Sunday night in Las Vegas, Aliyah Boston delivered a performance that had the entire territory celebrating as the Indiana Fever stunned the number two-seeded Las Vegas Aces 89-73 in Game 1 of their WNBA semifinal series.
Indiana Fever’s Aliyah Boston of St. Thomas locks down WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson during Game 1 of the semifinals in Las Vegas Sunday night.. (Photo courtesy Bri Lewerke)
While teammate Kelsey Mitchell grabbed headlines with her 34-point explosion, Boston’s suffocating defense against WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson provided the foundation for the playoff upset. The St. Thomas native held the league’s most dominant player to just 16 points with a 6-of-22 shooting performance.
“Her defense has been crazy good!” Cleone Boston, Aliyah’s mother, said proudly during the game.
Before taking the court at Michelob Ultra Arena, Boston received an inspiring text from her mother: “As you step on the court today, remember that God is writing this team’s story… Play free, play strong, play with joy.”
That strength was evident throughout Boston’s dominant defensive display. She consistently frustrated Wilson with her positioning, length, and basketball IQ, preventing the MVP from getting into any rhythm.
The atmosphere was electric, with Cleone Boston capturing the emotion from the stands as she watched her daughter make playoff history. “My voice was almost gone by the end of the game. It was an unbelievable feeling to witness this win on the road.”
After the final buzzer sounded on Indiana’s historic road victory, Boston’s satisfaction was evident but measured. “Feels great. That was a great start to the series for us, and we have to keep it going,” she said, already focused on maintaining the momentum heading into tonight’s Game 2.
Still in Las Vegas, Boston and the Fever find themselves in an enviable position with a chance to take a commanding 2-0 lead back home to Indianapolis. Watch tonight’s game live on ESPN at 9:30 p.m.
A man accused of assaulting a woman and a child while pointing a firearm at them was arrested after police executed a search warrant at his home on St. Croix earlier this month, the V.I. Police Department announced.
According to the VIPD, a woman called the 911 Emergency Call Center at about 1:57 a.m. July 1 to report being assaulted by Michael Weeks. Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Bureau investigated and learned that Weeks allegedly brandished a firearm at the victim and a minor child.
On Sept. 4, a Superior Court judge approved a warrant to search Weeks’ residence and authorized his arrest, setting bail at $50,000. One week later, on Sept. 10, officers from the Criminal Investigation Bureau and Special Operations Bureau executed the warrants. Police said a firearm was found inside the residence.
Weeks was advised of his Miranda rights and admitted to owning the weapon, according to the department. He was arrested and charged with third-degree assault, carrying a firearm openly or concealed, possession of a dangerous weapon during a crime of violence, and brandishing and exhibiting a firearm, according to VIPD.
Unable to post bail, Weeks was transported to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his Advice of Rights hearing, police said.
Acting Gov. Tregenza A. Roach announced Tuesday that all public schools in both the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix districts, along with central government offices and all nonessential and non-emergency operations, will be closed Wednesday, because of forecasted inclement weather tied to tropical wave AL 94, a Government House press release announced.
“The safety of our students, public servants, and residents is our highest priority,” Roach said in a statement. “We are taking these steps to minimize risk, ensure our emergency response teams can operate effectively, and allow road crews the access they need to assess and clear our roadways, particularly in areas still saturated from heavy rainfall over the past week.”
Officials urged residents to stay off the roads to protect themselves and to allow emergency personnel and road crews to operate without obstruction, according to the press release.
Government agencies will conduct assessments throughout Wednesday to evaluate potential impacts on schools, public infrastructure, and communities. Officials are also monitoring another weather system in the region, the press release stated.
Updates will be provided Wednesday by the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, and other emergency partners. Roach reminded residents to stay alert to official advisories, exercise caution, and prioritize their families’ safety, the release stated.
The family of the late Marilyn Donawa is saddened to announce her passing on Sept. 10, 2025.
She was preceded in death by aunts: Minerva Washington, Gertrude and Esedra Powlis;
Sisters: Rita Simeon, Shirley Marcus, Delores Hansen and Former Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen; Brothers: Louis Simeon and Joseph Marcus.
Marilyn Donawa
She is survived by her loving husband: Clarence Donawa; Daughters: Former Senator Norma Pickard-Samuel, Donna Pickard, Myrna Pickard, and Lerena L. Donawa;
Sons: Clarence Donawa Jr. and Alfred Donawa Sr.; Stepson: Michael Garnette Donawa.
