Housing hiatus A Beaconite found it somewhat shocking when government announced retroactively this month that the Housing Recovery Assistance Programme was no longer accepting applicants as of November because …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Jan. 7, 2021)
Gateway glitches For the first time in two years, a Beaconite has family visiting her from overseas, and she has been using the BVI Gateway application and learning about the …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (December 17, 2020)
19 calls A Beaconite has already complained on this page about the government’s “Customer Care Service Centre,” which in May replaced the former system of switchboard operators who were …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (DEC. 10, 2020)
Holiday schedule With somewhat less-than-heavy hearts, Beaconites are reminding readers and advertisers that this edition is the last Beacon of 2020. Advertising and editorial deadlines will be as usual for …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (December 3, 2020)
Follow the money A Beaconite is no stranger to covering budget meetings, including those of student clubs, port districts, and capital cities. But last month was her first introduction to …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Nov. 26, 2020)
Library launch Saturday was a very special day for one Beaconite, as it marked the official launch of the Turtle Dove Library. Several moments from the grand opening will stick …
Three former Beacon sports reporters reflect on their tenure
For the last 34 years — 11 of which I was The BVI Beacon’s sportswriter — I told everyone that I was the second Beacon sportswriter behind Karl Dawson since …
Continue reading “Three former Beacon sports reporters reflect on their tenure”
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (November 19, 2020)
Censorship fail Since there are no news outlets based in any of the sister islands, a Beaconie jumps on opportunities to report there whenever she can. When she saw a …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Nov. 12, 2020)
Shut out of HOA While covering the Speech from the Throne last week, a Beaconite was politely but firmly asked to leave the House of Assembly session before it even …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (November 5, 2020)
Reopening response After a Beaconite reported on the latest announcements concerning the protocols for reopening the Virgin Islands’ borders to tourists, the newsroom put together a non-scientific online poll to …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Oct. 29, 2020)
Exploring A Beaconite had a jampacked weekend of wellness and fun: She attended Dr. Sharlon Lewis’ Wellness Weekend and experienced sailing after months of rules restricting activity on the water. …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Oct. 22, 2020)
VISAR volunteer Since a Beaconite moved to the territory in February 2019, she’s been amazed by the work of Virgin Islands Search and Rescue. For months, she has been …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Oct. 15, 2020)
Reading A Beaconite was thrilled this week to see the launch of Reading is Fun Week. This year’s theme is “Read to Empower,” promoting the idea that reading gives authority …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (October 1, 2020)
The Turtle Dove Library A Beaconite was absolutely floored last week at the outpouring of support for the new Turtle Dove Library. Readers may recall from months ago that plans …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Sept. 17, 2020)
Murders A Beaconite was disheartened to write about two suspected murders in two consecutive issues of the newspaper. Both men who were found dead seemed to be popular figures in …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Sept. 3, 2020)
Taking the Covid test Conducting widespread testing is essential to getting a handle on Covid-19 in the territory, and a Beaconite is extremely grateful for the health care workers …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Aug. 27, 2020)
Bikes and dogs With the use of motorbikes remaining a hot topic in the community, a Beaconite would like to add her two cents as a new dog owner. Most …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (August 20, 2020)
If it ain’t broke… A Beaconite used to be profoundly impressed with the government’s switchboard operators. Most any time he called 494-3701, they would answer after a ring or two …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (August 20, 2020)
Intern honoured Beaconites would like to congratulate the newspaper’s Virgin Gorda-based intern, Nicklous Kanhai, for his accomplishments his senior year of high school. Mr. Kanhai was not only the valedictorian …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 23, 2020)
Lockdown, part two A Beaconite’s household is once again under quarantine after her roommate came in contact with someone from Jost Van Dyke, which is under 24/7 lockdown because a …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 16, 2020)
Praise where it’s due A Beaconite’s recent writings in this space have not been particularly complimentary of government in general or its policy decisions in particular. But she must give …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 16, 2020)
The big stink Beaconites have been hearing complaints about the sewage-smelling water that has been washing over the road near Road Reef Marina in recent days. They hope government officials …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 2, 2020)
Library plans As summer approaches, a Beaconite is saddened by the thought that students in the territory still don’t have access to a public general library. She warmly remembers the …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 25, 2020)
Questions and answers A Beaconite was glad to see in last week’s House of Assembly session, coming on the heels of the eighth and ninth sittings the week prior, opposition …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 25, 2020)
Black lives matter A Beaconite is a first-generation Asian American in a family of immigrants. Her elders came to the United States in the 1980s, worked hard and settled down. …