An unusual Clamshell Orchid resembles an octopus. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
The St. Croix Orchid Society will hold its 54th annual orchid show and sale, “Orchids for All Seasons,” Friday through Sunday at The Bodine Center at St. George Village Botanical Garden on St. Croix. The event will honor Luther Edwards for his long-standing work with and dedication to orchids.
For the past 25 years, Edwards has grown and collected orchids, building what he describes as a “small” collection of more than 800 plants. He gives his wife, Martha, an orchid for every occasion, including her birthday, their wedding anniversary, Christmas and other holidays, and includes her plants as part of his collection.
Luther Edwards, the 2026 show honoree, is shown in a 2019 photo receiving the most outstanding orchid award at the show. He was the exhibitor and Jan McBean was the grower of the Epidendrum ciliary, also known as the St. Croix Christmas orchid. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
The show opens Friday, from 2 to 5 p.m. and continues Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult.
Workshops will be offered Saturday. At 10 a.m., Mary Duggan will present “You Have a Home Depot Orchid, Now What.” At 2 p.m., Angie Ortiz, SCOS board president, will present “In the Zone: Growing Orchids in Your Micro Environment.” Show attendees are invited to participate in both sessions.
Two vendors from Puerto Rico will offer new orchid varieties for sale. Local vendors will include an orchid seller and an orchid-themed jewelry artist.
AOS Show Trophy Award-winning display “Color Burst of Orchids” was presented by Daina Latisha Fernandez of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
“Anyone wishing to exhibit an orchid(s) may come on Thursday, February 19th between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,” Ortiz said.
The show is registered with the American Orchid Society and will be judged according to its criteria. Plants and blooms will be evaluated against worldwide AOS standards, with each variety measured by guidelines outlined in the organization’s judging handbook. Judging will take place Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the public is invited to observe.
“This year’s raffle gifts are fabulous. Items include a flat-screen TV with stand, an orchid bench, orchids and an original painting by well known local artist, Gene Rotter.” Ortiz said.
Flaming orange and red Cattleya orchids are exquisite, jewellike blooms. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
Raffle drawings will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Winners do not need to be present.
There are more than 30,000 orchid species and thousands of hybrids. In an American Orchid Society show, entries are judged within their respective classes. First-place winners receive a trophy and a blue ribbon, second-place winners a red ribbon, and third-place winners a white ribbon. Additional American Orchid Society awards may also be presented.
“We are dedicated to educating, conserving and raising awareness of the enchanting world of orchids on our beautiful island. Our 54 Orchid Show is a celebration of nature’s artistry, allowing our members and community to showcase their exquisite blooms and share the breathtaking diversity of orchids with friends and neighbors. We hope the show inspires you and ignites your curiosity! Please accept our open invitation to join us at one of our monthly meetings,” Ortiz
K’Nard Callendar became the first Virgin Islander to compete in the Basketball Without Borders All‑Star camp when he walked onto the court Feb. 13–15 at the UCLA Health Training Center in Los Angeles during NBA All‑Star Weekend.
K’Nard Callendar dribbles in his Basketball Without Borders jersey during the All-Star Global Camp in Los Angeles. (Photo courtesy Callendar family)
Organized by the NBA in partnership with the International Basketball Federation, Basketball Without Borders is a global basketball development and community outreach program that brings together elite young players from around the world for training and competition.
The All‑Star edition of the camp is invite-only and draws approximately 40 top high‑school‑age prospects from more than two dozen countries and territories. Participants receive coaching from current and former NBA and FIBA players and coaches, compete in five‑on‑five games, and attend events tied to NBA All‑Star Weekend, including the NBA All‑Star Game at the Intuit Dome.
Callendar, a standout at Overtime Elite, earned his spot-on the global stage through a string of accomplishments. He was named to the All-Star Five at the Basketball Without Borders camp in El Salvador, earned MVP honors at the FIBA Youth Development Program and Grind Session in Florida, and has been one of OTE’s premier two-way players this season.
When asked if he was nervous walking into a gym full of top-ranked prospects, K’Nard said, “I wouldn’t say I was nervous.” He added, “Over the past couple of months, I’ve been playing other players who are highly ranked. I also played in FIBA and at other camps, so it was just another day playing basketball.”
