RT Park board members met Tuesday to discuss major STEM education expansions, new innovation centers, and completion of the solar farm on St. Croix. (Photo courtesy UVI RTPark)
The Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park board of directors held a hybrid meeting Tuesday to highlight major expansions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and partnerships across the territory.
The RTPark’s after-school STEM enrichment program now serves more than 350 students across nearly all K-8 public schools in the territory. “We’re in every K-through-8 public school in the Virgin Islands except John H. Woodson,” said Executive Director Eric Sonnier, noting that St. Croix’s John H. Woodson Junior High School is expected to join in the spring.
Sonnier said the after-school STEM initiatives have been well-received. “We’re getting lots of positive feedback from parents, students, and teachers.”
He noted that interest from private school families suggests continued growth ahead. “We’re definitely getting a lot of interest from parents who have children in private schools, so we’ll have to figure out how to address that, not this semester but soon,” he said.
Partnerships with the V.I. Education Department are expanding, with new STEM innovation centers planned for Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John and Eulalie Rivera School on St. Croix. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Sprauve center is being organized, although an exact date has not yet been set.
Upcoming STEM events will engage students as part of the Education Department’s STEM Week. “There’ll be about 900 students from the district participating in STEM activities,” Sonnier said, referring to the projected outcome for the St. Thomas-St. John district. The events are scheduled for Nov. 4 at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas, with a follow-up session at St. Croix Central High School on Nov. 6.
The board also marked a major milestone in its sustainability efforts with the completion of RT Park’s 423-kilowatt solar farm at the University of the Virgin Islands campus on St. Croix.
“Construction is 100 percent complete, and we’re fully commissioned for our 423-kilowatt solar farm here,” Sonnier said.
He noted the project is nearly closed out financially, with only $123,000 in reimbursements remaining on the $1.1 million project. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for Nov. 13, with board members and the public invited to attend. A client-led Critical Resilience Forum on energy, connectivity, and security is also scheduled for that day.
Staff from RTPark and the Caribbean Green Technology Center will receive hands-on operations and maintenance training for the solar farm from Volt, the company that built the system. “The Volt team will be providing RTPark and Caribbean Green Technology Center staff with a walk-through of the operations and maintenance for the solar farm on Nov. 11,” Sonnier said.
Final steps include awaiting approval from the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. “We have to wait for WAPA to come out and do their final inspection and approve us,” Sonnier said.
Entrepreneurial activity is surging at RTPark, with a record 62 applicants competing in this year’s Idea Incubator, a 15-week program aimed at helping Virgin Islanders launch new mobile and web applications. Interviews and final selections are now underway, with Sonnier attributing the rise to the team’s public engagement efforts and “work … to build a brand, to be out in the public, to connect with the community,” adding, “I think we’re seeing the fruits of that labor.”
The RTPark and UVI will launch the Epic Sargassum Solutions Innovation Studio with a planning meeting on Oct. 22, focusing efforts on the pressing regional threat of sargassum. A larger, community-driven Innovation Studio kickoff is scheduled for Nov. 21, targeting “problem discovery, partnership creation and systems level change at UVI … our focus is going to be on sargassum,” Sonnier said.
To inform future agricultural innovation, RTPark board members and staff toured agribusiness incubators during the Innovation in Agriculture and Energy Opportunity Zone Summit in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sonnier said, “We wanted to actually see and feel and touch examples from other people who have built agribusinesses or incubators … and see firsthand what that looks like to be able to bring knowledge back to our team.”
With guidance from VI Good Food, RTPark plans to conduct listening sessions and direct outreach with the farming community, “so that as we build on our land … it’s guided by what farmers and the agriculture community actually want to see,” Sonnier explained.
Community engagement continues to grow, with October’s Tech Tuesday drawing roughly 50 attendees, including representatives from 13 RTPark clients, “a record for us,” Sonnier reported.
Outreach will continue through a Chamber of Commerce after-hours event on Thursday, offering small businesses the chance to network and tour the park’s conference space, and the Tech Together Workshop on Tuesday, where attorney Chris Halliday will present an “intellectual property 101 session.”
