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VIEDA Promotes U.S. Virgin Islands At SelectUSA Investment Summit

Mat Probasco
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VIEDA Promotes U.S. Virgin Islands At SelectUSA Investment Summit

The U.S. Virgin Islands was promoted as a prime destination for business investment by the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority at the 11th Annual SelectUSA Investment Summit. This summit was hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce from May 11-15, 2025, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

As an Exhibitor and Gold Sponsor of the summit, in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands’ Research and Technology Park, the VIEDA showcased the Territory’s business opportunities and tax incentive programs, joining hundreds of U.S. economic development organizations, investors, and government officials working together to attract business to the U.S. and its territories.

“The annual SelectUSA Investment Summit offers the VIEDA team a valuable platform to showcase the U.S. Virgin Islands as a prime destination for business and investment. Through strategic networking and one-on-one meetings, the team engaged with investors from the U.S., Asia, Africa, and Europe to highlight the advantages of doing business in the USVI. These investors expressed interest in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, and hotel development,” said VIEDA Assistant Chief Executive Officer Dwayne A. Benjamin.

“Some investors showed strong interest in the South Shore Trade Zone on St. Croix. The summit proved to be a valuable opportunity as VIEDA continues to actively promote its programs through strategic engagements with organizations like SelectUSA—aligning with both the Territory’s investment strategy and the “America First” mandate, supporting the long-term economic growth of the U.S. Virgin Islands,” added VIEDA ACEO Benjamin.

According to SelectUSA, this year was the largest investment summit to date with record levels of attendance and engagement from 5,500+ attendees, 100+ international markets, and 54 U.S. states and territories. The summit attracted 1,100+ economic development organization representatives and 2,700+ international delegates.

Joining VIEDA Assistant CEO Benjamin were Margarita A. Benjamin, managing director, Economic Development; Nadine Marchena Kean, managing director, Enterprise Zone Commission; Celina D. Morris, director, Marketing; and Kyle C. Thomas, program manager, Marketing & 2040 Vision. This economic development team shared information about the USVI’s tax incentive program, the South Shore Trade Zone Program on St. Croix, other business opportunities, and the USVI’s infrastructural assets to attract new investors to the USVI. See video link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiAnSZYyBLk.

Administered by V.I. Economic Development Commission, the VIEDC tax incentive program offers 90 percent exemptions on corporate and personal income tax, 100 percent exemptions on property, excise, & gross receipts tax, and customs duties; and 83 percent reduction on customs duties decrease from 6 percent to 1 percent. In exchange, eligible businesses participating in this program must create employment opportunities and generate tax revenues in the USVI. Currently, there are at least 100 businesses actively participating in the VIEDC tax incentive program.

With the SSTZ located on approximately 367 acres of relatively flat ocean-front land just south of the airport on St. Croix, the SSTZ Program offers the same benefits except with a total exemption from  customs duties. In 2024, the VIEDA Board of Directors approved the first SSTZ Program application from In the Mix Cakery, a St. Croix-based business owned by local residents.

Along with a landscape for connections to be made, the SelectUSA Investment Summit provided a robust agenda that included plenary, academy, and industry spotlight sessions on various topics for business leaders. These topics included, but were not limited to, best practices for expanding an established company in the U.S., delivering a pitch to secure capital investment and build a support network, targeting the best source of capital for a startup, and having cultural awareness and understanding on how business is conducted in the United States in comparison to other countries.

The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the highest profile event in the United States to facilitate business investment by connecting thousands of investors, companies, economic development organizations, and industry experts to make deals happen. It is a one-stop shop for companies considering expanding to the United States and provides economic development organizations with the opportunity to meet directly with international companies to facilitate investment deals.

The SelectUSA Investment Summit has attracted thousands of international companies and economic development representatives generating over $135 billion in new investment projects supporting more than 105,000 jobs across the United States and its territories

VITEMA Urges Hurricane Season Prep During Weekly Briefing

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VITEMA Urges Hurricane Season Prep During Weekly Briefing
Spokesperson Richard Motta Jr. holds a press briefing Monday afternoon at Government House on St. Croix. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

Days before its official start on June 1, the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency asked Virgin Islanders to get ready for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season during a Government House briefing Monday.

Assistant VITEMA Director Ovid Williams, who was appointed to the role earlier this month, said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 60% chance that the season will have above-normal activity, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of below-normal activity.

“What that means is that as of now, this prediction says that we’ll have about 13-19 named storms. Six to 10 of those will be hurricanes,” he said. Three to five of those will be “major” hurricanes, according to NOAA.

