ONE-MINUTE READS ... News from across Jamaica

St Mary farmer charged with murder

Fifty-one-year-old Donovan Grant, otherwise called 'Shappy', a farmer of Windsor Castle, Carron Hall, St Mary, was charged with murder following a shooting incident in the community on Thursday, October 12.

Grant was charged with the murder of 24-year-old Javaughn Patterson, otherwise called 'Jav', of Windsor Castle.

Reports from the Highgate police are that at about 5:45 a.m., Patterson and another man were at home when an argument ensued. It is reported that he used a machete and inflicted several chop wounds on his head and upper body. The police were alerted and on arrival, Patterson was seen lying in a pool of blood, he was assisted to the hospital where his death was confirmed.

Grant was arrested last Saturday and charged after a question-and-answer session in the presence of his attorney. A court date for him is being finalised.

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St Catherine man drowns at Blue Lagoon

The St Catherine man who reportedly drowned while swimming at Blue Lagoon in Portland on Sunday has been identified as 23-year-old Roje Murry

The police said that Murry, a construction worker, got into difficulties while swimming at the Blue Lagoon shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The police said that while attempting to swim across the blue waters of the Lagoon, Murry, who was in the company of a group of friends, got into difficulties and was submerged.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, extended her sympathies to the family, relatives and friends of Murry. She said that the drowning may have avoided if safety regulations were followed.

"This unfortunate occurrence amplifies the need for all users of the facility to comply with the regulations which are primarily for their own safety," Grange said.

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Two slapped with gun charges in St James

The St James police have charged two persons with possession of prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition and unauthorised use of a premises for storage of firearm and ammunition following the seizure of a gun in Bogue Village in the parish last Friday.

Charged are 32-year-old Jerome Evans, otherwise called 'Grimie', and 29-year-old Marla Brown, otherwise called 'Mally', a mixologist both of Bogue Heights Drive in Montego Bay.

Reports from the Montego Bay police are that between 5:45 a.m., and 6:30 a.m., a joint police-military operation was conducted in the area. During the search of a premise one Glock 19 pistol with a magazine containing fifteen 9mm rounds were found stowed in a dresser drawer in one of the bedrooms. Evans and Brown were taken into custody and charges were laid against them after a question-and-answer session.

Their court dates are being finalised.

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Shaw honoured with OJ

Member of Parliament for Manchester North Eastern, Audley Shaw, said it is "an honour" to be conferred with the Order of Jamaica for his contribution to political administration in Jamaica.

Shaw was among five Jamaicans who were yesterday inducted into the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the country's fifth highest honour during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards held at King's House in St Andrew.

"I am grateful to the prime minister for considering me. I've done many years of service including 30 years as member of parliament, the longest serving for the parish of Manchester, and I've done my best at all times, so I am grateful," he said.

Shaw dedicated the OJ to his constituents whom he has served since 1993, noting that he loves them so much so that he named his youngest daughter Christiana, after a town in the parish.

The other persons honoured with an OJ are Marcia Griffiths, for her sterling contribution to reggae music locally and internationally; Anglican Archbishop Howard Gregory, who was recognised for his service in the field of religion; Paul 'PB' Scott, for exceptional contribution to the business industry, investment and philanthropy; and Charles Henry Johnston, for outstanding contribution to Jamaica's shipping and logistics industry.

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Gov't to start distributing black tanks

Senator Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, last week announced that the pilot phase for the Government's black tanks project was imminent.

Samuda, speaking in the Senate last Friday, said the tanks will be provided to residents of rural communities over the next five years to significantly improve water resilience.

"The pilot phase of this project will start in days. So, we will start the process of giving those households which are the most economically challenged, which exist outside of the utility footprint or in an area where the utility footprint is so poor that they need desperate storage," Samuda said.

The project, which also includes a water-harvesting component, was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during his 2023/24 Budget presentation earlier this year. Under the initiative, 50,000 black tanks will be provided to residents of rural communities over the next five years to significantly improve water resilience.