The University of the Virgin Islands’ School of Agriculture is proud to announce its First Annual Field Day, to be held on Sunday, April 27, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Agricultural Experiment Station Tractor Pavilion, located on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix.
This community-focused event will showcase the impactful research, academic offerings, and outreach efforts of the UVI School of Agriculture. Attendees are invited to explore interactive exhibits, participate in guided tours, and engage with experts in the field of agriculture.
“The Field Day is an educational event intentionally designed to showcase the research and extension work of the School of Agriculture through tours, demonstrations, and exhibits,” said Dr. Usman Adamu, dean and director of the School of Agriculture. “It is our opportunity to connect with the community and demonstrate the vital role that agriculture plays in the Virgin Islands and beyond.”
Highlights of the event include research displays from the Agricultural Experiment Station, demonstrating how scientific discoveries lead to practical improvements in local and regional agriculture; educational outreach from the Cooperative Extension Service, featuring hands-on activities and information on programs that support community development and lifelong learning; and academic showcases of UVI’s degree and certificate programs in agriculture, including associate and bachelor’s degree offerings that support formal education and workforce development in the territory.
A complete tour schedule will be available on the UVI School of Agriculture website and Facebook page. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Leandra Kent at leandra.kent@uvi.edu or call (340) 692-4060.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 11 a.m., at the University of the Virgin Islands Innovation Center in St. Thomas, the Elections System of the Virgin Islands will host its Civics Matters II Championship between our finalists from Antilles School (St. Thomas) and Free Will Baptist School (St. Croix). Civics Matters is an exciting and engaging quiz bowl, produced by the Elections System of the Virgin Islands, exclusively for Virgin Islands’ high school students.
The competition aims to test their knowledge of various social, political, and historical topics.
Team members from the Antilles School include Saba Gever, Zia Gibbs, Earl Toussaint, and Malachi Yoder. Their coaches are Ms. Brittany Bryan and Andrew Gever. Team Members from Free Will Baptist Christian School include Sanaa Joseph, Keyandre Laroque, Alexander Walcott and Geia Williams. Their coach is Mr. Anthony Mardenborough. These two schools persevered through a tightly contested preliminary round.
Members of the public are invited to come out and support the students. Civics Matter II will also be livestreamed on Tuesday, April 15, at 11 a.m. via the Elections System of the Virgin Islands YouTube (ElectionSystem) and Facebook page (Elections System of the Virgin Islands), so classrooms can witness our civics teams at their best.
For more information, contact the Elections System at 340-773-1021.
Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq. announces that the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Division of Banking, Insurance, and Financial Regulation, has received the Compliance Advancement of the Year Award from the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization. The National award, announced at the organization’s Business Meeting in Tucson, Arizona, recognizes the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for the efficient and timely implementation of its unclaimed property website.
The Compliance Advancement of the Year Award is presented to a state that has significantly improved its compliance program with process improvements for both institutions which hold the unclaimed property and persons making claims to the Lieutenant Governor as custodian of these funds. The Division of Banking, Insurance and Financial Regulation was recognized for successfully implementing the online unclaimed property database on April 2, 2024.
“I thank my dynamic team at the Division of Banking, Insurance, and Financial Regulation for effectively implementing the online unclaimed property database and for providing a convenient platform for customers to submit claims. The receipt of this National award is a significant accomplishment. It follows the reaccreditation of the Division by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in November 2024 for an additional five-year term. Additionally, the recent receipt of a National award for our Street Addressing Initiative further adds to the many reasons why we are so proud of the work of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.” stated Lieutenant Governor Roach.
This database aims to reunite any unclaimed property with its rightful owner, provide potential claimants 24/7 access to Virgin Islands unclaimed property data, and expedite the unclaimed property claims process in the Virgin Islands. Since the implementation of the unclaimed property database one year ago, the Division has paid claims totalling $557,843.84 to 171 persons in our community.
With the unclaimed property database, claimants no longer need to mail in or visit the office to submit claim forms. Persons searching for unclaimed property can now visit the Virgin Islands Unclaimed Property Claims Website to search for and submit any valid claim. Further processing may require additional documentation at the request of the Division. There is no statute of limitations on claims for unclaimed property.
For information about the unclaimed property program, visit the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Division of Banking Insurance and Financial Regulation webpage https://ltg.gov.vi/departments/banking-insurance-and-financial-regulation/ or call the Division at (340) 774-2991 on St. Thomas or (340) 773-6449 on St. Croix.
The Virgin Islands Legislature has initiated a formal review process following a complaint against Senator-At-Large Angel Bolques Jr., with Senate President Milton Potter appointing a group of lawmakers to serve on the body’s Committee on Ethical Conduct.
