A homeowner detained a 58-year-old man during an attempted burglary early Saturday on Hospital Street in Christiansted, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
The 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of a burglary in progress around 2:27 a.m. on Saturday, police said.
Responding officers made contact with the homeowner, who reported that Thomas Brennan opened the rear door of the residence and attempted to enter without permission. The homeowner intercepted Brennan during the attempted entry and reported firing two shots. Brennan was detained at the scene until officers arrived, police said.
The homeowner told officers that no consent was given for Brennan to enter the residence.
An investigation by the VIPD Burglary Unit found that Brennan removed property from the porch and used an object to damage the door lock in an attempt to gain entry, according to the police report.
Brennan was advised of his Miranda rights and arrested on charges of attempted burglary, second-degree trespass, destruction of property, and petit larceny. He was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he was booked and processed.
Bail was set at $5,500. Brennan was unable to post bail and was remanded to the John Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing, police said.
A man was extradited to St. Croix and arrested after police said he used a worthless check to defraud a company of more than $2,000, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
Detectives with the Economic Crimes Unit began investigating Mohammad Suid on Feb. 20, 2025, after determining he “knowingly and designedly, by false or fraudulent representations or pretenses,” defrauded Crowley by paying for a shipment of merchandise with a worthless check, causing additional fees and financial loss, according to the police report.
Police said an arrest warrant was entered into the National Crime Information Center database. Suid was apprehended March 18 in Illinois after arriving on a flight from Jordan due to the outstanding warrant.
On March 27, VIPD’s Extradition Unit escorted Suid back to the territory, where he was arrested at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport by Economic Crimes Unit detectives, the police report stated.
Suid was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Police Operation Building, served the arrest warrant, and advised of his Miranda rights, police said. He was charged with drawing and delivering worthless checks, participating in frauds on creditors, and obtaining money by false pretense, the report stated.
Bail was set at $7,000. Suid was unable to post bail and was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing, police stated.
The Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation proudly celebrates VI Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith, a sophomore at the University of Georgia, for delivering a commanding season opener at the 2026 Hurricane Collegiate Invitational, hosted by the University of Miami on March 27 and 28 at Cobb Stadium in Coral Gables, Florida.
Michelle Smith was way out front at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational. (Submitted photo)
Competing in her signature event, the 400m hurdles, Smith stormed to victory in a blazing 55.64, establishing herself as the NCAA leader and the No. 1 performer in the 2026 collegiate rankings.
Smith’s race was a masterclass in rhythm, control, and competitive execution. From the opening strides, she separated herself from the field, attacking each barrier with precision and maintaining her form through the final stretch. Her 55.64 not only secured the win but also signaled that she is once again poised to be a major contender on the national stage.
The Hurricane Collegiate Invitational annually attracts strong early‑season competition, making Smith’s NCAA‑leading mark even more significant. Her performance reflects the continued growth of a world‑class athlete who has consistently elevated the profile of Virgin Islands track and field.
The Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation congratulates Michelle on her outstanding performance and looks forward to supporting her throughout what promises to be another exceptional season.
The Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation proudly celebrates Sofia Swindell, freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, for delivering another milestone performance during the 2026 Hurricane Collegiate Invitational, hosted by the University of Miami on March 27 and 28 at Cobb Stadium in Coral Gables, Florida.
Sofia Swindell broke the USVI under-20 100 meter hurdle record. (Submitted photo)
Competing in the 100m hurdles, Swindell produced a standout performance, clocking an impressive 13.70 seconds. This time not only marked a new Virgin Islands U20 record, but also placed her among the top six performers in University of Pennsylvania program history, an extraordinary achievement for an athlete in her first collegiate season.
The Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation congratulates Sofia on her outstanding performance and looks forward to her representing the Virgin Islands at the CARIFTA Games, which will be held in Grenada from April 4–6.
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WAPA Plant Personnel continue to slowly restore power to customers to reduce fluctuations and maintain grid stability.
Nearly 150 people gathered in Cruz Bay Saturday morning for the St. John No Kings rally when the skies opened up and the rain poured down.
Rally-goers endure the rain. (Submitted photo)
Members of the St. John Social Action Team had just completed setting up tables with information on voter registration, immigration rights and other matters when the deluge began. The rain gauge at Mongoose Junction recorded three inches of rain, most of it falling exactly during the two hours designated for the event.
