Sept. 23, 2002 – A former Narcotics Strike Force agent pleaded guilty in District Court on St. Croix Monday to charges of racketeering and drug trafficking.
Esbond DeGrasse was one of four persons arrested on drug-related charges after a federal grand jury on St. Croix indicted them on Sept. 5. The indictments capped an investigation by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the V.I. Police Department.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, DeGrasse faces up to 25 years in jail and up to $4 million in fines.
Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office refused to say if the former agent's guilty plea was part of a plea bargain. DeGrasse and current NSF officers Jay Watson and George Osborne were charged with misuse of police powers, destroying government property, extortion, drug trafficking and civil rights violations. A Corrections Bureau officer, Antonio Petersen, was charged with possession with intention to distribute cocaine.
Investigators told the grand jury the men were involved from 1996 through 2000 in robbing drug dealers and suspected drug dealers of money and cocaine, then recruiting other dealers to sell the drugs on the street.
Osborne and Watson pleaded not guilty to the charges against them at an arraignment last Thursday. Petersen pleaded not guilty to the possession charge at a separate arraignment.
U.S. Attorney David Nissman said DeGrasse faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years for cocaine trafficking and a maximum 15 years for racketeering.
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COKER REPAIRS ON SCHEDULE, HOVENSA OFFICIAL SAYS
Sept. 23, 2002 – Repair work on the coker complex at the Hovensa refinery is proceeding as expected, a company spokesman said Monday. Meanwhile, one more contractor has secured its own employee liability insurance, and as a result some 35 more workers who had been furloughed on Sept. 13 are back on the job, leaving about 615 still laid off.
Last Thursday, Hovensa announced that its coker operations had been shut down "for the repair of a component that failed" and that repairs were expected to take seven to 10 days.
After more than two years of work, the huge, $600 million coker complex was completed in July and went into operation on Aug 1. The coker allows Hovensa to process a heavier, cheaper grade of crude oil than previously had been possible.
"The repair of the component that failed is proceeding on the schedule that was anticipated," Alex A. Moorhead, Hovensa vice president for government affairs and community relations, said Monday.
He said no employees of the refinery or any of its contractors have been furloughed as the result of the shutdown of the coker complex.
Ten days ago, about 1,045 employees of seven contractors were furloughed because Hovensa had been unable to secure liability insurance to replace coverage with American International Insurance Co. of Puerto Rico that expired at midnight Sept. 12. A total of 11 contractors had been covered by the single policy. Four found insurance on their own through affiliated mainland companies before Sept. 13, and their workers remained on the job.
Employees of Addison Construction, Best Construction, Jacobs-IMC, Longview Inspection, M&M Construction, Triangle Construction and Maintenance, and V.I. Industrial Maintenance Corp. were laid off. According to Moorhead, all except Longview provide mainly maintenance services.
Longview secured its own coverage early last week, enabling its equipment inspectors to go back to work. On Wednesday, Triangle obtained coverage, allowing its 360 employees to return. On Monday, Moorhead said that Best Construction had secured insurance and that its approximately 35 employees had resumed work.
Moorhead said last week that Hovensa would reimburse the contractors for insurance costs that they had not previously been responsible for.
According to figures Moorhead provided last week, the four contractors still without insurance have about 615 employees who remain off the job. Some 450 of them work for Jacobs-IMC.
A class-action lawsuit filed in Territorial Court last week claims that because of a disagreement between the contractor and refinery officials, Hovensa used the insurance situation as an excuse to lay off the Jacobs-IMC employees three weeks in advance of the scheduled end of the company's contract with the refinery. Lee Rohn charged that Hovensa denied the Jacobs-IMC workers some severance pay they were entitled to.
Moorhead said Hovensa's contract with Jacobs expires on Sept. 27 and that Jacobs had given notice to its employees to that effect prior to Sept. 13.
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Last Thursday, Hovensa announced that its coker operations had been shut down "for the repair of a component that failed" and that repairs were expected to take seven to 10 days.
After more than two years of work, the huge, $600 million coker complex was completed in July and went into operation on Aug 1. The coker allows Hovensa to process a heavier, cheaper grade of crude oil than previously had been possible.
