Local News

Premier Denies Talks with Lorna Smith on Rejoining Government

Published

4 months ago

February 6, 2025

Editor

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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Education

HLSCC Honors Top Achievers at 32nd Graduation Ceremony

Published

1 day ago

June 13, 2025

Editor

The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) celebrated its 32nd Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Multipurpose Sports Complex. Held under the institution’s 35th anniversary theme, “The Dream of a Visionary,” the event recognized 145 graduates and their academic accomplishments, with over 150 degrees and certificates awarded. The ceremony featured remarks by Acting Premier Kye Rymer and Minister for Education Sharie B. de Castro, while the keynote address was delivered by Bishop John I. Cline.

Among the top academic performers was Aniyah Williams, who earned the highest overall grade point average among full-time students and received the President’s Award as well as the Academic Excellence / Shining Star Award. Alysha Lewis-Stevens, who studied part-time, also received the President’s Award for maintaining the highest GPA in her category. The College named 12 students graduating with honors—two summa cum laude, two magna cum laude, and eight cum laude.

HLSCC also recognized excellence within individual disciplines. Romonia Sasha Singh was named Top Accounting Graduate and received an award sponsored by Ernst & Young. Other top discipline awardees included T’Liah Dawson (Computer Studies), Doian Kettle (Finance), Desarie Maynard (Small Business), and Aadi Parillon (Humanities). Jaresha Blyden received multiple distinctions, including the Highest GPA in the Workforce Training Division and the Culinary Creativity Award.

The College also acknowledged students graduating with more than one credential. Ten graduates earned double awards, including Horace Watson and M’Kyda Smith, while Chekelle Akhaiya Liburd completed four academic awards—the highest number in the graduating class.

Of the 154 awards conferred, 82 were Associate of Science degrees, 39 were Associate of Arts degrees, and 5 were Associate of Applied Science degrees. In addition, 18 students earned Certificates of Achievement, while 10 received completion certificates through the Chartered Management Institute.

For those who missed the ceremony, a full recording is available via HLSCC’s YouTube channel.

Local News

Young Virgin Islands Farmers Join OECS Agriculture Talks in Costa Rica

Published

1 day ago

June 13, 2025

Editor

Two young farmers from the Virgin Islands recently represented their Territory at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers for Agriculture meeting, held from May 26 to May 30 at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

Marley Donovan of Aukie’s Farm and Basheera Maduro, a student and crop and livestock farmer, participated in the regional event alongside Honourable Dr. Karl Dawson, who attended on behalf of Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley.

The meeting brought together ministers, policymakers, and young agricultural leaders from across the Eastern Caribbean to address current challenges in the sector, explore sustainable practices, and discuss strategies for boosting youth participation in agriculture.

Workshops, technical site visits, and collaborative sessions focused on topics such as climate-resilient farming, regenerative agriculture, market development, and the integration of technology in food production.

“We were exposed to regenerative agriculture and natural pest control methods, which can make a big difference in how we farm at home,” Donovan said following the event.

Maduro noted the importance of learning from regional peers and accessing innovation: “There were so many valuable insights on the role of technology and partnerships in helping young farmers succeed.”

The OECS Council identified several barriers facing young people in agriculture, including restricted access to financing, land, and infrastructure, as well as high input costs. Proposed solutions included the creation of mentorship programs, integrating agriculture into school curricula, expanding agro-processing facilities, and offering greater access to low-interest loans and grants.

A key outcome of the meeting was the formation of the OECS Agriculture Forum for Youth—a new platform aimed at giving young agricultural professionals a voice in shaping policy and programming.

According to the Government of the Virgin Islands, these regional efforts align with its ongoing commitment to youth empowerment in the agricultural sector. The participation of young farmers in international discussions is seen as an important step toward ensuring long-term sustainability and economic resilience.

Local News

Premier Wheatley Embarks on International Duty Travel for High-Level Engagements

Published

1 day ago

June 13, 2025

Editor

Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, departed the Territory on June 8 for a series of official overseas engagements, with his return scheduled for June 20. The trip includes participation in several high-level regional and international meetings focused on decolonisation, development, and regional cooperation.

From June 8 to June 10, Premier Wheatley will attend the Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) substantive session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The committee, mandated by the UN General Assembly, reviews the status of Non-Self-Governing Territories, hears from various stakeholders, and adopts resolutions aimed at advancing self-determination and decolonisation efforts.

From there, the Premier will travel to Brazil for the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Heads of Government Conference, taking place from June 11 to June 14. The event marks the 55th Annual Meeting of the CDB Board and brings together leaders from Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs), international partners, and policy experts. This year’s theme, “Building the Future: Resilient Institutions for a Greener, Stronger, and Inclusive Caribbean,” underscores the region’s focus on sustainable development, economic transformation, and institutional resilience.

Premier Wheatley’s final stop will be in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Authority Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled from June 16 to June 20. The OECS summit will address pressing matters related to regional integration, economic policy coordination, and the global economic landscape’s impact on the Eastern Caribbean.

In a statement prior to departure, Premier Wheatley noted, “Attending these meetings is always an invaluable opportunity. They allow us to learn from the experiences of our regional colleagues and adopt strategies that can drive progress here in the Virgin Islands. It is about advancing our Territory and ensuring that our people remain at the centre of our development agenda.”

During this period, Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Honourable Julian Fraser, will also be on official duty travel from June 7 to June 15.

In their absence, Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye Rymer, has been designated to perform the functions of Premier from June 8 to June 14. His appointment is in line with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, which provides for the delegation of the Premier’s duties when the Premier is out of the Territory for more than 48 hours.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and promoting national interests through continued international engagement.