In an effort to organize a meeting with all stakeholders in the VI Rum Industry, Senator Carla Joseph has written to Senator Hubert L Frederik, the Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture.
Senator Joseph stated that the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture must convene all key stakeholders to discuss the status of rum production, sales, and marketing in the US Virgin Islands in light of President Donald Trump’s signing into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This Act includes a permanent extension of the rum cover over tax at the higher rate of $13.25 per proof gallon.
In her letter to Senator Hubert L. Frederik, Senator Carla Joseph recommended that all stakeholders be convened to discuss the status, any challenges, and potential opportunities to optimally position the Virgin Islands for a significant return on investment for the industry and the people of the Territory. This is a substantial development, and it is essential that the Territory’s Rum Industry is in optimal condition to capitalize on this opportunity.
Senator Carla Joseph strongly encourages the committee to arrange a hearing with representatives from the Virgin Islands Rum Industry, Distributors of VI Rum Products, the VI Department of Tourism, the VI Port Authority, and the Office of the Governor in advance of the implementation of the higher rum cover over tax rate, which is set to take effect after December 31, 2025.
Senator Carla Joseph stated, “Given the competition for revenues in the Rum Industry and the evolving global markets, let us be proactive in establishing the Territory for success.”
In response to Senator Carla Joseph’s letter, Senator Hubert Frederick thanked Senator Joseph for her advocacy for the economic well-being of the Virgin Islands. Senator Frederck indicated that he has initiated contact with key stakeholders in the rum industry, to begin discussion prior to extending formal invitations for a legislative hearing on the matter.
In his letter to Senator Carla Joseph, Senator Frederick said, “Rest assured that the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture remains fully committed to advancing this important discussion.
I share your sense of urgency in ensuring that the Virgin Islands is strategically positioned to maximize the benefits of the permanent extension of the rum cover-over tax rate. “Senator Carla Joseph commends the Bryan Roach administration’s success and efforts in advocating for the permanent extension, which were facilitated by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, who advocated for the inclusion of federal rum excise taxes to generate additional revenue for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. She also extends gratitude to Delegate Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. House of Representatives and Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan, for their contributions
The family of the late John Peter is saddened to announce his passing on June 26, 2025.
John Peter
He is survived by his Wife: Jasmine Zachariah, Daughters: Karen Napoleon, Stepdaughter: Rita Concepcion, Grandchildren: Jeremiah, Kendrick, Jordani and Melinda, Brothers: Maxine Peter, John Peter, Nieces: Sherian Peter, Helen Peter, Carry Peter, Tete Girl Peter, Nephew: Percie Peter.
Many relatives and friends are too numerous to mention.
Funeral Service is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Divine Chapel, #129 Peter’s Rest, St. Croix. The viewing begins at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m.
Interment follows to the Kingshill Cemetery Earth Burial Section.
It is with deep love and heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of Ophelia Griffin Dennis, who departed this life peacefully on July 8, 2025, just 11 days shy of her 89th birthday.
Ophelia Griffin Dennis
A longtime resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ophelia was known for her quiet strength, deep compassion, and unwavering devotion to her family and community. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose nurturing spirit touched countless lives.
She is survived by her sons Tony Dennis, Hugh Dennis (affectionately known as Punky), and daughter Janice Dennis-Freeman; son-in-law Derek Freeman and daughter-in-law Selina Fahie; her grandchildren Kory Davis, Krystal Dennis-Downs, Kelly Davis-Diaz, Mariah Dennis, and Jordan Dennis; grandsons-in-law Justin Diaz and Delaney Downs; great-grandchildren Asia, Amir, and Asher Diaz; surrogate children Lynn Cooper, Anthony “Obuso” Rose, and Yvette “Sugar” Cagan; surrogate grandchildren Latoya Baxter and Jamelia Blyden; special friends Audrey Callwood and Ione Yearwood; and godson Derek Gabriel. She will be remembered with love, and deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.
A viewing and tributes will be held on Thursday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service 10 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Interment Eastern Cemetery, Funeral arrangements are by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.
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Police top brass says more than 30 members of the Police Benevolent Association Local 816 called in sick over a two-day period in mid-June. (Photo courtesy VIPD Facebook page)
A dispute between the government and the union representing law enforcement personnel in the St. Thomas-St. John District is the subject of an upcoming trial in Superior Court. Superior Court Judge Sigrid Tejo agreed to preside over a civil bench trial in August to hear details of an alleged illegal strike in June by members of the Police Benevolent Association Local 816.
