Local News
Xmas in July 2023 Event Organizers Donate $6,000 to Beyond the Reef
Wally Castro Marine, the organizers of the Xmas in July 2023 event, have made a generous donation of $6,000 to Beyond the Reef, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to marine environmental education and preservation. The donation was made possible through the sale of official reusable tumblers, which were part of the event’s environmental protection initiatives.
Wally Castro, owner of Wally Castro Marine and the main organizer of the event, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about beach and ocean conservation. “This initiative reflects our desire to create awareness on the importance of protecting our beaches and to send the message that our event takes beach and ocean conservation very seriously,” he stated. “With this donation, we support a local organization that reflects our environmental protection beliefs.”
During the Xmas in July event, members of Beyond the Reef were present to sell the official merchandise. Representatives from local nonprofit organizations, including the Virgin Gorda Rotary Club and Valley Sound Lions Club, also participated in the event by preparing local dishes to raise funds for their respective organizations.
Kendyl Berna, founder of Beyond the Reef, expressed gratitude for the donation, stating that it will help their organization continue to raise awareness about marine environment protection in the British Virgin Islands. “Our oceans are a precious resource, but they are also very fragile. Those who enjoy the beach and sea must do so responsibly,” Berna emphasized. She also commended the event organizers for their environmental care initiatives and encouraged them to continue implementing such efforts in the future.
The Xmas in July event, held on July 22, 2023, was a resounding success, attracting over 5,500 people and 400 vessels to Pond Bay Beach in Virgin Gorda. This edition of the event broke attendance records, making it the most successful in its history. Attendees from Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, and other countries came together to celebrate this traditional summer event.
The event was organized by Wally Castro Marine, Marcos Rivera, and the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission. Wally Castro Marine, based in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, is a leading boat dealer representing renowned brands such as Riviera Yachts, Boston Whaler, Bertram, Regulator, Belize, Nor-Tech, and Azimut Yachts.
Xmas in July 2023 official Tumbler photos by Mar Javierto
Young people using the official tumbler photos by Mar Javierto
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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