The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Family Assistance (DFA), Office of Medicaid wishes to inform the public of the early closure of the St. Thomas Medicaid Office on Thursday, Nov. 21.
The office will close from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. to accommodate a team-building exercise and the monthly Eligibility & Enrollment staff meeting. The early closure will ensure that our team can continue to provide high-quality services to the community through enhanced collaboration and staff development.
Normal operations will resume promptly after 2 p.m. on the same day. DHS appreciates the community’s understanding and cooperation during this brief interruption and apologizes for any inconvenience that this closure may cause.
Douglas M. Williams, the son of Rupert and Evelyn Williams, died on Nov. 13.
Douglas M. Williams
He is survived by his wife, Gloria J. Williams, his sister Janet Williams-Lake and brother-in-law Edgar O. Lake. Douglas is survived by family and friends too numerous to mention.
A Memorial Service will be held at Holy Cross Episcopal Church (Estate Upper Love) at 9 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Queen Louise Home for Children (340) 772-0090.
The Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission announces that the Quarterly Meeting and Hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at 10 a.m. The Commission will address Reports of Officers; Reports from the Division of Gaming Enforcement and approval of Administrative Resolutions for Licenses Issued to Casino Employees and Gaming and
Non-Gaming Related Entities, approval of the Commission’s FY 2025 Budget, and Status
Updates from Casino Licensees.
The meeting and hearing will be held at the Eileen Ramona Petersen Casino Control Commission Building located at 3005 Orange Grove, Christiansted, St. Croix. Individuals with disabilities who require this information in an alternative format or need any form of auxiliary aid to attend or participate in this meeting/hearing are asked to contact Romesha Smith, Executive Assistant at rsmith@casinocontrolcommission.vi or 340-718-3616.
Celebrate American Education Week: Honor Our Heroes!
“Together for Safe, Just, & Equitable Schools.” #aew2024
Since 1921, American Education Week (AEW) has been a time to honor the tireless dedication of education professionals. This November, the Virgin Islands Board of Education (VIBE) proudly joins the nationwide celebration to honor the essential contributions of our school administrators, teachers, counselors, administrative staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, monitors, social workers, crossing guards, custodians, maintenance staff, nurses, and families—all of whom make a difference every day as we work “Together for Safe, Just, & Equitable Schools.”
From Nov. 18 to 22, VIBE Board Members will visit schools to personally thank educators and support professionals for their commitment to achieving academic excellence, promoting our history and culture, and building strong local and global communities. During these visits, we will also share information on curriculum standards, effective teaching strategies, and plans for safer schools. Additionally, we will provide feedback to schools on the first round of curriculum and instruction assessments as mandated by Title 17 V.I.C. §24.
Dr. Callwood, Chairman of VIBE, often reflects on a powerful memory from his own school days. He recalls two dedicated teachers who stayed late to help students struggling with Math and English, a bus driver who knew each child’s name, and a custodian who always made the school feel like home. These individuals made a lasting impact, reminding him that education is built on the efforts of many. Now, as Chairman, he calls upon everyone: “Education is a collective effort, and now is the moment to come together for safe, just, and equitable schools. Let us each play our role in providing the leadership, support, and advocacy that will uplift public education in the Virgin Islands.”
Viya has scheduled maintenance upgrades that will cause service interruptions Saturday, Nov. 16, from midnight to 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.
Services affected during this maintenance window include:
• Viya’s Pay-By-Phone System
• Viya’s Online Web Payment System
• MyViya App Payments
• TV+ Automated Systems
Viya regularly upgrades the software used to support its convenient, interactive billing and operating systems, allowing customers greater flexibility to manage their accounts. These necessary enhancements to the subscriber management software will significantly improve the customer experience.
Viya apologizes for any inconvenience that these interruptions may cause our customers.
