The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said Thursday in a press release that an additional mechanical problem discovered during post-repair testing of Unit 27 is delaying the unit’s return to service, extending rotational outages for customers in the St. Thomas-St. John district.
According to the release, plant personnel replaced a critical component on Unit 27 during a scheduled overnight outage early Wednesday. However, testing after the repair revealed another mechanical issue that must be addressed before the generating unit can safely operate.
WAPA said crews are prepared to begin repairs as soon as the replacement part arrives. While the unit remains offline, workers are completing additional inspections and maintenance intended to improve the unit’s efficiency and long-term reliability, the press release stated.
The authority said it will provide a clearer estimate of when rotational outages will end after the replacement part arrives and repairs are underway, the release stated.
“WAPA understands how frustrating these continued rotations have been for customers. We know families, businesses, and visitors are adjusting their daily lives around these interruptions, and we sincerely appreciate the community’s support as our employees work around the clock to restore additional generation capacity,” the authority said in the release.
WAPA also sought to reassure customers that the outages are not related to fuel supplies or payments.
“It is important for customers to know that this is not a fuel inventory or payment issue. Unit 27 remains unavailable solely because of a mechanical repair that must be completed before the unit can safely operate,” the authority said.
To support public safety during the 2026 St. John Festival, WAPA said St. John and the eastern portion of St. Thomas have been removed from the current rotational outage schedule. As a result, several feeders serving other parts of St. Thomas are experiencing outages more frequently than normal, according to the release.
“WAPA recognizes the additional burden this places on those customers and sincerely appreciates their understanding as the Authority balances system reliability with public safety,” the release stated.
A rendering shown to commissioners on the St. Thomas Coastal Zone Management committee Wednesday depicts a building proposed for the new Lockhart PreK-8 School. (Screenshot from Microsoft Teams)
After tabling a final decision last week due to a lack of a quorum, the St. Thomas Coastal Zone Management Committee convened Wednesday evening again to approve next steps for the Yvonne E. Milliner Bowsky Elementary and Emanuel Benjamin Oliver PreK-8 schools.
Design plans for schools were presented during a public hearing in March. The renovated and modernized Bowsky campus is slated to increase student capacity from 420 to 624 and will feature new classrooms, a new gymnasium and safe shelter, a sports field, more parking and various infrastructural improvements. Emanuel Benjamin Oliver will be completely demolished and rebuilt to accommodate 486 students.
The votes came in the middle of an already-scheduled public hearing during which commissioners heard plans to expand and modernize the Lockhart PreK-8 School, demolish and rebuild the Knud Hansen Complex and the St. Thomas Yacht Club.
Lockhart was deemed unsafe for students and faculty after it was damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria almost nine years ago. Plans for the new school include demolishing the interiors and exterior cladding for the campus’s 13 existing buildings and building three new structures to house classrooms, administrative offices and a gymnasium. On Wednesday, commissioners’ initial questions centered on the preservation and availability of green space on campus as well as accessibility.
Michael McGuinn of Zyscovich Architects said the proposed design makes for a “very easy, walkable, accessible campus” at ground level and that there will be an elevator to allow access to the second floor. Responding to questions from Commissioner Vance Pinney, McGuinn said school will remain in session during construction.
“But obviously, maintaining the safety of the campus for students, faculty, visitors and so forth,” he said. “So yes, we will be zoning off those areas, constructing behind fence gate areas and so forth, and managing any kind of circulation and access to the campus so we maintain — in coordination with VIDE — an absolutely safe campus for everyone.”
The committee later heard from Springline Architects project manager Kristy Bardwell, Suffolk Construction’s health care program manager, Andrew Potts, and stakeholders regarding demolition and construction for the Knud Hansen Complex. Assistant Human Services Commissioner Taetia Phillips-Dorsett, introducing the project, said the new proposed four-story office building will allow for a “one stop, one shop model in which the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services would be colocated on one centrally-located campus adjacent to downtown St. Thomas.” The new building will include space for the Health Department to operate community health and communicable disease clinics and a parking structure.
