The 18th annual Fort-To-Fort Relay Road Race will be held on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 6 a.m. and will start in Christiansted near Fort Christianvern.
Teams consists of four runners who will run the following legs: 3.5 first leg and 4 miles each in the remaining three legs. The finish is at Fort Frederik in Frederiksted.
For more information call 777-0258, or click here.
HISTORY ALIVE AND WELL AT GRAND GALLERIA
Aug. 16, 2001 – To celebrate the opening of his newest St. Thomas store, in Grand Galleria, MAPes MONDe owner Michael Paiewonsky is "allowing the free download of one of my most popular and informative books," he said this week.
The book, "The Danish West Indies Under Company Rule (1671-1754)" by Waldemar Westergaard, can be found at Paiewonsky's online store at www.mapesmonde.com.
Paiewonsky, a third-generation Virgin Islander, said he hopes every student of history in the territory will download a copy during this limited-time offer.
Started in 1958 as "a personal collection of prints in my grandfather's [Isaac Paiewonsky's] store" MAPes MONDe has grown into a thriving business with multiple locations. Paiewonsky fondly recalls, "I created a museum in the A.H. Riise store. It was announced on the cruise ships that at Riise there was a wonderful visual collection of prints and paintings of the island that every tourist should see."
Before long he began selling his "historical treasures" from Riise's, eventually expanding into the picturesque Riise's Alley.
From that beginning, Paiewonsky developed his collection "during years of seeking images" for showing in island schools, "illustrating Caribbean history books" that he has written and for re-publication of books that he believed would benefit from his "collection of relevant illustrations."
Christened the Grand Galleria Art Gallery, the new MAPes MONDe store occupies five rooms on the first floor of the recently renovated former Grand Hotel complex next to Emancipation Garden. "Most people still remember the building as the Grand Hotel," Paiewonsky says. "We have been limping along" with the original MAPes MONDe stores in Riise's Alley and another on St. John in Mongoose Junction since 1989, he said. That was the year that Hurricane Hugo destroyed all the shops at Mountain Top, including what was then Paiewonsky's third MAPes MONDe location.
Paiewonsky says that when he saw the "magnificent restoration that the Lockhart family had done to the old Grand Hotel building," complete with a sky-lit central atrium, rich new woodwork and new tile floors, "I spoke to them. I was very lucky, actually. They were not planning to rent the atrium and those inner spaces."
Paiewonsky has stocked the new art gallery with more than 4,000 items, including "fine art, rare books and select maps and prints from the 1500s to 1800s."
The collection continues to focus on historically significant subjects from the Caribbean in general and the Virgin Islands in particular. He says that the inventory was "carefully selected from innumerable sources around the world in a process of interaction" with his customers.
Paiewonsky acquired the majority of the items during his travels in Denmark, England, France, Italy and Norway. Archival-quality reproductions of island scenes by well-known artists of the times can be bought at MAPes MONDe for under $50. Or for $2,000, the serious rare book collector can purchase an original edition of "The Danish West Indies Under Company Rule," the same book Paiewonsky is offering for free download from his web store.
Before Hugo hit the Virgin Islands in September 1989, Paiewonsky said, his three stores together had been grossing a "million dollars" annually. This year, he projects sales of $650,000 on his way back to the pre-Hugo highs. "MAPes MONDe has evolved into an international wholesaler as well as a local retailer," he said, routinely accepting orders from Argentina, Canada, England, Denmark and Germany in "any currency" through his web store as well as by traditional means.
Paiewonsky attributes his successes to his parents, Isidor and Charlotte Paiewonsky. "My father has given me the love of words, poetry and history. My mother taught me discipline, getting things done and business," he said.
His plans for the coming year include presenting five art exhibitions on the second floor of the Grand Galleria between November 2001 and May 2002. He said he also is preparing to release four more historic books that he has published for download from his web store.
The book, "The Danish West Indies Under Company Rule (1671-1754)" by Waldemar Westergaard, can be found at Paiewonsky's online store at www.mapesmonde.com.
Paiewonsky, a third-generation Virgin Islander, said he hopes every student of history in the territory will download a copy during this limited-time offer.
Started in 1958 as "a personal collection of prints in my grandfather's [Isaac Paiewonsky's] store" MAPes MONDe has grown into a thriving business with multiple locations. Paiewonsky fondly recalls, "I created a museum in the A.H. Riise store. It was announced on the cruise ships that at Riise there was a wonderful visual collection of prints and paintings of the island that every tourist should see."
