PFA Board Discusses Abandoned Buildings, Extends Recovery Contracts

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PFA Board Discusses Abandoned Buildings, Extends Recovery Contracts
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. speaks during a meeting of the V.I. Public Finance Authority Board Wednesday held over the videoconferencing platform Zoom. (Screenshot from Zoom meeting)

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. mused about his administration’s abandoned and derelict plan to rehabilitate abandoned and derelict properties during a V.I. Public Finance Authority Board meeting Wednesday and said electoral candidates need to address the problem in 2026.

“I keep saying it: these are the election year issues that we need to be talking about — not people’s personalities and stuff,” he said. “And you know, the candidates have to address like, what are you going to do? Because I thought in this … last four years, we could have gotten something on the books, and then we tweak it. It wouldn’t be perfect, but we tweak it until we get it to the point where we can get something done.”

The comment came amid a discussion about government-owned properties and leases during which board member Keith O’Neale referenced a collapsing building in Frederiksted.

“Where does eminent domain come in to say, ‘well okay, the owners are not taking care of this place … not only is that an eyesore, but it’s a hazard,’” he asked. “Where can the government step in and say, ‘okay, for the public good, we’re going to take over this building, fix it up and use it for something?’”

First proposed during a Government House press briefing nearly three years ago, the V.I. Abandoned and Derelict Real Property Conservatorship Act would have allowed Superior Court judges to declare buildings abandoned or derelict if they met certain criteria. A court-appointed conservator would then rehabilitate or rebuild the property with input from the property’s owner. Some residents voiced concerns about the proposed legislation in opinion articles and town hall meetings.

“The people them don’t want to do nothing,” Bryan said during Wednesday’s meeting. “Again, we submitted our legislation. We had town hall meetings. People showed up and were rude and disrespectful. We sent it to the Legislature for comment — never see the light of day, because everybody afraid to do anything. And you know, doing nothing is an action, and that’s what we have chosen.”

Bryan acknowledged revitalization efforts from residents, nonprofits and businesses but said more has to be done.

“They didn’t have to pass my legislation, but they could have passed some legislation,” he said. “It’s like we don’t want to do anything. We like to talk but … it takes conviction and bravery, and apparently we don’t have the kind of commitment to keeping our towns in place.”

The PFA Board approved a pair of leases during Wednesday’s meeting, including a three-year, $430,000 rental agreement with the West Indian Company for viNGN office space and a three-year, $320,255 rental agreement with Banco Popular for offices for V.I. Disaster Recovery Office staff. An earlier $80,000 authorization for two turf soccer fields — developed in partnership with FIFA for the Ezra Fredericks Park on St. Thomas — was also increased to $150,826. The board approved $132,778,880 to fund the next phase of construction for the Donna M. Christian Christensen MD Health Center on St. Croix.

The board spent more time discussing millions of dollars in funding for consultant services after board member Dorothy Isaacs noted that a two-year, $25.6 million contract extension to Ernst and Young sounded “like a lot of money.”

“I wish I had stock in Ernst and Young. I mean, they really get a lot of money from us,” she said. “I hope they’re worth it.”

The board then approved an additional $5.7 million to Ernst and Young for reconciliation and cash flow analysis services and a two-year, $21.2 million extension to the government’s contract with disaster recovery consultants Witt O’Brien’s.

Report Finds Most Support V.I. Constitutional Convention, Despite Low Public Awareness

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Report Finds Most Support V.I. Constitutional Convention, Despite Low Public Awareness
Members of the Virgin Islands Sixth Constitutional Convention (Photo by Barry Leerdam)

Most residents support adopting a local constitution, but a majority remain unaware of the process, according to a new report from the University of Michigan’s Center for Racial Justice and the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras.

The report, based on survey data from 696 residents across St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John, found that 65% of respondents believe it is important for the territory to ratify its own constitution. However, 63% reported little or no awareness of the ongoing Sixth Constitutional Convention, including 38% who had not heard of it at all.

