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Articles by Adian Brewer
Virgin Islands education faces new uncertainty as federal oversight shifts
WICHITA, Kan. — As the U.S. Department of Education undergoes major restructuring, the Virgin Islands Department of Education faces a new kind of uncertainty; not over how much funding it receives, but over how that money can be managed and sustained in the years ahead.
Community on deck: Ezra Fredericks Ball Park to expand with skate and play features
ST. THOMAS — Concrete waves are rolling into St. Thomas as the Virgin Islands Board Sports Federation broke ground Tuesday at Ezra Fredericks Ball Park on a multiuse skate and bike park, complete with a playground and shade structure. Around 30 people showed up, including parents and children, as skaters grabbed their decks and dug into the gravel — clearing a major gap forward in creating a community-centered space in the Estate Frydenhoj park where skaters and locals can unite.
Community on deck: Ezra Fredericks Ball Park to expand with skate and play features
ST. THOMAS — Concrete waves are rolling into St. Thomas as the Virgin Islands Board Sports Federation broke ground Tuesday at Ezra Fredericks Ball Park on a multiuse skate and bike park, complete with a playground and shade structure. Around 30 people showed up, including parents and children, as skaters grabbed their decks and dug into the gravel — clearing a major gap forward in creating a community-centered space in the Estate Frydenhoj park where skaters and locals can unite.
St. Thomas chef breaks own world record for largest calzone, raises over $4,000 for humane society
ST. THOMAS — Downtown Charlotte Amalie became the site of a new world record Sunday as Brady Sweet, chef and owner of Café Amici, successfully created the world’s largest calzone, breaking his own record and selling $10 slices to raise over $4,000 for the Humane Society of St. Thomas. The colossal Italian turnover weighed 468 pounds and measured 35 feet long. The record-breaking attempt, held on Main Street, filled the air with the aroma of marinara sauce, pepperoni, and homemade pizza dough.
VI Legislature honors community heroes at road naming ceremony
ST. THOMAS — The Legislature of the Virgin Islands held a Perma Plaque Ceremony today at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas posthumously honoring three Virgin Islanders — former Senator Horace Callwood, Benburin “Benny” Stephens, and Wayne “Facts Man” Adams. Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. welcomed all the attendees to the ceremony. “It is my distinct pleasure to welcome the families, friends and well-wishers on this auspicious occasion,” he said.
National Guardsman on the job in support of territory's COVID mandates
ST. THOMAS — In March, members of the V.I. National Guard will celebrate a two-year milestone — assisting in the war against COVID. Since the pandemic began in 2020, Guard members have worked quietly, at times seemingly tireless, in support of carrying out mandates issued by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and the V.I. Health Department. In the beginning, their work venue included the territory’s beaches, and lately they can be found assisting at airports, seaports and at vaccination centers territorywide.
Ohio dispatchers welcome opportunity to help V.I. 911 center
When the 911 Emergency Call Center in the Virgin Islands needed assistance, it dialed for help — all the way to Ohio. V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency spokesman Eric Ackerson told The Daily News on Tuesday that a group of Ohio dispatchers have been assisting understaffed centers on both St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Bryan orders students revert to online learning amid COVID surge
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., citing skyrocketing COVID cases, announced Tuesday that public school students will return to classes virtually beginning Monday. “We understand that there is still a number of students eligible for the vaccines who are not yet vaccinated,” Bryan said during his weekly COVID-19 press briefing. “If you’re a parent out there, we want to keep your children safe. Go out there and get vaccinated.” Education officials had scheduled Jan.
3 minors, 18-year-old charged in botched Havensight robbery
ST. THOMAS — An adult male, 18, and three minors have been arrested and charged in connection with an armed robbery and shooting at Havensight Mall earlier this month. V.I. Attorney General Denise George and Police Commissioner Ray Martinez announced the arrests at a hastily-called press conference Friday afternoon to discuss the apprehension of the four young suspects in the Dec. 4 Glitter’s Fine Jewelry robbery. Two people were shot during the failed heist.
