Local news

Weekly Weather Forecast with Jesse Daley

By Jesse Daley - April 27, 2024

Watch now: Check out our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, April 28, through Saturday, May 4.

Local Butterfly Orchids Have Adapted to Dry Conditions

By Gail Karlsson - April 27, 2024

I usually see the small flowers of these native orchids (Psychilis macconnelliae) sticking up on long stalks on the dry southern hillsides of St. John. They are special because they only grow in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

“What We Have Here Is a Person Who Was on a Rampage”; Bruce Smith Gets 35 Years in Prison

By Judi Shimel - April 26, 2024

A former high school hall monitor and track coach was sentenced Friday to 35 years in federal prison for sexually abusing a dozen student athletes over a period of 15 years.

Questions Remain Following District Court Ruling on Caneel Bay Resort

By Amy H. Roberts - April 26, 2024

A District Court’s ruling on Monday to restore the ownership of the Caneel Bay Resort to the National Park Service came as a pleasant surprise to many.

Third Circuit Scheduled to Hear Jackson, Other Appeals on May 16

By Siân Cobb - April 26, 2024

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments in four local cases on May 16 on St. Thomas, including that of John Jackson, the onetime Olympic boxer who was sentenced in February 2023 to 25 years in prison on rape and child pornography charges and is seeking to suppress evidence from a search of his home that was used at trial.

Op-Ed: Leveraging the Power of Social Media to Empower and Engage

By Gabrielle Querrard - April 26, 2024

In the past 20 years, humanity has seen huge advancements in just about every industry. This progression can be attributed to varying factors, including broader access to educational opportunities and more collaboration among neighboring countries around the world.

Standing Ovation for GHCDS Musical ‘The Music Man’

By Diana Dias - April 26, 2024

The Good Hope Country Day School drama club cast received a standing ovation as they performed the musical The Music Man for their faculty night on Thursday at the Good Hope Country Day School’s Theater. This follows their completely sold-out opening night last week.

Celebrating International Girls in ICT Day: Using Technology to Lead and Connect Vlogging Competition

By Source staff - April 26, 2024

In celebration and awareness of International Girls in ICT Day, the Virgin Islands Education Department, in partnership with Viya, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Girls in STEAM initiative, "Using Technology to Lead and Connect Vlogging Competition."

Senate Approves Three-Step Financial Fix for WAPA

By Judi Shimel - April 26, 2024

Lawmakers of the 35th Legislature approved a three-step solution to ease financial pressures on the Water and Power Authority. Votes taken on three bills - which includes a measure to define when a state of emergency can be declared - came in rapid succession on Thursday afternoon at the end of a six-hour session.

Like Cash, Key Hardware Also Eludes WAPA

By Mat Probasco - April 25, 2024

Money isn’t the only thing in short supply at the Water and Power Authority, WAPA officials said at a meeting of its governing board Thursday. While the embattled utility’s financial concerns have been well publicized, WAPA also faces dramatic challenges in obtaining key hardware vital to power generation and grid stability.

11th-Grader Danny Philip Wins 2nd Place in Vermont Pitch Challenge

By Diana Dias - April 25, 2024

Danny Philip Jr. achieved an exciting goal recently, winning second place in the Vermont Pitch Challenge from the University of Vermont. Phillip, who is in 11th grade at the Seventh-day Adventist School on St. Croix, has aspirations of becoming a successful businessperson in technology and computer science.

Administrative Leave for Carnival and Issuance of Tax Refunds Announced

By Source staff - April 25, 2024

With St. Thomas Carnival festivities already underway, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has locked in the administrative leave schedule for government workers and announced that more than $5 million in income tax refunds have been issued to Virgin Islands residents.

Start of Carnival Shooting Trial Faces Possible Delay

By Judi Shimel - April 25, 2024

Jury selection in the murder trial for the man accused of fatally shooting a man at the end of last year’s Carnival Parade is being delayed. The judge presiding over the case rescheduled the process for a later date to accommodate a hearing over evidence to be admitted at trial.

Jury Returns Guilty Verdict on Two St. Croix Prison Guards

By Source staff - April 25, 2024

A federal jury convicted two former Virgin Islands Correctional Officers of depriving an inmate of his rights under color of law and obstruction of an FBI investigation, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Thursday.

IEKHS Senior Selected for Jobs for America’s Graduates Kenneth M. Smith Scholarship

By Source staf - April 25, 2024

Darnell Birmingham, a senior at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School has been recently selected as one of the recipients of the 2024 Kenneth M. Smith Scholarship, the V.I. Education Department announced.

Amber Alert: T’Nasia Rios Reported Missing on St. Thomas Thursday

By Source staff - April 25, 2024

T'Nasia Rios was reported missing on St. Thomas Thursday.

Senate Committee Discusses WAPA Woes in Emergency Meeting

By Susan Ellis - April 24, 2024

The government agencies that testified at Wednesday’s Senate hearing about their financial crises, said their revenues, including government allotments, were not sufficient to pay their bills - even their electric bills.

From Rock City to the Rock Hall: Rashawn Ross on Hall of Fame Induction

By Ananta Pancham - April 24, 2024

Virgin Islands native Rashawn Ross is still pinching himself. The trumpeter for the Dave Matthews Band, recently announced with the group as part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 inductees, said when the email confirming the honor finally came through, it was a surreal moment.

Hodge Denies Legislature’s Bid to Recoup $100K Cost of Payne Case

By Siân Cobb - April 24, 2024

V.I. Supreme Court Chief Justice Rhys Hodge on Wednesday denied a motion by the V.I. Legislature that sought nearly $100,000 in costs and attorney fees it says it spent defending against a lawsuit brought by former Senator-at-Large Steven Payne Sr. The request was filed two weeks too late, and without the proper notice, he said.