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Easter Egg Hunt Set for Sunday Afternoon at Yacht Haven Grande

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Easter Egg Hunt Set for Sunday Afternoon at Yacht Haven Grande
A basket of colorful eggs. (Source photo by Nyomi Gumbs)
Children will gather for a community Easter egg hunt Sunday afternoon at Thali Indian Grill, where thousands of toy-filled eggs and family activities will support a local pageant contestant. (Source file photo)

A free Easter egg hunt featuring thousands of toy-filled eggs, live animals, and the Easter Bunny, and family activities will take place Sunday afternoon at Thali Indian Grill in a community event organized to raise funds for a local pageant contestant.

The Easter egg hunt is scheduled from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at Thali Indian Grill and is being organized in partnership with Being Humane USVI, a nonprofit founded by restaurant owners Gary and Sally Udhwani.

“We did the Easter egg hunt last year and it was a great success. People called and asked if we were going to repeat it this year, so we’re bringing it back by public demand,” Gary said.

The event is designed with children and families in mind, with activities planned throughout the afternoon, including games, music and opportunities to interact with animals.

“This is really meant to be a fun community event,” he said. “There will be games for the kids, animals they can pet like turtles, ducks and bunnies, plus raffles and music.”

In addition to the egg hunt itself, organizers said there will be cookie-decorating, drawing and painting stations, bouncy houses and the Easter Bunny.

A number of local businesses have backed the event, including The Beauty Corner, Offshore Real Estate, Consolidated Shipping, Rapier Med, Solar 340 and several local jewelry stores that contributed raffle prizes and financial support.

Organizers said approximately 3,000 eggs will be hidden across the venue, each filled with toys. “The eggs the children hunt for aren’t empty. We’ve got about 3,000 eggs, and they’re filled with toys.” Gary said.

Admission to the event is free, with attendees paying only for food or optional participation in games and raffles. Proceeds from ticketed games and raffles will go toward helping a local contestant cover the costs of an upcoming pageant.

“The proceeds from the raffle and the games will go to help support Liliana Bryan, a contestant for Little Miss U.S. Virgin Islands,” Gary said.

He added that the raffles are expected to be a major draw for attendees.

“The raffle is actually the most fun part of it, because we receive so many gifts that we have to do a raffle like every 10 to 15 minutes to be able to give all these things away,” Gary said. Raffle prizes include items donated by local jewelry stores and other businesses, as well as goods purchased with earlier cash donations to Being Humane.

The fundraiser is one of several community initiatives undertaken recently by Being Humane USVI. In addition to Sunday’s event, the nonprofit has provided assistance to federal workers affected by pay disruptions.

“Through Being Humane, we recently provided 60 lunches to TSA employees here in the Virgin Islands because they weren’t getting paid,” Gary said. “Next, we plan to provide lunch for other federal agents as well.”

He added that the group intentionally keeps its mission broad so it can respond to a variety of needs as they arise.

“We didn’t form the organization for a single purpose, so we can support anything that comes to us looking for help,” he said. “It’s a new organization that we just built last year. We’re developing it as we go.”

Being Humane USVI operates by funding events up front and then donating the proceeds to local causes. Gary said that by using events to raise money, the group can often donate more, pointing to past efforts where similar fundraisers have multiplied what the couple could give on their own.

Sally Udhwani, founder of Being Humane, said the organization is planning additional community events in the months ahead.

“In November, Being Humane is going to host its next gala, and we are focusing on benefiting the hospital with that,” she said. The group is working with hospital leadership to identify specific supplies that could be purchased and donated directly.

Organizers say Sunday’s Easter egg hunt offers families a way to support those broader efforts while giving children a festive afternoon of activities.

“We encourage everyone to come out,” Gary said. “It’s a fun event for the community, and it supports a child and other causes through Being Humane.”

CMCArts to Open Second Location In Charlotte Amalie

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CMCArts to Open Second Location In Charlotte Amalie

The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts will open a second location in Charlotte Amalie this year, expanding its programming beyond St. Croix after more than 30 years, according to a press release.

