The Star (Jamaica)
Where is Nicky?
For three agonising weeks, the laughter has disappeared from Nicholette Lawrence’s Old Harbour Glades home. The 33-year-old beautician, known as Nicky for her bubbly personality and generous spirit, has been missing since July 23, leaving her family...
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Defying all the odds
For Kameshia Jordine, watching her son defy odds that could have easily dimmed his dreams was a powerful reminder of just how far he had come. Born without hands and with shortened legs, her 17-year-old son, Tyrece Johnson, proudly walked across the...
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17-y-o born without hands creating beautiful paintings
For 17-year-old Tyrece Johnson, being born without hands and with shortened legs has never stopped him from pursuing his passion for art. Tucking a paintbrush between his neck and shoulder, Johnson has steadily developed his talent, one stroke at a...
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Youth group condemns violence at party
The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) says it “strongly condemns” the violence at a recent event in St Ann, and is calling on entertainment organisers to urgently review and strengthen event security measures. In a release, the JYAN urged...
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PEP scholar overcomes illness, trauma to succeed
When 11-yearold Kimmy* was announced as the top-scoring girl in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) for the Child Protection and Family Services Agency’s (CPFSA) Southern Region, her grandmother Jane* cheered the loudest. As the youngster walked towards...
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‘Mi want a farrin man’
Shernette Smith is hunting for a “farrin man” who can help ease her financial burden while winning her heart. The 31-year-old Clarendon mother of three made her desire known in a TikTok post more than a week ago. Now, calls are reportedly flooding in...
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At DayDreams
The dress code was white, but there was nothing plain about the fashion at DayDreams. Dream Weekend patrons who descended on the premium daytime party, they turned the all-white brief into a showcase of personality. With the Jamaican sun providing the...
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Family hopeful but 83-y-o with Alzheimer’s still missing
For the past two months, every time the phone rings, a Manchester family answers with both anxiety and hope that the call will bring news of their missing 83-yearold patriarch, Ferdie Green. Green’s stepdaughter, Nicola Montaque, told THE STAR that...
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Love conquers chaos
After two years apart — a period during which he pursued other relationships —Duwayne ‘Dewey’ Scarlett says he could no longer stand to see his wife in emotional pain and has decided that the best place to be is in her arms. Following their prolonged...
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Cops find burglary ring targeting three parishes
Police in Portland say they have identified an organised criminal group believed to be responsible for a series of commercial break-ins across Portland, St Mary and St Ann, with investigators crediting coordinated policing efforts for disrupting the...
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‘We need more babies!’
Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has again warned that the country must find ways to encourage more people to have children before the population shrinks to dangerous levels. “We need to encourage more births in whatever way, shape,...
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Saxophonist merging music and cybersecurity
Ryeem Fletcher can spend one part of his day breathing life into a saxophone and another learning how to keep digital systems secure. At 23, the saxophonist is in his third year at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), pursuing cybersecurity...
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Rhoda ‘ashamed’ to be a Crawford
State Minister for education Rhoda Moy Crawford has launched a fiery attack on Opposition education spokesman Damion Crawford, saying she was left embarrassed by his recent comments about the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations. Rhoda Moy...
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Women’s Centre wants sex offenders’ registry public
The head of the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation is throwing her support behind growing calls for Jamaica’s sex offenders’ registry to be opened to the public, arguing that communities have a right to know when convicted sexual predators are living...
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Extreme heat threatens egg production
As Jamaica’s blistering heat continues, egg farmers are warning that the greatest threat is not the birds dying in the heat, but the thousands of eggs that may never reach consumers as stressed chickens stop laying altogether. President of the Egg...
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National Farm Queen looks to hand over crown
When 19-year-old Menen Ross steps onto the stage at the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show on July 31, it will be a bittersweet farewell, as the reigning National Farm Queen will hand over the crown to one of 13 young women who will carry...
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‘I’m on the way to generational wealth’
While thousands of Jamaicans were expected to place bets on Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final in hopes of landing one last big payday, one bettor who had already pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the tournament says this was the one...
