VI Department of Health is advising the public that its Office of Environmental Health staff, in both the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts, will be attending the National Environmental Health Association Annual Training from Tuesday, May 20 to Friday, May 23, 2025.
As a result, Environmental Health offices territorywide will be closed.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the community’s understanding as our team participates in this important professional development opportunity to enhance public health and safety across the territory.
Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, May 27, following the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 26.
For more information, please contact the VI Department of Health at (340) 718-1311 on St. Croix or (340) 774-9000 on St. Thomas
Thirteen talented athletes from the St. Croix Track Club, ranging in age from 14 to 22, competed in Ponce, Puerto Rico May 10 in the Association of Youth/Junior Athletics (AAJI) Championships Finals Track & Field event. This is the largest number of athletes from the St. Croix Track Club to qualify for these championships. Facing fierce competition, these athletes delivered standout performances, setting personal records and bringing home a total of 13 medals – 5 Gold, 4 Silver and 4 Bronze.
St. Croix Track Club athletes. (Submitted photo)
Leading the charge was Safiya Prasad, who dominated the 400m hurdles, emerging as the top female competitor. In a true display of endurance and grit, she went on to win the 800m race just 45 minutes after her hurdles victory—an incredible feat with minimal recovery time.
Juvante’ Hurst showcased his speed, claiming gold in the 200m in a remarkable comeback moving from 4th to 1st in the last 90 meters of the race. Juvante’s time of 23.35 was faster than the record of 24.57, however, due to the illegal windspeed of +2.8 m/s it will not be officially recognized. Juvante also won a silver in the 400m, proving his versatility. Meanwhile, Isaiah Benjamin delivered a thrilling performance in the high jump, securing gold in dramatic fashion, as the battle narrowed to just two athletes surpassing the 1.80m mark. Faith Eatmon won a Gold medal in the 400m and she also went on to win a Silver medal in the 200m.
Across the board, each athlete demonstrated remarkable progress, achieving personal bests throughout the competition. Their dedication and continued improvement are a testament to their hard work and commitment to excellence. Below is the full list of championship performances:
Safiya Prasad – Gold in 400mH-68.61sec, Gold in 800m- 2:26.83- 14/15 age group
Juvante’ Hurst-Gold in 200m 23.35 and Silver in the 400m-53.66sec in the 14/15 age group
Aminah Prasad – Bronze in 200m-26.63sec in the 14/15 age group
Isaiah Benjamin – Gold – High Jump -1.80m in the 16/17 age group
Faith Eatmon – Gold – 400m-60.29sec and Silver in 200m-26.73sec in the 14/15 age group
Jordan Vaughn – Silver-Shot Put – 13.68m, Bronze-Javelin- 33.78m – Over 19 age group
Jah’Quan Creque– Silver-100m – 11.15sec, Bronze-200m-22.75sec-16/17 age group
Wilfredo Concepcion – Bronze -Javelin – 39.89m, 6th-Shot Put – 9.88m the 18/19 age group
Kahlan Beaupierre – 4th – Javelin-38.76m, 8th in Shot Put – 9.44m in the 18/19 age group
Emanuel McIntosh—6th – 100m-12.18sec in the 14/15 age group
Jahleya George – 7th in Shot Put – 6.48m in the 18/19 age group
Charlise Gomez- 7th in 200m-27.63sec and 8th-13.60sec – 14/15 age group
Sarai Morris- 7th in 400m-67.22sec 16/17 age group
“It’s great to see these young athletes performing at such a high level and setting new standards in their respective events!”
The St. Croix Track Club thanks our supporters for partnering with us to assist our youths in developing their talents. Full results are at: FinalLapTiming | AAJI
It is with solemn reverence that the family of Urlin Richardson announces her passing on Sunday May 4, 2025, at the age of 88. Born on April 26, 1937 to the late Roselphine Maduro-Jennings and Alexander Jennings on the beautiful island of Tortola, BVI.
Urlin Richardson
She was a dedicated employee of the U.S. Virgin Islands Human Services as head cook for over 20 years before retiring in 1993.
