For decades, St. John’s only traffic light was the one mounted on the wall of the old Public Works Department’s maintenance building on Gifft Hill Road (Rt. 104). It didn’t work, of course. It was put there in the late 1990s as a wry joke by Ira Wade, then DPW deputy commissioner for St. John.
The never-installed traffic light was mounted on the wall of the Public Works maintenance facility on Gifft Hill Road. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
In recent weeks, some sharp-eyed residents passing the now-derelict building have noticed that the traffic light is missing. One of them, Cid Hamling, decided to investigate.
Hamling remembers well the spontaneous uprising in October 1996 that led to the traffic light’s functional demise. “Tyrone Martin, Department of Public Works special assistant, came to St. John and announced we were going to have traffic lights,” she said. “He had federal money, and he was hyped up about it.”
The idea of a traffic light in (what was then) sleepy Cruz Bay seemed absurd. During the fall of 1996, St. John was still recovering from the ravages of Hurricane Marilyn. Community and business leaders had formed the St. John Action Committee to brainstorm ways to improve the island’s infrastructure and stimulate tourism. There were many items on their wish list, but a traffic light was not among them.
“The St. John community got wind of it and said, ‘We don’t want traffic lights,’” said Hamling, then owner of Connections, a mail service center. She offered the use of phones and fax machines to anyone who wanted to contact senators and other officials. Dozens of people used them to register their opposition.
Local officials held a town-hall meeting to discuss the matter on Monday, Sept. 30, 1996, and an overflow crowd attended. Hamling recalls that when one resident called out, “Who doesn’t want it? Stand up!” all but a few stood up.
But Martin had already identified a place for the light: near the Creek in Cruz Bay, where Boulon Center Road made a T at the Northshore Road. (According to Google Maps, Boulon Center Rd. has been officially renamed Edward Moorhead Boulevard.) Martin was determined to move forward in spite of the public’s protest.
A star indicates the proposed location of the traffic light in Cruz Bay, proposed in 1996. (Screenshot from Google Maps )
The day after the town meeting, Martin arrived with a crew in Cruz Bay and began marking the intersection with a can of spray paint; the coconut telegraph immediately went into high alert. “A large group of people went out to physically block them from proceeding,” said activist Pam Gaffin, who was on the scene.
“My understanding was the V.I. government had already indicated the traffic lights had been installed as part of a grant with an expiration date of the fiscal year end — September 30,” said Gaffin.
“They realized just days ahead of the deadline that they had one set of lights unused and decided to dump them on St. John. The lights were for a 4-way intersection — but St John does not have any 4-way intersections — not one. The First Bank corner is the closest, but since there is a one-way street that could not use the light, it counts as a 3-way intersection,” she continued.
Gaffin also said the lights were doomed to fail if they ever were installed. “These were the new, fancy computerized lights – with multiple lights on each direction. When WAPA goes out, they would not have been able to start back up again by themselves. Someone from St. Thomas would have had to come over to reset them.”
Gov. Roy L. Schneider was out of the territory at the time, according to a front-page story in the Daily News on Wed. Oct. 2, so Lt. Gov. Kenneth Mapp intervened by issuing a stop-work order. Schneider terminated the project upon his return.
The traffic light protest led to front-page headlines in the Daily News on Oct. 2, 1996. (Photo published with permission by the Virgin Islands Daily News)An editorial in the Daily News in October 1996 supported the community of St. John. (Photo published with permission by the Virgin Islands Daily News)
Following that incident, Gaffin said that Ira Wade, who served as deputy commissioner of Public Works for St. John, ”Swore he would never, ever install a traffic light on St. John, no matter what, and hung one of the lights up on the Public Works building.”
Ironically, the island’s recovery was faster than most people anticipated. Growth boomed over the next few years, and traffic congestion at the intersection near the Creek became a big problem. Barge companies began offering multiple trips throughout the day, and when vehicles lined up to get on or off, traffic often came to a standstill.
Wade went into high gear to deal with traffic woes and planned a roundabout to allow traffic to flow around the five-way intersection near O’Connor’s Texaco gas station. Five years later, construction on the roundabout still hadn’t begun.
