The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority advises the public that the fire at the Anguilla Landfill has been contained and the facility has resumed limited operations for commercial haulers.
Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority
To ensure continued safety while crews remain active within the working phase of the landfill, traffic into the facility is currently limited. All haulers and landfill users are asked to exercise caution and follow all instructions provided by on-site personnel.
These temporary operational measures are necessary to support ongoing monitoring and containment efforts within the landfill’s active working area.
VIWMA appreciates the patience, cooperation, and understanding shown by commercial haulers and the community throughout the response and recovery process. The Authority will continue monitoring conditions closely and provide updates should operational changes become necessary.
For more information, please contact the Division of Education and Communications Management at 340-715-9100 or email communications@viwma.org. Stay connected with VIWMA on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates.
Gazebo- Proposed visual rendition of the press box, concession, and reinforced bleachers at the Winston Wells Ballpark in St. John. (Teams meeting screenshot)
The St. John Coastal Zone Management committee approved the reconstruction of the Cruz Bay firestation and modification of a reverse osmosis plant at the Westin on St. John, while holding a public hearing Wednesday for the demolition and construction of the Winston Wells Ballpark concession kiosk and bleachers.
CZM committee members unanimously voted to approve application No. CZM0046-25 for the reconstruction of the Robert O’Connor Fire Station Reconstruction Project at Estate Enighed in St. John, after hearing updated testimony from presenters. In November 2025, the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Services applied for the demolition and reconstruction of the fire station. The new structure will be two stories measuring approximately 9,300 gross square feet and constructed in virtually the same footprint as the existing structure. The existing facility will be demolished prior to the commencement of new construction. A modified floor plan will also accommodate three vehicles, including an ambulance.
Later, the committee heard testimony on application No. CZM0006-26 for the Virgin Islands Department of Sports Parks and Recreation regarding the Winston Wells Ballpark concession kiosk and bleachers’ demolition and construction in Cruz Bay. The modifications aim to restore infrastructure for community activities, including baseball games and events. The project will take one year to complete and entail the construction of a 650 square foot, two-story, circular reinforced concrete gazebo pavilion, a 680 square foot reinforced concrete dual bleacher system, and eight parking spaces. As a result of destruction incurred by the hurricanes in 2017, the facility’s design includes features that can withstand winds of up to 175 miles per hour and will have aluminum bleachers accommodating 64 people.
Some concerns raised by attendees included safe pedestrian access during construction, surveying errors, and coordination with nearby projects (such as the new youth center, fire station development, Port Authority projects, and questions about parking).
“That area is very visibly used by people walking coming from Fish Fry Road and coming up into town,” said committee member Rafe Boulon. “During construction, is there a plan to provide a temporary walkway around that area so that people don’t have to cross and go through the roundabout or something to get down to town?”
Habibah Bell, application presenter for Harnel Engineering and Construction, replied, “What we can do is perhaps create a small walkway between the retaining wall and the roadway. We need at least three and a half feet, four feet would be ideal, and create a walkway around this retaining wall area.”
Additionally, the lack of restroom facilities in the design was also a raised concern.
“These are some of the problems we don’t be thinking of enough because we’re just building things back and don’t be thinking about the future,” said committee chair Andrew Penn. “You need a restroom. If you’re having food there is a water connection,” he added, and questioned the presence of a sewer system to which Bell confirmed there is.
More so, committee member Kurt Marsh asked for clarification on the location of parking spaces.
“I think the greater concern is that you guys are under the impression that you have eight parking spots across the street when based on what we just observed from the Fire Services presentation, you don’t because they are using that space.”
Roy Canton, disaster specialist with the Office of Disaster Recovery and Sports, Parks, and Recreation, responded that the area in question is surveyed for the SPR department but has parking spaces that the department allows the fire department to use.
“For the fire station to essentially claim those spots, without any formal maybe written or some kind of agreement from Sports, Parks, and Recreation, well, how would they know,” responded Bell. “So the fire station may need to find parking for their facility.”
“Right, but the issue is they’re not using it for parking, their building footprint is occupying some of that space,” replied Marsh.
