Local news

Donastorg Arraignment Postponed

dario714 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:11:47 -0400

An arraignment of veteran V.I. Sen. Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg on multiple assault and weapons charges was postponed until March 25, according to the V.I. Department of Justice.

V.I. Women Speak Frankly to Halt Spread of HIV/AIDS

BillCurry — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:13:27 -0400

Abstinence, being faithful and using condoms—all three were on the list of topics to help prevent HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases during a talk Wednesday at Per Ankh Center in Frederiksted.

Young Minds Dazzle During Good Hope Science Fair

BillCurry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:39:20 -0400

A St. Croix 10th-grader will be headed to California this spring to compete at an international science competition, after earning first place this week at the Good Hope School science fair.

Former Schneider CEO Arrested Again for Attempted Fraud

BillCurry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:02:00 -0400

Already convicted last year of lying on his government job application, Rodney E. Miller Sr. was arrested again this week for allegedly trying to back up his story by presenting false evidence during trial.

Brief: Hovensa to Add Personnel in Coming Months

BillCurry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:33:25 -0400

The Hovensa oil refinery is getting ready to add 91 new employees to its payroll after June 7, according to a statement from the Labor Department.

Professional Fees Top $35 Million in One Part of Prosser Case Alone

BillCurry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:15:01 -0400

Professional fees for one segment of the Prosser bankruptcy case have exceeded $35 million, and U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Judith Fitzgerald has started the process of appointing a fee auditor to help her manage costs.

Taiwanese Couple Pleads Guilty in Black Coral Smuggling Operation

BillCurry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:49:49 -0400

Claiming a small victory on St. Thomas in the global war against the smuggling of exotic wildlife, the U.S. Department of Justice rested its case Thursday against a Taiwanese couple who were caught smuggling precious black coral from Asia to a local jewelry maker.

Solar Power, Net Metering Taking Off in Territory

BillCurry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:23:56 -0400

Households using solar energy and selling their surplus power back to the V.I. Water and Power Authority through net metering have increased almost tenfold over the past two years. Now proven successful, the technology is poised to take off, WAPA Executive Director Hugo Hodge Jr. said Wednesday.

Senate Blocks Amendment, Passes Rum Cover-Over Extension

BillCurry — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:02:09 -0400

The U.S. Senate Wednesday passed a bill extending the rum cover-over after blocking an amendment proposed by Florida Sen. George LeMieux (R) that would have radically altered the way the funds are allocated between the two territories.

Search for Missing Boater Called Off

BillCurry — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:22:46 -0400

The U.S. Coast Guard Wednesday called off its search, pending further developments, for a boater missing since Monday in waters south of St. Croix.

Hovensa Donation to Give Island's Strays a "Lift"

BillCurry — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:56:20 -0400

Hovensa on Wednesday donated a specially equipped vehicle to the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center to help transport stray, abandoned or abused animals on St. Croix.

V.I. Soldiers Featured in Army's Guantanamo Bay Magazine

BillCurry — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:46:51 -0400

V.I. National Guard soldiers deployed in Cuba, are getting a taste of their 15 minutes of fame with recent profiles in the Guantanamo Joint Task Force magazine: The Wire. The last two editions of the magazine had page-length profiles of two of the territory's finest: Col. Caroline Adams and Spc. Keith Chambers.

Crime Stoppers Needs Your Help

BillCurry — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0400

Crime Stoppers is asking your help to solve the following crimes. If you know something, please report it. Even information that seems insignificant may be just what law enforcement needs to solve these cases.

Senate Moves on Property Tax Proposal, Holds Back on Borrowing

BillCurry — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:26:32 -0400

Out of the three financing proposals submitted by the deJongh administration last week, senators moved forward Tuesday with a bill allowing property tax bills to go out at the 1998 levels, but held back on authorizing the government to borrow another $150 million to plug its projected fiscal year 2010 shortfall.

Senate Scales Back on Amendments During Full Session

BillCurry — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:15:37 -0400

For the first time in a while, the Senate's full session agenda wrapped well before dark set in, and only one new appropriations amendment -- attempting to pull $250,000 from General Fund for outstanding expenses of the Fifth Constitutional Convention -- made it onto the designated Christmas tree bill.

First Lionfish Captured on St. John

BillCurry — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:03:53 -0400

A quartet of V.I. National Park staff members Tuesday captured the first lionfish discovered on St. John. Rafe Boulon, the park's chief of resource management, said the fish was found east of Waterlemon Cay on the island's north side.

Coast Guard Continues Search for Missing Boater

BillCurry — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:09:50 -0400

Searchers from the U.S. Coast Guard Tuesday found the body of a Puerto Rican man, one of three who fell into the ocean in a Monday boating accident. The search continued late Tuesday afternoon for the third man.

PFA Board Approves Financing for Territory-wide Broadband Initiative

BillCurry — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:31:17 -0400

Taking hours to download a video or read a book online could become a thing of the past if the V.I. government succeeds in pulling in the federal grant it needs to begin building a comprehensive broadband network that will significantly enhance internet speed throughout the territory.

Legislature Approves Official Fireburn Observance

BillCurry — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:09:06 -0400

The V.I. Legislature approved the official annual observance of “Fireburn Day” and voted to bolster existing laws against child pornography in a full session on St. Thomas Monday.

Donastorg Scandal Takes Odd Twist

BillCurry — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:43:46 -0400

In a curious twist, the woman whose signed statement to police led to domestic violence charges against Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg has a new signed statement saying it is all a misunderstanding, a mistake—and a conspiracy.