Magens Bay Authority, governing organization of Magens Bay Beach and Smith Bay Park, announces its November Board Meeting on Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. at Magens Bay Shed 4
Magens Bay Board Meetings are open to the public for their input. For those that would like to attend, please email info@magensbayauthority.org
Sen. Javan James chairs the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture Wednesday. (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)
A proposed marina by Summer’s End Group in Coral Bay, St. John, is facing attention from federal and local agencies due to legal challenges and environmental concerns, according to a Senate hearing Wednesday. Local families have also raised financial issues related to the land involved, legislators heard. The project aims to support St. John’s economy, but it must address these challenges before construction can begin.
At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture, chaired by Sen. Javan E. James Sr., concerns regarding the financial impact on local families, particularly those with land leases to Summer’s End, were highlighted. Due to ongoing delays, families such as the Marsh Sisters Trust and Calvert Marsh Inc. have continued to pay property taxes on land tied up in the project without receiving the expected rental income, according to the testimony.
Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory said the situation is “unconscionable,” as these families face increasing risk of foreclosure due to unpaid property taxes. “These are small families on the island of St. John.We did not know it was gonna take this long. If you wanted to truly partner with them, you would work with them and help to support what’s happening instead of now forcing them to sell their property off. It’s not good.”
Representatives from Summer’s End said they are committed to working with affected families and have been in discussions to resolve these financial issues. “The issues that have been raised about the family are very important to us,” said Chaliese Summers, managing member of Summer’s End. “We have constantly been in communication and working towards a settlement.”
Environmental concerns have also been raised, particularly regarding potential risks to Coral Bay’s seagrass meadows, which are critical habitats for endangered marine life. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has expressed reservations about the project’s mitigation strategies. While not requiring direct approval from the EPA, its recommendations hold significant importance in the ongoing regulatory process. The Army Corps of Engineers is currently awaiting input from the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding the environmental assessment.
Despite partial permits and some legal victories for Summer’s End, comprehensive environmental clearance remains pending.
The Army Corps of Engineers has played a crucial role in the project’s trajectory, with delays attributed to changing personnel and procedural issues. Developers had hoped for a permit decision by July, but that deadline has passed. “We’ve had approximately eight different reviewers with the Army Corps of Engineers,” Summers noted. “Each time a reviewer changes, it creates further delays.”
From its inception, the marina project has faced multiple lawsuits. Attorney David Cattie provided insights into the legal developments affecting the project, highlighting a recent settlement with the Marsh family regarding key parcels of land. “On November 4, 2024, the parties jointly filed notice with the Superior Court advising that they have come to a settlement and resolution of all outstanding issues and claims between them,” he reported.
In addition, Cattie detailed two prior lawsuits involving former landowners James Phillips and Genevieve Rodriguez regarding another parcel required for the marina’s expansion. These cases were resolved in favor of Summer’s End, securing its “unquestioned legal authority to utilize the property in the Marina Project.” This resolution allowed Summer’s End to initiate preliminary site preparations, marking a tangible move toward construction.Cattie further described ongoing litigation with environmental groups such as Save Coral Bay, which has opposed the project and has filed multiple suits to revoke project permits. While Cattie acknowledged that some cases are still pending, he noted that several others were successfully dismissed in higher courts, including a recent Supreme Court denial of Save Coral Bay’s petition, which affirmed lower court rulings in favor of Summer’s End.
Despite these challenges, Summer’s End said it aims to position itself as a constructive influence within the St. John community. Rick Barksdale, a representative of the development group, stated, “Summer’s End is not you alone; Summer’s End is all of us,” emphasizing the group’s connections to local families.
Supporters of the marina project, which proposes 115 wet slips, a local market, wastewater facilities, and Customs and Border Protection access, argue it could diversify St. John’s economy, which is heavily dependent on seasonal tourism, by attracting yacht-based tourism and creating jobs. That included the late Sen. Robert O’Connor Jr., who at one time stated that the marina was “about more than tourism — it’s about local jobs and a stable economic foundation.”
