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BY KIMONE FRANCIS Observer staff reporter francisk@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, December 29, 2016     A gunman was yesterday cut down in a hail of bullets by lawmen at the Hunt’s Bay Police Station in St Andrew when he did the unthinkable — attempting a brazen daylight murder at the station. Up to press time yesterday the dead man had not been identified. Police say the man he attacked received gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body and was taken to hospital where he was admitted in serious but stable condition. A female motorist, who was travelling on Marcus Garvey Drive towards the Portia Simpson Miller Square, was also injured in the shootout that ensued at approximately 12:45 pm. Her condition was not known last night. Dozens of spent shells littered the entrance to the St Andrew station which was blotched with blood and pieces of splinters from shattered car windows, as several vehicles parked on the premises were sprayed with bullets during the gun...

Published: Monday | December 26, 2016 | 2:38 AM With the police indicating that the nation has already surpassed the 1,192 murder toll recorded last year, Christmas Day saw four more persons cut down by gunmen in the St James community of Hendon, Norwood. ‎ According to reports, shortly after 7 p.m. three men and a woman were shot dead and a second woman injured at a shop in Hendon.‎ The victims were playing dominoes when a car with several men aboard drove up. ‎ The Gleaner  understands that the occupants got out of the car and opened fire on the group, killing the‎ four people on the spot. The injured woman has been taken to hospital.  Another Murder In May Pen The incident occurs hours after a brazen gun attack in May Pen, Clarendon, left one man dead early yesterday morning and homicide investigators searching for clues. The Clarendon police said that, despite a heavy security  detail, gunmen struck with deadly force, killing a yet to be identified m...

A woman who was dragged off a  Delta Air Lines  flight by Detroit Metro Airport police on Monday had ignored boarding procedures and may face criminal charges, according to airport authorities.    A  YouTube video  uploaded by travel blogger René deLambert and  shared on his site  Renés Points shows  officers gathering around the unidentified woman, then physically pulling her off the morning flight from Detroit to San Diego, California.  One officer drags the woman, who appears silent and limp, down the aisle by her arms. The short video doesn’t show what occurred before authorities intervened. At a few points, other passengers can be heard laughing and exclaiming, “Oh my gosh” and, “That’s crazy” in seeming surprise.  Airport police officers got involved after Delta requested assistance with a passenger “who would not comply with boarding and baggage check procedures” at the gate, according to a statement sent to The Huffin...

 Tuesday, December 06, 2016      Bob Marley Group of Companies has named its ambassadors to drive celebrations surrounding Marley’s 72nd birthday in February of next year. Young reggae acts Runkus, Dre Island and Jah9 have been named to be the face of the observances and will be part of the annual birthday concert to be staged at the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in St Andrew. According to brand manager at the Bob Marley Group, Debbie Bissoon, these acts were chosen as their music and ‘livity’ are in keeping with the ideals for which Marley stood. Bob Marley This marks the third year that artistes have been named as ambassadors for the birthday celebrations. In 2015 Chronixx, Kabaka Pyramid, and No Maddz were selected. Earlier this year, it was the turn of Kelissa, Jesse Royal and Iba Mahr. “Over the years, we have been going for a young set of artistes and this group is no different. They are all in line with what Bob stood for — that righteous cultu...

BY HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, December 06, 2016      MONTEGO BAY, St James — A popular Montego Bay mortician was early yesterday morning shot dead in her Bogue Village community while leaving a party which was still in full swing. VAUGHAN… also lectured at Montego Bay Community College The victim, 31-year-old Chrissy Vaughan, was also a part-time lecturer at Montego Bay Community College. Police said the shooting took place about 2:00 am when Vaughan drove off following an altercation with people outside the party venue. One person from the group, police said, pulled out a handgun and shot the mortician in the head. She lost control of the vehicle and slammed into an embankment. Police, who found Vaughan slumped over the steering wheel of her car, took her to Cornwall Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. “Early this (yesterday) morning the police were notified that an explosion was heard in t...

Sunday, December 04, 2016      Twenty-two-year-old Abrahim Simmonds, co-founder of the Jamaican Youth Empowerment through Culture, Arts and Nationalism (JAYECAN), is among 60 young people from across the Commonwealth who have been selected to receive a prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award. Abrahim Simmonds, co-founder of Jamaican Youth  Empowerment through Culture, Arts and Nationalism, has  been named among the 2017 cohort of Queen’s Young Leaders. The awards recognise and celebrate exceptional young people aged 18 to 29 in the Commonwealth who are driving change within their communities and transforming people’s lives. Now in its third and penultimate year, the 60 young people announced on Wednesday become part of the growing network of influential young change-makers who are coming together and being supported to become an even greater force for good. They will receive their award from Her Majesty The Queen at a ceremony in London next year. T...

BY TANESHA MUNDLE Staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com  Monday, December 05, 2016      Two names have already emerged as potential leaders of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) following yesterday’s emotional announcement by President Portia Simpson Miller of her  intention to step down. Portia Simpson-Miller Businessman Peter Bunting and political economist Dr Peter Phillips have confirmed that they will seek the top post in the 78-year-old institution, but the name of medical practitioner Dr K Wykeham McNeill is also expected to be thrown into the hat as well. Opposition Leader Simpson Miller yesterday announced at the meeting of the party’s highest decision-making body that she will not be seeking re-election as leader of the PNP at the annual conference next September — adding fuel to the growing disunity within the party. There were clear signs of conflict within the party yesterday at the National Executive Council meeting, he...