The Randolph Harley Power Plant on St. Thomas. (Source file photo)
Rotating power outages will likely continue Friday night in the St. Thomas-St. John district, depending on demand, as the V.I. Water and Power Authority brings generating units back online after a districtwide outage on Thursday, the utility announced.
The series of events began with a districtwide outage at approximately 9:45 a.m. on Thursday after a safety shutdown of the control system was triggered, resulting in the loss of propane supply to all active generating units, WAPA said in an update Friday afternoon announcing the rotation schedule.
“This safety mechanism was activated to protect the health and safety of WAPA personnel and contractors working at the Randolph Harley Power Plant. The system responded as designed to prevent potential injury or damage during ongoing operations,” WAPA said.
“Thanks to the swift response of our Operations and Maintenance contractor, Saintnals, the issue was resolved, and the control system was safely restored yesterday. Coordination with Saintnals at the propane terminal helped bring propane supply back online,” it added.
However, WAPA is currently experiencing a shortage in generating capacity due to several units undergoing mechanical repairs. As of Thursday afternoon, Unit 15 was operational alongside four of the seven Wartsila engines and the Donoe solar farm, according to WAPA.
“While we are working diligently to bring at least one additional generating unit back into service today, the current generation shortfall requires the continuation of rotating outages in order to maintain overall system stability,” it said. Customers may experience temporary service interruptions throughout the evening until sufficient generation is brought back online.
“We recognize the inconvenience this poses to our community and assure the public that full restoration remains our priority. WAPA appreciates the patience, support and understanding of our customers as our teams work around the clock to stabilize the system and restore service to all customers on the St. Thomas/St. John district,” WAPA said.
Following is the rotation schedule announced at 4 p.m. on Friday, which will only be activated if needed based on demand. Restoration may be delayed upwards of 15 minutes and the schedule is subject to change if demand increases or decreases. According to WAPA, not all feeders will be impacted as seen on schedule below:
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Portion of Feeder 10B
Feeder 7A
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Portion of Feeder 9C
Feeder 7E
8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Feeder 8A
Feeder 9E
10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
6B
Led by the University of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, a dedicated force of 208 community volunteers from across the U.S. Virgin Islands united for the 2025 Great Mangrove Cleanup events that occurred from February to April of this year. Together, these community volunteers removed an astounding 14,556 pounds of trash and stubborn hurricane debris from mangrove shorelines in Altona Lagoon, St. Croix; Coral Bay, St. John and Vessup Bay, St. Thomas, making a significant impact on the health of these vital coastal habitats.
Volunteers cleaned up litter-strewn shorelines. (Submitted photos)
The 2025 cleanups build on a legacy of success. From 2018 to present, the Great Mangrove Cleanups have removed over 23 tons (46,800 lbs.) of debris from our shorelines, the vast majority of which are plastics, including an overwhelming amount of single-use plastic beverage bottles – close to 13,000 and counting. More than 1,000 volunteers have made this work possible. With every year, the collective efforts grow, and so too does the hope for a cleaner, healthier environment.
“Participating in the Great Mangrove Cleanups puts into perspective how important this work is. Being with the community during these cleanups makes me believe all hope is truly not lost, and they believe it as well,” said Aaliya Warner Rawlins, an undergraduate student at the University of the Virgin Islands.
Trash removed from mangroves. (Submitted photos)
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, most marine debris is plastic and originates from land-based sources. The encouraging news is that we all have the power to make a difference. By reducing our reliance on single-use items, reusing materials, and ensuring waste is properly disposed of, we can significantly curb the flow of plastic debris into our beautiful waters and protect these fragile ecosystems.
For more information about ongoing marine debris cleanup efforts in the territory, please reach out to the USVI Marine Debris Coordinator, Zola Roper, at zola.roper@dpnr.vi.gov.
