Hundreds of mourners filled the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay Saturday to remember the life of Capt. Clifton Ashley Boynes. Boynes — a former vocational teacher and military veteran — joined his family doing business in the marine transportation industry and later started his own ferry services.
Boynes was 83 years old at the time of his death at the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital on Dec. 15, 2025. Funeral services took place steps away from the Cruz Bay ferry terminal, named after Loredon Lorence Boynes, his father.
The Boynes family, alongside the family of the late St. John business owner Rodney Varlack, pioneered ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John starting in the 1960s. Dozens of boat captains donned their formal dress uniforms to honor the man many viewed as a relative and a mentor.
His duties as operations manager once led to controversy, as Boynes became the subject of a federal trial in the mid 1990s, accused of polluting Cruz Bay Harbor. The case ended in an acquittal.
On the evening after the last rites, daughter Laurie Boynes spoke about a stern but loving father who shared his love of the sea with those who meant the most to him. “He taught many captains — Camile Parris, the former administrator; Clifton Boynes, Jr — his son, Calvin Thomas. My dad’s legacy and history is deeply rooted on St. John,” she said.
And although she was too young to study for her captain’s license, two-year-old granddaughter Chardonnay was also welcomed aboard, Laurie said. The daughter told the story of a toddler who insisted she could go along for the ride.
“Can she go to the bathroom by herself?” the grandfather asked. When told that she could, Boynes told his daughter, “Well, then put on her shoes — let’s go.”
The pair became regular partners at sea, Laurie said, and the child would be upset on the days when she could not go.
Ashley worked for Transportation Services — the family business — from the 1970s until 2004, and founded Inter Island Ferry Service in 1981. When failing health set in, family members stepped in to run the business.
And in his final days, the captain grew less talkative, Laurie said, but when he did speak, he told stories of his days at sea, “and he talked about his involvement in the marine industry.”
A satellite-based map of sargassum observed in December 2025. Darker red areas indicate higher concentrations. The University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab reported large sargassum masses in both the western and eastern Atlantic. (Photo courtesy University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab)
Sargassum levels across the Atlantic and Caribbean jumped sharply in December 2025, a wintertime surge that could set the stage for another major sargassum year in 2026. Unusually early beaching events are already possible in parts of the region, according to a recent report from the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab.
“Compared to November 2025, a substantially increased sargassum amount was found in every region except the Gulf,” USF said. “In particular, the sharp increases in the eastern Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic led to record-high sargassum in December. The western Caribbean Sea also saw rapid increases, although the absolute amount was still low,” USF continued.
Why the December Increase Matters
For the U.S. Virgin Islands, the update is a notable early warning. USF researchers said that the seaweed will likely continue to increase, potentially leading to beaching events in parts of the Lesser Antilles in the coming months.
In the December bulletin, USF researchers noted that the Atlantic currently contains two separated large masses of algae — one in the western Atlantic and one in the eastern Atlantic — both attributed to local growth.
“The most striking result is that there are two separated large masses in the western and eastern Atlantic, both due to local growth and thus contributing to the record-high sargassum amount in December for the entire Atlantic,” USF explained.
USF also cautioned that some beaching may already have occurred, calling that timing “unusual” for this time of year and adding that early beaching could continue in the months ahead.
“Although the amount of sargassum in the Gulf will remain negligible, sargassum in the Caribbean will likely continue to grow, leading to beaching events along the Mexican Caribbean coast and some of the Lesser Antilles islands,” USF warned.
“Some beaching events may already have occurred. Such early beaching events are unusual but will likely continue in the coming months. Because of the rapid growth from November to December 2025 and because of the high sargassum amount in most regions, 2026 is likely to be another major sargassum year, with sargassum amounts possibly exceeding 75% of the historical values,” stated USF.
USF Researcher’s Perspective
The Source connected with Brian Barnes, an assistant research professor at USF, who provided additional information about the increase in sargassum and what it might mean for the USVI.
Barnes explained that, while the amount of seaweed reached record highs in December, the risk of beaching events across the USVI is still limited.
“The risk of near-term beaching events is still pretty low for the USVI,” Barnes confirmed. “Sargassum is the highest we’ve ever seen for this time of year in the eastern Caribbean at 0.3 million metric tons, but it’s still much lower than what we typically see during midsummer, which is about one million tons on average and can reach up to eight million, which occurred in 2025,” he said.
Speaking to the cause of early beaching events, Barnes offered the following details:
“The more sargassum in an area, particularly nearshore, the more likely that a portion of that will be transported inshore,” Barnes stated. “There’s more sargassum than normal in the eastern Caribbean for this time of year, and therefore, inundations have happened that are unusual for this time of year. Currently, there is not much sargassum near the USVI or in directly upstream regions that would imminently impact the islands.”