It was an enormous undertaking that involved moving countless truckloads of earth to change the elevation of the site, forcing the Texaco Station to close down. The Theovald E. Moorehead Marine Terminal in Enighed Pond was completed in 2006, and barge services relocated from the Creek in Cruz Bay. When work on the roundabout was completed several years later, it was deemed a success. Gaffin said, “Boy, I miss Ira Wade; he really knew how to get things done.”
And what happened to the traffic light that Ira Wade put up on the wall of the Public Works maintenance building?
The traffic light remained on the DPW maintenance building even after being badly damaged by a hurricane in 2017. The building is now slated for reconstruction. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Two weeks ago, Hamling found it lying on the ground on Public Works property. The traffic light was removed in preparation for pending demolition of the building and remains in DPW’s custody.
Hamling wants to see the traffic light preserved as a reminder of a unique moment in St. John’s history. Members of the St. John Historical Society hope to display it as part of their collection so that this almost-forgotten pistarckle will live on in history.
Local educator Kyoka Gumbs, a second-grade teacher at Joseph Gomez Elementary School, has released her debut children’s book, “Kai and the Time-Traveling Lunchbox.”
Kyoka Gumbs, author of “Kai and Time-Traveling Lunchbox,” poses with a hard copy of her first-ever children’s book. (Photo courtesy Kyoka Gumbs)
The story marks the beginning of “The Adventures with Kai” series, written to reflect the lives, culture, and heritage of Virgin Islands children. In this first adventure, Kai discovers that his ordinary lunchbox holds the power to take him on incredible journeys through time.
“I wanted my students to see themselves in the pages that they read, both in the imagery and story details. So often, their stories are about faraway locations. This book immerses them in the places and cultural features that they are familiar with. I want kids to feel proud of who they are, curious about the past, and excited to see themselves in the pages of a book,” Gumbs said.
“One of the inspirations for this book was the class I taught last school year, who constantly complained about how boring some of their stories were. I wanted to create a book that would capture their attention. This included using the name ‘Kai’ because it was easy to pronounce and a name I knew they would be familiar with,” Gumbs said.
Set across iconic local landmarks including Fort Christian, Coral World, Magens Bay, and Emancipation Garden, this children’s book highlights the natural beauty and historical richness of the Virgin Islands. One of the missions of this series for Gumbs is to foster pride among local readers, with hopes of this story extending the powerful stories of Caribbean culture worldwide.
“Kai and Time-Traveling Lunchbox” became available for purchase earlier this month on Amazon. (Photo courtesy Kyoka Gumbs)
Gumbs admits the publishing process was challenging, taking nearly 10 revisions before approval. “The most unforgettable moment was holding my first draft copy in my hands and seeing my work come alive. My advice to aspiring authors is to prepare for a long, but rewarding road. There will be setbacks, but the fulfillment that comes in the end surpasses anything you could imagine,” she said.
“Kai and Time-Traveling Lunchbox” is now available on Amazon. Gumbs confirms that more adventures are on the way, noting that this is only the beginning of Kai’s journey. Readers can expect the second installation of this series to showcase new cultural traditions and locations connected to Virgin Islands heritage.
Attendees at the Deaf Awareness event sign along to a song, joining in the music and celebration. (Photo from University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Facebook)
Community members, advocates, and local officials gathered Saturday at the University of the Virgin Islands for Celebrating Deaf Awareness, an event hosted by the Virgin Islands Deaf & Hard of Hearing Advocates to honor Deaf culture and recognize the contributions of the territory’s deaf and hard-of-hearing residents.
Territorial ADA Coordinator Julien Henley addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in advancing accessibility. “Accessibility is not the work of one office or one agency. It is a shared responsibility of us all,” Henley said, underscoring the need for community-wide commitment to inclusion for people with disabilities.
Edi Utibe, special assistant in the Office of the Governor, reflected on the event’s wide-ranging program and its intended impact. “As we move through today’s program, from education to history to creative performances and heartfelt tributes, we want to leave here inspired to act, to listen more deeply and to ensure that accessibility is embedded in every part of our territory,” Utibe said.
