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Plaskett Defends Birthright Citizenship

Mat Probasco
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Plaskett Defends Birthright Citizenship

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in Trump v. Barbara, a landmark case in which she joined current and former elected officials and judges from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa in filing an amicus brief urging the Court to affirm that birthright citizenship is a constitutional guarantee that no executive order can override.

Stacey E. Plasket on Dec. 17 tuning in by Zoom for a town hall meeting. (Screenshot from Zoom meeting)

At the center of this case is whether the Trump administration can rewrite the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the United States to certain immigrant parents. The amicus brief, signed by leaders across the political spectrum with varying views on territorial status, makes clear that whatever their differences, they stand united against any executive branch attempt to unilaterally redefine who counts as a citizen.

The brief draws a troubling comparison to the period following the Spanish-American War of 1898, when the McKinley administration tried to redefine “in the United States” to exclude people born in Puerto Rico, Guam, and other newly acquired territories. The Supreme Court’s deference to the political branches on that question gave rise to the Insular Cases — a legal framework that left millions of territorial residents with statutory, rather than constitutionally protected, citizenship. The effects of that decision are still being felt today.

American Samoans, for example, are still classified under federal law as “non-citizen” U.S. nationals — a designation that has cost people military security clearances, created wrongful voter registration complications, and blocked full civic participation. The brief warns that allowing the administration’s executive order to stand would deepen that history, handing the executive branch sweeping power over one of the most fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

“For the people of the U.S. Territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, this fight is deeply personal. For generations, we have struggled to have our citizenship and our rights fully recognized. The Supreme Court’s long avoidance of the birthright citizenship question in the territories has left our residents in an unacceptable state of legal limbo — and now we are watching that same dangerous logic weaponized to strip citizenship from children born on American soil. The Fourteenth Amendment is unambiguous: Those born under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the United States are Americans. No executive order can change that. The Constitution does not bend to the political preferences of any administration, and no president holds the power to rewrite it by executive order. I am proud to stand alongside leaders across our territories to make that case before the Supreme Court on April 1st,” said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.

BACKGROUND: The amicus brief was coordinated by Right to Democracy, co-founded by Neil C. Weare, and filed on February 26, 2026, by co-counsel Patricio Martinez Llompart and the team at KKL LLP. The signatures urge the Court not to repeat the errors of the past by deferring to the political branches on the scope of the Citizenship Clause. Instead, they call on the Court to affirm, unambiguously, that birthright citizenship is a constitutional right — one that belongs to all persons born under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the United States, and right that cannot be narrowed by executive or legislative action.

Tuesday’s St. Thomas-St. John Electricity Rotation

Mat Probasco
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Please note the following planned rotation schedule for April 2:

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Feeder 8B

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Feeder 7A

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Feeder 8A

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Feeder 6A

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Feeder 10B
Feeder 7E

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Feeder 9C

9:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Feeder 9E

WAPA Board Sets April 8 Deadline for Emergency Generation Plan Amid Ongoing Outages

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WAPA Board Sets April 8 Deadline for Emergency Generation Plan Amid Ongoing Outages
The Randolph Harley Power Plant on St. Thomas remains under strain as WAPA works to restore generation capacity amid ongoing outages in the St. Thomas-St. John district. (Submitted photo)

At an emergency meeting Wednesday, the V.I. Water and Power Authority governing board directed its management to deliver a plan for emergency temporary generation by April 8, following nearly two weeks of consistent outages on St. Thomas-St. John.

Board Chair Maurice K. Muia said the emergency meeting was called to ensure the board, management, and key stakeholders were aligned on a plan to address ongoing generation failures and bring more stability and resilience to the St. Thomas–St. John district.

“The public is tired,” Muia said during the meeting. “This is too much for everyone to bear.”

Much of the meeting was held in executive session before Executive Director and CEO Karl Knight briefed the board on generation capacity, ongoing repairs, and emergency generation options.