“By faith we’ve traveled to perform in Miami and our 19 student members, ranging in age from 10 to 16, are having a tremendous time,” said Gloria Gumbs, President of Partners for Strings, Inc. “This was a dream that I and the president and CEO of Miami Music Project, Anna Klimala had four-years ago. Seeing it and experiencing it first-hand is like open heavens. Our Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra is performing with the Miami Music Project Leaders Orchestra at their annual unCLASSICAL concert today, Friday, April 11 at the Miami Beach Bandshell.”
Partners for Strings Steel Pan student members Tisha Francis, Tendaji Davis and Teaching Artist, Kandis Gumbs rehearse “Take Five” with Miami Music Project. (Submitted photo)
The theme is Miami Vibes, but the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra is bringing Virgin Islands music culture to Miami on a professional world-class stage. Ms. Gumbs said, “We’re very honored to take the sound of “Quelbe”, the ‘official’ music of the United States Virgin Islands, to Miami. We’re featuring the medley, ‘Sly Mongoose/Queen Mary’, arranged by Teaching Artist, Kandis Gumbs. We’ll close out our section of the concert by combining our talents with Miami Music Project to perform the jazz classic, ‘Take Five’, also arranged by Kandis Gumbs. Partners for Strings Board of Director, James H. Gumbs, Jr. is adding his talents on the bass guitar to this selection. Ms. Klimala. who throughly enjoyed our arrangement commented, ‘This is a version of Take Five you can dance to’. Liber Cuervos, Director of Education and Programs for Miami Music Project, who is conducting the selection, said in the rehearsal, ‘It was perfect. We’re not going to change a thing.”
The Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra is run by Partners for Strings, Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization based in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Established in 2020, this FREE all-year-round after-school music program teaches ages 6 to 17 how to play orchestral instruments and read music. Strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and steel pan instruments are taught during weekly sessions at G-Clef Music Academy. Partners for Strings established an Alliance Partnership in 2021 with Miami Music Project, one of the largest socially transformative music initiatives in the United States. In preparation for the trip, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism provided gift bags for Partners for Strings to present to Miami Music Project at the concert tonight.
Ms. Gumbs, added, “We are asking for everyone’s support, becase there were a few areas that were not financially covered for our Miami Music Trip. We really need Virgin Islands support now to reach our goal. We practiced, traveled, rehearsed and we’re about to go on stage. Your help will mean that we don’t come back in debt. Please give now through our online donation app. We urgently need your support. Thanks in advance to all who are supporting us. God bless you.”
Give directly to Partners for Strings through this GIVELIFY APP LINK at https://giv.li/jrspwf For more information, call (340) 228-1126 or visit www.partnersforstrings.org. Partners for Strings really appreciates your kindness.
We are sad to announce the passing of Winston Percel, also known as “Captor,” who died on Thursday, March 13, 2025.Winston Percel
Winston is preceded in death by his parents David and Hosepheta Percel. Aunts, Elsina Jennings Williams,Enorah Jennings Flemings, Patronella Hodge. Uncles, Ezekiel, Daniel, Cleburn, Gerald, William, Zedekiah and Thomas Jennings.
He is survived by his wife, Lotitia Donovan-Percel. Daughter; Sharon Percel-Howe, Sons; Shawn, Jermaine, and Jamal Percel. Son-in-law Elford Howe Sr., Brothers-in-Law, Ariel and Dariel Donovan, Sisters-in-Law, Carol Rivera, Gweneth Monell and Brendalie Boyde.Step Daughters; Latoya Dyer, Latanya Hopkins-Camacho, Step Son -in-Law Ricardo Camacho, Step Son, Glenroy Hopkins; Grandchildren Elisha Howe and Jlynn Percel; Five Step Grandchildren, and Two Great Grandchildren; Brothers; David Jr and Theophilus Percel, Sisters; Catherine, Jane, and Patricia Percel and Brenda Jacob. Aunt-in-Laws: Carleta and Sally Jennings.
