A shoplifter pepper-sprayed a security guard at a store at The Palms at Town and Country, authorities said.
The incident was reported at Forever 21’s even cheaper F21 RED store.
According to an incident report, a woman saw the thief putting clothes into a shopping bag without paying for the items and notified the store’s security guard.
Miami-Dade police recently released surveillance video that shows the shoplifter pepper-spraying the security guard before taking off with a bag full of stolen merchandise.
It’s unclear how much the merchandise was worth.
According to an incident report, the store was evacuated because of the chemicals in the air.
Gunter accepting his award at the People Profile ceremony (Photo: Mark James)
Rohan Gunter has established himself as one of the leading Caribbean comedians in South Florida. Making a mark in the community, however, is serious business.
Gunter was one of 16 persons recently honored at the People Profile Awards at Bailey Hall in Davie.
Gunter, who is originally from East Kingston in Jamaica, received the Corporate Citizen Award.
“It’s a great feeling of accomplishment, winning awards in different categories and from different awards are evidence of something great,” said Gunter.
Since moving to South Florida 10 years ago, Gunter has immersed himself in non-theatrical activities. He supports netball and soccer competitions, and performs for charities such as the Get Well Ministry.
Comedy is his bread and butter. He keeps busy performing as a party MC, at church functions, baby showers, radio and television shows.
As for his standup routine, topics are largely West Indian. But there’s room for one famous person — President Donald Trump.
“As a comedian you have to be current and he is current, so yes I do include him in some of my sets,” said Gunter.
At last week’s event, another Jamaican comedian, Oliver Samuels, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Deejay Anthony “Papa Michigan” Fairclough was given the Special Award.
A 33-year-old Miami man has been arrested for threatening to kill Republican House representative in Florida, Jose Luis Diaz.
Jose Luis Diaz
The Miami-Dade Police Department, Kendall District General Investigations Unit, arrested Steve St Felix on Tuesday morning after he posted a threat on June 25 to Diaz’ Facebook page stating he would kill him if he showed up to a meeting.
In a joint effort with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the subject, Steve St. Felix, was apprehended and charged with making death threats against Representative Jose Felix Diaz.
Following delays earlier this year in the Florida Legislature, Florida now has its official medical marijuana law. A bill approved earlier this month by the legislature was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott on June 23.
The new law is the outcome of voter’s approval of Constitutional Amendment 2, legalizing medical marijuana, in last November’s general elections.
With this law, patients living in Florida who are afflicted with diseases like cancer, epilepsy (seizures), HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s will be eligible to be prescribed for medications derived from marijuana from a doctor licensed to write such prescriptions.
However, for doctors to be licensed they must first attend a two-hour training course of training, administered by the Florida Medical Association or the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association. and be certified by the state.
Patients with any of the diseases or ailments that qualifies them to be prescribed for medical marijuana are required to be registered on a related state registry. Doctors will be required to check that their patients are included on this register prior to issuing prescriptions for the medication.
Doctors can prescribe a tax-free 70-day supply of medical marijuana immediately, without having to wait 90 days as originally proposed, with two refills.
Although the law permits the medical form of marijuana to be used for vaping, and be sold in the form of oils and edibles. it does not, however, permit marijuana be used for the purpose of smoking. This has irked opposition among some Floridians, including Orlando attorney John Morgan, who first initiated the push for the approval of medical marijuana in Florida, Morgan has indicated he will be filing a lawsuit in the Florida courts against not smoking marijuana for medical purposes.
The law also paves the way for 10 new medical marijuana farms by October 3, in addition to the seven already operating. Each license holder for a farm will be allowed to operate up to 25 medical marijuana dispensaries.
The new law and related regulations being prepared by the Florida Health Department will takes effect on July 3.
Caribbean American small business operators will benefit from the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Procurement Management Services Development Workshop on Wednesday, June 28 at the School Board Administration Building in Miami.
