Cabinet recently approved the allocation of almost $1,100,000 over the next two years for temporary measures to address long-standing issues in the criminal justice system that have resulted in a backlog of court cases, according to a summary of a May 28 Cabinet meeting. The...
June 21, 2021
June 18, 2021
Renewable imports to be tax-free for two years
Starting July 1, government will eliminate all import duties on any renewable energy product for a period of two years, according to a recently published summary of the May 28 Cabinet meeting. When the two-year duty-free period ends on June 30, 2023, the customs duty...
June 18, 2021
Virgin Islands celebrates Queen’s 95th birthday
In a small, private ceremony held Friday at Government House, officials celebrated the 95th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II while announcing medals for public safety officers. Twenty-seven officers were awarded seven different medals, ranging from 18 years of service to 25 years of service (see...
June 18, 2021
College graduates 146 during two ceremonies
Though the pandemic slowed down many things across the territory, it didn’t stop 146 students from graduating H. Lavity Stoutt Community College last week. For the first time ever, the college held two separate ceremonies: Graduates in business and computer studies were honoured on June...
June 18, 2021
BVI Dance Fest returns with 28 acts
It was a weekend showcase packed with performances and spectators at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium during the BVI Dance School’s 2021 Dance Fest. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual event was cancelled last year for the first time in its history, but organisers...
June 17, 2021
Speaker skips first hearing, slams COI
Speaker of the House Julian Willock missed a scheduled appearance before the Commission of Inquiry on Monday, causing Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom to declare him “in willful default” of a summons. Instead, Mr. Willock attended a virtual training session for Commonwealth Parliamentary Association members that...
June 17, 2021
Rowe, commissioner face off during COI
A lawyer representing seven House of Assembly members in the Commission of Inquiry lobbed several written complaints last week about the commission and its conduct, tackling topics ranging from the COI team’s qualifications to the tone of their correspondence. However, the lawyer, Richard Rowe of...
June 17, 2021
Quarantine lifted for vaccinated travellers
As the flow of visitors into the Virgin Islands continues to grow, Premier Andrew Fahie announced on Tuesday that fully vaccinated people will now be able to enter the territory without going into quarantine or being tested upon arrival. The softer rules are aimed at...
June 17, 2021
Inquiry probes Registry of Interests, assistance grants
Focusing on elected officials’ financial interests and how they go about allocating $1.8 million each year in assistance grants, the Commission of Inquiry resumed public hearings again this week. COI Counsel Bilal Rawat led the questioning of Attorney General Dawn Smith and Junior Ministers Sharie...
June 15, 2021
BVIEC mum on Anegada solar project
In March, United States solar developer Rob Wallace Jr. told the Beacon that he planned to begin construction on the Anegada hybrid solar grid this month, and that the plant would be operational by the end of November in keeping with a deadline first set...
June 14, 2021
Pier park kiosk spat leads to lawsuit
Talk show host and former BVI Tourist Board events coordinator Cindy Rosan-Jones is the target of a defamation lawsuit from Vance Lewis, CEO of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, following a dispute over her unsuccessful attempt to lease a kiosk at the park for...