Many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, too numerous to mention, to include, the Jennings, Flemings, Penn, Hodge, and Vincent families.
Special family and friends; Elroy “Fever” Flemings, Jackie and Jello Arnold, Gafford “Fuddy”, James and Richard ” Bosie” Penn, Merlene Smith, Allen “Tayhay” and Anne Foy,John Tuitt, Edwardo Matos, Annetta “Annie” Joseph, Leo Dyer, Austin Rouse, Bob Razor, Debull, Fatboy, “Chicken” Mingo, Kenneth ” Blacks” Donovan, Vince Bedminister, The Staff of Heavy Materialsand the boys in Smithbay.
Relatives and friends are invited to the first viewing on April 10, 2025 at Turnbulls Funeral Home from 4 to 6pm. Church services are scheduled for April 11, 2025 at Wesley Methodist church with viewing beginning at 9am with Service to follow at 10. Interment Eastern Cemetery Smithbay. Tributes and/or pictures can be sent to Winstonpercel@yahoo.com no later than April 4, 2025. The family request shades of blue be worn.
Arrangements entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home & Crematory Services.
Physicians at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital are sounding the alarm over dire conditions, urging urgent legislative action and increased funding. (Source file photo)
It’s going to take more than the $10 million per hospital cited by lawmakers to pull the territory out of its ongoing health care crisis, according to medical staff at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, who placed the immediate need Thursday at closer to $22 million for JFL alone, just to pay off vendors and have enough left to operate.
In a remote meeting Thursday afternoon, nearly two dozen JFL physicians met with Delegate Stacey Plaskett to lay out the gravity of the situation, including critical shortages in staffing, medications, and supplies. According to those present, some doctors have already submitted their resignations, citing unsustainable working conditions and the lack of timely intervention.
“We’re at a breaking point,” one physician said in a call with the Source before and after the meeting, describing the environment as “barely safe” after years of underfunding. “We’re losing physicians and we cannot hire because the last contract negotiation was in 2002. That’s why no one’s coming.”
The concerns echoed those raised in a letter sent last week to Senate Health and Hospitals Committee Chair Ray Fonseca, where physicians warned of deteriorating conditions and urged the Legislature to act quickly, saying the hospitals were “on the verge of collapse.” They described being forced to beg for supplies, operating without essential medication, and preparing contingency letters for nurses in case support failed to materialize.
The $22 million is needed to get the hospital out of credit hold with vendors and resume ordering vital medical supplies, doctors said. Physicians speaking to the Source also emphasized that the hospital’s baseline monthly needs must be reevaluated, with annual appropriations adjusted to reflect those numbers.
Doctors added that the crisis is also a reflection of long-standing federal funding structures that have left the territory’s hospitals at a disadvantage for decades. Until recently, the federal government covered just 55 percent of Medicaid costs in the Virgin Islands — far less than in many states, where funding is tied to poverty levels. That rate was eventually raised to 83 percent under the American Rescue Plan Act, but the federal contribution remains capped. Once that cap is reached, the territory has to cover the rest on its own, and physicians said the territory is once again hitting that ceiling — creating a growing gap in what hospitals can afford to provide and what they’re reimbursed for.
Another challenge lies in the outdated TEFRA reimbursement system, according to the staff. Named for the 1982 Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act, TEFRA was designed to control Medicare spending by setting fixed, facility-specific reimbursement rates based on historical cost data. In the Virgin Islands, those rates are still based on hospital costs from the early 1990s. Since then, the cost of delivering care has climbed dramatically, but the reimbursement rates have stayed largely the same.
Speaking to the Source Thursday, V.I. Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation’s territorial board chair Jerry Smith confirmed that the executive committee of the board will meet Sunday to review the concerns recently made by physicians to the Senate and finalize a plan outlining initiatives already underway and those set to launch in the coming weeks.