Bryan announces formation of Governor’s Millennial Council
On Tuesday, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced the launch of the Governor’s Millennial Council. The aim of the council is to amplify access and highlight existing and new opportunities in the Virgin Islands, said Council President Khalarnie Rivers. “Our generation is supposed to be the most educated, the most adept at technology and emerging trends. Yet, we haven’t really had a seat at the table to influence our collective future,” Rivers said.
Tillett craft fair benefits fire victims
As shoppers searched for holiday gifts, vendor fees from a craft fair over the weekend benefited victims of an October fire in Frenchtown. Organized by Lourdes Aguila and Eric Tillett, the second annual Holiday Shopping Bazaar featured local vendors who each paid a fee to participate in the event. Three quarters of each fee went to victims of an October fire in Frenchtown.
Renaissance Group donates land for drag racing, part deal for reaping EDC tax breaks
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed an agreement Thursday with the Renaissance Group, which donated 2½ acres of land to be used by the Caribbean Drag Racing Association. The current drag strip has gone unused since the storms of 2017 after facilities and the strip itself were sustained heavy damage. Drag racing association president Arthur Hector Jr., who was on hand for the signing of the agreement, told The Daily News on Friday that he is optimistic about returning drag racing to the Virgin Islands.
Waste hauling tipping fees to go in effect early next year
Come January, haulers will be required to pay a long-delayed tipping fee when taking waste to landfills territorywide. Waste Management Authority Executive Director Roger Merritt announced the change Wednesday during a virtual town hall meeting called to discuss implementation of tipping fees starting Jan. 10.
Crowley ends services to Leeward Islands; rumors swirl about pullout from V.I., BVI
Shipping to the Leeward Islands may be more difficult with the exit of maritime shipping giant Crowley. While this may pose some problems for last-minute shoppers trying to get “barrels” or “boxes” to the Leeward Islands just weeks before Christmas, there are other options. According to Tropical Shipping, sending a “less than container load,” or “LCL” package to the Leeward Islands right now will take four to six weeks.
Police: Havensight shooting victims recuperating, 4 men sought in incident
Two people shot during an armed robbery at Havensight Mall on Saturday are out of danger and recuperating, and police are searching for four perpetrators, according to a V.I. Police official.
Thanksgiving in paradise comes at a premium price
How much does a traditional Thanksgiving meal cost in the U.S Virgin Islands? An American Farm Bureau survey found that this year, Americans on average will spend around $53.31 on their Thanksgiving meal, a number that’s up 14% from last year. The amount is about $33 less than what Virgin Islanders can expect to pay. After visiting grocers on St. Thomas, The Daily News found local shoppers can expect to pay around $87.19 for their Thanksgiving feast.
Playwright and professor David Edgecombe dies
Longtime Virgin Islands resident and prominent Caribbean playwright David Edgecombe died Friday at the age of 68. Born on Montserrat, Edgecombe moved to the Virgin Islands, where he was a professor at the University of the Virgin Islands, both on St. Croix and St. Thomas. He would also serve as director of The Reichhold Center for the Arts, according to Denise Humphrey, a former student, colleague to Edgecombe and current director of the St. Thomas facility.
School makes call on St. Thomas
Jul. 20—A floating classroom with 270 students from Texas A&M Maritime Academy is calling on St. Thomas as part of a hands-on summer-at-sea training program. "It's a life changing experience for these students as they get to see what it's really like to live and work at sea," Texas A&M University at Galveston Chief Operating Officer Michael Fossum said Monday.
Bryan: Limetree bankruptcy filing ‘disheartening’
A day after Limetree Bay announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said the news was “disheartening” for residents and local businesses alike. “The news of Limetree Bay Refinery filing for bankruptcy is disheartening for the residents and families who rely on the income and employment from the refinery,” Bryan said in a statement released Tuesday night after The Daily News contacted Government House for comment earlier that day.
