Category: Community Affairs

Attorney Akeel St. Jean Elected To Helm St. Croix Chamber of Commerce

CHRISTIANSTED —  Attorney Akeel St. Jean has been elected chairman of the board of directors for the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce. St. Jean, 31, has replaced former chairman Ryan Nelthropp, and will serve a two-year term. “It was a surprise, actually, they called me and said we really think you ought to be chair,” […]

Glass Lens May Shine A Light On Amelia Earhart’s Disappearance In South Pacific

BUKA, Papua New Guinea — Diving a wreck can be an exciting adventure: You never know what you might discover. In the case of Tracy Wildrix, though, he had a pretty good idea of what he might find during an expedition in Papua New Guinea: Amelia Earhart’s plane. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared […]

NIGHT LIGHTS! VIPD Helps Put The Lights Back On In Smith Bay To Tamp Down Crime

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Virgin Islands Police Department worked with the local government to ensure that street lights are working in a St. Thomas east end neighborhood. The VIPD joined with St. Thomas-Water Island Administrator Avery Lewis to put the lights on in Smith Bay this week. Police are betting that increased lighting in the […]

OBITUARY NOTICE: Johnny Alberto Martinez On St. Croix

Johnny Alberto Martinez died in St. Croix on Sunday, February 28, 2021. Martinez was preceded in death by his son, Johnny Alberto Martinez Jr.; father, Celedonio Martinez; mother, Carmen Martínez; and brothers, Josue Martínez and Celestino Martinez. He was survived by his daughter, J’Lene Martinez; brothers, Jose M., Ismael, William, Eddie, and Isaac Martínez; sisters, […]

OBITUARY NOTICE: Melonita Newton Strain Of St. Thomas

Melonita Newton Strain, a devoted wife, mother and pastor, was born in New York City, New York, on November 12, 1935. She died March 11, 2021. Melonita is one of four children born to the union of Edwardo Newton and Mariel Newton. Her father was a master builder of many buildings in St. Thomas, Virgin […]

Bureau of Corrections Response To St. Croix AVIS Newspaper’s Weekend Edition

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections (BOC) said it “continues to progress,despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which have affected employee morale,wellness, and work-life balance at correctional agencies nationwide.” Director Wynnie Testamark said she will continue to focus on supporting BOC staff by offering increased training, wellness, and virtual resiliency […]

Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education Celebrates USVI History Month

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Virgin Islands Department of Education, Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education will host a series of activities to commemorate Virgin Islands History Month in March. For this year’s celebration, the theme is “There Is Virgin Islands History All Around Us,” which seeks to “bring focus to the beauty of our past […]

Statement About Service From Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security

I want to update you about how things are going at the Social Security Administration. About a year ago, I took the unprecedented step to close our offices to the public. I did this to keep our employees and you—the public we serve—safe. As we enter year two of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines and other […]

New Website For The USVI Means Poison Prevention Is Now At Your Fingertips

JACKSONVILLE — The Florida/USVI Poison Information Center is announcing a new website for residentsof the U.S. Virgin Islands in conjunction with National Poison Prevention Week. The new website can be found at usvipoisoncontrol.org and features information on home safety, outdoor hazards, as well as ways for residents to order free education materials and request a […]

Health Department Offers COVID-19 Vaccines At DeCastro Clinic On St. John

CRUZ BAY — The Virgin Islands Department of Health will offer COVID-19 vaccinations to residents on St. John from 8 a.m. to noon – beginning March 20 — on every Saturday through the end of April at the DeCastro Clinic. Additionally, the Community Vaccination Center on St. Thomas has extended its hours and is open from […]