That was the word from Prime Minister, the Most Andrew Holness, in his Independence message to the Diaspora, read by Deputy Chief of Mission at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, Lishann Salmon, at the Emancipation and Independence church service held recently at the Sligo Seventh Day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland.

“It is now time for us to end our historical ties with the monarchy and stand wholly on our own. We need a Jamaican Head of State who truly represents our values, culture, and aspirations and who will symbolise our full sovereignty,” he pointed out.

Like last year, Lafe Crescent, Old Harbour was abuzz with excitement, the entire road blocked off for a day of jollification, medical care and giveaways.

At the heart of the mission is lead director Andrea King-Chang, daughter of the late Yvonne Castle, described as a selfless soul who was a ‘mother’ to all.

This year saw a few notable changes to ensure a smoother operation. More police officers were visibly providing adequate security and better crowd control management while the Dr Kurt Waul Foundation was on board as a partner providing free medical examination.

The event is hosted each year at the Nightingale Grove community playfield, a familiar stomping ground that the New Yorker would have spent much of his childhood running around with friends.

And so this year was no exception despite the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Beryl early July.

On Sunday, two days before the nation celebrates 62 years of independence, Gaps 7G was on the ground making yet another telling impact on a community dearest to his heart.

The prolonged issue has been ongoing for close to a month residents say following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

But the water company remains uncertain when the issue will be resolved, as its technical team is assessing the cause of the problem.

Contacted by Old Harbour News, the NWC issued an advisory stating: “The National Water Commission wishes to advise that the Bowers Pen Water Facility in St. Catherine is out of operation, as a result of an internal electrical problem with the pumping unit.

Forty-three people have been hospitalized, while three persons have reportedly died after consuming contaminated food produced by Boar’s Head, suppliers of deli meats, cheeses and condiments.

Boar’s Head has since expanded its batch of recalled products to include deli and pre-packaged deli products following the first reported case on July 19 of last month.

Listeria is said to be harmful to primarily pregnant women, the elderly and persons who are immunocompromised.

Jamaican-born Wilson and other business associates native to the Pine State brought an idea hatched years ago to realization with Reggae stalwarts Warrior King and Turbulence the headline stars.

Morning showers threatened to damper the highly anticipated showpiece before the heavens gave way to bright sunshine and an unforgettable experience for those present inside the Worumbo Riverfront Entertainment Center in the town of Lisbon, a community of close to 10,000 inhabitants.

This brings the overall total to over 100 Jamaican children that the US-based charity was able to support on its summer mission to the homeland of its late founder and executive members.  

“When you are going through your own struggle I want you to know that there is hope; and hope comes through hardworking, persistency and consistency,” says President and CEO, Donna Stewart, who also implored the children to not let their present situation determines their destination in life.

The developer of the six-lane carriageway, TransJamaican Highway Limited (TJH), announced that RUBIS Energy will be constructing a gas station along the Portmore Causeway.

“The service station on T2 is designed to enhance the customer experience on the highway. We do anticipate that they will be able to fill up with RUBiS Energy petrol or diesel but also enjoy the services of the convenience store,” explained Melbourne Lyn-Cook, TJH quality and maintenance engineer manager.

Dr Tedros’s declaration came on the advice of an IHR Emergency Committee of independent experts who met earlier in the day to review data presented by experts from WHO and affected countries. The Committee informed the Director-General that it considers the upsurge of mpox to be a PHEIC, with potential to spread further across countries in Africa and possibly outside the continent.

The Director-General will share the report of the Committee’s meeting and, based on the advice of the Committee, issue temporary recommendations to countries.

However, when she heard that it would be a fun interactive way to spend her time and that at the end of the programme, she would receive a certificate she was happy to take home the consent form to her mother.

Young Baccas was just one of over 20 children from Majesty Gardens who were happy to participate in this joint initiative dubbed SO-JUST Betta Project by Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation and Children First Agency.