Knives and Machetes at School?

Knives and machetes at school? I read this report and thought back at the days when I was a schoolgirl and knew no school I ever went to would of tolerated this. Apparently according to a report by the Jamaica Observer, some school children are leaving their weapons outside the school gates with the local vendors. My question would be why are they bringing knives to school anyway?

The superintendent told the Observer that these vendors were "major players" in this illicit activity that has greatly assisted students involved in gang feuds at schools across the island. In fact, Forbes said that when these weapons are handed back to the youngsters at the end of the day they usually figure very prominently in clashes at transportation hubs and other points where students gather — sometimes with deadly consequences.

In October, two students — one in Kingston and the other in St Mary — died in violence involving schoolchildren. Both students were stabbed to death. Head of the St Andrew Central Police Division, Superintendent Derrick Knight, also told the Observer that last month there were reports of around 10 violent clashes among schoolchildren in his division alone.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Dark Tints on Buses Causing Lewd Behavior by Students

Well one area in Jamaica is having their buses get a face-lift. In  Portmore, bus operators are now required to remove the dark tints from the buses,as well as, the loud audio systems. the police yesterday vowed to keep up the pressure on the operators to conform to legal public transport practices or face prosecution.

Head of the Traffic Police, Superintendent Radcliffe Lewis, said the drive had just begun and would not end anytime soon.

"This is a drive to clean up the messy transport system," Lewis told the Observer. "What we have seen on the road is that the drivers and conductors are using them as mobile motels. They are showing videos and allowing young boys and conductors to have sex with minors under the guise of a lap dance."

It seems the students are using this "dark tinted," buses as a make-out session.

For more on this story  click here --------> Jamaica Observer

Spotlight on Carlton Brown

Carlton Brown is one of Jamaica's leading fashion designers. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Brown who through the nurturing from talented artisans, further fuelled his passion, hence developing his signature style, combining formal attire with casual chic. Named "Caribbean Male Fashion Designer of the Year," Carlton Brown is the name in fashion throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean. He was mentored by Professor Andrew Ramroop- the first ever black Master tailor to head the prestigious Savile Row tailors.

He will making his North American debut (according to the Jamaican Observer) during LG Fashion Week on Thursday March 19th at 8:00 pm.

Click here for more information on that upcoming even- ------> HERE

Check out some of his designs below.

Probe into arrests of Jamaican Journalist

According to the Observer, the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders yesterday called for full investigations into the conduct of the Jamaican police in two cases involving Jamaican journalists - Julian Richardson of the Observer and Gleaner photographer Ricardo Makyn.

While covering a shooting at Half-Way Tree, Ricardo Makyn states he was approached by a plainclothes policeman who demanded him to stop taking pictures. An arguement devoloped, then a shoving match. Makin was taken to the police station where he was charged with using abusive languarge, assaulting a police officer and disobeying instructions from a police officer.

In the other case Richardson was arrested, slapped and given 3 traffic charges because he would not give a bribe to some officers that stopped him on February 14.

Reporters without borders is an organization that monitors actions taken against journalist worldwide. The police had no comment.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Current Things a Gwan

So much tings a gwan in Jamaica, I found it would take more then two days, just to post for one day. So below is a summary of the current happenings.

• Two more students charged for assault of fellow student
• Cash Plus four remain in lock up
• Caribbean in for an active hurricane season
• Issue on Garbage Disposal to be solved soon
• Miss Kingston an St Andrew Contestants Sashed
• Suspects in the Retired Nurse Killing remanded
• Man to be sentenced for crack possession
• Downtown Kingston shooting claims one
• Mixed feelings in NE Manchester

For additional News Click Here

"Dread At The Control"-Mikey Dread

Last year it was reported that Mikey Dread Campbell, had a a brain tumor. For those of us who grew up listening to the Jamaica Broadcasting Corportion radio station, Mike "Dread" (the Dread At The control) in the 70's was the D.J. man. He brought us some underground sounds of some then, upcoming Reggae artist. I remember it was on his show I first heard, Althea and Donna's Uptown Top Ranking and other not so well know artist. His show pushed many of these artist in the forefront

Mikey Dread was fun and good times. He style clashe though with JBC and pretty soon he quit in protest. He has his own label and has worked with such groups in the past as "The Clash" (out of London). So my prayers for Mikey Dread. He was a one of a kind D.J. Back in da day mon.

