Crews troubleshooting Feeder 13 through manholes on St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy WAPA)
Efforts continue to safely repair the fault in the underground section of Feeder 13, impacting customers in the St. Thomas-St. John district, the V.I. Water and Power Authority announced Thursday.
Due to a severe weather forecast, including a flash flood warning and significant lightning activity, WAPA temporarily halted the restoration work late Wednesday afternoon to ensure the safety of personnel and contractors. The extreme weather conditions present heightened risks that prevent safe access and repair efforts in the underground infrastructure, according to the press release.
Unlike overhead power lines that can be seen on poles, underground feeders are hidden from view, making them less vulnerable to weather conditions and accidental damage. They deliver power safely and efficiently without cluttering the landscape with wires. Though underground infrastructure has many benefits, locating and accessing underground feeders for maintenance or repairs is often difficult and time-consuming. Additionally, these systems are more susceptible to flooding and degradation over time due to soil conditions, moisture, and temperature fluctuations, leading to complicated repairs, the press release stated.
Despite the current challenges, crews have located the fault between Moe’s on Waterfront and the overhead riser by Jarvis Annex in Charlotte Amalie. Since the initial trip of Feeder 13 on Tuesday at approximately 5:00 p.m., crews have been diligently working to isolate and test the cables to find the exact location of the cause. As weather conditions allow a safe work environment, efforts to repair the fault will resume, the release stated.
For information on the active rotational outage schedule and/or other general updates on restoration efforts, please sign up for WAPA Alerts here.
Additional updates will be provided regularly via the WAPA alerts system, the website, radio and Government Access Channel public service announcements, and social media channels, according to the release.
Management company announced Wednesday for WAPA. (Source file photo)
The Public Finance Authority Board officially authorized Ernst & Young as the turnaround management company for the V.I. Water and Power Authority. This decision, made Wednesday, follows Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s state of energy emergency declaration in April, which aimed to address the utility’s financial challenges.
Key to the emergency declaration is the ability for the government to tap into the Budget Stabilization Fund for approximately $11 million to cover outstanding utility bills owed by the territory’s two hospitals and V.I. Waste Management Authority, along with funding for the turnaround management agency, which was mandated in a bill-turned-law by the Senate without a designated funding source.
The contract was approved by the PFA board unanimously for an amount not to exceed $500,000. According to officials, five proposals were submitted and vetted by an Evaluation Committee whose members included WAPA board chair and Energy Office Director Kyle Fleming; PFA Executive Director Nathan Simmonds, Joan Foy, PFA General Counsel Lorelei Farrington and Government House Chief of Staff Karl Knight.
Other companies submitting proposals were Berkeley Research Group, PA Consulting Group, Inc., Ankura Consulting Group, LLC and FTI Consulting.
According to Farrington, “Ernest and Young’s previous work history with the Water and Power Authority demonstrates its grasp of the critical nature of its operational and financial state, and the committee’s recommendations are based especially on the familiarity with drivers such as Vitol infrastructure, LEAC, AMT system, service quality and availability, and project delivery.”
Ernst & Young’s initial report, due within six months, will focus on VIWAPA’s financial condition and will include assessments of ongoing projects, organizational structure, energy plans, debt management, water quality, and service quality standards, as laid out by law.
Within 120 days, the turnaround company is also expected a comprehensive turnaround report with recommendations for reducing energy costs, incorporating renewable resources, restructuring the organization, consolidating debt, and improving water quality and distribution.
ODR Director Adrienne Octalien-Williams outlined a 12-month process – from initial FEMA approval to solicitations for services – for the replacement of St. Croix’s power plant at a press conference Tuesday. (Screenshot from Government House Facebook live stream)
The government “has never before been closer” to fixing its issues with the V.I. Water and Power Authority, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said Tuesday while announcing that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to fund the full replacement of St. Croix’s Richmond Power Plant, along with two generators on St. Thomas.
Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Octalien-Williams outlined an approximately 12-month process from the recently received approval to the issuing of solicitations for services, saying that the government is being “proactive” by implementing a layered approach to ensure the project’s execution.
Williams-Octalien said the original estimate submitted to FEMA in December of 2022 was about $400-$600 million, and the goal now is to have the costs validated by September in order for the funds to be quickly obligated to the territory. In the interim, Octalien-Williams said her office will be working with WAPA to start drafting solicitations and putting contracts in place so that the work is not delayed once final approvals come through.
