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THE GLEANER MINUTE: Usain Bolt out ... Weakening INDECOM? ... Wage talks ... Tivoli deaths

Twice As Nice - Queen's Prep Students Get Perfect Score....Both Melissa Dell and RieAnna Barclay of the Queen's Preparatory School in St Andrew struggled to write simple stories as they prepared for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) examinations.

Published:Friday | June 26, 2015Jodi-Ann Gilpin

Both Melissa Dell and RieAnna Barclay of the Queen's Preparatory School in St Andrew struggled to write simple stories as they prepared for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) examinations. However, both gained perfect scores when the results were released recently.

From left: RieAnna Barclay, with her teacher,
Marcia Jamieson, and Melissa Dell at the
 Queen’s Preparatory School.

Barclay told The Gleaner in an interview recently that the grade-six journey presented many challenges, but with the help of her parents and teachers she managed to overcome.

Students who sit the GSAT are expected to do communication task, which involves story writing, letter writing and other activities which demonstrate their literary skills. "Since grade five, I have always had problems writing stories. I never had the creativity. I really struggled in that area. I read a lot, but somehow writing wasn't my best subject," she declared.

"I also remember when I was going through some of the questions with my mother after the exams, I was almost sure that I got a couple questions wrong so I didn't expect perfect scores," she said. The 11-year-old, however, got perfect scores and gives credit to her mother, who she said, assisted her in practising proper time management.

"I worked very hard, but my mother always ensured that on Saturdays I had time to rest and unwind. She didn't want me to stress too much. She always told me that if I am too nervous, I would forget everything. I was very calm throughout the process," Barclay told The Gleaner. Dell also noted that she was surprised by her results. more

JAAA event at STADIUM: Powell looks all set to reclaim 100m sprint crown... Women’s title to be decided, after insufficient entries delay their progress

Former world record holder Asafa Powell (right) easing
home in 9.98 seconds to win heat one of the men’s 100m
ahead of Yohan Blake (left) in 10.24 seconds at the
 National Stadium last night. At centre is Mario Forsythe.
(PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

JC schoolboy Clayton Brown on his way to winning the
 men’s triple jump with a leap of 16.17m. Orlando Thomas
of MVP about to unleash the javelin with a winning throw
of 70.12m. Ristananna Tracey of Racers is all focus and
concentration on her way to winning the women’s 400
semifinal in 56.22 seconds.

BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, June 26, 2015    
Former world record holder Asafa Powell has set tongues wagging after clocking 9.98 seconds to easily brush aside Yohan Blake and company to advance to the semi-finals of the 100 metres at the Supreme Ventures JAAA National Senior Championships at the National Stadium last night. Blake, who finished second in 10.24 seconds, was quickest out of the blocks but once Powell got going the race was all over as he bounced home for yet another sub-10 clocking with a lot in reserve. Kemarley Brown of UTech was third, also in 10.24 seconds. Nesta Carter of MVP won heat two in 10.12 seconds, easing down ahead of Sheldon Mitchell of Swept Track Club in 10.13. UTech’s Tyquendo Tracey was third with 10.14 seconds and advanced to the semi-finals. Commonwealth Games champion Kemar Bailey-Cole of Racers took heat three in 10.05 seconds, the same as secondplaced Andrew Fisher of UTech, with the fastfinishing Jason Livermore of Akan third with 10.06 seconds. Veteran Michael Frater of Racers was fourth in 10.14 and advanced as one of the fastest losers. Nickel Ashmeade won the final quarterfinal heat in 10.12 seconds ahead of former World Youth and World Junior champion Dexter Lee of Akan in 10.18 seconds. Jevaughn Minzie of Racers was third in 10.18 seconds. The women’s 100m quarterfinals were scratched due to insufficient entries and will be run as semi-finals later today. Meanwhile, UTech’s Janieve Russell advanced easily to the 400m hurdles final after cruising home in heat one in 55.59 seconds ahead of Shevon Stoddart in 55.79 and Samantha Elliott of Clemson University with 56.42 seconds. Ronda Whyte of GC Foster fell after clearing the ninth and penultimate hurdle while in third position and failed to finish. more

Lady Saw to close Sumfest Dancehall night

BY RICHARD JOHNSON Observer senior reporter johnsonr@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, June 26, 2015    

THE organisers of Reggae Sumfest are not worried about Wednesday's arrest of hip-hop star Rick Ross, who is one of the headliners on this year's festival.

