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Health and Wellness Fair, Measles Addressed During Inaugural Bimonthly Health and Human Services Briefing

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Health and Wellness Fair, Measles Addressed During Inaugural Bimonthly Health and Human Services Briefing
Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis provides an update on measles during the first in a series of bimonthly news briefings centered on health and human services. (Source file photo)

Thursday marked the launch of a new, twice-monthly news briefing, which Government House Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. said the briefings will include updates from the departments of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceaser, chief medical officer for the Health Department, said DOH has two major initiatives planned “that speak to the mission of improving access to health care, not just for individuals and families, but for the broader community.”

“That includes the animals we care for and cherish,” she said.

First, the territory’s annual Health and Wellness Fair will return to offer Virgin Islanders free services, including:

  • Health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, A1C, STIs and HIV

  • Pap smears, HPV screening and breast exams for women

  • Digital rectal exams for men

  • Vaccinations for children and adults

  • Back-to-school physicals for students

  • Behavioral health services like screening for anxiety and depression

The fair will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on the following dates.

  • June 2-6 at the St. Croix Educational Complex

  • June 9-12 at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School

  • June 13 at the Morris F. deCastro Clinic

Last summer’s fair was supported by the U.S. Defense Department’s Innovative Readiness Training Program, which brought more than 300 health care professionals and support staff to the territory. Hunte-Ceasar said Thursday that while the full IRT contingent will not be returning this year, they are sending a veterinary unit to provide services at no cost to pet owners at the Humane Society of St. Thomas from June 17-28. Appointments are required. The veterinary team is also expected to work with the St. Thomas Horse Racing Association and Coral World Ocean Park.

“This is truly a unique deployment that promotes health, compassion and collaboration across species, and we are deeply grateful to IRT and our local partners for making it possible,” she said. “We look forward to welcoming the IRT program to St. Croix in 2026 to continue this important work.”

Hunte-Ceasar said the Health Department is also planning to conclude Mental Health Awareness Month with a wellness walk at 2 p.m. on May 31, beginning at Claude O. Markoe Elementary School and ending at Buddhoe Park.

Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis then took the podium to update the territory on efforts to safeguard the territory from the resurgence of measles in the continental United States.

To date, Ellis said there have been 1,024 confirmed cases reported across 31 states and 14 outbreaks in 2025. Three people have died, including two children. In nearly all cases — 96 percent — people who have contracted measles are either unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown, she said. Children under five account for 30 percent of reported cases.

“In the U.S. Virgin Islands, our greatest concern is the fact that more than 50 percent of the children under age six are unvaccinated for measles,” she said. “That leaves a large portion of our youngest population at high risk.”

That statistic, Ellis said, is what prompted the Health Department last week to mail 500 letters to parents who previously requested vaccine exemptions for their children, strongly urging them to reconsider.

“Why does this matter? Well first, measles is extremely contagious,” Ellis said Thursday. “One infected person can spread the virus to 10-12 others. Additionally, an infected person — once they leave a room, that room can be contagious to others that walk into it for two hours. It’s incredibly contagious.”

Ellis said measles is also potentially fatal, and complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, or brain swelling, hearing loss, and death. Measles is also preventable, Ellis said, and the MRR is 97 percent effective after two doses.

Ellis stressed that the territory has not had a confirmed measles case to date, “and with your help, we can keep it that way.”

Applications Due May 23 for STJ Summer Camp Funding

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Applications Due May 23 for STJ Summer Camp Funding
Children play at the National Park playground in Cruz Bay. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)

Love City Strong is partnering with six organizations to assist with tuition and fees for students hoping to attend summer camp programs on St. John. The deadline to apply is Friday.

Parents or legal guardians operating within a limited budget can apply at the Love City Strong office on the first floor of the Marketplace. “This program aims to reinvest in the community by focusing on youth development and equal access to enrichment opportunities,” according to a press release.

For more information, call 340-714-7744 or email kharid@lovecitystrongvi.org.

Camps which qualify for funding include programs offered by Sports, Parks and Recreation, Julius E. Sprauve School, St. John School of the Arts, Society 340 Little Ones, and Negus. The program at Gifft Hill School has already reached full capacity.

Space is still available to enroll in the St. John School of the Arts Summer Arts Intensives programs, including tumbling, photography, art, cheer, and dance.

The SJSA Summer Arts Intensives are designed to challenge students by pushing their creative boundaries, refining their technical skills, and encouraging artistic risk-taking. For further information, call the St. John School of the Arts at 340-779-4322.

