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Knights, Saints finale

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The young king of blocks, Rhyheem Barrett, stops the floater of Antonio Spence in the early stages of their Western Basketball Association Elite League’s deciding game in their best-of-three semi-finals at the Montego Bay Cricket Club. Knights won through to the finale.-Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts photo

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

The battle for the Western Basketball Association Elite League title tips off today, Wednesday, July 24, with Game One of the best-of-three affair to be played at the Montego Bay Cricket Club beginning at 7 p.m.

Montego Bay Cricket Club Knights, appearing in back-to-back finals, and Falmouth Saints are the teams that will challenge each other for the crown and the right to be called champions.

Saints punched their ticket with a 2-0 series sweep of former many-times champions Granville Jaguars, one game by default, while the Knights were forced to rally to see off the fierce and determined challenge of Boys’ Club Warriors by a 2-1 score-line.

Knights, after falling behind in the first game, won back-to-back matches to complete the comeback, the last win coming on Saturday, 75-63, at the same venue on Saturday (July 20).

The Jhuan Bryan-captained Knights teamagain survived a third quarter capitulation to pull off the 12-point series-claiming victory.

Plucky Warriors, making the semis in their first season of the League, pressed their opponents all the way in the contest and managed to unsettle them enough to have taken the victory, but for selfishness, missed plays, poor ball handling and rash decision-making in the shooting third.

With some easy lay-ups, Knights took a 15-10 lead after the first quarter, with Bryan and Antonio Spence accounting for five each, with Spence additionally going 0-6 at the line.

The team upped the scoring in the second quarter, taking it 21-17, establishing a 36-27 advantage at the break.

However, as is customary, Knights allowed their opponents, Warriors, a foothold back into the game and they, with some sharp shooting, pulled to within four of a wobbling Knights, 45-49, going into the final quarter.

Knights, helped by a better showing at the free throw line which saw them connecting on 15 of their 20 tries, roared back in familiarfashion, exploding for a game-high 26 points in the final quarter to pull off the triumph ahead of a charging Warriors, who never showed signs of giving up.

SHOOTERS

The left-handed Antonio Spence and Bryan led the shooting for the Knights and came up with big plays down the stretch, ending with 14 points each.

Spence also had 18 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 blocked shots, while Bryan snatched 8 boards to go with three steals.

Rayan Gardiner, who brought stability to the team and distributed the ball well down the stretch, supported with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals, with Jamoi Richards adding another 13.

OshaneMothersill hauled down 13 rebounds to go with his 7 points.

For Warriors, the eccentric and never-tiring Levar Rose and Tafari Vassell, who played every minute of the encounter, scored a game-high 24 and 15 points respectively, with Vassell grabbing 11 rebounds.

Rhyheem Barrett, also with a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds, also gave support, but no other player managed to get into double figures.

‘HF’ Smith- ‘The best principal’

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Smith is captured here in a jovial mood while sharing a joke during his reply, quite to the amusement of his wife at right

Rashaun Stewart – Summer Intern

On Thursday, June 18, 2019, an appreciation ceremony designed to commemorate the vibrant legacy of achievements and contributions of Hubert F. Smith, former principal of Vaughnsfield Primary and Anchovy High Schools, was held.

A group of alumni from Vaughnsfield Primary School convened for the ceremony, with members of his family and several well-wishers also in attendance. The programme memorialized his eight-year tenure as principal of the Flamstead-based primary school and other accomplishments over the years.

Fondly referred to as ‘HF’, the inimitable principal was the subject of many kind remarks and expressions of gratitude. The gathered attendees reflected fondly on the memories of their tenures at Vaughnsfield Primary and the interactions that they had with Smith. They remarked on his stern, yet amiable nature and his desire to constantly impart wisdom and advice to all who fell under his sphere of influence.

Sharing lens in this photo-op are HF Smith (centre) with close friend and associate, Lance Duhaney (right), and Archdeacon, Rev. Justin Nembhard.

