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The Criminal Intelligence Network
By Dickson C. Igwe
Response blogs on the previous tale on the tragedy of the murder of Virgin Islands Native Sons and the chilling numbers of unsolved murders was an eye opener. The most useful asserted that ‘’ the real value of intelligence lies in its ability to identify threats, guide intervention, and prevent violence before lives are lost. Data may precede apprehension, but it is intelligence and decisive action that saves lives and prevents tragedy.
D9 Rep consistent in rejecting restrictions on public access to beaches & parks
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- The strongly expressed position by Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) that The Baths and Devil’s Bay must remain open and accessible to the public without exclusion or preference to any single commercial interest does not come as a surprise.
2 arrested & charged following Rise & Shine Tramp altercation
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) reports that investigations into a physical altercation that occurred during the Rise and Shine Tramp on August 4, 2026, have resulted in the arrest and charging of two individuals
'The objective is not simply to spend the money’– Grants recipients told
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — The Virgin Islands government is deepening its investment in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with US$165,000 in grants to 18 local business owners, a move officials say will strengthen entrepreneurship, create jobs and drive economic growth across the Territory.
Juanita Jardine is VI’s top CSEC student with 10 Grade 1s
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Juanita Jardine of the St George’s Episcopal School- Secondary Division is the Virgin Islands’ (VI) top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student for 2026 with 9 Grade Ones.
4 new HIV cases recorded in VI for 2026
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands (VI) have recorded four new cases of HIV for 2026 so far.
The Baths & Devil’s Bay 'must remain open' to the public- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- “The Baths belonged to us before the first cruise ship ever called at our shores, and they will belong to us long after, and I intend to see that they remain that way,” Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said.
‘We don’t like to be workers for nobody else'- Claude O. Skelton-Cline
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Host of Honestly Speaking, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said Virgin Islanders are natural owners, as it makes up their DNA, but that ownership is being given away.
20 accidents in 2026; Marine operators urged to strengthen safety practices
WICKHAM'S CAY II, Tortola, VI — The Government of the Virgin Islands is calling on marine operators and charter companies to tighten their safety practices after 20 accidents, including collisions, groundings and fires, were recorded in the Territory so far this year.
VI ends participation in CFU U14 football series with loss to St Martin
PUNTA CANA, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic- The Virgin Islands (VI) closed out their participation in the 2026 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) U14 Boys Challenge Series in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, with a heavy loss to St Martin.
VIAA brings Alzheimer's awareness to Lions Club of Tortola
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — A hybrid presentation to members of the Lions Club of Tortola, focusing on the early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, took centre stage on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, as the Virgin Islands Alzheimer's Association (VIAA) continued its community awareness campaign.
Public urged to honestly complete Public Service Transformation Survey
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Members of the public are being urged to complete the Public Service Transformation Survey.
Free Bottom resident Mozart Peters aka 'Dexter' reported missing
FREE BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Mr Mozart Peters, also known as Dexter, of Free Bottom, Tortola.
Sandra Phillip-Hodge declares as an Independent Candidate
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Commentator and local author Sandra Phillip-Hodge is the latest person to declare their intention to contest the General Elections of the Virgin Islands slated for 2027.
National Sustainable Development Plan ‘is not a gov’t only document’- Emery C. Pemberton
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Policy Analyst in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development Mr Emery C. Pemberton said the National Sustainable Development Plan makes provision for public-private sector collaboration to manage the marine space in the Virgin Islands (VI).
Restore finger pier @CB Romney Tortola Pier Park- Ramon George
WICKHAM'S CAY II, Tortola, VI - Grandeur Charters representative Ramon George has called for the restoration of the finger pier at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park to provide charter operators with more efficient access for cruise ship visitors.
VISNA launches patient empowerment series
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI —The Virgin Islands State Nurses Association (VISNA) has launched the latest installment of its Teaching Moments with VISNA’s President initiative, focusing on Patient Empowerment.
VI HoA to be 'a model among OTs'- Deputy Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands House of Assembly is on track to become “a model among overseas territories” and “a model to follow, as far as all independence is concerned,” Deputy Premier Honourable Julian Fraser, RA (R3), told the chamber on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Premier Wheatley 'hopeful' gov’t's accounts will be made 'current' soon
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has said he remains hopeful that the Auditor General will be able to get the government’s accounts up to date soon.
Vern Frett was found with Glock pistol & 11 rounds of ammo- RVIPF
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- 20-year-old Vern Frett was arrested by officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) during a joint operation involving the Armed Response Unit (ARV) and Special Patrol Team in Baughers Bay on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Opposition Leader calls for full audit of $$ invested by gov't
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI—Opposition Leader Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) is demanding a full, independent investigation by the Auditor General into what he says is more than US$7.5 million in public funds that left the Consolidated Fund for investments, about which the public has not been fully briefed.
