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Murder in Miami

A man was found shot to death inside a car early Monday in Miami near Booker T. Washington Senior High School.

Miami police were called to a shooting shortly before 4 a.m. near Northwest Seventh Avenue and Northwest 14th Street

Officers arrived and found the man shot dead in the car.

The victim, identified as Darryl Smith, 31, was sitting in the driver’s seat when he was shot.

A motive for the shooting was not immediately known.

Detectives are now working to find the shooter.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

All clear declared after bomb threat at Deerfield Beach High School

FDLE and BSO investigate deputy-involved shooting in Pompano Beach

The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) has declared the grounds of the Deerfield Beach High School safe after a bomb b threat was issued on Monday morning.

The BSO Public Information Office reported that just before 8:00 AM, their Regional Communications received a call of a bomb threat at the high school. The school was placed on lockdown.

Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and its bomb squad responded.

Students and personnel were evacuated, and the school was determined cleared around 9:30 a.m. The lockdown has been lifted.

Drunken mother arrested after concocting tale that daughter was kidnapped

A Palm Beach County woman was arrested Sunday after she admitted to police she made up a kidnapping story to cover up the fact that she had been drinking and was too drunk remember where her daughter was, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has reported.

An Amber Alert for Natly Irias, 6, was issued Saturday after her mother, Maria Irias, said a man offered to give the pair a ride home from a store and drove off with the child in the car when they reached the house, deputies said. Irias later admitted to deputies that her daughter had not been kidnapped at a store, but that she’d been drinking and couldn’t remember her whereabouts. 

Shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, sheriff’s spokeswoman Teri Barbera said Natly had been found.

Irias was arrested on charges of child neglect and filing a false report of a non-existent crime. 

Bermuda rules out commercial immigration

The ruling One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) has dropped the idea of introducing commercial immigration in a bid to beef up this British Overseas Territory’s struggling economy.

The OBA floated the idea In 2013, a year after it took power following its general election victory over the Progressive Labour Party (PLP), but it received a lukewarm reception from the public.

A t the time, the government said it was considering the scheme which would allow individuals to gain some residential and citizenship rights in Bermuda if they made a sizeable investment in the island.

More than 20 countries have implemented some form of commercial immigration, including St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

But Tourism Minister Michael Fahy has told the Senate that the administration had not been able to find a workable option.

 

Chile’s President in Haiti for one-day visit

The President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet is visiting Haiti, becoming the first head of state of visit the country since Jovenel Moise was sworn into office in February.

Bachelet was originally scheduled to visit the country on January 26, but the visit was postponed due to the forest fires that ravaged several regions of her country.

An official statement noted that the visit is taking place within the framework of the 80 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The two leaders are expected to discuss several matters including migration.

Chile a country with one of the most robust economy in the Americas, is one of the most attractive destinations for Haitian immigrants. Last November, Chilean migration officials said that they were expecting more than 48.000 Haitians to arrive in that country in 2017.

During the visit, President Bachelet is due to confirm the departure of the Chilean troops from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and to reaffirm Chile’s commitment to the socio-economic development of the country that is still recovering from the passage of Hurricane Matthew late last year

Trumpcare dumped

Republicans forced to postpone vote on Obamacare repeal and replace

 

Republicans have temporarily halted the heavily-touted American Health Care plan from the House floor just minutes ahead of a planned vote, throwing in disarray plans to repeal and replace Obamacare.

The halt comes after a frenetic week of negotiations to convince at Republicans to support the bill that was promoted on the Republican campaign trail as the answer to the Affordable Care Act.

President Trump had traveled to Capitol Hill and warned sternly Republicans that they would lose their seats — and the House majority — if they failed to follow through with their campaign promise. But his warnings fell on deaf ears.

Trump and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan twice changed the bill to accommodate members who were disgruntled with certain aspects that irked their constituents.

But their efforts weren’t enough to convince Republicans that it wouldn’t harm people in their districts who have enjoyed expanded Medicaid coverage and financial assistance in purchasing health care. Nor were they enough for the conservative Republicans who thought that the government was too involved in the health care industry.

The scheduled Thursday vote was called off as it became evident Republicans would not have the votes needed for passage. White House officials then issued a warning to GOP members of Congress: Pass the bill Friday or Obamacare stays.

But nothing changed on Friday as the GOP mutineers remained unmoved.

The ruling has promised to revisit the bill with a view to fulfilling their campaign promise of erasing the Affordable Care Act.