Knight said WAPA has been forced to conduct load shedding not only during peak evening hours but also during the daytime due to a generation shortfall that has at times been as little as 1 megawatt.

“Sometimes it’s as little as a megawatt or two, but we have had to load shed throughout most of the day,” Knight said.

He explained that part of the challenge involves balancing solar generation with traditional units as solar production ramps up in the morning and the system adjusts to changing load demands.

“Part of that has to do with the interplay between the solar farm and how the generators are able to absorb that energy as the solar ramps up during the early morning hours,” Knight said.

Knight said WAPA has expedited repairs to Unit 27 by sending a technician to retrieve critical parts directly rather than waiting for shipping, which would have taken about two weeks. Repairs were expected to begin immediately upon the technician’s return, and Knight said the authority is cautiously optimistic the unit could be restored soon.

“We are cautiously optimistic that we can get that unit back in service by this weekend,” Knight said.

In addition to repairing existing units, Knight said WAPA is pursuing emergency generation options to address the ongoing capacity shortfall.

“We are looking at what we’re calling emergency generation — some smaller units just to help us meet the peak and fix this generation capacity shortfall,” Knight said.

He said one promising option involves placing emergency generation on St. John, which would reduce the amount of power that must be generated on St. Thomas and ease pressure on the Randolph Harley Power Plant.

“Any generation on St. John helps reduce the capacity that we need to generate in the Harley Plant,” Knight said.

The board ultimately directed WAPA management to present a plan from a dedicated team outlining emergency temporary generation for the St. Thomas–St. John district by April 8.

“We’re working on two fronts — restoring units and securing emergency generation — and by the 8th we should have a clear plan of action,” Knight said.

The emergency meeting comes as rotational outages continue across both districts. On Tuesday, one of the Randolph Harley Power Plant’s aging generators, Unit 15, tripped again just one day after being returned to service, causing a districtwide interruption. WAPA said additional mechanical defects were identified and crews are continuing repairs while also working to restore Unit 27, which officials have said represents the fastest path to restoring generating capacity.

Until sufficient capacity is restored, outages are expected to continue, particularly during peak usage periods between midmorning and late evening.

The ongoing outages come as the territory continues work toward replacing its aging power infrastructure through a FEMA-funded prudent replacement initiative, which includes rebuilding the Randolph Harley Plant on St. Thomas and the Richmond Plant on St. Croix. The broader contract needed to move the project into its next phase — including the installation of temporary generation — is still being negotiated between the Public Finance Authority and the Office of Disaster Recovery.

Government officials said negotiations are in the final stages, but no timeline has been announced for when the contract will be finalized.

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said during his weekly press briefing that the territory’s response is focused on repairing existing units and bringing additional generation online, rather than pursuing an emergency declaration. He said an emergency declaration is typically used to unlock funding or bypass procurement, and neither is currently limiting the territory’s response.

Bryan said he had hoped to see improvements earlier in the week, but more realistically by the end of the week.

 

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Challenge to Birthright Citizenship

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U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Challenge to Birthright Citizenship
U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer and ACLU Legal Director Cecilla Wang presented oral arguments to the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday in Trump v. Barbara. (Shutterstock image)

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in President Donald Trump’s challenge to birthright citizenship in a case that could have far-reaching implications for people born in U.S. territories.

“For the people of the U.S. Territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, this fight is deeply personal,” Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett said in a statement afterward. “For generations, we have struggled to have our citizenship and our rights fully recognized. The Supreme Court’s long avoidance of the birthright citizenship question in the territories has left our residents in an unacceptable state of legal limbo — and now we are watching that same dangerous logic weaponized to strip citizenship from children born on American soil.”

Wednesday’s arguments came more than a year after Trump signed an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for children whose parents are unauthorized immigrants or temporary residents. States and organizations quickly challenged the order, which was blocked by multiple lower courts. Trump petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a review of the case after a federal judge in New Hampshire granted an injunction to the American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations.

