News

Minister of Education, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon. - File photo.
December 9, 2025 by Karen Madden

Cops to probe reports of sexual assaults at shelters

The Police High Command is to investigate reports that women have been sexually assaulted in shelters established following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Responding to questions posed by The…
The remains of the historic Ramble Anglican Church in Hanover.
December 9, 2025

Historic landmarks out west among Melissa’s many victims

Western Bureau: When the full history of the $1-trillion devastation left behind in western Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa is written, several of the region’s historic landmarks will be numbered among…
Members of the Chinese community out of western Jamacia with Floyd Green, member of parliament for St Elizabeth South Western, during a visit on Wednesday to Parottee in St Elizabeth, one of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Melissa
December 9, 2025 by Janet Silvera

Chinese community secures $100m in hurricane relief support for western Jamaica

Western Bureau: The Chinese community in western Jamaica has secured more than $100 million in aid support to help families left homeless by Hurricane Melissa, dispatching busloads of care packages…
An aerial view of Black River, Jamaica, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
December 9, 2025

Climate change boosted Hurricane Melissa’s destructive winds and rain, analysis finds

Human-caused climate change boosted the destructive winds and rain unleashed by Hurricane Melissa and increased the temperatures and humidity that fuelled the storm, according to an analysis released…
People are seen in Petersfield High School, Westmoreland which was converted as a hurricane shelter.
December 9, 2025

Low on food and water, shelter at Petersfield High in need of urgent help

Persons overseeing the hurricane shelter at Petersfield High School in Westmoreland, as well as those who evacuated their homes to safety, are appealing for urgent help, saying they are running low on…
Portlanders making home repairs on November 4, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28.
December 9, 2025

Portland makes steady progress in recovery effort

There has been steady progress in recovery and relief efforts in Portland, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Parish Disaster Coordinator, Denise Lewis, told JIS News in an…
Commanding Officer for St James, Senior Superintendent of Police Eron Samuels.
December 9, 2025

JCF maintains strong presence in Montego Bay

Commanding Officer for St James, Senior Superintendent of Police, Eron Samuels, says the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is maintaining a strong presence in Montego Bay and surrounding areas to keep…
Shantina Sergeant
December 9, 2025

Update|Clarendon father charged for murder of teen daughter found burnt and decomposing at home

The father of 14-year-old Shantina Sergeant, whose burnt and partially decomposed body was found behind her home in Clarendon, has been charged with murder. Lawrence Sergeant, 46, who has been in…
UK HMS Trent.
December 9, 2025

UK deploys Royal Navy to support disaster relief in Jamaica

The United Kingdom government has deployed its Royal Navy to support disaster relief efforts in Jamaica. The HMS Trent sailed to Falmouth, Trelawny on Tuesday with specialist personnel and equipment,…