As 2025 draws to a close, we are encouraged by significant progress over the past year but frustrated by shortcomings that are no longer excusable. The past 12 months offered …
December 24, 2025
November 7, 2025
Crime rate surges amid shootings
The rate of certain serious crimes in the Virgin Islands has skyrocketed this year, but Governor Daniel Pruce insisted on Tuesday that authorities have the situation under control as he …
September 18, 2025
EDITORIAL: Government’s Irma recovery still far behind
Eight years after Hurricane Irma ravaged the Virgin Islands on Sept. 6, 2017, we wish we could finally report that the government has kept its promise to “build back stronger.” …
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November 8, 2024
$100m loan deal to focus largely on Irma recovery projects
After more than a year of promises, the government has signed a $100 million loan deal to develop critical infrastructure including several recovery projects that have been stalled for lack …
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November 3, 2024
Trellis Bay centre to be ready soon
Government ministers provided updates on hurricane recovery projects, Jost Van Dyke public works, the Belle Vue gym and other efforts in response to questions from the opposition during the Oct. …
February 12, 2024
EDITORIAL: New JVD school is a big step in sister islands’ recovery
We are heartened by the recent opening of the $4.3 million replacement for the Jost Van Dyke Primary School, a well-conceived and well-executed project that should serve as a model …
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February 12, 2024
Peter Island blames Covid for rebuild delays
The Covid-19 pandemic was to blame for the four-year delay in reopening Peter Island Resort, operators told the Beacon. The upmarket tourist property has been shuttered since sustaining heavy damage …
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January 26, 2024
Peter Island Resort to reopen this year
After a protracted rebuild following the hurricanes of 2017, the landmark Peter Island Resort will reopen in time for the next tourism season, operators announced last week. The upmarket holiday …
September 28, 2023
Gov’t takes aim at harbour hazards
Rotting boats clogging harbours are one of the most common visual reminders of the 2017 hurricanes, and a new effort to get them removed is now under way, Premier Dr. …
September 28, 2023
Sewage plant to come online soon
The hurricane-damaged Burt Point wastewater treatment plant is still out of commission, but Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer said last week that it should be coming online next month. …
September 21, 2023
Progress promised at Prospect
Ever since government purchased the Prospect Reef Resort in 2005 with plans to convert it into a hospitality-training centre, the property has been mired in controversy and false starts as …
September 7, 2023
Six years later, residents remember
The past six years have dealt some serious blows to the Virgin Islands community as residents worked to rebuild from hurricanes Irma and Maria, then had to deal with the …
August 31, 2023
Stage set for new learning centre
As the sixth anniversary of hurricanes Irma and Maria nears, the students at Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre will return to class at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in …
January 23, 2023
EDITORIAL: New ESHS buildings light the way for Irma recovery
It’s about time. Kudos to the Recovery and Development Agency, the government, contractors and everyone else who worked together to finally complete the new Elmore Stoutt High School buildings. As …
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January 20, 2023
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 …
September 9, 2022
Community reflects on passage of Irma
Amid rain and wind that lasted much of the week, leaders and other community members reflected on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Irma, with a largely virtual remembrance of how …
September 9, 2022
VI has come a ‘long’ way with recovery, but some still struggling
“I would say we have a lot to be proud of,” Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said during a recent press conference when asked about the upcoming fifth anniversary of …
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April 28, 2022
EDITORIAL: Gov’t should discourage anonymous donations
It is great news that a resident has agreed to donate $4 million to help with the construction of badly needed new buildings on the Elmore Stoutt High School campus. However, …
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September 11, 2020
Underfunded hurricane recovery still dragging
As the Covid-19 crisis has decimated the economy in recent months, leaders have sought to counter the dismal outlook while rolling out more than $10 million worth of contracts under …
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March 12, 2020
RDA cancels pavilion repairs, plans for a “more modern facility”
At government’s request, the Recovery and Development Agency has cancelled the tender process for repairing the pavilion of the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground, the final component of the sports arena’s …
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November 7, 2019
Jost Van Dyke to get more temporary housing
The Recovery and Development Agency signed an Oct. 28 contract worth more than $170,000 for the construction of two new temporary housing units on Jost Van Dyke, and the upgrading …
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