The master of ceremonies, Lance Duhaney, affirmed that Smith was a singularly unique individual who sought to inculcate key principles and values into the students he guided. He added that Smith served as a mentor to him and that he followed in his footsteps, eventually developing a close-knit, familial bond with him.

Smith also served as the principal of Anchovy High School, where his proclivity for distinguished service led to him wreaking positive change at the institution. Duhaney affirmed that he emulated Smith in this regard as well, moving from his occupation at the time to become a member of staff at Anchovy High during Smith’s tenure.

In addition to his tenures as principal, Smith was endowed with responsibilities as a Justice of the Peace and still serves in that capacity. He also was a recipient of the Governor General’s Award for his years of distinguished service as an educator and a community developer. He was also the recipient of awards from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association in recognition of his service.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS

The ceremony was filled with levity and humour as the individuals gathered hailed Smith as a visionary and “the best principal” across the nation. His contributions went far beyond the call of duty and even extended to encompass the entire community of Flamstead in scope. The attendees hailed his “vim, vitality and vigor” as hallmarks of his tenure as principal and affirmed that he made lasting impressions on them.

Smith’s marriage was also a topical issue addressed during the ceremony. He has been married to his wife, Elmine Smith, for fifty-three years as of this year. The decades-long marriage was hailed as a testament to Smith’s commitment and the unparalleled levels of affection that he has for those around him. Additionally, the attendees commended Elmine for her steadfast support and the unparalleled goodwill that she has for all the individuals who she interacted with.

The union produced four children, two of whom were present at the ceremony. The absence of his other two children was due to extenuating circumstances that were unfortunately unavoidable. They nonetheless sent their regards and blessings for their family.

Woman gets nine months for hiding son on Most Wanted list

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A St. James woman was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment in the St. James Parish Court on Tuesday, July 23, after she was found guilty of hiding her son who was placed on the St. James Most Wanted list.

Pansy Powell of Roehampton, St. James, was facing a charge of harbouring a fugitive.

Powell’s charge stemmed from a report that was made against her son, Turay Gunn, at the Granville Police Station on August 19, 2016 relating to a shooting incident. As a result, his name was published in the Western Mirror as amongst St. James Most Wanted on April 26, 2017.

Powell was arrested on June 6, 2017 after the police, armed with a search warrant, carried out an operation in search of Gunn and found him inside her home. She reportedly told the police that she knew he was wanted but had to protect him.

During the sentencing proceedings on Tuesday, attorney-at-law Henry McCurdy pleaded with presiding judge Sandria Wong-Small, saying his client was remorseful and asked the judge to give her a suspended sentence.

“Even if she was to be fined, she could not afford to pay the sum that would have been imposed,” said McCurdy.

But Wong-Small said she was not moved by the pleas as Powell had not taken responsibility from the outset and caused the court to conduct a trial.

“She knew that her son was wanted, and prevented the police from taking him into custody. She went ahead and perpetuated dishonesty that caused her to be here,” Wong-Small said.

Wong-Small also pointed out to the attorney that the offence was serious because of the impact it has on society.

“A strong message has to be sent,” the judge added before sentencing Powell to nine months’ imprisonment at hard labour.

Residents up protests against Cockpit Country mining

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Residents display their anti-mining placards protesting the planned mining activities for the Cockpit Country.

Shamir Brown

Residents in and around the parish of Trelawny came together on Monday to increase their lobby against the proposed mining of sections of the Cockpit Country.The participants in the action are adamant that they are totally against the operations set for September and are calling on the government to rescind the go-ahead given to Noranda to mine the area deemed as Special Mining Lease173. They gathered in the southern Trelawny town of Albert Town, where persons sought to bring awareness to the challenges that they foresee will become associated with the planned mining exercise.

Residents gathered to protest the proposed mining activities.

Since the plans were announced in May in Sawyers and Ulster Spring, Hugh Dixon of the Southern Trelawny Environment Agency, related that the residents have been staunchly opposed to it. The residents are adamant that the current borders that are being suggested are incorrect and are calling on the authorities to review what they are doing because the Cockpit Country incorporates the lands that Noranda now wants to mine for bauxite deposits.