Before long he began selling his "historical treasures" from Riise's, eventually expanding into the picturesque Riise's Alley.
From that beginning, Paiewonsky developed his collection "during years of seeking images" for showing in island schools, "illustrating Caribbean history books" that he has written and for re-publication of books that he believed would benefit from his "collection of relevant illustrations."
Christened the Grand Galleria Art Gallery, the new MAPes MONDe store occupies five rooms on the first floor of the recently renovated former Grand Hotel complex next to Emancipation Garden. "Most people still remember the building as the Grand Hotel," Paiewonsky says. "We have been limping along" with the original MAPes MONDe stores in Riise's Alley and another on St. John in Mongoose Junction since 1989, he said. That was the year that Hurricane Hugo destroyed all the shops at Mountain Top, including what was then Paiewonsky's third MAPes MONDe location.
Paiewonsky says that when he saw the "magnificent restoration that the Lockhart family had done to the old Grand Hotel building," complete with a sky-lit central atrium, rich new woodwork and new tile floors, "I spoke to them. I was very lucky, actually. They were not planning to rent the atrium and those inner spaces."
Paiewonsky has stocked the new art gallery with more than 4,000 items, including "fine art, rare books and select maps and prints from the 1500s to 1800s."
The collection continues to focus on historically significant subjects from the Caribbean in general and the Virgin Islands in particular. He says that the inventory was "carefully selected from innumerable sources around the world in a process of interaction" with his customers.
Paiewonsky acquired the majority of the items during his travels in Denmark, England, France, Italy and Norway. Archival-quality reproductions of island scenes by well-known artists of the times can be bought at MAPes MONDe for under $50. Or for $2,000, the serious rare book collector can purchase an original edition of "The Danish West Indies Under Company Rule," the same book Paiewonsky is offering for free download from his web store.
Before Hugo hit the Virgin Islands in September 1989, Paiewonsky said, his three stores together had been grossing a "million dollars" annually. This year, he projects sales of $650,000 on his way back to the pre-Hugo highs. "MAPes MONDe has evolved into an international wholesaler as well as a local retailer," he said, routinely accepting orders from Argentina, Canada, England, Denmark and Germany in "any currency" through his web store as well as by traditional means.
Paiewonsky attributes his successes to his parents, Isidor and Charlotte Paiewonsky. "My father has given me the love of words, poetry and history. My mother taught me discipline, getting things done and business," he said.
His plans for the coming year include presenting five art exhibitions on the second floor of the Grand Galleria between November 2001 and May 2002. He said he also is preparing to release four more historic books that he has published for download from his web store.
VIPA AGREES TO CROWN BAY DOCK EXPANSION, SHOPS
Aug. 15, 2001 – Cruise ships could be berthing at a new, extended Crown Bay dock as early as next March, the Port Authority Board was told Wednesday by representatives of the two cruise lines that will be building a new shopping center and expanding the present docking facilities.
At its July 18 meeting, the board approved a contract between the Port Authority and the Royal Caribbean and Carnival lines for the dock and shopping center development.
The $31 million project will now officially get under way, Gordon Finch, VIPA executive director, said as the board approved a letter of agreement at its Wednesday meeting. Although the letter spelling out the contract details still needed a final review by the cruise lines, Finch said, "This will allow them to begin spending dollars."
John F. Tercek, vice president for new business development for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., said he would have the letter back to Finch with any revisions by Wednesday evening. The press was not allowed to see a copy of the multi-page letter in advance of any revisions to come.
The agreement calls for the two cruise lines to cover all costs and for the Port Authority to manage the property. The cost will be split evenly – $15.5 million each — for the dock expansion and the shopping center development. The cruise lines would retain 75 percent of tariffs from the development for the first 20 years of the agreement, which calls for a 50-year lease by the cruise lines, after which the property will revert to VIPA.
The shopping development is to be a 5,000-square-foot area for local businesses, with an emphasis on arts and crafts. Kent Bernier, Gov. W. Charles Turnbull's economic adviser, said the Economic Development Authority will coordinate the shopping center.
A Government House release distributed Aug. 1 announced that the Port Authority, the West Indian Co. and the Tourism Department had executed a long-term operating agreement with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and its member lines. A task force of V.I. public- and private-sector members and representatives of the FCCA and its member lines worked for more than two years on the agreement as an alternative to the Virgin Islands increasing per-passenger docking fees.