“Most U.S. Virgin Islanders think it’s important for the territory to have its own constitution, but few people are actively aware of the drafting process,” said Ignangeli Salinas-Muñiz, a fellow at the University of Michigan and co-author of the report. “This is a problem, but also an opportunity. Virgin Islanders do want to learn and be more involved in the process. So if the Constitutional Convention reaches out and involves the community more, they could potentially find large public support.”

The report also found that only 43% of respondents said they were somewhat or very likely to vote in the 2027 referendum, raising concerns about turnout. Salinas-Muñiz said the findings suggest the current effort could face similar challenges without stronger outreach, noting that low voter turnout has contributed to the failure of past constitutional efforts.

The report identified disparities in awareness and participation among different groups. Younger residents and those with fewer years of formal education were less likely to be aware of the convention and less likely to say they would vote.

“Not only were younger and those with fewer years of formal education less likely to be aware of the Constitutional Convention, they were also less likely to say they would vote on its ratification,” she said. “For there to be a truly democratic process, outreach to these demographics is very important. The burden should not be on them to actively seek information; it should be made accessible.”

Researchers say the findings point to both a warning and an opportunity: while engagement remains low, interest in self-governance is strong.

“Virgin Islanders care deeply about self-determination,” said Mara Ostfeld, a co-author of the report. “The convention is a powerful opportunity for residents to shape a governing document that reflects their priorities. I hope the months ahead deepen and broaden public engagement.”

The report also found that residents want a constitution that addresses greater local autonomy, environmental protections and measures to reduce government corruption.

Salinas-Muñiz said the report shows both strong public interest and a need for greater outreach ahead of the vote. Salinas-Muñiz said, “Virgin Islanders should take away two things. First, their voices matter — nearly 700 residents shared their views, and those opinions are now part of the public conversation. Second, this process has a much better chance of succeeding with greater community engagement.”

She also said that the University of Michigan, in collaboration with U.S. Virgin Islands leaders, will hold focus groups on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John between March 28 and April 3, to better understand how residents envision their political, economic and cultural futures. Residents interested in participating can email ismuniz@umich.edu.

Concerns about the Constitutional Convention’s outreach and public awareness are not new. In reporting back from October 2025, delegates such as Imani Daniel publicly urged the convention to do more to inform residents and involve the community. They warned that limited engagement and a lack of informational infrastructure — including no official website, newsletter or dedicated office — hampered efforts to get the public involved in the drafting process. This report appears to echo their warnings.

The first draft of the constitution was completed on Jan. 31, and is currently under review by the convention’s contracted legal counsel to ensure alignment with the U.S. Constitution. Once returned, the draft will be reviewed again by the convention’s committees before being released to the public.

Despite the survey showing that many residents had little or no awareness of the convention’s work, Daniel said she is encouraged by the strong support for a constitution and sees room to grow that support as outreach begins.

“It makes me feel really good that people are generally in favor of a constitution,” she said. “It also feels really good because the majority of people haven’t even heard about the work that we’ve been doing. I imagine that the more that people hear about the work that we’ve been doing, the more support we’ll be able to pick up.”

Daniel added that the numbers offer both optimism and a clear mandate for more outreach. “I’m going to choose to take that optimistically,” she said, “but also still hold us very accountable to the fact that we have done essentially no meaningful public outreach and that we absolutely need to, if we want to let our public know that we exist, that we’ve been doing work, and that there is a constitutional draft on the way.”

Now that drafting is complete, Daniel said, the convention is waiting for legal review before truly beginning mass public engagement. Town halls, school presentations, online materials and other outreach will gather feedback ahead of the February 2027 submission to the new governor and the President of the United States, followed by Congress and a territorywide vote on July 3, 2027.

The report also highlighted key constitutional priorities, including greater local autonomy, stronger environmental protections and provisions to curb government corruption.

“People are going to love our draft. We touch on all of those things,” Daniel said. “I believe all of these lead toward a strong, accountable society, especially given our environment and the connections between the environment, economics and governance. These are areas that may have been lacking structurally in the Virgin Islands, and our constitutional draft tries to intentionally address them. I’m happy to see people naming these priorities, and I think they’ll be excited to see what we’re proposing.”

