Officials Address Recent Homicides, Gun Violence

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Officials Address Recent Homicides, Gun Violence
Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach and V.I. Police Department leadership updated the public Wednesday morning after a spike in gun violence and homicides. (Screenshot from Government House livestream)

An alarming spate of gun violence throughout the territory prompted a press briefing Wednesday during which the V.I. Police Department’s leadership and Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach urged Virgin Islanders to come forward with any information.

Ten days ago, 31-year-old Wahili James and Samuel Rivera, 34, were shot and killed at the Luna Bar on St. Croix, and two others were injured. On Wednesday, St. Croix Deputy Chief of Police Naomi Joseph said that the killing of 20-year-old Amani Daley, whose body was found in the bush Tuesday evening near Profit Hills, is “connected” to the two earlier homicides. On June 12, 15-year-old Tre’Vante Etienne was shot and killed in the afternoon at the basketball court in Savan on St. Thomas.

During a Government House press briefing Monday, Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach referenced two other recent shootings.

On Sunday, a 16-year-old was shot multiple times while riding his motorbike near the Omar Brown Fire Station on St. Thomas, and another person was shot in the arm at the Walter I. M. Hodge housing community on St. Croix. Both were taken to the hospital for treatment. On Tuesday afternoon, 23-year-old Asani Henry was shot and killed in the Hospital Ground area of St. Thomas. Later that day, 55-year-old Fitzroy Wattley was found dead from gunshot wounds in the Sanchez Town part of Estate Bovoni.

Separately, police responded on Monday to reports of gunshots in the Whim area of St. Croix. Rusiel Encarnacion, 45, had been shot multiple times and died after being taken to Luis Hospital. During Wednesday’s press briefing, Joseph noted that several of the people killed were “known to law enforcement” or had recently gotten out of prison.

“But I want the community to know that despite the fact that they had criminal backgrounds, we still investigating their homicides,” she said. “And we still want to bring closure to the family members who love them. Because ‘good child,’ ‘bad child’ — trust me, somebody loves him, and we just want to let the community know: it doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter what your background is. We still take the case as serious as if you are five years old — doing nothing to no one — and was killed violently. So we’re asking you: if you know something, say something.”

Law enforcement and government officials have beseeched Virgin Islanders to come forward if they have information about any of the recent killings. When asked about the territory’s witness protection program Wednesday, Roach said that the briefing was “not an opportunity to discourage people” from coming forward with information.

“The police cannot be everywhere, and if … the people who have information are not going to share — to assist — the police in making arrests and in investigating these crimes, then we’re going to be living in an environment that does not generate and produce the results that we want to see, in terms of justice being delivered and suspects being apprehended and charged,” he said.

 

Bryan Uses Final Senate Appearance to Press Federal Agenda for Territory

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Bryan Uses Final Senate Appearance to Press Federal Agenda for Territory
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. testifies before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee during the annual State of the Territories hearing in Washington on Wednesday, where he outlined federal priorities for the U.S. Virgin Islands, including health care funding, economic development and infrastructure investment. (Photo courtesy Government House)
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. used his final appearance before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday to urge Congress to remove barriers he said limit the U.S. Virgin Islands’ ability to strengthen health care, attract investment, rebuild infrastructure and expand economic opportunities, a Government House press release announced. Testifying during the committee’s annual State of the Territories hearing, Bryan joined leaders from the nation’s five territories in outlining priorities requiring congressional action. In his eighth appearance before the committee as governor, Bryan called for changes to federal health care funding, tax policy, labor programs and economic development initiatives, according to the press release. Among the proposals, Bryan urged Congress to eliminate the federal Medicaid funding cap, modernize hospital reimbursement rates, extend Supplemental Security Income benefits to eligible Virgin Islanders, fund U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations through regular federal appropriations, and support a responsible restart of the St. Croix refinery, the press release stated. He also called for changes to federal tax policies that he said discourage investment, protection for local businesses facing foreign economic actions, and expanded access to the H-2B visa program to help fill skilled labor shortages tied to federally funded recovery projects, the release stated. “The people of the Virgin Islands are not asking for special treatment,” Bryan said. “We are asking Congress to remove these barriers to guarantee that we have the same opportunities, the same tools, and the same chance to succeed that every American community on the mainland enjoys.” According to the Government House press release, Bryan reflected on the challenges the territory faced during his administration, including the recovery from the 2017 hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary shutdown of the tourism industry. He told senators the territory had rebuilt and emerged stronger. “As I prepare to conclude my service as Governor, I do so with great pride,” Bryan said. “I have watched Virgin Islanders rebuild with the resilience, determination, and patriotism that have always defined our community.” Bryan argued that federal policies should recognize both the needs and strategic value of the territory. He said American citizens living in the Virgin Islands should have access to the same protections and benefits available in the states, including SSI benefits for elderly and disabled residents, the release stated. “Their citizenship has not changed. Their circumstances have not changed. Only their address,” Bryan said. The governor also renewed his call for support of a refinery restart on St. Croix, saying the facility could help strengthen domestic energy security while creating jobs and restoring industrial capacity. He urged lawmakers to revise federal tax rules affecting the territory’s ability to attract investment, the release stated. “The Virgin Islands is not a foreign country,” Bryan said. Bryan cited the permanent extension of the rum cover-over rate as an example of what federal-territorial cooperation can accomplish. According to the release, he said the measure provided long-term certainty for a key Virgin Islands industry while supporting infrastructure investments, pension stability and debt reduction, the release stated. “When the Virgin Islands is given the same tools available to other American communities, we put them to work,” Bryan said. Closing his testimony, Bryan urged Congress to continue supporting the territory’s development and provide future generations with opportunities to contribute fully to the nation, the release stated. “All we ask is the opportunity to contribute on equal footing with every other American community,” he said.

