🌱 Track Coach Pleads Not Guilty + Gov. Bryan's Take On Toking

Good Morning morning USVI residents, visitors, fans, and inmates. Let's get you all caught up on the news!

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 86 Low: 75.

Here are the top headlines:

• The mother of Aaron Benjamin Jr., the 4-year-old who died after being beaten by his mother's boyfriend, pleaded guilty to child abuse. The boyfriend has pleaded not guilty. (Virgin Islands Daily News)
• Ever wonder why we carve pumpkins at Halloween? The tradition started in Ireland. Find out more on Patch (Patch US Virgin Islands)
• Alfredo Bruce Smith, the St. Thomas high school coach accused of sexually abusing student-athletes and documenting the abuse, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court Wednesday. (St. Croix Source)
• The Governor, 12 senators, and numerous staff are wrapping up their time at the V.I. Legislative Cannabis Summit in Colorado. Bryan described legalization as "moving forward," and calculated the tax money that could help bail out the drowning retirement system. "We have seven franchises on each island, and in my estimation those will be upwards of $4 million to $5 million apiece, generating about 2 to $3 million in revenue annually,” Bryan said. (Virgin Islands Daily News)

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Looking for something to do?

Latin Fusion Dance class at 6:30 p.m. at Nicci's Boutique in Yacht Haven Grande. Costumes are encouraged! (Event Invite)

US Virgin Islands Patch Notebook

• On Tuesday night I read one of the best questions I've ever seen on What's Going On St. Thomas. It was genuine. It was sweet. Someone just wanted to know, "Where can I get a little turtle?" The question earned every kind of answer you can imagine. My personal favorite: "At the little turtle market." (Facebook)
• Friends of Virgin Islands National Park: "With heavy hearts we have to let you know that St. John’s beloved baobab tree on L’Esperance Trail has died. Our team together with the park and local horticulturalist Eleanor Gibney have been waging a battle with the Mango Stem Borer..." (Facebook)
• "The VI Energy Office recently announced that the Department of Interior awarded the VI government a $1.15 million grant to advance plans to electrify its vehicle fleet, an initiative called “Government Operations Fleet Efficiency & Elect..." (Facebook)

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That's it for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— 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.