KINGSTON, Jamaica: Major Investigations Task Force (MIT) murder investigations reap success, says JCF.... Six men arrested for murders committed between 2009 and 2014

 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 | 6:46 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Police are reporting that over the past week (Monday, May 19 to Monday, May 26) the Major Investigations Task Force (MIT) made breakthroughs in several murder investigations resulting in six people being arrested and charged for murders committed between 2009 and 2014.

They six are: Twenty-eight-year-old Andrew Watson, otherwise called ‘Luther’ of Waltham Park Road, Kingston 13. He was charged for the murder of 19-year-old Shemeil Moore who was shot and killed on Waltham Park Road, Kingston 13 on September 10, 2009;

Twenty-five-year-old Damaine Taylor otherwise called ‘Itchy’ and ‘Demo’ of Silver Head Pathway, Arnett Gardens, Kingston 12. He was charged for the murder of 24-year-old Kevin Black who was shot and killed on Lincoln Crescent, Kingston 12 on Wednesday, May 7, 2014;

Rosheed Williams, otherwise called ‘Yanks’, of Scott Town in New Green, Manchester. He was charged for the murder of 27-year-old Zenardo Williamson who was shot and killed in Norbrook Farm, Stony Hill, St Andrew on Monday, May 19, 2014;

Nasahal Thomas, otherwise called ‘Nash’, of Block C, Bond Street, Kingston 14. He was charged on Monday, May 26, 2014 for the murder of Hubert Pinnock, farmer of Kellits, Clarendon, who was shot in Coronation Market on Monday, May 5, 2014;

Seventeen-year-old Steven Tomlinson, otherwise called ‘TeTe’ of Denham. Town, Kingston 14; and 19-year-old Fabian O’Connor, otherwise called ‘Nicholas’, of Last Street, Denham Town, Kingston 14; more

Dr. MAYA ANGELOU DIED at 86 y-o in NORTH CAROLINA THIS MORNING as Reported by NBC News

NBC has reported that Dr. Maya Angelou died this morning.

1. Maya Angelou

   Author
2. Maya Angelou is an American author and poet. She has published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than fifty years. Wikipedia
4. Born: April 4, 1928 (age 86), St. Louis, MO
5. Children: Guy Johnson
6. Awards: Presidential Medal of Freedom, More
7. Spouse: Paul du Feu (m. 1973–1981), Vusumzi Make (m. 1960–1963),Enistasious Tosh Angelos (m. 1951–1954)
8. Education: California Labor School, George Washington High School

Maya Angelou (/ˈmaɪ.ə ˈændʒəloʊ/;^[1][2] born Marguerite Ann Johnson; April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014^[3]) was an American author and poet. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than fifty years. She received dozens of awards and over thirty honorary doctoral degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of seventeen, and brought her international recognition and acclaim.

Maya Angelou awarded
Presential Honor of Freedom

She became a poet and writer after a series of occupations as a young adult, including fry cook, prostitute, night-club dancer and performer, cast-member of the opera Porgy and Bess, coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and journalist in Egypt and Ghana during the days of decolonization. She was an actor, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs. Since 1982, she taught at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she holds the first lifetime Reynolds Professorship of American Studies. She was active in the Civil Rights movement, and worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. Since the 1990s she made around eighty appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties. In 1993, Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration, the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961.

With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life. She was respected as a spokesperson of black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of black culture. Although attempts have been made to ban her books from some US libraries, her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide. Angelou's major works have been labeled as autobiographical fiction, but many critics have characterized them as autobiographies. She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre. Her books center on themes such as racism, identity, family, and travel. Angelou is best known for her autobiographies, but she is also an established poet, although her poems have received mixed reviews......more

IN JAMAICA: More Murders Hit St James - Two Cabbies Shot Dead, Teen Fatally Stabbed.....Two taxi operators were shot and killed gangland-style in downtown Montego Bay and a female teenager stabbed to death in Granville as the spate of recent murders in St James took another ugly twist....killing 27-year-old Jodie Phillips of a Norwood address, and 48-year-old Roy Jones of Paradise.