She was blessed with grandchildren: Wilbur Francis Jr., Deshawn Samuel, Iba Kevin Popo, Ishmael Pickard-Burgos, Tiniqua Knowles, Confe-Ivette and Alexandra Burgos, Zamarilyn and Zaniquah Pickard-Davis, Jarilyn, Jillene and Jeneida Donawa, Ian E. Fleming Jr., Tariq O. Alejandro Sr., Alfred Donawa Jr., Kamau Phillip, Nazion Abraham, Kamilah, Kalil, Nyahrah, Nyahjah, Ahijah, Ashay, Afyah and Malaysia Donawa;
and 43 great-grandchildren.
Brothers: Lorne “Chunky” Harrigan, Wade “Tex” Harrigan, Kenneth “Chubby” Williams and Enrique “Pinky” Williams; Adopted sister: Ada G. Williams; Brothers-in-law: Kenneth Donawa Sr. and Esdel Hansen Sr., Daughter-in-law: Jodie Donawa.
Godchildren: Melba Edney, Wilfred Williams Jr., Merlene Rodney and Shavoy Jones.
Special friends include Wilma Rodney, Lorelei Hall, Iona Jones, and many others too numerous to mention.
Family and friends viewing will be held on September 30, 2025, at Divine Chapel, 129 Peter’s Rest, between 3-5pm.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at City of Refuge Worship Center, #303 Barren Spot, viewing at 9am, service at 10am.
Interment follows to Christiansted Cemetery.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” — Psalm 23:1–3
The Magens Bay Authority has appointed Assistant Commissioner of Tourism Alani A. Henneman to its board of directors, it announced Sunday evening.
Assistant Tourism Commissioner Alani Henneman, testifying before the Senate in March 2024, has been appointed to the Magens Bay Authority board of directors. (V.I. Legislature photo)
Henneman, who replaces longtime board member Katina Coulianos, “brings more than 20 years of experience in communications, marketing, and public relations, along with a strong record of service to the Virgin Islands community,” the announcement stated.
As assistant commissioner, Henneman oversees the marketing and promotion of the territory as a premier travel destination, it said. “She has collaborated extensively with federal and local partners, semi-autonomous agencies, and the private sector, and also serves as the Department of Tourism’s Emergency Service Coordinator during times of crisis.”
Her career with the Tourism Department spans over two decades, including roles as Public Relations Manager, Manager of Media and Travel Industry Relations, Director of Communications, and now Assistant Commissioner of Marketing, according to the release. It said she has also successfully led public relations campaigns, organized high-profile events, and represented the Virgin Islands both locally and abroad.
“Ms. Henneman’s expertise in tourism and communications will be a tremendous asset to the Authority,” Barbara Petersen, chair of the board, said in a statement. “We are honored to welcome her to the Board as we continue our work to protect and enhance Magens Bay and Smith Bay Park for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.”
Henneman did not respond to an emailed request for comment Monday.
Her appointment comes after the board met last month to consider three members whose six-year terms were expiring and voted 4-3 to end Coulianos’ tenure. Petersen and Robert Moron — who has shepherded the park’s Hurricane Irma rebuilding through an onerous approval process — were unanimously approved for new terms.
The Magens Bay Authority is a self-funded semi-autonomous agency, and while the board issued a request for resumes from interested applicants when longtime member Elliott “Mac” Davis died in September 2021, it is not required to do so under its bylaws and in fact chose Jason Charles to replace Davis on the recommendation of the governor, Petersen said when asked about the process last week.
The bylaws are, and continue to be, the controlling authority regarding the nomination and vote of new members to the board, she said. “There is no provision which compels a specific process for placing the names of persons in nomination for service on the board of directors.”
As St. John residents wait for repairs to be completed on the Elaine I. Sprauve Library, volunteers are doing what they can to get books in the hands of readers — especially young ones — through Little Free Library.
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization with more than 20,000 sites in 122 countries. The idea is simple: Build or buy a small enclosed box with shelves and put it in an accessible location, stock it with books, and invite people to take a book or share one.
The Cruz Bay site contains books to appeal to a wide range of readers. (Photo by Janet Cook-Rutnik)
On St. John, the “official” sites are located in Frank Powell Park in Cruz Bay, Maho Bay (near the bar at Maho Crossroads,) Coral Bay (next to the fire station,) and at the offices of the Calabash Boom and Bellevue Village housing communities.
On St. Thomas, there are nine sites ranging from Crown Bay Marina to Ezra Fredericks Ballpark; William “Danny” Daniel serves as the St. Thomas coordinator.
