Our hearts go out to Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic as they grapple with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The full impact is still being tallied, but …
November 5, 2025
October 30, 2025
Post-Melissa, VI ready to help
As Hurricane Melissa pounded Jamaica this week with sustained winds up to 185 miles per hour, the Virgin Islands joined the region in preparing to provide relief to the people …
October 14, 2025
Bellevue baker honoured as ‘unsung hero’
Community was the theme of the day as CIBC Caribbean named its 2025 Unsung Hero award winner at a special celebratory lunch last Thursday at Maria’s by the Sea. In …
October 10, 2025
Project extends mangrove walk
Shade from the canopy of mangroves at the Roger Downing Mangrove Boardwalk gave volunteers some reprieve from the hot sun on Sunday morning as they worked to improve the path. …
July 24, 2025
EDITORIAL: High and dry in storm season
We are dismayed that the Virgin Islands appears to be facing at least two more hurricane seasons without the long-promised National Emergency Operations Centre building in McNamara. A purpose-built NEOC …
June 27, 2025
Water declared ‘critical’ priority
To address the widespread water shortages that have infuriated residents in recent months, the government has allocated $8 million and made an official declaration that will allow it to bypass …
June 5, 2025
EDITORIAL: Hurricane season is here
Have you prepared for this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season? If not, you’re already behind. The official season started on June 1, meaning that a major storm could form at any …
April 28, 2025
EDITORIAL: Another Library Week with no national library
We are glad the government celebrated Library Week, and we don’t doubt that the public officers organising school visits and promoting digital services did their best. However, it is shameful …
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February 21, 2025
Still no date set for East End sewer
Government has allocated $2 million in this year’s budget to continue work on the long-delayed sewer system in East End and Long Look, and more funds could be made available …
January 9, 2025
Leaders endorse VI’s call for climate help
Caribbean territories and other small island states facing climate-change threats received a show of support from leaders around the region following an international meeting last month in St. Kitts and …
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December 30, 2024
Peter Island rebirth hailed as big tourism boost
The reopening of Peter Island Resort shows that the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands is returning to its “former glory,” according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The resort, which …
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December 28, 2024
EDITORIAL: After 7 years of strife, the VI must emerge stronger
The past 12 months have not been easy for the Virgin Islands, but 2024 nevertheless brought glimpses of the light at the end of a tunnel the territory entered when …
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December 16, 2024
FROM THE ARCHIVES, 2017: Down, but not out
On June 7, The BVI Beacon turned 40. To celebrate, it is re-publishing some of the biggest stories from its archives over the past four decades. The article below was …
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November 21, 2024
Peter Island to reopen in 10 days
Peter Island Resort didn’t manage to relaunch last month as planned, but it is nevertheless gearing up to open its doors before Christmas. The “reimagined” and remodeled property is set …
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. …
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 8, 2024
EDITORIAL: Funds from new loan must be spent wisely
The government’s plan to borrow $100 million to rebuild critical public infrastructure is a big step in the public sector’s long-delayed recovery from the 2017 hurricanes. However, given the scale …
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September 16, 2024
Old Admin Building gets exterior work under $74k contract
After delays caused by Tropical Storm Ernesto, preliminary rehabilitation works are under way on the exterior of the Old Administration Building on Main Street, government announced. The work is an …
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September 13, 2024
Post-Irma fire station repairs to resume
Seven years after Hurricane Irma battered the Road Town fire station and left firefighters operating out of a damaged facility, the government has signed a contract for the third and …
September 12, 2024
Virgin Gorda health crisis sparks cries and demands
With emotion audible in her voice, Charlene Henderson spoke slowly in short sentences that commanded the room’s attention. “Bucky was dying. He could hardly breathe. He was breathing through his …
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September 12, 2024
Reform target just missed before talks in London
A last-minute rush brought more progress on the Commission of Inquiry reforms last week, but Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said he fell one short of his push to complete …
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September 9, 2024
First-half tourism record driven by cruise ships
The first six months of 2024 set a tourism record, bringing the most visitor arrivals of any first half in Virgin Islands history and causing Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley …
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August 30, 2024
Bidders to visit site of planned West End port today
Thanks to a recent green light from the Caribbean Development Bank, the procurement process for the construction of a new West End ferry terminal is moving ahead following years of …
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July 22, 2024
Old records shed new light on VI history
Soon after Dr. Angel Smith was appointed to oversee the government’s archives last year, he was assessing old records when he found a series of documents that shed new light …
June 20, 2024
186 graduate from HLSCC
The 2024 graduates of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College know a thing or two about adversity. Many of them weathered Hurricane Irma around the time they started high school, and …
