108 YEARS THE MOST WIDELY CIRCUL ATED CARIBBEAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN FLORIDA
CNWEEKLYNE WS.COM
THURSDAY DECEMBER 11, 2025
OF LEGACY Honoring Jamaica’s legal trailblazer and WWII veteran
Ena Collymore-Woodstock OD, MBE — a woman whose life bridged war, justice, public service and extraordinary firsts — has died at age 108. Her passing on December 2 closes a chapter on one of Jamaica’s most remarkable and barrier-breaking figures, but her influence endures across the Caribbean’s legal and civic landscape. Born in Spanish Town on September 10, 1917, CollymoreWoodstock rose from early
hardship, becoming orphaned in her youth, to chart a path that reshaped opportunities for women in law and public leadership. She attended Central Branch School and St Hugh’s High School before beginning what would become a legendary career. Her early interest in the justice system was sparked in an unexpected way: a newspaper advertisement seeking a male clerk at the Sutton Street
continues on B1 – Ena Collymore-Woodstock
Broward Schools propose closing 7 campuses as enrollment declines Broward County Public Schools is preparing for major financial and structural changes as student enrollment continues to fall, prompting district leaders to propose school closures, implement a hiring freeze and halt out-of-county travel. The district has lost thousands of students this school year alone, part of a years-long decline. In 2021, Broward Schools enrolled nearly 208,000 students. This year, that number has dropped to 188,000, and by 2030, enrollment is projected to fall by another 25,000.
Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn unveiled a list of schools recommended for closure or consolidation on Monday under the district’s Redefining Our Schools initiative. The announcement came after a public meeting where parents were able to weigh in on the proposed changes. The schools under consideration include: • North Fork Elementary School, Fort Lauderdale • Palm Cove Elementary School, Pembroke Pines • Panther Run Elementary School,
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Pembroke Pines Sunshine Elementary School, Miramar Bair Middle School, Sunrise Plantation Middle School, Plantation Seagull Alternative High School, Fort Lauderdale
Glades Middle School in Miramar and Walter C. Young Middle School in Pembroke Pines had previously been under review but were ultimately removed from the list. District officials say the financial strain has reached a critical point.
“We are short this year $94 million, which means between January and June of this year we’ve got to constrict considerably,” said School Board Member Allen Zeman. Board members confirmed that the district has instituted a hiring freeze and a moratorium on travel. “If 10 teachers quit today, hopefully they won’t, I pray they won’t, I can’t go out tomorrow as a district to hire new teachers. That’s how bad our financial situation has become here within this district,” said Board Member Adam Cervera. continues on B3 – School closures
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
NEWSMAKER Jamaican-American Latoya Clarke elevated to Assistant Deputy Mayor in Sunrise a3
CARIBBEAN MUO conrms Miss Jamaica sustained brain bleed, fracture in stage accident a4
WOMEN IN FOCUS Diaspora, regional leaders pay tribute to late Consul General Alsion Roach-Wilson B1
ENTERTAINMENT Ofcial funeral for reggae legend Jimmy Cliff set for December 17 B5