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News from the US Virgin Islands as of



USVI delegate assumes chairmanship of Insular Affairs Subcommittee February 1, 2007
WASHINGTON, USA: USVI Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen has assumed the Chairmanship of the re-instated Subcommittee on Insular Affairs of the House Committee on Natural Resources. The Subcommittee will oversee all issues that pertain to Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, read more..

New USVI Governor meets with legislators January 31, 2007
ST JOHN, USVI: On Tuesday, US Virgin Islands Governor John deJongh and Lt Governor Gregory Francis met with the 15 legislators of the territory to advance talks on the new administration's legislative priorities. read more..

US Virgin Islands soldiers killed in Baghdad identified January 26, 2007
ST CROIX, USVI: The identities of two USVI soldiers killed in Baghdad, have been released by military officials. Lt. Col. David C. Canegata III of St Croix and Sgt. First Class Floyd Everett Lake of St Thomas died when the US Army Black Hawk helicopter they were in went down. read more..

Construction under way on the new US Virgin Islands Cardiac Center January 26, 2007
ST CROIX, USVI: Juan F. Luis Hospital officials recently showed off the progress of the new Virgin Islands Cardiac Center (VICC), located on St Croix, USVI which is scheduled to be completed in October."This is an investment by the community that goes back into the community," said William Kantz. read more..

US House of Representatives passes USVI coin bill once again January 25, 2007
WASHINGTON, USA: US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress, Donna M. Christensen, has announced the US House of Representatives passed a bill to allow the District of Columbia and US Territories to participate in the 50 State Commemorative Quarter Dollar Coin Program, for the fourth time. read more..

USVI governor to fight US Treasury January 23, 2007
ST THOMAS, USVI: On Monday, US Virgin Islands Governor John deJongh gave his first State of the Territory Speech to a packed legislative hall on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront on St Thomas, with a promise to "stand up" to the US Treasury's decision to conduct tax audits. read more..

Caribbean summit on HIV/AIDS continues in USVI January 23, 2007
ST CROIX, USVI: The Caribbean Summit on HIV/AIDS presented evidence of the commonalities among Caribbean countries dealing with the pandemic of this often deadly disease. All across the region many issues are preventing countries from curbing the spread of the disease. read more..

US Virgin Islands soldiers killed in Bagdad January 23, 2007
ST CROIX, USVI: Tragedy has again struck the US Virgin Islands as reports of the unconfirmed death in a helicopter crash of two Virgin Islands National Guard soldiers circulate throughout the territory. read more..

USVI celebrates Martin Luther King holiday January 17, 2007
ST JOHN, USVI: Numerous events were held by communities throughout the US Virgin Islands in celebration of the national Martin Luther King holiday this past weekend. The official day of recognition, January 15, was also observed by many businesses, schools, and government agencies. read more..

USVI Governor selects new tourism head January 15, 2007
ST THOMAS, USVI: Gov. John deJongh has announced the appointment of long-time hospitality industry executive and leader, Beverly Nicholson-Doty, as the Commissioner of Tourism for the US Virgin Islands. Nicholson-Doty thanked the Governor for his confidence in her abilities. read more..

Caribbean summit on HIV/AIDS comes to USVI next weekend January 13, 2007
WASHINGTON, USA: Ministers of Health from across the Caribbean and the United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean will converge on the US Virgin Islands from January 20 through January 22 to discuss the economic impact of HIV/AIDS on the Caribbean. read more..

No passport required to visit, as USVI celebrates 90 years as a US territory January 11, 2007
ST THOMAS, USVI: US citizens have been reminded that they are exempt from needing a passport for travel to the US Virgin Islands when the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goes into effect on January 23. read more..

Former US Virgin Islands Governor pardoned felons as he left office January 6, 2007
ST JOHN, USVI: Jean Greaux, a spokesperson for the US Virgin Islands Governor's office, told Caribbean Net News on Friday that Governor deJongh was alarmed when he learned of the relatively large number of pardons and commutations of sentences granted by the former governor. read more..

USVI Delegate sworn-in on historic day on Capitol Hill January 5, 2007
ST JOHN, USVI: US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress, Donna Christensen, was sworn in for a sixth consecutive term on Thursday on Capitol Hill, during a day marked by historical significance. Representative Nancy Pelosi of California was affirmed by Congress as the first female Speaker of the House. read more..

