Local government

The Senate Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee approved a pair of bills during a Tuesday hearing on St. Thomas after receiving an update from V.I. Health Department leadership on worrisome health trends impacting the territory and the U.S. mainland, respectively. 

Virgin Islanders unable to speak to a 911 operator because of a disability or the nature of their emergency can now send text messages, officials said Tuesday at a Government House briefing.

These meetings are open to the public and media, and community members are encouraged to attend and engage in the discussions that will shape the future governance of the Virgin Islands.

The summit includes specialized Forums aimed at empowering island communities and highlighting local projects having a global impact.

The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture discussed credit card surcharges added to bills by businesses to cover processing fees Wednesday. Some senators expressed concern that eliminating the 3 percent charge could result in higher overall costs for consumers.

The Department of Public Works is informing the community of upcoming emergency road repairs on St. Croix.

The testimony at the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture Wednesday indicated that the challenges facing farmers for decades are still there.

The Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance decided to hold three bills Tuesday, including one that would offer tax relief to property owners who the government owes money.

In a series of key moves Monday, the Virgin Islands Legislature approved a 99-year lease for the Virgin Islands Museum of Art to occupy the long-vacant Kimelman Building in downtown Charlotte Amalie, and gave the V.I. Port Authority expanded borrowing power to pursue critical infrastructure upgrades.

What began Monday as a focused measure to quickly bolster the finances of the territory’s two hospitals evolved into a sweeping funding overhaul, as the Senate approved a substitute version of Bill No. 36-0047 that redirected millions of dollars from Epstein civil settlement proceeds toward retroactive government payroll, vendor debt, and essential public services – while cutting other capital projects.

On Monday, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced a $6 million settlement with Pafford Medical Services and expressed support for more than $22 million in retroactive pay, as the 36th Legislature weighed tapping into the Jeffrey Epstein-related settlement funds to cover urgent expenses and government arrears.

U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea joined attorneys general from 38 states and territories Monday in calling on Congress to bar pharmacy benefit managers from owning or operating pharmacies — a move they say is necessary to protect independent drugstores and consumer access to affordable medications, the Justice Department announced. 

The Department of Public Works advises the community of an upcoming road closure on a segment of Regjerins Gade in the Savan neighborhood on St. Thomas.

Virgin Islands Energy Office Director Kyle Fleming is pleased to announce the opening of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) rebate program this Friday. Beginning on April 11, VIEO will start accepting rebate applications for eligible ENERGY STAR rated appliances purchased on or after November 23rd, 2023. The rebate will operate on a first come first serve basis. 

Please be advised that the Virgin Islands Board of Career and Technical Education is holding a Regular Board Meeting

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources invites the community to attend the Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums (DLAM) cultural showcase entitled: A Tribute to Ancestors Series, opening on Friday, April 11th from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Fort Frederik Museum in Frederiksted.

The St. Thomas-St. John District of the Virgin Islands Department of Education is pleased to announce upcoming training sessions for Site Supervisors participating in the 2025 Summer Food Service Program, which will operate from June 9, through July 18.

On Tuesday, April 15, at 11 a.m., at the University of the Virgin Islands Innovation Center in St. Thomas, the Elections System of the Virgin Islands will host its Civics Matters II Championship between our finalists from Antilles School (St. Thomas) and Free Will Baptist School (St. Croix). Civics Matters is an exciting and engaging quiz bowl, produced by the Elections System of the Virgin Islands, exclusively for Virgin Islands’ high school students. 

Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq. announces that the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Division of Banking, Insurance, and Financial Regulation, has received the Compliance Advancement of the Year Award from the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization. The National award, announced at the organization’s Business Meeting in Tucson, Arizona, recognizes the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for the efficient and timely implementation of its unclaimed property website.

Speaking from Miami during a virtual press briefing Tuesday, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and V.I. Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte projected continued growth in the number of cruise passengers visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. Boschulte said the territory is expecting 1.8 million cruise travelers in fiscal year 2025.