One of the agreement's 13 points was that the cruise line or lines "to undertake seaside and land-based projects" in Crown Bay would "commit to the incremental passenger flow" needed to enable VIPA to finance the development.
At Wednesday's meeting, board member and Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood expressed grave concerns about how his department would be involved. "I see serious problems with the infrastructure — traffic lights, sewage, sidewalks," he said. "We don't have the funds to do all that." But Finch replied, "Let's not hamstring the cruise lines with all of that right now."
Bernier promised Callwood to bring the matter up with Property and Procurement Commissioner Marc Biggs at a Thursday cabinet meeting.
Tercek and Gioira Israel, Carnival Cruise Lines executive officer, were enthusiastic as they explained mutual goals for the area. Although there are always fewer cruise ships calls in the summer, Israel said, the expanded dock facilities will allow mega-ships to dock in Crown Bay, so ships that do call will carry greater numbers of passenger than now — about 3,000. Tercek said the agreement is unique; the cruise lines have no other like it anywhere.
The Crown Bay development has come under criticism from Edward Thomas, chief executive officer of the West Indian Co., and from downtown Charlotte Amalie retailers fearful that the development will deter passengers from shopping in town. Some critics have argued that the Port Authority should focus its energy on getting a cruise line to home port on St. Croix.
Israel said that before St. Croix could be a homeport, it needs more infrastructure and "it needs an anchor attraction — rain forests and beaches won't do it."
The board also heard from Triad Associates, an economic and community development consulting firm hired by VIPA to make an economic development study for St. Croix. John E. Corrigan, Triad senior associate, said he foresaw making St. Croix "the best business port in the Caribbean."
Board member and Attorney General Iver Stridiron expressed reservations about VIPA's involvement in the proposed development program laid out by Triad, which embraces 80 projects, 28 of them directly connected to the authority. "We have had so many grandiose schemes over the years," Stridiron said. "We overwhelm the public, and we don't do anything. Maybe we should just take one or two things and do them well."
He also suggested that a fundamental change in St. Croix's attitude toward outside investment would be an improvement. "Perhaps this isn't politically correct," he said, "but St. Croix doesn't embrace new projects; they reject them."
The Triad proposal envisions the development of an industrial business park on 100 acres adjacent to the Henry R. Rohlsen Airport, a theme park, convention centers, golf courses and casinos. The board debated how the study report should be implemented and how the public should be involved. The proposal would involve many government agencies, and require input from them all.
The board decided to accept the draft of the study report so that Triad can proceed with public hearings on its proposals. The draft is to be submitted to all public and private agencies involved, with a request that they respond by a given time.
Again, Bernier said he would bring the matter up at Thursday's cabinet meeting.
The press also was not allowed to obtain a copy of the Triad report. VIPA charges media representatives $15 for a copy of the agenda of each board meeting. Wednesday's agenda did not provide any information about either the Crown Bay development or the Triad study, except to list both as presentations under "Matters Requiring Board Action."
In other action, Hortense Rowe, Sen. Adelbert Bryan's chief of staff, asked the board to help sponsor Bryan's Economic Development Summit held on St. Thomas and St. Croix in July. Rowe placed the cost at $100,000 and said Bryan's Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs contributed $20,000. The board referred the request to its finance committee.
Attending the meeting were the board chair, Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards; Stridiron, Callwood, Kent Bernier and Leslie Milliner. Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean Plaskett was absent.
At its July 18 meeting, the board approved a contract between the Port Authority and the Royal Caribbean and Carnival lines for the dock and shopping center development.
The $31 million project will now officially get under way, Gordon Finch, VIPA executive director, said as the board approved a letter of agreement at its Wednesday meeting. Although the letter spelling out the contract details still needed a final review by the cruise lines, Finch said, "This will allow them to begin spending dollars."
John F. Tercek, vice president for new business development for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., said he would have the letter back to Finch with any revisions by Wednesday evening. The press was not allowed to see a copy of the multi-page letter in advance of any revisions to come.
The agreement calls for the two cruise lines to cover all costs and for the Port Authority to manage the property. The cost will be split evenly – $15.5 million each — for the dock expansion and the shopping center development. The cruise lines would retain 75 percent of tariffs from the development for the first 20 years of the agreement, which calls for a 50-year lease by the cruise lines, after which the property will revert to VIPA.
The shopping development is to be a 5,000-square-foot area for local businesses, with an emphasis on arts and crafts. Kent Bernier, Gov. W. Charles Turnbull's economic adviser, said the Economic Development Authority will coordinate the shopping center.
