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Drinking Water Week with Educational Events

Mat Probasco
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Drinking Water Week with Educational Events

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is proud to join the national celebration of Drinking Water Week, observed May 4 to May 10, with a series of engaging and educational events for students and community members on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.

Students from John H. Woodson Jr. High School on St. Croix learn about water conservation by playing the “Fix the Leaky Faucet” game during WAPA’s Drinking Water Week school visit. (Submitted photo)

Drinking Water Week, sponsored by the American Water Works Association, highlights the importance of safe drinking water and the people who make it possible. To mark the occasion, the WAPA Communications Team, along with WAPA engineers and members of the Water Maintenance Crew, visited Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School and John H. Woodson Junior High School on St. Croix on May 8, 2025, and Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John on May 9, 2025, to educate students about the water purification process and the importance of water conservation.

Through interactive classroom presentations, students learned about the reverse osmosis process — a method used by our partner, Seven Seas Water Group, to convert ocean water into safe, drinkable water, which is vital to our community. To make learning fun and memorable, WAPA staff led a variety of hands-on activities. Students played the “Fix the Leaky Faucet” game to understand the importance of repairing water leaks. They built model aquifers to demonstrate how nature filters groundwater and participated in water conservation games that encouraged mindful water use.

“This week gives us the chance to highlight the essential infrastructure and dedicated teams that keep water flowing in our communities,” said Don Gregoire, Interim Chief Operating Officer of Water Systems. “We’re proud to share this knowledge with the community, especially our youth.”

In addition to the school visits, WAPA hosted community popup events at its business offices on St. Croix and St. John, where staff engaged with the public and shared information about ongoing water infrastructure projects and practical water conservation tips. These events provided a valuable opportunity for residents to ask questions, learn more about infrastructure improvements, and discover ways they can contribute to sustainable water use.

WAPA extends its appreciation to the Department of Education, educators, and community partners who helped make this initiative a success.

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Communication’s department is committed to reaching, informing, and connecting with the youngest members of the community to the eldest, through meaningful, transparent and effective communication.

Mangrove Restoration Workshop May 14 and 15

Mat Probasco
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Mangrove Restoration Workshop May 14 and 15

Community members are invited to participate in two public workshops focused on coral and mangrove restoration and how these ecosystems support local communities, businesses, and livelihoods. The events will take place on May 14 at Coral World and on May 15 at Island Life Watersports in Bovoni.

A growing mangrove (Photo by Kristin Grimes)

Hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands, the Natural Capital Project at Stanford University, and East Carolina University, the workshops are part of the National Science Foundation-funded “Strong Coasts” project. The initiative seeks to engage local residents in developing nature-based solutions that strengthen climate resilience in coastal communities.

Participants will contribute to interactive mapping and discussions on:

  • The current condition of coral reefs and mangroves
  • Areas important to local economic, cultural, and recreational activities
  • The role of fisheries in supporting community well-being

Attendees will also share insights into how these ecosystems impact daily life and the local economy.

The information gathered will help inform new strategies to enhance coastal resilience and better support communities that rely on natural resources.

Workshop Details:

  • Wednesday, May 14 | 5 – 8:30 p.m.
    Bluewater Terrace at Coral World
  • Thursday, May 15 | 5 – 8:30 p.m.
    Island Life Watersports, Estate Bovoni

Who Should Attend: Tour guides, business owners, fishers, hospitality professionals, non-profit representatives, government employees, educators, real estate professionals, homeowners and renters from Estate Bovoni and Smith Bay, and all interested community members.

RSVP: Please register at https://forms.gle/mrT3h7x2Pxzpzbyq6.

Food will be provided, and all attendees will be entered into a raffle to win grocery store gift cards.

To learn more about the Strong Coasts project, visit: https://naturalcapitalproject.stanford.edu/research/projects/strong-coasts-reducing-climate-risks-equitable-nature-based-solutions

This project is part of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Coastlines and People (CoPe) program and is led by the University of South Florida under Award #2209284.