The event included a tribute to former Sen. Virdin Brown, recognized for his long-standing commitment to public service and advocacy for the deaf community in the Virgin Islands. Brown served in the Virgin Islands Legislature during the 1970s and 1980s, where he played a key role in advancing education and services for deaf residents.
Brown’s efforts, alongside his wife Patricia, led to the creation of advocacy groups and successful petitions for improved educational opportunities for deaf students in the territory. Event organizers credited Brown’s leadership with helping many deaf students graduate from high school and pursue higher education and professional careers.
Members of the Virgin Islands Deaf & Hard of Hearing Advocates engaged the audience with a lively trivia segment designed to educate and raise awareness about deaf culture and history.
The trivia covered a range of topics. Attendees correctly identified that ASL stands for American Sign Language, and that ASL is not a universal language, as different countries have their own sign languages. When asked about Deaf Awareness Month, participants responded that it is observed in September, while Deaf History Month is celebrated in April.
Organizers shared that approximately 2,000 Virgin Islanders are deaf or hard of hearing, based on the 2020 census. Nationally, the number is estimated to be 48 million people across the United States, underscoring the widespread importance of accessibility and inclusion.
The group also challenged the audience to name famous deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Answers included Ludwig van Beethoven, the renowned composer; Helen Keller, a deaf-blind activist and author; and other notable figures such as hard-of-hearing actress Katie Leclerc.
Among the speakers was Shanelle Lawrence, a deaf tour guide and business owner based on St. Thomas and St. John. She operates VI Deaf Tours, a company that provides accessible tours for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors, highlighting the history and culture of the Virgin Islands.
In addition to her work as a tour guide, Lawrence teaches about sign language and advocates for greater inclusion of the deaf community. Her efforts focus on making local tourism and education more accessible to all.
During her remarks, Lawrence spoke about the strengths and capabilities of the Deaf community. She emphasized that deaf individuals possess a wide range of skills and talents and are fully capable of contributing to society in significant and impactful ways.
“The Deaf community is fully skilled. We are creative. We have leadership ability. We can have our own businesses and make things inclusive for everyone,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence emphasized the need for more effective communication strategies when interacting with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. She explained that lip reading is often unreliable and can cause frustration.
She encouraged the use of alternatives such as writing messages down, using text on mobile devices, or learning basic sign language. These approaches, she said, help ensure that deaf people are fully included in conversations and community life.
Lawrence spoke about the language used to describe the Deaf community, urging attendees to reconsider terms with negative implications. She explained that the phrase ‘hearing impaired’ is now considered outdated, especially among younger generations, and encouraged the use of ‘deaf’ or ‘hard of hearing’ instead.
“The world uses the term ‘hearing impaired,’ but it’s no longer really used or acceptable, especially for the new generation coming up,” she said. “It’s almost like an insult — it makes it sound as if we are broken, that something is damaged or wrong with us that needs to be fixed.”
Lawrence emphasized that deaf people are whole and complete. “Deaf people are not broken. We are whole. We may not hear, but we are whole, period,” she said.
Awards were presented to several community members in recognition of their advocacy and support. The celebratory event also featured skits, video presentations, and dancing.
Community members listen during Monday’s elder abuse awareness workshop on St. Thomas, the third in an outreach series focused on protecting seniors and disabled residents. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
One of the organizers of the elder abuse outreach series says they see signs of progress appearing. The third in a series of workshops designed to raise awareness about abuse of vulnerable elderly and disabled Virgin Islanders took place Monday on St. Thomas.
Unlike the first two sessions involving law enforcement personnel and banking professionals, Monday’s workshop engaged seniors and their caregivers.
About 50 people gathered at a community center in Estate Donoe to learn more about elder abuse and exploitation, and to ask questions about what they had heard. The event was hosted by AARP of the Virgin Islands and the Human Services Department.
Workshop presenter Jessica Whyte leads seniors through descriptions of elder abuse on Monday. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Participants were led through an exploration of elder abuse and the different ways it appears in the population. They heard from a banking executive about the warning signs of financial exploitation; they also heard from a representative from Legal Services of the Virgin Islands.
