Normal office hours will resume thereafter from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
In the interim, all inquiries can be forwarded to info@usvieda.org. VIEDA clients can also make payments online at https://www.usvieda.org/
The offices will be closed Tuesday through Wednesday and will resume regular operations at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Emergency operations at the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station will not be impacted.
]]>Mourning and outrage over the killing of a nine-year-old girl Saturday intensified on St. Thomas as police announced the arrest of her mother on murder charges Monday.
Anyah Smith, 32, was arrested midday and charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Jacqueda Issac, who paramedics found lifeless near the Vitraco Mall on Rumer Road at 5:22 a.m. Saturday. Police had initially said Issac drowned when Smith threw herself and the child into the sea in an apparent suicide attempt. They later retracted that account but did not further explain the nature of the killing or how the girl came to be by the shopping center, 400 feet or more from the harbor.
Smith was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice of rights hearing.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. addressed the killing of Issac, a student at the Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School, in a weekly briefing Monday.
“This weekend, we had another tragic incident on the island of St. Thomas where a mother attempted to take her life and the life of her nine-year-old. Unfortunately, she was successful in taking the life of her nine-year-old,” Bryan said. “I got a call from the commissioner of Education who visited the nine-year-old’s class. Imagine the dismay of those students.”
Insular Superintendent Stefan Jürgen said the Virgin Islands Education Department would provide support to both students and faculty at the school.
“Intervention services, including counseling support services, will be made available to aid individuals in coping with this profound loss. We understand the importance of providing resources and assistance during such challenging times, and we are committed to ensuring that those affected have access to the support they need,” Jürgen said.
Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington urged parents and students to seek assistance, talk to a professional or simply talk to each other.
“Our hearts ache with the news of this devastating loss, and our thoughts are with all those affected during this incredibly difficult time,” Wells-Hedrington said. “Additionally, we urge the community to come together in support of one another, offering compassion, empathy, and understanding during this time of mourning.”
Bryan said Smith suffered from a hitherto unknown mental illness and asked Virgin Islanders to better look after each other.
“Obviously, she’s someone who is very troubled mentally. It just goes as an example of how we have to pay attention to one another and be our brother’s keeper,” he said. “But if you don’t know and nobody notices, it’s just a cry in the dark. Let’s continue to be supportive of one another as we go along this trail. I mean, it’s a tragic event for all Virgin Islanders for this to happen.”
Some have pushed back on Bryan’s message, noting many, including police, suspected Smith struggled with some form of mental illness. She’d been arrested in 2010 on aggravated assault and disturbing the peace by making threats charges that were eventually dropped.
At least two other intra-family violent crimes on St. Thomas were attributed in part to mental illness in recent weeks — leaving a young daughter hospitalized and a father dead.
Mohammed Salem, 34, allegedly stabbed his father, Hakem Salem, 69, to death March 5 at their Estate Lerkenlund home. Court officials were arranging a psychiatric evaluation for Salem Monday.
On Wednesday, Willichia Hughes, 37, allegedly repeatedly tased her minor daughter. Hughes, who allegedly told police she may suffer from Bipolar Disorder, was charged with child abuse, assault, parental neglect, and other charges. She’d been charged with disturbing the peace in 2016 and contempt of court in 2015.
In another investigation, police may have thwarted a serious incident earlier this month when a St. Thomas man was charged with stalking and allegedly found in possession of a handgun, ammunition, ski masks, and body armor. Police raided the Lillie Gade home of Leon Swan March 8 after a yet-unrevealed disturbance of the peace where shots were fired.
Swan’s apartment had limited electricity as he had run extension cords from neighboring properties. According to court records, police found a black Kevlar helmet, a black bullet-proof vest and a green camouflage bullet-proof vest, several black ski masks, and a handgun with a partially obliterated serial number. He was charged with stalking, domestic violence, illegal possession of a firearm and body armor, discharge of a firearm, and disturbance of the peace. His social media page makes frequent references to firearms, pirate iconography, animals of prey, and the U.S. military. A Superior Court judge set bail at $50,000 on Monday. Swan is due back on Feb. 5.
The territory does not have its long-promised dedicated psychiatric care facility, Bryan acknowledged. Creating a permanent mental health treatment center remains in the planning stage — Seaview on St. Thomas and an Anna’s Hope site on St. Croix — he said, citing the need for federal and local approvals.