Victims in weekend car incident flown off island
The 6-year-old twin brothers struck by a car on St. Croix during the weekend have been flown off-island for treatment, according to Government House Communications Director, Richard Motta Jr. At 11 a.m., Sunday, a silver 2005 Honda CRV heading west on King Street in Christiansted was attempting to make a right turn on Smith Street when it clipped a parked 2002 Toyota Echo.
Virgin Islanders march with pride
ST. THOMAS — Rainbow flags and masks brightened Emancipation Garden on Saturday morning as more than 50 people set off for Yacht Haven Grande to show their support for the local LGBTQ community. “Visibility is important,” said Muria Nisbeck, who organized the event alongside Kate Youssouf. “There’s people that are in the LGBTQ population, and they have a right to exist on this island like everybody else, so being here and celebrating them and saying that we love you, you’re a part of the community.
Cruise ships are back, some say its better than ever
ST. THOMAS — Passengers disembarking from the Celebrity Edge signaled that V.I. cruise tourism is off to a good start after a 15-month hiatus. “It’s absolutely fantastic,” Phil Katrow of Florida said. “In many ways, it’s better than before COVID.
Businesses look toward return of cruise ships
ST. THOMAS — As the return of cruise ships arrives today, business owners are looking back on a turbulent year of lost revenue, hope and industry change. As the Celebrity Edge arrives at Crown Bay Marina, the first ship in more than a year, Government House is counting on the return of the ships to generate millions in revenue for the territory. “It’s been terrible, there’s no other way to say it,” Diamonds International Executive Director Wendy Terapani said, reflecting on the last year.
CFVI receives $50K grant from Liberty Foundation
The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands announced Monday it has received a $50,000 grant from the Liberty Foundation that will be used to support education, arts and culture and environmental protection. According to a press release issued on Tuesday, Liberty Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Liberty Communications, which has served mobile customers in the Virgin Islands since the acquisition of AT&T operations in October 2020.
Crucian native aims high with solo flight in Air Force program
Ulric Jarvis can boast about piloting a plane at age 17. The St. Croix native recently took part in the Air Force’s inaugural AIM HIGH Flight Academy at Peter Prince Airfield in Milton, Fla., where he completed his first solo flight. To hear Jarvis — a senior at Educational Complex High School — tell it, he knew from five years ago that he wanted to be a pilot. “I was always so fascinated with seeing these big metal machines going so fast taking off at the end of the runway.
Researchers publish VI’s first catalog of freshwater invertebrates
ST. THOMAS — A University of the Virgin Islands professor and a University of Kansas researcher have published a survey cataloging freshwater invertebrates lurking in little-known watersheds of the Virgin Islands. Edwin Rivera-Cruz and Kansas researcher Christopher Rodgers published their findings in the Journal of Natural History. It is the first survey of its kind for the Virgin Islands, according to Rivera-Cruz.
Nunez-Smith gets new post at Yale
Yale University has announced that Virgin Islander Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith has been appointed as the C.N.H. Long Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology. The appointment is effective July 1 at the Connecticut Ivy League school, where Nunez-Smith has served as the first associate dean for health equity research at the Yale School of Medicine, and a professor of internal medicine among a host of other positions.
Crucian native is new director of FEMA's local field office
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced the appointment of St. Croix native Kristen Hodge to serve as director for U.S. Virgin Islands Joint Recovery Office. Hodge, who has an 18-year tenure with FEMA, will focus on the territory’s priorities to repair and rebuild its infrastructure with a focus on equity for a recovery that benefits the whole community, the agency said in a news release Monday.
UVI approves 2 agriculture degrees, increases fees for its online program
The University of the Virgin Islands board of trustees met over the weekend, electing a new member, approving two new agriculture degrees, and implementing an increase in tuition for its online program. During Saturday’s meeting, UVI’s board of trustees voted unanimously to increase the online tuition rate for in-territory undergraduate students from $154 per credit hour to $225, while the out-of-territory tuition rate will remain the same.
