Beenie to be a granddad - 17-y-o daughter pregnant - Another deejay said to be the father

It appears that Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis is soon to be a grandfather. The deejay's daughter, who turned 17 last week, is rumoured to be pregnant for popular deejay Aidonia.

Aidonia has, however, denied that he is the father.

When contacted, Aidonia's manager and brother, Lav said, "He is not the babyfather. She is only 16-year-old, so why would Aidonia be involved with somebody that young? Furthermore, we are family with Beenie Man, nothing more. We are close family with Beenie Man, so I don't know where people are getting this from."

Lav said other persons, including members of the media, had been calling the deejay for confirmation of the rumours. He said the rumour would not affect Aidonia's career.

No effects

"It won't affect his career in any way. As I said, Beenie is like family. Aidonia has been going through a lot of things over the years, so this is just one more thing that he will have to get over," he said.

Rumours quietly began circulating that Beenie's daughter was pregnant for the popular artiste last week.

When THE STAR spoke to a source close to Beenie Man, he confirmed that the deejay's daughter was expecting (for a well-known deejay). The source said, "She's pregnant and she's overseas in Florida staying with a relative."

Beenie Man, who is currently in New Jersey, USA, for a show, was unavailable for comment up to press time.

Shocked

However, according to the source, 'The Doctor' was shocked to discover the news of his child's pregnancy but has since adjusted to the situation. The source explained that Beenie has been on tour back to back and it was when he recently came off tour that he heard that his daughter was pregnant.

"As a father, to know your 17-year-old is pregnant, worse when yuh have good ambitions for her of going to college, it's not something you take so easy, but it's a given part of life ... . He was shocked," the source said.

When asked if Beenie was going to support his daughter, the source commented: "Beenie is gonna be supportive. He just has to live with it and support her all the way, let her know that this is not the end of her life and she's gonna continue school."

According to the source, he didn't believe this would affect Beenie's career in any way.

hi5 page

Photos posted on the daughter's hi5 page also confirmed the pregnancy. The daughter, whose photos were proudly displayed on the page in a folder titled 'Sexy Mother', is seen lying on a bed, her protruding stomach very visible. There is also a photo of the ultra-sound posted on the page. The ultrasound bears her name, as well as the name of the doctor who performed the procedure, and the date it was done, September 2. The image of the foetus is clearly defined.

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Eleven persons killed over the weekend

Kimmo Matthews
Monday, September 22, 2008



Police yesterday reported that a total of 11 persons were killed in separate incidents over the weekend, nine by the gun and two by the knife, keeping the murder tally on track for another record year.

Crime statistics released by the police for the first eight months of this year, revealed that 1,105 persons were murdered up to the end of August.

Yesterday's blood-drenched list of the persons murdered weekend read:

. Clive Ellis, 43, otherwise called "Latimore" of East Road, Kingston 12, shot dead by a gunman along Water Street in downtown Kingston yesterday.

. Ricardo Smith, 27, nicknamed "Taffy" of John Lane, Kingston, shot dead by unknown assailants in downtown Kingston Friday.

. Ricardo Allison, 25, construction worker shot and killed in the community of Short Town Manchester Friday.

. Oniel 'Bunny' Clarke, shot and killed at Whitfield Avenue, Kingston 13 Friday.

. Germaine Crooks, 22, chef of Shortwood Road, Kingston 8, shot dead at Grants Pen Road, Kingston 8 Saturday.

. Oral Roberts, 20-year-old of West Street, killed at a gambling house in the community Saturday

. Kevin Easy, 23, of Savanna Cross, killed at a wake in the Clarendon community.

. Anthony "Tony" Shaw, 46, and Dwayne "Cash Brush" Edwards, both of Mountain View Avenue in Kingston killed during an altercation at Mountain View Avenue, Kingston 2 Saturday.

. Enoch Robinson, 34, of Eastwood Park Road in the Kingston 10, stabbed to death Saturday at Harbour Street in downtown Kingston.

. Wesley "Con" Bent, 54, of All Sides, Trelawny stabbed to death in the district Saturday. Joseph Fisher, 78, also of All Sides district, was charged with the murder.