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Lovers scoring during World Cup
Now, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its final stage this weekend, whispers are growing in Jamaica that some people may be using football fever as the perfect cover for stepping outside their relationships. THE WEEKEND STAR hit the streets to...
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Rural School Bus Programme gets high marks
Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says parent and student satisfaction with the Rural School Bus Programme, which was implemented last year, currently stands at 100 per cent, significantly surpassing the original performance target of 85 per cent. He...
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Jamaican sailor takes on the high seas aboard US warship
Ajourney that began in Kingston has taken Shamire Boyd to the deck of one of the world’s most powerful naval vessels. The sailor, who graduated from Excelsior High School in 2010, is serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, a massive...
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$5,000 World Cup bet wins $3.3 million
AJustBet customer turned a $5,000 World Cup wager into a massive $3.3-million payout after correctly predicting the scores of three matches on a single ticket. Stefan Miller, CEO of Supreme Ventures Gaming, said the winning ticket was a multiple bet,...
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Baby bottom face!
People desperate for clearer skin are turning to diaper rash creams such as Desitin, with social media users claiming that the product can give their faces the same smooth, spotless appearance as a baby’s bottom. The unusual skincare hack has taken...
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‘She was my baby girl’
Maureen Haynes-Taylor is struggling to accept that the daughter she cherished for 21 years is gone. The Waterford, St Catherine mother was left devastated on Monday after Brianna Taylor, her “baby girl” and the light of her home, was shot and killed...
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Raped at sea Woman accuses boss of sexual crime
When Jane* got a job at a watersport establishment recently, she thought it was an avenue to her independence. She had plans of using the money to continue her education, so she showed up to work with much enthusiasm. But that zeal for her job was...
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Registered nurse makes Miss Universe Jamaica history for St Thomas
Registered nurse, TaraGaye Evans, has been crowned Miss Universe Jamaica, St Thomas 2026. The coronation, the first of its kind for the parish, took place at the Morant Bay High School in the parish on Saturday, and saw Evans claiming victory over...
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Jamaicans hail ‘Franno’
Jamaicans from all sectors yesterday hailed legendary track coach Stephen Francis, who passed away late Saturday at the age of 64 – one day after his birthday. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, in leading the scores of tributes that have poured in,...
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LOVE ON THE SIDELINES
Licensed therapist and relationship coach Latoya Deslandes is warning couples not to allow World Cup fever to quietly erode their relationships. She said that while the tournament can bring excitement and even bonding, it can just as easily create...
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Former State ward crowned St James Festival Queen
Growing up, Tanya Kentish often wondered why her story looked different from everyone else’s. Years ago, when financial hardship made it impossible for her biological mother to care for all of her children, she made the difficult decision to place the...
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Aspiring lawyer fears lack of money may block dream
At 19, Shadae Riley has already earned the opportunity she prayed for. After seven years at Hampton School, eight CSEC subjects, including seven grade ones, and CAPE Unit One results of three grade twos and one grade one, the Manchester teen received...
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L.A. Lewis says he was robbed at gunpoint
Maroon Emperor L.A. Lewis says he narrowly escaped serious harm on Tuesday night after he was allegedly robbed at gunpoint during an event in Charles Town, Portland. Lewis claims the incident unfolded shortly after a maroon celebration where he had...
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Hurricane ravaged school produces top PEP student
Though still recovering from the devastating effects of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, Park Mountain Primary and Infant School in St Elizabeth has much to celebrate, after head girl, 11-year-old Jasonnia Beadle emerged as Jamaica’s top primary student...
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Award-winning photographer takes Trelawny Festival Queen crown
Award-winning climate justice photographer Teja-Jae Rose has added another achievement to her growing list of accomplishments after being crowned Miss Trelawny Festival Queen 2026. The 25-year-old secretary from Jackson Town captured the title during...
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Man living with mental condition missing since June 4
Loved ones of 23-year-old Matthew ‘Perry’ Mason, who has been missing since Thursday, June 4, are worried sick that they may never find him. Speaking with THE STAR, Mason’s uncle Glenroy Dixon said that his nephew suffers from a mental disorder. “Him...
