US Virgin Islands
[singlepic id=4817 w=180 h=40 mode=web20 float=left]Good morning! This is Alex Randall with Good News Headlines
St. Croix Gets More Cruise Ships
St. Maarten has a tax dispute going on. That has scared some cruise ships away, that’s the bad news. The ships are diverting to St. Croix, and that’s good news. Crown Princess is there today along with the Song of Norway, and tomorrow St. Croix gets the Inspiration, and they get the Carnival Sensation and Destiny on Wednesday.
We Are “Cover Girls”
Meanwhile, the Virgin Islands is on the cover of Travel Weekly magazine with a three page cover story about our islands. The author says we have recovered physically and cosmetically. She loves St. John and points to attractions on St. Croix.
Frenchman’s Reef to Do Reconstruction
Frenchman’s Reef is going to close down for a reconstruction period beginning April first. It is the first time the hotel has been closed since it opened 23 years ago. The reconstruction will add 128 suites to the facility, and upgrade many areas. Nick Pourzal says they will set a new standard for excellence. Many of the staff will remain on the payroll and those laid off will be rehired first.
Cops Nab Drug Dealers
Police Commissioner Ramon Davila credits a conference in Barbados last week with the key information to let the police bust five drug smugglers and the seizure of the largest stash of cocaine headed for St. Thomas. The joint effort by British Virgin Islands and USVI police let to the seizure near Norman’s island in the he British Virgin Islands. Davila had congratulations for the Operation Blue Lightning drug unit and the safe streets task force.
AmeriCorp Cleaning Parks
AmeriCorp is going to make some good news. The national service organization is giving some of our parks a face lift over the President’s Day weekend. On the 14th of February and 17th they will be working at Canegata Ballpark, Children’s Triangle in Fredreksted and Smith Bay Tiny Tots Playground. The group is seeking donations of lumber, paint, chain for swings, nuts and bolts, paint brushes, tools, volunteers with lawn mowers garden tools and plants. Call Clint Ferris at 772-0598
Dental Health Month
Senator Liburd and the Committee on Health want you to know that the month of February is National Children’s Dental Health Awareness Month. Have your children been to the dentist this year. Do they brush and floss regularly. Did you know that putting a baby to bed with a bottle will harm their young teeth? Senator Liburd’s Committee on Health wants you to have healthy teeth gums. Make sure the children get to a dentist for a check up.
Send MoneyÖ.
Attention UVI Alumni – the 1996 Phonathon is $3200 away from the goal. Please send in your tax deductable gift.
Math Counts
St. Croix Matheletes will be holding the 9th annual Math Counts Competition this February 20th leading up to the State Contest in March. Mid-island Rotary and the Dept. of Ed are targeting 7th and 8trh grade students with this contest that improved math skills.
Education Commission Public Hearings
The Commission on Education is holding Public Hearings today at the Education Complex for students of Arthur Richards School, Woodson Jr. High, and the Education Complex through 11:30.
New Local Text Books
Carol Henneman dropped out of sight a few months back when Commissioner Cheek passed the job to Liston Davis. Now the Daily News reports that Carol Henneman is writing a series of short stories and biographies for the Dept. of Education. These will be moral lessons in a Virgin Islands setting suitable for use in kindergarten through sixth grade. She is also working on biographies of local heroes. She has plans for the teachers guides, CD-ROM’s and an Internet site. That’s Carol Henneman making good news.