Police also reported Saturday they had charged a 16-year-old youth with murder for the brutal mutilation killing of 11-year-old Sandside, St Mary resident, Aakim Scott last week. The teen, one of five boys held in connection with the killing, is expected to appear in court this week.

Scott's dismembered body was found by police and residents last Tuesday stuffed in a polyethylene bag in bushes, two days after he went missing on Sunday, September 14.

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Powell won't change coach

published: Tuesday | September 23, 2008

Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer



Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (left), minister of information, youth, culture and sports, escorts Olympians Asafa Powell (right) and Rosemarie White after they arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. Powell, 4x100-metre gold medallist, and White, 1,600m relay bronze medal winner, were greeted by other dignitaries. "I am glad to be back home and even after the races, I am happy for the overwhelming support," Powell told journalists. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Despite public comments from his parents suggesting that he should part company with his coach, Stephen Francis, Asafa Powell, the world's second fastest man, said that will not happen.

His parents, Reverend William Powell, his father and mother Cislyn, said in an interview on local television, CVM, said it was time for their 25-year-old son to make a change.

"Change the coach. Try somebody else," Reverend Powell said. "He should have changed the coach long time. If it was me, I would have changed coach long time ago."

Not an option

Asafa, though, said that's not an option.

"My mother loves me very much, and she has the right to say whatever she wants to say. But that's an issue I have to deal with, with her ... There is not going to be any change of coach," said Powell, who along with fellow Olympian Rosemarie White, returned to the island yesterday.

Cislyn Powell, the athlete's mother, said Asafa like all her other sons, when they believe in someone, it's hard to change their mind.

She said if Asafa had a problem with major events, it needed to be identified.

"As a coach, he (Francis) should be able to identify the problem," Cislyn said.

The parents' comments follow the fifth place finish in 9.95 seconds at the Beijing Olympics by Powell, a huge medal favourite. At the 2004 Olympics, in Athens, Powell also finished fifth in 9.94 seconds, having started as the favourite.

After the Olympic finals, Powell returned to run personal bests, lowering his 9.91 to 9.89 in 2004, then 9.72 after Beijing, which bettered his previous high standard of 9.74 less than a month ago.

In between, he held the then world record at different marks - 9.77, which he recorded on several occasions, and 9.74.

However, Powell, who had earlier said he is better suited for Grand Prix meets, said he have some explaining to do with his parents.

Powell, who helped Jamaica to win the sprint relay gold medal in a world record 37.10 in Beijing, noted his problem to deliver on the big stage is not with coach Francis.

"I just have to talk to her and explain all the details. My coach is not liked by a lot of people very much, but I have no problem with him, so there is not going to be any change," added Powell.

Great experience

Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, minister of information, youth, culture and sports, Jamaica Olympic Association president, Mike Fennell, Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association boss Howard Aris, Sports Development Foundation chairman David Mais, and several of Powell's MVP club teammates, were on hand to welcome their star at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Grange told Powell, "You are the trailblazer" and "Rosemarie, you are going to be a great athlete".

White said: "The experience was very great, knowing it was my first time at a major championships. I am very proud of myself to finish seventh in the Olympic 400m final and return to get a bronze medal in the 1600m relay," said White, a student at G.C. Foster College.


Jamaica's Olympics sprint relay gold medallist, Asafa Powell, is flanked by his mom, Cislyn and dad, William, as well as an ardent female fan upon his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

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Children's advocate probes 13-y-o model contest winner

published: Tuesday | September 23, 2008

The Office of the Children's Advocate has launched a full investigation into the awarding of a 13-year-old girl as the winner of a fashion model competition.

Henderson Downer, acting children's advocate, told The Gleaner yesterday that a team of investigators has been assigned to probe the matter involving Shermonique Ivey, who, earlier this month, won the Pulse Fashion Model Search.

"We have also written to other relevant government departments in investigating the matter, if there is any criminal prosecution or whether anybody is liable to compensation," said Downer.

She declined to comment further, stating that the case was under enquiry.

Real work after high school

Concerns were raised in several quarters, including Letters to the Editor of this newspaper, after Ivey modelled in swimsuits and was adjudged winner of the competition on September 7.

Romae Gordon, general manager at Pulse, said Ivey would not start modelling internationally until she completed high school, as in the case of other underage winners.

