News
VI-USVI situation is ‘not about money’- Hon Julian Fraser RA
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Hon Julian Fraser, RA (R3) has said the current issues between the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and the Virgin Islands (VI) is not about money.
UPDATE: VI & USVI discussing proposed amendments to charter boat legislation
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- A delegation led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, engaging their USVI counterparts on the proposed amendments to the charter boat legislation and their wider impact on the Greater Virgin Islands.
UPDATE: VI & USVI agree to ‘crunch the numbers’ again on charter fee hike
PASEA ESTATE, Tortola, VI- Following what was described as “intense” negotiations between the Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands regarding charter fees increase for USVI-based boaters today, March 7, 2025, both parties have agreed to go back and “crunch the numbers” and the VI has pledged to hold off on the amendments to the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing Act until an agreement on a fair increase is met.
VI should not expand charter industry @ ‘detriment’ of USVI’s- Gov Bryan
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- The Governor of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), Albert A. Bryan Jr, has confirmed that he will meet with the Virgin Islands' (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), in Tortola on Friday, March 7, 2025, to discuss proposed increases affecting the marine charter-yachting industry for the territories.
‘We were not on the same page’ in horse racing negotiations- Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—Caving in face of persistent questioning from Opposition Member Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7) has finally admitted that the Government and one of the private landowners of Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay remain at an impasse regarding the facility's future.
Horse racing the forgotten sports in VI
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- After some three years of no horse racing (last race was in 2021) on Tortola and the Ellis Thomas Downs land negotiations at a standstill, it appears horse racing- a big pastime and something that has been ingrained in the Virgin Islands' culture- is forgotten.
Tola Radio ‘not going off air for 1 second’- Floyd P. Burnett aka ‘Heritage’
FAT HOGS BAY, Tortola, VI- Despite a press release from Caribbean Cellular Telephone Limited (CCT) stating it has terminated its service agreement with Tola Radio VI 100.5 FM, Managing Director Mr Floyd P. Burnett aka ‘Heritage’ has assured the public the popular radio station will not be going off air anytime.
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.
Racetrack land lease still unresolved; No horse races for 70th anniversary celebration
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- The last race day at Ellis Thomas Downs was August Tuesday of 2022. Since then Ellis Thomas Downs has laid barren. Many horse owners have either had to let their horses out of the stables to pasture, send them to other Caribbean Islands, or find creative ways to keep feeding them.
Willock calls for new negotiations regarding Ellis Thomas Downs stalemate
FAT HOGS BAY, Tortola, VI- A staple of the Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival activities is horse racing; however, it was missing from this year’s calendar of activities due to a breakdown in negotiations with landowners at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay last year.