A sign marks the future home of CMCArts on Dronningens Gade in Charlotte Amalie, where the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts plans to open its second location. (Photo courtesy CMCArts)

The new site will extend CMCArts programming to St. Thomas and include a museum store and exhibition gallery featuring artists from the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean and the diaspora. The expansion is expected to increase access to exhibitions, educational initiatives and cultural programming across the territory, the press release stated.

CMCArts is seeking artists interested in selling artwork and locally made items in the museum store. Interested creatives can contact the organization at 340-772-2622, the release stated.

The St. Thomas location will be housed within Fifteenandnine’s redevelopment at 15 Dronningens Gade on Main Street. The project focuses on restoring a historic property while creating space for local businesses, artists and community-centered activity, the release stated.

A rendering shows the interior gallery space planned for the new CMCArts location, featuring exhibition walls and open layout for displaying local and Caribbean artwork. (Photo courtesy CMCArts)

According to the release, the partnership supports efforts to strengthen Charlotte Amalie’s economic and cultural activity through locally driven retail and walkable community spaces.

CMCArts said the expansion aligns with its mission to promote Caribbean art and culture while increasing visibility for artists and expanding community engagement throughout the Virgin Islands, the release stated.

The organization also plans to hire a museum manager. The position is expected to be posted within the week on the Department of Labor website, vidolviews.org.

“The expansion of CMCArts to a St. Thomas location goes a long way towards our goal of becoming a hub of art and culture for the Caribbean,” Stephanie Felix, CMCArts board member said.

Virgin Islands Unions Form Area Labor Federation Ahead of Election Cycle

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Virgin Islands Unions Form Area Labor Federation Ahead of Election Cycle
The U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation brings together unions representing about 4,000 workers to coordinate organizing and political engagement across the territory. (Photo courtesy IAM UNION website)

Labor unions across the U.S. Virgin Islands have formed the U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation, a coalition representing about 4,000 workers, to coordinate organizing efforts and increase political engagement ahead of the upcoming election cycle, a press release announced.

Union leaders said the federation brings together groups representing educators, law enforcement, industrial workers, maritime workers and public employees, according to the press release.

“This will not be business as usual,” said U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation Executive Board President Carver Farrow. “Working people are coming together to build real power and to elect leaders who will fight for better wages, safer workplaces, and a stronger future for our Territory.”

Participating unions include the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, American Federation of Teachers Local 1825, United Steelworkers, Virgin Islands Police Benevolent Association, Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Supervisors Union, Seafarers International Union, American Federation of School Administrators and the American Association of University Professors at the University of the Virgin Islands, the press release stated.

The federation was established following a joint strategy meeting where union leaders reviewed challenges facing workers and outlined a coordinated approach moving forward, the release stated.

“Our goal is simple: bring workers together to speak with one unified, powerful voice,” the federation’s executive board said. “For too long, working people in the Virgin Islands have faced rising costs, stalled contracts, and limited political engagement. The Area Labor Federation is going to change that.”

Union leaders identified several issues affecting workers, including contract delays, cost of living pressures, workforce shortages, and concerns about working conditions in schools and government facilities. Additional concerns included delays at the Public Employees Relations Board and the Office of Collective Bargaining, retirement system contributions, and limited collaboration between labor and management, the release stated.

The federation said it plans to hold leadership and steward training, expand member outreach, and increase participation in candidate interviews and legislative budget hearings, it stated.

“The formation of this federation marks a turning point,” the executive board said. “We are committed to mobilizing our members, holding elected officials accountable, and ensuring that working families are at the center of every major decision affecting our islands.”

Paradise48 Film Festival Rebrands as Antillia Film Festival

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Paradise48 Film Festival Rebrands as Antillia Film Festival
The Paradise48 Film Festival has been rebranded as the Antillia Film Festival, with an expanded, multi-day event planned for July 2027 in St. Thomas. (Logo courtesy Paradise48 Film)

The Paradise48 Film Festival has been rebranded as the Antillia Film Festival, with organizers announcing a larger, multi-day event set for July 17-19, 2027, in St. Thomas, a press release announced.