RTPark is also preparing to welcome a new chief operating officer at its next board meeting in November and recently launched a jobs page to connect local talent with career and internship opportunities.
The board unanimously elected William DeLon as vice chair during open session after returning from executive session.
“I look forward to working … to move the park forward. We’ve seen great progress this year and I look forward to seeing a continuation of that progress,” DeLon said.
Students from Good Hope Country Day School prepping during the youth chef cook-off competition (Photo courtesy V.I. Good Food Coalition)
The ninth annual Bush Cook Chef Cook event, held from Oct. 13–19, proved to be an overwhelming success, highlighting the Virgin Islands’s growing commitment to food security, agricultural resilience, and community collaboration.
Organized by Sejah Farm of the Virgin Islands, the weeklong event featured a new three-day conference and a series of long-standing community activities that addressed critical issues such as food access, disaster resilience, and systemic political and economic challenges affecting the local food system.
The new conference component, held Oct. 13–15, was added this year to make professional agricultural development more accessible to local farmers. Recognizing the cost and difficulty of sending participants off-island, organizers decided it would be more effective to bring speakers and experts to the territory. Themed “Da Culcha Table,” the conference aimed to “bring more people to the table” by engaging farmers and community members in discussions on cooperative development and agricultural policy in the Virgin Islands.
“We have been traveling to conferences for the past 10 years and we learned about the significance of networking, but it has always been a hardship to be able to take all the individuals that we think would learn because of the overall expense in getting them there. We figure that we have built this link through networking, and it is cheaper and easier to bring them to our table so more people would get to the table,” said Yvette Browne, co-owner of Sejah Farm.
Yvette Browne, Sejah Farm co-owner, opened the conference at The University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall on St. Croix. (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
Organizers said the presenters and panelists successfully met their goals, offering sessions on seed and soil strategies, resilience and entrepreneurship, and agricultural taxation. Local experts also led demonstrations on tree production and managing heat stress. Attendees responded positively, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to explore new ideas and practical applications relevant to the Virgin Islands’s agricultural landscape.
A major feature of the week was the Thursday farm and island tour. Participants, sponsors, visitors, and community members toured farms across St. Croix, beginning at the Art Farm on the East End, led by Luca Gasperi, and continuing west to farms owned by Roniel “Honey Man” Allembert, Trevor Warner, and Roy Rodgers. At Rodgers’s farm, discussions focused on heirs’ property and the challenges of retaining family land when only one descendant continues farming. The tour also included a stop at Point Udall, the easternmost point of the United States, before concluding with a local lunch at the Chicken Shack.
Bush Cook conference attendees touring Rodgers Farm (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
On Oct. 17, the youth and community day brought together food and nutrition partners, farmers, families, and educators. Students from various schools participated in youth chef competitions, cooking with locally grown ingredients to create nutritious meals. The Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition and RT Park representatives provided educational engagement opportunities, while the Frederiksted Health Center offered health screenings and vendors hosted educational tables. The competition winners included Good Hope Country Day, Lew Muckle Elementary, St. Croix Montessori, and Freewill Baptist School.
A highlight for many attendees was witnessing the excitement of the children during the event. Yvette Brown recalled one memorable moment when a young participant became emotional upon learning his team had won.
Students catch water in a pot during the youth chef cook-off competition. (Photo courtesy V.I. Good Food Coalition)
“In all the years of doing the event this is the first time I’ve seen a child cry when he won. He was fully engulfed. I don’t know if his tears were overpowering him or whatever, but he just ran to his father,” said Browne.
The festivities continued on Oct. 18 with one of the event’s signature attractions — the Bush Cook Chef Cook competition. More than 25 chefs participated, preparing dishes using traditional cooking methods and more than 90 percent locally sourced ingredients selected that morning from the farmers’ market. DJ General provided music throughout the day as community members, judges, and visitors sampled dishes before the evening’s award ceremony. Live entertainment was provided by the Reggae Bubblers and How About Now bands.