Fuel Prices Have Virgin Islanders Feeling Woozy

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Fuel Prices Have Virgin Islanders Feeling Woozy
Business owners in the Virgin Islands were feeling the post-Iran-bombing fuel price hike. (Source file photo)
Virgin Island fuel price rose as bombs fell in Iran and some local business owners are preparing for pump prices to remain high for the foreseeable future, they said Wednesday. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. ordered executive branch agencies to conserve fuel, including reviewing how government vehicles were used. Precisely how fuel could be saved was unclear but the governor said it was a necessary first step. “The uncertainty in global energy markets has the potential to affect fuel prices, family budgets, and the broader cost of living in the Virgin Islands. We are taking prudent action now as a first step to help cushion the impact of forces beyond our control, while we continue to monitor conditions and assess what additional measures may be needed,” Bryan said in a press release Tuesday. High as fuel prices are, they’ve been much higher in recent memory, minus the threat of war and blockage of key oil transportation routes in the Middle East. On St. Thomas Wednesday, regular gasoline was available between roughly $4.70 and $4.85 a gallon, and premium going for between roughly $5.20 and $5.59, depending on the station. Diesel was selling from roughly $5.80 to a whopping $6 a gallon. Even those prices may be on the low end. USVI fuel prices have been high for a long time, however. In mid-January — more than a month before the attack on Iran — regular gas averaged a little more than $4.78 and premium was going for close to $5.34. Diesel topped $5.87, according to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs. And even those prices were less than February 2025, when regular averaged $4.82 per gallon. Premium went for more than $5.63 and diesel was more than $5.89 in the territory. Prices were even higher on St. John. As usual, St. Croix was less expensive. Regular was between $3.65 and $4.39 for regular, between $3.99 and $4.49 for premium, and between $4 and $5 for diesel, according to data collected by the Source. On the mainland, national average price for regular gas was roughly $3.85 a gallon. The worst may be to come, with the Wall Street Journal reporting late Wednesday that oil-barrel prices had soared past $110. President Donald Trump issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act to allow easier oil shipments, the paper reported. The Jones Act prohibits foreign-flagged commercial vessels with non-US crews from docking at two American ports in succession. The more-than-century-old law does not apply to the U.S. Virgin Islands. While the governor asked for “careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” taxpayers were grappling with how to weather the storm. Most local small business owners the Source spoke with Wednesday afternoon said they had not yet passed the rise in fuel costs along to their customers but were considering it. Capt. Cleo U. Hodge, owner of St. Thomas’ Ace Flight Center, said he was trying to delay as long as possible before passing rising fuel costs along to his flight school customers. “We’ve been holding off as much as we can with students because for some of them it’s pretty tough. But if it continues surging like this, you know, we will have to do something,” Hodge said. Rashad Griffith, owner of the St. John dump truck and container transporting company Rashad’s Trucking, said the fuel hit had been rough and speculated it wasn’t going away any time soon. “It’s not working for me,” Griffith said. “Right now I’m considering implementing a fuel surcharge for each container and each haul that I do.” He’s considering raising prices at least 50 cents a mile per haul. Slapping a fuel surcharge on his customers wasn’t something he wanted to do, but may be necessary. “I don’t expect them to take everything but I can’t take it all myself,” Griffith said. “I’m not sure how I will implement that in the excavation portion but I’ll figure something out.” Griffith said friends in the diesel delivery industry warned the price would keep rising. “Honestly, I expect the price of diesel to go up to at least seven bucks.” Food truck owner Perez Alejandro said high gas prices were about to hit her at work and at home. Alejandro’s Frydendal-based Vinny’s Food Cart & Catering on the road to Coki Point depends on reasonably-priced cooking fuel — and so does her home life. But she’s not interested in raising prices. “My customers come first,” she said. “I’ve got to take care of them.” Jason Berry, owner of Paradise Trucking and Water Delivery on St. Thomas, shrugged. “It is what it is. This ain’t the first time we’ve had a price increase like this,” Berry said. Fuel prices spiked after Russia invaded Ukraine, he said. “The price went through the roof for a couple of weeks and then it came right back down. It ain’t nothing new. We’re accustomed to seeing high prices here in the Virgin Islands,” Berry said. “Well, we’re just pushing forward. Nothing we can do about it.” He had not increased his prices or added fuel surcharges but didn’t rule it out. A St. Croix water hauler said they were implementing fuel-saving efforts and some price increases, but declined to speak on the record. Two days after the United States and Israel struck Iran, Sen. Marvin A. Blyden called on gasoline retailers across the territory to refrain from using the bombings as justification for increasing fuel prices. Blyden said the territory’s fuel prices were “a very different pattern in the continental United States, where average gasoline prices have continued a downward trajectory.” The national average price for regular gasoline on the mainland dropped to $3.10 per gallon in 2025, he said. “Despite this consistent national decline, Virgin Islands consumers have faced persistently elevated fuel costs during the same period. Investigations by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs show markups as high as 62% on regular gasoline, with even higher margins on premium fuel and diesel. These elevated markups persist despite a 19% drop in global crude oil prices as of May 2025, indicating that savings in wholesale markets are not being passed on to the public,” Blyden said.