A Government House release distributed Aug. 1 announced that the Port Authority, the West Indian Co. and the Tourism Department had executed a long-term operating agreement with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and its member lines. A task force of V.I. public- and private-sector members and representatives of the FCCA and its member lines worked for more than two years on the agreement as an alternative to the Virgin Islands increasing per-passenger docking fees.
One of the agreement's 13 points was that the cruise line or lines "to undertake seaside and land-based projects" in Crown Bay would "commit to the incremental passenger flow" needed to enable VIPA to finance the development.
At Wednesday's meeting, board member and Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood expressed grave concerns about how his department would be involved. "I see serious problems with the infrastructure — traffic lights, sewage, sidewalks," he said. "We don't have the funds to do all that." But Finch replied, "Let's not hamstring the cruise lines with all of that right now."
Bernier promised Callwood to bring the matter up with Property and Procurement Commissioner Marc Biggs at a Thursday cabinet meeting.
Tercek and Gioira Israel, Carnival Cruise Lines executive officer, were enthusiastic as they explained mutual goals for the area. Although there are always fewer cruise ships calls in the summer, Israel said, the expanded dock facilities will allow mega-ships to dock in Crown Bay, so ships that do call will carry greater numbers of passenger than now — about 3,000. Tercek said the agreement is unique; the cruise lines have no other like it anywhere.
The Crown Bay development has come under criticism from Edward Thomas, chief executive officer of the West Indian Co., and from downtown Charlotte Amalie retailers fearful that the development will deter passengers from shopping in town. Some critics have argued that the Port Authority should focus its energy on getting a cruise line to home port on St. Croix.
Israel said that before St. Croix could be a homeport, it needs more infrastructure and "it needs an anchor attraction — rain forests and beaches won't do it."
The board also heard from Triad Associates, an economic and community development consulting firm hired by VIPA to make an economic development study for St. Croix. John E. Corrigan, Triad senior associate, said he foresaw making St. Croix "the best business port in the Caribbean."
Board member and Attorney General Iver Stridiron expressed reservations about VIPA's involvement in the proposed development program laid out by Triad, which embraces 80 projects, 28 of them directly connected to the authority. "We have had so many grandiose schemes over the years," Stridiron said. "We overwhelm the public, and we don't do anything. Maybe we should just take one or two things and do them well."
He also suggested that a fundamental change in St. Croix's attitude toward outside investment would be an improvement. "Perhaps this isn't politically correct," he said, "but St. Croix doesn't embrace new projects; they reject them."
The Triad proposal envisions the development of an industrial business park on 100 acres adjacent to the Henry R. Rohlsen Airport, a theme park, convention centers, golf courses and casinos. The board debated how the study report should be implemented and how the public should be involved. The proposal would involve many government agencies, and require input from them all.
The board decided to accept the draft of the study report so that Triad can proceed with public hearings on its proposals. The draft is to be submitted to all public and private agencies involved, with a request that they respond by a given time.
Again, Bernier said he would bring the matter up at Thursday's cabinet meeting.
The press also was not allowed to obtain a copy of the Triad report. VIPA charges media representatives $15 for a copy of the agenda of each board meeting. Wednesday's agenda did not provide any information about either the Crown Bay development or the Triad study, except to list both as presentations under "Matters Requiring Board Action."
In other action, Hortense Rowe, Sen. Adelbert Bryan's chief of staff, asked the board to help sponsor Bryan's Economic Development Summit held on St. Thomas and St. Croix in July. Rowe placed the cost at $100,000 and said Bryan's Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs contributed $20,000. The board referred the request to its finance committee.
Attending the meeting were the board chair, Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards; Stridiron, Callwood, Kent Bernier and Leslie Milliner. Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean Plaskett was absent.
MUSICIAN LEE ANDUZE: 'DOLBY HILL' BOY MAKES GOOD
Aug. 15, 2001 – A young Crucian is making his way — his own way — in the mainland music world. Lee Anduze, originally from Dolby Hill on St. Croix, has been living and performing in Orlando, Fla., since graduating from American University two years ago.
He writes and arranges all of his music, sings all vocal parts heard on his CD's and plays the keyboard, guitar and piano. He has independently produced two CD's, "Soul Session" in 2000 and the appropriately titled "Dolby Hill" out this summer, and has his own band.
