The Federal Communications Commission has revoked WSTA-FM's license because the station did not broadcast for more than a year.
"It's a matter of law," James Crutchfield, FCC spokesperson, said in Wednesday's Independent. "They couldn't meet our requirements, namely that they be on the air for 12 months."
A Dec. 8 letter from Linda Blair, chief of the FCC's Audio Services Division, to Ottley Communications, advised the company that its license expired in May.
Blair also said, "It is imperative to the safety of air navigation that (Ottley Communications) maintain the prescribed painting and illumination of its tower until it is dismantled."
Ottley Communications has 30 days to appeal the FCC ruling. Owner Athniel "Addie" Ottley told the Independent he intends to appeal.

The V.I. Police Department has joined the world of cyberspace with its own web site.
Police Commissioner Ramon S. Davila said the establishment of a web site was a continuation of the Police Department's open-door policy, according to the Independent.
The site provides 14 links to different areas, including a guest book section where visitors can leave messages.
It also has safety tips, instructions for obtaining a V.I. driver's license and advice on how to avoid car theft.
Davila said plans include providing traffic advisories, alerts of stolen vehicles and information on criminal suspects.
The site can be reached at http://www.vipd.gov.vi.

Citing the territory's fiscal crisis, Gov.-elect Charles Turnbull will trim spending for his inaugural events by 10 percent from 1994 costs, The Daily News reported Tuesday.
The 1994 ceremonies cost $124,000. Turnbull plans to spend no more than $112,000.
Celebrations begin Jan.2 on St. John with a pre-inauguration gala and ecumenical service. Those celebrations will be financed mostly through donations, according to Andrew Rutnik, St. John deputy inauguration chair.
The formal inauguration will take place Jan. 4 in St. Thomas with a parade, swearing-in ceremony, luncheon and public reception. A post-inauguration ceremony is scheduled Jan. 5 on St. Croix.

Beacon Schools is launching a program to educate teens about pregnancy prevention, anti-violence practices, developing a positive self-image and basic life skills.
As a result of a grant from the U.S. Justice Department's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program, Beacon Schools in January will initiate the national program known as TOP (V.I. Teen Outreach Program).
Dr. Valerie George, executive director of Beacon Schools, said the program is open to any junior high student, not just problem teens.
Thirteen V.I. education and social science professionals will be trained as facilitators over the Christmas break. Students' orientation will be held Jan.12.

Gov. Roy L. Schneider has cancelled children's Christmas parties on all three islands, but Gov.-elect Charles Turnbull says they will go on.
Turnbull said even during the Great Depression children had Christmas.
Turnbull called upon his supporters, businesses and the community to donate money and toys to assure the children's parties will be held.

A report completed in October by the 18-member Commission on Education recommends "sweeping hierarchical change," according to the Independent.
Citing problems ranging from insufficient operating and capital improvement budgets to low morale and chronic absenteeism, the report recommends critical changes, including:
— Transferring governing power from the Education Department to the elected Board of Education.
— Granting more internal financial control, including procurement of goods and services.
— Reforming hiring practices to let Education officials hire most personnel and do it more quickly than the current system allows.
— Requiring 180 days of instruction, exclusing staff development.
The commission report says low student standardized test scores, poor teacher and administrator morale, chronic shortages of supplies, materials and textbooks and critical Middle States accreditation reports have created a "near-crisis atmosphere," according to the Independent.
The commission's report has been delivered to outgoing Gov. Roy L. Schneider.

After three days of closely fought battles Bertrand Pacé won three straight races over a problem-plagued Peter Gilmour to become champion of the Frenchman's Reef International Match Race. Virgin Islands skipper Peter Holmberg finished fourth.
Several delays built tension, but the French team, assisted by Carlos Skov of St. Croix, sailed flawlessly from start to finish.
The second race of the finals may have demoralized Gilmour's Nippon Challenge. Nippon's poor spinnaker set gave Pacé the lead. Dropping the sail in the water gave the race away. The only positive note was that the team retrieved the delicate sail in one piece.
In a rematch of last year’s final, Chris Law took two of three races from Holmberg to finish third.
Penalties against the Virgin Islands team cost dearly in the “petit final.” In match racing a penalty requires a time-consuming 270-degree turn. Two penalties in race two gave the closely sailed race to the British.
In the last race, a penalty at the start haunted the Virgin Islands team. Holmberg, the skipper of the Virgin Islands America’s Cup Challenge, and his crew tried to build a big enough lead to overcome the mishap, lead but fell short without enough space to execute the penalty turn. Law passed across the finish a few feet ahead.

Fish and wildlife officials are asking local fishermen to help in a survey of recreational fishing activities.
The survey, which began Dec. 14 and continues through Sept. 31, 1999, is being conducted by the Planning and Natural Resources Department's fish and wildlife division through a grant from the U.S. Interior Department.
Surveyors will take information from fishermen by telephone between 6 and 9 p.m. and by personal interviews.
For information call Sheri Castau at 775-6762.

The gubernatorial transition team has been separated into clusters and is visiting government departments and agencies to talk with commissioners and employees.
The team has made progress in evaluating government departments, team leader Juel Molloy said in the Daily News.
Transition team members should wrap up their investigations by Dec, 14 and submit a preliminary report to Gov-elect Charles Turnbull on Dec. 16.
The final report should be completed by Dec. 20 and be available to the public by Dec. 28, the Daily News reported.
Molloy said the team is trying to get an accurate picture of finances so the new governor. and Lt. Governor Gerard Luz James II can take office with a clear idea of the government’s financial standing.
Some members of the transition team have indicated the financial situation is as bad or worse than expected.

Spanish guitarist Virginia Luque will be the featured artist in the Classics in the Gardens concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Tillett Gardens.
Luque is a native of Cadiz, Spain, and has been playing the classical guitar since age 7. She was a private student of the world-famous Andres Segovia.
This concert will mark the first time a classical guitarist has been featured at Classics in the Gardens.
Her romantic style combined with her beautiful sound and musicianship should make for an outstanding concert.