As the USF bulletin noted, there are currently two large sargassum masses in the western and eastern Atlantic. Barnes said that “The western Atlantic mat is more likely to impact the USVI,” and this could potentially occur in the coming months.
Sharpening the “Why” Behind Sargassum’s Big Years
NOAA explanation about sargassum and inundation events. (Photo courtesy NOAA)
In addition to its December outlook, the USF team pointed to two recent Nature Geoscience studies that help explain what may be driving recent extremes in the amount of seaweed.
One research paper, titled “Equatorial Upwelling of Phosphorus Drives Atlantic N2 Fixation and Sargassum Blooms,” published in November 2025, noted that equatorial Atlantic upwelling can deliver “excess” phosphorus. The report explains that this can fuel nitrogen fixation, effectively boosting the nutrient supply in a way that helps support major sargassum blooms in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean.
That same study also connects sargassum variability to climate patterns, including signals that could help improve year-to-year predictability of bloom intensity.
A second Nature Geoscience paper shared by USF, “Dramatic Decline of Sargassum in the North Sargasso Sea Since 2015,” published in December 2025, highlights a different Atlantic shift. In the report, the researchers found a dramatic decline of sargassum in the north Sargasso Sea since 2015, alongside changes in seasonal growth patterns. They suggest these basin-scale changes in abundance and transport may indicate a broader “regime shift” in how sargassum is distributed across the Atlantic.
“We posit that the north Sargasso Sea decline is due to reduced sargassum supply from a historical Gulf source region, possibly attributable to increasing sea surface temperatures and more frequent marine heat waves in the Gulf,” according to the paper. “Together, proliferation in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt and decline in the north Sargasso Sea may represent the beginnings of a regime shift in sargassum distribution.”
Follow Sargassum Updates and the Weather Forecast
Sugar Beach, located along the north shore of St. Croix, USVI, showed minimal sargassum on Jan. 9, 2025. (Source photo by Jesse Daley)
USF emphasized that the amount of the algae in the Gulf should remain small, but growth in the Caribbean is expected to continue, meaning beaching remains possible, particularly along the Mexican Caribbean coast and parts of the Lesser Antilles in the months ahead.
Finally, in addition to tracking the occurrence of sargassum, residents and visitors across the U.S. Virgin Islands are encouraged to continue monitoring the local weather forecast.
An 18-year-old man was arrested Friday after police found a firearm during a traffic stop on Main Street, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
Special Operations Bureau officers stopped a Honda Civic traveling westbound on Dronningens Gade Friday after observing the vehicle did not have a front license plate, police said. When officers approached the vehicle, they detected the odor of marijuana and ordered the occupants to exit, according to the police report.
During a search of the vehicle, officers found a firearm inside a bag, police said. Robert Guerrero, 18, who was a passenger in the vehicle, claimed ownership of the bag, the police report stated.
Guerrero was arrested on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition. Bail was set at $75,000, police said.
Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend for three years the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits that expired on Jan. 1:
Del. Stacey Plaskett
“Yesterday, as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I spoke on the House floor in defense of affordable healthcare for all Americans during debate on the three-year extension of ACA enhanced premium tax credits (view remarks here). The Virgin Islands and other territories, which have never had access to ACA Exchanges, reveal a clear picture of what happens without these critical benefits.
“The Virgin Islands healthcare system is in crisis. Our hospitals operate under outdated Medicare formulas from 1982 and 1996, and face chronic shortages of supplies, medications, equipment, and staff—forcing patients to bring their own sheets and diapers to the hospital and doctors to pool personal funds to pay vendors. Hospital funding gaps exceed $34 million annually. More than 3,000 Virgin Islanders lost Medicaid coverage when supplemental funding ended, dramatically increasing the uncompensated care burden on our already struggling system. In Puerto Rico, similar Medicaid funding caps forced reliance on borrowing and debt that contributed to their 2017 bankruptcy. These territorial healthcare crises stem directly from inadequate federal support.
“Nationally, the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits has already doubled healthcare costs for 20 million Americans. When millions lose affordable coverage, the impact ripples across the entire healthcare system. Uninsured individuals turn to emergency rooms for basic care, driving up costs that are absorbed through higher premiums and hospital charges for everyone—even those with employer-sponsored insurance. This system-wide strain means all Americans pay more for healthcare, regardless of where they get their coverage.
“Seventeen House Republicans joined Democrats in voting for this extension yesterday, demonstrating bipartisan recognition that this is a healthcare crisis, not a partisan issue. More than 90% of Marketplace enrollees rely on these enhanced premium tax credits—without the extension, families across America are forced to choose between seeing a doctor or paying rent, between filling prescriptions or putting food on the table. The Senate must now prioritize the well-being of the American people over partisan politics and send this commonsense, bipartisan extension to the President’s desk.