Williams urged Virgin Islanders to prepare by creating or updating a clear family emergency plan.

“This means sitting down together and discussing where you will shelter during a storm, if you’re staying at home, what’s your evacuation route if you need to leave, what if you get separated, and who will be your off-island contact person that everyone can check in with,” he said. “Write this plan down and practice it with your family — especially your children. Remember to include plans for elderly family members and those will special needs.”

Williams added that “cash is king,” and noted that ATMs could be offline in the days or weeks after a storm. He also urged residents to review their insurance coverage now and to take detailed photos of their home’s interior, exterior and valuable items.

“Create a room-by-room inventory with photos and descriptions,” he said. “Store these photos and inventory lists both digitally and in a waterproof container.”

Williams said most hurricane damage is caused by flying debris and advised homeowners to “take time to consider what might become a projectile in your yard.”

“Check your hurricane shutters and make sure that they are operational — and if they’re not, take the time to replace them now,” he said. “Inspect your roof for damaged areas and remember these tasks take time. Don’t wait until a storm is approaching.”

Williams said to test generators and use them only in ventilated areas.

In the event of a hurricane, shelters will open at: the Adrian Senior Center and Gifft Hill School on St. John; the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School cafeteria and gymnasium and Lockhart K-8 School on St. Thomas; and the St. Croix Educational Complex, D. C. Canegata and Beeston Hill on St. Croix; and the community center on Water Island. People with medical or special needs can preregister with the V.I. Human Services Department for placement in designated shelters, Williams said. Lockhart and Complex will be the only shelters to allow pets.

The shelters will be activated 24 hours prior to a storm making landfall at the discretion of Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.

The application window for businesses to apply for curfew passes closes on June 1, Williams said, and faith-based organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Williams concluded by urging residents to sign up for Alert VI to receive emergency updates via text, email or phone.

During his time at the podium, Government House Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. offered condolences on behalf of the administration to the families of Eldred “Edgie” Christian, banjo player and singer for the Ten Sleepless Knights, and Inez Williams, a pillar of the Estate Grove community on St. Croix.

Labor Union, Awaiting Contract Signatures for Waste Management Employees, Files PERB Complaint and Eyes Strike

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Labor Union, Awaiting Contract Signatures for Waste Management Employees, Files PERB Complaint and Eyes Strike
John Vigueras, special representative for IAM’s Southern Territory, appears in a video the labor union released last summer amid contract negotiations with the V.I. Collective Bargaining Office. (Source file photo)

The union representing close to a hundred Waste Management Authority employees filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the V.I. Public Employees Relations Board Tuesday, and a representative said a strike isn’t out of the question if the employees’ collective bargaining agreement doesn’t take effect soon.

Approximately 97 Waste Management employees are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. John Vigueras, IAM’s southern territory special representative, told the Source Tuesday that they’ve been waiting six years for a new contract and described the process as “excruciatingly slow and just cumbersome.”

“I’ve never, ever negotiated under these circumstances anywhere else in the states,” he said, referring to the V.I. Collective Bargaining Office as “an agency that negotiates with you but doesn’t have time to negotiate.”

IAM and other labor unions have repeatedly bemoaned the slow pace of negotiating new contracts with OCB, which is chronically understaffed and underfunded. The territory’s chief negotiator, Joss Springette, has advocated several times for Act 4440 to be amended or expanded in a way that would allow the government to offer general salary increases to employees awaiting new contracts.

The union’s frustration with OCB boiled over last summer, and Waste Management employees, dissatisfied with the contracts proposed by the authority at the time, voted to authorize a strike. Vigueras said Tuesday that he thought the matter was settled when they finally ratified a collective bargaining agreement in February, but the delays continued.

“I thought that once we signed and submitted it to them, and they signed, that the process would go through,” he said. “But they’re saying, ‘no, we have to have it signed by so-and-so and by so-and-so and the chairman of the board, and they’re not on island,’ and then we have to wait for them to get back … and the board doesn’t meet but once a month, and we missed the last one — just really incredible excuses.”

Eventually, Vigueras said the union squared everything with OCB.

“Once again, I thought — me being the ignorant person I am — I thought that was it …. We went to Waste Management, and the whole process started again,” he said. Vigueras said he was told that the WMA didn’t have a human resources information system and that the Authority had to do “all of the back pay calculations for 90 workers, plus their new salaries, by hand.”

