The Jamaican Culture

  The St. Andrew Central Police have launched a major investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 20‑year‑old Victoria Brown Hanley, a student of the University of the West Indies, Mona campus. Hanley, who hailed from Mandeville, Manchester, was discovered around 6 a.m. in her room at George Alleyne Hall. According to reports, her roommate  a medical student  left the room sometime after 1 a.m. and returned about five hours later to find Hanley lying face‑down on the bed with a scarf tightly wrapped around her neck. The roommate alerted security personnel and loosened the scarf before Hanley was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police investigators have since been reviewing CCTV footage of the hall, and the case is currently being treated as a death investigation.

  In a major development , the warrant issued in 2018 for the questioning of Jamaican entertainer Mavado has been officially vacated. This follows a recent meeting between the artist and the police on Wednesday. The Official Closure of the Case David Brooks, better known by his stage name Mavado, is no longer under investigation, as confirmed by the head of the St. Andrew North Division, Superintendent Randy Sweeney. According to Sweeney, based on the current information and circumstances, the police have decided to close the matter. "Based on the information that we have at hand and the circumstances, that matter has been closed. And of course, the police met with him and his attorney," said Superintendent Sweeney during an interview with Radio Jamaica News. Timeline of Events Leading to the Warrant The warrant was originally issued on June 9, 2018, following a complaint by Anthony Goulbourne, who accused Mavado of being involved in a shooting incident. The complaint came af...

  Inside the Weekend Heist: A Courier Van, a Uniform, and $20 Million in Cash A daring daylight robbery has stunned Jamaica’s retail and security sectors. On Saturday, October 11, 2025, a courier driver reportedly absconded with $15–$20 million in cash from a MegaMart store on Waterloo Road, St. Andrew . The suspect, employed by a prominent courier company, was part of a three-member team assigned to collect cash from the store. The Escape: Uniform Off, Firearm Down, Millions Missing While his two colleagues entered the MegaMart premises, the driver remained in the vehicle. In a calculated move, he allegedly removed his uniform , left his licensed firearm behind , and vanished with the cash haul. The incident has triggered a full-scale manhunt across St. Andrew and St. Catherine . Linstead Raid: No Trace of the Suspect Police and company officials conducted a raid on the suspect’s residence in Linstead, St. Catherine , but found no trace of him. The St. Andrew Central P...

  Oblique Seville Won Gold, But No Nomination Jamaica’s Oblique Seville shocked the world by winning gold in the men’s 100m at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Kishane Thompson also took silver. It was a proud moment for Jamaican sprinting. But even with these big wins, no Jamaican athlete was nominated for the 2025 World Athletics Awards. What Are the World Athletics Awards? The World Athletics Awards are held every year to celebrate the best track and field athletes. There are three categories for men and women: Track, Field, and Out-of-Stadium. A panel of experts selects the nominees, and voting is split between the World Athletics Council (50%), insiders like coaches and officials (25%), and fans on social media (25%). Why Jamaica Did Not Qualify in 2025 Even though Jamaica won medals, the awards focus on full-season performance. Athletes who win multiple gold medals, break records, and stay undefeated all year are more likely to be nominated. Oblique Seville ha...

 The moment June plum season rolls around in Jamaica, excitement is in the air! This seemingly simple tropical fruit (also known as Golden Apple or Ambarella) is a true nutritional powerhouse, especially the highly prized, authentic Jamaican variety. If you've only had the agricultural type found in places like Florida, prepare to discover the real deal. Why the Traditional June Plum is Best Not all June plums are created equal. The taste of your juice is heavily dictated by the variety of the fruit you use. Here in Jamaica, we distinguish between two types: the more common agricultural variety and the  traditional June plum . It is this traditional type that offers the real, authentic flavor that June plum juice is famous for. Its vibrant, tangy, and sweet profile gives the juice the depth of flavor it truly deserves. A Powerhouse of Nutrients: Unlocking June Plum’s Health Benefits (H2) June plum is far more than just a refreshing treat; it is packed with essential vitamins a...

  Oxtail, often referred to as "cow tail" in Jamaica, is a popular dish enjoyed by many across the island. Despite the confusion about its origins, oxtail today comes from the tail of a cow, not an ox. While this meat has become a staple in Jamaican cuisine, there are differences between local and imported oxtail. Here's what you need to know about this tasty yet controversial ingredient. What is Oxtail? A Brief Overview Oxtail is the tail of a cow, which, over time, has become a favorite ingredient in many traditional Jamaican dishes. Although it was once sourced from oxen, today’s oxtail comes from cows. Despite the name, the term "oxtail" has remained popular, especially in the Jamaican food culture. Local vs. Imported Oxtail: What's the Difference? While the meat comes from the same animal, the main difference between local and imported oxtail is the preparation process. Imported oxtail typically has the skin removed, making it appear cleaner and les...

