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Local News

Flash Flood Watch In Effect for British Virgin Islands and Anguilla

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A flash flood watch has been declared in effect by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services for the low and flood-prone areas of the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla until 8 pm today, January 7.

Residents in these vulnerable areas are urged to take immediate flood preparations to safeguard both life and property.

A flash flood watch signifies that moderate to large-scale flooding is possible but not imminent, with authorities cautioning that flash floods constitute a highly perilous situation.

The looming threat is attributed to an approaching cold front, anticipated to bring intermittent heavy rains. Weather experts forecast potential rainfall totals exceeding 100 mm or 4.0 inches within a 24-hour period, heightening concerns of moderate flooding in low and flood-prone regions.

Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services remain vigilant, continuously monitoring the evolving weather conditions. Local residents are advised to stay tuned to local radio or television broadcasts for real-time updates and potential warnings.

Entertainment

Local Farmers to Launch Educational Children’s Books Celebrating Agriculture and Culture in the Virgin Islands

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The Virgin Islands’ cultural and literary community is poised to welcome the launch of two new educational publications authored by local farmers next week, marking a unique blend of agriculture, culture, and youth education.

The books — Johnny the Great Rooster and Arona’s First Garden Colouring Book — are the work of Jeffrey and Arona Forbes, a husband-and-wife team deeply rooted in the territory’s farming community. The publications aim to instill an appreciation for sustainable farming and traditional knowledge in younger generations.

Johnny the Great Rooster is a narrative children’s book that explores the often-overlooked role of chickens and roosters in sustainable agriculture. Through storytelling, the book underscores their importance in soil health, natural food production, and the preservation of cultural practices tied to rural life.

Meanwhile, Arona’s First Garden Colouring Book takes a more hands-on approach, introducing children to the basics of planting, nurturing, and harvesting. Its interactive format is designed to encourage early interest in gardening and the environment.

“The primary purpose of Johnny is to portray for all readers the important role that the rooster and chickens play in soil preservation, the provision of meat and eggs naturally, and the sustenance of our cultural heritage,” said the authors in a joint statement.

Anne Lennard, Deputy Director of Culture, praised the couple’s contribution, noting their longstanding influence in the agricultural sector. “The Forbeses are planting more than crops,” she said. “They are also planting seeds of knowledge, pride, and sustainability. Their work reflects the heart of our heritage, and these books will be valuable educational tools for generations to come.”

A public launch event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8 at 5:00 p.m. at Transformation Church International in Road Town. The program will include readings, book signings, and an opportunity to meet the authors.

The event is hosted by the Department of Culture, whose mandate includes preserving and promoting the Virgin Islands’ cultural identity. The department continues to support local artists, educators, and tradition-bearers through initiatives that bridge the past and future.

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Crime/Police

Three Years After Fatal Shooting, Suspect Reportedly Apprehended in USVI

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Erick Rabsatt, the 24-year-old man wanted in connection with the December 2021 fatal shooting of Jaimez A. Stoutt in the British Virgin Islands, is reportedly in custody in the United States Virgin Islands.

A source close to the matter has confirmed that Rabsatt is currently being held in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and is awaiting processing to be extradited to the British Virgin Islands to face charges in the case. No official statements have yet been released by authorities in either jurisdiction regarding the detention.

Stoutt, 31, was shot and killed inside Crystal’s Nightclub in Free Bottom, Tortola, on December 11, 2021. He was transported to Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, where he later died. The incident occurred in the early morning hours and was followed by a police investigation that identified Rabsatt as the primary suspect. An arrest warrant was issued, and authorities launched a manhunt that extended across both the British and United States Virgin Islands.

Stoutt was a former U.S. Army soldier who served in Afghanistan in 2011. After returning to the British Virgin Islands, he worked at CCT Global Communications before founding his own landscaping business, Military Cutz. He was also known for his involvement in local basketball leagues.

Following the incident, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force issued appeals to the public for assistance in locating Rabsatt and circulated his photo throughout the region.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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Local News

One Suspect in U.S. Border Case Says He Came from Tortola

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A recent federal case in the U.S. Virgin Islands has raised questions about possible migration routes through the British Virgin Islands, after a man detained by U.S. authorities said he had recently come from Tortola.

On April 25, U.S. Coast Guard officers discovered three individuals hiding in the bushes near Annaberg Beach on St. John. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations agents were called to the scene, where the men were questioned. According to court documents, one of the three individuals stated that they had arrived in St. John from Tortola two days earlier and were attempting to return. The individual was not publicly identified in court filings, and it remains unclear whether any charges are linked specifically to that Tortola-related claim.

Two of the three men—Cruz Miguel Zabala and Feliz Rafael Marquez Sanchez—were later charged with illegal entry. Both reportedly agreed to speak to authorities without a lawyer present. Zabala identified himself as a Venezuelan citizen who knowingly entered U.S. territory without authorization, while Sanchez allegedly presented a Venezuelan passport and admitted to landing in St. John without inspection. Their trials are scheduled for June 3 before Magistrate Judges Emile Henderson III and Alan Teague, respectively. The third man has not yet been charged publicly.

In a separate incident on April 28, CBP AMO agents were monitoring a Puerto Rico-registered vessel anchored at Krum Bay, St. Thomas, when it departed around 2:00 a.m. without navigational lights. The boat failed to stop when ordered, prompting CBP officers to disable it by firing at the engine. The vessel came to a stop just east of Sail Rock.

Seven people were on board, six of whom are nationals of the Dominican Republic. Among them was Jennifer Lisbet Matos, who records show had previously entered the United States but lacked legal status. She was charged with illegal entry and will also appear in court on June 3.

Also on board was Martin Ortega Adames, a previously deported individual, who now faces charges of unlawful re-entry. A bond hearing for him is scheduled for Wednesday.

Authorities are also seeking the detention of two additional Dominican nationals, Frias and Garcia Diaz, described as material witnesses who could be deported after testifying in the case.

The boat’s captain, Puerto Rican national Anibal Vega Arizmendi, is accused of knowingly smuggling individuals without proper documentation. He reportedly told Homeland Security agents, through an interpreter, that the vessel was headed to Culebra, Puerto Rico. Arizmendi, a convicted felon recently released to supervised custody, faces charges of human smuggling and failing to comply with law enforcement orders. His detention hearing is also scheduled for Wednesday.

Source: www.viconsortium.com

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