In the plant-based meal category, Common Sense and Living Life Health Food Restaurant tied for first place, followed by Living Life and The Indigenous Bushman, Raymond “Bigstuff” Armstrong. In the animal-based category, Ama at Cane Bay took first place, with Efrén David Robles and Berle Flavor tying for second and Sean Skerrette earning third. Ama also received the Bragging Rights award for animal protein meals, while Common Sense and Living Life shared the plant-based Bragging Rights award.
Living Life Health Food Mobile & Restaurant chef team (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
The week concluded on Oct. 19 with a six-course Farm-to-Table dinner served under a newly constructed pavilion at Sejah Farm. Approximately 125 guests enjoyed dishes prepared by multiple chefs using meats, produce, and herbs harvested locally. Throughout the evening, chefs, servers, sponsors, and supporters were recognized between performances by Richie Buntin and Baz N Dem.
Chefs, servers with the Browne family during the dinner (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
The event’s conclusion left organizers and attendees deeply satisfied. “Obstacles were conquered, and the final result was even greater than expected,” said co-owner Dale Browne. He added that seeing the community’s enthusiasm and eagerness to participate again was especially rewarding.
The Browne family remains committed to strengthening local agriculture and education year-round. They plan to expand preparation efforts for next year’s Bush Cook Chef Cook event to ensure even greater participation and impact.
To stay connected with Sejah Farm’s ongoing efforts to advance agriculture and food sustainability in the Virgin Islands, community members can follow Sejah Farm of the Virgin Islands on Facebook for updates, educational opportunities, and announcements about the 2026 Bush Cook Chef Cook event.
A new addition to the annual Bush Cook Chef Cook event, a three-day agricultural conference was held Oct. 13-15 at the University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall on the St. Croix Albert A. Sheen Campus.
Themed “Da Culcha Table,” the conference was organized by Sejah Farm to eliminate the financial and logistical barriers that often prevent local farmers from attending off-island conferences. The goal was to bring experts, policymakers, and agricultural networks to the Virgin Islands so that more farmers could benefit from valuable information and connections.
Organizers sparked interest among farmers and the wider community in two main areas — cooperative development and agricultural policy awareness. Drawing on more than a decade of national networking, presenters and panelists delivered focused sessions addressing both topics, emphasizing their importance to the growth of the Virgin Islands’ agricultural industry.
Keynote Speakers and Presentations
Sen. Marise James opened the conference with a welcoming message to attendees, followed by remarks from Virgin Islands Agriculture Department Deputy Commissioner Billy Abraham on behalf of Commissioner Louis E. Petersen Jr., who later participated in a panel discussion.
Sen. Marise James shared special opening remarks as the secretary for intergovernmental relations and territorial affairs (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
Following an update from Policy Center representative Eloris Speight, attorneys Conisha T. Brumfield and Alicia N. Netterville of the National Policy Research Center led a session on County Committees, revealing that many farmers were unaware of the committees’ existence or their local representatives. Sejah Farm plans to collaborate with COC members to increase engagement and awareness.
Conisha T. Brumfield, policy analyst at the National Policy Research Center, explains about County Committees (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
A presentation by Thaddeus Dawson focused on community empowerment through property ownership and generational wealth, while Darrel K. Tennie educated farmers on agricultural taxes, business structures, and compliance.
“Somos Ají Dulce” representatives share about the movement to celebrate Puerto Rican culture, harvest, and cuisine. (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
Leo Perez, a St. John farmer, expressed his enthusiasm after the session. “I’m so excited and inspired. Just seeing something so small, so productive, and the outcome not just being about generating income but how much information was disseminated. It gives me hope,” he said.
Alicia N. Netterville of the National Policy Research Center, responding to a question from St. John farmer Leo Perez (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
Panel Discussion and Key Takeaways
A highlight of the conference was a panel discussion moderated by DaraMonifah Cooper and organized by Yvette Browne. The panel featured farmers, policymakers, and agricultural support professionals who discussed strategies for strengthening local food systems.
