As you no doubt will have observed, the winds and rain from Tropical Storm Philippe’s passage have reduced significantly. I can also report that in those areas where flood waters were observed last night and this morning, the waters have drained.As of 1:00 p.m., I am issuing an all-clear for the Territory. However, caution is still required. Rock falls, ponding, and other issues may still pose a threat to motorists, so all who choose to drive today must be extremely careful.Many thanks to ...

Mr. Kurt Menal, Managing Director of the BVI Airports Authority is informing the travelling public of the closure of the Territory’s Airports due to the effects of Tropical Storm Phillipe, and the Virgin Islands being under a Flash Flood Warning.Mr. Menal advised that once the “all clear” is given by the Department of Disaster Management, an assessment of each airport will be conducted, and a further press release issued to announce the reopening of airports.Passengers with con...

The public is notified that due to the continued effects of Tropical Storm Phillipe, all Government offices are closed today, October 4, 2023.The Virgin Islands is under a flash-flood warning. As Tropical Storm Phillipe continues to affect the Territory, thunderstorms, flash flooding and strong winds are expected throughout the day.Following an assessment of the state of Government offices, further notice will be issued regarding reopening. 

The public is advised that the Virgin Islands has been placed under a flash flood warning. A flash flood warning means that moderate to major flooding is occurring or imminent in the warning area. Rainfall amounts of 3-4 inches were recorded overnight, and thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the day.Flash flooding is potentially dangerous, especially on hilly terrain. Persons should stay home today unless it is an emergency. Virgin Islands public schools are closed for today. ...

Former USVI Senator and political powerhouse & giant, Alicia Chucky Hansen, has died. She was 70. On or about September 17, Senator Hansen was hospitalized, but no update given as to the circumstances surrounding her hospitalization.Senator Alicia ‘Chucky’ Hansen was one of the USVI’s longest sitting Senators, and holds the record for the most votes in a senatorial election in the district of St. Croix. She was a voice for the voiceless and one that yielded lastin...

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is said to be the emerging favourite among names such as former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Argentinian diplomat Rafael Grossi; Alicia Bárcena, Mexico's foreign affairs secretary; Rebeca Grynspan, a high-level UN official; and Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, a former president of the United Nations General Assembly to take the seat as next UN Secretary General. It is Mottley's name that resonates wi...

We laughed when we heard that water was to be bottled and sold.  And we wondered who would be so foolish as to buy a commodity that was so readily available to all.In those days BVI had a rainy season and a dry season and when it rained, it rained.  And we had fresh spring water from community wells for household and gardening use.The 55-gallon drum was our water storage facility.  Those drums reserved for potable water were usually covered by ‘cheese cloth’ ...

Mrs. Helen Seymour has been appointed a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC), effective September 14.Mrs. Seymour took an Oath of Secrecy before His Excellency, the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, confirming her appointment in accordance with Section 91 (1) (d) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.Mrs. Seymour who is now retired has an extensive history as a public officer, having served as the Acting Deputy Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor for a number of year...

Director at the Public Works Department, Mr. Jeremy Hodge, has announced that the department’s Asphalt Plant has been officially commissioned.Mr. Hodge said the plant was successfully handed over to the department from the machine industry company Ammann and is now fully operational.The Director stated that the commissioning of the plant is a significant milestone as it signals a major step forward in the ability to meet the Territory’s asphalt road needs.Mr. Hodge added, “Furt...

Information reaching our newsroom indicates that Karia Christopher, Director of Trade, is now the Communications Director in the Premier’s Office. Mrs. Christopher replaces Arliene Penn who has now moved over to the Attorney General’s Office formulating Policy. Guavaberry Media understands that the job has not been put out for application and that Mrs. Christopher was allegedly appointed by the Premier in conjunction with the Deputy Governor’s Office. We also und...

Sources reveal that there was a leak of Gaseous Chlorine at the abandoned Water & Sewerage compound just outside of the Public Works Department in the Baughers Bay area earlier today. We understand that DDM (Disaster Management) were on site to assess the situation. The Fire Department is still on the scene. Guavaberry Media went to the area a short while ago and the scent of the chlorine is indeed overwhelming. We understand it to be flammable and toxic so we are therefore advisin...

The Territory’s centenarians were honoured by the Social Development Department for their collective resilience, wisdom and resourcefulness having experienced life’s joys and sorrows for a century and beyond.Mrs. Enelle Smith and Mrs. Emogene A. Creque both 104 years old and Mr. Evelyn Hodge age 100 residing on Tortola; Mrs. Betty Yates age 101, Mrs. Floresa George and Mrs. Iris L. Harrigan both age 100 of Virgin Gorda were honored by the department as the Territory observed National...

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, has been appointed to act as Premier and Minister of Finance from September 23 to October 5 while Premier Wheatley is away from the Virgin Islands.  Honourable Smith’s appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, ...

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley is away from the Territory attending the Monaco Yacht Show until October 1 and the United Nations Meeting in New York on October 3 and 4.Honourable Dr. Wheatley will lead a delegation from the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry to the Monaco Yacht Show which is an annual international show dedicated to the world of superyachts.Premier Wheatley stated, “The BVI is the sailing capital of the world. We are an excellent destination ...

The Office of the Prime Minister of the Bahamas today announced the passing of Cabinet Minister Obediah Wilchcombe, who served as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly.  He was 65 years old. A statement said Minister Wilchombe dedicated his life to public service and made significant contributions to the nation. Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis paid his respects and offered condolences to th...

The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission found TMF (B.V.I) Ltd. failed to perform enhanced customer due diligence and other rules of the 2008 Anti-Money Laundering Terrorist Financing Code of Practice law.The firm which specialises in complex financial transactions and regulatory compliance was fined $120,000 on Sept. 18 for failing to meet rules combating money laundering, according to regulators.The amount is the heftiest monetary penalty the commission has handed out in recent...

The Government of the Virgin Islands has enhanced the capacity for the Virgin Islands Shipping and Maritime Authority to compete internationally with the passing of the Virgin Islands Shipping and Maritime Authority Act and the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Act 2022.The bills were passed in the House of Assembly on September 12 and will allow the authority to respond strategically to market trends through intensifying focus towards revenue generating activities. This is expected to contribute to...

The tourist island is thirsty and her personal hygiene is questionable.  The only Virgin Island with ‘Virgin’ in her name has been begging for, and denied, a commodity that is a basic human right.Water.(But she, in the Virgin Islands, is not alone in this experience.)In 2000, the UN crafted some goals to extend to 2015 which it called the Millennium Development Goals.  Water and sanitation were embedded in those goals.At expiry in 2015, the UN then enacted 17 Sustainable De...

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, during routine patrols in the Lambert Estate area, observed three males in hoodies heading in the direction of His Majesty’s Prison, behaving suspiciously.Upon seeing the officers, the men fled on foot and as a result a chase ensued, but they managed to evade the officers. During the chase, a bag was discarded by one of the suspects which revealed three firearms. One semi-automatic weapon and two pistols were recovered.The recent recovery ...

Detectives of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force have charged one male for several offences.On Thursday, September 21, Nyron Erickson, a 31-year-old resident of West End, Tortola was charged with a total of 21 criminal offences including seven (7) counts of Possession of Prohibited Weapon, eleven (11) counts of Keeping a Firearm Without a License, two (2) counts of Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply Another, and one (1) count of Possession of the Proceeds of Criminal Conduc...