Chris Rosenberg, past commodore of the St. Thomas Yacht Club and current board member, later presented plans to upgrade, repair and harden the 61-year-old club, which he said does not have a Coastal Zone Management permit because its construction predated the commission’s existence. The proposal involves installing permanent roofs over existing areas currently covered with awnings and installing a 50-kilowatt solar array as well as a retaining wall and swale to mitigate stormwater.
Visible satellite imagery from Thursday shows partly cloudy conditions across portions of the Caribbean. Saharan dust is expected to increase across the region near Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the coming days. (Photo courtesy NOAA)
Warm temperatures, Saharan dust, and breezy conditions are expected across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, as residents and visitors head into the Emancipation Day and Independence Day holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service in San Juan.
Hot and Hazy Conditions
According to an update from the NWS on Thursday morning, the NWS expects a gradual increase in Saharan dust in the coming days, leading to a hazy sky, and heat will remain a primary concern across the islands. Gusty winds will also affect the islands.
The National Weather Service in San Juan warns that moderate to high concentrations of Saharan dust may bring hazy skies, reduced visibility, and health impacts across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Photo courtesy NWS, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
“Warm to hot conditions will continue through the next several days, with the heat index reaching or exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit across urban and low-lying areas of the islands,” the NWS said.
“Low concentrations of Saharan dust will persist through early Friday before increasing again for the 4th of July holiday,” the NWS stated.
In addition to hazy conditions, the dust may contribute to reduced air quality, especially for sensitive groups, including people with respiratory conditions, older adults, and young children.
Limited Rain for the USVI
Precipitation chances are expected to remain limited across the U.S. Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto Rico, with only brief passing showers possible at times. The NWS noted that the heaviest rainfall activity is expected to favor portions of Puerto Rico rather than the USVI.
“Eastern Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are expected to receive little more than isolated passing showers,” the NWS explained.
However, across Western and northwestern Puerto Rico, afternoon rainfall could lead to ponding of water on roads, urban flooding, and isolated small-stream flooding.
Marine and Beach ConditionsMarine conditions are expected to become somewhat breezier over the holiday weekend, with seas gradually building. There will be an elevated rip current risk across portions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Winds are expected to increase over the weekend accompanied by building seas. As a result, the risk of rip currents is expected to increase to moderate along most beaches across the islands,” the NWS reported.
The NWS added that choppy seas are forecast, particularly off areas of the coast of Puerto Rico.
“Seas will remain generally moderate, with locally choppy conditions at times. Isolated afternoon thunderstorms may develop over the northwestern coastal waters of Puerto Rico,” the NWS said.
Next Week’s Forecast
The NWS noted that the hazy and hot weather pattern may continue into early next week, though moisture could increase by Tuesday and Wednesday as a tropical wave approaches the region. The NWS said this could bring a better chance for showers and thunderstorms.
“By late Tuesday and Wednesday, a tropical wave is expected to bring another surge of tropical moisture which, along with favorable upper-level dynamics, will increase widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms. This can result in localized ponding of water on roads and in poor drainage areas,” the NWS stated.
Tropics: Atlantic Basin Quiet, Tropical Storm Douglas Active in Pacific
Regarding the tropical update, the Atlantic basin remains quiet for now. According to the National Hurricane Center, as of Thursday, tropical cyclone formation is not expected across the Atlantic basin over the next seven days.
A July tropical cyclone climatology map shows that storm formation historically favors portions of the Western Atlantic, the eastern Caribbean, and the Western tropical Atlantic during the month. (Photo courtesy NWS, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
In the eastern Pacific, the NHC was issuing advisories Thursday on Tropical Storm Douglas, located far from land well west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. No additional tropical cyclone development is expected across the eastern or central Pacific over the next seven days.
NOAA’s Global Tropics Hazards Outlook, released Tuesday, June 30, also points to a quieter pattern across the Atlantic basin during the coming weeks. The outlook, which is issued each Tuesday by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, provides guidance on potential tropical activity across global basins up to three weeks in advance.
The CPC said conditions continue to favor more tropical activity across portions of the Pacific while limiting development potential in the Atlantic.
