🌱 COVID-19 Cases Spike Ahead of Holidays, Ferry Schedules + More

Good morning and welcome back. There has been a spike in COVID-19 cases in the USVI this week, with 43 new cases confirmed in the last 24 hours (bringing the total to 115). Will that change your holiday plans?

Limetree is national news (again) and St. John is having a great week.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny with a shower. High: 84 Low: 76.

Top Stories:

• There was a significant jump in positive COVID-19 cases across the territory this week. On Monday there were 72 active cases but by Tuesday that number had jumped to 115. Governor Bryan and the Health Department are urging families to follow safety protocols during the holiday season. (VI Consortium)
• Limetree Bay Refinery is making national headlines again. The Washington Post has an in-depth story on the refinery's tumultuous year...and what's might happen next. (The Washington Post).
• It's a good day to be St. John. The island was named one of the world’s 50 best places to travel in 2022 by Travel Lemming, an online travel guide. St. John also placed eighth in its list of the world’s emerging destinations. (Virgin Islands Daily News)
• Don't miss the latest ferry schedule, posted by the News of St. John. As of Monday, the ferry between Cruz Bay and Red Hook has a few changes. Also, Love City Car Ferries announced a rate increase that will go into effect on January 1, 2022. (News of St. John)

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Today's Events:

• Leatherback Brewing Beer Release (V.I. Trails Pils)at Letherback Brewing STT - starts at 10 a.m.
• Jah'Quan Richards is playing Holiday Concert Series at Tutu Park Mall- today from 6-8 p.m.
• Bingo at Castaways in Christiansted - 6:30 p.m.
• Trivia at Hotel On The Cay in Christiansted - 7:00 p.m.

Social Buzz:

• The VI State Historic Preservation Office, a division of DPNR, has been sharing some very cool historical photos lately. My recent favorite: a shipment of gold coins arriving from Denmark in 1920. The barrels, presumably filled with the precious coins, are surrounded by a motley crew. (Facebook)
• Virgin Islands Police Department’s Firearms Bureaus (both St. Croix & St. Thomas/St. John Districts) will be closed December 20 - January 4, 2022 for administrative functions. (Twitter)
• "Niyana Amaya Chesterfield, a 2021 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, signed a letter of intent on Thursday, December 16, 2021, to join the Clark Atlanta University Panthers softball program in January 2022." (Twitter)
• The Department of Public Works (Facebook) is striping roadways in downtown Frederiksted and asking folks to please move their cars accordingly:
  • Wednesday, 12/22/21 Hill St. from Strand St. to Queen St.
  • Monday, 12/27/21 Market St. from Strand St. to Queen St.
  • Tuesday, 12/28/21 Custom St. from Strand St. to Queen St.

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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.