Attorney and First Virgin Islander Commissioner of Police, Vernon Malone has passed away. He died earlier today at the D. Orlando Smith Hospital.  Malone served as Commissioner of Police from 1992-2002. Vernon Malone also served as an Elected Representative in the HOA after being elected in 2007 with the VIP. He served one term.   We extend condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. 

In a contentious decision that has sparked a heated debate on transparency and accountability in Government operations, the Premier of the British Virgin Islands has come under fire for his refusal to disclose the names of individuals engaged in business transactions with the Virgin Islands Festival & Fairs Committee (VIFFC). The Premier's decision to keep this information confidential has not only triggered public outcry, but has also gone against the advice of the Attorney General and ...

So, the SS BVI is taking on water.  But her Captain and Crew are oblivious.  The ship has been without a chart and compass for some time, aimlessly drifting out to the high seas where she is battered by the waves.Her Admiral, who is responsible for law and order, appears to be open to a mutiny.  Any minute now, the ship may be boarded by ‘friendlies’ and overrun.The Admiral’s stance in the context of the COI is intriguing.  The COI is allowing for a necessar...

With the onset of the Atlantic hurricane season on 1st June, the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has activated its disaster preparedness plan. The activation is part of the organization’s readiness mandate and also in light of forecasts predicting increased tropical storm activity. On 4th April, the Tropical Weather and Climate Research Team at Colorado State University (CSU) released their annual seasonal forecast which anticipates a total of 23 named tropic...

Reports of numerous fights on the Elmore Stoutt HS Campus earlier this afternoon, Thursday 2 May, has forced the school into remote mode/virtual learning. In a memo released by the Admin Team of the ESHS late this evening, the announcement was made. “Dear Parents and Guardian, In response to incidents of extreme misconduct that occurred on our campus this week, the Ministry, in consultation with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, has taken a decision to activate the scho...

Yet another passenger remains at large in the Territory

A new Committee has been appointed to oversee the 2024 Road Town Festival Village. Mr James Lettsome III, has been revealed as the new Chairman along with an Executive team which include Co-Chair Ms. Wendy Kelsik and Ms. Dawn Baronville as Treasurers along with Secretary Ms. Trisha Evans and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Stephon Mactavious.For the 2024 event, the Bar Supervisor is Mr. Glenford Hodge, Booth Supervisor - Ms. Thecla Hopkin  & Security Supervisor -Mr. Daron Baronv...

Six denied by Immigration Board. Reason questioned by Cabinet, and timeline given for reporting.

The Department of Immigration is asking the public to remain vigilant both on land and at sea for any suspicious persons or activity as they seek to locate illegal migrants reported to be in the Territory.On Thursday 25 April, the Department of Immigration received a tip of suspected illegal migrant activity on Peter Island.  The department then sought the assistance of other law enforcement agencies, HM Customs and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), which activated the Joi...

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  That is the message that six blind men on the Indian subcontinent should have gotten when they each touched a different part of the elephant and defined the whole based on that limited experience.They all got it wrong although in some cases, so sure was each that it came to suspicion for the folly of their colleagues’ pronouncements and even blows.BVI is like that elephant.  We are, each one, touching the small part that is of inte...

In a heavy legal blow, Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith has won the first of two judicial reviews which his team had filed following Smith being sent home on Administrative Leave without reason on 18 August 2022. Justice Sonya Young handed down the ruling against Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards and Commissioner of Police Mark Collins in the High Court of Justice yesterday Wednesday 24 April 2024.In ruling in Wade Smith’s favour, Justice Young concluded that the Magistrate’s a...

Today, officers of the Major Incident Team within the RVIPF arrested and charged two persons in connection with the April 30, 2023, murder of Kemo Lettsome at Long Look, Tortola.Charged are 32-year-old Vernon Bernard of Manuel Reef and 28-year-old Jelani Marquis of Hannah’s Estate, both repeat criminal offenders. The arrest comes following an intensive investigation that spanned close to one year. On the date of the incident, Lettsome, along with other persons, were present at a famil...

On Sunday 21 April 2024, at the Loose Mongoose, during a revealing and dashing ceremony, three young ladies were introduced as contestants of the Miss Teen BVI Pageant 2024.The Contestants are:#1 Asha Alexandria Hyndman, 18#2 Tiya Michell Herbert, 17#3 Eriel Mia Leshae Stewart, 18 As of press time, the date for the pageant has been set for Sunday 2, June 2024, at the Eileen Parsons Auditorium. 

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Has Nabbed A Group Of Persons Suspected To Be Illegal Immigrants.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna Smith, OBE today delivered the keynote address at the special 20thanniversary meeting and conference of ICC FraudNet, highlighting the strong position the Virgin Islands Government takes in relation in the deterrence of fraud and the fight against financial crime.The conference, which was held at Scrub Island Resort, brought together over 100 attendees from 71 countries, including many of the top asset recove...

Two prison officers from His Majesty’s Prison recently completed Control and Restraint (C&R) training in Bermuda.Acting Principal Officers Ms. Alan Jackson and Mr. Kesena Okoro underwent an intensive three-week course during which they acquired the latest officer safety, de-escalation, and personal protection techniques.Superintendent Mr. Jay Kendall said the training marked a significant milestone as it was the first time a female officer from the Virgin Islands has completed the prog...

The public is asked to assist with the location of Mr. Pascal Bosman of Netherlands and Mr. Martire Cabrera of Dominican Republic (carrying a St. Kitts & Nevis passport). Both individuals travelled to the Territory via cruise ship Norwegian Sky on Friday, 19 April and have not returned to the ship or departed the Territory legally, and remain at large.If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Messer’s Bosman and Cabrera please contact the Department of Immigration at 46...

The Premier congratulated Joma Properties and James Todman Construction and we should too.The one (Joma) is performing as it should.  For they are capitalists and the community expects that capitalists spawned on its shores have a responsibility to continue to invest in the state.  The other (James Todman Construction) shows the community what is possible with a learned skill, hard work and wise investments.They are both success stories and BVI is immensely proud of them.The Premier al...

The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), a statutory body dedicated to driving sustainable development and positive impact in project implementation, fundraising and capacity development, proudly celebrates its sixth anniversary.The Government of the Virgin Islands created the RDA with the passage of the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Act (No. 1 of 2018).  The Act was passed by the House of Assembly, and gazetted on 16th April, 2018. Today, on its sixth...

Registrar General at the Civil Registry and Passport Office (CRPO) Mrs. Tashi O’ Flaherty-Maduro is advising the public to renew their travel documents promptly to prevent travel interruptions.Mrs. Flaherty-Maduro said in anticipation of the up-coming hurricane season and summer holidays, citizens are encouraged to check the validity of their passports and submit applications well in advance before making definitive plans for travel. “The CRPO emphasises that applying for a pass...