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Cancer no more
At just eight years old, Alexia Waysome was well known around the oncology ward at Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew. Staff gave her the nickname ‘Soldier’ for the calm courage she carried while battling bone cancer. On Tuesday, Alexia,...
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Mom pursues education degree to teach autistic daughter
When schools repeatedly turned away her autistic daughter, Kimmoy Gayle refused to accept that the child would be left behind. Instead, the 34-yearold mother enrolled at The University of the West Indies (UWI) and began training to become the teacher...
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Physically challenged mother of three seeking a job
Kimberly McCalla feels that she has never got a fair shot at life. Not only was she born physically disabled, but the 24-year-old has never laid eyes on her parents, as she was allegedly abandoned as a baby. She has spent the majority of her life in...
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Dad buys car for 11-year-old daughter
just a day before the graduation ceremony. “I was scrolling through the Internet and mi see a Subaru and called the youth and tell him and he knew me and made it happen. But this is now Karakay first income.” A video posted across Pearson’s social...
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‘Loose vagina’ myth hurting women
For many women, the phrase “loose vagina” is more than a crude insult tossed around in conversations, music lyrics or social media banter. It often lands as something heavier — a trigger for shame, confusion and anxiety. In that space of uncertainty,...
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Levi Roots grateful to grandma for success
Leaving Jamaica at the age of six with his grandmother’s secret ingredients tucked away in his suitcase, Keith ‘Levi Roots’ Graham had no idea that a few pimento seeds and his grandmother’s cooking skills would later reap remarkable success. The...
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‘THAT BLACK BRA’
That favourite black bra many women keep reaching for, often worn again and again between washes, may be doing more than offering comfort and support. Dermatologists are warning that this habit, especially in the heat of summer, can contribute to a...
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Freak accident claims Manchester man’s life
AManchester family has been left heartbroken after a “joyful family man” was killed in a freak accident last Thursday. Robert Vaughn South-Dawes, 60, died after he was struck by several lengths of steel being delivered by a truck in Balvenie Heights,...
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‘BUFF LIFT’ ANYONE?
Asmall but steady number of women have been heading to operation rooms seeking fuller intimate contours through fat-transfer surgery. At the end of it, the patients appear to be born and bred residents of ‘Buff Bay’. Plastic surgeon Dr Jan Hochtritt...
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Desperate cabbies await fare increase
After waiting nearly two years for a fare increase, public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators say they are geared up to accept nothing less than the 16 per cent they believe is rightfully owed to them. This, according to president of the St James Taxi...
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Teen tattoo artist unlocks hidden talent
As a child, the thought of a tattoo gave Kadeen Patterson the chills, but, these days, the 18-year-old has been bringing the ink to life through her eye-catching designs. “I wanted to be a soldier or nurse, but mi don’t know where me get my drawing...
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Family still baffled by market manager’s murder
There is still disbelief and raw grief for the family of Colleen ‘Sonia’ Bernard, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation market manager who was gunned down in a brazen daylight attack at the Papine market last Friday. For her sister, Kimone...
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‘Let them talk’
Kayla Kidd is no stranger to harsh criticisms and insults fired at her online. As a 24-year-old mother of four, all of whom are under four years old, and having a husband who is twice her age, and two years older than her father, she faces mean...
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Supreme Ventures Foundation announces 2026 community heroes
After a nationwide call for public nominations earlier this year, the Supreme Ventures Foundation (SVF) officially announced the five finalists selected for the 2026 staging of its flagship Supreme Heroes programme. They are Veneish Wallace...
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110 YEARS OF GRACE
DEAR READERS, THE STAR will not be published on Monday, May 25, which is being celebrated as Labour Day. The publication will return on Tuesday, May 26.
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Bishop warns Jamaica losing value of human life
Popular clergyman Bishop Alvin Bailey is warning that Jamaica is slipping into “deepening decadence and insensitivity” towards human life. Bailey will be leading a group of pastors to Granville, St James, today to meet with grieving residents and...
