The Virgin Islands Port Authority has reopened its brand new, larger, and improved south tender landing service pier at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility in Frederiksted, St. Croix today. This upgrade will improve the experience for local operators using the pier and for visitors arriving at the island’s cruise port.
This upgrade will improve the experience for local operators using the pier and for visitors arriving at the island’s cruise port. (Submitted photo)
The pier, which was previously damaged during the 2017 hurricanes, has been rebuilt as a stronger structure measuring 80 feet long and 50 feet wide. It now provides access for tour providers, divers and snorkelers, cruise tenders, and excursion boats. Eleven Construction was awarded the contract to rebuild the south tender landing pier. The project was funded by a $2.5 million appropriation from the USVI Legislature at the request of Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
Although construction began in 2023, it was delayed by shipping issues with materials and drilling equipment, and it was completed in February 2026.
VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe thanked the public and users of the pier for their patience during the reconstruction period.
The Abramson Marine Facility now features operational north and south tender landing piers. The north tender pier was previously open to the public, with fees waived during the reconstruction of the south pier.
Now that both piers are operational, the standard docking fee for non-commercial small crafts will be reinstated at $3 per foot per day, effective April 6, 2026.
To request docking at these tender landing piers, please contact the VIPA marine manager’s office at (340) 778-3131.
Virgin Islands History Month 2026 invites educators and students to examine heroism through disciplined research grounded in local history, environmental science, and cultural preservation. While students are familiar with superheroes from comics and film, this year’s theme challenges classrooms to investigate how real individuals across the Virgin Islands demonstrate courage, expertise, and responsibility through their daily work.
Students will research real Virgin Islands heroes, past or present, and transform their stories into original comic-style illustrations, short graphic narratives, or character designs. (Submitted drawing)
Heroes come in many forms: Construction professionals restoring the territory’s infrastructure, vernacular family homes, and historical spaces; genealogists preserving lineage; teachers shaping intellectual growth; marine stewards protecting coral systems; fishermen sustaining food traditions; and archivists safeguarding Danish West Indies records all contribute to the strength and continuity of our community.
Virgin Islands History Month “We can Be Heroes” Competitions
Helping students recognize real Virgin Islands heroes, past and present.
Real people. Real History. Heroes like us.
Comic Book-styled Superhero Project Competition:
Students will research real Virgin Islands heroes, past or present, and transform their stories into original comic-style illustrations, short graphic narratives, or character designs.
Each submission must:
Be rooted in real research
Highlight contributions in Built Heritage, Genealogy, or Environment
Visually present the subject as a superhero grounded in real life
Teacher Door Challenge:
Teachers are invited to transform their classroom doors into visual tributes that embody this year’s theme: We Can Be Heroes.”
Doors may feature:
Local heroes past and present
Student-created comic artwork
Genealogical research highlights
Built heritage or environmental stewards
Environmental Research & Field Inquiry Projects
Students will engage in hands-on environmental investigation rooted in the Virgin Islands.
Projects may include:
Marine stewardship research
Coral reef studies
Coastal Communication
Oral histories with fisherman or environmental professionals
Data collection and community reporting
Submission Deadlines: April 17, 2026
Through structured inquiry, students will analyze evidence, interpret historical and scientific information, and construct well-supported narratives that document these contributions. By connecting literacy, preservation, and environmental study, the 2026 theme positions heroism as something that can be researched, measured, and understood within real community contexts, demonstrating that the qualities often associated with fictional heroes are already present in the lived experiences of Virgin Islanders past and present.
The press release accompanying the filing also states that Brett “Mac” McClafferty has recused himself from the day-to-day operations of Social Hospitality Group and its properties while the related legal matters remain pending. (Source file photo)
The operator of St. Thomas Social and one of its owners have filed a $10 million lawsuit against Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and its parent company, alleging the bank’s actions led to the arrest of local business owner Brett “Mac” McClafferty late last month.
The complaint, filed Wednesday in Superior Court by Social Hospitality Group Inc., operator of St. Thomas Social, accuses Banco Popular and Popular Inc. of negligence, defamation, abuse of process, false arrest and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit claims the bank wrongly reported fraudulent banking activity connected to checks deposited into the company’s account, which ultimately led to felony charges against McClafferty.
