Local News
BVI Women’s Team Shows Improvement at Senior Caribbean Squash Championships
The BVI’s Women’s Team exhibited a much-improved performance in their second team match against Jamaica at the Senior Caribbean Squash Championships.
Zoe Sorrentino and Natalie Fay put up a strong fight, pushing their games to extra points.
Mandi Atack managed to secure the BVI’s first game against Melissa Lue Yen, although she eventually lost in a closely contested four-game match.
Squash Captain Laure-Astrid Wigglesworth also delivered a solid performance in her first CASA tour, but Mia Todd proved to be a formidable opponent on the day.
The match results were as follows:
– Jess Davies beat Zoe Sorrentino 11-2, 13-11, 11-5
– Karen Anderson beat Natalie Fay 12-10, 11-7, 11-4
– Melissa Lue Yen beat Mandi Atack 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8
– Mia Todd beat Laure-Astrid Wigglesworth 11-1, 11-1, 11-6
Later in the evening, the BVI ladies faced the formidable team from Guyana, who are the top seeds and expected to retain their title. The Guyanese team displayed their dominance from start to finish, not allowing the BVI players to settle into their rhythm.
In the over 60’s competition, Winston Findlay faced off against Mark Sealy of Barbados in his second match. Mark, the undeniable number one seed in the over 60’s event, was celebrating his birthday on this day. He is no stranger to the BVI and its players, as he often participates in the annual Meridian Masters Tournament held in November at the Tortola Sports Club.
Squash is an incredibly physical sport, and the fact that Winston gives away ten years to his opponents puts him at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, Winston always gives his all on the court. Although his efforts were in vain, he delighted the spectators with several impressive winners. Win or lose, Winston is always a crowd pleaser. He will play his final match on Friday, August 25.
As the Senior Caribbean Squash Championships continue, the BVI team continues to showcase their talent and determination as they compete against some of the best squash players in the Caribbean.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has launched an investigation following an armed robbery at a popular bar in the Sea Cows Bay area late Monday night.
According to police, a group of armed individuals entered the establishment on the night of May 12, demanding valuables from patrons and staff. While no injuries were reported, the incident has raised concerns about safety in the usually tranquil community.
Officers responded to the scene and are actively working to identify those involved. The RVIPF has confirmed that investigators are maintaining close contact with key witnesses and gathering critical information as the inquiry continues.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or who has relevant information to come forward. Tips can be provided confidentially to the Intelligence Unit at 368-9339, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS) or from overseas at (284) 800-8477.
As Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week kicks off from May 12 to 16, health officials in the Virgin Islands are calling on residents to take proactive steps to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Acting Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer Shamelle Thomas said this year’s campaign, themed “Small Bite, Big Threat – Stop Disease Transmission, Start Source Reduction,” aims to empower communities to combat the spread of illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
“The message is clear,” Thomas emphasized. “While the mosquito may be small, its bite carries a serious threat to public health.”
Officials are urging residents to eliminate standing water around their homes, a critical breeding ground for mosquitoes. “Source reduction is the most effective way to prevent outbreaks and protect our communities,” Thomas added, noting that even small amounts of water can become mosquito nurseries.
However, inconsistent community participation has been a persistent challenge. “People are not maintaining their properties or properly managing stored water, partly due to the intermittent water supply,” Thomas said. “We want to remind the community that vector control is not solely the government’s responsibility, but a shared community effort.”
To mark the week, the Environmental Health Division will host a series of public outreach activities, including an art and poetry competition for students, school visits, and an expo aimed at encouraging behavior change.
Residents are also encouraged to inspect and clean water containers weekly, properly dispose of waste that can collect water, use screens on windows and doors, and wear protective clothing or mosquito repellents when necessary.
Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week serves as a critical reminder of the connection between mosquitoes and the potentially severe illnesses they transmit, underscoring the importance of community action in reducing these risks.
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has credited the British Virgin Islands’ commitment to sweeping governance reforms for avoiding direct rule by the United Kingdom, a critical moment in the Territory’s political history.
Speaking in the House of Assembly, Premier Wheatley highlighted the dedication of public officers who were instrumental in implementing the necessary reforms to preserve local self-governance.
“The period challenged us as British Virgin Islanders to the core and forced us to confront some harsh realities of our governance deficiencies,” Wheatley said. “We had to make the choices necessary to uphold the values imparted to us by our fore parents. We had to defend who we are as a people and protect our future aspirations.”
The reform process, initiated in response to the 2022 British Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report, required the establishment of new structures, processes, and procedures to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust. Despite these challenges, Wheatley praised the resilience of public officers who managed both the reforms and their regular duties under demanding conditions.
“Our public officers developed and implemented the structures, processes, and procedures necessary for the reforms while simultaneously managing daily operations,” he said. “This was especially challenging given the systemic conditions highlighted in the COI Report.”
The Government’s recently submitted Self-Assessment Report to the UK is a critical component in determining whether the Order in Council to partially suspend the British Virgin Islands Constitution will be lifted.
Wheatley expressed optimism that the Territory is now on a path toward greater self-governance, supported by a newly approved Governance Reform Transition Plan, which outlines the next steps in the ongoing transformation.
“Today is a day we should all applaud,” Wheatley said. “It symbolizes our collective resilience and commitment to the ideals that make us British Virgin Islanders and commits us to the pursuit of self-determination.”
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