Man killed as Amtrak rams into car on Oakland Park Boulevard

One man is now dead following a fatal crash between an Amtrak train and a motor vehicle West Oakland Park Boulevard and Interstate 95, Oakland Park.

The Broward police report that around 1:10 p.m. today, a vehicle traveling east on West Oakland Park Boulevard was struck by a northbound Amtrak train. The passenger train hit the vehicle on the passenger-side rear fender, and that collision forced the vehicle to hit a metal pole. The male driver, and lone occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene by Oakland Park Fire Rescue.

The crash has resulted in the closure of West Oakland Park Boulevard in both directions between Powerline Road and Northwest 21st Avenue. Motorists are asked to avoid the area well into the rush hour.

Romaine Austin wins historic speed skating gold for Jamaica

romaine austin

Jamaica’s speed skater Romaine Austin won  a historic gold medal for Jamaica in division 15 of the 500 meter race inside the Liebenau ice rink stadium at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, in Gatz, Austria on Thursday.

Austin, stopped the clock at 1:18.971 minutes, ahead of three competitors from Hong Kong.

Wing Ho Lee won silver in 1:22.840 minutes, while Antony Sze-Yuen Tsoi (1:25.684) and Tsz Fai Yip (1:25.915) were third and fourth, respectively.

Austin’s feat represents the tropical country’s first gold medal on ice at any Winter Olympic World Games.

The 19-year-old Austin and teammate Dave Oddman, have never skated on ice before, having used roller skates to practice on asp[halt or concrete in Jamaica. Oddman who won silver in division 23 of the 222m event on Wednesday..

Oddman, 35, secured Jamaica’s first medal at the Austria 2017 Games.

However, Austin took it a step further yesterday as a handful of long strides from a standing start powered him to the front.

In almost no time he had a 20-metre lead.

Thereafter, it was merely a matter of maintaining composure and not falling, though on at least two occasions he almost lost balance while negotiating the bends.

By the final lap it became certain that the best the Hong Kong trio could do was to jostle for the remaining two medal positions as Austin went into cruise mode.

Trinidad cop charged for false claim that prisoner was bitten on genitals

Broward man Jose Luis Pacheco arrested in disappearance &murder of his wife

A policeman in Trinidad and Tobago, who made an allegation that a prisoner was bitten on his genitals, was arrested and charged under that country’s Libel and Defamation Act.

The cop, Constable Javaughn Ballington, a court and process officer attached to the Tobago Division, appeared in the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

He was charged after posting a video on social media in which a prisoner’s genitals were shown and a claim made that he was bitten during a sexual assault, by a colleague..

Ballington was charged with malicious publication of defamatory libel, following an investigation by the Professional Standards Bureau of the T&T Police Service, who began investigating the publication of a video on social media depicting a prisoner being medically examined with his genitals exposed.

It was alleged in the video that the prisoner had been bitten on the genitals during a sexual assault, a claim that turned out to be untrue.

Ballington, who will be suspended from the police service, was granted $40,000 bail by Magistrate Lucina Cardenes-Ragoonanan and ordered to return to court on May 16.

Dave Oddman is the new Jamaican star on ice

 

In sports…

 

Dave Oddman is the new Jamaican star on ice. Unlike the country’s bobsledders who drew world attention with their feats on ice but  did not finish among the medals in any event, Oddman, has gone a step further and broken the ice. The speed skater finished second in his division of the 222-metre speed skating event at the ice rink stadium on Wednesday to win the country’s first medal at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Graz, Austria. Oddman took silver with a time of 54.727 seconds, just a fraction behind first-place finisher Hamad Albehaih of Qatar, who clocked 54.429 seconds.

.

.Here’s What’s trending

Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt gave a rousing speech, at the Global Transformation Forum 2017, moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest, to a full house at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Bolt’s presentation was part of a packed schedule for the 11-time World Champion that included a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, billionaire Sir Richard Branson, investor Chris Gardner, and economist Dr Paul Romer. He also took time to take a selfie with the prime minister, before sitting down with reporters, stating boldly that there would not be another Usain Bolt – ever.

For Tomorrow’s weather forecast

It will be partly cloudy with scattered showers Miami-Dade and Broward Counties with a high of 79 and a low of 64.

 

 

 

Seven Broward women business leaders to be honored

The Broward County Commission on the Status of Women will celebrate National Women’s History Month in March, by honoring seven Broward County women labor and business leaders who exemplify this year’s national observance, “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business.”

The Broward County honorees are featured this month in an exhibit in the lobby of the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Their achievements and contributions have expanded women’s participation in commerce and their power in the paid labor force.

