WARNING: (GRAPHIC VIDEO) Scumbag of the Century Award Goes To, Vincent Lavon Johnson…The Guy Who Punched Out A Pregnant Cashier At A Boost Mobile Store

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office served an warrant for robbery and battery on Vincent Lavon Johnson this afternoon for a robbery that occurred May 28 at Happy Nick’s Store on Palafox Street.

Vincent Johnson

According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, after entering the store, Johnson is said to have punched a store employee, knocking her to the ground, when she asked what he needed. He then grabbed cash from the register before fleeing the store, the press release said.

Original story:

Pensacola Police have arrested a man who punched a pregnant woman in the face Wednesday afternoon while robbing a business, a news release from the Pensacola Police Department said. Probably top 5 most vicious punches I’ve ever seen to the point where it’s hard to watch.  Kind of feel like you have to go straight death penalty here right?  Like skip all the annoying fair trial shit and judges and juries etcetera etcetera.  Just get it over with nice and quick and make sure scumbags who punch pregnant women in the face as hard as they can to steal change out of a cash register at a Boost Mobile dealership are done walking the streets forever.

IN JAMAICA: JCDC planning ska's rebirth.....The event, Heart of Ska Festival, is slated for the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew on Saturday, August 12.

 BY CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON Observer reporter livingstonc@jamaicaobserver.com  Saturday, June 21, 2014    

THE Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is adding a new event to its calendar this year.

The event, Heart of Ska Festival, is slated for the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew on Saturday, August 12.

Dahlia Harris, director of culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture

According to Dahlia Harris, director of culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, the festival's main objective is to reposition Jamaica as the home of ska music, which has become increasingly popular in Europe and USA.

"We have lost widespread engagement with the form here in Jamaica. The festival's name, Heart of Ska, speaks to the genesis of the genre, rooted not just in the musical form, but in fashion, movement and discourse. Ska is a way of life and we felt it was important to begin the process of re-establishment," Harris told the Jamaica Observer.

A forerunner to rocksteady and reggae, ska is a Jamaican music that originated in the 1950s. It is a mix of jazz, rhythm and blues, and many other styles.

The sound's greatest exponents were The Skatalites, a band that included Jamaica's best musicians. Saxophonists Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso and Lester Sterling; trumpeter Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore; the gifted trombonist Don Drummond; bassist Lloyd Brevett; drummer Lloyd Knibb and guitarist Jerome 'Jah Jerry' Haines were a formidable unit weaned on American jazz.

However, it was Clarendon-born Millie Small's My Boy Lollipop, that broke ska big in the United Kingdom where it was embraced by working-class white youth called Skinheads. The track was cover of American singer Barbie Gaye's minor hit. more

PERFECT FOR SUMMER SOLSTICE ON A SATURDAY MORNING. WHE YU SEH? TALK TO ME....THE HOMINY PORRIDGE WILL BE ADDED SOON .#BringBackOurJamaica

Sit Back & Relax in Jamaica

Jamaican Ginger Beer

Ackee & Saltfish

JAMAICA'S Chris Gayle onslaught lifts Windies to victory in 2nd Test Match and level the three-match series 1-1....The Jamaican, in his 101st Test, belted seven fours and six sixes, reaching his half-century from a mere 28 deliveries.

Saturday, June 21, 2014    

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — A stunning onslaught from Chris Gayle helped ease West Indies frustration as the Caribbean overcame rain and determined lower order New Zealand batting, to win the second Test by 10 wickets and level the three-match series 1-1 here yesterday.

Opener Chris Gayle (left) celebrates his whirlwind
 half-century as teammate Kraigg Brathwaite looks
 on yesterday. At right: Kemar Roach appeals for
 the wicket of Mark Craig.(PHOTOS: WICB MEDIA)

Set a paltry 93 for victory after the Black Caps doggedly extended their second innings up until lunch on a dramatic final day, West Indies sped to 95 without loss with the left-handed Gayle slamming a trademark, whirlwind unbeaten 80 from 46 balls.

The Jamaican, in his 101st Test, belted seven fours and six sixes, reaching his half-century from a mere 28 deliveries - the second fastest fifty by a West Indies player in Tests.

