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EPA Awards $9M for Lead Pipe Replacement as WAPA Advances Territory-Wide Water Overhaul

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EPA Awards $9M for Lead Pipe Replacement as WAPA Advances Territory-Wide Water Overhaul

The territory has secured $9 million in federal funding to eliminate lead pipes in homes and schools as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s urgent push to replace all lead pipes across the country within the next 10 years, the Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday.

This funding, delivered under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvement (LCRI) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will allow the territory to address the threat of water contamination, particularly in disadvantaged communities that have long been neglected. It marks a critical step forward in the fight to provide every resident with access to clean, safe drinking water, according to an emailed news release.

Although the Virgin Islands has not historically faced widespread lead contamination, this federal funding ensures that any lingering non-compliant pipes are removed before they become a public health crisis. “Parents should never have to worry about their children consuming water contaminated with lead, regardless of where they live,” EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia said in Tuesday’s statement.

This initiative complements the recent announcement of a Prudent Replacement Plan, an ambitious FEMA-funded overhaul by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, which is designed to modernize the crumbling water infrastructure. WAPA’s plan, according to a recent release, will replace outdated pipes, upgrade failing pump stations and refurbish aging storage tanks that have left residents vulnerable to water quality and reliability issues. Following the approval of the plan for the St. Thomas-St. John district, WAPA is now positioned to launch similar projects across both districts, according to the release.

“With the support of FEMA and our diligent planning, we are working toward a future where water outages and quality issues are a thing of the past,” said WAPA Chief Executive Officer Karl Knight, framing the effort as essential to the long-term sustainability of the territory’s water systems.

WAPA has already made progress, he said, completing waterline rehabilitation projects in critical areas such as downtown Christiansted and Frederiksted. These projects represent a small piece of broader initiative to bring the territory’s water system in line with modern industry standards—efforts that WAPA officials have said are long overdue. The Prudent Replacement Plan promises to prevent further infrastructure failures that have plagued the islands, ensuring a more reliable water supply for all residents.

The EPA’s new lead and copper regulations, announced on Tuesday, mandate the identification and replacement of lead pipes within a decade. This includes more aggressive testing standards and requires water systems to inform the public about lead contamination risks and the steps being taken to mitigate them. With $9 million now in hand for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the territory can begin the urgent work of removing any remaining lead pipes while simultaneously rebuilding its failing water infrastructure, according to the EPA.

This action comes about a year after testing results in a range of neighborhoods on St. Croix revealed elevated levels of lead and copper, later found to be caused by improper sampling methods. WAPA’s Prudent Replacement Plan, coupled with this new round of federal funding, aims to eliminate the conditions that could lead to similar issues in the future, according to officials.

Beyond the immediate replacement of aging pipes, WAPA is taking steps to ensure that the territory’s water infrastructure is built to last, Knight said in the release. The plan includes critical upgrades to pump stations and storage tanks, which have long been weak points in the system, and others that are necessary to avoid ongoing service disruptions and prevent public health risks.

 

Sun, Sand and Success: The Governor’s Workforce Summit Sees Largest Enrollment Yet on STX

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Sun, Sand and Success: The Governor’s Workforce Summit Sees Largest Enrollment Yet on STX
Representatives from the Division of Personnel at the Governor’s Workforce Summit. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

The fifth annual Governor’s Workforce Development Summit drew large crowds to the Caribbean Cinema on St. Croix on Tuesday.

The theme this year is “Sun, Sand, and Success,” said one of the moderators and a member of the Workforce Summit Asiah Clendinen Gumbs. The summit allows professionals, innovators and leaders a place to gather to discuss strategies for achieving work excellence in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Also moderating the event, Michael Fazio, president of “Workforce 180,” said that this year’s summit saw the largest registration and a record number of students present. “The students are here to hear from all our great speakers and learn why life in the Virgin Islands goes beyond schooling.”

Present in the audience were Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., senators, commissioners, directors, entrepreneurs, and other professionals. “We are giving out strategies for work excellence today,” said Gumbs.

“Success means something different for everyone, so I want you to develop your definition of success by the end of the day,” she continued.