Panelists emphasized the importance of encouraging residents to grow food at home, bringing youth to farmers’ markets, and fostering a “buy local, eat local” culture. “We have to be able to assure the community that our local product is better than the imported,” said Dale Browne, co-owner of Sejah Farm.
Other suggestions included improved communication among farmers, better data sharing, and marketing strategies to strengthen local branding. Petersen highlighted the Agriculture Department’s ongoing radio program and branding campaign to promote locally grown produce.
Panelists also identified value-added opportunities such as processing, packaging, and branding products like teas, mangos, and livestock goods ranging from jerky to leather. Petersen noted that about 60 percent of livestock is wasted due to the lack of processing facilities and announced plans to establish value-added kitchens in both districts.
Funding, Infrastructure, and Youth Engagement
Brennan Washington, Southeastern Outreach coordinator for the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, encouraged farmers to pursue more federal funding opportunities, noting that many miss out due to limited grant-writing experience.
Brennan Washington of Southern SARE shares about open grant calls available to farmers, researchers, nonprofits and University students (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
Sejah Farm has received a CDBG grant for a three-phase infrastructure development project. “Marketing and scaling up postharvest handling is vital,” said Browne. “The Department cannot do everything in the current legislation.”
He brought up the example of 10 million dollars that “appeared to be sitting since 2018 and the commissioner was not even informed that the money was available from the American Rescue Fund.” Petersen has since sought after that, but the panelists agreed that the issue is how soon those funds can be drawn down on.
“If (Petersen) was informed that the money was there, there would not have a been an issue with keeping the abattoir open. The department would have also been able to scale up manpower and services. Until that money is drawn down, the worst-case scenario with 1.5 years remaining … If he doesn’t get the access within that time, how does that make him look?” said Browne.
Thaddeus Dawson explains heirs’ property challenges and potential solutions (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
When asked about youth involvement, Petersen said young Virgin Islanders have not seen examples of a thriving agricultural industry. “I can think of at least seven young Virgin Islanders who have been assisted and encouraged to go to school and not one of them have come home,” he said, noting the need to make agriculture more profitable and appealing.
Ben Burkette, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, during his presentation on Cooperative Development (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
Visiting farmer Ben Burkett of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives added, “Young people that grow up on the farm don’t want to farm, but those from northern states often want to intern on farms. With certain crops and markets, you can make a good living.”
Calls to Action
Panelist Neville James suggested revisiting the 1995 Resort and Casino Consumer Control Act to allocate a portion of casino revenues to agricultural funding.
Conference attendees agreed on the need for greater education, collaboration, and advocacy, emphasizing that empowering farmers could significantly reduce the territory’s 97% food import rate. Petersen referenced Puerto Rico’s 100-year history of cooperative work as a model for the Virgin Islands. “There is no way we can move forward without working cooperatively,” he said.
Staff of the UVI Agricultural Experiment Station demonstrate how to draw blood from livestock (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
The conference concluded with a tour of the UVI Agricultural Experiment Station, where Andrea Rios and her team demonstrated heat-stress research and humane livestock handling. Derris Burnett of Tuskegee University later conducted a USDA-certified goat preparation demonstration at Sejah Farm.
Community Response
Attendees described the conference as timely, informative, and inspiring. The Brownes expressed gratitude for the panel’s success, noting that the collaboration between local farmers, policymakers, and national representatives fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose.
All conference meals were prepared using mainly local produce by Local Harvest Café. (Source photo by Conch Shell Media)
On Tuesday, the NHC was monitoring Tropical Storm Melissa in the central Caribbean Sea. The eventual forecast track remains uncertain. (Photo courtesy NHC)
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Storm Melissa, which formed Tuesday in the Central Caribbean. Currently south of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the storm’s track remains uncertain, but Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands could possibly experience some impacts, including rainfall.
Tropical Storm Melissa
As the Source reported Sunday, the NHC had been tracking Tropical Storm Melissa — previously designated Invest 98L — for several days before it was upgraded Tuesday morning. Melissa is the 13th named cyclone of the 2025 Atlantic season and as of Tuesday evening was located about 300 miles south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, moving west with winds near 50 mph.
