HURRICANE MELISSA (National Hurricane Center).

Winds as high as 185 miles an hour lashed Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa proceeds on its historic path across the Caribbean Sea.

According to the Associated Press, the storm is tied for status as the strongest Atlantic hurricane to ever make landfall in history.

The island is being inundated by heavy floodwaters and is reportedly tearing roofs off buildings. Motorists have seen boulders tumbling along roads and highways.

Seven deaths have been reported – three in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, ‘There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5 hurricane.”
Cuba is considered the next target of Melissa, with landfall expected late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Judge admonishes Border Patrol official

A senior Border Patrol official in charge of his organization’s immigration crackdown in Chicago was ordered Tuesday by a federal judge to appear before her daily to account for his officers’ actions.

A FEDERAL JUDGE has required a daily report on Border Patrol actions (Shutterstock).

The New York Times reports that Sara L. Ellis of the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois read aloud to Gregory Bovino a list of violations of conditions she had imposed on his officers previously.

They included unsafe use of tear gas, in one instance in which children in a Halloween parade were nearby.

Bovino said, “I understand what you’re saying, Your Honor. We’re on the same page, that we will abide by the TRO (temporary restraining order.”

There have been video recordings of physical altercations between agents and protesters.

Israel will strike at Hamas in Gaza

“Immediate and powerful” strikes by Israeli forces against Hamas in Gaza has been ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to “repeated cease-fire violations” according to United Press International.
Israel is also complaining that some of the remains of hostages returned by Hamas were not the person they were said ti be.

The cease-fire was declared on Oct. 10 as part of a U.S.-brokered agreement that allowed the resumption of aid to civilians, including food and water.

Each side has been accused by the other as first breaking the cease-fire.

Sports: Blue Jays win, 6-2 in Game Four

The Toronto Blue Jays evened the World Series at two victories each with a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. The fifth game is Wednesday at Dodger Stadium and the sixth on Friday back in Toronto.

Weather: More up and down

It’s not what you’d expect in late October, the forecast for Wednesday in our West Orange County cities is for a daytime high of 91 with an overnight low of 58 with sunny skies. But on Thursday things will cool to 83 during the sunny day and 58 overnight. Friday will cool to 76 (56) with morning clouds and afternoon sun. Saturday will cool further to 74 (55) with mostly sunny skies.

Great Thoughts

“Fashion is instant language.”
– Miuccia Prada

“Sweat pants are a sign of defeat.”
– Karl Lagerfeld.

“I firmly believe that with the right footwear, one can rule the world.”
– Bette Middler