Governor John Rankin chaired Cabinet meetings on Dec. 14 and 15, and then-acting Governor David Archer Jr. chaired another on Dec. 20. All members were present at all meetings except …
14 graduate from home care programme
Graduates of a three-month intensive course in home care facilitated by the BVI Red Cross accepted their certificates, joined in a song, and revelled in the camaraderie of their shared …
Premier reports progress on medical pot
Upon returning from his trip to the United Kingdom last week, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley reported progress toward his administration’s goal of legalising medical marijuana. However, two related laws …
Throne speech promises wide-ranging reforms
Reforms to governance, education, environmental protection, health care and other areas are among the government’s legislative priorities for a new House of Assembly session that started Tuesday, Governor John Rankin …
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Virgin Islands rings in the New Year
At its annual celebration of the end of one year and start of another, Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke welcomed sizable crowds to ring in 2023. Partygoers packed …
Christmas bird count turns up rare finds
The strikingly bright scarlet ibis is not a common sight in the Virgin Islands, but it has occasionally been spotted around the territory since its 2010 introduction to Necker Island. …
Ground broken for Anegada solar grid
The BVI Electricity Corporation broke ground on a major Anegada solar plant last month after more than two years of delays, but no planning application has been submitted for the …
New ESHS buildings open
A new school semester is starting in an exciting way for students at Elmore Stoutt High School as they become the first to attend class at newly opened buildings on …
House passes 2023 budget
Legislators celebrated the allocation of funds to several delayed capital projects before passing the 2023 budget on Dec. 21, but they also called attention to other stalled work and took …
Commission still seeking feedback on Constitution
The window to provide feedback on the territory’s next Constitution is likely to close next month, and the Constitutional Review Commission is strongly encouraging residents to weigh in. In recent …
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Panto brings holidays to HLSCC
With a flick of their scarves and twirl of colourful umbrellas, the cast of this year’s Christmas pantomime welcomed audience members at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College to experience an …
2022 festival events enjoyed, survey shows
Seeking guidance on what events should be featured during August Emancipation Festival and how they should be funded, the government’s Central Statistics Office launched a survey in August. The results are …
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Guv gives one year to fix interests register
After “much consideration,” Governor John Rankin announced his plan to assent to the Register of Interests (Amendment) Act, 2022 despite his misgivings about amendments legislators made behind closed doors. However, …
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Santa visits Nanny Cay
The jolly man of the hour made his early visit to Nanny Cay on Dec. 9, where he welcomed families celebrating the holidays and supporting the territory’s animal friends. The …
Cabinet Briefs (Oct. 13, Oct. 26 & Nov. 4, 2022)
Governor John Rankin chaired Cabinet meetings on Oct. 13, Oct. 26 and Nov. 4 at the Financial Services Commission’s Resource Centre in Pasea. All members were present except Education, Youth …
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Premier: Costly roadworks urgently needed
After Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced plans for direct Miami flights during a Dec. 2 press conference, he was asked if the territory’s roads and other infrastructure can stand …
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Non-belongers to be added to jury list
Non-belongers with residency status should soon be able to serve as jurors after Governor John Rankin assented to the Jury Act, 2022 on Nov. 14. The law, which the House …
Direct MIA flights coming in June
Following more than 10 years of failed attempts by successive governments to secure direct flights to the United States mainland — and vigorous debate about whether such flights were even …
Great March holiday passes very quietly
Though last year’s commemoration of the 1949 march that led to the restoration of the Virgin Islands Legislative Council inspired a spirited re-enactment, the second celebration of the 1949 Great …
BVI Health Services Authority pledges to tackle staff concerns
With the worst of the pandemic in the rearview mirror, the BVI Health Services Authority announced on Nov. 24 that it is refocusing its efforts on bolstering non-emergency care and …
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Premier unveils $399m budget
Though the Virgin Islands’ 2022 fiscal policy was overshadowed by global economic crises and the lingering effects of the pandemic, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” painted an optimistic picture of a …
Penn: Joes Hill project ‘substantially complete’
The Joes Hill affordable-housing development that originally broke ground in April 2017 is nearing completion, and the application process for prospective buyers is under way, according to Health and Social …
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Work progresses on primary schools
Since Althea Scatliffe Primary School closed suddenly in June and nearly 400 students were displaced to other schools, work has been under way to make those facilities better equipped to …
930 take part in health training
Ahead of the holiday season, the Virgin Islands is preparing to join a regional programme that aims to set standards for public health management in the tourism sector across the …
E-portal launches for Magistrates’ Court
The Virgin Islands is looking to the future with the launch of a new electronic portal to manage Magistrates’ Court documents. Legal professionals celebrated the launch during a press conference …