🌱 Emergency 911 Operators Sent To Help + Weekend Events

Good morning and happy weekend. Let's get caught up on what's happening locally. Here are the stories I'm tracking:

• Too many 911 operators in St. Thomas and St. Croix have been infected with COVID-19, so ten 911 operators from Ohio are on their way to help dispatch emergency services for the next two weeks. News 5 Cleveland has the story, including how the USVI issued an emergency request to ask for help.
• Former Sen. Ronald Russell, a member of the GERS Board of Trustees, presented an alternative solution on Friday to saving the Government Employees’ Retirement System. Russell suggested issuing a “pension obligated bond.” Find out what that means in The Source.
• School lunch workers will receive a $2,000 bonus check this month, a reward for keeping students fed during the pandemic. The funds come from the American Rescue Plan for work performed during the COVID-19 pandemic and it is being distributed by the VI Education Department. Read more in The Source.
• The Governor of Puerto Rico issued a number of restrictions this week in light of surging COVID-19 cases. The new rules include a demand that restaurant employees, people who work in the medical field and people who work in educatio get a booster shot by January 15. Restaurants, bars and cafes must reduce capacity 50 percent indoors and 75 percent outdoors. Additionally, customers must show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test to enter any business or facility selling food and drinks. There's more. The VI Consortium has the full list of requirements.

Weekend weather:

• Saturday: Sunshine, a shower; breezy. High: 84 Low: 75.
• Sunday: Sunshine; breezy, pleasant. High: 83 Low: 75.

Weekend Events:

Saturday, January 8

• Science Saturday: Logan to the Coral Rescue! (10:00 a.m.)
• Lobsta Night featuring the After Irma Band at Tickles Dockside Pub in STT (6:00 p.m.)
• Secret Saturdays at Nuvo Lounge in Charlotte Amalie (8:00 p.m.)
• Joe Bockheim: Live at Lovango Rum Bar in St. John (8:30 p.m.)

Sunday, January 9

• 18th Annual St.Croix Dolphins' Sea Swim (10:00 a.m.)

Social Highlights:

• Call in for a hearing on the Draft Recreational Fishing Regulations for both districts on Monday, January 10 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via GoTo Meeting. (DPNR Notice)
• The guys at Gecko's Island Adventures say they caught a pretty big Boa in the wild. Did they really eat it? "Guess what's for supper???? Invasive species make a tasty meal Boas are not native to this island and are harmful to our ecosystem. Why let food go to waste! Snake guy notified and guides are pretty proud!" (Facebook)
• As of 01/07/2022, here is the latest VIDOH information on COVID-19 cases, demographics, and testing numbers. (Facebook)
• Virgin Islands National Guard: "Virgin Islands National Guard Maj. Gen. Kodjo Knox-Limbacker, the Adjutant General, addresses service members who were activated on Territorial Active Duty on the issuance of long-awaited corrected rate payments since the aftermath of Hu..." (Facebook)
• Want to know more about some of the more cryptic fish in the Virgin Islands National Park? Watch this seminar on Cryptic Fish of St. John presented by Lee Richter, Marine Biological Science Technician, NPS: https://www.youtube..." (Facebook)

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Have a great weekend and see you 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.