A 64-year-old man was arrested Friday after security footage showed him aiming and discharging a firearm at another individual, the Virgin Islands Police Department announced.
Othnell Gumbs was charged with third-degree assault, possession of ammunition, and several related weapons offenses, including carrying or using a dangerous weapon, discharging or aiming a firearm, and brandishing a deadly weapon, according to the police report.
The arrest followed a review of surveillance video capturing the incident. Although Gumbs denied owning any firearm and admitted he does not have a firearm license, officers secured a telephonic search warrant and recovered ammunition in his possession, police said.
Unable to post the $25,000 bail, Gumbs was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility. He awaits his advice of rights hearing.
Bernadine “Bernice” George transitioned into eternal life on August 28, 2025.
Bernadine George
She is survived by her Daughters,Karen Mills, Averil George, Deslyn Olunuga, Valencia Benn-Flynn;Sons, Marlon Prentice, Anthony Prentice, Dave Mills; Grandchildren, Jerrilyn Abraham, Amanda Prentice-Thompson, Whitney Vanterpool, Khadijah Roberson, Temitayo, and Similola Olunuga, De’Andre, Delon, and Devin Prentice, Juliana and Cataleya Mills; Great Grandchildren, Zoe and Cassidy Thompson, Derika, Sean, and Malayah Roberson; Adopted Grandchildren, Letisha Rodney, Michael Bridgewater, Unika McCall and Vernika Salters, Chelsi Garfield, Adrian Burke; Sisters, Hyacinth Prentice, Lilith Prentice, Valerie Martin, Alva Carter, Esther Tatem, Lorna and Karen O’Garro; Brothers, Cedric “Pat” Prentice, James “Sancha” Prentice; Sons In Law, Tolulope Olunuga, Jose Flynn; Grandsons In Law, De Wuan Roberson, Jamie Vanterpool, Christopher Thompson; Brother In Law,Toussaint Tatem; Nieces & Nephews, Kenley, Brian, Trevor, Samanta, and Tanasha Prentice, Tessa Robson, Shawn Rochester, Omari Asim Dascent, Sanche, Yon, Akeem, Nikia, Niyon Maynard, Erma Prentice, Kathline Browne, Antoinette Carter, Shanice O’Garro, Burtrand, and Michael Carter, Jason, Jamal, and D’Jon O’Garro, Hassani, and T’Andre Tatem; Great Nieces and Nephews, Brian Prentice Jr, Juwan Prentice, Phillip Nisbett, Semaj James, Xavier and Ayden Moxey, Calonisa and Calvonis Prentice, Janea Harrison, and more to numerous to mention; Godchildren, Corey Kent, Shamara Christopher, Philmore Christopher Jr. , Auline James Martin, Sancia Berkley, Mercedes Paul, La’Vern George , Diane Gordon, Omari Gonzalez, Jahmal Sargeant, Jess Heskey; Cousins, Violet Rogers and Family,Rev, Bonny, Coreen, and Ambrose Byron, Juliette Wilkinson and family, Claude Drew and family, Sylvester Jude and family, Juliette Brade and family, Carmen Nisbett and family, Steve Prentice and family,Spencer and Vincent Prentice, Iles family, Renaldo “Bogle” Stevens and family, Cecil and Jorita Rouse,Laverne Bailey and family, Amabel Woodley and family, Jurene “Tricia” Bell and family, Kenneth Woods, Irma Prentice and family, DeCosta family, George family, Prentice family, Jenkins family, Liburd family, Claxton family, Stapleton family, Miranda family, Archibald family, Powell family, Maynard family, Williams family,Francis family, Welcome family, Elliott family and more too numerous to mention; Special Friends, Edris Weekes and family, Judy David and family, Agatha Modeste and family, Sylvia Barnes, Eldora Hodge and family, Josephine Joseph and family, Ms. Eren Edwards and family, Curley Bacchus and family, Marion St. Luce and family, Judith Charles and family, Alton Elliott and family, Audrey Perry and family, Christine John and family, Sarah Harvey and family, Ursula Roberts family, Luz Armstrong and family, Christine Richards and family, Marcia Johnson and family, Heyliger family, Matthew family, Thelma Christopher and family, Rita and Stafford Browne and family, Monette Loblack and family, Lucy Baker and family,Laurena Dore and family, Knight family, Brown family, Messer family, Roberta Etienne and family, Anna Hall and family, Ebenezer, Bethel and Community Methodist Congregation, Gennetta McCall and family, Ralph De Chabert (RDC) Family, Michelle Belardo and family,Vilma Franklyn and family, Sonia Leonard and family , Miriam Griffith and family, School Crossing Guards family, Debra Parris and family, Ward family, Galloway family, Kent family,Titus family, Horsford family, George family, Roberson Family, Williams family. Other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Ebenezer Methodist Church, Christiansted St. Croix, USVI. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. with service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.
Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
The family of the late Rebecca Cornelius, affectionately known as the “Mauby Lady,” gives thanks to God for her life and legacy. She peacefully departed this life on Aug. 9, 2025.
Rebecca Cornelius
Rebecca was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her kindness, warmth, and devotion to her family, church, and community touched the lives of many.
She is survived by her loving son: Godfrey C. Simon; grandchildren: Godfrey C. Simon Jr. and Sasha Simon; great-grandchild: Victoria Simon; brother: Isaiah George; and sisters: Victoria Roberts, Daisybell George Hodge, and Elizabeth George Davis.
She will also be remembered by her daughter-in-law: Terry Simon; in-law: Glennor Smith; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of special friends including Zaba, Bert, Honeyman, Jerome, Dawn, Gail, Ngina, Sally, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas, Afinia, Ione Williams & Family, Members of EPC, Pastor Thoro & Church, the members of First Assembly of God, Mr. & Mrs. Lopez, and the Dailey family.
Special thanks are extended to her caregivers: Osmond Charles Scotland, Stanillia Scotland, and Phibert Scotland, who cared for her with love and dedication.
Rebecca’s memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who knew her. We rejoice in the promise of eternal life and celebrate the gift she was to us.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” – Psalm 116:15
Funeral Services is scheduled to be held on Sept. 6, at Liberty In Christ Ministries in #10-1 Estate La Reine, viewing at 9 a.m., service at 10 a.m.
It is with deep regret, that the family announces the passing of Laynes Weekes on August 19, 2025. She was 82 years old.
Laynes Weekes
She was preceded in death by her parents Charlie Francis and Enid Thomas. Daughter, Beverly Thomas, sister Hazel Francis Harrigan and brothers Melrose and Leonard Francis.
She is survived by her husband, Perpaeter Weekes, daughters, Cheryl Weekes Mingo and Diana Weekes, son Chesney Thomas. Stepsons Charles, Lionel and Steven Weekes. Son-in-law Terrance Mingo. Grandchildren, Javonne Thomas, Teremun Mingo, Darnell and Darrell Luke, Chauncey and Chandler Thomas. Great grandchildren Jayce, James and Emilia-rose Thomas and Darrell Jr., Alannah and Aria Luke. Sisters Rosa Francis, Christalyn Ralph and Icelma Epps. Brother Gladwin Francis.Sister-in-laws Thelma Francis, Violet Francis and Elzena Molita Weekes Dasent. Brother-in-law Rolston Harrigan. Cousins Anna Samuel, Earl Attley, Judith Myers, Monica Joseph and Kandacie Emanuel. Nieces Brenda Christopher Osborne, Althea Francis, Kesana Francis, Patricia Francis Coates, Volda Francis Myers, Michelle Warner Knight, Darlien Harrigan, Roseline Ralph Mailandt, Rosemarie Ralph Wedderburn, Ingrid Francis Velez, Cynthia Francis, Francyne Francis Ridges, Dineasha Francis McQuilkin, Gladeasha Francis, Dine Potter, and Colette Weekes. Nephews Rohan Francis Sr., Everton Ralph Sr., Ulrick Ralph, Jahmal Gilead, Davin Harrigan, Cornell Hackett, Keithly Epps, Jr., Gelani Epps and Devon Francis. A host of great nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the first viewing at Turnbull’s Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Second viewing and service will be held at First Pentecostal Church C-6 Estate Hoffman, St. Thomas, VI on Friday, Sept. 26 viewing from 9:00 am to 10:00 am service to follow at 10 a.m.
Interment will be at Smith Bay Eastern Cemetery. Tributes can be sent to tributesforlaynesweekes@gmail.com no later than Sept. 10. Professional service is entrusted by Turnbull’s Funeral Home.
The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority advises the community of a damaged sewer line located at 1026 Norre Gade, near the Old Wet Willy’s building.
A damaged sewer line located at 1026 Norre Gade, near the Old Wet Willy’s building.
VIWMA advises residents to avoid standing water in the affected areas.