The workshops are organised to ensure that newly registered, currently certified SBE, Small Business Enterprise, and non-certified vendors that may not have previously done business with the District have the opportunity to:
Learn how to become a vendor
Learn to navigate the M-DCPS Procurement System
Receive tips on how to generate more business with M-DCPS
Review upcoming procurement opportunities and learn how to apply
A Jamaican man accused of deliberately infecting Canadian women with HIV has been extradited from Jamaica to Toronto, Canada for trial. The accused man, George Flowers, is charged with 12 counts of sexual assault. It is alleged that Flowers knowingly engaged in sexual intercourse with several women without disclosing his HIV status. Four women have brought cases against him. According to information released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica, three of the four complainants subsequently contracted HIV. All the complainants swore in affidavits that they would not have had sexual intercourse with him had they known he was HIV positive.
Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow has refused International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommendations to fix his country’s nagging economic woes, insisting his Government will stick to its own program. A team from the IMF recently wrapped up consultations with the Barrow administration, warning that public debt remains too high and further fiscal consolidation is needed. It proposed a series of corrective measures, including a hike in the General Sales Tax from 12.5 to 15 percent and theremoval of tax exemptions, among other measures. However, Barrow flatly rejected the advice, insisting it’s not in the best interest of his country.
The Miramar Amphitheater at Regional Park will host a free concert celebrating its grand opening on Independence Day, July 4. The event will feature entertainers Kelly Price, Tavares, John Elefante of the band Kansas, France Joli, Wayne Wonder and Eddie Santiago. The amphitheater’s opening will feature a Kid’s Zone for children of all ages as well as a variety of contests, food and novelty vendors.
And in Sports
Jamaican high hurdler Omar Thomas lowered his world leading mark while winning the 110 meters hurdles at the Jamaican national athletics trials in Kingston. McLeod clocked 12.90 seconds in vivtory. Other winners included Jaheel Hyde in the 400 meters hurdles, double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson in the women’s 100 meters and Yohan Blake in the men’s equivalent.
Here’s What’s Trending.
The relatives of Jawara McIntosh, the son of Reggae icon Peter Tosh, are demanding answers following news he was beaten and has been in a coma for several months while incarcerated in a New Jersey prison. McIntosh, who performs under the name Tosh1, was sentenced to six months in prison after found with 64 pounds of marijuana in his car trunk. Prison authorities have blamed his injuries on an inmate.
For Tomorrow’s weather forecast
It will be partly cloudy with scattered showers likely in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties with a high of 90 and a low of 75 degrees. Today’s news was brought to you by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, who encourages you to Protect Your Baby, Vaccinate On Time, Every Time. They remind you that Immunizations are SAFE, PROVEN PROTECTION. For more on these and other stories visit us at caribbeannationalweekly.com Make sure to pick your copy of Caribbean News weekly at your nearest Caribbean American outlet.
A 72-year old man was slapped with a life sentence for a brutal killing at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex almost four years ago.
Justice Michelle Weeks handed down the maximum sentence on Monday morning in the No.2 Supreme Court.
The senior citizen, Garnett Brome, of Six Men’s St Peter pleaded guilty to manslaughter on July 5, 2016 in connection with the death of Caroline Forde.
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The two worked at the complex and were said to be in an intimate relationship at the time.
The University of the West Indies will remove a bust of National Hero Marcus Garvey, one month after it was mounted at its Mona campus in Jamaica.
Rastafarians and Garveyites marched near the campus Sunday, demanding the piece be removed. They said it bears little resemblance to the Pan African icon who died in London in 1940 at age 52.
Professor Waibinte Wariboko, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, which commissioned the bust, said a new piece will be done and unveiled before the new academic year in August.
Raymond Watson, who did the bronze resin, stone powder bust, said he is disappointed at the response. He admitted that he “took a few liberties to make Marcus appeal to a younger generation.”
Watson was commissioned by the UWI to do the bust in late 2016. He wanted to project Garvey as a scholar based on a photo he saw of him in academic regalia on the Internet.
But persons who attended the unveiling on May 18 were not impressed and openly criticized Watson’s work.
Watson, who teaches drawing and sculpting at Edna Manley College of the Performing and Visual Arts in Kingston, said he did not intend to offend.