He said he’s accustomed to competing at high levels, having participated in past FIBA camps and winning championships with his teams. “I’ve been to two past FIBA camps before this, and in both of those camps my team won the championship,” said K’Nard. “Going out on the court, I just wanted to prove that I play winning basketball.”
As the first player from the Virgin Islands ever selected for the All-Star Global Camp, Callendar said, “I felt like I had to play with a chip on my shoulder. I’m the only one representing the VI, so I felt like it’s an honor to be there. I had to show my talents to prove that the Virgin Islands is a place where great basketball players can come from.”
Both K’Nard and his father, Kennard Callendar, stressed that the Virgin Islands produces players who can compete with anyone. What’s missing, they said, is exposure. With so few college coaches and scouts traveling to the territory, much of that talent never gets the chance to be seen.
“Being good enough is only one part of the equation. You have to be in a position so that you can get seen,” said Kennard. “We can compete at any level … Once we get the kind of exposure that we need, we can compete.”
Kennard pointed out that many families can’t afford to uproot their lives and move to the mainland for a better chance at visibility. He believes the gap can’t be closed by families alone; it has to be addressed by the people and institutions that oversee youth sports in the territory.
“The administration has to step up,” Kennard said. “Whoever is running the leagues, whoever is responsible for the various athletes. Whether it’s the schools, the IAA, or individual programs they’ve got to do better. They have to get systems in place so our kids can be seen and recognized … to expose our children to universities and schools so they can earn these scholarships.”
For K’Nard, the weekend in Los Angeles was “a nice experience, being coached by former NBA players and current NBA coaches,” he said. “We were being coached by professionals at the highest level, so they were giving us a lot of tips and tricks for us to use in the game.”
The camp was held at the Los Angeles Lakers’ practice facility, where the history on the walls was impossible to ignore. “The facility was nice,” K’Nard said. “They had a glass room with all the Larry O’Brien trophies up on pedestals.”
Unfortunately, K’Nard suffered a groin injury and did not make the tournament team, but his father said he still made waves at the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp. “Even though he did not make the tournament team, he’s getting a lot of accolades, and people are saying he is definitely pro material.”
When asked what his message would be, K’Nard said: “To all the younger kids, I’d say just keep grinding, keep working hard. Hard work pays off. The more work you put in, you’ll get better over time, and eventually the work will show.”
The University of the Virgin Islands’ Emerging Caribbean Scientists Program is offering paid research internships, scholarships, and hands-on training opportunities for undergraduate students across STEM disciplines. (Source file photo)
For University of the Virgin Islands undergraduates curious about research, the Emerging Caribbean Scientists Program is coordinating undergraduate research training across STEM fields at UVI.
Students who apply gain access to paid internships, academic year scholarships, workshops, and UVI’s annual undergraduate research symposium. “We want students to know that research isn’t something you have to be an expert in to try. We have opportunities for students at different stages, whether they’re sure they want a research career or just starting to explore,” says Alice Stanford, professor of biology and coordinator of the ECS program.
The current application cycle includes research internships for Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027. These positions allow students to work full-time for six to twelve weeks while being monitored by experienced researchers. “Each student is matched with a research mentor and project that aligns with their career interests,” Stanford said. Mentors include UVI faculty as well as professionals at partner agencies.
Academic year scholarships are also available through specific grant- and donation-funded programs. These scholarships often come with additional expectations, such as maintaining a minimum GPA, attending conferences, or participating in research seminars. “Students doing environmental or marine science internships may spend most of the day outside collecting data, and computer science interns may spend most of the day coding. The goal is active, hands-on experience in the student’s field,” Stanford said.
ECS supports students across a wide range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, marine biology, nursing, physics, psychology, and social science.
The program’s support doesn’t end when the internship does. ECS also helps students travel to workshops and academic conferences, experiences that can shape a young researcher’s career. “Presenting at a conference allows students to share their work, build professional networks, and see the broader research community. It’s often a turning point for students in terms of seeing themselves as scientists,” Stanford said.
Students can learn more about ECS by visiting the program’s website or emailing directly ecs@uvi.edu.