“The remainder of the Atlantic Basin is forecast to remain exceptionally quiet. High wind shear will limit tropical cyclone development potential and elevate probabilities for below-normal rainfall extending across the Main Development Region into the Caribbean,” the CPC stated.
To date, during this Atlantic hurricane season only one named system, Tropical Storm Arthur, has formed. As forecasters have predicted for months, a strengthening El Niño pattern is expected to help limit tropical cyclone development across the Atlantic basin.
Local Updates
Currently, there are no immediate tropical cyclone threats to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Residents are encouraged to follow the local forecasts, especially as dry conditions, Saharan dust, gusty winds, and limited rain chances remain part of the weather pattern. Heat alerts may be issued across both U.S. territories as temperatures remain high.
The National Hurricane Center’s seven-day outlook shows no tropical disturbances across the Atlantic basin as of Thursday afternoon. (Photo courtesy National Hurricane Center)
Information regarding the weather across the USVI is available from the NWS, the NHC, and NOAA. Additionally, the local forecast is regularly updated on the Source Weather Page, and a weekly video forecast is available. Residents and visitors can view weather alerts and disaster preparedness information from VITEMA.
A man was found fatally shot Thursday afternoon at Croixville Apartments on St. Croix, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department.
The St. Croix 911 Emergency Call Center received multiple calls reporting a male gunshot victim at the apartment complex at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday, according to a VIPD police report.
Emergency Medical Technicians responded and confirmed the man was dead at the scene. Police said he was identified by his next of kin as Anthony Hazelwood, 34.
Hazelwood’s death marks the 13th homicide for St. Croix and the 26th for the territory, according to the Source Homicide List.*
The case remains under investigation, according to the police report. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting or any other crime to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211 or Crime Stoppers VI at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
*The Source Homicide List is a chronological log of the homicides recorded in 2026 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as reported by the VIPD. Cases are broken down by island. While this listing is based on VIPD reports, the Source does not include suicides or vehicular homicides in its listing, which the police and some other media do. This can lead to a discrepancy in the number of incidents reported.
“Today, the people of the Virgin Islands gather in solemn remembrance, profound gratitude and enduring pride as we mark 178 years since our ancestors rose together and demanded freedom from the brutal and oppressive system of chattel slavery.
Gov. Albert Bryan, Jr. (File photo))
On July 3, 1848, thousands of enslaved men and women converged on Frederiksted and stood before Fort Frederik, refusing to accept another day of bondage and indignity.
At the forefront of that uprising stood General Buddhoe, whose leadership and resolve helped turn generations of suffering into a united movement for liberation. Beside him stood Admiral Martin King and other courageous organizers who carried messages between estates, rallied their fellow laborers and helped summon a people to freedom.
We honor them, along with the countless women and men whose names were never recorded, but whose footsteps filled the streets of Frederiksted and whose collective courage changed the destiny of these islands.
The proclamation issued that day made emancipation the law, but our ancestors were its true authors. Freedom was not handed to them. They demanded it, stood together and made the continuation of slavery impossible.
Their victory belongs to every Virgin Islander, as does the responsibility to carry their work forward.
Emancipation Day must be more than a remembrance of the past. It must be a summons to the present.
The struggle before Fort Frederik reminds us that the work of each generation is to build upon the progress of those who came before. Today, that means continuing to move our islands forward by expanding opportunity, strengthening education, preserving our culture, supporting our families and working together to shape a brighter future for every Virgin Islander.
Our ancestors did not risk everything merely so that future generations could survive. They struggled so that we could live with purpose, shape our own destiny and build a society grounded in the dignity and freedom they fought to secure.
As the conch shells sound and we reflect on July 3, 1848, let us speak the names of General Buddhoe and Admiral Martin King with reverence. Let us remember the organizers, laborers, mothers, fathers and children who stood together against one of humanity’s greatest evils.
Let us continue to honor their victory by preserving their legacy, strengthening our communities and carrying the spirit of emancipation forward.
May their courage continue to guide us, their unity continue to inspire us and the spirit of emancipation remain alive in every Virgin Islander who believes our greatest chapters are still ours to write.
