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Akeem Hopkinson guilty of 2021 Murder
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- According to reports reaching our news centre, Akeem Hopkinson was found guilty of the 2021 murder of Catherine Pickering today, February 25, 2025.
Hon Marlon A. Penn debunks reports he is making a political shift
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— Eighth District Representative and Opposition Member Honourable Marlon A. Penn has made it clear his recent trip to the Asia-Pacific Region with a delegation led by Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) was not an indication he is ready to cross the floor, reaffirming that his commitment remains with the people of the Virgin Islands rather than any particular party.
Chalwell family blocks roadwork on disputed land @ Fat Hogs Bay
FAT HOGS BAY, Tortola, VI- A family in Fat Hogs Bay is actively protesting the use of its family property for a stretch of roadway in Fat Hogs Bay on Tortola, going as far as putting down poles on the disputed area.
Hon Turnbull apologises for ‘sit down & shut up’ remark to Hon de Castro
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— In a bid to bring closure to a recent controversy, Opposition Member Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) issued a formal and public apology to Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) for remarks made during a heated exchange in the House of Assembly (HoA), saying his remarks—though derogatory—were made in jest.
UPDATE: Large amounts of marijuana reportedly found following high-speed chase
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Reports reaching our News Centre are that the high-speed chase involving a male in a Suzuki Jimny and police on February 24, 2025, yielded significant amounts of marijuana.
Safeguards against harassment needed in Customs Management Bill- Hon Skelton
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Giving his contributions to the Customs Management Duties Amendment Number 2 Act of 2025, on Monday, February 24, 2025, during the Third Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA), Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) opined that safeguards need to be put in place to prevent abuse of power.
Choosing between the walls of slavery & the balls of bravery
Alred C. Frett
When the Ditch for your Enemy becomes the Grave for Yourself:
Soon we will exit February... Whereas, in past years we would be celebrating Black History Month and Martin Luther King’s Speeches, somehow, these were replaced by Sounds of Sanctions, and Threats of Tariffs... Things are being done to our detriment, and the false Optimists are seated at the back of the boat, focused on where we have been, rather than the New Masters and destination of their Slave Ship.
Some students suffer from severe mental health challenges- CEO Orlandette R. Crabbe
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- With indiscipline being a persistent issue in schools, Acting Chief Education Officer (CEO) Orlandette R. Crabbe has disclosed that the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports exhausts a multitude of approaches and interventions before deciding to remove a student from school either temporarily or permanently.
UPDATE: ESHS to hold virtual classes tomorrow as water issues continue
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) has been forced to suspend in-person classes tomorrow, Tuesday, February 25, 2025, due to the continuation of water issues.
Gov't advances pension reform as current method 'unsustainable'
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— The Government of the Virgin Islands is taking decisive steps to transition from the current non-contributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan to a Contributory Pension Scheme, given the unsustainability of the present system, and the escalating financial burden on the state.
Premier shares Opposition’s concern about snr public servants stuck in acting positions
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— The power to confirm high-ranking public service appointments does not rest with the government of the Virgin Islands but rather with the Governor’s Office and the Public Service Commission, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7) had to remind the Opposition Members of the House of Assembly (HoA) recently.
UPDATE: St George’s, Enid Scatliffe & Bregado Flax win BDO football titles
GREENLAND, Tortola, VI- St George’s Primary, Enid Scatliffe Primary and Bregado Flax Educational Centre-Primary Division were crowned champions of their respective divisions when the BDO Schools Football League Finals were contested at Greenland Field on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
NLBC honours 4 VI Unsung Heroes
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- In the spirit of giving honour where honour is due, the New Life Baptist Church recognised four Virgin Islanders who have contributed to the history of the Virgin Islands.
Valentine’s Day baby receives breastfeeding support
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The first baby born on Valentine’s Day at the D. Orlando Smith Hospital received a specially curated Breastfeeding Support Basket, in an effort to promote maternal and infant health through breastfeeding.
74 children benefit from SVA’s Volleyball Festival on VG & Tortola
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Sports Vision Academy (SVA) continues to play a major role in not only keeping sports alive at the youth level but also providing young athletes with the right techniques.
USVI: Arrest Warrant issued for Sex Offender who failed to register
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- The [US]VI Department of Justice is seeking 42-year-old Steven Thomas Greeran for failing to update his mandatory sex offender registration. Authorities urge the public to report any sightings as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to locate him.
‘Hold our feet to the fire’- Hon Melvin M. Turnbull
FAT HOGS BAY, Tortola, VI- Members of the Opposition splinter, the Alliance, continue to make their case to the voting public, even as they have been criticised for fostering disunity and disregard for the duly appointed Opposition Leader and their party leaders.
Road closed from Paraquita Bay Road to Hodges Creek until Feb 26
HODGE'S CREEK, Tortola, VI- The public is notified that the Paraquita Bay Road, from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) to Hodges Creek, is closed to vehicular traffic until Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
West End Ferry Terminal Project faces review as bids soar $79M over budget
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—With the lowest submissions of bids for the New West End Ferry Terminal Project far exceeding the project’s estimated budget of $15 million, an immediate reassessment of the project’s scope and requirements is being done.