Key Messages associated with Tropical Storm Melissa as of 5 p.m. AST on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy NHC)
“At 8:00 p.m. AST, the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located near latitude 14.2 North, longitude 73.4 West,” according to an update from the National Hurricane Center on Tuesday evening. Melissa is moving toward the west near 15 mph. A decrease in forward speed and a gradual turn to the northwest and north is expected during the next few days. On the forecast track, Melissa is expected to approach Jamaica and the southwestern portion of Haiti later this week.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected during the next few days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center, and the estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 millibars.
Due to the system’s proximity to several of the islands in the Caribbean, tropical alerts have been issued for the following areas:
“A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince, and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Jamaica,” the NHC said.
Where Will Melissa Travel?
According to the NHC, forecasters are relatively confident in the trajectory of Melissa in the short term as it moves westward. However, the track of the cyclone becomes much more unclear later this week, due to various atmospheric conditions that will determine the eventual path of the storm.
AccuWeather graphic depicts possible scenarios for the track that Melissa may take. (Photo courtesy AccuWeather)
The NHC noted on Tuesday that Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to slow down and will likely curve northwest and then north over the next couple of days, passing close to Haiti and Jamaica by Thursday. After that, the forecast is more uncertain. Some models show Melissa turning northeast, while others keep it drifting west or stalling. Most forecasts suggest it will stay in the Caribbean through the weekend, and it is forecast to intensify into a hurricane.
On Tuesday morning, AccuWeather released information about Tropical Storm Melissa, noting that a large area of the Caribbean could experience some effects from the storm. AccuWeather warned that if the storm indeed stalls near islands in the western Caribbean, intense rainfall from the storm could cause serious impacts, including catastrophic flooding, particularly across Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba, and portions of the Southern Bahamas.
“Steering breezes will sooner or later grab onto the storm in the Caribbean and pull Tropical Storm Melissa northward,” according to AccuWeather. “Areas from Hispaniola to Cuba and Jamaica are the initial population centers that would be first affected by the storm’s heavy rain, strong winds and building seas.”
“Even though Puerto Rico may be well east of the track of Melissa’s center, a plume of tropical moisture can still bring heavy rain and the risk of flash flooding and mudslides, which are the primary concerns for the Greater Antilles farther to the west. The islands in the northern Caribbean that will be affected the most by the storm will highly depend on when the storm begins its turn to the north,” the AccuWeather article continued.
The USVI and Puerto Rico have already received minor amounts of precipitation associated with Tropical Storm Melissa as of Tuesday morning, and this pattern is expected to continue over the next few days.
As of Tuesday, the USVI and Puerto Rico are expected to see between two and four inches of rain this week due to moisture associated with Tropical Storm Melissa. However, if the system remains farther west, the USVI and Puerto Rico will receive less precipitation. (Photo courtesy NHC and NWS)
“Outer bands from Tropical Storm Melissa, located south of Hispaniola, will continue to affect portions of southern and western Puerto Rico, resulting in heavy rainfall and strong thunderstorms,” the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, said Tuesday. The NWS also shared the following statement regarding possible impacts across the region later this week.
“According to the official NHC forecast, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands most likely will receive between two and four inches of rainfall through the end of the workweek, primarily from Tropical Storm Melissa’s trailing moisture. However, if the system tracks farther west or away from the islands, rainfall totals and associated impacts would likely be reduced,” the NWS said.
“Uncertainty is still present in the forecast toward the end of the workweek due to different solutions of the final trajectory of Tropical Storm Melissa. Residents and mariners in Puerto Rico and the USVI should continue to monitor updates closely, as forecast adjustments are likely,” the NWS added.
Hurricane Expert Insight
The Source reached out to Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, to learn more about potential tropical weather threats in the coming days.