U.S. Department of Interior Approves Historic Preservation Tax Credit Part 2 for Fifteenand9Main

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U.S. Department of Interior Approves Historic Preservation Tax Credit Part 2 for Fifteenand9Main
(Photo courtesy Fifteenand9Main)

U.S. Department of Interior approves Part 2 for Fifteenand9Main’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit, marking a key step in revitalizing Virgin Islands’ heritage.

On May 12, 2025, we achieved a significant milestone. The US Department of the Interior approved Fifteenand9Main’s submission of Part 2 in the three-part process for receiving the Historic Preservation tax credit. This approval not only underscores the credibility and viability of our project but also fills us with pride and accomplishment.

Part 2 outlines the condition of the building and the renovations needed. Part 1 confirmed that the structure is historic and located in a historic zone. (We received approval under Part 1 on 9-04-24)

(Photo courtesy Fifteenand9Main)

Team Collaboration Drives Success in Historical Building Renovation

We began the work with permission from the local historical representative and Washington, DC officials before receiving approval under Part 2. This early action was necessary to secure the building, as the roof and other parts of the historical structure needed replacement. Sean Krigger, the territory liaison for the US Virgin Islands, provided essential support and understanding of the project’s urgency, which was instrumental in our early start.

Our Part 2 submission, a thirty-two-page PDF documenting the work and renovations made to the historical structure, is a testament to our collective effort. This collaborative endeavor, which involved all four managing partners—Michael Donohue, Catarina Donohue, David Shear, and Carol Shear—showcases our value and integral role in this project.

It’s important to acknowledge the significant role of our partner, Carol Shear. Her experience securing grants from her previous profession has been instrumental in getting us to this point. Her unique expertise has greatly contributed to our success.

Engage in Preserving and Enriching the Virgin Islands’ Historic Districts

While this approval is a significant achievement for us, it also serves as a call to action for the St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John communities. Your active involvement is not just welcomed but crucial. Together, we can further enrich the Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted Historic Districts, the Charlotte Amalie district containing 165 acres, approximately 500 contributing buildings, three contributing structures, and one contributing object.

The Christiansted Historic District, a 135.9-acre (0.550 km²) area in Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It was home to 253 contributing buildings and two contributing sites, many of which hold significant historical value.

(Photo courtesy Fifteenand9Main)

Virgin Islands Excluded from $35 Billion in Tax Credits, New Legislation Proposes 30% Boost for Small Projects.

The Virgin Islands have not yet benefited from the widely acclaimed program that offers tax credits. Bipartisan legislation has been proposed to increase the credit for smaller projects, most of which would likely apply to those in the Virgin Islands, from 20% to 30%. From 2019 through the most recent National Park Service annual report, 2024, a total of $35,215,551,365 in tax credits was approved nationwide. Still, investors in the Virgin Islands received none of these tax credits.

Qualifying Criteria for the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit for Historic Buildings

1. The building must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or certified as part of a registered historic district. 2. The project must meet the “substantial rehabilitation test.” 3. Rehabilitation must follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. 4. After rehabilitation, the building must be used for business or income-producing purposes for at least five years to qualify for the federal rehabilitation tax credit; owner-occupied residential properties do not qualify.

Part 3: Request for Certification of Completed Work

After finishing the rehabilitation work, the owner must submit a Part 3 application form to request final approval. The National Park Service will evaluate and compare the completed project to the work proposed in the Part 2 application form. If the completed project meets the required standards, the National Park Service will certify the rehabilitation, making it eligible for the 20% rehabilitation tax credit. This is the next step in our project timeline.

AG Rhea Joins National Plea to Congress: Fund 9/11 Health Program Now

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AG Rhea Joins National Plea to Congress: Fund 9/11 Health Program Now

Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea has joined a bipartisan group of 38 attorneys general urging Congress to take swift action to prevent a looming funding crisis that threatens the World Trade Center Health Program — a critical lifeline for thousands of 9/11 first responders and survivors, the Justice Department announced.

In a letter sent this week to congressional leadership, the coalition called on lawmakers to address the program’s growing financial shortfall before it jeopardizes care for the more than 135,000 Americans enrolled. Rhea emphasized that the federal government has a duty to provide continued medical care to those suffering long-term effects from the Sept. 11 attacks, according to the press release.