Adrian Frater, News Editor  Published: Wednesday | May 28, 2014 Western Bureau

Two taxi operators were shot and killed gangland-style in downtown Montego Bay and a female teenager stabbed to death in Granville as the spate of recent murders in St James took another ugly twist on Monday night, much to the chagrin of the local police.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., two men armed with handguns opened fire on a group of taxi operators at the popular 'Gully Bus Stop' on St James Street, killing 27-year-old Jodie Phillips of a Norwood address, and 48-year-old Roy Jones of Paradise.

Two bystanders were also shot and injured.

"It is disheartening to know that despite all the work we have been putting in to curb the lawlessness, we are still having these killings," a senior police officer told The Gleaner on condition of anonymity yesterday.

"Maybe the security minister was right when he said we need divine intervention."

In the stabbing incident in Granville, which occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m., 14-year-old Ashley Morris, of Guns Drive, was stabbed to death by a 17-year-old female resident of the same community.

According to the residents' account of the incident, the two girls, who were reportedly dating the same boy, got into a heated argument, which escalated into a fight. During the fight, a knife was brought into play and the 14-year old was stabbed.

The 14-year-old, a student of the Maldon High School, also in St James, died on the spot. The girl, who inflicted the fatal wound, has since be taken into police custody.

TRAIL OF BLOOD

Monday night's violence follows sharply on the heels of Sunday night's brutal murder of popular People's National Party (PNP) activist Kenrick 'Bebe' Stephenson, who was shot dead at his Coral Gardens home; and nine-year-old Romaine Robinson, who was stabbed to death in Plantation Heights, Cambridge, last Wednesday night.

Stephenson, who was recently elected vice-chairman of the PNP's West Central St James executive, was killed by unknown assailants at approximately 8:30 p.m. shortly after exiting his house.

Two male companions who were with him at the time escaped unhurt.

Robinson was murdered by a 14-year-old Cambridge High School student, who subsequently confessed to the killing. He was found with his mouth gagged and his hands and feet bound.

He had stab wounds to the face and neck. more

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com

JAMAICANS form private equity firm on Wall St....Commonwealth soon to acquire large stake in local financial services institution...FLUSH with US$30 million in capital to invest, a group of Jamaican bankers and investors has set up shop on Wall Street where they plan to give Caribbean investors close access to the global capital markets.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014    

FLUSH with US$30 million in capital to invest, a group of Jamaican bankers and investors has set up shop on Wall Street where they plan to give Caribbean investors close access to the global capital markets.

Rohan Barnett (second right), general partner and
chairman of Commonwealth Partners, chief financial
 officer, Weldon Maddan (right), and directors, Paul Simpson
 (left), and Wayne Seaton on the floor of the New York
Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Commonwealth Partners, which is led by former Financial Services Commission (FSC) head, Rohan Barnett, has already partnered with an existing broker dealer outfit in New York and a Cayman-based pension fund administrator.

What's more, the US-incorporated private equity firm is on the verge of finalising a deal that will see it recapitalise and partner with a Jamaican-based financial services institution.

"We will utilise our numerous local and overseas relationships to grow our funding base and deliver the financial services model that the market is demanding," Barnett told the Business Observer.

Indeed, the newly formed company's primary focus will be on acquisition of hard assets both in the Caribbean and the US, as well as developing an investment portfolio targeted at highly rated emerging market opportunities.

No doubt the investment house's stance on raising funds is reflected by its inclusion on the board of the 30-year-old rainmaker, Paul Simpson, who led Proven Investments' first US$10-million rights issue after co-leading the largest private placement in the Caribbean, which saw Proven raise US$20 million.

Commonwealth's board and mangement also includes Jamaicans who are verteran bankers in the US, such as Director Wayne Seaton and chief financial officer, Weldon Maddan, who had 12 years experience with Citigroup North America.

The strategic alliance with the Cayman Fund administrator gives Commonwealth a customer base and a platform which spreads into several Caribbean markets, while the soon-to-be-acquired stake in the Jamaican financial services institution gives the Cayman entity a toehold in the fund administration business in Jamaica. more

IN JAMAICA: 'Dutty labourite' comment unfortunate, says Damion Crawford.....Less than an hour after JLP Chairman Robert Montague issued a statement to the media slapping Crawford and demanding an apology

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

DAMION Crawford was swift with his apology yesterday as the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) scolded him for calling its supporters 'dutty labourites'.