Budget Committee Reviews Veterans Affairs Budget, Medical‑Travel Expansion and Infrastructure Projects

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Budget Committee Reviews Veterans Affairs Budget, Medical‑Travel Expansion and Infrastructure Projects
Sen. Novelle E. Francis Jr., chair of the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee, at a hearing where lawmakers heard testimony from the Office of Veterans Affairs on its fiscal year 2027 budget request. (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)

The Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs is seeking about $1.22 million in General Fund support for fiscal year 2027 while expanding medical travel benefits and advancing major infrastructure projects.

Director Patrick D. Farrell told the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee that the office’s focus remains on improving services for thousands of veterans across the territory, many of whom, he said, still miss out on help simply because they do not know what is available.

The 2027 proposal includes roughly $525,000 for personnel costs, $243,000 for operations and $450,000 for medical travel and burial assistance. The agency also expects about $111,600 in non‑appropriated revenue from the Virgin Islands Lottery and the Taxicab Commission. The request is slightly lower than the roughly $1.32 million the office sought for the current year.

Farrell said the office has strengthened its financial operations over the past year, reporting no overdue vendor payments and clearing a backlog of reimbursements for veterans’ medical travel and burial costs.

Medical travel usage increased significantly. In fiscal year 2025, more than 190 veterans were reimbursed for off-island medical trips totaling about $66,000, Farrell said. The benefit was expanded under Act 8991, which allows veterans up to two reimbursed mainland medical trips per year.

“This enhanced the quality of life for our veterans by allowing them to attend important medical appointments without having to choose between their health care needs and other essential living expenses,” he said. “Access to health care should never be determined by geography.”

To reduce reliance on off-island care, the office has expanded partnerships with local providers and transportation services. A St. Croix-based airline partnership has flown more than 90 veterans to Puerto Rico for treatment at a total cost of about $32,000, Farrell said. Officials are also developing a “Veterans Day” clinic model with the East End Medical Center Corporation that would reserve one Saturday each month for veterans-only care on St. Thomas.

Staffing remains limited, with a small team on St. Thomas and one employee on St. Croix. Two vacancies remain unfilled, which Farrell said he wants to merge into a single communications and outreach position aimed at improving public awareness of services.

He also warned that burial infrastructure is nearing capacity. On St. Thomas, two crypts and one columbarium are already in use, and Farrell said an additional multi-vault crypt is needed immediately. He estimated the last crypt cost about $417,000 and said current construction costs are likely higher, promising to return with updated figures and a funding request.

The office is also moving forward with a planned state veterans cemetery on St. Croix that has received conditional federal approval, along with a $1.5 million veterans complex on St. Thomas that will house the local office and provide space for veterans organizations.

Farrell said the St. Croix cemetery project advanced after the Legislature amended Virgin Islands law to allow all eligible U.S. veterans, not just Virgin Islanders, to be interred there. On St. Thomas, the Clarence Beverhoudt, Sr. Veterans Complex is in the design phase and will be built on the site of the former Smalls Electric building in Sub Base, also providing space for the Patrick U. George American Legion Post 90.