Typically, FEMA allows for repairs or replacements for damages sustained by storms or natural disasters, such as hurricanes Irma and Maria, but federal Bipartisan Act provisions allow for a “prudent replacement,” which, in this case, means the entire plant instead of just going unit-by-unit.
“An updated power plant would allow us to have interconnections that allow for more renewable energy,” Octalien-Williams said Tuesday. “The plant as it is right now is not seamless, there are some incapabilities in existence, and this would allow us to do more solar, more wind and a lot more renewable energy by having those connections right away.”
Stabilizing St. Croix’s portion of the transmission and distribution grid also means that more funding is freed up for other projects, such as replacing cables running “underground, overhead and undersea” to and from St. John, which was hit by outages Tuesday night and Wednesday, according to the governor. With two cables damaged, WAPA was experiencing issues “putting all the load on just one,” so St. Thomas was shifted to rotating power, Bryan said, which continued into Wednesday night and hit delays on at least Feeder 13 because of an onslaught of rain and resulting flash flood warning.
Bryan said the territory had been “penalized” for years because of WAPA’s inability to fully maintain its generating units, a result of the $20-25 million in continuous debt the government owed the utility over past administrations.
“All the deferred maintenance over the years is coming back to haunt us – this is why we have this cable problem still,” the governor added. “If WAPA had the money to go back and look at the cable when it was damaged, we wouldn’t be where we are now.”
Along with the potential replacement of the two generators on St. Thomas through FEMA, Bryan said the government finalized a settlement agreement with Wartsila, whose crews walked off the job in January because of a “failure to pay, and other discrepancies over invoices and change orders.”
An agreement has been sent to Wartsila for signing that, once executed, will add four new nine mega-watt generation units on St. Thomas, along with a new battery backup at the Randolph Harley Power Plant that will create more power consistency for the St. Thomas-St. John district, he added. It’s expected that Wartsila’s service will resume in 30 days, the governor said, adding that this second wave of generation would stop major blackouts island-wide and smooth brownouts as a result of the battery backup.
WAPA’s board met in two emergency meetings in as many weeks to also approve a short-term fuel supply agreement with propane-supplier Vitol, which was extended for a year; initiate a Request for Proposal process that would secure a long-term fuel partner; and begin scoping out costs associated with addressing transmission issues on St. John, including the replacement of the St. John cables, which board chair Kyle Fleming said Tuesday could also result in a request to FEMA.
Sen. Diane Capehart speaks in support of Bill No. 35-0224 Wednesday during the Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee hearing. (Photo by Alvin Burke Jr., Mario Fonseca and Barry Leerdam, Legislature of the Virgin Islands)
The first few minutes of Wednesday’s Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Committee hearing were devoted to approving Bill 35-0224, which establishes a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team for the mobile crisis intervention service and the national 9-8-8 telecommunication system.
Sen. Diane Capehart sponsored the bill to “provide the infrastructure we need to start facing the challenges” of the many mental health issues in the territory. She also added an amendment following the national suicide guidelines.
The bill, originally discussed by the committee on Feb. 8, was held in committee by the Legislature. Since then, the hotline has gone live, and people can access urgent behavioral health services from the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) by dialing 9-8-8.
According to the bill, the hotline will be maintained by the federal government’s assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network.
Capehart added amendments that defined crisis intervention training as 40 hours of specialized training and 20 hours of continuing education annually. Additionally, a 9-8-8 trust fund will be established to maintain the PERT system, hotlines, response teams and services. The fund will include fee revenue. Additionally, an annual report of deposits and expenses will be forwarded to the Legislature and the Federal Communications Commission. (The FCC enforces U.S. communication laws and regulations.)
The bill was approved by the senators attending the hearing and will be forwarded to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and then the Committee of the Whole for final approval.
Sens. Marvin Blyden, Diane Capehart, Ray Fonseca (chairman), Novelle Francis, Marise James, and Milton Potter voted in favor.
Long line at the St. Croix Educational Complex on Wednesday waits outside with hopes of entering to receive free medical services. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
By 7:00 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Croix Educational Complex, the lines were already starting to form at the Wellness Fair. The nine-day event, which began over the weekend, has taken place across the territory. It offers a wide range of no-cost healthcare services, from dental and optometry care to comprehensive medical screenings and mental wellness checks.
