Local News
FALLEN TREE REMOVED FROM WATER DAYS AFTER FATAL ACCIDENT
The large tamarind tree trunk at the centre of the March 22 fatal boating accident near Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke has been removed from the water six years after hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The old tree was excavated by a six-man crew on March 27. The 15-minute project was organised jointly by Second Electoral District Representative Melvin Mitch Turnbull of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and members of the community.
Over the years, angry residents made several unsuccessful appeals to the relevant authorities to have the trunk excavated for the safety of boaters.
American Owen Safford died on March 22 when the dingy he was captaining crashed into the tree which was in the vicinity of Foxy’s Bar on Jost Van Dyke. The tree had fallen in the water during hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Thirty-three-year-old Stafford from North Carolina was on vacation in the territory when the accident occurred shortly before midnight.
Stafford was found unresponsive in the water and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Investigations are ongoing, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have confirmed.
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Tola Radio Battles Legal Dispute Over Shutdown, Calls for Public Support
Tola Radio VI 100.5 FM, known as “the people’s radio,” has been off the air for 14 days amidst a legal standoff with Caribbean Cellular Telephone Limited (CCT). Managing Director Floyd P. Burnett, also known as “Heritage,” is urging public support as the station navigates what he describes as a targeted attack on freedom of speech and locally-owned businesses.
Mr. Burnett alleges that despite meeting all payment requirements and deadlines, CCT refused to accept Tola Radio’s payment and later disabled the station’s broadcasting equipment. “They physically touched our equipment and locked them off, despite written legal letters asking and instructing it not to be done,” he stated.
The dispute follows CCT’s October announcement terminating its service agreement with the radio station. CCT clarified that Tola Radio could retain its services if it became a paying customer, but according to Burnett, his payment was rejected without justification.
The controversy escalated when Burnett claimed an attempt was made to have him arrested and charged with attempted murder. “The public was to wake up and hear the radio off along with hearing I was arrested and charged, but God is greater than man!” he said.
Efforts to secure an extension for relocating Tola Radio’s equipment were also denied, Burnett said. Additionally, an urgent injunction filed in the High Court was postponed by a visiting judge until November 22 without hearing any arguments.
The ongoing shutdown has left eight employees without income, caused significant financial losses, and breached client agreements. Burnett criticized government officials for their lack of action, accusing them of failing to address the issue despite the government being a major client of CCT.
“Like most problems facing the BVI, they can’t [find] no way to help us! Even though the government is the tower people’s biggest client,” Burnett remarked.
Burnett is calling on the public to boycott CCT in protest. “Plug out the phone, plug out the chip, don’t pay your bill! We need to make a statement to corporate BVI today!” he urged.
He framed the situation as a broader fight for “freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of information,” asserting that the attack on Tola Radio sets a dangerous precedent for other local businesses.
Despite the challenges, Burnett assured Tola Radio’s listeners and partners that the station will resume broadcasting soon. “We will be back on air shortly, hopefully before the day is out,” he promised.
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