“I respect Marcus greatly as a fantastic person. He was a thinker who spoke on multiple issues,” he said.
Garvey was born in St. Ann parish in north-east Jamaica. He was a pillar of the Harlem Renaissance in the early 1900s and championed repatriation to Africa.
He was imprisoned for mail fraud in 1923 and deported to Jamaica four years later. He was named Jamaica’s first National Hero in 1969.
A senior European Union (EU) official in the Caribbean said Europe is ready to continue the global leadership on the fight against climate change, including helping the poor and vulnerable countries in the region.
Underlining the challenges posed by climate change, Head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Ambassador Daniela Tramacere made it clear that the EU has no plan to abandon the extraordinary Agreement reached in Paris in 2015 by nearly 200 countries.
“Climate change is a challenge we can only tackle together and, since the beginning, Europe has been at the forefront of this collective engagement. Today, more than ever, Europe recognizes the necessity to lead the way on its implementation, through effective climate policies and strengthened cooperation to build strong partnerships,” Tramacere said.
“Now we must work as partners on its implementation. There can be no complacency. Too much is at stake for our common good. For Europe, dealing with climate change is a matter of political responsibility and multilateral engagement, as well as of security, prevention of conflicts and even radicalization. In this, the European Union also intends to support the poorest and most vulnerable.
Daniela Tramacere
“For all these reasons, the European Union will not renegotiate the Paris Agreement. We have spent 20 years negotiating. Now it is time for action, the world’s priority is implementation,” she added.
The 2015 Paris deal, which seeks to keep global temperature rises “well below” 2 degrees C, entered into force late last year, binding countries that have ratified it to draw up specific climate change plans. The Caribbean countries, the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the EU played a key role in the successful negotiations.
On June 1 this year, President Donald Trump said he will withdraw the United States from the landmark agreement, spurning pleas from U.S. allies and corporate leaders.
The announcement was met with widespread dismay and fears that the decision would put the entire global agreement in peril. But to date, there has been no sign that any other country is preparing to leave the Paris agreement.
Tramacere noted that together with the global 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the Paris Agreement has the potential to significantly accelerate the economic and societal transformation needed in order to preserve a common future.
“As we address climate change with an eye on the future, we picture the creation of countless opportunities, with the establishment of new and better ways of production and consumption, investment and trade and the protection of lives, for the benefit of the planet,” she said.
“To accelerate the transition to a climate friendly environment, we have started to strengthen our existing partnerships and to seek and find new alliances, from the world’s largest economies to the most vulnerable island states. From the Arctic to the Sahel, climate change is a reality today, not a remote concept of the future.
A 31-year-old woman was arrested on a child neglect charge after she was found passed out behind the wheel of car at a South Florida intersection with an open bottle of vodka in the front passenger’s seat and a 2-year-old child in the backseat, deputies said.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to Northwest 33rd Avenue and Commercial Boulevard in Oakland Park on Sunday after a concerned citizen spotted a woman, later identified as Jennifer Hernandez, asleep in the driver’s seat of a Cadillac that was stopped at the intersection.
The concerned citizen tried to wake Hernandez by banging on the window, but she was unsuccessful. Oakland Park paramedics arrived and successfully woke Hernandez.
Hernandez told paramedics that she hadn’t slept in the past 24 hours because she had worked from 9 p.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday. Hernandez said she has prescriptions for Xanax, mirtazapine and painkillers from a recent surgery.
When deputies questioned Hernandez, her eyes appeared “watery and bloodshot, her speech was slurred and she had a slight odor of alcoholic beverages” on her breath, according to an arrest report.
Deputies said there was a bottle of vodka in the front passenger’s seat that was only about two-thirds full.
Hernandez claimed that she picked up the toddler about noon without having slept to go to a birthday party.
Deputy Richard Klima wrote in his report that Hernandez placed herself and the child “at risk for serious bodily harm by operating a motor vehicle in such a sleep-deprived state.”