Anduze, the son of Dr. Alfred and Sari Anduze, is currently a nominee for a People’s Music Award for musicians who are based in Central Florida. Winners will be selected online via an Orlando web site that allows fans to vote for their favorites in 16 categories ranging from Best Live Performance to Best Eclectic/Experimental Act. The awards are being presented by the Where2Groove.com web site, Connections magazine, and The Lost & Found Night Club in the Orlando suburb of Longwood, Fla.
Anduze has been nominated in the "Best New Band" category in the online ballot at www.where2groove.com. The winners will be announced on the web site and in Connections.
Locally, Isle 95 and Radio One have played his music, and his "Dolby Hill" album is carried at the Sam Goody shop in Sunny Isle. In addition, one station in Atlanta and two in Orlando play his song "Positive Revolution" in a regular rotation, his mother said.
Both of his albums can be heard and purchased on www.cdbaby.com. Reviews are posted there, too.
"Finally, a soul singer who stands out from the hundreds you see on the CD rack every day," is one of the on-line comments about his first album. Of his new release, another states: "Anduze has become more daring and bold as he experiments with new sounds, twists and meaninful lyrics … 'Dolby Hill' is a solidifying album."
His parents fully support his decision to follow his muse. "We want him to do what he enjoys and what makes him happy," his mother said. "But we've warned him that it is a very competitive and difficult career to pursue."
If anyone can make it in the field, though, Sari Anduze thinks her son should be able to. "We feel Lee is quite talented as he writes all his music and lyrics, and plays piano, keyboard and guitar, while singing all voices on his CD," she said. "It's a real talent to be able to do your own harmony. This is where Lee shows his true talent, as he knows exactly what sounds to blend to achieve the desired results."
Anduze's first professional performance was for the "Last Sunset of the Millennium" celebration in Frederiksted on Dec. 31, 1999. Last summer, he made his successful CD debut on "MTV Undressed." He also was a finalist in Ed McMahon's "Next Big Star" competition.
Last year, his song "You Didn't" made it to the No. 1 spot for two weeks on the Mp3.com charts for Pop Vocals. He has performed twice at Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios in Orlando.
The last time Anduze was at home was over the Christmas holidays. Since then, however, his mother has been to the states twice to see him in professional settings — in February at his opening at Hard Rock Live, and in July at his new CD release show at the Cotton Club in Atlanta.
Anduze attended Country Day School from kindergarten through 7th grade. After Hurricane Hugo, his family relocated to Atlanta, where he graduated from high school. His musical talent and interest were evident early on, according to his mother: "He started as a featured singer in his first grade play at Country Day," she recalled. He played Tiny Tim in an Island Center production of "A Christmas Carol" and "did a couple of plays at Cobb Children's Theatre in Atlanta and competed in and hosted his junior and senior high school cabarets."
At American University, he majored in communications with an emphasis in film/visual media. After getting his B.A., he moved to Orlando, attracted by opportunities in the music field and the "warm lifestyle," his mother said.
He appears regularly at several clubs in the Orlando area and performed in July at the Cotton Club in Atlanta. He has tentative plans to tour with his band and perform on St. Thomas and St. Croix toward the end of this year.
He writes and arranges all of his music, sings all vocal parts heard on his CD's and plays the keyboard, guitar and piano. He has independently produced two CD's, "Soul Session" in 2000 and the appropriately titled "Dolby Hill" out this summer, and has his own band.
Anduze, the son of Dr. Alfred and Sari Anduze, is currently a nominee for a People’s Music Award for musicians who are based in Central Florida. Winners will be selected online via an Orlando web site that allows fans to vote for their favorites in 16 categories ranging from Best Live Performance to Best Eclectic/Experimental Act. The awards are being presented by the Where2Groove.com web site, Connections magazine, and The Lost & Found Night Club in the Orlando suburb of Longwood, Fla.
Anduze has been nominated in the "Best New Band" category in the online ballot at www.where2groove.com. The winners will be announced on the web site and in Connections.
Locally, Isle 95 and Radio One have played his music, and his "Dolby Hill" album is carried at the Sam Goody shop in Sunny Isle. In addition, one station in Atlanta and two in Orlando play his song "Positive Revolution" in a regular rotation, his mother said.
Both of his albums can be heard and purchased on www.cdbaby.com. Reviews are posted there, too.
"Finally, a soul singer who stands out from the hundreds you see on the CD rack every day," is one of the on-line comments about his first album. Of his new release, another states: "Anduze has become more daring and bold as he experiments with new sounds, twists and meaninful lyrics … 'Dolby Hill' is a solidifying album."