In an amicus brief submitted to the court, 21 current and former officials and judges from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands rejected the idea that a president or Congress can deny citizenship to people born in the United States, whose citizenship is enshrined by the 14th Amendment. The group included Plaskett, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, former Gov. Kenneth Mapp, former Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen, and former V.I. Superior Court judges Adam Christian and Soraya Diase Coffelt.

“It’s really important to not have the question of citizenship turn on the political whims of Congress or the president,” Neil Weare, co-director of Right to Democracy and the brief’s counsel of record, said in a call with the Source Wednesday. “And so the understanding in Congress and the Department of Justice that the federal government can turn citizenship on and off in the Virgin Islands and other territories is a very dangerous idea — and one that is contradicted by the text and history of the Citizenship Clause.”

Weare said in a statement earlier this week that the court has avoided answering whether people born in United States jurisdictions have a right to be recognized as citizens under the 14th Amendment for more than a century.

“As a result, presidents and congresses from both parties have claimed the power to unilaterally deny people born in U.S. territories recognition as citizens — even people who have been recognized as U.S. citizens their entire lives,” he stated. “This troubling experience offers a stark object lesson for the Justices as they consider whether to allow the Trump Administration to alter the long-settled meaning of the Citizenship Clause.”

Right to Democracy co-director Adi Martinez Roman said the case raised questions about presidential and congressional power, like whether they can “simply decide to exclude groups of people they do not want to be considered U.S. citizens.”

“The U.S. Constitution regulates the power of government and protects its subjects from abuse. Therefore, the Supreme Court can and should answer that question in the negative,” she stated, adding that the court’s “consistent avoidance of this issue in U.S. territories has created uncertainty and confusion when it comes to our own questions of self-determination and decolonization.”

Many of the arguments presented Wednesday by U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer and ACLU Legal Director Cecillia Wang referenced a precedent the court set in 1898 when it ruled that Wong Kim Ark, a child born to Chinese parents in San Francisco, was a U.S. citizen. Sauer said the Trump administration was not attempting to overturn the precedent but seized on mentions that, in that case, the child’s parents were “domiciled” residents — a designation he said doesn’t apply to many people in the United States illegally today.

Wang argued that the justices were merely reciting the facts of the case when they used the term and that under “common law” — laws based on court decisions rather than statutes — “‘domicile’ was not relevant, and the children born to temporary visitors … were always considered birthright citizens.”

“It really was a big day at the Supreme Court for the question of what citizenship means in the United States,” Weare said. “And what really came across from justices on kind of both sides of the ideological divide was a recognition of the continuing validity of the Supreme Court’s prior decision in Wong Kim Ark and its adoption of a common law understanding of what birthright citizenship means in the United States.”

Weare said that’s significant for people in the territories because under a common law understanding of birthright citizenship, constitutionalized by the 14th Amendment, people born in United States jurisdictions have a right to citizenship in states and territories alike.

“It was understood to apply through the ‘dominion’ of the United States, which, again, included both states and territories,” he said. “So while the issue of U.S. territories did not come up with the argument — we’re unlikely to see much about it in the Supreme Court’s decision — if what was previewed in the Supreme Court’s argument today holds, it could provide a very strong precedent moving forward for constitutional citizenship in U.S. territories.”

Weare noted that legal experts had an opportunity to discuss the territories’ issues at a V.I. Bar Association conference attended by Justice Neil Gorsuch, and he encouraged people who want to learn more to review a recent panel discussion. Right to Democracy is also planning to host events in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C., for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 125th anniversary of the Insular Cases.

Bryan Signs Beeston Hill Rezoning, Boating Penalties, and Lorraine Berry Road Renaming Into Law

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Bryan Signs Beeston Hill Rezoning, Boating Penalties, and Lorraine Berry Road Renaming Into Law
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed 13 bills into law Tuesday, including several rezoning land in St. Thomas and St. Croix. (Submitted photo)

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed 13 bills into law Tuesday that had been passed March 18 by the 36th Legislature.