Attorney General Gordon Rhea filed a complaint against the union on June 17 on behalf of Police Commissioner Mario Brooks. In court filings, Justice officials pointed to a period between June 15 and June 16 when more than 30 officers and school crossing guards called in sick from precincts across the district.
Rhea claimed the absences were coordinated among the participants and were “authorized, approved, and sanctioned” by Local 816 president Joel Browne Connors. “The failure of a large percentage of police officers to report for his/her assigned shift constitutes a reasonable basis for a court to conclude that the employees are engaging in concerted activity to voice displeasure with some aspect of their working conditions,” the attorney general said.
Justice officials sought and won a temporary restraining order on June 19 and were seeking a permanent injunction. Brooks and the government were also asking the union for reimbursement of administrative costs and court fees.
Tejo scheduled a hearing for July 9. A status conference was held July 8 by way of live stream videoconference. The Office of Collective Bargaining Chief Negotiator, Joss Springette, joined Tuesday’s status conference. The government told Tejo its witnesses would not be able to appear the following day.
Wednesday’s hearing was postponed, but by day’s end, the judge agreed to hear arguments from both sides at a bench trial scheduled for Aug. 11 at 9 a.m. Tejo gave all parties until Aug. 1 to notify the court if they could not appear that day.
The judge also noted that the TRO issued June 19 remains in effect.
The VIPCA marine apprentices sailed the Flying Frenchman during their graduation celebration. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
Calm seas and breezy winds helped to glide the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association’s summer apprentices as they maneuvered the Flying Frenchman across the Charlotte Amalie Harbor on Friday evening, marking the end of their nearly month-long training.
The 12 marine apprentices received their keel boat certificates and more after completing four and a half weeks of training with VIPCA. Though they have completed most of their technical training, they still have one more week of training to complete a safety course and receive their Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping certificates. Though they are not quite finished, all of the apprentices said the experience thus far has been worthwhile.
From left, Kai Andrews, Leonard “Lenny” Gumbs, and Malakai Henley participated in the VIPCA marine apprenticeship summer program. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
“It’s a really good program that would help anyone in the marine industry,” said Leonard “Lenny” Gumbs. “It gives them a great introduction, a great start.”
Gumbs added that with the certificates and training they received, they can work in the industry on the U.S. mainland and other Caribbean islands.
Ceviche served during the sunset cruise. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
The apprentices began operating the vessel at Yacht Haven Grande. During the sail, they tended to the guests onboard, serving drinks and appetizers. Though many of the apprentices had some previous experience with either boating or watersport activities, one student in particular did not know how to swim before joining the program.
Kaylon Weekes and Jerel Browne serve hors d’oeuvres to guests on the sunset sail. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
Kaylon Weekes, who learned how to swim this summer, bashfully said the hardest part of the experience was doing just that, “swimming and diving in one day.”
Other apprentices, like Kai Andrews, were already comfortable exploring the Caribbean waters.
“I’m a certified diver,” said Andrews. “I wanted to kind of get some information on the industry, see what other options I have, what niches I can find that can come in handy, and just make some connections in the industry.”
Andrews said one of the things he learned during the experience was just how interconnected some fields are with the marine industry.
“I figured out how many of my skills that I didn’t think were related would be related. So I’m a diver and I’m also a photographer, [and] I can bartend. These skills all come together to make a good career,” said Andrews.
On the right, Randall “Humble” Richardson reels in the jib during the sunset cruise. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
Another apprentice, Malakai Henley, who grew up engaging in watersports like swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling, said this was a different avenue for him besides attending college. He added that he is completing this marine apprenticeship in honor of his father, who wanted him to get an education beyond high school.
“It wasn’t really for me,” said Henley, of attending college. “I grew up on the water, I been doing stuff on the water, so I was like, to make that dream come true, I’m going to do what I have to do to make sure I get that boat for him.”
Out of the 12 apprentices, one young lady dedicated herself to completing the program, with the goal of one day becoming a boat captain.
Chenijah “Che-Che” Dawson (right) and Leonard “Lenny” Gumbs (middle) serve as bartenders during their sunset sail. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
“I always had a passion for boating, since I was small,” said Chenijah “Che-Che” Dawson.
Dawson said her father had a boat while she was growing up, and it sparked her interest in boating. While in college at Savannah State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration, she also took part in the Naval ROTC program.
“I want to be an entrepreneur, so captaining is the way to go for me in the marine industry,” said Dawson. Though she aspires to captain a boat, Dawson added that she has experienced challenges getting a job in the field and decided to use this program as a lead into becoming a captain.
“I’ve been having a little difficulty finding businesses to work for in the marine industry, and I was told about this program from a captain that I know, so I decided to take it upon myself to just apply myself and focus, and here I am.”