On Monday, a number of persons came on buses, while others came in cars and other forms of transportation to stand against the pending actions. There were representatives from surrounding communities and groups. The Maroon community, the Rastafari community and other non-governmental organizations came with one message: that they were totally against the mining action and were calling on the government to stop it. Some came armed with placards, while others came armed with words and messages that they shared from a stage that they set up in the town.

They believe the proposed action will have major effects on not only the landscape, but on the livelihoods and the lives of people. A big worry for a number of persons is the potential impact that the mining will have on the water production coming out of the area. According to information gleaned from reputable sources, the Cockpit Country provides over 40% of the drinkable water and is a critical water resource for Western Jamaica.

President of the Lay Magistrates Association for the parish of Trelawny and business operator in Albert Town, Kenneth Grant, disclosed that he has visited areas that bauxite mining has taken place and, based on what he has seen, there is trouble ahead. “When I go to St. Elizabeth and St. Ann and see what bauxite mining has done and it seems like the place is carved out, I’m totally against the bauxite mining,” he remarked.

It was further disclosed that the residents are adamant that the protests will continue until they can get a proper resolution to the situation. According to Mr. Dixon, the residents will not agree to the action and are calling on the government to examine the alternatives for that area. Mr. Dixon explained that the unique flora and fauna found in the Cockpit Country provide an opportunity to boost the nation’s tourism product and therefore, that should be examined.

Jamaica activates Ebola Response Plan

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The Ebola virus - ABC photo

In response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the Ebola Virus Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) made on July 17, 2019, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has activated its national Ebola Virus Disease Response Plan. Developed in 2014, the Response Plan is being activated to increase awareness, educate stakeholders, and prepare the country for any eventualities.

A Public Health Emergency of International Concern is an extraordinary event which has been determined, to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease; and to potentially require a coordinated international response. This implies a situation that is serious, unusual or unexpected, carries implications for public health beyond the affected State’s national border and may require immediate international action. 

At this time, the WHO has indicated that though the risk had been high locally in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is now also high for the region of Africa, the current global risk remains low.

In response to the WHO declaration, the Ministry will be sensitizing all relevant categories of persons, including the members of the Health Team, Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the public; heightening surveillance activities at points of entry and scheduling sensitization sessions for healthcare workers.

Health & Wellness Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton speaking in parliament noted that “Given the relatively robust surveillance and Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Jamaica, the public can be reassured that the current emergency response arrangements are in place to enable an appropriate response in the event of the introduction of the Ebola Virus Disease into the country.”

“The Ministry will also be ensuring capacities for readiness which includes addressing stock levels of critical equipment and supplies, protocols for specimen and patient transportation and reporting requirements,” Minister Tufton added.

Tragedy at Westgate Hills

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Vince Marsh
  • Boy crushed by falling gate

Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

A parent’s worst nightmare was realized on Friday, July 19, when tragedy struck in a freak accident which claimed the life of 12-year-old Vince Marsh at his Mountain View, Westgate Hills, home in St. James.

Reports indicate that about 2p.m., Marsh’s father, Vernon, was about to drive from his home to downtown Montego Bay, when Vince offered to open the gate for him.

Mr. Vernon was about to drive from the garage when he heard a disconcerting sound outside and went to investigate. There he found his son lying on the concrete pavement, with portions of a crumbled wall and a section of the large metal gate on his head.

Vince was rushed to hospital but subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

Pictured here is what remains of the ill-fated gate which claimed the life of Vince Marsh

Residents of Westgate Hills, relatives, friends and well-wishers from his former school, DMP Academy; gathered at the Marsh’s home on Monday night for a candlelight vigil as they offered solace to a family deeply wounded by the loss of a brilliant, talented boy who offered much promise.

Kereen Dawkins, President of the Westgate Hills Community Development Committee, in an interview with the Western Mirror shared that Vince was a brilliant, well-loved boy who had just completed his first year at Kingston College after leaving DMP.

