Carol Lotz-Felix, who died in April at the age of 83, was a dedicated reporter for the Source. (Submitted photo)
Carol Lotz-Felix was a well-seasoned woman warrior when she volunteered to help a fledgling internet newspaper uncover systemic failures in a community she had only been part of for four years.
But it wasn’t just the investigating, reporting and smooth writing on clunky subjects that she contributed.
Carol did the hard stuff, too … like walking down the hill to the print newspaper vendor every morning to pick up and report back on the headlines. Those headlines were the only guide we had before we were able to finally get on the radar — and fax machines back then — of the public information offices in the territory.
After her arduous hike, Carol would then rewrite copy, with attribution of course, from the other papers, thus providing “content” for the first and only non-affiliated internet newspaper of general circulation in the Virgin Islands.
Carol was a change agent, a speaker of truth to power; always looking for ways to make life better for the majority while often making life difficult for those in charge.
What Carol brought to the Source was a very small thing in the large life dedicated to helping where help was needed that she lived.
It is my honor to share three of the stories in a four-part expose that Carol produced more than 20 years ago on the USVI’s offshore tourism offices. It is important to note in this age of “what’s in it for me-ism” that Carol — like so many of the early “Sourcers” — was never financially compensated for any of her many contributions to the publications.
Among the ways that Carol, in her younger years, was trying to make life better for others was by participating in the Civil Rights Movement in North Carolina. She also wrote about that for the Source. The story focuses on her experience during a 29-day protest that took at place at City Hall in Wilmington, N.C.
Please let these all-too-brief highlights of Carol’s life be a call to those who remain to take up the battles left to fight (and win) against greed, corruption, racism, war, complacency and rampant dishonesty.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — Philosopher George Santayana
Thursday’s event, held as part of Police Week, was billed as a fun day for students on St. John. It was also an opportunity to see first responders at work and the different roles they play. Police, firefighters, and volunteers from St. John Rescue held demonstrations of drone technology, police dog searches, and the extrication of a car crash victim.
There was also a stop-the-bleeding demo put on by rescue volunteers. Students lined up for their chance to face what looked like a dismembered arm with open wounds and fluid pumped through a tube simulating blood.
Training Officer Bob Malacarne explained the fluid squirting out of those cuts was made up of juice, other liquids and almond butter. “I could eat it,” said one student.
Student practices bleeding suppression with St. John Rescue. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Students from Julius E. Sprauve School, St. John Christian Academy and Gifft Hill School also watched as firefighters used the jaws of life and other tools to remove a car crash victim from a crumpled vehicle. The doors came off, the windows were shattered; a crash test dummy in the driver’s seat was carefully removed and placed on a stretcher.
Then firefighters removed the roof.
Fire Service Lt. Robert Hyde said crews were engaged in crash victim practice sessions last week.
As they worked, supervisors watched closely. “The hardest part about this is the coordination and having clear communications,” said Hyde. Observers would notice how firefighters keep an eye on one another’s movements to clue themselves in on what to do next.
There was also time for technology. VIPD Juvenile Bureau Officer Jahbari Burton readied a camera-mounted drone for takeoff.
Students watch as Officer Jahbari Burton prepares a surveillance drone for flight. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Several times on Thursday, the announcer on the microphone told students to clear the area for the drone demonstration. But when police went into their next demonstration, only one mention was needed.
Watching from a distance as Special Operations officers put a police dog through its paces. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Children paid attention as police dogs took down officers acting as suspects at the gravel lot. Other demonstrations showed how K-9 teams search for drugs and weapons.
St. John Rescue Training Captain Brett Huntley said it’s not too soon for older students attending Thursday’s demonstration to think about careers as first responders.
“The best way for folks to learn more is to talk to them,” Huntley said as he pointed to firefighters carting off the roof of a car.
Fire crew members use teamwork to safely remove a crash test dummy. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Some are already showing interest. Sprauve School eighth graders Shay Powell and Rhea Hill are already Rescue volunteers.
“We had to ask a person if we would help them, and once we get consent then we can render aid,” Powell said.
“I’ve learned about CPR and AEB (Automatic External Defibrillator), and a lot about saving a toddler from choking,” said Hill.
“You learned how to save a toddler from choking?” Powell asked Hill, looking impressed. Former St. John Rescue Director Valerie Smith stood by their side and smiled.
Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel addresses residents about upcoming road repairs during Wednesday’s town hall. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
Updates from the Public Works Department and residents’ concerns were shared during a town hall meeting on Wednesday addressing the damaged roadway on First Avenue in Sugar Estate and the upcoming renovations over the next twelve months.