Some topics discussed included education and training in the transportation industries, the future of the workforce with AR/VR and AI and charting a course in entrepreneurship and business opportunities in the maritime sector.

The Chairman of the Workforce Development Board, Michael Carty, shared a success story that highlighted the positive impact of the summit. He mentioned an employee he discovered during a community employment outreach in 2016. Carty provided an opportunity to Shalana Charles, who went on to become the employee of the year. He applauded her dedication and recognized her achievements.

Chairman of the Workforce Development Board, Michael Carty delivers a speech at the Governor’s Workforce Summit. (Screenshot from Workforce Development Summit)

“With success you need three things. Number one you have to make a promise to somebody, Number two you have to make a promise to yourself, and number three you have to convince somebody to make you a promise,” Carty said.

Commissioner of the V.I. Labor Department Gary A. Molloy, who was also present, provided some insightful statistics and numbers relating to unemployment.

“Just to talk specifically about St. Croix I looked at the Virgin Islands workforce system and in the St. Croix workforce there are 18,000 strong and about 17,000 employed and 750 showing unemployed. The unemployment rate on St. Croix is about 4.1 percent, down from 4.5 percent last month,” said Molloy.

Molloy stated that these numbers were consistent with the goals outlined in “Vision 2040” by the administration. He mentioned that the study projected that achieving a 4 percent unemployment rate would essentially mean reaching full employment statistically.

Molloy also acknowledges that there are still many people who are unemployed. “We are working to make sure in conjunction with our partners we are working to fill those gaps.” Currently, Molloy stated that there are 321 vacancies, including 57 in government positions and 16 specifically at Frederiksted Healthcare. “This is an opportunity to network like a professional,” he said.

A variety of job opportunities and employers were present at the summit. Representatives from the V.I. Labor Department, V.I. Energy Office, USVI Division of Personnel, USVI American Job Center, and others attended.

Gov. Albert Bryan, Jr. speaks to a crowd at the Governor’s Workforce Summit. (Screenshot from Workforce Development Summit)

The governor also gave plenty of advice to the attendees. “When you are networking you better know what you want. Define your success. The hardest thing to figure out is what you want,” Bryan said.

Bryan also referenced a popular movie, “The Matrix,” while discussing how some of us are programmed. “Public assistance is the Matrix. Your job is the Matrix,” he said.

“What did you sign up for?” the governor questioned the audience. “Are you drifting aimlessly through life hoping that something is going to come, or do you have your hand on the rutter and guiding your ship to where you want to be,” Bryan said.

“This is the time when it is up to the individual to decide what your destiny is going to be,” he said.

The Governor’s Workforce Development Summit 2024 will continue on St. Thomas at the Caribbean Cinemas from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and on St. John from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the Cleone H. Creque Legislative Conference Room. The events are free, but attendees are encourage to reserve a seat by registering at https://viwdb.vi.gov.

WAPA Settles Solar Dispute, Orders 10,000 New Meters

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WAPA Settles Solar Dispute, Orders 10,000 New Meters
Marlene Francis, WAPA’s customer service manager, and Lorraine Kelly, the authority’s interim chief financial officer, told the Public Services Commission of challenges and remedies at the Water and Power Authority Tuesday. (Screenshot from Public Services Commission Zoom meeting)

The Water and Power Authority agreed Tuesday to pay down millions it owes to two St. Croix solar farms for electricity, which it then resells to Virgin Islanders. WAPA has also ordered replacements for malfunctioning meters that sometimes give wildly inaccurate readings, officials told the Public Services Commission.

WAPA had already made its first new payment to BMR Energy in months, including extra to go toward its roughly $5 million debt, said the utility’s Interim Chief Financial Officer, Lorraine Kelly.

BMR Energy’s two companies, Spanish Town Estate Solar on St. Croix and Donoe Solar on St. Thomas, sell solar-generated electricity to WAPA at between 17 cents per kilowatt hour and 13.9 cents per kilowatt hour — far less than it costs WAPA to generate a kilowatt-hour, CEO Bruce Levy said in September.

Levy and BMR’s attorney, Adam Marinelli, had said the solar farms would likely cease to exist unless WAPA started making regular payments.

