ONE-MINUTE READS ... News from across Jamaica

Major water upgrade under way in Braco

The National Water Commission (NWC) has started work on the Braco Water Supply project, bringing the promise of potable water to over 400 residents in Braco, Trelawny, in less than a year.

The project, which is estimated to cost around $90 million, focuses on the installation of new distribution pipes across the community. The project commenced earlier this month with the initial installation of six-inch pipes, marking a crucial step towards enhancing water access in the region.

"We are pleased about the start of this project, which is expected to be completed within six to eight months. Once the distribution infrastructure phase is completed, the next step will be interconnection of the new pipeline and the 20-inch transmission main from the Martha Brae Treatment Plant," said Herman Fagan, NWC's regional manager for St James and Trelawny.

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Huge demand for housing in resort areas

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett says a surge in employment opportunities in resort towns such as Montego Bay, St James, and Falmouth, Trelawny, has created a huge demand for housing in these areas.

"The workers have been moving into the resort areas at a rapid pace. The fact that they see opportunities, especially the fact that so many hotel rooms have been going up... we are going to have places for them to stay," Bartlett said.

The minister was speaking at a town hall at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, St James, last Thursday.

"The truth is that the tourist areas were ill-prepared to accommodate the rapid influx of individuals, thus the scarcity of available housing units," Bartlett said.

"We saw what was happening and realised we had to act expeditiously before the situation ballooned out of control. With 3,000 units in Estuary, as well as more units in Barrett Hall, Grange Pen, Edmund Ridge, and Spot Valley, we will have the solutions to meet the demand, notably in St James," he added.

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Police nab suspect in homeless people killing

Detectives in St James last Thursday arrested a suspect in the murder of five homeless people between June and August of this year.

All of the victims died from stabbing.

Reacting to the news, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie commended the police for their work.

"This is an impressive breakthrough in the case. We have had a number of incidents where members of the homeless population have been fatally attacked in a number of parishes, including St James. The police force used its investigative skills as well as all the digital technologies at its disposal, thus bringing us to this important stage in the solving of these crimes," he sad.

McKenzie said the latest development should serve as a warning to anyone who "believes that our vulnerable people are available to be preyed on, abused and killed".

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Landscaper charged for bar killing

A 29-year-old landscaper was charged with the murder of 34-year-old Bryan Morris, who was killed in Stony Hill Square, St Andrew, on August 25.

He is De-Andrew Carr, of Airy Castle Road, Stony Hill, St Andrew.

Reports from the Constant Spring police are that about 11:45 p.m., Morris was a patron at a bar when he was attacked by several persons, including Carr, who stabbed him multiple times. Morris ran from the bar and collapsed along the roadway. He was taken to hospital by a motorist where he succumbed to his injuries.

Carr, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in to the police on August 31. He charged following a question-and-answer session.

His court date has not been finalised.