Bradley Lima and Chef Jucinto Durant during the 2025 VIPCA marine apprentice summer sunset sail. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
In addition to learning the skills of boating, the apprentices took part in customer service and resume writing training conducted by Chef Jucinto Durant, who specializes in hospitality.
“They were very engaged. I went to teach them something that’s kind of boring, so I was surprised to see how engaged they were.”
Durant said the apprentices even taught him a thing or two about the marine program as well.
“I wish them all God’s richest blessings,” said Durant.
Coming to the end of the sail, the apprentices received their certificates and worked together to dock the catamaran back at Yacht Haven Grande.
“VIPCA’s mission is to unify, support, and further the capabilities of the charter industry here and the most crucial part of that is investing in this community and this industry, which is represented by these folks here on this boat tonight,” said VIPCA executive director Kennon Jones before handing out the certificates. “I am incredibly proud of all of you.”
More information on the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association can be found on their website: https://www.vipca.org/
Forty students received their white coats and swore the Hippocratic Oath during the ceremony. (Photo courtesy PHSU)
Ponce Health Sciences University welcomed its first class of medical students to its new School of Medicine in the British Virgin Islands Wednesday, hosting a White Coat Ceremony at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College auditorium on Tortola ahead of the Fall semester, the university announced in a press release.
The class of 40 students — from the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the mainland United States — received their white coats and took the Hippocratic Oath, marking the official start of their medical education, according to the press release.
“This White Coat Ceremony not only welcomes our inaugural MD class in Tortola but also underscores the quality and rigor of our four-year Doctor of Medicine curriculum, which has earned preliminary accreditation from the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine,” said Dr. Gino Natalicchio, president of Ponce Health Sciences University. “It also highlights PHSU’s commitment to uphold the high standards of the program while expanding access to excellence in medical education.”
Government officials and university leaders were in attendance, including Premier Natalio D. Wheatley, Minister of Health Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister of Education Sharie B. de Castro, and several PHSU administrators. Parents, relatives, and other guests also participated in the event, the press release stated.
“Inaugurating this school of medicine is very significant because it is a long-desired opportunity to have graduate medical education in the British Virgin Islands,” said Wheatley. “Students will have the opportunity to learn in our beautiful territory and gain valuable skills that they can use in their own communities. We are very excited to welcome the PHSU BVI School of Medicine’s first class of students, and we have no doubt they will enjoy their time in the BVI.”
E. Anne Peterson, dean of the BVI School of Medicine, said the new campus reflects the university’s broader mission to support regional health care access, the release stated.
“The PHSU BVI School of Medicine reaffirms our commitment to supporting local communities by creating pathways for aspiring physicians to serve and uplift the region,” Peterson said. “Through high-quality medical education, we help address health care needs and improve access to care across the islands.”
The BVI School of Medicine is the university’s first international site and will offer graduate degrees in medicine. PHSU’s main campus in Ponce, Puerto Rico, also grants degrees in clinical psychology, dental medicine, biomedical sciences, medical sciences, public health, and nursing, the release stated.
Currently, the university serves 2,140 students and employs 625 faculty members. Its research output includes 735 published studies, with about 50 peer-reviewed articles released each year. Students have achieved a 93 percent pass rate on medical board exams and a 96 percent residency match rate for the March cohort, it said.
The BVI School of Medicine has received provisional accreditation from the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine. It also secured accreditation in 2025 from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Higher Education Licensing Board under the Ministry of Education granted both a provisional license and a trade license to operate in the territory, it said.
Military veterinarian Maj. Kyle Lucero performs surgery during the comprehensive care pet clinic, held from June 16 to 27, at the Humane Society of St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy DOH)
More than 1,100 no-cost veterinary services — valued at more than $127,000 — were delivered to residents on St. Thomas through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training Program, according to the final report delivered to the V.I. Health Department this week.
A 20-man IRT team of military veterinarians, technicians, preventative medicine and food safety specialists, deployed to St. Thomas and conducted a two-week training mission, June 16-27, to provide comprehensive pet care in partnership with the Health Department and the Humane Society of St. Thomas, the report stated.
“We are deeply grateful to the service members of the IRT Program for their invaluable contribution to public health and animal welfare during the two-week mission on St. Thomas,” said V.I. Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “This has been a true demonstration of service and partnership. Access to veterinary care is limited for many residents, and this mission not only filled that gap — it did so with compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to improving lives.”
“Our gratitude extends to the Humane Society of St. Thomas, which allowed the IRT to utilize their facilities for this mission. We could not have done it without them,” Encarnacion said.
