Home Blog Page 563

Virtue of the Week โ€“ Faith

Virtue of the Week โ€“ Faith

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.

 

Faith

Faith is a relationship of trust. We are confident that our life has purpose. We believe in ourselves. Faith is the wind in the sails of our dreams. It gives us the strength to go on, not succumbing to doubt, fear or hopelessness. As we move forward, we are guided to the right path without having to make it happen. Even in the most trying times, we re open to wonderment.

Quote: โ€œFaith is taking the first step, even when you donโ€™t see the whole staircase.โ€
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Practice of Faith

I seek depth with the universe.

I trust that my life has meaning.

I am reflective in all times and conditions.

I make discerning decisions.

I allow faith to guide my course.

I am receptive to wonders.

Questions for Discussion

  • Moving in our social justice work, what do we need to fortify our community?
  • What does faith look like in our community? How can it be amplified?
  • What do you need in order to call on faith?
  • How can faith help us in our social justice work?

Sign up to receive the Virtue of the Week by email!

Visit https://cfvi.net/Virtues-Projectย and scroll to the end of the page to fill out the form.

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.ย For more information, visitย cfvi.net.

About Virtues Matterย 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 virtue 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.

To learn more about the Virtues Project, visitย www.virtuesproject.com.

Board of Education Elections Monday

0

The 22nd elected Virgin Islands Board of Education will convene a specialย board meeting on Monday, Jan. 6 at 11:30 a.m. to elect the officers ofย the governing board and address important business matters, as required by Virginย Islands law.

The board may enter an executive session to deliberate on specificย topics as authorized by law.

In accordance with Virgin Islands Code, Title 3, Chapter 7, Subsection 97, theย following provisions guide the operations of the board:

  • Subsection 97(c): The term of office for each member shall be four (4) years,ย beginning on the first Monday of January following the election.
  • Subsection 97(e): The members of the Board shall elect a Chairman and Viceย Chairman from among its number at the first meeting after each election.

To ensure the health and well-being of all attendees, we kindly ask that individualsย who are feeling unwell, experiencing symptoms of illness, or have been recentlyย exposed to contagious conditions refrain from attending the meeting in person.ย Instead, we encourage participation via virtual options to remain actively engagedย without compromising the safety of others.

For more information, including details on how to participate virtually, please contact:

  • St. Thomas/St. John District Office: (340) 774-4546
  • St. Croix District Office: (340) 772-4144

Your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a safe and productiveย environment for all are greatly appreciated.

Update: First Fatality of 2025 Reported

The V.I. Police Department has reported that the unresponsive man discovered at Saturday’s shooting in Bovoni on St. Thomas is the year’s first homicide in the Virgin Islands.

The victim has been identified as twenty-five-year-old Jahkeem Joseph.

Joseph’s death marks the first homicide of the year for the territory, according to The Source Homicide List.*

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.

Jan. 4 | 9 p.m.

The V.I. Police Department issued a statement on social media Saturday night saying that the territoryโ€™s ShotSpotter system notified the 911 Emergency Call Center of multiple gunshots discharged in the area of Hill Crest Road in Estate Bovoni on St. Thomas. A caller reported there being an unresponsive man lying on the ground.

โ€œAll necessary agencies were dispatched,โ€ according to VIPD, โ€œand an update will be given once more information is provided by the [Criminal Investigation Bureau] Detectives.โ€

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the departmentโ€™s Major Crimes Unit at 340-774-2211 or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477.

*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.

VIPD Investigating Death Near Luis Hospital

0

In a statement, the V.I. Police Department said itโ€™s investigating the death of a man found in the early morning Friday near the fence line of Luis Hospital.

According to police, the 911 Emergency Call Center was notified at approximately 7:28 a.m. Detectives arrived and made contact with the hospitalโ€™s law enforcement officer. That officer said a nurse was walking behind the hospital fence when they saw a patient behind the generator room who did not look well. When the hospital officer investigated, they found the man to be unresponsive.

A doctor responded to the scene and declared the man dead at 7:30 a.m.

According to VIPD, the man had arrived at Luis Hospital via ambulance and was registered at 12:32 p.m. When he was called โ€” after 6 p.m. โ€” he was no longer in the waiting room.

The deceasedโ€™s identity is being held pending notification of his next of kin, and the matter is under investigation pending medical examinersโ€™ findings by the Criminal Investigation Bureau and Major Crimes Unit.

