Crime Stoppers V.I. offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of individuals responsible for past homicides on St. Thomas, St. Croix, or St. John, involvement in government corruption, manufacturing and/or distributing drugs and trafficking guns.
Aug. 17, 2020
The V.I. Police Department reported that on the night of Aug. 17, 2020, 16-year-old Tintawee Christian and an unidentified friend were walking in the Estate Sion Farm near the Mill, when they were approached by an unfamiliar vehicle and were shot at. At around 10 p.m. the 911 Emergency Call Center received several calls reporting a barrage of gunfire in the Estate Sion Farm area and upon police arrival, Tintawee Tammir Issat Christian, also known as “Tawee,” was found dead and his friend was seriously injured.
Nov. 18, 2020
The V.I. Police Department reported that on Nov.18, 2020, at approximately 12:05 a.m., the 911 Call Center received a call of shots fired in the area of Contant Enighed, St. John. Units from the Leander Jurgen Command traveled to the scene and made contact with a male who appeared to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Emergency Medical Technicians who were on scene concluded that the male did not have any vital signs. Next of kin identified the male as 20-year-old A’Jahnie Bramble.
Anyone having information regarding either incident can contact Crime Stoppers V.I. at (800) 222-8477, or submit an anonymous tip online at www.p3tips.com or www.crimestoppersvi.org.
The Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget sent Gov. Bryan’s proposed 2025 budget, officials said Friday. (Screenshot of budget)
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. proposed setting the U.S. Virgin Islands 2025 budget at more than $1.44 billion, officials said Friday.
The budget reflects gross revenue collections of roughly $1.08 billion, which translates to a net revenue of $897,047,415 after tax refunds, infrastructure subsidies, debt services, or amounts owed to other governmental entities are deducted. Money drawn from the General Fund would reduce by more than $77 million compared to Fiscal Year 2024 as several sizable one-time, non-recurring government obligations were eliminated, said Office of Management and Budget’s Director Jenifer C. O’Neal.
The total budget includes $896,803,010 from the General Fund, $416,839,994 from federal funds, $97,949,177 from other appropriated funds, and $28,970,041 from other non-appropriated funds, according to OMB.
O’Neal said the $77 million difference was attributable to retroactive wages and small projects.
“By decreasing government spending by more than three-quarters of a million dollars, the financial team plans to build vital cash reserves that will allow the government to nimbly meet any unforeseen challenges that may yet arise. In addition, all revenues included in the budget are projections based on a number of factors, including the rebuilding of schools and other major projects. If those projected actions don’t materialize, it will result in lower cash. So in essence, there is no $77 million dollars sitting anywhere waiting to be used,” she wrote to the Source. “We are instead being cautious and as a result have lowered the projected government expenditure.”
In his introduction to the report, Bryan said the budget expenditure reduction — from $974,062,924 in FY 2024 to $896,803,010 in Fiscal Year 2025 — was roughly an 8 percent reduction.
“However, this budget still provides adequate funding for all essential government obligations and once again includes $5 million from the Transportation Trust Fund earmarked exclusively for local road repairs and a $5 million dollar contribution to the Budget Stabilization Fund,” the governor said. “While we have reduced the proposed expenditures in the upcoming fiscal year, we remain optimistic about the strength of revenue collections.”
He said the USVI can expect increased revenue collections from four of the five major categories: personal income tax, corporate income tax, gross receipts tax, and excise tax. Only real property taxes were predicted to decrease, likely by 1 percent.
The budget reflects an expected corporate and residential construction boom, according to a written statement from OMB. The territory also predicts strong growth in tourism driven by territory-wide cruise ship activity, new hotel construction, and private room-renting and vacation villas.
The executive budget was sent to the Legislature for review and approval Thursday, O’Neal said. For the first time, the executive budget proposal was also available for review by non-elected officials via an interactive website detailing each individual government agency’s financial plan. The link is here.
The budget website provides exhaustive information on some areas of the Virgin Islands, like its average temperature and territorial seal. Elsewhere it comes up short, such as what falls under a $46,352,927 appropriation for “Miscellaneous.”
In the new budget, the Education Department would see an increase from $67,704,784 in FY 2024 to $170,084,508 in 2025. The Health Department would see a $1.3 million dip in funding to $26,060,486, while Juan F. Luis Hospital and Schneider Regional Medical Center would both see $1 million increases to $31,250,000 and $32,750,000, respectively.
