Our hearts are heavy as we share the passing of our beautiful Canika-Chisa George-John, daughter, sister, friend, colleague, and forever our Millennial VI Carnival Queen.
Canika-Chisa George-John
Canika was light; pure, undeniable light. Her smile could shift the energy of a room, her laugh was contagious, and her spirit was as vibrant as the feathers and sequins she wore so gracefully during Carnival. She loved her Virgin Islands deeply, its people, its music, its rhythm, and she carried that love into every corner of her life and career.
Canika represented more than beauty and elegance. She embodied the confidence, creativity, and cultural pride of a new generation of Virgin Islanders. Her passion for community and culture also shaped her professional path. She began her career as an intern at the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association, where her dedication, professionalism, and natural leadership quickly earned her increasing responsibilities. Through hard work and heart, she rose to become Office Manager, and later went on to serve as Marketing Director at the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, a role that allowed her to share the magic of the Virgin Islands with the world.
Whether she was representing the Territory abroad or mentoring young professionals at home, Canika led with grace, humility, and purpose. She believed deeply in the power of storytelling, culture, and community; and she made it her mission to uplift both her people and her islands wherever she went.
Canika had a rare gift for making others feel seen and valued. She remembered your story, your birthday, your dreams. She cheered for your wins and offered gentle encouragement when you needed it most. Her warmth filled every space, her laughter lingered long after she left the room, and her love left a lasting imprint on everyone who knew her.
We will forever remember her spirit — radiant, kind, and full of life. Though our hearts ache in her absence, we take comfort in knowing her light will continue to dance through the streets of Carnival, in every beat of the drum, every sparkle of sequins, and every shared moment of joy that reminds us of her.
She is survived by her loving parents, Cleve-Allan George, I, and Judith Bartlette; her children, Caissa-Victoria John, Cemi-Leila John, and Jordan Ethan John; her siblings, Chioke-Naomi George, Cleve-Allan George, II, Cubie-Ayah George, Chunikwa Ordelita George, Cleavia Azizza McBean, Franklin Wendell Leonard, II, Cequoyah Aaliyah George, Czade Osiris George, Czakem Horice George, Cherifa Mariamma George; her extended family, and countless friends, colleagues, and loved ones throughout the Virgin Islands and beyond.
An Intimate Viewing will take place at Turnbull’s Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Second Viewingwill be held on Thursday, Oct. 30 at9 a.m. followed by the Celebration of Life at 10 a.m. at Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church(#5 Raphune Hill). Interment will be private.
Gone too soon, but never forgotten. Rest easy, our Queen. You’ve left footprints of love, light, and legacy that will never fade.
Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home & Crematory Services.
Liberty VI will begin work on a fiber installation project at Anna’s Retreat, St. Thomas on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The project will provide fiber to residents of the Anna’s Retreat area. The job will be completed by Thursday, Oct. 30.
Liberty VI in Anna’s Retreat. (Submitted photo)
“As we acquire the necessary permits, we are moving forward with our Fiber to the Home construction projects so more locations in the territory can have access to our fiber fast internet,” said Ravindra Maywahlall, general manager of Liberty VI. “We will continue informing VI consumers about the next areas where we will schedule Fiber to the Home construction projects.”
The work includes placing underground conduits and fiber optic cables, plus the microtrenching of approximately 32.6 feet to a Water and Power Authority (WAPA) riser pole. Microtrench restoration will be performed seven to 14 days after the conduits installation takes place. Once completed, 705 homes in the Anna’s Retreat and Tutu Valley communities will have access to Liberty’s Fiber to the Home (FTTH) broadband service.
Construction will take place between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Work times may change depending on the work to be performed.
Burying the fiber cables increases the network’s resiliency while protecting it from hazards such as natural disasters. As per the permit, the work also uses a micro-trenching technique, which produces up to a 1 ¾ -inch cut and uses existing ducts where possible, thus diminishing pavement breakage and dust emission significantly. In addition, crews will be using other underground technologies to minimize the impact to the roadways.
The job will be performed with minimal traffic impact. However, residents and drivers within the area should expect delays due to lane and partial road closures and must exercise caution when traveling on the narrow roadways.
Liberty VI will be providing updates on its website https://www.libertyvi.com/news on when and where the company will be working around the territory so people can plan their daily commutes ahead of time.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education provides an important update regarding the status of the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School. Following the Department’s announcement Sunday evening of the campus closure on Monday, October 27, 2025, due to a ruptured water line, the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance and utility crews worked diligently through the night and into Monday to complete all necessary repairs.
Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School. (Photo by Ananta Pancham)
Given the magnitude of the work required, the BSCM was initially unable to provide a definite timeline for completion. However, thanks to the coordinated efforts and around-the-clock commitment of all teams involved, VIDE and the BSCM are pleased to announce that the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School will reopen for full operations on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
The ruptured water line has been fully repaired, and water access has been restored to the school’s facilities, allowing for safe and regular operations.
VIDE extends sincere appreciation to the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance, utility crews, and all individuals who worked tirelessly even during overnight hours to ensure that repairs were completed as quickly and safely as possible.
We are eager to welcome back our students, faculty, and staff as instruction resumes. We thank parents and guardians for their patience and understanding as this matter was prioritized and resolved.
All faculty, staff, and students of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School are expected to report for a regular school day on Tuesday
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. delivers a weekly press briefing from the Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort and Spa Monday on St. Thomas. (Screenshot from V.I. Legislature Facebook livestream)
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Disaster Recovery Office Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien and other officials addressed the public from the Westin St. Thomas Monday amid the first of two Rebuild USVI industry days, meant to pair local contractors with the larger firms tapped to handle large-scale disaster recovery projects.
“This is a tremendous undertaking, but we wanted to ensure that we create the opportunity for our local contractors to hear about all of the processes to engage with these prime contractors,” Williams-Octalien said before listing several joint ventures created specifically for recovery work. “So we are pleased to be able to put at least $20 billion in motion for all of the rebuild efforts and demonstrate to our federal funders that the territory is poised to move forward with $24 billion of funding that we have received to rebuild after hurricanes Irma and Maria.”
Bryan added that the territory must spend at least $7 million every day, “Saturday and Sunday,” in order to access all of the federal funds obligated to the U.S. Virgin Islands before they expire.
“So there’s a lot of work, and there’s a lot of opportunity out there,” he said. “I told the contractors this morning — our local contractors — start thinking ‘collaborate.’ Start thinking ‘cooperate.’ Stop thinking ‘compete,’ because it’s going to take us working together to really get these projects done. And trust me, there’s food on the table for everybody and then some.”
Monday’s briefing came during the fourth week of a federal government shutdown, which has critical services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in limbo. Bryan reiterated his commitment to provide food assistance for approximately 24,000 Virgin Islanders in November by tapping into the territory’s “Rainy Day” funds.
“We will provide every SNAP household in the Virgin Islands with half of its November monthly benefit using local funds so families can buy groceries while the federal process is on pause,” he said. “We have coordinated this in lockstep with the 36th Legislature to do it by the book and at … the speed of light.”
The Legislature is slated to meet this week to formally authorize the move, and Bryan said the departments of Human Services and Finance will be prepared to send out checks to beneficiaries as soon as the measure is approved.
“Why checks? Because reprogramming the system will take way too long, and our families cannot eat red tape,” he said. “They don’t want to hear excuses, so we’ll be making sure we get those out.”
Bryan said the Virgin Islands government could continue providing food assistance until 2026 if the federal shutdown persists. Senate President Milton Potter said the assistance was “not a matter of federal procedure or political strategy.”
“It is a question of basic sustenance and human dignity,” he said.
U.S. Virgin Islands police are on alert after authorities in the neighboring British Virgin Islands reported that two inmates escaped from His Majesty’s Prison in Tortola over the weekend — including one man with ties to St. Thomas.
A text alert went out in the USVI Monday, with V.I. Police Department spokesperson Glen Dratte explaining that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force reached out to territorial authorities as the search continues for Jose Almestica and John Burgos, who were discovered missing around 9 p.m. Saturday.
Dratte said the VIPD has been notified and that officers across the territory are aware of the situation and remain on alert as patrols continue.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force confirmed the escape late Saturday night and issued a public alert asking residents not to approach the men but to call police immediately at 368-9339, 311, or CrimeStoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS) if they are seen. For photos, click here.
No additional details have been released on how the inmates escaped or whether there is reason to believe they may have traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands, as the search continues.
The St. Croix Children’s Museum came alive on Sunday with laughter, color, and culture as children and families gathered for the Jumbies at the Museum celebration, a playful and educational alternative to traditional Halloween festivities.