Weekly Weather Forecast With Jesse Daley

Check out our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, Jan. 5, through Saturday, Jan. 11. Our YouTube playlist is updated every week, AND check out Jesseโ€™s daily weather updates here.

Adultsโ€™ Parade Romps Through Frederiksted

0
Deputy Tourism Commissioner Shamari Haynes heads up the Simply Sophisticated troupe on Saturday in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

St. Croixโ€™s west end was awash in color, culture and music on Saturday. The 72nd Crucian Christmas Festival Adultsโ€™ Parade stormed through Frederiksted and reminded the rest of the U.S. Virgin Islands that Twin City knows how to fete.

Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies take a bird’s-eye view of the 2025 Adults’ Parade on Saturday in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

One born-and-raised Crucian, Yoki Hanley, said she recently moved to Atlanta but came home for Festival โ€” and wasnโ€™t โ€œmissing it for the world.โ€

Quadrille dancers twirl down King Street on Saturday in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

โ€œItโ€™s like to revitalize, you know โ€” to recharge โ€” especially for my culture,โ€ she said. Hanley said sheโ€™d been missing local delicacies like seasoned rice and stuffing. Now, she said, sheโ€™s ready to take on 2025.

Troupers appear in the reflection of Tiffany Howell’s sunglasses during the 72nd Crucian Christmas Festival Adults’ Parade on Saturday in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

โ€œThatโ€™s the whole point of Festival, especially Christmastime, you take everything โ€” all your heartache, your pain, your problems, you deal with it best you can,โ€ she said. โ€œAnd then when time come at the end of the year for Festival, you let it loose.โ€

Quadrille dancers tail the Ten Sleepless Knights as the 2025 Adults’ Parade heads down Fisker Gade on Saturday in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

Hanley said it was her first time walking with the troupe Opulence Mas but her second in the Adultsโ€™ Parade. For those interested in making the walk next year, Hanley said itโ€™s important to find a good troupe. Hydration is key.

Colleen Bowles, right, makes a costume adjustment for Leonor Barnard, left, ahead of the 72nd Crucian Christmas Festival Adults’ Parade on Saturday in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

โ€œYou have to have a balance of water and liquor in order to make it down this parade route,โ€ she said.

Crucian Christmas Festival Princess Dehโ€™Jalise John-Baptiste cruises down King Street ahead of the 2025 Adults’ Parade on Saturday in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

After Crucian Christmas Festival royalty and the Ten Sleepless Knights โ€” trailed by madras-clad quadrille dancers โ€” made their way through town, Opulence Mas was one of two troupes to hit the town in force, followed by Simply Sophisticated.

Opulence Mas hits King Street like a multicolored tidal wave during the 72nd Crucian Christmas Festival Adults’ Parade on Saturday afternoon in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

On Friday, parade organizer Kendell Henry said Saturdayโ€™s Adultsโ€™ Parade had 25 entries. Two of those entries comprised hundreds of colorful, feathered troupers.

A contingent of Simply Sophisticated troupers turn onto King Street during the 2025 Adults’ Parade on Saturday in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

Saturdayโ€™s parade went well into the afternoon, and the 72nd Crucian Christmas Festival was slated to end with a Madras Mas night at Festival Village and fireworks.

Troupers trek toward the finish line of the 2025 Adults’ Parade on Saturday in Frederiksted. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

Homicides 2025

0

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.

STT โ€“ 1
Territory โ€“ 1
Date of death โ€“ Jan. 4

Shots reported Saturday night in the area of Hill Crest Road in Estate Bovoni on St. Thomas, left one man dead, marking the territoryโ€™s first homicide of 2025, the V.I. Police Department reported. The victim has been identified as twenty-five-year-old Jahkeem Joseph.

STX โ€” 1
Territory โ€” 2
Date of death โ€” Jan. 10

Rey Enrique Romero, 45, was found with what appeared to be gunshot wounds about his body at 8:44 a.m. on Jan. 10 in Estate Glynn on St. Croix.

STT โ€” 2
Territory โ€” 3
Date of death โ€” Jan. 13

Dennis Eduardo Eusebio, 22, was discovered by responding officers around 2:48 a.m. at the Contant Towers Condominium on St. Thomas with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts from emergency responders, Eusebio was pronounced dead at the scene.