DISTRAUGHT

His parents, who were in the process of having him transferred to the Herbert Morrison Technical High School when the unthinkable occurred, are said to be too distraught to speak. 

He had returned home but was due to return to Kingston to complete the final week of Summer School, before starting the new school year at Herbert Morrison.

“Vince had returned from Kingston to Montego Bay and his parents were in the process of having him transferred from Kingston College to Herbert Morrison Technical High School. He was highly intelligent beyond his years and very talented and was a member of the science club and other clubs at Kingston College, where they anticipated great things from him,” Dawkins shared.

Vince was described as eloquent and inspirational, having a positive influence on those with whom he came in contact with.

Dawkins says the community is rocked by the tragedy but is prepared to offer any assistance required. She explained that Vince was born in the United States and plans are already in place for his body to be flown there for a funeral service.

“We as a community are rallying around this family, standing with them in this monumental tragedy. So,while he will be buried overseas, we are planning a memorial service to celebrate the life of this promising star”.

The Elusive Four

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Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

Despite the Trelawny Police cranking up its crime fighting machinery with the implementation of Enhanced Security Measures in recent months, and an all-out drive to nab the parish’s most wanted, the four men listed by the lawmen continue to elude their dragnet.

The men who have been featured on the police’s radar are: Lascelles Wright, otherwise called ‘Byah’ or ‘Stella’, of Tyre district in Trelawny, Rayon Russell of Felicity Road in Montego Bay, St James, Renard Gayle, otherwise called ‘CJ’, of Hague, Trelawny and Nickell Pinnock of West Road, Kingston 12.

Superintendent Kirk Ricketts, Head of the Trelawny Police, said the men who are all armed and dangerous have somehow managed to evade all attempts by the police so far to rope them in.

“Russell is wanted in connection with the murder of an ex -district constable in Falmouth on March 20. We have been making attempts to apprehend him. The last such attempt was all the way in Westmoreland where both Westmoreland and Trelawny police coordinated to go at him but he escaped the dragnet.”

Superintendent Ricketts explained further that: “Another individual, Nickell Pinnock of Kingston, was involved in the murder of Owen Green in Clarks Town, so we are coordinating with police particularly Kingston West, to make arrangements to apprehend him,”he said. “The other two individuals, who are native to Trelawny, at the very least they are still here and we are working with citizens to apprehend them.”

TURN YOURSELVES IN

Superintendent Ricketts said the intention is to have the most peaceful resolution to the four matters.“So far none of the four has taken the opportunity to turn themselves in so I want to renew the appeal for them  to come in, they can turn themselves in to various police stations, they can utilize the services of a pastor and of course their attorney and we’ll take it from there,” he said.

Meanwhile, four men from the neighbouring parish of St. James were detained on Tuesday, as the crackdown continues to stave off migratory criminals from invading the parish.

Superintendent Ricketts, said acting on intelligence police team went to a house in a gated community where the men were reportedly staying.

He said it took the lawmen several hours to breach the premises to get to the men who refused to leave the house. 

“They have been detained on reasonable suspicion of lottery scamming and other crimes and would have fled St. James to avoid the dragnet of the State of Emergency there. We have subsequently turned them over to the St. James police, after thorough interviews.  In the meantime, we are investigating to see if they had committed any crime while in our space” he disclosed.

Knights stunned

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NO STOPPING ME! Montego Bay Warriors’ player/coach, Levar Rose, digs deep as he tries to get away from Jermaine Allwood who gives him very close attention during one of his many power dribbles for his team in their opening game of the Western Basketball Association (WBA) Elite League semi-finals played at Montego Bay Cricket Club on Saturday. –Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts photo

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

MoBay Boys’ Club Warriors and Falmouth Saints hold vital 1-0 leads in their best-of-three semi-final series of the Western Basketball Association (WBA) Elite League, following contrasting victories on Saturday, July 13, at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.

Warriors rallied in spectacular fashion to pip MoBay Cricket Club Knights by the narrowest of margins, 73-72, while Saints were in destructive form, brushing aside the former many times champions Granville Jaguars, 84-60.