"The repair of the component that failed is proceeding on the schedule that was anticipated," Alex A. Moorhead, Hovensa vice president for government affairs and community relations, said Monday.
He said no employees of the refinery or any of its contractors have been furloughed as the result of the shutdown of the coker complex.
Ten days ago, about 1,045 employees of seven contractors were furloughed because Hovensa had been unable to secure liability insurance to replace coverage with American International Insurance Co. of Puerto Rico that expired at midnight Sept. 12. A total of 11 contractors had been covered by the single policy. Four found insurance on their own through affiliated mainland companies before Sept. 13, and their workers remained on the job.
Employees of Addison Construction, Best Construction, Jacobs-IMC, Longview Inspection, M&M Construction, Triangle Construction and Maintenance, and V.I. Industrial Maintenance Corp. were laid off. According to Moorhead, all except Longview provide mainly maintenance services.
Longview secured its own coverage early last week, enabling its equipment inspectors to go back to work. On Wednesday, Triangle obtained coverage, allowing its 360 employees to return. On Monday, Moorhead said that Best Construction had secured insurance and that its approximately 35 employees had resumed work.
Moorhead said last week that Hovensa would reimburse the contractors for insurance costs that they had not previously been responsible for.
According to figures Moorhead provided last week, the four contractors still without insurance have about 615 employees who remain off the job. Some 450 of them work for Jacobs-IMC.
A class-action lawsuit filed in Territorial Court last week claims that because of a disagreement between the contractor and refinery officials, Hovensa used the insurance situation as an excuse to lay off the Jacobs-IMC employees three weeks in advance of the scheduled end of the company's contract with the refinery. Lee Rohn charged that Hovensa denied the Jacobs-IMC workers some severance pay they were entitled to.
Moorhead said Hovensa's contract with Jacobs expires on Sept. 27 and that Jacobs had given notice to its employees to that effect prior to Sept. 13.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
OK SOUGHT TO BUILD NEW REEF, EXTEND ANOTHER
Sept. 23, 2002 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been asked to approve a request from the V.I. government to create a new artificial reef off the coast of St. John and to extend an existing reef off St. Thomas.
The Fish and Wildlife Division of the Planning and Natural Resources Department wants to build the new reef less than a mile northwest of Pillsbury Sound between St. Thomas and St. John. And it wants to add material to the existing reef southeast of Saba Island.
Artificial reefs bring several benefits, Barbara Kojis, Fish and Wildlife director, said. They provide a means to dispose of old and damaged vessels and concrete demolition debris, reduce nautical hazards and attract fish.
"An artificial reef can increase fish habitats five to 10 times" in an area, Kojis said.
She said the proposed new reef off St. John is not far from a site that had been approved earlier but then became off limits when President Bill Clinton extended the underwater national monument around Lameshur Bay.
To create an artificial reef, carefully screened and cleaned debris is sunk to a depth of more than 100 feet in an area away from identified sea lanes. The depth must be sufficient to protect the reef from shifts in currents that can be caused by storms and hurricanes. The sinking of up to one million cubic yards of debris is being proposed for each of the two reefs.
Divers who have inspected the reef that's proposed for expansion say there are signs of life beginning to thrive there, with red, brown and green algae, scattered sponges and soft-coral gorgonians starting to grow. Once a food supply is established at a reef, Kojis said, fish begin moving in, looking for sustenance, instead of swimming by as they would when the area was nothing but sandy bottom.
"Enhancement of recreational fishing activities" is given on the Fish and Wildlife permit application as the primary reason for wanting to create and extend the reefs.
The application says the artificial reef work will utilize donated wooden and fiberglass derelict vessels and other materials such as concrete and steel that will be cleaned in compliance with environmental law. Once the new reef and the extended one are in place, Fish and Wildlife officials said, the division will monitor the sites on a yearly basis.
According to Kojis, "it's hard to say" when or where the first artificial reef was formed in the Virgin Islands, since individuals were sinking ships in offshore waters before the government got involved. In the area of Thatch Cay, there used to be an artificial reef formed with used rubber tires. But that type of reef isn't being built much anymore, she said, because the tires tend to drift away after a while.
