The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has noted a concerning increase in reports of missing vehicles, particularly those left unlocked overnight throughout the Road Town area. Alarmingly, some of these stolen vehicles have been subsequently used in the commission of other crimes, posing a significantthreat to community safety.The RVIPF strongly advises all residents to take the following precautions to help prevent vehicle theft:1. Ensure that all doors and windows are securely locked whenever y...

The RVIPF Police have confirmed a shooting incident at the UPS Cineplex tonight Saturday, July 6, 2024. The incident is said to have occurred sometime around 10pm. We understand Police one female was injured and that she was transported to the Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital for treatment.The circumstances surrounding the incident is unclear, however, the injured individual is said to be in stable condition at the hospital.Our sources have indicated that the shooting victim is in training to b...

The Caribbean Posh Weekend 2024 concluded with resounding success, solidifying its reputation as the ultimate gathering for Caribbean and Caribbean American women. From June 28-30, 2024, Harbor 360 Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, hosted a transformative experience filled with empowerment, celebration, and inspiration.The highlight of this year's event was the inaugural Caribbean Posh Icon Woman Awards. Friday evening saw a prestigious ceremony honoring excepti...

They made us memorize Portia’s speech on ‘Mercy,’ (Merchant of Venice) but it was Shylock’s that caught my imagination for it spoke of a certain expectation of egalitarianism.“Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is?”July, stand by:...

There are reports of an early morning shooting incident in the Sea Cow’s Bay Area. The incident is said to have occurred around 1am today, 5 July. Early reports indicate a shoot out between a number of persons and many rounds of ammunition being discharged. We understand one person has been injured, receiving some 5 shots and was rushed to the D Orlando Smith Hospital. The individual who has been identified as a male, is presently undergoing surgery. We will bring furth...

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the RVIPF arrested a previous House of Assembly Speaker in relation to two ongoing criminal investigations.The first investigation relates to Visa Waivers issued between 2018 and 2022 and the second investigation relates to a forged document presented to the BVI Immigration Department in 2022.As a result Julian Willock, 56, of Sea Cows Bay, was charged with one count of a Public Official Using his Office for Gratification, contrary to section 83 of the 2013 Criminal Co...

The BVI Health Services Authority’s (BVIHSA) Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services continues to receive grand recognition for its “Be Mindful” mental health campaign. The team has received kudos from both the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).Both nods of recognition were in response to the 2023 series of impactful initiatives and collaborations. Such partnerships featured a collaboration with a British consultant...

There is a piece of the infrastructure, often neglected, that forms a significant part of the tourism product.  Without it, the visitor experience is diminished.If the ponds are the kidneys of the city, a tool of filtration, then the national parks are its very lungs.  The parks system of the United Kingdom is vast and it significantly improves the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.  But although scaled, BVI, too, has a credible network of national parks.&...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has successfully recovered three prohibited firearms from two separate incidents this week.On Monday, June 24, 2024, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, acting on specific intelligence, attempted to stop the driver of a Kia Soul in the Johnsons Ghut area. Upon seeing the officers, the driver immediately abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot to evade capture. Enquiries continue toward identifying and locating the driver.During a subsequent sea...

Information reaching our newsroom indicates that the Premier and the BVI Tourist Board, the Statutory Body that is now charged with the planning of Festival, are at odds with where the 2024 Emancipation Festival Village will be located. We are understanding that the BVI Tourist Board is adamant that the annual Village should remain at its original location as that would be more financially feasible and fiscally responsible; while the Premier is adamant on proving the usefulness of the groun...

Ebenezer Thomas Primary School is the fourth of five primary schools in the Territory that has received a new playground facility following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Unite BVI. Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie de Castro, Executive Director of Unite BVI Dr. Sauda Smith and Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser addressed the handing over ceremony held at the school. Follo...

Officers of the Virgin Gorda Police Station responded to a burglary report at a villa in Virgin Gorda on the night of June 18, 2024, after 9 PM. Due to the swift response by our officers, a suspect was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.Keithroy Smith, 21, of Windy Hill, Virgin Gorda has been charged with Burglary and remains in custody pending his appearance at the Magistrate’s Court.Some of the stolen items have been recovered according to Police, and efforts are ongoin...

“They will bury Vernon Malone on Saturday.  He will receive a semi state funeral for he, like all BVI legislators, holds the key to the city.The historians will chronicle his significant contributions to the BVI.  They will keep it positive although he was not a candidate for canonization.On Tuesday, there were encomiums for him in the Honourable House.  But Vernon, as a law enforcement expert would have preferred Members to have spent that time addressing the crime epidemic...

Another public clinic has shuttered its doors today, this time, in the Premier’s District. The Rosalind Penn Clinic in District 7 has had to shut its doors due to lack of electricity and being unable to keep their generator running. Just last week June 16, the Iris Penn Smith Clinic in District 8, also had to close its doors.  The closures of the Clinics disenfranchises both communities, and leaves the Residents having to make the journey to Road Town for any basic medical c...

The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Shaina M. Smith-Archer as the Director of Programme Delivery. Mrs. Smith-Archer’s appointment took effect on 10thJune, 2024, which effectively adds over 20 years of expertise in project management and engineering to the Programme Delivery Unit.As the Director of Programme Delivery, Mrs. Smith-Archer holds the mandate to proactively lead and coordinate the direction of the RDA’...

Judge Kathleen Williams has today 20 June 2024, sentenced former Port Authority Boss Oleanvine Pickering Maynard to 9 years and 4 months behind bars, plus 5 years supervised release.Former Premier Andrew Fahie is set for sentencing on 5 August.  Full story to come. 

Word reaching our newsroom is that all ancestral lands have been removed from the Crown Land Legislation; including Anegada, Salt Island and Wickham’s Cay. The Bill in its original form, came under heavy scrutiny from the Anegada people in particular, as well as other Activists/supporters, and House of Assembly Members. The controversial Bill was passed in the HOA last night, Monday 17 June. The Bill will now have to be ascended to by the Governor, to become law. The complet...

Overnight, Governor Bryan has asked Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O'Neal to tender her resignation. O’Neal was subpoenaed to testify and or give evidence in a Grand Jury trial scheduled for June 24, 2024. Her phone was seized and she was handed a search warrant. Unconfirmed information is suggesting that the investigation focuses on a cybersecurity and surveillance contract that was awarded by the VIPD to a company that allegedly provided Ray Martinez, Commissio...

Detectives of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force are investigating a burglary that occurred overnight at a residence in John's Hole, Tortola.The initial report indicates that two masked individuals, armed with firearms, entered the home, and accosted the occupants. They assaulted a female member of the household, then quickly fled after other occupants were alerted to their presence.The investigation into this crime is proceeding diligently, and the RVIPF has directed the requisite s...

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force responded to a report of an attempted armed robbery in Lower Estate, Tortola after 9 pm on Friday, June 14, 2024. It was reported that a lone masked male armed with a handgun accosted another male in an attempt to steal jewelry from his person.The quick actions of the police led to the recovery of a 9 millimetre semi-automatic pistol with a magazine containing three (3) live rounds and the arrest of the assailant. Jahnoi Frank, age 21, of no fixe...