The $112 million project could bring in $46.4 million in benefits and create over 80 direct jobs, plus 362 more jobs that will be created indirectly in the territory, according to testimony at Wednesday’s hearing.
James indicated that further input from affected families and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources will be necessary for continued oversight. “This is not the end,” he noted, stressing the need for additional hearings to ensure the project serves the community’s interests.
Sens. Javan E. James Sr., Marvin A. Blyden, Diane T. Capehart, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, and Donna A. Frett-Gregory attended Wednesday’s hearing.
Government property that could become a soccer field in Estate Nazareth on St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)
On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance moved four government leases to the Rules and Judiciary Committee with favorable recommendations. One lease, if granted, would allow a soccer stadium with concession built in Estate Nazareth, No. 1 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas. A second would allow a firearm training facility and shooting range in Estate Bovoni, Frenchmans Bay Quarter, St. Thomas.
The committee also moved forward a lease that would allow HKT Energy Consulting Group to operate an office and establish a warehouse in Submarine Base, No. 4 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas. The fourth and final lease is an extension of the lease that allows the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration to continue operating a Locator Outer Marker, which helps planes land in foul weather.
Michael Bornn, a council member of the VI Soccer Federation, testified that the federation had a vision that the five-acre site would enable not just a soccer facility but also areas for cricket, the VI Olympic facility, and possibly other sports.
Committee Chair Donna Frett-Gregory commented that the Senate had appropriated funds to help develop the site, and all parties should work together to ensure adequate common areas and parking. She questioned whether an amendment to the lease could include a memorandum of understanding with the Sports, Parks and Recreation Department. She said she did not want to see “history repeat itself” and mentioned the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project on St. Croix, which has been bumping along for almost 20 years.
Bornn testified the soccer facility would include fencing, bleachers, lighting, concession, bathrooms, team facilities, referee facilities, training rooms, parking, and dorms. He added that construction would probably take three to five years.
Deputy Commissioner of Property and Procurement Vincent Richards said the lease would be for 30 years at $3,600 per year. The federation would have two 10-year renewal options.
The lease for the shooting range of 1.7 acres is $48,000 annually.
Levi MacSheen, manager of Star Time Firearms, testified, “Our facility will feature a variety of shooting lanes, training areas, and safety courses to meet the needs of all levels of expertise. As a small business, we are projected to create seven to 10 jobs in the construction phase at approximately $250,000 to $300,000. Our annual operation is projected to create approximately seven to 10 full-time and two to three part-time jobs.”
Hugo Hodge Jr., president and chief executive officer of HKT Energy Group Consulting, represents the firm requesting warehouse and office space. He said his firm already has a temporary lease.
This agreement has a 20-year term and an option for ten more. The annual rent would be $45,000.
Hodge said HKT Energy Group is an energy consulting firm offering professional, technical, and engineering.
Senators present included Frett-Gregory, Novelle Francis Jr., Javan James, Dwayne DeGraff, Marvin Blyden, Ray Fonseca, Samuel Carriόn, and Carla Joseph.
The Economic Development Authority, Economic Development Commission and Enterprise Zone Commission convened in back-to-back meetings on Thursday to discuss new applications for tax benefits and address non-compliance matters. (Shutterstock image)
A historic Frederiksted property will soon be home to an “Agro and Food Innovation Center.”
The Enterprise Zone Commission — an arm of the V.I. Economic Development Authority meant to spur economic growth through tax incentives and other benefits — authorized EDA Chief Executive Officer Wayne Biggs Jr. to negotiate purchasing the property, located at 53A and B King Street in Frederiksted, after taking a poll vote during an emergency meeting on Nov. 4.
The EZC ratified that vote on Thursday after Biggs said the authority successfully purchased the building for $800,000, which was $100,000 below the listed price. Biggs said they expect to close on the purchase by Dec. 20. Biggs said the center will function as a combination food processing facility and kitchen.