The V.I. government has established two other artificial reefs, one near Buck Island off St. Thomas and one near Butler Bay off St. Croix. Parts of the old Frederiksted pier and several ships that were wrecked during Hurricane Marilyn have been recycled into artificial reefs, Kojis said.
She said Fish and Wildlife considered the idea of expanding the St. Thomas Buck Island site but decided against it when monitoring discovered a natural, living reef nearby. Marine scientists now are conducting side-scan sonar testing to ensure that the proposed artificial reefs won't endanger natural undersea resources.
DPNR's Coastal Zone Management Division already has approved the Fish and Wildlife application to expand the artificial reef program. If the Army Corps approves it, too, Fish and Wildlife will have up to 10 years to collect reef material, clean it according to standards and drop it at the designated sites.
So far, Kojis said, Fish and Wildlife hasn't identified any derelict vessels or demolition debris for use in the project. Once it's fully approved, she said, the division can use its discretion.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
The Fish and Wildlife Division of the Planning and Natural Resources Department wants to build the new reef less than a mile northwest of Pillsbury Sound between St. Thomas and St. John. And it wants to add material to the existing reef southeast of Saba Island.
Artificial reefs bring several benefits, Barbara Kojis, Fish and Wildlife director, said. They provide a means to dispose of old and damaged vessels and concrete demolition debris, reduce nautical hazards and attract fish.
"An artificial reef can increase fish habitats five to 10 times" in an area, Kojis said.
She said the proposed new reef off St. John is not far from a site that had been approved earlier but then became off limits when President Bill Clinton extended the underwater national monument around Lameshur Bay.
To create an artificial reef, carefully screened and cleaned debris is sunk to a depth of more than 100 feet in an area away from identified sea lanes. The depth must be sufficient to protect the reef from shifts in currents that can be caused by storms and hurricanes. The sinking of up to one million cubic yards of debris is being proposed for each of the two reefs.
Divers who have inspected the reef that's proposed for expansion say there are signs of life beginning to thrive there, with red, brown and green algae, scattered sponges and soft-coral gorgonians starting to grow. Once a food supply is established at a reef, Kojis said, fish begin moving in, looking for sustenance, instead of swimming by as they would when the area was nothing but sandy bottom.
"Enhancement of recreational fishing activities" is given on the Fish and Wildlife permit application as the primary reason for wanting to create and extend the reefs.
The application says the artificial reef work will utilize donated wooden and fiberglass derelict vessels and other materials such as concrete and steel that will be cleaned in compliance with environmental law. Once the new reef and the extended one are in place, Fish and Wildlife officials said, the division will monitor the sites on a yearly basis.
According to Kojis, "it's hard to say" when or where the first artificial reef was formed in the Virgin Islands, since individuals were sinking ships in offshore waters before the government got involved. In the area of Thatch Cay, there used to be an artificial reef formed with used rubber tires. But that type of reef isn't being built much anymore, she said, because the tires tend to drift away after a while.
The V.I. government has established two other artificial reefs, one near Buck Island off St. Thomas and one near Butler Bay off St. Croix. Parts of the old Frederiksted pier and several ships that were wrecked during Hurricane Marilyn have been recycled into artificial reefs, Kojis said.
She said Fish and Wildlife considered the idea of expanding the St. Thomas Buck Island site but decided against it when monitoring discovered a natural, living reef nearby. Marine scientists now are conducting side-scan sonar testing to ensure that the proposed artificial reefs won't endanger natural undersea resources.
DPNR's Coastal Zone Management Division already has approved the Fish and Wildlife application to expand the artificial reef program. If the Army Corps approves it, too, Fish and Wildlife will have up to 10 years to collect reef material, clean it according to standards and drop it at the designated sites.
So far, Kojis said, Fish and Wildlife hasn't identified any derelict vessels or demolition debris for use in the project. Once it's fully approved, she said, the division can use its discretion.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
OK SOUGHT FOR NEW ARTIFICIAL REEF OFF ST. JOHN
Sept. 23, 2002 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been asked to approve a request from the V.I. government to create a new artificial reef off the coast of St. John and to extend an existing reef off St. Thomas.