Farrell told senators the Office of Veterans Affairs is still owed $61,639.92 from veterans taxi-medallion auctions held in 2021 through 2025, money that by law should be routed to Veterans Affairs but has not been consistently remitted. “However, the Office of Veterans Affairs has not received proceeds from auctions conducted in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025,” Farrell said, asking the committee to help ensure future distributions arrive “timely and consistently.”

Farrell said he recently raised the issue with the Taxicab Commission and was told some years’ payments are now “in process” at the Finance Department. Several senators pressed why relatively modest, predictable amounts had not been forwarded on schedule. “They’ve got to step up their game and do a better job,” Sen. Kurt A. Vialet said, noting the funds have already been collected and should be routed to Veterans Affairs.

The $61,639.92 shortfall is a relatively small fraction of the office’s overall budget, but Farrell said it matters because the money is legally dedicated to veterans’ services and, if remitted reliably, would allow the office to plan for transportation, outreach and burial assistance instead of repeatedly asking the Legislature to intervene.

The office is also expanding women veterans programs, including a new license plate designed with input from about 40 women veterans and proposed legislation to create a women veterans coordinator position.

Looking ahead, the territory is preparing to host the 2027 National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs conference, which is expected to bring together veterans officials from across the United States and its territories. “We intend to showcase the very best of the Virgin Islands, while simultaneously advancing issues to support veterans nationwide,” Farrell said.

Farrell emphasized that the office’s core mission remains direct service. “Our commitment remains unchanged,” he said. “Every veteran will continue to receive the same personalized face-to-face assistance that has long been the hallmark of the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs.”

Truck Rolls, Kills Man at Contant Residence on St. Thomas

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Truck Rolls, Kills Man at Contant Residence on St. Thomas
A man died Tuesday evening after a truck rolled and pinned him beneath it at a residence in Contant, St. Thomas, according to the V.I. Police Department. The 911 Emergency Call Center received a report at 6:28 p.m. that a truck had rolled over a man at the residence, according to a VIPD police report. Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and determined the man showed no signs of life. Police identified the victim as Pedro Solano Castro, 58. Preliminary investigation found that Castro was underneath his truck when it rolled down a short decline and collided with another vehicle, trapping him beneath the truck. A family member discovered him and called 911 for assistance. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the police report. The incident remains under investigation by the Traffic Investigation Bureau.

Budget Committee Hears From Office of the Adjutant General on Budget Request and Federal Funding

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Budget Committee Hears From Office of the Adjutant General on Budget Request and Federal Funding
Major General Kodjo S. Knox-Limbacker, adjutant general and commander of the Virgin Islands Army and Air National Guard, and Sen. Novelle E. Francis Jr., chair of the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee during Wednesday’s hearing. Francis said, “Their continued contribution and sacrifices on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands is truly appreciated.” (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)

The Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee on Wednesday reviewed a $3.5 million fiscal year 2027 budget request for the Office of the Adjutant General, which officials said would help bring in about $56.4 million in federal funding for the Virgin Islands National Guard.

Major General Kodjo S. Knox-Limbacker, adjutant general and commander of the Virgin Islands Army and Air National Guard, told lawmakers the federal contribution would be roughly 16 times the territorial share.

Senators questioned officials about overdue payments to local vendors and delayed pension checks for National Guard retirees, including recipients of the territory’s $350 monthly benefit for certain retired Guard members.

Executive Director Nikita Ward testified that the Guard owes about $109,000 in overdue vendor payments on operating accounts, with invoices more than 90 days old, and that additional construction payments totaling roughly $585,000 are still pending while paperwork moves through administrative channels.

Ward also said payments for retired Guard members ages 55 to 60 who receive a $350 monthly benefit have been delayed. She said 30 retirees are currently eligible and that recent quarterly payments have not yet been disbursed, as the Guard awaits authorization to release funds already recorded in its accounts.

OMB officials have said delays often stem from agencies failing to submit required paperwork or federal drawdown requests on time, and have identified the Office of the Adjutant General as one of the slower agencies in processing them. Ward told lawmakers, however, that some payments are being held while they await authorization letters from the Office of Management and Budget to release already appropriated funds.

Col. Deborah Lobbenmeier, the U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer assigned to the Virgin Islands, told lawmakers the federal share under the cooperative agreement cannot be committed until the territory provides its required match. Knox-Limbacker warned that if local payments fall behind, federal authorities can freeze or reallocate a portion of the Guard’s federal funding.

