Local

$10 MILLION ALLOCATED TO ENSURE NO PUBLIC OFFICER EARNS BELOW MINIMUM LIVING WAGE

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Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley revealed during the recent budget presentation that the government has allocated close to $10 million to ensure no public officer earns below the minimum living wage, which consultants found to be $23,719.80 per year in the Virgin Islands. The Premier stated that some 60% of government employees can currently … Continued

DISTRICT COUNCILS PART OF NEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICY FOR 2024 – $1 MILLION ALLOCATED

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Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley has revealed his government’s intention to introduce a community development policy that will include the establishment of district councils across the nine electoral districts. According to Premier Wheatley, there will be 11 district councils, with Anegada and Jost Van Dyke each having their own district councils. Premier Wheatley who … Continued

“REMEMBER MY NAME” PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCTION RATED AS A SUCCESS

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Director of Culture, Dr. Katherine Smith has lauded the “Remember My Name” performing arts production that honoured ten Virgin Islands heroes as a major success. Dr. Smith said the performance made an earnest call for Virgin Islanders to reflect on the significant contributions made by the ten recently designated heroes and their altruistic efforts towards … Continued

PREMIER ANNOUNCES $382.67M BUDGET FOR 2024

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Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley has announced a budget for 2024 totaling $382.67 million. Premier Wheatley provided the figures during the 2024 Budget Address at the Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly. Of the total budget, he said $360.24 million is expected to come … Continued

THE OPPOSITION’S DECISION TO WALK OUT WITHOUT RETURNING TO DEBATE WAS IMMATURE – SAYS GRANGE

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Talk show host Damion Grange has labelled the recent decision by His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition to walk out of the House of Assembly without returning for the session, as immature. Grange made the comment while interviewing Opposition Legislator Honourable Marlon Penn with his co-hosts on the local radio programme Talking Points. While admitting to being … Continued

SAHARAN DUST PLUME TRIGGERS ALERT IN VI AS AIR QUALITY DETERIORATES

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The Department of Disaster Management has issued a report on current air quality conditions across the Virgin Islands as the territory continues to experience a heavy surge of Saharan dust.  According to Air Quality Index (AQI) readings, recent dust levels are measuring higher than average. The department advises residents to take necessary health precautions, especially … Continued

KADEEM MAYNARD SENTENCED TO 57 MONTHS IN U.S. PRISON

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Kadeem Maynard, son of the former BVI Ports Authority boss Oleanvine Maynard, was sentenced on Monday to serve 57 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiring with former Premier Andrew Fahie and his mother, to import cocaine into the United States. The lenient sentencing for the 32-year-old is part of … Continued

UK NATIONAL JAY KENDALL APPOINTED SUPERINTENDENT OF PRISONS

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UK National Mr. Jay Kendall has been appointed superintendent of His Majesty Prison Balsum Ghut, Tortola. He brings over seventeen (17) years of experience in the criminal justice system to this role. Most recently, he has served as the Superintendent of Prisons on Saint Helena Island where he designed and implemented the prison’s five (5) … Continued