Children and families take part in craft activities during Jumbies at the Children’s Museum-themed event hosted by the St. Croix Children’s Museum. The hands-on activities encouraged creativity and cultural exploration through art, storytelling, and play. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Hosted by the museum, the event invited children to learn, create, and explore through hands-on activities inspired by the Virgin Islands’ iconic cultural guardians. From storytelling and art stations to bubble play and stilt demonstrations, the day offered something for everyone.
“It was a great day,” said Zayd Saleem, a lead organizer with the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies — a youth cultural organization that teaches children how to stilt walk and perform as moko jumbies, which also participated in the event. “The Children’s Museum is such a beautiful property with so much space, a perfect place for kids. As a youth group, that’s what we love most — giving children a chance to try new things and hopefully spark their curiosity.”
One of the activities throughout the day allowed children to learn how to stilt walk. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Saleem added that seeing the moko jumbies highlighted as the day’s theme felt especially meaningful. “Growing up, moko jumbies were always cool, but now, as an adult, it feels even more powerful. They’re really our cultural icon,” he said. “It didn’t surprise me to see them featured here because it’s part of who we are as Virgin Islanders.”
Children were able to beat on steel pans during the Jumbies at the Children’s Museum-themed event at the St. Croix Children’s Museum, blending music, culture, and fun into a day of creative learning. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
For museum board President Ellie Hirsh, the event reflected the organization’s mission to engage children through play, creativity, and cultural connection.
“We’re all volunteers, and yet we’re able to do this thanks to the amazing people in the community who step up to help,” Hirsh said. “It’s incredible to see everyone come together to make something special for the kids.”
Young explorers dive into sensory play at the St. Croix Children’s Museum’s Moko Jumbie-themed event, where hands-on learning encouraged curiosity, creativity, and discovery through play. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The museum has been at its current location for just about a year, hosting themed pop-up events including the International Day of Peace, Worldwide Day of Play, and now Jumbies at the Museum.
Dejalys Delgado swings into fun during the Jumbies at the Children’s Museum event on Sunday. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Hirsh explained that the idea for the event grew out of a collaboration that began when the museum started holding pop-ups at the St. George Village Botanical Garden. “In a way, it’s our cultural response to Halloween,” she said. “Halloween is about scaring away evil spirits, and in our tradition, the moko jumbie does the same but in a way that’s rooted in our own culture.”
Little beaded moko jumbies made by the children who attended Jumbies at the Museum. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
In addition to cultural performances, children took part in craft activities, including making their own paper dolls dressed as moko jumbies, a project developed with the help of students from the St. Croix Educational Complex.
Children and parents were able to write a message for the “jumbie tree” and hang it as an ornament. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Hirsh said the museum’s programming follows the STREAM model — Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math — with a strong focus on literacy. “We always have a story walk for parents to share books with their children, and we’ve given away over 26,000 books on St. Croix,” she said proudly.
The St. Croix Children’s Museum bubble station has been a favorite of children at many events. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
As the day wound down, children danced in clouds of bubbles, a signature feature at the museum’s events, while parents looked on, chatting and smiling.
There were many moko jumbie-themed activities for children to take part in. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
“This is what it’s all about,” Hirsh said. “Getting children engaged, letting them play and learn together, and seeing that joy and connection, that’s the real reward.”
The museum’s next event, Attitude of Gratitude, will take place in November, followed by Traditions Across the Globe in partnership with West Gyul for the holidays.
The National Hurricane Center is tracking Major Hurricane Melissa, expected to strike Jamaica starting late Monday night. While no tropical alerts are in effect for Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, Melissa’s circulation will still influence local weather, bringing unsettled conditions through the week.
National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Melissa
As of Monday afternoon, the NHC noted that Hurricane Melissa was located approximately 140 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, moving very slowly toward the northwest and packing ferocious winds of approximately 175 mph, making the system a major Category 5 hurricane. Melissa is expected to fluctuate between the intensity of a Category 4 and 5 cyclone as it crawls toward the southern coastline of Jamaica.
The NHC is tracking Hurricane Melissa, a major hurricane, which is expected to strike Jamaica between Monday night and Tuesday morning. (Photo courtesy of NHC)
Hurricane Melissa underwent “extreme rapid intensification” this weekend, resulting in an explosive cyclone. Extreme rapid intensification occurs when a cyclone experiences “an increase in maximum sustained winds of at least 50 kt., about 58 mph, in a 24-hour period,” according to ClimateCentral.org. This is an even faster rate of strengthening than “rapid intensification,” which the NHC defines as “an increase in the maximum sustained winds of a tropical cyclone of at least 30 kt., about 34 mph, in a 24-hour period.”
