Hon Flax-Charles' paperwork did not satisfy VIP’s Constitution– Premier Wheatley
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has revealed that with the confirmation of candidates for the Virgin Islands Party’s (VIP’) 2023 elections slate, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles has not been ratified because of issues with her paperwork.
T20 Cricket: Sewkarran hits unbeaten 80 as Cavaliers down RTW Falcons
GREENLAND, Tortola, VI- Cricketing powerhouse Cavaliers stamped their authority early in the BVI Cricket Association (BVICA) 2023 T20 Tournament, which bowled off at Greenland Playfield on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
Sharia B. de Castro elected President of VIP; Zoe J. Walcott is VP
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI- In a first for the 52-year-old Virgin Islands Party (VIP), two women will lead at the executive level.
7 certified as District Candidates on VIP’s 2023 Election Slate
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI – The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) has confirmed seven persons to contest seats as District Representatives for the upcoming 2023 General Elections in the Virgin Islands (VI).
Dr Natalio D. Wheatley retains Chairmanship of VIP
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has been voted to remain as Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) as it heads into the 2023 General Election.
No rift! Hon Fraser on Hon Malone re-crossing floor
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Senior legislator and Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) says he was shocked at the announcement that Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has rejoined the government, after crossing into the Opposition less than a year ago.
Wealthy British family to pay reparations to Grenada
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada- A United Kingdom (UK) family will publicly apologise to the people of the Caribbean island of Grenada, where its ancestors had more than 1,000 slaves in the 19th Century.
BVICA T20 Cricket 2023 Tournament bowls off @2:00pm today!
GREENLAND, Tortola, VI- The Greenland Playfield is expected to come alive with the usual excitement and entertainment when the BVI Cricket Association (BVICA) bowls off from 2:00 pm today, Sunday, February 5, 2023.
RVIPF on 24-hour surveillance following reports of gunfire
LONG BUSH, Tortola, VI – The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Armed Response Team is said to be revisiting areas where persons reported hearing gunfire as well as suspected persons and areas.
VIP holds Congress meeting; Districts Candidates, Chairman & Executive up for vote!
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI- The 52-year-old Virgin Islands Party (VIP) will be holding a regular congress meeting for its 76 member delegates to chart a new course in preparation for the 2023 General Elections.
Three arrested with one charged in human trafficking probe- RVIPF
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Information coming out of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is that a number of persons have been arrested following the execution of a search warrant on Thursday, February 2, 2023, in relation to an ongoing major investigation into human trafficking in the Territory.
Former Businessman & Public Officer Elihu R. Rhymer BEM passes
BUTU MOUNTAIN, Tortola, VI - The Territory, close friends, and family are mourning the passing of Elihu Rudolph Rhymer B.E.M., who according to family members passed away today Saturday, February 4, 2023, after a long illness at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town, the capital city.
Hon Malone reveals he initially crossed floor to not appear like a ‘rogue member’
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – At-Large Representative in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has revealed that at the time of crossing into the opposition from the Unity Government in June 2022, he also did so to not appear as a rogue member of the Government.
New petrol station now open @ Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina
SCRUB ISLAND, VI- Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina has announced the official opening of its new petrol station with 1,000 meters of hoses delivering a capacity of 10,000 gallons of marine-grade gasoline and diesel fuel to both leased and transient dockers.
St. Croix residents busted with Cocaine in frozen conch @ Airport
VI CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — Two St. Croix residents appeared in federal court on Thursday facing drug trafficking offenses, after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents found narcotics in frozen seafood.
UPDATE: No Injuries, fatalities reported after Long Bush/Lower Estate gunshots
LONG BUSH, Tortola, VI - Following reports of gunshots in the Long Bush/Lower Estate area last evening Friday, February 3, 2023, there have been no reports of any injuries or fatalities in the area.
Premier fails to get UK Minister to lift Order in Council
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Despite pushing the narrative of a ‘Modern Partnership’ between the United Kingdom and the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI), UK Minister for the Overseas Territories Lord Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith has indicated that the controversial Order in Council to suspend the VI’s constitution will not be lifted until the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) reforms are completed.
Police Bill 2023 raises red flags & makes way for police abuse of rights
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Many residents and legal minds, who have taken a look at the proposed Police Act, 2023, said the Bill in its current form has raised some serious issues and will take away the human rights of the people.
D8 political aspirant Wheatley launches proposal for Red Bay
EAST END, Tortola, VI- Less than 24 hours after our news centre broke the news that former Financial Secretary (FS) Mr L. Allen Wheatley is expected to be the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidate for District 8, the political aspirant has launched a proposal for a multi-use facility in Red Bay, East End.