Bertha C. Boschulte Students Dismissed Early Over Bomb Threat

Source staff
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Bertha C. Boschulte Students Dismissed Early Over Bomb Threat
The Bertha Boschulte Middle School on St. Thomas. (Source file photo)

Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School on St. Thomas will dismiss students early today, Friday, at 1 p.m. out of an abundance of caution following a bomb threat, the Education Department announced just after noon.

The school’s administration immediately contacted 911 after receiving a phone call indicating that a student on campus may have a bomb, according to the release. “All potential threats are taken seriously, and emergency protocols were promptly activated to protect the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff,” it said.

The V.I. Police Department, Fire and Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority were immediately dispatched to the school, the release stated.

“These agencies are actively conducting a thorough sweep and assessment of the campus. Students will be provided with lunch prior to dismissal, and transportation will be arranged for those who utilize the school bus service. Parents and guardians who are available to pick up their children before 1 p.m. can proceed to do so,” it said.

“The safety of our students and school personnel remains our highest priority. Dismissal procedures will be carefully coordinated to maintain safety and order. VIDE will continue to provide updates through its official communication channels as additional information becomes available,” according to the release.

Early Dismissal at Boshulte Middle School Due to Safety Concern

Mat Probasco
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0
Early Dismissal at Boshulte Middle School Due to Safety Concern

The Virgin Islands Department of Education informs parents and guardians that Bertha C. Boshulte Middle School will dismiss students early today, Friday, May 9, at 1 p.m. out of an abundance of caution following a potential safety threat received.

The school’s administration immediately contacted 911 after receiving a phone call indicating that a student on campus may have a bomb. All potential threats are taken seriously, and emergency protocols were promptly activated to protect the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff.

The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services (VIFEMS), and the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) were immediately dispatched to the school. These agencies are actively conducting a thorough sweep and assessment of the campus.

Students will be provided with lunch prior to dismissal, and transportation will be arranged for those who utilize the school bus service. Parents and guardians who are available to pick up their children before 1:00 p.m. can proceed to do so.

The safety of our students and school personnel remains our highest priority. Dismissal procedures will be carefully coordinated to maintain safety and order. VIDE will continue to provide updates through its official communication channels as additional information becomes available.

We thank the public for their understanding and cooperation.

CMCArts Celebrates of ‘A Taste of Spring’

Source staff
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CMCArts Celebrates of ‘A Taste of Spring’

CMCArts hosted “A Taste of Spring” show in Frederiksted, St. Croix, on Thursday. The show will be on view until May 24. V.I. Source reporters Diana Dias and Jesse Daley spoke with several individuals at the event.

Lt. Gov. Roach Names Nadja Harrigan Acting Chief of Staff 

Mat Probasco
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Lt. Gov. Roach Names Nadja Harrigan Acting Chief of Staff 

Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq. has appointed Attorney Nadja Harrigan to serve as acting chief of staff for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

Attorney Harrigan joined the Office of the Lieutenant Governor as legal counsel and general counsel in August 2023.  Her prior positions include assistant attorney general at the Virgin Islands Department of Justice; deputy commissioner of Support Services at the Virgin Islands Police Department; associate with A.J. & Associates; judicial law clerk to Judge Ive Arlington Swan, and Judge Ishmael A. Meyers; and acting chief of the Criminal Division at the Virgin Islands Department of Justice.  Attorney Harrigan is a graduate of the George Washing University School of Law, and a member of the Virgin Islands Bar Association.

Attorney Harrigan has replaced former chief of staff Attorney Monica Williams Carbon who has retired.  “We are grateful to Attorney Williams Carbon for her contributions and for her many years of service to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and, by extension, the people of the Virgin Islands.” stated Lieutenant Governor Roach.

Attorney Harrigan will also continue to serve with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in the capacity of Legal Counsel / General Counsel.

Acting FEMA Director Fired by Trump Administration

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Acting FEMA Director Fired by Trump Administration
Acting FEMA Director Cameron Hamilton was ousted Thursday after telling lawmakers that he did “not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” breaking from President Donald Trump. (Photo courtesy FEMA)

Cameron Hamilton, acting Federal Emergency Management Agency director, was fired Thursday, multiple national media outlets reported.