For a few minutes before the rain hit, information was available at tables. (Submitted photo)
But the program continued as planned, with inspiring music by Lauren Magnie, Eva Chinnery, Mark Wallace, Michael Barry, Barbie Barry, Mark “Bucky” Buchalter, and Nancy Liburd.
Musicians at the St. John No Kings Rally included, from left, Lauren Magnie, Nancy Liburd, Michael Barry, Eva Chinnery, Barbie Barry, and Mark Wallace, seated. (Submitted photo)Singer Lauren Magnie’s smile lights up a stormy morning. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Erin Lieb, who heads up the St. John Social Action Team, welcomed the audience, reminding them, “We are here to collectively rededicate ourselves to love, joy, and justice. We gather to stoke that fierce love and rekindle our collective hope for a more perfect union …. We will sing. We will chant. We will listen to members of our community. And we take action.”
Erin Lieb has headed up the St. John Social Action Team which hosted the Cruz Bay No Kings Rally. (Submitted photo)Signs express community concerns. (Submitted photo)
Three St. John residents gave speeches during the rally.
David Silverman, a member of the committee charged with drafting a new constitution for the territory, spoke about the provisional document’s importance and the dangers of a “king” governor.
David Silverman’s shirt proclaims the importance of decolonizing. (Submitted photo)One sign says it all. (Submitted photo)
Abigail Hendricks, an activist who works with seniors on St. John, reminded listeners that in spite of our differences, all members of the community need each other. She also urged listeners to seize their power of the vote.
Abigail Hendricks, left, gets ready to speak about the importance of voting and community unity. (Submitted photo)Democracy and peace are at the heart of the No Kings movement. (Submitted photo)A button on a water bottle expresses this voter’s sentiments. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
In his speech, Michael Barry addressed the importance of increasing literacy and education so that individuals can understand and resist the growing power of those who encourage divisiveness. His remarks are posted on Facebook and can be seen here.
Michael Barry said in his speech, “When people have hate in their hearts, they are easier to manipulate.” (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)Children’s signs proclaim their priorities. (Submitted photo)
As the rain continued to pour down, listeners sought shelter under umbrellas, tables, nearby awnings, and the signs they carried.
As the rain continues to pour down, rally-goers seek shelter under a table. (Submitted photo)
Rain eventually covered the floor of the gazebo where the speakers and musicians gathered, and rally organizers decided to pull the plug on the sound system rather than put participants at risk of electrical shock.
A peace sign fades away in the rain, but rally-goers stay the course. (Submitted photo)
As rally-goers went home, many found themselves facing flooded streets, particularly along Fish Fry Road near the gravel lot. By midafternoon, most of the puddles had dissipated.
Rally-goers head home using their signs for rain protection. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)Cars send bow waves through flooded streets in Cruz Bay on Saturday morning. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
No Kings Day demonstrators on the St. Croix bypass hold signs and umbrellas as they stand on the side of the road. (Photo submitted by Ryan Flegal)
Uncertain weather did not deter over 100 people who joined the No Kings protest along the bypass on St. Croix on Saturday.
Over 100 No Kings Day protesters participated along the St. Croix bypass. (Photo submitted by Ryan Flegal)
Holding handmade signs of all colors and types, the protesters stood in sunshine and rain to emphasize their feelings the desire for change. Passing cars honked in unity with those actively involved. Even pets displayed signs marking the day.
Luther Edwards holds the American flag as he joins in the No Kings Protest on St. Croix along the bypass. (Photo submitted by Ryan Flegal)
Ryan Flegal, one of the organizers of the event, said, “What an outpouring of support we saw here in St. Croix and across the nation and across the world for No Kings. Hundreds of thousands if not millions of people stood up for democracy today. And this message is especially important here in the Virgin Islands, where we’re excluded from the national democratic process. It is especially important when policies made by an unpopular president in Washington come to our shores and affect the lives of people in our community. From health care to ICE raids, from wars we didn’t vote for to the defunding of our health care system, our community and our country are saying loudly: No Kings.”
NO KINGS is clearly spelled out by demonstrators on St. Croix. (Photo submitted by Ryan Flegal)
“Well over 100 people gathered Saturday morning at the Christiansted Bypass Overlook for the St. Croix No Kings Day protest, joining protesters in St. Thomas, St. John, and more than 3000 other No Kings demonstrations held across the United States and internationally in opposition to authoritarianism and in defense of democracy.