The Trinidad and Tobago government has announced a TT$25 million fund to assist victims of Tropical Storm Bret that swept through the oil-rich twin island republic earlier this week causing widespread destruction mainly in the east and northern section of the country.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young, speaking at the end of the Cabinet meeting on Thursday said that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had put a proposal to Finance Minister Colm Imbert “that we move to establish immediately, a relief fund for the flooding and other off-shoots of what has taken place as a result of Tropical Storm Bret, over the past 48 hours, of $25 million”.
He said the money will be disbursed among the Ministries of Social Development and Family Services; Local Development and Rural Development; and Works and Transport.
No one was killed as a result of the storm but the Office of Disaster preparedness and Management (ODPM) said as many as 100,000 people had been affected as a result of the passage of the first named storm of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.
Social Development and Family Services Minister Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, said her ministry offers a range of benefits to distressed citizens, moreso those affected by natural disasters.
She said in instances where the roof of houses have been blown off, a sum of TT$20,000 will be provided per applicant. In addition, a TT$10,000 grant can be accessed to replace furniture such as refrigerators, stoves, beds and dining tables. Crichlow-Cockburn said individuals must submit their claims to the ministry.
A visa abolition agreement has been expanded between Jamaica and Guatemala that will now seen holders of diplomatic and official passports being granted visa exemptions.
The agreement was signed in Mexico last Wednesday by Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith and Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Carlos Raúl Morales Moscoso .
Jamaica and Guatemala already have a Visa Abolishment Agreement for citizens who travel between the two countries for tourism purposes.
Last month, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic signed a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Keshi yena (stuffed cheese) is a favorite of the local Curacao people.
Keshi Yena (pronounced kay-shee YAY-na). Keshi yena, in English means “stuffed cheese. This dish is traditionally made with chicken, vegetables, seasonings and raisins.
This dish could even be called the national dish. Keshi Yena (Stuffed Cheese) serves at least 10 to 12 people.
Recipe
KeshiYená (Stuffed Cheese)
Ingredients
2 sliced onions
1 garlic clove
1 chopped green pepper
1 small Edam cheese (2 to 2 1/2 lbs)
2 lbs. shredded cooked chicken
3 tomatoes, chopped and peeled
1/4 cup sliced olives
1 tablespoon capers
1 tablespoon parsley
1/4 minced hot pepper (or hot sauce to taste)
1/2 cup raisins and chopped prunes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
5 eggs
Slice the top off the cheese and reserve. Gently scoop out the inside, leaving a 1/4 to 1/2 inch shell. The cheese should resemble a hollowed out pumpkin. Sauté the remaining ingredients, except the eggs, in the butter; simmer for about 20 minutes. Beat 4 eggs and stir into the mixture. Spoon it into the cheese shell, replace the top and spread remaining beaten egg on top to seal.
Grease a shallow baking dish and fill it with about 1 inch of water; set the cheese in the dish and bake at 350° F for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The cheese will expand and flatten slightly but will keep its basic shape. Serve piping hot, cut into wedges.
Barbados’ unemployment rate stood at 9.7 per cent in 2016, a decrease of 1.6 percentage points from the 11.3 per cent recorded at the end of 2015.
This is according to official figures from the Barbados Statistical Service’s Continuous Household Labour Force Survey which note that the the unemployment rate among males stood at 9.3 per cent and 10.1 per cent among females.
In the review period, the number of persons employed totalled 132,900, of whom 67,500 were males and 65,400 were females. The unemployed numbered 14,300,, while the number of persons in the labour force stood at 147,200. T
According to the figures, the number of persons not actively looking for work was 74,000.
In 2016, the Wholesale & Retail Trade sector generated jobs for the largest number of persons, employing 22,400, while 16,400 worked in the Accommodation & Food Services sector.
The Construction, Mining & Quarrying sector generated employment for 14,000 persons and the Public Administration & Defence Sector generated work for 9,700 persons. Employment in the Manufacturing sector reached 9,400 persons and the Other Groups Sector reached 8,300 persons. The Administrative & Support Service Sector and the Transportation & Storage Sector employed 7,600 and 6,700 persons, respectively.
The Human Health & Social Work sector employed 6,600 persons, while the Education sector and the Finance & Insurance sector generated employment for 6,100 and 5,800 persons, respectively.
