For decades, the National Parks Trust has researched and monitored the Virgin Islands’ natural environment as part of its efforts to manage the territory’s 21 protected parks and identify potential …
Glass crusher at work in Pockwood Pond
A new glass crusher at the Pockwood Pond dumpsite is now tasked with diverting as much as one-fifth of Tortola’s waste stream. Located between the non-operational incinerator and the concrete …
New governor swears in
The new governor of the Virgin Islands was sworn in to office Monday after arriving in the territory three days earlier. Upstairs in the House of Assembly building, Daniel Pruce …
Governor bids farewell
In January 2021, Governor John Rankin arrived in the Virgin Islands days after his predecessor dropped a political bombshell by announcing a Commission of Inquiry into possible corruption in the …
Branson’s cruise line makes first visit
Boarding Richard Branson’s new cruise liner, Valiant Lady, leaders and other guests from around the territory mingled and laughed on Sunday, eager to sample the experience of an adults-only cruise. …
Avians of Anegada
One birder called to the others, pointing to a distant dead tree adjacent to Anegada’s runway. To the naked eye, the bird perched there was barely more than a small …
New events boost first post-pandemic New Year
As residents rang in the New Year across the territory, new celebrations were hosted at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour and the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, joining the …
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Premier fumes as governor seeks new powers
Governor John Rankin drew the ire of elected leaders last week when he announced plans to seek additional powers to push through delayed Commission of Inquiry reforms. Premier Dr. Natalio …
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The new waste director’s trial by fire
Waste Management Director Marcus Solomon stood with his back to the non-operational incinerator December 14, watching a front-end loader scrape clean the dumpsite tipping area at Pockwood Pond. He crossed …
Freefalling for Christmas
Ivy Hodge Baker, an 84-year-old Virgin Islander, didn’t expect that she would be hitting terminal velocity December 16 when her daughter Carol Baker-Phillips asked for her help to pick up …
Virgin Gorda gets in holiday spirit
Vendors lined Lee Road in Spanish Town on Friday and Saturday to give Virgin Gorda residents their counterpart to Road Town’s Christmas in the City the previous weekend. As fungi …
Air rally touches down in Virgin Islands
For the first time since 2016, organised waves of private planes descended onto Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport last week, completing the second leg of this year’s Governor General’s Caribbean …
Garbage catches fire again
Early Saturday morning, garbage caught fire in the tipping area at the Pockwood Pond dumpsite, but the blaze was brought under control before it damaged the buildings or other infrastructure …
Christmas in the City marks 25
On Dec. 1-2, Shore Way Drive in Road Town was closed to cars and opened to foot traffic for Christmas in the City, kicking off consumerism in the Virgin Islands …
Coral bleaching follows record summer heat
Across the territory in recent weeks, reefs have been turning white. The record high temperatures this summer created conditions for what will likely be the most devastating coral bleaching event …
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Incinerator gets parts, but others still needed
As waste crises plague the territory’s two most populated islands, government is working to complete long-delayed repairs to the Tortola incinerator and to bring Virgin Gorda a safer landfill, according …
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Great March of 1949 remembered
Three wreaths of remembrance floated in the water behind the Crafts Alive Village in Road Town on Monday night as three paper lanterns were lit and released one by one …
New national heroes depicted at show
While Via Donovan opened jars of paint in front of two large canvases upstage, lengths of silk were lowered between the stage curtains. A dancer dressed in red then hoisted …
Overseas territories ministers meet with UK leaders in London
The United Kingdom’s planned overseas territory strategy, public company registers, and other topics were on the agenda this week in London when OT leaders met with senior UK officials at …
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Jost Van Dyke students ferried to Tortola, ministry confirms six days later
Students from Jost Van Dyke Primary School began attending class on Tortola last week as the school building on their home island is apparently no longer fit for education. After …
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Floods dislocate students on Jost Van Dyke
Floods and power outages recently dislocated Jost Van Dyke Primary School students once again, and a new school that was due to be complete in September has now been delayed …
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Opposition defends House of Assembly walkout
Cowardice. That is the label given to the actions of Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley by the opposition following last week’s House of Assembly meeting. In a press conference last …
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Government issues tender for 38 miles of roadwork
After the heavy rains of Tropical Storm Phillipe exacerbated the disrepair affecting Virgin Islands roadways, government has issued a tender for 38 miles of reconstruction work that will be funded by …
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Self-defence class for anti-bullying week
On Oct. 26, a group of children gathered around instructors Mark Hooper and Mark Taylor at the Tortola Judo Club for an anti-bullying self-defence class. “Things like cyberbullying, emotional abuse: …
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Buy BVI back for first time since Irma
For the first time since the 2017 hurricanes, businesses from around the territory showcased their offerings last week at the Buy BVI Trade Expo. The event — which the BVI …