He overshadowed Man-of-the-Match Kraigg Brathwaite, who was unbeaten on 14, and ended the match in just 13.2 overs.

His blitzkrieg also erased any hopes New Zealand had of a shock result after their lower order rallied admirably in the extended first session to lift the total to 331, before the innings ended 13 minutes after the scheduled lunch break.

Wicketkeeper BJ Watling finished unbeaten on 66, while overnight partner Mark Craig scored a superb 67, the pair sharing a vexing 99-run, ninth-wicket stand which left West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin bereft of ideas. more

Jamaica on Orchestra of Americas score.....The highlight of the Jamaican tour will be two concerts; one in Kingston at Church on The Rock on July 24 and the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James on July 26.

Saturday, June 21, 2014  

MEMBERS of the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica (NYOJ) will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers from 20 other countries, when the Orchestra of the Americas comes to Jamaica on tour in July.

The orchestra of the Americas during a performance in Mexico

The Jamaican stop forms part of the visiting orchestra's first tour of the Caribbean which involves participation of more than 1000 musicians. Other destinations are Dominican Republic and Haiti.

The highlight of the Jamaican tour will be two concerts; one in Kingston at Church on The Rock on July 24 and the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James on July 26.

While in Jamaica, Orchestra of the Americas members will engage in music education workshops with youth at risk from communities across Kingston, as well as music workshops with students and music instructors attached to NYOJ.

Nigel Clarke, chairman of the NYOJ, sees this tour as a great opportunity for Jamaicans to recognise the power of music.

"NYOJ's aim is to create opportunities for music education to be opened for everyone, regardless of social background and hope that through the outreach, concerts and activities more persons will be seized by the awesome power of music to transform lives and communities," said Clarke. more

IN DECALB COUNTY, GA: JAMAICAN WOMAN, PAMELA BALLIN GOT LIFE SENTENCE FOR MURDERING HER HUSBAND, RICKY BALLIN

Thursday July 17, 2014




UPDATE NEWS BREAK.: Pamela Ballin, the Georgia woman who murdered her husband Derrick "Ricky" Ballin was today sentenced to Life Imprisonment......News just came in from a source at the Court house....More news to follow. THIS IS A NEWS BREAK. Below is the news info which was first reported after she was found gullty then release by the judge. The sentencing took place today Thursday, July 17, 2014.                                                                                                                                                                                                               DEKALB COUNTY, GA (CBS46) -

Evora Ritchie and her family were very happy Wednesday when a jury found Pamela Ballin guilty of malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault.

"We expected they would take her back in handcuffs and lock her up," Ritchie said.

But that's not what DeKalb County Judge Mark Anthony Scott ordered after the jury found Pamela Ballin guilty on all three counts of murdering her husband Derrick "Ricky" Ballin.

"We're upset! The whole family is upset because it's been four-and-half years that we've waited," said Ritchie. "We finally get justice. Twelve people found her guilty and the judge lets her walk."

Ricky Ballin was found dead at the couple's DeKalb County home in 2009. Pamela Ballin told police some men beat him during a home invasion, but prosecutors said there was no evidence that supports her story.

"I mean she bludgeoned the man. He had 10 blows, I mean big blows," said Ritchie. "Can you imagine standing over someone hitting them ten times?"

Ricky Ballin's cousins said they don't understand why Judge Scott let a convicted murderer walk.

"First the lawyers asked him, 'Aren't you going to make a ruling on what he brought up?' He said he was going to wait until after the verdict and make the ruling," said Ritchie.

The jury deliberated for two-and-a-half days before returning the guilty verdict.

A CBS46 news team found Pamela Ballin at her business in DeKalb County. They tried to ask her about the jury's verdict and the judge's decision.

They saw Pamela Ballin, but an unidentified woman jumped in front of the news vehicle and stopped them from going any further on the property.

"How do you guys feel about the jury's verdict?" reporter Tony McNary asked.

"Get the {expletive} out. How's that?" the woman answered.

Judge Scott extended Pamela Ballin's bond and scheduled a hearing on July 17 to address the pending directed verdict.

The judge's colleagues agree this is an odd decision.