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Church urged to teach sex education amid spike in demand for OnlyFans content
Jamaicans spent nearly $500 million on the popular subscription-based adult platform OnlyFans last year. While the figures have raised eyebrows, marriage, family and sex therapist Bishop Dr Carla Dunbar says she is not shocked by the development —...
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Jamaican brings island flavours to Master Chef kitchen
For Jamaican-American culinary chef Tkaiya Dryden, creating bold flavours has always been part of her journey. Now, as she steps onto the massive culinary of MasterChef alongside celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay with a mission to represent the Jamaican...
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‘THE KIDS LOVED IT’
The make-up artist at the centre of a viral graduation photo debate, says the parents of the basic school students fully supported their glam session and were excited to see their children “dolled up” for picture day. “I don’t see anything wrong with...
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BABY PUSH
Tax incentives, childcare subsidies and fertility support are now among the bold measures proposed by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, as Jamaica grapples with a plunging birth rate, which he says could threaten the country’s...
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Itsthickiana finds love again
Just one year ago, TikTok personality Itsthickiana could hardly speak about the future without breaking down in tears. Her social media pages became a public journal of grief after her boyfriend, 20-year-old Kaleave Thomas, was brutally gunned down in...
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Suspect identified in US citizen’s death
The Jamaica Constabulary Force said it is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Dane Watson, who has been listed as a person of interest in connection with the murder investigation into the death of 35-year-old Melissa Samnath. The US citizen...
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Born different but built strong
Although his right leg is deformed, there is no slowing down two-year-old Shavon Robinson, who spends much of his time kicking a football, playing with his five-year-old brother, and keeping up with his little friends. His father, Sharvon Robinson,...
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Shortage of some medication concerns HIV patients
Every three months, Kerry-Ann* quietly joins a line of patients at a government HIV treatment clinic, collects the medication that suppresses the virus in her body, and returns home to continue the carefully structured routine that has kept her healthy...
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Victim of child abuse wants age of consent raised
When most children her age were excited about entering seventh grade at high school, 12-yearold Mary* was attending prenatal clinic after she was impregnated by a neighbour who was almost three times her age. Now 41, the mother of three says she...
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Mom completes university assignment while in labour
Kennesha Sangster turned a hospital delivery room into an examination hall in one of the most extraordinary displays of determination imaginable as she completed a university assignment while in labour. The 29-year-oldrefused to let the moment derail...
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Sweet soup lady serves up hot soup
After years working in a call centre, Trudi-Ann Hewitt never imagined her customer service background would one day set her apart as the “polite soup lady.” For Hewitt, taking pride in her appearance is just as important as serving up hot, tasty meal...
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Stroke floors fitness advocate
Dr Sasekea Harris had spent most of her life committed to a healthy lifestyle and, at 44, she never imagined a stroke could be part of her story. “I would go jogging Mondays to Fridays, and I eat healthy,” she said. “I am the one who tell people that...
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Children’s Advocate backs raising age of consent to 18
Jamaica’s Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon-Harrison is backing a proposal to raise the age of consent from 16 to 18, saying the move could strengthen protections for minors amid ongoing concerns about teenage pregnancy and exploitative...
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Mother of two battling brain tumour
Getting ready to head out, Amanda Campbell stood in front of her mirror putting on her makeup when something stopped her cold. “I was doing my eye shadow and when mi close one eye, mi can’t find the other eye fi put it on. A then mi realise seh it...
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Dad manifests son’s track success
Years ago, a Jamaican father, Nicholas Watt, captured what seemed like a simple, encouraging moment with his son Nickoye on video – affirming where the boy would be in five years. Now, those spoken words are coming into being as young speedster...
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Pastors say church killing symbolises societal decay
Last Wednesday’s brazen gun attack inside a Montego Bay churchyard reflects a broader societal decline, according to two clergymen. The attack has left 38-year-old Corra Thompson’s family devastated and the congregation at the New Testament Church of...
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