Lighting Up USVI Cannabis Banking

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Lighting Up USVI Cannabis Banking
Kevin Hart’s company, Green Check Verified, conducts in-depth analysis of cannabis companies for banking clients like Nicole Perry, director of national sales at CannaFirst Financial. Both said they thought the Virgin Islands would be able to meet its late 2026 goal for legal cannabis sales. (Screenshot from Google Meet)
Starting up the Virgin Islands’ legal cannabis industry was far from a turnkey operation, relying on layers of precision planning, market evaluation, and, above all, access to banks willing to work with businesses selling a product that remains federally illegal, industry insiders said. Along with complicated risk assessments and other technical banking issues come some less theoretical challenges: how to move all that cash. Credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard are a long way from working with the cannabis industry, said Nicole Perry, director of national sales at CannaFirst Financial, the Mississippi-based institution helping meet the territory’s cannabis businesses’ banking needs. CannaFirst helped several states navigate their unique cannabis banking issues. Banks on the mainland have three or more choices for moving large piles of cash. In armored trucks and aircraft, these cash-in-transit companies transport cash deposits around as needed — to and from banks and ATMs and federal facilities. In the Virgin Islands, however, there was only one carrier, Perry said Tuesday. The emergence of a potentially-robust all-cash industry could overwhelm that single carrier. “The biggest thing that we would have to overcome is the cash aspect of it,” Perry said, “because it’s really cash heavy and it’s an island territory. Most mainland cannabis shops allow debit card purchases, which is something akin to a cash transfer. Other options include so-called cashless ATMs, which provide cash for the remainder of a rounded-up purchase price. For example, a cashless ATM would process an $82 cannabis purchase and spit out $3 — or possibly $8. These point-of-banking terminals likely come with fees, but that isn’t their largest problem, said Kevin Hart, CEO of Bonita Springs, Florida-based Green Check. Sloppy or purposefully-misleading registries for cashless ATMs have led to closures, Hart said. It’s one of the many points of diligence important to legitimizing high-risk industries like cannabis banking. Hart cofounded Green Check Verified Inc. in 2017 as a technology company able to identify cannabis industry regulatory requirements, which are different in each state and territory. Green Check then investigates cannabis businesses to ensure they’re meeting those requirements. Green Check is essentially an external risk agency for banks like CannaFirst. “There are certain things that are required for being a cannabis business. But, there are ways to make that work effectively,” he said Tuesday. “We’re that intermediary technology provider that stitches it all together and creates those data connections of compliance.” Perry likened Green Check’s verification teams to FBI agents, looking to understand every aspect of individual cannabis businesses as well as the local regulatory requirements. “I’m gonna say this a million times: federally illegal, federally regulated. We’re taking a really big risk, and everything is based on the risk matrix that is decided within each financial institution, and everyone has a different one because they have a different risk appetite,” she said. “So while it’s not required for financial institutions to utilize a company like Kevin’s, it is strongly suggested that you do that because when we have to answer, we need to make sure that we have partners out there who know what they’re doing. They have a steady course. They’re always at the top of everything. And so when I see financial institutions that aren’t, I it makes me nervous.” It was Hart who introduced Perry and other officials from CannaFirst, a division of Pascagoula, Mississippi-based Merchants & Marine Bank, to Gov. Albert Bryan at a cannabis business event in Washington, D.C., in September. Perry and her team had visited the territory to assess the local industry’s needs, meeting with Joanne Moorehead, executive director of the Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation, and others. She said the firsthand listening tour and general assessment were vital to tailoring her institution’s services to the Virgin Islands. “I don’t know if you wanna call it serendipity,” Perry said. “It’s been forward ever since.” Working closely with the Office of Cannabis Regulation was vital, she said. Moving cash would be a problem but so will moving cannabis between islands. The waterway between St. Croix and St. Thomas is a federal highway and in most cases, it’s not legal to transport cannabis on federal roads. It’s also CannaFirst’s job to assure local businesses that their money is safe — whether a physical stack of cash or the electronic results of their deposits. It sounds easy enough, but as Perry repeats often, cannabis is still federally illegal, which means treading financial routes carefully and always being ready for audits. With Green Check making sure local businesses were meeting local and banking rules, CannaFirst will be able to help set up banking products, he said. Without proper banking, local cannabis businesses would have a very difficult time renting space, getting insurance, buying or cultivating product, and putting together a payroll. With regulations and banking options in place, Hart and Perry thought the territory’s goal of legal cannabis sales before the end of 2026 was entirely possible. “I think they’ll hit their mark,” Hart said.

