Local News
Students Tobias Evans, Dinneiqua Cameron and Tykai Fahie Win Rotary Club of Tortola Anti-Litter Campaign Poster Competition
Tobias Evans of Century House Montessori School, Dinneiqua Cameron of Joyce Samuel Primary School and Tykai Fahie of Elmore Stoutt High School are the winners of the Rotary Club of Tortola Anti-Litter Campaign poster competition.
A statement from the club said children from ages 6-16 were tasked with designing a poster that would send a strong message to the community against littering and encouraging proper garbage disposal as one of their primary activities for the Rotary year 2022 – 2023.
The committee received more than 50 amazing submissions from six schools across Tortola with Century House Montessori students submitting the most entries.
The competition, held in collaboration with Green VI and the Department of Solid Waste, was launched in December 2022.
The club recently added the environment as a new focus to target a behaviour change by reaching the wider community via the involvement of schools.
Club President Valerie Georges-Thomas thanked all the children who submitted entries, noting that the artwork was truly impactful.
“We can think of no better way to convey the anti-litter message than through children’s art and we heartily congratulate and are grateful to all of the schools and the students who participated in the competition. They delivered truly impactful works of art that gave the judges a lot to think about in their deliberations. We really hope that the general public will pay attention to the messages the children are sending through their art and consider changing their behaviour in relation to littering,” said Georges-Thomas.
The judges for the competition were renowned local artist Reuben Vanterpool, artist Debi Carson of Art Without Limits and Ellie Crespi, a member of the Club and lover of children’s art.
Winners have already received their prizes, but according to the statement, other students will receive their awards soon.
“The main thrust of the campaign is a series of messaging initiatives that the Club will put forth with the aim of impacting the mindset of the general public to result in gradual positive change in attitude and behaviour towards littering and the management of waste. The Club intends to host a neighbourhood beautification competition and undertake some clean up/beautification projects in various areas around the Virgin Islands as part of the campaign, teaming up with various strategic partners through the course of the campaign,” the statement explained.
Winners
Age 6-7
Tobias Evans- Montessori
Shanea John- AMPS
Nia Loi Wright- Cedar International
Honourable mention: Kiara Sorrentino – Montessori
Age 8-11
Dinneiqua Cameron- JSPS
Ashanti Partab- AMPS
Tianna DaSilva- JSPS
Honourable mention: Maggie Nolan- Montessori
Age 12-16
Tykai Fahie- Elmore Stoutt High School
Sara Augustine- St. George’s Secondary
Mary Torio- St George’s Secondary
Honourable mention: Zara Pascoe- Cedar International
The winning submissions will be incorporated into the Rotary Club of Tortola anti-litter campaign with artwork being featured on posters, billboards and recyclable shopping bags.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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