Kris Vandenberg hold a placard enumerating First Amendment rights during the No Kings Day protest along the bypass on St. Croix. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
The event was peaceful and reflected strong community concern about the impact of federal policies on the Virgin Islands were residents are affected by national decisions without full representation in Washington.
No Kings was displayed by a friendly dog during the protest. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
The St. Croix protest was part of a growing movement rejecting rule by fear, cruelty and concentrated power, and affirming that no president is above the law or beyond accountability.” Ryan Flegal said.
A group of protesters stand on the sidewalk along the St. Croix bypass holding a variety of signs they created for the No Kings Day protest. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
Outside of the U.S., rallies took place in Rome, London, Paris and more than a dozen other countries from Europe to Latin America and Australia.
Get Up, Stand Up and Fight for your rights adorned the front of a protester’s shirt as part of the No Kings event along the St. Croix bypass. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
According to PBS News, organizers were expecting 9 million participants. As of Sunday, no actual number has been reported.
Associated Press reported 5 million people in the June 2025 and 7 million in the October 2025 No Kings rallies with 3100 events, 500 more than October registered in all 50 states.
Officials, project partners, and students take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School, marking the start of a $120.6 million modernization project as work begins on a long-planned campus rebuild. (Submitted photo)
The government of the Virgin Islands has broken ground on a $120.6 million modernization project at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School — a long-awaited step forward for a campus that, until recently, had become a clear example of how strained school conditions have been across the territory.
Those conditions have been well documented. In October, teachers did not report for duty, forcing an early dismissal over concerns about mold, heat, leaks, and failing air conditioning systems. Weeks later, during a walk-through of the campus, Senate President Milton Potter described classrooms where buckets caught water dripping from ceiling vents, with doors and windows propped open just to keep air circulating. “We definitely can’t function like this,” Potter said at the time, calling for urgent action and greater accountability between agencies responsible for school maintenance.
By January, the school shifted to a shortened schedule, with classes ending at midday as conditions persisted. Principal Terrence Corbett said at the groundbreaking ceremony that it’s only within the past two weeks that BCB has returned to a full day, following targeted repairs by the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance and J. Benton Construction, working in partnership with Consigli. In the interim, classroom and building doors remained open throughout the day to help circulate air, even as crews began replacing aging units and stabilizing conditions across campus.
Now, that stopgap work is transitioning into a broader rebuild. The project, led by the Education Department in partnership with the Consigli/Benton Joint Venture and the Office of Disaster Recovery, will overhaul the existing 14-building campus — replacing aging systems, upgrading ventilation and chilled-water infrastructure, and reworking classroom and shared spaces to meet current building standards. Plans also include improved circulation across campus and more durable materials aimed at reducing the kind of maintenance issues that have plagued the school for years.
Contractor James Benton said crews have already begun early-phase work on site under a limited, early-release scope, including removing and replacing outdated air conditioning units. He said the project is now moving through additional approvals, with full mobilization expected by the start of the next school year. In the months ahead, Benton said residents should expect to see increased activity on campus, with materials arriving and crews expanding work across multiple areas.
Because the school remains in use, Benton said construction will be carried out in phases — taking buildings offline one at a time and coordinating closely with the Department of Education to minimize disruption. That approach, he noted, adds complexity and can slow progress, but is necessary to keep the campus operational. He added that while some delays are always expected in projects of this scale, the goal is to avoid anything significant enough to derail progress as work ramps up.
But even as construction begins, officials are clear about the scale — and the pressure — of the recovery effort. Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien said the territory is managing roughly $4 billion in school-related projects, but acknowledged the pace has not kept up with the need. The territory, she said, should be moving closer to $1 billion a year in construction spending to stay on track for a 2035 completion timeline — a gap that underscores how much work remains.
Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington called the groundbreaking “a good day for the BCB family,” pointing to years of planning and persistent facility issues, while Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said the moment reflects a shift from planning into execution, even as the territory faces ongoing constraints in labor, infrastructure, and capacity.
Friends and neighbors gathered Saturday night in Cruz Bay as the 2026 Light Up the Night Cancer Walk got underway. The annual fundraiser has become a highly anticipated community event, bringing together St. John residents and business owners during the busy tourist season to connect and support a shared cause.
A heartfelt message printed on a T-shirt. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
A cordial atmosphere brought smiles from participants and spectators alike.
