An inmate was injured in a stabbing incident inside a prison cell Jan. 28 on St. Thomas, and another inmate has been charged, according to a joint press release from the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Bureau of Corrections.
The incident occurred Jan. 28 at about 6:10 a.m. when a Bureau of Corrections officer responded to a cry for help and observed inmate Rehelio Trant inside another inmate’s cell holding a knife, police said. The injured inmate was clutching his neck with blood on his hands and shouting for assistance, according to the release.
Emergency medical services transported the victim to Schneider Regional Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries, the release stated. .
Trant was charged with attempted murder in the first degree, assault in the first degree, assault in the third degree, mayhem, and brandishing and exhibiting a dangerous weapon. Bail was set at $150,000, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department.
A man was treated for a gunshot wound after police responded to a ShotSpotter alert Saturday in the Hospital Ground area of St. Thomas, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
VIPD Patrol Division officers responded to a report of a single gunshot detected in the area. Shortly afterward, the male victim arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound to the lower body, according to the police report.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau responded and made contact with the victim, who declined to provide details about the incident, the police report stated.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact 911 or VIPD at 340-774-2211. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 800-222-8477, police said.
Joanne Moorhead, executive director of the Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation, said the territory would have legal cannabis sales this autumn. (Screenshot of Government House Facebook livestream)
Cannabis regulators have moved up their timeline for legal sales in the territory. Joanne Moorehead, executive director of the Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation, said in January that she hoped to have legal marijuana available late 2026 but Monday said the new target was this autumn.
At the Government House press briefing Monday, Moorehead said the U.S. Virgin Islands had reached an agreement to help growers and sellers finance their operations. The Lt. Governor’s Office found CannaFirst Financial, an arm of Alabama and Mississippi-based Merchants & Marine Bank, for preoperational financing and banking services for the Virgin Islands’ cannabis industry.
“We are happy to announce that CannaFirst Financial, a fully accredited financial institution that does cannabis banking all throughout the United States, is planning to do cannabis banking, business banking here in the territory,” she said.
Moorehead said her office has issued 14 conditional commercial cultivation licenses across the territory — eight on St. Croix, one on St. John, and five on St. Thomas. The office has also issued 11 conditional micro-cultivation permits — five on St. Croix, one on St. John, and five on St. Thomas.
“We expect, and in fact, are working very closely with our commercial cultivators to put seeds and soil by the end of February or the latest the first part of March, which means that, with the conditional dispensary applications and licenses that were approved recently, that’s 10 conditional dispensary licenses: two on St. Croix, three on St. John, and five on St. Thomas,” she said.
With Carnival fast approaching, Moorehead warned against public cannabis consumption.
Moorehead also warned retailers currently carrying hemp-based and synthetic hemp-based intoxicants that new laws require sellers to acquire new permits. She urged retailers to contact her office to learn more.
“The use, the distribution or manufacturing of those products is now prohibited without a license so please contact the office of cannabis regulation with questions so that we can talk about the implementation of Act 9072,” Moorehead said. “Know your rules; know your regulations; give us a call. Send us a message, email, telephone call. We’re here to help everybody get what they would like done within the confines of the law of the rules and regulations. The Office of Cannabis Regulation remains committed to ensuring cannabis activity in the Virgin Islands is lawful, safe and responsibly regulated.”
Arrested in jail on child abuse charges, Trant was arrested again hours later for allegedly stabbing his cellmate. (Source file photo)
The path back to freedom from a lengthy prison sentence has led a St. Thomas man back behind bars. Details found in recent arrest reports suggest that the current batch of troubles may land the accused in prison for the rest of his life.
Documents filed in Superior Court say police were summoned to the emergency room at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital on Dec. 24, 2025. A patient under treatment there said she was sexually assaulted by a relative who had recently come home from prison.
The initial investigation yielded clues to additional offenses that took place in the home just before Christmas. “During the investigation, a minor female family member told detectives that she was also sexually assaulted by Trant,” said a statement issued by the VIPD Communications Unit.
At the time of the alleged offense, Rehelio Trant had been recently released from federal prison. He was ordered to serve 71 months in 2018 after being convicted at trial as a felon in possession of a firearm.
Investigators armed with a warrant located the suspect, identified as Trant, and charged him with child sexual abuse, along with seven additional domestic violence-related offenses. At the time of the Jan. 27 arrest, the accused was housed in the Bureau of Corrections Criminal Justice Complex on St. Thomas.