According to the filing, the dispute traces back to late 2023 after Social Hospitality Group opened business accounts at Banco Popular. Around that time, the company says an associate of the business, Dino Toscani, connected the restaurant with a man identified in the lawsuit only as “Pemberton,” who was seeking to host a multiday “medical symposium” at St. Thomas Social. A $40,000 check tied to the proposed event was deposited by the restaurant’s former general manager and initially accepted by the bank before later being returned.
The complaint alleges that when the check was returned, a bank officer contacted McClafferty but did not say the check was fraudulent. Instead, the lawsuit states that the bank advised the business to obtain a replacement check from Pemberton. According to the filing, Toscani — who the complaint describes as communicating with Pemberton on behalf of the restaurant — later obtained another check from the same source, which was deposited and also returned. The bank eventually advised the business to stop accepting checks from Pemberton and seek another form of payment, the complaint states. The event never took place after Pemberton died unexpectedly on St. Croix.
A first name is not provided in the suit for the individual identified as “Pemberton.” Public records show that St. Croix radio broadcaster Hugh Pemberton died in 2024, around the same time the events described in the lawsuit took place.
The lawsuit alleges that months later, the bank accused the plaintiffs of knowingly depositing fraudulent checks and reported the matter to police, claiming losses of more than $80,000. The complaint contends that the bank continued maintaining the company’s accounts for months after the transactions before filing the report that led to the criminal case.
Those allegations eventually resulted in felony charges against McClafferty. As previously reported by the Virgin Islands Source, he was arrested Feb. 21 after officers executed a warrant at his residence. Prosecutors charged him with grand larceny, passing or possessing forged bills, obtaining money by false pretenses, making and passing fictitious bills and delivering worthless checks. The charges remain pending following his advice of rights hearing and bail determination in Superior Court.
The civil complaint describes the arrest as a “no-knock” entry carried out early in the morning, alleging that officers forced entry into the residence, detained McClafferty and his girlfriend, Dominique Carty, and conducted a search before taking him into custody. The filing states that McClafferty remained handcuffed for several hours and was transported to Schneider Regional Medical Center before being processed.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue the bank failed to properly investigate the deposits, maintain accurate records of who made the transactions, or follow internal safeguards before reporting alleged fraud to police. The complaint also alleges that the bank’s handling of the matter wrongly tied the deposits to McClafferty, even though employees or other associates routinely made deposits on behalf of the business.
In addition to claims of negligence and false arrest, the lawsuit includes allegations that the bank’s actions damaged the reputation and business prospects of Social Hospitality Group, which operates St. Thomas Social. The filing claims the arrest and prosecution disrupted business operations and contributed to lost opportunities, including planned expansion efforts and private event bookings.
The complaint also contains allegations regarding communications surrounding the criminal investigation. The filing references what it describes as a relationship between the plaintiffs and Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., and claims the charges were pursued in part to embarrass the governor.
The complaint further alleges that a former female Virgin Islands senator, a female member of the VIPD Economic Crimes Unit, and a bank officer communicated via WhatsApp in connection with the investigation and the sealed arrest warrant. According to the filing, those communications occurred outside normal law enforcement channels; however, those allegations have not been tested in court.
The lawsuit seeks at least $10 million in damages, along with compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and other costs. In a statement accompanying the filing, representatives of Social Hospitality Group said the action was intended to address what they described as improper banking practices and to prevent similar situations affecting other Virgin Islands businesses.
The press release accompanying the lawsuit also noted that McClafferty has recused himself from the day-to-day operations of Social Hospitality Group and its properties while the related legal matters remain pending.
Banco Popular had not publicly responded to the lawsuit as of Wednesday. Meanwhile, the criminal charges against McClafferty remain pending in Superior Court.
Thirteen Virgin Islands taxi medallions missing in 2005 remain missing, according to a new report by the Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General. (Photo courtesy the Virgin Islands Inspector General)
An Inspector General’s report issued Wednesday found missing taxi medallions, misplaced money, and broad failure to follow established procedure at the Virgin Islands’ long-troubled Taxicab Commission.
The report, compiled by Virgin Islands Inspector General Delia M. Thomas, covers operations at the commission from 2018 to 2022. Inspectors found multiple problems at the Taxicab Commission:
It did not responsibly maintain accurate medallion registries and implement biannual inspections of taxis.
It did not follow established rules and regulations for medallions auctioned.
It did not approve the issuance of taxi licenses in accordance with established laws, rules, and regulations.
It failed to appropriately safeguard and account for revenue collections.