The honorees include:

  • Katherine Birnbaum, City of Fort Lauderdale
    •  Sarah Franco, City of Tamarac
    •  Marcie Gershoni, City of Weston
    •  Andrea JohnBaptiste, City of Sunrise
    •  Karen Pandy-Cherry, City of Fort Lauderdale
    •  Pamella Reid, City of Miramar
    •  Danielle Williams-Rosse, City of Deerfield Beach

The Board of County Commissioners will present a proclamation recognizing National Women’s History Month on Tuesday, March 28, 10AM, at the County Commission meeting at the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.

The Commission on Status Women serves in an advisory capacity to the Broward County Commission and through education and advocacy, identifies and helps resolve economic, health and social issues facing women in our community.

Calypso Rose is smarter at 76

She is the undisputed Queen of Calypso but at 76 this elder stateswoman of one of the leading sounds to emerge from the Caribbean is showing no signs of slowing down.

Calypso Rose is at it again with a new single, Far From Home.

The Reggae influenced single is a collaboration of the talents of producer Ivan Duran, Toronto’s Drew Gonsalves (plus his band Kobo Town) and the ever mercurial Manu Chao.

Calypso Rose 1She has also released the carnival jump-up single Zoom Zoom Zoom, and skipping Chaoesque pieces such as Love Me or Leave Me.

Calypso Rose also demonstrated her class during the recently held Trinidad Carnival when she released the single Leave Us Alone which urged men to allow females to enjoy their time at Carnival without the unnecessary harassment.

After dominating the Calypso genre for more than half a century, she carries a diplomatic passport and is considered the darling of the Caribbean, but one thing is for certain, she is not slowing down and Calypso Rose is smarter at age 76.

Recipe: Cou Cou (Barbados)

CouCou

By Celina DeCastro

Cou cou derived from the island’s African ancestry and was considered a regular meal for the slaves who were brought from Africa to Barbados. This cornmeal and okra infused side dish when paired with flying fish, this creates the national dish of Barbados.  Cou Cou is considered like grits or polenta.

What you’ll need:

  • 8 oz of fine corn meal
  • 12 okras
  • 1 medium sized onion, chopped
  • 3 tbsp of butter
  • Water
  • Salt to taste

What to do:

  1. Place cornmeal into a bowl, fill enough water to cover the cornmeal.
  2. Cut the stems off the top and bottom of the okras, and slice into 1/4-inch-thick rings
  3. Put sliced okra in a saucepan with water, chopped onion and salt. Boil the combination over medium heat until the okras soften.
  4. Strain okras from water and set aside the liquid
  5. Add a quarter of the okra liquid into saucepan and add the soaking cornmeal, stir constantly to avoid cornmeal lumping together
  6. Gradually add more of the okra liquid, once the cou cou starts bubbling gently at the surface, add the cooked okra slices and continue stirring for another 3 minutes
  7. Remove from heat and add butter.
  8. Serve to hungry friends and family

Miami-Dade school building program surpasses $500 million mark

Expressing an aura of pride and satisfaction, Superintendent of Miami-Dade Public Schools Alberto Carvalho, recently gave an update of projects being funded by the school district from a General Obligation Bond (GOB) approved by county voters in November 2012.

Announcing that projects totaling some $522.7 million have been implemented, Carvalho said “In short order, Miami-Dade County Public Schools has moved quickly but responsibly to deliver on its promise to renovate, remodel and replace schools, expand capacity, enhance safety, and provide improved access to technology to all our students and teachers.….We are proud to demonstrate that the public’s trust in the District is justified.”

In the four years since voters overwhelmingly approved the (GOB, the District has advanced swiftly with a wide range of projects.

The following is an update of the progress being made on projects funded by the $1.2 billion dollar GOB:

As of February 28, 2017, GOB expenditures and contracted work totaled approximately $522.7 million ($87.9 million for technology and $434.8 million for facilities);

Sixty-eight projects were identified for year one of the program, of which 67 have been completed and one is actively in construction;

Of the 54 Year-2 projects under $1M, 47 have been completed and seven are in construction. Additionally, of the nine Year-2 projects between $1M-$2M, eight have been completed and one is in construction;

Of the 16 Year-2 projects over $2M, four have been completed, ten are in construction, one is in bidding and one is in planning;

Of the 17 Year-3 projects under $2M, 5 have been completed, ten are in construction and two are in bidding or design.  Of these, six are SBE/MBE projects under $1M;