Prominent defense attorney and part-time Fulton County Judge Louis Levenson said this type of decision doesn't happen often.

He spoke with CBS46 right after he got off the bench Thursday evening.

"It is very peculiar because normally before a jury makes a decision, a judge makes a decision. He decides if the state's evidence is inadequate," said Levenson." Once the jury speaks it's unusual for the judge to be reserving a decision that was to have been made at the conclusion of the prosecutions case, normally. I'm not saying it can't be made at other times." SOURCE WGCL-TV.   more

Copyright 2014 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

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JAMAICA NATIONAL DISH: WHO SAY FRIDAY MAWNING FINGA LICKING GOOD "ACKEE & SALTFISH" DUMPLING, WID BRESHE & CALLALOO BREAKFAST...OK COME FI SUM #BringBackOurJamaica

Jamaican National Dish Ackee & Saltfish with callaloo, fried dumplins, 
breadfruit, ripe plantain along with fruits, juice and JA. Grace Guava Jam

Digicel Launches Summer Reggae Sumfest Campaign With Tessanne Chin....one customer will win the Ultimate Sumfest Experience, which includes $500,000 cash

Published: Friday | June 20, 2014 

Just weeks before the 22nd staging of Reggae Sumfest, telecommunications company and lead sponsor of the 'Greatest Reggae Show on Earth', Digicel, has announced a summer campaign which will see its customers receiving massive benefits this summer.

Digicel's regional brand ambassador, Tessanne
Chin, caught in a behind-the-scene photo during
 the Digicel Summer Up, Up, Up campaign
 shoot. - Contributed

Set to launch today and run until July 10, Digicel's Summer Up, Up, Up promotion is led by its newest regional brand ambassador, Tessanne Chin, and will see customers winning a number of prizes, including VIP Experience packages to Reggae Sumfest, round trip back home to Jamaica, tickets to Sumfest Reggae, plus cash and other amazing weekly and daily prizes.

ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

In one of its three major offers this summer, one customer will win the Ultimate Sumfest Experience, which includes $500,000 cash, VIP tickets for two to Sumfest - all three nights, spa makeover, VIP accommodationfor two, transportation to Montego Bay and transportation to and from Reggae Sumfest each night. In the meantime, more than 50 customers will win weekly prizes of $10,000 cash, Marley headsets, folding chairs and DL700 smartphones with one-month data plan.

To win, Digicel said customers simply need to purchase a data plan, upgrade to a smartphone, top up with $200 or more in the case of prepaid customers or talk for 20 minutes as a postpaid customer. more

IN JAMAICA : Results Are In! Emotions Run High As GSAT Grades Are Delivered......"Some students cry because they are happy, while others cry because they are sad. Either way, we have to encourage the students that whatever school they pass for, they can still achieve their goals through hard work," 39,438 students sat the exams.

Jermaine Francis and Kemisha Anderson, Gleaner Writers  Published: Friday | June 20, 2014 

Anjolie Hull (left) and Sjaunbonet Watson show off their
Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) results at the Naggo
 Head Primary School in Portmore, St Catherine, yesterday.
 - Photos by Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer

The nerve-racking experience the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) has now become for many students was clearly displayed yesterday, as the results of the exams were gradually released to schools.

Bloodshot eyes and tear-streaked faces, sometimes because of jubilation but mostly due to disappointment, were mingled with shouts of elation and hugs from parents in at least two of the institutions The Gleaner visited yesterday evening.

At the Rollington Town Primary School in Kingston, one student was sobbing so uncontrollably that she was unable to say her name.

She, however, stopped howling just long enough to say she was upset because she got into Wolmer's Girls School and not her first choice, Campion College.

Her teachers and friends tried consoling her by telling her Wolmer's was one of the top-performing schools in the island, but that did little to beat back the tears.

EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS

Naggo Head Primary School senior teacher
 Andria Givons (left) checks on the results for
students Julia Dunn (centre), who got
 a 99 per cent average and will be attending
 Campion Colllege, and Trishanna Ford, who
 received a 94.2 per cent average and
 was placed at Ardenne High School.

Dr Margaret Bailey, principal of the school, explained there were some students who did exceptionally but did not get into their first choice, and this little girl was one of them.