“We’ve tried to add resources every day but the reality is we are stretched to do so. We’ve tried to make agreements with the Black Psychologists of the United States [Association of Black Psychologists]. We tried all kinds of programs. It’s just hard to find people to do this kind of work. And in this case, we had no record of this psychiatric situation with the young lady. There was nothing the government would be able to do. I think we have supported this cause as much as a small community can but really the breadth of this is not just the Virgin Islands; it’s beyond us,” Bryan said. “We have a constant open application for social workers in education as well as for human services. It’s not a money problem; it’s a people problem. Where do you find the people to do these things?”
Bryan said the USVI government spends more than $10 million annually caring for psychiatric patients and other people with disabilities.
“So we don’t want to make it seem like the government does nothing,” he said, adding that if someone doesn’t want help and is not an immediate threat to themselves or others, there’s not much the government can do.
“They’re not stray dogs. They’re human beings. And the fact is, as long as they are not a threat to themselves or anybody else, we cannot do anything,” Bryan said. “The reality of the situation is, if that person doesn’t want to go into a facility, there’s nothing we can do.”
From 1994 through most of the first quarter of the 21st Century, the U.S. Virgin Islands was under a federal consent decree to stop housing people found not guilty by reason of insanity in the Golden Grove detention center.
]]>The recent and tragic death of nine-year-old Jacqueda Issac on St. Thomas has shaken our community to its core. While official details surrounding the circumstances are still coming to light, the collective grief and anguish felt by those who knew the family – and even those who didn’t – has been palpable.
In the face of tragedy, it’s important that we come together not only to mourn but also to reflect on the broader issues. Regardless of what is or isn’t being said, what’s rumor and what’s truth, what is real is the great and desperate need for better mental health services within our community. It’s clear that in this instance – and so many others that have impacted us lately – that there were signs of distress and a need for intervention long before this occurred. The loss of this young girl shows us what is at stake if we all fail to act.
As a community, we must reflect on our collective responsibility. If there were indeed warnings, if social media posts or concerning behaviors went unnoticed or unheeded, then it prompts us to question whether we missed opportunities to support our most vulnerable members. By fostering a culture of empathy and support instead of stigma, we can create a stronger community where everyone feels valued and cared for.
We must aggressively advocate for improved mental health care in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It’s unacceptable that our community members have been left without access to vital services for so long.
And, as we approach an election year, it’s crucial that we hold our leaders accountable for laying the groundwork for comprehensive mental health care. We cannot afford to ignore the systemic issues that have hindered the recruitment and retention of qualified professionals in this field, including licensing barriers, inadequate pay, and a lack of facilities. When are we going to address these challenges and take decisive action to ensure that every individual in our community has access to the support they need?
No death – least of all the tragic loss of a child – should remind us of the urgent need for change.
Let us honor her memory by demanding change—by advocating for a future where mental health care is not a luxury but a fundamental right. The time for action is now. Our families, our community, and our future depend on it.
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In what could prove a breakthrough, researchers have succeeded in using recorded sound to enhance the chances of coral larvae making their home on struggling coral reefs in need of new life.
With the world’s coral reef system rapidly declining, the study creates some hope that human intervention could aid restoration.
The first-time experiment was conducted in the waters off St. John’s southside in 2022 by a group of researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Results were published last week in Royal Society Open Science.
Woods Hole marine scientists have been actively studying St. John’s coral reefs for many years.
Corals are mobile only in their larval stage. That’s when they float through the ocean, seeking a good place to settle where they will metamorphize into the stationery animals familiar to divers and snorkelers.
They use a wide range of chemical and biophysical cues to locate favorable habitats, and some of those cues may yet to be discovered.
But, per the results of the recent study, certain sounds seem to be important.
Descriptions of the ocean as the “Silent Deep” were abandoned long ago. Rather, it is a hubbub of activity with swishing and communicating fish, snapping shrimp pulses, waves, and local weather events all contributing to the noise.
Other studies have used enhanced acoustics to draw settlement-stage fish and oyster larvae to specific areas and to accelerate the development of post-larval lobsters. There have also been studies proving that at least some species of coral larvae are sound-sensitive.
Knowing all that, the Woods Hole researchers set out to determine whether underwater sounds recorded near a thriving reef could be used to draw larvae to another reef, particularly one that is in decline. They already had the necessary recordings, which had been made over the previous 10 years.
They chose to use the coral species Porites astreoides because it is especially abundant around St. John, it is sound-sensitive, and it is hardy, that is, it withstands collection and handling well.
The researchers conducted the experiment twice in 2022, first in June and then in July, when larvae would typically be house-hunting.
They distributed the larvae near three other reefs, all of which have been studied for years: Tektite, a “high quality” reef, and Cocoloba and Salt Pond, both considered “degraded” reefs.
Then, they turned on the music selectively.