Urlin was survived by her daughter Audrey Lucas (Val) Sons: Pierre Richardson, Keith Richardson (preceded in death), NathanRaymond Sisters: Rhoda Morton, Albertha Sprauve (preceded in death), Elvina Garcia, Ena Rabsatt (preceded in death) Brothers: Dennis Jennings (preceded in death), Granger Jennings (preceded in death) Grand children: James Lucas,Jr Natalie Lucas, Watisha Richardson,Shenika Richardson,Jahmal Richardson, Natalia Raymond, Janika Raymond, Nathaniel Raymond, and Taitum Raymond; Special God Child: Joran Percval
She also left to mourn her beloved great children and great-great grandchild. Many nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention. To include but is not limited to the Maduro, Jennings, Pickering, Smith, Fathie and Penn Families. Our Beloved Mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend was a compassionate, loving, devoted and caring individual who would give you her last so that you can have. She loved to cook but her passion was baking all kinds of tarts and breads from scratch.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Funeral services on Tuesday May 20 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; viewing will begin at 9a.m., followed by the service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Eastern Cemetery, Smith Bay.
Arrangements entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home & Crematory Services.
In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.
As we have wrapped up another Carnival season (for St. Thomas), I know that there are elements of the culture and heritage in the territory that should give us a great sense of pride. In the context of loving who we are, what we have overcome, man-made and natural disasters in modern history, along with emancipation and the trials that came with slavery. I recently talked about being built for anything, that we are and can continue to be resilient, though we shouldn’t have to be constantly. We can be proud of who we are and what we represent.
However, like the conversation between arrogant and confident, a fine line exists between having pride and being prideful. We must be careful not to cross the threshold into becoming difficult to deal with, unwilling to listen, unwilling to learn, and thinking too highly of ourselves. This is not only a slippery slope but also perilous territory. Many of us have heard the phrase, “Pride comes before the fall.” History is littered with leaders and civilizations that have succumbed to their own hubris. I have seen this firsthand in my life and in the lives of others. We were, in fact, humbled and brought back “down to earth.”
A good friend of mine once told me that ego stands for “Edging God Out.” Now, we won’t get into the weeds of religion in this column, but suffice to say that whatever you believe, it is typically rooted in being humble and serving/supporting/helping your fellow humans. However, to the point of the quote, when you begin to believe solely in your own ability, skills, talents, education, etc., you unknowingly begin your descent into the valley of unnecessary struggle and catastrophe. Life, the world, the universe, karma, or whatever label you want to give it, has an interesting way of reminding us that we are all interconnected and that we all need each other.
Pride is often defined as “a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.” [Oxford Dictionary]. We can see that it is a collection of things and people that give us a sense of self-respect, gratitude, and self-admiration. This is directly related to the quality and quantity of one’s self-esteem. Understanding your worth without being arrogant is a high character trait that allows you to step into spaces and connect with people willing to help you achieve your goals and dreams. Notice that it relies on the collective knowledge and experience of others as well as yourself to plot a course befitting of the destination that has been determined.
Prideful, by contrast, is quite literally being full of pride. If you are full of something, you don’t have room for anything else. Those other attributes that get dismissed are often empathy, compassion, accountability, gratitude and other positive character traits. This equates to being “full of yourself.” Being prideful is idolatry of self, putting yourself above all else. I want to draw a distinction here because some may say, “I thought we have to put ourselves first.” You all have heard me talk about not being able to pour from an empty cup and that you have to take care of yourself first in order to serve others. The difference in context is that you are putting yourself first with the explicit intention of being able to have a greater impact on those around you. The other is only being concerned with yourself and what you have to gain, often stepping on the very people we are called to help.
When you can’t see anything but your own goals, you become blinded by your own ambition. You can’t grow, evolve, or develop because you believe that you don’t need to do any of those things. Development requires mentorship, which you are unwilling to undergo. Evolution requires introspection, which you are unwilling to do. Growth requires change, which you are unwilling to become, let alone willing to endure. The unplanned consequences of this lifestyle range from isolation to becoming ostracized, to possibly being labeled as a liability. I may have quoted this once before, but it bears repeating; Ryan Dunlap once said, “You can’t burn bridges and expect people to show up with a boat.” Whatever instant gratification you obtain on the backs of others will also be temporary. Do not be your biggest obstacle. Pride in the extreme can cost you everything.
We can most certainly be proud of who we are as people, as a race, a culture, and of how far we have come. We can be proud of our spouses, children, friends, colleagues, countrymen (and women), and those who represent themselves and us well. We should congratulate ourselves and others for their accomplishments, contributions, growth, and impact. Celebrate one another because our stories are varied and powerful, and our journeys are still underway. But let us not forget that wherever we have come from, we are often one choice from returning to. That no matter how high up the mountain we have climbed, we are one misstep from stumbling back down to the valley. Let us not be delusional in believing that whatever we have accomplished was done completely on our own. Whether practical or supernatural, we have had a hand, a boost, a key, or some assistance in getting where we are.