“This is a positive first step and hopefully they can continue to keep making payments,” Marinelli said Tuesday.

The long embattled utility runs a monthly deficit of between $5 million and $8 million as it struggles to keep old, inefficient diesel generators working and bring new, more efficient propane-powered generators online.

Virgin Islanders had been complaining on social media platforms about bills suddenly skyrocketing from less than $200 a month to more than $700. A St. John customer said in July their WAPA bill went from an average of between $175 to $300 to more than $3,000.

Since July, 178 Virgin Islanders had contacted WAPA to complain about billing or other service issues, Kelly said. Normally, less than five or so complaints come in each month, she said.

“The customer service teams are working hastily each day,” Kelly said. “Our customers are absolutely critical to our being able to survive.

To address the issue, WAPA ordered thousands of new meters — some correctly functioning automatic meters, some traditional manually-read meters. Kelly said the first shipment of 2,500 was due to arrive by the end of October and 7,500 more by the end of the year.

Reading the meters in person requires more vehicles and staff, she said. Currently, WAPA has eight meter readers in each district. They want to add four more territory-wide, Kelly said.

Kelly asked for the PSC’s support undoing another vexing billing oddity. WAPA is required by law to read meters every 30 days. This leads to difficult and confusing billing cycles in months with 31 days — or 28. Kelly said WAPA would ask the Legislature to change the law to say meters were to be read once a month, not a specific number of days.

60th Anniversary of VI/PR Friendship Day Celebration Begins Thursday

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60th Anniversary of VI/PR Friendship Day Celebration Begins Thursday
Fiesta en el Batey, a cultural and family fun day in Buddhoe Park, kicked off the celebration in 2016. During the Fiesta, both the PR and VI flags were displayed in the crowd. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Monday, Oct. 14, marks the 60th anniversary of the Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico Friendship Day Celebration, which will bring an explosion of fun, music, and food to the Rudolph Schulterbrandt Agriculture Grounds in Lower Love on St. Croix.

“In recognition of Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico Friendship Day, which is being celebrated on October 14, this year, the VI/PR Friendship Committee will join with the community in celebrating the 60th anniversary of VI/PR Friendship. The people of the Territory of the Virgin Islands and the people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have had a long and happy association as relatives, good neighbors, business partners, fellow Americans, and warm friends. It is traditional to designate a day on which to call attention to the remarkable bonds and cooperation between the peoples of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico,” according to a Government House press release.

A pair of dancers highlight their culture during the 2013 VI/PR celebration at Whim Plantation. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

The VI/PR Friendship Committee will join the community to celebrate the 60th anniversary of VI/PR Friendship. This celebration, during Hispanic Heritage Month, brings people of diverse Hispanic cultures together to share their knowledge and backgrounds. It is an opportunity to teach children about the cultures that enhance the territory.

The festivities at the Village begin on Thursday. Throughout the four-day event, there will be no admission charge. Tickets for the Coney Island Rides may be purchased on-site. There will be food and beverages for sale. All entertainment will be free.

Coney Island: Just one of the many Coney Island rides available during the Virgin Island/Puerto Rico Friendship celebration shown at the Fairgrounds in 2023. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Numerous bands will perform over the four days, including XPress Band, Swing Latino, Hartatak International and Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights. Both local and Latin music will be featured.

Fiesta en el Batey, a family fun day, will take place on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A partial list of the attractions, all of which are free, includes:

-The Children’s Museum of St. Croix

-Jungle James Petting Zoo

-Face Painting

-Quadrille/Masquerade

-Bomba Workshop

-King Derby Banjo Group

-Guardians of Culture Mocko Jumbie Workshop

The We Deh Yah Cultural Dancers perform under the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico flags during the VI/PR Friendship Celebration in Budhoe Park in 2016. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Sammuel Sanes, St. Croix Island administrator, has been involved in the VIPR Friendship Committee for the past 24 years. “It still makes me really excited to celebrate the cultural tradition of my heritage. I hope that everybody shows up. We have quite an event, not just for adults but also for children. Everyone will have fun,” he said.

