🌱 Dramatic Spike In COVID Cases +Gov. Bryan Wants Another Census

Good morning and merry merry! There is news to read and events to attend. But first I hope you'll take a moment to enjoy this poem from former Daily News reporter and native Crucian Fiona Stokes: When Santa came to St. Croix.

First, today's weather: Partly sunny, showers around. High: 83 Low: 75.

Weekend Forecast on Patch USVI.

Top Stories:

• The Health Department announced a spike in positive COVID tests. "We are seeing a dramatic increase in new positive cases across the territory. The Department of Health encourages you to be extra cautious during the holidays,” the department announced on Facebook. (Virgin Islands Daily News)
• According to the latest data posted on the VI Health Department's Facebook page, (posted on 12/24/21), there were 365 active cases in the territory on Friday, December 24 (up 118 from Thursday(). (VI Department of Health)
• Governor Albert Bryan was so surprised by the results of the 2010 Census that he has called for a second one, to be completed before the next national Census in 2030. “Somewhere along the line we are going to find some money to do another Census because we can but we will have to pay for it,” he said during the Public Finance Authority's regular meeting on Tuesday. (VI Consortium)
• Here's something to look forward to after Christmas: “The Art Show 2022” opens on Tuesday, December 28 at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted. The event is put on by The Artists Guild of St. Croix and features 65 works of art from 17 artists. There is an opening party from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the 28th. (The Source)

Weekend Events: See the full line-up on Patch USVI.

Social Buzz:

• "The Department of Education extends its gratitude and best wishes to St. Croix Superintendent Carlos McGregor as he prepares for retirement on Dec. 31, following 33 years of service. Commissioner Berry-Benjamin presented Superintendent M..." (Facebook)
• If you've got time to kill and feel like laughing, check out this super-popular post on What's Going on St. Thomas: "You know you're from St. Thomas if..." Warning: there are 817 comments.
• And there's this musical gem (as shared on What's Going on St. Thomas? by Scott Himowitz): Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights - Ma Ma bake your Johnny Cake

Loving the US Virgin Islands Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at ashleigh.baldwin@patch.com

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and I'll see you again on Monday morning.

— 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.