Local News
Premier Denies Talks with Lorna Smith on Rejoining Government

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has denied having discussions with former Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna G. Smith, OBE, about rejoining the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government in the House of Assembly.
Speaking to JTV today, February 6, following a contract signing for the territory’s inaugural Solar Technology and Energy program, Hon. Wheatley addressed speculation following a report suggesting he had been in talks with Smith. “I want all of them to come over, all of them—but no, I have not engaged Hon. Smith in any discussion about coming over,” he stated. However, the premier acknowledged reaching out to her for assistance on financial services matters.
Smith, who was dismissed from the government on October 23, 2024, has also refuted claims that she has returned to the VIP government.
“It is not true. I continue to serve the people of this territory to the best of my ability as an independent member of the Opposition,” Smith asserted. Pressed on whether she had ongoing discussions with the premier about rejoining the government, she declined to elaborate, saying, “I have no further comment.”
Smith, who was appointed Deputy Premier and Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade after the April 2023 general elections, was removed from office via an official letter from Premier Wheatley that morning.
“At approximately 8:00 a.m. this morning, I received a letter from the Hon. Premier stating he requested that His Excellency the Governor revoke my appointment,” Smith said in a statement at the time.
Her departure resulted in Third District Representative Julian Fraser’s appointment as Deputy Premier. Fraser, a former VIP member and chairman of the Progressives United party, has aligned himself with the ruling VIP government. Wheatley defended the leadership change as a necessary step for ensuring stability.
“This is a necessary change to the composition of the government that provides my administration with political stability and a wealth of knowledge and experience which will serve us well over the course of this House of Assembly,” Wheatley said at the time. “Political stability is critical at this time to ensure we finalize the completion of governance reforms and effectively address the recommendations of the mutual evaluation report.”
Smith, initially elected as a Territorial-At-Large representative under the National Democratic Party (NDP), broke ranks to help form the VIP-led administration before ultimately resigning from the NDP.
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Crime/Police
Three Years After Fatal Shooting, Suspect Reportedly Apprehended in USVI

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.
Local News
One Suspect in U.S. Border Case Says He Came from Tortola
Local News
Virgin Islands Minister Reflects on Climate Progress as OECS Council Meets in Antigua

At the 12th Regular Meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers on Environmental Sustainability, outgoing Chairperson Hon. Julian Fraser of the Virgin Islands reflected on a term shaped by urgency, transition, and the growing impact of climate-related disasters across the region.
Fraser, who serves as Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in the Government of the Virgin Islands, offered closing remarks on Tuesday as Antigua and Barbuda officially assumed chairmanship of the Council. The handover took place during a ministerial gathering hosted in St. John’s, Antigua, where leaders convened to advance collaborative environmental policies and regional resilience strategies.
“It is indeed an honor and a privilege to present brief remarks as the outgoing Chairman,” Fraser said, extending formal gratitude to host nation Antigua and Barbuda and its Minister for Health, Wellness and Environment, Hon. Sir Molwyn Joseph, the incoming chair.
In his address, Fraser recalled that in 2024, then Minister and current Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley, assumed the chairmanship under the theme “From Aspiration to Focused Action.” That meeting, originally delayed due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl, was later held in the wake of the storm’s devastation across St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
“Beryl was the earliest category four Atlantic hurricane on record,” Fraser noted, calling it “a stark reminder of climate predictions for our region, which signal that a pattern of rapidly intensifying hurricanes… is likely to continue.”
Fraser, who took over the environment portfolio just six months ago, acknowledged the brevity of his chairmanship due to governmental transitions, but reaffirmed his administration’s support for the Council’s goals. “No fault of yours,” he said of the limited engagement, “but in fact a reality of Parliamentary Democracy.”
Despite the short term, Fraser emphasized his territory’s contributions to key initiatives, including the OECS Road Map to 2030. “On behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands, I wish to express my gratitude for your support throughout the term,” he said.
This year’s meeting proceeds under the theme “Staying the Course in Perilous Times: Sustainable Transformation and Resilient Prosperity.” Fraser offered his full support to Minister Joseph and the Council moving forward. “I wish him and the entire Council of Ministers all the best for a successful meeting today and a well-executed work program throughout this year,” he said.
The OECS Council of Ministers: Environmental Sustainability is a key decision-making body guiding the subregion’s collective environmental agenda, from climate resilience to biodiversity protection and sustainable development.
Fraser’s remarks were met with appreciation by fellow ministers and development partners, including representatives from the OECS Commission, whose Director General Dr. Didacus Jules and Head of Environmental Sustainability, Mr. Chamberlain Emmanuel, also addressed the gathering.
The meeting continues this week with high-level discussions aimed at advancing sustainable development across the Eastern Caribbean in an era of growing ecological risk.
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