The RVIPF have confirmed the arrest of Claude Skelton-Cline, a former Government Consultant. He was arrested today Friday May 17th and charged with a number of crimes. The crimes are reported to be in relation to an ongoing criminal investigation into Government contracts awarded from 2008 to 2010.Claude Skelton Cline, 58, of Ballast Bay was charged with two counts of obtaining property by deception, four counts of false accounting and one count of proceeds of crime. He has been granted bai...

There has been a double murder in the Territory overnight. The RVIPF have confirmed a shooting incident in the Huntums Ghut area after 1 am this morning Friday, May 17th.Two males have been confirmed dead as a result of the shooting. Identities have not been released.Details surrounding the incident are unclear at this time. This brings the number of murders in the Territory to three (3) for 2024.  Prominent local Attorney Jamal Smith was murdered in his home in early March. Guava...

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force responded to a report of a stabbing at His Majesty’s Prison on Sunday, May 12 after 4 pm. Following theincident, one inmate who our media house understands to be Shakeel Ryan, was transported to Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital for medical treatment whilst two inmates were removed from the prison for questioning.Police later charged Andreas Norford who is presently serving 30 years for the murder of Cornel Melbourne Francis, and Essadro Jefferson...

Courtesy of a hard fought 3-2 victory over nearest rivals and titlecontenders, Islanders FC, Wolues FC have claimed their first ever National League Championship reaching an unassailableforty-five points with one game remaining, four points clear at the top of the standings.The Islanders had to win the game to stand a chance of their ninth title and must have feared the worst when they fell into a two-goalhole, thanks to a goal direct from a corner by Phil Nelson and a strike from Kieran Brown.H...

Chantel Malone OLY placed 1st with a best leap of 6.53 / 21’ 51/4” achieved at her first attempt at the PURE Athletics Sprint Elite Meet hosted yesterday Saturday May 11 at the NTC Training Center in Clermont, Florida. Malone, competing in her 2nd event of the season and 2nd since recovering from a knee injury and subsequent operation, delivered her best set since 2021 with consistent marks in her flights (6.53, 6.49, 6.52, 6.45 + 2 fouled attempts).Malone, who made BVI history ...

One year following to 2023 General Election Anegada, the drowned land, finds itself in a familiar space—abandoned and forgotten post elections. Promises made to a people; forgotten. Their many woes election-after-election, still remain.

One year following to 2023 General Election Anegada, the drowned land, finds itself in a familiar space—abandoned and forgotten post elections. Promises made to a people; forgotten. Their many woes election-after-election, still remain.

The screams erupting from her Manchester Mansion assaulted the ear drums of surrounding neighbours.  But the 93-year-old occupant was not in agony although phantom pains are known to frequently wrack her body and reduce her to bitter tears unbecoming of a woman of her poise and dignity.Body parts that she no longer has, as a double amputee, are attacked; Feet, shin bones, toes.  So, she is confined to a wheelchair which has not succeeded in keeping her still nor keeping her at home. &n...

The British Virgin Islands Airports Authority is advising the traveling public of the immediate closure of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport today, Sunday, May 5.Managing Director, Mr. Kurt Menal said the closure is as result of a bomb threat which is being treated as legitimate and resulted in the activation of the Authority’s Contingency plan.Mr. Menal said officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force are currently at the airport collaborating with other Authorities to ...

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...