His parents fully support his decision to follow his muse. "We want him to do what he enjoys and what makes him happy," his mother said. "But we've warned him that it is a very competitive and difficult career to pursue."
If anyone can make it in the field, though, Sari Anduze thinks her son should be able to. "We feel Lee is quite talented as he writes all his music and lyrics, and plays piano, keyboard and guitar, while singing all voices on his CD," she said. "It's a real talent to be able to do your own harmony. This is where Lee shows his true talent, as he knows exactly what sounds to blend to achieve the desired results."
Anduze's first professional performance was for the "Last Sunset of the Millennium" celebration in Frederiksted on Dec. 31, 1999. Last summer, he made his successful CD debut on "MTV Undressed." He also was a finalist in Ed McMahon's "Next Big Star" competition.
Last year, his song "You Didn't" made it to the No. 1 spot for two weeks on the Mp3.com charts for Pop Vocals. He has performed twice at Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios in Orlando.
The last time Anduze was at home was over the Christmas holidays. Since then, however, his mother has been to the states twice to see him in professional settings — in February at his opening at Hard Rock Live, and in July at his new CD release show at the Cotton Club in Atlanta.
Anduze attended Country Day School from kindergarten through 7th grade. After Hurricane Hugo, his family relocated to Atlanta, where he graduated from high school. His musical talent and interest were evident early on, according to his mother: "He started as a featured singer in his first grade play at Country Day," she recalled. He played Tiny Tim in an Island Center production of "A Christmas Carol" and "did a couple of plays at Cobb Children's Theatre in Atlanta and competed in and hosted his junior and senior high school cabarets."
At American University, he majored in communications with an emphasis in film/visual media. After getting his B.A., he moved to Orlando, attracted by opportunities in the music field and the "warm lifestyle," his mother said.
He appears regularly at several clubs in the Orlando area and performed in July at the Cotton Club in Atlanta. He has tentative plans to tour with his band and perform on St. Thomas and St. Croix toward the end of this year.
FINANCE PEACE OFFICER SHOT, ROBBED AT BANK
Aug. 15, 2001 – Police had one suspect in custody and were searching for a second Wednesday afternoon after a Finance Department peace officer was shot with his own gun and robbed as he was carrying two bags of money into the Chase Bank branch in Estate Thomas.
The two gunmen fled on foot with officer Ira Christopher's Glock 9mm handgun and the two bags of cash and checks, leaving Christopher critically wounded. The robbery and shooting occurred outside of the bank at about 1:15 p.m.
Within minutes, police apprehended a man they believe to be one of the assailants on Fourth Street in Sugar Estate. Another suspect disappeared on foot in the area of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Throughout the rest of the afternoon, FBI agents and police, including K-9 teams, combed the area. Race Track Road was closed between the Domino gas station and Raphune Hill for about an hour as security personnel fanned out across the area, according to Sgt. Annette Raimer, police spokeswoman. Late in the afternoon, a helicopter was called in to assist in what Raimer described as a major manhunt.
Christopher underwent emergency surgery at Schneider Hospital for a gunshot wound through his arm and to the chest. He was listed in critical condition late Wednesday afternoon, according to police.
Christopher, who was in uniform as well as armed, was carrying the bank bags to the Chase branch to make a deposit, according to Austin Nibbs, Finance deputy commissioner. The two robbers surprised him from behind, grabbed the bags and his firearm, and then shot him with the weapon, Nibbs said.
Neither police nor Finance Department officials would say how much money was stolen, but Nibbs said it was an especially large deposit because many people have been taking advantage of an amnesty program for paying delinquent property taxes.
None of the money had been recovered by Wednesday evening, but police reported recovering an Uzi submachine gun that they believed was used by one of the assailants in the heist. Police were interrogating the apprehended suspect.
The Chase branch in Sugar Estate will be closed Thursday because of the incident but will reopen Friday for normal banking hours, Chase officials announced Wednesday afternoon.
The two gunmen fled on foot with officer Ira Christopher's Glock 9mm handgun and the two bags of cash and checks, leaving Christopher critically wounded. The robbery and shooting occurred outside of the bank at about 1:15 p.m.
Within minutes, police apprehended a man they believe to be one of the assailants on Fourth Street in Sugar Estate. Another suspect disappeared on foot in the area of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Throughout the rest of the afternoon, FBI agents and police, including K-9 teams, combed the area. Race Track Road was closed between the Domino gas station and Raphune Hill for about an hour as security personnel fanned out across the area, according to Sgt. Annette Raimer, police spokeswoman. Late in the afternoon, a helicopter was called in to assist in what Raimer described as a major manhunt.
