CVM noon bulletin reports Westmoreland charges, Kingston fire remembrance and El Nino warning

CVM’s noon bulletin on Thursday, May 21, 2026, reported several police investigations in western Jamaica, national remembrance for the Evening Tide fire victims, concerns over an Integrity Commission report, a new regional trade grouping and warnings about a developing El Nino pattern.

In Cascade, a 63-year-old shopkeeper from Georgia district, identified as Yubert Christie, was charged with wounding after police said his 55-year-old brother was stabbed in the neck on Monday. The report said the brothers were in Cascade Square about 8 p.m. when a dispute began. The injured man was taken to Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Hanover, where he was admitted in serious condition. Christie was held on Tuesday after police investigations.

In Westmoreland, 42-year-old Germaine Hall, also called “Prey”, of Truro district in the Frome police division, was charged with assault at common law and possession of an illegal firearm with intent to injure. Police said a taxi operator went to his wife’s home in Truro about 5 p.m. Saturday when an argument developed. Hall, described as the woman’s baby father, allegedly assaulted him and threatened him with a homemade firearm.

Detectives from the Savanna-la-Mar Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse also charged 22-year-old Timoy Smith of Orange Hill, Westmoreland, in connection with the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl at his Darliston home on Sunday night. Smith is expected before the Westmoreland Parish Court early next week.

Little London police are also probing the killing of 40-year-old tractor operator Vinroy Holes at his Retreat home on Wednesday morning. Police said an armed intruder broke into the house about 2:30 a.m. and chopped Holes, who later died in hospital.

In Kingston, officials laid floral tributes at National Heroes Park for more than 150 elderly women killed when fire destroyed the Evening Tide Home on Slipe Road on May 20, 1980. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie said Cabinet recently approved May 20 as the official national day of remembrance.

Opposition spokesman Peter Bunting warned that delays in tabling the Integrity Commission report on the Firearm Licensing Authority could harm Jamaica’s anti-corruption system. Kellyon Hamilton of the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority said the new Caribbean Special Economic Zone Association could improve regional cooperation on trade and investment.

Professor Tannecia Stephenson of the University of the West Indies, Mona, said warming Pacific sea temperatures linked to El Nino could bring Jamaica hotter, drier conditions, reduced rainfall and pressure on water supplies, farming and vulnerable groups. Overseas, several countries condemned Israel after a video showed National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting detained Gaza aid flotilla activists.