We understand the inconvenience this may cause and rely on your cooperation as we work diligently to resolve the issue.
For updates or further assistance, please contact the Division of Wastewater at (340) 715-9151 or Communications Management at communications@viwma.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Rob Tutton, president of IRIE Solar VI, and Trista Sigler, the company’s office manager, are hosting an “Affordable Power Solutions” brunch at the Tap Room in Cruz Bay on Saturday at 10 a.m. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
In honor of the eighth anniversary of Hurricane Irma, a St. John-based provider of portable power stations is offering community members an opportunity to buy back-up power systems at “rock-bottom” prices through noon on Monday, Sept. 8.
Rob Tutton, president of IRIE Solar VI, is inviting the public to learn about three featured portable power stations made by EcoFlow at a brunch on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Tap Room at Mongoose Junction in Cruz Bay.
At this “Affordable Power Solutions” event, Tutton will present the specifications and configurations of the three products that range in price and capability “so that people can make good decisions,” he said. “As a former government engineer, I don’t want to oversell anything. Each customer has their own needs. At the Tap Room, we’ll talk about how to choose it, and how to use it.”
With the lowest-priced product, the Delta 2 Max, customers can expect six hours of back-up power to run a refrigerator, two LED lights, and two fans before recharging. It sells for $1,069, including shipping. The most powerful product, the Delta Pro Ultra, costs $4,870.
The EcoFlow portable power stations can be charged by plugging them into WAPA power, a generator, a solar panel, or in some cases a car battery.
Rob Tutton displays a power system of his own design which can be customized to suit a home or business of any size. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
IRIE (Island Renewable and Independent Energy) Solar offers a wide range of products, including one being patented by Tutton who designs solar batteries. He’s been at the forefront of developing solar products for home use and was one of the founders of Love City Community Network, a non-profit internet provider since Hurricane Irma hit in 2017.
For this event, IRIE Solar is selling the EcoFlow portable power stations at cost. “The intent is to crowdsource our first big buy,” said office manager Trista Sigler. “We’re donating time and space to help educate people and make this equipment affordable to everyone.”
Sigler said that Irie Solar can offer these low prices by ordering multiple units at one time, but there is a deadline: Monday, Sept. 8 at noon. “We’ve told the company that it’s for the resilience of the whole community,” she said. Customers can expect delivery of the portable power stations within six weeks “and possibly sooner.”
The EcoFlow portable power stations run on lithium ferro phosphate batteries, “which are taking over the industry,” Tutton said. “They’re not like the old lithium batteries that burst into flames. The units are safe and quiet. Unlike generators, you use these indoors. There’s no maintenance. You just have to keep them clean and protect them from corrosion.”
Those who attend the event can enter a free raffle for a discount on their order. For further information or to order online, go to https://www.iriesolarvi.com or call 340-209-2916.
As the sun descended into its slumber beneath the horizon on August 27, 2025, our beloved mermaid — Rayelle Naidine Tutein of #7 Old Hospital Ground, Christiansted — gracefully transitioned to the other side.
Rayelle Nadine Tutein
She was born on April 13, 1954, to Muriel Austin-Tutein (ah Hillsider) and Fritz Phillip Tutein “Pahwolf” (ah Gallowsbayrian). Along with her parents, awaiting Ray’s arrival by the seashore, were her beloved siblings Lloyd K. Austin, Phillip, and Preston Tutein.
Ray leaves behind her three sea urchins, raised with salt, sass, and plenty love — Akido Damani Walcott, Annelle Knight and Alea Navarro — who cared for her and carried her to the low tide on her final voyage.
She swam through life surrounded by the love of her Grand Reef: Anasia, Anthony, and the accountant of her sea chest, Amaud Encarnacion — each bringing color, wonder, and awe to the Sea. In Ray’s vibrant Grand Reef also rest her little clam shell: Rohit Goeptar Jr., her youngest grandchild, and Ariya Milan Joseph, her little sea pumpkin (great-grand).
Ray survived every storm with her red and white mangroves always standing guard at her shores — her older sisters, Lillian Jacobs and Sharon Elien-Tutein — and her soldier crab dem: Barbara Venetis, Lorraine Motta, Nancy Ayala, the Byron family, Donna Ventura Benjamin, Miguel Encarnacion and Cyntoine Francis-Schjang. Alongside them were two who stood especially close to Ray, her queen conch-niece and seahorse-nephew, Karisma and Kristepher Elien — who kept watch with devotion and love.