Christopher underwent emergency surgery at Schneider Hospital for a gunshot wound through his arm and to the chest. He was listed in critical condition late Wednesday afternoon, according to police.
Christopher, who was in uniform as well as armed, was carrying the bank bags to the Chase branch to make a deposit, according to Austin Nibbs, Finance deputy commissioner. The two robbers surprised him from behind, grabbed the bags and his firearm, and then shot him with the weapon, Nibbs said.
Neither police nor Finance Department officials would say how much money was stolen, but Nibbs said it was an especially large deposit because many people have been taking advantage of an amnesty program for paying delinquent property taxes.
None of the money had been recovered by Wednesday evening, but police reported recovering an Uzi submachine gun that they believed was used by one of the assailants in the heist. Police were interrogating the apprehended suspect.
The Chase branch in Sugar Estate will be closed Thursday because of the incident but will reopen Friday for normal banking hours, Chase officials announced Wednesday afternoon.
KEAN HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION
All parents and guardians of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School returning and new students are advised of important orientation meetings to be held in the school gymnasium. The meetings are as follows:
++All 9th graders with last names beginning with A through M at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.
++All 9th graders with last names beginning with N through Z at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.
++All 10th graders are to report at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 24.
++All 11th graders are to report at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24.
++All 12th graders are to report at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 27.
All students are to be dressed in proper uniform and be accompanied by at least one guardian. To complete the registration process, all students must present undated immunization cards. A minimum of $20 will be necessary to pay for identification cards, insurance and activity fees.
Any student who does not attend their appropriate meeting is asked to report to the school caafeteria at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31.
All classes are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
++All 9th graders with last names beginning with A through M at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.
++All 9th graders with last names beginning with N through Z at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.
++All 10th graders are to report at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 24.
++All 11th graders are to report at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24.
++All 12th graders are to report at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 27.
All students are to be dressed in proper uniform and be accompanied by at least one guardian. To complete the registration process, all students must present undated immunization cards. A minimum of $20 will be necessary to pay for identification cards, insurance and activity fees.
Any student who does not attend their appropriate meeting is asked to report to the school caafeteria at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31.
All classes are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
KEAN HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Parents and guardians of returning and new students of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School are advised of important meetings to be held in the school gymnasium. The orientation meetings are as follows:
++All 9th graders with last names beginning with the letters A through M at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.
++All 9th graders with last names beginning with letters N through Z at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.
++All 10th graders are to report at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 24.
++All 11th graders are to report at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24.
++All 12th graders are to report at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 27.
All students are to be dressed in proper uniform and accompanied by at least one guardian. To complete the registration process, all students must present updated immunization cards. $20 will be necessary to pay for student identifications cards, insurance and activity fees.
Any student who does not attend their appropriate meeting is asked to report to the school cafeteria at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
++All 9th graders with last names beginning with the letters A through M at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.
++All 9th graders with last names beginning with letters N through Z at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.
++All 10th graders are to report at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 24.
++All 11th graders are to report at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24.
++All 12th graders are to report at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 27.
All students are to be dressed in proper uniform and accompanied by at least one guardian. To complete the registration process, all students must present updated immunization cards. $20 will be necessary to pay for student identifications cards, insurance and activity fees.
Any student who does not attend their appropriate meeting is asked to report to the school cafeteria at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
FIRE TRUCK IN CRASH INVOLVING 2 OTHER VEHICLES
Aug. 15, 2001 – A St. Thomas fire truck was seriously damaged in a collision that reportedly involved two other vehicles on the road between Red Hook and Sapphire Village Tuesday morning.
According to a witness at the scene after the collision, the accident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The individual, who asked not to be identified, said an ambulance responded to the scene because there were reports of injuries.
In an interview broadcast on WSTA Wednesday evening, Fire Chief Merwin Potter told newscaster Lee Carle that "the basic information" his office had received was that the accident involved the truck and two other vehicles. "We don't know the damage right now," Potter said.
Potter told Carle that a woman in one of the vehicles was "shaken up real bad because of the airbag" that was released in that vehicle. He said there were no other injuries.
Describing the damage to the truck, the witness said, "The rear end was totally wiped out, and when they tried to tow it away, it fell over on its side." The individual added, "It's no good anymore."