Smith acknowledged the urgency of the crisis but emphasized that both hospitals remain open and fully committed to meeting the community’s needs. “There is no need to panic – both hospitals continue to provide the care our community needs,” Smith said. He noted that in addition to short-term operational adjustments, the corporation is pursuing broader structural reforms aimed at long-term sustainability. One of those initiatives includes a Request for Proposals for a unified revenue cycle management system — a key step in streamlining financial operations. According to Smith, the evaluation committee is set to review the submissions and issue its recommendation ahead of a scheduled board meeting on April 23, where further strategic planning is expected to take place.
Meanwhile, the 36th Legislature will convene an emergency session at 10 a.m. Monday, April 14 on St. Thomas to address the financial crisis. Senate President Milton E. Potter said lawmakers will introduce a comprehensive bill that includes dedicated budget allocations for urgent hospital needs, strict spending restrictions to prevent misuse, and an accountability framework to ensure transparency. In a separate interview with the Source last week, Fonseca said that at least $10 million per hospital is needed as a starting point — though many believe far more is required to truly stabilize operations.
Physicians insist the clock is ticking. “The timeliness and the size of the rescue are everything,” one said. “A drop in the bucket won’t get us out of this.”
Property owners in LBJ Gardens are weighing a collective buyout option put forth by the V.I. Housing Finance Authority. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Homeowners in LBJ Gardens on St. Croix have just over two weeks to decide whether they want their properties appraised by the V.I. Housing Finance Authority as part of a proposal to buy them out of the homes where their families have lived for generations.
Luz Fulgence said her LBJ Gardens home has been in the family for more than six decades.
“I own it and I don’t owe nothing on it,” she said.
In that time, her son Alejandro Torres III said, the neighborhood and the area around it has changed dramatically. Torres said the V.I. Water and Power Authority’s Richmond Power Plant wreaked havoc on residents’ health and homes. Heavy Waste Management Authority trucks servicing the nearby pump station took a toll on the neighborhood’s two-lane boulevard. A marina sprang up on one side. Then, earlier this year and without warning, the government began demolishing the abandoned apartments next door.
The surprise demolition prompted several meetings between residents and VIHFA leadership about the future of the neighborhood and the people who live there — most recently on March 24.
Alejandro Torres III overlooks the demolition site next to LBJ Gardens Sunday. Torres and his mother, Luz Fulgence, said dust from the unsecured site makes its way into their home next door. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Residents then received a letter on March 27 informing them that, “after carefully reviewing applicable regulations, VIHFA has identified opportunities that may lead to the buyout or acquisition of eligible property.” The letter stated that a buyout requires the community’s collective agreement and participation and acquisitions do not.
“In both cases, whether through buyout or acquisition, the properties will be subject to demolition to ensure the land is appropriately repurposed for green space or mitigation projects, thereby advancing environmental and community benefits,” according to the letter.
It’s not clear what regulatory mechanism VIHFA intends to use for the proposed buyouts.
“At this time, we are not sharing additional details regarding the applicable regulations referenced in the letter, as they remain under internal review and are subject to further evaluation and approval,” VIHFA spokesperson Nikya Kirnon said in a statement to the Source. “Our focus remains on clear communication with the residents and working toward a thoughtful and informed resolution. As such, we do not have any further comments at this time and will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.”
Homeowners have until April 28 to respond to VIHFA to say whether they want a government appraiser to evaluate their property. After decades of development on all sides, however, some residents are worried about getting a fair offer.
Alejandro Torres III points toward the Richmond power plant from inside a soon-to-be demolished apartment next to LBJ Gardens. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
The once-vibrant neighborhood is a stone’s throw from the Richmond Power Plant. In between are vacant apartments and an abandoned building once occupied by the former Housing, Parks and Recreation Department. Dilapidated emergency apartments and an aging V.I. Waste Management Authority pump station — set to be replaced and moved to a site east of the power plant — separate the homes and the sea. A shipbuilding marina, which secured a Major Coastal Zone permit in 2019, abuts the neighborhood to the west.