The balance of Year-3 is comprised of 37 larger projects.  Of those, 13 are in construction, 23 are in design, and the remaining project was commissioned at the March School Board meeting;

Eleven Year-4 projects with construction values of $2M or less have been assigned to architect and contractor teams with the majority in design or pre-construction. The remaining 39 projects over $2M require individual solicitations.  Of these, six are already in design and one was commissioned at the March School Board meeting;

Twelve Year-5 projects with construction values of $2M or less have been assigned to architect and contractor teams and are currently in scoping;

Out of 255 accelerated small projects, 183 have been completed, 20 are in construction, and the balance is in bidding or design. These consist primarily of playground improvements, roofing, portable removal/site restoration and HVAC installations;

National Weekly March 23, 2017

Caribbean students shine in South Florida ACSI Spelling Bee

The flag of the Caribbean was again held high when a number of students from the Excelsior Arts Preparatory copped first place finishes in the recently concluded Association of Christian Schools International South Florida Spelling competition.

Students from the school, which is based in the Broward City of Tamarac, grabbed five out of seven first place finishes, while two others finished second and two more came in fourth. This from a pool of more than 100 young spellers.

The competition was held across the Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Jupiter Counties.

There were two categories – the lower group which included students from grades one to four and the upper group including students from grade five to eight.

Fritz Desir, was the champion speller for grade one across all counties, in grade two Jasmine Mahabeer came up tops, while Tanashi Deshommes, Khalfani Mullins and Ce’anni Hinds were winners in grades three, four and five respectively.

In grades six and seven Malaika Crawford and Whytney Boothe were second place finishers while Ashley Smith and Aryhel McKay were fourth place finishers in grades six and seven.

The students were either born in the Caribbean or have Caribbean-born parents.

Their achievement comes on the heels of outstanding performances by students from the Broward Public Schools who gave an impressive showing at the Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) debate students by winning six state championship titles at the Florida Forensics League State Tournament, in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

The debaters came up tops out of a pool of more than 600 students from public and private high schools across the state. In addition to winning the six championship titles, BCPS students ranked among the best in the state in numerous other categories.

Teen among two injured in Miami-Dade shooting

A 16-year-old boy and another man were shot and injured during an altercation in Northside District in Miami-Dade County late Thursday night.

They have been identified by the Miami-Dade Police Department as Zackery Dixon, 16 and 55-year-old  Brian C Zachary both of Miami, Florida. Dixon was critically injured in the incident.

According to investigators just before 10:30 p.m. Thursday night, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex located at 4725 NW 24 Avenue, to reports of a juvenile shot. Responding officers discovered the juvenile suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to the groin, hands, and legs. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel responded and transported the victim to the Ryder Trauma at Jackson Memorial Hospital, in critical condition.

Further investigation revealed that Zachary  was also shot during the altercation. Detectives say the 55 year old male was walking to a friend’s apartment when the shots rang out. The victim advised detectives he observed two males running away from the scene.  Zachary drove himself to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Room with a gunshot wound to his forearm and buttock.

Breaking News!!!! Republicans postpone healthcare bill vote

Faced with the possibility of a defeat of the proposed healthcare bill, The American Healthcare Act, House Republicans have postponed the vote scheduled for today Thursday, March 22. The vote is tentatively postponed until tomorrow. The Republicans were scheduled to meet in a special conference later today to discuss the way forward. Today is the seventh anniversary of Obamacare.

National Weekly March 16, 2017

The Center for Disease Control designated Miami-Dade a “cautionary area” due to discovery of a new Zika virus case

It’s Thursday, March 22. We are looking at some of the top stories across your Caribbean-American community. Welcome.  I’m Megan Small, and you’re watching CNW 90. Your coverage today is brought to you by Grace Soups. Spice up your kitchen with Grace soups today. Genuine Caribbean taste enjoyed worldwide.

 The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta has designated Miami-Dade County a “cautionary area” resulting from the agency’s confirmation of a new Zika virus case in Miami. On Monday, the Florida Department of Health (FDH) reported that the new infection related to an individual residing in Miami-Dade County. The Department also reported that there were four new travel related Zika cases in South Florida.

 The Jamaican government will formally apologize to the victims of state inflicted violence  – the Coral Gardens incident that occurred in 1963 and the Tivoli Gardens incursion of 2010. This was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday as he made his contribution to the 2017/2018 budget debate in Parliament.

As news of the rotten scandal affecting corned beef from Brazil gains traction, several other Caribbean countries have followed Jamaica’s lead and have banned the importation of the staple. The countries of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guyana have also placed bans on the product.