“This particular event is special for me because I’m going to see a lot of the committee presidents that I worked with in the past. It’s great that we are trying to bring them together. Being president is not a stroll in the park, it’s a lot of work and dedication. It’s a lot of passion involved,” he continued.

“The Hispanic community is one of the largest, if not the largest, on St. Croix. You notice that I use the word Hispanic because even though it is a Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Friendship Committee, we also have many other Hispanics from different countries that come and join us. That’s the great part about the Hispanic Month, all these individuals from different countries are going to come together as one to help us celebrate our heritage and culture,” Sanes added.

Get Ready for a Squashing Good Time at Third Annual ‘Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch’

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Get Ready for a Squashing Good Time at Third Annual ‘Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch’
VI Justice Initiative holds the third annual Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch on Saturday. (Submitted photo)

Fall is here, which means it is time for the V.I. Justice Initiative’s third annual “Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch” from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Magens Bay on St. Thomas, the organization announced.

This event is free, with just the cost of admission to Magens Bay.

The V.I. Justice Initiative is a locally grown legal aid organization planting seeds for community-driven advocacy. Its signature fundraiser brings the community together to celebrate the Virgin Islands’ agricultural roots and farming community. Each year, more than 1,000 people come down for this free event to experience the tractor hayrides, pumpkin patch, farmer’s market, and, for the first time, the V.I. Justice Initiative is bringing locally-grown pumpkins, according to the press release.

Starting at Shed 4, attendees can purchase a $5 ticket to ride the Tractor Hayride through the Coconut Grove. (Kids 10 and under must ride with an adult.) Next, kids can choose the perfect pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch for $15-$20, depending on size, which includes access to a free station for carving or painting. The family will love the Kids’ Zone with a giveaway Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch Coloring and Activity Book, free face painting, and interactive games featuring the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum and Tropical Treasure Hunt, the press release stated.

Lunch will also be available with food trucks Hot on the Spot, Smoke Up VI, and sweet treats from Rudy’s Fraco and Happy Scoops Ice Cream. There will also be a Farmer’s Market and Community Fair featuring goods and produce sold by local farmers, and autumn and pumpkin-themed snacks sold by local vendors. Enjoy music and youth performances throughout the day, the release stated.

“Harvest Festival & Pumpkin” Patch Tractor Hayride will cost $5. (Submitted photo)

Bales of hay will be on sale since The Tractor Hayride and Pumpkin Patch require at least 20 bales of hay. Each bale is $15. Bales of hay can be reserved by calling the V.I. Justice Initiative at 340-774-6504 or purchasing it at Shed 4 during the event. Pick-up for hay bales will be after the event between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. only, it said.

The fundraising goal for this event is $50,000 so that the V.I. Justice Initiative can continue to provide free legal aid and education territory-wide. Thanks to generous sponsors and small individual donors, the VI Justice Initiative has already raised over $42,000 towards its $50,000 goal. All donations received through the purchase of Tractor Hayride tickets, bales of hay, pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch, and donations made at Shed 4 or online will be matched by Alpine up to $5,000, according to the release.

Major sponsors include RapierMed, Perfected Claims, Alpine, International Capitol and Management Company, SmithWilliams PLLC, The Walker Legal Group, Yacht Haven Grande, FirstBank, Merchants Commercial Bank, Magens Bay Authority, St. Thomas Properties, Keswick Insurance, Fairchild Restaurant at Magens, the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, Mr. Happy’s Hauling & E-Waste the Office of Gun Violence and Prevention, Viya and the Source, it said.

For more information about the V.I. Justice Initiative and the third annual “Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch,” visit the website at www.vijustice.org. Contact the V.I. Justice Initiative at 340-774-6504 or info@vijustice.org if there are any questions.

Para el video en español haga clic aquí.

ISV Finishes Fourth in Caribbean Beach Volleyball Tournament

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ISV Finishes Fourth in Caribbean Beach Volleyball Tournament
From left, T’ara Austin and Taylor Buckner at the Pre-tournament check-in. (Submitted photo)

The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) held the fifth stop on the NORCECA 2024 Beach Tour in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Oct. 1 – 4.