Lots of weight in the proposed budget dropped from the Finance Department itself, which dropped more than $9 million to $13,951,708.
The Senate’s powerful Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance plans to look at the executive budget next week.
Iambakisye Richardson reviewing project framework (Source photo by Shaun A. Pennington)
This fall, several Charlotte Amalie High School students will collaborate on a major investigative project with top journalists from the nation’s major media outlets and journalism organizations, including Pulitzer Prize and Emmy-winning reporters.
The students, who will select a Virgin Islands-related issue for investigation, are part of a worldwide high school investigative project sponsored by the Itty Bitty Book App. The app, created by former Virgin Islands resident and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Melvin Claxton, aims to help develop the next generation of investigative journalists and writers.
While the app, which allows children to create and publish multiple genres of books and newspapers is free for children and young adults worldwide, the high school investigative project is very selective. CAHS is one of only five schools chosen to participate in the program. Three other schools are in the U.S. and one in Africa.
CAHS journalism teacher Iambakisye Richardson, who will lead the project at his school, told the Source that he is excited to see what issue students choose to delve into.
“It needs to be their idea,” he said. “But it also needs to be hard-hitting.”
Along with learning investigative and reporting skills, students will train as editors and fact-checkers to review and verify investigative content to ensure accuracy and adherence to ethical standards. The CAHS investigative team will include photojournalists and graphic artists.
Students in the program will be mentored by some of the nation’s top investigative journalists, including multiple Pulitzer Prize winner and former Miami Herald project editor Michael Sallah and Peabody Award winner and former ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings and Nightline editor Melvin McCray.
Claxton said this level of training will benefit students even if they choose careers other than journalism. He said the program will embed life skills, such as critical thinking, fairness, objectivity and ethics in participants.
The Itty Bitty Book app is already impacting the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since its launch two years ago, the app has partnered with the Virgin Islands Lit Fest on St. Croix, and many V.I. students use it to create books and newspapers.
“What a gift for writers with varying learning modalities,” said St. Croix school librarian Janice Ferdinand, whose preK-8 grade students helped beta test the app in the territory. “I’ve seen the tactile learner get to do in-depth work on their illustrations, which sparked more imaginative writing. This year, I saw more students spending time revising their writing. They loved seeing their words scroll up like a movie.”
The high school investigative journalism project comes at a critical time for Virgin Islands journalism. The 85-year-old St. Croix Avis folded this year and a recent court filing exposed financial challenges for the Virgin Islands Daily News, the only local newspaper of general circulation aside from the V.I. Source.
“Projects like our high school investigative journalism program are critical to democracy,” said Claxton, CEO of Epic 4D, the company that developed the app. “When we lose the skills to ferret out wrongdoing and malfeasance, our society and democracy are at great risk, and we all pay a heavy price.”
Isaac Kenrick, upcoming media producer hailing from the Virgin Islands. (Submitted photo)Kenrick Isaac, who grew up in the Virgin Islands and was born in St. Kitts, is spearheading a unique project aimed at supporting a school in South Africa through the power of documentary filmmaking. His initiative, inspired by a visit to Johannesburg, seeks to raise the profile of the school, Kgololo Academy School, founded by Thulani Mbatha and Waahida-Thobekile, highlighting their transformative work in education.Isaac’s journey began on a whim during a trip to Johannesburg, where he visited friends who run a school. The school, set to celebrate its 10th anniversary, inspired Isaac to think of innovative ways to support its growth and reach. “We need to raise your profile,” Isaac recalled telling his friends, drawing inspiration from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott’s progressive approach to donations.“While I was in South Africa, I said, you know, we need to raise your profile. So the idea of maybe a short documentary came up because I thought it would be great to have a visual piece to tell everybody about the school,” Isaac explained.Building a Production Company The concept quickly evolved, leading Issac to establish a production company under Redemption Holdings. Although the production company’s name is still in the works, its mission is clear: to create impactful films that tell important stories. The first project is the documentary on the South African school, aiming to secure additional support for its expansion to accommodate students up to 12th grade.Isaac’s involvement in the film industry began unexpectedly when he assisted a friend with a documentary, Hugo: Portrait of a Dreamer, on St. Thomas. His experience as a director of photography on that project inspired him to pursue filmmaking more seriously. This newfound passion has been nurtured through collaboration with Timberhouse Films, a company known for its significant projects, including an upcoming