Move to recall US Virgin Islands senators January 4, 2007
ST CROIX, USVI: Voters on St Croix in the US Virgin Islands have initiated a petition to recall three senators who voted "yes" to a measure giving hefty pay raises to themselves, the governor and lieutenant governor. read more..

New US Virgin Islands governor takes office January 2, 2007
ST THOMAS, USVI: The election mandate of the residents of the US Virgin Islands was fulfilled on Monday, on the first day of the New Year, when John deJongh and Gregory Francis took the oath of office for VI Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively. read more..

US Virgin Islands honour President Ford January 1, 2007
ST JOHN, USVI: Flags were being flown at half mast Sunday at the US Virgin Islands Legislative Building in downtown Charlotte Amalie, in recognition of the passing of President Gerald Ford on Tuesday. The 93-year-old former president took office in 1974, following the resignation of Richard Nixon. read more..

USVI inaugural to be broadcast live online January 1, 2007
ST THOMAS, USVI: In an effort to make the 2007 Inaugural ceremonies available to as wide an audience as possible, the de Jongh/Francis Transition office has announced that Monday’s inaugural ceremonies in the US Virgin Islands will be available on the Internet. read more..

Habitat for Humanity program embraced by USVI residents December 27, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: Last December when St John, US Virgin Islands, business owner Jodi Ray decided to organise a community event to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina, both St John and St Thomas islands were brimming over with fund raising events for non-profits. read more..

First judges of USVI Supreme Court sworn in December 21, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: Virgin Islands Judges Maria Cabret, Rhys Hodge and Ive Swan made history this week as they were sworn in as the first judges of the US Virgin Islands Supreme Court. All of the new judges have a distinguished record of service in the Virgin Islands judiciary. read more..

UVI swim team debuts in January December 20, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: University of the Virgin Islands Athletic Director Peter Sauer has announced the formation of a swim team as part of the University’s athletic program as of January 1, 2007. read more..

Denial of voting rights in USVI to be heard by appellate court December 20, 2006
USA, BOSTON: United States citizens living in the US Virgin Islands, unlike Americans living almost any other place in the world, are unable to vote in presidential elections. read more..

Miss USVI contestants sought December 18, 2006
ST THOMAS, USVI: The Miss Virgin Islands Executive Committee has announced the commencement of its campaign to recruit contestants for the 2007 Miss Virgin Islands Pageant. The St Thomas event is scheduled be held on May 19 at the Reichhold Center for the Arts. read more..

Reparations talks continue in USVI December 18, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: A two-day discussion on reparations, called the "Big Reparations Sit Down", was held at the University of the Virgin Islands, St Croix campus, bringing together local community leaders to discuss this topic which is experiencing world-wide resurgence. read more..

First USVI taxi and tour guides gain certification December 14, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: Does basketball great Michael Jordan really have a home on the north side of the island of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands? Did American actor and heart throb Johnny Depp buy property there? Did Black Beard's castle really belong to him? read more..

New USVI Governor celebrates with supporters December 11, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: US Virgin Islands Governor-elect John deJongh and Lt Governor-elect Greg Francis kicked off a three island "thank you week-end" on St John Friday night at their campaign headquarters in Cruz Bay. Party faithful, supporters, and well wishers, including tourists, stopped by. read more..

USVI property tax law passes December 7, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: A bill that affirms the right of the US Virgin Islands to set its own tax policy was passed by the US House of Representatives late Wednesday. The bill, S.1829, will repeal a 1936 federal law. read more..

Tragedy causes 'Paradise Jam' game cancellation in USVI December 1, 2006
ST THOMAS, USVI: The Arizona State-Rutgers Women's Basketball game scheduled to be held in the US Virgin Islands was suddenly cancelled over the weekend when the younger brother of AS forward guard Aubree Johnson passed away. read more..

USVI introduces 'No Passport Required' promotion December 1, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: Many visitors are confused about where to vacation this winter. What better destination to consider than the US Virgin Islands where US citizens don't need a passport to visit. To make the decision even easier, the USVI is offering a "No Passport Required" promotion. read more..

BVI Acting Chief Minister congratulates USVI governor-elect November 24, 2006
ROAD TOWN, BVI: On behalf of the Government and people of the British Virgin Islands, Acting Chief Minister Ronnie Skelton has congratulated Governor-elect of the US Virgin Islands John deJongh and running mate Gregory Francis on their recent victory at the polls. read more..