The committee encouraged members for the SPR department to work out the parking space concerns with the fire department.
Members also unanimously voted to approve application No. CZMO-MJ0001-26 for the modification of the reverse osmosis plant at the Westin St. John Resort. The project proposes to install a new larger reverse osmosis plant due to the hotel’s water demands. A new building will be constructed to house the new plant and a new larger diameter seawater intake line will be installed, increasing it from eight inches to twelve inches in diameter.
“The existing plant is coming to the end of its life right now,” said presenter Miguel Arana, who added that the replacement parts are hard to find or obsolete. “It will give a greater treatment capacity of water and water storage as well.”
The drainageway will also be updated to avoid erosion. Instead of curving across the beach, “We’re going to excavate, take the line under the gut, and then come out at a straight line off across the beach, bearing the line. That way we won’t have the same erosion problems,” said Amy Dempsey, Bio Impact’s representative.
One property owner, David Gloski, inquired about the plume or emission from the pipes that will be constructed in the seabed. Dempsey responded that “It doesn’t have chemicals in it. All they’re doing is taking whatever’s in the water, they’re just concentrating it. There’s not things added to it.”
Members Andrew Penn, Refe Bouyon, Elissa Runyon, and Kurt Marsh were present and voted.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education advises the public that Eulalie Rivera PreK-8 School will dismiss early today due to a broken sewage pipe on the campus.
Eulalie Rivera K-8 School on St. Croix. (V.I. Education Department photo)
Out of an abundance of caution and in prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff, early dismissal will take place at 1:30 p.m. Students who utilize school bus services will be provided with transportation.
The Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance is actively working to address the issue and will continue to work on it throughout the day. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of parents, guardians, and the community as we work to ensure a safe school environment.
For updates, please continue to follow the Virgin Islands Department of Education’s official communication platforms.
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces the launch of a new Life Jacket Loaner Program through the Division of Fish and Wildlife, aimed at increasing access to safe recreational boating throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Borrow a life jacket from DPNR. (Submitted photo)
In observance of National Boating Safety Week, DFW is introducing the program to help both adults and children participate in boating activities who may not otherwise have access to a life jacket. Beginning May 18, individuals 18 years of age and older may visit any DFW or Division of Environmental Enforcement office in the territory to sign out an adult- or child-sized life jacket for day use.
“Life jackets are not only required by law, but they are also critical to protecting boaters while enjoying the waters of our territory,” said Commissioner Oriol. “We are pleased to offer this program to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to boat safely, even if they do not own a life jacket.”
The Division of Fish and Wildlife encourages all residents and visitors to exercise caution and prioritize safety while on the water.
For more information about the Life Jacket Loaner Program, please contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 340-773-1082 on St. Croix or visit the DPNR website at https://www.dpnr.vi.gov.
The Department of Public Works advises the community that payment operations at the Fort Christian Parking Lot will resume on Monday, May 18.
All vehicles currently in the lot must be removed to allow for scheduled cleanup and maintenance on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17. Vehicles remaining in the lot during that time will be towed at the owner’s expense.
A Heat Advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. AST for areas across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additional heat alerts may be issued in the coming days. (Photo courtesy NWS, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
A Heat Advisory will be in effect across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday as hot weather affects the region. Additionally, marine conditions will be choppy and passing showers are possible, according to the National Weather Service in San Juan.
Heat Advisory Issued
The Heat Advisory, issued by the NWS, will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. AST Thursday for the U.S. Virgin Islands and portions of Puerto Rico, according to an update from the NWS on Thursday morning. The excessive heat is expected to continue over the coming days, and additional heat alerts could be issued.
“Dangerous heat conditions will continue through the weekend across urban and coastal areas of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with heat indices exceeding 100°F at times. Additional Heat Advisories may be required,” the NWS said.
“Heat indices are expected to reach values up to 111°F in urban and coastal areas,” the NWS added.
The NWS explained that a Heat Advisory “means that temperatures of at least 100°F or heat index values of at least 105°F are expected generally within the next 24 hours.”
The NWS defines the heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, as “what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and check on vulnerable individuals, including children, older adults, outdoor workers, pets, and people without access to adequate cooling.
