Please be advised of temporary road closures affecting Pilgrim Terrace Bypass (Route 35), 
Catherineberg Road, and Manassah Hill Road from June 12 at 9 a.m. to July 3 at 4 p.m. to support underground electrical work for Feeder 13. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes and follow posted detour signage. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve service reliability.
St. Thomas Road Closures Thursday to July 3
Claude Simmonds Dies at 102
The family of Claude Simmonds announces his passing on May 28, 2025, at the age of 102.
He is survived by his wife: Leona Simmonds, daughters: Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine and Lydia Simmonds-Lettsome, sons: Nathan Simmonds and Paul Simmonds, sister: Geraldine Berry, sisters-in-law: Enell Smith and Marjorie Simmonds, daughters-in-Law: Carol Jackson Simmonds and Verna Simmonds, son-in-Law: Krim Ballentine; granddaughters: Ronnalyn Simmonds, Nathalie Parker (Reginald), Glenesha Phipps, Makeda Simmonds, Marva Simmonds & Bianca Calhoun (Calvin); grandsons: Maurice Simmonds, Pablo Simmonds (Akina), Jabriel Ballentine (Sonya), LeRoi Simmonds (Shaniqua), Le’shawn lettsome, Sr., Je’Ronn Simmonds & John Paul Simmonds (Wanda); great-granddaughters: Sierra Calhoun, Kezia Lettsome, Makeda Ballentine, Le’Anna Simmonds, Lai’el Simmonds & Aneka Simmonds; great-grandsons: S’Vante Steele, Le’Shawn Lettsome, Jr., Anakin Lettsome, Rakim Parker, Amir Huggins, Mateo Simmonds, Omari Ballentine, Layton Calhoun, William Calhoun & Ahmad Simmonds; great-great-granddaughter: Amira Huggins; nieces: Ineka Powell, Naomi, Ruby & Kerene Simmonds, Iris Carty, Odette, Shirley & Sheila Richardson, Iniker Hodge, Delores Simmonds, Jeannette Charles, Angela Rawlins & Mary Rawlins; nephews: Everson & Vincent Rawlins, Jason Simmonds, Bernette Simmonds, Randolph Simmonds, Clement Browne, Vacquein & Urban Richardson, Earl, Kemuel, Kaddy, & Emmanuel Simmonds & Robelto Berry; special cousins: Willie Nisbitt, Constantine Fraites, Mavis Rosario & Rev. J. Mastine Nisbitt. Many, many great nieces and nephews too numerous to mention. Godchildren: Sharon Jackson McDonald, Kay Milliner-Kitchens, Dawn Milliner, Charlene McBean Freemen, Myrtle Knight, Lisa Melchior, Willie Esquerdo, Merwin Potter, Russell Chinnery, Ronald Pinney, Ronald Harrigan, Bertran Callwood, & Raymond Petersen; many other family and friends too numerous to mention.
Funeral arrangements for Claude Simmonds will be on Friday, June 27, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Viewing & tributes will begin at 9 am, with service to follow at 10 am. Interment will be in Western Cemetery # 1. Arrangements are by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Service.
Vancie Irene Evans Dies at 97
Vancie Irene Evans, age 97, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Vancie Smith was born on October 19, 1927 on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands to the late Owen and Florence Smith. She and her siblings totaled 11 children.
In 1945 she moved to St. Thomas, where she married the late Edwin Evans, Sr. who was also from Tortola. From this union they had 13 children, 10 of whom she is survived by.
Vanice was a member of the Christ Church Methodist congregation since her confirmation in 1950 and assistant leader of a Church Class. Her life and duties were that of a devoted wife and nurturing mother. She also worked as a talented seamstress.
Vancie leaves behind to cherish her memory 10 surviving children:
Sons – Leroy Evans, Sr., Stanley Evans, Elvin Evans and Darryl Evans,
Daughters – Lorna Kuntz, Orma Farrell, Jenicia Evans, Joycelyn
Evans, Sherill Evans and Theresa Evans. She was preceded in death
by son Edwin Evans, Jr. and daughters Nira and Lena Evans.
Her lineage also includes 34 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister Vivian Francis, 19 nieces and 14 nephews, a close neighbor and personal as well as family friends.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 24 at the Wesley Methodist Church in Annas Retreat at 10 a.m. Viewing prior to the service will be attainable between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Burial will be at the Western Cemetery, Section A in Altona. Funeral arrangements provided by Turnbull’s Funeral Home.
Elroy Henderson Dies at 77
Elroy Henderson, of Estate LaGrange, passed away on May 20. He was 77 years old.