On behalf of the Bryan-Roach administration, I wish Virgin Islanders at home and abroad a reflective, meaningful and proud Emancipation Day.”
The Virgin Islands Port Authority has been experiencing a significant increase in disorderly behavior and chaotic incidents among travelers on return trips from St. John to St. Thomas, following the nightly events at the St. John Celebration Village. These incidents threaten the safety of all travelers and will not be tolerated. To ensure public safety and improve efficiency at our ferry ports, VIPA would like to remind travelers of the following rules and procedures:
Zero Tolerance for Disorder: There will be an increased presence of enforcement partners at both the Cruz Bay and Red Hook transit hubs to maintain order.
Ample Ferry Capacity, No Need to Rush: There are plenty of ferries available to transport all travelers from St. John on the short 15-minute ride to St. Thomas. If a passenger or group misses one ferry, another vessel will follow shortly after. Therefore, there is no need to push, shove, or rush at the gates. Travelers who behave in an unruly manner at the ferry ports will be addressed by law enforcement officers.
Continuous Boarding: To prevent terminal congestion, boarding at the Loredon Boynes Marine Facility in Cruz Bay, St. John, will be continuous.
Digital Ticket Preparedness: To facilitate seamless and fast boarding, passengers using digital tickets must have their QR codes on their phone screen before reaching the scanner.
No Gate Loitering: Passengers are prohibited from waiting for groups or “holding spots” at the ticket scanners or within the fenced street tunnel. Groups must assemble before entering the line or meet on board the vessel.
VIPA thanks the traveling public for its cooperation in keeping our ferry services and port facilities safe and efficient, and wishes all residents and visitors an enjoyable St. John Celebration.
A man was shot in the shoulder Sunday night in Hospital Ground and has declined to tell investigators what happened, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department.
The Virgin Islands Criminal Investigation Bureau responded about 9:25 p.m. June 28 to a report of a gunshot victim in Hospital Ground, according to a VIPD police report. Officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his right shoulder.
Police said the victim refused to provide information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The VIPD is asking anyone with information about the shooting to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211, extensions 5553, 5554, 5555 or 5556, Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-8477, the chief’s office at 340-715-5546 or the commissioner’s office at 340-715-5506.
Jahnigh Gonsalves allegedly opened fire after being asked to leave his brother’s apartment. (Shutterstock)
A verbally abusive Jahnigh Gonsalves had been staying with his brother and his brother’s girlfriend for months, refusing to leave their Lorraine Village apartment. When the woman called police Monday morning for help getting Gonsalves out, he allegedly fired eight shots into the couple, according to court records released Thursday.
A neighbor told police she’d heard no shouting or commotion before the gunfire.
The victims, both being treated at Juan F. Luis Hospital, told investigators they’d walked out of their bedroom to find Gonsalves waiting on the stairs with a black handgun.
When officers arrived around 10 a.m. at Lorraine Village Building 24, they found the brother outside bleeding heavily from several bullet wounds to his arm and leg. The officers followed a trail of blood to Apartment D where the female victim was lying on the ground, having been shot in the arm, leg, and upper back — a wound that required a tube to be inserted at the hospital, according to court records.
The woman told police her boyfriend had dissuaded her from calling police Sunday after Gonsalves had waved the gun at them.
She also told police Gonsalves’ girlfriend and their three small children had been in the apartment during the shooting and had offered no help — stepping over her as she lay bleeding.
Gonsalves, 22, surrendered to police Tuesday after an island-wide manhunt. He was charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of assault, carrying a firearm in commission of a crime, illegal possession of ammunition and a firearm, reckless endangerment, and other offenses. He was being held without bail, according to court records.
Gonsalves had refused to leave his truck during a November 2024 traffic stop and had to be “tactically removed” from the vehicle, according to police.
Inside the Ford, police found a 9mm ghost gun with an automatic sear switch. A loaded 17-round magazine was inserted into the magazine well of the weapon, with one round chambered. A 50-round drum was also recovered from inside the vehicle, along with a large quantity of marijuana, according to the police report.
Charges against Gonsalves were dropped, however, following a court ruling that the smell of cannabis was not sufficient evidence for police to search a vehicle.
