Photo Focus: Powell Park Grads

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Photo Focus: Powell Park Grads
Julius E. Sprauve School students wait to receive eighth-grade graduation certificates at Franklin Powell Park on St. John. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)

There’s a famous saying: “Proper planning prevents poor performance,” and on Thursday in Cruz Bay, the forward-thinking administrators who changed the venue for the 2024 Julius E. Sprauve School Promotional Ceremony demonstrated the proof.

Twenty-nine transitioning eighth graders took their seats in Franklin Powell Park to accept certificates declaring them ready for high school; 14 were honor students. The administration said Sprauve School staff is especially proud because every student in the class qualified for promotion without needing remedial work or adjusting their grades.

Normally, big canopies are set up for seating at public events in the park like this, but students were given umbrellas to shield themselves from either the sun or the rain.

The change of venue was one of three announced by the Education Department on their social media page posted May 16. The public was also advised that Yvonne Millner-Bowsky School on St. Thomas and Ricardo Richards Elementary School on St. Croix would celebrate their students’ achievements in different locations this week.

Torrential downpours from a predicted storm system drenched the territory the night before, and a massive WAPA power outage made the outdoor venture ideal under the circumstances.

A Water and Power Authority advisory circulated by text at 8:45 a.m. Thursday said the island-wide St. John power outage was caused by a problem along the distribution line. Electrical service was finally restored around 5:30 a.m. Friday morning.

35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Senate Calendar for May 27 – May 31

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35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Senate Calendar for May 27 – May 31
United States Virgin Islands flag logo
35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Senate Calendar for May 27 – May 31 Monday, May 27, 2024 Memorial Day — Holiday Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Reserved for the Office of the Senate President Wednesday, May 29, 2024 Reserved for the Office of the Senate President Tuesday, May 30, 2024 Reserved for the Office of the Senate President Friday, May 31, 2024 Reserved for the Office of the Senate President

Beach Advisory for May 20-24

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Beach Advisory for May 20-24
Lindqvist Beach, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (Shutterstock)
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the territory by sampling for enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following: DPNR performed water quality analysis at 18 designated beaches throughout the territory, during the week of May 20 – May 24, collecting samples on May 20 – May 21. However, the territory has experienced significant rainfall in the days following sample collection. Therefore, be advised that there may be an elevated health risk to anyone swimming in stormwater-impacted areas because of increased concentrations of bacteria or other contaminants. Areas of stormwater runoff (i.e., guts, puddles and drainage basins) or any area that appears discolored or has foul odors should be avoided. DPNR will continue to monitor impacted areas and waters. Based on the analytical results, the following beaches met the water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing: St. Thomas Brewers Bay Coki Point Bluebeard’s Beach Frenchman’s Bay Hull Bay Lindqvist Beach Vessup Bay Bolongo Bay Secret Harbor Magens Bay Sapphire Beach Lindbergh Bay St. John Cruz Bay Frank Bay Oppenheimer Beach Johnson Bay Great Cruz Bay Note: Samples were not collected on St. Croix and due to the presence of excessive sargassum, samples were not collected at the following beach:
  • Water Bay on St. Thomas.
Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown. For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774-3320 on St. Thomas.

Legislature Corner: The State of WAPA’s Infrastructure and Management is Unacceptable