“These conditions can be dangerous, particularly for people sensitive to heat, those without adequate hydration or cooling, outdoor workers, and vulnerable populations,” the NWS warned. “Heat stress may also impact some healthcare systems and heat-sensitive industries.”
The National Weather Service in San Juan warns of life-threatening rip currents along north- and east-facing beaches in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Photo courtesy NWS, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Marine Conditions
Marine conditions will remain somewhat choppy due to breezy east to east-southeasterly winds across the regional waters. A high risk of rip currents is in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands until 6 a.m. on Friday.
“A northeasterly swell combined with locally generated wind waves will maintain a high risk of dangerous rip currents along portions of the north- and east-facing beaches of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands,” the NWS stated.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to practice heat safety by staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity, checking on vulnerable individuals and never leaving children or pets unattended in vehicles. (Photo courtesy NOAA)
Unsettled Weather Possible
Regarding rainfall chances, the NWS reported that passing showers are expected at times, especially across windward areas during the overnight and morning hours. The NWS said that ponding of water on roads, reduced visibility, and isolated urban and small stream flooding will be possible. Additional unsettled weather could arrive by next week as an area of low-pressure arrives near the islands.
“A wetter and slightly more unstable weather pattern may develop early next week as an upper-level trough approaches the region, increasing the potential for more frequent showers and isolated thunderstorms,” the NWS stated.
Finally, minor amounts of Saharan dust are also expected to affect the region.
“Traces of Saharan dust particles are expected between Friday and Saturday. Although the highest concentrations should remain south of the islands, hazy skies and minor air quality reductions will still be possible,” the NWS explained.
The morning sun shines over Christiansted Harbor, St. Croix, on Thursday, as hot temperatures affect the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Source photo by Jesse Daley)
Local Weather Forecast Information
Information regarding the weather across the USVI, including marine forecasts, is available from the NWS and NOAA. With the Atlantic hurricane season set to begin June 1, individuals across the islands are also encouraged to begin preparing for hurricane season.
The Governing Board of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has scheduled an Emergency Governing Board Meeting today, Thursday, May 14, at 11 a.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be held via Microsoft Teams:
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/221927497601554?p=hpWR9xlxYZSKpSNprh
Meeting ID: 221 927 497 601 554
Passcode: Ux7Ed7NT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition for Intestate Probate has been filed on behalf of the Estate of Catherine Grace Kelly, deceased. All persons having claims against the Estate are required to file such claims, along with proper vouchers duly verified by Affidavit, with the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands Division of St. Croix, or Charlotte Sheldon, Esq., Attorney for the Estate of Catherine Gracy Kelly, McChain Hamm & Associates, LLC, 5030 Anchor Way, Ste. 13, Christiansted, VI 00820, within six (6) months from the date hereof. All persons indebted to the Estate shall make payment to the undersigned.
This 14th day of May 2026.
/s/ Charlotte S. Sheldon
Charlotte S. Sheldon
VI Bar No. R2070
McChain Hamm & Associates
Suite 13, 5030 Anchor Way
Christiansted, VI 00820
340-773-6955 (Telephone)
855-456-8784 (Fax)
csheldon@usvilaw.com
Ferries raft up at Cruz Bay. (Source file photo by Amy H. Roberts)
A final Public Services Commission hearing scheduled for Thursday could shape the future of ferry oversight between St. Thomas and St. John, as hearing examiner Jed JohnHope defends a months-long investigation he says uncovered millions in unwarranted earnings and significant transparency concerns within the territory’s ferry system.
The 2 p.m. closing conference comes days after a contentious PSC meeting in which attorneys for ferry operators challenged nearly $190,000 in hearing examiner assessments tied to the ongoing rate investigation. The broader regulatory fight, however, centers on ferry finances, fuel costs, vessel compensation, and how rates are calculated for one of the territory’s most heavily relied-upon transportation systems.
