News Briefs

Photographer Michael Gordon passes

Veteran award-winning photojournalist of the Jamaica Observer, Michael Gordon, is dead.

Gordon, who was 67, died at his St Andrew home yesterday.

The media stalwart had been freelancing with the Beechwood Avenue-based newspaper since his retirement as head of the Photography Department in 2013.

Gordon joined at its inception in 1993 after serving for several years at the Jamaica Information Service in a career that spanned more than 45 years.

"He was more than a colleague. He was a true friend, someone I could always depend on to give a listening ear and support in tough times," said Vernon Davidson, the Observer's executive editor for publications.

Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips said that Gordon's work added to the irreplaceable archive of significant moments in Jamaica's history captured on camera.

Gordon, who was conferred with the Order of Distinction (Officer class), is survived by two sons.

Butch Stewart gifts millions for needy

Members of Parliament are to receive $500,000 in additional support from hotelier Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart to assist the most vulnerable in their constituencies.

The funds are earmarked specifically for the purpose of providing care packages.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who made the announcement in Parliament on Tuesday, said the total sum of $31.5 million for the 63 constituencies will be routed through the Consolidated Fund and then to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) before being disbursed to members of parliament.

“It will be met with all the accountability as if it were public funds, and we expect it to be used according to the rules of the CDF,” the prime minister said.

Lawmakers expressed gratitude for the support from Stewart, noting that the donation would alleviate hardships caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

Clarendon North Member of Parliament Horace Dalley welcomed the support, noting that the COVID pandemic had brought him in contact with shut-ins he had never seen before.

St Mary Western MP Robert Montague also thanked several small business owners for their support.