Police responded to a fatal two-vehicle collision involving a dirt bike Friday in Frederiksted. (Submitted photo)
On Friday, at approximately 8:50 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center, requested that police travel to a two-vehicle collision that occurred on Queen Mary Highway (Route 70) in the vicinity of the Market STX in Estate Plessen, Frederiksted, western entrance /exit, reported the V.I. Police Department.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a white Chevy Tahoe slowed and began making a right turn into the entrance/exit of the Market STX when a dirt bike collided with the Tahoe, according to the police report.
The operator of the dirt bike was operating the bike without a helmet. Additionally, the bike was unregistered and uninsured, the report stated.
The responding Traffic Investigation Bureau officers were informed that the operator of the dirt bike was taken via ambulance to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for medical treatment, the report stated.
The attending physician at the Juan F. Luis Hospital pronounced the bike operator deceased due to the injuries sustained in the accident. Next of kin identified him as 20-year-old Jaden Stubbs, according to the report.
This case remains open and under investigation by the V.I.P.D. Traffic Investigation Bureau, St. Croix District.
Joseph Moraino Jr., 75, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Joseph Moraino
Born on January 28, 1950, in Paterson, New Jersey, Joe graduated from Passaic Valley Regional High School in 1968. In November of 1968, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War. His bravery and sacrifice were recognized with two Purple Hearts before he was honorably discharged in January of 1970.
Joe built a thriving career in the marine industry of the Virgin Islands, founding three successful businesses together with his wife Ute. He took great pride in creating unforgettable experiences for his guests, earning a loyal following over the years. His legacy will continue through Ute’s dedication to their shared vision.
Joe was known for his charisma, generosity, and unwavering optimism. He had a rare ability to make those around him feel at ease, always bringing smiles and laughter wherever he went. His positivity inspired confidence in others, making him an amazing father, husband and cherished friend to many.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ute; his sons, Sky and Ian; his brother, John; sister-in-law, Kathy; nephew, John; and niece, Beth. He was predeceased by his parents, Theresa and Joseph Moraino.
A memorial service will be held on April 5, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM at St. Thomas Yacht Club, located at 6224 Estate Nazareth, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Joe’s warmth and generosity touched countless lives. His memory will live on through the many people he inspired and the lasting impact of his work and friendships.
Jean E. Berkeley, of Estate Richmond, transitioned into eternal life on March 4. She was 80 years old.
Jean E. Berkeley
She is preceded in death by her mother, Ann Eliza Berkeley; father, David Berkeley; grandchild, Janelle Moorehead; brothers, Manfred Berkeley, Bromley Berkeley, Melvin Berkeley, Abiatha Berkeley; sisters, Violet Jacobs, Asta Knight, Magadelene Registe.
She is survived by her sons, Raymond E. Moorehead, Sr., Ronald E. Moorehead, Rodney E. Moorehead, Sr.; grandchildren, Raymond Moorehead Jr., Laura Moorehead, Rodante Moorehead, Rodney E. Moorehead Jr., Ryan Moorehead; nieces, Violet Panchoo, Patricia Morain, Vicky Knight, Elizabeth Registe; nephews, David Jacobs, Bernie Jacobs, Stephan Berkeley, Robert Knight, Michael Knight, Peter Berkeley, Danny Jacobs; daughters-in-law, Selena Moorehead, Loretta Moorehead; special friends & family, Linda Bough & Pedersen Family, Medorah Roberts and Family, Ray & Slyvia Williams Family, Mario & Laverne Golden Family, Gwendolyn Simmonds & Family, Maxine Krigger and Family, Llyod Roberts & Family, DOE Family, Pamela Turner & Family, Lionel Lewis & Family, Panchoo Family, Junior Bowling Family, Altagarcia Marie Felix, Moorehead Family.
The funeral service will be held on March 27 at Bethel A.M.E. Church. Service will begin at 10 am, there will be no viewing. Interment will follow at the Christiansted Cemetery.
Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
Edmonde Destinvil of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Edmonde Destinvil
The viewing will be held on Thursday, March 27 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Turnbull’s Funeral Home.
The Funeral Service Celebrating her life will be held Friday, March 28 at 9 a.m. in Faith Church of God of Prophecy. Interment will be in Eastern Cemetery, Smith Bay. She is preceded in death by her mother, Anne Marie Rouceau and her father, Jean Saladier Destinvil.
Edmonde is survived by her husband, Lener Joseph; son, Carl St. Juste; daughter, Joana Joseph; Brothers: Loulou Edmond, Jimmy Edmond and Wilkenson Destinvil; sisters: Mymose Destinvil, Laumance Edmonde, Myrtha Edmonde, Guylaime Edmonde and Lina Edmond.
Arrangements Entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home & Crematory Services.
The Recovery Innovation Coordinator and Center of Excellence (RICCE), a program of the Democratic Training Institute, is partnering once again with the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI-CELL) to offer nonprofit professionals a free online workshop titled “Win the Procurement Process – Ensuring Compliance and Excellence.” The workshop will take place on Thursday, March 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. AST.
This practical workshop, conducted in English, is ideal for nonprofit leaders, grant managers, purchasing or procurement officers, finance and accounting personnel, and other staff involved in the procurement process. Executive Directors of nonprofits may also benefit from a high-level understanding of procurement compliance to enhance risk management oversight.
Led by Isabel C. Fernández, a Certified Grant Management Specialist, this 4-hour session will empower nonprofits to navigate the complex landscape of procurement with confidence, ensuring both compliance and operational excellence.
In this workshop, participants will learn to:
Understand federal regulations, roles, and responsibilities in the procurement process.
Review and assess procurement policies to ensure federal alignment.
Use tools and forms for accurate record-keeping and documentation.
Implement audit-ready practices and anticipate what auditors look for.
The RICCE’s mission is to support the development of the Third Sector in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands by identifying their unique needs and addressing them through innovative initiatives that enhance their resilience and economic competitiveness. RICCE provides technical assistance, networking opportunities, and capacity-building activities aimed at creating a more resilient nonprofit sector. All RICCE services are provided free of charge.
Request for Proposals Now Open for St. Croix Nonprofits Engaged in Arts, Culture & Heritage Preservation
St. Croix Foundation for Community Development (SCF) is pleased to announce the formal launch of the Healing Humanities Cultural Place-Keeping Grant, made possible through a transformative investment from the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place program. This grant program, totaling $534,000, will fund St. Croix-based nonprofit organizations dedicated to preserving arts, culture, heritage, and the natural environment.
Beginning March 21, 2025, eligible nonprofits are invited to apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000, with an average award of $40,000. Funding will support projects that strengthen St. Croix’s cultural landscape, ensuring that local traditions, spaces, and histories remain accessible and relevant across generations.
Grant Program Objectives:
The Healing Humanities Cultural Place-Keeping Grant is designed to:
● Support multi-generational projects that promote and preserve arts, culture, heritage, and the natural environment—rooted in St. Croix’s rich history.
● Nourish and embolden St. Croix’s cultural institutions by providing operational support and project-based funding.
● Foster diverse initiatives that elevate community narratives, artistic expression, and cultural sustainability.
Eligibility & Application Process:
Nonprofit organizations based on St. Croix or territory-wide organizations providing services on St. Croix are eligible to apply. Applications open March 21, 2025, and must be submitted by April 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM AST.
Key Dates
● March 25, 2025, 10:00 AM AST – Virtual Information Session #1 (Register Here)
● April 10, 2025, 9:00 AM AST – Virtual Information Session #2 (Register Here)
● April 25, 2025, 11:59 PM AST – Application Deadline
● May 23, 2025 – Award Announcements
● June 1, 2025 – Grant Performance Period Begins
Interested applicants should visitSCF’s Grant Portal to read the full Request for Proposals for all eligibility details and submission guidelines. Questions may be directed to Paloma McGregor, SCF Program Officer [Grantmaking] Humanities & Culture, at grants@stxfoundation.org.
