🌱 Four Arrested In Connection With Havensight Shooting + More

Good morning and welcome back to the U.S. Virgin Islands Daily. There are lots of holiday events happening this weekend, so no excuse to stay home! And check out the headlines. If you have some downtime, I especially recommend reading about the life of Julius S. Scott, the renowned Caribbean historian and writer.

First, today's weather:

Winds subsiding with a shower. High: 84 Low: 76.

Top stories:

1. An 18-year-old male and three minors have been arrested and charged in connection with the Dec. 4 armed robbery and shooting at Glitter’s Fine Jewelry in Havensight Mall. V.I. Attorney General Denise George and Police Commissioner Ray Martinez announced the arrests on Friday. (Virgin Islands Daily News)
2. Nellon Bowry, chairman of the Government Employees’ Retirement System, says a new financial advisor of Governor Albert Bryan has drafted a proposal that will save G.E.R.S. from insolvency. “It’s a way to transfer substantial amounts of money from the matching fund to a G.E.R.S. fund in the form of substantial annual contributions. This will be in addition to the regular payroll base contribution,” said Mr. Bowry in the meeting that was live to the public via Zoom and Facebook. (VI Consortium)
3. A very good weekend read: Julius S. Scott, Groundbreaking Historian of the Caribbean, Dies at 66 (New York Times)
4. The sex-trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell is wrapping up. After two days of arguments and witnesses from her defense team, Ms. Maxwell decided not to take the witness stand on Friday. The defense rests its case and closing arguments will be heard on Monday. (New York Times)

Events this weekend:

Saturday:

• Meet Santa Claus at Sibs on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.
• Santa is also visiting American Yacht Harbor (By Boat!) on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
• A Christmas Gift Giveaway Extravaganza at Lindberg Bay Park at 12:00 p.m.
• Listen to the ‘Voices that Count’ Policy Forum on WTJX-12 at 2:00 p.m.
• Don't miss the Loominate Bike Ride STX, starts at 4:00 p.m. from Christiansted Dc Canegata Ballpark
• The ReBirth Concert at Frenchtown Radio Station One Yard at 5:00 p.m.
• A Special Night at the Club Featuring Jimmy Charles at the St. Thomas Yacht Club. 6:00 p.m.
• Figured out how to get to the BVIs? Then don't miss Foxy's Full Moon Party! 7:00 p.m.
• Have a little Christmas fun while you learn a sassy chair dance routine at Rocke City Fitness. Check out the Christmas Chair Dance Workshop, starts a 7:00 p.m.

Sunday:

• Tour Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, starts at 8:00 a.m.
• Holiday Tree Lighting in Frederiksted at 5:00 p.m. The event kicks off with Santa Claus driving through the town on a VIFS Fire Truck and the tree and park will be lit around dusk.
• St Croix Blues Society Jam Session at Nauti Bar and Grille in Christiansted starts at5:00 p.m.
• Do not miss the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra 40th Anniversary Christmas Concert at the WICO Dock in St. Thomas, 7:00 p.m.

Social Buzz:

• DPNR released the latest results of the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program. Samples were taken the week of December 13 – December 17, 2021. All of the beaches that were tested passed, however, samples were not collected on St. Croix and St. John. (DPNR)
• The VI Children's Museum will be open on Sunday, Dec. 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and closed in the afternoon. (Facebook)
• Virgin Islands Department of Health: "As of 12/17/21, here is the latest VIDOH information on COVID-19 cases, demographics, and testing numbers..."(Facebook)
• Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands: "Congratulations to Kendon James of Grenada, recipient of the 2021 Euan P. McFarlane Environmental Leadership Award! Read More: https://conta.cc/3IAtG1c" (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.