The male and female divisions were made up of 14 teams in this high-profile event. The participating countries were Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Trinidad & Tobago, the United States of America, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (ISV).

T’ara Austin and Taylor Buckner represented ISV in the women’s bracket. William Shaw Clement and Garrett Bucklin competed on the men’s side for the Virgin Islands.

 

Austin and Buckner found themselves wedged in a tough three-team pool with one of the USA teams and the Cuban duo. ISV faced Cuba first and came away with a (21-12; 21-11) straight-set win. The USA team was next and Austin and Buckner gave them all they could handle. The match started with ISV winning the opening set (22-20). The ladies from the United States came back strong, taking the second set (21-13). The ladies from America’s Paradise were not rattled as they came out swinging in the rubber set. However, Austin and Buckner lost that deciding set (18-16). Despite the loss, ISV qualified for the quarterfinals, where they met Darlenys Olivo and Crismil Paniagua from the Dominican Republic. Austin and Buckner pulled off the second major win of this event, stunning the host team (21-16; 21-12).

Taylor Buckner spikes the ball in their semifinal match against USA. (Submitted photo)

ISV took on Amy Ozee and Kaylee Glagau from Canada in the semi-finals. That duo was too much for Austin and Buckner as they fell (21-16; 21-17). Things did not get much better for ISV in the third-place game, a rematch of their pool play game against USA. The USA team came out more focused and beat ISV (21-16; 21-13). Austin and Buckner finished in fourth place.

ISV men were equally impressive as their female counterparts at this event. Bucklin and Clements of ISV were paired with Tynan Gannett and Rouzbeth Rahnavard from Canada, Ryck Webb and Martin Blake from Jamaica, and Melvin De Jesus and Alexander Wilmore from the Dominican Republic. ISV started pool play with a convincing win over fellow Caribbean country Jamaica (21-15; 21-11). Host Dominican Republic didn’t fare any better against Bucklin and Clements as the team from the Virgin Islands surfed to a (21-14; 21-9) win. The Canadian team was up next. The Virgin Islands team pushed Canada to the limits but came up just short in both sets. Canada escaped with a (24-22; 26-24) victory.

The second-place finish in pool play earned Bucklin and Clements a spot in the quarter-finals, where they took on Martin Licht and Robert Kemp, the second Canadian team. ISV beat Licht and Kemp in straight sets (24-22; 21-17). The second team from the Dominican Republic was waiting for ISV in the semi-finals. Like the ISV ladies, Bucklin and Clements battled hard but in the end lost the match in three sets (19-21; 21-13; 15-9). The third-place match gave ISV the opportunity to avenge their pool play loss to Gannett and Rahnavard. However, Bucklin and Clements dropped this match in straight sets (21-12; 21-11).

Both teams’ fourth-place finishes were impressive. The next event on the 2024 Beach Volleyball Tour is the U23 Continental Tournament, which will be held from Oct. 6 – 10. ISV has entered one male and one female team in this event.

Here are the final standings for the beach tournament in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic:

WOMEN

  1. Hodel / Durish USA
  2. Ozee / Glagua CAN
  3. Whalen / Phillips USA
  4. Austin / Buckner ISV
  5. Hladyniuk / Thorup CAN
  6. Olivo / Paniagua DOM
  7. Molina / Aguilar CRC
  8. Vigil / Tovar ESA
  9. Silva / Lolette NCA
  10. Taveras / Ramirez DOM
  11. Drik / Paret CUB
  12. Robinson / J. Robinson CAY
  13. Arevalo / Aguilar GUA
  14. Lumsden / Smith JAM

MEN

  1. Gomez / Veranes CUB
  2. De Jesus / Maldonado DOM
  3. Gannett / Rahnavard CAN
  4. Bucklin / Clements ISV
  5. Prima / Wieczorek USA
  6. Meneses / Lopez NCA
  7. Licht / Kemp CAN
  8. Jesario / Watson CAY
  9. Guardado Y. / Guardado C. ESA
  10. Barnett / Tucker BER
  11. Webb / Blake JAM
  12. Theodore / Enile TTO
  13. De Jesus / Wilmore DOM
  14. Izaguirre / Ventura GUA

St. Thomas Man Arrested After Girlfriend Escapes Strangling Attempt

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St. Thomas Man Arrested After Girlfriend Escapes Strangling Attempt

A St. Thomas man turned himself in to the authorities Monday after his girlfriend reported that she was punched and strangled by him, the V.I. Police Department reported.