The panel — composed of Sens. Kenneth Gittens, Carla Joseph, Dwayne DeGraff, Novelle Francis and Kurt Vialet — has now begun its work, following the procedures outlined in the Legislature’s rules. Once empaneled, the committee is responsible for investigating the matter, interviewing involved parties, and determining whether the complaint warrants further action. The process typically concludes within 30 days, though an extension may be granted if both parties agree, Potter said in a call with the Source Tuesday.
Senate President Milton Potter did not discuss the specifics of the complaint, which involves an alleged internal sexual harassment claim. The complaint has also not been publicly disclosed, and details remain confidential to protect the privacy of those involved, in accordance with standard human resources practices. Maintaining confidentiality during such investigations is a common protocol aimed at safeguarding all parties and ensuring a fair and impartial process.
Potter also emphasized that once the committee is formed, he steps back entirely from the proceedings. “It will be in their hands. I will have no involvement in the investigation,” he said. “That’s how we preserve the integrity of the process. The committee must be free to do its job, independently and without interference.”
Speaking generally about how such matters are handled, Potter said the Legislature has a responsibility to take every complaint seriously and follow a structured, impartial process. “If someone makes a complaint, we have a duty to properly vet it — give the accuser and the accused their day in court, so to speak. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard and to provide supporting statements. There’s no judgment being cast; we follow up, we probe, we do what’s necessary to arrive at a fair conclusion.”
Potter also explained that, depending on the nature of the complaint, interim measures — such as removing individuals from shared workspaces or placing them on administrative leave — can be put in place to protect those involved. “We definitely err on the side of caution,” he said. “If a person feels they’ve been wronged, they should never feel stuck in that environment while the investigation is pending.”
Navigating these issues in a small institution is never easy, Potter acknowledged, particularly when complaints involve colleagues. “This is the last thing that you want to have to confront, especially in a small body like ours,” he said. “But I am fully aware of our responsibility as senators. We must uphold the institution and make sure that every employee — every person — is treated with respect and dignity.”
Potter said the current review, like those that came before, is designed to be fair, thorough, and impartial. “This isn’t about casting blame. It’s about following our rules, respecting everyone’s rights, and maintaining the trust placed in us as a legislative body,” he said.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and V.I. Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte hold a virtual press briefing from Miami, Fla., while attending the 2025 Seatrade Cruise Global conference. (Screenshot from Facebook livestream)
Speaking from Miami during a virtual press briefing Tuesday, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and V.I. Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte projected continued growth in the number of cruise passengers visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. Boschulte said the territory is expecting 1.8 million cruise travelers in fiscal year 2025.
Before turning things over to Bryan, Boschulte said the U.S. Virgin Islands had regained its “top spot” as the number one destination for spending in the eastern Caribbean and second in the Caribbean overall.
“But I think I’ll put a little asterisk on that, because we should be number one,” he said. In previous decades, Boschulte added, visitor spending looked like boxes of liquor and other goods. “Today, ‘spend’ is different. People are spending money on experiences, and as I just mentioned, we rank at the top.”
Bryan said this year’s Seatrade was particularly important because of berthing agreements. The territory entered into its first agreements in 2015 with Carnival and Norwegian at the St. Thomas’ West Indian Company Dock and Royal Caribbean at Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay. Those agreements are now up for renewal.
“And it’s important to understand that just because three lines received the berthing agreements 10 years ago, it doesn’t mean that they’re the only three lines interested in berthing agreements in the territory,” Boschulte said, adding that the territory is weighing a number of factors to find the best deals. The agreements are expected to be finalized within the next several months, he said.
Boschulte has yet to announce whether or not he accepted an offer to assume leadership of WICO as the public-private company’s next chief executive.
“He hasn’t made any decisions, but I’m really counting on him being the head of WICO when we decide to negotiate those berthing [agreements],” Bryan told the Source Tuesday.
During the briefing, Bryan highlighted the range of projects aimed, in part, at making the territory a more attractive destination, particularly on St. Croix, where cruise traffic has seen the most growth. Those projects include the rehabilitation of Mahogany Road and other scenic routes on the island, as well as the Veterans Drive rehabilitation on St. Thomas.
“So we got to make sure when they come, that they are satisfied and they’re having a good time,” he said.
The Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas docked at the Frederiksted Pier on Nov. 13, 2024, on St. Croix. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Speaking to the Source, Bryan touted other incentives for cruise lines like legislation allowing them to continue operating casinos while docked in Frederiksted. During this year’s conference, Bryan said he’d had a discussion with Senate Majority Leader Kurt Vialet and Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. about resanding the entire Frederiksted beach.
“What that would do is — if you have a beach in town, you would create business opportunities for those restaurants and bars and souvenir shops in town,” he said. “Because the people not only would be able to enjoy the water, but then they could just put on a wrap or whatever and go and get something to eat.”