“The heroes and survivors of 9/11 put their lives on the line for our country, and we owe them more than gratitude — we owe them lasting care,” Rhea stated in a press release Wednesday. “The World Trade Center Health Program is a vital resource for thousands living with the long-term effects of that tragic day, and its funding must be protected. Congress must act now to ensure these brave individuals continue to receive the support and medical care they were promised.”

Established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, the WTCHP provides no-cost medical monitoring and treatment to individuals exposed to toxins in the aftermath of the attacks. Its patients include firefighters, police officers, construction workers, volunteers, and civilians who lived or worked near ground zero and are now experiencing serious health conditions, including cancers, respiratory illnesses, and mental health disorders, the press release stated.

Though the program was reauthorized in 2015 and 2019 with bipartisan support and is slated to operate through 2090, the attorneys general argue that rising demand for specialized care has pushed funding to its limits. Roughly 400,000 individuals were exposed to toxic dust and debris, but only a third are currently enrolled, and new diagnoses continue to emerge each year, the release stated.

The coalition warned that without increased funding, the program could be forced to cut services, halt new enrollments, or place patients on waitlists. They described the threat not just as a policy failure, but as a broken promise to those who risked their lives, the release stated.

Rhea and the other attorneys general are calling on Congress to pass legislation that both resolves the immediate shortfall and secures the program’s long-term stability, it said.

In addition to Rhea, signatories include attorneys general from California, New York, Florida, Texas, and the District of Columbia, as well as representatives from U.S. territories such as American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands, it said.

Plaskett Releases Statement On House Passage Of Reconciliation Bill

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Plaskett Releases Statement On House Passage Of Reconciliation Bill

Early this morning, the House of Representatives passed the Republican reconciliation package (H.R. 1) with a vote of 215-214-1. Every Democrat in the House voted no.

The 2 Republicans who voted against the bill, Congressman Thomas Massie (KY-4) and Congressman Warren Davidson (OH-8), opposed the legislation as they wanted to see further federal funding cuts. They held out hoping for full dismantlement.

This bill includes the largest cuts to healthcare in American history. This loss of funding – nearly one trillion dollars – will eliminate healthcare coverage for at least 13.7 million Americans and make it harder for people to access vital medical services. In Medicaid alone, funding is cut by more than $730 billion, which will leave 7.6 million people uninsured. The Virgin Islands presently has 21,000 Medicaid enrollees presently, many of whom will be impacted through loss of service or disenrollment.

Medicare funding was cut by more than $500 billion and vital programs, including the Social Services Block Grant – which provides more than $4.2 million to the Virgin Islands – are eliminated until 2034. With 20,000 Medicare enrollees in the U.S. Virgin Islands, services are sure to be impacted.  Federal funding for the Virgin Islands’ Meals on Wheels Program and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has also been eliminated until 2034.

Republicans’ reconciliation bill will make everyday life more expensive for Americans and removes programs which gave opportunities and support for a better life. It is estimated that more than 4 million students will see a reduction, or elimination, of their Pell Grants. The requirements for ‘full-time’ students are increased from 12 to 15 credits, which will decrease the maximum award for any student taking 12 credits by $1,479. In addition, students that are enrolled less than half-time will no longer receive Pell aid.

This bill harms efforts to lower energy costs, increase clean energy manufacturing and jobs, and eliminate economic assistance for communities on the frontline of the climate crisis. Unobligated funds will be rescinded from Inflation Reduction Act programs, including Environmental Justice Block Grants, State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.  One of these programs already in place in the Virgin Islands is the Solar for All Program, which provided $62.5 million for homes and businesses.

Republicans voted to cut $35 billion in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which includes children, working families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. This includes a $1 million cut to the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT program), which gives food assistance to children when they cannot rely on school lunches. This will impact the more than 15,000 Virgin Islands residents who rely upon SNAP for access to nutritious food for their wellbeing. The $35 billion cut includes a $1 billion decrease in funding for the Nutrition Assistance Program in Puerto Rico despite tremendous efforts and advocacy from their lobbyists, led by Republican Governor, Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon and Congressman Pablo Hernandez.

The reconciliation bill does not provide the increased rum cover over rate. Rum cover over is the rebate of federal excise taxes on distilled spirits produced in or imported into the rest of the United States from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Despite Congresswoman Plaskett’s success in securing a Republican lead for the rum cover over legislation (H.R. 1378), Congressman Ron Estes (KS-4), and the support of 24 of her colleagues – 16 Republicans and 8 Democrats – the extension for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands was not included in the bill.