“I’m like, I’ve never seen anything like this. So I had to give them an ultimatum,” he said. Vigueras said he reached out to the authority’s human resources department and executive director and promised to “go nuclear” if the contracts aren’t put into effect.

“And should they not take action within the next week or two, we’re going to reserve the right to … pull everybody out on an unfair labor practice strike,” he said. “Because where does this end? I mean, we’ve been very patient, and they just keep delaying it and kicking the can down and kicking the can down.”

Interim Waste Management Director Daryl Griffith acknowledged in a call with the Source Tuesday that the authority’s comptroller was out of office last week but said IAM will receive a response this week, adding that the holdup was caused by having to physically sign all of the required documents.

“We’re definitely in the home stretch,” he said. “We’re at third base, sliding in — running from third base, sliding into home right now. We’re seconds away from everything being fully executed and implemented.”

Governor Laments ‘Woeful’ Housing Situation

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Governor Laments ‘Woeful’ Housing Situation
Donoe Housing Project was one of the housing projects discussed at the PFA meeting. (Screenshot from Zoom meeting)

V.I. Housing Authority Executive Director Dwayne Alexander presented a report to the Public Finance Authority on redevelopment projects costing $2.4 billion, which include the rehabilitation or construction of 2,300 units. Some of the projects are not destined to be completed in this decade.

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. told Alexander that the plan was “woefully lacking” and that a “short-term solution” had to be found for the present housing situation.

He said rent on St. Thomas had become “untenable,” and residents don’t know where to go for housing. He said the situation was going to get worse as more construction projects brought in more workers. Ultimately, he said the territory would lose population.

VIHA Board Member Dorothy Isaacs questioned whether something could be done to rehabilitate houses in areas such as Bunker Hill, where many homes were now uninhabitable.

Bryan stated that the Senate has not taken action on the housing situation. Instead, it has “wasted time on mundane issues.”

A couple of projects mentioned by Alexander have moved along. Construction began in March on the David Hamilton Jackson Terrace rehabilitation project (106 units), and the Walter I. M. Hodge Pavilion rehabilitation project (248 units, including a senior center) has been completed.

Alexander said that the Estate Donoe redevelopment, with 84 units, would be completed in 2027.

The Alphonso Gerald rehabilitation (18 units) and Tutu North Senior housing (60 units) are in the early stages of project development.

Bryan said he was concerned not only about the fact that some projects were 12 years out, but most of them were just rehabilitation projects. He said, “The net gain in housing is zero.”

A resolution before the board on behalf of the Office of Disaster Recovery, to pay Springline Architects $25 million more than agreed upon in the original contract, which covers works on several public buildings, was discussed at length. Board members Keith O’Neal and Isaacs questioned how the cost could have ballooned so much.

Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Office of Disaster Recovery director, defended the request, which also included an eighteen-month extension of the contract. She said the scope of the agreement had expanded.

The authority also passed a measure to allow an increase of $8 million in a contract with DLR Group for architectural and engineering services related to the Julius Sprauve school project.

The members also unanimously approved the PFA’s proposed budget of $26 million.

Hilton-Branded Resort Proposed for Former Sugar Bay Site as EDC Grants Compliance Ultimatum to STR Management

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Hilton-Branded Resort Proposed for Former Sugar Bay Site as EDC Grants Compliance Ultimatum to STR Management
DV USVI Investment- Attorney Adriane Dudley and Amit Patel, swearing in to speak on behalf of DV USVI Investment LLLP, a company seeking to operate the former Sugar Bay Resort. (Screenshot from Zoom meeting)

The Economic Development Commission’s Board heard testimony from a new applicant anticipating operating the former Sugar Bay Resort property on St. Thomas and held a compliance meeting for STR Management LLC via a virtual meeting on Zoom Tuesday.

Attorney Adriane Dudley, representing DV USVI Investment LLLP, said that the company is seeking tax incentives on St. Thomas to operate as a Category III Hotel/Guesthouse.

“This triple L-P is planning to reopen what’s been known as the old Sugar Bay Resort. This will be a magnificent property under the Hilton brand,” said Dudley.

The property will have 300 rooms on its 30 acres, and according to Dudley, it is anticipated to open in the first or second quarter of 2026. $20 million was invested to purchase the property and the investors will have invested $62 million more for the construction of the resort. Dudley also added that the hotel will employ 150 persons at the time of opening, and will increase to 175 in the first quarter of 2027.

DV USVI Investment LLLP is seeking a 90% exemption on income tax, a 100% exemption on gross receipts tax, a 1% exemption on excise tax, a dividend withholding tax exemption, an interest withholding tax exemption, a 100% exemption on real property tax, and a 20% customs duty exemption.