Revised handbook on international cooperation & information exchange published- FSC
PASEA ESTATE, Tortola, VI- The revised version of the Handbook on International Co-operation and Information Exchange, A Guide for Regulators and Judicial and Law Enforcement Officials was published by the BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC) on Friday, February 21, 2025.
Govt mulls automated maintenance & operations for new Paraquita Bay Water Treatment Plant
SHENZHEN, China—The Virgin Islands Government is actively investigating the potential of automation in the maintenance operations of its upcoming water treatment facility at Paraquita Bay, following observations made during a recent visit to a cutting-edge plant overseas.
Hon Walwyn denies being the cause of NDP’s split
FISH BAY, Tortola, VI- Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) has vehemently denied being the cause of the split of the National Democratic Party (NDP), but instead implied it was someone else’s bruised ego.
BVIHSA receives 4 new dialysis machines
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Dialysis Unit of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) received a major boost with the arrival of new dialysis machines.
Photo of the Week: After 13 years Hon Julian Fraser back on regional stage
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, WI- After some 13 years on the opposition benches from 2011 to 2024 the veteran and seasoned statesman Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) is back on the regional stage as a Cabinet Minister of the Virgin Islands Government.
Build food storage & more regional partnerships- Skelton Cline
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI— Prominent social commentator and former government consultant Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline is calling on the leadership of the Virgin Islands to take urgent proactive steps toward securing its food supply in light of shifting global dynamics, particularly with US trade tariffs and their economic impact domestically.
VI students in Macau on mission to bring home global knowledge in finance & tourism
MACAU, China— “The world is becoming smaller and smaller; everybody is more connected and we can help create a better-interconnected web of financial services for everybody within the region.”
Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease outbreak reported in St Thomas schools & daycares
VI CONSORTIUM
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- The USVI Department of Health has issued a public health alert following an outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), with 46 confirmed cases reported at schools and daycares across St Thomas as of Friday, February 21, 2015.
VI Special Envoy & Head of UN ECLAC discuss sustainable development
SANTIAGO, CHILE. Ahead of the upcoming 8th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands (VI) Special Envoy Mr E. Benito Wheatley and Executive Secretary H.E. Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, the Head of the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), have held a high-level bilateral meeting on sustainable development.
Some women worried about getting 'time off' for mammograms- Lisa Adamson
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Women who may be worried about taking time off from work to have their mammograms done have been encouraged to get in touch with Breast Friends or the Social Security Department.
Bishop John I. Cline wants to run for political office- Hon Turnbull
FISH BAY, Tortola, VI- Opposition legislator and Alliance member Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has blasted Bishop John I Cline for his comments on a previous episode of The Big Story where he called the decision to form the Alliance divisive.
VI gov't already in talks with USVI over proposed tariffs- Hon Rymer
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- On the heels of the Governor of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) Albert A. Bryan Jr requesting an emergency session of the USVI legislature to deliberate on a proposed 25% tariff on imports coming from the Virgin Islands (VI), the VI government isn't rolling over and playing dead.
'If Financial Services go down, we all go down'- Premier Wheatley
HONG KONG, China- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and his delegation are currently on a 5-day trip to Asia, where the business of the financial services industry was one of the main focuses.
VI delegation explores gaming industry tips in Macau
MACAU, China— A Virgin Islands delegation to the Asia-Pacific region is presently examining the critical importance of physical presence in international financial relations, highlighting the significance of financial sovereignty, and gaining valuable insights into Macau’s booming gaming industry with an intention to transpose valuable lessons domestically.
Hon Turnbull accuses Hons Skelton & Penn of dishonesty
FISH BAY, Tortola, VI- The member of the recently formed political Alliance, Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), has debunked claims by leaders of the Opposition parties, Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and National Democratic Party (NDP), that they [leaders] were unaware of plans to form an alliance.
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VI-USVI Trade war? Gov Bryan fires 1st shot with proposed 25% tariff
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Taking a page out of President Donald J. Trump's book in picking a fight with his closest allies, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Government- headed by Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr (D)- has proposed to slap tariffs on the Virgin Islands (VI).
‘We were not on the same page’ in horse racing negotiations- Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—Caving in face of persistent questioning from Opposition Member Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7) has finally admitted that the Government and one of the private landowners of Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay remain at an impasse regarding the facility's future.
Lakers & Blue Reign crowned champions of 29th MLK Jr 3x3 Basketball
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Lakers of District 3 and Blue Reign of District 2 were crowned champions when the Martin Luther King Jr 3x3 Basketball Tournament organised by the Sea Cows Bay Basketball Club in collaboration with the BVI Olympic Committee was held at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
4 firearms & 302 rounds of ammo recovered so far in 2025- RVIPF
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has said it recovered 4 firearms and 302 rounds of ammunition during the first six weeks of 2025.
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USVI: Healthcare costs drain gov't $$; Hospital mergers suggested
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- Under questioning about the timeliness of payments being made from central government to the territory's healthcare facilities, Finance Commissioner Kevin McCurdy says the Department of Finance continues to “prioritise hospitals” where the disbursement of monthly allotments is concerned.
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