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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Job Picture in the USVI
V.I. Labor Commissioner Carmelo Rivera says the V.I. job picture is looking up. Even though the unemployment rate rose from 5-point-seven to five-point-nine percent between May and June. The commissioner cited developments in the construction industry to support his claim that more jobs are available this summer. He named ten future construction projects yet to begin as signs that jobs would continue to be available in construction for the months to come.
Current Conditions in Paradise:
Temperature: 84 Degrees Water Temp: 72 Degrees Skies: Crystal Clear, Occasional Cloud Chance of Rain: 20%: Beach and Swimming : Perfect Sailing and Diving : Perfect Drinks: Ready
Tourism
In preparation for the coming winter tourist season, the V.I. government is preparing a four-point-seven-million dollar ad campaign. Two million dollars is reportedly targeted for television ads. Magazine ads promoting USVI tourism are scheduled to appear in travel, bridal, diving, and gourmet magazines. Meanwhile on the island of St. Croix, the Chamber of Commerce is going high tech with a world wide web site promoting tourism. This initiative is one of the first efforts of the new St. Croix Tourism Development Council.
Child Support
V.I. parents receiving child support disbursements through the Department of Labor are being told delays in receiving the scheduled July 20 payments should be cleared up shortly. Officials from the Paternity and Child Support division blame the delay on suppliers, but they anticipate resumption of the normal child support check payment schedule by August 29
Landfill
24-year-old Martin Watson came from Northern Ireland to see the world, he said, and to ply his trade as an environmental manager. He’s now done both of these things, arriving on the island of St. Croix where he is working for the St. Croix Environmental Association. The organization says one of Watson’s first projects is to help seek an alternative site for the Anguilla landfill. Federal authorities have told the V.I. Port Authority the dump must be moves, since birds attracted to the garbage pose a hazard for aircraft using the nearby Henry Rolshen Airport.
Island National
The V.I. Insurance Guarantee Association says it will begin processing claims August 22 for policy holders of the defunct Island National Insurance Co. of St. Croix. Last month, Lt. Governor Kenneth Mapp. Who serves as the territory’s Banking and Insurance Commissioner declared the company insolvent and announced all policies would be cancelled as of August 22. Guarantee association president Jose Venez is in the process of approving claims forms to be used by policy holders and hiring an in-house claims adjuster and an accountant to oversee claims processing. Coming Up:
A very important meeting is coming up for the Montserrat Association Sunday August 24 at Victors New Hideout on St. Thomas. That meeting starts at 5 p.m. Ivanna Eudora Kean class of 1989 meets at the Daily News conference room today at 5 p.m. Reef Rangers meet at Magen’s Bay near the bath house Thursday at 5 p.m. New teachers orientation postponed from earlier this week .. is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at the GERS Building , Department of Personnel. Veterans on St. Thomas and St,. Croix can visit with specially trained counselors August 28 and 29. For more information call the Office of Veteran’s Affairs 773-6663 or 774-6100
The St. Thomas-St. John Red Cross continues its four day mini disaster workshop from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Education Department’s Teleconferencing Center
Water Island Report
The Department of Public Works is into the third day of a clean up of Water Island, that’s according to transportation director, Bingley G. Richardson. Richardson said there was a delay but the clean up is scheduled to resume later this week4