The Fish and Wildlife Division of the Planning and Natural Resources Department wants to build the new reef less than a mile northwest of Pillsbury Sound between St. Thomas and St. John. And it wants to add material to the existing reef southeast of Saba Island.
Artificial reefs bring several benefits, Barbara Kojis, Fish and Wildlife director, said. They provide a means to dispose of old and damaged vessels and concrete demolition debris, reduce nautical hazards and attract fish.
"An artificial reef can increase fish habitats five to 10 times" in an area, Kojis said.
She said the proposed new reef off St. John is not far from a site that had been approved earlier but then became off limits when President Bill Clinton extended the underwater national monument around Lameshur Bay.
To create an artificial reef, carefully screened and cleaned debris is sunk to a depth of more than 100 feet in an area away from identified sea lanes. The depth must be sufficient to protect the reef from shifts in currents that can be caused by storms and hurricanes. The sinking of up to one million cubic yards of debris is being proposed for each of the two reefs.
Divers who have inspected the reef that's proposed for expansion say there are signs of life beginning to thrive there, with red, brown and green algae, scattered sponges and soft-coral gorgonians starting to grow. Once a food supply is established at a reef, Kojis said, fish begin moving in, looking for sustenance, instead of swimming by as they would when the area was nothing but sandy bottom.
"Enhancement of recreational fishing activities" is given on the Fish and Wildlife permit application as the primary reason for wanting to create and extend the reefs.
The application says the artificial reef work will utilize donated wooden and fiberglass derelict vessels and other materials such as concrete and steel that will be cleaned in compliance with environmental law. Once the new reef and the extended one are in place, Fish and Wildlife officials said, the division will monitor the sites on a yearly basis.
According to Kojis, "it's hard to say" when or where the first artificial reef was formed in the Virgin Islands, since individuals were sinking ships in offshore waters before the government got involved. In the area of Thatch Cay, there used to be an artificial reef formed with used rubber tires. But that type of reef isn't being built much anymore, she said, because the tires tend to drift away after a while.
The V.I. government has established two other artificial reefs, one near Buck Island off St. Thomas and one near Butler Bay off St. Croix. Parts of the old Frederiksted pier and several ships that were wrecked during Hurricane Marilyn have been recycled into artificial reefs, Kojis said.
She said Fish and Wildlife considered the idea of expanding the St. Thomas Buck Island site but decided against it when monitoring discovered a natural, living reef nearby. Marine scientists now are conducting side-scan sonar testing to ensure that the proposed artificial reefs won't endanger natural undersea resources.
DPNR's Coastal Zone Management Division already has approved the Fish and Wildlife application to expand the artificial reef program. If the Army Corps approves it, too, Fish and Wildlife will have up to 10 years to collect reef material, clean it according to standards and drop it at the designated sites.
So far, Kojis said, Fish and Wildlife hasn't identified any derelict vessels or demolition debris for use in the project. Once it's fully approved, she said, the division can use its discretion.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
The Fish and Wildlife Division of the Planning and Natural Resources Department wants to build the new reef less than a mile northwest of Pillsbury Sound between St. Thomas and St. John. And it wants to add material to the existing reef southeast of Saba Island.
Artificial reefs bring several benefits, Barbara Kojis, Fish and Wildlife director, said. They provide a means to dispose of old and damaged vessels and concrete demolition debris, reduce nautical hazards and attract fish.
"An artificial reef can increase fish habitats five to 10 times" in an area, Kojis said.
She said the proposed new reef off St. John is not far from a site that had been approved earlier but then became off limits when President Bill Clinton extended the underwater national monument around Lameshur Bay.
To create an artificial reef, carefully screened and cleaned debris is sunk to a depth of more than 100 feet in an area away from identified sea lanes. The depth must be sufficient to protect the reef from shifts in currents that can be caused by storms and hurricanes. The sinking of up to one million cubic yards of debris is being proposed for each of the two reefs.