“We believe that this project will contribute significantly to the Virgin Islands tourist industry as well as the Virgin Islands economy,” said Dudley.

After hearing from DV USVI, the EDC then held a compliance meeting for STR Management, LLC, a company found to be in violation of compliance orders. According to Joy Penn, senior compliance officer for EDC, STR Management LLC applied for tax incentives on May 22, 2012.

“These incentives were approved by the then-governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, John P. DeJongh, Jr., on December 21, 2012,” said Penn.

After, former EDC Chair Albert Bryan Jr. approved the certificate of tax incentives in May 2013. In September 2024, a compliance review for STR Management was completed covering the period from January 2015 to December 2022. The review found that STR Management failed to meet the charitable contribution benefits, did not provide documentation to comply with paid medical insurance, life insurance, local insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation, sick, and holiday time, among other items.

The board immediately went into executive session to discuss the matter. After, the board concluded that the company failed to meet certain compliance requirements and unanimously voted that STR Management:

  1. Pay $11,000 to the workforce development and or public educational projects, enterprise zone community redevelopment and revitalization projects, or community-based organizations within 30 days of the board’s decision.

  2. Provide the names of employees who were not covered after medical insurance eligibility, pay a $250 bonus to each eligible employee, and provide proof of payment.

  3. Provide names of eligible employees not covered after their 60-day life insurance eligibility period, pay a $250 bonus to each employee, and provide proof of payment.

  4. Provide the computation used to determine their 3% employer contribution for retirement plans to eligible employees, provide payment to eligible employees, and provide proof of payment.

Additionally, STR Management was forgiven by the EDC Board for $13,229.08 in penalties for failure to file the certificate of existence in good standing for the years 2016-2020. Moreover, STR Management was found to be in compliance with the following matters:

  1. Paid vacations, sick leave, and holidays

  2. Management training program, career development, and budget

  3. Contractors to purchase local insurance

  4. Local procurement and eligible supplier program

The EDC Board also voted to refer the compliance matter regarding source income to the Internal Revenue Department.

Board members Gary Malloy, Jose Penn, Positive T.A. Nelson, Anise Hodge, and Kevin Rodriguez were present.

EZC Approves Tax Breaks, Expands Zones on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John

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EZC Approves Tax Breaks, Expands Zones on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John
Kean- Nadine Marchena Kean presents zoning changes during the annual EZC meeting on Tuesday. (Screenshot from Zoom)

On Tuesday, the Economic Development Authority’s Enterprise Zone Commission held its annual meeting virtually via Zoom, voting to modify employment requirements for BrandChamp, Inc. and Waterfront Development & Management, LLC. The commission also approved tax incentives for a property on Garden Street and voted to expand and establish new enterprise zones across the territory.

The Enterprise Zone Commission Board held its decision meeting after postponing the start of a scheduled public hearing for the Economic Development Commission.

Shaylah Anthony, program and grants compliance officer for the EZC, spoke on behalf of BrandChamp, Inc., and Waterfront Development & Management, LLC, a company seeking modification to its employment requirements for its property at #80 Kronprindsens Gade Savanne-Downstreet. According to Anthony, they were granted tax exemption benefits in March and requested to reduce the number of local residents required for their benefits.

“The beneficiary stated that upon review of the submitted application, a misunderstanding was discovered related to the interpretation of the employee commitment section,” said Anthony.

The company is requesting a decrease from their eight required local residents to two residents.

“Most of their employees are not VI residents, and you know the program requires you to have a minimum, at least, a minimum of two local residents. So when they filled out their application they had a larger amount, including the ones that are not VI residents. So it was not clear while they were filling out their application, so they are asking for a reduction,” she said.

Board members unanimously voted to reduce the resident requirement for BrandChamp.

Raheem Smith, applications analyst for the EDC, spoke on behalf of Conn Jay Davis, II, who is seeking tax incentives for the property at #12 Crystal Palace & 2E Bjerge Gade in the Garden Street-Downstreet Enterprise Zone. Davis will invest $633,000 to make repairs to create a luxury event space and boutique bed and breakfast for short-term rentals.

Board members Gary Malloy, Jose Penn, Positive T.A. Nelson, and Anise Hodge unanimously voted to grant tax incentives to Davis.

Additionally, board members voted to approve the zoning expansion of Dronningens Gade on St. Thomas, Two Brothers on St. Croix, the creation of a new commercial zone in Cruz Bay, and the creation of a new zone in downtown Charlotte Amalie.