The next day — on Jan. 28 — corrections officers responded to a call from a jail cell where Trant and another inmate were housed. An incident report turned over to police said that when the officers arrived, they found the cellmate bleeding from a stab wound to the neck. After evacuating the wounded man, the officers found a sharpened object they said was used to inflict the injuries.
As a result of that incident, Trant was also charged with attempted murder, assault, possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of prison contraband.
A celebration service honoring the life and legacy of Paulette Lucia Oliver O’Reilly of St. Croix will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church, 45 King Street Christiansted. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. with service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.Paulette Lucia Oliver O’Reilly
Paulette was preceded in death by her Mother, Buelah Edwards; Father,Ivan Oliver; Brothers, Lauriel Oliver, Marvin Williams, Leroy Williams, Michael Williams; Sister, Sandra Oliver Harrigan; Sisters-In-Law, Mavis Sarita Roebuck Todmann, Yvelle O’Reilly Roper, Sheri Lynn Jane O’Reilly; Brothers-In-Law, Alfred O’Reilly, George “Bagoon” O’Reilly, Anton O’Reilly; Aunts & Uncles, Marilyn Springer Huggins, Ina Springer Johannes, Pauline Oliver, Alexander Springer, Irwin Springer; Special Friend, Roslyn Hall.
Paulette is survived by her Husband, Rudy Glenn O’Reilly, Sr.; Sons, Rudy O’Reilly, Jr. and Randy O’Reilly; Daugthers, Rema O’Reilly Edwards, and Resa O’Reilly Shearn; Grandchildren, Teresa O’Reilly,Malia O’Reilly,and Emily O’Reilly, Alexander Edwards and Amer Ali O’Reilly,Nnenaya Bedminister and Nyan Bedminister; Daughters-In-Law, Diane Canegata O’Reilly, Mary Contreras O’Reilly; Son-In-Law, Christopher Shearn; Brothers, Ivan Oliver, Jr., Theodore Oliver, Sr. DVM, Carl Williams, Jr., and Basil Williams, Sr.; Sisters-in-laws,Lynette Oliver, Dasil Williams, Janis F. Williams, Kay O’Reilly, Marsha O’Reilly Charles, Floris Williams, Valderie Abramsen, Dinah O’Reilly, Cyd O’Reilly; Brothers-In-Law, Ronald E. Harrigan, PHD., Burton O’Reilly, Raymond O’Reilly Sr., Wilburn Kent O’Reilly; Uncles and Aunts, Lionel (Sharon) Oliver, Alexander (Dale) Oliver, Eleanor Springer, Lloyd Springer, Wilfred (Yvonne) Springer, Roselyn Springer; Nieces, Kimberly Oliver, Michelle Oliver, Laurise Oliver, Arianne Oliver, Contessa Oliver, Natasha Oliver, Desiree Gardine, Brittany Oliver-Orr, Mecca Oliver-King, Dwan and Neema Williams; Nephews, Basil Williams, Jr., Shaleem Williams, Brian Oliver, Theodore Oliver,Jr., Zaleem Williams; Special Family and Friends, Jaunita Pena, Annette Hendricks, Cheryl King, Janet Francis, Alfonso “Mong” James and a host of other relatives and special friends including but not limited to the Springers, Olivers, Messer, Johannes, Petersen, Miller, Hewitt, Hendricks Familyand so many more.
Paulette Lucia Oliver O’Reilly will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.
Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
It is with heavy hearts that the family of the late James R. Worrell announces his peaceful passing on Jan. 17, 2026.
James R. Worrell
He was preceded in death by his mother, Meena Worrell and his father, Michael Worrell.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Rita Jeffers
He is survived by his spouse, Christiana Worrell; daughter, Jennifer Worrell; stepdaughters, Ann-Marie, Patricia and Maricia; stepsons, Jerome and Charles Solomon; granddaughter, Caroly Welsh; grandson, Ralston Welsh; great-grandchildren, Avaunte Drummond, Kemari Welsh and Kaiden Welsh; nieces, Cynthia Ravello, Giselle Chang, Cherylann Marlene; nephew, Shirvan, Jason, Brandon, Byron and Lloyd Jeffers, Derrick Chang; cousins, Ken Gillard, Roy Trim, Pearl Marcus; special friend, Lorna Cave and family, Prisca (Beauty), Nicasio Looby, Elba Figueroa, Theresa Bittan (Miss Aida), Albert Leung.