The announcement was made during a rebrand reveal event held on St. Thomas, according to the press release.

The expanded festival will feature narrative films, documentaries, a diaspora showcase, masterclasses and panel discussions. The existing 48-hour film competition will remain part of the event, the press release stated.

Festival Director Laurika Jude said the rebrand builds on the foundation of Paradise48 while broadening its reach, the release stated.

“Paradise48 was born from a simple idea: that the Caribbean deserves its own cinematic stage. Over the years, we watched filmmakers from across the region bring that vision to life in just 48 hours,” Jude said. “With Antillia Film Festival, we are expanding that vision to create a true Caribbean film destination.”

Organizers said the festival is designed to highlight Caribbean and diaspora storytelling while creating opportunities for filmmakers to connect across the region and beyond, the release stated.

The 2027 event is expected to include three days of programming, including narrative features and shorts, documentary spotlights, industry panels, the Paradise48 competition and an awards gala, it stated.

According to the release, 2026 will serve as a transition year focused on outreach, storytelling campaigns and filmmaker engagement ahead of the inaugural festival.

Additional details, including submissions and partnerships, will be released in the coming months through the festival’s website.

WAPA: Unit 15 is Back Online

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Unit 15 is back online. All feeders have been restored. The scheduled rotation has ended.

Thank you to our plant personnel and crews for the late nights and early mornings spent committed to restoring power to our customers. Thank you to our customers for your support and encouraging words for the hardworking men and women at WAPA.

WAPA Board Approves New LPG Fuel Supply Contract Following Executive Session

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WAPA Board Approves New LPG Fuel Supply Contract Following Executive Session
The V.I. Water and Power Authority board approved a new liquefied petroleum gas supply contract with Carib LPG following an emergency meeting on Friday. (Source file photo)

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority governing board called an emergency meeting on Friday to approve a new liquefied petroleum gas supply contract, following an executive session in which legal and personnel matters were discussed.

Much of the meeting was held in executive session, and no formal action was taken during that closed-door discussion. However, when the board returned to open session, members received an update on the negotiated fuel supply agreement before taking a vote.

Executive Director and CEO Karl Knight outlined the terms of the fuel supply agreement with Carib LPG, which includes fuel delivery logistics, credit terms, and a community contribution component.

Knight said the contract is for two years with an option of extending to a third year. It includes a supply agreement of two million barrels, with a plus or minus 20% option, meaning the authority’s minimum commitment would be approximately 1.6 million barrels. The contract includes transportation costs of 48.5 cents per gallon, six transportation costs, plus the market index price based on the Mont Belvieu market rate.

The agreement calls for shipments of approximately 45,000 barrels per cargo and includes transportation, off-loading, and shuttle service between St. Thomas and St. Croix. Knight said the supplier has secured dedicated shuttle vessels between the islands, which WAPA has already been using during the month of March.

He explained that the contract requires WAPA to provide a three-month projection of fuel needs, while the supplier must provide a firm 30-day delivery schedule and narrow delivery dates to a three-day delivery window. The authority will also provide regular inventory updates to help forecast fuel demand and avoid supply disruptions.

Knight also highlighted improved shuttle service between St. Thomas and St. Croix as a major benefit of the agreement.

“We’re able to take on fuel, turn around and shuttle fuel, and those are one-day operations instead of a day and a half or two days,” Knight said. “So that is an improvement to our shuttle service under this contract.”

Another key component of the agreement is a credit arrangement that allows WAPA to pay for fuel deliveries after receiving shipments rather than prepaying. Knight said payment for a delivery would not be due until just before the next delivery, providing more financial flexibility than recent fuel supply arrangements that required prepayment.

The contract also includes a corporate social responsibility component requiring contributions of no less than 10 cents per gallon — up to 15 cents per gallon — toward charitable and community initiatives in the Virgin Islands over the life of the contract.