Sumfest Chairman Johnny Gourzong told Splash that he has been assured that the American artiste will definitely honour his July 17 commitment in Jamaica.

"We are not losing any sleep over this matter right now, as we have been assured by his team that he will be in Jamaica. I spoke to his manager and the artiste will appear before a judge today (Thursday) and so we wait to see what will come of that. He is set to appear at the BET Awards this weekend, so we'll be watching closely. But we are not worried based on the assurances we have received from his team," Gourzong explained.

He was speaking following the launch of Reggae Sumfest, which is scheduled for July 12-18 in Montego Bay.

Rick Ross was arrested on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated battery stemming from a June 7 attack on a man. It is said the entertainer also used a Glock handgun to strike the man. The attack, which took place at Rick Ross' Atlanta mansion, is said to have left the man with injuries including two chipped teeth and a neck injury.

Meanwhile, history will be created this year as for the first time on a major reggae festival a female artiste is set to close the show.

Perennial favourite Lady Saw will close the dancehall night of the festival on Thursday, July 16.

Gourzong further explained that this was a no-brainer. more

THE AGE OF OBAMA : Obama's Legacy Takes Shape With The Help Of Unlikely Allies....Health Care Here To Stay... As Firmly Ensconced As A Law Can Be... Legacy Sealed... Vindication... Major Economic Triumph... Prez: Obamacare 'Woven Into The Fabric Of America'...

Associated Press  |  By Julie Pace Posted: 06/25/2015 9:44 pm EDT 

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Long past the prime of his presidency, Barack Obama is defying the lame-duck label and solidifying the contours of his legacy with the help of unlikely allies in Congress and the Supreme Court.

Biden/Obama

Led by Chief Justice John Roberts, the high court preserved Obama's signature health care law Thursday, hours before a Republican-controlled Congress paved the way for an Asia-Pacific trade pact at the center of the president's international agenda. The Supreme Court also handed Obama a surprise win by upholding a key tool used to fight housing discrimination.

"This was a good day for America," Obama said, speaking from the White House Rose Garden shortly after the court rulings. For a president deep into his second term, the legal and legislative victories were a vindication of policy priorities that have sapped his political capital and exposed rifts with his own Democratic Party. The back-to-back successes also energized a weary White House, with senior officials and longtime advisers making little effort to hide their glee.

"I don't think that a lot of people expected that a lame-duck president could still very actively lead on every major issue being debated today," said Bill Burton, a former White House and campaign adviser to Obama. more

THE GLEANER MINUTE: Outameni for sale? ... Water bill write-off ... Farmwork woes

Published on Jun 24, 2015

JUNE 24, 2015: The NWC says come July customers with bills overdue by more than 180 days, may have up to 60% of the amount written off ... The NHT says it is considering selling or leasing the $180-million Outameni property in Trelawny ... The government says the overseas farmwork programme is facing a challenge because participants continue to run off ... IN SPORTS: Leading international track and field coach Alberto Salazar is denying accusations he violated anti-doping rules.

Chilling Warning About Escaped New York Prisoners....Prisoners believed to be armed with guns that may have been taken from a hunting cabin. (VIDEO by ABC News)

20 selected for Miss Jamaica World finals.... kicked off on Sunday night at the Pegasus hotel in St Andrew with the eliminations of the 2015 Miss Jamaica World beauty pageant.

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer writer  Wednesday, June 24, 2015    

THE beauty pageant season kicked off on Sunday night at the Pegasus hotel in St Andrew with the eliminations of the 2015 Miss Jamaica World beauty pageant.

The finalists in this year’s Miss Jamaica World competition.
 (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

From 39 entrants, 20 girls were selected to compete for the coveted crown in the pageant which will climax on August 15 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Among the finalists are two media personalities, practising lawyers and medical students.

According to Laura Butler of Fusion Consulting, franchise holder for the Miss Jamaica World pageant, selecting the finalists was no easy task.

"It was a tedious process selecting the final 20 and it was just as nerve- racking for the girls as well. Our main aim is always to improve the pageant in many ways," Butler told the Jamaica Observer.