Commission officials did not safeguard the physical condition of all medallion registries or even keep complete and accurate medallion registry records.
The commission did not always ensure that medallion owners’ files contained required documents
It failed to ensure all its medallions were accounted for.
It accepted late payments from two customers for medallions sold at auctions and allowed two medallion bid winners to pay less than the 10% required.
The commission also did not return an extra $200 that a customer overpaid for a medallion.
It issued certificate of entitlements and medallions to nine auction buyers up to seven months late.
It approved taxi licenses for 10 applicants who did not meet the exam requirements.
It did not conduct routine taxi patrols.
Commission officials deposited $44,622 in revenue collections late and, separately, posted $258,342 in other cash revenue collections late.
It regularly failed to report revenue to the government’s Enterprise Resource Planning system, which keeps track of collections — not reporting $54,811 from medallion sales and bungling reports for another $18,587 in cash payments.
The alleged mismanagement resulted in lost records and revenue, potentially unfair medallion auctions and taxi drivers, potentially unsafe vehicles, and general confusion.
Information about medallions was at risk of being lost and could not be verified independently, the report said. Thirteen unsold medallions were unaccounted for, potentially missing since at least 2005.
Some taxi operators did not meet the minimum requirements needed for a taxi operator’s license. Still, the commission granted taxi driver’s licenses to seven applicants who failed the written exam and to three other applicants for whom there is no evidence that they took the written exam.
In all, from 2018 to 2022, the commission lost at least $170,310 in revenue by not collecting vehicle inspection fees and took in 94% less in fines from citations issued each year, according to the report.
What money the commission did collect was not adequately accounted for, hindered by late deposits and government reporting postings, “thereby increasing the risk of mismanagement of government funds,” the report said.
The Taxicab Commission had not been audited since 2005, the report said. In that audit, a quarter century ago, inspectors found 13 missing medallions, misuse of commission funds, and failure to maintain accurate records, among other instances of mismanagement.
The audit released Wednesday found the Taxicab Commission had not made significant improvements in the 26 years since the last audit despite a 14-year effort to digitize its records.
Many records at the Taxicab Commission remain in decrepit, mildewed tombs despite a 14-year digitization effort, according to a new report by the Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General. (Photo courtesy the Virgin Islands Inspector General)
Taxi drivers are often hailed as the gateway to the Virgin Islands’ tourism-dependent economy, as they are often one of the first people visitors encounter. Source reporters have privately heard top cruise officials grouse, however, that taxis were the number-one complaint from cruise line visitors about the territory.
Taxi drivers have also expressed exasperation with the taxi commission, saying haphazard management has hindered legal operations and pushed some drivers into running gypsy cabs.
The audit report attributed troubles at the commission to failures in basic function and oversight, including not updating registry records promptly to reflect changes in medallion status, not maintaining medallion owners’ files and the medallion inventory, not looking after medallion sales and transfers, deviating from guidelines for medallions sold at auctions, bypassing requirements to ensure taxi operators met minimum standards, not addressing or resolving the long-standing issue of taxi operators’ contention with the biannual vehicle inspections, and failing in revenue collections.
“Also, the commission is severely understaffed,” the report said.
Recommendations in the inspector general’s report covered record keeping, equal application of rules around medallion auctions, and consulting with law enforcement if taxi license holders are found in violation.
The report also recommended inspecting vehicles biannually and considering conducting annual or semiannual inspections. The commission should also consider adequately staffing its inspection unit and, when possible, conduct spot field inspections “to ensure the safety of passengers and the public.”
Inspectors said the commission’s executive director should establish revenue control policies or formally adopt and follow the Finance Department’s recommendations. The commission should also implement adequate internal controls and oversight of revenue collections, ensure all collectors are appropriately trained in their duties and responsibilities, and verify that all forms of payment are clearly identified on receipts. All collection discrepancies should be reviewed and investigated to minimize instances of fraud, the report suggested.
Commission Executive Director Melissa Smith responded to the report, saying the commission was “undergoing a period of significant transition and rebuilding,” and was actively seeking to fill critical vacancies.
Smith said the commission followed U.S. Virgin Islands Standard Operating Policies and Procedures. She said funding was the “critical obstacle to implementing several recommended system improvements, particularly the modernization of the medallion registry and enforcement operations.”
She wrote: “Without adequate financial resources, the commission must prioritize the most immediate corrective measures while seeking additional funding avenues.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include candidates from additional schools and will be updated again as more information from St. Croix becomes available.