The Simple Recipe for Refreshing Otaheite Apple Juice This recipe is straightforward, yielding a light, flavourful, and naturally beautiful pink juice. The key is to keep the sweetness minimal and use white sugar to preserve its natural, delicate taste. Ingredients 12 Otaheite apples 1 piece of ginger root , peeled (adjust to your preference for spice) The juice of one lime (optional, but adds a bright, balancing acidity) 3 cups water Granulated sugar to sweeten (Use white sugar to maintain the light colour and flavour. Brown sugar will make the juice look darker and taste heavier, which isn't ideal for a light, refreshing drink.) Instructions: Quick and Easy Steps Prepare the Apples: Thoroughly wash all 12 Otaheite apples. Use a sharp knife to remove the hard tops and bottoms of the fruit. Next, carefully deseed each apple and then cut the fruit into smaller pieces, ready for the blender. Blend: Place the cut apples, peeled ginger, and water into a blender. If you are using...

  Bread pudding is a beloved Jamaican dessert that brings together the rich flavors of stale bread, spices, and a hint of rum.  This recipe uses hardo bread , commonly known in Jamaica as "hardo bread," but any type of bread will do. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering or simply craving a sweet treat, this bread pudding will take you on a nostalgic journey back to traditional Jamaican kitchens. Ingredients 12 slices of month-old stale bread (Hardo bread or any bread of your choice) 2 cups of cow’s milk 1/3 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar 3 room temperature eggs 2 tablespoons room temperature butter (Chiffon margarine works well) 1 tablespoon vanilla flavoring A pinch of salt 1/2 tsp grated nutmeg 2 tablespoons white overproof rum Butter (for greasing the pan) Instructions Step 1: Prepare the Bread Crumbs Start by taking 12 slices of stale bread and placing them into a food processor. Grate until you have fine bread crumbs...

  On Her 14th Birthday: Police Seek Santina Sergeant's Father, Lawrence Sergeant, in Murder Investigation Clarendon, Jamaica – Today, the local community should be celebrating a milestone: the 14th birthday of Santina Sergeant . Instead, this day of remembrance is marred by a tragic and shocking development in the investigation into the Christiana High School student’s brutal murder. The Manchester Police have announced they are actively seeking her father, Lawrence Sergeant , for questioning. Police believe Mr. Sergeant can provide crucial assistance in the ongoing investigation into his daughter's heinous death. Father Now a Person of Interest Santina Sergeant was reported missing on Friday, October 3rd, and her partially burnt body was discovered on Monday, October 6th, concealed under an old fridge in the backyard of her home in Riverside Drive, Baillieston, Spalding. The gruesome discovery, made by a police search team from the Christiana Police Station, immediately raise...

  Clarendon, Jamaica – The community of Clarendon has been plunged into mourning and shock following the devastating discovery of a missing high school student's body. Santina Sergeant , a bright 13-year-old enrolled at Christiana High School, was found deceased yesterday afternoon, her life tragically cut short. The Manchester Police are now investigating what they have confirmed to be a murder, leaving residents reeling and demanding answers. A Distressing Discovery in Baillieston The grim discovery was made at the back of a house in Riverside Drive, Baillieston, Spalding, Clarendon. Santina's partially burnt body was reportedly found hidden under an old refrigerator, a detail that has sent shivers through the community and sparked widespread outrage. Santina was first reported missing on Friday. This led to an intensive search, which tragically culminated in the discovery of her remains yesterday. The Spalding Police Station, operating within the Manchester Police Division...

  Linstead, St. Catherine (October 6, 2025) – The community of Commadore in Linstead, St. Catherine, is in shock and mourning this morning following a horrific gun attack last night that claimed the lives of five people and left four others hospitalized. The brazen act of violence has sent shockwaves across the nation, compounding concerns over the escalating issue of domestic gang warfare and violent crime in Jamaica. The Details of the Attack The tragedy unfolded on Sunday night, October 5, 2025, around 8:45 PM . According to preliminary reports from the police, multiple gunmen descended upon a residential yard in Commadore and immediately opened fire on the occupants. The victims were caught in the sudden and relentless assault, which resulted in instant fatalities and serious injuries. The five deceased victims include three males and two females. In a particularly heartbreaking detail, one of the victims is confirmed to be a four-year-old child . Four other individuals sustai...

  Hey everyone, and welcome back to the blog! As many of you know, the Saturday market run is a deeply ingrained ritual in Jamaican culture. It's where we connect with our community, find the freshest produce, and often, where we get the best prices outside of the big supermarkets. But lately, my market trips have felt less like a joyful ritual and more like a stark reality check. Just yesterday, October 4, 2025, I did my usual market run, basket in hand, ready to stock up. What I found were prices that left me, and many other shoppers, shaking our heads. I'm sharing these real-time figures directly from my experience, because it's important for us to talk about the true cost of living here in Jamaica right now.  My Market Basket: The Breakdown of October 4, 2025 Prices Let’s get right to it. Here’s a look at some of the common items I bought (or considered buying!) and their prices per pound (unless otherwise noted): Lettuce: $1200 JMD / lb – Yes, you read that right. On...