The judging panel comprised Cindy Breakspeare, Miss World 1974; Miss Jamaica World 2011 Danielle Crosskill; Miss Jamaica World 2014 Laurie Ann Chin; theatre practitioner Aston Cooke; clothing retailer and former Miss Jamaica World finalist Sophia Max Brown; Richard Ferdinand; and Tommy James.

"While the pageant's objective is to make these women more self sufficient, more confident and more capable, it is geared towards the overall development of women," said Butler.

During the elimination showcase -- which saw Miss Jamaica World 2006 Sara Lawrence and Kool FM personality Roxene Nickle as hosts -- up-and-coming singers Ari Lopez and Timmy James entertained the audience with a variety of songs.

The 20 girls selected for the grand coronation were: more

Bobbi Kristina Brown Now In Hospice Care, Says Aunt Pat Houston. Read more....

AP  |  By By MESFIN FEKADU Posted: 06/24/2015 2:44 pm EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Bobbi Kristina Brown has been moved to hospice care after months in the hospital.

In a statement Wednesday, her aunt Pat Houston said Whitney Houston's daughter's condition has worsened." Despite the great medical care at numerous facilities, Bobbi Kristina Brown's condition has continued to deteriorate," the statement read. "As of today, she has been moved into hospice care."

Brown, 22, was found face down and unresponsive in a bathtub in her Atlanta area home on Jan. 31. She underwent surgery to replace her breathing tube with a tracheostomy tube in February.

"We thank everyone for their support and prayers. She is in God's hands now," the statement read on behalf of the Houston family.

Brown is also the daughter of singer Bobby Brown. He, along with Pat Houston, were appointed co-guardians of Brown last month.

Whitney Houston was found unresponsive in hotel bathtub on Feb. 11, 2012 and died shortly after. Pat Houston, the musical icon's sister-in-law and manager, was appointed administrator of the trust fund Whitney Houston set up for her daughter.

CLAREMONT, St Ann : Mother of five killed, 27 y-o Mellissa Smith was chopped all over her body,, schoolgirl raped in St Ann...

BY RENAE DIXON Observer staff reporter dixonr@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, June 25, 2015    

CLAREMONT, St Ann — The St Ann police were up to late yesterday searching for a man who viciously chopped a woman — who later died — and raped a schoolgirl near Barrett Hall, Golden Grove, in the parish on Tuesday.

The lonely radio where incident took place

Twenty-seven-year-old Mellissa Smith — a mother of five — was chopped all over her body, with one of her arms severed, by a man riding a bicycle. She succumbed to her injuries yesterday at St Ann's Bay Hospital where she was taken for treatment.

Yesterday, there were conflicting accounts as to how the attack happened. Some residents said that the woman was attacked when she happened upon the man while he was in the act of raping the schoolgirl. Others said that the two were walking on the lonely stretch of road when they were surprised by the man.

But for Smith's common-law husband, Paul McKenzie, whatever happened, he is now without a partner and left to single-handedly raise their five children -- whose ages range from two to 10 years.

McKenzie said he received the news of his partner's demise while he was at work. "Yesterday morning (Tuesday) when mi reach work mi get a phone call seh Mellisa get chop up on Bridge Road," McKenzie said, explaining that he immediately rushed to St Ann's Bay Hospital where she was taken.

"Pure blood mi see fi go up a theatre... when mi look on her a just her little mouth mi could see," McKenzie said, noting that Mellissa's face was heavily bandaged.

He said one doctor told him they were the worst chopping wounds he had seen in his years working at the hospital.

Residents, who had seen Smith on the scene before she was taken to hospital, said sections of her face were falling off and that one of her arms was severed.

McKenzie, meanwhile, said the doctors fought to save Smith's life.

"Dem give her bout six bags of blood; she bleed it out back," he told the Jamaica Observer. "We had a prayer meeting for her about 6 o'clock. When we left, we got a call that she gone." more

Rick Ross arrested on kidnapping rap.... Ross, 39 -- whose real name is William Roberts -- was jailed without bail on kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated battery charges

Thursday, June 25, 2015    

ATLANTA (AP) — Rapper Rick Ross is accused of forcing a man into a guesthouse at his suburban-Atlanta mansion and beating him in the head with a handgun, chipping his teeth and mangling his jaw so badly that he's unable to chew food, authorities say in court records.

