News from USVI:
Top enforcement officer in USVI environment agency arrested on drug trafficking charges
May 20, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- On Friday night, Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) Commissioner Alicia Barnes informed US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh that the agency’s director of enforcement, Roberto Tapia, was arrested by federal law enforcement officers.
Crime and Gun Violence Prevention Day proclaimed in USVI
May 20, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Governor John de Jongh signed a proclamation designating Sunday, May 19, 2013, as “Crime and Gun Violence Prevention Day” throughout the US Virgin Islands. “It is my hope that in setting aside a special day, dedicated to preventing crime and gun violence...
USVI hit by torrential rains
May 14, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Commissioner Darryl Smalls said public works crews in the US Virgin Islands have begun clearing roads of debris in the St Thomas/St John district after torrential rains caused flooding this past weekend. The downpour inundated areas of St Thomas and St John.
US authorities thwart human smuggling attempt in USVI
May 14, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents, working together with special agents of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) last Wednesday thwarted a human smuggling attempt of Brazilian nationals.
USVI marks Travel and Tourism Week
May 9, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- This week has been designated as ‘Virgin Islands Travel and Tourism Week’ by US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh. Widely acknowledged as the largest industry in the territory, the statistics on the industry are impressive.
Shooting incident brings an early end to J'ouvert in USVI
April 26, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- A shooting that critically injured a St Thomas resident and wounded two other persons during the Carnival J’ouvert pre-dawn tramp in the US Virgin Islands brought an immediate end to J’ouvert, which was beginning to increase...
USVI governor asks federal government for energy assistance
April 24, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Governor John de Jongh has requested the US Department of Health and Human Services provide additional assistance to US Virgin Islanders struggling to pay their electricity bills. In a recent letter to Health and Human Services Secretary...
Major USVI broadband development project making steady progress
April 22, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Governor John de Jongh met with officials of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) on Friday following their five-day tour and project review of the US Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN)...
Bush tea to become McDonalds menu item in USVI and Puerto Rico
April 20, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Bush tea is a healthy and nutritional beverage that has sustained the test of time as it remains in high demand in spite of culinary shifts in the US Virgin Islands diet. It is therefore an historic moment as McDonalds in Puerto Rico and...
USVI governor discusses rum agreements with St Lucia prime minister
April 15, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh returned to the territory on Friday after holding a productive discussion on the future of the USVI’s rum industry with St Lucia’s prime minister, Dr Kenny Anthony, the night before.
USVI governor visits Saint Lucia
April 13, 2013
CASTRIES, St Lucia -- The governor of the US Virgin Islands, John de Jongh, has paid a short visit to Saint Lucia. De Jongh is no stranger to Saint Lucia as he has visited the island on several occasions in the past.
Search to begin for new owners to resume refinery operations in USVI
April 8, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Governor John de Jongh confirmed on Saturday evening that the government of the US Virgin Islands and the owners of the HOVENSA refinery on St Croix have reached an agreement that will govern a 14-month sale process.
New $70 million fiber optic network for USVI
April 6, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Orbitel LLC, a local company owned by long-time St Croix resident Todd Klindworth, is to invest about $70 million to build a fiber optic network which will be available to every home in the US Virgin Islands.
USVI governor writes Caribbean leaders on rum dispute
April 3, 2013
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM) -- The US Virgin Islands has now turned to moral suasion in an attempt to get fellow rum producing nations in the Caribbean Forum to back down from plans to take their ongoing dispute before the WTO.
USVI tax revenues continue to fall short
April 3, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- On Tuesday, members of the governor’s financial team reported on the continued precarious financial health of the US Virgin Islands when they noted that through the end of February, General Fund revenues are off as much as 7 percent.
Agreement in principle reached on USVI oil refinery
April 1, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Government House announced on Saturday, in advance of the March 31 deadline for an interim agreement to be in place between the government of the US Virgin Islands and HOVENSA, that the parties had come to an...
USVI authorities apprehend 18 undocumented migrants
March 19, 2013
ST CROIX, USVI -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in the US Virgin Islands apprehended 18 undocumented migrants on Sunday, after receiving a call concerning the landing of illegal aliens on the east end of St Croix.
USVI tourism commissioner wraps up productive visit to Denmark
March 16, 2013
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark and the wider Scandinavian market will continue to be a priority tourism market for the US Virgin Islands. USVI Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty, wrapping up a week-long visit to Denmark, said...
USVI governor promotes territory in Denmark
March 15, 2013
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh reported from Denmark that he has had a number of productive discussions with Danish business leaders while engaging the Danish government in planning for the...
USVI lottery supervisor arrested on felony charges
March 14, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- The US Virgin Islands Department of Justice has announced the arrest of Loriel Weeks, a former acting supervisor of the USVI Lottery St Thomas sales office, on felony charges of burglary, arson, embezzlement and grand larceny.
