🌱 Turkey Day Tips, Tis The Season Of Giving + Job Openings

From a new wastewater system on St. Croix to how to safely defrost a turkey, here's everything you need to know this Tuesday.

First, today's weather:

An a.m. shower; partly sunny. High: 84 Low: 71.

Here are the top stories in US Virgin Islands today:

1. FEMA has (finally) approved replacing the entire wastewater system on St. Croix. The project has a projected cost of $1.5 to $2 billion and has been under review for three years. The V.I. Waste Management Authority made the announcement on Monday. (The Source)
2. St. Thomas native Theron Thomas, a songwriter behind some of the hits of the last few years, has signed a major publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing. Theron has penned songs for Rihanna, Beyonce, Cardi B, Lizzo, Adam Levine, and many more. "I'm looking forward to becoming the biggest songwriter in the world with the help of Ray, Katie, Big Jon and the entire Sony Music Publishing team," he said in a press release fro Sony Music Publishing. (V.I. Consortium)
3. Now's the time to donate to your favorite USVI charity and/or organization! Thanksgiving kicks off giving season and the Daily News has a roundup of local groups worth looking into. (Virgin Islands Daily News)
4. Looking for a new gig? Patch USVI rounded up the latest job openings across the territory. (Patch USVI)

Today's US Virgin Islands Daily is brought to you by L.L.Bean, a Patch Brand Partner. Planning a trip this holiday? Find your perfect luggage match.

Today in US Virgin Islands:

• Downtown Walking Tour of St. Thomas (9:00 a.m.)
• Creating Healthy Habits (10:00 a.m.)
• USVI Grow with Google Webinar Series (2:00 p.m.)
• St. Croix Coastal Zone Management Committee Meeting (4:00 p.m.)
• St. John Historical Society Talk (7:00 p.m.)

US Virgin Islands Patch Notebook

• The VIPD is asking for the St. Croix community’s assistance in locating 49-year-old Johnny “Kountry” Encarnacion. Encarnacion was last seen on November 15, 2021 at the PIggy Gerard Complex. He is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes, with a brown complexion and tattoos on his chest, left shoulder, and right shoulder. He also wears a gold rope chain with a pendant. Check out this post for more information. (Facebook)
• Cooking a turkey this week? The DOH shared some very-handy Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.
• Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. joined the Virgin Islands Department of Health in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Behavioral Health Mobile Units. The mobile units will expand access to the DOH's behavioral health services. (Facebook)
• Heads up: Community Vaccination Centers, drive-thru testing sites, and pop-up vaccinations sites on St. Croix and St. Thomas will be closed on November 25th in observance of Thanksgiving. (Facebook)
• Crucian author Apple Gidley released her latest book in October: Crucian Fusion, Essays, Tales, Conversations. (Twitter)

• "Get Trashed in Cruz Bay on Friday morning!😊🌳💚" with Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park (Patch USVI)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox with more updates tomorrow morning.

— 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.