Adisha Penn Represents Territory at Miss Planet International, Advocates for Cultural Heritage

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Adisha Penn Represents Territory at Miss Planet International, Advocates for Cultural Heritage
Adisha Penn in her sash and tiara at Cyril E. King Airport, standing in front of a celebratory collage and balloons after returning from the Miss Planet International pageant in Phnom Penh. (Source photo by Finn Sharpless)

Representing the U.S. Virgin Islands on the global stage, Adisha Penn shared her journey through the Miss Planet International Pageant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The competition emphasizes environmental awareness and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Penn advanced through preliminary rounds, competing in swimwear, evening gown, and national costume, before reaching the finale on March 15, which focused on advocacy platforms and speeches.

She won the national costume segment among delegates from around the world and secured a top 10 placement overall. In the top 10, contestants delivered speeches tied to sustainable development goals. Penn chose to highlight clean water and sanitation, aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, and proposed a new goal centered on cultural heritage preservation.

“As a native Virgin Islander, I have seen firsthand the diminishing cultural characteristics we have in our community,” Penn said, pointing to traditions such as moko jumbie stilt dancing and coal pot cooking as examples of important cultural practices worth preserving and passing on. “As the generations go, more and more forms of expression in our culture are disappearing. They are becoming extinct. I think it’s important that we still maintain them. We might not have to use them every day, but it is still important to know how.”

For Penn, representing the Virgin Islands internationally was both personal and meaningful. “I feel I was able to represent the Virgin Islands on a global stage because I am a Virgin Islander natively. My family goes back to times of the Danish West Indies, so I’m able to speak on different cultural aspects of the territory,” she said.

She emphasized her commitment to be a voice for the community. “As somebody who’s passionate about Virgin Islanders, passionate about my community, I feel like I’ll be able to speak on things that we identify as Virgin Islanders and be able to answer questions that people might have or propose new ideas, passionately, honestly and transparently,” Penn said.

Adisha Penn with family members at Cyril E. King Airport on Wednesday after returning from the Miss Planet International finals in Phnom Penh. (Source photo by Finn Sharpless)

She added that she wanted to use the pageant to raise awareness for sustainable development in the territory. “I really wanted to use this opportunity to bring awareness to the community because I feel like oftentimes we are not very active in the area of sustainable development,” she said.