On Oct. 5, at about 9:00 a.m., the Domestic Violence Unit was notified of an assault in the second-degree (DV) case that occurred in the area of Contant, St. Thomas, according to the police report.

The victim, an adult female, stated that her boyfriend, Akeem Forbes, struck her with a closed fist numerous times in the head and strangled her. The female said that she was eventually able to escape and ran to a relative’s residence to seek safety. The woman concluded that this was not the first incident of domestic violence and provided details of the assaults that she endured at the hands of Forbes, the police report stated.

On Monday, Forbes, 35, agreed to turn himself in with the assistance of his attorney. He declined to provide a statement; therefore, he was booked, processed, and turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing. He is charged with assault in the second-degree DV, simple assault DV, grand larceny, and disturbance of the peace DV, the report stated.

This case is currently under investigation by the Domestic Violence Unit. Anyone having
information about this crime can notify 911, the Domestic Violence Unit at 340-715-5535, or the Office of the Police Chief.

V.I. Department of Agriculture and Partners Host and Join ‘Farm Force Boot Camp’

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V.I. Department of Agriculture and Partners Host and Join ‘Farm Force Boot Camp’
Participants at the VIDA and its partners’ Farm Force Boot Camp, which is a week-long training camp on agriculture and conservation skills. (Submitted photo)

The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (VIDA), in collaboration with the White River Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCD), the Bennington County Conservation District and the Virgin Islands Women in Agriculture Association, is excited to announce the Farm Force Boot Camp – an immersive week-long training aimed at equipping participants with sustainable agriculture and conservation skills.

The department is proud to have played an integral role in receiving federal funding for the Working Lands Climate Corps, which offers hands-on training in regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, soil health, water management, grazing systems and conservation planning as workforce development in climate-smart farming. The Department of Agriculture’s main goal for Climate Corps and the Farm Force Boot Camp is to develop educational resources, recruit participants, connect producers to technical and financial resources, and support workforce development opportunities.

The Farm Force Boot Camp, the White River Natural Resources Conservation District is currently hosting 30 new corps members and 20 conservation professionals from Vermont and the U.S. Virgin Islands at Vermont State University’s Randolph campus. This year, six VIDA staff members are attending the boot camp.

Participants are touring local farms and attending workshops led by experts such as master composter Cat Buxton and invasive species specialist Mike Bald. They are also engaging in hands-on learning, covering topics that include:

  • Engineering basics for community-scale agriculture projects
  • Soil health and water quality management
  • Grazing systems and agroforestry design
  • Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMAs)
  • Comprehensive conservation planning

USDA’s AgLearn platform, an agriculture-based online professional development website, will provide additional online support.

“This joint initiative allows us to provide the technical skills needed to support our local agriculture industry while empowering corps members with industry certification in conservation. They will then be able to help USVI farmers access USDA NRCS funding resources to enhance their production capacity,” said Diana Collingwood, executive director of the Virgin Islands Women in Agriculture Association.

Farm Force Boot Camp is part of a year-long Conservation Career Workforce Development Program. This Vermont-based “mini boot camp” is the first of two intensive in-person training sessions. The second will be held in the Virgin Islands in February 2025. The Corps Network, through AmeriCorps and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), funds both events and the yearlong program.

“We’re thrilled to offer participants the chance to develop crucial skills for a career in conservation agriculture,” said NRCD District Manager Jennifer Bryne. “By the end of the program, participants will have the opportunity to become certified conservation planners, a highly valuable credential recognized nationwide.”

Project partners include:

  • White River NRCD and Bennington County NRCD
  • Virgin Islands Women in Agriculture Association Inc. and We Grow Food Inc.
  • U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
  • USDA-NRCS Vermont and Caribbean Area
  • Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center, Vt.
  • Regeneration Corps and USVI Economic Development Authority
  • VT Relief Collective
  • Bennington College, VT Technical College and UVI School of Agriculture Extension Service

The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture is the local authority in agriculture in the Government of the Virgin Islands. It aims to develop, support and promote an economically lucrative agricultural industry in the U.S. Virgin Islands while supporting farmers, consumers and the environment.