After living in the colossal shadow of Usain Bolt for nearly a decade, Yohan Blake believes it is his time to take the spotlight. The sprinter gave an ominous performance at Jamaica’s National Trials last weekend, winning the sprint double impressively.
The 27-year-old Blake won the 100 meters on Saturday in 9.90 seconds. The following day, he took the 200 meters in 19.90 seconds.
“I’m enjoying the moment and riding the wave of euphoria,” said Blake following the 200 meters win.
After each race, Blake, a born-again Christian, gives praise to God and credits his faith and coaching staff at the Racers Track Club for his comeback from injury.
Bolt is the star athlete at Racers which has Glen Mills as head coach.
Blake won the 100 meters at the 2011 World Championships, and was runner-up to Bolt in the sprints at the 2012 London Olympics.
That form deserted him at the Rio Olympics last year, where he finished fourth in the 100 meters behind Bolt. He failed to qualify for the 200 meters final, also won by Bolt.
A hamstring injury stalled much of his progress in late 2016 but Blake underwent a disciplined training regimen to make him a solid contender for the sprints at the World Championships in London come August.
The meet will be the legendary Bolt’s swan song. He will compete only in the 100 meters.
Blake, once known as “The Beast”, now goes by the moniker “The Blessed”, a nod to his Christian beliefs. He did not speak about his chances of beating his famous countryman but he did throw down the gauntlet after his 100 meters win.
“I’m over the moon. Once I’m in this shape no one can touch me,” he declared.
Three South Florida were ordered closed by health authorities last week due to rodent issues.
The eateries are Strathmore Bagels and Deli in Sunrise, Cafeteria La Saguera in Hialeah and China Lake in North Miami Beach.
Records show over 60 rodent dropping were found in the kitchen at Strathmore, rodent activity, dead roaches caused Heron Bay Golf Club kitchen to be ordered shut, while fresh rodent droppings were found in the dish washing area at South Florida Golf Club.
Inspectors with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered seven kitchens shut.
Meals of the Century is listed as a catering company and is located in Ward Towers Assisted Living Facility. The state noted a roach issue in the kitchen there.
Roach issues were also discovered at Miami’s Best Latin American in Sawgrass Mills and Pollo & Steak Tropical Grill in Deerfield Beach.
There were also major food temperature issues at Casa Marin in Hialeah.
Curacao dethroned the Reggae Boyz 2-1 to claim the kingship of Caribbean in the final of the Scotiabank CFU Caribbean Cup at the Stade Pierre Aliker stadium, in Martinique, on Sunday.
Elson Hooi was the hero for the tiny Eastern Caribbean team as he netted twice to hand the heavily favored Jamaicans an unexpected defeat. Hooi put Curacao in front at the 10 minute mark when he beat goalkeeper Andre Blake with the help of a deflection. Rosario Harriott gave the Jamaicans, who struggled to breach a resolute defense, a lifeline in the 83rd minute when he snuck in at the back post to struck the ball past Curacao custodian Eloy Room.
Curacoa’s Elson Hooi spoiled the Reggae Boyz party with a brace
But Hooi spoiled the party two minutes later, when he lashed another shot past a fledgling Blake.
The win marked the first time the Dutch-speaking country were claiming the title. Despite the loss, however, Jamaica had already qualified for direct entry to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, along with champions Curacao.
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is warning that future epidemic waves of the Zika virus, which will put additional people at risk, remain likely.
PAHO director Carissa Etienne issued the warning in a new perspective piece for the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, ‘Zika Virus Disease in the Americas: A Storm in the Making’.
“Future epidemic waves of Zika virus, which will put additional people at risk, remain likely,” Etienne said.
She noted that more than 700,000 cases of Zika virus disease have been officially reported to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) from 48 countries and territories of the Americas.
With some 500 million persons in Latin America and the Caribbean living in areas at risk for transmission of Zika, “the fight against Zika virus is not a 100-meter race, but rather a marathon in which science and public health need to work hand in hand for the benefit of our peoples,” Etienne said.
