🌱 USVI Population Hits Record Low + Tons Of Halloween Events

Good Morning! It's Saturday, Halloween Weekend, and wow is there a lot going on!

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny with a shower. High: 85 Low: 77.

Here are the top stories in US Virgin Islands today:

1. NOAA awarded a $301,522 grant to the University of Rhode Island and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to continue studying the societal impacts of sargassum blooms in the Caribbean. (St. Croix Source)
2. According to the 2020 census, the population of the USVI is the lowest it’s been in decades. 87,146 residents were counted, indicating an 18% decline since 2010. The Source has the full story, including possible reasons behind the decline. (St. Thomas Source)
3. Check out what's happening on St. John for Halloween Weekend. (News of St. John)

It is a hot-to-trot Halloween weekend!

• Virgin Islands Children's Museum: Family Costume Fest (10:00 a.m.)
• Halloween Kids Fishing Tournament
  • Tournament 1 (9:00 a.m.)
  • Tournament 2 (1:00 p.m.)
• Daddy's Day Out (12:00 p.m.)
• 2021 Bush Cook Chef Cook: Cooking Competition (1:00 p.m.)
• Mango Tango's Halloween Party (5:00 p.m.)
• Trunk or Treat - Halloween Event (5:30 p.m.)
• Trunk Or Treat (5:30 p.m.)
• CoralFire Cabaret: Tassels of Terror (7:00 p.m.)
• Spooky Bus Ride (7:45 p.m.)

As Seen On Social:

• The SBAGovernment House - US Virgin Islands: "The Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation is rehabilitating more than 20 sports facilities and courts throughout the Territory as part of its commitment to building stronger and healthier communities through recreational activity. Thi..." (Facebook)
• The July Open Kids Fishing Tournament has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29. Check it out! (Facebook)
• The SBA is offering a two-day course on how to start a small business. (Twitter)
• Virgin Islands Department of Education: "Parents: View this quick tutorial from the VIDE's Assessment Team that will help you understand your child's Smarter Balanced Score Report that you recently received or will be receiving." (Facebook)

You can get your local business featured here for just $79/month. Click here to learn more.

You're all caught up for today. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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.