A map on the website for Little Free Library shows sites on St. Thomas and St. John. (Screenshot from https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/)
On St. Croix, there are three sites in Frederiksted and Christiansted coordinated by Karen McIntosh-Bruce. Readers can view all the sites around the world on this map https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/.
A map on the website for Little Free Library shows sites on St. Croix.(Screenshot from https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/)
Little Free Library got its start in the Virgin Islands in 2019 when Princess Cruises introduced the idea, according to Beth Nuttall, director of grants and programs at the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands. With the support of Yolanda Bryan and funding through the Tourism Department, trainees at My Brothers Workshop and others built the first set of little libraries and worked with the Sports, Parks and Recreation Department to place them at sites where youngsters gather.
Readers can click on a site on the Little Free Library world map to get details on the location of a particular site. This is a close-up of the site at Canegata Ball Park on St. Croix. (Screenshot from https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/)
Now on St. John, volunteers (who all happen to be book lovers) often travel with a box of books in their cars to keep each Little Free Library well stocked.
“I’m doing this for the kids who live here who don’t have continuous access to a library,” said volunteer Carol Beckowitz. (The Elaine I Sprauve Library on St. John has been open only intermittently since 2016.)
Little Free Library sites include books for young children. (Photo by Janet Cook-Rutnik)
“I want to participate in getting books into public spaces where people could freely pick and choose, at any time of the day, any day of the week, what they want to read – particularly kids,” Beckowitz continued. “The libraries are cute, colorful, inviting, highly democratic, and are built in a low-profile way that allows kids to browse the shelves as easily as adults.”
In keeping with the mission to give children access to books, three Little Free Library sites on St. John — Bellevue, Calabash and Coral Bay — are devoted to books for youngsters. “We have so many wonderful children’s books,” said Janet Cook-Rutnik, who helps stock the site in Cruz Bay. “Some of them are bilingual. Some are for really young children and others are Young Adult Literature titles.”
The Little Free Library site in Calabash Boom, like all sites, is designed to be accessible to children. (Photo by Trish Capuano, who serves as one of the coordinators for St. John)
The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands acquires high-quality books for the Little Free Library sites through a number of ways. Some are donated by local authors, while others are distributed by publishers and educational nonprofit organizations.
Little Free Library sites include books for bilingual Spanish readers. (Photo by Janet Cook-Rutnik)
When Jeannie Bishop moved to St. John in 2024, she looked around for things to do while she waited for her nurse’s license to be approved. Jeannie’s husband, Paul, is the general manager of the Westin St. John Resort Villas, and after noticing that guests often searched for a good “beach read,” she volunteered to set up a free library in the lobby.
Jeannie Bishop looks over boxes of children’s books that she hopes to give away. (Submitted photo)
Bishop began collecting “gently used” books from local sources, which turned out to be fairly easy. The Pink Papaya Café and Bookstore had recently closed down, and the Resource Depot, where used goods are recycled, stopped accepting books for resale. Some of the books she collected were “not in the best condition,” she said, so she taught herself how to repair bindings and produce new covers.
The Bishops have lived in a number of locations because of their careers, so she sent out a request for donations to her contacts in the States; soon, boxes of books started arriving.
Now she has a surplus. “I have 15 boxes of children’s books in my house, and many more boxes stored at the Westin. I want to give them away to schools, day care centers, after-school programs,” said Bishop. She asked the Source to share her phone number, 321-438-2232, for anyone who wants to collect books to distribute.
Little Free Library sites include books for boys. (Photo by Janet Cook-Rutnik)
On St. John, Little Free Libraries are not the only source for free books. Skinny Legs in Coral Bay sponsors a free lending library featuring a wide range of books for adults, and Cinnamon Bay campground now has a dedicated shelf for recycling books.
At official Little Free Library sites, there is a plaque that states, “Take a book. Share a book,” but in fact, there is no requirement to replace a borrowed book.
Most of the volunteers are happy just to see people find a book they like. “What goes around, comes around,” they say.
The V.I. Justice Department has until noon Wednesday to respond to an emergency motion to dismiss, or at least expedite, its appeal of a V.I. District Court order striking the government’s bid to seek the death penalty in the murder case of Richardson Dangleben Jr., the clerk of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
Clerk Patricia S. Dodszuweit has also advised that the case has been listed for possible dismissal “due to jurisdictional defect.”
