A new study examines the steady decline of the U.S. Merchant Marine fleet, which today numbers less than 100 vessels in international trade, and warns that U.S. global competitiveness and maritime security – particularly in light of a fast-emerging China — is at grave risk unless investment is made to

Cobray M 12 with silencer and magazines CHRISTIANSTED – A 34-year-old St. Croix man was arrested on federal illegal gun charges Wednesday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Curtis Winston Venner on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of a firearm by convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a

DENVER – Rashawn Ross of St. Thomas and Ryan Zoidis will join Soulive for two shows at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom on November 20 and 21, the Virgin Islands Free Press has learned. Eric Krasno made the announcement on Facebook, calling Zoidis and Ross the “OG” Shady Horns. “It’s been a

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A 29-year-old St. Thomas woman was arrested late Wednesday night after police said she stabbed her husband in the hand during a domestic dispute. Elizabeth Veloz of Estate Conant was arrested about 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday and charged with third-degree assault-domestic violence, according to police. Veloz was

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A 48-year-old St. Thomas man was arrested on statutory rape-related charged Wednesday afternoon, the Virgin Islands Police Department said. Moses Danet of Bolongo Bay was arrested at 4 p.m. Wednesday and charged with first-degree aggravated rape-domestic violence, according to the VIPD. Danet was taken into custody after

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A high-end jewelry and accessories store at Yacht Haven Grande was burglarized sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department. Police responded to a call of a burglary at 10:55 a.m. Tuesday and were dispatched to the Gucci store in Yacht

ARRESTED: Michael McCrystal CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A 24-year-old St. Thomas man was arrested on drunk driving and gun charges Friday morning, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department. Michael McCrystal of Lindbergh Bay was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Friday and charged with driving under the influence, negligent driving, possession of

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas – Tyson Foods Inc. is recalling approximately 52,486 pounds of chicken wing product that may be adulterated because of having an “off odor” scent, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The fully-cooked, buffalo-style chicken wing section item was produced on

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today $4.8 million in grants for 74 projects spanning 39 states that support the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts to connect child nutrition programs with local farmers and ranchers through its Farm to School Program. “Farm

Health’s Juan Figueroa-Serville PARAMARIBO – A new mosquito-transmitted virus called “Zika” could mean more bad news for Caribbean tourism. In response to the latest report by the Caribbean Public Health Agency of five confirmed cases of Zika virus in an unnamed Caribbean country, Grenada has heightened its disease surveillance system,