Penn expressed deep gratitude to the U.S. Virgin Islands community for their support, including the Tourism Department, Leslie King from Strictly the Best, Wilbur Callender, Virgins Haven, YDK Who Shot It, Cassera’s Dynamic Designs, and The Pretty Factory. She also thanked her family and the people of Cambodia.

“I definitely would love to thank the community for their unwavering support. I felt the love when I was in Cambodia. I saw the posts online, I got phone calls, I got text messages. Even from the Cambodians, I received a lot of love from them as well,” Penn said.

Penn said she wanted to use the pageant as a platform to raise awareness for all Virgin Islanders. “I do have projects in mind that I will be starting this year,” she said, hinting at the creation of a nonprofit organization. “I want to use this opportunity to bring more awareness to Virgin Islanders and encourage more people to get involved.”

Man Arrested for Burglary and Reckless Endangerment on St. Croix

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Man Arrested for Burglary and Reckless Endangerment on St. Croix
A St. Croix man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a burglary at a business in Sunny Isles and a separate case involving property damage, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported. Luis Lopez Jr. was taken into custody without incident and charged in two cases following separate investigations, according to the police report. Police said the burglary case began March 13 at about 8:41 a.m. when the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of an activated alarm at Purple Papaya. Responding officers found the business had been burglarized. Surveillance footage showed Lopez damaging a glass window, entering the business and removing items, then fleeing with the stolen property, the police report stated. He was later detained in possession of the stolen items and transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he was advised of his Miranda rights and declined to provide a statement, police said. Lopez was charged with burglary third degree, possession of stolen property, destruction of property and petit larceny. Bail was set at $25,000. He was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing, the report stated. In a separate case, police said an incident on Dec. 22, 2025, involved reports that Lopez was damaging property at businesses in Sunny Isles Shopping Center. Surveillance footage showed him throwing rocks at glass windows and injuring a patron at one business, the report stated. An arrest warrant was issued, and Lopez was later arrested Tuesday on additional charges of reckless endangerment second degree, destruction of property and disturbance of the peace threats. Bail in that case was set at $2,500, and he was unable to post bail, police said.

Man Arrested on Ammunition Charge Following Investigation on St. Croix

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Man Arrested on Ammunition Charge Following Investigation on St. Croix
A St. Croix man was arrested Wednesday and charged with possession or sale of ammunition after an investigation by the Virgin Islands Police Department. Adiel Huertas was taken into custody after officers executed arrest and search warrants signed by a Superior Court judge, according to VIPD police report. Police said the case began May 9, 2025, when officers were dispatched to a disturbance in Mutual Homes around 8:30 p.m. Officers observed Huertas sitting in a chair. When they approached him, he ran inside an apartment, leaving behind his cellphone, a plate of food and a loaded magazine, the police report stated. A detective from the Criminal Investigation Bureau was assigned to investigate. On March 12, a Superior Court judge signed arrest and search warrants for Huertas and his residence, police said. The warrants were executed Wednesday by the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Special Operations Bureau, according to the report. Huertas was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he was booked, and later to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing scheduled for Thursday in Superior Court.

Detective Arrests Man Wanted for Kidnapping on St. Croix

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Detective Arrests Man Wanted for Kidnapping on St. Croix
A St. Croix man wanted in connection with a reported kidnapping and assault was arrested Tuesday at his place of employment, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported. Delli Eduardo was taken into custody without incident after detectives received a tip about his location, police said. The case began March 15 when an adult female walked into the Ancilmo D. Marshall Command Police Station and reported she had been held against her will and assaulted by a former acquaintance, according to the police report. The victim told investigators she agreed to meet Eduardo near Church’s Chicken. When he arrived, he removed her car keys from the ignition and took her cellphone, refusing to return it, police said. Eduardo then forced her back into the vehicle and drove her and her minor children from Sunny Isles Shopping Center to David Hamilton Housing Terrace against her will, the police report stated. Investigators said Eduardo strangled the victim, leaving visible injuries. An all-points bulletin was issued through the 911 Emergency Call Center and social media before the arrest was made, police said. Eduardo was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he was advised of his Miranda rights and declined to give a statement, the report stated. He was charged with false imprisonment, kidnapping, and assault second degree. Bail was not set pending his advice of rights hearing. Eduardo was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility, police said.