“The Zika virus experience proves once again that good clinical judgment and awareness of atypical events are crucial for the timely detection of emerging and reemerging diseases. It also points to the importance of investing in the health workforce as the first line of defense against infectious disease threats,” she said.
Circulation of Zika in the Americas was hard to diagnose because of similarities to dengue and yellow fever, and a backdrop of immunity to other flaviviruses, she noted.
“The available defences against the mosquito responsible for the transmission of these viruses are no longer sufficient to resist its aggressive spread. Therefore, the development of affordable new tools by the scientific community, including diagnostic tests and a vaccine against ZIKAV, as well as innovation in vector control, are urgent priorities. Our health systems will need to be prepared to ensure such new tools are introduced and that their benefits reach everyone, not merely a few,” Etienne added.
Etienne outlined PAHO’s response to Zika spread, which coordinated more than 80 expert missions to 30 countries bringing in neurologists, neonatologists, obstetricians, epidemiologists, virologists, and specialists in research and health services organization.
Four years after Canadian authorities demanded the extradition of Jamaican George Flowers, he has finally returned to Toronto.
Law enforcers escorted the 48-year-old HIV-infected man to Canada where he is charged with 12 counts of sexual assault.
It is alleged that Flowers knowingly engaged in sexual intercourse with several women without disclosing his HIV status. Four women have brought cases against him.
According to information released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica, three of the four complainants subsequently contracted HIV, and all the complainants swore in affidavits that they would not have had sexual intercourse with him had they known he was HIV positive.
Toronto police told the Globe and Mail in an article published in October 2012, that Flowers worked in Toronto in the entertainment business and met women in bars and other venues.
It’s alleged he has known since 1996 that he carries the HIV virus, which causes AIDS, but did not disclose his status.
The article further pointed out that Canada’s Criminal Code specifies that anyone who is HIV positive must apprise their sexual partners, and charges can be laid regardless of whether the infection is transmitted.
Since his arrest in Jamaica in August 2015, Flowers had waged several legal battles to prevent his extradition.
In his final attempt in January, he filed an application contending that the extradition warrant that was signed by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck on November 30 was flawed and invalid.
His defence team had argued that it was signed while Flowers had a matter before the court. Furthermore, they contended that the warrant was no longer valid as the Extradition Act stipulates that a warrant expires after one month. However, the Court of Appeal later struck out the matter.
Jamaica’s Omar McLeod ran a blistering 110-meters on Saturday at the National Championships in Kingston, to become the new owner of the National Record.
McLeod, promised he would run below 13 seconds in the final of the trials for the World Championships in London in just over a month and backed up his words with a 12.90 clocking.
The holder of the record before that, Hansle Parchment, finished third in the event, running 13.19 seconds, the quickest he has gone all season.
Parchment was bested by new kid on the block, Ronald Levy, who ran 13.13.
Seventeen-year-old Dejour Russell, running in his first senior championships, looked ominous, going over the high hurdles in 13.32 to finish fourth, just outside of qualification spots for the World Championships.
Andrew Riley, an Olympian last year, was fifth in 13.35, while another Olympian in Deuce Carter was sixth in 13.56.
Rohan Cole, 13.58, Stefan Fennell, 13.87, rounded out the field.
Fort Lauderdale Police Department detectives were investigating an early Saturday morning shooting that left a 22-year-old man dead and four others wounded.
Witnesses told police officers that a large crowd was having fun during a block party in the area of Northwest 23rd Avenueand Northwest 16th Street.
“An unknown suspect or suspects started shooting into the crowd of people,” Detective Tracy Figone said in a statement. “All shooting victims were males, ranging from 16 years of age to 27 years of age.”
Figone said detectives needed help from the community to identify the killer. They were asking anyone with information to call Detectives Jim Jaggers and Orlando Almanzar at 954-828-5534
Jamaica’s Olympic champion sprinter Elaine Thompson flew to a world leading 10.71 to defend her national 100 meters title in Kingston on Friday.
Thompson recovered from a moderate start to rein in training partner Christania Williams and pull away for an emphatic win.
“The plan was to come out here and just go through the rounds, take it step by step, and even though we got some rain I just got the job done,” Thompson told Reuters.