A Commitment to Cultural Place-Keeping:
“As we launch this grant cycle, we reaffirm our commitment to place-keeping—preserving and celebrating the cultural and historical identity of St. Croix,” said Deanna James, President & CEO of St. Croix Foundation. “With the Mellon Foundation’s support, we are empowering local nonprofits to amplify cultural narratives and mobilize the humanities as a force for healing and transformation in our community.”
SCF invites all eligible nonprofits to apply and encourages community members to spread the word. Together, we will nurture St. Croix’s vibrant cultural legacy and foster lasting impact through the arts.
About St. Croix Foundation for Community Development:
Founded in 1990, St. Croix Foundation is a place-based philanthropic organization committed to holistic community development. As a trusted fiscal sponsor, grantmaker, and community convener, SCF has directed over $50 million in investments into the U.S. Virgin Islands, focusing on community revitalization, nonprofit capacity building, education, economic development, and cultural preservation.
About The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation:
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. Learn more at mellon.org.
The VI Sixth Constitutional Convention announces the first meeting for the Standing Committee on Government Structure to conduct an in-depth review and propose revisions to key articles of the proposed Fifth Constitutional Convention draft. These meetings are open to the public and media, and community members are encouraged to attend and engage in the discussions that will shape the future governance of the Virgin Islands.
The Standing Committee on Government Structure is responsible for reviewing and proposing revisions to the following sections:
● Article II – Principles of Government
● Article V – Legislative Branch
● Article VI – Executive Branch
● Article VII – The Judicial Branch
● Article VIII – Local Government
● Article XVIII – Constitutional Amendment
● Article XIX – Transition
VICC Standing Committee on Government Structure First Public Committee Meeting:
The VICC Standing Committee on Government Structure will hold its first Committee meeting for Article deliberation, planning, and accepting public input on the items of jurisdiction. The Committee’s Chairman, Delegate Rupert Ross, Jr., will lead the meeting, discussing the Committee’s responsibility to review articles related to government principles and structure. The meeting particulars are as follows:
● Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
● Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
● Location: Room 408, Albert Sheen Campus, University of the Virgin Islands
Public and Media Engagement Encouraged
The VICC remains committed to transparency and inclusive governance. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and will be allowed five minutes, each, to share their ideas or concerns with the Delegates of the VICC.
For more information, media inquiries, or interview requests, please contact Delegate Imani Daniel at delegatedaniel@usvicc.org.
About the VI Sixth Constitutional Convention:
The VICC is tasked with drafting and proposing a constitution that aligns with the aspirations of Virgin Islanders while addressing strategy, governance, and local priorities. Through public engagement and expert consultation, the convention aims to create a sustainable framework for the territory’s future.
U.S. Virgin Islands government officials reviewed the territory’s financial outlook during the 2025 Spring Revenue Estimating Conference Friday on St. Thomas. The conference was broadcast to the public over social media. (Screenshot from WTJX livestream)
Virgin Islands government department heads, central government officials and lawmakers met Friday for the 2025 Spring Revenue Estimating Conference on St. Thomas.
“You know, I often think revenue conferences are great,” Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said during introductory remarks. “But I think what we should have is an expenses conference because the revenues really aren’t a problem. Revenues are great. It’s the expenses that are really the problem.”
Bryan lauded the government’s annual exercise — which is required by the Virgin Islands Code to happen twice per year in September and March — and said revenues have been positive during his tenure as governor. Bryan called for a “true estimate” of what it costs to run the territory’s government.
“I say that because every year we discount the retro pay that we owe, we discount the underfunded waste management costs, we discount the underfunded hospitals cost,” he said. “We have a rising matching priority in terms of the Medicaid that we get — coming up with that money — we’re running out of the money faster. We’re giving more services. We discount the cost of VITRAN — the real cost — we kind of like, sweep it under the rug. The real cost of policing — because every year we have $10, $15, $20 million in overtime that … it doesn’t really go away. We dip a lot, it can be controlled, but it will never be eliminated.”