Hamilton’s ouster came one day after he testified before the House Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee, where he advocated for “top-down reform” at the agency.

“FEMA was established to provide focused support in truly catastrophic disasters. Yet at times, we have strayed far from that core mission and evolved into an overextended federal bureaucracy — attempting to manage every type of emergency, no matter how minor,” he said. “Instead of being a last resort, FEMA is all too often used by states and public officials as a financial backstop for routine issues that, frankly, should be handled locally.”

Later, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a democrat representing Connecticut’s third congressional district, asked Hamilton whether he supported the Trump administration’s intent to eliminate the agency.

“As the senior advisor to the president on disasters and emergency management, and to the secretary of Homeland Security, I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” he said before adding that the decision wasn’t up to him. “That is a conversation that should be had between the president of the United States and this governing body.”

President Donald Trump has mentioned eliminating the agency multiple times since his second term began in January. Speaking during a press conference on the devastating California fires in January, Trump called the agency “a big disappointment.”

“We had it working well, we had great people, but FEMA’s not good anymore,” he said before criticizing the agency’s response to Hurricane Helene last September in North Carolina. “I say you don’t need FEMA. You need a good state government, and when you have a problem in Los Angeles or when you have a problem even in the state of California, you have your own — essentially — FEMA. You fix it yourself.”

Trump criticized the agency again in a February social media post, writing that the agency “spent tens of millions of dollars in Democrat areas, disobeying orders, but left the people of North Carolina high and dry.”

“It is now under review and investigation,” he wrote before switching to capital letters. “THE BIDEN RUN FEMA HAS BEEN A DISASTER. FEMA SHOULD BE TERMINATED! IT HAS BEEN SLOW AND TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE. INDIVIDUAL STATES SHOULD HANDLE STORMS, ETC., AS THEY COME. BIG SAVINGS, FAR MORE EFFICIENT!!!”

Since the 2017 hurricanes, FEMA has committed $21.44 billion in public assistance funds and nearly $200 million in hazard mitigation grants to the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the V.I. Office of Disaster Recovery website.

Trump has already started letting states hit by natural disasters fend for themselves. After storms and tornadoes killed dozens in Arkansas two months ago, Gov. Sarah Sanders requested a presidential disaster declaration to secure federal recovery funding, which Trump denied.

Asked Monday about cuts to another agency — the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said he was concerned about the denial.

“That, for us, could be catastrophic,” he said, “and that’s why we have to keep these lines of credit open — different sources — where we can respond immediately to a major disaster.”

‘They Have Stepped on the Stones’: Catholic Cleric Reflects on Elevation of New Pope

Source staff
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‘They Have Stepped on the Stones’: Catholic Cleric Reflects on Elevation of New Pope
Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, continuing the Vatican’s tradition of spiritual leadership and global outreach. (Screenshot from YouTube video)

The organizer of a recent Catholic pilgrimage from the Virgin Islands to Rome spoke with hope on Thursday as word traveled about the selection of a new pope. Speaking from St. Croix, the Very Rev. Andrea Filippucci called the choice of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost “a very exciting time for the church.”

A conclave of Catholic cardinals spent a day and a half considering their choice and, by late Thursday, chose a Chicago-born missionary who spent the past eight years serving in Peru. “ … this one is the first U.S.-born pope … Everybody is trying to figure out who he is. He’s not a liberal. He is not a traditionalist. He is very reserved; he is a man of God,” Filippucci said.

From St. Croix, Filippucci helped organize Pilgrims of Hope, a journey by V.I. Catholics to Rome from April 21 to April 30. The pilgrimage was arranged as part of a yearlong jubilee declared by Pope Francis, but the pontiff died on the day the pilgrims set out on their journey.

“We got to see his body; we were among the first people to enter the basilica, and see his body and pray for the pope,” the priest said.