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Legislature Corner: The State of WAPA’s Infrastructure and Management is Unacceptable
Senator-at-Large Angel L. Bolques Jr. (file photo)
Senator Angel Bolques Jr. today expressed profound disappointment and concern regarding the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s (WAPA) continued inability to provide reliable electricity and water services to the residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This follows a major failure on the underground transmission line that carries power from St. Thomas, leaving all 2,600 WAPA customers on St. John without electricity for extended periods. “Reliable electricity and water are not luxuries; they are essential services that our residents depend on daily,” said Sen. Bolques. “The recent outages have placed an enormous burden on the people of St. John, who already face unique challenges due to the lack of comprehensive infrastructure compared to St. Thomas and St. Croix. This situation is especially dangerous for our elderly and disabled residents, working families, and our business sector, including the public sector.” During a WAPA board meeting, CEO Andrew Smith admitted, “We can never get to a zero outage scenario,” highlighting the severe limitations of the current infrastructure. Board members discussed numerous ongoing issues, including disputes over new generators and delayed infrastructure buyouts, exacerbating the power reliability crisis. The current state of WAPA’s infrastructure and management is unacceptable,” said Bolques. “St. John’s residents are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on imported resources for everything, making the need for reliable power even more critical. The outages have already caused significant disruptions, including business closures and impacts on essential services like the V.I. Waste Management Authority and the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas.” Sen. Bolques emphasized the dire consequences of these power failures: “Imagine the hardship for families trying to care for their newborn and elderly members or for businesses striving to stay afloat without consistent electricity. This is not just an inconvenience; it is a public safety issue.” WAPA’s ongoing financial and operational struggles were laid bare, with board members citing neglected maintenance, budget constraints and the lack of backup generators. “We desperately need to do major maintenance on our generators,” Smith noted, while also admitting that cash flow issues hinder necessary repairs and upgrades. Angel Bolques Jr., Senator-at-Large 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands

Viya Offices Close in Observance of Memorial Day

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Viya Offices Close in Observance of Memorial Day
Viya, the leading telecommunications provider in the US Virgin Islands, will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. As we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, Viya will suspend its operations. All Viya offices will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28. Customers are encouraged to conduct transactions, at their convenience, using Viya’s online Customer Care and payment portal: www.viya.vi or calling 774-2PAY (2729), 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

NRCS Caribbean Area Provides Emergency Watershed Protection Assistance to PR and USVI

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NRCS Caribbean Area Provides Emergency Watershed Protection Assistance to PR and USVI
An emergency watershed protection project in 2019 (Source file)
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides financial and technical assistance to municipalities and local agencies in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the recovery and protection of life and property caused by excessive erosion and flooding from torrential rains for the following activities under the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program: debris removal from stream channels, road culverts and bridges; reshape and protect eroded streambanks; correct damaged drainage facilities; establish vegetative cover on critically eroding lands; repair levees and structures; and repair conservation practices. Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands agencies and organizations seeking to sponsor Emergency Watershed Protection projects should submit a sponsor request letter to Natural Resources Conservation Service as soon as possible. The cuff-off date for agencies/sponsors to nominate potential damaged sites for Emergency Watershed Protection Program Recovery assistance is June 21, 2024. Contact NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Coordinator Lisbeth San Miguel-Rivera and Caribbean Area State Conservation Engineer Yilia Baucage-Bou, at Lisbeth.SanMiguel-Rivera@usda.gov / Yilia.Baucage-Bou@usda.gov or 939-208-0931 / 787-342-6916 for more information or visit www.pr.nrcs.usda.gov / EWP fact sheet.