The board had previously authorized WAPA to negotiate a new LPG supply contract following a competitive bidding process that produced lower prices and more flexible payment terms than the authority’s previous agreement. During earlier discussions, officials said Carib LPG Trading Ltd. offered a price of about 48.5 cents per gallon — slightly higher than the lowest bidder — but included a credit facility estimated at roughly $3 million, hurricane-readiness measures, diversified supply options, and a corporate social responsibility program.

WAPA officials said the credit arrangement was a key factor in the decision, as prepayment requirements from other proposals could have strained the authority’s cash flow and potentially delayed fuel deliveries. Based on typical shipment volumes, the authority estimated the new contract could generate millions of dollars in annual fuel cost savings compared to the expiring agreement.

At the time, Knight said the credit terms were intended to prevent a repeat of past situations where fuel shipments arrived while the authority was still working to secure payment, which contributed to fuel shortages and service disruptions.

Board members said the agreement was the result of extensive negotiations between WAPA’s management team and legal staff and represents a more stable fuel supply partnership for the utility. The board voted to approve the Carib LPG contract as amended.

Board members present for the meeting included Chair Maurice K. Muia, Xavier Acevedo, Joan Foy, Kyle Fleming, and Cheryl Boynes-Jackson. Knight and members of the authority’s management team were also present.

VIPA Board Addresses Airport Lines

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VIPA Board Addresses Airport Lines
The Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas has seen long lines amid a partial federal government shutdown this month. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

Port Authority officials discussed the long lines seen snaking out from the Cyril E. King Airport during an emergency board meeting Friday. Airport Manager Jerome Sheridan told the VIPA governing board that the federal government had approved funding for the Transportation Security Administration, whose employees have been working without pay for a month.

“However, the Port Authority has been working with the Tourism department to put processes in place to make sure that the traveling public moving through the Cyril E. King Airport remains under cover,” he said. “We’ve also had several meetings over the last weeks with the airlines — to include an emergency meeting in my capacity and power with the airlines, both the local management and their corporate folks — to put in an emergency directive of how we’re going to process folks in the King airport terminal as to alleviating folks from being outside in the elements.”

VIPA Board Chair Willard John noted that the recent airport traffic jams have, in a sense, signaled good news for the territory.

“And in another respect, it’s challenging,” he said. “It’s good because we’re having a record number of people visiting St. Thomas — so that tells us that there are more people interested in traveling and coming to the Virgin Islands. The challenge … is trying to accommodate them with the facilities that we have.”

Jennifer Matarangas-King, the newly-installed commissioner of tourism, said it’s been “all hands on deck.”

“It didn’t really matter — whatever your role was at Tourism, you were helping, working the lines,” she said. “I had a chance to work the lines too. I think people were very grateful. They understood, because it’s a nationwide issue, and they appreciated the fact that there were greeters and other people there handing out water and at least engaging, and doing their best to move the line along.”

Woodson Students Tour WAPA Water and Power Operations

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Woodson Students Tour WAPA Water and Power Operations

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, in recognition of World Water Day observed on March 22, welcomed 11 science fair-winning students from John H. Woodson Junior High School for an educational tour as part of its “Splash into Science” initiative. The experience allowed students not only to explore how safe water is produced and delivered, but also to learn about power generation and how the two systems are closely connected on St. Croix.

Seven Seas Plant Manager Elvis Pemberton shows students a filter cartridge that transforms seawater into safe drinking water. (Submitted photo)

As part of the tour, students visited the Seven Seas Water Group reverse osmosis facility, where they saw how seawater is transformed into about 3.5 million gallons of safe drinking water daily. They also learned that water and power systems are interconnected, with the Seven Seas facility relying on continuous electricity to operate and WAPA’s power plant using distilled water from Seven Seas to run its turbines.

“The connection between water and power is something many people don’t often think about, yet it drives the daily services our communities depend on,” said Don Gregoire, interim Chief Operating Officer of Water Systems. “By giving students a firsthand look at how we produce safe drinking water and generate electricity, we’re helping them understand the critical infrastructure that keeps homes, schools, and businesses running — and hopefully inspiring the next generation of engineers, operators, and innovators.”