Remember where we came from as proof that all things are possible. Also, remember that there is someone in that position currently that we can help. A reputation will crumble under the weight of a poor character.
Langley “Casual-Word” Shazor is a poet, author, publisher, entrepreneur, public speaking coach, podcast host, and pastor who is an advocate for youth and men. His goal is to enlighten, empower, and liberate those who are silenced, marginalized, and enslaved to self-destructive thoughts and behaviors. Visit thecasualword.com.
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
The Virgin Islands Police Department will honor fallen officers and commemorate their service during National Police Week, observed Sunday, May 11 through Sunday, May 18, with a series of events scheduled across the territory.
“This week, we pause to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” said Police Commissioner Mario Brooks in a department news release. “Their names, stories, and legacies are etched not only into our department’s history but into the very soul of our territory. We honor them by continuing the work they started — standing firm in the face of danger, upholding justice, and caring for the community they gave everything to protect.”
Brooks expressed gratitude to the men and women of the VIPD for their courage, commitment and sacrifice.
The department is encouraging active and retired law enforcement officers, along with community members, to participate in Police Week activities, which are scheduled throughout the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix districts, according to the release.
In St. Thomas-St. John, the week begins Sunday with a church service at Prior Jolleck Hall at Antilles School. Other events include a basketball tournament, karaoke night, sip-and-paint session, a Peace Officers Memorial Day Parade on Thursday, and a Family Beach Day at Magens Bay on Sunday, May 18, the press release stated.
St. Croix will host its own calendar of events beginning Thursday, with a motorcade to gravesites and a Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony at Patrick Sweeney Headquarters. Activities continue through Saturday with an open house at Wilbur H. Francis Command and a community fun day at Vincent Mason Pool, the release stated.
For more information and updates, the public can visit VIPD’s website at www.vipd.vi.gov or follow the department on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour and the port of Macao have helped China claim a large share of the world’s shipping registries. A USVI shipping registry could help the United States do the same, according to a maritime expert. (Source photo by Mat Probasco)
President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs could have inadvertently created ideal conditions for a reimagined U.S. Virgin Islands shipping industry, maritime insiders have said.
Creating a first-ever U.S. Virgin Islands shipping registry would allow cargo vessels and other commercial ships the assurances that come with U.S. jurisdiction but not the regulatory baggage mandated by federal codes on the mainland, said Eric Dawicki, president of the Northeast Maritime Institute.
Dawicki and others from the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics floated the plan for a USVI shipping registry — commonly known as a ship’s flag state — in late 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused upheaval in the global supply chain. In February 2022, Dawicki signed a memorandum of understanding with Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry, beginning with creating an open registry in the Virgin Islands. This new flag state would allow foreign container, cruise, tanker, and other commercial vessels to register in the territory. Those ships, however, will be held to the highest safety, labor, and environmental standards, Dawicki said.
Three years later, the plan has reportedly reached the Trump White House, which threw global shipping into question by announcing steep tariffs on almost all goods arriving at U.S. ports — including up to 145 percent on Chinese merchandise.
“The rising wave of protectionist economic policies, including proposed tariffs and decoupling from adversarial supply chains, has exposed the vulnerability of America’s maritime logistics,” Dawicki told the Source Friday. “While no formal announcement was made at the time, we understood through back-channel briefings and maritime advisers aligned with administration policy that there was appetite for bold, private-sector-driven initiatives — particularly ones that bypass burdensome domestic regulatory constraints while reinforcing U.S. control and economic return. This project is bold, but is a proven successful model being driven by friends and foes around the world who have exposed maritime trade and commerce policy as substandard.”
More than 90 percent of international sea trade relies on foreign-flagged vessels, he said. A Virgin Islands shipping registry would both serve as a diplomatic tool and help the United States recapture market share.
Currently, that market is dominated by Liberia, Panama, and the Marshall Islands. These so-called flag-of-convenience states have been criticized for lax oversight that could lead to labor abuses, irresponsible environmental policies, and opaque financial reporting rules favored by criminals.
“With Panama and other registries under scrutiny for weak oversight or corruption, the time is right for a transparent, secure U.S.-affiliated option to dominate the high-value, security-sensitive shipping space,” Dawicki said. “A USVI flag offers a U.S.-controlled but globally competitive registry that isn’t handcuffed by U.S. Code of federal regulations burdens, and it allows the U.S. to project sovereignty over its fleet without stifling it with outdated frameworks.”
