One of the first roads in the Virgin Islands stretched from the Chalwell junction to Windy Hill, and it was called the “paved walk” because it was composed of stones …
38-mile road project could cost $100m, Penn says
Of the $100 million loan the government signed Oct. 31, $36 million is earmarked for roadwork. The allocation may fall far short. The cornerstone of leaders’ plan to repair the …
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EDITORIAL: Government must stop backpedaling on airport transparency
We fear we spoke too soon. Last November, we praised the Virgin Islands government for preliminary steps that should have boosted transparency surrounding the proposed expansion of the Terrance B. …
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Virgin Islands divided over Trump win
After a divisive campaign season tainted by mudslinging and racism allegations, Donald Trump won back the United States presidency at 6:34 a.m. Wednesday, handily defeating Vice President Kamala Harris and …
New government, same secrecy on airport plan
For more than a decade, successive governments have regularly refused to publish taxpayer-funded studies on the feasibility of the airport expansion that leaders say the territory desperately needs. Now, the …
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Public not invited to ‘stakeholder’ meetings for airport project
A series of “stakeholder consultations” on the planned airport expansion was scheduled to start on Oct. 29, but the Beacon’s attempts to find out when and where the meetings are …
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Minister pledges to boost sister islands healthcare
Nearly two months after a death on Virgin Gorda sparked a public outcry about healthcare shortcomings on the sister islands, Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley stood in the …
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Study probes cruise sector in region
A preliminary economic study examining the cruise industry’s impacts in the Caribbean will be presented this week at a conference in St. Maarten, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye …
Virgin Islands heroes celebrated on Monday holiday
H. Lavity Stoutt Community College encouraged residents to interview an elder. The premier unveiled “official portraits” of the territory’s national heroes and a plan to build a new park in …
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EDITORIAL: Flight boost should prompt celebration, reflection
In a significant win for the territory, more flights from more destinations inside and outside the Caribbean have been coming to the Virgin Islands in recent months. The resulting increase …
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Quito’s to keep its groove after rebrand, say new owners
Quito’s Luxury Inn and Gazebo Restaurant are being formally relaunched under new names after they were purchased by a company chaired by Virgin Islands businessman Mark Vanterpool. The accommodation side …
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Beef Island flights taking off
Another regional airline has announced new routes to and from the Virgin Islands, further boosting the territory’s expanding connections to the rest of the Caribbean and beyond. The Haiti-headquartered carrier …
Virgin Islands represented at major PAHO meeting
Climate change, epidemic-warning systems, pooled procurement, tobacco control and chronic diseases were on the agenda last week when Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley led a Virgin Islands delegation …
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Nanny Cay plans major expansion
Representatives from Nanny Cay continued making their case to residents last Thursday for a $30-$40 million expansion that they hope to complete within three years after they receive the green …
US storms could disrupt shipping here
Extreme weather hitting the United States on the back of a major port strike along the country’s eastern seaboard will likely disrupt shipping in the Virgin Islands in the coming …
Big names to headline Lit Fest
Jamaican poet and memoirist Safiya Sinclair. Black and British author David Olusoga. Trinidadian novelist Celeste Mohammed. Jamaican poet Jason Allen-Paisant. These award-winning writers and many others will be among more …
Lobster Festival to set restaurant record
Seafood, music, family games and more will be on offer at a record 13 restaurants this year at the 12th annual Anegada Lobster Festival, organisers announced. “We are excited about …
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Winair eyes new flights to Virgin Islands
The St. Maarten-based regional airline Winair is considering expanding its operations in the Virgin Islands, officials said. “We see significant growth potential in the British Virgin Islands,” Winair CEO Hans …
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59 marlin caught at ongoing tourney
Blue marlin and other gamefish took the bait in a big way over the weekend during the first three-day leg of this year’s Scrub Island Invitational Billfish Tournament. For $5,000 …
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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Tourist Board markets VI in Vegas
Tourism Director Clive McCoy led a Virgin Islands delegation to Las Vegas this month for an event hosted by Virtuoso, a global network of luxury travel agencies. During Virtuoso Travel …
Businesses urged to prep for storms
With another three months of hurricane season stretching ahead, businesses in the territory have been warned to get their disaster plans up to speed. The call came as BVI Finance …
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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Shipping regulator now a statutory body
The Virgin Islands Shipping Registry is no more. In its place as of last Thursday is a new statutory body called the VI Shipping and Maritime Authority. “We are excited …
Virgin Islands heading for intense financial scrutiny, experts predict
The Virgin Islands is headed for increasingly intense international scrutiny despite a government drive to push through a raft of anti-financial-crime measures in the coming weeks, experts have warned. Deputy …
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