CHRISTIANSTED — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Virgin Islands officials are investigating a second accident at a controversial refinery in St. Croix after it emitted noxious fumes that prompted some schools to close on Friday. The release of sulfuric gases from the facility, which caused nausea and eye irritation in some residents and comes […]
Category: Health News
Toxic Gas From Limetree Bay Refinery Closes Schools, St. Croix’s Vaccine Center
CHRISTIANSTED — A flammable toxic gas coming from St Croix’s recently reopened refinery that caused schools to close was caused by excess emissions of hydrogen sulfide, DPNR officials admitted on Friday. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) is advising people with respiratory ailments such as allergies, lung disease and asthma to consider taking […]
Health Commissioner Breaks Down Health Risks From Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure
CHRISTIANSTED — Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) advises the community that the department has confirmed that there were elevated concentrations of H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) in the No. 8 flare header at the Limetree Bay Refinery. DPNR is in close communications with the facility, and an investigation is […]
Did Toxic Gas Emitted From Limetree Bay Refinery Exceed Permitted Levels? EPA Investigating Plant’s ‘Exceedance’ Level
FREDERIKSTED — Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) is advising the community that the department is aware of a foul, gaseous smell permeating throughout the Frederiksted area for the past few days. DPNR’s Air Quality Management Program staff has responded to citizen’s complaints and has discovered that the […]
Alabama Woman Arrested At St. Croix Airport After Loading Fake Documents
FREDERIKSTED — An Alabama woman was arrested by officers with the COVID-19 Task Force after police said she uploaded false health documents to the government’s travel portal. Franketa A. Taylor of Birmingham, Alabama, 41, was arrested and charged with making fraudulent claims upon the government, access to a computer for fraudulent purposes, use of false […]
DPNR Puts Fuel Delivery Ban On ‘Gas For Less’ And ‘Freedom City’ Service Stations
CHRISTIANSTED — Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces a fuel delivery prohibition against the owner and/or operator of Gas For Less Service Station located at 1 AR Estate Diamond, Christiansted; and Freedom City Service Station located at 41-59 Estate Concordia, Frederiksted. This prohibits the facilities from having regulated substances, including but not […]
Governor Bryan Ends Beach Curfew, Eases COVID-19 Restrictions for Restaurants
CHRISTIANSTED — During the Government House weekly press briefing today, Governor Albert Bryan ended the curfews at all of the territory’s beaches, which had been ordered closed by 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The existing curfew will be lifted beginning Friday, April 23; however, the restrictions […]
TEXAS TURNCOAT! Fugitive Female Flew To St. Thomas After Falsifying Form: VIPD
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A Texas woman detained at the St. Thomas airport on Thursday for being a fugitive from justice was re-arrested the next day after authorities said she also falsified her COVID-19 test results online. Breanna Kathleen Ward, 34, of Kingwood, Texas, was arrested Friday and charged with making fraudulent claims upon the government, […]
DPNR Updates Public On Water Quality At Territory’s Popular Beaches
FREDERIKSTED — The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) said that the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the territory by sampling for Enterococci, Bacteria and Turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following: DPNR performed water quality analysis […]
Health Department Confirms 27th Person Has Died From COVID-19 In USVI
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Virgin Islands Health Department confirmed Thursday that an 81-year-old St. Thomas man is the territory’s 27th death related to COVID-19. “The department continues to work to slow the spread of COVID-19,” VIDOH said. “Please continue to follow these precautionary measures: stay at home, practice social distancing, wear a mask when in […]