On the morning he was to appear at trial, the pilot of a drug smuggling boat opted to enter a guilty plea in District Court. (Source file photo)
With jury selection set to begin for a federal trial on Monday, the pilot of a speedboat intercepted by police pleaded guilty to drug trafficking. The change of plea hearing took place in U.S. District Court on St. Thomas before United States Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller.
Sentencing for defendant Pedro Ramos-Ramierez is expected to take place before Chief District Judge Robert Molloy, who will schedule a sentencing date.
Miller spent part of Monday choosing a panel to hear arguments in a trial held for two others arrested along with Ramierez on Dec. 29, 2021. Opening arguments and witness testimony were expected to start late in the day and continue through Tuesday.
Court documents say the three were apprehended by the crew of a Customs and Border Patrol Air and Marine Operations boat in the waters near the North Side of St. Thomas.
Ramierez was identified as the operator of the go-fast boat. Authorities said the two others aboard at the time — Johny Rodriguez and Gerald Albert Cruz — were spotted by law enforcement in the midst of a high-speed chase.
“Defendant was operating the vessel (as) CBP_AMO witnessed the two other occupants throwing bales from the vessel into the oceans …,” said DEA Special Agent Kemar Wilson.
The bags were recovered and parcels contained within were sent to the DEA Lab in Miami. The contents tested positive for cocaine, court documents said.
On Monday, Ramierez pleaded guilty to a single count of being onboard a covered vessel with 75 kilograms of a controlled substance on board. Miller accepted the plea and explained the possible penalties facing the defendant.
Violations of the United States Code, Title 46, Section 705036 call for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10,000.
HSSTT Nightmare Manor. (Don Hebert Photography)
St. Thomas Humane Society’s Nightmare Manor Spooktacular Halloween event is back for its third year, a recent press release announced.
The spooky decorations are not the only ones giving a good scare. (Don Hebert Photography)
The event opened on Friday night and although it rained, adults and kids alike came out to celebrate and rejoice under a full moon on a clear night pre-Halloween with witches, ghouls and creepy, scary creatures that entertained and frightened, according to the press release.
Parents joined the fun in costume along with their children.(Don Hebert Photography)
The event runs through Halloween night and tickets can be purchased on the Humane Society website, at Phoenix Visions Hair Salon (Buccaneer Mall) or at the event at the Humane Society shelter, the press release stated.
Kids of all ages dressed up to enjoy the event. (Don Hebert Photography)
Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for children, the release stated.
Kids can get up close and personal with the spooky and creepy characters. (Don Hebert Photography)
The fun begins at 6:00 p.m. and all proceeds support the animals in the shelter’s care, according to the release.Aun’Drea & Lailah stand with a 15-foot-tall animatronic. (Don Hebert Photography)
The feeder rotation schedule for repairs to Feeder 13 on St. Thomas remains in effect and is subject to change once load can be accommodated, WAPA said Monday morning. (WAPA image)
Persistent heavy rain has delayed troubleshooting and repairs to Feeder 13 on St. Thomas, V.I. Water and Power Authority officials announced Monday morning. The previously announced power rotation schedule for associated feeders remains in effect, the authority said.
Personnel have preliminarily identified the location of Feeder 13’s fault, in the portion of Feeder 13’s line running underground near Frenchtown, the release stated.
Due to persistent rain causing hazardous working conditions for WAPA personnel, troubleshooting and repairs have been suspended until rain subsides and conditions become safe for work to resume.
The feeder rotation schedule remains in effect and is subject to change once load can be accommodated. Any changes made will only affect the feeders within the set time block, WAPA said.
ViNGN’s Jaughna Nielsen-Bobbit hosts a series of town halls earlier this year. (Photo by Judi Shimel)
In an era where digital connectivity is the lifeblood of education, healthcare and communication, the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN) is on a mission to close the digital divide in the territory. At the helm of this effort is Jaughna Nielsen-Bobbit, its new director of Digital Equity and Inclusion, whose passion for making her hometown a digital powerhouse is palpable.
