Local news

Weekly Weather Forecast with Jesse Daley

By Jesse Daley - May 4, 2024

Watch now: Check out our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, May 5, through Saturday, May 11.

Flood Watch Continues as Heavy Rain Impacts V.I., Puerto Rico

By Jesse Daley - May 4, 2024

Heavy rain Friday and early Saturday resulted in flooding across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Additional precipitation is possible, and a flood watch remains in effect until Sunday evening.

EHI Disputes Court Order Transferring Caneel Bay Improvements to Government

By Siân Cobb - May 4, 2024

EHI Acquisitions has filed a motion in V.I. District Court disputing a recent order to transfer title to the Caneel Bay Resort and its improvements to the federal government, arguing that the judge overlooked that EHI holds a mortgage on the property.

Fight Over Car Keys Leads to Domestic Violence Arrest, Police Report

By Siân Cobb - May 4, 2024

Derrick Callwood Sr., a law enforcement officer with the V.I. Taxicab Commission who announced in January that he plans to run for the V.I. Senate as a Republican this fall, was arrested Thursday for simple assault, domestic violence, in a dispute with a woman following the Carnival J’ouvert celebrations on St. Thomas, the V.I. Police Department reported on Saturday.

John Yob Elected Chairman of V.I. GOP in 12-1 Vote, Party Announces

By Siân Cobb - May 4, 2024

John Yob is the new chairman of the Republican Party in the Virgin Islands following an election at a special meeting of the party’s State Committee that was held Friday at The Westin, Frenchman’s Reef on St. Thomas.

St. Thomas Carnival Children’s Parade Bursts with Color, Music, and Joy

By Ananta Pancham - May 4, 2024

The nearly six-hour St. Thomas Children’s Carnival Parade on Friday was a kaleidoscope of color, music and dance, with dazzling young royalty, infectious steel pan rhythms, towering moko jumbies, original choreographed routines and even a sprinkle of acrobatics keeping the energy high throughout the day.

Photo Focus: Horse Racing Returns to Clinton E. Phipps for Carnival 2024

By Judi Shimel - May 3, 2024

As the last lap of Carnival 2024 approaches, a grand tradition of horse racing brought the crowds out to the Clinton Phipps Racetrack. Horseracing fans appeared delighted as they stepped through the wrought iron gate and onto a revitalized racing venue.

Local Food and Farm Council Provides Update on How $500K Will Be Distributed

By Diana Dias - May 3, 2024

The Local Food and Farm Council provided an update on their $500,000 funding and other new developments. The town hall-style meeting, which took place on Wednesday at the University of the Virgin Islands, Albert Sheen Campus, attracted about 20 attendees.

Veterans Drive Comes Alive with Sounds of J’ouvert Morning

By Judi Shimel - May 2, 2024

One of the most anticipated events of Carnival season rolled along the Charlotte Amalie Waterfront Thursday morning on St. Thomas. Eleven live bands drew thousands of music fans to the 2024 J’ouvert.

Photo Focus: J’ouvert Street Fashion Spectacular 2024

By Judi Shimel - May 2, 2024

Thousands turned out for Thursday’s Carnival J’ouvert on St. Thomas. Many took time to dress for the fete with varying degrees of coverage. An assortment of fishnet stockings, tops, and jumpsuits proved that string is a thing among revelers. Shorts are still popular, as are bathing suits for men and women.

EPA Pledges $12 Million For USVI Drinking Water

By Mat Probasco - May 2, 2024

The federal government will send nearly $12.7 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to address exposure to lead in drinking water, Environmental Protection Agency officials announced Thursday.

Virgin Islander Advances in National Poetry Out Loud Competition

By Susan Ellis - May 2, 2024

Eleventh-grader Isabel Thill from Antilles School distinguished herself Wednesday at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C. She joins more than four million students from 20,000 schools, who have participated since the program began in 2005.

Remembering Candia Atwater Shields: Art Collector, Visionary, Museum Founder

By Elisa McKay - May 2, 2024

Candia Ann Atwater came into this world on May 4, 1943 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She grew up in Buffalo – raised by her aunt Kitty and uncle John Kenneth Galbraith, studied at Old Westbury NY, and worked in Albany, NY.

Flood Watch Issued Across USVI and Puerto Rico

By Jesse Daley - May 2, 2024

The National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has issued a Flood Watch for portions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands beginning on Friday morning and lasting until Sunday evening. Heavy rain and thunderstorms with lightning are possible.

Photo Focus: Dollmaker George Honored at 2024 St. Thomas Carnival Food Fair

By Judi Shimel - May 1, 2024

Friendship, food, and festivity were the order of the day at the Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay Wednesday, the scene of the 2024 St. Thomas Carnival Food Fair. Hundreds of Virgin Islanders from home and abroad came to celebrate, many dressed in colorful attire.

Territory’s Only Open Abattoir Closed

By Don Buchanan - May 1, 2024

Senators have complained to the Agriculture Department for months about the difficulty the closure of the St. Thomas abattoir has caused livestock farmers. On Monday, the department announced that farmers’ option of using the St. Croix abattoir is also gone.

Jane Does Suing USVI Over Epstein Seek Records from JPMorgan Case

By Siân Cobb - May 1, 2024

The attorney representing six Jeffrey Epstein victims in a lawsuit against the V.I. government is seeking a court order granting access to the unredacted filings and transcripts from the USVI’s complaint against JPMorgan Chase.

Serenity Wellness and Counseling LLC to Host 30-Day Mental Health Challenge

By Gabrielle Querrard - May 1, 2024

In observance of May as National Mental Health Awareness Month, Serenity Wellness and Counseling LLC has launched a 30-Day Mental Health Challenge on its social media pages, dedicated to encouraging Virgin Islanders to engage in more dialogue and awareness around mental health.

Prom Drive on STX Distributes Over 67 Dresses for Free

By Diana Dias - April 30, 2024

In the fairytale Cinderella, a maiden visits the ball and is dressed up by her fairy godmother. With a swish of a wand, Cinderella is off to the ball and dressed from head to toe. Unfortunately, in the real world, unlike in fictional fairytales, the cost of going to the prom can prove to be very costly.