Divers who have inspected the reef that's proposed for expansion say there are signs of life beginning to thrive there, with red, brown and green algae, scattered sponges and soft-coral gorgonians starting to grow. Once a food supply is established at a reef, Kojis said, fish begin moving in, looking for sustenance, instead of swimming by as they would when the area was nothing but sandy bottom.
"Enhancement of recreational fishing activities" is given on the Fish and Wildlife permit application as the primary reason for wanting to create and extend the reefs.
The application says the artificial reef work will utilize donated wooden and fiberglass derelict vessels and other materials such as concrete and steel that will be cleaned in compliance with environmental law. Once the new reef and the extended one are in place, Fish and Wildlife officials said, the division will monitor the sites on a yearly basis.
According to Kojis, "it's hard to say" when or where the first artificial reef was formed in the Virgin Islands, since individuals were sinking ships in offshore waters before the government got involved. In the area of Thatch Cay, there used to be an artificial reef formed with used rubber tires. But that type of reef isn't being built much anymore, she said, because the tires tend to drift away after a while.
The V.I. government has established two other artificial reefs, one near Buck Island off St. Thomas and one near Butler Bay off St. Croix. Parts of the old Frederiksted pier and several ships that were wrecked during Hurricane Marilyn have been recycled into artificial reefs, Kojis said.
She said Fish and Wildlife considered the idea of expanding the St. Thomas Buck Island site but decided against it when monitoring discovered a natural, living reef nearby. Marine scientists now are conducting side-scan sonar testing to ensure that the proposed artificial reefs won't endanger natural undersea resources.
DPNR's Coastal Zone Management Division already has approved the Fish and Wildlife application to expand the artificial reef program. If the Army Corps approves it, too, Fish and Wildlife will have up to 10 years to collect reef material, clean it according to standards and drop it at the designated sites.
So far, Kojis said, Fish and Wildlife hasn't identified any derelict vessels or demolition debris for use in the project. Once it's fully approved, she said, the division can use its discretion.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
COMMUNITY GUEST DAY AT AGAPE SEVENTH-DAY
Sept. 23, 2002 – Pastor Silton S. Browne and the members of the Agape Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bolongo Bay invites the public to their Community Guest Day at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. Pastor Trent Berg will be guest speaker at 11 a.m. for the Divine Hours Service. Holy Ghost preaching, soulful singing and a special music group will be enjoyed by all.
For more information call 775-0934 or 7755-5556.
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For more information call 775-0934 or 7755-5556.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
ANTONIO A. AUBREY OF COKI POINT DEAD AT 57
Antonio A. Aubrey, age 57, of Coki Point, died Sept. 20, at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital. He was the owner of Aubrey Snack Bar in Coki Point. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Calvary Baptist Church. Viewing will precede the service at 9 a.m. at the church.
He is survived by his mother Lillian Aubrey; daughter Echo Aubrey; brothers Allington, Alfred, Allen and Luther Aubrey Jr.; sisters Cleone Turnbull Berkley, Leona Chinnery Roberts, Elaine Aubrey, Clarice Williams, and Julie Aubrey Elliot; and many other relatives and friends.
He is survived by his mother Lillian Aubrey; daughter Echo Aubrey; brothers Allington, Alfred, Allen and Luther Aubrey Jr.; sisters Cleone Turnbull Berkley, Leona Chinnery Roberts, Elaine Aubrey, Clarice Williams, and Julie Aubrey Elliot; and many other relatives and friends.
EDWARD NATHANIEL PARRIS FUNERAL FRIDAY
Edward Nathaniel Parris, age 62, of 215-156 Annas Retreat, died Sept. 20 at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital. His funeral has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, at All Saints Cathedral. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, at Davis Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at Western Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife Bernice Parris; sons Felix, Shawn, Kirk and Virgil Parris; daughter Sheryl Sonia Parris; brother Charles Parris; sister Sylvia Gernett; 9 grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
He is survived by his wife Bernice Parris; sons Felix, Shawn, Kirk and Virgil Parris; daughter Sheryl Sonia Parris; brother Charles Parris; sister Sylvia Gernett; 9 grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
PRESEASON #1 DUKE WOMEN TO BE AT PARADISE JAM
Sept. 24, 2002 – For the third year, the University of the Virgin Islands and Basketball Travelers Inc. are bringing some great NCAA basketball action to the Virgin Islands. And this year they've netted a real gem: Duke University women's team has just been voted No. 1 in two preseason polls.