Lawmakers appropriated $400,000 for the EDA to develop the center during a session in September and tasked an additional $675,000 toward developing an “Agro and Food Technology Center” at the Evelyn Marcelli Complex on St. Thomas. The funds were appropriated from the combined $137.5 million the territory received through settlement agreements with financier Leon Black and the estate of Jeffrey Epstein.
The ratification came after the Economic Development Authority considered an application from the developers of the five-story, 126-room Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Havensight.
Haven Development principal Shaun Miller and attorney Erika Kellerhals appeared before the board to defend an application for the EDA’s Hotel Redevelopment Program, which provides financial assistance and other incentives for territory hotels. The developers also applied for authorization to impose an Economic Recovery Fee, which assists hotels with development financing by allowing them to add a charge of up to 7.5 percent to guests’ bills.
Government officials and developers broke ground on the hotel in October 2023, celebrating St. Thomas’s first brand-new hotel in decades. Developers applied to the Economic Development Commission for tax incentives the following month. During a December 2023 decision meeting, the commission unanimously approved 100 percent of the incentives authorized by law for a 20-year period.
Following the presentation from Haven Development, the EDC considered new applications from financial services company First Antilles Capital and business management and consulting firm SK Venture Group, respectively.
The EDC later entered into executive session to discuss three noncompliance matters. Afterward, the commission accepted staff findings that financial consultant Greenleaf VI II and International and Capital Management Company were not in compliance with a handful of conditions and requirements.
The University of the Virgin Islands’ Essential Needs Pantry has basic groceries and toiletries that college students may need. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
There is good news for college students who need to stock up on their Ramen noodles stash. The University of the Virgin Islands has relaunched its Essential Needs Pantry to support students facing food insecurity. This initiative will provide essential resources, including food and professional attire, to help students in need.
The pantry’s reopening was marked by discussions held on Wednesday and Thursday at UVI’s Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas and the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. This effort is a collaboration between UVI, The Links, Incorporated, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund representatives were present at the launch. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
According to Anyha Lord, career services coordinator, the Essential Needs Pantry was initially introduced on a smaller scale during the spring semester.
To celebrate the launch on St. Croix, a panel of professionals from The Links, Incorporated offered advice and insight to students in attendance. Moderator Tammye Jones led the discussion with panelists, including Evelyn Davis, executive director of the Suburban Chamber of Commerce; Cheryl Tier, an attorney and mediator; and the Rev. Sandye Wilson, an Episcopal priest and former microeconomist who wrote for Time magazine. All panelists bring extensive professional backgrounds to the table.
The Essential Needs Pantry aims to decrease food insecurity among the student body and also features a professional dress closet, ensuring students have access to appropriate attire. Jeanette Ferdinand, director of the university’s Health Services, stated, “The pantry goes based on the honor system, so we allow the students to use their moral compass to determine if they need something in here. If you don’t really need it, you take it away from someone who does need it.”
Students in the program receive 15 points per week to select items from the pantry, similar to shopping in a store. Certain items, like toiletries, are expected to be requested less frequently as they typically last longer.
The checkout counter is where students cash out once they’ve selected their food items and toiletries. The system is based on points given to each student on a weekly basis. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The pantry offers various items, including macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, cookies, chips, and, of course, Ramen noodles. Toiletries available include toilet paper, toothpaste, and sanitary napkins.
The clothing closet includes some items still with tags, along with business attire, gowns, shoes, and more from designer brands like COACH.
The professional clothing closet provides a space where students who may not have the funding to afford professional attire to be presentable while job hunting or stepping into the professional world. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Lord mentioned that the team is currently securing a dedicated space for the clothing closet, allowing students to communicate with staff to arrange visits. Privacy considerations are a priority for all interested individuals.
Community members are encouraged to donate clothing to the program. For those interested in making donations, please contact Lord or Ferdinand at alord@uvi.edu or jeanette.ferdinand@uvi.edu.
