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New York Brothers Bag 12-Foot Blue Marlin Off Shore of St. John

Details: Created on Wednesday, 29 May 2013 04:44; Written by Jaime Elliott

Two brothers and the sea, a Blue Marlin, estimated at 10 feet and 450 pounds, gave visiting fisherman the thrill of their lives recently.

Captain Robert Richards’ guests aboard his sport fishing boat Mixed Bag were already thrilled to be reeling in a Mahi Mahi last week when they got an even bigger and better surprise.

Robert Borneman and his brother James, both of Long Island, New York, were about nine and a half miles off the southern shore of St. John when they hooked into the Mahi Mahi, he explained.

“We hooked a Mahi Mahi and were reeling it in when this giant Blue Marlin circled on the surface,” Borneman said. “Then the Blue Marlin took the Mahi Mahi whole and went straight down into the deep water.”

The two were in for the thrill and the fight of their lives.

“It took more than 1,500 feet of line off the reel twice,” said Borneman. “My brother Jim and I fought an hour to bring this fish to the boat.”

De jongh Briefed on Arrest of St. John Police Sergeant

Details: Created on Tuesday, 28 May 2013 04:20; Written by Government Press Release

Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. said over the weekend that the Virgin Islands Government will continue to lend its full cooperation to the territory’s federal law enforcement partners in an ongoing drug investigation. To date, four persons have been taken into custody including two V.I. law enforcement officers.

On Friday night, Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard, Sr. informed the Governor of the arrest of V.I. Police Sergeant Angelo Hill. Hill’s arrest is the latest in an ongoing drug investigation which was revealed a week ago with the arrest of another V.I. law enforcement officer and the subsequent arrest of two citizens. Hill was placed on leave without pay until the charges against him are resolved. His most recent assignment was that of Acting Commander of the Leander Jurgen command on St. John.

Querrard reminded the public that all persons are presumed innocent under our justice system until proven guilty. “It is always a sad day when anyone in law enforcement is either suspected of or charged with violating the laws they are sworn to uphold,” he said. The police commissioner sought out to assure the public that the VIPD will continue to enforce its long-standing policy of zero tolerance for any violations of law by those
in our law enforcement divisions.

De Jongh expressed confidence in Commissioner Querrard and the VIPD leadership team's ability to quickly identify a new commander for the police station on St. John. “The important work of protecting residents and visitors to that island must continue without any significant interruption.”

DPNR Director of Environmental Enforcement Arrested for Drug Trafficking

Details: Created on Monday, 27 May 2013 11:03; Written by Jaime Elliott

Roberto Tapia, above, served as DPNR’s head of enforcement for more than a year.

Department of Planning and Natural Resources Director of Environmental Enforcement was arrested by federal agents on Friday evening, May 17, at the Red Hook ferry dock after returning from St. John with seven kilograms of cocaine in his possession.

Roberto Tapia, a former V.I. Police Department officer and DPNR’s chief law enforcement officer, faces charges of conspiracy to posses with intent to distribute cocaine and use of a firearm in drug trafficking.

Tapia was arrested around 8:30 p.m. on May 17 wearing a DPNR uniform and carrying his department-issued handgun, while toting seven kilograms of cocaine, with a potential street value of $1 million, in his backpack.

Federal agents also arrested two co-conspirators on Saturday, May 18. Stephen Torres and Eddie Lopez-Lopez, both fishermen from Puerto Rico, face charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

All three men appeared before District Court Judge Magistrate Ruth Miller last week, who set conditions for their release. While Tapia had not posted bail of as press time last week, Miller set his bail at $250,000 and ordered him to home confinement at his mother’s Estate Fortuna residence, according to a report in the V.I. Daily News.

Tapia was described as being “jovial,” smiling, chuckling and waving to supporters during his court appearance, according to the V.I. Daily News report.

