Record high dengue cases in Puerto Rico
VI CONSORTIUM
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico- “This year, cases of dengue have surpassed historical records,” said Puerto Rico’s Health Secretary Carlos Mellado López, as officials announced over 500 cases of the viral disease across the territory. Almost half of these are in the capital of San Juan, with more than 340 people needing to be hospitalised.
UPDATE: Magistrate’s Court to open for criminal matters @ Old CTL Building on April 9
PASEA ESTATE, Tortola, VI- From a hardware store to a school, the Old Clarence Thomas Building in Pasea Estate will now become a Magistrate’s Court.
Willock says RVIPF needs auditing & assessment on handling crime
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Former Speaker of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) Julian Willock says, as it relates to crime in the VI, millions of dollars continues to go into the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and, as such, an assessment of the force needs to be conducted.
‘Explosive’ Atlantic hurricane season predicted for 2024
FLORIDA, USA - Weather forecasters are predicting a turbulent year for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season in the tropics, one that could approach a record-setting pace that may exhaust the entire list of names for tropical storms and hurricanes.
Historic win for VI against USVI; Advances for 1st time in World Cup qualifying
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The some 500 persons in attendance at A.O. Shirley Grounds on March 26, 2024, witnessed history created as the [British] Virgin Islands not only defeated the US Virgin Islands (USVI) for the first time in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifying fixture but they also advanced to the second round for the first time.
Ellis Thomas Downs gets partial cleanup; Still no decision on August races
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- The only horse race track in the Territory, Ellis Thomas Downs located in Sea Cows Bay on the main island of Tortola, has gotten a partial cleanup.
VI doing 'very well' but some not positioning themselves for success– Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has called on [British] Virgin Islanders to position themselves to be able to benefit from the territory's growing tourism economy.
Rotary Club of Central Tortola engages in mangrove cleanup & planting @ Slaney
SLANEY POINT, Tortola, VI- More than 50 red mangrove seedlings were planted and several bags of debris were cleared when the Rotary Club of Central Tortola teamed up with the Centre for Applied Marine Studies at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) for a mangrove cleanup and planting initiative at Slaney Point on Tortola on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
BVI Food & Wine Festival postponed to February 2025
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The BVI Food & Wine Festival (BVIFWF) which was slated for April 2024 has been postponed to February 14-21, 2025.
VI Gov't says 215 problems solved through BVI GOV Report It App
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A total of 215 problems have been solved to date through the “BVI GOV Report It” App, the Government of the Virgin Islands has claimed.
UPDATE: VI beat USVI on penalties in 2nd leg of World Cup Qualifying
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The [British] Virgin Islands (VI) earned a spot in Group E of CONCACAF Qualifing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a 4-2 win on penalties in the second leg tie against the US Virgin Islands at A.O. Shirley Ground on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
Nostalgic gourmet dinner prepared from locally sourced items
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was an evening of nostalgia at Pussers Lounge in Road Town on Saturday, March 24, 2024, when the Department of Agriculture of the Government of the Virgin Islands collaborated with BVI Wine & Food Festival to present the first in a series of gourmet dinners with all local produce and products.
USVIPA announces partners for major overhaul of airport terminals
VI CONSORTIUM
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI - In a major move towards the redevelopment of airport terminals in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the V.I. Port Authority Board of Governors on Tuesday selected VIports Partners to spearhead the project at both Cyril E. King Airport (STT) and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX).
'Whether I run or not, we have a 5-year plan' for D3- Willock
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Former Speaker of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) Julian Willock has dispelled rumours that heightened community activities in the Third District with Kishma P. Forbes are because he is running for office.
Josiah’s Bay residents ‘terrified’ following frequent gunshots in the area
JOSIAH’S BAY, Tortola, VI- Residents of Josiah’s Bay on Tortola are calling on the police to take action against persons frequently firing guns late at night in the area.
1.6-mile bridge in Baltimore collapses after hit by ship; Rescue operation underway
BALTIMORE, Maryland, USA- Rescue workers in Baltimore are searching for as many as seven people after a major bridge in the city's port was struck by a container ship early Tuesday, March 26, 2024, officials said.
Gov’t inks investment agreement with JOMA for hotel & marina dev't @ Port Purcell
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Government of the Virgin Islands has inked an Investment Agreement with the family-owned JOMA (Properties) Ltd for the development of a new hotel and an upgrade to the marina at Port Purcell on Tortola.
NSC calls for ‘calm’ in VI following recent shootings & reports of shootings
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Amidst recent shootings and reports of shootings in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI), the National Security Council (NSC) has called for calm in the territory.
Jermaine A. Ricketts wins 2024 Trident Trust 5K- Carrot Bay Classic
CARROT BAY, Tortola, VI- Chased by Julius Farley for much of the race, Jermaine A. Ricketts still comfortably won the Carrot Bay Classic on Saturday, March 23, 2024. The race was the second of the Trident Trust 5K Series and the second victory for Ricketts.
