🌱Blockbuster Tourism Numbers + New Requirements For Cruise Ships

Visiting the USVI is such a good idea that even the New York Times took notice. Plus, legendary broadcaster and radio personality Addie Ottley has died. Read about his impressive life and career.

Those stories and more are below. And (maybe) more importantly, don't miss the events calendar!

• Travel to the Caribbean is up, and for good reasons. Governor Bryan told the New York Times: “we’ve had a ‘banner’ year in tourism. ” The USVI has seen 738,040 visitors arrive by air for the first three quarters of 2021, compared to 415,749 in all of 2020. Bryan also talked about investments in St. Croix to make the island more attractive to large ships and other travelers, via The New York Times.
• Government officials are loosening COVID-19 requirements for cruise ships to call on USVI ports. Officials are in talks to increase the onboard infection rate from 1 percent of passengers and crew to 3 percent, via The Source.
• Beloved radio broadcaster Dr. Athneil "Addie' Ottley has died, via The Consortium.
• The Health Department will host an HIV summit in the territory next month. Jason J. Henry, the department's director of Communicable Disease, told VI senators that the USVI has 800 HIV cases. He is also expanding school and community outreach programs, via the Virgin Islands Daily News.

Today's Weather: An afternoon shower in spots. High: 79 Low: 74.

Saturday Events:

• Havana Nights- The Tobacco Fields of Cuba (6:00 p.m.)
• Science Saturday | Water Quality at Home! (9:00 a.m.)
• Craft Beer Yoga Saturdays at Leatherback Brewing St. Thomas (11:00 a.m.)
• DPNR Hosts Award-Winning Author Tiphanie Yanique - St. Thomas (2:30 p.m.)
• Sip, Paint & Vibe (Ticket Only Event) (3:00 p.m.)
• Sip, Paint & Vibe (3:00 p.m.)
• Arise: the Art Exhibition opening (5:00 p.m.)
• CoralFire Cabaret: Heartbreaker's Ball (6:30 p.m.)
• Stupid Cupid Anti-Valentines Day Sip and Paint (7:00 p.m.)
• Reminisce St. Croix (9:00 p.m.)

Sunday Events:

• Tiphanie Yanique + George Silcott Jr: Voices of Love (2:00 p.m.)

Social Buzz:

• Each student between the ages of 5-17 who receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Feb. 25 and the second dose by March 18, will get a FREE $250 Visa gift card! Scan the QR Code on the flyer for details/schedule for VIDE Vaccination Drive, beginning Feb. 14, 2022. Link to Vaccination Drive schedule HERE. (Facebook)
• The St. Croix East End Marine Park is recruiting volunteers for Coral Patrol!If you re interested in the following:-Being an Ocean Advocate-Learning about Caribbean coral species-Snorkeling & Diving-Maintaining coral nurseries(Land & In-water based options)-Responding to vessel groundings-Coral fragmentation & spawning events-and MUCH MORE!!Then Coral Patrol is for you!!! (EventBrite)

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— 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.