The tour also included a visit to the Richmond Power Plant, where students received a first-hand look at how electricity is generated and managed. They explored the control room, where plant operators monitor generator operations and track real-time data on solar usage, weather conditions, and emissions.

The tour is part of WAPA’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and STEM education, providing students with a practical, real-world understanding of the essential systems that power daily life in the Virgin Islands.

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

Trouble on Feeder 7A

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Feeder 7A is experiencing an outage to accommodate load demands. Feeder 7A and 6A (part of the original rotational schedule) will be restored at 5:30 p.m.

UVI Hosts Water Quality Education Workshop

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UVI Hosts Water Quality Education Workshop

The University of the Virgin Islands, through the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service, recently hosted a Water Heroes Curriculum Workshop, bringing together nine educators from St. Thomas–St. John District to strengthen water quality education in classrooms.

Educators tested the efficacy of various household items at removing impurities from water. (Submitted photo)

The workshop was designed to provide educators with the tools and resources needed to confidently lead and implement the Water Heroes Curriculum—an interactive, STEM-based program developed in 2018 following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The initiative emphasizes the importance of water quality awareness and empowers students to better understand and advocate for safe, accessible water in their communities.

For the past seven years, VIMAS and its partners have delivered in-class presentations and hands-on learning experiences through the Water Heroes program. This workshop marked an important step toward expanding the program’s impact by preparing educators to independently facilitate lessons tailored to their classroom needs and schedules.

Participants engaged in collaborative, hands-on activities that encouraged personal reflection on water usage and quality, while exploring practical ways to integrate the curriculum into existing science instruction.

“I plan to add some of the hands-on activities into my arsenal of experiments with my primary-level science students,” said Jacqueline Francis of Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School and Yasmine Salem-Jubran of Charlotte Amalie High School.

Other educators reflected on the workshop’s impact on their own awareness.

“We hadn’t realized that our daily average water consumption was so high—about 100 gallons per day between the two of us. It was an enlightening activity that will encourage changes to our daily routines,” shared Aquellah Cantois of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and Joshuanette Rhasba-Carbon of Julius E. Sprauve School.

Educators also expressed plans to incorporate the curriculum through inquiry-based learning and student-led exploration.

“We envision assimilating the curriculum as a science experiment. Students will conduct pH testing, analyze results, and present solutions as our territory’s new Water Heroes,” said Amber McCammon of the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum and Edmund Kale of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School.

The workshop also sparked deeper reflection on broader water access challenges.

Educators participating in the newly demonstrated activity Down to the Last Drop which simulates challenges associated with water scarcity. (Submitted photo)

“Are we, as humanity, doing enough to make safe drinking water accessible to everyone? Who is accountable, and how can we amplify education on solutions?” participants asked during closing discussions.

Program leaders emphasized the long-term vision of Water Heroes in fostering early interest in STEM and environmental stewardship.

“The Water Heroes Program began nearly eight years ago, inspired by science fair projects I conducted as a student at Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School,” said Howard Forbes Jr., territorial coordinator of VIMAS. “Today, it empowers educators to deliver water science lessons that are both engaging and meaningful. By encouraging hands-on learning early, we aim to spark curiosity and sustain student interest in STEM fields.”

Eurnett Christopher, Navigating Home workforce fellow and VIMAS Education and Outreach Assistant, highlighted the importance of continued engagement.

“It was encouraging to see educators eager to incorporate Water Heroes into their lessons,” said Christopher. “Students should be curious about where their water comes from, both at school and at home. These lessons help cultivate a generation that will advocate for water quality and accessibility in their communities.”

The workshop was supported by the Water Resources Research Institute and the Virgin Islands Conservation Society, whose partnership has been instrumental in advancing water education initiatives across the territory.

UVI and VIMAS plan to continue expanding the Water Heroes program through educator training, classroom integration, and community engagement efforts throughout the territory.

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