Knox-Limbacker told lawmakers the Guard has spent recent years addressing compliance deficiencies, resolving administrative issues, and improving readiness for federal and territorial missions, noting that the organization was previously under the National Guard Bureau’s oversight and was released from that program in 2024 after completing 140 corrective action plans.

Knox-Limbacker said that the same force is also responsible for responding to hurricanes and other emergencies in the Virgin Islands when activated by the governor. He cited roles in disaster response, water system emergencies, support to the Virgin Islands Police Department, and logistical assistance during major public events. To maintain readiness, he said the Guard conducts annual all-hazards coordination training, participates in VITEMA hurricane exercises, trains with FEMA Region II, and joins U.S. Army North readiness drills, calling them “the building blocks activities vital to an effective response to any incident occurring in the Virgin Islands.”

On personnel strength, Knox-Limbacker reported the Guard is operating at about 95% staffing in the Army National Guard and 103% in the Air National Guard, saying the figures reflect strong recruitment, retention and morale and place the Virgin Islands among the higher-performing Guard units nationally.

Lawmakers also pressed Guard officials on facility conditions. Knox-Limbacker said a water filtration system at a key facility is no longer functioning reliably and must be replaced, forcing the Guard to rely on locally funded bottled-water coolers.

On St. Thomas, officials said a federal contract has been awarded to repair or replace the armory’s air-conditioning system after reports that personnel have been working in high temperatures.

Senators also raised concerns about an elevator that remains out of service while the government secures a new maintenance contractor. Knox-Limbacker said the Guard has no current groundskeeping contract on St. Croix, leaving soldiers and officers to perform basic lawn maintenance as needed. He also said janitorial services have been shifted to contracted providers.

Sen. Kenneth Gittens pointed to the Guard’s current deployment in Washington, D.C., as he questioned whether similar support could be activated in the Virgin Islands amid rising gun violence. “We could utilize the same similar assistance,” he said. Knox-Limbacker said the governor has the authority under territorial law to activate National Guard military police for law enforcement support when requested, but said no such request has been made. In response, Gittens said, “Hopefully this triggers some discussion.”

The committee requested a copy of the Master Cooperative Agreement within a week and indicated it would seek further clarification from budget officials about how funding delays and authorization procedures are affecting payments and federal matches.

Lawmakers also questioned the Guard’s internal financial capacity. Ward acknowledged the Office of the Adjutant General has been operating without a chief financial officer, and Major General Knox-Limbacker said the agency had not historically been structured with a CFO but now needs a dedicated financial professional. He later told senators a financial analyst within the existing budget might be more appropriate than a full CFO, saying the position would be focused solely on managing the Guard’s finances.

He said the budget request is ultimately intended to ensure the Guard can continue fulfilling both its military and emergency-response responsibilities and maintain a high level of readiness for future missions. “The Virgin Islands National Guard not only continues to be always ready and always there, but they will be at a higher state of readiness when called,” Knox-Limbacker told senators.

VIPA Board Approves Port Leases, Airport Cleaning Contract and Marine Infrastructure Projects

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VIPA Board Approves Port Leases, Airport Cleaning Contract and Marine Infrastructure Projects
Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix served as the site of Wednesday’s Virgin Islands Port Authority governing board meeting, where members approved lease agreements, service contracts and infrastructure projects affecting ports and airports throughout the territory. (Source file photo)

The Virgin Islands Port Authority governing board approved several lease agreements and service contracts during Wednesday’s meeting at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport Terminal on St. Croix, including expansions for businesses operating at the territory’s ports, airport janitorial services and marine infrastructure projects.

Among the approved items was a new lease agreement with Priority RoRo Services Inc. for continued occupancy and additional land space at the Wilfred “Bomba” Allick Port and Transshipment Center on St. Croix.

The company, which has operated at the container port since 2021, requested additional space to accommodate increased shipments and operational demands.

Under the agreement, Priority RoRo will lease approximately 111,200 square feet for a five-year term with an option for two additional years. The monthly rent was approved at $9,682.50, totaling $116,190 annually.

During the presentation, officials said the company’s growth has driven the need for additional space.

“Priority RoRo shipments coming into St. Croix has drastically increased, and the current space does not meet its operational demand for storage purposes,” staff told board members. “This new space is located within the secure area of the container port for Priority RoRo’s better equipment control.”