Torres and Lopez-Lopez will be allowed to return to Puerto Rico after posting $50,000 bail each. Miller ordered the two to home confinement and mandated that they be accompanied by a third party whenever they leave their homes, according to the V.I. Daily News report.

CBCC AIA Sustainable Design Workshop Kicks Off May 29

Details: Created on Monday, 27 May 2013 04:34; Written by Jaime Elliott

The Coral Bay Community Council is hosting an American Institute of Architects community-focused Sustainable Design Team Workshop in Coral Bay Wednesday, May 29, through Friday, May 31.

There will be a public assembly on Wednesday evening, May 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Coral Bay basketball court. If it rains that evening, the meeting will meet in room six of Guy Benjamin School.

After a tour of Coral Bay, and some small special purpose meetings, the AIA Design Team will work together for two days to create a vision for Coral Bay, addressing issues such as appropriate development and infrastructure while protecting the natural environment and enhancing our overall quality of life for many years to come.

The AIA Design Team will make a presentation to the community for discussion and feedback, before a final report is written.
The community presentation will be on Friday, May 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. Concordia Eco-resort’s pavilion.

All residents and property owners in Coral Bay are strongly encouraged to participate in these two community visioning sessions.

Volunteers are being sought to assist with the logistics. Please call CBCC at 776-2099 to help make this a great event.

On The Market: Enjoy Sweeping Views and Peaceful Tranquility at Whale Watch Villa

Details: Created on Sunday, 26 May 2013 04:27; Written by Jaime Elliott

Whale Watch Villa offers easy access to the main level and expansive decks—the perfect vantage point from which to soak up the stunning view.

With sweeping views of Ram Head, Bordeaux Mountain and the tranquil Caribbean Sea stretching out to the horizon, you’ll find the peace and tranquility you’re looking for at Whale Watch Villa.

Located in Estate Hansen Bay, the two bedroom, two and a half bath Whale Watch Villa is for sale for $1.225 million, explained Holiday Homes broker associate Jan Courlas.

Perched one parcel above the waterfront on the quiet East End of St. John, the home affords privacy and stunning views, explained Courlas.

“Whale Watch is located in Estate Hansen Bay near the end of the road or the end of the last road on the island’s East End,” said the Holiday Homes broker/owner. “The whales really do come here to play.”

While Whale Watch Villa is not a waterfront property, one can still hear the sound of waves breaking on the nearby shoreline, Courlas added.

Chef Kim Serves Up Seriously Tasty Sushi at Caneel Bay Resort

Details: Created on Saturday, 25 May 2013 04:19; Written by Jaime Elliott

Caneel Bay Resort Sushi Chef James Kim and (L to R) sous chefs Shamoy, Aline and Dario, serve up top notch fish selections and speciality rolls during lunch and dinner hours.

The Baja California: a spicy tuna roll with cucumber, cilantro and avocado, wrapped with yellowtail and topped with slices of jalapeños.

Not many experiences on Love City make one think they’re on the island of Manhattan instead of St. John.

But the sushi kitchen at Caneel Bay Resort just might make you pause and question if in fact you’re in a swanky Manhattan Japanese restaurant for a moment. Yes, it’s that good.

Chef James Kim opened the resort’s new sushi kitchen, located adjacent to Caneel’s popular lunch bar and grill area, in November 2012.

Kim brought more than 27 years of experience as a sushi chef to the luxury resort. After learning the ropes at culinary school in his native Japan, Kim worked in NYC for 10 years before opening his own restaurants in the Virginia Beach area.

The chef operated two popular restaurants in the Virginia Beach area for more than 15 years. During that time he won numerous awards, including sushi chef of the year for several years and best sushi restaurant. Kim also worked as a sushi chef instructor at Johnson and Wales University’s Maryland campus.

Kim sold those restaurants last year and moved to St. John to head up Caneel’s sushi kitchen. Since opening in November, the chef has been wowing island residents and Caneel guests alike with his expert knife skills and inventive specialty rolls.