V.I. seniors — Tanmay Totwani of Antilles School, Zia Zucker of the Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy, and Dax Chouiniere of the Gifft Hill School— are among those named as candidates for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, placing them among thousands of high-achieving students nationwide invited to apply for one of the country’s highest honors for graduating seniors.
Established in 1964, the program recognizes students not only for exceptional SAT or ACT performance but also for leadership, service, academic achievement, character and artistic accomplishment. Candidates now submit essays, transcripts, recommendations and records of their activities before a national review panel selects semifinalists, with up to 161 scholars ultimately chosen.
Tanmay Towtani (submitted photo)
At Antilles, Head of School Shannon Harris said Totwani’s recognition reflects the curiosity and commitment he has shown throughout his time on campus. “At Antilles, we encourage students to explore widely and take ownership of their learning. Tanmay has truly embraced that journey — investing deeply in his passions, challenging himself academically, and, perhaps most meaningfully, sharing his knowledge with others. His growth has also been nurtured by a strong circle of support — from his family and from the teachers who have guided and stretched him along the way. We are incredibly proud of Tanmay and congratulate him on this well-earned recognition.”
Totwani said he was both surprised and excited to learn he had been named a candidate. At Antilles, he has immersed himself in music — performing, creating and recently taking the stage with the school’s jazz band — while also spending time working with younger students to help them understand new concepts. That experience, he said, has reshaped how he approaches his own learning.
“I really enjoy teaching other people things,” Totwani said. “It helps me understand it better because I have to think about it in a new light — from their perspective. And I just feel good helping other people learn.”
As he prepares his application essays, Totwani said he is reflecting less on accolades and more on the experiences that shaped his time at Antilles — friendships built through music, mentoring younger students and the quiet work of leadership. His advice to younger students is simple: “Find things you’re passionate about and use that passion to carry you through the things you might not be as excited about.”
At V.I. Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy, Head of School Gloria Arpasi said Zucker’s recognition reflects years of determination and growth as a student.
Zia Zucker (submitted photo)
“It has been my esteemed honor to watch Zia Zucker grow from a young, curious Montessori child to a beaming, mature, capable, and motivated International Baccalaureate graduate. The indelible impact that she will have on our community, both locally and internationally, will be inked with kindness, compassion and undaunted problem solving. She is the type of young Virgin Island leader who leaves us feeling proud, confident and optimistic for the future ahead. Zia’s incredible achievements did not come easily. It took years of determination and hard work, including the resilience and motivation she needed to make the two-hour trek to school every morning from the east end of St. John. Zia fills us with pride, and we are so excited to see where she goes from here.”
Zucker said many of her proudest accomplishments center on creating opportunities for other students in the territory. She helped partner to host and chair an interscholastic Model United Nations conference on island for students unable to attend off-island events, cofounded her school’s Mu Alpha Theta chapter to provide tutoring support and volunteers with CoCoRaHS, which partners with NOAA to collect citizen weather data. She also serves as co-captain of her school’s sailing team.
Looking back, Zucker said her sister helped shape her path, along with the daily commute between the East End of St. John and St. Thomas. “I was definitely a bit shocked when I learned that I was a candidate, but I’m of course super grateful for this opportunity,” Zucker said. “Regardless of if I advance, I’m incredibly proud of my fellow candidates and wish them all the very best.”
Dax Chouiniere (submitted photo)
At Gifft Hill School on St. John, Head of School Liz Kinsella said Chouiniere’s selection reflects the qualities he has demonstrated throughout his academic career.
“Dax’s selection as a Presidential Scholar candidate is a reflection of the curiosity, integrity, and dedication he brings to his academics,” Kinsella said. “It’s been a privilege to see him embrace the challenges of our academic program and make the most of the opportunities and support that we offer. We are so proud of the way he represents the GHS community, and we look forward to seeing the impact he will continue to make beyond graduation.”
Chouiniere said he was surprised to learn he had been named a candidate, calling the recognition both humbling and motivating.
“I’m proud of my academic achievements throughout my academic career,” Chouiniere said. “I’ve always chased extra rigor and knowledge.”
He is also active in his school community, serving as a member of the National Honor Society and GHS’s Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability Club, and previously participating in student council while chairing his class’s Senior Trip fundraising board.