VIWMA and Bovoni Residents Find Shared Vision for Waste Management

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VIWMA and Bovoni Residents Find Shared Vision for Waste Management
The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority extends heartfelt thanks to the Bovoni residents, community leaders, and agency partners who participated in the Bovoni Community Town Hall on March 10.
Bovoni residents meet with Waste Management officials. (Submitted photo)
Your presence and engagement reflect the strength, resilience, and commitment of our community as we work together to protect public health and preserve our environment. The meeting served as an open forum for residents to learn more about landfill operations, environmental safeguards, and long-term waste management planning. Attendees engaged in thoughtful dialogue with VIWMA leadership and partner agencies, asking questions and sharing perspectives on ways to improve waste management practices while protecting the surrounding community. VIWMA representatives, alongside officials from the Department of Health, the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and members of the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, appreciated the opportunity to listen directly to residents, strengthen communication, and provide updates on current operations and future improvements. The discussion reflected a shared commitment to identifying practical, sustainable solutions for managing waste in the territory. Attendees also received updates on the proposed air curtain burner and waste incineration technology, including: •A video demonstration illustrating the air curtain burner process and operation •Examples of the end product of the process, showing how waste volume may be significantly reduced (e.g., approximately 10 pounds of waste reduced to about 1 pound of ash) •Details regarding the placement and operation of the air curtain burner to assure residents that it would function within a controlled environment Residents were receptive to learning more about how this technology can support improved waste management practices, reduce green waste fires, and help address smoke concerns at the landfill. Special thanks to the Bovoni Council, Assistant Commissioner Dr. Nicole Craigwell-Syms, and Shanna O’Reilly of the Department of Health; VI Fire and Emergency Medical Service Director Antonio O. Stevens; and Senators the Honorable Kenneth L. Gittens and the Honorable Avery L. Lewis for their active participation and support.

Aliyah Boston Mentors Next Generation at Basketball Clinic Saturday

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Aliyah Boston Mentors Next Generation at Basketball Clinic Saturday
St. Thomian All-Star Aliyah Boston and teammates Bree Hall, Aerial Powers, and Shey Peddy can hardly contain their excitement during the Indiana Fever’s dominant playoff performance against the Atlanta Dream in September. (Photo courtesy Indiana Fever)

WNBA standout and St. Thomas native Aliyah Boston is set to inspire the next generation of athletes at her 2026 Girls Basketball Clinic Saturday.

Hosted at the Mark C. Marin Center at Antilles School, the clinic serves as a premier opportunity for local youth to learn from one of the most dominant forces in professional basketball, according to a press release announcing the event.

The Aliyah Boston Foundation, with a mission to empower young women through sport, will offer two high-energy sessions tailored to different age groups:

  • Morning session (9 to 11:30 a.m.): Open to girls in fourth through eighth grade.
  • Afternoon session (12:30 to 3:30 p.m.): Open to girls in ninth through 12th grade.

“I am so excited to be back home on the court where it all started,” said Boston. “Building confidence and community through basketball is something I am incredibly passionate about, and I can’t wait to see the talent and heart these girls bring to the clinic this year.”

Registration for the event saw overwhelming community support, reaching its 100-attendee limit shortly after opening.

This clinic is made possible through the support of the Aliyah Boston Foundation and its partners committed to fostering athletic excellence in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They include Adidas — premier sponsor, Parach Resource Management, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas, V.I. Department of Education, assisting students traveling from St. Croix, Indigo 4, and CCI.

The Aliyah Boston Foundation is dedicated to providing resources, mentorship, and athletic opportunities to the youth of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through sports clinics and community outreach, the foundation aims to empower the next generation to reach their full potential on and off the court, the release stated.

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