And in sports… Jamaica’s 400 meters female hurdler, Kaliese Spencer, has dismissed allegations by the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Authority (J three A’s) that she had committed an anti-doping violation. The Authority reported that they were notified by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) that Spencer had been in breach of article 2.3 of the Jamaica Anti-Doping rules which speaks to “Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection.” Spencer has vowed to clear her name and promised legal action.

Here’s What’s trending:
A day before Congress is slated to vote on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act supporters of Obamacare staged  a peaceful in West Palm Beach, close to the Mar A Lago home of President Donald Trump. The protesters gathered at Currie Park on Flagler Drive to speak out against the replacement dubbed “Trumpcare.” The Obamacare supporters threw thousands of rose petals into the Intracoastal Waterway in recognition of friends and family who have benefited from the ACA.

For Tomorrow’s weather forecast:

It will be partly cloudy with a chance oof showers in Palm Beach,Miami-Dade and Broward Counties with a high of 82 and a low of 63. For more on these and other stories, visit us online at caribbeannewsweekly.com. Make sure to pick up your copy of the Caribbean News Weekly at your nearest Caribbean American outlet.

Andre Russell appeals one-year ban

 

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has appealed for the dismissal of a one-year ban issued earlier this year for a doping whereabouts violation.

The T20 all-rounder has also called for a Jamaica Anti-doping Commission (JADCO) appeal, which seeks to extend his current one-year ban to the maximum two years, to be dismissed.  According to reports the cricketer submitted the appeals in two separate filings on March 20 and called for the JADCO appeal against him to be dismissed as there was no basis for it.

Russell was hit with a one-year ban in February of this year after being found guilty of negligence in submitting his whereabouts for anti-doping tests on three separate occasions within a 12-month period in 2015.

The cricketer’s ban is set to expire on January 30 of next year, but Russell could be out of the game for an additional year if the appeal is successful.

The appeal brought against Russell by JADCO is set to be heard by an Anti-Doping Appeal Tribunal on the 8th of May.

Grenada to build geothermal energy roadmap

World Bank, UK, Canada, CIF support geothermal exploration in St. Lucia
file photo

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a grant of US$231,630 to the Government of Grenada to build its capacity for planning and implementation of its geothermal energy development roadmap.

The resources are from the Global Environment Facility through the Inter-American Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Facility for the Eastern Caribbean with the CDB.

Successful development of Grenada’s geothermal energy potential holds the greatest prospect for transforming the energy sector. The project will provide the Grenadian Government with consultancy expertise for a period of 24 months. Consultants will work with the Government’s staff, through the establishment and operation of a Geothermal Energy Project Management Unit (GPMU).

The GPMU will provide dedicated resources to pursue the country’s geothermal energy development plan, and support the achievement of exploration drilling.  The Ministry of Finance and Energy will implement the Project, which is also consistent with CDB’s Energy Sector Policy and Strategy, and Climate Resilience Strategy.

Tessa Williams-Robertson, Head of the Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency Unit, CDB noted: “The grant will enhance the Government of Grenada’s own capacity to move realisation of its geothermal energy potential to the next level. Under CDB’s GeoSmart Initiative, appropriate resources have been mobilised and CDB is working with development partners to assist Eastern Caribbean countries in developing geothermal energy where the potential exists.”

Grenada is especially dependent on imported petroleum products to satisfy its growing energy demand. Petroleum products imported in 2014 cost approximately US$67 million, representing seven percent of gross domestic product. The project is consistent with the 2011 National Energy Policy, supporting the Government of Grenada’s ongoing efforts to improve the country’s energy security.

The Government is also working towards meeting its national target for reducing carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2025, to which successful geothermal development would make an important contribution.

Mike Love to bring Hawaiian Reggae to Fort Lauderdale

Mike Love

Hawaiian Reggae artiste, Mike Love, will bring his unique brand of acoustic, roots offerings to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, this Sunday.

Mike Love was born on the island of O’ahu in Hawai’i and grew up in Kalama Valley. He grew to love Reggae music due to the influence of his older relatives.

Over time the infectious beat grew on him and he evolved into a Reggae artiste who is still growing in stature. Mike Love has shared stages with a number of Reggae Acts including Groundation, Steel Pulse, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson and others.