“This is the first step in a larger initiative to address stormwater drainage in the entire territory,” said Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel.
The town hall was held at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church on First Avenue. About 30 people were in attendance at the meeting. Gabriel said that the project will work to address “pavement rehabilitation, utility work, drainage improvements, and sidewalk rehabilitation.”
The project, which costs approximately $4.8 million, is anticipated to be completed within one year, according to Gabriel. Two million dollars in funding for the project emerged from the 2021 Legislative Act 8454 (bill no. 34-0036), with the remaining funds coming from the American Rescue Plan Act that must be spent before 2026.
Island Roads Corporation was selected last year as the design-build contractor for the project. Project manager Geoffrey Fleming Jr. said that the project is anticipated to be completed within a year; however, delays could occur, and he asked residents to be patient with the project.
“On the old roads, there are no plans,” said Fleming. “I may find something that I did not expect, that’s a delay.”
Geoffrey Fleming Jr., Island Roads project manager, details the upcoming road repair project to residents during Wednesday’s town hall. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
Fleming explained during the meeting that the entirety of First Avenue drains by 2nd and 3rd Street, goes out through Paul M. Pearson Garden, and then out to Yacht Haven Grande. As for the project, he noted that it will be completed in sections and stages.
Work will begin on the north side of the road on 10th Street and work its way down to 1st Street, then work will ensue on the south side. As far as stages, Fleming explained that the project will include digging up the street, removing underground boxes and pipes, installing new boxes, installing new pipes, laying base material, and lastly, installing sidewalks.
For the north side, gutters that lay up to fifteen feet up each street adjacent to First Avenue will be rebuilt. Each street will have an inlet to drain into a box that will take it to drains leading to Yacht Haven Grande. On the south side, the entire sidewalk will be removed to check utilities for sewage leakage. Once drainage is completed, new sewer and water lines will be installed.
Part of the First Avenue road that intersects 8th Street. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
Residents of the area present at the town hall expressed concerns over safety improvements for roadway widening, means of notification about the project, street parking, and disruption of activities such as church and funeral services and daycare.
Pertaining to roadway widening, at this time the department is “really just trying to address drainage issues,” said Gabriel.
As for communications, Gabriel encouraged residents to follow the Public Works Department’s communication mediums to stay updated with the project’s happenings. Email contactdpw@dpw.vi.gov and request to be added to the department’s news subscription, or go to their website, and subscribe. He said the department will provide updates through radio and email as necessary.
Federal Highway Program Manager Jomo McClean said that “communication is key. We have a robust communication team and we are definitely going to make sure that we use all forms of communication. The community can’t expect to have the project start and be in construction, and be completed, and have everything the way it is [currently].”
Relating to other concerns, Gabriel said the department will do its best to mitigate inconveniences.
“There will be disruptions. I want to be very honest with you guys,” said Gabriel. Each and every one of you know there are very few places to park given the density of this neighborhood.” He added, “It’s why we came to the town hall meeting to see what works best for the people who live and work in this area.”
According to Fleming, roadway signs will start going up next week and the project renovations will commence the following week.
Road repairs will soon address drainage and sidewalk rehabilitation on First Street. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
Gabriel highlighted that residents should move unregistered vehicles and items that do not belong on the public roadway or risk being towed.
“Each one tell one,” said Gabriel.
He added that individuals with special needs or concerns, such as accessibility issues, should reach out to the department immediately.
“I need you to start telling people that this is coming so that they can engage with us,” Gabriel said. “So please if you know somebody, please have them get in contact with us now.”
The commissioner highlighted that though the project might be an inconvenience, it will benefit the community in the future.
“I promise you, our infrastructure will be better once it’s all said and done,” he said.
Excessive rainfall may occur next week across Puerto Rico and the USVI. (Photo courtesy NWS, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
The National Weather Service has warned that an unstable weather pattern and rainfall may be in the forecast for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands starting next week.
“The outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center indicates a chance greater than 50 percent of observing above normal rainfall across the islands from May 22 through June 4,” according to an update from the NWS in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday.
NWS map of climatological normal rainfall totals for the month of May across Puerto Rico and the USVI. (Photo courtesy NOAA and NWS)
“This does not necessarily mean that this wet period will lead to considerable flooding, but [residents] are advised to review their plans for wet periods and flooding,” the update continued.
Meteorologist Emanuel Rodriguez at the NWS in San Juan, Puerto Rico, provided the Source with further information regarding the possibility of unsettled weather next week.