The LBJ Gardens of today is a far cry from the neighborhood Spanesia Anderson grew up in.
“Now growing up as a youth, I watch a lot of my elders — them in here — deteriorate because of WAPA. We’re dealing with WAPA for years,” she told the Source this week. First it was black smoke billowing from the power plant. “That’s why nobody in here ain’t got no cistern right now.”
Then came the build out of propane storage tanks.
“Every single one of these house shift,” Anderson said. “Everything crack.”
Anderson questioned whether the government appraisers will take into account the damage to their properties, which they say the government caused and which residents had to repair themselves.
Conditions only worsened a few months ago when a contractor began demolishing the VIHFA-owned apartments next to the neighborhood, alarming residents and sparking fears of cistern contamination and other public health hazards from the unsecured site.
“No one notified us,” Torres recalled. “No one said nothing about it. We just heard noise, came outside, and they were knocking down the buildings.”
Torres said that continued for a few days until some residents got in touch with members of the 36th Legislature, who contacted VIHFA about pausing the demolition. Residents later met with leadership from the agency in February.
“The meeting was to let us know that the demolition was going to continue,” he said. “And we spoke up about it, and we said we don’t agree with it. It’s getting us sick.”
Luz Fulgence displays a bucket of water used to wipe down the inside of her LBJ Gardens home following the demolition of vacant, government-owned apartments next door. Before the demolition, she said, “It wasn’t that black. The water wouldn’t be that black.” (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
On Monday, VIHFA said the demolition will remain on hold until further notice.
“Fencing and signage have been installed by the contractor. Additionally, the contractor is implementing mitigation measures to have the debris watered regularly as outlined in his contract,” the agency said in a statement.
Lawmakers grilled VIHFA leadership about the demolition during a February Senate Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Committee hearing, during which the agency’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Disaster Recovery Officer, Dayna Clendinen, said their contractor jumped the gun.
“My question has always been: why haven’t these residents been given an opportunity to move first, before any consideration of demolition even started?” Sen. Hubert Frederick asked. “I know this guy got ahead — the contractor got ahead — but still, why were they still not moved? Did anyone ever consider that?”
Clendinen said that wasn’t considered.
“I’m not understanding how the contractor ‘got ahead’ of you, Ms. Clendinen,” Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. said later. “Are you saying that they actually started the project without authorization or permission?”
Clendinen said the contractor was given a notice to proceed in late January but that before starting any demolition work, they were supposed to install fencing and signage and to provide VIHFA with a work schedule. Instead, they began demolishing over the weekend.
“We had already had in position, to begin [on] Monday, information to the public, to say ‘hey, this will begin’ — a date, time, et cetera,” she said. “So that is what I mean when I said the contractor got ahead of our notification to … LBJ residents.”
Amid questioning by Sen. Marise James, Clendinen said VIHFA was reviewing its acquisition options.
“We just need to be creative … we can’t displace people and then not help them,” James said. “And the property is valuable — it’s priceless, to them.”
Senate Majority Leader Kurt Vialet noted that the Legislature reached out to VIHFA about this exact issue a year ago.
“And this letter is dated March 18, 2024,” he said. “So I’m a bit perplexed when I hear you answering, ‘well, we, we looking at this.’ You didn’t get this letter?”
Clendinen noted that she responded to the letter in question.
“But my direct question is: it was already asked a year ago. So why are we having a discussion now, in reference to relocation or possible funding source, when the question was asked before you even began the demolition as to, these are potential problems and they need to be addressed,” he said. “So you start the demolition, and then you get complaints from the residents, and then the demolition stop. So we now at a standstill, and now you’re revisiting exactly what was already requested from one year ago. How does that work?”