One counterpoint to this year’s rosy tourism forecast is the tidal wave of tariffs and port fees proposed by the Trump administration — and the impact they could have on the territory’s maritime trade. President Donald Trump has continued to threaten massive tariffs — including on goods from the nation’s closest trading partners — and the U.S. Trade Representative proposed in February steep fees on any Chinese-built vessel calling on a U.S. port. Bryan said Tuesday that the Virgin Islands government had met with Tropical Shipping CEO Tim Martin and Jennifer Nugent-Hill, the company’s government and community affairs director, about the proposed fees.
“Couple of things we wanted to clarify,” he said. “I mean, the Virgin Islands is looking pretty good in terms of being affected by tariffs, but this one could cost a ship up to a million dollars … upon docking — and of course … that’s going to be passed over to consumers.”
Bryan told the Source that the tariffs appeared to primarily impact goods imported to the United States.
“And as you know, the majority of the business to the Caribbean is one where we’re — the U.S. — is exporting products to the Caribbean, so they may not be tariffed or they may not have to pay the port fees that other ships would,” he said. “So we’re looking at that right now. We’re looking for clarification from the Trump administration.
Caribbean vacation spots like Grenada’s Silver Sands Grand Anse could have a dramatic increase in cost for supplies if the United States starts charging fees on Chinese cargo ships, officials warned. (Source photo by Mat Probasco)
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association has urged President Donald Trump to exempt 27 Caribbean nations and territories from tariffs that the group said could hinder economic growth and put an undue burden on tourism-reliant areas.
Trump slapped most of the Caribbean with 10 percent tariffs — while oil-producing Guyana was reportedly hit with 37 percent tariffs. Maybe more significant was the proposed fee on Chinese-made or Chinese-flagged vessels visiting U.S. ports. A $1.5 million tax could significantly raise the price of doing business in the Caribbean as most goods are imported by cargo ship, Sanovnik Destang, the association’s president, said Monday.
“The region was beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel with many tourism-related businesses recovering from the tremendous impact the pandemic had on travel and tourism,” said Destang. “Even as our industry has rebounded, we remain highly vulnerable to the high cost of operations — particularly food and beverages — driven largely by five years of inflation. One-third of our tourism-related businesses reported a net loss in 2024, according to CHTA’s annual performance study,” he added.
Destang appealed to the U.S. Trade Representative, calling for exemptions from the proposed fees for the region and for protection of smaller shipping companies that serve the Caribbean. The U.S. is the largest supplier of food products to the Caribbean, with food and beverages representing the highest input costs. Up to 80 percent of these goods are delivered by ships from the U.S., Destang said.
Caribbean states within the proposed exemption would include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, Guyana, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Maarten, St. Barthélemy, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks & Caicos.
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands would be included as U.S. territories.
British Virgin Islands Premier Natalio Wheatley also warned of fallout from the tariffs, saying the cargo fees and escalating talks of trade wars could dramatically raise prices in the BVI.
“We are actively engaging with key stakeholders from across industry and will be meeting with business leaders and retailers over the coming days to ensure our response protects the needs and interests of BVI consumers as effectively as possible,” Wheatley said in a written statement. “Safeguarding the economic interests of the Virgin Islands is our utmost priority, and we will continue to do all we can to ensure the stability of our economy and the prosperity of our society.”
Tourism contributed an estimated $91.2 billion to the region’s economies in 2024 and generated over 2.9 million jobs, Destang said, quoting statistics from the World Travel and Tourism Council. In 2024, the region welcomed more than 68 million visitors — half via cruise ships and half through stays in hotels and other accommodations, he said.
Stayover visitors to the Caribbean contribute an estimated $944 — directly and indirectly — toward incremental U.S. imports, totaling approximately $6.2 billion in U.S. exports to the Caribbean in 2023. Each cruise visitor contributes an estimated $23 toward U.S. imports, totaling approximately $0.3 billion in U.S. exports to Caribbean countries in 2023, Destang said.
“Given the clear mutual advantages to both the U.S. and the Caribbean of a vibrant Caribbean hospitality and tourism industry, and in the spirit of mutual collaboration, long-standing benefits from trade and tourism, and our shared commitment to free enterprise and democracy, we are hopeful that our recommendations are considered and adopted for our mutual benefit,” said Destang.
The Virgin Islands Police Department’s Office of Highway Safety has teamed up with EZ Driving School to launch a new seat belt safety campaign aimed at teen drivers in the territory, where seat belt use lags far behind the national average.
Backed by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant, the “Arrive Alive, VI” Teen Drivers Outreach Project is focused on increasing correct and consistent seat belt use among young drivers and their passengers. In 2024, seat belt usage in the Virgin Islands was recorded at just 71 percent, significantly lower than the 91.9 percent national rate, according to the press release.