ViNGN, which previously played a pivotal role in enhancing high-speed internet access in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is now embracing its next challenge — ensuring that every resident enjoys the full spectrum of digital benefits. Nielsen-Bobbit asserts that, in today’s world, no one should be left behind in the digital realm. She points out that a decade ago, the Virgin Islands wisely leveraged federal funds to create a high-speed middle-mile network aimed at bolstering local internet service providers. Now, it’s time to take the next leap.
“Some communities have more resources than others,” Nielsen-Bobbit emphasized. “In these communities, cutting-edge technology empowers children’s learning, individuals with disabilities have access to vital assistive devices, and medical professionals can better serve their patients.”
Yet, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, residents often have to seek digital opportunities elsewhere, a reality that Nielsen-Bobbit is determined to change. “We deserve to be included in our digital world,” she affirms.
Bridging the Digital Divide
In her new role, Nielsen-Bobbit is charting a course toward digital equity based on community input and data-driven strategies. She eagerly anticipates feedback from residents about their digital needs and how viNGN, in collaboration with local and federal resources, can have the most significant impact.
“The concept of digital inclusion is not new, but it has gained momentum over the past three years,” she noted. “The internet is now at the heart of not only work and education but also our daily lives. Having just ‘some’ internet on your phone is no longer sufficient — the standard has evolved. It’s now about ensuring equal access to affordable high-speed internet, enabling us to create and consume content and develop digital skills necessary for a fulfilling life.”
A series of town hall meetings held in the past six months has given Nielsen-Bobbit valuable insights into diverse needs, ranging from the demand for faster internet speeds to systems that can better connect businesses with their customers. She is eager to tackle these challenges, acknowledging that it will require a concerted effort involving financial investment, community engagement, and collective commitment. ViNGN is actively managing several federal grants aimed at bridging the digital gap in the territory, she added.
Among them, an $8 million Digital Equity and Learning Grant (DEAL) presents a unique federal funding opportunity. Funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, it seeks to empower Virgin Islanders to expand their knowledge and skills using technology and the Internet, but its release depends on direct feedback from the community.
Nielsen-Bobbit emphasized that 2023 is a dedicated planning phase. During this period, viNGN is reaching out to a range of stakeholders, from churches and government agencies to community organizations, to better understand the community’s technological needs. Following this, a digital equity plan will be developed, and the public will have 30 days to offer input. Should the National Telecommunications and Information Administration release the funds, viNGN can then distribute subgrants to local organizations to enhance digital skills and literacy throughout the territory.
“ViNGN is fully aware of its role in bridging the digital divide,” Nielsen-Bobbit stated. “One of our goals is to reduce the cost of internet in the territory through these federal grants and to elevate our communities to a level where we are all active participants in the digital world.”
For questions, to learn more, or to recommend partner agencies, residents are encouraged to reach out to deal@vingn.com or info@usvideal.com.
“ViNGN is actively working to ensure that the digital future of the Virgin Islands is brighter and more inclusive than ever before,” Nielsen-Bobbit said.
Trustee Nellon Bowry wants more clarity on GERS’ financial reports. (Source file photo)
The financial report at the Government Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees meetings used to be easy to follow. Every month, the system was paying out $10 to $20 million more in annuities in relation to what it was collecting from employee and employer contributions. And that drain on the system would be reflected in drawdowns from its investment portfolio.
Now, with the GERS Solvency Plan in effect, the numbers are more complicated.
Denise Jeremiah, assistant chief financial officer, reported Thursday to the trustees that the system in September collected $15 million less than it paid out, but for the year, it was showing $18 million to the positive.
Trustee Nellon Bowry said there was nothing technically wrong with the report, but he would like to see additional information. Trustee Andre’ T. Dorsey said he thought the request for more information had been made before.
Angel Dawson, the system’s new administrator, said he appreciated the discussion and that he would work with Jeremiah to address the trustees’ concerns.
Although the Solvency Plan is funneling money into the system, trustees have raised concerns about whether the payments will always be timely since the plan is based on the Rum Cover-Over Matching Fund and that fund is at the mercy of the U.S. Congress.