DeJongh wins USVI gubernatorial runoff election November 22, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: This time its official. Democrat John DeJongh Jr has been elected as the next Governor of the US Virgin Islands. When all the votes from the regular, general election held earlier this month were counted, DeJongh missed the mark by just two votes. read more..

Antigua-Barbuda PM tells nationals in St Croix all is well in their homeland November 21, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer told nationals living in St Croix that all is well in their homeland and urged them to invest in the Antigua and Barbuda economy. "The government is endeavoring to govern for the people and by the people," Spencer said. read more..

UVI seeking stories about Caribbean life November 16, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: University of the Virgin Islands Editor and Professor Marvin E. Williams is currently seeking submissions for inclusion in the 21st Volume of the annual publication, Caribbean Writer. read more..

Political newcomer ousts incumbent as USVI Senator-at-Large November 11, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: Career youth leader Carmen Wesselhoft has ousted fellow St Johnian, Craig Barshinger, from office in his bid for re-election as Senator-at-Large in the US Virgin Islands. Wesselhoft won with a decisive 10 percent lead. Barshinger received 11,918 votes, and Wesselhoft a total of 14,482. read more..

Democrat deJongh leads USVI gubernatorial race November 9, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: In his second bid for Governor, Democrat John deJongh, who garnered 49.33 percent of the votes in Tuesday's General Election in the three island precincts, had left no proverbial stone unturned. However, his well-oiled political machine missed the mark by 0.7 percent. read more..

USVI National Guard returns to 'warrior welcome' November 4, 2006
ST THOMAS, USVI: St Croix and St Thomas members of the US Virgin Islands National Guard returned to their respective island homes on Sunday, October 30, after a lengthly deployment to Iraq. When they disembarked their plane, they were shuttled to the UVI St Thomas campus. read more..

USVI Governor again turns deaf ear to disabled November 1, 2006
ST THOMAS, USVI: For the fourth consecutive year, outgoing US Virgin Islands Governor, Charles Turnbull, was a "no show" at an annual VI Disability Conference for people with disabilities and their families, held on St Thomas last week. The Governor also chose not to send a designee. read more..

St Croix launches new marketing program October 31, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: With support from the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Hovensa and the Divi Carina Bay Casino, the St Croix Hotel & Tourism Association is launching an island specific marketing initiative. read more..

USVI reparations leader says Danes altered UN Resolution October 26, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: The St Croix, US Virgin Islands-based African Caribbean Reparations and Resettlement Alliance president, Shelley Moorhead, has accused the UN Danish Mission of "backpedaling at the United Nations." Moorhead explained that a UN Resolution has been modified. read more..

USVI strive to reassure companies skittish over IRS October 24, 2006
USA (Bloomberg), WASHINGTON: Michael Fields, a former top Oracle Corp. executive, wants companies to build the next Silicon Valley in the US Virgin Islands. First, he has to convince them the Internal Revenue Service won't come after them if they do. read more..

British and US Virgin Islands explore closer ties October 21, 2006
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands, Dr Orlando Smith, discussed ways to strengthen ties between the British and United States Virgin Islands when he attended the third meeting of the Inter Virgin Islands Council (IVIC) in St Thomas this week. read more..

USVI assigned 'BBB-' credit rating October 18, 2006
NEW YORK, USA: Credit rating agency Fitch has assigned a 'BBB-' rating to the general obligation (GO) bonds of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). The rating applies to $593 million in outstanding GO bonds. read more..

Lack of health insurance and cultural differences impact USVI medical services October 16, 2006
ST THOMAS, USVI: A two day conference, the second annual "Cultural Diversity and Health Disparities in the Virgin Islands: Challenges for the Health Care System," was held in Charlotte Amalie. While attendance was comprised of mostly islanders, a few stateside medical providers were also present. read more..

Military museum and memorial complex for USVI October 13, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: St Croix will be the site for a US Virgin Islands Veterans Military Museum and Memorial Complex to honour the contributions of VI veterans, both living and deceased. read more..

Annual 'Blessing of the Animals' held in USVI October 6, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: There is no shortage of animal lovers among the "Continentals", the term for former mainland residents, or for part time residents back on-island for the winter months on St John in the US Virgin Islands. About a dozen turned out early Saturday morning. read more..