CRAWFORD... it is clear that I got carried away and
 reverted to negative language (left) MONTAGUE... the very
 same classist behaviour he accuses others of,
is clearly in his heart

Less than an hour after JLP Chairman Robert Montague issued a statement to the media slapping Crawford and demanding an apology, the popular member of parliament for the ruling People's National Party (PNP) and junior tourism minister said sorry for the comments made during a party conference in East Kingston Sunday.

"I would like to apologise unreservedly for a most unfortunate comment that I made at a political meeting in East Kingston and Port Royal in reference to the Opposition.

"It is clear that I got carried away and reverted to negative language that has been used in the past by both political parties. This ought not to be part of any vocabulary going forward by me or anyone else. I pledge to never allow this kind of utterance to escape my lips in the future as I try to make a positive difference in my country," said Crawford.

The JLP chairman, in his statement earlier, called for an immediate national apology to all supporters of the Opposition from Crawford.

Montague said that he was shocked and disappointed at the comments made by Minister Crawford, who consistently tries to position himself as an advocate for poor people.

"We know that generally when the PNP says they love the poor it's about politics and not development, but now Minister Crawford has shown his true colours too. The very same classist behaviour he accuses others of, is clearly in his heart if the card he draws to make a point is one of the worst classist phrases to ever be brought by the PNP into the politics of Jamaica," Montague said.

Crawford's statement, claimed the JLP chairman, reflected the growing disconnection between the PNP and the people of Jamaica as well as between the words and actions of the Government. more

IN JAMAICA: Orville Bentley is victim of his own kindness..... Mom says son’s attempt to help shot youth results in him being crippled by sniper soldier perched on top of Kingston Public Hospital....

BY KARYL WALKER Editor — Crime/Court Desk walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com  Wednesday, May 28, 2014    

ORVILLE Bentley is the epitome of the term casualty of war.

In the prime of his life he cannot speak, is totally incontinent, wheelchair-bound and, in short, lives in a totally vegetative state.

Hilda Johnson shows the bullet wounds on her son
Orville Bentley’s body yesterday. He was shot, she said,
 by a soldier during the Tivoli Gardens operation four
 years ago. (PHOTO: JOSEPH WELLINGTON)

That condition has beset the 30-year-old ever since he was shot multiple times by a sniper perched on top of the Kingston Public Hospital during the security forces' operation in Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston, in search of now incarcerated strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke four years ago.

According to his still shaken mother, Hilda Johnson, her son is a victim of his own kindness as he was gainfully employed and was not among the alleged horde of gangsters who had barricaded themselves into the former untouchable garrison and vowed to defend Coke against any arrest by the security forces.

"Him was standing at him door and see when a youth get shot by a soldier who was on top of the hospital. Him run to try and help the youth and the same soldier shot him up. Lord have mercy, my son never do anything to deserve this life," the woman, who was on the verge of tears, said.

As she spoke, Bentley's expression depicted confirmation but sadly he could not say a word and a small tear trickled from his right eye.

As a result of the gunshot injuries, Bentley's kidney, liver and lungs have been permanently damaged.

His brain has also been badly damaged as, according to Johnson, the oxygen supply that had been hooked up to his brain had been cut off for some reason and caused him to lose his ability to speak.

"It not fair to him. All he was doing was what him do all him life, help people. Him used to work and take care of himself. Him never depend on anybody, now him can't even move from one place to another without somebody help him. We have to feed him, clean him, him can't even hold a spoon. It hard, 'cause him wasn't no gunman," she said.

Johnson told the Jamaica Observer that she and her family have lived at premises on Orange Street known as 'Big Yard' -- the former home of the late Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown -- for all their lives and none of her sons or male relatives is aligned with any faction from Tivoli Gardens.

Traditionally, people who live in the section of downtown Kingston where Johnson and her relatives reside are on a different side of the political fence than those in Denham Town and Tivoli Gardens -- the main areas that were being targeted by the security forces during the Coke operation.

Johnson is also upset that her son was forced to lay in the street for seven hours before residents were allowed to take him to hospital for treatment.

"Him get shot from 12 and never get treatment until seven. Is some youth push him to hospital on a handcart. Look how near the hospital is to where him get shot?" she said.