Jamaican Linked to Scam in U.S. Lottery

According to news reports form Indiana business.com, the Hoosier Lotter is warning residents about some false winner claims being sent out to individuals through e-mails. Some people are apparently being informed they have won certain Lottery games. Some of which they never played or even entered.

The Hoosier Lottery Web site gives players links to three different agencies to contact if they feel they have been the victim of an illegal scam. These links are found under Lottery Info and Security Awareness: http://www.in.gov/hoosierlottery/misc/securityawareness.asp

The Observer reports that US investigators state , the report said, are probing three recent cases in which Delaware, Jay and Grant County residents of Indiana were victimized by the overseas scam artists.

In the meantime, Deputy Commissioner of Police Les Green told the Sunday Observer that the lottery scam was still prevalent here despite inroads made into the illicit operations.

Please be very careful when opening any email that you cannot verify the source. Most importantly never give out personal information through email. If you won anything you did not even enter, that is a suspicion in itself.

Cops losing Weapons While Sleeping

How the heck can you lose your weapon (and you are a police officer). Reports reaching the Observer are that the inspector, who is attached to the Firearm and Coastal Security (FCS) division, reported to the Constant Spring police that when he woke up early last Friday morning he discovered the weapon missing.

The inspector, a former general secretary of the police federation, told investigators that last Thursday night he arrived home at his Hughenden, Kingston 20 address very tired and fell asleep in his living room chair. When he woke up at 3:00 am Friday the gun was missing.

This seems to be happening frequently. Okay, you know the gunmen are just waiting for you to give then and opportunity, then you fall asleep and hand over your weapon. Lawd a mercy.

Annual Excellence in Music and Entertainment

The Annual Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards (EME) will be held at THE GARDENS at the beautiful Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, 81 Knutsford Blvd, Kingston. This is the 4th year for this award show. The CVM Group along with Hot 102 Fm will sponsor this event.

Their are 25 categories involved this year. Special note that in the International Friends of Jamaica Category that Akon and Alicia Keyes were stated to be the recipients of this award. (Source: Jamaica Observer). This year awards show is stated to be spectacular as they are suppose to be doing it GRAMMY STYLE, with the RED CARPET and the whole nine yards. I wish I as there for this one.

The selections for the catagories were based on the Weekly Jamaica Music Countdown, hosted by Hot 102 FM on Fridays (the Hot Mix hosted by Richie B).



Some of CatagoriesAre:

Dee Jay of the Year (Solo Male Performance)

• VYBZ KARTEL
• SHAGGY
• BEENIE MAN
• MUNGA
  
• BUSY SIGNAL
  
  

Dee Jay of the Year (Solo Female Performance)

• Macka Diamond
• D'Angel
• Queen Ifrica
• Lady Saw
• Timber-Lee

Best New Artist Female

• Natalie
• Barbee
• Irie Love
• Miss Triniti
• Timber Lee

Best New Male Artist

• I- Octane
• Munga
• Serani
• Bugle
• DeMarco
  

Good News For Woman Who Loses Her Son

Lurline Johnson, thought all was lost for her. She had just lost her mother, sister and niece, who were tragically killed in a fire on December 11th, when Friday she lost her only son as well. He was gunned down on the 28th on School Lane in Old harbor, St. Catherine.

According to the Jamaica Observer, Kenarthur Mitchell , CEO for Quick Cash Money Transfer gave Lurline a check for $150,000 to help with the burial.
It is good to read a story of giving. In a time when so many people are selfish, it is always good to read about something positive.

Bloody Christmas

Sadly this Christmas season has turned out to be one of the bloodiest in Jamaican History. There is no other Christmas season in recent memory when Jamaicans had to think about the murder of a senior police officer and the shooting of major politicians, as they have to do in 2007.

The Following Stories seem to sum up the recent events.

• 7 year old boy dies in Fire
• Remains of Gang Leader found
• Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin is Island's top Cop.
• Nephew Convicted in Trevor Berbick's Death
• Thieves target Dogs
• Old Woman Stoned

Sadly I can't keep up with some of the news in Jamaica. I would rather focus on the historical events of the country.

Scandal Rocks Jamaica

EDITORIAL CARTOON

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

This is the cartoon running today in the Jamaica Observer. Sadly the old regime is leaving a lot of cleanup for Jamaica's new ruling party. This is gonna take awhile to die down. For more of the story see----->click here