When the gates opened at 8:30 a.m., a military healthcare professional from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training Program (IRT) said they would not be taking patients for dental or optometry services, just medical services. Patients interested in these services can return between Thursday and Saturday.
Some visibly frustrated community members left the line because they were specifically hoping for those services. One member who did not want to be named said, “I’ve been trying to get in since yesterday. I was told to return today, and yet again, I was not able to enter.”
“Our numbers have been more than we anticipated,” said Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceaser, chief medical officer for the Health Department, at a press conference Tuesday.
Health Department and IRT held a press conference on Tuesday. (Screenshot from Tuesday’s press conference)
Nearly 300 military healthcare professionals from across the nation have been serving the community. As of Tuesday, there were 650 patients total seen on St. Thomas and St. John and 353 patients seen on St. Croix. There were 809 patients for optometry care, 589 patients for medical care, 743 patients for dental care, and 1,000 for behavioral and dietary care.
“The response to the services is giving us a very good picture of the understanding of the needs of the community,” said Hunte-Ceaser.
At the Complex on Tuesday a crowd of patients became hostile while trying to enter the gates to receive care. Wednesday’s scene was tamer as the V.I. Police Department stepped in to ensure order.
“We unfortunately will have varying cutoff times of persons that will be serviced at each site every day and we are asking for your patients. If we are unable to receive that service on that day, we will do our best to ensure that you are able to receive the services throughout the remainder of the clinic fair dates,” said Hunte-Ceaser.
“There has been some speculation about our supplies, but we do not have a supply concern that would limit the services to the community. We continue to work with our community partners to make sure the supplies are needed for all the services that are going to be provided, especially the dental care,” she said.
Hunte-Ceaser said that while she encourages patients to preregister, it is important to understand that preregistration is not an appointment. The IRT Clinic is providing the services on a first-come, first-served basis.
“That was an opportunity for us to capture data initially to determine the amount of people that we were going to be expecting to ensure that we will be able to provide the services,” she said.
Although Hunte-Ceaser said that it has now been changed to register by day, as of Wednesday, the website still reflects a time option. “That day slot still does not guarantee you to be seen on that day,” she said.
Hunte-Ceaser said that they are still honoring the 20 elderly and disabled slots in the morning, but the person must truly be elderly and disabled to be honored for these appointments. There are 80-plus members working at the St. Croix Educational Complex and the Great Hall for the MCH clinic.
To visit the Health Clinic hours and locations include the following:
Monday through Friday (June 3 – 7) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday (June 8) from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Sunday (June 9) from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “Connecting Community to Care” is specifically for those who have already received medical services and need referrals to local care providers.
St. Thomas: Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and V.I. Department of Health Maternal Child Health (MCH Clinic)
St. Croix: St. Croix Educational Complex and University of the Virgin Islands’ Great Hall is an MCH Clinic.
St. John: MCH Clinic in the Morris deCastro Clinic.
The IRT program is exclusive to the United States and territories. It provides joint training opportunities to enhance deployment readiness and delivers essential services such as healthcare, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity, creating lasting benefits for American communities.
All healthcare providers participating in the Wellness Fair are credentialed professionals, ensuring the highest standard of care.