Rick Ross

Ross was taken into custody Wednesday by a US Marshals Service fugitive task force and sheriff's deputies at the mansion in Fayette County, south of Atlanta.

Ross, 39 -- whose real name is William Roberts -- was jailed without bail on kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated battery charges, said Jim Joyner, a supervisor with the Marshals Service task force.

Ross' bodyguard, 42-year-old Nadrian James, faces kidnapping and aggravated battery charges stemming from the same incident, arrest warrants state.

The June 7 attack left the man with injuries that included two chipped teeth and a neck injury, authorities said.

Ross also faces an aggravated assault charge involving a Glock handgun. He's accused of using the gun to strike the man in the head and body, and also pointing the weapon at him.

"The victim was then questioned under duress and forced to answer questions at gunpoint," one of the arrest warrants states.

He is scheduled to appear on Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, St James, on July 17.

IN JAMAICA: Police blast INDECOM in parliamentary submission.... Police claim INDECOM actions impacting criminal investigations

BY BALFORD HENRY Senior staff reporter balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, June 25, 2015    

A submission, presumably originating from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) supporting additional limitations on the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), has raised concerns among members of the joint select committee (JSC) reviewing the operations of the commission.

The submission claimed that INDECOM has exhibited "overzealous actions" from inception, which has resulted in a "strained relationship" between the police and its investigators.

It said that the approach adopted by INDECOM over the years "has eroded the confidence of a critical mass of police officers, in their pursuit of hardened and violent criminals, and the conduct of criminal investigations in very serious cases, where INDECOM sidelines the police investigators by asserting its privileged position of primacy in the investigations".

"Therefore, in some instances, the actions of INDECOM have impacted negatively on criminal investigations, thereby risking the possibility of criminals escaping prosecution and possible conviction," the submission stated.

"This is primarily due to the adversarial approach taken by INDECOM investigators, in the conduct of their investigations into incidents in which the police used deadly force in the line of duty," it added.

The submission was titled "JCF Contribution to the deliberation of the Joint Select Committee of Parliament on the Proposed Oversight Mechanism for the Independent Commission of Investigations". more

THE GLEANER MINUTE: Number portability now ... Ganja sweets ... Tivoli mortars

BREAKING NEWS : KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Jamaica Information Service website hacked by ISIS?

KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Jamaica Information Service website has been hacked.

A visit to the Government agency's website a short while ago displayed just three words: "hacked By holako".

When an earlier visit was made to the website, a black screen displayed a message to the world claiming that it will restore the rights of Muslims who have been killed by governments.

The message attributed the hacking to the Islamic State.

More information later.

St. CATHERINE, JAMAICA: Man shot by cop after stabbing bus conductor..."Soon after the attack mi hear two explosions and look and si di man on di ground,"

Tuesday, June 23, 2015-- Kimmo Matthews    

A man was yesterday shot and injured by an off-duty policeman close to the Twickenham Park Housing Scheme in the Central Village, St Catherine.

A cop and members of a team from the Independent
Commission of Investigations at the scene on
 Mandela Highway, in the vicinity of Central
Village in St Catherine, where a man was shot
 and injured by an off-duty policeman after he
stabbed a bus conductor yesterday.
(PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

Reports are that about 1:00 pm a bus was travelling on Mandela Highway past the community when it was flagged down by a man posing as a commuter at a bus stop in the vicinity.

The man allegedly boarded the vehicle and proceeded to attack and stab the conductor on the bus. He was confronted by the cop as he tried to escape.

"Soon after the attack mi hear two explosions and look and si di man on di ground," an alleged eyewitness told the Jamaica Observer.

The incident caused major traffic congestion on the busy thoroughfare, as motorists slowed their vehicles to a crawl to get a glimpse of what was happening.

The Independent Commission of Investigation has since launched a probe into the matter. more

JAMAICAN youth appeal : National Youth Service (NYS) seeks help from private sector to supplement budget to reach the 14,000 young people

BY KIMONE THOMPSON Associate Editor -- Features thompsonk@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, June 23, 2015    

TWO hundred and seventy six million dollars may sound like a lot of money to some, but for the National Youth Service (NYS) it is barely a drop in the bucket to reach the 14,000 young people it targets through about a dozen programmes each year.