"We are extremely excited to have the preseason No. 1 team in the nation playing in the third annual UVI Paradise Jam tournament," said UVI athletic director Peter Sauer.
Thirteen Division I men's and women's teams will converge on St. Thomas for the third annual UVI Paradise Jam. The series of three tournaments (one men's and two women's) will be held at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center from Nov. 22 to Nov. 30.
UVI is tournament host, and Basketball Travelers is the tournament organizer.
This year's men's tournament should match the excitement of last year's games. The six-team field for the 2002 tournament includes Michigan from the Big 10, Brigham Young University (Utah) of the Mountain West, Kansas State from the Big 12, Toledo (Ohio) of the MAC, St. Bonaventure (N.Y.) from the Atlantic 10, and Virginia Tech of the Big East. Games will be played on Nov. 22-24, with the championship round set for Nov. 25.
This year's women's field will feature seven teams competing in two brackets. The "St. Thomas" bracket consists of Oregon (Pac 10), South Carolina (SEC) and Boston College (Big East). The "St. John" bracket features Duke (ACC), Arkansas (SEC), Old Dominion (Colonial) and Hampton (MEAC). Both women's tournaments will be played Nov. 28-30.
Four of the women's teams placed on last year's Top 25 AP poll, and three of the four "St. John" contenders have reached as far as an NCAA Final Four championship. Both women's brackets "boast strong experienced teams looking to go deep" in the NCAA championships, said a release.
The Miami Hurricanes captured last year's inaugural men's championship, defeating Clemson in a closely contested match. Last year's women's three-division championship winners were Texas, Arizona State and Florida State.
The schedule is published here. Check later news articles for information about tickets.
PARADISE JAM SCHEDULE
Nov. 22
6:15 p.m. St. Bonaventure vs. Virginia Tech
8:30 p.m. BYU vs. Toledo
Nov. 23
6:15 p.m. Kansas State vs. BYU
8:30 p.m. Michigan vs. St. Bonaventure
Nov. 24
6:15 p.m. Toledo vs. Kansas State
8:30 p.m. Virginia Tech vs. Michigan
Nov. 25
4 p.m. Fifth Place Consolation
6:15 p.m. Third Place Consolation
8:30 p.m. Men's Championship Game
Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day)
4 p.m. Duke vs. Hampton
6:15 p.m. Arkansas vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. South Carolina vs. Oregon
Nov. 29
5 p.m. Hampton vs. Arkansas
6:15 p.m. Old Dominion vs. Duke
8:30 p.m. Oregon vs. Boston College
Nov. 30
4 p.m Boston College vs. South Carolina
6:15 p.m. Hampton vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. Duke vs. Arkansas
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
"We are extremely excited to have the preseason No. 1 team in the nation playing in the third annual UVI Paradise Jam tournament," said UVI athletic director Peter Sauer.
Thirteen Division I men's and women's teams will converge on St. Thomas for the third annual UVI Paradise Jam. The series of three tournaments (one men's and two women's) will be held at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center from Nov. 22 to Nov. 30.
UVI is tournament host, and Basketball Travelers is the tournament organizer.
This year's men's tournament should match the excitement of last year's games. The six-team field for the 2002 tournament includes Michigan from the Big 10, Brigham Young University (Utah) of the Mountain West, Kansas State from the Big 12, Toledo (Ohio) of the MAC, St. Bonaventure (N.Y.) from the Atlantic 10, and Virginia Tech of the Big East. Games will be played on Nov. 22-24, with the championship round set for Nov. 25.
This year's women's field will feature seven teams competing in two brackets. The "St. Thomas" bracket consists of Oregon (Pac 10), South Carolina (SEC) and Boston College (Big East). The "St. John" bracket features Duke (ACC), Arkansas (SEC), Old Dominion (Colonial) and Hampton (MEAC). Both women's tournaments will be played Nov. 28-30.
