Local News
House of Assembly Pays Tribute to Late Trailblazer Eileene Parsons, OBE
The House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands has announced the passing of Mrs. Eileene Lucia Parsons, OBE, a former legislator and revered public servant whose career helped shape the modern political and cultural landscape of the Territory.
Mrs. Parsons, a longtime member of the former Legislative Council, held several key leadership roles over the course of her public service career, including Minister for Health, Education and Welfare, Deputy Premier, and Deputy Speaker. She holds the historic distinction of being the first woman appointed as a government minister in the Virgin Islands.
Up until her passing, Mrs. Parsons remained active in matters concerning the House of Assembly. She was most recently serving on a sub-committee advising on the upcoming 75th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Virgin Islands’ Legislature, underscoring her ongoing commitment to public life.
In a statement issued by the House of Assembly, officials paid tribute to Mrs. Parsons’ decades of service and her groundbreaking contributions to governance and cultural development in the Territory. “Her passing marks the silencing of a significant and powerful voice in the history and cultural narrative of the Virgin Islands,” the statement read. “Her unwavering commitment to the advancement of our community and exemplary public service has left an enduring legacy.”
In addition to her legislative accomplishments, Mrs. Parsons was widely recognized for her work in promoting the arts, heritage, and civic engagement throughout the Virgin Islands. Her leadership, professionalism, and advocacy for democratic principles earned her respect across political and generational lines.
The House of Assembly has extended its condolences to Mrs. Parsons’ family, colleagues, and the wider community, many of whom were touched by her decades of service and enduring spirit.
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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