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Kean High School and Boschulte Middle School Will Operate on Friday, Dec. 1.

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Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St. Thomas. (File photo)
Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St. Thomas. (File photo)
The St. Thomas-St. John School District informs the public that the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School (BCBMS) and the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School (IEKHS) will operate on Friday, Dec. 1. Both school campuses will be open; classes will be in session; students are required to attend. The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) received verification that the two schools will not be affected by the scheduled electrical service interruption from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the Water and Power Authority.

Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School Will Operate on Friday, Dec. 1.

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The St. Thomas-St. John School District informs the public that the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School (BCBMS) and the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School (IEKHS) will operate on Friday, Dec. 1. Both school campuses will be open; classes will be in session; students are required to attend. The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) received verification that the two schools will not be affected by the scheduled electrical service interruption from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the Water and Power Authority.

Two Puerto Rican Men Sentenced After Smuggling More Than $1.6 Million

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Jesus Lebron Pinto, 29, and Geraldo Morales, 29, both of Puerto Rico, were sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy to 12 months and one day incarceration for their convictions of conspiracy to conceal more than $100,000 on a vessel outfitted for smuggling, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Thursday. 

According to court documents, on April 7, 2021, United States Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine officers were conducting border security patrols at Stumpy Beach on the west end of St. Thomas. During patrol, officers observed a wake in the ocean and the sound of a boat engine approaching Stumpy Beach. Officers also observed a silver Ford Explorer with dark-tinted windows on land traveling in the area of Stumpy Beach. Officers approached the driver of the Ford Explorer who fled on foot leaving behind three large, wet black bags in the trunk of the vehicle. The bags contained approximately $1.68 million in U.S. currency, which was administratively forfeited. Pinto and Morales were later apprehended after jumping from the vessel.

The Caribbean Writer Releases Volume 37

The Caribbean Writer Volume 37 (Submitted photo)
The Caribbean Writer (TCW), the international, refereed literary journal published by the University of the Virgin Islands each year, is pleased to announce the release of Volume 37 under the theme: “Carrying: Recognition and Repair.” Volume 37 boasts insightful and exciting poetry, short stories, personal essays, interviews and book reviews by established, as well as emerging, writers from within the Caribbean and its diaspora.  Through the 2023 theme, each submission contends with ideas percolating in the region and its diaspora with authenticity and clarity. “The Caribbean Writer is a gem of the university that has garnered the support of each president since its existence. As always, I am honored to follow in that grand tradition,” said UVI President David Hall.  “My support has been consistent because of the obvious and inherent worth and value of this publication, and its centrality to the mission of the University of the Virgin Islands.” Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Dr.  Kimarie Engerman, Ph.D., had high praises for Volume 37, stating that she is, “proud of The Caribbean Writer, which continues to provide a creative space for showcasing varied literary expressions not only within the Virgin Islands but also within the Caribbean diaspora.”  Engerman continued, “It is a high-quality publication that is now known, read and respected around the globe.” Volume 37 is, once again, edited by Alscess Lewis Brown, an award-winning author of young adult books, a member of the university’s adjunct faculty since 1990 and editor of The Caribbean Writer since 2012. “Again, I am delighted to have the privilege and honor of editing this decades-old, prestigious literary journal. To maintain its high standards, the 2023 editorial board is comprised of Berkley Wendell Semple, an award-winning author from Guyana as well as authors and professors from both UVI campuses including Valarie Combie, Patricia Harkins-Pierre and Chenelle John-Heard.  Joining this team beginning with the 2024 edition is UVI’s Professor Anthazia Kadir and award-winning Jamaican author Alicia Mckenzie, who currently resides in France. Literary prizes for Volume 37, 2023, will be announced in January 2024.  All submissions are eligible for the following annual prizes: Copies are available at Undercover Books; My Girl Friends’ Closet and Cane Roots Art Gallery in Christiansted; The Caribbean Museum Center for the  Arts in Frederiksted; Bajo El Sol, and  Papaya Café and Book Store (St. John,); Best of Books (Antigua, W.I.); Novelty Trading Company (Jamaica, W.I.); Waterstones Bookstore, Picadilly, London; Vendors Market, Elmina, Ghana West Africa; and both UVI bookstores. It can also be ordered on the magazine’s website at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org or through PayPal. The Caribbean Writer is a refereed journal. There are no fees payable to submit or publish in this journal. All submissions undergo an initial blind review by the editor. Creative works, such as fiction, poetry and drama, after editorial review, are advanced by the editor to the double-blind peer review process. In this process, both the reviewers’ and authors’ identities are concealed from the reviewers and vice versa throughout the review process. Submissions are accepted from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, each year and are considered for the journal that will be published the following year. (In other words, Volume 36 was published in 2022 and entries that were submitted between Jan. 10, and Dec. 31, 2021, were considered for Volume 36. The deadline for submissions each year is Dec. 31. Submit Word files at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/online-submissions/ Literary Prizes All submissions are eligible for these annual prizes: The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize of $600 is awarded to a writer for best short fiction. Donated by the St. Croix Avis Newspaper The Daily News Prize of $500 is awarded to a resident of the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands. The Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize of $500 is awarded to a new or emerging writer. Donated by Marvin’s widow, Dasil Williams, in honor of her late husband who served as the editor of The Caribbean Writer from 2003 – 2008. The Vincent Cooper Literary Prize of $300 awarded to a Caribbean author for exemplary writing in Caribbean Nation Language (Kamau Brathwaite). Donated by UVI Professor Vincent Cooper, Ph.D. Alexis Camarena is the skillful cover artist for this edition.  Camarena is a Virgin Islander and a graduate of the University of Virgin Islands with a master’s degree in public administration. He is an up-and-coming talent on the Virgin Islands artist landscape. For more information, contact the TCW offices via email at thecaribbeanwriter@uvi.edu