A car drives up the road in the LBJ Gardens neighborhood Tuesday evening. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Potential construction partners meet at the Industry Day Conference at UVI’s 13D Innovation Center. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story stated that Civil & Building and Suffolk Construction were awarded a $3.5 billion reconstruction contract. Rather, the V.I. Education Department received $3.5 billion in disaster recovery funds to reconstruct the schools. The Source regrets the error.
Dozens of contractors filled an assembly hall at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas campus, to hear about plans to rebuild five public schools damaged by natural disaster. Organizers called the event Industry Day, sponsored by representatives of the company that was tapped to get the job done.
A top executive for Civil & Building North America said Thursday was the first time that 80-90 potential partners in construction were gathered for a face-to-face talk about the coming opportunities. Regional Vice President David Marmasse and consultant Alicia Barnes said those attending had already undergone a preliminary screening process to determine what and how well they could contribute to completion of the project.
Barnes, a former V.I. lawmaker, is also a former commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. “This is the first time everyone has been in the same room,” Barnes said.
Marmasse said plans to repair and upgrade building code requirements at E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary School, Lockhart K-8 School, Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School, Yvonne Milliner Bowsky Elementary School and the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School are currently in the design phase. Plans are also being drawn up to rebuild the Education Department Curriculum Center for St. Thomas-St. John in a new location in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
The Office of Disaster Recovery was instrumental in securing funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to modernize and fortify public facilities after two major hurricanes caused widespread damage in 2017.
The V.I. Education Department was awarded $3.5 billion in disaster recovery funding in 2025; as part of that, Civil & Building, along with Suffolk Construction, a U.S.-based company and building services firm, were awarded a reconstruction contract for the schools. Tom Thrasher, general manager for Suffolk’s East Coast Florida division, said they came on board to help with federal compliance requirements and logistics.
Marmasse said the most important message he wanted to share with local contractors was the need to manage expectations. “The (sic) government and ourselves are promoting a lot of early procurement … in order to optimize our time frame. We want to engage with securing pricing at an early stage in order to get material delivered as soon as possible,” he said.
If all goes as planned, Marmasse said the people of the Virgin Islands will start seeing signs of school reconstruction by early 2026.
A second reconstruction project to perform similar work for St. Croix public schools is reportedly in the bid solicitation stage.
A well-fed crowd mingles during the Taste of St. Croix Thursday night at the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
The Caribbean’s premier culinary event celebrated its silver anniversary Thursday when the Taste of St. Croix returned to the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino for its 25th year. Featuring dozens of restaurants and chefs, world-class wine and spirits, and live music, the event highlighted the depth and breadth of Crucian culture and cuisine.
Julius Jackson — famed chef and boxer — said St. Croix stands out for its culinary offerings.
“It really is a foodie town, a foodie place,” he said. “You come here to enjoy good, traditional food — and just really great food. And I love being here.”
Jackson said there’s nothing quite like the Taste of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“You know, we have a few food events in St. John and St. Thomas, but nothing reaches this level,” he said. “And it’s just beautiful. I love seeing it. I love coming and being with the people here. They really appreciate food, and so just talking with them — I love it.”
Thursday’s event followed Wednesday’s “Vines and Dines,” a five-course dinner by Caribbean Chef of the Year, Chef Benji, at the Galleon restaurant. On April 12, the Fred Hotel will host a “Bubbly Brunch” featuring three courses paired with wine or a specialty cocktail. A “Taste, Sip and Golf” day with Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. is slated for Sunday morning at the Buccaneer Hotel.