“In general, it looks like a deep-layer trough [an area of low pressure] will be developing over the Central Caribbean, moving across Hispaniola toward the Bahamas,” Rodriguez explained. “This feature will lift a lot of moisture from the Caribbean Sea, bringing increasing rains to the area,” he continued.
Stay Informed About the Weather
Rodriguez stressed that the forecast is uncertain, and residents and visitors are urged to monitor the weather forecast closely. The soils across the islands are already saturated due to recent heavy rain, and any additional precipitation could raise the possibility of flash flooding or mudslides.
“The key point is that it’s too early to pinpoint exact impacts to any particular area since the forecast will likely change before these dates,” Rodriguez said. “However, considering the previous rainfall event, everyone should be reviewing their wet period or flooding plans and take any necessary precautions before the rains arrive,” he noted.
While the local islands typically receive ample rainfall during May, the precipitation received so far this month has been especially high. A map provided by Rodriguez depicts preliminarily rainfall estimates between May 1–15. The total precipitation estimates were collected by the CoCoRaHS Network and the Cooperative Observer Program, groups of volunteer weather observers. The initial results indicate that portions of the U.S. Virgin Islands received approximately four to ten inches of rain during the first half of May, particularly across areas of St. Croix. (The climatological average rainfall totals for the entire month are usually around four inches in the USVI.)
NWS map of preliminarily rainfall totals for May 1–15 across the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Photo courtesy NWS, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
When asked by the Source if an upcoming wet weather pattern could be linked to climate change, Rodriguez noted that more research is required.
“While climate change should result in more frequent extreme events in general, we cannot really attribute any particular event to [climate change]. It would take a little more research to determine that,” Rodriguez stated.
Forecast Updates
In addition to the potential for inclement weather next week, the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on June 1, and individuals are encouraged to follow the latest weather conditions. Forecast information, including severe weather alerts and updates, is available from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency website and the National Weather Service.
Additionally, the Source Weather Page publishes a daily weather forecast, and readers can view weather forecast videos and disaster preparedness video segments.
Max Hilaire (Photo courtesy of Patricia Welcome)Professor Max Hilaire, a renowned international scholar, author, and lecturer, will lead an engaging discussion at the Seven Flags Museum on Company St. in downtown Christiansted on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hilaire was born on the island of Dominica and grew up on St. Thomas. By the time he graduated from high school, he was pretty well-read and interested in international affairs. Hilaire was reading the NY Times and other international newspapers at the library. When he studied at CVI [College of the Virgin Islands]. He took courses with Arnold Highfield and Tom Reeves.Highfield whet Hilaire’s appetite for Caribbean history and they enjoyed a good relationship. Reeves had a strong influence on him with his focus on political theory and Black philosophers who were not in the mainstream political science textbooks. Hilaire was exposed to Stokely Carmichael, Marcus Garvey, and Dr. King. Hilaire’s studies took him straight from undergraduate to Columbia University in New York where he earned an M.A., M.Phil, and Ph.D in International Law and International Relations.Hilaire lived in New York for 20 years, working between NGOs [non-governmental organizations] offices, with the United Nations focused on the activities with the UN, and teaching at Marymount College, all while working on his dissertation.He worked in Mexico teaching international law and international organizations for a few months and returned to New York to teach at Colgate University for six years. Hilaire’s busy life took him to Nigeria on a Fulbright Program for a year, and he lectured for the State Department at a number of universities in the country.Hilaire has traveled the world teaching, lecturing, and writing. The ardent areas in his life are human rights, humanitarian law, U.S. foreign relations law and UN law. They are the key concentrations in his publications in the last five to six years.“I did a book signing on St. Thomas several years ago. When I return home to St. Thomas, I am in seclusion. I want to relax and keep a low profile,” Hilaire shared.Hilaire looks forward to the book signing and lecture this Friday on St.Croix. “I lived on St. Croix for two years before going off to college. The island is very dear to me and holds an enormous significance in my life.”“International Law and Contemporary Global Challenges” is Hilaire’s most recent book published in February of this year. His presentation will engage the attendees in a discussion on current global issues of mass migration, climate change, and war. The book will be available for purchase and his 2021 and 2022 publications will be on display and can be ordered and shipped. Hilaire’s current book is a tribute to the former president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel. “I was very much influenced by his human rights connection. Havel’s political philosophy was one of anti-consumerism, humanitarianism, environmentalism, civil activism, and direct democracy,” he said. “That is what got me to the Czech Republic initially and I have been teaching there for the past 22 years,” Hilaire said.