The Mutiny Island Vodka Distillery and the Mill on the Christiansted Boardwalk were filled with St. Croix foodies on Monday and Tuesday.Full House at Mutiny Distillery welcomes Chef Sam Choy (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Both crowds were eager to meet the James Beard award-winning Chef Sam Choy, taste his culinary appetizers and get a copy of his breadfruit cookbook. Mutiny Island Vodka owner and award-winning chef Todd Manley and “Godfather of Poke” Choy have enjoyed a partnership with breadfruit since Choy tasted Manley’s first batch of distilled island vodka created in 2017. “It was the perfect distillation using the precious ingredients of breadfruit and Caribbean rainwater achieved together with award-winning master distiller Chris Richeson,” Manley said.James Beard Award-winning Chef Sam Choy (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Choy took Manley to Hawaii and American Samoa and taught him everything [he] now knows about breadfruit, also known as ‘Ulu and pronounced (ooh-loo). “Sam took me in the right direction to learn of the opportunities for the production of breadfruit on this island with such uses as flour, pasta, pizza and more.”Todd Manley, Award-winning chef, CEO Mutiny Island Vodka (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Monday night’s event at the Mutiny Distillery was a huge success, with nods to the Pugliese restaurateur family. Katherine sent out the publicity and kept the ‘Ulu flow organized and the jubilant crowd happy during the evening. Frank and their son Dominic were busy in the kitchen prepping for Choy’s breadfruit appetizers such as ‘Ulu Spam Musubi, Tempura ‘Ulu, Savory ‘Ulu Bread Pudding, Southern Pacific ‘Ulu, Mango, and Banana Bread Pudding and so many more mouth-watering delights.Chef Dominic Pugliese, Katherine Pugliese, Chef Frank Pugliese (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Choy’s ‘Ulu Cookbook is filled with Hawaii’s Breadfruit Recipes. It was free to the first 30 people at the event and personally autographed by Choy. Most folks opted for a photo with Choy, as well.Sam Choy’s ‘ULU Cookbook (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Mutiny bartenders created delicious Mutiny Vodka drinks like Mutiny Herb Smash, Mutiny Purple Hawaiian, and Mutiny Mai Tai… each drink using local fruits, herbs, and other goodies in addition to Mutiny Island Vodka.Tasting Room with distillery on view through looking glass. (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Katherine Pugliese spoke about the connection being “magical” between the two chefs…Choy and Manley. Choy was part of the 2013 Facebook team for the annual Food & Wine Taste of St. Croix. Choy fell in love with St. Croix and helped mentor students for Facebook Culinary employment opportunities. Those students were handpicked and were flown to Hawai’i giving them an environment of a taste of the world, Choy said. “They are all doing very well today in the culinary field.”Katherine Pugliese serves up Sam Choy’s breadfruit appetizers. (Photo courtesy of Diane Hampton)According to Katherine, Choy returned to St. Croix in 2014, 15, and 16. He did the sunset bar-b-que on the pier and a few Poke events. “He has such a great personality and is so genuine,” Katherine shared.Crucian night at the Mill for Poke Pizza (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Tuesday evening at the Mill on the boardwalk was a Crucian delight for all who attended. The weather was warm, yet there was a breeze from the harbor accommodating the standing room only crowd. Choy’s cookbooks were given free and autographed for several attendees.Choy worked his culinary magic again. He called out kudos for the staff at the ovens. The bakers were busy at work making poke pizza “My poke (fish) has ‘Ulu, ginger, pesto, roasted garlic, natural herbs and more,” Choy shared.Patrons at the Mill on the Boardwalk enjoy Chef Sam Choy’s Poke Pizza (Source photo by Elisa McKay)The music was “right on time,” with Ray Isles on congas and Gyasi Clarke on vocals and guitar vibing the night away.Manley shared a recent accomplishment with the crowd: Mutiny Island Vodka was awarded a Double Gold Medal for Domestic Vodka for the USVI, namely St. Croix.Choy recognized that island people are such great people. “If America was founded through the islands first, it would be a much greater country,” he said.Sion Farm Distillery 340-690-9322Open Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Happy Hour, 4:00 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. Saturday Brunch 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Mutiny Island Vodka tour begins as you enter the sleek, newly renovated space that serves as the bar and tasting room. Patrons can enjoy the view through the glass wall to the newly-installed, state of the art artisanal copper still.Tours are provided to walk-in guests every hour on the half-hour.For more information:
mutinyislandvodka.comsionfarmdistillery.com
Row of Virgin Islanders waiting to have their vitals recorded before entering the temporary medical facility in the gymnasium. (Source photo by Kerrin Margiano)
With only a few days remaining of the “V.I. Be Well” Wellness Fair, which ends on Sunday, now is the time to visit its St. Thomas location and check out all the services the fair has to offer.
The U.S. Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program has set up a temporary health facility at the Digna Marie Wheatley Gymnasium in Red Hook.
The process is easy, and after you are inside the building, the healthcare professionals move you swiftly through the screenings with care and compassion. If you are planning to benefit from the dental and optometry services (The free glasses were only available for the first few days.), as well as medical screenings, pediatric physicals, or mental wellness checks offered this week, there are four things to know before you go:
Completing the online form does not secure a scheduled appointment. If you complete the online form and bring a picture of the QR code, it can help with the intake process. But the online form is not necessary, it can be completed at the facility. Having a completed form does not get you in the building faster.