STX โ€” 2
Territory โ€” 4
Date of death โ€” Feb. 1

A late-night shooting Saturday on Queen Street in Frederiksted, St. Croix, left two men dead, the Virgin Islands Police Department announced. Juan Rexach-Ramos, 53, was identified at the scene.

STX โ€” 3
Territory โ€” 5
Date of death โ€” Feb. 1

A late-night shooting Saturday on Queen Street in Frederiksted, St. Croix, left two men dead, the Virgin Islands Police Department announced. Daniym Heywood, 28, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

STT โ€” 3
Territory โ€” 6
Date of death โ€” March 9

Matthew Gumbs, 28, was found dead of gunshot wounds just after 5 p.m. Sunday in Estate Mariendahl on St. Thomas, the V.I. Police Department reported.

STX โ€” 4
Territory โ€” 7
Date of death โ€” March 12

Police responding to shots fired in the Sunny Isles Shopping Center Parking lot found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, Alex A. Burgos, 42, was taken to Juan Luis Hospital by ambulance but died of his injuries.

STX โ€” 5
Territory โ€” 8
Date of death โ€” April 7

Officers responding to 911 calls of shots fired in the area of Frederiksted Town on St. Croix at 10:39 p.m. on April 7 found the body of Isaiah Fawkes, 45, in the street with multiple gunshot wounds.

STX โ€” 6
Territory โ€” 9
Date of death โ€” April 17

A man was fatally shot on St. Croix Thursday in the area of Estate Glynn, Midland Road, near Crab Queen. The deceased has been identified as 30-year-old Kysian Nicholas.

STX โ€” 7
Territory โ€” 10
Date of death โ€” April 21

Edna Smith, 49, wasย found shot to death on the sidewalk of the Louis E. Brown Apartments around 8:15 p.m. Monday, April 21, in Frederiksted, St. Croix, a Virgin Islands Police Department spokesperson said.

STT โ€” 4
Territory โ€” 11
Date of death โ€” May 3

A man was shot and killed late Saturday night during St. Thomas Carnival celebrations in the Fort Christian parking lot, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported. He was later identified by next of kin as 26-year-old Franky Matthew.

STT โ€” 5
Territory โ€” 12
Date of death โ€” May 4

Two men were killed and another wounded in separate shootings on St. Thomas over the Carnival weekend, jolting the community and forcing an early shutdown of the seasonโ€™s final celebration. Police have not yet released the deceased manโ€™s name, pending notification of next of kin.

STT โ€” 6
Territory โ€” 13
Date of death โ€” May 20

Dana Joseph Jr. allegedly shot girlfriend Latifa Raimer to death and left her lifeless body outside Schneider Regional Medical Center.

STX โ€” 8
Territory โ€” 14
Date of death โ€” June 5

A brazen midday shooting on the Christiansted boardwalk has claimed the life of 38-year-old Jordan Jones, a beloved local comedian known as โ€œDutty Heart.โ€

STT โ€” 7
Territory โ€” 15
Date of death โ€” June 12

Shyiane Degallerie, 28, was killed in a shooting around 2:48 a.m. June 12 near Oswald Harris Court on St. Thomas.

STT โ€” 8
Territory โ€” 16
Date of death โ€” June 14

A 29-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in the Fort Mylner area. The victim was later identified by next of kin as Everton G. Ralph Jr.

STX โ€” 9
Territory โ€” 17
Date of death โ€” June 21

A 29-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday evening in Grove Place. The victim was identified by a family member as Dasha Graham.

STJ โ€” 1
Territory โ€” 18
Date of death โ€” June 22

On Sunday, emergency responders found two men dead inside the vehicle: 23-year-old Lee Joseph Christian and 28-year-old Jordan Brierley Clendinen, both of St. John. The double homicide has left the close-knit island community reeling.

STJ โ€” 2
Territory โ€” 19
Date of death โ€” June 22

On Sunday, emergency responders found two men dead inside the vehicle: 23-year-old Lee Joseph Christian and 28-year-old Jordan Brierley Clendinen, both of St. John. The double homicide has left the close-knit island community reeling.

STT โ€” 9
Territory โ€” 20
Date of death โ€” July 11

On Friday, July 11, the V.I. Police Department to multiple shots in the area of lower Kronprindsens Gade, St. Thomas, and found Renaldo Antonio Lettsome, 49, in an abandoned wooden structure with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body and no vital signs.