Johnson is also pleading for assistance as she has been burdened with the weight of the financial cost of taking care of her son and said she has even approached the Office of the Public Defender in a bid to get redress. more

NEW YORK, N.Y: Jamaican youth, Dowayne Henry, 20, shot dead in NY on Memorial Day.... youth working two jobs in hopes of attending college and playing basketball was shot and killed on Monday, Memorial Day, while sitting on his front step in Queens.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014 | 2:04 PM 

NEW YORK, Jamaica (CMC) – New York Police say a Jamaican youth working two jobs in hopes of attending college and playing basketball was shot and killed on Monday, Memorial Day, while sitting on his front step in Queens.

They said Dowayne Henry, 20, was at his family’s home with two other men when a lone gunman opened fire.

According to police, Henry, who worked as a preschool teacher and as a salesman at a sports store at Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, Long Island, was shot in the stomach and head.

Police also said that a 25-year-old man was shot in the back and taken to Jamaica Hospital in Queens in stable condition.

The authorities said they were looking for the gunman, who was wearing a gray hoodie.

“Most important to him was basketball,” said Henry's Jamaican-born uncle, Andrew Douglas, 49. “That was his life. He loved it”.

Douglas said he heard that the shooting might have been over some fancy Michael Jordan sneakers Henry was wearing.

Family members said Henry attended Monroe College in the Bronx but was planning to transfer to York College in Queens to play basketball there.

Henry was a shooting guard at Coconut Creek High School in Broward County, Florida, where his father lives, and graduated in 2011.

Henry’s neighbour, Tariq Miller, 20, said he heard one shot followed by a pause and nine more. He said he immediately went outside and saw his friend sprawled out face down

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KINGSTON, Jamaica – The US dollar Monday, May 26 ended trading at J$111.17

1US$= JA$111.17 #BringBackOurJamaica 
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The US dollar Monday, May 26 ended trading at J$111.17, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily foreign exchange trading summary.

The Canadian dollar closed at J$101.97 while the British pound ended the day’s trading at J$186.95.

JAVON Francis makes return to the track with 400m win in a creditable 46.21 seconds at Saturday's JAAA All Comers Meet at the National Stadium.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014    

JAVON Francis made his long-awaited return to competitive racing to win the men's 400m in a creditable 46.21 seconds at Saturday's JAAA All Comers Meet at the National Stadium.....

After being left out of Jamaica's team to the inaugural IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, due to an injury he picked up in March at the ISSA Boys'

FRANCIS... clocked a creditable
46.21 seconds

and Girls' Athletics Championships, Francis made his first appearance in almost two months a

good one.

A couple hours after winning the Class One boys' 400m in a new record 45.00 seconds, Francis pulled up in the 200m and limped off the track with what turned out to be a "grade one strain just between the glutes and the hamstring", his coach Michael Clarke told the Jamaica Observer in April.

Peter Mathews (46.52 seconds) and Annsert Whyte (46.90), both of Racers TC, were second and third, respectively.

World Youth Championships 200m gold medallist Michael O'Hara ran a personal best 10.19 seconds (wind 1.8m/s) to place second in the event behind Winston Barnes of MVP, who won in a season's best 10.17 seconds.

The University of Technology's Adolphus Nevers was third in 10.32 seconds.

Latoya Greaves of MVP won the 100m hurdles in a season's best 13.16 seconds to beat Chrisdale McCarthy of UTech (13.41 seconds) and Peta-Gay Williams (13.47). more

Exec. Director of PALAS, RULA BROWN presents certificate of appreciation to Hon. DAMION CRAWFORD....Peace and Love Academic Scholarship (PALAS) will hold it's 4th Annual Awards presentation at the University of The West Indies (UWI-Mona) on Saturday, August 23, 2014 in Kingston, JAMAICA.

Exec. Director of PALAS, RULA BROWN presents certificate of appreciation to Hon. DAMION CRAWFORD at 2013 awards ceremony at UWI-Mona in Kingston, JAMAICA. 

Peace and Love Academic Scholarship (PALAS) will hold it's 4th Annual Awards presentation at the University of The West Indies (UWI-Mona) on Saturday, August 23, 2014 in Kingston, JAMAICA. PALAS awarded 115 scholarships in the past 3 years. PALAS' goal is to award 100 scholarships in 2014. Please make a contribution at www.PALAS1.org . Thank you.

Americans consume 80 percent of the world's supply of painkillers -- more than 110 tons of pure, addictive opiates every year -- as the country's prescription drug abuse epidemic explodes.