He went on to highlight costs of operating the V.I. Waste Management Authority’s garbage collection efforts and said the Virgin Islands government has made a “tremendous effort” to make sure residents haven’t suffered from the effects of inflation.
Tax collections for the U.S. Virgin Islands’ General Fund in recent years peaked in fiscal year 2022 at more than $268.5 million. That number dipped to approximately $253 million in 2023 and ticked up to nearly $255 million in 2024. Special funds collections peaked in 2024 at nearly $66.4 million. Corporate income tax revenues also peaked in 2022 at more than $109 million. The territory took in slightly more than $65 million in fiscal year 2024.
V.I. Management and Budget Director Julio Rhymer Sr. called fiscal years 2025 and 2026 revenues estimates of $424.5 million and $414.1 million, respectively, cautiously conservative based on current economic trends and turbulence within the federal government.
Toward the end of the conference, Sen. Novelle Francis Jr., who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, asked Rhymer to elaborate on possible austerity measures moving forward. Rhymer said the government is looking at fixed costs first and then looking at contracts and leases to determine if they can “do some consolidation going forward, which should actually save money.”
“We’re also looking at the cost of fleets and how do we maintain that fleet going forward,” he said. “But those are things that we’re looking at up front so we can actually understand the things we need to start saving on. There’s lots of things we really need to look — and do a hard look at — and the first ones are the big items like fixed costs and rentals and leases and contract costs, and how we can actually consolidate those going forward.”
Bryan added that he disliked the word “austerity.”
“Because it’s not really what we need to do,” he said. “There’s no indicator here that say that we’re making less money — the problem is, everything’s getting more expensive. And nobody likes to say it, but thanks to the Legislature and the administration, the most prevailing cost in government is salaries and personnel and fringe [benefits].”
Bryan listed out the associated costs and asked how the government could do more with fewer employees who are better paid.
“Between fringe and employees, we got what — half a billion dollars,” he said. “And that’s the real carrying cost and nobody — and even though we’re having problems paying vendors, unions are still showing up and saying they want more money. They don’t realize that we have given them a lot more money in the last six years than ever before.”
Bryan said the administration had to work with the Legislature to figure out how “to do less, because it’s going to keep getting more expensive for government workers and for everybody in the territory.”
“We’re going to have to pay them, and we’re not going to be able to afford to pay them,” he said.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and other USVI officials met Friday for the 2025 Revenue Estimating Conference. (Screenshot from WTJX livestream)
Key tourism statistics indicate a strong finish to the 2025 season, officials said Friday. Uncertainty about 2026, however, loomed as external factors, many instigated by the federal government, could stymie gains.
Robust visitor spending, increased cruise ship and aircraft arrivals, more hotel rooms becoming available, and other factors have put the territory’s tourism sector on steady footing, Alani Henneman, assistant commissioner of tourism, told policymakers at the 2025 Revenue Estimating Conference.
Economic forecasts for the U.S. mainland from November 2024 indicated a solid foundation, which generally translates to healthy tourism numbers, Henneman said. She cited optimistic reports in October 2024 from Delta Air Lines and Royal Caribbean Group.
Some of that hopefulness deflated in January with downward swings in financial markets and backlash over controversial White House policies.
“Travel bans, tariffs, and the overall perception of the U.S. can impact the USVI’s tourism industry,” she said.
“We are skeptical about 2026.”
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. mused that a ban on travel to some countries might benefit the Virgin Islands as tourists would have fewer Caribbean options. That is not the sort of travel ban reportedly being considered by the State Department, however. The proposed ban would stop some Caribbean neighbors from coming to the American Caribbean.