STT โ€” 10
Territory โ€” 21
Date of death โ€” Aug. 15

A 32-year-old man was shot and killed in the Altona 34 area Friday. The victim was identified by his next of kin as Mario Lugo Florentino.

STT โ€” 11
Territory โ€” 22
Date of death โ€” Aug. 29

On Friday, police found a woman at the Galleon House on St. Thomas fatally shot, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported. The victim was later identified by next of kin as 42-year-old Maireni Heredia Tiburcio.

STX โ€” 10
Territory โ€” 23
Date of death โ€” Oct. 17

Virgin Islands Police Department officers responded to a shooting at the Bienvenidos Bar in Estate Profit at 11:53 p.m. Friday. The deceased was later identified by a family member as 49-year-old Hoedelair Germaine.

STT โ€” 12
Territory โ€” 24
Date of death โ€” Nov. 6

The Virgin Islands Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Thursday morning in Contant, the department announced. The manโ€™s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

STX โ€” 11
Territory โ€” 25
Date of death โ€” Nov. 17

Police responding to a 911 call of an unresponsive man in the bushes in Estate Castle Burke, Frederiksted, just after noon on Nov. 17 found Malik Anthony Francis, 33, dead from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. The case remains under investigation.

STT โ€” 13
Territory โ€” 26
Date of death โ€” Nov. 30

A man died early Sunday after he was shot outside Tootsyโ€™s Nightclub in Red Hook, St. Thomas, the V.I. Police Department announced.

STT โ€” 14
Territory โ€” 27
Date of death โ€” Dec. 7

A man died Sunday night after police found him with multiple gunshot wounds in the Hospital Ground area of St. Thomas, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.

STX โ€” 12
Territory โ€” 28
Date of death โ€” Dec. 27

The V.I. Police Department is investigating the killing of a 25-year-old man Saturday on St. Croix.

STX โ€” 13
Territory โ€” 29
Date of death โ€” Dec. 30

Police have arrested a St. Croix man for the Tuesday shooting death of 19-year-old Janice Rivera and wounding of another man, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department. Jaden M. Francis, 22, allegedly killed Rivera and wounded the other man at Estate Rattan, Christiansted shortly before 8 p.m.

Education Promotes New Way To Bolster Student Success

0
St. Thomas-St. John District Superintendent Stefan Jurgen and Deputy St. Thomas-St. John Superintendent Symra Dee Brown
Education officials appeared in recent video announcing a new student support system taking effect Jan. 8. (Screenshot from V.I. Education Department YouTube video)

At the start of the New Year โ€” with less than a week to go before classes resume โ€” the V.I. Education Department announced a major new initiative to enhance student performance. The announcement of a personalized student development plan appeared on the agencyโ€™s social media page on Jan. 2.

St. Thomas-St. John district Superintendent Stefan Jurgen and Deputy Superintendent Symra Dee Brown also appeared in a video promotion to share details about the upcoming change. Education officials introduced the Multi-Tiered System of Supportsย or MTSS, as a โ€œproven framework that helps schools meet the unique needs of every student.โ€

โ€œThis approach is all about designing support for success from the start. Itโ€™s not just about helping kids who may be struggling — itโ€™s about ensuring all students, at every level, get what they need to thrive. We have been implementing this framework for years but now, itโ€™s time to take it up to the next level,โ€ the posted announcement said.

There was also a notice posted for parents to watch out for MTSS updates that will provide more information. With four days until the Jan. 8 return to school, Joseph Sibilly Elementary School parent Desiree Wilkes Maduro expressed disappointment.

If the new student support system was so important, why did the department issue what she called a last-minute notice? โ€œWe donโ€™t know what the expectations are about. Iโ€™m left to understand that more information will come out soon, and to me the wording is so vague โ€” itโ€™s disappointing the way this was rolled out at the last minute. Why couldnโ€™t they have told us in November?โ€ Wilkes Maduro said.

Former public school parent DaraMonifah Cooper wondered if the new support system was related to the Individualized Education Program her son received 15 years ago at Kirwan Elementary School. โ€œItโ€™s a legal document; it falls under the special education program. Educators, counselors get together to create a plan with measurable goals to help the child get through the school system, but every child didnโ€™t get one,โ€ Cooper said.

Details found in the Jan. 2 posting said effective Jan. 8, every student in V.I. public schools will receive a success plan of their own; schools will rearrange class schedules, giving teachers time to conduct personalized interventions.