Nadine Marchena Kean presented the requested zoning changes to the board, detailing the current acreage and funding for the addressed zones. According to Kean, 252 acres make up the Dronningens Gade Step Street and $520,000 in grants is being expended to improve the zone. The expansion request is to include the southern side of the step street.

On St. Croix, Two Brothers, often referred to as Smithfield, is located in the Frederiksted Enterprise Zone, spanning 272 acres, and has secured $2 million in funding. Kean said that the expansion request will be about the existing zone and include a well-used corridor.

Creation of a new zone in Cruz Bay is anticipated and will be the first commercial zone for the EZC. A new zone in Charlotte Amalie along Veterans Drive is anticipated as well.

“Look at STJ as a blueprint for the rest of the territory,” said Penn, who highlighted that issues such as parking and burial space are issues due to improper space planning. “We need some comprehensive planning for these properties,” he added as he expressed support for the zoning changes. “Going forward, the need for comprehensive planning, looking at all levels, where we forecast the future developments, affordable housing needs, all of these things need to be a part of this planning.”

Nelson asked Kean about conflicts between restoring historic properties in commercial zones.

“They [Historic Preservation Committee] are concerned with making sure that there is a preservation of these historic buildings,” said Kean. “When we drive through these historic towns, we often remember what used to be there and don’t actually look and see what is actually there. And when you actually look at these buildings, you’ll see that a lot of it looks old, as in needs to be refreshed, needs to be repainted,” said Kean.

Nelson inquired about challenges with acquiring outdated and obsolete resources that were used in the past.

“Even in ‘refreshed’ when they want you to use the same type of stone that they brought over as ballast in the ships to balance, you know, those kind of things to me is far reaching,” said Nelson.

EDA Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Biggs Jr., responded that “They’re more concerned not so much with the actual materials…what they’re looking for is the facade.” He added, “We cannot use all historic materials all the time.”

Board members Gary Malloy, Jose Penn, Positive T.A. Nelson, Anise Hodge, and Kevin Rodriguez voted to approve the zoning changes.

One More Pre-Trial Hearing Expected in Dion Johnson Murder Trial

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One More Pre-Trial Hearing Expected in Dion Johnson Murder Trial
The judge presiding over the case of accused gunman Dion Johnson says she’d like to keep the July 28 date for jury selection; a pre-trial hearing was held Tuesday in Superior Court. (Shutterstock image)

The judge presiding over a pre-trial hearing in a pending murder case gave prosecutors and lawyers for the defense until June 2 to set a date to argue the admissibility of an expert witness. Defendant Dion Johnson is charged with the fatal shooting of a man cleaning streets after the Carnival Parade on April 29, 2023.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin July 28. The defendant sat in the courtroom of Superior Court Judge Denise Francois listening quietly. Small groups of spectators joined the hearing; some waiting for their pre-trial hearings to be called. About half a dozen people left as the Johnson hearing wrapped up.

Public Defender Frederick Johnson and Assistant Attorney General Jeremy Weddle were asked to consider dates in mid-July after the court returns from some scheduled time off. The preceding — called a Daubert Hearing — was previously scheduled and postponed.

According to information found at Cornell University’s Law School website, a Daubert Hearing is used by judges to determine if expert witness testimony can be used in a trial

The judge said she’d prefer to keep the date for jury selection in place but could also set a hearing date for early August, but doing so would force a postponement for the trial.

Weddle declined to comment about the nature of the next hearing, directing questions to the Justice Department’s chief of the Criminal Division. Johnson’s lawyer was more forthcoming, saying he meant to challenge the government’s assertion that bullet casings found near the body of Public Works employee Alrick Thomas could be matched to the gun recovered from his client.

If found guilty at trial of first-degree murder, Johnson faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

VIPD Warns Caregivers: Don’t Leave Children in Hot Cars — Heatstroke Can Be Deadly in Minutes

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VIPD Warns Caregivers: Don’t Leave Children in Hot Cars — Heatstroke Can Be Deadly in Minutes

With summer temperatures on the rise, the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Office of Highway Safety is warning caregivers to take precautions against pediatric vehicular heatstroke, a preventable but deadly threat that can kill a child in minutes, a press release announced.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of one child dies every 10 days in the United States after being left in a hot car or climbing into an unlocked vehicle. Since 1998, more than 1,000 children have died from heatstroke in vehicles, making it one of the leading causes of non-crash vehicle-related fatalities involving children, the press release stated.