Ferry operators and their attorneys have argued that portions of the investigation became unnecessarily expensive and overly broad. During Tuesday’s PSC meeting, attorney Maria Tankenson Hodge accused JohnHope of charging excessive fees tied to the proceeding, including high travel and lodging costs associated with February’s public hearing on St. John. The companies also questioned billing totals connected to the investigation and raised concerns about the overall scope of the hearing examiner’s work.
In filings submitted to the PSC this month, JohnHope argued that the current investigation extends far beyond prior ferry rate cases, involving independent financial analysis, public engagement tools, interim reporting, hearing coordination, and comprehensive review of ferry operations and revenue structures.
“The Commission’s last ferry rate investigation occurred about eleven years ago,” JohnHope wrote in a May 4 response to objections raised by ferry operators. “When spread over that period, the total cost of this proceeding amounts to less than $10,000 per ferry company per year.”
According to the filing, the ferry companies collectively generate approximately $7 million annually in revenue. JohnHope further argued that the investigation identified roughly $7 million in what he described as “unwarranted earnings” under the existing regulatory framework — findings he said underscore the importance of stronger financial scrutiny and public oversight.
The hearing examiner has already recommended denying the ferry operators’ proposed rate increases and called for deeper audits tied to fuel consumption, staffing, payroll, vessel disposition, and ticketing operations.
During Tuesday’s PSC meeting, JohnHope questioned whether ferry companies were continuing to receive compensation tied to vessels no longer operating within the territory.
“There are boats that have been outside of the territory for almost 10 years that are being compensated for,” he told commissioners. “There are boats that have been retired — they’re being compensated for.”
JohnHope also criticized the structure of the current ticketing system, arguing that the ferry companies’ joint ownership of the ticketing apparatus makes it difficult to independently verify ridership and revenue figures.
“The numbers were not very transparent,” he said Tuesday while recommending further audits and operational review.
Among his broader recommendations is separating the Charlotte Amalie-to-Cruz Bay route from the Red Hook ferry route for future rate analysis, arguing that the downtown route accounts for only a small percentage of overall ferry traffic and should be evaluated independently.
JohnHope also pushed back against criticism surrounding travel and accommodation expenses tied to the investigation, stating in filings to the PSC that certain travel arrangements had been discussed in advance with PSC administration and represented the lowest available option at the time. He argued that remaining overnight on St. John after February’s public hearing ultimately reduced additional billable travel time that would have been incurred returning to St. Thomas.
Thursday’s closing conference is expected to continue discussions surrounding the proposed rate increases, fuel surcharge requests, hearing examiner assessments, and the broader structure of ferry oversight moving forward.
The St. John Ferry Rate Investigation Closing Conference is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. and will be accessible virtually through Zoom.
Fourteen students were pinned during UVI’s Nursing Ceremony on Wednesday (Photo by Judi Shimel)
Wednesday was the big day for fourteen undergraduate students from the University of the Virgin Islands School of Nursing, as a pinning ceremony held in their honor celebrated the hard work and persistence each of those students invested in their future nursing careers.
School administrators, government leaders, family and friends filled the conference room at the Laverne E. Ragster Administration and Conference Center on St. Thomas, where they witnessed the tradition marking the entry of graduates into the nursing profession.
On Thursday they will join with other UVI students wearing caps, gowns and sashes at the 62nd Annual Commencement Ceremony.
At the pinning ceremony students wore white uniforms, shoes and caps. Pins were installed by friends and loved ones as host Samantha Duval read personal essays written by each student.
School of Nursing Dean Lisa Lewis commended the Class of 2026. “Your belief in nursing education is an investment in the health of this territory,” Lewis said.
The dean also noted that some of the students pursued studies overseas on the U.S. mainland and in Costa Rica.
Keynote speaker Sierra Jno-Lewis, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, spoke about the ups and downs of lengthy shifts, impatient patients and taxing workloads. “Nursing is more than a career; it is a call to community, compassion and service,” she said.
The ceremony ended with a recitation of the Florence Nightingale Pledge. Students pledge to observe ethical standards, to serve as part of health care teams; to do no harm and to guard confidential information learned on the job.
“May my life be devoted to service and to the high ideals of the nursing profession,” ended the pledge heard at Wednesday’s gathering.