“I would like my work to really help to improve the human condition for all people regardless of who they are, where they are, and where they live. Some of my work is reimagining how we manage some of the problems confronting humanity. It certainly cannot be done the way this world is organized by states. Whether it’s pandemics or climate change, or poverty or mass migration, these issues cannot be solved by any one country. So, we really need a new paradigm on how we approach these issues,” Hilaire shared.“Whether you live in China, the United States, Russia, Grenada, or the Virgin Islands, it is not your nationality or your identity that is going to solve these issues that are confronting us and future generations,” Hilaire noted. Hilaire is looking at how we can reconfigure the world – whether to improve on the UN or create new institutions that are democratic and that are transparent. He said, “There cannot be one group of people imposing their ideas on the rest of the world as what happened 500 years ago.”“It has to be a more inclusive, more democratic approach in addressing problems that have no boundaries, and that do not see race or nationality, religion, ethnicity or other forms of identity,” Hilaire added.The Source asked if he thought this could be accomplished. Hilaire replied, “It may not be in my lifetime or your lifetime, but if the people who negotiated the creation of the UN or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – if we just sat back and said it’s not going to happen and not think about it – it would never have happened. Africa would still be under colonial rule. Racism would still be more systematic than it is now. So, it is the individuals who have to challenge the status quo to change it.”“In international law, things do not change very easily. We need to really think about it – be very futuristic, and also be very optimistic. We have to focus on the children and the world we want to leave for them -– hopefully, a better world than we inherited.” Hillaire concluded. Hilaire has lectured at over fifty universities and has taught students in over one hundred countries. He is a distinguished lecturer and mentor and enjoys working with people of different cultural backgrounds and nationalities.Seven Flags Museum on Company St. in downtown Christiansted will host A Book Affair with Professor Max Hilaire on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information:
Seven Flags Museum: 340-277-2870
A 76-year-old woman was watching TV on Sunday when bullets pierced her apartment wall on St. Croix, police said. (Shutterstock image)
A 76-year-old St. Croix woman was watching television with her son Sunday when gunfire erupted, police said Thursday. Bullets flew through her apartment wall and tore into her ankle, breaking bones.
The shooting seemed to start in a second-floor apartment in a neighboring building at the Lorraine Village complex, said V.I. Police Department Cmdr. Nyomi Joseph. The victim’s son said he heard as many as 20 shots at around 3 p.m. Some of the bullets pierced an empty apartment in the next building, then entered the victim’s apartment about three inches from the floor.
One bullet broke the woman’s distal fibula, a prominent bone structure where the ankle joint meets the tibia leg bone, police said. She screamed out in pain, her son told police.
In all, three apartments in two of the wood-framed buildings in St. Croix’s Plessen area were damaged, according to police.
Police were searching Thursday for suspects and a motive in the shooting.
Raymond Ward (Photo courtesy VIPD)
Raymond Ward, 62, of St. Croix was reported missing Thursday, the V.I. Police Department reported.
Ward is a Black male with a light complexion, 5’9, and 147 pounds, with a slim build. He has brown and gray dreadlocks and brown eyes, according to the police report.
Ward was last seen by one family member on April 29 and by another four weeks ago. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and shoes of an unknown color or type, the police report stated.
Ward is known to frequent Sion Farm, Sion Hill, Sion Farm Shop, H&H Tire & Battery,
5 Corners, the report stated.
If located, please make contact with Ofc. T. Cox of the Wilbur Francis Command Police Station, 340 778-2211 or Ofc. M. Joseph, of the Ancilmo Marshall Command Police Station, 340 773-2530. Also, the 911 Emergency Call Center at 340 772-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 911.
Dean L Barnes
Dean Barnes, of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, after a short illness. He was 71 years of age.
Dean was born in Dhahran, Saudia Arabia, to late parents, Larry Barnes, a 30-year engineer with ARAMCO, and Marion (Smith) Barnes, formerly of Keene, N.H., he resided on St. Thomas since 1979.
Dean graduated from the Dhahran School in 1967, Proctor Academy in 1970, and Syracuse University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. After two years of working a series of jobs, including on tugboats in Louisiana, Dean returned to school at New York Law, where he passed the New York Bar on his first try.
In 1979, Dean moved to St. Thomas at the recommendation of a friend, where he first worked for Attorney Maria Tankenson Hodge. During his 43-year career as an attorney on St. Thomas, he practiced privately, then with the Law Offices of Andrew Capdeville, and since 1999 served as an assistant attorney general with the V.I. Department of Justice, where his accomplishments shined in the Division of Paternity and Child Support.