It is unfortunate that at the last minute while trying to find additional funds, the Republicans attempted to remove duty drawback – an export-promotion program that American alcohol and tobacco companies rely upon for a refund of duties paid at the time of import when similar goods are exported.  That program saves the alcohol industry alone approximately $30 billion.  Because of that concern, the full push of the rum industry was not present for rum cover over as the industry prioritized its efforts on safeguarding duty drawback which represented direct dollars to their industry. It’s also important to recognize that many discretionary provisions that made it into the bill were included to secure the necessary votes to advance the legislation – which ultimately was not the case with the provision for an increased rum cover over rate.

During an 18-hour markup in the Ways and Means Committee for the tax provisions of the reconciliation bill, Congresswoman Plaskett offered an amendment to increase the rate of the rum cover offer, to publicly demonstrate the bipartisan support for this provision. Both Democrats and Republicans  emphasized the importance of the increased rum cover over rate.  The Ways and Means Chairman, Jason Smith, publicly stated that he would work to advance this, and the Committee is expected to craft a bipartisan tax bill this summer. “I will continue to work with my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, to secure the increased rum cover over rate of $13.25, both retroactively and with an extension, for the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.”

While Congresswoman Plaskett cannot support the bill in its entirety, Plaskett’s legislation, the Restore Economic Vitality and Investment in the Virgin Islands (REVIVE VI) Act is included in the Republicans’ bill – one of only four Democrat Ways and Means provisions. REVIVE VI fixes an unintentional consequence of the Global Intangible Low Tax Income (GILTI) regime which, as a practical matter, inadvertently overrode the U.S. Virgin Islands’ economic development program that was previously authorized by Congress. This provision restores the Virgin Islands’ right to have an economic development program which will benefit our economy and workforce.

The U.S. Senate is anticipated to draft an entirely different bill that proposes fewer cuts to critical programs. Then, the Senate bill and House bill will likely be negotiated on a version that can be passed in both chambers of Congress and then be signed by the President.

Congresswoman Plaskett shared, “This bill is a wholesale betrayal of the working class and the future of America. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that the bottom 10%–working- and middle-class Americans will be 4% poorer in household wealth under this bill, with most of the benefits going to the top 10% of Americans. Not only does the bill make the largest healthcare cut in our nation’s history, it also makes the largest cuts to food assistance, energy projects and Pell grants. All to give additional money to the wealthiest Americans – an average of $278,000 per year, $762 per day, to the top 0.1% of Americans. This bill is cruel, shameful, unfair and unamerican.”

Flemings’ Transport Helps Deliver Car Seats for Virgin Islands Children

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Flemings’ Transport Helps Deliver Car Seats for Virgin Islands Children

Flemings’ Transport Company, Inc. has partnered with the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Office of Highway Safety to boost child passenger safety across the territory by helping provide car seats for families in need, a press release announced.

The company covered port-to-port shipping costs, allowing the Office of Highway Safety to expand its inventory of child safety restraint systems — devices that have become increasingly difficult to find locally since the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnership enabled the purchase and distribution of 300 car seats per district, spanning a range of sizes for different developmental stages, according to the press release.

“Child passenger safety is of paramount concern,” said VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal in a May 22 press release. “With an average of 14 crashes logged in the territory daily, we cannot continue to gamble with the lives of these young passengers. With Flemings’ Transport’s generous partnership, we are pleased to assist caregivers with safeguarding their children’s lives while complying with VI laws.”

Under Virgin Islands law, car seats or booster seats are required for children under age eight or shorter than 4 feet, 9 inches. But with many retailers unable to maintain stock of the devices, the burden has fallen on families to find alternative sources — often at high cost. Import fees for bulky car seats can exceed 50 percent of the purchase price, making affordability a key barrier, the press release stated.

By absorbing the transportation costs, Flemings’ helped the department stretch its funding further, ensuring a wider distribution of seats to households at no or low cost, the release stated.

Residents seeking more information about child passenger safety or traffic safety programs can contact the Office of Highway Safety through Director O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov or Program Manager Denise Gomes at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov, or by calling 340-473-7383.

Earley Charles Dies

Mat Probasco
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Earley Charles Dies

The family of the Earley Charles is saddened to announce his passing on May 14, 2025.

Earley Charles

He is survived by his wife: Marilyn Charles, brothers: Valdemar Rochester, James Rochester, aunts: Rosamond Tyson, Althea Charles, nieces: Sherika Rochester, Valdecia Rochester, nephews: Zion Rochester, Jameel Rochester, Jamaine Rochester, special friends: Edgar Jeffers, Anderson Williams. 