Infrared satellite imagery obtained at 7:30 p.m. AST on Tuesday shows Tropical Storm Melissa moving through the Caribbean Sea. (Photo courtesy NOAA)
“I don’t think we can completely discount the potential for some indirect impacts across the USVI and Puerto Rico,” DaSilva said. “In fact, AccuWeather is forecasting a couple of inches of rain for Puerto Rico, because as the storm moves toward Jamaica and Hispaniola, there will be some southerly winds related to Melissa that cause upslope rainfall over Puerto Rico.
“While Puerto Rico won’t be in the core circulation of Melissa, the island will still experience effects that are connected to the storm. For the U.S. Virgin Islands, you might see some rain, but overall, it should stay under an inch. I don’t expect this system to be very impactful for the USVI, and I don’t see a realistic scenario where the core of the storm shifts toward Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands,” DaSilva stated.
DaSilva noted that he does not expect very strong winds associated with Tropical Storm Melissa to affect the USVI. Still, he emphasized that rainfall may occur, and it may be heavy at times. He also added that some gusty winds could occur if thunderstorms affect the local islands.
“It’s possible that some loosely related outer rainbands could reach the Virgin Islands, as the storm has already disrupted the normal trade wind pattern, creating some southerly flow that can bring in moisture. You could see a few locally heavy downpours, but the more significant rainbands will stay from Puerto Rico westward. As for winds, you won’t see any directly tied to the storm’s core, just some locally gusty winds that could occur with passing showers or thunderstorms.”
Finally, DaSilva said that once Tropical Storm Melissa moves through the Caribbean, he does not expect any additional development in the coming days. However, a late-season storm affecting the eastern Caribbean could theoretically develop, and individuals across the region should remain prepared.
“In the short term, once Melissa moves away, I don’t see anything else developing in the eastern Caribbean,” DaSilva confirmed. “The Atlantic looks likely to go quiet for a week or two after this storm because of widespread sinking air associated with high pressure that will limit development. As we move into the second and third weeks of November, though, conditions could become more favorable again, especially in the western Caribbean, where we often see late-season development tied to the Central American Gyre area of low pressure,” he stated.
“Climatology suggests that after this storm passes, the eastern Caribbean is likely done for the season, though we can’t completely rule out another tropical wave. Overall, this is probably the main system for the next couple of weeks, but we could still see one more storm, possibly even another hurricane, later in November, most likely in the western Caribbean,” DaSilva concluded.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released its weekly Global Tropics Hazards Outlook on Tuesday, Oct. 21. After the passage of Tropical Storm Melissa, NOAA does not expect development across the Atlantic basin and Eastern Pacific basin in the coming weeks. (Photo courtesy NOAA)
Tropical activity is not expected across either the Atlantic basin or the Eastern Pacific basin during the “Week Two” outlook period, which runs from Oct. 29 until Nov. 4, or during the “Week Three’ period, from Nov. 5 until Nov. 11.
It is important to remember that this forecast is not guaranteed, and development may still happen as the forecast can change quickly. Additionally, a recent Tropical Outlook from the Source noted that the emergence of a La Niña weather pattern could influence storm activity for the rest of the hurricane season, which ends on Nov. 30.
During a La Niña cycle, the ocean waters across the equatorial Pacific Ocean cool significantly, affecting global weather. During La Nina, wind shear— a change in wind direction and velocity with height in the atmosphere — also typically decreases in the Atlantic Ocean. A reduction in wind shear can favor cyclone development. This pattern is the opposite of El Niño, a warming of the equatorial Pacific, which usually increases wind shear in the Atlantic Ocean, helping to rip apart storms and prevent hurricane formation and intensification.
Local Weather and Staying Informed
Finally, the NWS in San Juan is reminding residents and visitors of ongoing weather-related threats across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Warm temperatures will continue to affect the region and may prompt additional heat alerts. Hazardous marine conditions with an elevated risk of rip currents are also expected as a northerly swell slowly subsides, while seas may remain choppy at times through the week due to thunderstorms and gusty winds associated with Tropical Storm Melissa that could reach the waters around the local islands. A Small Craft Advisory and a High Rip Current Risk will remain in effect for areas surrounding both U.S. territories until at least Wednesday.
