By the end of next year, Long Look should have a new social home complex to house residents who are homeless or facing other struggles, officials said last week. During …
November 17, 2025
November 10, 2025
$250k grant boosts healthcare systems
An oxygen-concentration system and other new medical equipment are now operational thanks to a $250,000 grant from the California-based charity Direct Relief, which funded the project through the Organisation of …
September 30, 2025
Seven centenarians honoured
Virgin Islands leaders paid tribute to the territory’s seven oldest residents on Sept. 22 as the Social Development Department marked National Centenarians Day. “Our centenarians are living treasures who have …
September 26, 2025
Crime up, but juvie centre stalled
Serious youth crime is on the rise in the Virgin Islands, but plans for a juvenile detention and rehabilitation centre remain mostly at a standstill after nearly 20 years, according …
June 24, 2025
Funds, staff low as clinics face struggles
The clinic in East End has closed its doors. Staff at the Anegada clinic recently fell ill because of poor working conditions. Major repairs at the main clinic on Virgin …
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January 27, 2025
New company assesses incinerator
Nearly three years after the government contracted the Virginia company Consutech Systems to supply parts to repair the fire-damaged incinerator in Pockwood Pond, many of the parts have not arrived …
November 7, 2024
Free eye tests offered for Diabetes Month
On Tuesday morning, several residents waited patiently in the BVI Diabetes Resource Centre in Road Town for a free screening to determine if they are at risk for an eye …
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October 25, 2024
Seven of 52 homes sold at Joes Hill
More than two years after the Social Security Board began marketing the 52 homes at its Joes Hill Manor Estate development, seven have been sold and another seven sales are …
October 25, 2024
Two more community centres refurbished
More than seven years after Hurricane Irma, the government has finished repairing the fifth and sixth community centres damaged by the storm. In two ceremonies held last week, the Ministry …
October 22, 2024
Virgin Islands repped at Dominica health meeting
The region’s health priorities should include mental-health literacy, non-communicable diseases, investigative medicine and climate-change resilience, according to Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley. Mr. Wheatley made the call during …
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October 3, 2024
Virgin Gorda keeps pushing for better healthcare
After weeks of voicing their frustrations online, an “ad hoc committee” of Virgin Gorda residents issued a press release last week detailing a litany of concerns about healthcare on the …
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September 19, 2024
House tackling last COI reform
The House of Assembly began tackling its final Commission of Inquiry reform this week as legislators debated the first of five bills designed to improve the governance of five statutory …
September 16, 2024
EDITORIAL: Sister islands face a healthcare crisis
Virgin Gorda residents who spoke at a recent community meeting argued forcefully that improving their island’s healthcare system should be an urgent government priority. They are right. And the same …
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June 3, 2024
Premier, health minister at SIDS conference
Can small island developing states like the Virgin Islands meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030? This question is among the main discussion topics on the agenda this …
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May 17, 2024
Social Security Board mum as concrete collapse adds to Joes Hill woes
Last week’s floods dealt a new blow to the Social Security Board’s troubled Joes Hill Manor Estate when a parking lot collapsed onto the walkway to an apartment building there. …
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May 14, 2024
Seniors’ month marks 35
A church service, social gatherings and open houses are among the activities under way across the territory this month for the Virgin Islands’ 35th observance of Senior Citizens Month. “These …
April 4, 2024
Virgin Gorda celebrates Easter
While sitting behind Buck’s Food Market in Virgin Gorda, members of the Filipino troupe Tribo Pilipinas talked and laughed as they awaited the start of the Easter Monday Parade. They …
March 15, 2024
HOA votes to up penalties for withholding stats
As part of efforts to help government collect information as the census continues, lawmakers have passed a bill designed to impose harsher penalties on people who withhold statistics they are …
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March 14, 2024
Property tax, buildings bills passed in HOA
The property tax and buildings bills were among legislation passed in House of Assembly this week. The Property Tax (Amendment) Bill 2023, which passed with amendments on March 5, is …
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March 4, 2024
Women win first debate at prison
A team of female inmates recently won $500 by edging out their male counterparts in the first-ever debate held at His Majesty’s Prison, according to government. During the contest, which …
February 23, 2024
Sex-crime law promised this year
A new law slated to pass this year will help protect children from sexual predators by implementing measures including a sex-offender register, according to Health and Social Development Minister Vincent …
February 19, 2024
BFEC wins first round of debate competition
Bregado Flax Educational Centre emerged victorious in the preliminary round of the 2024 Inter-Secondary School Debates on Friday at the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre Activity Hall, …
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February 2, 2024
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 …
October 3, 2023
Six centenarians honoured, receiving curated gifts
The territory’s six centenarians received personalised gifts on Friday as the Social Development Department observed National Centenarian Day. On Tortola, the honourees included two 104-year-olds — Enelle Smith and Emogene …
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May 12, 2023
At dumpsite, ministers promise better, but incinerator still down
Seven days before the general election, Dr. Karl Dawson stood outside the House of Assembly to protest burning at the Pockwood Pond dump that had been sending clouds of acrid …
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