The elder justice series sprang from discussions among top government officials to tackle what some called a troubling trend of abuse and exploitation among the territory’s 22,000 residents aged 60 and over. They also took place as members of the 36th Legislature crafted Bill No. 36-0099 to improve the territory’s response to cases of elder abuse.
On Monday, the acting director of the Adult Protective Services Division said these ongoing discussions have been productive, reflected in the number of inquiries her office has received.
“It’s really information sharing and collaboration. And I believe that we’re making inroads,” said acting Director Heather Richardson-Henry. Officials speaking Monday said they would like to see workshops like these become an annual event.
After weather delays pushed back the start of their season, Antilles Middle School’s flag football teams made their debut count. The Blue Team (B team) defeated Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School 38-8, while the Grey Team (A team) shut out Gifft Hill School 39-0 on Saturday at Fishman Family Field on the Antilles School Campus.
Playing under the lights at Fishman Family Field, both Antilles squads delivered commanding performances that had parents and coaches buzzing about what could be a special season.
Coach Dariyan Griffin’s Blue Team rolled past Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School’s coed squad 38-8. Tucker Edwards was nearly unstoppable, breaking off runs of 60, 30, and 40 yards. The Martinez brothers showed some serious chemistry, too, with Max connecting with his brother Cameron to complete a 40-yard pass. Max also found Braydon Richardson twice, and Richardson added another 30-yard catch to his stat line. Sami Asfour, Patrick Mitchell, and Tre Richards all got in on the scoring action.
Meanwhile, Coach Art’s Grey Team put on a defensive clinic, shutting out Gifft Hill School 39-0. Quarterback Parker Spillane connected with Beckham Moskowitz for 30 yards and Jerome Boschulte Jr. for a two-point conversion. Boschulte Jr. joined the quarterback action, throwing touchdown passes to Gino Fero (20 yards) and James Henderson (50 yards). The highlight of the game was Liam Yoder’s 50-yard pick-six that brought the home crowd to its feet.
Parents were thrilled with what they saw. Brandon and Lorraine Richardson, Charles Edwards, Evan Martinez, and Robert Mitchell were all smiles, offering heartfelt praise as they cheered from the stands: “Good job, guys! Great win!”
Coach Griffin was clearly proud of his squad after the game. “The boys’ performance was awesome! After just about a month’s worth of practice, they came together so well and I’m proud of them. Most of them have been playing together since 4th grade so the chemistry is great.”
Looking ahead, Griffin’s already eyeing bigger things. “Right now, I’m anticipating both Antilles teams facing off against each other for the championship.”
He also had a message for the community: “Whenever you can, come out and support these young men — and young ladies! BCB has some young ladies on their team who really performed well. Your presence means a lot to the kids, and they would love to have your support.”
A 26-year-old man turned himself in to police Sunday in connection with a domestic violence incident that began two weeks earlier at Hull Bay, the V.I. Police Department reported.
According to police, Va’Shawn Daniel was arrested Sunday after surrendering to the Domestic Violence Unit around 3:30 p.m. He was charged with third-degree assault, simple assault, and disturbance of the peace — all domestic violence-related.
The charges stem from a Sept. 14 report made at Schneider Regional Medical Center, where a man told officers that Daniel had assaulted him after the two went to Hull Bay “to talk,” according to VIPD. The victim said an argument escalated and Daniel struck him several times.
The victim further reported that when they left the beach, Daniel seized both of his phones, then threw them back into the vehicle, striking the man in the face.
Daniel was booked, processed and turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing, police said.
The case remains under investigation by the Domestic Violence Unit. Anyone with information is asked to call 911, the Domestic Violence Unit at 340-715-5535, or the Office of the Police Chief
New Vibes SC has done it again. The powerhouse side claimed back-to-back Presidents Cup titles after defeating Rovers SC 3–2 in a thrilling final at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex.
New Vibes and Rovers players battle for control. (Submitted photo)
The match started with New Vibes SC in full control, racing out to a commanding 3–0 lead thanks to their relentless pressure and sharp finishing. With their foot firmly on the pedal, it looked as though the defending champions would cruise to victory.