Jury selection for Dangleben, charged with murder and other crimes in the July 2023 shooting death of V.I. Police Detective Delberth Phipps Jr. on St. Thomas, is set to begin in less than three weeks, on Oct. 6.
The government stated in February 2024 that it would not seek the death penalty but abruptly changed course in May after the Trump administration issued an executive order saying it would review all decisions not to seek capital punishment in eligible cases charged during the Biden administration, which did not support the death penalty.
After briefing on the issue by both sides, District Court Chief Judge Robert Molloy in August struck the government’s notice of intent to seek the death penalty, citing a number of concerns, including the fact that the DOJ’s request was not based on new information not previously available to the government, it came more than a year after the initial “no-seek” decision, was filed 22 months after Dangleben’s initial arrest, 19 months after his first indictment, and less than five months before trial.
With the trial now less than three weeks away, the DOJ filed notice Sept. 15 that it intends to appeal Molloy’s order to the Third Circuit. Public Defender Matthew Campbell, who is representing Dangleben, filed an emergency motion Friday asking that the appeal be dismissed or at least expedited.
“This Court should dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. The Court immediately recognized, sua sponte, that jurisdiction may not lie for this appeal. It does not. It is a bedrock rule of federal law that the courts of appeals lack jurisdiction over a governmental appeal in a criminal case except in circumstances explicitly authorized by Congress. None of those circumstances applies here. The Government pretends otherwise, invoking 18 U.S.C. § 3731, which authorizes certain specified interlocutory appeals. But that statute does not authorize an appeal from an order striking a death-penalty notice,” according to Campbell’s emergency motion.
Barring that, the court “can at least mitigate the harm by providing expedited consideration of this motion to dismiss and/or expedite the appeal, and by promptly considering and disposing of the Government’s meritless appeal, so that the trial can proceed on its current schedule if Mr. Dangleben prevails on either jurisdictional or merits grounds,” Campbell wrote.
He noted that Molloy’s order is also “consistent with the decisions of every other district court to have ruled on this issue to date, nationwide,” as they too have faced 11th-hour reversals of no-seek notices by the government since President Donald Trump took office.
“Moreover, the Government has foregone an appeal in every one of those other cases, which suggests that it is aware of the weakness of its position,” said Campbell.
Additionally, the government’s “belated attempt to file a Death Notice and now to appeal its striking threatens to delay the trial that the district court had announced and both sides understood is scheduled to commence in just three weeks, on October 6. The district court has explained that it would not be inclined to ‘grant a continuance because delaying this trial solely to accommodate the government’s flip-flopping would implicate the Defendant[’s] constitutional speedy trial rights,’” the motion states.
The resulting delay of an appeal “will not only implicate Mr. Dangleben’s speedy trial rights, it will also exacerbate his psychological anguish because of the uncertainty surrounding the potential punishment” should he be convicted, Campbell wrote.
Sailboats round Tortola’s iconic Steele Point. (Photo courtesy the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board and Film Commission)
The British Virgin Islands sailing industry is putting its mouth where its money is, trademarking several versions of “Sailing Capital of the World” after implementing dramatic rate hikes on charter boats from the U.S. Virgin Islands in June.
The BVI trademarked “The British Virgin Islands – Sailing Capital of the World,” “British Virgin Islands – The Undisputed Sailing Capital of the Caribbean,” and “The British Virgin Islands – Sailing Capital of the Caribbean,” the British overseas territory’s Tourist Board and Film Commission announced Friday.
The trademarks last a decade, backdated to May 7, 2024, Tourism Director Clive McCoy said in a written statement issued through the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
“The British Virgin Islands has long been recognized as one of the best sailing destinations in the world thanks to our steady trade winds, navigable channels, manageable currents, multiple islands and protected bays,” McCoy said. “Securing these trademarks is a powerful step in protecting our identity, strengthening our position in the international market and ensuring that travelers, sailors and partners alike associate the BVI with sailing excellence.”
The goal, he said, was to promote the BVI as “synonymous with sailing adventures.”
On June 1, the BVI introduced a new fee structure for foreign-based charter vessels. Under the new regulations, term-charter operators are required to pay $7,500 annually for up to seven visits, with each additional visit priced at $2,100. An unlimited-entry license now costs $24,000 annually. Day-charter operators saw their annual fee increase from $200 to $8,500. Water taxi license fees remain unchanged at $2,500. BVI officials said the changes modernize outdated regulations and are intended to generate new revenue from the sector, which accounts for approximately 60% of the territory’s total visitor arrivals.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. had attempted to negotiate a lower rate, sparking fears of a trade war between the neighboring islands. Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach also met with BVI leaders and, despite high hopes and identifying common ground, was unable to sway his counterparts.
