Local News
BVI Barracudas return with 36 Personal Bests and 23 Top Finishes At St. Thomas Meet
The BVI Barracudas Swim Team returned with 36 personal best times and 23 top-three finishes at their first meet of the year in St. Thomas on February 17.
With 14 swimmers aged between 6 and 16, the team delivered an outstanding performance, securing an impressive total of
Among the standout achievements, three swimmers attained B times in their races, earning them a spot on the National Age Group Motivational Times Chart for their respective age groups. This marks a milestone for the team, particularly in the post-Hurricane Irma era, as four swimmers now boast B times.
Arun Bissoondutt (10 & Under Boys) clocked 40.48 in 50m Freestyle time, while Evelyn Freeman (10 & Under Girls) swam a time of 2:04.37 100m Breaststroke. Charlie Potgieter (13-14 Boys) sped to the finish with a swift 50m Freestyle time of 31.09, and Jack Morris (15-17 Boys) wasn’t far behind clocking 31.48 in the same event.
Despite facing older competitors in the 8 & Under (25m), 10 & Under, and 11 & over categories, the swimmers still secured numerous top-three finishes across the various events.
Notable first-place finishes include Naya Bissoondutt’s (8 & Under Girls) in the 25m Breaststroke with a time of 32.08 and Skylar Steer’s (8 & Under Girls) 25m Freestyle time of 21.94. William Vergel (7) clocked 32.19 25m in the Backstroke.
Second and third-place finishes went to Michael Flax (6) and Laila Flax (9) in their respective events.
Coaches Rebecca and Kyle expressed immense pride in the team’s achievements and emphasised their commitment to continued training and development. The improvement in both times and technique has been remarkable, despite training challenges such as the absence of traditional facilities.
The team’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with parents and members of the USVI Swim Federation acknowledging their improvement and potential for the future.
The BVI Barracudas Swim Team extends heartfelt thanks to the St. Thomas Swimming Association, Inc., and the Virgin Islands Swimming Federation for organising the meet and supporting their athletes. Special gratitude is also extended to sponsors such as Aquatic Rentals VI, Road Town Fast Ferry, and Skeno, the team’s taxi driver in St. Thomas, for their invaluable assistance in facilitating travel to the meet.
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.”
Armed Robbery Reported at Bar in Sea Cows Bay
Mosquito Awareness Week: Virgin Islands Residents Urged to Combat Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Nyron Erickson Shot and Killed in West End
-
Crime/Police2 weeks agoThree Years After Fatal Shooting, Suspect Reportedly Apprehended in USVI
-
Crime/Police6 days agoMan Detained in Alleged Break-In, Police Notified
-
Crime/Police6 days agoJamari Scatliffe Charged in Free Bottom Nightclub Shooting
-
Uncategorized2 days agoNyron Erickson Shot and Killed in West End
-
Local News2 weeks agoOne Suspect in U.S. Border Case Says He Came from Tortola
-
Crime/Police6 hours agoArmed Robbery Reported at Bar in Sea Cows Bay
-
Uncategorized4 days agoRVIPF Cracks Down on Illegal Motorbikes with Crushing Initiative
-
Uncategorized6 days agoMen Released Without Charge in Firearm Case as Investigation Continues