“As I know the season is very long, so I just have to take race by race.
“The focus is on the world championships, so in due time the fast times will come,” she added.
Thompson’s time improved on the year-best she set in Shanghai last month.
Simone Facey had a poor start but closed quickly over the last 30 metres to be runner-up in 11.04, just clipping Jura Levy for second.
Men’s former 100m world champion Yohan Blake recorded a season-best 9.90 to capture the national title in the absence of Olympic champion Usain Bolt, who decided to skip the meeting as he prepares for his world championships farewell in London.
Blake, who won 100m and 200m silver at the 2012 London Olympics, recorded his fastest time since logging 9.69 in 2012 and said his confidence was back after years of hamstring problems.
Julian Forte, who clocked a personal best 9.99 to win his semi-final, was runner-up in 10.04, with Senoj-Jay Givans third.
Asafa Powell, who has been nursing tendonitis, failed to report for the final after posting 10.15 in his semi-final.
There was an upset in the women’s 400m hurdles when the little-known Ronda Whyte produced a late burst to win in a career best 54.28, edging runner-up Ristananna Tracey and third-placed Leah Nugent.
The son of the late reggae icon and marijuana activist Peter Tosh was left in a coma following an attack in a New Jersey jail, where he was serving a six-month sentence on pot possession charges.
Jawara McIntosh has been hospitalized since suffering traumatic brain injuries in the attack in February at the Bergen County jail, where he was after pleading guilty to marijuana possession, his family said.
McIntosh, of Boston, performed under the stage name Tosh1. His father started the Wailers along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer. His 1976 hit “Legalize It” remains a rallying cry for those pushing to make marijuana legal.
Jawara McIntosh is also a pro-marijuana activist and performed the song outside of the New Jersey statehouse in April 2014 during a rally pushing for state and federal lawmakers to legalize or decriminalize marijuana.
His family has filed a notice that it plans to sue the county and also wants the U.S. Justice Department to investigate. McIntosh is hospitalized in Boston and remains unresponsive and in a coma, suffering from brain damage, she said.
McIntosh was arrested in New Jersey in June 2013 after police said they found more than 65 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of his rental car.
Peter Tosh was himself beaten unconscious by Jamaican police during an incident at Half Way Tree in Jamaica’s capital. He was killed in Jamaica in 1987 during a home invasion robbery.
Rastafarians regard cannabis as a sacrament.
Jawara McIntosh has four children, including an 11-year-old daughter who performed a song she wrote for him at his hospital bedside.
Grenada’s national dish is called “Oil down”. It is a simple, delicious and robust dish, which is very popular in local restaurants. It’s a hearty one pot meal of salted meat, chicken, dumplings, breadfruit, callaloo – made from young dasheen leaves and other vegetables. The whole thing is stewed in coconut milk, herbs and spices to add even more flavour.
Ingredients
8-10 young dasheen
1 sprig celery, chive and thyme
2 medium carrots chopped
2 green peppers chopped
1 pound dumplings
2 tablespoons tumeric (saffon)
1/2 pound of Salted meat (pre-soaked overnight)
1 large Breadfruit peeled
2 cups coconut milk
1 medium onion chopped
Method
Wash and peel breadfruit. Cut into 8 sections. Remove centre lengthways of each section and cut into half crosswise.
Wash and scrape meat, cut into pieces and rinse in lime juice and water.
Remove skins of onions, rinse and cut into small pieces. Remove seeds of chilli peppers and cut into wedges. Chop chives into small pieces.
Put salted meat into cold water, bring to the boil and drain. Repeat 3 times to remove preserving salt. Put to cook until just tender and drain.
Saute onions and garlic in hot oil until onions are pale yellow.
Add chive, thyme, flavoring pepper, salted meat and salt to taste. Pour over 2 cups of coconut milk.
Add wedges of breadfruit, sugar, green hot pepper and cook until breadfruit absorbs liquid.
Add remaining coconut milk. Remove hot pepper. Stir to blend well and cook at a reduced heat. There should be no remaining liquid.
