The V.I. Waste Management Board convened Thursday to review a presentation on the utility’s 2024 audit, budget projections for the upcoming fiscal year and several ongoing projects.

Accountant George Willie from the firm Bert Smith and Company noted during his presentation to board members that the authority continues to struggle with a full accounting of its assets, including vehicles and other equipment, which may be obsolete or no longer working. Willie also flagged discrepancies between work the WMA contracted and work contractors billed for.

“I couldn’t get totally comfortable that we actually owe these dollars,” he said, adding that the cost of some jobs changed from one week to the next. “I think there has to be a definition of what a contract is, what a contracted amount is, what it is that you will not be paid for in excess of.”

Chief Financial Officer Daryl Griffith acknowledged later that Waste Management is still dealing with work that was performed without contracts after the 2017 hurricanes. The issue, he said, is that those contractors had expected to be paid by now.

“So when the auditor sends them the letter saying ‘how much does Waste Management owe you,’ they’re like, ‘well, we had settled on a contract for $5 million but it’s been five years. We want $7 million now,’” he said.

Griffith also noted that Waste Management regularly hires contractors on an emergency basis — particularly for wastewater issues.

During Thursday’s regular meeting, the board also approved a one-year, $367,770 contract with Falken USVI for security services at the territory’s landfills and treatment plants and approved the utility’s 2027 budget plan. Griffith estimated the authority will have an operating budget of $52.8 million for the next fiscal year. That sum includes approximately $39.5 million in government appropriations and a projected $4.5 million in tipping fees. Griffith said the authority also expects to bring in revenue through solid waste management fees and federal reimbursements.

The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands on Thursday confirmed Associate Justice Denise M. Francois to serve a 10-year term on the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands and Attorney Renee M. Andre to serve a six-year term as a judge of the Superior Court in the St. Thomas-St. John district, a press release announced. Chief Justice Rhys S. Hodge announced Francois’ confirmation as the fifth justice of the Supreme Court, while Presiding Judge Jessica Gallivan announced Andre’s confirmation to the Superior Court bench, according to the press release.

Hodge said Francois’ confirmation marks a milestone for the Virgin Islands judiciary because it is the first time the Supreme Court will have all five justices seated since the court expanded from three to five members under Act No. 7888. He also noted Francois is only the second woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands. “The nomination and confirmation of Associate Justice Denise M. Francois is a monumental milestone in the history of the Virgin Islands Judiciary,” Hodge said. Francois was first nominated in 2013 by Gov. John P. DeJongh Jr. and confirmed by the 30th Legislature to serve a six-year term as a Superior Court judge. She was later renominated by Gov. Albert A. Bryan Jr. and unanimously confirmed by the 33rd Legislature in 2020 for a second six-year term on the Superior Court, the press release stated. A graduate of Berkshire School in Massachusetts, Francois was among the first class of women admitted to Amherst College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1980. After returning to the Virgin Islands, she worked in the Department of Social Welfare as an investigator in the Division of Paternity and Child Support before serving as an economist in the Department of Commerce’s Division of Policy Planning and Research, the release stated. Francois later earned her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1984 and passed the California bar before returning home to join the law firm of Maria Tankenson Hodge, P.C. She later became a partner in Hodge and Francois, P.C. For nearly 30 years, Francois practiced before local and district courts, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and various Virgin Islands government administrative agencies, the release stated. “Associate Justices Maria M. Cabret, Ive Arlington Swan, Harrold W. L. Willocks and I welcome Associate Justice Denise M. Francois to the Supreme Court and are confident that her service on the Supreme Court will be tremendous benefit to the court and the people of the Virgin Islands,” Hodge said. Andre will serve a six-year term as judge of the Superior Court in the St. Thomas-St. John district, the release stated.

Andre graduated summa cum laude from Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology before attending West Virginia University College of Law. While in law school, she was a W.E.B. DuBois Fellow and Brown W. Payne Scholar, the release stated. Following law school, Andre completed a federal judicial clerkship with Judge Curtis V. Goméz before joining the Law Offices of Marjorie Rawls Roberts, P.C. As a partner with the firm, Andre brings 18 years of legal experience in family law, probate, trust and estates, criminal defense, real estate, corporate transactions, contracts, economic development and tax matters, the release stated. Andre is admitted to practice law in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida, the District Court of the Virgin Islands, the U.S. Tax Court, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. She also previously practiced in West Virginia, the release stated. Gallivan said Andre’s confirmation adds another jurist to the bench with a demonstrated commitment to “service, fairness and the rule of law.” “Indeed, the entire judiciary welcomes Judge Andre and is confident she will serve with integrity and distinction,” Gallivan said.