USVI healthcare reform taskforce receives preliminary study data
March 13, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- The US Virgin Islands healthcare reform implementation task force is considering the findings of an analysis of the territory’s private insurance market as it prepares to make a recommendation regarding the viability of...
USVI governor travels to Denmark on economic development and business research mission
March 11, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Governor John de Jongh departed the US Virgin Islands on Saturday for a week of economic development and business research meetings in Denmark. De Jongh will be meeting with government agencies and area businesses.
USVI could lose more than $100 million in federal funding from sequestration
March 1, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- If the US Congress fails to prevent sequestration, defined as “an automatic application of uniform spending reductions to enforce stringent budget goals,” the US Virgin Islands stands to lose more than $100 million in funding.
Coral reefs showing signs of comeback in the Caribbean
February 28, 2013
ORACABESSA BAY, Jamaica -- Mats of algae and seaweed have shrouded the once thick coral in shallow reefs off Jamaica's north coast. Warm ocean waters have bleached out the coral, and in a cascade of ecological decline, the sea urchins and...
USVI governor discusses health care initiatives in Washington
February 27, 2013
WASHINGTON, USA -- Over the weekend, US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh met with representatives of the US Department of Health and Human Services, including officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services...
USVI officials discuss energy challenges with federal partners
February 27, 2013
WASHINGTON, USA -- In Washington, DC, on Monday, US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh met with USVI Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen and federal officials to discuss the territory’s immediate energy needs and its plans for...
USVI governor confers with Obama, Biden and fellow state governors in Washington
February 25, 2013
WASHINGTON, USA -- On Friday, Governor John de Jongh voiced several goals and concerns of the US Virgin Islands at a meeting with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and fellow Democratic governors in the nation’s capitol.
USVI governor provides update on refinery negotiations
February 21, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- On Tuesday evening, US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh hosted a meeting of members of the Legislature, Lt. Governor Gregory Francis and USVI Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen to update them on the status of...
Puerto Rico and USVI authorities release unified 2012 review
February 14, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unified components in the Caribbean; the San Juan Field Office, the Ramey Border Patrol Sector and the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, released on Wednesday a summary of...
Two thousand year old pre-Columbian archaeological site discovered in USVI
February 14, 2013
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, USVI -- Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls said on Wednesday that, during archaeological monitoring, an important pre-Columbian site was discovered on Krondprindsens Gade (Main Street) between Strand and...
USVI Representative denies adverse effects on Caribbean rum industry
February 13, 2013
WASHINGTON, USA -- In a letter last November to United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Ron Kirk, the US Virgin Islands Representative to Congress, Donna Christensen, has defended the USVI’s use of cover over revenues.
Governor discusses economic development vision for USVI
February 9, 2013
ST CROIX, USVI -- Governor John de Jongh discussed his vision and strategic priorities for economic development and growth on St Croix and the US Virgin Islands at the St Croix Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 annual membership breakfast meeting.
USVI governor meets with cabinet members on financial matters and other issues
February 8, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- On Tuesday morning, US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh convened the first meeting of his Cabinet for 2013 and used the forum to discuss a wide range of issues, from the difficult financial challenges facing the government to...
USVI governor unveils measures to bridge anticipated budget shortfall
February 5, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh has authorized implementation of two measures to reduce government expenditures and address a projected shortfall in the 2013 General Fund budget.
USVI healthcare reform task force closer to decision on health insurance exchange
January 31, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- The US Virgin islands’ healthcare reform implementation task force is closer to making an informed decision on whether the territory will establish a health insurance exchange for USVI residents with the completion of a study...
USVI governor to deliver annual State of the Territory address Monday night
January 28, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh will deliver his seventh State of the Territory address before a formal session of the 30th Legislature on Monday. In the annual report to the people of the US Virgin Islands...
USVI launches visitor exit survey
January 25, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Governor John de Jongh has commissioned a detailed survey to study the characteristics of tourists who visit the US Virgin Islands by air and by sea. The survey, which began on Sunday, January 20, is organized by the...
Public safety concerns discussed in USVI
January 21, 2013
ST CROIX, USVI -- On Friday, US Virgin Islands officials, along with representatives from various departments and agencies of the government met with hoteliers, restaurateurs, and retailers in Frederiksted to discuss public safety issues on St Croix.
USVI governor discusses territorial priorities with media
January 18, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh took to the airwaves this week and sat with radio news reporters one-on-one to discuss the various strategic priorities of his administration, including the unique challenges of...
Grammy-winning US Virgin Islander to perform Caribbean jazz in New York
January 12, 2013
NEW YORK, USA -- New Yorkers are in for a treat this weekend when US Virgin Islands Grammy-winning jazz great, Dion Parson and the 21st Century Band perform at the Abyssinian Baptist Church Jazz Vespers Concert Series this Sunday.