Ulrica Maria Vialet Dies at 95

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Ulrica Maria Vialet Dies at 95
Ulrica Maria Vialet
Beloved mother Ulrica Maria Vialet, better known as “Rickci,” died on May 9 at the age of 95. Ulrica was preceded in death by her father, Lionel Emelia Vialet; mother, Melita Victoria Veronica Zingue; spouse, Antonio “Johnny Green” Thomas; brothers: Alfred J. Richards, Dean N. Stephens Sr., John A. Stolard Sr., Lionel R. Vialet, Ramon L. Vialet, Riele E. Vialet, Raphael L. Vialet, Ralph Vialet and Roy L. Vialet; and sisters: Floria M. Vialet-Callwood, Janet E. Vialet-Woodley, Leona V. Vialet, Juliette F. Vialet-Potter, Ruth L. Vialet and Raphaela N. Vialet-Holder. Ulrica is survived by her son, Anthony David Thomas; and daughter, Arecia Yvette Thomas-Pedrazini; grandson, Jah-Koi Anthony Alejandro George; daughter-in-law, Janice Magen Farrell-Thomas; son-in-law, Michael Pedrazzini; sister, Helena Melita Enrique; special daughter, Janice Fraites; special son, Ulrie Vialet; nieces: Aurea Ortiz, Gloria Ortiz-Etienne, Floria Antonia Ortiz-Samuel, Lynnette Potter-Moreland, Colleen Potter-Salem, Carolyn Potter-Wyllis and Ada Potter.; nephews: Edgar Callwood, Tyrone and Andrew Greene; as well as other nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins too numerous to mention. Ulrica is also survived by her special cousins: Doris Henneman, Elsa McBean, Louis Vialet, Roy Vialet, Felix Vialet Jr., Susthens “Joey” Vialet, Linda Vialet, Monique Farrell, Elise M. Vialet-Ware and Jeaney L. George; and special friends: Elenor Mason, Beverly Monsanto, Cyril Benjamin and Arlean Benjamin. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Turnbull’s Funeral Home. The viewing will be held from 4-6 p.m., Monday, June 17, at Turnbull’s Funeral Home. Homegoing services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral followed by interment at Western Cemetery No. 1. Please send tributes, pictures or special memories for the funeral booklet by June 1 to  ulricam.vialet1929@gmail.com Recent Obituaries | Turnbulls Funeral Home & Crematory Services (turnbullsfuneralhomevi.com) Professional services have been entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.

Legislature Corner: Kaine, Plaskett, Cherfilus-McCormick Head Letter Urging Security Funding for Haiti

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Legislature Corner: Kaine, Plaskett, Cherfilus-McCormick Head Letter Urging Security Funding for Haiti
The Capitol Building in Washington D.C. (photo from National Park Service)
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, joined Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) and  Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus, along with 39 House colleagues and 10 Senate colleagues in sending a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member James Risch urging them to lift the hold on the State Department’s request for $94 million for the Multinational Security Support mission (MSS) to Haiti. “Congressional Republicans’ refusal to support the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti has become a serious obstacle to creating a pathway to the restoration of peace, security and democratic governance,” said Sen. Kaine.  “As a result, extremely dangerous conditions will persist, putting millions of lives at risk and driving irregular migration to our borders and shores. Kenya has generously offered to lead the international response, but the situation is dire and time is short. “As Kenyan President William Ruto visits Washington this week, it is crucial that we find a path forward on these funds so the international community can work together to use all tools at our disposal to address this crisis expediently and comprehensively.” “The people of Haiti have suffered profound political, security and humanitarian crises with dignity and determination,” said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. “The establishment of the Multinational Security Support mission (MSS) in Haiti is paramount to advancing the national security interests of the United States, demonstrating American leadership in the Caribbean, and providing a lifeline to the Haitian people. If we act decisively and together, Haiti has a fighting chance to mitigate the chaos plaguing its communities.” “The situation in Haiti is dire. According to the United Nations, over 2,500 Haitians were killed or injured by gang violence during the first three months of 2024. Nearly 4.4 million people in Haiti are facing famine, and approximately 398,000 people have been forcefully kicked out of their homes by gangs. The Multinational Security Support mission (MSS) is essential to providing stability to Haiti and protecting America’s national security,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. “For over six months, Congressional Republicans have refused to provide the resources needed to carry out the MSS, despite the deteriorating situation on the ground.” The letter is signed by U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John W. Hickenlooper (D-CO), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), André Carson (D-IN-07), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06), Gerald Connolly (D-VA-11), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Valerie Foushee (D-NC-04), Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Henry Johnson (D-GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Robin Jelly (D-IL-02), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Lucy McBath (D-GA-07), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Adam Schiff (D-CA-30), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25) and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24). The text of the letter can be found at https://www.kaine.senate.gov/download/52124-haiti-letter