Experts say 2021 could be record year for sargassum
It’s that time of year when V.I. residents can expect to find plenty of sargassum in area waters, and researchers say to expect more. The University of South Florida’s Oceanography Lab reported record-breaking amounts of sargassum throughout the central western Atlantic and Caribbean seas last month at record breaking amounts. The monthly outlook showed that in May, sargassum covered an area of 1,179 square miles, about half the size of Puerto Rico.
VI National Guard’s Knox-Limbacker promoted to major general
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kodjo Knox-Limbacker, right, adjutant general, Virgin Islands National Guard (VING), speaks with U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams, command chief, Air National Guard, during a visit to the VING Joint Force Headquarters in Kingshill, St. Croix, April 11, 2021. Knox-Limbacker recently was promoted the rank of major general. (Morgan Whitehouse/U.S. Air National Guard) ST.
Health confirms 29th COVID-related death Original
ST. THOMAS — The Health Department announced over the weekend the territory’s 29th death related to COVID-19. The individual was identified as a 105-year-old St. Thomas woman, according to a statement released Saturday. The territory is experiencing an uptick in positive COVID cases with Health reporting 126 active COVID cases as of Saturday. A majority of the cases are said to be on St. Thomas. Health officials continue to urge residents to take precautionary measures.
Effort to name bridge going Nowhere
ST. THOMAS — A renegade road sign in Nadir seeks to immortalize larger-than-life street historian Wayne “Facts Man” Adams. Turpentine Run bridge, colloquially called “The Bridge to Nowhere,” sat for years incomplete until 2018 when former Gov. Kenneth Mapp declared it finally the “Bridge to Somewhere.” The bridge took more than 20 years to build, and cost nearly $28 million.
USVI, BVI rank among Top 5 in Caribbean travel destinations
U.S. News & World Report has ranked the U.S. and British Virgin Islands among its Top 5 of 17 Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean. The annual report awarded St. Lucia the No. 1 spot, followed by the British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Board of Elections plans raises for managerial staff
The V.I. Board of Elections on Tuesday approved a proposal to its 2022 budget request to include funds for raises of up to 6% for Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes and deputy supervisors of Elections in both districts. The decision to approve the proposed budget was met with quiet skepticism from some board members, but ultimately passed with little pushback.
Mini Kids Karnival an overdue celebration of culture
ST. THOMAS — A mini Kids Karnival took place on Saturday, offering a taste of cultural celebration after two years of missed festivities. The event was organized by 340 Young Entrepreneurs, a local organization whose purpose is to promote young entrepreneurs in the Virgin Islands. Among food trucks, DJs spinning music and a virtual reality gaming van, children as young as seven helped set up booths selling T-shirts and trinkets of their own designs.
Virgin Islanders reaching out to India
The India Association of the Virgin Islands is seeking to raise $100,000 for life-saving equipment that will be sent to India. The fundraiser comes as the Asian nation continues to experience a surge in deaths caused by a highly transmissible variant of the COVID-19 virus.
So you want to see a green flash?
“Its appearance destroys illusions and lies; and those who have had the good fortune to see it only once, can already see clearly in their hearts, and in those of others.” — Jules Verne, “The Green Ray” (1889) The meteorological phenomena Jules Verne waxes poetic about is dubbed “the green flash,” and while Verne pioneered the genre of science fiction, the flash his novel popularized is anything but fictional.
Board of Education calls emergency hearing over graduations
The V.I. Board of Education called an emergency meeting Monday to discuss what should be done about a complaint filed by St. Thomas and St. John students.
Port Authority updates Legislature on ongoing projects
ST. THOMAS — While the territory’s airports are nearing pre-pandemic numbers of travelers, V.I. officials are still awaiting signs cruise ships are on the horizon.
FEMA, VITEMA Open Vaccination Centers to Help Territory Meet Open Phase
Army medical personnel prepare to administer vaccines at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Adian Brewer) Federal and territorial agencies joined forces Monday to help vaccinate 50,000 Virgin Islanders against the coronavirus by April 1, organizing community vaccination centers on the University of the Virgin Islands campuses.