Dorsey also wanted more information after Investment Officer Glenville Henderson gave his report. Henderson said that the system’s investment portfolio has dropped in market value from $448 million to $413 million.
Dawson explained that $12 million of that was an “unrealized loss” because the stock had not been sold at the lower price. Another column in Henderson’s report noted a cash flow loss of $20 million.
Henderson pointed out that those figures only related to September. He said over the year, the portfolio had shown an 8 percent increase.
Trustees Dwane Callwood and Vincent Liger attended along with Bowry and Dorsey. Trustee Ronald Russell was called away early in the meeting.
The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force annual meeting on St. Thomas included policy discussions, an underwater tour, and recognition for local research. (Photo by Judi Shimel)
Territorial leaders and environmental authorities from the public and non-profit sectors held a week-long meeting on St. Thomas with the coral reefs as their chief focus. The newly reopened Westin Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef provided the backdrop for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force annual meeting.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., along with Gov. Lemanu Peleti Magua of American Samoa, were joined by Insular Affairs Assistant Secretary Carmen Cantor and White House officials at the sessions. Those attending also saw a researcher from the University of the Virgin Islands honored for her life’s work in marine science.
Task Force members also approved a new priority site at Salt River, St. Croix, for inclusion in a federally funded watershed protection program.
The task force forms collaborations with state and territorial counterparts and fishery management councils to better assess threats to reef ecosystems and to help find better ways to mitigate harm. Secretary Cantor and Nicole LeBouef from NOAA led discussions about strategies to enhance, manage, and restore reef systems, according to a statement released by the Department of Interior on Friday.
LeBouef is the assistant administrator for NOAA’s National Ocean Service. “The USCRTF meeting focused on strategies to reduce threats, including by addressing issues related to disease, land-based pollution, and climate change,” the Interior statement said. “Additionally, the USCRTF discussed efforts to utilize improved restoration techniques and develop local plans to maintain sustainable fish populations for coral conservation goals.”
The annual meeting began Oct. 22. By Oct. 24, participants left the meeting space to view the research facilities and resources at UVI. Marine Biology Research Professor Tyler Smith and DPNR’s Matthew Warham spoke about the value of that first-hand experience, including a dive tour of St. Thomas coral reefs.
“I did tours with some of the participants on Tuesday. I showed them our area in the (13-D Research & Strategy) Innovation Center, where we have our ocean glider project and our robotics program,” Smith said. “And in the robotics program, we showed them our equipment that can be customized. We are currently using it to map deep water coral aggregations and to use Artificial Intelligence to identify groupers — to identify groupers by their facial markings and for coral disease treatments.”
Other task force participants had a chance to tour the new Marine Science facility rebuilt after damage caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. They also looked at the facility’s mangrove nursery, the UVI researcher said.
Warham, who serves as coordinator for DPNR’s Coral Reef Initiative, said he was especially glad to have Bryan, Magua and some task force members come along on the underwater reef tour. “It’s important we got some of these federal partners in the water to see some of our issues and where their resources are going to address these issues,” he said.
Warham added that the importance of reef preservation in the Virgin Islands was recently emphasized by an executive order signed by Bryan on Oct. 25. The order designates territorial reefs as part of the V.I. infrastructure system.
“The executive order mandates all V.I. government departments and agencies to take administrative, enforcement, conservation, and enhancement actions” to protect the reefs and develop policies and rules to ensure their preservation, said the statement issued by Communications Director Richard Motta.
Earlier this year, at the federal level, Interior announced funding from the Inflation Reduction Act would be directed to protect the Faga’alu Watershed in American Samoa, which was identified as a priority watershed. Last week, at the annual meeting, officials said they would soon confer a similar designation for the Salt River watershed on St. Croix.
The U.S. task force membership is made up of 14 federal agencies: seven states, territories, and commonwealths; three Freely Associated States; and four fishery management councils. Participating agency reps at the annual meeting included VI-DPNR, Territorial Coral Reef Monitoring Program, EPA, Department of Interior-Insular Affairs; U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA, Nature Conservancy and related non-profit conservation organizations from Puerto Rico and Florida; the National Park Service Biological Inventory and Monitoring Program, and Peter Edmunds from California State University at Northridge.