President Donald Trump has reportedly suggested dramatically reducing access to U.S. visas for people from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis unless those countries complied with unspecified demands. An anonymous U.S. State Department official replied to questions from the Source with a message neither confirming nor denying the plans.
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority issued a statement late Wednesday emphasizing there was no change in visa policy and island officials haven’t been contacted by Washington counterparts on the subject.
Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach said in discussions with the British Virgin Islands about the charter industry, it was important to understand the British overseas territory’s desire to maximize revenues. The islands get limited help from the UK, he said. He urged officials at the conference to find new ways of generating revenue in the U.S. Virgin Islands and to take heed should federal funds diminish.
“Britain, as a colonizer, only takes; it doesn’t give,” Roach said. “We may be in a similar boat of having to support ourselves in a different way.”
Bryan said the Virgin Islands has been the beneficiary of programs Trump has sought to dismantle, such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
“I think the Virgin Islands has had the benefit of equity and inclusion in a large way because for 100,000 people to be getting $23 billion of taxpayer’s money is an incredible feat. And we’re proud of that. And we have to protect it. We have to make sure we’re doing the things to eliminate corruption and create transparency, to create efficiencies, and most of all to get these things built for our people,” he said.
Domestically, real income growth, modest inflation, the USVI’s no-passport-needed status, and tax cut extensions on the mainland could drive more visitors to the territory, Henneman said. Those factors could be undercut by a softening labor market, inequity, immigration restrictions, and inflation because of tariffs.
Internationally, pent-up demand for travel to the USVI could be tripped up by trade wars, visa processing changes, and a growing sentiment of unease about U.S. policy.
More than 38 percent of all foreigners flying into the U.S. Virgin Islands come from Canada. Canadians make up 53.7 percent of all the territory’s foreign cruise line visitors.
Many Canadians have reportedly been boycotting American products since President Donald Trump suggested steep tariffs on Canadian goods, called then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the governor of Canada and referred to Canada as both nasty and the 51st state that he claimed the U.S. subsidized with $200 billion annually. On Thursday, mainland media reported widespread vandalism in Ontario of Tesla vehicles. The act mirrors similar attacks on the company headed by Elon Musk, who Trump appointed to run the new Department of Government Efficiency.
Canadian leaders — some of whom have called the rhetoric an act of war — have responded with tariffs of their own on American goods. The Economic Times reported Friday that Canadian tourism to the United States had dropped by 40 percent. Tourism industry insiders in New York told ABC News Thursday they were deeply worried.
If vacationers don’t boycott the territory, cruise arrivals could hit a high of 1.9 million in 2026, Henneman said. Roughly 1.8 million passengers were projected to visit the USVI in 2025, 90,000 more than 2024 — 980,000 at the West Indian Company Dock, 580,000 at the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal, and 200,000 at St. Croix’s Ann E Abrahamson Marine Facility.
Air capacity into the territory broke records in 2024 with 908,721 passengers flying in — well above 2023’s 782,022, she said. Compared to 2023, air capacity to St. Thomas is up more than 18 percent and to St. Croix a whopping 56.5 percent, Henneman said. Through February, air arrivals in 2025 versus 2024 were down 2 percent.
Offering a diversity of accommodations, the territory attracts a wide range of visitors across the social-economic spectrum. Visitors spent an average of $744 a day — well above the Caribbean average — in 2024. While cruise passengers polled by the Tourism Department had an average household income of $100,000 to $149,000, tourists arriving by air were more likely to have an annual household income greater than $250,000, according to Henneman.
In 2024, the territory had an estimated 3,286 hotel rooms to rent — and 5,769 additional rooms from Airbnb, VRBO, and similar operations. The territory had 1,022 timeshare units, 900 rental villas, and more than 250 overnight charter yacht lodgings.
Keeping track of these not-hotel rentals was important, Bryan said, not just from a tax-revenue collection standpoint, but to make sure the consumer experience was what the territory hoped to present.