A human-powered slot machine grabs attention in the ball field parking lot. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Food vendors and game tables filled the parking lot entrance to the ball field. The St. John Recovery Choir sang on stage for those enjoying the sunset; the Dynamic Dancers youth group entertained near the waterside of Cruz Bay Creek.
Dynamic Dancers strike a pose. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
At the Pink Heart and Soul tent, sorority sisters sold refreshments so they could contribute the proceeds. “We are walking with our sorority sisters who have been in the fight or are still fighting the battle with cancer, said group president Lineek Williams.
The Pink Heart and Soul Team says they show their support every year. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
At the popular dunk tank, a small boy sat dripping on the collapsible seat while classmates hurled softballs at the trigger target. Liz Lowe stood at a table nearby, filling trays with New England-style lobster rolls. “Boston Sword and Tuna, which is a wholesaler down here, donated all the lobster,” Lowe said.
They were among a host of local businesses showing their support for the St. John Cancer Fund, hosts of the walkathon.
Trace Miller, Chef Vincent Alterio and Kim Rollins show their support on Saturday night. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
As the evening continued, one business owner shared a personal story of life, love, and loss to cancer on social media. Elizabeth Miller of Miller Properties said her company will pledge $5 for each guest arriving at their vacation rentals throughout 2026.
“Thank you for listening to my journey and remember NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!” Miller said.
Dance tunes pumped through speakers on stage set the pace for walkers, keeping teammates on the track from 4 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Adonis Morton and Ayana Phillips driving the rhythm for Light Up the Night. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
A live band set up to take over the music as evening skies set in.
Editor’s Note:
“We had an amazing response and turnout at our event. We had power from a generator donated by Love City Strong and were never tied in to a WAPA line, so the Luminary Service and entire event was unaffected by the power outage on St John.
“In fact, the WAPA outage actually made the Luminary Service more special during the luminary service period, as it was already dark.
“Thank you to our sponsors, teams, and all participants in Light Up The Night,“ Adonis Morton, member of the Cancer Fund committee, said.
One Communications CEO Siobhan Paul-Alexander, left, and Communications Director Patria Aarons speak during a media roundtable, addressing the company’s recent restructuring, workforce changes, and customer-focused initiatives. (Photo by Ananta Pancham)
One Communications Chief Executive Officer Siobhan Paul-Alexander says the company’s recent restructuring — including the closure and regionalization of its call center — reflects a broader shift in how telecommunications companies operate, even as the changes have raised concerns locally about job losses and customer service.
Speaking during a small media roundtable last week alongside Communications Director Patria Aarons, Paul-Alexander said more than 60% of affected employees were retained and repositioned within the company, as operations moved away from a traditional call-center model toward a mix of digital support, field service, and multiskilled technical roles.
“We didn’t eliminate the work — we changed where and how it happens,” she said, pointing to evolving customer touchpoints and the need for employees who can handle multiple functions as technology shifts. The company has also rolled out training programs aimed at reskilling workers, allowing technicians and engineers to take on broader responsibilities across the network.
Still, the restructuring has not come without impact. Prior Virgin Islands Source reporting has highlighted concerns from employees and lawmakers about job displacement, reduced local presence, and customer frustration during the transition. The changes have also drawn formal review from regulators. In hearings last year, Public Services Commission members said they were seeking clarity on the scope of the restructuring, including how operational shifts could affect service standards and compliance with existing agreements in the territory.
That review has focused on whether current regulatory frameworks keep pace with how telecommunications companies now operate — particularly as functions move off-island — and what that means for oversight of both service delivery and workforce commitments going forward.
Paul-Alexander acknowledged that reality at last week’s panel, saying, “People’s lives were impacted — that’s real,” but added that the company must balance those outcomes with financial sustainability and its obligations as a private, shareholder-driven business.
At the same time, she pointed to pricing as one of the ways the company is trying to respond to those pressures. One Communications has introduced a five-year price lock on certain mobile and internet plans, which Paul-Alexander said is meant to provide stability for customers as the cost of living continues to rise. She noted that while operating costs have increased, the company made a decision not to raise base prices, framing the move as a direct response to customer feedback.
Beyond pricing, company leaders emphasized continued investment in network infrastructure, workforce training, and community initiatives, from youth programs to cultural events. But even as the company highlights those efforts, questions remain about how the restructuring will shape long-term service delivery and employment in the territory.
Paul-Alexander said the company plans to remain engaged with both customers and stakeholders as those changes continue, emphasizing transparency and ongoing dialogue, even as the transition continues to play out across the community.