The study showed that larvae were far more likely to settle on a reef when they heard sounds that indicated it was healthy, such as noises indicating fish were present in significant numbers.
On average, larvae were almost twice as likely to settle when they heard the recordings than when they didn’t.
The recordings seemed more effective at attracting coral larvae than an actual healthy reef itself.
“We observed significantly higher rates of settlement of P. astreoides larvae at a degraded reef site with an enriched soundscape than on either high-quality or degraded natural reefs without an enriched soundscape,” the authors wrote.
Amid the good news of the study, there is also an important caveat. Finding a way to lure larvae to a degraded reef does not prove they will thrive there and ultimately contribute to the restoration of the reef. If conditions don’t support juvenile growth, the larvae won’t survive long enough to make a difference in improving the overall health of the reef.
In fact, the researchers didn’t leave the larvae on the reefs to which the study drew them, suggesting concern over that possibility. Rather, once the study was over, they returned all the coral colonies they had collected for the study to the reefs from which they had been collected.
Nevertheless, they make a case for human intervention in some form.
Coral reefs can repair themselves naturally, given enough time. But time seems to be running out. The stresses on reefs keep multiplying, especially with global warming increasing bleaching events, and Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease devasting wide swaths of corals, and peyssonnelid algal crusts smothering reefs and muscling out corals.
“Our multipronged nature and breakneck pace of modern reef degradation will probably outstrip natural rates of ecological recovery for corals over the next century without (human) mediation,” the report says.
Authors of the study are listed as Nadѐge Aoki, Benjamin Weiss, Youenn Jézéquel, Weifeng Gordon Zhang, Amy Apprill, and T. Aran Mooney.
View the report “Soundscape enrichment increases larval settlement rates for brooding coral Porites Astreoides” here.
]]>VIElectron, a leading renewable energy company committed to revolutionizing power infrastructure in the Virgin Islands, along with the support of Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and government leaders, hosted a guided tour of the Petronella solar facilities on St. Croix, VIElectron Founder and CEO Christian Loranger announced.
Loranger emphasized the collaborative efforts during the recent walking tour on St. Croix. “During the tour, attendees were astounded by the quality and excitement surrounding our initiatives to reduce power prices in the Virgin Islands.”
Loranger highlighted the significant progress on St. Croix, noting that projects will be completed this year, leading to immediate savings for the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. “This will save $11 million per year just on St. Croix, demonstrating the tangible impact of our collective efforts.”
Loranger expressed gratitude to Bryan and his team and underscored their crucial role in advancing sustainable energy solutions, according to the press release.
“Governor Bryan and our government leaders have been instrumental in supporting our endeavors. Their dedication to a greener, more prosperous and renewable energy future for the Virgin Islands is truly commendable.” Loranger is deeply thankful for the trust placed in VIElectron to spearhead this transformative project. “As a proud Virgin Islander, I am honored to contribute to the sustainable future of our community.”
VIElectron maintains stringent manufacturing and administrative standards. “We are under
oversight from multiple engineering firms, including our internal team and those of our banking partners. This ensures that our facilities meet or exceed global standards for quality and safety,” added Loranger.
Learn more about VIElectron on the official website.
]]>The Humane Society of St. Thomas is set to bloom once again this year with its Spring Brunch. The annual event, a major fundraiser for the shelter, will be held on Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton on St. Thomas.
The festivities will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $200 and can be purchased on the HSSTT website.
This year, the entire community is invited to help the shelter raise funds, whether attending the brunch or not. There is currently an online silent auction featuring hundreds of outstanding items donated by generous local businesses, including jewelry, restaurants, hotels, artwork, services, and many other gifts. Click here to place a bid!
“Unfortunately, the shelter is once again reaching its maximum capacity, and we desperately need our community’s support to take care of our island’s animals. Please buy event tickets and bid on auction items in order for HSSTT to continue providing its animal welfare services,” said HSSTT Board of Directors President Randy Knight.
In February, the shelter was over capacity and completed a major transport of over 300 animals to stateside rescues. But even with the attempt to start from the ground up, the board of directors had to make a difficult decision to lay off some of the shelter’s team members due to financial reasons.
According to the Knight, his goal is to “become financially strong enough through donations and fundraising events to expeditiously bring back our laid-off team members and provide all the animal welfare services that our community so desperately needs.”
In addition to raising funds through the HSSTT’s annual Spring Brunch, volunteers, foster homes, and adopters are critically needed.
To be a part of the solution, please contact Executive Director Michelle Robbins at 340-775-0599.