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has launched “Zoning 101,” a new podcast series designed to help Virgin Islands residents better understand the territory’s zoning code and land use regulations. (Image courtesy DPNR)
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has launched a new educational podcast series designed to help Virgin Islands residents better understand zoning laws and how land use decisions affect communities across the territory, according to a Wednesday press release.
The series, titled “Zoning 101,” was developed by DPNR’s Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning and is available on the department’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. According to the release, the episodes are intended to make the Virgin Islands Zoning Code easier to understand for residents, property owners, developers, business owners and other community stakeholders.
“Many people first encounter zoning when they are preparing to build, purchase property, start a business, or navigate a development project,” DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol said. “The Zoning 101 podcast series was created to help residents better understand the rules that guide development and empower them to participate more effectively in planning decisions that shape our communities.”
The podcast explains the history, purpose and practical application of zoning while exploring how land use regulations influence housing, business development, environmental protection and community growth throughout the Virgin Islands, the press release stated.
Topics covered in the series include the relationship between planning and zoning, zoning districts and maps, property rights, permitted uses, development standards, home occupations, parking requirements, subdivision regulations, appeals, variances and the role of planners in administering the zoning program, the release stated.
The series also examines current planning issues affecting the territory, including housing needs, short-term rentals, renewable energy development, infrastructure planning, environmental stewardship and ongoing efforts to modernize the Virgin Islands zoning framework, according to the release.
Episodes are organized around the concepts of a building’s foundation, walls, roof, finishings, occupancy, maintenance and subdivision to guide listeners through the structure of the zoning code in a step-by-step format, the release stated.
According to DPNR planners, the podcast is part of a public education initiative intended to increase transparency and encourage greater public participation in land use decisions.
“Zoning influences everything from neighborhood character and property values to economic development and environmental protection,” the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning said in the release. “When residents understand how the system works, they are better equipped to make informed decisions and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of the Virgin Islands.”
The department is encouraging residents, civic organizations, professionals, students and community groups to listen to the series and share it with others interested in planning and development in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
It is with profound sadness and heartfelt love that we announce the passing of David Young aka “Yankee”, who departed this life on June 9, 2026, at the age of 62.
David Young
David was a beloved father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend whose kindness, generosity, and warm spirit touched the lives of many. He will be remembered for the love he shared with his family and friends and for the lasting memories he created with everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
David leaves to cherish his precious memories his beloved daughter, Ji’Reh Alicandra Young; his step-daughters, Jenee V. Benjamin and Kamaria A. Henry; his step-son, Shakir J. Noel; his sisters, Angela E. Young and Linda D. Brickhouse; his aunt, Kathleen Young of South Carolina; and his nephew, Sherodd Moore. He is also lovingly remembered by his cousins, Saviour Knowles of New York and Valarie Heywood Stevens and Family.
He also leaves behind his special families, including the Renee Russell Family, the Menders Family,Leon Thomas , Donald Francis aka Juba, the Lawrence Family, Mrs. Gladys Anthony and Family, the Yearwood Family, Debra Felix, and Ashla Christian. David was blessed with many lifelong friendships and leaves to mourn his passing his best friends, Kag Yearwood, Shakur Keith Jr., Sydney Lawrence, and Collin Abbott Sr. He is also fondly remembered by his special friends, Agnes Carr, Sonya Joseph, Lavern Brown, Shakur Keith Sr., Steve Hendricks Sr., Lowell Thomas, and Paul Henry, also known as “Mabuto.”
David will also be greatly missed by his extended family at Sunny Isles Developers, LLC, the Apostolic Faith Mission Church Family, and a host of other relatives and friends whose lives were enriched by his presence. Although he has departed from our sight, the love, laughter, and memories he shared will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A celebration of life honoring David “Yankee” Young will be held on Saturday, July 11, at the Apostolic Faith Mission Church, #487 Strawberry Hill, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00850. Viewing will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at Kingshill Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the many prayers, words of comfort, and acts of kindness extended during this difficult time. May God richly bless all who have supported and remembered David “Yankee” Young.
“Absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 5:8