Honoring the former Senate president, Bryan signed into law a bill renaming Hull Bay Road to Lorraine L. Berry Drive. Previously, the Earl B. Ottley Legislative Hall’s annex had been renamed for the longtime St. Thomas lawmaker in 2013. Berry was the only senator to serve 12 consecutive terms, the only one to serve as Senate president twice, and one of only two women to hold the position. Throughout her tenure as a legislator, Berry chaired eight Senate committees, served as majority leader, and drafted roughly 400 pieces of legislation.

The governor also signed into law an act honoring Alva Alphonse “Coach Tumba” Swan for his significant contributions to the sport of basketball in the Virgin Islands.

More controversial was a new law rezoning 15.9 acres of virgin green space in the Beeston Hill, St. Croix, to allow for as many as 800 people to move into the restive area. The new zoning meant buildings as high as six stories could be built, or potentially a hotel complex. The rezoning went against the recommendation of experts at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the new Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan — which warned against the dangers of unplanned spot zoning — and the pleas of people in the neighborhood who worried noise, traffic, and environmental degradation would soon follow. Although the property’s owners have said they planned to use the land for housing, they had previously sought to build a strip mall, medical complex, and other business-related enterprises there.

The governor also approved rezoning part of Estate Smith Bay from agricultural use to allow for medium-density residential use, and part of Christiansted’s Strand Street from residential use to secondary business. He also granted a zoning variance for a bus and passenger terminal in Estate Body Slob, St. Croix.

Bryan allowed for $200,000 from the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund to go to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for repairs to the Frederiksted Public Cemetery and signed off on a new law establishing a 15-business day amnesty to assist taxpayers and businesses recovering from the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and Tropical Storm Ernesto by waiving penalties and interest imposed for the nonpayment of taxes.

Bryan approved a new law amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, to establish civil penalties for disregarding marine advisories and to create the Territorial Marine Safety Fund. He also signed into law acts amending Title 22, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 31, relating to the Virgin Islands Producer and Adjuster Licensing Act by modifying renewal provisions for insurance producer licenses, redesignating the funding source for several entities, and amending Act No. 9072 regarding the disposal of intoxicating cannabinoid products.

VITFF Calls for Action on Kean Track Reconstruction Project

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VITFF Calls for Action on Kean Track Reconstruction Project
Concerns are mounting over the deteriorating condition of the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School track, as officials warn delays in a funded reconstruction project could put student-athletes at risk. (Kyle Murphy photo).

The Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation is voicing concerns over what it describes as unsafe conditions at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School track and field facility, along with continued delays in beginning a fully funded reconstruction project.

A professional assessment conducted by John Beynon, chief executive officer of Beynon Sports, found that the track surface is severely deteriorated and poses direct risks to student-athletes. Beynon Sports is one of the world’s leading track and field construction companies.

According to the assessment, the current surface could contribute to growth plate injuries in developing athletes, stress fractures in teenagers, long-term joint and musculoskeletal damage and an increased risk of falls due to surface instability.

Because of these issues, the Legislature appropriated $2.5 million for the design and renovation of the Kean track, with a dedicated funding source and the money placed in the proper account.

Despite this, the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance has not yet executed the contract required to begin the professional services phase of the project, even though all necessary documents are reportedly in place.

According to the VITFF, the Education Department has reversed its earlier position, now stating that the facility will be included as part of a broader school rebuild, despite previously confirming two years ago that it was not part of that project.

The shift raises concerns that the work could be delayed by five to seven years, leaving St. Thomas without a World Athletics Class 2 – certified track and, according to the federation, jeopardizing the development and health of hundreds of young athletes.

Keith A. Smith Sr., president of the Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation, said the issue involves both safety concerns and a broader missed opportunity for development.

“It’s a much bigger picture than just fixing the track,” Smith said. “When we look at the track and the possibilities in terms of sports tourism, it is something that goes unnoticed in terms of its potential. We have to really focus on the big picture.”

