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...

Detectives of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force have charged three males in relation to the recent recovery of ammunition.Cordell Oneal, 38-year-old of Fresh Water Pond, Kanmi Oneal, 34-year-old of Pockwood Pond and Jelani Christopher, 31year old, of Cane Garden Bay were all jointly charged with Unlawful possession of explosives.On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, Police received information that men, armed with firearms, were traversing Road Town, raising concerns for the safety of residents....

Nyron Erickson who was extradited from the island a couple months ago to face money laundering charges in the US, was this evening Wednesday 20th September arrested on his return to the BVI.  Our news room was notified that the RVIPF escorted the ferry into port and Erickson was subsequently taken into custody.  The Prosecution in the USVI had moved to have the case dismissed against Erickson. More as this story develops. 

Kraft Heinz is announcing a voluntary recall of approximately 83,800 cases of individually wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices. Consumers who purchase these items should not consume them and can return them to the store where it was purchased for an exchange or refund.  Products included in the recall include 16 oz. Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with an individual package UPC of 0 2100061526 1 and a “Best When Used By” da...

Reports to our news room from persons on the ground in Anegada is that a plane has crashed on Anegada between the early hours of 3am and 4am this morning, Wednesday 20th September carrying a large quantity of cocaine. The plane which is reported to be a Cessna 402 twin engine crashed on the Anegada runway is said to have been carrying some 400 kilos of cocaine with a street value in the millions. Reports are that the plane’s debris has been cleared from the runway and t...

It was Friday afternoon 15 September, the new school year hadn’t fully started in earnest, but the Teachers of the Elmore Stoutt High School were on strike; or in their own words ‘a sit in protest’. Was it a long time coming? Yes, according to Educator and President of the BVI Teachers Union Sean Henry. The Premier Natalio Wheatley who rushed to the school to understand the reason for the protest, urged the Teachers to put their grievances in a letter and send to him ...

In honour of Basic Education and Literacy Month, the Rotaract Club of Tortola has decided to host a fun competition to engage all teachers throughout the Territory.The Classroom Decorating Competition will take place from the 18th of September until the 29th and entails the submission of videos of decorated classrooms directly to the Rotaract Club of Tortola Facebook page. Once all entries have been submitted by the 25th of September deadline, voting will open the following day and all videos wi...