But Rovers SC, known for their determination and resilience, weren’t ready to go quietly. Showing patience and grit, they clawed their way back into the match, pulling two goals back to make it 3–2 and set up a dramatic finish.
Despite the late surge, New Vibes SC held firm, showcasing their experience and composure to see out the win and lift the 2025 Presidents Cup trophy once again.
The victory cements New Vibes SC’s dominance in Virgin Islands soccer, as they repeat as champions in one of the federation’s most prestigious competitions.
The USVI Soccer Federation extends its congratulations to New Vibes SC for a job well done, finishing the cup strong and repeating as champions.
A Celebration of Life for Avna Paiewonsky Cassinelli will be held on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m. at The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas located on Synagogue Hill.
(Shutterstock image)
There will be transportation available at Fort Christian parking lot starting at 9 a.m. Vans will be parked next to the Professional Building. After the service, an informal gathering will be held at the Lilienfeld House, directly across the street from the synagogue. All are welcome.
Avna Paiewonsky Cassinelli, daughter of Charlotte and Isidor Paiewonsky, passed on Sept. 25, 2025 at the age of 82, surrounded by her closest family. She is survived by her sons Sebastiano and Filippo, daughters-in-law, Julie and Daniela, her grandchildren Julia, Aiden, Luca, Isabela and Alessia Cassinelli, step-grandchildren Olivia and Sophia Foster and step-great-grandchildren, Sage and Shama.
She attended Antilles school, Dana Hall in Wellesley, Massachusetts and Barnard College in New York City.
Avna had a long and successful business career as president of A.H. Riise Stores and Isidor Paiewonsky Associates, Inc., a real estate company which owns properties in the historic district of Charlotte Amalie including the A.H. Riise Mall. She also served as president of AHR Watches, the Official Rolex Retailer in the Virgin Islands, which operates the Rolex boutique in the Mall. Her family’s involvement with A.H. Riise started after her grandfather Isaac Paiewonsky, who arrived in St. Thomas in 1897, acquiring the A.H. Riise Apothecary in 1928.
Deeply committed to St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands, she was raised by her parents with the understanding of the importance of giving to one’s community. She is past president of the Virgin Islands Retailers Association, and has served on various committees for the government and the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce in the areas of tourism, tax policy and economic development. She was the co-chairperson Charlotte Amalie 2000 project.
Avna considered herself fortunate to have had mentors such as her parents Charlotte and Isidor, and her uncle Ralph Paiewonsky, who helped her develop a deeper understanding of economic, political, business, environmental, and aesthetic issues.
Avna particularly enjoyed working on projects she was told could not be done, yet which were of vital importance to the community. One such effort involved reversing the anti-business attitude in government of the late 1970’s, to share knowledge with the community about duty-free and economic issues that affect all Virgin Islanders; specifically, in 1979 she and her uncle and mentor, former Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky, pioneered the historic Bill 0411 to remove duties and excise tax on tourism related products with the goal of making the Port of Charlotte Amalie a true duty- free port. Although controversial at the time, this legislation became a model for other Caribbean Islands. It led to the unprecedented growth of duty-free shopping in the territory and development in the historic district of Charlotte Amalie.
Avna firmly believed that the Virgin Islands could reach its highest potential from quiet, selfless choices made for the good of all ~ a vision Avna embodied throughout her own life of service, working behind the scenes with dedication, humility, and unwavering devotion to her community.
Avna continued the tradition of philanthropy started by her parents, Charlotte and Isidor, and her uncle, Ralph, including, 4 annual scholarships for graduating students at the Charlotte Amalie High School in honor of her grandparents, Issac and Rebecca Paiewonsky, a scholarship that started in 1952, and continues to this day.
Avna cared deeply for her entire family and put them before all other considerations. Her steadfast love and devotion to her sons was a driving force in who she was and how she lived her life. She is very proud of her sons Sebastiano and Filippo and for the men they have become as well as their families.
She was loved and respected and will be dearly missed, a steadfast rock to her family, wise, kind, and generous.
We love you. Rest in peace.
