Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA)

Country Music Star Kenny Chesney Used To Fly With Helicopter Pilot Who Died In Crash With 3 Other People
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Country music star Kenny Chesney has identified the pilot of an ill-fated helicopter crash that left at least four people dead on Monday afternoon. Chesney said in the Facebook group “What’s Going On St. Thomas?” that he has been flying with helicopter pilot Maria Rodriguez for 15

VITEMA Launches Hotline To Schedule Vaccine Appointments
CHRISTIANSTED — During the Government House weekly press briefing VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen said there is a new hotline for people to call if you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination now. “Currently, the territory is still serving Phase 1A and Phase 1B, and as a result the 28-plus providers

Bryan Meets With FEMA To Discuss STEP Program And Hurricane Recovery Progress
CHRISTIANSTED — During the Government House weekly press briefing on Thursday, Communications Director Richard Motta said that Governor Albert Bryan met with Acting FEMA Regional Administrator David Maurstad to discuss the territory’s hurricane recovery progress, the STEP (Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power) program, and other issues. Maurstad reaffirmed FEMA’s commitment to

St. Croix Woman Is The 24th Person To Die From COVID-19 In Territory: VIDOH
CHRISTIANSTED — The Health Department said the territory’s 24th death due to COVID-19 happened over the weekend. “After further investigating cause of death and ensuring notification of next of kin, the Virgin Islands Department of Health is saddened to confirm the territory’s 24th death related to COVID-19. “The deceased is

Bryan Urges Community To Avoid Holiday Gatherings; Medical Director Says Vaccine Is Safe To Take
CHRISTIANSTED — During his weekly press briefing today, Governor Albert Bryan urged residents to scale back on holiday gatherings to try to stop the advance of the COVID-19 virus. Bryan also said that further restrictions will have to be imposed in the next few weeks — including mandating 100 percent testing at

V.I. Government Will Conduct A ‘Mock Drill’ Of Receiving Pfizer Vaccine … Before It Arrives
CHRISTIANSTED — During the Government House weekly press briefing on Monday, Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis provided some details on the distribution drill the Department of Health is conducting this week in advance of the expected arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine. Using a “mock” vaccine, the Department of Health drill involves

Oil Spill Reported At Limetree Bay Refinery Due To Intense Rains From Tropical Storm Laura
CHRISTIANSTED — After experiencing very heavy rainfall in a short period of time due to the passing of Tropical Storm Laura, the storm water handling pumps at the Limetree Bay Refinery failed early this morning, the South Shore refinery said in a prepared statement. This resulted in an overflow from

‘Blue Skies’ Sand Bags Will Be Made Available Beginning This Week At Public Works, Fire Stations: VITEMA Says
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) is announcing that sandbags and sand will be distributed territory-wide on Thursday August 13. The bags will also be made available to residents whose property is susceptible to flooding on Tuesday August 18. “Normally, we issue sandbags and sand only

Bryan Asks USVI To Prepare For Tropical Cyclone Nine As If It Were A Real Storm
CHRISTIANSTED — During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. urged residents to stay vigilant and prepare for the weather system approaching the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico that is expected to become a tropical storm at some point today. “I know that this is an incredibly

Bryan Extends Moratorium On Evictions For 1 Month, Confirms 7th COVID-19 Death
CHRISTIANSTED — During his weekly press briefing this afternoon, Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. made a number of announcements, including the activation of the Department of Tourism online portal for passengers arriving in the territory; noting the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)l nominating two prosecutors for the Virgin