US Virgin Islands
[singlepic id=4817 w=180 h=40 mode=web20 float=left]Good morning! This is Alex Randall with Good News Headlines
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Monday we will honor Randy Stephens
The flags will fly at half mast today in a day or remembrance for Randy Stephens who was shot in the line of duty last week. Governor Schneider ordered the flags to half staff in his honor. Due to the events of the day, Rising Stars tutorial sessions for today have been canceled. And the Territorial Court will be closed until 2:00 PM today all cases are being rescheduled.
Today’s Photo: Cruise Ship West of St. Thomas at Sunset
Today’s Second Photo: Heide Marries Larry !
Current Conditions in Paradise:
Temperature: 85 Degrees at 11XX AM Skies: Sunny, Occasional Cloud Chance of Showers: Slight to 10%: Water Temp: Perfect Beach and Swimming Conditions: Sooo Perfect Sailing and Diving Conditions: World Class! Drinks: Ready
Take CIGNA to court
The Attorney General has filed suit in court to force CIGNA’s to comply with the terms of the contract they offered in November. The Governor says we had a legitimate agreement to extend health insurance for a year and he is expecting that agreement to be honored.
While we are on suits, Senator Donastorg is following through with a suit against the Governor and his financial officers for not taking 4.5 per cent of all revenues to pay tax refunds. Fonsie says it is the law and he is filing suit to force compliance.
WICO is giving 60,000 scholarship.
The West Indian Company is making a donation of $60,000 to UVI to aid a student in need. The donation is targeted on the Summer Institute for future leaders. Where St. Thomas takes a leading role in the region.
Beacon Schools get Grant
The Community Foundation has awarded the Beacon Schools a grant of $3,175 to help the Beacon Schools run a initiative called Our Children Now.
St. Croix Road
Should the Dept. of Public Works pave the road to Point Udall. The St. Croix Environmental Association wants the road to stay unpaved to help preserve the turtle nesting area. Department of Planning and Natural Resources is closing three access points while making room for cars to pull off and let people walk in.
Veteran Offices Move
St. Thomas Office of Veterans Affairs is moving to a new office in Nisky Center. They are leaving the Community Base Clinic in Havensight Mall. The phone is 774-6100.
FEMA Says More Money
FEMA has obligated an additional 12 million dollars of our Hurricane Marilyn Community Disaster Loan. This will bring the total draw down from the authorized loan of 126 million to 114.3 million. Management and Budget Director Bowry asked Juan Centeno of Finance to draw down the funds and use them for payroll to facilitate an audit trail.
St. John Treatment Plant Emergency
The Governor declared a state of emergency to permit Public Works to immediately hire a contractor to build a new treatment plant for Cruz Bay St. John
This is a “Bad News – Good News” Story.
The bad new is that there is a rising incidence of Non-insulin dependent Type two diabetes. The good news is that native son Eugene Tull who is on the faculty of the Univ of Pittsburgh is studying the problem and thinks we can attack and win. Tull is conducting a study of African Americans with type two diabetes and he is finding this disease is more prevalent than he expected. He says we can catch it before it gets out of hand. The story is in the Daily News.
St. Croix Majorettes To Get New Home
The Governor is directing St. Croix Mid-Island Administrator Pedro Cruz to rehab the Army Reserve Barracks and make it suitable for the St. Croix Majorettes to use as a headquarters and host site for other community groups like civic committees and amateur boxing.
We Have Mealybugs, We have Grants
The USDA is giving the territory new funds to fight the infestation of Pink Mealybugs. Agriculture will also provide a car and computer gear to fight the bugs that eat our hibiscus plants.
Water Island Report – Heide Gets Married.
Sunday afternoon saw the largest wedding ceremony in Water Island history as Heide and Larry Mann married on the beach. They are like the honorary leading citizens of the Water Island beach set and they hosted a huge party that ran into the late evening with live music and dancing. Who said nothing happens on Water Island? Heide got married! Oh, and Larry tooÖ