Also standing guard were her siblings Diane, John, Wayne, Fritz Jr., Audrey, William, Fitzroy, Adrian Tutein, Micheline Tutein-Baptiste, and Evelyn Wilkinson, together with their many queen conchs, seahorses, and seashells — her nieces, nephews, extended family, and countless friends too numerous to name in her vast, loving sea. All woven into her living reef, as she now rests in her seagrass bed in peace.
The family invites relatives and friends to gather in celebration at the Altona Lagoon Pavilion on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 2 to 6 p.m., to share memories and say so long to our dearly departed and beloved mermaid, Rayelle “Ray,” “Tae-Tae” Naidine Tutein. Guests are invited to dress as vibrantly as the colors of the sunset at sea, in comfort, to honor her free and lively spirit.
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority advises customers on Feeder 8A and 8B of a scheduled electrical service interruption on Saturday, Sept. 6, from approximately 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority
The planned outage is necessary for Haugland VI to safely string new overhead lines onto newly installed composite poles on Mafolie Hill. These upgrades are part of WAPA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the electrical grid and improve system reliability for the community.
Customers in the following areas will be impacted:
Agnes Fancy | Anna’s Fancy | Contant | Gotlieb’s Gas Station | Estate Ross | Garden Street | Hospital Ground | Knud Hansen Medical Arts Complex | Lytton’s Fancy Mahogany Estate | Nisky Center | Savan | Staabiland | Vester Gade | Sand Fill WSTA | Silver Dollar | Back Street | GERS Building | Harbor View | Saints Peter & Paul School |Subbase | Vitelco Building | Anna’s Retreat | Blackbeard’s Castle | Canaan | Taarneberg | Education Street | Hospital Ground | J. Antonio Jarvis School | Lionel Roberts | Louisenhoj | Mafolie | Magen’s Bay | Mahogany Run | Lovenlund | Peterborg | Polyberg | Ross | Taarneberg | Skyline Drive | St. Joseph & Rosendahl | St. Thomas Dairies | Wintberg | 7th Day Street | Coast Guard Building | Emancipation Gardens Park | Government Parking Lot | Legislature Building | Ron De Lugo Federal Building | Superior Court | Vendor’s Plaza | Veteran’s Drive | Fire Station
To stay updated on any changes to the scheduled outage, sign up for WAPA Alerts and receive notifications via text, voice, and email directly to your mobile device at https://member.everbridge.net/892807736728730/new.
WAPA thanks the public for their patience and understanding while this important maintenance is completed.
The Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation Village, also known as the “man camp,” appeared largely empty Thursday amid reports of a local deployment of U.S. Air Force personnel. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Amid reports that some military personnel deployed to the Caribbean will be quartered at the Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation Village as part of President Donald Trump’s escalation of drug interdiction efforts, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. confirmed to the Source this week that the refinery operator is looking to the “man camp” as a revenue generator while it works toward restarting operations.
“Yes that’s what they are doing,” he said in a text message.
Bryan said his administration doesn’t have “any conversations with the feds on this topic,” but he said when asked that the housing option may be on the table for contractors brought in to work on the territory’s myriad disaster recovery projects. “Yes,” he said, the V.I. Disaster Recovery Office “is actively trying to facilitate arrangements for housing for contractors in both districts.”
The U.S. Defense Department did not respond to questions about the military deployment and Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation did not provide a statement on the billeting arrangement by Thursday evening. Bryan said Thursday morning that there was no new information about U.S. military presence on St. Croix after indicating to the Source last week that the detachment could include one to two hundred people.
The man camp was previously used to house personnel attached to President Joe Biden’s most recent visit to St. Croix in December. That stay was preceded by a viral video walk-through of the premises, which prompted widespread but unfounded speculation about an imminent restart of the refinery. Responding to questions from the Source, both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Justice Department stated at the time that the refinery hadn’t yet met the necessary prerequisites to resume operations.
More recently, federal regulators approved a second round of chemical removal from the property, and EPA officials emphasized during a July town hall meeting that the agency had not received a required 90-day notice of intent to restart. That meeting followed reports of staff downsizing in April, which prompted refinery operators to issue a statement acknowledging that Port Hamilton “is reevaluating its staffing needs as part of its long-standing efforts to ensure its operations are efficient and cost-effective.”
“This reevaluation could include temporary changes to human resources,” according to a brief statement PHRT issued. “At the same time, Port Hamilton continues to carefully monitor its idle refinery to ensure it is maintained in a safe and environmentally compliant manner, consistent with its regulatory obligations.”
