More and More Virgin Islanders Depending on Medicaid Funding That Might Expire
About 33,500 U.S. Virgin Islanders, or roughly one in three territory residents, gets health care thanks to Medicaid, Human Services Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez reported during Senate budget hearings Monday.
Governor Re-Evaluating In-Person Learning in Face of Rising COVID Numbers
While a final decision has not been made, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said Monday he is re-evaluating the territory’s public school opening date of Aug. 9 in the face of growing number of COVId-19 cases in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Senate Moving Toward Legislative Approval Of Federal Aid Projects
On Monday, the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill requiring the governor to submit plans for federal relief spending and requiring legislative approval for executive branch and semi-autonomous agency spending of federal aid for capital projects in amounts greater than $5 million.
Health Confirms the 36th COVID Death in Territory
A 50-year-old St. Croix man was confirmed Monday as the 36th COVID-19 related death. According to the Department of Health's statistics, the death was the 12th on St. Croix related to the disease. There have been 22 COVID death on St. Thomas/Water Island, and one on St. John.
Photo Focus: Ready and Waiting to Vaccinate
The V.I. Health Department's Emergency Operations Center will be parked all week outside of the University of the Virgin Islands' Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas, ready to provide free COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the school's planned reopening to in-person classes on Aug. 16.
Brown Named Deputy Chief for STJ; Newton to Direct Internal Affairs
Police Lt. Clayton Brown has been appointed deputy chief of police for the island of St. John, and Vivianne P. Newton as director of the Internal Affairs and Applicant Screening Bureau
VIPA Officials Encourage Marine Industry as New Pilot Boat Hits the Water
Like its namesake, the V.I. Port Authority’s new pilot boat, the Edmund Steele, is a workhorse and the first of its kind in the territory, meant to take on the rough U.S. Virgin Islands waters as it guides big ships into the harbor.
USVI Olympians Fall Short in 100-Meter Breaststroke, 400-Meter Freestyle
Adriel Sanes did not advance to the semifinals of the men’s 100-meter breaststroke Sunday at the Olympics after placing third in his heat. Natalia Kuipers, 19, also of St. Croix, finished outside the top eight in the women’s 400-meter freestyle semis.
V.I. Children’s Museum Unveils Mango Farm to Market Exhibit
The Virgin Islands Children’s Museum wound up alomost two years of effort Thursday when it unveiled its latest creation during a party where children played for hours on what the museum has named the Mango Farm to Market Exhibit.
Children First STX Unveils Facelift for Midre Cummings Playground
Children First St. Croix on Thursday revealed plans for a new look for the Midre Cummings Playground in Frederiksted. The announcement was made at a news conference at Leatherback Brewery that was presented on Zoom.