The Virgin Islands hosted the annual meeting this year; in 2024, it will be American Samoa’s turn to welcome delegates and provide a forum for the organization’s business meeting and to further its discussions.
Some of those discussions will resume shortly at the local level when UVI hosts an overview of the reef research projects conducted over the past three decades. “It’s an extension of all the coral reef work that many individuals have done over the last 20-30 years. We’re trying to look at these different reef trajectories. We can look at how reefs have recovered over those years (2005 — the first mass coral bleaching event — to 2017 with the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria), ocean currents, biodiversity, water temperatures, and how they might impact how some reefs are recovering, and how some are not,” Smith said.
And before ending the St. Thomas session, task force officials bestowed a lifetime achievement award on UVI Research Professor Marilyn Brandt. Brandt is the director of the UVI coral restoration program Reef Response. She is also a founder and executive team member of the Virgin Islands Coral Disease Advisory Committee.
Warham said Brandt’s award was one of three presented to people in the Virgin Islands whose work has helped improve the ocean ecology or raised awareness of the need to do so. “We wanted to appreciate her work at the federal level,” Warham said.
Others honored included John Farchette III, a former interpretative ranger at the East End Marine Park on St. Croix, and Caroline McLaughlin, who helps local and federal agencies coordinate their efforts to fight coral disease.
Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to reflect that John Farchette III was honored, not John Fischetti. Also, Marilyn Brandt is a UVI research professor, not an associate professor.
There are no obvious landmarks to indicate the presence of the indigenous people who spent time on St. John during the centuries before colonialism.
But Ken Wild, an archaeologist with the Virgin Islands National Park, can point to sites throughout the island that are rich in artifacts from people dating back to 840 B.C., right up to the period before contact with Europeans.
Ken Wild serves as the archaeologist and cultural resource program manager at the Virgin Islands National Park. (Photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Wild has identified numerous places where indigenous people left their marks, from an ancient site on the south side of the island to a ceremonial gathering spot among the hills along Centerline Road, to multiple locations along St. John’s north shore.
At a meeting of the St. John Historical Society on Oct. 24, Wild was excited to announce that the array of artifacts found on St. John from various time periods can be used to establish a continuous timeline showing the presence of indigenous people.
Why is this so important?
Collectors and museum curators may not know the origins of the objects under their care, Wild said. Often, an ancient piece of pottery or a stone tool is found and then passed along until it is acquired and displayed by an individual or institution.
However, the artifacts found on St. John within the Virgin Islands National Park have been unearthed using standardized methods of archaeology, and their age can be determined by a variety of techniques, including radiocarbon dating. Now, researchers throughout the Caribbean can more accurately date objects by comparing the features of their artifacts to those found on St. John.
Wild is especially fascinated with the progression of the designs found on objects at Cinnamon Bay from around 400 to 800 A.D. and at Trunk Bay from around 900 to 1000 A.D. “Using the iconography on the artifacts from Cinnamon and Trunk, we can see the shift from a simple chieftainship to Classic Taino culture that spread across the Greater Antilles,” Wild said.
A slide shows two artifacts found on St. John. The one on the left, found at Trunk Bay, dates back to 900 to 1000 A.D. The one on the right, featuring a bat nose, was found at Cinnamon Bay and dates back to around 1000 A.D. (Slide from a presentation by NPS Archaeologist Ken Wild at the St. John Historical Society on Oct. 24, 2023)
During his Historical Society presentation, Wild showed slides of objects found at Cinnamon and Trunk. Some of the artifacts have simple faces with open mouths; later ones have faces with what appear to be bat noses, suggesting human contact with the spirit world through animals, according to Wild.
A slide compares a figure (left) found on an island off Venezuela and a face (right) found at Trunk Bay dated from between 900-1000 A.D. (Slide from a presentation by NPS Archaeologist Ken Wild at the St. John Historical Society on Oct. 24, 2023)
The most recent objects depict faces with elaborate headdresses, an indication of the rising importance of chiefs, known as “caciques” (also spelled “kasikes,”) and of shamans, also known as priests.