Americans consume 80 percent of the world's supply of painkillers -- more than 110 tons of pure, addictive opiates every year -- as the country's prescription drug abuse epidemic explodes.

That's enough drugs to give every single American 64 Percocets or Vicodin. And pain pill prescriptions continue to surge, up 600 percent in ten year, thanks to doctors who are more and more willing to hand out drugs to patients who are suffering. 

As more people get their hands on these potentially-dangerous drugs, more are taking them to get high. Their drug abuse leads to 14,800 deaths a year -- more than from heroin and cocaine combined.

'We've become a society of wusses,' Long Island, New York, pharmacist Howard Levine told the BBC. 

Mr Levine stopped carrying all of the major addictive prescription drugs after he was robbed twice by addicts looking to get high.

 

More...

• Man, 28, 'shakes girlfriend's 7-week-old daughter to death while high on prescription drugs'
• Man wanted for robbing SEVEN banks in less than a year...and he hasn't used a gun once

Nationwide, police are reporting increases in robberies and other crimes by people who are addicted to oxycodone and hydrocodone, the key ingredient in most prescription pain pills. 

One of the people lured into crime by drug dependency was Rich Elassar, 36, who once owned a successful business in New Jersey. more: 

 

Just Go Bananas : After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Just Go Bananas A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about Bananas. He said the expression 'going bananas' is from the effects of Bananas on the brain. Read on:Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!! This is interesting. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous  90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst  people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin  in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia. more

IN JAMAICA: A TRIPLE MURDER, ‘Man shouldn’t have reached police station’ Frustrated MP, MICHAEL PEART expresses emotions at funeral of murder victims....Cassandra Nadine Carridice, her sons Roshan Ellis, 11 and Jovan Thomas, 16, were laid to rest following Sunday’s service at the Porus Community Centre.

BY ALICIA SUTHERLAND Observer staff reporter sutherlanda@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, May 27, 2014    

Cassandra Carridice and her two sons

PORUS, Manchester — Speaker of the House Michael Peart struck a controversial note when he appeared to support vigilante justice at a thanksgiving service on Sunday for the victims of a triple murder late last month.

“… Sometimes things happen in our communities and we take it too simple. That man shouldn’t have reached police station,” Peart, who is also Member of Parliament for South Manchester (PNP), declared to assenting shouts from the congregation.

However, in his turn at the podium Member of Parliament for North East Manchester Audley Shaw (JLP) disagreed with any suggestion of “jungle justice”, insisting that instead Jamaica should resume capital punishment for those found guilty of capital murder.

Mourners waiting outside the Porus
Community Centre where the
thanksgiving service for
Cassandra Carridice, her sons
Roshan Ellis, 11 and
Jovan Thomas, 16, was held on
Sunday. (PHOTOS: GREGORY BENNETT)

Shaw argued that if death by hanging was considered inhumane by the “bleeding hearts”, then Jamaicans should resort to executions by lethal injection as is being done in some parts of the United States.

There have been no State executions in Jamaica since the late-1980s though capital punishment remains on the law books. In late-2008, Jamaican parliamentarians, in a conscience vote, opted for retention of the death penalty. Cassandra Nadine Carridice, her sons Roshan Ellis, 11 and Jovan Thomas, 16, were laid to rest following Sunday’s service at the Porus Community Centre.

The three were stabbed to death at their home in Ramble, near Porus in Manchester, on April 29, allegedly by a man with whom the mother had a relationship.

The 46-year-old accused, Mark Henry of Spring Grove, is now in custody awaiting his June 25 court date to the charge of three counts of murder. more

Tony Rebel files appeal in in the multimillion-dollar copyright infringement lawsuit against him....for alleged breach of copyright in relation to the composition of the Going Home rhythm that was released by Tony Rebel under the title La La Bella.

BY PAUL HENRY Crime/Court Desk co-ordinator henryp@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, May 27, 2014    

SINGER Tony Rebel has filed an appeal against the Supreme Court's refusal to reinstate his defence in the multimillion-dollar copyright infringement lawsuit against him.

TONY REBEL... asking the Court to set aside the decision
 made earlier this month against him

The loss in the Supreme Court means that the matter will proceed to an assessment of damages hearing for a determination to be made on how much money Tony Rebel is to shell out to composer Jah Wayne, who claimed that the artiste infringed his copyright.

