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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 has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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