Many relatives and friends are too numerous to mention.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5, at Kingshill Funeral Home Chapel Located at 303 Cliftonhill, Kingshill St. Croix Viewing at 4 p.m., service at 5 p.m.
Applications are now open as the UVI Research & Technology Park announces the return of Startup Battle to the U.S. Virgin Islands, offering $100,000 in total investment to early-stage founders and University of the Virgin Islands student entrepreneurs through a live pitch competition on St. Thomas this March.
Applications are now open as the UVI Research & Technology Park announces the return of Startup Battle to the U.S. Virgin Islands, offering $100,000 in total investment to early-stage founders and University of the Virgin Islands student entrepreneurs through a live pitch competition on St. Thomas this March. (Submitted photo)
The 2026 U.S. Virgin Islands competition is produced in partnership with RTPark Client Southern Equity, the UVI Research & Technology Park, and the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI).
Startup Battle is a curated pitch competition designed for founders building tech-enabled businesses and early-stage startups seeking to accelerate growth. The program brings together entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors to support companies at critical stages of development.
Throughout the competition, selected participants refine their ideas with experienced mentors, sharpen their storytelling, and pitch to active investors with a focus on early-stage company building. The pitch competition is open to all early-stage founders in the territory.
The competition culminates in a live “Final Battle,” where the top five finalists take the stage to present their companies before a panel of judges and a live audience. This year, the program will award $100,000 in total investment capital, including $80,000 for USVI-based, early-stage startups and $20,000 dedicated to UVI student-led startups, reinforcing Startup Battle’s commitment to strengthening the local innovation pipeline.
Startup Battle’s return to the U.S. Virgin Islands builds on its mission to support founders in emerging and underrepresented ecosystems by connecting them with capital, mentorship, and national investor networks.
“Building something from nothing is hard—with or without help,” said Southern Equity founder Allen Nance. “Startup Battle exists to increase the odds for founders by giving them access to feedback, capital, and relationships that can materially change the trajectory of a company.”
For the UVI RTPark, Startup Battle represents the power of client-driven investment to generate real, measurable impact—supporting entrepreneurs while strengthening the broader community.
“Our clients are more than companies operating in the Virgin Islands—they are true partners in building our innovation ecosystem. Through their investment and commitment, they help fund and fuel our community advancement initiatives, expand workforce opportunities, and strengthen the pipeline for local entrepreneurs. We’re especially grateful for partners like Southern Equity, whose $100,000 investment reflects a shared focus on empowering founders in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Bringing Startup Battle back underscores what’s possible when private capital, mentorship, and local talent come together to support innovation at every stage,” said Eric Sonnier, Executive Director of the UVI RTPark.
A central feature of this year’s competition is a dedicated track for University of the Virgin Islands students, reinforcing a shared commitment to expanding pathways for student innovation.
“This student track reflects our commitment to putting students first. Through our collaboration with the Research & Technology Park and its clients, we’re creating opportunities that encourage creativity, bold thinking, and real-world problem solving. We’re investing in the next generation of innovators—students who are developing their skills here at UVI and learning to take risks, think boldly, and build solutions for the future,” said Dr. Safiya George, President of the University of the Virgin Islands.
The impact of Startup Battle’s investment model is already visible in the Virgin Islands. The first Startup Battle winner, Boomerang Eats, competed against four other finalists—selected from dozens of applicants—and secured a $100,000 investment. Founded on St. Croix by brothers Khalid Saleem and Zayd Saleem, the company launched as a locally built food delivery app and job creator within the Virgin Islands’ growing gig economy. Four years later, Boomerang Eats is thriving and has expanded operations from St. Croix to St. Thomas—demonstrating how targeted capital and mentorship can translate into sustained growth, resilience, and real economic impact.
This year’s program will begin with a Mentor Pitch Day on March 5, where selected startups receive structured feedback to refine their pitches and business models. The competition concludes with the Final Battle on March 26, hosted live at the UVI Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas.
Applications are now open until February 12 to founders building tech-enabled startups with operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including individuals and teams in the idea, prototype, or early-revenue stages. A separate, dedicated track is available for UVI student founders.
To apply or learn more, visit: https://uvirtpark.net/startupbattle
Mary Weishaupl Scribner, daughter of Major Robert J. Weishaupl, US Air Force, and 1st Lieutenant Mary E. Weishaupl, US Army, was raised in the mountains of Colorado. Growing up, Mary developed a passion for dance and became a beautiful ballet and tap dancer, and an impressive baton twirler. Her grandmother, Edna Lail, was also instrumental in her upbringing as her mother was employed as a nurse and her father went on to work for AT&T. When Mary was 8 years old, she and her parents welcomed her younger sister, Elizabeth Weishaupl. Mary graduated from Littleton High School before attending the University of Denver.