But that is likely to be placed on hold in light of the appeal being filed.

If Tony Rebel is successful in the Court of Appeal, he would be allowed to contest the lawsuit.

He's asking the Court to set aside the decision made earlier this month by Justice Kirk Anderson and set an early date for the trial of the case in the Supreme Court.

Jah Wayne (real name Wayne Lattibeaudiere), is suing Tony Rebel (real name Patrick Barrett) and his company Flame Production Incorporation Limited for alleged breach of copyright in relation to the composition of the Going Home rhythm that was released by Tony Rebel under the title La La Bella.

One of the songs recorded on the rhythm is Ghetto People Song by Everton Blender.

Jah Wayne is claiming that he was the composer and, without his authorisation, Tony Rebel caused the rhythm to be broadcasted, distributed, sold/published without identifying him as the composer. more

KIDS REACT TO OLD COMPUTERS (VERY FUNNY) Watch the kids try and figure out how to use a 1970's era computer in another special Old Technology

IN JAMAICA: PNP mourns killing of prominent activist Kenley 'Bebe' Stephens has left the party's organisation in St James in shock.....Stephens was killed at his gate Sunday evening

BY HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, May 27, 2014    

MONTEGO BAY, St James — The killing of prominent People's National Party (PNP) activist Kenley 'Bebe' Stephens has left the party's organisation in St James in shock.

Kenley ‘Bebe’ Stephens riding a horse last
 Friday during Labour Day activities being
 carried out by members of the West Central
 St James constituency, at the Granville
Police Station. (PHOTO: ALAN LEWIN)

Stephens was killed at his gate Sunday evening, hours after attending a meeting of the party's Regional Executive Council in Montego Bay in the parish. He was the vice-chairman of the West Central St James constituency.

According to a release from the Corporate Communication Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, at about 8:35 Sunday evening, Stephens—  accompanied by two other men — was about to enter his car at his gate on the upscale Winchester Terrace, Coral Gardens, when he was approached by a man who shot him repeatedly.

He was taken to hospital where he died while undergoing treatment. The other two men were not harmed. The shooter, meanwhile, escaped from the area on foot.

Detectives from the St James police division are investigating the incident.

Yesterday, party officials mourned the killing with chairman of the PNP's Region Six, Dr DK Duncan, remarking that Stephens made a meaningful contribution to the party.

"Like most persons, we are saddened by his passing. He has made significant contribution to the PNP, through the youth organisation and the West Central St James constituency," Dr Duncan reflected.

Meanwhile, West Central Member of Parliament Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, who expressed unease about the violent manner in which the nation's youths are dying, argued that Stephens was not only a party man, but a zealous community worker.

"We are very shocked and hurt at his sudden and violent death. We are concerned about the horrific way in which our young men are dying, not only in St James, but in the nation," Folkes-Abrahams told the sJamaica Observer. more

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IN JAMAICA: Expanded health centre in St Thomas eases pressure on residents, hospital.....“This is one of the best things they could have ever done for us and I am so grateful,” said a senior citizen..... His daughter Aldene said it can cost as much as $4,000 to charter a taxi to take sick relatives and friends to the hospital.

BY INGRID BROWN Associate editor – special assignment browni@jamaicaobserver.com  Monday, May 26, 2014    

SEVENTY-two — year-old Donald Dayle has been struggling to find the $400 to travel from his home in Hampton Court, St Thomas to the parish capital Morant Bay every month to see the doctor.

Scores of elated residents turned out for the official
 opening of the Isaac Barrant Centre of Excellence
in Hampton Court, St Thomas, which will ease the burden
 on the Princess Margaret Hospital in the parish.
 (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

But that struggle is over, as he will now be receiving medical attention at the recently opened Isaac Barrant Centre of Excellence in Hampton Court, which will serve him and hundreds of other residents from 16 communities in the eastern part of the parish as well as neighbouring communities in Portland.

“This is one of the best things they could have ever done for us and I am so grateful,” the senior citizen told the Jamaica Observer North East at a recent ceremony to officially open the facility. Many residents, who recalled when the health centre once operated as a hospital several decades ago, expressed appreciation that the facility would once again be offering some services which they could only previously access at the Princess Margaret Hospital in the capital.