Knights entered the contest as slight favourites and started well, quickly establishing a five-point advantage after the close of the first quarter, 22-17.

Knights then fell asleep somewhat in the second quarter, allowing a spirited Warriors back into the game as they cut the lead to a mere four going into the end of the first half.

Warriors carried the momentum into the start of the third quarter, chipping further into the Knights’ lead, trimming their advantage to a single point going into the start of the fourth and final quarter.

Though missing several wide open looks at the basket and six straight free throws, Warriors managed to keep pace with their more fancied opponents late in the quarter, with Tafari Vassell making a big play, a decisive lay-up on a fast break by Le’var Rose.

Warriors leveled the scores at 70-70 late in the quarter, before going on to snatch the win after youg Anthony Thorpe connected on two free throws.   

Antonio Spence, with 23points and 10 rebounds, led the way for the Knights, while Jhuan Bryan added 14 and hauled down 11 rebounds.

For the Warriors, Tafari Vassell and Rose had 29 and 19 points respectively, with Vassell also grabbing 14 rebounds and effecting 5 steals.

SAINTS MERCILESS

In the feature match-up of the evening, not much was expected from the weakened Jaguars team without Dave Black and David Gordon.

That expectation lived up to as Saints were emphatic from the first attack, hammering home a dunk on the very first attack of the basket.

Jaguars, visibly lacking in fire power and a presence down low, struggled throughout as Saints, lethal in attack and stifling in defense, kept them at bay in the at times lopsided match-up which had the eventual winners ahead 49-37 at the halftime break.

Jaguars trailed by as many as 15 with only three players, veterans, managing to get into double figures.

Leroy Lawrence, who has played sparingly this season and who holds the League’s record for most double-doubles, was the go-to man for the Jaguars as he ended with 21 points and 15 rebounds, and was supported by Cleon Morgan, 19, and Ryan Harrison, 11 and 6 rebounds.

Six of Harrison’s points came in the first quarter alone as Jaguars made an early attempt to make a contest of the encounter.

For the winners, Alex Levy had 24 points and Earldom Smith added 20 and grabbed 7 rebounds.

Three other players also got into double digit scoring, Aldane Anderson, Ricardo Brooks and Nicholai Brown with 14, 12 and 10 respectively.

Brooks also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished 6 assists.

“I will not change to please Babylon system” – Changa Changa

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Changa Changa

Alan Lewin/MGN

If Changa Changa is to be taken at his words, come July 31 –   the set date for his court appearance, the longtime MoBay entertainer will show up to court, not in a suit (as he was instructed to by lawmen), but in his usual banana balk style fashion wear. “You must come to court on July 31,” Changa Changa was told by the officers who arrested him, but Changa Changa is not inclined to hearing those words. He instead shares that he will not be “bowing to Babylon system”, as his current dress code has been constant for the last 30 years.

Just how did Changa Changa come to be in trouble with the law? It all happened on Friday, July 12. Following a conversation between himself and popular radio personality, Ron Muschette, he was walking along a section of Kent Avenue, on his journey to Sunset Boulevard (now Godfrey Dyer Boulevard), when he saw and was approached by two policemen.

Changa Changa was asked for a search by one of the officers, to which he obliged. He was further asked to declare whether or not he had any illegal items or substances on him, which he denied. The lawmen’s search, according to Changa Changa, turned up nothing illegal. At that point, he was asked for a strip search, which he passionately refused. “I don’t sell drugs and I don’t pimp the tourists. The police want to make a mockery out of me. Everybody know me as a entertainer, I’m not no wrongdoer, so why di police waa abuse my human rights?” Changa Changa quizzed.

“Me not into no strip search, yuh waa embarrass me, and I will take none of that!” Changa Changa recalls saying to the lawmen, who at that point, he shared, started manhandling him. He was shortly after arrested and brought to the Barnett Street Police Station, where he was charged for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. Changa Changa was granted bail in the sum of $30,000, which a family member took up. It was then that he was informed that his court appearance dress code had to conform to “normal” attire, which the seasoned entertainer has no idea of conforming to. His first step to ensuring that may have been his recent acquisition of the services of attorney-at-law, Charles Sinclair Jr., for July 31 court date.