Outside the classroom, Chouiniere said one of the experiences he values most has been his involvement with the Love City Pan Dragons. He joined the group in 2017 and now serves as tenor section leader.
“The band has grown tremendously, and it’s been wonderful to be a part of that growth,” he said. “I deeply appreciate all the experience, friends, and knowledge the Pan Dragons has given me, and I feel that music is a very important complement to education.”
Looking back on his path, Chouiniere said attending Gifft Hill School since early childhood has played a defining role in shaping his interests and goals.
“Gifft Hill has helped me tailor my education to what interests me most and has provided extraordinary opportunities I don’t think I could get anywhere else,” he said. “The teachers at GHS have helped me to a great extent, taking the extra time to ensure I understand and will succeed, even for matters outside of the classroom.”
Chouiniere said seeing his name listed alongside other top seniors across the Virgin Islands and the mainland United States has been a meaningful moment.
“Seeing my name placed among other top seniors from the Virgin Islands and the continental U.S. is both humbling and deeply motivating,” he said. “I wish all the other candidates the best as we move through the selection process.”
Applications for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program are reviewed this spring by a national panel of educators, who will select approximately 600 semifinalists. The Commission on Presidential Scholars will then choose up to 161 students to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion, with final selections announced by the U.S. Department of Education later this year.
Ryan Branch, one of two men charged with killing Milton Gordon in 2023, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. (Shutterstock image)
A V.I. Superior Court judge sentenced Ryan Branch, 21, to 30 years in prison Wednesday for his role in the 2023 killing of Milton Gordon, an unhoused veteran who many in Christiansted knew as “Bobo.”
Branch was one of two men arrested after police said they lured Gordon with promises of a handout before gunning him down on Company Street in Christiansted. Weeks later, Branch was airlifted off-island after he and Elijah Spencer, then 21, were involved in a car accident. Spencer was arrested and charged with Gordon’s murder in May 2023, and Branch was formally charged after his return to the territory in February 2024.
In January, Branch pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, which carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison. The 30-year sentence handed down by Judge Venetia Harvey Velazquez Wednesday was in line with prosecutors’ recommendation. Branch’s attorney, Dwayne Henry, told the Source that he sympathized with Gordon and that he hoped Branch, who could be eligible for parole in 15 years, will have a chance at rehabilitation.
“It’s just a really bad tragedy when you have young people like this doing things like this,” he said.
The case against Spencer has not yet gone to trial, and since being released to a third-party custodian in 2023, he has been charged with additional crimes, including attempted murder and possessing unlicensed guns and ammunition. The former charge came after Spencer allegedly fired at a car following an argument outside the Front Line nightclub in April. In June, he and his father, Tony Elizee, were arrested and detectives recovered loaded firearms in a search of their residence. Both were placed in the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility after being unable to make bail.
In November, Judge Ernest Morris Jr. granted a request from Spencer’s attorney, Ann Cecile O’Neill, for a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation found that Spencer was unfit to stand trial, and Morris ordered the V.I. Health Department’s Division of Behavioral Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency to place Spencer in a suitable inpatient treatment facility. Assistant Attorney General Robert Pickett told the court last week that he was in line to be transferred to the Larkin Behavioral Health facility in Florida, according to court documents.
Mackiesh Taylor Jones, head coach Stephan De Four, and team captain Naya Vialva speak at a press conference at the Bethlehem Soccer Field ahead of Thursday’s matchup with Puerto Rico. (Screenshot of livestream from the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation)
The U.S. Virgin Islands Women’s National Team is stepping confidently into its next challenge as the Lady Dashing Eagles prepare to face Puerto Rico in a high-stakes CONCACAF World Cup qualifying matchup on Thursday.
The Lady Dashing Eagles have officially touched down on St. Croix and opened local training camp, locking in their focus ahead of Thursday’s match at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m., and the team is encouraging the community to pack the stands and create a true home-field atmosphere. Children 17 and younger will receive free admission, and tickets are available here.
At a press conference on Wednesday evening, the team addressed its recent opening-match victory, with the coaching staff emphasizing that the confidence within the squad is real but measured.
“We take every game, game by game,” said head coach Stephan De Four. “That first match is behind us. Now we prepare differently for a different opponent.”
He emphasized that winning the opening game was critical, not just for points, but for belief.
“That’s what we wanted. We worked toward that. Winning the first game sends a message that we can do this. It builds confidence in the team’s mind. It sets the tone.”