“When you look at what’s happening on the ground, you’re seeing tourists coming from weird places like Hospital Ground and Savan, walking the streets. And you’re like, how did you get up here — because we have Airbnb capacity now; because they don’t know where they’re checking in to. Which brings us to all our concerns about our economy and what we need to be doing in terms of how we direct tourism — what their experience is going to be,” Bryan said.
The average overnight accommodation spent per party was more than $3,459, she said. The hotel occupancy rate dropped in January 2025 compared with the same time in 2024 — from 76.6 percent a year ago to 62 percent in the first month of 2025.
The Virgin Islands forecasts taking in $33,670,570 in hotel tax revenue in fiscal year 2025, up slightly from $33,169,281 in 2024. Next year, however, was forecast to dip slightly to $32,084,732. Henneman said the forward-looking 2026 numbers were derived by looking at historical trends and may change as new data becomes available.
38 Hospital Street, Frederiksted, after rebuild by CHANT and the American College of Building Arts. (Photos courtesy of CHANT)
Crucian Heritage And Nature Tourism’s Free Gut Project is responsible for restoring 38 Hospital Street in Frederiksted and now the crew is rebuilding the 380-square-foot house in the backyard from the foundation up.
CHANT is partnering with the American College of Building Arts to recreate properties in the Free Gut area of Frederiksted using construction practices and materials, as much as possible, of the time they were built.
According to CHANT, Free Gut was “established in 1750 and is one of the first places in America where free people of African descent could own property and run businesses.” The building at 38 Hospital Street was chosen because it was not a complicated property and Frandelle Gerard, CHANT’s executive director, said she was able to find the owners.
John Paul Hughley, founder of the ACBA and chief executive officer of Building Arts, LLC, who is overseeing the entire project, said the college integrates professional training, similar to European practices, with a liberal arts curriculum.
“American College is a mixture of theory with hands-on experience,” Talon Riesbec, Free Gut project manager, said.
In fact, Riesbec said the workers and interns from the college working on the St. Croix project learned some of the old techniques used by local builders in the 1700s and 1800s.
38 Hospital Street, Frederiksted, before rebuild by CHANT and the American College of Building Arts. (Photos courtesy of CHANT)
“We got insight into the architecture down here,” he said. “There’s new, existing talent on the island with passion and drive.”
In addition to college interns, there are two graduates of ACBA, six workers and one instructor who had been in CHANT’s six-week training program.
“All this work was done by trainees,” Gerard said.
The first building was completed several weeks ago and immediately, the team started on the ruins in the backyard. The house was demolished in December and two foundations were discovered under the floor.
Masonry work was completed two weeks ago, while the framing became a long-distance project. The framing was milled and cut by specifications and built in South Carolina. After it was built, it was disassembled, shipped to St. Croix and reassembled on the island.
The frame was erected last week and now the team is preparing to hang the floor, sides and eventually shingles to finish the project.
“It’s an exact replica. It’s a little beyond restoration,” Gerard said.
Workers from the American College of Building Arts and CHANT’s apprentice program secure beams to a historic building restoration. (Source photo by Susan Ellis)
A kitchen and outhouse from concrete and stone will be built on the property eventually, along with an old-time oven. Gerard said there were two ovens in the neighborhood to accommodate the group of bakers that lived in the area.
All of the additional structures depend on funding and will hopefully be completed by March 2026.
Neither building on the property will be used as a full-time residence, Gerard said. The building facing the street will be a communal area and used for various functions, including meetings, research and artistic displays.
When completed, the building in the backyard will consist of three rooms and will serve as an artist-in-residence when needed, Gerard said.
The last thing to construct will be a small cistern — there was none on the property.
In the future, CHANT plans to restore more historic buildings in Free Gut, establish several affordable housing units, continue to train local apprentices in construction restoration techniques and host public exhibitions on the history and culture of the area.
The Free Gut project is made possible by an NPS Hurricane Recovery Grand, Building Arts, LLD, ADBA, the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, the V.I. State Historic Preservation Office and others.