Maureen Webber (second right) along with her team (from left)
 Acting Programmes Director Naketa West; Deputy Director
 Community Services Nickesha Lindsay; and director community
 services, Omar Newell, at yesterday’s Jamaica Observer
Monday Exchange held at the newspaper’s Beechwood
Avenue headquarters in Kingston.
(PHOTO:ANTONIO GRAHAM)

The figure is 68 per cent of the NYS's budgetary allocation froam Government, the remainder of which covers salaries and administrative costs.

"It is more than we got last time around... but it is not enough," chairman of the NYS board Maureen Webber told reporters and editors at the Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange yesterday.

"That's why we are leveraging support from the private sector and other donors."

Included in leveraging support, as Webber puts it, is making "polite requests" of public or private sector companies to put up some of the funds to compensate NYS participants engaged particularly through the service's summer programme.

The stipend paid by NYS now ranges from $6,000 to $8,000 per week.

"All we're asking entities to do, in terms of our summer employment programme, is to pay a third of the cost, that's one week, while we pay for two weeks. What that does is provide the opportunity for us to take on another participant," Community Services Director Omar Newell explained.

Webber and Newell were guests at the Observer newspaper's Beechwood Avenue headquarters. They were accompanied by Nickeshia Lindsay, deputy director, community services; Naketa West, acting programmes director, and communications consultant Patrique Goodall. more

THE University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) advancing ganja research with 'revolutionary' cannabis testing machine known as QuantaCann2....said Dr Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, dean of College of Health Sciences.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015    

THE University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) has further advanced research efforts to examine the scientific and medicinal properties and potential of the cannabis (marijuana) plant with the acquisition of a cannabis testing machine known as QuantaCann2.

Associate Professor and Dean, College of Health Sciences
Dr Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, discuss the QunataCann2TM
 instant annabis analysis machine (pictured) recently
donated to UTech by Steep Hill Labs Inc, USA. Looking
 on at left is Dr Donald Land, Chief Scientist, Steep
 Hill Labs Inc.

The analytical machine donated by Steep Hill Labs, Inc, USA -- a California-based medical cannabis laboratory with which the UTech signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year -- is the only such analytical machine in Jamaica.

The QuantaCann2 machine uses revolutionary cannabis-testing technology to analyse cannabis, providing data about cannabinoid potency levels, moisture content, and other components of the plant within seconds. The system is designed for use at medicinal cannabis access points, and is used in the USA as a point of sale support.

Steep Hill has trained lecturers in the College of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Science and Sport at UTech to operate the machine. Initially, dried flowers and stalks are being tested. Subsequently, UTech will be able to test concentrates. Ganja growers, manufacturers, and students at UTech and other tertiary institutions who are engaged in basic ganja research can use the QuantaCann2 for quick and easy investigation of plant characteristics.

"Testing for pharmaceutical purposes will require the use of other additional equipment that we also have here at UTech in the Natural Products Laboratory," said Dr Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, dean of College of Health Sciences.

She noted further that the QuantaCann2 provides the opportunity for a first important step for UTech into the formalised cannabis economy.

"If you can test your sample, you have a good idea of the potency that you have. Then you can decide how best to formulate what you have for medicinal purposes," she said.

The Memorandum of Understanding between UTech and Steep Hill Labs Inc paves the way for the exploration of mutual opportunities for research and development of medicinal by-products using cannabis. It facilitates the sharing of information between both institutions on laboratory testing, multidisciplinary research, entrepreneurship and innovation regarding culture, science and technology in cannabis. more

Festival ‘spruce up’ ...."This year, the national finals will be held on July 4 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew," Director of marketing at the JCDC, Stephen Davidson, told the Jamaica Observer

BY RICHARD JOHNSON Observer senior reporter davidson@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, June 23, 2015    

EFFORTS are being made to increase awareness about this year's annual Festival Song Competition.

The 10 finalists in this year’s Cultural Jamaica Development
 Commission’s Festival Song Competition.

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), which organises the event, is taking the show into the streets with a series of live shows and performances aimed at getting Jamaicans more in tune with the songs. It is hoped that the winning song will drive the celebrations in August.

Director of marketing at the JCDC, Stephen Davidson, told the Jamaica Observer that since the 10 finalists were selected, they have been on a number of these 'roadshows'.