Board members also confirmed the company remains in good standing.

“Rental obligations are all paid in full, they’re in good standing,” staff said in response to questions from the board.

The board also approved a five-year lease extension for The Petite Pump Room restaurant at the Edward W. Blyden IV Marine Terminal on St. Thomas.

The extension will carry the business through May 31, 2035, with an existing five-year option extending operations through 2040. The agreement includes a 5% increase in rental rates and introduces a requirement for expanded grab-and-go food services to better accommodate travelers passing through the terminal.

Officials said the restaurant has maintained a presence at the facility since 1982.

Member Celestino White used the opportunity to recognize longtime businesses that have remained committed to the territory.

“When you see these two families that have defrayed the odds and continuously kept their businesses going, considering all that has happened in our community, they deserve recognition,” White said.

“At least if we could find some kind of way, some kind of plaque, something to say thank you, it would be a good gesture.”

The board also approved a $451,173.27 contract with Edgewater Consultants LLC to conduct nondestructive testing, capacity analysis and asset management documentation for marine facilities throughout the territory.

The work will assess the condition of mooring equipment and develop maintenance programs to prevent service disruptions at ports.

Another major item approved was a contract with Double A Cleaning Services to provide janitorial services at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas.

The company will provide daily cleaning services at a cost of $18,500 per month, along with emergency cleaning and professional floor waxing services as needed.

The contract is intended to supplement VIPA’s existing custodial staff and improve sanitation throughout the airport, which serves thousands of employees, tenants and passengers daily.

Board members spent considerable time discussing airport cleanliness concerns and the significant resources already dedicated to maintaining the facility.

“We spend over half a million dollars in custodial service between our full-time employees and a contractor,” White said. “For that amount, we continue to receive complaints about the cleanliness of the general areas and the restrooms. Something else needs to be done.”

Board member Leona Smith also emphasized the need for continued improvements.

“We need to just look at doing another assessment. Once we do a deep cleaning, I think it will be better,” Smith said.

Additionally, the board approved a five-year master professional services agreement with CMTS LLC to provide project management and staff augmentation services for VIPA’s marine capital improvement projects throughout the territory.

Projects supported under the agreement include improvements at the Charlotte Amalie Harbor, the Frederiksted waterfront and the Enighed Pond Community Park on St. John. Funding for individual projects will be authorized through separate task orders as funding becomes available.

Board members present included Board chairman Willard John, Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King, Gordon Rhea, Kevin Rodriguez, Leona Smith, and Celestino White Sr.

Tropical Outlook: Arthur Forms in Gulf as First Named Cyclone of Atlantic Hurricane Season

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Tropical Outlook: Arthur Forms in Gulf as First Named Cyclone of Atlantic Hurricane Season
 
Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named cyclone of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, is shown over the Gulf via satellite imagery on June 17, 2026. (Photo courtesy NOAA)
Tropical Storm Arthur formed near the Texas coast Wednesday, becoming the first named cyclone of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. While not a threat to the USVI or Puerto Rico, the National Hurricane Center said Arthur will bring rain, winds and coastal impacts to the Gulf and Southeast region. Tropical Storm Arthur Forms Near Texas Coast The NHC explained that Tropical Storm Arthur formed Wednesday morning near the middle Texas coast and was moving toward Louisiana. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for portions of Texas and Louisiana.
The National Hurricane Center forecast cone for Tropical Storm Arthur shows the system moving inland over southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana on June 17, 2026. (Photo courtesy NHC)
As of the 5 p.m. AST advisory from the NHC, Arthur was located about 20 miles north-northwest of Matagorda, Texas, and about 195 miles west-southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of approximately 45 mph and moving north-northeast at about seven mph. On the forecast track, Arthur is expected to move farther inland over southeastern Texas through Wednesday night. The system is anticipated to quickly weaken as it moves farther inland, and Arthur could dissipate as soon as Wednesday night or early Thursday, although rainfall across the region will continue for several days. Heavy Rain and Flooding Main Concerns The main threat from Arthur is expected to be heavy rainfall and flooding over the coming days across areas of the Gulf and the southeastern United States. The NHC said Arthur could produce rainfall totals of five to 10 inches. Isolated areas may experience total rainfall near 20 inches through early Friday from the middle and upper Texas coast east-northeast into portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, along with Western Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.
The National Hurricane Center’s seven-day tropical weather outlook on Tuesday shows Tropical Storm Arthur near the Texas coast, with no other disturbances highlighted across the Atlantic Basin. (Photo courtesy NHC)
The excessive precipitation could generate dangerous flash flooding and storm surge, and life-threatening rip currents are also expected. The NHC warned that tornadoes are also possible. Travelers flying to or from the U.S. Virgin Islands and areas along the Gulf Coast or portions of the southeastern U.S. are encouraged to check with airlines for possible delays or cancellations related to inclement weather. Atlantic Basin Quiet Elsewhere Aside from Tropical Storm Arthur, no additional development is expected across the Atlantic basin, although several tropical waves are being monitored by the NHC. Still, the tropical waves that are being watched are not anticipated to develop into any significant storms, and there are no immediate tropical cyclone threats to the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. According to a Global Tropics Hazards Outlook released Tuesday, the Atlantic basin is expected to remain quiet in the coming weeks, while areas across the Pacific may experience cyclonic activity. The forecast tool, which is issued every Tuesday by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, provides insight into potential activity across tropical basins up to three weeks in advance.
The Climate Prediction Center’s Global Tropics Hazards Outlook, issued June 16, 2026, shows no tropical cyclone development expected across the Atlantic basin in the coming weeks, while the eastern Pacific remains more active. (Photo courtesy NOAA/CPC)
Local Weather: Heat, Dust and Increasing Shower Chances According to information from the National Weather Service in San Juan, the main local concerns across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands over the next few days include hot temperatures, breezy trade winds, and Saharan dust. There is also a possibility of an increase in showers and isolated thunderstorms later this week. Any rainfall may help to alleviate very dry conditions across the region that recently led to the implementation of a territory-wide burn ban.
Gusty winds and dry conditions were observed in Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI, on Wednesday. (Source photo by Jesse Daley)
“Moisture will increase noticeably on Thursday as a weak tropical wave moves into the region,” the NWS said on Wednesday. “A sharp drying trend takes hold on Friday, as the tropical wave exits and a dense layer of Saharan dust spreads across the region through the morning hours,” the NWS added. Looking further ahead into early next week, the NWS pointed to a continuation of variable weather conditions. “The primary hazards through the long-term forecast will include periods of elevated heat, occasional Saharan dust intrusions, strengthening trade winds at times, and localized impacts from isolated showers and thunderstorms,” the NWS reported. Marine conditions will remain choppy, with breezy east-to-east-southeast winds expected. A low to moderate risk of rip currents is expected during the next several days, with the moderate risk expanding late in the week as winds increase. Forecast Updates The formation of Tropical Storm Arthur on Wednesday serves as an early-season reminder that even during a hurricane season that is predicted to be below average, residents across hurricane-prone areas should remain prepared. It only takes one storm to create dangerous impacts. Information regarding the weather across the USVI is available from the NWS, the NHC and NOAA. The local forecast is regularly updated on the Source Weather Page, and a weekly video forecast is available. Additionally, residents and visitors can view weather alerts and disaster preparedness information from VITEMA.

STJ Sea Turtle Program Holds Training Session for Volunteers on Saturday

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STJ Sea Turtle Program Holds Training Session for Volunteers on Saturday
Are you the kind of person who enjoys a quiet morning walk on a beach? Do you find sea turtles to be more-than-a little-bit attractive? Do you expect to be on St. John for most of the next several months? If so, then you might be an ideal candidate to join a team of more than 70 volunteers who regularly patrol the beaches of St. John to protect endangered sea turtles.
A green sea turtle swims through the water on St. John. (Photo courtesy Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park)
The Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park Sea Turtle Program is seeking additional volunteers and will hold a two-hour training session at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Cinnamon Beach. Please RSVP to vinpturtles@friendsvinp.org if you’re interested in participating. New volunteers are required to attend this training session to learn how to recognize signs that a female sea turtle has crawled ashore during the night to lay her eggs, and then what to do if nesting activity is suspected. Last year was a record-breaking year for turtle nesting activity on St. John. Turtle team members found 44 nests, resulting in 3,597 baby turtles – known as hatchlings — making it to the sea.
A group of volunteers counts eggshells that remain after baby turtles hatch out of a nest. (Photo courtesy Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park)
The patrols are a fun family activity; volunteers of all ages learn to identify the tracks of the three species of sea turtles that nest on St. John and distinguish them from the tracks of crabs, mongooses, iguanas, donkeys and deer. Volunteers can sign up for patrols in familiar areas, such as the popular North Shore beaches, as well as for remote spots including Lameshur, Europa, and Brown bays. All three species of sea turtles in the Virgin Islands are endangered; experts now estimate that very few hatchlings will live long enough to reproduce; that’s why it’s important to protect turtle nests from predators, including dogs, mongooses, and poachers who believe the eggs have special health benefits. When volunteers on a morning patrol find tracks of a nesting female, they call Willow Melamet, sea turtle program director, who quickly heads to the scene to screen off the nest from predators. Nests typically contain between 100 and 200 ping-pong ball-sized eggs. By recording the date of the nesting activity, Melamet can predict when the nest is likely to hatch and keep a close eye on the activity. Once a nest hatches, volunteers assist in recording the number of eggshells to determine the nest’s success.
Sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea at sunset. (Photo courtesy Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park)
Witnesses to hatching events say it’s hard not to be moved by the baby turtles as they poke their way out of their shells, shake their flippers, and begin to waddle across the sand. Once the turtles reach the sea, they will spend the rest of their lives there except for brief periods when mature females return to their natal beaches to nest. Volunteers typically sign up for an early morning patrol of a beach on a regular schedule, but there are opportunities for those who need more flexibility and for those who want to get more involved in scientific research or community outreach.