STT Welcomes Delta Airlines Inaugural Direct Flight From Minneapolis
Passengers disembarking Saturday from Delta flight DL 1982 are greeted at the Cyril E. King Airport. (Source photo by Adian Brewer) Delta Airlines flight DL1982 touched down Saturday at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas, from Minneapolis-St. Paul international airport, adding to a growing number of direct flights coming to the territory. The Department of Tourism rolled out the red carpet.
Leatherback Brewing Co. Taps into New St. Thomas Location Original
Entrance to the Leatherback Brewing Company on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Adian Brewer) St. Croix based-Leatherback Brewing Company held a “soft-opening” Friday at its new St. Thomas location, bringing craft cocktails and experimental brews to Rock City. “Building out a St. Thomas’ operation was always in our vision,” said Aaron Hutchins, the managing partner and co-founder of Leatherback Brewing. The new taproom opened with small-batch beers and artisan cocktails.
JetBlue's Direct Flight From JFK Touches Down in V.I. Original
A ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at the bottom of the steps as the Virgin Islands welcomes JetBlue’s inaugural direct flight from New York. (Source photo by Aidan Brewer) JetBlue’s inaugural direct flight from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City to Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas was met with fanfare and jubilation as it touched down Saturday morning on the island. The Department of Tourism laid out the red carpet to celebrate the flight.
Scientists Ask Community to Take Part in The Great V.I. Frog Count Original
The Red-eyed Coqui tree frog The Great V.I. Frog Count is underway, bringing citizen science to the territory’s fingertips in an easy and accessible way. Herpetologist Renata Platenberg started the V.I. Frog Count in 2015 to enhance frog monitoring in the territory. According to Platenberg, anyone with a smartphone or recording device can participate by simply sending a two-minute audio recording with the recorded site’s GPS coordinates.
5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Territory Original
Circles show the epicenter of Wednesday’s earthquake. (U.S. Geological Survey) The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a 5.3 magnitude earthquake that was felt throughout the territory Wednesday at 2:42 p.m. The earthquake occurred 67 kilometers southeast of Cruz Bay, St. John at a depth of 6 miles. It was felt throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. “I could feel rumbling, and heard the bottles on my bar cart clanking,” said Brad Arrington, a resident of St. Thomas.
To Better Understand Water Quality, Researchers Look to the Spineless Original
Dr. Christopher Rogers holding a net to collect samples for identification (Photo by Edwin Cruz-Rivera) Scientists are on a quest to better understand the watershed of St.Thomas by cataloging the species of spineless creatures that dwell in it. Last month, Drs. Christopher Rogers from the University of Kansas and Edwin Cruz-Rivera of the University of the Virgin Islands published a paper detailing the discovery of a new species of clam shrimp found in the Herman E. Moore Golf Course at UVI.
New Species of Clam Shrimp Discovered in Pond at UVI's Golf Course Original
The newly discovered Eulimnadia insularis under a microscope. (Photo by Christopher Rogers) A new species of Caribbean clam shrimp has been discovered in the unassuming pond of the Herman E. Moore Golf Course at the University of the Virgin Islands’ St. Thomas campus according to a UVI press release. Drs. D.
Workers Adjusting to a New Normal Amid Resurgence of Coronavirus. Original
A sign in the window of a Virgin Islands eatery lays out the rules of the new normal . (Soure photo by Adian Brewer) Workers in the U.S. Virgin Islands are feeling a mix of emotions as they adapt to new standards as the summer brings a resurgence of COVID-19. “Nobody wants to work but the bills don’t stop,” said an employee of the Papaya Cove Cafe in Cyril E.King Airport. The Source spoke to several people about going back to work while the pandemic is still burning.
UVI Grad Student Testing New Techniques for Coral Restoration
At the Mote Marine Laboratory in the Florida Keys, research biologist Chris Page inspects the health of small Mountainous Star Coral (Orbicella faveolata) fragments grown in a land-based coral nursery system. (Photo by Dan Mele) As climate change and coral disease ravage reefs in the USVI, Dan Mele, a graduate student working on a master’s thesis in the marine and environmental science program at UVI, is testing a new coral planting method.
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