As work continues to remove the overturned crane on Jacob’s Ladder along South Shore Road, St. John, it is expected that the roadway will be cleared by Thursday morning.To safely remove the large machinery, there will be a temporary electrical disruption on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pedestrians are asked to refrain from utilizing the pathway until all work has been completed. Motorists are advised to continue using Contant Hill as an alternate route until further notice.
The Department of Public Works appreciates the community’s continued patience and cooperation.
The Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands mourns the passing of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr., a towering figure in American history and a global symbol of civil rights, justice, and democratic participation.
Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands
Reverend Jackson’s lifelong work helped shape the moral conscience of a nation. From the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement to his leadership of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he stood unwavering in defense of voting rights, economic opportunity, human dignity, and equal justice under the law. His legacy is one of fearless advocacy, principled leadership, and enduring faith in the power of the people.
Reverend Jackson also inspired generations of leaders to step forward and claim their place in public life. His historic presidential campaigns helped broaden the Democratic Party’s reach, strengthen its commitment to inclusion, and amplify the voices of communities long denied fair representation.
As a party rooted in the principles of justice and equal participation, the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands recognizes Reverend Jackson’s contributions as a lasting force in strengthening democracy—work that continues to guide and challenge all who believe in the promise of freedom.
“Reverend Jesse Jackson was more than a civil rights icon—he was a movement builder and a conscience for the nation,” said Carol M. Burke, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands. “His life’s work reminded us that democracy must be protected, expanded, and made real for every citizen. We honor his legacy by continuing the work of building a political system that reflects fairness, integrity, and opportunity for all.”
The Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands extends sincere condolences to the Jackson family, his loved ones, and the many communities around the world who were touched by his leadership and service.
May Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. rest in peace and power.
The family and loved ones of Llewellyn Merrick of Liberta, Antigua sadly announce his passing on Jan. 26, 2026.
Llewellyn Merrick
He was born on Aug. 18, 1953, and will be remembered for his kindness, friendship, and the lasting impact he made on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Llewellyn lived a life filled with meaningful relationships and strong community ties. His warm spirit, gentle nature, and ability to connect with others made him a cherished brother and loyal friend.
He leaves to mourn his passing his devoted brother, Walter Phillips Jr., also known as “Frito,” and his loving sister, Patsy Phillips. He is also fondly remembered by his special friends and extended family: Collective Collaborations, Wesleyann Holiness, the Christiansted Family, and the Rouge Duty Free Family, along with many other relatives and friends whose lives he touched.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at First Assembly of God, 4ABC Fisher & Queen Cross Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI 00820. The viewing starts at 9 a.m. and Service at10 a.m. Interment will follow at Christiansted Cemetery.
Ocean Point Terminals is pleased to announce that applications are now available online for the Ocean Point Terminals Scholarship Program.
Ocean Point’s Scholarship Program is open to all graduating seniors enrolled in a high school in the U. S. Virgin Islands, who have maintained a grade average of “B” (3.0 out of 4.0) or higher, and who have resided in the USVI for at least fifteen years prior to the date of their application.
Scholarships are awarded based on several factors, including scholastic achievement, evidence of good character, leadership and service, and financial need of the applicant. The amount of a scholarship award can be as much as $5,000.00 per year for a student to attend a 4-year accredited U.S. college or university, or a 2-year technical/vocational college. Ocean Point has noted that once it is awarded, a scholarship may continue for 2-4 years, based on the student’s course of study, and provided that the recipient continues to be enrolled as a full-time student and maintains good academic standing at an accredited U.S. college or university or technical/vocational school.
The scholarship application is available online and interested students can apply at: https://oceanpoint.smapply.io/ or on our website at https://www.opterminals.com/community/ under the Scholarship section. The deadline to submit an application for the Ocean Point Scholarship Program is March 22, 2026. For additional information, please contact: communications@opterminals.com or the Ocean Point Terminals’ Scholarship Administrator at (340) 692-3209.
Senator Marvin A. Blyden today issued a statement on the passing of Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., the renowned civil rights leader and two‑time Democratic presidential candidate, who passed away this morning at the age of 84.
Sen. Marvin A. Blyden. (Photo courtesy of VI Legislature)
“Rev. Jesse Jackson inspired me—as he inspired millions—when I first witnessed his presidential campaigns as a young man in 1984 and 1988,” Blyden said. “He showed that politics must put Black and brown people, women, working families, and all those long shut out of power at the center of our national vision, and this principle has guided my own work.”