VI’s Nat’l Sustainable Development Plan will not ‘rest on the shelves’- Premier
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI– Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has laid the Virgin Islands' National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) on the table of the House of Assembly, paving the way for debate on it.
Voters must get it right
Dickson C. Igwe
Beware of politicians who want power above all else; power before country. As the Virgin Islands enters the season of talk and promises, in another land far away and across the vast Atlantic, elections will take place this month of February 2023.
Hon Vanterpool embarrassed over tourist seeing 'garbage smoke' on VG
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI– Fourth District Representative Hon Mark H. Vanterpool has said he was recently embarrassed over the unsightly burning of garbage on the Sister Island of Virgin Gorda.
UPDATE: Hon Malone crosses floor ‘after careful consideration & consultation'
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Former Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has said he decided to return to the Unity Government side in the House of Assembly after careful consideration and consultation.
Rotary Tortola & BVI Diabetes Association launch ‘lose to win’ 2023 fundraiser
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Rotary Club of Tortola and the BVI Diabetes Association have kick-started their Lose to Win 12-week challenge in remembrance of M. Elton Georges, a past president of the two organisations.
HLSCC to get 25m pool @ Paraquita Bay campus
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI- The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) has announced it has secured a commitment from Panam Sports and World Aquatics (the international swimming federation formerly known as FINA) to support the supply of a 25m international competition standard swimming pool from Myrtha Pools to be installed and managed by H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on Tortola, [British] Virgin Islands.
Premier Wheatley roasted on radio show for keeping VI in dark over UK Minister visit
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) was put on blast for not keeping the Virgin Islands public in the loop concerning the visit to the Virgin Islands (VI) by United Kingdom (UK) Minister for the Overseas Territories, Lord Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith.
L. Allen Wheatley to contest D8 with VIP
EAST END, Tortola, VI- While many are still wondering whether there will be a 2023 general election in the Territory, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), one of three political parties in the coalition government, is quietly amassing its slate of 13 candidates.
After much pressure Unity Gov’t finally alerts public of Lord Goldsmith’s visit to VI
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – After much pressure from the Virgin Islands media and civil society, the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) led by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has finally alerted the public of the visit of UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Lord Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith.
Cement truck topples @ Rogue's Bay
ROGUE'S BAY, Tortola, VI- Just a week after a cement truck went off a hillside in George's Northside, a cement truck toppled at Rogue's Bay on Tortola this morning, February 1, 2023.
'I still believe' a woman will be next VI Premier- Skelton-Cline
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI– Although general election is supposedly around the corner and fresh candidates are yet to declare their intentions, pastor and talk show host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline remains faithful that his prophecy of a female becoming the next Premier of the Virgin Islands will come to pass.
News blackout over visit of UK OT Minister Lord Goldsmith
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Governor John J. Rankin, CMG and his United Kingdom (UK) gang have been promoting Good Governance, Transparency and Openness; however, that does not seem to apply to the visit of the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith.
Linda I. Smith appointed Senior Director of Development @RDA
WICKHAM’S CAY I, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) has announced the appointment of Ms Linda I. Smith, BA, MPA, CFRM as the Senior Director of Development (SDD) for a period of one-year, effective January 16, 2023.
Theft of vehicle licence plates on the rise- RVIPF
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Police are urging persons with disabled or inoperable vehicles along roadsides or in unsecured lots whether temporarily, or permanently to secure their licence plates.
Still no set date for elections as VI enters February 2023
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – As the Virgin Islands enters the second month of 2023, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) still has not declared an election date for 2023, even after being questioned by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
One Love & Lion Heart in top 4 of National League standings
EAST END, Tortola, VI- Wins for One Love FC and Lion Heart FC at the weekend threw the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) National League title race wide open, as both teams moved into the top four in the standings.
‘The Governor & I have had a few challenges’ selecting CoI reviewers- Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It is unclear the exact nature of the challenges; however, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said he and Governor John J. Rankin, CMG have been having “a few challenges” in selecting persons to undertake various reviews recommended in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report.
Man arrested for drunk driving, unlicensed & operating uninsured vehicle- Police
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Darrell Thomas, 39, of Major Bay has found himself afoul of the law for alleged drunk driving and several other offenses.
New RT Market Square 'substantially completed & ready for occupancy'- Hon Rymer
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) says the Road Town Market Square project is considered “substantially completed” and ready for occupancy.
Gov’t wants education to add focus on VI History, Civic & Financial Literacy
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Governor John J. Rankin, CMG says as the Government seeks to re-imagine education, during this Fifth Session of the House of Assembly (HoA), adjustments will be made to the Education Amendment Act (2014) and its Regulations completed to ensure that teaching and learning align with the needs of students in the 21st century.
Therapeutic Room opens @ Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Brenda Cline Therapeutic Room was officially opened at Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School earlier today, January 30, 2023.