Reggae music, whose energy comes from the influence of the African drum was parlayed into what we now call the one-drop beat of reggae music. This sound got its beginnings from the people that were closest to the earth, the original Rastafarians, whose energies were in natural harmony with movement and sound; this energy gave us the original sound called Mento. Mento then progressed to Ska, unto Rockers and finally Rub-a-Dub and what we know today as Reggae. Reggae’s indigenous sound, also known as the heart-beat of Jamaica, which is deeply rooted in the soul of Jamaican culture, has taken its influence worldwide and sprouted many offshoots of this melodic one-drop beat to the ends of the earth and back. So profound is reggae’s influence, that the genre is seeing homage to its roots in the form of varying cultural interpretations as far as Asia, Italy, Germany, Israel to name a few and as close as Chile and even Hawaii.

The Hawaiian reggae group “Ooklah the Moc” was one of the first bands to bring the Hawaiian reggae-sound to the world stage. This March another of Hawaii’s sons brings his brand of Hawaiian acoustic reggae to the mainland as part of his worldwide ‘The Beginning of Days’ tour.

Teacher, students stabbed during Pembroke Pines school fight

A fight between two schoolgirls turned bloody in Pembroke Pines when a teacher and two students who were trying to break up the scuffle ended up being stabbed and slashed.

The language arts teacher, Dorthea Oatts, never realized she had been stabbed until another staff member saw blood oozing from her body. She received nine stitches to close a wound on her left shoulder.

Oatts and the student were injured after one of the girls, armed with a pair of scissors, started swinging. The girls were fightingover a social media post.

Oatts...received nine stitches to close wound to left shoulder
Oatts…received nine stitches to close wound to left shoulder

The stabbing happened around 9 a.m. Friday. A bell had just rung for students to go to class when teachers noticed a crowd forming down the hall. Fearing a fight could erupt, a teacher called security.

A school resource officer arrested the offending student. The eighth grader was taken to a juvenile assessment center.  The student, whose name has not been released by police due to her age, is likely to be expelled and is facing criminal charges.

The other unidentified girl in the fight was stabbed in her shoulder and taken to a hospital. She is expected to recover, police said.

A boy attempting to break up the fight was treated at the school by firefighters for a cut to his hand.

The teacher has been recovering but has not yet resumed duties at the institution.

“No need to panic”

Jamaicans travelling to the US should breathe easy – Jamaican Consul General

BY Garth A. Rose

Franz Hall, Jamaican Consul General to the South Eastern USA, and based in Miami, says information gathered by the consulate offices in Miami, there is no basis for panic by Jamaicans traveling to the US.

Since the Trump administration signed an immigration executive order banning migrants from several mainly Muslim countries, and began enforcing existing immigration laws there have been rumors of increasing numbers of Jamaicans denied entry at US airports.

A recent report from Jamaica indicated that Hall in an interview broadcast on a Jamaican radio station said he was concerned a number of Jamaicans who arrived at the Hobby International Airport in Houston, Texas, were denied entry to the US, and had their visas cancelled.

Hall...no need to panic
Hall…no need to panic

In an interview with National Weekly Hall said he cannot speak to, or verify information that implies several Jamaicans have been denied entry into the US at the nation’s airports, or had their US visa cancelled. He said it was however, a fact that at the Hobby International Airport in Houston, three Jamaicans were recently denied entry. This included a woman who was denied entry subsequent to her cell-phone being searched by US immigration officers.

“When the incidences of Jamaicans being denied entry into the US increases from zero to three within weeks at the same airport, that is something that we need to look into,” Hall said.

He said the Jamaican Consulate research has not revealed incidents of wide scale denial of Jamaicans entering US ports. Hall cited, that this research indicated more Jamaicans were denied entry into the US during the corresponding January to March period in 2016, than were denied entry since the Trump administration assumed office. He also cited that more Jamaicans were deported during February to March 2016, than the corresponding period this year. “I don’t think there is a situation that exists that warrants panic among people coming to the US from Jamaica, although incidents like those that occurred Houston’s Hobby airport where Jamaicans can fly into directly from Jamaica warrants  looking into.”

Hall also said the Consulates research supported information National Weekly sourced from immigration officers at both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale International Airports that in cases where Jamaicans have been denied entry it is usually related to problems with their landing documentation, prior legal problems, not directly related to any recent US immigration policy.

On the Jamaican radio program, “Both Sides of the Story’, which is aired on Power 106 FM, Hall said although Jamaican authorities are concerned about the incidents at the Houston airport, he conceded immigration officials in any foreign country have the right to determine who they allow into that country. He also said Jamaica has a responsibility to ensure that its citizens are treated fairly when they travel abroad.

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