documentary about Eric Garner’s story.Isaac envisions a documentary that not only highlights the school’s achievements but also underscores the importance of education in transforming lives. “This effort is very organic and taking on a lot of things. We want to produce something groundbreaking,” he said.Isaac is keen on showcasing the school’s journey and the dedication of Talani and Wahida, who have expanded the school from a primary institution to one that now includes middle school and, soon, high school students. “I want people to hear about this story. These kids now get opportunities that other people didn’t have, and documenting that is important,” he emphasized.Isaac also hopes to bring the Virgin Islands’ rich cultural heritage into his projects. He sees potential in creating content that celebrates West Indian cuisine, akin to the style of Anthony Bourdain, but from a Caribbean perspective. “We should talk about our culture. And in order to save our culture, we have to live our culture,” Isaac noted.He reminisced about unique culinary experiences from his youth in the Virgin Islands, stressing the importance of documenting and preserving traditional recipes and food culture. “We’re losing the flavor of our food because we’re not documenting it. And I think documenting it would help to re-inspire,” he said.Isaac’s production company aims to create a variety of content, from documentaries to feature films, with a focus on collaboration and community engagement. “We’re in the crawl, walk, run phase. We start with podcasts, move to scripted shows, and then feature films,” he outlined.By leveraging modern platforms and engaging with a younger audience through mediums like TikTok, Isaac hopes to make a significant impact. His ultimate goal is to support educational initiatives and preserve cultural heritage, all while telling compelling stories that resonate with a global audience.Isaac is currently working on setting up a donation fund to support the school and the documentary. “We want to make sure we have a really good treatment in terms of a plan for how we’re going to tell this story,” he said. Donations will be split between funding the documentary and directly supporting the school.As Isaac and his team continue to plan and execute this ambitious project, they are driven by the belief that education and cultural preservation are paramount. “This world is a small place. We should care about education everywhere, and I think documenting these stories is a step in the right direction,” Isaac concluded.
Eighteen months after efforts began, glass recycling has taken hold on St. Thomas. According to data gathered by members of the St. Thomas Rotary Eco Club, 10 tons of glass have been diverted from the island’s landfill.
Doug White demonstrates donated glass crusher. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
The St. Thomas club is one of 46,000 Rotary clubs worldwide that emphasize environmental protection as their community service. Working with a donated glass crusher and word-of-mouth promotion, volunteers have had to increase the processing of bottles and jars from twice a month to once a week.
“Our volume has been steadily growing,” Environmental Manager Doug White said, “(And) that’s just word of mouth, and the volume has increased so that we’re recycling every Saturday.”
The work gets done with help from machinery bought through a grant from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands and donated by UVI’s Marine Science Advisory Service. Those efforts, fueled by 107 volunteer man-hours, produced 314.5 cubic feet of crushed glass between Oct. 1, 2023, and March 16, 2024.
Waste Management Authority Communications Director Lorna Minkoff said the authority recognizes the effort and the desire by some to do more. At one point, WMA was asked to help procure an industrial-size glass crusher, but cost considerations and maintenance issues prevented officials from taking action, Minkoff said.
To catch up with a willing-to-recycle public, the club is seeking funds to expand. They are also willing to welcome volunteers who can help prepare donations for processing.
“We’re asking for donations so that the club can accept more glass. There’s a $10 million EPA Community Change Grant that’s only available to nonprofits, so EcoClub works with Island Green and the V.I. Conservation Society, and Compost Connections to form a coalition,” the environmental manager said.
Eco Rotarians have managed public expectations by limiting the hours for glass donations. A wall-mounted sign appearing near the East End thrift shop earlier this year asked donors to drop off between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturdays only.
Modified Hours notice seen at Red Hook Plaza (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Now, that’s been trimmed back again to a 90-minute window between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., followed by a steady grind that produces a sand-like final product.
“We’re making sandbags out of them that we will be giving away during hurricane season,” White said.
On May 22, during a private charter boat tour, Captain Ryan and his guests discovered a rare sighting of a Leatherback Sea Turtle nesting at Rogues Bay, Tortola.
Leatherback Sea Turtle being measured on Tortola. (Photo courtesy Island Roots Charters)
As Captain Ryan approached the shore, he noticed two men observing a dark mass approximately 4.5 feet long. Initially confused about what it was, Captain Ryan quickly realized that the large dark mass he was seeing was, in fact, a majestic Leatherback Sea Turtle covering its freshly laid nest of eggs, according to Island Roots Charters.