The Corps Network’s material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR243A750018C001. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or The Corps Network. In addition, any reference to specific brands or types of products or services does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or The Corps Network for those products or services. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Open Forum: Ag Commissioner Pledges Financial Support for Animal Rescues  

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Open Forum: Ag Commissioner Pledges Financial Support for Animal Rescues  

Editor’s Note: Following is a letter from Agriculture Commissioner Louis E. Petersen Jr., responding to recent community concerns about government funding for the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center.

Dear Editor,

Firstly, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the hardworking employees of all the animal welfare centers and shelters of the Virgin Islands of the United States. The purpose of this communication is to address the misinformation that is currently being circulated regarding the non-renewal of a contractual agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center. Quite to the contrary, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (VIDA) has been actively preparing to initiate the contractual agreement even prior to the commencement of the new fiscal year.

Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen Jr.(V.I. Legislature photo)
Agriculture Commissioner Louis E. Petersen Jr.(V.I. Legislature photo)

In particular, the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center has been in routine contact and communication with the VIDA since August 6, 2024. Through email exchanges, not only was the process for contract renewal explained, but the VIDA proactively requested all requisite corporate documents from the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center in preparation for contract renewal. Consequently, the draft Notice of Grant Award package inclusive of the cover letter and other pertinent information has long been prepared for transmittal to the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center for review and approval and subsequently to the Department of Property and Procurement for review and execution, pending the approved budget bill, release of funds from the Office of management and Budget and the encumberment of the funds by the VIDA. This is the same process that is followed each year. Unfortunately, as a part of the process, there is a delay of time between the ending of a contract and the execution of a new agreement. This is not an automatic transition.

At this stage, the VIDA remains prepared to initiate and transmit the contractual documents once the budget bill, approved by the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, is signed by the Honorable Governor Albert Bryan, and funding is released by the Office of Management and Budget. The Bryan-Roach Administration supports the work being carried out by the animal welfare centers and shelters throughout the territory. Please be reassured that financial support will continue through renewed contractual agreements for all centers and shelters. Except for the change in fiscal years, there have been no other changes regarding our arrangements or intent to continue supporting the territory’s animal welfare centers and shelters.

We appreciate your commitment to the wellbeing of animals and the invaluable service that you provide to the territory. Thank you for your service, dedication and patience as we transition from one fiscal year to another.

Sincerely,
Agriculture Commissioner Louis E. Petersen Jr., Ph.D.

Man Killed in Shooting at Mandahl Bay Beach on St. Thomas

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Man Killed in Shooting at Mandahl Bay Beach on St. Thomas

A man who was found unresponsive Monday evening at Mandahl Bay Beach on St. Thomas died from multiple gunshot wounds, the V.I. Police Department reported.

The victim has been identified as Stalin N. Flores-Gomez, 23, police said. He is the territory’s 25th homicide victim of the year, and the 15th on St. Thomas, according to the Source Homicide List.* St. Croix has recorded 10 such deaths to date, and St. John none.

Police were alerted to the incident at 6:14 p.m. when residents contacted 911 and reported shots fired in the area of Mandahl Bay Beach on the island’s North Side, police reported.

Responding officers found Flores-Gomez on the beach with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds, police said. Emergency Medical Technicians were on scene and checked him for vital signs and at 7:01 p.m. they concluded that he did not have any signs of life, according to the report.

The case is under investigation by the Major Crimes Unit.  Anyone with information should contact the VIPD at 340-774-2211, or the Criminal Investigation Unit’s Major Crimes Division at 340-714-9823, 340-714-9828 or 340-714-9829. You can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

*The Source Homicide List is a chronological log of the homicides recorded in 2024 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as reported by the VIPD. Cases are broken down by island. While this listing is based on VIPD reports, the Source does not include suicides or vehicular homicides in its listing, which the police and some other media do. This can lead to a discrepancy in the number of incidents reported.

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