Image from an object found at Cinnamon Bay from around 1400 A.D., which archaeologists think may depict a chief or priest in a headdress. (Slide from a presentation by NPS Archaeologist Ken Wild at the St. John Historical Society on Oct. 24, 2023)
By far, the oldest known indigenous site on St. John is at Lameshur Bay. As a young archaeologist working out of the National Park Service’s archaeology facility in Tallahassee in 1987, Wild was on the scene when a series of charcoal pits were found next to collections of empty whelk shells.
Carbon dating revealed the site went back as far as 840 B.C. “We didn’t realize the site was so old until we got the results of the radiocarbon dating,” said Wild. “It shows the presence of people we call ‘archaic’ who harvested whelk and cooked it there on the spot on charcoal without pottery.” There are no signs of their dwellings at Lameshur. “These people probably came and then left,” Wild concluded.
The shells and charcoal found at Lameshur are similar to what was found at Krum Bay on St. Thomas at a site dating back to the year 1000 B.C.
Wild said there doesn’t seem to be DNA evidence of a connection between the pre-ceramic people and the Saladoid people who left pottery and other artifacts at sites in downtown St. Thomas and Cinnamon Bay on St. John from around 100 to 300 A.D. It is believed that Saladoid culture eventually evolved into Classic Taino culture, which thrived several hundred years later.
Ken Wild holds up the book Taino: Pre-Columbian Art and Culture by Richard E Alegria and Jose Arrom. (Photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Cinnamon Bay includes sites from various time periods. In 2020, contractors building guest cottages at Cinnamon Bay Campground found an extensive indigenous site with artifacts dating from 400 to 800 A.D. Construction was halted for more than a year while the site was documented and artifacts preserved.
Ken Wild points out features on a slide of a Taino petroglyph at Reef Bay. (Photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Many of these objects are now being stored at the NPS Southeast Regional Facility in Tallahassee, according to Wild. Other objects found elsewhere are being stored on St. John.
The park’s previous archaeology facility — the old Danish Warehouse at Cinnamon Bay — was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Fortunately, all of the artifacts had been removed prior to the storm. The warehouse, thought to be the oldest colonial structure on St. John, was built near an indigenous ceremonial site along the beach that Wild said existed from 1000 to 1450 A.D.
Wild is looking forward to the opening of the park’s new Resource Management and Science Complex on Lind Point, which is now reaching its final phase of construction. The complex includes an archaeology lab, a classroom, and a small display area.
Scott Simmons, deputy superintendent of the Virgin Islands National Park, said the park hopes to begin moving into the new facility at Lind Point in January, with a public ribbon-cutting planned for late February.
NOTE: Ken Wild’s interest in archaeology goes beyond indigenous people. He has also written a chapter in a new book about pirates called Dead Man’s Chest, published by the University Press of Florida.
In addition to being available online, the book will soon be sold at Bookstore 340 in Crown Bay Center on St. Thomas and at Pirate’s Cove in Coral Bay on St. John.
“I’m going to write a whole lot more about pirates. I’ve found evidence of their presence on the landscape on St. John, but I’m not going to say where,” Wild told the audience at the Historical Society meeting.
TK Sports Club held the USVI 2023 Elite Hoops Takeover 16U and Men’s Basketball Tournament this past weekend at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School gymnasium. The event featured four teams in the 16U Division, while six teams populated the Men’s Division.
The four teams in the 16U Division played a round-robin format in the opening round. St. Thomas’ Prawcess won all three games in the first round, while the only loss for Positive Guidance from St. Croix was to Prawcess. X-Treme and Jah Youths were the other two teams in the division. Prawcess escaped with a 46-39 win during the first encounter with Positive Guidance. The Crucian team was missing their big man, Lenroy Richardson, for that game. Richardson was back for the semifinals, making a positive impact for his team as they defeated X-Treme 52-41. He scored 14 points and registered nine blocks, leading his team to the final. Jah Youths forfeited their game to Prawcess in the other semi-final game.