Christened Robert Lee Young, Changa Changa is a past student of the Herbert Morrison Technical High School, and has been a DJ for nearly 40 years now. People may recognize him from his many stage show appearances, but perhaps none more than his appearance on the popular Digicel Rising Stars competition. He has also released his songs, ‘Walk Out Like Changa’, ‘Kind To Animal’ and ‘A Just Changa’. Changa Changa hails from the community of Flanker, and occasionally sells fruits to earn a daily income.

Motorized Patrol Unit to ‘lock the city’

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CHARGE TO MOTORIZED PATROL UNIT: Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area One, Donovan Graham (left), issues a charge to members of the newly-formed Motorized Patrol Unit of the safety of citizens and visitors to Montego Bay. He is supported (from 2nd left) by Deputy Superintendent Kevin Francis, Superintendent Vernon Ellis and Mayor Homer Davis. – CWP photo

Clinton Pickering – Freelance Writer

Montego Bay now has a Motorized Patrol Unit which has been charged “to lock down” the city from criminals.

“We must be able to lock the city, as I’ve been saying overtime. Therefore, persons who are of ill intent who come into our town centre to commit crime, or to be of ill repute, will have to think twice because they know that if they commit a crime the chances of them getting away outside of the city will be little or none.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area One, Donovan Graham, instructed members of the Motorized Patrol Unit with those words as they faced him in the car park of the Montego Bay Sports Complex last Friday morning. “So I’m charging you today to be the agent of change; to be the guardians of the city of Montego Bay because Operation Restore Paradise was launched some weeks ago (but) after you have restored the paradise, we must be in a position to secure the paradise and this is what we are about this morning,” he went on. 

The unit, which is equipped with a fleet of motorcars and motor cycles, was told by ACP Graham, “You are very, very important in ensuring that the people of Montego Bay (and) the visitors to Montego Bay are assured of their security, are assured of their safety, and if this unit does exceedingly well, then we will find that the rippling effect of the information that Montego Bay, St James, is a safe and secure area, will allow more visitors to come; it will allow more money to come into the coffers of the government, it will allow us to get more resources.”

The need for more resources was evidenced by the fact that the newly-formed unit is using equipment taken from existing fleet in the division, but ACP Graham said this was because of time constraints and new vehicles would be assigned to ensure that the unit is effective, “to ensure that we can deliver and secure the people and visitors.”

He assured them that the initiative had the support of former Minister of National Security, Robert Montaque; the current minister, Dr Horace Chang; Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson “and they have committed to me that resources will come to ensure that this unit is properly staff and resourced.”

Of the men, he said he was looking forward to their commitment and discipline “to ensure that at the end of the day, we are efficient, we are able to deliver at a high level. Service delivery from this unit must be the hallmark of the day.”

SPECIAL ATTENTION

Montego Bay Mayor, Homer Davis, hailed the launch of the operation as a special day for the city, stating, “There’s no doubt that the city of Montego Bay needs special attention.”

Agreeing with St James Divisional Commander, Supt. Vernon Ellis, he said under operation Restore Paradise “we have restored quite a lot; we have brought back a semblance of compliance as it relates to persons who operate business.”  However, Mayor Davis said there was the need to deal with the problem of persons of ill repute “traversing our streets as if they are in their bedrooms. They carry whatever illegal things that they have on them in a way as if they are not in a state that is secure.”

His charge to the squad was, “I expect you to give of your best but in giving of your best, and doing your best, observe the rights of citizens.” Having told them that he once wore their uniform and therefore had some knowledge of police operations, he said, “Policing, like anything else, you give a bucket of milk and one little thing it’s as if you haven’t done anything. I know it’s a challenging job you have; people are very disrespectful but what you must at all times do is maintain your composure and be firm at what you are doing.”

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