She said she was elated with the overall performance of the students, as their grades reflected the hard work the pupils and the teachers put in. more

China, Jamaica sign education agreement

Seated from left are Education Minister Ronald Thwaites,
and Vice Minister of Education in China DU Zhanyuan at
 the signing of the MoU. Witnessing in the back row from
 left are Permanent Secretary Elaine Foster Allen and other
 members of the Chinese delegation: Wang Yanjue,
General Director; H.E. Dong Xiaojun, Chinese Ambassador
to Jamaica; and Li Jun, Director General.

Thursday, June 19, 2014 | 9:02 PM  

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- The governments of China and Jamaica have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of skills in various fields of education, language teaching, technical and vocational education, and cooperation between institutions of higher learning.

The agreement which was signed last week follows a visit to China last year by Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites.

Both countries will conduct educational cooperation and exchange with each other on an equal and mutually beneficial basis over the five-year period of the MoU, the Education Ministry said in a release Thursday. more

REPUBLICAN Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker IN CENTER OF NATIONWIDE 'CRIMINAL SCHEME'?

WASHINGTON -- Prosecutors allege that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) was at the center of a criminal conspiracy to illegally coordinate the activities of independent conservative groups during recall elections in his state in 2011 and 2012, according to documents released Thursday and first reported on by theMilwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Gov. Scott Walker (R) 

Prosecutors contend in the documents that Walker had direct knowledge that his top deputies R.J. Johnson and Deborah Jordahl were involved in the alleged illegal coordination between the Walker campaign and 12 conservative groups.

The documents, part of a John Doe investigation, were unsealed in a lawsuit brought by the Wisconsin Club for Growth, the central player in the alleged illegal coordination, and other groups seeking to halt the investigation as a violation of their First Amendment rights. The prosecutors' allegations are based on extensive testimony and findings from the parties involved.

In one unsealed email from Walker to Karl Rove, chief political strategist to former President George W. Bush and founder of the well-funded independent groups American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, the governor described Johnson's alleged role in coordinating Republican efforts in the recall elections.

"Bottom line: R.J. helps keep in place a team that is wildly successful in Wisconsin," Walker wrote to Rove. "We are running 9 recall elections and it will be like running 9 Congressional markets in every market in the state (and Twin Cities.)"

Johnson sent Walker a document saying that the Wisconsin Club for Growth's activities in the recall elections were overseen by "operative R.J. Johnson and Deborah Jordahl, who coordinated spending through 12 different groups. Most spending by other groups were directly funded by grants from the Club." According to an affidavit, Johnson stated, "We own [Club for Growth]." more

REPORT: 5 Men Wrongly Convicted In Central Park Rape Case Agree To $40 Million Settlement.....

The five men wrongfully convicted of sexually assaulting a female jogger in Central Park more than 25 years ago have reportedly agreed to a settlement of close to $40 million.

The New York Times reports the agreement will provide the five exonerated plaintiffs, all black and Latino, approximately $1 million for each year they were behind bars.

The settlement, first reported on Thursday by the Times, follows a high-profile campaign promise made by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who pledged to reach a "swift settlement" to right the wrongs of the conviction once he took office.

In 1989, the five men -- all of whom were between 14 to 16 years of age at the time of their convictions -- were charged with the brutal rape of 28-year-old investment banker Trisha Meili. The arrests made national headlines and punctuated racial tensions in the nation's largest city.

But in 2002, a reopening of the case discovered DNA evidence found on the victim's clothing was linked to convicted serial rapist Matias Reyes, who later confessed to the assault. The five men soon filed a $250 million lawsuit against the city for the wrongful conviction. Source: Huffington Post

4 Jamaican students receive scholarships to study medicine in Cuba....The recipients are Osheen Bogue, Antoinette Fyffe, Chantal Williams, and Jacques Heaven.

Thursday, June 19, 2014 | 5:44 PM   

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Four Jamaican students will have the opportunity to pursue medical degrees in Cuba this September, under the Jamaica/Cuba Bilateral Scholarship Programme.

The recipients are Osheen Bogue, Antoinette Fyffe, Chantal Williams, and Jacques Heaven.

Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica Bernardo Guanche
Hernandez (third left) and Minister of State in the
 Ministry of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology,
 Energy and Mining, Julian Robinson (centre) in
conversation with the medical scholarship recipients
 (from left):  Chantal Williams, Osheen Bogue, Antoinette
Fyffe, Marlyn Perez and Jacques Heaven at the
 presentation ceremony held at Cuban Embassy
in Kingston.

Additionally, student Marlyn Perez has been chosen to receive the annual scholarship, which Cuba offers to students who are descendants of Cubans living abroad.

Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, Bernardo Guanche Hernandez, noted that, “they were successful because they have proved to meet the necessary requirements. Their parents must be very happy and proud.”

The ceremony for the official presentation of medical scholarships was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba on Wednesday June 18.

Over 107 Jamaican youths are currently studying in Cuban universities under the Jamaica/Cuba Bilateral Scholarship Programme.

Meanwhile, 186 Cubans are presently providing their services locally, under several bilateral cooperation programmes, mainly in the health and education sectors.

“The Jamaican scholarship awardees will be able to master a new language - Spanish. They will also be able to get to know the Cuban people and see our achievements and challenges for themselves,” Hernandez said.

He also encouraged the students to “return to Jamaica ready to make a useful contribution to your beloved country’s development and to the wellbeing of Jamaicans, especially those who are the most needy.” more

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IN JAMAICA: Disbelief! - Hanover man, 36-year- old fisherman Ricardo Hylton, allegedly kills wife, 27-year-old shopkeeper Leonora Eldemire-Hylton, self, as their relationship soured...

Thursday, June 19, 2014 

BUSH LANDS, Hanover — Bewildered residents of this rustic community are still in a state of shock and disbelief, following Sunday's bizarre incident that has left a couple dead, a house burnt to the down, and hundreds in mourning, stemming from what many believe is the souring of their 11-year relationship.

Dead are 36-year- old fisherman Ricardo Hylton, and his wife, 27-year-old shopkeeper Leonora Eldemire-Hylton, both of Bush Lands, Hanover.

Their charred remains were removed from the rubble of their two- bedroom house, just two days after their first wedding anniversary.

Ricardo Hylton and wife Leonora are a picture of
happiness shortly after tying the knot one year ago.

Area residents contend that Hylton torched the house, then committed suicide inside the dwelling, after killing his wife, who had decided to bring their 11- year relationship to an end.

Joycelyn Black- Hilton, a distressed mother of the fisherman, told the Jamaica Observer West that hours before the awful tragedy, her son informed her of his intention to commit suicide, pointing out that his wife had decided to sever the union, which produced a nine- year- old daughter.

"Sunday afternoon after I left church I came round here and saw him and he said he was going to kill himself. I asked him why and him say Mama she say she finish with me and me love her too much, me can't lose her," said a teary-eyed Black- Hilton.

"Me say don't think that, lots of woman are around. If she say she finish with you, is you wife already and you love her, but give her some time."

Black-Hylton said, however, that during her visit to the house, there was no sign of any differences between the couple.

Smoldering remains of burnt out home

"Now me don't know if them start to fight, but me never hear them a argue before me leave," she added.

An anguished Black- Hylton stressed that she was told by her son that his wife was averse to salvaging the relationship.

"Him (son) tell me say him call the pastor who married them and the pastor say him couldn't come on Sunday, but he would come the following day. He wanted him to come and counsel her. Him have a Caucasian friend in America and him call him to come talk to her and she say she doesn't want him to come talk to her. She say she don't want no counseling," the grief-stricken mother claimed. more

Sex Education row grows Ministry seeks advice from attorney general on Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) manuals

Thursday, June 19, 2014

YOUTH and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna yesterday sought advice from Attorney General Patrick Atkinson on what legal recourse can be sought by her ministry against human rights lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) for manuals used in its sex education programme that targeted wards of six privately operated children's homes.

YOUTH and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna

The manuals, used in JFJ's 'Healthy Sexual Growth and Development in Marginalised Youth: Rights, Responsibilities and Life Skills' programme, were found to include age-inappropriate oral, anal and vaginal penetration lessons under the guise of 'tolerance'.