“My commitment to ensuring healthcare equity for the Virgin Islands and all U.S. territories in federal programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and SSI, remains unwavering. When the Affordable Care Act was enacted, the U.S. Virgin Islands elected to receive a lump sum Medicaid allotment rather than establish an ACA health exchange, a decision driven by the prohibitively high cost and overwhelming administrative and regulatory burdens that made marketplace creation unfeasible for all U.S. territories. I continue to advocate for policy changes that would allow territorial residents without employer-provided health insurance to access coverage through the Washington, DC Exchange (DC Health Link), with standard reimbursement for premium tax credits. This critical option would ensure access to comprehensive healthcare coverage where ACA Marketplaces do not exist and address a critical gap in the U.S. territories’ healthcare system.”
Virgin Islands Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith delivered a spectacular performance at the 2026 Clemson Invitational, rewriting the national record books and adding another major milestone to her rising career.
Michelle Smith
Smith shattered the Virgin Islands Indoor 800m record, clocking an impressive 2:06.72, a time that surpassed the previous national mark held by her sister, Mikaela Smith, who ran 2:12.62 on February 24, 2022. The achievement adds a powerful new chapter to the Smith family’s legacy in Virgin Islands track and field.
Smith’s success didn’t end with the 800m. She returned to the track as the third leg of her team’s 4×400m relay, contributing a strong split that helped secure the relay victory in 3:28.16. Breaking a national record is always special—but breaking one held by your own sister adds a unique emotional layer. Mikaela Smith’s 2022 record stood as a benchmark for Virgin Islands middle‑distance athletes, and Michelle’s performance shows the continued upward trajectory of the Smith family’s impact on the sport.
The Virgin Islands Track & Field community celebrates Michelle’s accomplishments and looks forward to what promises to be an exciting 2026 season.
The Virgin Islands shone brightly on the global stage as athletes Ayden Cintron and Rachel Conhoff delivered exceptional performances at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships held in Tallahassee, Florida. Competing against elite runners from around the world, both athletes rose to the occasion—each setting major milestones for themselves and for the territory.
Ayden Cintron
Competing in the U20 Men’s 8K, Ayden Cintron powered through the challenging course to finish in 28:21, establishing a new Virgin Islands U20 national record. His performance reflects not only his growing strength in distance running but also the steady rise of Virgin Islands athletes on the international scene.
In the Senior Women’s 10K, Rachel Conhoff delivered a standout performance of her own, clocking a personal record of 42:25. Conhoff’s PR reflects her ability to rise to the challenge on one of the sport’s most demanding stages. Her result adds another strong chapter to her career and reinforces her role as a key representative for the Virgin Islands in global competition.
The World Athletics Cross Country Championships is one of the most prestigious events in distance running, drawing top athletes from across the globe. Cintron and Conhoff’s achievements highlight the dedication of the athletes, their coaches, and the Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation in building a pathway for success on the world stage.
Rachel Conhoff
The territory celebrates their accomplishments and looks forward to what comes next for these rising stars. Their performances in Tallahassee will inspire the next generation of Virgin Islands distance runners.
Check out our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, Jan. 11, through Saturday, Jan 17. Our YouTube playlist is updated every week, AND check out Jesse’s daily weather updates here.
The victim of an assault incident walked into the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station on Jan. 7, at approximately 11:24 a.m., to report the incident, reported the Virgin Islands Police Department.
The victim disclosed to detectives that she was present at Shalom Fenton Sr.’s residence to retrieve their minor child. However, before leaving, she was called to return by Fenton, who told her that she had forgotten some belongings of their child. The victim stated that when she returned, Fenton grabbed her cellular phone to find out who was on the other end. The victim stated that Fenton became enraged and grabbed her by the throat and squeezed, restricting her airway. The victim sustained visible injuries as a result of the assault, according to the police report.
On Jan. 8, members of the Criminal Investigation Bureau made contact with 28-year-old Fenton. He was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he was advised of his Miranda Rights. He declined to give a statement and was then placed under arrest for assault in the second degree, simple assault & battery, and disturbance of the peace by fighting, all acts of domestic violence. No bail was set in this matter. Fenton was booked and transported to the John A. Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing.
Nicole Angeli, director of the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Fish and Wildlife Division, shares aquatic safety information during a press conference Friday at Government House on St. Croix. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Officials from the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, Department of Planning and Natural Resources and volunteer organization St. Croix Rescue addressed circulating rumors, safety tips and the ongoing investigation into a fatal shark attack during a press conference at Government House Friday afternoon on St. Croix.
Despite quick action from bystanders, Arlene Lillis, 56, succumbed to her injuries after an attack Thursday afternoon at Dorsch Beach, near Frederiksted.
