’s service delivery. Addressing the official handover ceremony on Tuesday (January 4), at the JFB’s Kingston headquarters,...

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as part of its support to the Government of Jamaica’s hurricane Beryl recovery programme, has donated small grants and inputs to 54 female micro business owners impacted by the hurricane. The beneficiaries, who are from the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth, received chickens, feed, irrigation and other farm supplies. The initiative was...

Two significant proposals intended to reshape Montego Bay’s managerial and governmental framework will be discussed during a St. James Municipal Corporation city hall meeting on Thursday, February 6. The event, slated for the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in Sam Sharpe Square beginning 5:00 p.m., aims to address matters regarding the official city limits as well as the implementation of new...

Omar Frith has been appointed Executive Director of the Social Development Commission (SDC). His appointment, effective January 28, follows the departure of Dr. Dwayne Vernon, who demitted office on January 27 after serving the SDC for more than two decades, including 13 years at the helm. Mr. Frith previously served as the SDC’s Deputy Executive Director for eight years, during...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is urging motorists to exercise greater caution on the nation’s roadways. This follows a revelation of a slight increase in the number of motor-vehicle crashes the JFB responded to last year, when compared to 2023. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on January 23, Commissioner of the JFB, Stewart Beckford, said the entity responded to...