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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Roy L. Schneider Hospital on its Way to Re-Certification
The hospital Interim Chief Executive, Bruce Goldman, told the Committee on Health that quite a bit of work has been done and that the hospital will accomplish all that is necessary for re-certification. The roof repair has been completed, the number of beds expanded, more nurses have been hired, the fire systems work, air conditioning, the nurse call system all check out OK. We now have only 47 contract nurses and 136 permanent nurses. Goldman is interviewing candidates for a permanent Chief Executive, but he is concerned that the pay is not enough to attract the best candidates. Senator Liburd says the hospital is in pretty good shape. Meanwhile the Juan Luis Hospital is experiencing a shortage of blood. The hospital is appealing to all type O Positive and type O negative donors to come donate blood. Call 778-6659
Today’s Photo: The Staff at Dept. Of Human Services – Taking Care of our Senior Citizens
Current Conditions in Paradise:
Temperature: 80 Degrees at 2PM Skies: Sunny, Occasional Cloud Chance of Showers: Slight to 20%: Water Temp: Perfect Beach and Swimming Conditions: Perfect Sailing and Diving Conditions: World Class! Drinks: Ready for You!
UVI Going Underground
Among the announcements at UVI’s Trustees Meeting is the decision to perform capital improvements including a plan to bury the electrical cables for the university with a FEMA grant. UVI will also build its own microwave communication link between St. Thomas and St. Croix. And a new music suite is under construction. A new sports and fitness center is in the planning stage.
Water On St. John – No Alarm
WAPA told the Governor that they are taking steps to assure St. John of adequate water while the desalination plant is undergoing repair. The water haulers can use St. Thomas standpipe and WAPA will pay the barge costs and the gravity feed system is OK.. The desalination plant repair should be complete this week.
Roof Program in Final Phase
The Governor announced that the Home Protection Roof Program will hold a meeting on Thursday March 19th at Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef for contractors to discuss standards, policies and procedures for the final phase of the roof program. The St. Croix meeting will happen later. The program hopes to get 200 additional roofs in the final phase of the program.
USDA will Fund Apartment Repair
The Department of Agriculture announced that they are making 2.5 million dollars in loans available to the repair Hurricane Marilyn damage in three apartment complexes. Sunrise Cove Apartments in Lower John Dunko will have 22 units repaired, Amalie Clear View Apartments will get 44 units repaired and Carib Villas in Christiansted will have 28 family units repaired. The funds come from the US Department of Agriculture
Dept. Housing Parks and Recreation Renovating Fort Frederick beach
The Dept. Housing Parks and Recreation announced that they are working hand in hand with the Emancipation 150 Commemoration Commission to restore sites around Frederiksted. They are going to improved Fort Frederick Beach, Frederiksted Children’s Playground, Veteran’s Park and Budhoe Park. The work will be completed before the ceremony.
Travel Holiday Magazine – Virgin Islands is Back
The April issue of Travel Holiday Magazine is out and it has a focus story on the US Virgin Islands that says we are back and better than ever. The point to eco-travel on St. John, the kayak tours of the mangrove swamp of St. Thomas, the new Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef, and the Ritz -Carlton as examples of the renewal of the US Virgin Islands.
Senate Today
The Senate is just taking recess. The special ordered several bills and spent all morning arguing over a lease. They have a long agenda including a bill to let the government stop paying the administrative costs of the GERS, to make GERS, the WICO and WAPA all contribute to the general fund and another bill to allow veterans spouses to be buried with their deceased spouses.
Calendar Today
Howard University Alumni Club of St. Thomas St. John will meet at 5:30 PM at Palm Count Harborview Call 774-0366 for more information. 5:30 PM CAHS Parent Teacher Student Association will meet at 5:30 PM in the Auditorium This is specifically for parents of 10th and 11th graders. It is abbout the Terra Nove Testing. Foster and adoptive parents are meeting at 5:30 PM at Knud Hansen Complex 6:00 PM Ivanna Eudora Kean School – Members of the Junior Class are meeting at 6:00 PM at the library 7:00 PM The Bethany school alumni are meeting at the former school house on St. John at 7:00 PM Community Block Grant Hearings for the island of St. John, Territorial Court Boulon Center
New Queen
The University held the Miss UVI Pageant over the weekend and crowned the new Miss UVI. First runner up was Roki Gordon and the winner of the title is Lisa Hasby Wayne who was chaperoned by Sherry Wheatley. The new Miss UVI is Lisa Hasby Wayne
Water Island Report
Whew – back to nothing. No News is Good News is safe and sound on Water Island.,