Smith said the territory is already attracting interest from outside organizations.

“We’ve been approached by youth organizations that want to bring 1,000 people to the VI for a track meet,” he said. “If you have 1,000 athletes, how many parents are coming? We’re talking about a big economic boost to the territory.”

He said interest from U.S.-based track and field organizations is strong in part because athletes can travel to the Virgin Islands without needing a passport, making it a more accessible destination for events than many other Caribbean locations.

Smith also pointed to interest from NCAA programs, which he said are limited by rules governing how often they can compete abroad and could instead return to the territory annually if a properly maintained facility were available.

He added that the Kean track was previously certified to World Athletics Class 2 standards, allowing it to host professional-level competition, and said restoring that status could position the Virgin Islands more competitively in the region as other areas, including Puerto Rico, work to improve their own track infrastructure.

Smith said the issue is not only about money or tourism, but also about safety for student-athletes.

“Anytime you operate on a faulty surface, as in a track, you find that injuries are reoccurring,” he said. “You have hip issues, knee issues, ankle issues … shin splints … stress fractures … those things really detrimentally affect our youths and end careers.”

“We have to take our youth seriously,” Smith said. “We have to show them that we care. We have to demonstrate that with our use of funding and money, not just by saying it.”

“That’s my impetus, as president of the VI Track and Field Federation,” he said. “To push to hold our elected officials accountable and to show the youths that I’m willing to focus on making sure they have somewhere to compete and train.”

Smith said Kean High School needs an operable track as soon as possible to allow for cross-territorial competitions, which he described as vital for raising the level of competition across the territory and attracting outside talent.

He said that if existing funding were used as intended, the track could be resurfaced and brought back to international standards within nine to 12 months. However, if the project is tied to a broader school reconstruction, Smith said the timeline could stretch to five to seven years, potentially delaying access to a certified facility for an entire generation of athletes.

In a press release, Mireille Smith, general secretary of the federation, said the delay is especially concerning given the risks identified in the report.

“The track is not in a condition that supports safe training or competition, and every delay increases the risk to our student-athletes,” she said. “The funding exists. The expert assessment is clear. The law requires action. Our athletes deserve better — and they deserve it now.”

DLCA Launches Affordability First Initiative With New Pricing Tools

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DLCA Launches Affordability First Initiative With New Pricing Tools

The Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs rolled out a new consumer-focused initiative on Wednesday to address rising costs, according to a press release.

Commissioner Nathalie Hodge said the 2026 “Affordability First” Initiative introduces new pricing transparency tools designed to help residents compare costs and make informed purchasing decisions, the press release stated.

“Our goal is simple,” Hodge said. “We are putting the data directly into the hands of the consumer. When you know where the best prices are, you have the power to make informed decisions and drive competition across the market.”

The initiative includes a Comprehensive Pricing and Inflation Report supported by fuel survey data, supermarket analyses, and other economic indicators. It also introduces a “Wall of Transparency” framework that provides real-time pricing information to consumers, according to the release.

DLCA reported that fuel prices rose sharply in March after remaining steady earlier in the year. Diesel increased by more than 61% between early February and late March, while gasoline rose by over 45%, driven by higher wholesale import costs. Price differences between islands persist, with St. Croix reporting lower fuel prices than St. Thomas, the release stated.

(Image courtesy DLCA)

Grocery prices continue to reflect the territory’s reliance on imported goods, DLCA said. Produce items such as peppers and lettuce saw notable increases between December 2025 and March 2026, while staples including bananas, canned tuna, and rice remained relatively stable, the release stated.

As part of the rollout, DLCA introduced a Market Basket Comparison Tool that identifies retailers offering competitive pricing on essential goods, the release stated.

The department encouraged residents to compare prices and use the new tools to make informed economic choices, it stated.

