St. Thomas News

VIPD’s COVID-19 Task Force Monitors Crowds For Mask Compliance At Kallalloo Man
CHRISTIANSTED — VIPD’s COVID-19 Task Force and Deputy Police Commissioner Celvin G. Walwyn was monitoring the crowds at the Kallalloo Man at Estate Richmond on Saturday afternoon. The Virgin Islands Police Department has been encouraging everyone to follow the governor’s coronavirus protocols mandate — whether they are indoors or outside.

LOVE IN A TIME OF CORONAVIRUS! Virtual Strangers Are Hooking Up In Caribbean Through Airbnb
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands is the top Caribbean destination on Airbnb, with a 600 percent increase in bookings over 2019. San Juan, Puerto Rico isn’t far behind with a 400 percent increase. Rounding out the top three is Grand Cayman with a 100 percent spike. The Caribbean has been

Sun Country Airlines and Delta Air Lines Competing For Minnesota Travelers To The U.S. Virgin Islands
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The U.S. Virgin Islands is welcoming new flights from Minneapolis to St. Thomas this winter from Delta Air Lines and Sun Country Airlines. Delta is offering thrice weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while Minneapolis-based carrier Sun Country is operating weekly Saturday service between Minneapolis-St. Paul

9 Historic American Figures With Ties to the U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands continues to rank among the Caribbean’s top tourist destinations, especially on Airbnb. But there’s more to the American islands than just fun in the sun, as first reported by Mental Floss. Many historic figures have visited or lived in the region (Alexander Hamilton, anyone?), which, over

VIDOL Failure To Pay UI Obligation Makes Private Employers Have To Pay 6 Times As Much For Unemployment Insurance
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — For the third consecutive year, the U.S. Virgin Islands is the only jurisdiction in the United States to not meet its outstanding Unemployment Insurance (UI) loan obligation to the U.S. Department of Labor. Because the Virgin Islands Department of Labor failed to make a critical USDOL payment

Feds Break Up Florida To St. Thomas Gun And Drug Trafficking Operation
SAN JUAN — Two men — one in Florida and one in St. Thomas — have been caught up in a cocaine and illegal gun trafficking ring between the mainland and the territory, authorities said. And the man charged in the U.S. Virgin Islands was blatantly promising $150 a day

St. Thomas Man Who Fought Gunman In Smith Bay Dies 4 Days After Shooting: VIPD
CHARLOTTE AMALIE – One of four men injured during a December 27 shooting in Smith Bay succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, the Virgin Islands Police Department said. The victim, identified as Delroy Venzen, Jr., 33, died at Schneider Regional Medical Center, four days after he being shot in the

Carnivorous Mushrooms? Leaching Septic Tank? Trade Winds? Barking Dogs? What Killed Rich Doumeng’s Flamboyant Tree? The Final Mystery of the Year 2020
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Just when you thought 2020 couldn’t get any weirder. The last day of the year of coronavirus — the dreaded COVID-19 — I mean what could go wrong today? Right? LOL! It is a mystery that involves barking dogs, carnivorous mushrooms, lurking septic tanks and toppling trees

DLCA Commissioner Announces Results Of Holiday Food Basket Survey
CHRISTIANSTED — DLCA Commissioner Richard Evangelista said today the department’s territory-wide “More For Your Dollar” holiday food basket survey was completed on Monday. The market basket survey is designed to inform consumers of which stores have the best prices no matter the brand on staple grocery items, Commissioner Evangelista said.

OBITUARY NOTICE: Former Senator Robert A. O’Connor Jr. On St. John
The family of Robert A. O’Connor, Jr. is saddened to announce his passing at his home on December 16, 2020. Robert was born on the beautiful island of St. John on March 24, 1946, to Robert A. O’Connor Sr. and Alice Rhymer O’Connor, both of whom are deceased. Robert was,