Mary Weishaupl Scribner
After acquiring degrees in History and Economics from the University of Denver, she married Robert G. Scribner Jr. on June 23, 1977 and moved from Denver to Houston, Texas.
In 1980, Mary and Bob welcomed their first child, Robert G. Scribner, III. In 1982, Bob took a job with the Saudi Aramco oil company and the family of three moved to Dhahran in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Living overseas as expats, Mary enjoyed a life of international travel, expanding on her love of history and culture. Mary went on to give birth to her second son, Jon D. Scribner in 1985, and her two daughters, Katherine A. Scribner and Stephanie E. Scribner in 1987 and 1990, respectively. Her family, now having grown to include all four of her children, joined in the global travels and experienced life as few could fathom, full of international experiences and adventures, immersing themselves in life around the world.
Throughout her time in Saudi, she was very involved in the local Catholic Church in Dhahran, Our Lady of Fatima Parish. In 1983 she began to work for the local parish priest. By 1984, Mary was working as the head of Catholic Studies for adults and children throughout Saudi Arabia, working for four priests within the Kingdom, in Dhahran, Abquiq, Ras Tanura, and Riyadh. Mary and her husband were also very involved in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops during their time overseas. Mary was an adult trainer for their local troop, Troop 252, along with a Cub Scout leader.
While being highly involved in her church and local scouts troops, Mary never failed to keep her children as her top priority. She consistently dedicated her time fulfilling the responsibilities as the ‘class mom’ for her children’s school classrooms, helped with homework every evening, made all of their Halloween costumes by hand, and skillfully prepared meals for her family of 6 each day.
In 2001, after two decades of desert living, Mary decided it was time for a change in scenery. After visiting islands in all of the seas on earth, Mary, favoring a relaxed coastal life, settled her family on the island of St. Croix in the US. Virgin Islands.
On St. Croix, Mary became a business owner when she purchased a deli located on the western shore of the island. For the next two decades of her life, she ran Turtle’s Deli, successfully and joyfully alongside her husband, all while continuing to raise their children.
Not only was she a successful business owner, a world traveler, and a teacher of all things, but she was also a brilliant writer. During her decades of being a local on the island of St. Croix, she continued to expand her knowledge of 19th Century seafaring and privateering – the real world of pirating in the Caribbean Seas. It was there that her passion for the written word, her love of history, and her extensive travels, culminated in her yet-unpublished series of novels, about a suave Irish sea captain, an intoxicating and intriguing island maiden, and their travels together. She imbued real sights, ports, and locations, along with an acute historically accurate timeline throughout her books. The love that Mary held for her home on St. Croix is made more than apparent in her writing. Anyone familiar with the Caribbean, and in particular, the small town of Frederiksted would feel at once at home as well as transported into the past while reading her novels.
Mary was beloved by not only her family, but also her many friends and countless loyal patrons of her deli by the sea, who enjoyed her company just as much as her famous sandwiches.
Mary was described as a fierce, strong, brave, and loving woman, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a woman who spoke her mind and was not afraid to speak out against injustice. She painstakingly taught her children the importance of tolerance and acceptance of different cultures from around the globe, and how vital it is to respect the lessons that history has to offer us all.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Robert G. Scribner, Jr., her son Robert Scribner and daughter-in-law Julia Scribner, and their blended family of four children, Jaiden and Garin Scribner and Alexandra and Victoria Tomlinson, her son Jon Scribner, her daughter Katherine Scribner Jordan and son-in-law Will Jordan, their two children, Caroline and Virginia Jordan, and her daughter Stephanie Scribner Smith and son-in-law Brad Smith, and their two children, Jack and Peter Smith. She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Weishaupl, and her beloved cousin, Robert Heid. All of whom she loved fiercely.
Mary’s Memorial Mass
Saturday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m.
Queen of Peace Catholic Church
1224 Ceder Drive, La Marque, TX, 77568
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque, TX to further its mission and support of the local community and the Catholic Church.
This week on Consider the Source, we get to know local designer Khaysaun Vanterpool and the vision behind his Lowkey VI Apparel brand, while Adisha Penn also breaks down last week’s State of the Territory Address — including reactions from the Senate — takes a closer look at the USVI–Ghana Mini Summit, and walks us through the first wave of documents released in the federal Epstein files.