The military veterinary team performed 443 wellness exams, administered 534 vaccinations, and completed 181 spay and neuter procedures at the Humane Society of St. Thomas, representing a total cost savings to the community of $127,480, the report stated.
These services addressed critical gaps in veterinary care while offering hands-on mission training to the 20 military personnel representing the U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, it said.
In addition to enhancing public health outcomes, the IRT mission helped military service members build real-world skills in a joint-service environment, including leadership, coordination, and veterinary surgical care. The total estimated value of services provided in this year’s veterinary mission—including labor, materials, and equipment — is approximately $1.7 million, the report stated.
The 2025 mission included service members from the 7354th Veterinary Detachment, 49th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 4th Civil Affairs Group, and the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion. Their efforts align with the IRT’s vision: to deliver high-impact veterinary care that strengthens animal welfare, supports public health, and fosters enduring civil-military bonds, the report stated.
Military veterinarian Maj. Christine Bui examines a pet dog during the comprehensive care pet clinic held from June 16 to 27 at the Humane Society of St. Thomas. Maj. Bui also served as officer-in-charge for the two-week training mission. (Photo courtesy DOH)
“Public health extends to the animals in our care,” said Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar, Chief Medical Officer for the VI Department of Health who coordinated the mission alongside the IRT team. “This mission helped protect both pets and people, especially in communities where veterinary access is limited. The services provided were also impactful in addressing the overpopulation of cats and dogs in the community.”
“We look forward to future missions that serve even more residents — including those on St. Croix and St. John,” Dr. Hunte-Ceasar said.
In addition to providing veterinary care, the IRT team actively engaged with the community, making a presentation to the Boys and Girls Club and meeting with local businesses and government agencies to discuss ways to better support the territory, the report stated.
The overarching vision is “to be a trusted force for health and services in the USVI, delivering high-impact veterinary care that strengthens animal welfare, supports public health, and builds enduring bonds between military personnel and the local community,” said Maj. Christine Bui, veterinarian and officer-in-charge, during a Distinguished Visitors Day luncheon held on June 26, to brief military and community partners on the mission’s successes, it said.
This marks the third IRT mission to the U.S. Virgin Islands in as many years. In August 2023, a small medical team supported the department’s pediatric clinic with back-to-school physicals and immunizations. In June 2024, the IRT deployed approximately 300 military medical professionals to provide basic medical care to residents across the territory, delivering an estimated $2.25 million in healthcare services to the community, it said.
On Wednesday, at about 4:08 p.m., a concerned citizen reported to patrol bureau officers that the victim in this matter informed them that she was receiving threats from Joseph Ramirez, who threatened to kill their minor children if the victim contacted the police, reported the Virgin Islands Police Department.
Officers made contact with the victim, who stated that she has a temporary restraining order against Joseph Ramirez. She stated that the daycare immediately informed her that Ramirez was there picking up the minors from daycare. She immediately traveled to the daycare; however, Ramirez had already left with the children. She stated that while driving home, she was flagged down by Ramirez, and she pulled over in the vicinity of Sam’s Gas Station. The victim stated that Ramirez started yelling at her and banged on her driver’s car window, and showed her a black handgun. She expressed fearing for her life and safety, and quickly drove away from the scene. Ramirez was found at Moe’s Service Station with the minor children. Officers found a black firearm in a black backpack, along with drug paraphernalia, according to the police report.
Ramirez, 38, was then transported to the police operations and administration building, where he was read his Miranda Warning but refused to give any statement. He was then charged with carrying or using a dangerous weapon and disturbance of the peace. No bail was set per the domestic violence law. Ramirez was booked, processed, and transported to the John A. Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing, stated the report.
Ramirez was out of jail awaiting sentencing on another case that involved the victim, according to the report.
At approximately 2:43 a.m. to 8:01 a.m. on Friday, the 911 Emergency Call Center received numerous calls regarding burglaries that occurred at businesses in the Christiansted area. The patrol units were dispatched, and the investigation led to the apprehension of 20-year-old Tito J. Franco, who was also in possession of stolen property, reported the Virgin Islands Police Department.
Members of the Criminal Investigation Bureau assisted with the arrest of Franco. Franco was advised of his Miranda Rights and placed under arrest. He was charged with burglary third, destruction to property, petit larceny, trespass, and buying, receiving or possessing stolen property. He was booked and unable to post the $25,000 bail. Franco was transported to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility, where he was remanded pending his advice of rights hearing set for Monday at the Superior Court, stated the police report.
At this time, it is believed that two other suspects were involved in the burglaries, and the VIPD is asking the community for assistance in the identification of these suspects. Anyone with information can call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).