The NWS has warned that hazardous seas will continue to affect the region, and several marine alerts remain in effect. (Photo courtesy NWS)
USVI residents and visitors are encouraged to continue to remain prepared. Weather information is available from the NWS, the NHC, and NOAA.
Court documents detail an investigation leading to the arrest of a suspect on Oct. 20. (Source file photo)
A St. Thomas resident, accused in connection with a sexual assault first reported in May, made an initial appearance in Superior Court Tuesday. Documents filed at the time of his arrest described an encounter between a motorist and a female pedestrian that began with an exchange of words.
Defendant Harold Bruney was charged with first-degree rape, assault and disturbance of the peace involving threats. Magistrate Judge Paula Norkadis declared police had probable cause to uphold the charges and ordered Bruney to appear for arraignment Nov. 7.
The charging document filed in court said the alleged victim appeared at Zone A Police Command on May 12 to file a report. In a recorded statement, the complainant said she was walking toward her home in the Contant area when a pickup truck stopped nearby.
The report went on to say a male emerged from the passenger side of the truck, walked up and began asking her questions. Moments later, she said, as she tried to walk away, that person began aggressively touching her. “she noticed that the unknown male was behind her, he started touching her back with his hand and then began to inappropriately touch her body without her consent,” the statement said.
After giving her statement, police said the complainant then gave them a photo of the person she accused of assaulting her.
The report included a second account of the incident given to police several days later by a woman who said she was a friend of the complainant and heard the encounter on the street from her home. The witness called the tone of that talk “unfriendly.”
Court documents said investigators were able to gather additional corroborating evidence, leading to Bruney’s arrest on Oct. 20.
Nephews:
Anibal Bermudez Jr., Bruce Moolenaar, Charles Bullock, Charles Moolenaar, Darryl Moolenaar, Derek Bermudez, Edward Bermudez, Elroy Roberts Jr., Hakim Tawoni, Halvar Martin, Hugo Moolenaar Jr., Jabari Moolenaar, James Fenner, Jeffrey Henderson, Jesse Moolenaar, Jonathan Moolenaar, Joshua Moolenaar, Kasim Andrews, Leroy Roberts, Malek Bascombe, Marlon Moolenaar, Michael Moolenaar, Miguel Angel Boschulte Jr., Phillip Bermudez, Roland Moolenaar Jr., Russell Moolenaar, and Vidal Green.
Cousins: Alicia Georges, Denise Georges, Dionne Georges, Joann Georges, Lecien Moolenaar, Lenelle Georges, Vernon Georges, and Winston Georges.
God Children: Drew Hugh (mother- Keima ), Genai Ravalier, Jay Commisong, Xania Fleming
Special Friends: Adele Lake, Dollie Akintobi, Gregorio Ramos , Hazel Kelch, Sylvia Commissiong
Also survived by the Akintobi, Baa,Black, Boschulte, Hodge,Krigger, Nelthropp, Offiniata, Romney, Smith, Walters Families
First Viewing will be held Wednesday, Oct. 22, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.atTurnbull Funeral Home
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23 at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral Tributes: 9 a.m. Mass: 10 a.m.
Interment Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Moolenaar Family Cemetery
Professional services are entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home.
Despite a packed weekend schedule, parents and nearly two dozen young athletes made time to take part in the Great Pumpkin Junior Duathlon at Altona Lagoon Park on Sunday morning. The park provided a perfect backdrop for the run-bike-run race, which welcomed children of all abilities, ages 5 to 15.
Olivia Jones, age 5, as she crosses the finish line. (Submitted photo)
Organized by Junior Tri VI, the event featured several first-time participants who quickly got into the rhythm as they raced around the scenic lagoon course. Kids were rewarded with pumpkin-shaped goody boxes filled with fall-themed treats and stickers, while the top three finishers in each division received festive pumpkin medals.
