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...

The Government is allocating $315 million for repairs to the most vulnerable households that were impacted by unusual weather patterns between July and December last year. Each constituency will receive $5 million. Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 28). “While the amounts to be...

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, was tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 28). The legislation was tabled by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. As stated in the Memorandum of Objects and Reasons,...

A noticeable decrease in commercial building fires has highlighted the success of intensified fire-safety and prevention initiatives undertaken by the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) throughout 2024. Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, JFB Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, informed that there was a 16 per cent reduction in the number of commercial building fires when compared to 2023. “The reduction can...

Jamaica recorded a 15.6 per cent reduction in fire-related deaths last year. This was revealed by Commissioner, Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, during a recent JIS Think Tank, where he shared details of the Brigade’s Emergency Response and Fire Prevention Data for 2024. “The number of fire-related deaths for the period under review was 27, comprising 23 adults and...

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, says that all event fees for three Catholic schools – Chetwood Memorial Primary, Mount Alvernia Prep, and Mount Alvernia High – will be waived, as part of the celebrations honouring their centennial. Speaking at a church service at the Roman Catholic Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Montego Bay, St. James, on January 26 as...