Dante S. deCastro Dies at 98

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Dante S. deCastro Dies at 98
Dante de Castro
Dante S. deCastro, 98, was born on Antigua on July 2, 1925, to parents Alice Matthew-Gordon and Dalton deCastro.  Dante was affectionately known to family and close friends as “Uncle Dante.” Dante transitioned into eternal peace on April 30 in South Carolina with family and friends by his bedside. Dante had a successful career in banking and voluntarily served many organizations in his church and community. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings, his mother and father. Dante had a successful career in banking and voluntarily served many organizations in his church and community. Mr. deCastro is survived by his wife, Janet DeWindt- deCastro; daughter, Bernice Denbow; granddaughters: Bernice Arnold (Gregg) and Michelle Pitts (Buddy); great-grandsons: Andre and James; great-granddaughters: Bria and Christina; stepdaughter, Carolyn Washington (Terrence); and stepsons: Danny Crawford (Annette) and David Crawford (Temeka). He is also survived by step-grandsons: Steven Lowe (Linda) and Russell Lowe (Deborah); nieces: Eileen Donovan, Margaret Almyra Penn, Miriam Isola Marine, Joyce deCastro, Janet de Castro-Strain, Carol deCastro- Henry and Synthia de Castro; nephew, Edward deCastro and Alli Dante Dottin; and brothers-in-law: Roy DeWindt, Earl DeWindt and Franklin DeWindt (deceased). Other survivors include sisters-in-law: Vivian and Jestina DeWindt; special cousins: Norma and John Giminez, Myra Arlene Edwards, Albert Edwards, Rev. Dr. Gordon A.R. Edwards, Huburn Edwards, Peggy Pickering and Rose Christian; as well as a host of family members and friends too numerous to mention. The celebration of life service for Dante S. deCastro will take place on Friday, May 24, at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church. the viewing will be from 9-10 a.m. and the funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Western Cemetery No. 1. Arrangements are by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.

Alice M. Francis-Richardson Dies at 85

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Alice M. Francis-Richardson Dies at 85
Alice M. Francis-Richardson
Alice M. Francis-Richardson of Sunny Isles Housing died on May 6. She was 85 years old. She is survived by her daughters: Anna Vallade, Arlene V. Penn and Allison Vallade; grandchildren: Ahimsa, Irule, Giavanni, Rodney-Lenny, Renwick Lynch Jr., Lynel Lynch, Kenisha Henderson, Kenika H. Degazon, Marco A. Lebron, Leticia Lebron, Tamara Lebron, Takwan Deazle, Mehki Deazle and Jah-Queda Applewhaite; 41 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Sibyl Thomas. She is also survived by nephews: Wayne Gerard, Larry Joshua, Randall Joshua, Joseph Eastman, Neville Thomas, Chislon Thomas, Gregory Francis, Navin Francis, Olric L. Francis (N.Y.), Kenneth A. Edwards and Linella E. Francis (Ga.); nieces: Urita Joshua, Patricia Francis-Blake Lee and Kathleen Francis-Harris (N.Y.); grandsons-in-law: Vincent Nestor Jr. and Troy Roberts; granddaughter-in-law, Elise Sasso-Lynch; and nephew-in-law, Ransom Lee. Other survivors include caretaker, Marva King; special friends: Radiance Roebuck Irwin, Sharon Felix, Anita, Charles Nibbs, Merle Finley, Roebuck family, Aureliano Olay Marvin, Frankie, Evelyn, Julia J. Rodgers and Sunny Isles Housing family; cousins and other relatives: the Francis, Miller, Connor, Gumbs, Bough, Flemming, Hughes, Hodge, Carty, Ruan, Webster, Richardson, Mason, Greenidge and Abramson families; and great nieces, great nephews, and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention. Special thank you to Bobo Bates, Marko Trucking, Kenneth, Bernard, Joleen, Bonnie Canton, Nanton, James Memorial Funeral Home Inc., Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital ICU staff and Dr. Galiber. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 28, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Christiansted. Viewing will begin at 10 a.m. with service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery. The family respectfully requests that those in attendance wear yellow. Professional funeral services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home Inc.
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