]]>VI SOURCE WEATHER UPDATES
A NEW Weekly Weather Update video is available here!
Series: “Extreme Weather in the Caribbean”
TUESDAY’S WEATHER FORECAST: 3/19/24
Happy Tuesday!
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday will be sunny with a slight chance of isolated showers. High pressure over the region will help to limit the possibility of rain. Some warmer-than-average temperatures may be across portions of the USVI and Puerto Rico. The high temperature will be approximately 86°F, 30C, with gusty winds out of the southeast at about 14 to 17 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. The chance of rain on Tuesday is approximately 10%.
Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with a chance of isolated showers. The low temperature will be approximately 77°F, 25°C, with gusty winds out of the east-southeast at about 7 to 9 mph. The possibility of rain on Tuesday night is approximately 10%.
Below: Infrared satellite imagery obtained at 8:10 p.m. AST on Monday indicates a mostly clear sky around the USVI and Puerto Rico.
MARINE WEATHER UPDATE
Gusty winds may generate some wind-driven, choppy seas. Swimmers and boaters are advised to exercise caution. The rip current risk will remain moderate across most of the region.
On Tuesday, seas will be approximately 2 to 4 feet, with occasional seas up to 5 feet and a swell period of 11 seconds. Winds will be out of the southeast at about 10 to 15 knots.
On Tuesday night, seas will be approximately 1 to 3 feet, with a swell period of 10 seconds. Winds will be out of the east-southeast at about 5 to 10 knots.
The water temperature is approximately 82-84°F, approximately 27-28°C.
Ocean Water Temperature Map from 3/16/24, courtesy of NOAA:
Wave Height Forecast Map courtesy of NWS:
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
Rip Currents: The rip current risk is projected to be moderate across most of the region on Tuesday.
Clear = Low Rip Current Risk
Yellow = Moderate Rip Current Risk
Red = High Rip Current Risk
Learn more about rip current safety in an interview between the NWS and the VI Source here.
TROPIC WATCH
Tropical Activity: The National Hurricane Center does not expect any cyclonic development. Please read a review of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season here.
Click here to learn tips on being prepared for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Days Until 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season: 74 Days
OBSERVATIONS
Sunrise: 6:26 a.m.
Sunset: 6:31 p.m.
Ocean water temperature: Approximately 82-84°F, approximately 27-28°C.
UV index: 10+ out of 10 (VERY HIGH)
Monday’s high temperature: 84°F, 28.8°C
Monday’s low temperature: 77°F, 25°C
Preparation for extreme weather events in the Caribbean, such as earthquakes and tropical cyclones, is important. Residents and visitors in the USVI are encouraged to stay updated on weather events on the V.I. Source Weather page and sign up for alerts from the National Weather Service and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
]]>With the month of March dedicated to awareness of Colorectal cancer, this month’s “Dinner with a Doctor” will highlight important information and strategies for preventing it. Colorectal cancer ranks as the third most common cancer globally, according to the American Cancer Association.
On Tuesday, the Schneider Regional Medical Center team will welcome Dr. Ghazaleh Aram, SRMC’s esteemed gastroenterologist, for an important discussion on colon and rectal cancer prevention.
The event is open to the public to join the discussion and ask questions both in person and online.
The event will be held on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Sunroom on the first floor of SRMC.
Registration is free on the Eventbrite website.
Community members can also participate via the SRMC Facebook livestream.
Parents and guardians, members of the Parent- Teacher-Student-Association (PTSA) are all in this together and your participation is valuable as we “Transform Today’s Learners into Tomorrow’s Leaders.”
St. Thomas and St. John District
(Upcoming 2024 PTSA Dates March through May for the remainder of the school year)
*Please note that dates can be subject to change*
Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School
March 20th, April 17th and May 15th
Joseph A. Gomez Elementary School
(3rd Wednesday of each month)
March 20th, April 17th and May 15th
Joseph Sibilly Elementary School
To Be Announced
Julius E. Sprauve School (4th Thursday of each month)
March 14th, April 25th, and May 23rd
Ulla F. Muller Elementary School
(Last Tuesday of each month)
March 26th, April 30th, and May 28th
Yvonne E. Milliner-Bowsky Elementary School
(3rd Thursday of each month)
March 21st, April 18th, and May 16th
Lockhart K-8 School
(3rd Thursday of each month)
March 21st, April 18th, and May 16th
Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School
(3rd Wednesday of each month)
March 20th, April 17th, and May 15th
Charlotte Amalie High School
(2nd Tuesday of each month)
March 12th, April 9th and May 14th
Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
(1st Monday of each month)
March 4th, April 1st, and May 6th
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