🌱 Travel Requirements Eased, Anger In The ATM Line + More

Talks of a new seaport on St. Croix, letting retired government workers get back to work, and a lot of anger in the ATM line. Those are the first stories I recommend this morning.

And don't miss social highlights, especially if you pay the WAPA bill.

• Travel requirements are easing back now that the Omicron surge seems to be leveling off. For starters, visitors and residents now have 5 days to get tested before their trip. And folks who were vaccinated in the territory no longer need to be tested, they can just submit their vaccination card. More updates in News of St. John.
• A new bill allows retired government workers to return to service while still receiving their retirement checks. Supporters say it will help fill vacant government positions while increasing contributions to the Government Employees’ Retirement System. Full story in the Virgin Islands Daily News.
• An angry interaction in the drive-through ATM lane led to one car being pushed into oncoming traffic and shots fired. According to police, Wingrove J. Creighton pulled up to the ATM at FirstBank Orange Grove in his Jeep Wrangler on Tuesday evening. Police say he honked several times at the vehicle in front, a Ford Ranger, before ultimately rear-ending it and pushing it into oncoming traffic on Northside Road. The driver of the Ford Ranger exited his vehicle and fired two shots at Creighton's Jeep. He told police he feared for his life. Meanwhile, Creighton says it was an accident. This story is definitely worth reading, via the VI Consortium.
• The head of a US nautical college recommends building a seaport where the Limetree Bay refinery is located. Eric Dawicki, president and CEO of the Northeast Maritime Institute, argued on Wednesday that replacing the refinery with a seaport that can accommodate large container ships would create steady, high-tech job opportunities. Read more in The Source.

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Today's weather: Mostly cloudy, brief showers. High: 81 Low: 72.

Today's Events:

• AARP VI Yoga Class, an online event starting at 9 am AST (9:00 a.m.)
• Intermediate Stained Glass Workshop with Patti Tullis/ Thursdays 6 Week Course (9:30 a.m)
• Rethinking Waste Community Working Groups, online seminar (2:00 p.m.)

Social Highlights:

• Government House: "Sen. Joe Manchin offers assistance on Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s request to have the bonds of the smaller insular territories backed by the U.S. Treasury, a move that can result in tens of millions in debt service savings for the USVI." (Facebook)
• VI Department of Health: "here is the latest VIDOH information on COVID-19 cases, demographics, and testing numbers...." (Facebook)
• Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands: Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Jaci and Jerry Silverberg Summer Scholarship to support talented VI students enrolled in music programs... (Facebook)
• The VI Port Authority is hiring part-time law enforcement officers for St. Croix. Check it out.
• There's nothing I love more than a clever WAPA Dig. I don't know who posted this but credit to What's Going on St.Croix? for sharing:

  

— 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.