Blyden noted that Jackson’s leadership grew from his work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his participation in the Selma to Montgomery march, and his later efforts through Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition to expand political and economic opportunity. Jackson had strong ties to the territory and visited it many times, as he was close with a number of Virgin Islands student-athletes, including his roommate the late Irvin Mulcare, during his time at North Carolina A&T in the early 1960s.
“In today’s climate, when so many civil rights and civil liberties are under attack, Jesse Jackson’s vision still speaks powerfully to us in the Virgin Islands,” Blyden continued. “He believed in broad, inclusive coalitions that uplift every community. His legacy challenges us to keep working—right here at home—to build a Virgin Islands where justice, opportunity, and dignity truly belong to all of our people.”
Jackson’s family described him as a “servant leader… to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked,” noting that he died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.
“In honoring Rev. Jackson, we must commit ourselves to the work he championed,” Blyden said. “Let us strive, every day, to make our community a better, fairer, and more hopeful place for all Virgin Islanders.”
Darren Canton at a 2017 tournament in Florida (Source file photo)
More than the date of when I first met him, what I remember most about Darren Canton is my immediate first impression — an enthusiasm for and belief in our local athletes that knew no bounds.
Darren was already deep into the work of building Future Stars Baseball, and what stood out wasn’t simply that he loved the game – it was that he was intent on building something durable. In a territory where talent has always been evident, sometimes in abundance, Darren understood that structure, exposure and mentorship were what separated potential from progress.
The idea for his program had taken root years earlier, after he watched territory players compete in Florida and realized how much ability was going unseen. A third-generation baseball player himself, Darren had once fielded Division I offers before an injury ended his own playing career. He often spoke about wanting the next generation to avoid some of the setbacks he had experienced — academically and otherwise — and to approach the game with discipline not just on the field, but in the classroom.
He didn’t try to do that alone.
Darren built a network around these young athletes. Alvis Christian became a steady presence in the organization, helping to manage operations and communication, while Darren reconnected with former coaches from his own Brooklyn’s Bonnie Youth Club, including Dharyl Russell, who, wear after year, came down to work with Virgin Islands players — not for spectacle, but for instruction, repetition, and accountability.
Years ago, practices ran three or four times a week during the summer, with freshman scouts brought in to evaluate talent. During Darren’s annual Future Stars showcases, meanwhile, major league scouts were invited to take a serious look at local players. The program traveled to South Florida at least twice a year, giving athletes the chance to compete against stateside talent and visit college campuses so they could see, firsthand, what continuing their education might look like.
Through Darren, our own family came to know many of the young men who would go on to represent the territory at higher levels — the Blashes, the Cottons, Akeel Morris, Joel Bellot. I remember going to film Jabari’s draft watch party at his mother’s home — a woman I had never met before — and watching Darren take it all in with a quiet pride, understanding what that moment meant, not only for one player, but for the broader idea he had been advancing for years.
He talked often about creating a system here — about building something that could, over time, resemble the development pipelines of Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, producing disciplined, college-ready, professionally visible players if the infrastructure existed. His tournaments in Florida and at home were not simply competitions; they were proof that the territory belonged in that conversation.
What Darren emphasized, especially to young men who were not yet standouts, was consistency. He was clear that raw talent was rarely enough. Dedication, academic focus, and resilience mattered just as much. He celebrated players who grew from an average high school athlete into a college scholarship recipient through steady work and strong grades and took pride in athletes who chose to complete four years of college before pursuing professional careers, because to him, the degree was as important as the draft.
Now, with such a committed and organizing force gone, the loss is deeply personal for many families — including ours — but it is also structural. Darren didn’t just encourage athletes; he assembled the professionals, built the schedule, made the calls, arranged the travel, and insisted that Virgin Islands players be evaluated alongside anyone else.
He believed that if given a fair look, they would measure up.
And, when someone who carried that belief so consistently is no longer here, the question is not only how he will be remembered, but what happens to the work itself. Darren was not simply a supporter of young athletes; he was an organizer, a connector, a bridge between this small territory and a much larger game. Much of what he built depended on his persistence, his relationships, and his willingness to keep pushing.
