St. John TW

Hours after U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm toured the Randolph Harley Power Plant, the island of St. Thomas plunged into another island-wide blackout, starkly underscoring the urgent and critical energy crisis gripping the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hosted by Delegate Stacey Plaskett, Granholm's visit was meant to address the power issues but instead highlighted the severity of the territory's energy problems.

One of the largest agencies in the V.I. government took its turn before the 35th Legislature Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on Tuesday. The team from the Human Services Department and Commissioner Averil George gave a detailed presentation defending their fiscal year 2025 budget request of $68.3 million.

The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, prompted Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach to call for unity and action against political violence during the weekly media briefing on Monday.

A long-awaited roadmap for development and preservation of the territory’s land and water could be a reality before the end of the calendar year, officials told the Senate’s Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Monday.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm will visit the territory for the first time on Tuesday to address issues surrounding the escalating energy crisis and frequent power outages. Amid a declared energy state of emergency, Granholm will meet with V.I. Water and Power Authority officials, tour the Harley Power Plant and engage with community stakeholders to discuss solutions and federal support.

Greetings to all St. John residents and visitors. We have great news to share with you. St. John Rescue has just been certified as a training center with the National Association of EMTs (NREMT).

The non-profit organization the Hawksbill Project concluded its two-week study of the hawksbill turtle keystone species on St. John on Friday. Marking the second year in a row of data collection, this vital research project led by Scott Eanes, founder of the Hawksbill Project, continues to shed light on the lives of these critically endangered creatures, offering promising data for conservation efforts.

At Thursday's hearing of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, the director of the V.I. Housing Finance Authority announced he expected to receive a check for $100 million on Thursday and $45 million on Friday from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development to reimburse the V.I. government for covering the V.I. Water and Power Authority’s obligation for fuel and propane terminal facilities.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, all small businesses hoping to operate within the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John will have to apply for their permits online and follow “new” federal guidelines, according to park officials.

At the Mango Melee event hosted by St. George's Botanical Gardens on Sunday, representatives from Viya, Reef Responsible, and Virgin Islands Good Food unveiled the cover of the 2024-2025 Viya V.I. Telephone Directory.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach announced support for islands affected by destructive Hurricane Beryl. The administration is seeking funds from the 35th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands and has urged residents in the territory to donate to relief efforts.

Cannabis regulators hope to start accepting applications from businesses hoping to legally sell cannabis products in the U.S. Virgin Islands by September, officials said Tuesday.

Regular beachgoers in the Virgin Islands have noticed that the water temperatures are unusually high for early July, and although this might be pleasing to swimmers and water sports enthusiasts, it’s bad news for corals.

Support the Concert for Cade fundraiser and silent auction at Tillett Garden on Saturday, July 20, starting at 6:30 pm.

Watch Now: Check out our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, July 7, through Saturday, July 13

V.I. Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett has filed notice that she will seek sanctions against the attorney representing six victims of Jeffrey Epstein in a lawsuit naming her, the V.I. government and other territory officials, saying the claims against her amount to “outright untruth, fiction, and misrepresentation.”

Grenada has activated its Disaster Relief Fund following the significant devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, which hit the tri-island state as a Category 4 storm on Monday, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States announced on Friday.

Thursday marked the beginning of the end of a spectacular event that has been the heartbeat of St. John for the past week: the 70th Celebration Anniversary. The streets were alive with the rhythmic beats and vibrant energy that only a Caribbean carnival can bring. At 11 a.m., the music from the truck started, setting the stage for a day filled with joy, tradition, and unity.

Emancipation Day, celebrating the 1848 declaration “All unfree in the Danish West Indies Islands are from today emancipated,” is a day to reflect, to honor ancestors, including Pam Richards, who recently passed, and a day to sing, dance, drum, and teach.

The St. John community used the annual Emancipation Day performance to honor a woman who served as mistress of ceremonies over the past six years. Former Tourism Commissioner and Legislative Director Pamela Richards-Samuel died in Cruz Bay May 23 after a lengthy illness.