Legendary Guitarist and Composer, Jeff Pevar Visits and Performs on St. Croix

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Legendary Guitarist and Composer, Jeff Pevar Visits and Performs on St. Croix
Legendary guitarist Jeff Pevar. (Submitted photo)
Legendary guitarist Jeff Pevar. (Submitted photo)

In a grainy video from a performance at the Lugano Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1986, the iconic rhythm and blues singer and pianist Ray Charles, attired in a tuxedo, beams broadly behind his signature dark glasses. He is seated at a Steinway grand piano as the guitar player behind him deftly coaxes the first few grinding bars of a slow and swampy blues from a Gibson ES335. The searing bends, soulful tone and soaring vibrato are suggestive of BB King and as the full brass orchestra kicks in, punctuating the guitar with counterpoint stabs, the guitar player rises from his chair as if propelled to his feet by an invisible force. His tall and lanky frame pitches forward and lurks backward as if the guitar he holds were some wild animal attempting an escape. A torrent of vocal-like, blues-inflected notes leaps from the guitar’s fretboard like sparks of electricity arching and cascading through the air of the auditorium.

At his piano stool, Ray Charles’ muted smile has become an infectious grin. He bops and sways in a frenzy of ecstasy precipitated by the guitar player’s feverish, quicksilver introduction to “I’ve Got News for You.” The guitar player has set it up perfectly for the legend to launch into the tune’s opening verse, “You said before we met, That your life was awful tame, Well, I took you to a night club, And the whole band knew your name ….”

To witness the first minute and 30 seconds of this video is to understand why Jeff Pevar would go on to earn the reputation for being “the guitar player who made Ray Charles smile.” Little could Pevar have known at the time that performance, when he was in just his mid-20s, of the storied and prolific career that lay ahead of him:

Previous to being recruited by Ray Charles in 1984, Pevar had toured and recorded with Rickie Lee Jones, but he would go on to collaborate with a lengthy “who’s who?” list of iconic artists such as Crosby, Stills & Nash, Bette Midler, Joe Cocker, James Taylor, Phil Lesh & Friends, Jefferson Starship, Jazz is Dead, Marc Cohn and many others, all the while showcasing his exceptional talent across diverse genres and musical landscapes. In addition to becoming known in the industry as a “guitar player’s guitarist,” Pevar became an internationally sought after session player and studio musician as well as a prolific composer in his own right, crafting scores for film and TV while also producing an impressive catalog of albums featuring his own music.

During this second of what hopefully will become an annual pilgrimage to the island, Pevar will be visiting with his wife, the singer/songwriter Inger Nova Jorgensen, and the two will perform together alongside former Blues Brother Johnny Rosch. It’s become customary among some on St. Croix to mourn the halcyon days of yore when headlining national acts routinely came to the island to perform, as if those bygone days seem fated never to return. Jeff Pevar’s visit, however, bucks that trend and offers island residents and visitors a chance to witness world-class guitar virtuosity and rousing blues and rock music in intimate local venues, including The Deep End Bar & Grill on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, April 12 from 4 to 7 p.m., and Rhythms at Rainbow Beach on Easter Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Jeff Pevar with his wife, singer/songwriter Inger Nova Jorgensen. (Submitted photo)
Jeff Pevar with his wife, singer/songwriter Inger Nova Jorgensen. (Submitted photo)

Volunteers to Gather April 18 for St. Thomas Great Mangrove Cleanup 2026

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Volunteers to Gather April 18 for St. Thomas Great Mangrove Cleanup 2026
National Park Service collage shows previous debris in local mangroves. (Submitted by National Park Service)

The ninth annual St. Thomas Great Mangrove Cleanup is set for April 18 at Vessup Bay along the National Park Road in Red Hook, where volunteers will gather from 9 a.m. to noon to remove debris from mangrove shorelines.

The event is part of a broader territorial effort led by the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Marine and Environmental Studies.

According to Research Associate Professor Kristin Wilson Grimes, the St. Thomas cleanup follows two earlier events this year on St. Croix and St. John, which drew dozens of volunteers and removed thousands of pounds of debris.