“Encounters with sharks are very common, but encounters that result in a bite are very rare,” said DPNR Fish and Wildlife Director Nicole Angeli, who recommended consulting verified sources of information about sharks like the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File. “Even Wikipedia has great information about the occurrence and the numbers of shark fatalities and loss of limb, which you will see is very rare.”
The ISAF investigated 88 alleged encounters between humans and sharks worldwide in 2024, according to its annual report. It confirmed 47 unprovoked shark bites on humans and 24 provoked bites, which occur when a human initiates contact in some way.
“These include instances when divers are bitten after harassing or trying to touch sharks, bites on spearfishermen, bites on people attempting to feed sharks, bites occurring while unhooking or removing a shark from a fishing net and so forth,” according to the report.
The ISAF has recorded four confirmed shark attacks in the U.S. Virgin Islands since 1749.
Angeli said Friday that while shark bites are rare, sharks do gravitate toward fishing activity.
“If you’re on a shoreline, if you’re launching a boat, if you’ve decided to go down and swim around a pier and you see someone cleaning fish around that pier, there is a strong possibility that sharks may smell the fish that is being cleaned and may approach the shoreline,” she said. “So if you do see those types of cleaning practices — which are a part of our culture and a way of life — just be aware, that might not be the best place for you to enter the water or the best place for you to swim.”
VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen said the V.I. Police Department is leading the investigation into Thursday’s incident and that information will be provided to the public as it becomes available.
“In situations like this, rumors — unverified information — spread quickly,” he said. “We will not traffic in speculation.”
St. Croix Rescue partnered with emergency responders and West End Water Sports to search the waters around Dorsch Beach — sometimes spelled Dorsche Beach — Thursday amid unconfirmed reports that a second person may have gone missing in the area. St. Croix Rescue Chief Jason Henry said searchers only found personal items, including an ID, belonging to Lillis.
“As a result, that actually brought a little solace and peace to us as responders, because there were many speculations that there may have been another individual in the water,” he said.
Nationally, an effort is underway to make shark attacks eligible for wireless emergency alert systems. Dubbed “Lulu’s Law,” the legislation was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate in July and has been received by the House of Representatives. A press release from the office of Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, who introduced the measure, said the law “would encourage authorized local, state, tribal, and federal government authorities to quickly deploy warnings via mobile phone alert messages to the public if a shark has attacked someone or if the conditions enhancing the possibility of a shark attack are present.”
If the bill does become law, Jaschen said Friday, “I think the Virgin Islands definitely would embrace the ability for us to get information out to the community as soon as we can — with the appropriate education.”
With emergency rooms across the territory face increasing strain, Senate Vice President Kenneth L. Gittens is calling for an emergency meeting with the Territorial Hospital Board and the chief executive officers of both Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix and Governor Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas, citing mounting operational, financial, and workforce challenges.
In a statement released this week, Gittens said the Legislature has heard growing public concerns for months, including extended emergency room wait times, staffing shortages, supply shortfalls, aging equipment, delayed payroll, and deteriorating working conditions. Those concerns have sharpened in recent weeks following public advisories from hospital leadership warning residents of overwhelmed emergency departments and prolonged waits for care.
On St. Thomas, Schneider Regional Medical Center (SRMC) recently acknowledged those pressures in a social media post advising the community that its Emergency Department was operating at full capacity, even as staff continued to provide care under heavy patient volumes. The advisory underscored the daily demands facing front-line healthcare workers as hospitals attempt to manage patient flow with limited resources.
The capacity warning came about a week before a notable achievement for SRMC: the hospital recently earned full accreditation from The Joint Commission, a nationally recognized organization that evaluates healthcare institutions on patient safety, quality of care, and compliance with rigorous operational standards. According to a recent news release, the accreditation reflects a comprehensive review process, including on-site evaluations of clinical practices, safety protocols, leadership oversight, and organizational performance. Hospital leadership described the designation as validation of the staff’s commitment to meeting national benchmarks and delivering safe, high-quality care to the community.
At the same time, both lawmakers and hospital employees have emphasized that accreditation, while significant, does not resolve longstanding systemic challenges. Staffing shortages, financial instability, and operational pressures — particularly in emergency departments — continue to affect day-to-day hospital performance. Gittens said the Legislature has repeatedly stepped in with appropriations to keep essential services operational, but stressed that financial support must be matched with accountability, transparency, and effective management.
“We do not have a money problem; we have a money management problem,” Gittens said, adding that the requested meeting would allow for confidential discussion of sensitive financial, personnel, and operational matters without compromising patient privacy, employee protections, or ongoing negotiations. The goal, he said, is to identify immediate needs, evaluate leadership decisions, and determine what legislative actions may be necessary ahead of the Governor’s upcoming State of the Territory Address.
“Our hospitals are critical lifelines for our community,” Gittens said. “The people deserve a healthcare system that works, employees deserve respect and reliability, and taxpayers deserve accountability.”