The increases raised concerns within the USVI’s charter community. Several operators relocated their fleets to the BVI to avoid the foreign-vessel fees, and more could follow. The association has urged Bryan to implement reciprocal licensing fees for BVI-based vessels operating in USVI waters, as well as stricter enforcement of customs, licensing, and safety regulations.
BVI officials argued some of the rates were outdated, having not changed in three decades.
In March, BVI Premier Natalio Wheatley warned of economic turbulence in “strange and uncertain times” as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened wide-ranging tariffs against trade with most nations.
“The impact of this turbulence will impact the Caribbean, including here in the Virgin Islands,” Wheatley said in a written statement in March. “We are also currently assessing the potential impact of tariffs by major countries on our local economy and how we can mitigate their effects on families and businesses. These are strange and uncertain times, and we need all hands on deck to manage the global economic headwinds ahead of us.”
Student athletes from UVI’s track, cross country, and basketball teams pose with their coaches and mascot, Bucky, at Friday night’s Athletics Meet and Greet. (Source photo by Amara Stokes Gilbert)
University of the Virgin Islands’ Elridge Blake Sports Center on St. Thomas buzzed with excitement Friday night as UVI hosted its Athletics Meet and Greet, an event that proved to be nothing short of inspiring for the crowd of fans, faculty, and future Buccaneers.
The evening kicked off with high energy as UVI’s dance team, the Dazzling Sapphires, took center stage to hype up the enthusiastic audience. Their electrifying performance set the perfect tone for what would become a celebration of athletic talent and community spirit.
One by one, members of the track, cross country, and basketball teams took their turn at the microphone, introducing themselves to thunderous applause. Each student-athlete shared their role on the team, hometown, and a fun fact about themselves, showcasing personalities that had the crowd laughing and cheering throughout the night. The genuine camaraderie was on full display as teammates and coaches playfully cracked jokes with each other, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a family reunion than a formal introduction.
Head coaches took moments to highlight their teams’ recent successes, including dual athlete Ariana Renault’s gold medal performance in the Sunrise 5K and the women’s basketball team’s successful completion of their grueling pre-season bootcamp.
Sports information director Shaquille Richardson, student body president Jenai Brooks, and student athlete advisor Julie Cruz are all smiles with men’s basketball players Joshua Rodgers, Brandon Rasmussen, and Chad Molloy following UVI’s 2025 Athletics Meet and Greet. (Source photo by Amara Stokes Gilbert)
Among the standout stories was that of cross-country athlete Abigail Pruitt, an Alaskan native pre-dental and dance double major. Pruitt, who is visiting UVI through the National Student Exchange Program, couldn’t contain her enthusiasm about the island experience.
“I love the people here, and I love the sunshine,” Pruitt said with a bright smile. “There’s tropical weather and live music. I’m just living it up on the beach!” The atmosphere, she noted, is a welcome change from her home university in Idaho, and her teammates have made her feel like she’s been part of the UVI family forever.
Julie Cruz, a two-time UVI alum who now serves as the student-athlete academic advisor, shared Pruitt’s sentiments. Cruz brought her own brand of energy to the event, calling each men’s basketball player to the microphone with the dramatic flair of boxing announcer Michael Buffer.
“They have a spark. They’re determined. They have an open mindset, and they make this feel like a family,” Cruz said about working with the student athletes. “I mean, they already call me their school mom,” she laughed. “I love these chances to connect with them, not just in the academic realm, but in what they love doing.”
The stands were packed with vocal supporters, including avid men’s basketball fans Kha’neisa Rivera, Destinee Fontaine, and Denae Petersen, whose smiles and enthusiastic cheers for their favorite players added to the electric atmosphere.
UVI mascot Bucky joins the fun, draining a free throw for a crowd of fans, faculty, and student athletes. (Source photo by Amara Stokes Gilbert)
Leading these talented teams are head coaches Dale Joseph (Men’s and Women’s Track and Cross Country), Stephanie Cooper (Women’s Basketball), Kevin Sheppard (Men’s Basketball), and Aminisha Bailey (Dazzling Sapphires Dance Team), whose pride in their student-athletes was evident throughout the evening.
The meet and greet served as more than just an introduction – it was a testament to the tight-knit community that makes UVI athletics special. The family atmosphere that permeated the Elridge Blake Sports Center spoke volumes about the culture these coaches and student-athletes have built together.