Four of the women's teams placed on last year's Top 25 AP poll, and three of the four "St. John" contenders have reached as far as an NCAA Final Four championship. Both women's brackets "boast strong experienced teams looking to go deep" in the NCAA championships, said a release.
The Miami Hurricanes captured last year's inaugural men's championship, defeating Clemson in a closely contested match. Last year's women's three-division championship winners were Texas, Arizona State and Florida State.
The schedule is published here. Check later news articles for information about tickets.
Nov. 22
6:15 p.m. St. Bonaventure vs. Virginia Tech
8:30 p.m. BYU vs. Toledo
Nov. 23
6:15 p.m. Kansas State vs. BYU
8:30 p.m. Michigan vs. St. Bonaventure
Nov. 24
6:15 p.m. Toledo vs. Kansas State
8:30 p.m. Virginia Tech vs. Michigan
Nov. 25
4 p.m. Fifth Place Consolation
6:15 p.m. Third Place Consolation
8:30 p.m. Men's Championship Game
Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day)
4 p.m. Duke vs. Hampton
6:15 p.m. Arkansas vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. South Carolina vs. Oregon
Nov. 29
5 p.m. Hampton vs. Arkansas
6:15 p.m. Old Dominion vs. Duke
8:30 p.m. Oregon vs. Boston College
Nov. 30
4 p.m Boston College vs. South Carolina
6:15 p.m. Hampton vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. Duke vs. Arkansas
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
PRESEASON #1 DUKE WOMEN TO BE AT PARADISE JAM
Sept. 24, 2002 – For the third year, the University of the Virgin Islands and Basketball Travelers Inc. are bringing some great NCAA basketball action to the Virgin Islands. And this year they've netted a real gem: Duke University women's team has just been voted No. 1 in two preseason polls.
"We are extremely excited to have the preseason No. 1 team in the nation playing in the third annual UVI Paradise Jam tournament," said UVI athletic director Peter Sauer.
Thirteen Division I men's and women's teams will converge on St. Thomas for the third annual UVI Paradise Jam. The series of three tournaments (one men's and two women's) will be held at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center from Nov. 22 to Nov. 30.
UVI is tournament host, and Basketball Travelers is the tournament organizer.
This year's men's tournament should match the excitement of last year's games. The six-team field for the 2002 tournament includes Michigan from the Big 10, Brigham Young University (Utah) of the Mountain West, Kansas State from the Big 12, Toledo (Ohio) of the MAC, St. Bonaventure (N.Y.) from the Atlantic 10, and Virginia Tech of the Big East. Games will be played on Nov. 22-24, with the championship round set for Nov. 25.
This year's women's field will feature seven teams competing in two brackets. The "St. Thomas" bracket consists of Oregon (Pac 10), South Carolina (SEC) and Boston College (Big East). The "St. John" bracket features Duke (ACC), Arkansas (SEC), Old Dominion (Colonial) and Hampton (MEAC). Both women's tournaments will be played Nov. 28-30.
Four of the women's teams placed on last year's Top 25 AP poll, and three of the four "St. John" contenders have reached as far as an NCAA Final Four championship. Both women's brackets "boast strong experienced teams looking to go deep" in the NCAA championships, said a release.
The Miami Hurricanes captured last year's inaugural men's championship, defeating Clemson in a closely contested match. Last year's women's three-division championship winners were Texas, Arizona State and Florida State.
The schedule is published here. Check later news articles for information about tickets.