Government House held its annual Academic Excellence Awards ceremony and reception Wednesday evening, where Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. encouraged honorees to pursue ambitious goals, return home after their studies and help shape the territory’s future.

The ceremony honored academic achievement among some of the Virgin Islands’ top graduating students and also highlighted Charlotte Amalie High School student Ta’Mya Davis, who recently earned first place in the senior division of the 2025 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Foundation Children’s Essay Competition.

Assistant Education Commissioner Victor Somme III opened the ceremony by congratulating the territory’s graduating valedictorians and salutatorians and encouraging students to continue growing beyond graduation.

“Life is a journey,” Somme said. “Do not stop growing once you get your diploma.”

Speaking during the Government House Academic Excellence Awards ceremony Wednesday evening, Somme told students that education was something that could never be taken away from them.

“School has provided you with invaluable education that you will carry with you for the rest of your life,” he said. “They can take everything else, but they cannot take what you learn from you.”

Somme also encouraged students to make decisions based on their own goals and ambitions.

“From this day forward, make each decision with your best interest in mind,” he said. “Believe in yourself, so that you can reach your goals and fulfill your dreams.”

In closing remarks, Somme urged students to recognize their opportunities and shape the future around them.

“Remember that this world is more malleable than you think, and it is waiting for you to hammer it into shape,” he said.

Deputy Tourism Commissioner RoseAnne DeFreitas also addressed students during the ceremony, describing the room as filled with “greatness, intellect and innovation” and said the territory’s future leaders were among the honorees. “The future is bright,” she said.

DeFreitas then recognized Charlotte Amalie High School senior Ta’Mya Davis, who recently earned first place in the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association essay competition against students from across the Caribbean and Mexico.

According to DeFreitas, Davis is a former elementary school salutatorian, a three-time pageant titleholder, captain of the Charlotte Amalie High School auxiliary dance team, an AP scholar and currently ranked seventh in her graduating class.

“Ta’Mya is not just excelling academically, but is a well-rounded student who exemplifies what balance and success looks like,” DeFreitas said.

She added that Davis also received the 2025 I Am Hope Fund Youth Role Model Award and will attend the University of South Florida this fall to study advanced research in psychology.

DeFreitas said Davis’ accomplishment also reflected the territory’s long-standing partnership with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and its investment in youth development and future leaders.

Speaking to students and families gathered at Government House, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. described the Virgin Islands as being in “a period of massive growth and change” and told students, “You are the leadership.”

“We bring you here tonight to celebrate you, to tell you that you are indeed special, that you have a community that looks up to you and honors you, supports you, and wants you to be successful,” Bryan said.

Bryan urged students to see themselves as visionaries, saying that when they have a clear idea of what they want to build or change in the world, others may not immediately understand it. He said that pattern has repeated throughout history and in his own life, noting he first imagined becoming governor when he was in the fourth grade.

“There has never been — ever, ever, ever — anybody who has done anything incredible in this world that people didn’t think they were crazy,” he said.

The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, a program that works in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands, invites the community to the final session of its virtual “Mindful Living Series,” with the theme of this final series being “The Art of Living: Sustainable Practices for Daily Living.” This free, one-hour wellness seminar takes place Monday, June 1, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. via Zoom. It’s designed for anyone seeking practical, lasting tools to navigate stress, build resilience, and bring more balance into everyday life. Facilitated by Nisha deJean Charles, LCSW, ACSW, founder of Buoyant Living Psychotherapy, the session will go beyond fleeting relaxation tips. Participants will explore mindfulness practices, nervous system regulation strategies, and sustainable wellness habits that fit into real, busy lives. Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, professional, or someone who feels the weight of daily demands, this session offers a gentle, science-backed path toward greater emotional wellness. “Wellness isn’t a one-time workshop, it’s a daily practice. This series was built to give our community real, accessible tools that don’t require hours of meditation or a complete life overhaul. Nisha’s session will help participants leave with one or two small shifts they can actually sustain,” said Shamika Thomas, executive director of VIUCEDD. People interested in attending this event can register using this link. For more information, contact Khalifa Thomas at khalifa.thomas@uvi.edu or 340-693-1322.