TORONTO — The Bank of Nova Scotia says it has reached a deal to sell its operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to Oriental Bank, a subsidiary of OFG Bancorp. OFG Bancorp says it is acquiring the Toronto-based bank’s Puerto Rico operation for $550 million in cash, and Scotiabank’s U.S.

CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. issued a condolence statement today on the death of Vashti Hewitt Mapp, mother of former Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp. She was 90. “We are saddened by the passing of Mrs. Vashti Hewitt Mapp and extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolence to the

CHRISTIANSTED — Police have charged a man in connection with a two-car accident that left a five-year-old girl dead Sunday. Marco Arroyo-Torres, 43, of St. Croix was charged with negligent homicide, involuntary manslaughter and failure to drive on the left, the Virgin Islands Police Department said. “Arroyo-Torres was the driver

ORANJESTAD — The government of Aruba said on Monday it will form an advisory committee to decide the future of a 209,000-barrel-per-day refinery that remains idled amid sanctions on operator Citgo Petroleum’s parent company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes said there are three possible scenarios for the

SAN JUAN — A top Puerto Rico official said Tuesday that he appeared before a federal grand jury investigating a former government adviser in the latest corruption allegation to hit the U.S. commonwealth this week. Chief of Staff Ricardo Llerandi said he answered questions and submitted documents related to Alberto

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — To promote hotel and resort development, the Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA) has launched an online database with at least 50 government and privately-owned USVI properties. Developers and investors can learn about these properties at www.investusvirginislands.com  “Hotel and resort developers need readily-accessible resources that can assist them in locating properties that

CHRISTIANSTED — During a ceremony at the Limetree Bay Refinery, LLC (LBR) Monday evening officials of Limetree presented certificates of completion for basic operator training to 35 residents of St. Croix as they train to become refinery process operators. The employees completed a rigorous six-week training program and were recognized

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — WAPA Executive Director Lawrence J. Kupfer today expressed his appreciation to members of the 33rd Legislature for supporting legislation that, once approved by the governor, will provide funding necessary for the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority to make payment to some of its most critical vendors.

CHRISTIANSTED – A Texas drug mule who was to be paid only $1,500 for smuggling 20 pounds of marijuana from Dallas to St. Croix now faces five years in prison for her exploits, authorities said. Kieantia Thomas-Okeke, 38, of Dallas, pled guilty to one count of possession of marijuana with

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A “major” power outage was affecting three of the four major U.S. Virgin Islands since early this morning, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said. The outage “is a result of the loss of generation capacity at the Randolph Harley Power Plant,” WAPA said. “Plant personnel