"The thinking behind this has been twofold. We wanted to give exposure to the finalists and their talent and, secondly, to ensure that the public becomes more familiar with the songs, which will make it much easier for them to vote for their choice for festival song 2015."

Already there have been such roadshows in Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, St Elizabeth, Half-Way-Tree and Keesing Live showcase in the Corporate Area. The contestants are also scheduled for Live Music Thursday on Chelsea Avenue in St Andrew.

According to Davidson, these events will feed into the finals, which has been brought forward.

"This year, the national finals will be held on July 4 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew," he related.

This date change marks a departure from the norm, which primarily saw the festival song being selected during the week of celebrations, starting with Emancipation day on August 1 to Independence day on August 6. more

JAMAICA NOW: GSAT jubilation ... Wage talks heat up ... West Kgn flare up

6 ‘Bad’ Habits That Are Actually Good....1. Fidgeting 2. Not Showering Every Day 3. Sunbathing 4. Not Making Your Bed and more......

 Katie Waldeck June 21, 2015    

We hear all the time about all these different habits that could be killing us. But plenty of “bad” habits aren’t nearly as bad as they appear to be. And other habits that are not so great in excess are just fine in moderation. Read on for some of the most surprisingly good “bad” habits.

1. Fidgeting

Can’t sit still? Though it may not be the most polite thing in the world, it is actually good for your health. On average, people who fidget burn more calories than people who don’t. Over the course of the day, this can add up to hundreds of calories. And what’s even better is that, the more you weigh, the more calories you burn fidgeting!

2. Not Showering Every Day

Too lazy to hop in the shower? Well, we’ve got good news for you: showering every single day is actually worse for your skin and hair than taking showers every few days, especially if you use very hot water. Over-showering and too-hot temperatures dry out your skin and hair and strip away the natural oils needed for healthy, beautiful skin and hair. Eventually, this can lead to skin conditions like eczema. If you must shower every day, only use soap on areas that are particularly prone to sweat, like your armpits, feet and groin.

3. Sunbathing

Too much sun and you run the risk of getting skin damage and skin cancer. But that doesn’t mean you should stay out of the sun all together. Since the proliferation of sunscreen, the numbers of people being treated for vitamin D deficiency has spiked, which can cause a number of different health problems. Bottom line? It’s all about moderation. Some sun is good for you. In the summer months, this means about 20 minutes of sunscreen-free time outside a day.

4. Not Making Your Bed

Sure, it doesn’t look as neat, but not making your bed may actually help prevent allergies. One study found that allergy-and-asthma-causing dust mites actually crave a made bed, and don’t do so well under the conditions of an unmade bed. Leaving the bed unmade will release the moisture dust mutes need to survive and thrive.

5. Dessert With Breakfast

Go ahead, have your cake and eat it too! Some research has shown that eating a sweets at breakfast time can help you meet your weight loss goals. One study actually showed that people who ate something sweet at breakfast were better able to stave off cravings throughout the rest of the day.

6. Getting Mad

Getting mad all the time? Not so great. Never getting mad ever? Well, that’s not-so-healthy, either, both psychologically and, research is increasingly showing, medically. In and of itself, being angry is not a bad thing; it’s how you channel that energy that can be good or bad.

 

MASSIVE & SERIOUS PRISON BREAK IN JAMAICA: Nine (9) escape from Savanna-la-Mar lock-up; one recaptured Prison break! Most are charged with murders, shooting....

BY HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com  Saturday, June 20, 2015    

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — The Westmoreland police have launched a massive manhunt for eight of the nine prisoners who escaped from the Savanna-la-Mar lock-up early yesterday morning.

Reports are that about 12:45 am, a police office on duty went to inspect a cell when he saw men running towards a perimeter fence on the premises.

He held onto one of the men and made an alarm. A subsequent search of the cell revealed that the prisoners squeezed through a ventilator hole, which they had enlarged.

A further search of the cell turned up a hacksaw blade, a large hammer, and two pieces of metal that were used to cover the ventilator hole.

Meanwhile, the prisoner who was recaptured has been identified as 26-year-old Oshane Blair also called Pastor, a labourer of Blenheim, Hanover. He is facing charges of murder and wounding.

