Your news in a nutshell
- East Kgn head moved after Palisadoes fiasco
- Bolt promises $1 million to burnt-down Walker’s Place of Safety
- Western Ja sentences for illegal firearm possession too light
- North-South highway toll increase effective Monday
- NEPA wants stiffer penalties for environmental breaches
- Body of Serge Island employee fished out of river
1. East Kgn head moved after Palisadoes fiasco
Superintendent Robert Walker, who was blamed for the gridlock that shut down access to Norman Manley International Airport on New Year’s Day because of the party dubbed Sandz, was yesterday removed as the head of the East Kingston Police Division. Walker was transferred to the Police Area Four, even as senior police sources played down the impression that he was being punished for the widely condemned fiasco on the Kingston airport road. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.
2. Bolt promises $1 million to burnt-down Walker’s Place of Safety
Multiple World and Olympic medal winner Usain Bolt will be donating $1 million to assist the wards of the state who have been displaced, due to the fire at Walker’s Place of Safety in St. Andrew. The funds will be made available through the Usain Bolt Foundation. The Foundation, which was established in 2011 targets children and their particular needs. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.
3. Western Ja sentences for illegal firearm possession too light
Dozens of persons who were convicted for illegal possession of guns and ammunition in St James and three other western parishes last year got off easy, as High Court judges opted for suspended sentences and fines as low as $70,000, an explosive document compiled by the police has revealed. In one case, a St James man, convicted for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, was admonished and discharged. In several other cases, judges opted for probation orders. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.
4. North-South highway toll increase takes effect Monday
Some user of the North South Highway, which runs from St Catherine to St Ann, will pay more to travel on the toll road. The new rates will take effect at 10 o’clock on the night of Monday, January 22. The increases range between $50 and $100. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.
5. NEPA wants stiffer penalties for environmental breaches
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has hauled some 19 persons before the courts for breaches under the country’s environmental laws. Executive Director of NEPA, Peter Knight, told members of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee this morning that the cases are now in the Parish Courts. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.
6. Serge Island employee body fished from river
The body of a man who is believed to have drowned was yesterday fished from a river in St Thomas. He has been identified as 48-year-old Serge Island Dairies employee, Lincoln Taylor of Seaforth. It is reported that Taylor left work sometime after 1 o’clock in the afternoon and went to the Negro River in the vicinity of Danvers Pen. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.