"Samantha Re-Crowal won the petite competition some years ago at age 13. She remained in school and for the next couple of years only appeared in odd fashion shows," said Gordon.

At the same time, public officials have called for parents to be more vigilant in light of recent attacks.

Aakim Scott, an 11-year-old boy of Sandside, St Mary, was brutally killed last week. During that same week, another 11-year-old, Ananda Dean of Whitehall Avenue in the Corporate Area, went missing.

Plagued by monsters

Olivia Grange, minister of information, culture, youth and sports, said unfortunately, the society was plagued by "monsters" who were prepared to carry out nefarious acts against children.

"Parents, I ask you to look out for your children. Make sure you know where they are at all times," said Grange last Friday during an awards luncheon, hosted by the Urban Development Corporation, for staff members' children who were successful in the Grade Six Achievement Test.

Police statistics show that last month, three children were murdered.

In August, there were 17 reported cases of carnal abuse.

Rashida St Juste, public relations manager at the Child Development Agency, said more must be done to educate guardians about their responsibilities for the care and protection of their charges.

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PNP fallout begins - Two Phillips supporters quit, another targeted

published: Tuesday | September 23, 2008

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

The casualtIES from last Saturday's presidential elec-tion in the People's National Party (PNP) have started with a senior member of parliament (MP) relinquishing his position as an opposition spokesman while a caretaker has resigned.

At the same time, a sitting MP is to be challenged for the leadership of her constituency.

News surfaced late yesterday that Opposition Spokesman on Local Government, Dean Peart, has resigned from that position.

Rosemarie Shaw, a vocal sup-porter of Dr Peter Phillips, spent yesterday speaking with supporters in Western St Thomas before handing in her resignation as caretaker and chairman for the constituency.

Challenge for henry-wilson

Another key Phillips backer, Maxine Henry-Wilson, seems set to face a challenge for the job as chairman of the PNP's organisation in South East St Andrew, where she has been the MP since 2002.

Shaw told The Gleaner that her decision to resign was directly linked to the election result, which saw Portia Simpson Miller beating Phillips by 373 votes.

"I think I should do the right thing by resigning so that the Comrade leader can put in place someone who she has full confidence in," Shaw said.

Matter of principle

Shaw said she had previously told the party's leadership in Region Two that she was unlikely to contest another general election after her 2007 defeat by the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) James Robertson, but decided to delay her resignation after Phillips announced his challenge for the leadership.

"I resigned as a matter of principle. If Peter Phillips had won, I think I would have stayed on," Shaw told The Gleaner.

She said she had taken a similar decision after the 2006 presidential contest, but was persuaded by the general secretary to remain in the post and contest the 2007 election.

Shaw, a former JLP activist, resigned from that party after a public fallout with the then Edward Seaga-led party in 1995.

She joined the PNP after JLP councillors passed a no-confidence motion removing her as mayor of Morant Bay.

In the meantime, PNP sources in South East St Andrew told The Gleaner that they are eagerly awaiting the constituency conference to oust Henry-Wilson as chairman.

The conference was initially scheduled for early August, but was called off following a meeting in Nannyville, St Andrew, where Comrades called for a return of former MP Easton Douglas who had walked away from the constituency paving the way for Henry-Wilson.

Douglas, who led the Simpson Miller campaign team, has not yet indicated if he would be willing to return to representational politics and efforts to contact him yesterday were unsuccessful.

However, the sources say if Douglas is not interested, every effort will be made to entice vice-president Angela Brown-Burke to take charge of the constituency.

That should come as no surprise to political watchers as Brown-Burke was among those who influenced Comrades in South East St Andrew to back Simpson Miller although their MP, Henry Wilson was supporting Phillips.

Andrew Swaby, the only sitting councillor in the constituency was also among refused to side with Henry-Wilson .

Efforts to contact Henry-Wilson yesterday were unsuccessful, but she had earlier indicated that a defeat for Phillips would cause her to examine her role in the party.

"If the candidate loses, we continue to be members of the People's National Party, but we would probably operate from a different level. We do not intend to divide the party because the party is much larger than any of us," Henry-Wilson told The Gleaner nine days ago.

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