If coupled with a shipyard on St. Croix’s south shore, it could also entice private investors to the tune of $2.3 billion for port infrastructure to launch the project, Dawicki said. In 2022, the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics estimated 500 people would be needed to build the port and another 2,000 would be hired to work there full time. Thousands of more adjacent jobs would spring up as well, he said.
“Recent inflation and supply chain factors might adjust the initial capital expenditure marginally upward, but public-private partnership models and interest from international partners, including ship finance entities and naval architecture firms have validated the feasibility,” Dawicki said. “The USVI shipyard remains a cornerstone vision for American maritime renaissance.”
Creating a USVI registry and large shipyard in the territory would drastically change the United States’ position in the global shipping industry, he said.
“The registry can and should proceed independently as a commercial and diplomatic tool to recapture market share in global tonnage. However, the shipyard, envisioned as a sovereign U.S. facility capable of constructing, retrofitting, and maintaining both military and commercial vessels, amplifies the value proposition. Together, they create a maritime ecosystem that links policy, fleet, workforce, and industrial capacity under a single American jurisdiction, reducing foreign dependence at every level.”
The USVI is uniquely positioned, registry and shipyard supporters said, because it is both a U.S. territory and outside the customs zone. As importantly, the territory is exempt from the Jones Act and other cabotage rules that limit foreign-built and foreign-crewed ships’ activities.
The plan isn’t without its detractors, however. Mainland unions, protected by rules like the Jones Act, aren’t wild about creating an avenue for more foreign seafarers in U.S. waters, he said.
Dawicki pushed back on this, however, arguing a USVI registry would create jobs and mirror other territorial registries like those of Chinese satellites.
“It excites the global maritime industry to become part of an American-led initiative, one modeled on the proven success of the largest and most dynamic registries in the world including those now used by China through Hong Kong and Macao,” he said. “This isn’t a threat to U.S. labor — it’s an opportunity for economic expansion, job creation, and geostrategic leverage. It’s a chance to build something enduring, where U.S. values, oversight, and operational excellence anchor the flag, not political inertia.”
The U.S. Maritime Administration, the Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, and possibly the State Department would need to coordinate on how the registry would be administered, Dawicki said. It would also need congressional support, particularly from the USVI delegate, and various maritime committees “to reinforce legitimacy and signal to international stakeholders that the U.S. is serious about reclaiming leadership in global shipping,” Dawicki said.
“None of the hurdles ahead are insurmountable and in fact, they mirror the same institutional steps that were taken when Panama and Liberia emerged as dominant registries in the past and continue to rule the waves with China in a close third place using this exact system. The difference now is that America has the chance to lead again, through the USVI, on its own terms,” he said.
Some delegates meeting Saturday called per diem allocations inadequate. (Source file photo)
Budget considerations topped the agenda as members of the Sixth Constitutional Convention met Saturday on St. Thomas. The weekend meeting was the second plenary session held since convention delegates set out on the latest attempt to create a set of fundamental principles to govern the territory.
After hearing a summary of talks held April 29 among members of the convention’s executive team, delegates approved a motion to ask the Legislature for additional funding. The motion followed a discussion by Convention President Usie Richards.
Richards said members of the convention’s executive team reviewed the $150,000 appropriation passed by the 34th Legislature at a meeting held April 29. One hundred thousand of those funds were expected to be allocated to cover convention-related expenses in fiscal year 2025.
The leadership team was supposed to expand the discussion at Saturday’s session, the president said. During that discussion, members questioned proposed expenses and an $18,000 set aside to compensate delegates for their time. Members also questioned a $45,000 set aside for cash and professional services. “The 25,000 is intended to do with the professional services, as today. We have a stenographer. We have a need for some legal services, and we have some need for other professional services,” the president said.
There were also public outreach costs and miscellaneous expenses to factor in, Richards said. Convention Secretary Imani Daniel agreed that the convention faces budgetary restrictions. “We have such a tight budget?” Daniel said. “What are you anticipating? We’re holding over $2,500 for miscellaneous fees.”
Delegates Rudel Hodge and David Silverman said the per diem allocation for delegates was inadequate, given the amount of time and effort spent already. “My view is that it’s not realistic,” Silverman said.
Richards said there was no guarantee but convention officials could ask the Legislature to revisit their allotment. The discussion led to a motion and a vote to form an ad hoc budget committee.
