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Premier Calls for Religious Leaders to Unite in Prayer for the Virgin Islands

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BVI Premier Natalio Wheatley to attend CARICOM meeting in The Bahamas.

Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, also serving as the Minister with responsibility for Ecclesiastical Affairs, has issued a poignant plea to the religious leaders of the Virgin Islands, urging them to lead their congregations in a collective week of prayer from January 19th to January 25th, 2024. The call for unity comes in response to the myriad challenges the Territory has faced early in the new year.

Commencing the year with a devastating fire that claimed the life of a cherished citizen, the community finds itself in a season of grief. Subsequently, the Governor’s Fifth Quarterly Review proposed seeking additional powers for governance reform, casting uncertainty over the Territory’s future. Premature deaths, including that of a former House of Assembly member, coupled with peculiar incidents and accidents, have left the community grappling with sorrow and ambiguity.

The Virgin Islands is also grappling with negative publicity as the trial of former Premier Mr. Andrew Fahie approaches. Acknowledging the imperative for divine intervention, Premier Wheatley invites the community to turn to prayer as a source of solace and strength in these trying times.

Drawing inspiration from scripture, Premier Wheatley invokes 2 Chronicles 7:14, stating, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” With this biblical guidance, Premier Wheatley calls upon churches to spearhead a collective spiritual effort to seek solace and restoration.

To facilitate coordination, Premier Wheatley has scheduled a Zoom Meeting on Friday, January 19th, 2024, at 1 p.m. During this virtual assembly, details of the seven-day prayer initiative will be shared. The meeting will also provide a platform for congregational leaders to deliberate and plan for a special prayer service on Thursday, January 25th, 2024.

Premier Wheatley expresses his anticipation for the meeting, encouraging all religious leaders to actively participate. He emphasizes the power of unity and collective prayer as a means to find strength, hope, and healing for the Virgin Islands. The Zoom link for the meeting will be disseminated by the BVI Christian Council’s Media Officer. As the community unites in prayer, there is a shared optimism that this spiritual initiative will serve as a guiding light through these challenging times.

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Scrub Island Resort Hosts 2024 Billfish Series, Crowns Champions

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Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina wrapped up its annual Scrub Island Billfish Series last month, marking another successful event in competitive sport fishing. The tournament, held from September 13 to 21 and organised by The Marlin Group, attracted 13 teams and 98 anglers, with a cash purse of $345,700 on the line. Over the course of two legs, participants released a total of 132 blue marlin and nine sailfish.

Winners of the 2024 Scrub Island Billfish Series:

Leg I
1st Place: Doña Lucy / San Juan, Puerto Rico (Capt. Efrain Rodriguez)
2nd Place: Showtime! / Stuart, Florida (Capt. Jon Meade)
3rd Place: Ohana / Jacksonville, Florida (Capt. Luke Hickey)

Leg II
1st Place: Showtime! / Stuart, Florida (Capt. Jon Meade)
2nd Place: Juben / Charleston, South Carolina (Capt. Jay Weaver)
3rd Place: Marlin Darlin / Clearwater, Florida (Capt. Shay Danzig)

Overall Series Champion: Showtime! / Stuart, Florida (Capt. Jon Meade)

Top Angler (Leg I): Ricardo Quiñones (Doña Lucy)
Top Lady Angler (Leg I): Michelle Espinosa (One Up)
Top Angler (Leg II): Chad Damron (Sodium)
Top Lady Angler (Leg II): Stacey Parkerson (Trilo Bite)

During the first leg of the series, 59 blue marlin and seven sailfish were released, with even more impressive numbers in the second leg: 73 blue marlin and two sailfish. Across six days of competitive fishing, the fleet released 132 blue marlin, highlighting the tournament’s reputation for prime big-game fishing.

“Each year, anglers from all over the world come to Scrub Island for a chance to experience the famous North Drop, renowned as one of the best spots globally for blue marlin fishing,” said Sandra Grisham-Clothier, General Manager of Scrub Island Resort. “We’re always excited to welcome the participants and witness this amazing event unfold.”

Tournament Director Jennifer Dudas echoed the excitement, stating, “The fishing was phenomenal this year, the weather was perfect, and the energy was incredible. We’re already counting down the days to the 2025 tournament!”

Anglers and their families enjoyed a host of luxury amenities throughout their stay at Scrub Island Resort, from the Ixora Spa to the resort’s world-class dining, private beaches, and a marina that served as the launch point for water-based excursions. Visitors also took advantage of the opportunity to explore the surrounding islands and marine life.

Looking Ahead
The 2025 Scrub Island Billfish Series is scheduled for September 4-8 (Leg I) and September 8-12 (Leg II). For more information on Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, visit ScrubIsland.com or call (877) 890-7444. For details on the Scrub Island Billfish Series, visit MarlinMag.com.

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Four Men Cleared of Murder Charges in 2020 Killing of Matthew Daly

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Four men accused of the 2020 murder of Matthew Daly were acquitted today after Justice Rajiv Persad upheld a No Case submission presented by their defense attorneys. Edward Crooke, Dajshon Benjamin, Micah Ormond, and K’Vawn Choucoutou had been on trial for five weeks for Daly’s killing on September 10, 2020. The trial, which began on September 16, 2024, concluded with the judge directing the jury to return Not Guilty verdicts for all defendants.

Crooke, Ormond, and Choucoutou left the High Court as free men, with no other legal matters pending. However, Benjamin remained in custody due to a separate guilty plea in a case before the Magistrate’s Court, as confirmed by his attorney, Michael Maduro.

The defense team included Attorney-at-Law Stephen Daniels for Crooke, Valston Graham for Choucoutou, and Valarie Stevens-Gordon for Ormond. The jury, consisting of seven women and two men, heard testimony throughout the trial before being instructed by Justice Persad to clear the defendants of the charges.

Before dismissing the men, Justice Persad urged them to contribute positively to society and avoid returning to the courts. “Make this a turning point,” he advised as they were formally released.

However, after the verdict, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force attempted to serve notices of appeal to the men outside the courthouse. This action was met with strong opposition from the defense attorneys, who argued that the notices were prepared before the judge’s decision was announced. The lawyers advised their clients not to accept the appeal documents, which the men complied with.

Despite the officers’ claims that the documents were timestamped after the judge’s ruling, the defense refused to acknowledge the service, leading to a tense standoff in the courthouse yard.

The case remains in legal limbo as both sides weigh their next steps.

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Quick Action by Firefighters Prevents Major Loss at Tortola Auto Group

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A swift response by the Fire and Rescue Services averted what could have been a significant disaster for Tortola Auto Group (TAG) after a fire broke out at one of their storage sites. The blaze, which occurred at the Duff Bottom location behind the Island Department Store, threatened a large number of vehicles but was brought under control before causing widespread damage.

According to reports, the fire started in an area where numerous cars were stored. However, the quick actions of the firefighters, along with TAG staff members, prevented the flames from spreading to the majority of vehicles. Workers were able to relocate most of the cars to safety before the fire could escalate.

A source close to the company stated: “We were able to move most of the cars, thankfully. Yes, we lost a few to the fire, but the vast majority are safe and undamaged.”

While some losses were reported, the combined efforts of the Fire and Rescue Services and TAG’s team ensured that the potential for major damage was minimised. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and further details are expected as investigations continue.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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