“It’s been really successful,” Grimes said, noting the St. Croix cleanup brought out 62 volunteers who removed 2,834 pounds of marine debris, while 73 participants on St. John removed 4,125 pounds.

The annual cleanups began in 2018 in the wake of the devastating 2017 hurricanes, which left large amounts of debris tangled in mangrove forests across the territory. What started as a targeted response to storm damage has grown into a yearly tradition spanning all three major islands.

Since the program began, volunteers have removed more than 26 tons of marine debris and engaged over 1,200 participants of all ages.

Mangroves, Grimes said, are critical to the Virgin Islands’ coastal environment.

“They protect our shorelines from erosion. They can buffer the impacts of wind and waves when we have storms,” she said. “They can provide shelter for our boats as hurricane holes during those storm events.”

She added that mangroves also play an important ecological role, supporting marine life that local communities depend on.

“Most of our commercially important fish species in the territory spend some time during their lifespan in mangrove environments,” Grimes said.

One of the most consistent challenges the cleanups face is rampant single-use plastic pollution.

“People always ask, what’s the most common thing that we find? And it’s always plastic bottles,” Grimes said, noting that the same materials appear year after year.

Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and sun protection, while gloves, data sheets, and other materials are provided on site. Grimes said the cleanups are designed to be accessible, allowing participants to engage at their own comfort level.

“There are all different ways to engage that day, depending on folks’ comfort being in the bush and the mud,” she said. “We engage people of all ages, of all abilities, and of all interests to help protect these environments.”

The cleanup is part of the GRROE mangroves program at the university, which focuses on growing, research, restoration, outreach and education. In addition to cleanup efforts, the program conducts classroom initiatives, community outreach and mangrove monitoring to track forest health.

“This is just one of the activities we use to engage the community and take action,” she said.

Michael Niemeyer, a mangrove research technician with the program, said mangroves are an extremely important coastal ecosystem, both locally and globally.

“They protect shorelines from erosion and storms. They provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including migratory birds, and support local fisheries and biodiversity,” he said.

Niemeyer said marine debris, especially plastics, poses a major threat to these environments.

“They harm wildlife, damage the ecosystem, and breakdown into microplastics, which are very negative for mangroves and the species that depend on them,” he said.

Beyond removing debris, he said, the cleanups play an important role in data collection, helping the community better understand where pollution is coming from and how to address it.

“The purpose of the cleanup is to remove marine debris and hurricane-related waste from the mangrove shoreline, but it’s also to collect data on the types of trash found to better understand pollution sources,” he said.

Niemeyer said the cleanups serve as an educational and hands-on experience for the community.

“This is a hands-on way to make an impact,” he said. “It’s a great way to get involved on a physical level … it’s also an educational tool to help understand where the pollution comes from and how to prevent it from reaching the environment in the first place.”

Grimes said the events continue to bring people together while encouraging environmental stewardship. “It’s a nice way to build those feelings of community and contribute to helping steward our natural resources here in the Virgin Islands,” she said.

St. Thomas International Regatta Draws Global Fleet for This Weekend’s Races

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St. Thomas International Regatta Draws Global Fleet for This Weekend’s Races

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. More than 40 boats and hundreds of sailors from across the Caribbean, the United States and Europe will converge on St. Thomas April 3 to 5 for the 52nd St. Thomas International Regatta, organizers announced in a press release.

The USVI’s Teddy Nicolosi driving the IC24 Class Winner in STIR 2025. (Photo by Ingrid Abery Photography/www.ingridabery.com)

Now in its sixth decade, the territory’s flagship regatta will feature three days of racing alongside nightly shoreside events at the St. Thomas Yacht Club, blending competitive sailing with a social schedule of food, drinks and live music, according to the press release.