Still, he made it clear there is no room for complacency.
“All opponents are tough until the final whistle blows and you secure the three points. We approach every match like it’s a battle,” De Four said.
Puerto Rico presents a significant test. The coaching staff has spent hours studying film, breaking down tendencies, identifying dangerous players, and pinpointing areas that can be exploited.
“They are organized. They’re technical,” De Four said. “But we know what we have. We have speed across the team, and we plan to use that to our advantage.”
Preparation has gone beyond tactics. The team has placed heavy emphasis on the mental side of the game, even bringing in a sports psychologist to help sharpen focus and strengthen mindset heading into what the coach described as their toughest challenge so far.
“This game will measure where we are as a team,” De Four said. “For the time and work we’ve put into building this group from different camps, this is the match that tells us what level we’re ready for. I believe in this team. I think we’re ready. Let’s see.”
Playing at home adds another layer of motivation.
“This is our living room,” De Four said. “Nobody comes into your living room and rearranges your furniture. You protect your house.”
He referred to the home field as “holy ground” and urged fans to come out and support the squad as they defend their turf.
Team captain Naya Vialva echoed that confidence, emphasizing the power of mindset.
“You have to speak it into existence,” she said. “Not ‘if’ we win, but when we win. That’s the mindset.”
She described the team in one word: relentless.
“We don’t give up. We cheer each other on. We fight.”
Training intensity has matched the moment, she added, noting that expectations are high at the national level.
“This is the national team. Everyone has brought intensity. If one player drops, the rest lift her up.”
While Puerto Rico may field more professional players, Vialva believes heart and hunger matter just as much.
“They may have more technical experience. They play professionally. But we want it more,” she said. “Our girls wake up, go to work or school, and still put in extra work. It’s mental, physical, spiritual — everything.”
The U.S. Virgin Islands Women’s National Team, the Lady Dashing Eagles. (Photo courtesy the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation)
Mental preparation has been key. Players described visualization, gratitude, prayer, journaling, and constant communication as part of their routine. Even with time differences, the team holds regular Zoom calls to maintain cohesion and connection.
“I tell myself over and over — I can do this,” said vice-captain Mackiesh Taylor Jones. “Even if you have the skills, the mental part can break you.”
When asked what message they have for young girls watching, the answer was simple: possibility.
“It’s possible to be here,” Jones said. “We’re paving the way.”
As part of the official CONCACAF qualification structure for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, matches like Thursday’s determine which teams advance to later rounds, where regional powerhouses eventually enter the competition. De Four noted that competing at this level requires planning, federation support, and detailed preparation.
“If you don’t prepare properly, you’ll get smacked,” he said candidly. “We’ve done the work.”
Is this a statement game?
“Definitely,” he said. “This game tells us where we are.”
The confidence is there. The preparation is in place. Now, the Lady Dashing Eagles will look to defend home soil and represent the U.S. Virgin Islands with pride.
The U.S. Virgin Islands launched Text-to-911 service in April 2025, allowing residents to contact emergency services by text when a voice call is not possible. (Shutterstock image)
The Territorial Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the Office of the Territorial ADA coordinator, will host two educational sessions on Text-to-911 for members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, their families, caregivers, and advocates.
The St. Thomas session will take place on Thursday, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Schneider Regional Medical Center Boardroom. The details of the St. Croix session will be announced in the coming weeks.
Text-to-911 is an emergency service that allows individuals to contact emergency services by sending a text message to 911 when a voice call is not possible. This service provides critical access for those who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, have a speech disability, or find themselves in situations where speaking aloud could put them at risk.
While voice calls remain the fastest way to reach emergency services, Text-to-911 is an essential alternative for people who are in the Deaf or Hard of Hearing community, people experiencing a medical emergency that renders them unable to speak, when speaking aloud would compromise safety, and when you are in an area with poor cell voice service but can send text messages.
The U.S. Virgin Islands launched Text-to-911 service in April 2025. These training sessions represent a second round of awareness efforts specifically for the Deaf community to ensure knowledge of this vital utility.
“For Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing individuals, traditional 911 access has historically depended on older technologies like TTY or relay services, which can be slow and unreliable during emergencies. The Deaf community is encouraged to know that this option exists because it provides a direct way to communicate emergency incidents and empowers them to effectively take greater control of their own safety,” said Julien Henley, Sr. the Territorial ADA coordinator.
