Local news

Senate Begins Grappling With 2014 Budget Dilemmas

David McCracken — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:12:35 -0400

Senators and the governor's financial team took turns assigning principle responsibility for any needed budget cuts or tax increases to avoid layoffs, during the first day of budget hearings before the Finance Committee.

UVI Alumni Association Nominated for HBCU Award

David McCracken — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:47:28 -0400

UVI earned a nomination for National Alumni Association of the Year Award after it increased its alumni’s giving rate by 223 percent in 2012.

Innovative Donates $200K to Technical Schools

David McCracken — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:00:19 -0400

Innovative presented a check for $200,000 to the Vocational and Technical Board during the St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center’s graduation ceremony Monday night.

Undercurrents: Condo Sales Face Financing Squeeze

David McCracken — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:42:36 -0400

Although tighter lending requirements may strain future condo sales, for now St. Thomas and St. John sales are holding steady while St. Croix is going slightly wild.

4.02 Earthquake Rattles Northern Virgin Islands

John Baur — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:27:44 -0400

the temblor struck at 7:33 a.m., centered at 9.8 miles north northeast of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands and 54 miles northeast of Charlotte Amalie.

Health Beat: Coping with Sickle Cell Disease

John Baur — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:02:56 -0400

Wednesday will be marked as Sickle Cell Awareness Day, but anyone touched by the disease does not need a reminder. The long list of complications, including bouts of acute pain and fatigue are all too familiar to them.

UVI Board OKs Budget, New Degree Program

John Baur — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:39:49 -0400

New degree in information system technology represents "a big shift in economic development strategy" for the territory.

Territory’s 2014 Budget Up 5.4 Percent From 2013

chipliv — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 04:02:26 -0400

Gov. John deJongh Jr. submitted the administration's 2014 budget proposal Friday evening, calling for $743.8 million in expenditures – up 5.4 percent from the extremely austere Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

JFL and Schneider Hospitals Could Merge

chipliv — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 03:54:46 -0400

One of the plans being considered to solve the Juan F. Luis Medical Center financial crisis is a bill proposing that St. Croix hospital consolidate with the medical center on St. Thomas.

Marine Tax, Education Bills on to Final Senate Vote

chipliv — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 03:33:41 -0400

The V.I. Port Authority will get all of a cruise passenger terminal tax, among a host of other legislative measures, if bills sent to the full Senate on Friday by the Rules and Judiciary Committee become law.

Flags Burned in Christiansted on Flag Day

chipliv — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 03:21:02 -0400

At a 236th birthday celebration for “Old Glory” held Friday, members of the American Legion retired old red, white and blue flags and celebrated the Army's 238th birthday.

Carenage Celebrates Father's Day With Annual Fete

chipliv — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 02:45:35 -0400

The annual Father's Day extravaganza in Frenchtown kicked off Friday and will have treats for the young and old, games, food, drinks and festive entertainment through Sunday.

CFVI Awards 75 Student Scholarships

chipliv — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 02:37:00 -0400

The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands announced that the 75 scholarships awarded at ceremonies this week will allow V.I. students to head off to colleges ranging from Yale to American University.

American Airlines Grounds Pets with Wings Program

chipliv — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:08:55 -0400

American Airlines ended its sponsorship of Humane Society of St. Thomas’ Pets with Wings program that provided free air transportation for dogs to the mainland.

St. Thomas-St. John Elections Board Claims Supervisors Search Lacks Authority

chipliv — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:18:51 -0400

The St. Thomas-St. John Board of Elections expressed doubt Thursday about the the selection committee’s authority to conduct a search to fill vacant V.I. elections supervisor and deputy supervisor positions.

Ulla Muller Students Pay Final Tributes to School Matriarch

chipliv — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:08:42 -0400

After weeks of tributes, songs and prayers for renowned V.I. educator Ulla F. Muller, the staff and students at the Ulla F. Muller Elementary School gave their matriarch her final salute on Thursday.

V.I. Boxing Champions Honored at Hall of Fame Celebration

chipliv — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:29:46 -0400

World boxing champion Julian "The Hawk" Jackson was among the historic heavyweights that recently drew crowds at the annual International Boxing Hall of Fame's induction weekend.

Students Help Restore Coral Bay Wetlands

chipliv — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:40:15 -0400

Thirteen Guy Benjamin fourth-graders joined forces with the Coral Bay Community Council to help with its restoration of the wetlands. The students are replanting native plants and trees.

Changes Afoot in Fisheries Management

chipliv — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:32:11 -0400

The NMFS plans to change the way it manages commercial and recreational fishing in federal waters around the territory from species-based plans to plans developed for specific islands or districts.

NOAA and IGBA to Hold Green Construction Training

chipliv — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:24:54 -0400

In its continuing efforts to protect the V.I. environment, NOAA in conjunction with St. John’s Island Green Building Association will hold a free Green Construction Training workshop in July.