In the early 1990s, and in his spare time, he resumed his love of photography and subsequently documented over 30 years of events at the St. Thomas Yacht Club, Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club and Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament.
Dean also published his works as part of hundreds of articles in local, regional, national and international publications. He was especially proud when one of his photos appeared in the Sunday New York Times. His hobbies included his computer skills, seeing friends, reading, cooking and walking the family dogs.
He was the beloved husband of Carol Bareuther of St. Thomas, USVI; the loving father of Rian Bareuther of St. Thomas, USVI; daughter Nikki Barnes Bargehr (David) of Miami, Fla.; and grandfather of Benjamin Barnes Bargehr of Miami. Barnes is also survived by his brother, Gary Barnes (Kim), of Wilmington, N.C. and sister, Lauri Barnes-Getz (Chris), of Broad Brook, Conn.
There will be a Celebration of Life in New Hampshire and St. Thomas later.
Linda May Ann Reed Holmes
Linda May Ann Reed Holmes died on April 23 at the age of 44 in Temple, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her father, Llewellyn “Louie” G. Reed I; mother, Florella “Toonks” Lawrence; grandparents: Florissa H. Lawrence and Emile “Shiek” Lawrence, and Leonard G. Reed, Sr. and Blanche M. Francis-Reed; and many aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her husband, Erik Holmes; children: Sirvarious and Karimayia Holmes; sisters: Sandra “Sandy” Reed-Benta, Priscilla Reed, Victoria “Vickey” Reed and Cecily Lawrence; brothers: Llewellyn “Louie” Reed II., Christopher “Chris” Reed Sr., Lamay Reed, Dale Dawson, Michael George and Gabriel Lawrence; and sisters-in-law: Allison George and Dianne Reed.
She is also survived by brother-in-law, Rev. Dean Benta; nieces: Dominique Reed, Mya Reed, Day-sha Reed, Teresa Clarke, Nina George and Frannie George; nephews: Deshawn Reed, Christopher Reed Jr., Christian Reed, Carter Reed, Eaven Clarke and Giovanni Clarke; and uncles: Laurette “Tato” Reed, LaVerne “Verne” Reed, Lennie Reed Sr., Michael Cooper, Tyrone Lawrence, and Dale Lawrence.
Other survivors include uncles-in-law: Kenneth Thomas and Julio Felix; aunts: Michelle Lawrence, May Felix, Lauren “Linda” Thomas, Iolanie “Lanie” Reed, Judith “Judy” Reed and Janet Reed; aunts-in-law: Coreen Rodgers-Reed, Micelania Ogando-Reed and Betty Lawrence; special friends: Donilta “Dee” Nelson and the Nelson family; as well as many other relatives in the U,S, Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. mainland, Curacao and Holland.
The viewing will begin at 10 a.m. followed by funeral services at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 17, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Christiansted, St. Croix. Interment will be at Kingshill Cemetery Veterans Section.
Funeral arrangements are by James Memorial Funeral Home.
Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes. (Photo from Elections Systems of the Virgin Islands)
Supervisor of Elections Caroline F. Fawkes is providing a quarterly update regarding the list of voters whose registration status is inactive as of April 30, 2024. Supervisor Fawkes encourages these voters to update their status before Election Day to ensure a smooth check-in process. If you know of someone who is on the list, but no longer lives in the U.S. Virgin Islands, please encourage that person to contact the office.
If you are an inactive voter, you are still registered to vote. You may update your registration any time before 7 p.m. on Election Day and receive a ballot. Before you may vote, you will be required to complete an affirmation of current and continuous residence as prescribed by the supervisor of elections. On this form, you must affirm that you continue to reside at the address at which you are registered, have moved within the same district or have moved to another district within the Virgin Islands. Your registration status will be reinstated to active once you complete the voting process.
The list can be found on the Elections System of the Virgin Islands website:
https://vivote.gov/voters/inactive-voters Office locations are as follows:
St. Croix Elections Office-Sunny Isles Shopping Center Unit 24 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily)
St. Thomas Elections Office- Lockhart Gardens (Upstairs Banco Popular) (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily)
St. John Elections Office- Market Place Suite II. (Tuesdays and Thursdays – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily)
Voters can utilize the ESVI Voter lookup to find out your registration status at
https://vivote.gov/voters/lookup/. The listing will be posted at various government agencies across the island for review.
if there are any questions or additional information is needed, then contact the Elections System offices at 773-1021 (St. Croix Elections Office) or 774-3107 (St. Thomas Elections Office).
