“The storms are coming.  It is September and, for us, the most active part of the hurricane season.  We are, understandably, frightened.  A breeze raises our blood pressure and a drizzle disorients us.  Erin with its significant payload of water, although, thankfully, minimal wind, has already set us on edge.Eight years on and we are still living in the shadow of Hurricane Irma.  She stripped us of a lot that we had diligently worked for over the years.  ...

Hello you! Read this loud and read it proud. You are and will never be an option for someone who was breadcrumbing you..No. You are you and best bet, your person is out there in this life or the next. Love on you a bit more today.  No Longer an Option I am no longer a dooryou can swing through at will,no longer a seat at your tablewhen you remember I exist. I am not the "maybe later,"the "if nothing else works out,"the "just in case she’s still ...

The public is advised that telephone lines across various government offices are currently experiencing an outage which is preventing incoming calls from being received.Teams are currently working to resolve this issue and a further update will be issued once the outage has been rectified.

The public is advised that Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe is acting in the office of Deputy Governor in the absence of Deputy Governor, Mr. David D. Archer, Jr, who is out of the Territory.Mrs. Stoutt-Igwe will act as Deputy Governor until 25th August, 2025.Mrs. Stoutt-Igwe’s appointment is in accordance with section 36 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

Our history tells our story.  Who we are now is built on who we were and how we lived in the past.  Our earliest schools were church missions designed to educate the children of slaves, and it may be that at that time there was no difference between boys and girls in attendance.   But after Emancipation the wealth of the country was in agricultural and sea faring pursuits, for which eventually boys’ labour was needed.  It may be that this is why from earliest memor...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has launched a three-week Community Policing Training initiative aimed at transforming how officers engage with the community, enhancing trust, and proactively preventing crime. The training will run in one-week cohorts, with the first cohort commencing on Monday, 11th August.The program, led by distinguished experts from The Officium Training Limited of Trinidad and Tobago, embodies Acting Commissioner of Police Mrs. Jacqueline Vanterpool’s st...

Hello You! When all else fails. You are the one who have to keep remaining yourself of that place where you were your best happiness self. You know the place, it just takes the process to get there. Here is a peom that reflects the way. The festivities may be over but your journey continues.  The Healing ProcessIt’s not pretty—not the way people post about it online,with tidy affirmations and perfect lighting.It’s messy.It’s crying in the shower,and then laughin...

The public is advised that Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Dr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley is acting in the office of Deputy Governor in the absence of Deputy Governor, Mr. David D. Archer Jr, who is out of the Territory.Dr. Berkeley will act as Deputy Governor until 17th August, 2025.Dr. Berkeley’s appointment is in accordance with section 36 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

The public is advised that His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Daniel Pruce will remain out of the Territory as he continues the necessary recovery following a minor operation.A statement on the Governor’s Facebook page read:‘I’ve been touched by the many kind messages and well wishes I received ahead of my recent surgery. I’m pleased to share that the operation to repair my shoulder was successful. However, my recovery is taking a little longer than expected, and I now anti...

When the ceremony to mark the proclamation of emancipation is held on Sunday at the Sunday Morning Well, BVI would have been 191 years into its practice of freedom.We will leave it to the historians to quibble about where and when the proclamation was first read.  Our concern is that it WAS read and that changed the course of history for the approximately 6,000 people who were enslaved in the BVI.The history tells us that the British saw it fit to compensate the slave owners for their econo...

The Glow Up ParadeShe stepped out with fire in her soul,Sun kissed skin and a heart made whole.Drums beat loud but couldn’t compete,With the power rising from her feet.No more chains of silent cries,She glows,she glitters, she is readyShe dances now under open skies.Past loves can watch but won’t disturb,She’s a symphony they’ll never unearth.Glittered with strength, feathers of pride,She no longer waits—she rides her tide.Each wine, each step, a sacred vow:“I...

We are confusing the children.  Our words do not match our actions and that makes it extremely difficult.I was heartened to learn that, at the level of the Cabinet, the people’s business continues although there are those who still refuse to attend Cabinet meetings once the Deputy Governor, in his capacity as Acting Governor, is presiding.It is an issue, we thought, was put to bed long ago.Chapter 3 of the 2007 Constitution Order, Sections 35-40, deals with the powers and functions of...

Well Hello You! Guess who's enjoying themselves and living life for them. It's you! And oh they feel it. They smell it, they know it and oh boy, they want it back not genuinely but selfishly. Because that glow up is personal and it shows deep within your core soul. What they didn't realized was you were the mirror that they avoided for so long. Now they finally see you. It's too bad. You are already gone.  She Was the MirrorHe used your softnesslike a balm for his bruis...

Despite the sudden and unfortunate death of Thomas Warner, founder of the North Drop Open fishing tournament just a couple weeks ago, the event is set to proceed in a couple weeks. A message posted to the event’s Facebook page reads:“It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news of the loss of Thomas K Warner, a wonderful person whose impact on our community and instrumental role creating the North Drop Open was nothing short of extraordinary. We will forever be grateful ...

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) is advising the public to collect any cargo they may have at the port facilities within the allotted five working day period. The prompt collection of cargo helps the BVI Ports keep the BVI moving. During the Atlantic Hurricane Season, it is important that cargo be collected quickly due to potential inclement weather.To accommodate the upcoming Emancipation Festival holiday closure, the BVIPA will extend cargo clearance hours as follows:Saturday...

Five students from the Virgin Islands have been selected to represent the Territory at the 2025 FIRST Global Robotics Competition, scheduled to take place in Panama from 29th October to 1st November.The team comprises Jayron Gibson and Denae Scatliffe Chalwell, graduates of the Elmore Stoutt High School, Grade 12 students Judiah Case and Keyara Smith and Grade 11 student Eleazar Brooks of the Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division.The announcement was made by the Honourable Sharie de...

The Office of the Deputy Governor will launch its second Customer Service Care Centre at the Vanterpool Administration Building in Virgin Gorda on Thursday, 24th July.The Customer Service Care Centre which was launched on Tortola in 2020, serves as a multi-function hub for accessing Government services while providing in-person support for clients in need.Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome, MBE highlighted the importance of the centre&rsqu...

The RVIPF has spent the past 36 hours dealing with gun incidences in the Territory, all incidences taking place in various areas of the Capital (Road Town). Four of the incidences which occurred in the past 12 hours, has seen one male arrested in the Huntum’s Ghut area last night Friday 18 July around 11pm, for gun possession. Police were on patrol in the area when the arrest was made. Police have confirmed an armed robbery outside of a nightclub in Road Town last night where one...

Hello You! It surely is Summer, that Tortola heat is undeniable. So is your freedom and glow up. Oh it's showing! And they are noticing the difference in the swing, in your hugs and smile on your face. The temptation is roaring again loudly. But oh please hunny, that ain't for you. Not anymore. Now They Want to Come BackNow they want to come back—now that the glow-up is loud,now that your joy moves through roomsbefore you even step in.They see the face shining in the sun,the n...

The Foreign Office is sending Margaret Hodge, to the Territory in response to its displeasure with the Territory’s efforts to implement mechanism to fight financial crime. See yesterday’s article in the Guardian…https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/16/uks-anti-corruption-champion-to-go-to-offshore-haven-on-fact-finding-missionThe Territory has missed the deadline to implement public Registers of company ownership. The Territory is also battling the Bank of Asia...