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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The Band Will Stand in Honor of Milo
The loss of Emile “Milo and the Kings” Frances is effecting everyone in the Virgin Islands, now there is a glimmer of good news. The band has announced that they will stay together, they will continue to perform and to honor of Milo, the band will carry the name “Milo and the Kings” – forever.
Current Conditions in Paradise:
Temperature: 86 Degrees at 10 AM Skies: Sunny, Occasional Cloud Chance of Showers: Slight to 10%: Water Temp: Perfect at 82 degrees Beach and Swimming Conditions: Sooo Perfect Sailing and Diving Conditions: World Class! Drinks: Ready
CIGNA gets to Show Cause Today
Lieutenant Governor Mapp is holding a hearing today at 10:00 AM – in the Jury Assembly Room of the Territorial Court to allow CIGNA to show cause why they should not be required to maintain insurance coverage for 120 days while the government arranges for other insurance.
Ship for Christmas
We will have the USS Lewis S. Puller visiting St. Thomas for Christmas from December 24 through December 29. Part of the time they will be in Crown Bay and part time at anchor.
Holiday Schedule – Closed this week.
The Senate is not meeting this week, Delegate Dr. Christian-Green says her offices will be closed on Christmas eve, Wednesday Christmas Day and Christmas Second Day. Her office will reopen on Monday the 29th. Housing Authority is also closing on the government holiday schedule. There is administrative leave for non-essential government staff today on St. Croix from noon to 5 o’clock. All government non-essential personnel get leave on Wednesday Christmas eve from noon to 5 o’clock. This leave does not apply to essential employees, employees on regular or rotating shift and employees on annual or sick leave.
School Accreditation – What do we have to Fix?
The three big high schools kept their accreditation – you already know that. The Accreditation board wanted change. The Department of Education is taking steps to give more budget control to the individual schools, they have a committee working on policies to reduce teacher absenteeism. Liston Davis says they can’t afford substitute teachers. On an normal school day 50 teachers are absent. Hiring the necessary number of substitutes would cost nearly a million dollars per year while the department has 200,000 for substitutes. Liston Davis says it is inadequate.
Queen for the Festival
It started with rain but by the time the St. Croix Queen pageant was over it was like sunshine. Nichole Payne is the new Queen. She won after a stirring speech on Emancipate, Rejuvenate and Celebrate. The second Runner up was Yaira Riviera, the first runner up was Safiya Kitwana. And the queen – Nichole Payne – making good news.
Senate Honors Its Own
Senate President Lorraine Berry held a Service Staff Awards ceremony on Sunday evening The 40 employees had 253 years of collective experience and the Senate President Pointed to Glencia Steele Chief of the Journal section who has been working for the Senate for 32 years. Same for Glaston Steele of the Transportation Division – 32 years. Also cited by the Senate President were Theresa Mahoney who was employee of the year 1997, and honored for 28 years of service. Theophile Thomas has 27 years, Corrine King-Hodge has 26 years and these people are the pillars of the Senate staff.
Hansen Gets Money for Three Kings
The three kings of the Bible came bearing gifts. This year Senator Hansen has succeeded in getting the Three Kings Day on the official calendar and funded for a party. Eight thousand dollars will be appropriated for Three Kings Day. Hansen says Hispanics have a rightful place in our society they make up 49% of the St. Croix population and should keep their culture alive.
Water Island Report
What this island needs is an annual festival. A chance to have an event to which everyone can work. What if we held Brigadoon Day every year to honor our disappearance from the universe the rest of the year.