Community Affairs

VIPD: Mario M. Brooks Named Assistant Police Commissioner
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Police Commissioner Trevor A. Velinor announced the appointment of Lieutenant Mario M. Brooks as Assistant Police Commissioner on Tuesday. Assistant Commissioner Brooks has been with the Virgin Islands Police Department for 25 years, working in various sections of the department, to include the Special Operations and Criminal

CFVI Awarded $350,000 Grant By R.W. Johnson Foundation To Help Kids
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has received a $350,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to fund critical health needs of children in the territory. CFVI was invited to apply for funding following the successful stewardship of a $200,000 grant awarded from

DHS Promises To Revamp Its Services After Inhumane Death Of Aaron Benjamin Jr.
FREDERIKSTED — Following the tragic death of four-year-old Aaron Benjamin, Jr. in October 2019, Commissioner Causey-Gomez authorized the launch of an internal audit and investigation of the Department of Human Services (DHS) to determine how department practices and policies should be revisited to help prevent future tragedies involving children in

Old People To Learn Importance Of Avoiding Falls In Free St. Croix Class
CHRISTIANSTED — People of all ages experience a fall from time to time, but as we get older, the results of a fall pose a serious health risk to people. Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults. The St. Croix Senior Collaborative is offering classes called “A Matter

Human Services Says Cash Benefits For Blind, Aged And TANF Ready Now
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Department of Human Services Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez is notifying all persons who receive Public Assistance also known as Cash Benefits – which Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Aid to Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD), General Tutor (GT), General Assistance (GA) and General Disability (GD) – that

VIPD: ‘We Have Zero Tolerance For Illegal Gun Use,’ Even On New Year’s Eve
FREDERIKSTED — The Virgin Islands Police Department said it wanted to remind the community of the dangers of celebratory gunfire for New Year’s Eve. It is illegal, dangerous and the consequences and can be significant and serious, according to police. The discharge of a firearm into the air in celebration

What Is It About Sweden’s Vitol That Is ‘Vital’ To The Territory’s Electrical Generating Needs?
Dear Editor: In 2013, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority announced to the public that it would switch from oil to propane for the generation of electricity in the territory. WAPA touted in the media that the project would lower the cost of power for consumers and businesses by

How Do You Say ‘Merry Christmas’ This Fine Wednesday Morning? OPINION BY POKORNY
We’ve all heard it: Merry Christmas! How politically incorrect Fool! It is Happy Holidays. The dividing lines are clearly drawn, it has taken decades, but it is so clear there are two near majority camps in the United States. Old fashioned Judea-Christians (“Merry Christmas”) and progressives (Democrats): “Happy Holidays”. No

EDITORIAL: Focus Our Efforts On Restoring ‘Hope,’ Not A ‘High’ For Our People
I do not support the Governor’s attempt to amend our law to allow, what in my opinion, becomes the non-medicinal use of marijuana. My opinion is based on my experiences as a mother, lifelong resident of our community, and a judge in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands as

Boat Parade Attended By Thousands On Christiansted Boardwalk Saturday
CHRISTIANSTED — Thousands of people on St. Croix attended the 21st annual Boat Parade near the Christiansted Boardwalk on Saturday evening. Among those in attendance were: Governor Albert Bryan, Jr., Police Commissioner Trevor Velinor and Deputy Commissioner Celvin G. Walwyn who admired the large crowd gathered. One of the entries