“That could never happen to me” is a common belief that no longer holds true for the families of 39 children who died in 2024 alone, the release stated. Vehicles can heat up rapidly, with interior temperatures increasing by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, creating fatal conditions inside.

“There is no excuse for leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, even for just a minute,” said Daphne O’Neal, director of the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety. “Each one of the heatstroke tragedies that occurred on the mainland was preventable. By raising awareness, we hope to continue to avoid similar tragedies in the territory.”

Heatstroke sets in when a person’s core body temperature reaches approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Death can occur once it climbs past 107 degrees. NHTSA officials say rolling windows down or parking in shaded areas offers little protection against rising heat levels, the release stated.

The VIPD urges caregivers and community members to take immediate action if a child is seen inside a locked vehicle — call 911 and get help without delay, it said.

For more information on child passenger safety, contact Director Daphne O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov or Denise Gomes, Occupant Protection program manager, at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov, or by phone at 340-473-7383.

Visit www.vipd.gov.vi for additional resources.

AirPods Lead Officers to Stolen SUV; Two Men Arrested on St. Croix

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AirPods Lead Officers to Stolen SUV; Two Men Arrested on St. Croix

Two men were arrested May 24 on St. Croix after police tracked a stolen SUV using a pair of AirPods left inside the vehicle, the Virgin Islands Police Department announced.

At approximately 10:43 p.m., officers from the Christiansted Patrol Bureau responded to a report of an unauthorized use of a vehicle outside the Ocean View Terrace Apartments. The vehicle, a gold Kia Sportage, was reported stolen by the owner, who informed officers that her AirPods had been inside the SUV at the time of the theft, according to the police report.

The owner was able to track the location of the AirPods to the Scenic Road area, prompting police to issue an All-Points Bulletin through the 911 Emergency Call Center. Officers patrolling Salt River Road soon located the stolen vehicle and initiated a traffic stop, the police report stated.

Police said the vehicle’s occupants complied with verbal commands to exit the SUV. They were identified as Deshawn Henley and Dixon Martin, both 20 years old. Henley was operating the vehicle at the time of the stop, with Martin in the passenger seat, the report stated.

Both men were arrested on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle. Bail was set at $25,000 each. They were transported to the Police Operations and Administrative Building for booking and processing, and later remanded to the John A. Bell Correctional Facility pending their advice of rights hearing, it said.

For more information, visit www.vipd.gov.vi or contact the VIPD Media Department at vipdmedia1@vipd.vi.gov.

History Meets Mas: St. John Celebration Promises a Week of Culture and Joy

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History Meets Mas: St. John Celebration Promises a Week of Culture and Joy
Costumed masqueraders in vibrant feathers and animal print dazzle the crowd during the 2024 St. John Celebration Adults’ Parade. (Photo by Trini Jungle)

The U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Department, in partnership with the Division of Festivals, has announced that the 2025 St. John Celebration will take place from June 28 through July 4 under the theme “History and Culture Come Alive for St. John Celebration.”

The weeklong festival, rooted in tradition and cultural pride, will once again honor both Emancipation Day and Independence Day with a full slate of events that highlight heritage, music, food, and community spirit, according to the press release.

Revelers dance through the streets of Cruz Bay during the 2024 J’ouvert celebration, a lively highlight of the St. John Celebration festivities featuring paint, powder, music, and morning revelry in true Virgin Islands fashion. (Photo by Trini Jungle)

“This year’s theme is a powerful reminder of who we are as a people,” said Joseph Boschulte, commissioner of Tourism. “As we celebrate our heritage, St. John Celebration gives us the opportunity to share our stories, showcase our culture, and warmly welcome visitors to be part of our unique Caribbean experience.”

Festival events will feature performances from local musicians, dancers, and calypsonians, along with appearances by traditional moko jumbies and displays from local artisans and chefs, the press release stated.

Crowds gather under the lights as moko jumbies tower above the revelry during a lively night at the Village for the 2024 St. John Celebration, where music, food, and cultural performances brought the community together in Cruz Bay. (Photo by Rudy Laplace)

“Our goal this year is to deepen the connection between community and culture,” said Ian Turnbull, Director of Festivals and Events. “From traditional moko jumbies and calypso to modern performances and local cuisine, we’re inviting everyone to celebrate what makes St. John and the Virgin Islands so special.”

The 2025 St. John Celebration is open to the public and invites attendees from across the territory and around the world to participate in the festivities, the release stated.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.visitusvi.com.

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