🌱$2 Million Towards Gun Violence Prevention + Weekend Events

Good morning and welcome to the weekend! It's going to be a beauty of a weekend and there is no shortage of events going on. And some big stories.

Here are some of the headlines I'm tracking:

• The Office of Gun Violence Prevention will receive $2 million over the next four years. The office is also gaining a new leader, to be announced on January 18. Jenifer O’Neal, director of the V.I. Office of Management and Budget, was explicit in that the none of the funding will go to the Police Department. She added, “it is $2 million for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to deal with the staffing and the programs that will be coming from that office.” via the VI Consortium.
• Although shuttered, Sugar Bay resort is being called upon to make charitable donations. Sugar Bay benefited from the EDC's tax incentive program, and as such the company agreed to make charitable contributions. The resort did not make those contributions in 2015, 2016 or 2017. Now, the V.I. Economic Development Commission is demanding Sugar Bay donate $225,000 to a local nonprofit, the Quelbe Institute for the Preservation of Traditional Music and Dance. Via the Virgin Islands Daily News.
• Ghislaine Maxwell's sentencing date is set at June 28, but the judge announced that she is still considering Maxwell's request to overturn her conviction due to a juror's conduct. Via U.S. News.
• DPNR released the latest results of their Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program. Two beaches failed water quality standards because of high levels of Enterococci Bacteria:
  • Great Cruz Bay on St. John
  • Halfpenny Beach on St. Croix
• WAPA announced on Friday night that the crews were unable to repair a ruptured water line in St. Croix due to "inclement weather and unsafe work conditions." Crews will try to resume work on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. In the meantime, the following areas remain without water:
  • Gallows Bay Commercial Center
  • Estate Gallows Bay
  • No Bones Cafe
  • VI Port Authority
  • St. Croix Boat Marina
  • Schooner Bay Condominiums

Today's weather: Partly sunny with a shower. High: 83 Low: 75.

Saturday Events:

• Summer Vibe Fitness Bootcamp at Windmill bar inn St. John (9:15 a.m.)
• POSTPONED: Bordeaux Farmers Rasta Agricultural & Cultural Vegan Food Fair
• Check out Intrepid Journey, an art exhibition opening at 81C in Charlotte Amalie (5:00 p.m.)
• Lobsta Night featuring the After Irma Band at Tickles Dockside Pub (6:00 p.m.)
• Lady Friend playing at Leatherback Brewing St. Thomas (6:30 p.m.)
• Caribbean Community Theater Presents: Fireflies
  • Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Events:

• St. John Trail Race. Registration is closed but you can come out and cheer on the runners (6:30 a.m.)
• POSTPONED: Bordeaux Farmers Rasta Agricultural & Cultural Vegan Food Fair

Social Chatter:

• "The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of four St. Thomas residents on Feb. 15 of 2021." (The Source Twitter)
• U.S. Virgin Islands Fire Service did a vehicle extraction training exercise earlier this week. Check out photos from the training. (U.S. Virgin Islands Fire Service)
• Do you or your company have a product or service you'd like to donate to be an item in our 5th Annual Mystery Event Mystery in Paradise? (My Brother's Workshop)
• "We regret to announce that the Lind Point Hike/Snorkel scheduled for January 17, 2022 has been canceled. For our full schedule of Ranger-led programming, follow the link below!" (Virgin Islands National Park Facebook)
• "Please meet our latest green sea turtle rescue! This turtle was found floating at Johnson’s Reef in St. John with an injury to its carapace or shell, indicating that it had been struck by a boat and was unable to dive under the water..." (Coral World Ocean Park Facebook)
• Viya to Close for Dr. Martin Luther King Day. (Twitter)

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• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
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Have a great weekend. I'll be back in your inbox on Monday.

— Ashleigh Baldwin

About me: I'm the Patch Community News Editor for the U.S. Virgin Islands. I'm here to provide news you can use. Do you have a news tip, question or feedback? Please contact me at ashleigh.baldwin@patch.com.