Delegates also called on the Convention Finance Committee to revise the budget allocation to reflect actual forecast expenses and prepare requests for additional funding from the Legislature.
Former Senator Lilliana Belardo de O’Neal expressed some doubts about approaching lawmakers with spending forecasts. “How can we go to the Legislature now and ask them for more money when we haven’t expended half of what we have gotten?” Belardo said.
Virtue of the Week focuses on building peaceful and caring communities through understanding and fostering the practice of virtues. The Source supports the Virtues Project and will publish one virtue developed by the project each week.
Idealism
Idealism is having a vision of what is possible and wanting to make a difference. It is caring passionately about what is meaningful in life. We see things as they could be and have faith in the power of change. We put our principles into practice. We don’t just accept the way things are. Idealism doesn’t mean that we are idle dreamers. We do something to make things better. We make the ideal real.
Quote: “You see things and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and I say, ‘Why not?” —George Bernard Shaw
The Practice of Idealism
I have a dream.
I have a plan.
I walk my talk.
I persevere.
I have faith in the highest possible outcome.
I make a difference.
Questions for Discussion
What are the possibilities for our social justice work?
What principles do we need to put in practice to strengthen our social justice work?
What can we do to make things better in our community?
What does perseverance look like in our community?
Sign up to receive the Virtue of the Week by email!
Virtue of the Week is provided by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) in partnership with the VI Source and Virtues Matter.
About the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands
Since 1990, CFVI has been a catalyst for positive change in the territory through initiatives committed to youth, learning, family support and the environment. With a professional staff and a volunteer Board of Directors composed of community leaders, CFVI is a trusted advocate and supporter of programs that ensure opportunity and sustainability for current and future generations. CFVI is a registered non-profit organization entirely supported by individual donors, grants, trusts, corporate donations and estate planning. For more information, visit cfvi.net.
About Virtues Matter
Virtues Matter was started by a passionate wife-husband team of social entrepreneurs seeking to positively uplift as many lives as possible. We aim to inspire and empower, to build capacity, strengthen relationships, and help everyone lead lives of passion and purpose.
Virtues Matter believes in a world where people are committed to kindness and respect, strive to be their best, and live with hope, courage, and in unity. We built the Virtues Cards mobile app, an interactive personal and team development tool, to help people identify and develop key virtues skills. We also offer dynamic workshops, online training, and customized programs to help people cultivate these positive qualities of character. To learn more, visit virtuesmatter.com.
Check out our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, May 11, through Saturday, May 17. Our YouTube playlist is updated every week, AND check out Jesse’s daily weather updates here.
The V.I. Department of Health mailed nearly 500 letters to parents who received vaccine exemptions for their children. (Submitted photo)
The V.I. Department of Health mailed nearly 500 letters to parents who received vaccine exemptions for their children Friday, according to a statement released Saturday. With more than 1,000 cases documented on the mainland across 31 states, and 14 active outbreaks confirmed, local health officials urged unvaccinated families to reconsider.
More than 50 percent of Virgin Islands children under the age of 6 have not received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine — dramatically higher than the mainland. More than 90 percent of children on the mainland have received the MMR vaccine by age 2, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“We are very concerned about measles reaching our shores, especially as individuals and families travel to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands for summer vacation,” Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said in a written statement. “This is a critical time to take preventative action.”
Roughly 96 percent of the mainland measles cases are unvaccinated people, and 30 percent are children under the age of 5. Three measles-related deaths have been reported – two children and one adult.
The letters sent out Friday strongly encouraged families to take immediate steps to protect their children by vaccinating them against measles, mumps, and rubella, Encarnacion said.
“Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known, and unvaccinated children are at significant risk of becoming seriously ill if exposed,” Encarnacion wrote in the letter. “We are deeply concerned by the growing number of cases on the mainland and want to prevent a similar outbreak here in the Virgin Islands
The letter outlined measles infection dangers, including complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling or encephalitis, hearing loss, and even death. It emphasizes that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97 percent protection against measles and is considered both safe and effective by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
The three-in-one injection has been widely used since 1971.
Health officials stressed that unvaccinated individuals not only risk their own health, but also the well-being of vulnerable members of the community—such as infants under 1 year of age, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.
“Vaccination remains the best and most reliable defense we have,” Encarnacion said. “We’re asking parents to act now, not just for their children, but for the health of the entire community.”
The territory’s health officials have been warning for many years that the Virgin Islands, with the nation’s worst vaccination rate, is at high risk for measles.
In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.