In a press release yesterday, Hanna said she had also referred the manuals used by the rights group in its unauthorised sexual education programme to the attention of Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison.

"Minister Hanna is committed to doing all within her power to ensure there is never a recurrence of this breach of the protection of the children in state care from inappropriate content as well as this betrayal of the trust of the children by those employed to look after their best interests," the ministry said.

Hanna, at the same time, said she has given strict instructions to the Child Development Agency (CDA) to immediately sharpen its monitoring functions.

Hanna has come under fire from several quarters, including Opposition Spokesman Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, for being in the dark about the contents of the manuals. more

Editorial : The pushback against gays in JAMAICA has begun

Thursday, June 19, 2014   

 SEVERAL editorials ago, we cautioned that the way the gay community has been conducting its campaign to gain acceptance would result in serious resistance from the Jamaican populace. That predicted pushback is beginning, and it's not only by the church.

The anguished response to the introduction of material deemed to be age-inappropriate by Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) into six private homes for children is the latest indication of that resistance.

No one will successfully accuse us of being anti-gay in this space. We stand firmly against the beating of homosexuals and for greater tolerance of gays and lesbians as Jamaicans with rights similar to the rest of us. If someone chooses to practise that lifestyle, it is their business, if they are not trying to force it on anyone else, including children.

As late as Thursday, May 22, 2014, we noted: "...But we admit to growing unease that the gay community is not as tolerant as they want others to be of them."

It is our view that, over the years, Jamaicans have been growing in patience and tolerance, generally leaving homosexuals to do what they wish to do in private. But taking their cue from the United States, apparently, Jamaican gays have been adopting a more aggressive stance in demanding to be recognised as equal to heterosexuals. One gets the impression that, in the US, heterosexuals don't even have the right to say they disagree with the gay lifestyle, without attracting some form of punishment.

Not satisfied with blocking entertainers who have been accused of producing "hate material" advocating violence against gays from making money in some countries overseas, the community's leadership has told outright lies against the Jamaican nation, by consistently portraying gay-on-gay violence as evidence of "homophobia" and abuse of gays. This has assisted in gaining sympathy from fellow gays overseas and, in some cases, asylum and funding. But Jamaicans have been quietly seething. more

IN JAMAICA: Mother blames obeah for death of 23 y-o daughter, DLANCO McFarlane....."Unnu carry her go obeahman? That's why she dead. Mi pick up say unnu carry her go at least two obeahmen," said the churchman.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 by Karyl Walker   

DLANCO McFarlane had been ill for the last six months.

Her relatives tried everything to get her better after she gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. But, despite repeated trips to the hospital and 'prayer warriors' converging on her mother's home in Red Hills, St Andrew, her condition worsened.

"The doctors couldn't find out what wrong with her. From dem give her a family planning injection her foot dem just swell and wouldn't go down. Wi try everything," her mother, Winsome McDonald, said.

This man, identified only as ‘Wayne’, is a picture of grief as
 he sits on a table beside the body of the mother of his child,
 who died in his arms on the grounds of a church on
 Retirement Road in Kingston, yesterday.
 (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

The last resort was to take the 23-year-old to Pastor Maurice Perrier at the Fire Anointed Healing and Deliverance Ministry on Retirement Road, yesterday, to see if he could heal her.

Sadly, before Perrier could arrive at his ministry, McFarlane died in the arms of her child's father on the compound.

When the Jamaica Observer arrived at the scene her limp body was stretched out on a table and her child's father, identified only as 'Wayne', was a picture of grief.

He hollered loudly as he wondered how he would live without her and blamed himself for her demise. "Oh God, me blame meself," he said as he writhed in agony.

The dead woman's mother, meanwhile, claimed that her daughter was taken to an obeahman who gave her something to drink that caused her condition to worsen.

The woman said that, on Monday, her daughter called and told her to come for her as she felt that she was going to die. She did as instructed and carried her daughter home.

Pastor Perrier, who arrived at the scene during an argument between McDonald and Wayne, said they had taken too long to bring her to him for prayers.

"Unnu carry her go obeahman? That's why she dead. Mi pick up say unnu carry her go at least two obeahmen," said the churchman.