At 4.5 feet long, this turtle was still only half the size of a fully-grown adult, which can reach up to 8-9 feet in length and weigh over 2,000 pounds. This type of rare sighting was confirmed by Willow Melamet, sea turtle program coordinator at Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, in a recent email in which she noted the rarity of the event, referencing that St. John had only two leatherback nests laid in April/May of 2022, the press release stated.
It is illegal for tourists to touch or play with the sea turtles in any way in the Virgin Islands and elsewhere because Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are considered endangered under the Endangered Species Act, with only an estimated 34,000 nesting females remaining globally as of 2024. This figure is alarmingly low, less than the population of St. Thomas. Due to their endangered status, it is illegal for tourists to touch or interfere with these turtles in any way in the Virgin Islands and beyond, the release stated.
Check out the videos of the Leatherback Sea Turtle sighting on YouTube.
Children of Gaza (Shutterstock image)
As a Palestinian safely residing in the US Virgin Islands, I feel a profound sense of helplessness and agony as I witness the relentless devastation in Gaza. While I enjoy the privileges of a comfortable bed, a home filled with healthy loved ones, and a simple glass of water—luxuries now unattainable in Gaza—my people endure unimaginable suffering.
Airstrikes have obliterated entire neighborhoods, reducing Gaza to rubble. Bombs are dropped indiscriminately, with no warnings, showing no mercy for the innocent. Homes, schools, and hospitals lie in ruins; not a single university or hospital remains fully operational, all having been demolished or damaged. Children, women, and men have perished from starvation, been burned alive, and suffered other unspeakable inhumane acts, with thousands still missing beneath the debris. Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank live in constant terror, burdened with the heavy knowledge that any moment could bring more loss and destruction.
This is not a war; this is a genocide. The recent violence is just the latest in a long history of pain and suffering for the Palestinians. Since 1948, they have faced oppression and have been forced from their homes. The Nakba, or “catastrophe,” made many of their ancestors’ refugees, who still dream of going back to their homeland. Each conflict makes the situation worse, and generations have grown up knowing only war, displacement, and daily struggles under years of occupation.
The trauma of living in constant danger is overwhelming. Palestinians are haunted by memories of past violence and fear what tomorrow might bring. While the world sees their suffering on screens, they live it and experience it daily. While many of us feel helpless, we ask you not to look away. Use your voice to speak out for justice and peace. Stand with Palestine and be the voice for those who can’t speak. Your support can bring hope to those living in Palestine and show them that they are not alone in this fight for freedom and dignity.
Imagine waking up every day to the sound of bombs and agonizing screams, with nowhere safe to go. Picture children who should be playing, laughing, and learning but instead living in constant fear, bodies shaking, and tears running through their eyes as their eyes reflect on the horrors they’ve seen- the trauma they experience- daily. Families are torn apart, parents mourning their lost children, children mourning their parents, and communities are shattered beyond repair. The streets are filled with debris and despair, and the air is thick with the cries of those who have lost everything. This is the reality for Palestinians. They are not images on a screen; they are real people with dreams, hopes, and an unyielding desire for peace.
As a Palestinian and as a human, I feel a mix of guilt and relief for my safety. I wake up every day knowing I will have plenty of food to eat, clean water to drink, ability to hold and hug my loved ones without fear, along with many other blessings. However, the fear for those in Gaza are constant. Please, let their suffering move you to action. Speak up for them, stand with them, and help them in their fight for a future where they can live without fear. Where they can wake up with sounds of birds chirping and not bombs. Where they can live to wake up and smell the fresh air and not to that of blood or dead bodies. Where they can live to grow up and live like a human being.
Do not let their cries go unheard or their pain ignored. Your voice can be a powerful force for change, bringing attention and aid to those who need it most. Together, we can help build a future where the children of Gaza know peace, not war.
Editor’s Note: Nour Z. Suid, PsyD, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who was born and raised in the Virgin Islands. She graduated with her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Naturopathic Medicine. Suid is currently working as a mental health counselor at Serenity Wellness & Counseling.
A passenger taken off a plane after flight attendants complained charged with raising a ruckus at Cyril King Airport. (Shutterstock image)
A passenger ejected from a St. Thomas to New York flight was granted permission to travel after making an unscheduled stop in Superior Court Magistrates Division on May 27. Court documents say defendant Clayton R. Hines was removed from American Airlines Flight #936, scheduled to depart May 26, after flight attendants reported an intoxicated passenger on board.
