Burt Reynolds died of a heart attack Thursday morning at a hospital in Florida, according to multiple reports. Reynolds was 82. Burt was transported to a Florida hospital after going into cardiac arrest. His family was by his side when he passed. Reynolds had heart problems for years — he underwent major heart surgery in February 2010. His rep tells us Burt had appeared extremely frail recently after being in and out of the hospital. Burt was a star in … Read entire article »

By Kimberley Small/Gleaner Writer—   Denesha Wright (left) with Ajahne Reid, and Kenrick Sharpe who won three medals and a scholarship. At just six years old, little Ajahne Reid is already a big winner. She won a gold medal in her age group (five to seven) for dance from the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) held in Long Beach, California, earlier this summer. Ajahne initially entered the competition as a model after being scouted by her school’s dance teacher, … Read entire article »

MoBay mayor says criminals awaiting end of measure to resume reign of terror BY HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter—-  Police and soldiers man a checkpoint at the border of St James and Trelawny last week. (Photo: Philp Lemonte)– Montego Bay Mayor Councillor Homer Davis has made an appeal for the state of public emergency to remain in place at least until next year. According to Davis, word on the streets of the city is that criminals are anticipating an end … Read entire article »

 Naomi Cowan (left) with mom Carlene Davis — Singer Carlene Davis and her daughter Naomi Cowan pulled off a rare feat last week when they made the influential Foundation Radio Network Chart in New York City. Davis moved from number four to two with Pray For You , which features Marion Hall, while Naomi makes the table for the first time with Paradise Plum, which entered at number 10. Clinton Lindsay, who has compiled the chart for 40 years, said artistes and their children … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer—    King Jammy — THE much-anticipated tribute album, King Jammy Presents: Dennis Brown Tracks of Life, is scheduled for release on September 14 by VP Records. On it, several of contemporary dancehall/reggae’s top artistes collaborate with the reggae legend on some of his best known songs. According to a release from VP, the set comprises tracks producer Lloyd “King Jammys” James recorded with Brown in 1984-85 for the album, Slow Down. James approached acts like … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer—   After one year off the airwaves, veteran broadcaster Gil Bailey is back on New York radio. Since June, he has hosted the two-hour Gil Bailey Show on Saturdays on WNSR 620 AM, starting at 7 am.— He also broadcasts daily on gilbaileyradio.com. Bailey is a pioneer of Caribbean radio in the Big Apple, having started at WHB1 in 1970. He also co-host The Gil and Pat Bailey Show with his wife on WNWK … Read entire article »

 Olivia Grange— BEIJING, China — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, has described the sports cooperation agreement which she signed in the Chinese capital today as “historic and extremely beneficial”. Grange and the General Manager of China Sport International Company (the state-owned sports cooperation agency) Lu Guoguang officially signed the agreement, which will see more than 400 Jamaican athletes travelling to China for training over the next three years. Grange said it was the first … Read entire article »

 GOSFORD, Australia — Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt (right), playing for A-League football club Central Coast Mariners, dribbles past a player from a Central Coast amateur selection team during a pre-season practice football match in Gosford, New South Wales yesterday.— GOSFORD, Australia (AFP) — Sprint king Usain Bolt fulfilled a boyhood dream yesterday in making his much-anticipated football debut , exciting fans but tiring quickly in a 20-minute cameo for Australia’s Central Coast Mariners. The Jamaican superstar, a huge Manchester … Read entire article »