Hurricane Melissa, the third hurricane to reach Category 5 status in the Atlantic basin so far this season, is forecast to cause catastrophic wind, flooding, and storm surge impacts across Jamaica, and the system may become the strongest hurricane to make a direct hit on the island in recorded history. Extensive damage is also expected across portions of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, before moving toward the Southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“At 5:00 p.m. EDT, the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 78.4 West,” according to an update from the NHC on Monday afternoon. “Melissa is moving toward the northwest near 3 mph, and a slow turn toward the north is expected Monday evening, followed by a turn toward the northeast and a slightly faster forward speed on Tuesday. A northeastward motion with a faster forward speed is expected on Wednesday and Thursday. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica late tonight and Tuesday, across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and across the southeastern or central Bahamas on Wednesday,” the NHC said.
Infrared satellite imagery obtained at 3:30 p.m. AST on Monday shows Melissa as a powerful Category 5 cyclone just south of Jamaica. The storm is expected to bring catastrophic impacts to Jamaica and portions of the Western Caribbean. (Photo courtesy NOAA)
“Maximum sustained winds are near 175 mph with higher gusts. Melissa is a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica. However, Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica and southeastern Cuba as an extremely powerful major hurricane and will still be at hurricane strength when it moves across the southeastern Bahamas. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 906 millibars,” the NHC continued.
Multiple hurricane and tropical storm alerts have been issued for areas across the Western Caribbean, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. No tropical cyclone alerts have been issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico.
Local Weather Impacts
Hurricane Melissa is located far from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. However, the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, indicated that the weather pattern generated by Melissa is expected to indirectly influence local conditions this week. Moisture drawn across the northeastern Caribbean will help to support scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. While widespread flooding is not expected, the NWS has warned of a limited to elevated risk of flooding in localized areas throughout the week, especially as the storm eventually moves north of Jamaica.
The NWS in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has warned that the USVI and Puerto Rico will experience indirect effects from the major storm, including the possibility of rainfall, gusty winds, and choppy seas. (Photo courtesy NWS)
“A moist and marginally unstable weather pattern will persist across the local islands through midweek as Hurricane Melissa slowly moves northward well northwest of the area,” the NWS said on Monday. “The system’s broad circulation, in combination with a strengthening surface high pressure over the central Atlantic, will maintain a southeasterly to southerly wind flow across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly Tuesday onward. This pattern will continue to draw deep tropical moisture across the region,” the NWS stated.
Marine and coastal conditions may also be affected. A moderate risk of rip currents will continue into Tuesday across most beaches in Puerto Rico and the USVI, with the risk increasing by midweek as a swell from Melissa reaches the islands. Choppy seas are likely, particularly across north-facing beaches.
“A moderate risk of rip currents will continue Tuesday for most beaches in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” the NWS explained. “By midweek, the risk of rip current threat will increase to a high risk along some of the north facing beaches of Puerto Rico and USVI due to a small northwest swell from Major Hurricane Melissa. Beachgoers are advised to closely monitor the local forecast as well as the evolution and track of Melissa for updated information. In addition, showers and isolated thunderstorms can form near coastal areas, especially during afternoon hours,” the NWS predicted.
Additionally, the NWS said that breezy conditions and warm temperatures with high humidity are expected to continue across both territories for several days, with the potential for heat alerts.
Stay Informed
It is important to remember that the forecast, including the tropical outlook, can change quickly. The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on Nov. 30, and USVI residents and visitors are encouraged to continue to remain prepared. Weather information is available from the NWS, the NHC, and NOAA.
The local weather forecast for the U.S. Virgin Islands is regularly updated on the Source Weather Page and VI Source YouTube Channel. A weekly Tropical Outlook article from the Source will continue to be published throughout the remainder of hurricane season to provide in-depth updates. Residents and visitors can find additional weather alerts and preparedness information from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
VIPA – If you need an additional $5 million and are not willing to use the $7.1 million unexpected Net Profit to cover that, perhaps you need to actively collect from your customers who owe you money, instead of raising the daily cost of survival for all St John residents. Please follow up on the questions you raised at the last board meeting concerning the extremely high Accounts Receivable (over $11 million), with 40% of those VIPA customer accounts more than 3 months delinquent.