The greedy bill 'wasn't greedy after all'- Hon Fraser
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change and Infrastructural Resilience, Hon Julian Fraser, RA (R3), has accused some Virgin Islanders of speaking from both sides of their mouths and accused some politicians of being among the worst human beings.
VI's Alpha Dog Racing Crew sweeps Gold @Nevis Culturama 2026 Drag Races
CHARLESTOWN, St Kitts and Nevis- The Virgin Islands-based drag racing team, Alpha Dog Racing Crew, returned to the St James Raceway on Sunday, August 16, 2026, and dominated the Nevis Culturama 2026 Drag Races, securing first-place finishes in both the 9-Second 1000 ft Class and the 10-Second 1000 ft Class.
Specialist Menopause Clinic coming to Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital- BVIHSA
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has announced it will launch a Specialist Menopause Clinic at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital on September 4, 2026, bringing dedicated menopause care to its women’s health services for the first time. The clinic will provide specialist assessment and treatment for women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and related health concerns.
UPDATE: SVG get the better of VI @CFU U14 Challenge Series
PUNTA CANA, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic- The Virgin Islands (VI) suffered back-to-back defeats at the 2026 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) U14 Boys Challenge Series in the Dominican Republic, when they were blanked by St Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday, August 17, 2026.
Businessman calls for clearer focus on VI emancipation celebrations
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Businessman and former political candidate Troy E. Christopher is urging territory officials to separate music-festival-style events from the core Emancipation celebrations, arguing that the current blend makes it harder to communicate a clear, educational message during a period that should serve as a teaching tool for cultural and historical awareness.
‘Rising wages alone will not ease BVI cost-of-living pressures’- Hon Walwyn
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Sixth District Representative and Member of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, has argued that increasing wages alone will not sufficiently protect residents from the rising cost of living in the Virgin Islands.
Medical centre roof ‘key to the future of healthcare’ on VG- Hon Wheatley
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley, the Minister for Health and Social Development (R9), has said the roof works on the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda will ignite the future of healthcare on the sister island.
VI Women finish 4th @2026 ECVA Volleyball C/ships
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands (VI) Women's Senior Volleyball Team had a fourth-place finish at the 2026 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Men's and Women’s Championships.
Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital gets updated signage
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was in January 2019 that the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government renamed Peebles Hospital to Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital in honour of the local surgeon and former Premier of the Virgin Islands (Dr Smith was still Premier at the time).
Public outcry over proposed exclusive cruise access to The Baths & Devil’s Bay
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI — A proposal to set aside The Baths and Devil’s Bay National Parks for the exclusive use of an international luxury cruise operator on selected mornings has sparked sharp public debate in the Virgin Islands, pitting conservation funding needs against long-standing principles of free and open beach access.
USVI: Loaded Glock 19 falls from man’s waist during police chase
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI— Quasheem Christian was ordered to 24-hour house arrest and GPS monitoring after a Superior Court magistrate in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) found probable cause on charges connected to a Glock 19 that police say fell from his waistband while he fled officers Thursday afternoon, August 13, 2026. The court, however, declined to uphold charges connected to a loaded .223 rifle found in a backpack near his vehicle.
David D. Archer Jr is Acting Governor
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As the Governor of the Virgin Islands, Mr Daniel Pruce, remains out of the territory, a new Acting Governor has been appointed.
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Labour Day horse races on STT set for September 6, 2026
ESTATE BOVONI, St Thomas, USVI- Horse racing resumes at Clinton E. Phipps Sr Racetrack on St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, on Sunday, September 6, 2026, with the Labour Day Races.
24-Hour Wellness Gym opening in VG today
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Mind & Body by Living Fit will officially open its doors today, Saturday, August 15, 2026, marking the launch of a new 24-hour fitness and wellness facility designed to serve Virgin Gorda residents, hospitality workers, and visitors.
Heavy surge caused power outage in many areas on Tortola
LONG BUSH, Tortola, VI- A heavy surge on the electricity system resulted in the loss of electricity to several areas on Tortola today, Saturday, August 15, 2026.
‘ONDE is more than a restaurant’- Mark H. Vanterpool
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- On July 28, 2026, another one of Mark H. Vanterpool’s visions came to reality when ONDE, an Italian restaurant, opened on the waterfront of the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.
VI Women secure 1st ECVA Championships win
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands (VI) Senior Women’s Volleyball Team secured their first win at the 2026 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Men and Women’s Championship on Friday, August 14, 2026.
Mrs Zubida K. H. O’Neal-George tipped to be ETPS principal
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Word reaching our newsroom from senior Ministry of Education officials is that long-time educator Mrs Zubida K. H. O’Neal-George will replace Ms Ashkisha N. Maduro as principal of the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School (ETPS).
The Data Spy
By Dickson C. Igwe
In a world driven by data and the management of that data, information is the key to crime prevention. However, information must lead to the knowledge and wisdom that will effect an outcome that saves lives and prevents tragedy.
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