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided at both sessions. For those unable to attend in person, virtual access will be available via Microsoft Teams by clicking here.
Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged for both in-person and virtual attendance. To RSVP, request transportation, obtain virtual access information, or learn more about the event, contact 340-473-1848 or ada@go.vi.gov.
For additional information about Text-to-911 services in the U.S. Virgin Islands, click here.
Community members are invited to discuss the territory’s future at TheFuture’s “Meet the Founders” event on St. John, where residents can meet organizers, learn about the initiative’s platform, and discuss priorities such as energy reliability, housing, health care, and education. (Shutterstock image)
Community members are invited to attend TheFuture’s St. John “Meet the Founders” event on Thursday, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at P&P’s By The Sea.
TheFuture describes itself per its website as a “community-rooted, ethics-first unified slate of candidates committed to delivering honest government, economic dignity, and a resilient Virgin Islands for all generations.” The civic initiative was formed in response to what its founders describe as years of watching the territory struggle with broken systems and empty promises across critical areas, including health care, housing, and the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority.
The organization operates with strategic oversight and public accountability from an advisory board of respected Virgin Islanders, which works to keep the slate aligned with the people’s priorities. Its stated mission is to cultivate “a new generation of leadership” for the territory.
TheFuture’s platform addresses several key issues facing the Virgin Islands, including WAPA and energy grid reliability, affordable housing, education reform, economic dignity, health care access, and climate resilience.
The gathering offers an opportunity for residents to meet the Virgin Islanders behind TheFuture. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet founders Delegate Rudel Hodge, Hadiya Sewer, and Delegate Imani Daniel, learn more about TheFuture’s work and explore ways to support efforts to cultivate the next generation of leadership in the Virgin Islands.
TheFuture’s broader membership includes Genevieve Whitaker, T.K. Petersen, Sommer Sibilly-Brown, Shani DeWindt, and other community leaders committed to strengthening public leadership across the territory.
The event is open to the public. Community members interested in learning more about TheFuture or getting more involved are encouraged to attend. For more information about TheFuture and its work, or to share your story as part of their effort to “build a collective story of the people’s priorities,” visit www.thefuturevi.org.
Registration for this event is encouraged. Click here to register.
Vendors operating in and around cultural events are invited to attend a microfinance workshop on St. Thomas, Monday, March 9. (Submitted photo)
The University of the Virgin Islands invites small business operators to a microloan workshop on Monday, March 9 on the St. Thomas campus.
An organizer working with the RT Park Community Impact Fund says enterprises supporting V.I. culture attending the workshop can hear about a program designed to help those taking part in Carnival 2026.
Impact Fund Executive Director Patricia Morris says the Monday workshop is the second outreach of its kind, building on the success experienced with vendors operating during St. Croix’s Crucian Christmas Festival. “We were established primarily to provide business loans for local entrepreneurs, local microenterprise owners and small business owners,” Morris said.
About 40 festival vendors attended the first workshop on St. Croix; many of those applicants were booth operators in Festival Village, but the director said all product and service providers are welcome to apply for financing from $2,500 to $15,000. Many recipients of Crucian Christmas Festival loans used their funds to buy inventory to stock the booths with food and beverages. Others used the loans to replace or upgrade equipment.
“There were a couple who were also requesting the funding … to be able to upgrade their booth (sic) in terms of their structure,” Morris said.
The Community Impact Fund was established in 2021 with the intent of giving entrepreneurs who may have otherwise been considered ineligible a chance to access credit. Those operators who have established credit histories for themselves are also invited to attend the March 9 presentation at the 13D Innovation Center, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The practice of offering small, short-term, low-interest loans began appearing in parts of the world as early as the 19th Century. Microfinance systems set up in the 21st Century have been described as tools to fight poverty. Researchers looking at the success and shortfalls of existing systems published studies of systems in India and Ghana.
Virgin Islands communities are probably familiar with the concept through participation in sou-sou clubs (also called partner hands), which are also popular in West Africa, she said.
The Impact Fund director said she had gained knowledge about the systems by working abroad. “Part of the work that I did before coming back home — because I’m from St. Croix — (sic) I did national development work and I worked with a few organizations that did have microfinance institutions in sub-Saharan Africa, in Eastern Europe, in Afghanistan,” Morris said.
A representative from the Tourism Department Division of Festivals is expected to deliver remarks at the event. Tourism Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King appeared at the first workshop on St. Croix.