“Targeting this group of inexperienced drivers is a proactive effort to reduce risks for often unnecessary crash injuries and fatalities,” said VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal in a press release. She added that parents will also be given tools to help enforce seatbelt use at home.
In fiscal year 2024, drivers under age 21 were involved in 456 crashes across the territory, the press release stated.
Carmen McAlpin-Clarke, manager of EZ Driving School and project coordinator, said the partnership is already making a difference. “Our partnership continues to make a significant impact through education, advocacy and enforcement to increase seat belt usage, reduce severe injuries, and save lives,” she said. “Through this collaboration, we will continue to raise awareness, promote safer driving habits and protect motorists on the road.”
Residents are encouraged to buckle up on every trip and can contact the VIOHS for more information or to get involved in traffic safety programs, the release stated.
The Virgin Islands Public Services Commission has launched a rate investigation into the Water and Power Authority as part of its statutory review, while also receiving updates on multiple renewable energy efforts during its regular meeting Tuesday.
The rate investigation, required every five years, will evaluate WAPA’s electric and water systems in hopes of improving service and addressing ongoing financial hurdles. According to a PSC press release, commissioners tabled the staff report to allow time for finalizing a hearing examiner and technical consultants to ensure “a thorough and accurate analysis.”
WAPA representatives briefed the commission on solar and battery storage developments, noting 14 megawatts of solar generation now online on St. Croix and 5 megawatts on St. Thomas. Integrated battery storage systems are being used to stabilize output and improve grid reliability. WAPA also finalized an energy storage agreement with VIElectron at the Petronella site on St. Croix, where battery technology is being deployed to manage power flow and improve grid efficiency, the press release stated.
Efforts to secure new fuel supply contracts and bolster reserves ahead of hurricane season are also underway, WAPA officials said. The authority emphasized its commitment to paying solar providers on time and continuing infrastructure upgrades and strategic partnerships to build resilience and expand renewable capacity.
Commissioners were also updated on the Advanced Power wind-to-energy initiative, which is progressing through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Title 17 Clean Energy Program. The initiative, with sites on St. Croix and St. Thomas, has completed site leases and is in technical review. Project lead Joel Hart told the commission that the team is working to secure long-term financing, with completion expected within nine months. He acknowledged prior payment issues but said the project retains strong federal support due to its potential to cut energy costs and expand renewables, the release stated.
On St. John, AST Cleantech’s waste-to-energy project is nearing the final stages of its land lease application. The company has begun community outreach, drawing support from local groups such as Love City Strong and recycling advocates. AST is collaborating with WAPA and the Waste Management Authority to draft a power purchase agreement. The initial phase will serve as a pilot for waste diversion, which currently costs the territory about $2.8 million annually in transfer expenses, it said.
Commissioners Pedro Williams, David Hughes, and Clement Magras were present at the meeting. Commissioners Raymond Williams, Laura Nichols-Samms, and ex-officio member Sen. Carla Joseph were excused. An executive session was held to discuss pending legal and administrative matters, but no action was taken.
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Cruz Bay, St. John, Tuesday after officers recovered a firearm linked to illegal drug activity during a surveillance operation, the Virgin Islands Police Department announced.
The arrest followed an investigation by the VIPD Intelligence Unit that began Friday, April 4, when officers conducted surveillance in Cruz Bay targeting suspected drug distribution. During the operation, they observed a Black male, later identified as Rae-Shawn Amani Emmanuel Frazer, carrying a satchel across his left shoulder, according to the police report.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage the following morning, April 5, and observed Frazer discarding the satchel. A firearm was found inside, the police report stated.
Frazer was located, arrested, and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of illegal ammunition. Bail was set at $57,000, the report stated.
A 45-year-old St. Croix man is dead, the latest victim of gun violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands following a shooting Monday night in Frederiksted Town, the V.I. Police Department reported.
Officers responding to 911 calls of shots fired in Frederiksted Town around 10:39 p.m. Thursday found a man lying in the eastbound lane north of the King Cross Street intersection, police reported.
“Emergency Medical Services personnel attempted to provide assistance, but the man had no signs of life. Investigation revealed that he had been shot multiple times to his upper body,” according to the report.
The victim was identified by his family as Isaiah Fawkes, 45. His death marks the fifth homicide on St. Croix this year, bringing the territory’s total to eight, according to the Source Homicide List.*
The case remains under investigation by the Major Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Anyone with information is urged to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
*The Source Homicide List is a chronological log of the homicides recorded in 2025 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as reported by the VIPD. Cases are broken down by island. While this listing is based on VIPD reports, the Source does not include suicides or vehicular homicides in its listing, which the police and some other media do. This can lead to a discrepancy in the number of incidents reported.
