News

Matthew Samuda (left), Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change; Kevin Kerr (right), Acting President of the National Water Commission (NWC); and Gary Walters (centre), Senior Project Manager of NWC, tour the Munroe Wellington Pipeline Project on
September 2, 2026

Government allocates $500 million for drought relief ahead of school reopening

The Government has approved an additional $500 million to strengthen the national response to Jamaica’s worsening drought and extreme heat, with schools set to reopen next week. Minister of Water,…
September 2, 2026

Two killed in separate gun attacks in St Catherine North

Two men were killed in separate gun attacks in the St Catherine North Police Division on Tuesday night, just 90 minutes apart. The victims, who are yet to be positively identified, are only known by…
September 2, 2026

Falmouth Hospital gets $520 million rehabilitation boost after Hurricane Melissa damage

The 139-bed Falmouth Hospital has benefited from a $520 million rehabilitation project following extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa last October. Chief Executive Officer Carlington McKinnon…
Many of the displaced families are now living in tents.
September 2, 2026

Tourism sector backs Coopers Pen relocation plans

WESTERN BUREAU: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has pledged the support of the tourism sector to residents of Coopers Pen, Trelawny, who were recently left homeless after the demolition of 20 houses.…
Gerald Miller, Health Promotion and Education Officer at the Westmoreland Health Department.
September 2, 2026 by Mickalia Kington

Parents, educators urged to look out for hand, foot, and mouth disease

WESTERN BUREAU: As the new school year gets under way next week, parents and educators are being urged to be on the lookout for hand, foot, and mouth disease, a highly contagious viral illness that…
Natalie Thompson, Principal, Knockalva Polytechnic College.
September 2, 2026 by Albert Ferguson

Knockalva now offering free Sixth-Form Pathways Programme

WESTERN BUREAU: Natalie Thompson, the principal of Knockalva Polytechnic College (KPC), is inviting students from across Jamaica to take advantage of its free Sixth-Form Pathways Programme, which is…
From left: Dr Sherard Little, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon; Nola Phillpotts Brown, general manager; Diane Edwards, board chair; and Karen Daley, programme coordinator, all of Chain of Hope Jamaica, accept a cheque for $2.1 million from Chloleen Dale
September 2, 2026

SVF donates $2.1m to support heart surgery for children

For many Jamaican families, the cost of heart surgery can place life-saving treatment beyond reach. Supreme Ventures Foundation (SVF) is seeking to ease that burden through a donation of $2.1 million…
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton (fifth right), along with officials from the ministry, pose with health researchers, during a ceremony for the handover of cheques to five researchers under the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Resea
September 2, 2026

$48 million awarded to health researchers

The government has strengthened support for health research by awarding $48 million to five researchers under the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Research for Wellness Fund (RFWF) Programme. The…
Valerie Daley (right), a Riverton Meadows business operator, receives a new freezer from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) in exchange for her old unit. Joining her are (from left) JPS Community Relations Officers Kerrica McGregor and Nahesha Patterson, and
September 2, 2026

JPS provides new freezers to Riverton Meadows businesses

Twenty-five small business operators in Riverton Meadows have received new energy-efficient deep freezers from the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) under a programme aimed at reducing electricity…