Information reaching our newsroom this morning is alleging that Assistant Commissioner of Police Pam Trevillion MBE has been sent on leave pending investigation into an alleged assault on Acting Commissioner of Police, Jacqueline Vanterpool. We understand there was an altercation where the Assistant is said to have assaulted the Acting COP, and was immediately sent on leave. Late last year, we received initial reports where Trevillion was denied an extension on her tenure by the Public Serv...

We do not know if our government is making plans for the return of the deportees from the United States.  No one has said anything about which we are aware.If we accept the analysis of the deporter, then it stands to reason that amongst the deportees are hardened criminals: People who have nothing left to lose and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.  Themselves!It is precisely what makes those terrorists who blow themselves up for the cause, so dangerous.  The value of the...

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has secured a grant from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) supported by Direct Relief.The grant was secured under the Enhancing Health Infrastructure and Resilience Project (EHIR), in the sum of USD250, 000 and is intended to assist with the development and improvement of health infrastructure and effectively address health challenges associated with climate change in the Territory.The funds will also be used for the procurement of ...

The Government of the Virgin Islands has officially enacted the Public Procurement (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, as part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency.  The amendments to the Public Procurement Act, 2021, were gazetted on 30 January 2025 and aims to streamline the process for awarding government contracts and improve procurement procedures within the public sector.Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr Natalio D. Wheatley commented on the new...

The Government of the Virgin Islands announced on Saturday, February 1, 2025, that American Airlines successfully operated six flights to the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.  Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer said that this significant event highlights the growing confidence in the Territory’s airlift capabilities and its vibrant tourism sector.Minister Rymer added that, “The operation of multiple flights from American Airlines greatly en...

The WINBVI Ambassador Mrs. BVI 2022/2023, Dr. Arliene T. Penn, is reminding women to prioritise their health and well-being, taking control of their reproductive health with confidence.A SIMPLE SWAB Campaign: Free Pap Screenings & ConsultationsIn partnership with Eureka Medical Clinic, Penn Medical Centre, The Wellness Center Clinics, and B&F Medical Complex, this campaign offers free Pap screenings and consultations for:Women aged 21-29 who are sexually active and have never had a Pap t...

‘What is to become of our beloved country?’The Minister for National Security is talking.It was good to hear him on one of the talk magazines this week discussing his efforts to improve the capacity of the police to fight crime and that was welcomed.Also welcomed was his respect for the position of the Acting Police Commissioner who has one of the toughest jobs in the Territory and who needs all the support she can get.We never congratulated Ms Vanterpool on her ascension to the &lsq...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) continues its unwavering efforts to combat violent crime and maintain public safety in the Territory.Following search operations conducted in Cane Garden Bay during the early hours of Friday, January 24, 2025, four individuals have been formally charged in connection with the recovery of two 9mm firearms with a total of twenty (20) rounds of ammunition.Charged are:• Kadeem Callwood, 22, of Cane Garden Bay• Kaheem Callwood, 22, of Cane Garde...

The Premier’s Office will host a series of town hall meetings to discuss the 48 Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) and their profound impact on the governance of the Virgin Islands.Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley stated that the upcoming town hall meetings with residents are a vital part of his government’s commitment to transparent governance and meaningful public participation.The Premier said, “The COI re...

Green VI, in collaboration with the BVI Farmers Network, is happy to welcome Charles Dowding, world-renowned agricultural educator, to the Virgin Islands for workshops on the “No Dig” farming method, how to do it and why it suits the Virgin Islands. There will be workshops on Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke from February first to the ninth. The workshops are open to all free of charge.. This exciting visit is part of Green VI’s ongoing mission to see food and ...

Rescuers from the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) were joined by maritime protection crews from Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands for a two-week training programme, delivered in partnership with HM Coastguard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and facilitated by RNLI trainers.The programme, designed to ‘train the trainers’, developed attendees’ search-and-rescue capabilities so that participants can redistri...

More than 21 environmental and technical officers have completed training in water quality monitoring, data analysis and storage.The training session was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in collaboration with H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), Center Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) and Spatial Innovision Ltd .Project coordinator, in the ministry Ms. Atoya George said one of the primary objectives of the Resilience, Sus...

Customers of the Water and Sewerage Department can now pay their bills online following the launch of the department’s online payment portal.Minister for Communications and Works, the Honourable Kye M. Rymer made the announcement during the Twentieth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly. Honourable Rymer emphasised that this online payment solution marks a significant advancement in modernising water and sewerage services while offering residents and businesses ...

The Office of the Supervisor of Elections is advising the public that Voter Registration is ongoing, and individuals who are eligible to vote, should register to do so.In accordance with section two (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, an individual must be a Belonger, 18 years of age or older, and domiciled in the Virgin Islands to be able to vote.Persons must present a Virgin Islands Passport, with embossed seal, a Belonger’s Card or Belonger’s Certificate to registe...

A multiple vehicular accident has just occurred in the proximity of the Road Town round about. Approximately up to five (5) vehicles appear to be damaged. Early reports suggest the driver of a medium sized truck may have lost control of the vehicle in some capacity. At the time of this report, we are understanding that one female was transported to the Dr. D Orlando Hospital.We will update this report following an official report from the RVIPF.  

The British Virgin Islands welcomed P&O Cruises' Iona on her inaugural call to the Territory on Thursday, 23rd January 2025.Iona’s arrival marks a significant milestone in the Territory's cruise tourism sector, underscoring its strategic occurrence at the pier, highlights the appeal to major cruise lines and reinforces its commitment to providing quality service to visiting ships and passengers.The Iona called to the BVI with 4,936 passengers and 1,656 crew members on board.The...

Mrs. Loren K. Ryan-Rymer has been appointed as the Registrar of Interests following the retirement of former Registrar, Ms. Phyllis Evans.                     Mrs. Ryan-Rymer brings more than twenty-five (25) years of experience within the Public Service, highlighted by an appointment as Human Resources Manager within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Daniel Pruce said, “ I commend Ms. Evans for her...

No case to answer!  (Although, to be fair, the DPP is fighting back.)Which should mean, there was no breach of trust.  And yet the individuals were deprived, for years, of their good names, their reputations and standing in the community and amongst family and peers.How do you recoup those tangibles when time has moved on?  Do we call on Cher?  Her unfulfilled wish was “If I could turn back time.” Should we bring in the mythical ‘Wonder Woman’ who...

During the first press conference for 2025, Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool highlighted the arrest of one male individual stemming from multiple reports of gunshots on the western end of Tortola during the early hours of Wednesday, January 15.The individual, 28-year-old Shamauri Camsel of St. Thomas, USVI, has since been charged with Unlawful Possession of Explosives and remanded to His Majesty’s Prison following his court appearance.The arrest occurred after officers i...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) wishes to inform the public that as part of its ongoing efforts to combat violent crimes in the Territory, officers from various units conducted search operations in Cane Garden Bay during the early hours of Friday, January 24, 2025.During the search activities, officers recovered two (2) firearms along with several rounds of ammunition. Four (4) individuals were taken into custody and are being questioned in connection with the recovered items.Actin...