🌱 Amber Alert For Missing Toddler + Find N95 Masks On Island

The VIPD issued an Amber Alert for a missing 2-year-old girl. Find out what happened below.

And there are a ton of upcoming events as we head into the holiday weekend. Check it out!

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 84 Low: 74.

Top Stories:

• A national Amber Alert was issued for 2-year-old Cataleya Lehlani Deberry, who was last seen on Sunday, December 19. According to VIPD Public Information Officer Toby Derima, the missing girl spent time with her father over the weekend and he subsequently left the territory with her - and without permission from her mother. This qualifies the case as a kidnapping. If you have seen Cataleya Lehlani Deberry or know her whereabouts, please contact police by calling 911, the Crime TipLine at (340) 778-2211, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS. (VI Consortium)
• Three cheers for St. Thomas Lodge 9679 this holiday season. The Lodge hosted a special Christmas celebration for more than 40 children who are currently in foster care. The Lodge partnered with the V.I. Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to host the event at the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum on Dec. 19. Santa visited and brought gifts for all the children, who range in age from four months to 18 years old. (The Source)
• A bankruptcy judge approved West Indian Petroleum's purchase of the Limetree refinery for $62 million. The judge overruled multiple objections from St. Croix Energy, who had been the highest bidder in an earlier auction but was ultimately outbid. However, St. Croix Energy will have the option to purchase the refinery if Jamaican-based West Indies Petroleum is unable to complete the purchase (as in: cough up the money) by January. (Virgin Islands Daily News)
• Check out the student art project inspired by David Hamilton Jackson, a St. Croix labor-rights activist who fought for increased civil rights and workers' rights in the 19th and 20th centuries. Students learned about Jackson and then created their own poetry, music, speeches, art, and sculptures to celebrate activism and social justice. (The Source)

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Today's Events:

• Morning Yoga with Kim in the yard at Yacht Haven Grand (6:30 a.m.)
• Humane Society of St. Thomas is hosting the Holiday Fundraiser Drawing (3:00 p.m.)
• No Problemo is playing tonight at BrewSTX (5:30 p.m.)
• Latin Fusion Dance Class in the yard at Yacht Haven Grande (5:30 p.m.)
• Fourth Dimension is playing in the Holiday Concert Series at Tutu Park Mall (6:00 p.m.)

Social Buzz:

• "Congratulations to the winners and all participants of the Ricardo Richards In-School Spelling Bee! " (Facebook)
• Someone asked a very good question on "What's Going On St. Thomas": Does anyone know where N-95 masks can be purchased on STT?
  Answers include: Moe's, Home Depot, Cash n Carry, Budget Marine, SRI and Dr. Jones' office
• Virgin Islands Port Authority: "Please take note of the updated St. John/St. Thomas ferry schedule. The first ferry leaves Red Hook at 5:30 a.m. and the last ferry leaves Red Hook at 11:30 p.m." (Facebook)

• Friends of Virgin Islands National Park: "Save The Date! The Friends Annual Gala will take place on Saturday, February 5, 2022! Details coming soon!🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨ Donate to support our turtle protection program, youth programs, cultural programs, marine conservation, trail work, bea..." (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— 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.