He and a travel companion were taken back to the terminal at Cyril E. King Airport, where service agents told Port Authority Police Hines began creating a disturbance.
The agent rebooked Hines and his companion for a later flight, but the defendant allegedly continued to shout obscenities in the terminal. Arresting officers said the defendant was detained after refusing verbal orders to calm down and allegedly resisting attempts to place him in handcuffs.
Officers also reported the suspect’s breath smelling of alcohol.
Hines appeared at a hearing on May 27 before Superior Court Magistrate Paula Norkadis, who upheld charges of simple assault, resisting arrest, and disturbance of the peace.
Bail was set at $1,000; the magistrate granted the defendant permission to travel on May 30 after ordering him to appear for arraignment at Barbel Plaza on June 14.
* * *
A passenger on a safari bus described as a vagrant was placed on $30,000 bail after allegedly accosting two female passengers — including a nine-year-old girl. The defendant was arrested on May 28.
The first female passenger told police on May 27 that the suspect — identified as Coulav Swan — began touching her from the time she boarded the vehicle, and she placed her handbag on the seat between them to ward off her alleged assailant. Further details contained in a police report filed in Superior Court said a mother with two children then boarded the safari and sat between the two passengers and the female complainant.
One of the children — the nine-year-old — later told police she saw the man sitting next to her pull the zipper of his pants up and down repeatedly, exposing and rubbing his genitals. The minor’s six-year-old brother told authorities he also saw the man sitting beside his sister place his hand in his pants.
All of the passengers involved in the alleged incident got off as the vehicle stopped at Tutu Park Mall. When the minors told their mother what happened, she alerted the safari driver, court records said. The passenger who first encountered the suspect later told police she saw Swan enter the mall after disembarking.
“The mother stated that later she saw that he was escorted out of the mall by security for being in the women’s bathroom,” the police report said.
Swan was charged with unlawful sexual contact, obscene and indecent conduct and vagrancy. At an initial hearing held May 29, Magistrate Paula Norkadis set bail at $30,000 with no provision for a lesser amount upon cash bond.
A St. Croix man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder for a September 2023 shooting, the V.I. Police Department reported Friday.
On Sept. 10, 2023, 911 received reports of shots being fired in the vicinity of Richmond Fire Station. Upon the arrival of the responding officers, contact was made with the male victim, who stated that he was walking near the fire station when he heard a vehicle approaching from behind. He stated that as the vehicle approached him, a male suspect leaned out of the vehicle and began firing shots at him. The victim stated he was able to escape by running in the opposite direction, according to the police report.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau was called to investigate the incident. It was discovered that Darnley Petersen was the individual who fired shots at the victim from the passenger seat of the vehicle, which was being operated by Malyki Lockhart. Based on the findings of the investigation, CIB secured a warrant for Petersen’s arrest for attempted murder in the first degree, the police report stated.
On Thursday, Petersen, 23, was picked up from the Bureau of Corrections, where he currently resides, due to a previous charge and was charged and booked for attempted murder, assault in the first degree, assault in the third degree, unauthorized possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of ammunition, reckless endangerment first, and discharging or aiming a firearm. Petersen’s bail was set in the amount of $1,000,000 and he was transported back to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing, the report stated.
A St. Croix man who was wanted for kidnapping his girlfriend is now in custody, the V.I. Police Department reported Friday.
On Sunday at approximately 11:06 p.m., an adult female victim called 911 to report that she needed assistance with her boyfriend, Vernon Sackey Jr., who was keeping her in his vehicle against her will, according to the police report.
A Criminal Investigation Bureau detective’s investigation revealed that Sackey arrived at the victim’s apartment, and she willingly left with him. Sackey was irate and began to threaten the victim’s life. She asked Sackey to let her out of the vehicle multiple times, but he did not, resulting in her call to 911. Eventually, the victim was able to exit the vehicle. Sackey tried to convince her to get back in the vehicle, but he fled the scene when he saw the approaching responding officers, the police report stated.
On Thursday, members of the Criminal Investigation Bureau and VIPD made contact with Vernon Sackey J., 25, and he was arrested. He faces charges of kidnapping DV, false imprisonment and kidnapping, and simple assault and battery. Sackey was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing, the report stated.
