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CNWEEKLYNE WS.COM
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2026
NO-TAX ERA ENDS Jamaica to break decade-long ‘no new taxes’ stance in postMelissa budget Finance Minister Fayval Williams confirmed late Wednesday that new tax measures will be included in Jamaica’s upcoming national budget, breaking the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration’s long-standing record of fiscal restraint. The government had previously gone eight years and 10 consecutive budgets without imposing any new taxes. Williams
continues on B3 – No-Tax Era Ends
Dennis Hinds Eyes History in Pembroke Pines
Hinds
In one of South Florida’s most diverse cities, with a heavily concentrated Jamaican population, Dennis Hinds is running for the Pembroke Pines City Commission to bring leadership that reflects the community it serves. If elected, he would become the first CaribbeanAmerican commissioner representing District 1, which stretches from Hiatus Road past Pembroke Road to the Florida Turnpike. Hinds, 55, faces two opponents, including the incumbent.
Active in civic life, Hinds has served on multiple city advisory boards, including Planning & Zoning, Diversity & Inclusion, Stroke Awareness, and the Dominoes Council. He coaches youth basketball, mentors through the Police Athletic League, and volunteers at the Miami VA Hospital, local homeless shelters, and food pantries. Hinds’ candidacy highlights the importance of leadership that mirrors the city’s diversity, which includes a vibrant and respectable Caribbean
population, comprising Latin American, Haitian, and Eastern Caribbean communities. Advocates note that representation affects how local governments address issues such as economic opportunity, public safety, education, and community programs. As a Jamaican-American with deep local Roots, Hinds brings a perspective that reflects the experiences of many residents and helps ensure their voices are represented in city decisions. Born and raised in New York, continues on B4 – Dennis Hinds
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
NEWSMAKER Caribbean-American Rep. honored as NYC opens Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center a3
CARIBBEAN Jamaican gov’t denies report claiming it refused to sell gas to Cuba a4
WOMEN IN FOCUS Rev. Dr. Sheila McKeithen to inspire at 2026 Jamaican Women Pinnacle Awards B1
SPORTS Young Reggae Boyz a draw away from U-17 World Cup B7