International Project Is Transforming Sargassum Challenges Into Opportunities for Caribbean Success

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Sargassum on the sand at Magens Bay. (Photo by Jesse Daley)
The School for Field Studies (SFS) along with Marine Conservation without Borders (MCB) and Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA) are implementing the project entitled “Novel Educational Tools to Foster Local Ecosystem Sustainability Practices.” a pioneering initiative dedicated to enhancing access to ecosystem education resources in the Caribbean. The project introduces a dynamic strategy to address the widespread challenge of Sargassum across the region. The 14-month initiative is being supported by a €337,562 (US$355,406) grant from the European Union for the Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) program, which aims to create ecosystem education materials that are more accessible through a multilingual podcast and an online ‘Sargassum Champions Course.’ The initiative will also see the development of a multilingual biocultural curriculum on local marine ecosystems for primary and secondary school students. These novel tools will provide not only a better understanding of the ecological impacts of the influx of Sargassum but will also help raise awareness on the challenges brought about by climate change and its effects on ecosystems, as well as new business opportunities that can provide solutions. The podcast, available on four social media channels, features interviews with different Sargassum stakeholders, and it highlights useful information to users and listeners interested in learning about the challenges and opportunities of Sargassum. The project is expected to benefit an estimated 2,450 people, including adults and students. The new digital tool coverage is accessible to anyone interested, from Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and the wider Caribbean. The Sargassum podcast has published over 64 interviews with experts and stakeholders who are either impacted by Sargassum or working on solutions. This EU-funded grant makes it possible for the podcast to continue for another 20 episodes and feature more people from the Overseas Countries and Territories. The first online Sargassum course was completed between Aug. 11 and Sept. 6. Over 20 residents from Overseas Countries and Territories learned about Sargassum beaching events, including methods of Sargassum removal and potential Sargassum byproducts. Participants interacted with experts and stakeholders from other Caribbean Islands, discussing how Sargassum is managed in their countries and territories. They are now able to share their newly acquired knowledge in their local communities as Sargassum champions news from Caribbean Media Partners via MPE Newswire.

Division of Family Assistance Certification Units to Close on Nov. 30 for Training Session.

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The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services VIDHS, Division of Family Assistance is advising the community that the DFA SNAP Certification Units and Medicaid Certification Units in the St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John Districts will be temporarily closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30, to accommodate professional development staff meetings and training. These end-of-the-month training sessions serve as an opportunity to review any new routine daily/monthly activities, challenges that may be impacting productivity/service delivery and improvements that can be made to resolve the challenges. Drop boxes are available between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DHS Mars Hill Offices, in Frederiksted, St. Croix and DHS Knud Hansen Complex in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Telephone numbers to call:
  • St. Thomas (340) 774-0930, (340) 774-2399
  • St. Croix SNAP (340) 772-7100 ext. 7159/7025
  • Medicaid (340) 772-7100 ext. 7114/7157
For more information, visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/usvidhs) at U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services.

Fish and Wildlife to Establish Aquaculture Rules and Regulations for USVI

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  1. DATE OF NOTICE: November 29, 2023
  2. DESCRIPTION OF NOTICE
DPNR logo
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) has announced that the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) has prepared Draft Aquaculture Rules and Regulations that are available for public comment until Feb. 29, 2024. DPNR is empowered with the approval of the governor, to issue rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of 12 V.I.C. 9A as appropriate to implement their powers, duties and functions. 3. PURPOSE OF NOTICE The purpose of the Draft Aquaculture Rules and Regulations is to establish aquaculture definitions, to regulate aquaculture and mariculture, and to secure their development in all marine, estuarine, and freshwaters within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 4. NOTICE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC HEARING A hearing on the Draft Aquaculture Rules and Regulations shall be held at 4 p.m. for both districts on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. This meeting will be held virtually via GoTo Meeting. Meeting URL: https://meet.goto.com/670339157 Phone call-in: +1 (872) 240-3311 5. AVAILABILITY OF THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS The Draft Aquaculture Fishing Rules and Regulations are attached to this notice and are available for viewing electronically at https://dpnr.vi.gov/fish-and-wildlife/fish/ 6. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT To submit comments on the draft rules and regulations, contact DFW at DPNR-DFW, 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted, VI 00840 Or email: DFWElectronic@usvi.onmicrosoft.com Comments must be submitted to DPNR at the above-mentioned address either in writing or by email on or before 5 p.m., Feb. 29, 2024. 7. DPNR’S RESPONSE TO COMMENTS DPNR will consider any comments made by the public. Within 15 days of the close of the public hearing period, the department will file the proposed rules with the appropriate government agency in accordance with 3 V.I.C. § 913.