The overall category winners were:
Ages 5–6: Orion Coursey
Ages 7–8: Hanako Sanders
Ages 9–11: Caitlin Kuczynski
Ages 12–15: Leonard Lamparter
Tahir Simmonds transitioning from bike to run (Submitted photo)
Organizers said the event was all about fun, fitness, and encouraging youth participation in multisport.
The Junior Tri VI Committee is already gearing up for the next race—the Fall Fling Splash ‘n Dash, a swim-run event set for Sunday, Nov. 16 at Bungalows. The event is open to children ages 5 to 15, with flotation aids available for beginner swimmers.
For more information or to register, families are encouraged to reach out to theresa@vitf.org or to call 340-513-2707.
Michael Kareem Marin, aka “Pekean/Big Mike” of Estate Glynn, passed away on Oct. 12. He was 44.
Michael Kareem Marin
He was preceded in death by his father, Miguel “Bug” Marin; stepfather, Andres Lugo; and grandchildren, Jesus Rivera Sr., Theresa Monel, Juan Marin, and Luz Maria Ortiz.
He is survived by his mother, Nitza Rivera; grandchild, Juana M. Soto; daughter, Taylor Dawn; sisters, Albanitza Lugo, Maralyn Bermudez; nieces and nephews, A’Myaliz Dujon, Amare Dujon, Ace Dujon, Angel Sanchez, Robelto Sanchez; aunts, Lin Rivera- Ortiz, Maria Rivera Ortiz, Helen Chin; uncles, Eddison Rivera Sr., Jesus Rivers Jr, Telesforo Ortiz, Jose A. Marin, Aureliano Marin, Ruben Marin, Angel Marin; special Friends, Troy Aka Gizmo, Bully Navarro, Forito Ortiz; cousins and other relatives, Vanessa Rivera, Maralyn Bermudez, Gabriel Rivera, Tasha Gilmore, Jovanee Rivera, Jesus Rivera III, Vanelis Dominguez, Eddison Rivera, Angel Sanchez, Carleen Rivera, Julian Gilmore, Sophia Gilmore, Foro, Roberto Sanchez, Jessica Ortiz, Dalia Ortiz, Joseline Ortiz; other precious cousins too numerous to mention, other precious relatives and friends too numerous to mention, but each one is deeply loved and cherished.
Funeral service will be held on Oct. 30 at El Triumpho. Viewing will take place at 9 a.m., and the service will begin at 10 a.m. Interment follows at Kingshill Cemetery.
Professional services entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
Brother in Law: Wilbur Petersen, Achille Heywood, Albert Heywood, Darrel Heywood
Special Friends: Sheila Kiner, Dalia Mike
Great Nieces and Nephews: Elisa Correa, Denaiya Smith, Nakiya McDavis, Keyonna Evans, Joshua Parker, Clinton Whyte, D’Kari Marsh, Adonis Angol, Keemani Ford, Hughlyna Henry Ahssani Mustafa, Ahmari Smith
Other family and friends too numerous to mention
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend funeral service on Friday, Oct. 24, at First Pentecostal Church – Donoe by pass at 10 a.m. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Centers of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. For online condolences or to share a special memory visit www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com
With deep love and profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Volmey Almeric Wallace on Sept. 26, 2025, at the age of 71 in Austin, Texas. Volmey was a true Virgin Islander and for the past six years his dream was to return home to St. Thomas.
Volmey Almeric Wallace
Well, Volmey, you’re back home!
Volmey was preceded in death by his parents, Lupercio Alvin Wallace and Cecile Daniel Wallace; his late brother, Rudy W. Wallace; his late sister, Joan Wallace Lynton; his late niece, Camisha George, and other family and friends too numerous to mention.
He is survived by his sisters Dr. Phyllis L. Wallace and Dr. Lelia L. Wallace-Hackett; his nieces Keona Woodards, Porshia Hackett-Chidester, Celia Hackett, and Shaunamarie Chidester- Betz; and nephews Alex Hackett and Christian Chidester.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral service on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. at the Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI. Interment is at the Western Cemetery #2. Funeral arrangement is under the care of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Centers of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. For online condolences or to share a special memory visit www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com
