The Ministry of Health and Social Development has announced the reopening of several community centers across the Virgin Islands, offering residents renewed access to public spaces for social, cultural, and educational events.

The Long Trench Community Centre, Emile Dunlop Community Centre on Anegada, and the Christiana Gertrude Warner Community Centre in Purcell Estate are now fully operational and available for a variety of approved activities. These include meetings, workshops, religious services, weddings, receptions, camps, and other community gatherings in accordance with government guidelines.

“Community centres are vital spaces for bringing people together, fostering social connection, and supporting local development,” said Tasha Bertie, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development. “We are pleased to see so many of these hubs becoming active again, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we finalise arrangements for others.”

Although repairs have been completed at the East End/Long Look and Cane Garden Bay community centres, the Ministry is still working through additional administrative and operational procedures to ensure a safe and sustainable reopening. Updates on their availability are expected in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, some centers are offering limited access. The West End Community Centre is currently shared with the Carrot Bay Senior Programme and can accommodate small-scale events of up to 75 people. Similarly, the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay continues to house the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre during school hours and is available for limited use outside of those times, with a capacity of up to 50 persons, subject to approval.

All facility bookings must be processed through the Social Development Department and adhere to the official Community Centre guidelines. Key policies include:

• No decorations may be affixed to walls with tape, staples, or adhesives.

• Facilities are non-smoking and may host multiple groups at once.

• Bookings are not confirmed until a rental contract is signed and a deposit is received.

• Exclusive use is only guaranteed when the entire facility is rented.

• Events must remain within designated rental spaces, and noise should be kept to a moderate level.

• All trash must be properly removed from the premises.

• Controlled substances, gum, and candy are not permitted.

• Vendors must remain outside the centre’s gates.

• Facilities must be returned in their original condition, and keys returned by 9:00 a.m. the next business day. Lost or misused keys will incur a $100 replacement fee.

Failure to comply with these regulations may result in additional charges or a loss of rental privileges.

To reserve a facility, residents are encouraged to contact the Social Development Department at (284) 468-3636. Rental rates vary depending on the location and type of event.

The Ministry emphasized its ongoing commitment to fostering community engagement and enhancing the social and health infrastructure across the Territory.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) carried out a series of high-impact operations in the first quarter of 2025, resulting in significant seizures of illegal drugs, firearms, and ammunition. The enforcement actions, part of a broader crackdown on criminal activity, reflect stepped-up efforts to disrupt narcotics distribution and remove unlicensed weapons from the streets.

The operations are part of intensified efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and remove unlicensed weapons from circulation.

Between January and March, RVIPF officers confiscated more than 12 kilograms of cannabis, 2,900 mature cannabis plants, and 2,447 seedlings. The seizures are part of an ongoing initiative to dismantle local drug distribution networks and reduce the availability of illicit substances across the islands.

In parallel with drug enforcement operations, police also recovered seven pistols and two rifles—exceeding the number of firearms seized during the same period in 2024. Ammunition confiscations more than doubled, rising from 152 rounds in early 2024 to 389 rounds in the first three months of this year.

Authorities noted a high charge rate in possession cases, underscoring what the RVIPF described as a continued zero-tolerance policy toward illegal weaponry. The enforcement activity is supported by intelligence-led policing and strengthened community cooperation.

“These results reflect the success of targeted enforcement strategies and community partnerships,” the RVIPF said in a statement accompanying the release of the data.

The figures were published alongside broader crime statistics indicating that serious criminal offenses, including assaults, sexual offenses, and burglaries, have reached their lowest first-quarter levels in five years. Police attributed the overall decline to coordinated operations and increased public engagement.

The RVIPF has committed to maintaining its current pace of enforcement through the remainder of the year.

Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas, died on Sunday at the age of 88, bringing an end to a historic papacy defined by humility, social advocacy, and efforts to modernise the Church. The Vatican confirmed his death late Sunday evening in a brief statement, noting he passed away peacefully at the Apostolic Palace, surrounded by senior clergy and aides.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected to the papacy in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His elevation as the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Global South signalled a shift in the Church’s global focus. His leadership inspired millions, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where his messages of compassion, environmental stewardship, and economic justice found deep resonance.

Over his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis worked tirelessly to address some of the most complex issues facing the modern Church—sexual abuse scandals, declining attendance, and widening political divides. He was both praised and criticised for his efforts to reach across ideological lines, calling for greater inclusion within the Church, particularly towards the LGBTQ community, divorced Catholics, and interfaith dialogue.

In the Caribbean, a region with a deep Catholic heritage, Pope Francis was seen as a moral voice and a beacon of reform. His 2015 visit to Cuba helped pave the way for a historic thaw in US–Cuba relations, while his outspoken stance on climate change galvanised support for environmental movements across island nations vulnerable to rising sea levels and intensifying hurricanes.

“Pope Francis was a man of the people. His commitment to the poor, the marginalised, and our common home touched the lives of many here in the Caribbean,” said Bishop Harold Richards of the Antilles Episcopal Conference. “He brought a human face to the Church.”

Though increasingly frail in recent years, Francis continued to carry out his duties with determination. He remained active in Vatican affairs until only weeks before his passing, delivering his final public message on Easter Sunday, in which he called for peace in the Middle East and solidarity with migrants worldwide.

A conclave of cardinals will be convened in the coming weeks to elect a new pope. In the meantime, the College of Cardinals will oversee the governance of the Church.

Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of bold compassion, spiritual leadership, and a vision of a more open, engaged, and globally conscious Catholic Church. Across the Caribbean and the world, churches will toll their bells in mourning—and in gratitude for a life of service.

Funeral services are expected to be held later this week in St Peter’s Basilica. A national day of mourning has been declared in Argentina.