A Kidnapping At Gun Point + Ambitious Plans To Collect Hotel Tax

Hey, hey Friday! Ashleigh Baldwin here with today's headlines, events, and the social chatter.

First, today's weather:

Sunshine with a shower. High: 87 Low: 79. Get the full weekend forecast from Patch.

Here are today's top stories:

1. A St. Croix man has been arrested and charged for forcing a male victim into his car at gunpoint, say the Virgin Islands Police Department. Patch has the full story. (US Virgin Islands Patch)
2. The Senate’s Finance Committee is looking to collect the hotel room tax from online rental platforms like VRBO and HomeAway. The 12.5% Hotel Room Tax is required for all short-term rentals in the territory, but those companies leave it up to the property owner to comply. Most owners don't. (Virgin Islands Daily News)
3. USVI Under 17 Women's Soccer Team Falls to St Kitts and Nevis (St, Thomas Source)
4. St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Uston Cornelius recently displayed the 20 guns his team confiscated from the streets of St. Croix since August. But he warned that so-called “ghost guns” pose an even bigger threat. "Ghost guns" are guns made from parts procured separately online and shipped in the mail. (St. Croix Source)
5. A St. Croix corrections officer has been arrested and charged with failure to safely store a firearm and child abuse, following the fatal shooting of a 9-year-old in 2019. (V.I. Consortium)

Today's US Virgin Islands Daily is brought to you by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Huntsville!

Looking for something to do?

Check out the full line-up of events for this weekend. I especially recommend checking out Lourdes & the Switch. They are playing at Leatherback Brewing on St. Thomas on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. (Facebook)

Not exactly news, but worth reading:

There is no shortage of beautiful properties on St. John, but the News of St. John is shining the spotlight on a particularly charming villa. Villa Tiffany, located in Coral Bay, is worth checking out. (News of St. John)

Did you know you can feature your local business here in the US Virgin Islands Daily for just $79 a month? Click here to learn more.

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll see you tomorrow!

— Ashleigh Baldwin

About me: Hi there! 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.