The United States’ heightened military posture in the region follows Trump’s move to declare illegal drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations, like Tren de Aragua and MS-13, as foreign terrorist organizations almost immediately after resuming office in January. Multiple national media outlets reported in August that the U.S. military began deploying upward of 4,000 Marines and Navy personnel to Caribbean and Latin American waters in a show of force meant to curb drug-smuggling activity. On Tuesday, Trump announced that military forces had “shot out” a “drug-carrying boat” near Venezuela, allegedly operated by Tren de Aragua.
“And there’s more where that came from. We have a lot of drugs pouring into our country — coming in for a long time — and we just, these came out of Venezuela, and coming out very heavily from Venezuela,” he said Tuesday. “A lot of things are coming out of Venezuela. We took it out, and you’ll get to see that … after this meeting is over.”
A video of the airstrike, which the White House claimed killed 11 people, has since circulated widely online.
The deployment of military personnel to the U.S. Virgin Islands specifically came to light in a meeting of the V.I. Public Finance Authority two weeks ago, during which Bryan — who chairs the PFA board — noted Trump’s movement of warships into the region.
“And as a part of that, there’s also going to be soldiers deployed throughout the Caribbean — American soldiers — which is good for the economy,” he said at the time. “The drugs come through, they get lost, they get confiscated, people start speaking — that’s how the death starts. So this is going to stop some of that violence in our area, hopefully.”
Bryan reiterated his stance when a V.I. Consortium reporter asked him about U.S. military presence in the Caribbean during an Aug. 25 Government House press briefing.
“The natural flow of cocaine is to come through our shores, and along with the cocaine comes a lot of bad actors, murder and a lot of the things we don’t want, so I am for it. I understand we have some soldiers staying here in St. Croix as well, too, as part of that initiative. I welcome it,” Bryan said before acknowledging national concerns about Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.
“But like I tell everybody: for years, every single year we go to D.C., we beg for more Border Patrol, we beg for more Coast Guard, we beg for more ICE agents, because we are a very porous border,” he said. “And when we shore up the one in St. John, St. Croix starts to become the conduit for cocaine … and guns and all kinds of other stuff. So I’m supportive of that. Plus, if you want to put two or three hundred soldiers here in St. Croix as part of that initiative, they gotta eat, drink and make merriment in our community. We are happy to have them. The safest I feel is when President Joe Biden comes down — we have 300 agents here. So more power to ‘em.”
Hospitality and customer service training are part of the MBW Café experience. A student proudly presents a tray of fresh breakfast sandwiches. (Photo courtesy My Brother’s Workshop)
This Sunday, Hotel 1829 will host a special brunch in support of My Brother’s Workshop, a nonprofit that has been changing lives in the Virgin Islands since 2007. Guests will enjoy the hotel’s signature Sunday brunch while contributing to an organization that provides hope, healing, and purpose to at-risk youth across the territory.
A participant carefully measures and prepares wood in the carpentry program, gaining skills that open the door to new opportunities. (Photo courtesy My Brother’s Workshop)
My Brother’s Workshop has served more than 1,600 young men and women, guiding them to discover their passions and build brighter futures. The organization takes a holistic approach that combines mentorship, education, counseling, on-the-job training, and job placement. Through its wide range of training programs, participants acquire skills in various fields, including culinary arts, customer service, retail, sewing, carpentry, construction, marine repair, welding, electrical work, plumbing, masonry, and more.
A student in the sewing program at My Brother’s Workshop learns the craft of garment-making while developing valuable job skills. (Photo courtesy My Brother’s Workshop)
A portion of the proceeds from Sunday brunch, along with all sales of a featured signature cocktail, will go directly to My Brother’s Workshop. Every donation supports these life-changing programs, ensuring that young people in the Virgin Islands have access to opportunities and support systems that help them thrive.
In the culinary arts program, hands-on training includes everything from baking to decorating. Here, a student carefully works on a layered cake. (Photo courtesy My Brother’s Workshop)
With brunch in high demand, reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling or texting 833-843-1829. Those unable to attend can still make a difference by donating online at mybrothersworkshop.org or by connecting with the organization on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about how to give. Every contribution helps provide training, mentorship, and hope for the next generation.
Training in the workshop emphasizes patience and precision, as students learn to shape and finish their projects by hand. (Photo courtesy My Brother’s Workshop)
