Local News
BVI records 38 top three finishes in USVI Swim Meets
Twelve junior British Virgin Islands swimmers recorded a total of 38 top three finishes in two Swim Meets in St Thomas, United States Virgin Islands in February and March.
The group of swimmers between the ages of 6 and 15 received their medals from Minister of Education and Sports Sharie DeCastro on March 22 at Tola Brewery Company in Road Town, Tortola.
They represented six schools from across the territory.
In a statement from the BVI Swim School, Philippa Exton congratulated the swimmers and thanked everyone who supported the team on their journey.
“Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen and to those who came out to support the swimmers. Thank you to Minister of Education and Sports Honourable Ms. Sharie DeCastro for presenting the medals to the swimmers.
These swimmers, representing 6 different schools in the BVI, have become quite the team. Finding a support system and friendship through their swimming. They always cheer each other on and help one another with skills and strokes.”
She added that the youngsters, who regularly train in the ocean, have shown significant improvement in the water.
“We are so proud of each and every swimmer for their improvement and dedication to their swimming. This is continuously showing at meets with dropped times, improved strokes, longer distances, legal turns and starting from the blocks. These swimmers have overcome so much and are mainly training in the ocean at beaches. This is not always the easiest task as they swim in larger waves, avoid seaweed and learn to sight buoys.
Hexton also thanked the St Thomas Swimming Association for their support.
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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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