The Met Opera’s Production of ‘Dead Man Walking’ to Be Screened Thursday, Nov. 30

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The Frum presents the opera “Dead Man Walking.”
The Forum presents The Met Opera’s production of “Dead Man Walking” It will be screened live in HD at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30, at Prior-Jolleck Hall. Composed by Jake Heggie with a libretto by Terrence McNally, the opera is sung in English and is 3 hours long. Content Advisory: “Dead Man Walking” contains a depiction of a rape and murder, as well as other adult themes and strong language. Dead Man Walking American composer Jake Heggie’s masterpiece, the most widely performed new opera of the last 20 years, has its highly anticipated Met premiere, in a haunting new production by Ivo van Hove. Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir about her fight for the soul of a condemned murderer. “Dead Man Walking” matches the high drama of its subject with Heggie’s beautiful and poignant music and a brilliant libretto by Terrence McNally. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium for this landmark premiere, with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato starring as Sister Helen.

The Jolly Junior Splash ‘N Dash for Kids 5-15 Planned for December 3

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Junior Tri VI joint start of the 5-6 and 7-8 categories in 2019. (File photo)
Junior Tri VI, a sub-committee of the Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation, will host a swim/run event starting at 8 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 3, on the grounds of Bungalows on The Bay (formerly known as Chenay Bay). The Jolly Junior Splash ‘N Dash is an open event for kids of all abilities, ages 5 to 15. The participants will be divided into age groups (5-6, 7-8, 9-11, 12-15) and the distances of the swim and run will increase with each category. The 5-6 group will complete a 25-meter swim and a 1/4-mile run; the 7-8 will swim 50 meters and run 1/2 mile; the 9-11 will swim 100 meters and run 1/2 mile; the 12-15 will swim 200 meters and run 1 mile. Flotation devices will be available for beginner swimmers. Shoes must be worn for the run portion of the race. All participants will receive a free t-shirt and a holiday-themed goody bag. Face painting and a raffle drawing will add to the fun of the event. Onsite registration will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7:45 a.m.  Medals will be awarded to the top finishers in each age group and finisher’s ribbons will be given to all participants. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, call 513-2707.

Thursday Will Be Mostly Sunny, 87°F

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Updated 11/29/23 at 10:00 p.m. AST VI SOURCE WEATHER UPDATES Today, November 30, is the last day of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season! Please read a review of the season here. A NEW Weekly Weather Update video is available now! Please click here! Series: “Extreme Weather in the Caribbean” THURSDAY’S FORECAST Happy Thursday! Thursday will be mostly sunny, with a slight chance of isolated showers. The high temperature will be approximately 87°F, 30.5°C, with winds out of the east-northeast at about 18 to 20 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. The possibility of rain on Thursday is about 10%. Thursday night will be partly cloudy, with a chance of isolated showers. The low temperature will be approximately 78°F, 25.5°C, with winds out of the east-northeast at about 20 to 22 mph. The possibility of rain on Thursday night is about 20%. Below: Infrared satellite imagery obtained at 9:20 p.m. AST on Wednesday indicates mostly clear skies around the USVI and Puerto Rico. MARINE WEATHER FORECAST On Thursday, seas will be approximately 2 to 4 feet, with seas building up to 5 feet, and with a swell period of 7 seconds. Winds will be out of the east-northeast at about 15 to 20 knots, gusting up to 25 knots. On Thursday night, seas will be approximately 2 to 4 feet, occasional seas up to 5 feet, and with a swell period of 6 seconds. Winds will be out of the east-northeast at about 15 to 20 knots, gusting up to 25 knots. The water temperature is approximately 84°F, 28.8°C. Ocean Water Temperature Map on 11/29/23, courtesy of NOAA: Wave Height Forecast Map courtesy of NWS: HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS Rip Currents: The rip current risk is expected to be moderate across a majority of the region on Thursday.  Learn about rip current safety in an interview between the NWS and the VI Source here. Yellow = Moderate Rip Current Risk Red = High Rip Current Risk TROPIC WATCH Tropical Activity: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) does not expect any cyclonic development. Today, November 30, is the last day of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season! Please read a review of the season here. Click here to learn tips on being prepared for hurricane season 2024. OBSERVATIONS Sunrise: 6:35 a.m. Sunset: 5:43 p.m. Ocean water temperature: 84°F, 28.8°C. UV index: 6-7 out of 10 (MODERATE-HIGH) Wednesday’s high temperature: 86°F, 30°C Wednesday’s low temperature:  78°F, 25.5°C Preparation for extreme weather events in the Caribbean, such as earthquakes and tropical cyclones, is important. Residents and visitors in the USVI are encouraged to stay updated on weather events on the V.I. Source Weather page and sign up for alerts from the National Weather Service and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.