There’s always something new on Consider the Source — now also airing on Tempo and One Communications Cable Channel 4.
Stephan Adams, president and CEO of the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network, outlines a proposal to link Africa and the United States through the Virgin Islands during last week’s USVI–Africa Mini Summit. (Photo courtesy of Government House)
In a little less than two weeks, officials from the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN) will return to Ghana to advance an ambitious project that could position the U.S. Virgin Islands as a digital gateway between Africa and the United States — a vision viNGN President and CEO Stephan Adams described as “building a satellite-empowered bridge for connectivity and economic opportunity.”
Adams outlined the plan during the recent USVI–Africa Mini Summit, where he stressed that digital infrastructure — particularly broadband access — is increasingly integral to economic growth and inclusion. “What we’re talking about is a digital gateway,” Adams said at the summit. “We saw there are hundreds of undersea fiber cables everywhere — but not a single one connecting Africa directly to the United States. We believe the Virgin Islands are perfectly positioned to help make that connection.”
The proposal centers on two major components: an undersea fiber optic link — termed DiasporaLink — that would run from St. Croix to Ghana, and a communications satellite to bring high-speed internet to rural and hard-to-reach areas across West Africa. Adams said viNGN has already shared the idea with Ghanaian officials and is returning this month, accompanied by representatives from Astranis, a San Francisco-based satellite manufacturer, to present a detailed plan to ministers of infrastructure and telecommunications.
Adams described DiasporaLink as a fiber optic cable that would span the Atlantic, with landing points in the Virgin Islands and Ghana before connecting onward through the U.S. mainland — creating a direct digital route between the continents. “Once that cable is in place,” he said, “it’s not just infrastructure — it’s opportunity. It means digital access for people who’ve been unconnected, and it means economic activity traveling both ways.”
How It Would Work: Cable and Satellite Together
Astranis — which builds small geostationary satellites — would play a key role in the project’s satellite component. The company has raised more than $1 billion and built satellites for multiple national and commercial customers, including Oman, Taiwan, Mexico, and the Philippines. Unlike traditional satellites, which often take years to build, Astranis says its satellites can be constructed in about 12 months on a fixed-cost schedule.
In simple terms, the fiber cable would act like a superhighway for internet traffic, carrying huge amounts of data between continents. Under the ocean, a bundle of fiber optic strands — encased in steel and protective armor — would connect St. Croix to Ghana. Once ashore, that connection would link to fiber routes across Africa and then back through the Virgin Islands to major internet hubs on the U.S. mainland, like New York or Miami.
The satellite, meanwhile, would extend connectivity beyond urban centers, providing broadband access to rural areas that don’t have dense fiber infrastructure. “The fiber is the backbone. The satellite is how you reach communities that don’t have fiber yet. Together, they unlock high-speed internet for people who’ve never had it,” according to represntatives.
By tying satellite coverage into fiber infrastructure, the initiative aims to deliver more affordable, reliable internet across Ghana’s rural and underserved regions — enabling digital banking, e-commerce, telehealth, education, and other services that depend on connectivity.
Why is this a Project for the USVI?
Officials say the proposal is not just about international goodwill — it’s about positioning the Virgin Islands at the center of a new digital corridor. Adams has noted that nearly 94% of global internet traffic travels over undersea cables, and with no direct link between Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the territory currently overlooks a major route of digital commerce.
“There’s no cable connecting the continent of Africa directly to North America,” Adams said in an interview with The Source. “And if we don’t build it, others — Europeans, Asians — will. The Virgin Islands can be the hub between these two growing digital economies.”
If realized, the partnership could generate jobs in engineering, construction, network management, and operations — not only in the Caribbean but across the broader Atlantic economy. A landing station for a fiber cable would require technical staff and infrastructure support, while satellite operations bring opportunities for high-skill labor and ancillary services.
Adams said the next tangible milestone is the February 10–11 trip to Ghana, where viNGN and Astranis plan to meet with ministers of infrastructure and telecommunications to refine the proposal and explore potential financing and partnerships. They’ve already held early conversations with the African Development Bank about funding a combined cable, satellite, and base station project.
Now, Adams added, the focus will be on translating the concept into concrete agreements — and determining whether the Virgin Islands can move quickly enough to claim a role in what he described as the next phase of global connectivity.