Last rites for Pope Francis were held as the Virgin Islanders continued with their scheduled visits and pilgrimage tours. They returned to the territory May 1.

Since the announcement of Cardinal Prevost’s elevation to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, Filippucci says he had heard from some of his fellow travelers who joined the April pilgrimage.

“They say I can’t believe that we were just there two weeks ago. Many of them say they feel closer to the pope now; before, he was just a concept, but now they have been there. They have stepped on the stones,” Fr. Andrea said.

Former Catholic bishop of St. Thomas, now Cardinal Sean O’Malley, also shared his thoughts on the choice of Prevost, who chose the name Pope Leo XIV.

“Pope Leo XIV has chosen a name widely associated with the social justice legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who was pontiff at a time of epic upheaval in the world, the time of the industrial revolution, the beginning of Marxism, and widespread immigration. The new Pope’s rich pastoral experience in Latin America and as leader of an international religious community, and the years spent in Rome, will all provide valuable preparation for his new ministry as Pope,” O’Malley said in his May 8 blog post.

O’Malley served as Catholic bishop of St. Thomas from 1992 to 2002.

Prosecutors Recommend Dropping Charges Against Duo Accused of Killing Stacie Schjang, Arnold Jarvis

Source staff
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Prosecutors Recommend Dropping Charges Against Duo Accused of Killing Stacie Schjang, Arnold Jarvis
The V.I. Justice Department recommended Wednesday that a Superior Court judge dismiss murder charges against Anthony Schneider and Joshawn Ayala without prejudice “due to the fact that the People cannot meet its burden of proof at this time.” (Source file photo)

Prosecutors have recommended dismissing charges against two men arrested for the 2022 killings of Stacie Schjang and Arnold Jarvis.

“The interest of Justice would not be served with continued prosecution due to the fact that the People cannot meet its burden of proof at this time, so the charges against both the defendants herein should be dismissed without prejudice,” Assistant Attorney General Kippy Roberson wrote in a filing Wednesday.

Anthony Schneider and Joshawn Ayala were arrested on murder charges in February 2023 in Georgia and extradited to the territory. Both were charged with two counts of first-degree murder and a litany of other assault and firearms-related offenses. Prosecutors this week recommended dismissing the charges without prejudice, meaning they could decide to bring the case again if new evidence came to light.

Schjang was at her Castle Coakley home when people driving nearby began shooting at another car, according to police at the time. A stray bullet came through her bedroom window and killed her instantly. Jarvis — who knew Schjang — was found shot to death a week later on a remote St. Croix beach.

According to prosecutors, Jarvis told law enforcement officers investigating Schjang’s killing that he was bringing Schjang breakfast when his car began taking gunfire, and he kept driving to avoid getting shot. Jarvis identified the shooters as “Ayala them,” according to court documents, and said he knew them from an ongoing feud between residents at the David Hamilton Jackson and John F. Kennedy housing communities. Police determined that the car used by the shooters had been rented by Schneider, and Jarvis identified both to police before he was killed eight days after Schjang.

“Video footage verifies that the Defendants continued to hunt him during those eight days until they were able to kill him so he could not cooperate with law enforcement,” prosecutors wrote.

Assistant Territorial Public Defender Truman Coe, representing Ayala, argued in February that Jarvis’s statements to the police should be excluded on Sixth Amendment grounds, which provides that those accused of crimes have the right to confront witnesses against them. Prosecutors argued that Jarvis was unable to testify because of the defendant’s wrongdoing.

“The Defendant’s actions in killing Mr. Jarvis has made him unavailable to testify in these cases,” Roberson wrote in a March filing opposing the exclusion.

V.I. Superior Court Judge Yvette Ross-Edwards has yet to rule on the motion to dismiss. On a call with the Source Thursday, Chief Conflict Counsel H. Hannibal O’Bryan, who is representing Schneider, said that there’s no statute of limitations for murder and that the defendants could seek to have their cases dismissed entirely.

