Local news

Hours after U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm toured the Randolph Harley Power Plant, the island of St. Thomas plunged into another island-wide blackout, starkly underscoring the urgent and critical energy crisis gripping the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hosted by Delegate Stacey Plaskett, Granholm's visit was meant to address the power issues but instead highlighted the severity of the territory's energy problems.

One of the largest agencies in the V.I. government took its turn before the 35th Legislature Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on Tuesday. The team from the Human Services Department and Commissioner Averil George gave a detailed presentation defending their fiscal year 2025 budget request of $68.3 million.

Early primary voting started Tuesday, seven months after a court ruling threw party elections into doubt. 

Driving down the bypass on St. Croix heading towards the David Canegata Ballpark, a brand-new mural at the stoplight that reads “It’s Our Home, Let’s Keep It Clean” has appeared. This is just one of the examples of the efforts from the V.I. Waste Management Authority’s initiative to “Making Trash Pretty” throughout the territory. Although not the official slogan of the initiative the mission is clear.  

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. acted on 19 bills passed by the 35th Legislature at its session on June 24, vetoed three bills, and acknowledged the 35th Legislature’s confirmations of two directors to serve on the Waste Management Authority’s Board of Directors, Government House announced. 

The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, prompted Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach to call for unity and action against political violence during the weekly media briefing on Monday.

A long-awaited roadmap for development and preservation of the territory’s land and water could be a reality before the end of the calendar year, officials told the Senate’s Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Monday.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm will visit the territory for the first time on Tuesday to address issues surrounding the escalating energy crisis and frequent power outages. Amid a declared energy state of emergency, Granholm will meet with V.I. Water and Power Authority officials, tour the Harley Power Plant and engage with community stakeholders to discuss solutions and federal support.

Greetings to all St. John residents and visitors. We have great news to share with you. St. John Rescue has just been certified as a training center with the National Association of EMTs (NREMT).

Police assigned to direct traffic and pedestrians near a weekend Reggae concert found themselves chasing a motorist who rammed a VIPD patrol car at the scene. Court records say the chase began as the Jah Love concert at Pier 22 was coming to a close.

Though the fish were not biting like how they did last year at the Bastille Day King Fish Tournament, on Sunday, Gilbert Laban managed to reel in a kingfish larger than his competitors and snag first place prize at the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament at Hull Bay, earning himself a couple thousand dollars.

The non-profit organization the Hawksbill Project concluded its two-week study of the hawksbill turtle keystone species on St. John on Friday. Marking the second year in a row of data collection, this vital research project led by Scott Eanes, founder of the Hawksbill Project, continues to shed light on the lives of these critically endangered creatures, offering promising data for conservation efforts.

Watch now: Check out our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, July 14, through Saturday, July 20.

St. Thomians of French Heritage had an extra reason to celebrate the Bastille Day weekend as Sib’s on the Mountain celebrated its 100th year.

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season has had a record-breaking start, with major hurricane Beryl’s recent destructive trek across the Caribbean. The cyclone’s rapid intensification and incredible power are stark reminders of the importance of being prepared throughout hurricane season.

In a tradition going back at least a dozen years, the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission has asked the Legislature Friday for funding to modernize, digitize, and get off the pen-and-paper system that’s been in place since 1978.

On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance learned about government agencies' annual income and expenses, including the Licensing and Consumer Affairs Department and the Office of Cannabis Regulation, which falls under the DLCA.

The entry list for Archery at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is now complete. Fifty-three National Olympic Committees have submitted the names of the 128 archers — 64 men and 64 women — who will participate in the archery competitions at the Esplanade des Invalides.

At Thursday's hearing of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, the director of the V.I. Housing Finance Authority announced he expected to receive a check for $100 million on Thursday and $45 million on Friday from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development to reimburse the V.I. government for covering the V.I. Water and Power Authority’s obligation for fuel and propane terminal facilities.

As peak hurricane season approaches, representatives of the Water and Power Authority told the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission they were well short in many key hurricane preparedness categories Wednesday.