‘Yo Go on Me Nar’: ‘Sarah & Addie’ Delights Audiences With Crucian Humor and Sass

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‘Yo Go on Me Nar’: ‘Sarah & Addie’ Delights Audiences With Crucian Humor and Sass
“Sarah & Addie” is directed by Eileen Bishop Des Jardins. Cast members include Andrea Christian, Glenderlyn David, Sheelene Gumbs and Cleone Lynch as Sarah & Addie (two sets), with Wanson Harris as “Lil Joe” and Michael Baker, Maia Franklin, JessicaGallivan, Kathy Minnis-Olson, Robert Reffell, Diondra Setorie, and Carmen Simmonds appearing as customers, locals and tourists (Photo courtesy CCT)
“Sarah & Addie”, the beloved collection of short comedic plays by late Crucian playwright Anton C. Teytaud, drew a lively and enthusiastic crowd to Caribbean Community Theatre on Sunday, where audiences responded with near-constant laughter to its sharp humor, colorful dialect, and affectionate portrayal of mid-20th-century Crucian life. Under the direction of Eileen Bishop Des Jardin, the production brings to life eleven vignettes centered on Sarah and Addie, two market women whose running commentary on island happenings serves as both comedy and social observation. Performed in Crucian dialect by Andrea Elsweeta Christian, Glenderlyn David, Sheelene Gumbs and Cleon D. Lynch, the characters embody the wit, wisdom and gossip that once made market vendors some of the most informed and influential voices in the community. Written in Crucian vernacular, the play celebrates the market women who, long before social media and talk radio, served as trusted sources of news, humor and local insight. As the production notes, while taxi drivers may be among the best-informed people in New York and barbers may fill that role elsewhere, on St. Croix, anyone seeking the latest news went to the market. Teytaud’s Sarah and Addie are irrepressible gossips who eagerly weigh in on everything from tourists and traffic to wayward husbands and neighborhood scandals. Their observations, delivered through the rich rhythms and colorful idioms of Crucian speech, form the backbone of a production that is as much a celebration of language as it is a comedy.
Written by the late Anton C. Teytaud in Crucian dialect, “Sarah & Addie” is a collage of entertaining vignettes centering on the island “market women” of the 1940s – 1960s who were looked to as important sources of humorous commentary, philosophy and the daily wisdom of the times. (Photo courtesy CCT)
One of the production’s greatest strengths is its embrace of the poetry and musicality of Crucian dialect. The vivid turns of phrase and distinctive expressions that characterize the local vernacular are on full display throughout the performance. While a glossary in the program helps guide those less familiar with the language, many of the play’s biggest laughs come from nuanced references and colloquialisms instantly recognizable to local audiences. The production’s minimalist set, consisting solely of Sarah and Addie’s neighboring market stalls, provides an effective backdrop for the pair’s expansive commentary on island life. From this small corner of the marketplace, the women offer observations that touch on tourism, culture, community relationships and the changing character of St. Croix. One particularly memorable vignette, “Addie & Sarah Meet the Tourists,” pokes fun at visitors who view island life through a narrow lens of tropical stereotypes. When a camera-toting tourist attempts to photograph the women as though documenting a disappearing culture, Sarah and Addie quickly turn the tables, insisting on photographing him instead, complete with his floppy hat, baggy shorts and sunburn-prone complexion. Through scenes such as “Purple Hair, Fish Poisoning and Other Matters,” “The Dangers of Crabbing, Traffic Lights and Wayward Husbands,” and “Of Gambers & Chicken Thieves,” Sarah and Addie transforms everyday conversations into a humorous and insightful portrait of Crucian culture, proving that some of the island’s most enduring wisdom can still be found in the marketplace.