At the September meeting, Board Chair Willard John asked if there was someone specifically assigned to collect money owed. “The accounts receivable analysts in accounting, they deal with the operational side, and property management deals with the rental side,” responded Penn. Board member Derek Gabriel inquired if there is a formal procedure established for collections. “We have a process on the property side. Where we’re lagging is on the operational side,” said Penn. “A lot of people have been responding, telling us whether they have paid or not. Some people didn’t even know that they owed and some of the notices go out to other individuals in the organization,” said Penn.
To help you out, here is a list of the largest amounts owed (as of June 30, 2025), totalling more than $6 million. Please collect the money owed to you by your customers before taking it out of St John residents’ pockets. I will be happy to discuss this further in person at the St Croix meeting this Wednesday.
A husband and wife were taken into custody Sunday at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport while attempting to leave the territory after being charged in connection with the sexual assault of a 7-year-old child, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
Police said the arrests of 54-year-old Elliot Navarro and 41-year-old Omayra Navarro followed an investigation launched in January 2024, when personnel at the Juanita Gardine School reported the assault to the School Security Bureau. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Bureau determined that the couple sexually abused the minor at their home, according to the police report.
The case was referred to the V.I. Attorney General’s Office, and an arrest warrant was issued on Sept. 26 by a magistrate judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. The Navarros were charged with aggravated rape in the first degree, first-degree assault, unlawful sexual contact, and child abuse. Bail was set at $150,000, according to the arrest warrant, the police report stated.
Police said the couple was detained at the airport Sunday and transported to the Criminal Investigation Bureau’s Rainbow Building for booking. Unable to post bail, they were remanded to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending their advice of rights hearing.
We saw the same photos you did — the ones showing green, bubbling water near Prosperity Farm. They troubled us too. Clean water is life here. It connects us all — from the hills to the sea. When our neighbors began asking questions and expressing frustration, we understood.Prosperity Farm Distillery
You had every right to be concerned.
We also know that Prosperity Farm has faced public criticism before. Some have questioned whether we truly care about this island or its people. We want to be clear — we do. This is our home too, and we take every concern seriously.
What Happened
The green water didn’t come from our distillery. We keep no animals, have a state-of-the-art septic system, and use NO manure-based fertilizers on our farm. The E. coli originated from a small radio tower property just uphill, where a horse has grazed for years. Over time, manure built up in standing rainwater. When heavy rains arrived, that mix of water and waste flowed downhill, triggering what’s known as an algae bloom — the slimy, green water seen in the
photos. At first glance, it looked like chemical pollution. But it was actually a natural reaction between animal waste, heat, and still water — something that can occur anywhere animals live near flood-prone areas. It wasn’t pleasant, but it can be fixed.
Our Response
When the Department of Planning and Natural Resources contacted us, we immediately facilitated on-site access and invited a site walk. We then conducted a thorough on-site investigation, documented conditions, and shared our findings — including photos and notes — to ensure full transparency. We also offered to help remove the animal waste still covering our neighbor’s land — even though it isn’t ours — because it’s the right thing to do.
That offer still stands.
What We Learned
This incident revealed a broader issue: the Virgin Islands doesn’t yet have clear, easy-to-follow guidelines for small property owners or horse keepers on how to manage manure and runoff.
In other regions, such as Maryland and Michigan, simple, proven steps are promoted: composting manure, storing it properly, and maintaining vegetation buffers between animal areas and waterways. These are common-sense practices that work — and we believe the same approach can help here. Prosperity Farm is ready to collaborate with DPNR, the Department of Agriculture, and our neighbors to promote awareness, support cleanup, and encourage better land-management practices.
Our Commitment
At Prosperity Farm, we believe good business and good stewardship go hand in hand. From day one, we’ve aimed to build a farm distillery that honors St. Croix’s agricultural roots, supports local farmers, and protects the land and water we all depend on. So yes — we heard you.
We appreciate every person who spoke up. And we’re taking action — openly, responsibly, and together with our community. Our doors are always open. Come visit, ask questions, or share your ideas. We’re here to be part of this community, not apart from it. The color of the water may have startled us, but the clarity of action that follows can guide us forward — toward cleaner water, shared responsibility, and lasting prosperity for everyone.
—Pam Gaffin is a longtime St. John resident. 