USVI closer to having Border Patrol Unit October 4, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen has announced that the territory is one step closer to securing a Border Patrol Unit with the passage of HR 4954. read more..

No blackout of baseball playoffs this year, says USVI delegate October 3, 2006
WASHINGTON, USA: US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen announced Monday that she has worked with officials of Innovative Cable Television, ESPN and Major League Baseball to ensure that USVI baseball fans will be able to see the first-round of the playoffs. read more..

Fana scores four in Dominican Republic’s big win over USVI October 2, 2006
ST THOMAS, USVI: Four goals from Jonathan Fana carried the Dominican Republic to a huge 6-1 win over the US Virgin Islands in the final Group C match of the 2006 Digicel Caribbean Cup, played in St Thomas on Sunday evening. read more..

USVI business group hosts TEMPO TV head October 2, 2006
ST THOMAS, USVI: Fredrick Morton, Jr., Founder, General Manager, and Vice President of TEMPO, MTV Network's Caribbean music channel, visited the the island of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands on Thursday evening. The former legal counsel for MTV wowed a crowd of businesspersons. read more..

Former USVI National Guard Adjutant General passes October 2, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: Across the United States, its territories and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, National Guardsmen have been alerted to the passing of former Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands Army National Guard, Colonel Gerard Luz James, Sr., age 80. read more..

USVI National Guard wins best 'chow' award September 30, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: Spokeswoman Karen Williams of the USVI National Guard, has announced that the Virgin Islands 651st General Support Maintenance Company has won the Phillip A. Connelly Award for Region II, in a tie for First Place with the state of Mississippi. read more..

USVI Delegate calls for return of rum revenues to the territory September 28, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen has called the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) practices in the territory since the passage of the American Jobs Creation Act "intrusive" and a barrier to investment in the Virgin Islands. read more..

USVI excavation project seeks to reveal 'Voices From Beyond the Grave' September 26, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: St Croix activist Shelly Moorhead, who has led delegations to Denmark to discuss reparation for the ancestors of enslaved Africans, recently announced a new collaboration between Denmark and the Virgin Islands entitled "Voices from Beyond the Grave." read more..

USVI farmers take special course on finances September 26, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: Farmers in the USVI are struggling to maintain their way of life as the cost of fresh produce in grocery stores on St Thomas and St John, most of it from the mainland, or other parts of the Caribbean, is priced beyond the means of many shoppers. read more..

Over 400 acres to be added to USVI National Park September 25, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a nonprofit land conservation organisation, has announced plans to purchase and preserve 415 acres on the Island of St John, to be added to Virgin Islands National Park. read more..

Long-awaited DoJ findings released on USVI investigation September 18, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: US Virgin Islands Congressional Delegate Donna Christensen plans to file a request for additional information under the Freedom of Information Act because she is "extremely disappointed at the lack of information given to the public today by the Justice Department," at the conclusion of a highly controversial St John investigation." read more..

USVI'S eco-friendly accommodations provide a natural alternative for visitors September 18, 2006
ST CROIX, USVI: In addition to the many luxurious and exclusive accommodations available to guests in the US Virgin Islands, the destination's environmentally-conscious camps provide visitors with a new perspective on "island" travel. read more..

USVI to host Digicel Caribbean Cup Group C September 14, 2006
ST THOMAS, USVI: The US Virgin Islands is preparing to play host to three countries competing in the Digicel Caribbean Cup Football tournament scheduled to take place through-out the Caribbean over the next six months. read more..

USVI bonds get investment grade rating September 12, 2006
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, USVI: The US Virgin Islands received its second investment grade bond rating from Standard & Poor’s, one of the world’s leading rating agencies. S&P also issued a favorable report on the Public Finance Authority’s gross receipts tax and GO loan note bonds. read more..

De Jongh-Francis win USVI democratic primary September 11, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: When the final results were tabulated late Saturday night, John De Jongh and running mate Gregory Francis garnered the majority of votes necessary to represent the US Virgin Islands Democratic Party on the November gubernatorial election ticket. read more..

USVI primary election produces first-ever debates in St John September 9, 2006
ST JOHN, USVI: Rains swept across the USVI as tropical storm Ernesto moved through the Caribbean during the last three days of August. After an initial cancellation, the St John Democratic Club moved two of "the first ever" St John political debates from the community park in Cruz Bay. read more..