Fire Services officials declined to comment when asked by the Source about the incident Wednesday morning. In the broadcast, Potter said only that the truck is "out of service right now."
According to a witness at the scene after the collision, the accident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The individual, who asked not to be identified, said an ambulance responded to the scene because there were reports of injuries.
In an interview broadcast on WSTA Wednesday evening, Fire Chief Merwin Potter told newscaster Lee Carle that "the basic information" his office had received was that the accident involved the truck and two other vehicles. "We don't know the damage right now," Potter said.
Potter told Carle that a woman in one of the vehicles was "shaken up real bad because of the airbag" that was released in that vehicle. He said there were no other injuries.
Describing the damage to the truck, the witness said, "The rear end was totally wiped out, and when they tried to tow it away, it fell over on its side." The individual added, "It's no good anymore."
Fire Services officials declined to comment when asked by the Source about the incident Wednesday morning. In the broadcast, Potter said only that the truck is "out of service right now."
DOBER SCHOOL REGISTRATION
All parents and guardians of returning and new students in grades first through sixth of Dober Elementary School are advised that an Open House will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 27, at the school.
Parents will be given information by each classroom teacher and will have the opportunity to purchase gym uniforms and workbooks during the meeting.
Parents and guardians of Kindergarten students are advised of the following registration schedule:
++Students with the last names beginning with A through L at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30.
+=Students with the last names beginning with M through z at 7:45 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31.
Parents and guardians will be required to remain with their child until 10 a.m. on their respective registration day and that an up-to-date immunization card is mandatory for each child being registered.
Parents will be given information by each classroom teacher and will have the opportunity to purchase gym uniforms and workbooks during the meeting.
Parents and guardians of Kindergarten students are advised of the following registration schedule:
++Students with the last names beginning with A through L at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30.
+=Students with the last names beginning with M through z at 7:45 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31.
Parents and guardians will be required to remain with their child until 10 a.m. on their respective registration day and that an up-to-date immunization card is mandatory for each child being registered.
GOVERNOR SIGNS AGREEMENT TO PAY WAPA BILLS
Aug. 15, 2001 – The Water and Power Authority moved a step closer Wednesday to collecting the tens of millions of dollars it is owed by the V.I. government, receiving Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's signed copy of the memorandum of understanding submitted to the governor two weeks ago.
The memorandum, delivered by WAPA to Government House on Aug. 1 and signed by Turnbull on Tuesday, guarantees payment of $22.4 million in delinquent water and power bills, starting with a payment of $17 million on or about Aug. 15 (Wednesday), to be followed by the balance of approximately $5.4 million on or about Nov. 15.
Joseph R. Thomas Jr., WAPA executive director, said, "This is great news. The authority has been very concerned about this issue." He said the payments will improve the authority's standing in the international financial community, thereby clearing the way for a new round of long-term debt financing.
"It will also greatly improve WAPA's chances of completing Fiscal Year 2002 without a rate increase," Thomas said. "We must now focus on more current delinquent amounts, and the timely payment of current government bills." The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
The memorandum formalizes talks held in July between Thomas and Turnbull and his advisers. "While we await delivery of the funds, this MOU reflects the governor's follow-through on our earlier agreement," Thomas said.
Because of the agreement reached during those talks, WAPA didn't follow through with its earlier-announced intention to cut off service to all nonessential agencies if the government didn't pay its past-due by Aug. 10.
The memorandum, delivered by WAPA to Government House on Aug. 1 and signed by Turnbull on Tuesday, guarantees payment of $22.4 million in delinquent water and power bills, starting with a payment of $17 million on or about Aug. 15 (Wednesday), to be followed by the balance of approximately $5.4 million on or about Nov. 15.
Joseph R. Thomas Jr., WAPA executive director, said, "This is great news. The authority has been very concerned about this issue." He said the payments will improve the authority's standing in the international financial community, thereby clearing the way for a new round of long-term debt financing.
"It will also greatly improve WAPA's chances of completing Fiscal Year 2002 without a rate increase," Thomas said. "We must now focus on more current delinquent amounts, and the timely payment of current government bills." The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
The memorandum formalizes talks held in July between Thomas and Turnbull and his advisers. "While we await delivery of the funds, this MOU reflects the governor's follow-through on our earlier agreement," Thomas said.
Because of the agreement reached during those talks, WAPA didn't follow through with its earlier-announced intention to cut off service to all nonessential agencies if the government didn't pay its past-due by Aug. 10.