The doors open at 8 a.m., but the facility exceeds capacity around noon. If you can make it inside before closing, you will have your vitals taken and get a fast pass paper to bring back the following day.
Although wait times outside the building will vary daily, there are seats in the shade under two tents. There’s no need to arrive before opening because there’s not an organized line. If this is your first visit, then you’ll be waiting until people with fast passes have been seen. The IRT brought all seniors inside to wait for their chance to be seen by a healthcare professional.
Pack water and a snack, and come prepared to sit in the air-conditioned gymnasium for at least an hour, quite possibly more.
Carlos Gascot Concepcion, 46, of Puerto Rico, was found guilty following a two-day jury trial of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy scheduled Gascot Concepcion’s sentencing for Oct. 4, where he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Wednesday.
According to court documents, on Oct. 4, 2023, Gascot Concepcion arrived at the Cyril
E. King Airport on St. Thomas attempting to board a flight to Puerto Rico. After clearing Customs, Gascot Concepcion was stopped by Customs and Border Protection officers for an inspection of his suitcase. During the inspection, officers discovered a brick-shaped package containing one kilogram of cocaine.
Paul Girard, 36, of St. Croix, and three members of his violent criminal enterprise were sentenced to 10 separate terms of life in prison for their roles in a racketeer-influenced and corrupt organization (RICO), United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Wednesday.
“A reign of unspeakable terror was unleashed in this Territory by Girard and his enterprise.
Murders, robberies, assaults, gun violence, kidnappings, all ordered by Girard while he was
incarcerated. Many lives have been affected by this senseless violence, but the life sentences issued by the court send a strong message that our system of justice works, and anyone who commits these heinous crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Smith said.
According to court documents, Tyler Eugene, also known as “Lucc,” 26, of St. Croix, committed acts of violence on behalf of the gang and at Girard’s direction, including murdering Juan Encarnacion, III, a rival gang member, outside a convenience store. Kareem Harry, also known as “Crumbull,” 36, of St. Croix, participated in the murder of Eddie Harriette, Jr., who was believed to have stolen money from the Girard gang, and separately set up the shooting death of Jermaine Williams, a member of a rival gang led by Ivan James, outside of Williams’ child’s daycare center.
Six additional defendants, all of St. Croix except for Wayne Bellille of St. Thomas, have
pleaded guilty to various racketeering charges and have been sentenced. Below is each defendant’s sentence for the following convictions:
The Alexander Farrelly Criminal Justice Complex in St. Thomas (File photo)
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. commuted the sentences of three former inmates and pardoned two on Friday, May 31.
Gov. Bryan commuted the life sentences of Alexander Viust, 51, and Denise L. Donovan, 64, to time served.
Viust had been serving a sentence of life in prison plus 15 years for first-degree murder and first-degree assault in Virginia where, for 28 years, he took advantage of rehabilitation programs and became a tutor and translator.
Donovan was convicted of first-degree murder and was serving a sentence of life in prison without parole. While jailed at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix since 2003, Donovan shared her domestic violence story and had been involved with bible studies and mentoring fellow inmates.
The governor commuted the sentence of Michael Davis, 50, from 15 years to time served. Davis was convicted of third-degree assault and unauthorized use of a firearm in 2015 and had served eight years at the Citrus County Detention Facility in Florida. Davis was a model inmate who earned his high school diploma while incarcerated.
Governor Bryan pardoned the convictions of Latoya Nicole Smith, 34, and Kevin Allong, 53.
Smith pleaded guilty in 2016 to third-degree assault and was sentenced to three years in prison with all but six months suspended. While incarcerated, Smith became a certified phlebotomist and is working to become certified as a licensed practical nurse.
Allong was convicted in 1991 of being an accessory after the fact to murder and was sentenced to five years in prison. In March 1996, he completed his incarceration and has committed no crimes since his discharge. Allong obtained a General Education Diploma (GED) and has remained employed.
By granting these pardons, Governor Bryan hopes to offer Ms. Smith and Mr. Allong a second chance to positively progress in their lives and unlock improved employment opportunities in the future.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure, and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government, and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit https://transparency.vi.gov