He is remembered by his friends and loved ones:
(Deceased*) Parents, Emile A. Henderson, Sr.* and Gerda James-Henderson*; daughter, Yvette Henderson*; brothers, Mario Henderson*, Emile A. Henderson, Jr.*, Anthony Henderson, Sr.*, Raymond Henderson*, L. Agustin Henderson, Sr., and Kenneth Henderson Sr.; sisters, Asta L. Martin*, Mary Henderson*, Patricia Henderson*, Marilyn Henderson-Peake*, Gaynel Henderson-Barnes*, and Leatrice Henderson-Galloway*; adopted Sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Wilson; nieces, Prudence Morris-Dance, Michelle Morris-Martin, Vuriley Harris, Corinne Harris, Dr. Kimarie Engerman, Patricia Lynch, Sabrina H. Salmon, Natasha H. Petersen, Sonji H. Samuel, Sanya J. Henderson, Sophia Henderson*, Kemya Henderson, Sharima Henderson, Chyla Ritter, Kenisha Henderson, Kenika DeGazon, Timeshia Meyers, Dr. Dynell R. Williams, Sherrie Galloway, Sherrica Galloway, and Lysha Galloway; nephews, DeRay Hodge, Marcellus Flores, Jamal Henderson*, The Honorable Emile A. Henderson III, Leander A. Henderson, Jr., Anthony V. Henderson, Jr., Brian Henderson, Sr., Kenneth Henderson, Jr., LeJuan Henderson, Deshawn Henderson and Raymond Galloway; great nieces, Jewel Walker, J’Nee Armstrong, Marsha Chery, Natalie Martin, Toni Messer, Caira Isaac, Allarie Monsanto, Jazarie James, LaTanya Cobb, LaToi Evans, Shakira Brown, Sabrina-Shaquayne Trimew, Cirina Salmon, Ashley Petersen, Imani Samuel, Kameelah Selmon, Jenaya Selmon, Nasirah Henderson, A’Chyla Ritter, U-Niesha James, K’Saiah Smith, K’Myiah Chaparro, K’Shailah Smith, Destinee DeGazon, Le’Nique DeGazon, Kaeden DeGazon, Amiyah Henderson, JeNai Henderson, Samaiyah Harris, Jordyn Galloway-Anderson, Jenesis Gallloway-Anderson, Jahzara Galloway, D’Andra Arthurton, Olivia Henderson, Coraline Henderson; great nephews, Ronald Carter, Jr., A. Glenmore Martin, Jr., Deray Smithen, Shakeem Trotman, Bryant Curry, Byron Curry, Noshua McNeil, Allan Petersen, Jr., Malik Flores, Delani Samuel, Jalen Chinnery, Marshaun Galloway, Kyle Galloway, Brandon Henderson, Jared Henderson, Brian Henderson, Jr., Caidyn Henderson, Jah’sani Francis, A’Jani Francis, Isaiah Henderson, Dennis Graham III, Michael Alfred, Jr., Valdemire Henderson; (22) Great-Great Nieces; (29) Great-Great Nephews; (2) Great-Great-Great Nieces; and (2) Great-Great-Great Nephews; brothers-in-law, Lionel Barnes, Jr., and Raymond Galloway, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Marlene P. Henderson, Dianne R. Henderson, and Karen Henderson; godchildren, Caira Issaac, Jarell O’Connor, and Antonio Ritter; special cousins and relatives; Family of the late Gelza James, Family of the Late Julio Petersen, Sr., Lloyd O’Byran & Family, McBean Family, O’Bryan Family, James Family, Davila Family, Petersen Family, Kathleen Parris and Family, Joan Petersen & Family, Patricia “Pat” Williams, Sharon Hodge, Radiant Morris, Nikesha Morris, The Honorable Ernest E. Morris, Jr., and Francis Family (St. Thomas); special friends, Joyce Fontenelle, Jennifer Brady, the Gittens Family, Marilyn and Jerilyn Abraham, Monica Andrew, Sonia Phillip, Angella Clouden, the Brow Corner Crew, and the Alba Crew; special thanks, Michelle Martin, Jennifer Brady.
Thank You! Perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat in a chair. Perhaps you sent us beautiful flowers; if so, we saw them there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words that any friend could say. Perhaps you were not all there at all, just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much, whatever your part. -The Henderson Family
The funeral service will be held on June 17 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Viewing at 9:30 am and service begins at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Frederiksted Cemetery.
Professional services entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
Luz “Taity” Rojas-Dorival Dies at 76
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Luz “Taity” Rojas-Dorival, a cherished wife, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and dearest friend.