Like Dayle, many of them said the transportation cost from their farming community to Morant Bay to access medical attention was burdensome. His daughter Aldene said it can cost as much as $4,000 to charter a taxi to take sick relatives and friends to the hospital.

“Mi feel so good that here so open. So much so that every night mi pass here mi say ‘Thank you, Jesus’,” she said. Irodel Harrison said the new health centre is well-needed in the parish. Although she doesn’t live in the Hampton Court community, the Port Morant resident said she has been using the facility since the days when it was a hospital.

“This is a sugar-belt community with so many accidents with machete and everybody have to go all the way to Princess Margaret, so this is a good thing,” Harrison said.

Expanded at a cost of $32 million, the type five health centre now boasts an extended waiting area and pharmacy, a well-equipped dental department, a blood lab and upgraded staff accommodation. Minister of Health and member of parliament for eastern St Thomas Dr Fenton Ferguson said the Centre of Excellence is designed to ease the pressure on hospitals as it will offer a wide range of services. The centre will also roll out some specialist services when phase two of the expansion is complete later this financial year.

“Eventually, we will have some rooms but as it is now we don’t want to bring the expectations and hope of the people above and beyond what it was designed to do,” he explained.

Given its history as a hospital, Fenton said the facility has the possibility of evolving into more than a centre of excellence. “For now, it will have an ambulance so you can move patients from there to Princess Margaret Hospital and there is a first class dental clinic which will be good because given the cost of dental care, oftentimes in rural Jamaica even when persons have the need they just don’t have the money to go for private care,” he said. more

Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.Am does a little dancehall on his latest song, Birthday, which samples deejays Aidonia and Bounty Killer.

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer writer  Monday, May 26, 2014    

Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am does a little dancehall on his latest song, Birthday, which samples deejays Aidonia and Bounty Killer.

Birthday features Aidonia's Fi Di Jockey and Bounty Killer chanting 'Big Ship Sailing'. Birthday was co-produced by will.i.am and Damien LeRoy. It also has an appearance from American singer Cody Wise.

Will.I.AM

Birthday is scheduled to be released on June 7 by Interscope Records.

Stephen McGregor, who produced Fi Di Jockey for his Di Genius label, said his publishers at Sony Music are aware of the sample and approved its use.

"Once the publishers give clearance, then we don't necessarily know beforehand. However, my publishers are aware of it so they are on top of everything," he told the Jamaica Observer.

McGregor noted the significance of will.i.am's nod to dancehall.

"It's definitely a great look when an international artiste samples your work. It shows that there's potential for our music."

The 24-year-old McGregor has a long list of hits to his name. They include From Morning (Never Change) by his brother Chino; Don't Leave Me (Nelly Furtado); the Power Cut, Summer Bounce and Day Rave 'riddims'. He also produced songs for Sean Paul's Imperial Blaze album.

Fi Di Jockey was a chart-topper in Jamaica and the Caribbean last year. more

Columbia Records signs 17 y-o JAMAICAN artist Samantha J.....Columbia Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment, has had a number of Jamaican acts on its roster over the years. Previously signed to Columbia Records were Ini Kamoze, Mad Cobra, Tony Rebel, Tiger, Super Cat and recorded for Columbia Peter Tosh

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer writer  Monday, May 26, 2014    

SAMANTHA J

JUST one year after the release of her breakout hit Tight Skirt, singer Samantha J has signed a record deal with major American label Columbia Records.

The 17-year-old, who is currently on a promotional trip in North America, is upbeat about the Columbia agreement.

"I cannot express how happy I am to be a part of the Columbia Records family. The label has a rich history of developing great artistes and music. As soon as I have my exams under my belt, I can't wait to get back to producing music and most of all making Jamaica proud," Samantha J said in a media release.

Tessanne Chin
& SamanthaJ

The Ocho Rios-based singer won the 2014 Youth View Award for Favourite Breakout Celebrity with Tight Skirt. Her follow-up single is Hot Gal Anthem.

Columbia Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment, has had a number of Jamaican acts on its roster over the years.

Previously signed to Columbia Records were Ini Kamoze, Mad Cobra, Tony Rebel and Tiger (through label affiliate Chaos Records), Super Cat and recorded for Columbia Peter Tosh, whose landmark albums Legalize it and Equal Rights were distributed by the label.....