His belief changed trajectories. In the wake of his passing, honoring him now means continuing the work — and insisting, as he always did, that our athletes belong.
Our sincere condolences to his children and family, loved ones, friends, teammates, and the athletes — including my own son — he has inspired.
Sen. Steven Payne Sr. during the March 21 Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications. (Photo courtesy of the V.I. Legislature)
Facing a potential life sentence Thursday for sexual battery of a minor, former U.S. Virgin Islands Senator-At-Large Steven D. Payne Sr. told a Florida judge he’d discovered new documents contradicting evidence leading to his October 2025 conviction.
Payne, 59, filed his Feb. 6 plea for a new trial himself, not through his attorney, asking the Duval County court to throw out his conviction and conduct a new trial. He claimed “newly discovered” evidence proved he was with his sister registering the girl for school during a time pivotal to the case against him.
Florida Fourth Circuit Court Judge Meredith Charbula turned down Payne’s request for a new trial Feb. 10, saying rules did not allow defendants who have legal counsel to file motions themselves.
Payne acknowledged the rule in a letter to the court but asked for an exception to defend his “constitutional rights” before sentencing. He did not explain why the motion was not filed by his attorney.
Attorneys for Payne had sought to delay sentencing several times, asking the court to move the date from Nov. 5, 2025, to Nov. 13 after filing a motion for a new trial. The date was pushed back again, to Dec. 10, after the motion was amended and eventually denied. The date was moved again in January after Payne claimed to have found “mitigating evidence.”
Of the 50 pages of new evidence Payne submitted, only one was not redacted in online court files. It appears to be the header of an email from an office assistant at a high school in Jacksonville, Florida, sent to the same address on Aug. 20, 2018. The subject line is “Scan from MX710” with a PDF attachment.
Prosecutors said Payne became the victim’s guardian around 2016 while she was living in the Virgin Islands. The victim, described as between 12 and 18, moved to Florida after being displaced by Hurricane Irma. Payne had her move in with his sister in Jacksonville and attacked her the next day, Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson said. Nelson said the girl was terrified during the incident. Another victim from the Virgin Islands testified that Payne had attempted to sexually assault her in 2005.
There were other allegations of sexual misconduct against Payne. At least three women accused Payne of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault and workplace sexual harassment, while he was a senator representing St. John. The 34th Legislature voted unanimously to expel Payne after a four-month investigation in 2022.
Payne sued and the Legislature spent nearly $100,000 successfully defending itself.
In 2020, the Source asked Senate candidates for their “top priority as a legislator.” Some said it was bringing down electricity prices; some were concerned with the Government Employee Retirement System’s solvency; others cited the territory’s financial outlook during the COVID-19 pandemic and worried if the public health system could meet the challenge.
Payne told the Source his “top priority as a legislator” was to act honorably.
“My top priority will be to ensure that my actions in representing the people as a legislator are always aboveboard. Also, I will do everything in my power to ensure that I never dishonor the institution or the people of the Virgin Islands who I serve,” Payne said.
Payne is a former Virgin Islands police officer, music teacher at Gomez Elementary, and School Resource Officer for the Virgin Islands Police Department. He trained as a police officer in Tampa Bay, Florida, gaining a Law Enforcement Certificate in 1998.
As a write-in candidate in 2016, Payne said he loved working with young, vulnerable people.
“As a police officer with the Virgin Islands Police Department, Steve Payne founded the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program; where he could have more access to the youths regardless of their age or grade level,” he wrote. “His campaign for change and empowerment of the youths started at Gomez Elementary School, where he served as the Music Teacher. However, Payne realized that there was a special need for reaching and impacting the lives of the male students; therefore, he opened his band room to them outside of his normal classroom hours. This created a safe and positive outlet for them.”
Payne also credited himself with founding the Gomez Golden Stars, the Addelita Cancryn Marching Iguanas, the JDPP Marching Kings, the JDPP Jammerz, the Marching Cougars, and the Marching Gulls and the VI Avengerz.
To safely remove the large machinery, there will be a temporary electrical disruption on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pedestrians are asked to refrain from utilizing the pathway until all work has been completed. Motorists are advised to continue using Contant Hill as an alternate route until further notice.
The Department of Public Works appreciates the community’s continued patience and cooperation. 
