The Star (Jamaica)
Sickle cell patient fighting to stay alive
For the past two years, Akida Doyle has carried a chilling warning from his doctors in the back of his mind. He was told that he might not live to see 30. Now 29, Doyle says those words haunt him more than ever as he battles the debilitating effects...
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Desperate mom cries out for help
As September shines a spotlight on mental health awareness, 29-year-old mother Kerrian Nevers is opening up about the mental toll of struggling to provide for her three children, while battling homelessness, unemployment and the cost of...
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Mystery eye condition clouds teen’s future
Through a voice filled with pain, a St Ann mother, Monique McDougal, is pleading for help to not only heal her 16-year-old daughter Delayna Gordon’s eye, but also to give her a chance to return to the promising path she was on. “I can’t see my...
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Teacher questions ban on student hustlers
Ateacher is questioning whether schools are sending mixed messages to students by preaching entrepreneurship while punishing youngsters who sell items on the compound. The educator, who teaches at a prominent Corporate Area high school, said students...
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Prostate cancer survivor recalls shock diagnosis
After watching his father battle prostate cancer, 56-year-old Quinton Yearde knew that getting the illness was a possibility, but he hoped it was a road he would never have to travel. However, while taking out an insurance policy, Yearde received the...
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Doctors said her twins wouldn’t survive
Sasha Seymour-McLeod was pregnant with twins in 2015 when she learnt that her pregnancy had developed serious complications. She was told that she was suffering from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a potentially serious condition that can...
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JMDA concerned about patient surge
Doctors are sometimes spending up to 20 minutes searching for basic medical supplies during regular patient-flow periods, a problem the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) says becomes even more consequential when emergency departments are...
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Afraid of the finger
For years, Errol Bennett feared a doctor’s finger more than prostate cancer, but following months of concerning symptoms, though worried, he is still not ready to get screened. “A the finger business. Mi nah lie to you. Mi just never comfortable with...
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Nurse finds purpose in working with the MENTALLY CHALLENGED
Registered nurse Paula Lawrence is one of three healthcare workers at the Bellevue Hospital who received the health ministry’s Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship aims to provide financial assistance for persons currently enrolled or...
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Cancer survivor’s winning smile tells a story of strength
When 37-year-old dental technician Sydonnie Harper walked away from the inaugural Miss 30+ Jamaica 2026 with the Best Smile prize recently, it represented more than just the profession she has built her life around. It reflected the strength of a woman...
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Researcher laments prevalence of paternity fraud
AClarendon woman being charged after allegedly collecting money from a man she convinced was going to become a father has reignited debate about just how far some women may go to deceive men about pregnancy. Public health expert and researcher Dr Paul...
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HIV rumour shattering woman’s life
ASt James woman’s world was turned upside down after her face was splashed across a social media page that has been posting persons, alleging that they are HIV-positive. “I found out about the page yesterday (Tuesday) morning, roughly around nine. I...
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New mother forced to amputate leg
After always wanting a child of her own, Regena Williams was overjoyed when she finally became pregnant. When her son was born on April 21, the first-time mother had all the dreams and plans that come with welcoming a new baby. However, just three...
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Gretell was our hero
Six years ago, Alicia Campbell Dawkins stood with her family as they buried her brother, Ancel. On Sunday, she found herself grieving her sister, Gretell Campbell. For Campbell Dawkins, the cruel coincidence was almost too painful to say...
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MEDICAL STUDENT’S DREAM TURNS NIGHTMARE
Gabrielle Graham was still a high school student when she walked into a doctor’s office and questioned her father’s diagnosis. For months, she had watched him become increasingly ill. He had been diagnosed with gastroenteritis, but when his condition...
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Jhada walks streets to help fund France dreams
For 18-year-old Jhada McKie, asking strangers for money was never something she imagined herself doing. But with her dream of becoming a French teacher hanging in the balance, the normally shy college student found herself walking through downtown...
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Little entrepreneur doing hair to fund dream room
At an age when many children are asking for toys and gadgets, little Kaillie Brown has been saving her dollars for something bigger – completing her room. Kaillie first spoke to THE STAR about eight months ago, when her savings mainly came from...
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Backyard teacher determined to start education revolution
At about 10 years old, long before Ronaldhino Brown ever set foot on a college campus, he was already teaching. His classroom was the backyard of his home in Church, Bog Walk, where a mango tree provided shade and tree stumps became seats. Old books...
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‘I will never give up’
As she prepares to send four of her seven children back to school, Andrene Peart is also buying school supplies for the son she has not seen in nearly a year. Among the items she purchased was a dozen hardcover books for 12-year-old Jayden Smith, who...
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33 bullets couldn’t break him
Five years after surviving a horrific gun attack that left him without both legs, Adisa Alexander is now slowly rebuilding his life. Alexander was shot 33 times with high-powered weapons on October 13, 2020, in Tavern, St Andrew, after stopping at a...
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Born to paint
He first captured the Internet’s attention navigating school life without hands and with shortened feet, but 17-yearold Tyrece Johnson is now giving people another reason to cheer. The youngster has conquered Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate...
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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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