UVI Becomes FAA-Authorized Aviation/Drone Testing Center

Mat Probasco
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UVI Becomes FAA-Authorized Aviation/Drone Testing Center
The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning has officially been designated an authorized Federal Aviation Administration testing center on both the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas and the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix through a partnership with PSI Exams. This milestone significantly expands access to aviation and drone-related certifications in the U.S. Virgin Islands by allowing residents, students and professionals to complete FAA knowledge examinations locally, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming travel off-island. The new designation positions UVI CELL as a convenient regional hub for individuals pursuing careers and credentials in aviation, drone operations, maintenance and transportation-related industries. Through the partnership with PSI Exams, individuals may create an account and schedule FAA exams directly at: https://faa.psiexams.com/faa/login. FAA Certifications Now Available Locally  Individuals in the U.S. Virgin Islands can now complete testing for a variety of FAA certifications, including:
  • Aircraft Dispatcher
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician General
  • Commercial Pilot Airplane
  • Private Pilot Airplane
  • Flight Instructor Airplane
  • Parachute Rigger
  • Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (Part 107 Drone Certification)
Expanding Workforce Opportunities Across Industries  The availability of local FAA testing is expected to support workforce development and professional advancement across several industries and government agencies throughout the territory. Industries expected to benefit include:  Law Enforcement and Public Safety — Agencies such as the Virgin Islands Police Department can more easily certify drone operators to support surveillance, emergency response, search and rescue operations and disaster assessment. Transportation and Port Operations — Aviation and maritime professionals can access required certifications without leaving the territory, helping strengthen operational readiness. Tourism and Hospitality — Tourism operators and aerial tour companies can more easily certify pilots and drone operators to support visitor experiences and business growth. Real Estate and Property Marketing — Professionals using drone photography and aerial imaging can now pursue required FAA certification locally. Media, Film and Content Creation — Filmmakers, videographers and digital creators using drones for commercial purposes can obtain Part 107 certification closer to home. Construction and Infrastructure — Companies using drones for inspections, surveying and project documentation can streamline workforce credentialing. Environmental and Marine Research — Organizations conducting aerial monitoring of coral reefs, coastlines, wildlife and natural resources can access certifications needed to support research and conservation efforts. “This designation represents an important investment in workforce development and access to professional certification opportunities in the Virgin Islands,” said Dr. Suzanne Darrow-Magras, director of UVI CELL. “For too long, individuals interested in FAA certification have had to travel outside the territory to complete required exams. With UVI CELL now serving as an authorized testing center on both campuses, we are removing that barrier and helping strengthen the workforce of our territory.” UVI CELL Senior Program Manager Ayopha Stalliard said the expansion aligns with the division’s commitment to making professional development more accessible. “Bringing FAA testing to both campuses reflects our commitment to expanding access to workforce training and professional credentials throughout the Virgin Islands,” said Stalliard. “We are especially excited about the opportunities this creates for drone certification, a rapidly growing field with applications across nearly every industry in our community. UVI CELL is here to support individuals and organizations interested in exploring how these credentials can enhance careers and business operations.” How to Get Started  Individuals interested in scheduling an FAA exam may visit https://faa.psiexams.com/faa/login to create an account and register for testing through UVI CELL. For additional information, contact UVI CELL at cell@uvi.edu or call:
  • St. Croix: (340) 692-4230
  • St. Thomas/St. John: (340) 693-1100
Individuals interested in expanding their aviation knowledge and training opportunities through UVI may also learn more about the University’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV/Drone) Program, Private Pilot Certificate (PPC) Program, or opportunities to utilize Redbird flight simulators under the supervision of certified flight instructors by emailing coralwings@uvi.edu. About UVI CELL  The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL) provides professional development, workforce training and community engagement services to individuals and organizations throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands. With locations on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, UVI CELL is committed to expanding access to education, workforce training and credentialing opportunities across the territory.
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