Guavaberry Media extends an apology to CIBC. Our article, in error, listed the bank in our prior story in relation to customers waking up to frightening bank balances. https://www.gbmediahouse.com/Articles/Article/711/First-Bank-VI-Customers-Wake-Up-To-Frightful-Account-BalancesThank you to our readers for swiftly pointing out the error to our media house. Again, our apologies to CIBC. 

Our news room is flooded with concerns from First Bank BVI customers. We understand commercial and retail customers woke up to $0.00 balances this morning, Tuesday, October 22nd. Others are complaining of being in the ‘red’If you are a First Bank customer, you’re advised to check your accounts.We have reached out for a statement on the matter.  

The winners of the Primary and Secondary Schools speech competition centered on anti-bullying are featured as they accepted their prizes on Wednesday 16 October at the Elmore Stoutt High School.In the primary division, Amiah Chang from Claudia Creque Educational Centre Primary placed first, John Claude Vergara from St. George's Primary School won second place, while Marla-Monae Gray from Jost Van Dyke Primary School placed  third.In the secondary division, Yasmeen Said from St...

In 1963, Michael Anthony wrote “The Games Were Coming.”  He set the stage carefully in the lead up to the games and when all the conditions were right:“When the crowds packed both the main and the uncovered stands …, when the club-house and the grounds were bright with the colours of the flags -  when the peal of trumpets sounded, and the pigeons were released, and when the Leader of the Band marched smartly from the pathway, causing the great roar from the cro...

CCT in a statement released today, Friday October 18th, has officially cut ties with the Tola Radio platform. Statement from CCT:“Caribbean Cellular Telephone Limited (CCT) wishes to clarify recent discussions in the public domain concerning the termination of our service exchange agreement with Mr. Floyd “Heritage” Burnett and Tola Radio.Since Tola Radio’s inception as a broadcast entity, CCT has been a supportive partner, providing various services to facilitate th...

On the morning of Thursday, October 17th, the Ad Hoc Committee for the Urgent Enhancement of Virgin Gorda  Health Care, officially presented a petition to the Governor of the Virgin Islands, His Excellency Daniel Pruce at Government House.The petition, signed by over 800 concerned residents and stakeholders, outlines critical issues affecting health care services in Virgin Gorda  and seeks the Governor’s intervention and counsel to find a way forward to address urgent shortcoming...

Premier, and Minister of Finance, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley has stated that there is a need for the active monitoring the Territory’s environment, its water quality and coral reefs.Premier Wheatley while addressing the launch of the ‘Vigilate’, a vessel that will be used for water quality monitoring, urged representatives from various governmental and environmental non-profit organisations to embrace and commit to the jou...

The BVI Airports Authority (the Authority) successfully completed a comprehensive simulation exercise at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on October 10.Managing Director Mr. Kurt Menal said the primary objectives of the exercise was to test the Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) procedures, assess the response time of the RFFS, and evaluate the effectiveness of interagency communication and the Incident Command System, along with evaluating the reliability of the airport'...

The British Virgin Islands Football Association (BVIFA) has officially announced the departure of Christopher Kiwomya as the Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team. After three years of dedicated service, Coach Kiwomya has stepped down from his role, leaving behind a significant legacy in the evolution of football within the British Virgin Islands.Since joining the team, Coach Kiwomya has been a pivotal force in the team’s growth, leading them to a series of notable achiev...

The Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley, has once again abused his power to circumvent established committees, and regulations to ensure his wishes are carried out. The Government and Miss BVI Committee has established that they would no longer provide a car to the winner of Miss BVI annually, except in cases of special year celebration i.e every five (5) years.  They certainly agreed that the prize of a car should be reserved for the winner of the 70th E...

A massive overnight fire has consumed several vehicles. The fire is said to have occurred on the back of Island Department Store in Duffs Bottom.   It is believed that the vehicles belong to the Tortola Auto Group (TAG). This information has not yet been confirmed by the company.  Firefighters were on the scene and have contained the fire. Guavaberry Media will bring you further details as they unfold. 

The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced a week-long National Celebration in honour of The Right Honourable Dame Janice M. Pereira on the occasion of her retirement from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court as Chief Justice.The celebrations themed, ‘Celebrating our Radiant Daughter: A Journey from the Virgin Islands to the Privy Council’, are also being held on her recent appointment to His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council.The celebrations, which will run from O...

There is a chink in the armour of state.  Two ministers (we wonder if they are rogue) have broken ranks with the Premier on a planned party for which, so far, over $200K has already, silently, disappeared from the state treasury.  A long letter was written by a third minister in protest but only the two exhibited the courage to lodge their dissatisfaction with the people.The financial stewardship is questionable given that the government is struggling to balance its 2025 budget es...

Seven (7) Air Traffic Control Officers at the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority (the Authority) have completed the Aeronautical Meteorology Observer Training Course with a one hundred percent pass rate.The course was a specialised training program to ensure that the Authority continues to meet international standards in aviation safety and operational efficiency and was conducted in collaboration with the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH).Officer in Charge, Mrs. Dia...

The New Horizon Guidance and Counselling Unit will engage in several activities aimed at choosing respect for Anti-Bullying Week 2024.Primary School Counsellor Mrs. Sharon Leonard said bullying in the Territory must end and is encouraging students to trust adults and get the necessary assistance that they may need.Mrs. Leonard said the week of activities will be observed from October 14 to 18 under the theme, “Choose Respect”. She said the theme was chosen as a result of consultation...

As first reported by our media house, the Government of the Virgin Islands is partnering with a local promotion company, now identified as YOLO promotions, to bring Vybz Kartel to the BVI. The date announced is March 2025 for the annual Black On Black event. Our understanding is that the Artist’s fee is some half a million dollars, with the Government covering the full quarter million dollar deposit to sign the Artist. Images and videos released over the past few days show Steve Paril...

Information reaching our newsroom is that a second male Teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School is now under investigation for molesting a female student.The details are unclear, however, we understand the Teacher has been sent on leave. Our newsroom reached out to the Police who have confirmed that a second incident is under investigation, and that a press release will be forthcoming. Just a few weeks ago, at the opening of the school year, our media house reported an incident involv...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has charged J’Quoi Lloyd, 26, of The Valley, Virgin Gorda, with drug-related offenses, including Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply to Another and Untrue Declaration and Importation of a Controlled Drug.The charges follow a joint operation between RVIPF officers and Customs officials at the Road Town Ferry Terminal on September 9, 2024. During routine inspections, a quantity of suspected cannabis was recovered from a package ...

Chairman Delma Maduro and Director of Tourism Clive McCoy sat in silence

You can tell a lot about a lady by the way she keeps her home.  And based on its condition, you may choose to make some rational decisions.  Will you accept an offer of food or drink?  Would you allow carnal knowledge to be shared?  Will you return?His Majesty’s loyal Opposition has been plaguing the government about the unkempt state of the Territory for some time and so have we.The failing infrastructure is outstanding; Healthcare which can bankrupt any governmen...