Courtesy of Cibone in Frederiksted, a seafood bisque with mussels, mahi and shrimp and an entree of fresh, local yellowfin tuna topped with a Crucian Creole cream sauce over a bed of jasmine rice. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)From the team at Titan’s Backyard: saltfish bujol and goat water. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Drinks of every color cover the judging table during the 25th Taste of St. Croix event Thursday night. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Tangie Wells, left, and Hazel Smith, right, serve up good food and smiles from Chef Ozzie’s Kitchen Thursday evening.(Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Chef Oswald “Ozzie” James keeps up with a steady stream of hungry attendees during the Taste of St. Croix Thursday at the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Vegetables wait for a plate during the Taste of St. Croix Thursday at the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Heather McBrayer pours a glass of West Indies Company wine during the Taste of St. Croix Thursday. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)From Jubilee by Yaadie, breadfruit flatbreads with a cashew callaloo pesto and sauteed local greens and a conch risotto with cornbread lime crisp. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)A shawarma wrap from Crucian Wings gets cut into bite-size portions during the Taste of St. Croix Thursday at the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Terrance Bryson from Pizza Mare portions out seafood pasta with local conch, local mahi and shrimp. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Confections from Vital Vibrations offer something sweeter during the 25th Taste of St. Croix. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham Faces Compliance Review by V.I. Economic Development Commission. (Source file photo)
During a V.I. Economic Development Commission decision meeting held via Zoom Thursday, governing board members voted in favor of allowing Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham, Inc., an opportunity to resolve its compliance matters after the company came under scrutiny for multiple violations related to its economic development benefits.
“This matter is before this body today for resolution of noncompliance for the period of January 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2022,” said Margarita A. Benjamin, managing director of economic development. “On Aug. 5, 2024, we transmitted the compliance review, which identified areas of noncompliance or cases where compliance could not be determined. By letter dated Dec. 5, 2024, and in a subsequent email, the beneficiary’s legal counsel responded to these findings. We are here today to address and resolve the compliance matters.”
Following Benjamin’s remarks, the governing board entered a closed executive session to deliberate on the application and compliance issues.
Among the findings, Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham, Inc. was cited for the following:
Failure to comply with Standard Provision No. 10 (local payroll account), as the company demonstrated that it offers multiple payment options to employees, including checks drawn on a local payroll account.
Failure to register job vacancies with the Virgin Islands Labor Department. The company is now required to submit clearance from the Virgin Islands Labor Department within 10 days of receipt of the clearance.
Noncompliance due to inability to substantiate compliance with Standard Provision No. 14 (Compliance with Law) due to a pending response from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
Failure to provide adequate proof of support for athletic and sporting events, insurance purchases, and local procurement. The company must submit proof of compliance within 30 days of the board’s decision or contribute $15,000 to the Industrial Promotion Fund.
Compliance with Special Provisions: In compliance with Special Provision Nos. 5 (Retirement), 9 (Paid Internship Program), 12 (EDB Approved Business Right-of-First-Refusal), and 17 (New Shareholders, Partners, Owners, Members or Beneficiaries).
Hotel Occupancy Report: Did not meet the requirements of Special Provision No. 13 (Bureau of Economic Research Monthly Hotel Occupancy Report) and directed the company to provide proof of filing within 30 days of the board’s decision.
Margaritaville Vacation Club is required to provide proof that it offers sufficient health and life insurance, as well as vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays. Failure to comply within 30 days will result in a $20,000 contribution to the Industrial Promotion Fund.
A fine of $2,720 was imposed for failure to timely file the annual report and certificate of good standing with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
In addition to Margaritaville’s case, the board also voted in favor of reconsidering applications involving the Historic Area Revitalization Project Joint Venture and SK Venture Group, LLC.
Board members present at the meeting included Philip Payne, Positive Nelson, Kevin Rodriguez, Anise Hodge, Jose Penn, and Gary Molloy.
Keithley Jones was sentenced to 12 years in prison for first-degree unlawful sexual contact after being found guilty of sexually abusing a child under the age of 13, the Virgin Islands Justice Department announced Thursday.
The sentencing took place March 26, 2025, in V.I. Superior Court before Judge Douglas Brady. Jones, who was required to submit a presentence report, will also be required to register as a sex offender, according to the press release.
The charges stem from incidents occurring between 2019 and 2022. Jones was originally charged with aggravated rape in the first degree, unlawful sexual contact in the first degree, and child abuse, the press release stated.