PARADISE JAM SCHEDULE
Nov. 22
6:15 p.m. St. Bonaventure vs. Virginia Tech
8:30 p.m. BYU vs. Toledo
Nov. 23
6:15 p.m. Kansas State vs. BYU
8:30 p.m. Michigan vs. St. Bonaventure
Nov. 24
6:15 p.m. Toledo vs. Kansas State
8:30 p.m. Virginia Tech vs. Michigan
Nov. 25
4 p.m. Fifth Place Consolation
6:15 p.m. Third Place Consolation
8:30 p.m. Men's Championship Game
Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day)
4 p.m. Duke vs. Hampton
6:15 p.m. Arkansas vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. South Carolina vs. Oregon
Nov. 29
5 p.m. Hampton vs. Arkansas
6:15 p.m. Old Dominion vs. Duke
8:30 p.m. Oregon vs. Boston College
Nov. 30
4 p.m Boston College vs. South Carolina
6:15 p.m. Hampton vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. Duke vs. Arkansas
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"We are extremely excited to have the preseason No. 1 team in the nation playing in the third annual UVI Paradise Jam tournament," said UVI athletic director Peter Sauer.
Thirteen Division I men's and women's teams will converge on St. Thomas for the third annual UVI Paradise Jam. The series of three tournaments (one men's and two women's) will be held at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center from Nov. 22 to Nov. 30.
UVI is tournament host, and Basketball Travelers is the tournament organizer.
This year's men's tournament should match the excitement of last year's games. The six-team field for the 2002 tournament includes Michigan from the Big 10, Brigham Young University (Utah) of the Mountain West, Kansas State from the Big 12, Toledo (Ohio) of the MAC, St. Bonaventure (N.Y.) from the Atlantic 10, and Virginia Tech of the Big East. Games will be played on Nov. 22-24, with the championship round set for Nov. 25.
This year's women's field will feature seven teams competing in two brackets. The "St. Thomas" bracket consists of Oregon (Pac 10), South Carolina (SEC) and Boston College (Big East). The "St. John" bracket features Duke (ACC), Arkansas (SEC), Old Dominion (Colonial) and Hampton (MEAC). Both women's tournaments will be played Nov. 28-30.
Four of the women's teams placed on last year's Top 25 AP poll, and three of the four "St. John" contenders have reached as far as an NCAA Final Four championship. Both women's brackets "boast strong experienced teams looking to go deep" in the NCAA championships, said a release.
The Miami Hurricanes captured last year's inaugural men's championship, defeating Clemson in a closely contested match. Last year's women's three-division championship winners were Texas, Arizona State and Florida State.
The schedule is published here. Check later news articles for information about tickets.
Nov. 22
6:15 p.m. St. Bonaventure vs. Virginia Tech
8:30 p.m. BYU vs. Toledo
Nov. 23
6:15 p.m. Kansas State vs. BYU
8:30 p.m. Michigan vs. St. Bonaventure
Nov. 24
6:15 p.m. Toledo vs. Kansas State
8:30 p.m. Virginia Tech vs. Michigan
Nov. 25
4 p.m. Fifth Place Consolation
6:15 p.m. Third Place Consolation
8:30 p.m. Men's Championship Game
Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day)
4 p.m. Duke vs. Hampton
6:15 p.m. Arkansas vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. South Carolina vs. Oregon
Nov. 29
5 p.m. Hampton vs. Arkansas
6:15 p.m. Old Dominion vs. Duke
8:30 p.m. Oregon vs. Boston College
Nov. 30
4 p.m Boston College vs. South Carolina
6:15 p.m. Hampton vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. Duke vs. Arkansas
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LABOR DEPARTMENT TO HOLD EMPLOYER FORUM
Sept. 23, 2002 – The Labor Department invites all business owners to an Employer Forum on Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Gertrude's Restaurant.
In addition to providing vital information about local and federal laws, the forum is designed to showcase the different programs and activities offered by the Labor Department.
In order to promote economic stability and a strong workforce in the territory, Labor is forging ahead in building strong partnerships with the private and public sector, according to a department release.
Representatives from Labor will be on hand to answer questions and to discuss concerns. For more information, call the Office of the Commissioner at 773-1994 ext. 230.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
In addition to providing vital information about local and federal laws, the forum is designed to showcase the different programs and activities offered by the Labor Department.
In order to promote economic stability and a strong workforce in the territory, Labor is forging ahead in building strong partnerships with the private and public sector, according to a department release.
Representatives from Labor will be on hand to answer questions and to discuss concerns. For more information, call the Office of the Commissioner at 773-1994 ext. 230.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