Luz was born on January 8th, 1949, to Paulino Rojas and Marie Bryan, on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025, at the age of 76.
Luz is lovingly survived by:
her husband, David Dorival,
son, David Dorival Jr.
daughter, Luz Monell,
son-in-law, Mervin Dorival,
sisters Maria Victorine and Mildred Matthias,
27 Nieces and Nephews,
11 Grandchildren,
17 Great Grandchildren,
1 Great Great Grandchild,
and a host of extended family and friends, too numerous to mention.
Funeral services for Luz “Taity” Dorival will be held on June 17th at World Overcome Ministries. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the service at 10 a.m.
For online condolences or to share a special memory, visit: https://www.turnbullsfuneralhomevi.com/obituary/luz-dorival
Funeral arrangements are being held by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services of St. Thomas.
Brian Hunt, Sr. Dies
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Brian Hunt, Sr.
Brian was a dedicated mechanic and truck driver. He worked for various companies on St. Thomas and St. John. On May 28, 2025, at his residence, Brian peacefully went to sleep with his family and close relatives by his side.
He is preceded in death by his father: Richard Hunt, Sr.
He is survived by:
Mother: Sarah E. George
Wife: Nicole Matthias
Son: Brian R. Hunt, Jr.
Sisters: Cleone Brown, Michelle Connors, Sonia Innocent
Brothers: Michael Smith, Tarik Adams, John James, Jack Gumbs, Wayne,
Sister – in – law: Betty Matthias
Special friends: Dwight Smith, Arthur & Cindy Paris, Alton Thomas, Richard & Carolie Blake, Kaylan Paris
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend funeral service on Saturday, June 14, at Celestial Chapel of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals. Viewing begins at 9 a.m. with service to follow at 10 a.m. Interment: Cremation 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
AG Rhea Urges Congress To Stop Abusive Mortgage Advertising
V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea is calling on Congress to swiftly pass the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 2808 / S. 1467), a bipartisan, bicameral bill aimed at protecting Americans from the invasive and deceptive practice of mortgage credit “trigger leads.”
Attorney General Rhea, joined by Attorneys General Alan Wilson (SC), Marty Jackley (SD), Jeff Jackson (NC), and Aaron Ford (NV), is leading the charge on behalf of consumers who have been overwhelmed by unsolicited calls and texts after applying for a mortgage. These communications often stem from the legal but abusive sale of consumer data allowed under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
“When people apply for a mortgage, they’re making one of the biggest decisions of their lives—and their personal information shouldn’t be up for grabs,” said Attorney General Rhea. “Trigger leads open the door to a flood of aggressive marketing, exposing consumers to misleading pitches and, in some cases, outright scams.”
The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act would restrict trigger lead usage to businesses with a prior relationship with the consumer or those who have received explicit consent. This targeted reform protects privacy while preserving healthy market competition.
For years, state attorneys general have been hamstrung by federal law, with preemption under the FCRA blocking stronger state-level protections. The result? Inconsistent state efforts and limited recourse for consumers
Zero Tolerance for Violent or Disruptive Behavior at Schneider Hospital
At Schneider Regional Medical Center (SRMC), we are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional environment where healing can occur.
Any form of violence, abuse, or disruptive behavior that affects patient care or staff wellbeing will not be tolerated and will result in immediate removal from all SRMC facilities and grounds—including the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center (MKSCHC) and the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute (CKCI).
SRMC enforces a zero-tolerance policy to protect the safety and well-being of our staff, patients, and visitors. This includes:
• Verbal abuse
• Threatening or assaultive language or actions
• Harassing, intimidating, or aggressive conduct
Individuals who engage in such behavior will be removed from the premises and banned from returning, except in the case of a verified medical emergency.
Why This Matters
According to national safety standards, including guidance from The Joint Commission, behavior that undermines professionalism and respect in healthcare settings can compromise patient outcomes, contribute to staff burnout, and disrupt the delivery of care.
SRMC is taking a firm stand to protect our team and uphold our mission of safe, respectful, and high-quality care. If you experience or witness any form of violence or abuse, please know that you are supported—and we will act promptly to ensure your safety.We thank our community for supporting this important policy and for helping us maintain a secure, healing environment for all.
Residents to Get Smaller Electric Bills
V.I. residents will soon see a reduction in their Water and Power Authority electric bill. The Public Services Commission voted Tuesday to reduce the LEAC charge.
The Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause appears on residents’ electric bills and is intended to cover the cost of fuel used by the Water and Power Authority. Since the price of oil skyrocketed, it became a dirty word to most residents. WAPA has scrambled to bring that cost down through solar projects and more efficient generators. Since WAPA has been in such dire financial straits, the PSC has allowed WAPA to overcharge on LEAC recently.