Stay informed with Consider the Source, where host Adisha Penn breaks down the week’s biggest stories — from a federal judge weighing VIPD’s progress under its consent decree and new questions after two fatal police shootings, to a St. Croix family’s lawsuit after a ceiling fan last year injured a high-school student. Our in-studio team also sits down with Dr. Amory DeRoulet to get an inside peek at his new wound-care practice on St. Thomas. There’s always something new on Consider the Source!
On the left, V.I. Port Authority’s Executive Director, Carlton Dowe, addresses the board during Friday’s monthly board meeting. (Screenshot from Zoom Meeting)
On Friday, during the Port Authority’s monthly governing board meeting, news of new travel options for visitors to the territory and the impact of relations with cargo partners were highlighted.
During the director’s report, Carlton Dowe welcomed Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Sea and Contour Airlines. The cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s newest addition, made its maiden voyage call at the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay, St. Thomas, on Sept. 10. According to the director, it accommodates up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members.
“In the coming year or so, Royal Caribbean expects to roll out new ships this same Icon class,” said Dowe.
Regarding Contour Airlines, each flight will accommodate up to 30 passengers. The airline will have direct flights to Dominica on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at the Cyril E. King Airport.
“It’s no secret that in St. Thomas-St. John, we have a huge Dominican population. A lot of the folks that does construction in this territory, that’s where they hail from,” said Dowe.
Flight services for the airline began on Sept. 24. The director added that inquiries have been made regarding flights from the territory to other Caribbean islands and responded that, “No airline is going to engage in a route where they don’t feel it’s profitable,” indicating it is not solely up to the Port Authority’s discretion as to what flights can be added.
More so, during the meeting, Dowe shared with the board that he and his staff met with Tropical Shipping to get an update on their needs, future projects, and to strengthen the partnership with the corporation.
“Just about everything we consume come through our ports,” he said.
Dowe highlighted that Tropical Shipping currently occupies several bays at the St. Croix container port.
“The new bays we have built in St. Croix, the Bomba Allick Terminal, which is forty-something thousand square feet, they already, Tropical, have four, five, bays that they operate from now, as we speak,” he said, and added that the company plans to expand.
Dowe mentioned that maintaining a strong relationship with partners like Tropical Shipping can be very beneficial for the authority.
“When Port Authority did not have the resources, we did not want to expend millions of dollars to be able to get the Department of Transportation grant, it was Tropical and Crowley who put the matching funds for the grant,” said Dowe.
Board member, Celestino White Sr., asked about tariff changes due to additions he noticed in the national news.
“Has Tropical Shipping expressed any concerns as it relates to new tariffs?” questioned White.
“No,” responded Dowe. “Neither Tropical, Crowley, nor Priority Roro, we didn’t have that discussion.”
Additionally, the executive director informed the board that the public-private-partnership, or P3, process is still ongoing, regarding the airports, and that “Staff and I had a working meeting with representatives from Royal Caribbean/CTI in Miami, Florida, as we continue to work feverishly on the Crown Bay Development Project.”
Lastly, the board voted to approve recent poll votes during Friday’s meeting. After August’s board meeting, Sept. 2, a poll vote was unanimously approved by board members Willard John, Derek Gabriel, Leona Smith, Gordon Rhea, Jennifer Matarangas-King, and Kevin Rodriguez. The vote granted the execution of the FY2025 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Project No. 3-78-0001-058-2025, FY2025 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Project No. 3-78-0001-059-2025, and FY2025 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Project No. 3-78-0001-064-2025, allowing improvements to be made to the Cyril E. King runway and airport.
On Sept. 16, a poll vote was unanimously approved by board members John, Gabriel, Smith, and Rodriguez for the Federal Aviation Administration FY 2025 Airport Infrastructure Grant Agreement Grant Number 3-78-0002-049-2025, allowing improvements to be made to the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport.
Lastly, on Sept. 23, a poll vote was taken and unanimously approved by John, Smith, Rodriguez, Rhea, and Matarangas-King for ticket counter space at the King Airport for Contour Airlines. Friday’s board unanimously voted to approve all three poll votes.
Board members John, Gabriel, Rhea, Smith, and White were present. Matarangas-King and Rodriguez were absent.