A friend and family viewing are schedule to be on May 22, at Divine Chapel, 129 Peter’s Rest between 3-5 p.m.

Funeral services are scheduled to be on Friday, May 23, at St. John’s Anglican Church, Christiansted. The viewing will begin at 9AM and service 10 a.m.

 Interment  follows to the Kingshill Cemetery.

Fedora Harrigan Dies

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Fedora Harrigan Dies

The family of Fedora Harrigan is sadden to announce her passing on May 2, 2025.

Fedora Harrigan

Fedora is survived by her son: Christopher St. Rose, Grandchildren: Byran St. Rose, Arshari St. Rose, Great grandchildren: JD King, Myles St. Rose, Brother(s): Gilroy Calixte, Linis Emmanuel, sisters: Marilyn Emmanuel, Margarita Marchall, Eudoxia Attie, Nephew: Vibert Monchery and family, St. Croix, St. Lucia and New York, Special Friends: Miss Rawlins, Grove Place, Sweweta, McDonald’s Staff of La Reine and her neighbors in Mutual Homes.

Her funeral service is scheduled to be held on May 23, at Ebenezer Holiness, Plot 48 Grove Place. Viewing 9 a.m., service 10 a.m. There will be no graveside service.

AG Rhea Joins National Call for Federal Action on Youth Substance Prevention

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AG Rhea Joins National Call for Federal Action on Youth Substance Prevention

Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea has joined a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general urging Congress to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act — legislation designed to curb early drug use through evidence-based education and outreach, the Justice Department announced.

The proposed bill, introduced by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize federal funding for youth-targeted public service announcements, peer-led campaigns, and culturally relevant media outreach initiatives.

“Protecting our youth from the dangers of early substance use requires more than just enforcement — it demands education, engagement, and evidence-based prevention,” Rhea stated in a press release issued Thursday. “This legislation recognizes that truth and gives communities the tools they need to reach young people where they are, with messages that resonate. I strongly urge Congress to act on this common sense step toward a healthier, safer future for our children.”

According to the Justice Department, the bill mandates that all campaigns be grounded in research, tailored for cultural relevance, and adapted to meet the needs of local communities. Funded initiatives would include public service announcements across platforms like social media and streaming services, as well as youth-led PSA contests to promote peer engagement. Annual reporting requirements are also included to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

“This thoughtful and timely legislation represents a critical, evidence-based step toward reducing youth substance use through strategic public education and engagement,” the coalition wrote in a letter to Senate leadership.

Rhea and his colleagues emphasized the urgency of the measure, citing the growing prevalence of synthetic drugs and fentanyl-related overdoses. Studies show that early drug use increases the risk of long-term addiction and other serious consequences that ripple through schools, families, and communities.

“It is not just a matter of policy — it is a matter of prevention, education, and hope,” the attorneys general wrote.

The letter of support was led by attorneys general from New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, and South Dakota, and signed by counterparts from 34 other states and territories, including Alaska, California, Georgia, Michigan, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Click It or Ticket: VIPD Cracks Down on Seat Belt Violations

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Click It or Ticket: VIPD Cracks Down on Seat Belt Violations

The Virgin Islands Police Department and Office of Highway Safety are warning residents and visitors to buckle up — or face the consequences.

Launching the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign, the VIPD joins the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a territory-wide push to enforce seat belt laws and raise awareness of the deadly risks of non-compliance, the agencies announced.

“Non-compliance causes an unacceptable number of injuries and fatalities on our roads each year,” said VIPD Commissioner Mario Brooks in a press release. “Seat belts, along with increased traffic enforcement, are our best defense to reduce these preventable tragedies. Our message is clear: click it or pay a ticket.”

The enforcement campaign runs through June 1 and includes heightened patrols focused on seat belt usage. Officials said this year’s initiative is especially urgent, as recent data shows that only 71 percent of motorists and front-seat passengers in the territory wear seat belts — far below the national average of 91.2 percent, according to the press release.

With an average of 14 crashes occurring daily in the Virgin Islands, the VIPD is urging the public to take the simple, proven step of wearing a seat belt on every trip. “The Department is proud to stand with NHTSA and law enforcement officials nationwide in their critical effort to remind everyone about this simple and lifesaving safety measure: buckle up,” Brooks said.

For more information on occupant protection programs or to request safety resources, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety at (340) 473-7383 or visit www.vipd.gov.vi.

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