News

The Poko Loko floating bar in Ocho Rios, St Ann.
December 9, 2025 by Carl Gilchrist

Poko Loko rides out Melissa unscathed

Opened to much fanfare on June 16, 2024, one of Ocho Rios’ most unique attractions, the Poko Loko floating bar, lasted just 17 days before Hurricane Beryl tore it apart on July 3, with looters then…
Barbados’ prime minister, Mia Mottley, estimated that across the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, these platforms earned US$11.6 billion a year.
December 9, 2025 by Janet Silvera

Regional leaders to arrive, tour hurricane-hit west today

WESTERN BUREAU: A team of Caribbean leaders, joined by officials from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is expected to arrive in the island this morning to tour hurricane-ravaged communities…
People are seen in Petersfield High School, Westmoreland which was converted as a hurricane shelter.
December 9, 2025 by Kimone Francis

Shelter crisis

Shelter managers at Petersfield High School in Westmoreland are scrambling to relocate families displaced by Hurricane Melissa, as pressure mounts to free up classroom space for fifth- and sixth-form…
An ODPEM convoy at toll booth at Mammee Bay, St Ann, delivering relief supplies to storm‑hit parishes.
December 9, 2025

Toll Authority announces updated protocols for toll exemption for relief vehicles

The Toll Authority has announced updated protocols for toll exemption for vehicles carrying relief supplies, effective Monday. Under the new protocols, vehicles will fall under two categories -…
The St Ann’s Bay Criminal Investigation Branch is probing the incident. - File Photo
December 9, 2025

St Elizabeth man killed in hit and run

The police in St Elizabeth are searching for the driver of a vehicle which failed to stop after hitting and killing a 26-year-old man on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Jarrett Hanson,…
The company noted that even before the hurricane, the Grand Jamaica had been earmarked for a major renovation.
December 9, 2025

Hurricane Melissa pushes back timeline for reopening of Bahia Principe resort, triggering redundancies

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts says its Grand Jamaica property will remain closed until December 1, 2026, one year longer than planned, after Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage and slowed…
Lineworkers from Jamaica and overseas in Montego Bay on Sunday.
December 9, 2025

Hundreds of lineworkers in MoBay in a bid to restore power to the western city

Hundreds of lineworkers from Jamaica, the Caribbean and North America are currently in Montego Bay, St James, working to restore power to critical facilities and residential areas in the tourism…
December 9, 2025

Apprentice jockey charged in relation to another robbery

Multiple criminal charges have been laid against 21-year-old apprentice jockey, Delroy Walker, following an alleged robbery on Bridgeport Road, Portmore, St Catherine, on October 15. Walker,…
This photo shows JPS crews carrying out restoration work in Montego Bay, St James.
December 9, 2025

Top Road in Montego Bay closed to facilitate JPS restoration work

The public is being advised that Top Road in Montego Bay, St James, will be closed until 8 p.m. this evening to facilitate ongoing restoration work by the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS)…