“Excitement is building for the week ahead as the fleet features our core spinnaker racing and non-spinnaker racing classes alongside elements unique to STIR, including the Caribbean’s largest IC24 class … Hobie Waves … and, this year, Sunfish sailors using the regatta as a tune-up for November’s Worlds in St. Croix,” said Pat Bailey, who co-directs STIR 2026 with Greer Scholes.

Racing will take place on professionally set courses with real-time online scoring for a global audience. The regatta includes CSA spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes along with one-design fleets such as IC24, Hobie Wave and Sunfish. Sailors may also compete under ORC, IRC and multihull handicaps across racing, cruising, bareboat and one-design divisions, the press release stated.

The USA’s Stephen Schmidt and his crew on the Santa Cruz 70, Hotel California Too, enjoying shoreside refreshments after racing in 2025. (Photo by Ingrid Abery Photography/www.ingridabery.com)

Entries remain open, with fees set at $340, reduced to $240 for IC24s, $150 for Hobie Waves and $75 for Sunfish. Organizers are also offering the Round the Rocks Race as a tune-up event, a course that circumnavigates St. John, the release stated.

The on-the-water lineup includes a range of returning and new competitors. Donald Nicholson’s J/121 Apollo enters after winning the CSA spinnaker class at the BVI Spring Regatta. Boats that competed in that event receive a 10% discount on STIR registration, the release stated.

The IC24 fleet, expected to include nearly a dozen boats, is the largest class in the regatta and will also host the 2026 IC24 Caribbean Championship. Among the entries is Stinger, helmed by St. Thomas sailor and Yale University All-American Teddy Nicolosi, the release stated.

International competitors are also scheduled to take part, including a team from Dublin, Ireland sailing aboard Black Pearl.

“We have heard great things about it and are really looking forward to coming over,” said Roger Smith. “We will do our best, have a bit of fun, and hopefully make a decent showing of ourselves along the way.”

IC24 Team from Ireland having just arrived to St. Thomas earlier this week. Sailors are L to R: Johnny White, Caragh Heagney, and Roger Smith on the far right. (Photo courtesy Team Ireland)

Charter opportunities remain limited, with only a few IC24 boats still available. Charter rates are listed at $3,400 for St. Thomas Yacht Club members and $3,700 for non-members, according to organizers. Reserve through the St. Thomas Sailing Center by contacting Bobby Brooks at 340-690-3681 or info@stthomassailingcenter.com.

The Hobie Wave class continues to draw younger sailors, with several boats already registered. St. Thomas sailor Mila Melbourne, who placed third last year, is expected to compete again.

“Regattas are my favorite, and the STIR Hobie class is a really fun one,” Melbourne said. “I enjoy the fun racing environment with my friends and the competition.”

The USVI’s Mila Melbourne skippering a Hobie Wave in STIR 2025. (Photo by Ingrid Abery Photography/www.ingridabery.com)

Shoreline events begin Thursday with the Mount Gay Trade Winds Cocktail Party following the Round the Rocks Race, where sailors will be welcomed dockside. Awards for that race are scheduled for 5 p.m., followed by dinner and music.

Friday’s festivities feature the Dark ’n Stormy, with dinner and live music by Stephen Sloan. Saturday’s schedule includes Aperol Spritz-themed events and music by Roxnonstop. The regatta concludes Sunday with the Mount Gay Regatta Rum Punch, a 5 p.m. awards ceremony and live music by Tim West.

“At CC1 Virgin Islands, we recognize how important it is to support local initiatives and community causes, especially ones like STIR with such a historical footprint on our islands,” said Loretta Biss, commercial director at CC1.

Organizers said STIR 2026 is designated as a Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta, incorporating environmental initiatives.

Sponsors include the Virgin Islands Tourism Department, The Moorings, K3 Waterproof Gear, Ocean Surfari, Cardow Jewelers and beverage brands distributed by CC1 USVI.

For more information, contact Regatta Co-Director Pat Bailey at Cell/WhatsApp 340-690-6607, Email: simpleislandboy51@gmail.com, or visit www.stthomasinternationalregatta.com.

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