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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Senate Slams Liberty Phone Service in Marathon Session

The 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands was so fed up with Liberty VI’s phone service that Monday night, with scant prior warning, they passed a resolution requiring the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission to file an official complaint on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands against Liberty Latin America, Liberty Mobile USVI, and Liberty Mobile Puerto Rico with the Federal Communications Commission. 

Reggae Giant Vaughn Benjamin May Get St. Croix Monument

V.I. Senate hearings can take on colorful and diverse tones, but Tuesday's hearing to honor reggae personality Vaughn Benjamin, also known as Akae Beka, took on a musical tone. Benjamin died in 2019 at the age of 50. Many of his songs have hit the Billboard Reggae Album Top 10 chart many times.

Governor Bryan Travels to Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Bryan’s trip underscores the administration’s commitment to fostering stronger ties and collaborative efforts across key sectors in the Caribbean region.

Senate Approves Willocks for Supreme Court and Other Nominees

Senators voted to approve a new justice of the U.S. Virgin Islands Supreme Court, a new Human Services commissioner, a new Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services director, and other nominees to positions of public trust Monday.

Government House Sends Easter Greetings and Encourages Campers to Keep Camp Areas Clean

Government House Communications Director Richard Motta announced that Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. is out of the territory and should return April 1. Bryan will visit Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines to “foster stronger ties and explore avenues for collaboration and growth.”

High Court Upholds Legislature’s 2022 Expulsion of Senator-At-Large

Justices of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court affirmed actions taken by the 34th Legislature when they expelled former Senator-At-Large Steven Payne in July 2022. The opinion was published Friday after the three-judge panel heard oral arguments from lawyers representing both sides of a civil lawsuit challenging the action that led to Payne’s expulsion.

Hospital, School, Library Projects Need to be Accelerated, or Territory Will Pay

Department of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol denied at Friday's hearing before the Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure, and Planning that his department was behind on recovery projects, but several senators disagreed.

Roach Issues Reminder of Amnesty Deadline for Waiver of All Interest/Penalties on Real Property Tax

Interest and penalties will be waived if payment is received in the full amount of property taxes due for any tax year. 

Governor’s Nominations Get Thumbs-Up From Senate

It was a busy day at the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Committee on Rules and Judiciary as Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s nominations for the V.I. Supreme Court, the Human Services Department, and V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services were approved and sent on to the full Senate body for confirmation.

Senate Concerned Taxicab Commission Off Course

Nearly six months into the 2024 fiscal year, the Taxicab Commission was at the Senate hoping to get its budget request approved Tuesday.

Division of Personnel Announces the 2024 Battle of the Agencies – Beach Edition

The Battle of the Agencies is not just a mere competition; it is a dynamic event designed to foster wellness and camaraderie among the Government of the Virgin Islands and semi-autonomous agencies.

Horse Racing Returns to St. Thomas for Carnival; Bryan Reveals Incentive for Government Retirees to Rejoin Workforce

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. declared that horse racing will return to St. Thomas on May 3 for the Carnival celebrations this year. Horse races last occurred at the track in 2017, before the track was damaged during hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Senate Committee Advances Conservationists, Leases, And Law Changes

A busy Senate meeting Thursday ended with the unopposed advancement of two nominations to environmental conservation posts, a maritime industry scholarship, changes to unemployment benefits, leases for agriculture, cultural heritage, and St. Thomas Rescue, and a proposed law specifically outlawing so-called revenge porn. All the bills were sent to the full Senate for a final vote after Rules and Judiciary Committee approval.

Economic Development and Agriculture Committee Labors Through Non-Productive Hearings

The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture began its session Wednesday with testimony for and against changing the composition of the V.I. Division of Festivals.

Senators Consider Measures Concerning Background Checks in Employment Application Process

A bill to give former felons a fair chance at employment, despite a criminal history, gained unanimous support from the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety on Tuesday and will now advance to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.

VITEMA Plans Non-Profit Security Grant Cycle Information Sessions for Organizations

VITEMA is inviting non-profit and faith-based organizations to the first in a series of planned information sessions on federal grant processes.

Human Services Closes SNAP/CASH/Medicaid Certification Unit in Mars Hill, Temporarily

To facilitate the continued processing of applications and cases, the department is providing alternative methods for the submission of documents.

WAPA’s Hannah’s Rest Waterline Rehab Project Commences; Other Rehab Projects Continue

The project, which will cost an estimated $3.2 million, is fully funded through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) by the Environmental Protection Agency.

New Details in Alleged Home Depot Heist

The Home Depot employee who allegedly let customers walk off with more than $4,000 in merchandise for free told police she felt threatened to do so, according to recently filed court documents.
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