Scrub Island Resort offering ‘local resident’ rates
SCRUB ISLAND, VI- Scrub Island Resort is inviting locals from the [British] Virgin Islands (VI), US Virgin Islands (USVI) and Puerto Rico to take advantage of rates exclusive to them.
Gov’t 'proud of the way we have been addressing challenges'– Premier Wheatley
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says he remains proud of the way his government has been addressing challenges in the territory, noting that a lot of those challenges have been inherited from successive governments.
RVIPF Marine Shore Base to be renamed
ROAD REEF, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Marine Shore Base at Road Reef is to be renamed.
UPDATE: No one reported injured after alleged shooting in Huntums Ghut- RVIPF
HUNTUMS GHUT, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has said its officers responded to a report received of shots fired in the Huntums Ghut area after 8:00 PM on March 23, 2024.
VI draw 1-1 with USVI to take slight advantage in World Cup Qualifier
UPPER BETHLEHEM, St Croix, USVI- The [British] Virgin Islands (VI) came away from a tough CONCACAF first-round Qualifier for the FIFA World Cup 2026 against the US Virgin Islands (USVI) with a 1-1 draw on March 22, 2024, giving them the slight edge ahead of the second leg on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Tortola.
Ground breaks for YEP building @ Handsome Bay on VG
HANDSOME BAY, Virgin Gorda, VI- It was labelled a “Red Letter Day” in Virgin Gorda yesterday, March 23, 2024, when ground was broken for a building to house the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda.
Adaejah T. Hodge to miss 51st CARIFTA Games to focus on Olympic qualification
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The [British] Virgin Islands will be fielding 25 athletes minus sprint phenom Adaejah T. Hodge at the 51st CARIFTA Games in Grenada from March 30- April 2, 2024.
Allonah T. Williams crowned Miss VG Easter Festival 2024
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Contestant Number 3 Miss Allonah T’Keisha Williams was crowned Miss Virgin Gorda Easter Festival 2024 when the pageant was held at Jeffrey Caines Arena in Virgin Gorda on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Romaine Baird charged for financial crimes; $40K bail granted
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Romaine Baird, 34, of Pasea Estate, has been charged with Theft, Obtaining Property by Deception, and Possession of Proceeds of Criminal Conduct.
Musical festivals a well known & effective strategy to increase visitors - Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Sharing statistics on tourism arrivals in the Virgin Islands, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says one of the aims of the 3 day upcoming Virgin Islands (VI) Music festival is to increase tourism numbers in the month of May 2024, which has shown a history of low tourist arrivals based on stats from 2023.
Premier extends best wishes to Princess Catherine on Cancer treatment
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has extended best wishes on behalf of the Government and the people of the Virgin Islands to Her Royal Highness Catherine, Princess of Wales for a swift and full recovery in light of her recent health concerns.
Gov't must start valuing teachers as much as doctors - CTE Executive Director
VI CONSORTIUM
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, USVI - During last month’s meeting, the Board of Career and Technical Education noted that the attrition rate among CTE instructors is unsustainably high. During a meeting on Wednesday, comments from Executive Director Anton Döös noted that the phenomenon was not just limited to the territory.
'I'm not a glorified City Manager'- Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Fourth District Representative and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) has defended her job title after being labelled a ‘Glorified City Manager,’ by one media operative in relation to her bring assigned projects by the Premier.
UPDATE: Police seeking information on John's Hole attempted murder
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force are seeking information on what they declared was an attempted Murder last evening, March 23, 2024, on Station Street in John's Hole, Road Town.
Opposition members funded music festivals when they were in Gov’t – Dr Wheatley
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has defended his Government’s investments in local music festivals as events that boost the economy, despite criticisms from the VIrgin Islands (VI) opposition that the events are a waste of money.
Territory encouraged to participate in Minimum Wage Review
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The public has been encouraged to participate in the much talked about and highly anticipated Minimum Wage Review.
VI ready to ‘fight’ for 90+ minutes against USVI in CONCACAF Qualifiers today
UPPER BETHLEHEM, St Croix, USVI- The CONCACAF Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup start this Friday, March 22, 2024, with the first leg matches of the First Round.
Venezuela passes law to annex region of Guyana
VI CONSORTIUM
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, South America- In a move that intensifies the longstanding territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, Venezuelan lawmakers have thrown a fresh spark into the tinderbox by approving President Nicolas Maduro's ambitious plans to establish the state of Guayana Esequiba.
Virgin Islands productivity
Dickson C. Igwe
This is the first of two articles on capital and productivity. Productivity is the human effort, that when joined with capital mix drives greater prosperity in the Virgin Islands.
2024 VI Music Festival to be held ‘on plot of land’ behind Central Admin Complex
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The venue for the 2024 Virgin Islands Music Festival, to be held under the slogan ‘60 Beats One Vibe’, will be the plot of land behind the Ralph T. O’Neal Central Administration Complex.
Observing World Down Syndrome Day fosters 'culture of acceptance'- Hon Wheatley
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Persons in the [British] Virgin Islands were encouraged to wear mismatched socks as the territory observed World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, 2024.
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