Meanwhile, still on the run up to press time last night are:

* 20-year old labourer Ricardo Kerr, also called Jaw Bone of Water Works, Westmoreland. He is charged with robbery with aggravation and shooting with intent.

* Romaine Esson, 21, unemployed of Dallin Street, Savanna- la- Mar, Westmoreland. He is facing charges of murder and shooting with intent.

* Odaine Brown, also called Fee Fee, a 23-year-old labourer of West End, Negril, Westmoreland. He is charged with shooting with intent.

* 27-year-old Carlington Godfrey, alias Tommy, unemployed of Top Hill Grange Hill, Westmoreland.

* Alton Maxwell, 26, also called Putty Wet, a labourer of 9 Manley Avenue in Naggo Head, St Catherine. He is charged with murder, illegal possession of firearm and escaping custody at Greater Portmore Police Station. He pleaded guilty to both charges when he was last in court on June 17. He was to return for sentencing next Friday.

* 33-year-old Steve Vassell, also called Strength, unemployed of Shortwood Road Kingston. He is charged with murder.

* Bushay Grayson, 18, also called Coolie Man, unemployed of Little London, Westmoreland. He is charged with murder.

* Junior James, 26, also called Brian, unemployed of Burnt Savanna, Westmoreland. He is charged with murder. more

IN JAMAICA (CONGRATS): The perfect gift for 100 y-o Burnt Savannah Primary in St Elizabeth by 12 y-o Alecia Ricketts perfect GSAT score

 KIMONE THOMPSON Associate editor -- Features thompsonk@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, June 21, 2015    

HOW do you gift a school on the occasion of its 100th anniversary?

 Alecia Ricketts perfect GSAT score 

Judging from Alecia Ricketts' Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) performance, a perfect GSAT score may just be the thing.

Ricketts, 12, is the first student of Burnt Savannah Primary in St Elizabeth to have scored 100 per cent in all five of the GSAT disciplines -- mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, and communication task.

"I worked hard for it," Alecia told the Jamaica Observer by phone on Friday.

Her mother, Cassandra Rowe, explained that like the rest of the grade six class, her daughter did extra classes before and after school, and on Saturdays. Notably, however, she remained active in Girl Guides and Brownies, her mother said.

Grade six teacher Gary Johnson joins the GSAT cohort
 as they celebrate their success in the 2015 exams which
 they sat in March. (PHOTOS: COURTESY OF
BURNT SAVANNAH PRIMARY)

"We expected the perfect score based on her behaviour and attitude of stitting and wanting to study all the time...She studied a lot," Rowe continued. "My pride is more than tongue can tell. Words, can't explain," she added, noting that Alecia's dad was just as excited at the news.

The little girl, too, is beside herself with joy.

"I am elated! When I heard my score I was very happy," she told Career & Education.

Alecia's school community is equally proud of the achievement.

"We've had government scholarship winners before, but this is the first time we're getting a perfect score," grade six teacher Gary Johnson said. more

Jamaican's in New York provide further help for blind man who lived in chicken coop, 82-year-old Rosalvo Patterson

Monday, June 22, 2015 Jamaica Observer    

JERICHO, St Catherine — More assistance has come for 82-year-old Rosalvo Patterson, the blind man whose fortune changed earlier this year after the Jamaica Observer highlighted the squalid conditions in which he existed in a fowl coop.

Brown Rolls the Barrel

Four months after local entertainer Wayne 'Lonesome' Brown led some kind-hearted Jamaicans into constructing a one-room house for the elderly resident in his community of Jericho, Jamaicans living in New York Tri-State area, have come on board to offer more assistance.

This latest initiative to further assist Patterson was led by Kimi Fire, a radio station personality who operates on the Mello FM radio station in New York.

"Ever since the story about Mr Patterson came out in the Observer, Jamaicans overseas have been expressing an interest to help," Kimi Fire said.

As a result of the interest, she started a programme which saw people calling in to make donations.

The donations led to the purchase of several items of clothing and food that arrived in the island on the weekend.

The goods were transported Saturday by entertainer Bunny Brown, one of the participants in the initiative to a thankful Patterson.

"I am thankful for the assistance and pray that God will continue to bless those who assisted me," Patterson said.

His sister Eileen, who was also assisted with a barrel, was filled with gratitude.

"I really feel happy to know that despite all of what was taking place I was not forgotten," the woman said.more