“Imagine a lifetime of having a case without a statute of limitations hanging over your head — the awesome power of the state can be brought to bear against you, again, after having spent an extended period of time in a detention center,” he said. “Now that doesn’t seem just to me.”

O’Bryan noted that the justice system relies on a presumption of innocence and said attorneys have certain ethical obligations, including those in the Justice Department.

“They have an ethical obligation to look over the evidence to determine whether or not they have sufficient evidence to bring a case,” he said. “And if they don’t, ethics — again — requires them to act appropriately.”

The Source was unable to reach the Justice Department for comment Thursday. O’Bryan questioned whether they expected to acquire new information that would allow them to retry the case in the future.

“Does it get better over time, or worse? We know the answer to that. It gets worse,” he said. “It gets worse for both parties, matter of fact. It’s worse for the defense because of the fact that … whatever witnesses they have, their memories don’t get better as time goes on, and they’re subject to their own mortality. Witnesses pass away, they move away, et cetera — and that’s for both sides, not just one. So we’re not talking about a prejudice that exists on one side or another side.”

Silver Airways Designates Stalking Horse Bidder in Bankruptcy Case

Source staff
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Silver Airways Designates Stalking Horse Bidder in Bankruptcy Case
Silver Airways has designated a stalking horse bidder in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection case. (Submitted photo)

Silver Airways, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December, has designated Argentum Acquisition Co. LLC as a stalking horse bidder for a sum of $5.775 million, according to filings this week in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The deal, which would require court approval, does not include Silver’s subsidiary, Seaborne Airlines, according to the 99-page asset purchase agreement filed Tuesday by Silver’s attorneys Brian P. Hall and Michael F. Holbein. However, it contains a clause that “in the event that no Qualified Bid … is submitted or received at the Auction for the assets of Seaborne,” the Argentum deal will be interpreted to include the assets of both airlines.

The move comes after financial firm KIA II LLC — an affiliate of Argentum and Wexford Capital of Connecticut and West Palm Beach in Florida — offered an initial $5.775 million in financing on May 2 to allow Silver to exit bankruptcy, which also set the floor for others who wish to bid on the troubled airline before a proposed May 23 deadline. KIA also provided Silver with $5.5 million last month so it could continue operating, according to court documents.

Argentum’s stalking horse bid comes after U.S. Trustee Mary Ida Townson filed a motion April 10 to dismiss the case because she felt there was little chance the airlines would succeed.

According to Townson, while Seaborne and Silver have a fleet of 16 aircraft and the value of their property totals almost $90 million, it “is completely encumbered by the liens of their secured creditors” to the tune of $400 million. Additionally, they owe $8 million to various taxing authorities and $27 million to general unsecured creditors, the motion states.

Among the Top 20 creditors is the V.I. Port Authority, which is owed $644,971 for airport rent and usage fees, according to the court filings.

Argentum is requesting that a bankruptcy auction be concluded on or prior to May 29.

The asset purchase agreement lists Wexford Capital Senior Vice President Wayne Heller as Argentum’s CEO. According to his LinkedIn profile, Heller is also president and CEO of Aleutian Airways, based in Alaska, and Sterling Airways, based in Jacksonville, Florida, where he is also CEO of Sterling Flight Training. He was executive vice president and COO of Republic Airways Holdings from 1999 to 2015.

Silver and Seaborne filed for bankruptcy protection in December via separate petitions, citing a need to restructure their finances and secure additional capital. The move came six years after Seaborne voluntarily reorganized in 2018 and announced it had secured a new $4.2 million credit facility and entered into a purchase agreement with Silver.

The airlines provide a critical link between St. Croix and St. Thomas and also serve the wider Caribbean region, with Silver headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Seaborne in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Despite the bankruptcy filing, Silver Airways has assured customers that all tickets remain valid and that flights will continue to operate as usual.

File photo shows a Seaborne seaplane landing at Charlotte Amalie Harbor. A similar plane experienced trouble Wednesday, but the situation was handled safely. (Source file photo)
A Seaborne seaplane lands in the St. Thomas Harbor. (Source file photo)
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