The Public Services Commission consultant, Georgetown’s Jamshed Madan, told the commission that WAPA has been saying it would be able to bring the rate down, but it has never done so. He said, however, that now, for the first time, it looks like it could be brought down because the fuel-efficient Wartsila generators were online and appeared to be able to stay online. Setbacks and delays have plagued the Wartsila project.
Madan recommended that the LEAC be dropped from 22 cents per kilowatt-hour to 15 cents. The commission approved a drop to 17 cents.
WAPA Chief Financial Officer Lorraine Kelly was not pleased; she stated that the rate drop would be a catastrophe for the cash-strapped utility company. She had recommended that the commission leave the rate the same as they did three months earlier.
Commissioner David Hughes stated that because the commission had allowed the utility to retain the higher LEAC rate this year, it had granted the utility $18 million.
In April, the commission heard a recommendation to reduce the electric LEAC to 18 cents, but WAPA won that argument, with officials stating that it had charged customers $139 million less than it should have to cover fuel costs in recent years.
The commission voted to keep the water LEAC at its current rate of $9.53 per thousand gallons. Kelly said recent infrastructure improvements include the installation of approximately 4,000 new water meters. These should improve billing accuracy and reduce water line losses.
With the appointment of Genevieve Whitaker as a hearing examiner, the commission moved forward on a rate investigation, required every five years to evaluate WAPA’s electric and water systems in hopes of improving service and addressing ongoing financial hurdles.
WAPA recently extended its fuel contract for three months with Vitol and has gone out to bid for a longer-term contract. Hughes questioned WAPA officials about ways the PSC can be more involved in the procurement of fuel. Kelly appears to indicate that PSC could not get involved until the contract was already approved. Hughes moved, and it was approved that the PSC investigate ways to increase its involvement in the process. Vitol has threatened to shut off deliveries to the territory on a couple of occasions. Its original contract with WAPA to convert generators to propane suffered delays and a $100 million cost overrun.
Commissioners Pedro Williams, David Hughes, Raymond Williams, Laura Nichols-Samms, and Clement Magras were present at the meeting. An executive session was held to discuss pending legal and administrative matters, but no action was taken.
WAPA Responds to PSC Vote on LEAC Charge
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority released the following statement Tuesday night in response to the Public Services Commission’s vote to reduce the LEAC charge:
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or the “Authority”) is deeply discouraged and profoundly disappointed by the action taken today by the Public Services Commission (PSC). In what appears to be a deliberate, ill-considered decision – deliberately overlooking facts, the PSC has ordered WAPA to lower electric rates, reducing WAPA’s budget by $2.5 million per month in a move that is not only irresponsible, but harmful to the public interest.
“I fully understand the desire to provide rate relief to the customers of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority,” stated WAPA CEO and Executive Director Karl Knight.
“We all share that same desire, and WAPA has been working aggressively to get to that point, but we must do so in a responsible manner that does not immediately jeopardize our ability to provide electric and potable water services in the Virgin Islands.”
While the PSC may believe that they are advocating on behalf of ratepayers, the decision by the PSC, made without fully considering the operational and financial consequences, places the Authority at risk of defaulting on its obligations to vendors, contractors, and employees. As we approach hurricane season, already fiscally challenged, it is the people of this territory who will pay the price for the PSC’s unsound decision-making, placing the entire Virgin Islands at great risk.
WAPA has been fighting on every front to maintain stability amidst rising fuel costs, aging infrastructure, and legacy debt. WAPA is only now, after many years, beginning to realize the operational savings necessary to dig itself out of its deep financial hole. Within the last year, WAPA has significantly reduced its monthly deficit, allowing us to improve the timeliness of fuel payments and continue addressing outstanding balances with local vendors. Today’s action reverses the very real progress we are making and decreases our annual budget by $30 million.
Teaching WAPA a so-called “lesson” or placing a government instrumentality “in the penalty box for three months” through these tactics as was stated in today’s hearing is irresponsible governance. That mindset is unfit for a regulatory, quasi-judicial entity like the Public Services Commission who we depend on for sound and rational decision-making. Rate adjustments must be data-driven, deliberate, and made with full understanding of operational realities and facts. There is no room for political grandstanding in that environment.
There is a sustainable pathway to increase service reliability and cut rates, but this is not the way. This cripples the Authority and will hurt its customers.
We call on the Public Services Commission to immediately reconsider this decision before irreversible harm is done to the Virgin Islands community.