Perrier took the opportunity to warn persons present that taking their ill loved ones to practitioners of obeah was not the answer, as only Jesus Christ had the power to heal. The St Andrew Central police are investigating the death of the woman. more

Equal roles for boys and girls....ways parents can promote equal roles for their sons and daughters in the home.

Young Cop

BY KIMBERLEY HIBBERT  Wednesday, June 18, 2014    FROM a very early age children learn what it means to be a boy or a girl in our society, and end up adopting gender roles which are not always fair to either sex. As children grow, they are exposed to many factors which influence their behaviours regarding gender roles, many of which are learned at home and strengthened by their friends, school experiences and the media.

Parents should note that their influence is strongest when it comes to socialisation and gender roles, and so it's important that they pass on healthy attitudes towards gender roles.

Below are ways parents can promote equal roles for their sons and daughters in the home.

1. Clothing:

Dressing infants in gender-specific colours may be one way of dictating to your children what is acceptable for them. In doing this you are training your sons to become stereotypical of men who don't wear colours such as pink, pastel yellow and purple, and your daughters to do the same. Instead, teach boys that it is OK to wear pink and still be masculine so that they don't grow up relying on their choice of clothing to determine their sexuality.

2. Toys:

Parents often encourage their sons and daughters to participate in activities which include doll playing for girls and playing with trucks and cars for boys. However, if a boy wants to play with a doll, he should be allowed. Likewise, if a girl decides to play with trucks and cars, she should not be prevented from doing so.

3. Chores:

Boys are more likely than girls to have maintenance chores around the house such as painting and mowing the lawn, while girls are likely to have domestic chores such as cooking and doing the laundry. By assigning household tasks in such a definitive way, children then link certain types of work with gender. As a parent, allow both genders to participate in all household tasks. Allow your daughters to rake the yard and help with paint jobs while allowing sons to clean the house, cook and do the laundry. more

EXCELSIOR Highs's super cricketer Raewin Senior scored record 405 Not Out

Excelsior High's  Raewin Senior blitzed an under-14 cricket record 405 not out, in a match against Tarrant High School in  the Issa/Jackie Hendricks competition on Friday.

The previous record in under-14 cricket was 234 not out set two weeks ago by Campion College's Dominic Samuels.

Senior led excelsior in scoring 542 for 6 off 72 overs. And proving his all-round ability, Senior returned and took 4 for 9 as Tarrant struggled to the close at 43 for 8.

HIGH SCHOOL CRICKET IN JAMAICA: Superb Raewin Senior pilots XLCR to Under-14 title with 131 runs....The compact national Under- 15 player followed up on his historic 405 recently

BY SHERDON COWAN  Wednesday, June 18, 2014    

Captain Raewin Senior, with a composed century, propelled Excelsior High to their second title of the season when they defeated St George's College by 110 runs in the final of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/ Jackie Hendriks Under-14 competition at Melbourne Cricket Club yesterday.

Coach of Excelsior High School Kirkland Bailey and his
 young charges indicate that they are number one after
 they defeated St George’s College in the final of the
 ISSA/Jackie Hendriks Under-14 competition at Melbourne
 Cricket Club yesterday. (PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

The compact national Under- 15 player followed up on his historic 405 recently to once again lead the batting with 131 from 95 balls which included 16 boundaries and two sixes against Jonoi Brown's six for 71.

Brown's haul included a hat-trick.

Senior, bowling his off-spin, also bagged two wickets for 44 runs.

Scores: Excelsior 259-9 (50 overs); St George's College 149 all out (40.4 overs).

Excelsior, in their usual dominant form won the toss and took first knock, but they were pushed back early when captain Kirk McKenzie had Ackeem Malcolm trapped in front for seven with the score at 16 for one.

St George's found no success thereafter and were made to toil in the field as a 163-run second-wicket partnership between Senior and Okachie Brown (56) took the score to 179. The partnership was eventually broken when the latter went leg-before-wicket to medium pacer Daniel White.

Senior and Nico Jolly took the Mountain-view based school to the interval at 208 for two, but Jolly (25) went soon after the resumption with the score at 219 to give Jonoi Brown his first scalp. The bowler struck again in the 34th over when he had the danger man Senior caught in the slip cordon with the score at 245 for four. more