Prawcess accepts first place trophy at USVI 2023 Elite Hoops Takeover Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Mark J Daniel)
The championship match lived up to all the hype. The two teams played at a very high level and the game was close the entire way. The largest lead for either team all game was just seven points. This one came down to the last possession. Prawcess’ Lewis Penn missed a three-pointer with less than 20 seconds in the game and his team trailed 43-42. Positive Guidance’s Richardson got the rebound but Penn stole the ball and darted to the basket, making the game-winning lay-up with under ten seconds to go in regulation, giving the Prawcess a 44-43 win.
Positive Guidance accepts second place trophy at USVI 2023 Elite Hoops Takeover Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Mark J Daniel)
Top performer for Prawcess was Penn with 14 points. Teammate K’Nard Calendar added eight points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. Richardson was the star of his team, recording a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. The guardian of the paint also turned away five shots. Micah Jones contributed 11 points for Positive Guidance. Calendar, of Prawcess, was the top scorer and rebounder for the tournament with 42 and 35 respectively. He also took home the MVP honors. Teammate Jaden Dowe recorded the most assists with 10. Guidance’s Richardson collected 16 blocks for the tournament. Nyack Natheniel, also of Guidance, won the Most Steals Award.
Akeem Fleming, organizer; K’Nard Calendar, Prawcess; Lenroy Richardson, Positive Guidance; Jayden Dowe, Prawcess; Nyack Nathaniel, Positive Guidance; Tabari Williams, organizer. (Photo by Mark J Daniel)
The men’s division showcased six teams who presently reside throughout the entire U.S. and British Virgin Islands and the States. Last Loss and 100 Shots were the two surviving teams who made it to the championship game. This was also a highly intense and very competitive game. 100 Shots jumped out early and built a 16-point cushion in the second quarter. However, Last Loss came storming back and even held the lead in the fourth quarter. As they seemed to be putting it all together, there was a power outage that lasted for about 10 minutes. Once the lights came back on, both teams fought hard all the way to the final buzzer but it was 100 Shots who came away with the 61-59 victory.
100 Shots accepts first place trophy at USVI 2023 Elite Hoops Takeover Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Mark J Daniel)
The top performer for 100 Shots was Zion Jones, with an amazing performance of 20 points. It truly shows his toughness as he is still recovering from a severely injured shoulder, his shooting shoulder. His brother Jahmai Jones also poured in 15 points for the winning team. Neem Olivache led the way for Last Loss with 16 points. The tournament’s top scorer, Khalid Gerrard, dropped 10 points in a losing effort.
Akeem Fleming, organizer; Bobo Derweer, Tournament MVP; Tabari Williams, organizer; at 2023 Elite Hoops Takeover Basketball Tournament Award’s Ceremonies. (Photo by Mark J. Daniel)
Gerrard led the men’s tournament with 62 points. Bobo Derweer of 100 Shots was the top rebounder, snagging 34 boards. 100 Shot players also took home top blocker, Jevon Philpott (7) and most steals, Aquan Renault (12). Derweer was named tournament MVP. Aubrey Daniel of Last Loss was the tournament’s best distributor, tallying 19 assists.
Tabari Williams, the organizer of this event, has lofty goals for the tournament and its participants. “We put on this event to showcase the local youth and men’s division players on a higher scale so that the VI community and others can see that our athletes have the potential and skills to participate in any athletic competition especially when done consistently,” said Williams. “We want this to become an annual event so children in the next generation can continue to look forward to showcasing their talents at this event. We want to continue to bridge the gap between sports in the territory and the mainland by offering more of these high-quality events.”
State of Emergency declared for St. Croix’s water supply, Aliyah Boston honored, and more as host Adisha Penn recaps this week’s biggest headlines, while the in-studio team takes a deep dive with Hawksbill Project founder Scott Eanes. Check out Consider the Source!
Watch our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, Oct. 29, through Saturday, Nov. 4. Our YouTube playlist is updated every Sunday, AND check out Jesse’s daily weather updates on the Source weather page. There’s always something new to explore with the V.I. Source!