The educational technology platform Branching Minds says the Multi-Tiered Support System seeks to address academic progress, as well as social-emotional and behavioral issues. V.I. Education officials also promise the initiative will promote consistency across the school system between underperforming schools and those producing better outcomes.

Consistency is something Maduro agreed is currently lacking. โ€Iโ€™m part of the (Parent-Teachers Association), and a lot of issues have been identified on all of the campuses,โ€ she said.

If the program works as intended, officials said it will give all students a greater chance to succeed.

As families on St. Croix wrap up their Crucian Christmas Festival celebrations, the department issued a reminder about reporting schedules at four schools that were working on modified schedules.

โ€œThe following schools in the St. Croix District, which had been operating on a modified schedule, will resume their regular hoursย starting Wednesday, January 8, 2025: Eulalie Rivera PreK-8 School; St. Croix Central High School; St. Croix Educational Complex High School, (and the) St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC),โ€ the announcement said.

Cleofe Antonio Asencio Ponce Dies at 86

0

Cleofe Antonio Asencio Ponce, also known as Cleo/ Abuelo of Estate Annaโ€™s Hope, transitioned into eternal life on Dec. 11. He was 86 years old.

Cleofe Antonio Asencio Ponce

He was preceded in death by his mother, Emilia Ponce; father, Raimundo Asencio; daughter, Normarilis Asencio; grandchild, Fatima P. Brown; sisters, Herminia A. Belardo, Emilia A. Marin, Carmen A. Suarez, Iraida A. Mercado, Rosa Asencio; brother Jorge David Asencio; brother-in-law, Felix Rosa, Carlos J. Rosa.

He is survived by his spouse Edith E. Asencio Rosa; daughter, Nydia E. Asencio; grandchildren, Clio โ€œAlioshaโ€ A. Brown, Paul A. Ruiz IV(Leo)/ Lanetia, Sade F. Ruiz/ Maris โ€œBambiโ€; great-grandchildren, Iridessa A.J. Daniel, Jade N. Ruiz, ย Malia T. Francis, Maris E. Francois III, Janae A. Ruiz, Jeremiah E. Ruiz, Mia T. Francis; sister, Francisca A. Melendez, brother, Carlos Asencio, Mario Asencio, Raimundo Asencio Jr.; brothers-in-law, Gregorio Rosa, Victor Rosa, Luis Rosa; special friends, Arturo Ventura, Margie and ย family, Arnold Barnes and family, Jane Meyers and family, Jose Gonzalez, Luz and Ricardo Rodriguez, Jose A. Figueroa and family, Angel Montanez; other special relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Funeral service will be held on Jan. 8. Viewing starts 10 a.m. and service at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc

Christine Buchanan Dies

0

We announce the death ofย Christine Buchanan.

Christine Buchanan

She leaves to mourn: her husband, Rupert Buchanan; her children, Juliette Maduro, Bertchel Buchanan, Alanzo Buchanan, Colletteย Buchanan, and Cordell Buchanan; her stepson, Ian Longue; her stepdaughter, Katherine Margaret Rogers; her son-in-law, Ali McClean; her daughter-in-law, Shiela Buchanan, Tramaine Baptiste-Buchanan, Amandaย Dunstan; her grandchildren, Khaliq McClean, Jaha McClean, Aโ€™Deja Buchanan,ย Ajeโ€™nique Buchanan, Jacqueline Buchanan, Bianca Buchanan, Ramon Ramirez, Isaiah Hodge, Kaylin Liburd, Dante Buchanan, Arianna Buchanan, Aโ€™Layah Buchanan,ย Trayson Donovan, Bertchel Ales, Jahquin Ales; her fiveย great-grandchildren; her brothers,ย Julien Maduroย and Rudolph Maduro; her sisters, Nora Donovan, Juliana Maduro, and Ernestine (Patsy) Maduro; her honor daughter, Claudia Thomas; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends; her special friends, Paulina Maduro, Alice Douglas (deceased), and Louie Thomas.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Andrewโ€™s Episcopal Church in Charlotte Amalie.

The viewing will be at 9 a.m.ย at the church and service begins at 10 a.m. Interment is at Smith Bay Eastern Cemetery.

Arrangement By Turnbullโ€™s Funeral Home.

Jobs - Click Here