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Dodgers Win 1st World Series Since 1988 with Game 6 Win vs. Rays

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series for the first time since 1988 after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in Game 6 of the Fall Classic on Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts scored the go-ahead run in the sixth after sliding home safely following a Corey Seager groundout to first.

He then got L.A. an insurance run with an eighth-inning homer.

Tampa Bay got on the board after Randy Arozarena smacked an opposite-field solo shot in the first.

However, the Rays had only two hits after the second inning. The Dodgers bullpen combined for 7.1 scoreless innings and struck out 12.

Los Angeles defeated Tampa Bay 4-2 in the best-of-seven matchup to win its seventh World Series title.

Notable Performances

Rays SP Blake Snell: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 9 K (No Decision)

Rays LF Randy Arozarena: 2-for-4, R, RBI, HR

Dodgers Bullpen: 7.1 IP, 2 H, 12 K

Dodgers RF Mookie Betts: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR
PAUL KASABIAN

 

 

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Community

Governor Bryan Visits Tutu Hi-Rise For an Update on Demolition Progress

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — This past weekend, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. visited the condemned buildings at Tutu Hi-Rise to check on the progress of the demolition process, which began two weeks ago.

Officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) did a sweep through the abandoned buildings on October 16 to check that they are empty and ready to be torn down.

Contractors also have cleared the lots around the buildings and have started prepping the structures for demolition by securing plastic sheeting around the outside to minimize dust and debris. Beginning at the end of the week, workers will begin erecting 6-foot cyclone fencing around the site before the actual demolition begins, and the site will have 24-hour security and VIPD is scheduled to make another sweep of the area.

“This is a significant step forward for our recovery, and the demolition of these condemned buildings is a tangible sign of our progress forward and Virgin Islanders’ resilience,” Governor Bryan said. “While the destruction from Hurricanes Irma and Maria was a tragedy, it also provides the opportunity to rebuild modern, affordable housing opportunities, in safer housing communities that also provide economic development and self-sufficiency options for the people of St. Thomas.”

Virgin Islands Housing Authority Executive Director Robert Graham, whose agency is overseeing the demolition, said the future housing community that is built to replace the destroyed buildings will be a low-rise, low-density smaller community of 84 units. The apartments will be larger than the previous units, and they will be energy-independent so residents won’t have power bills, he said.

“The demolition of these buildings is an epic moment,” Director Graham said. “It not only marks the first step in replacing the devastated Tutu Hi-Rise apartment community, but it is also the first project in a 10-year transformation of our entire housing portfolio that will vastly improve the living conditions of our residents.”

The first phase of the demolition was awarded to RG Engineering, Inc. for a cost of $2,969,013, and it includes five buildings: Buildings 10, 11, 12, 14 and 22 for a total of 96 units that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined were hit hardest by the Category 5 hurricanes of 2017 and pose the highest structural risk.

The V.I. Housing Authority received a Notice to Proceed on October 19 to begin mobilization, with a date to complete Phase 1 of the demolition by May 17, 2021.

The demolition will begin at Building 14 and progress toward Building 10, and the demolition crews are scheduled to work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

 

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Travel

The USVI Travel Screening Portal has processed close to 25,000 travelers since summer launch

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS EMBRACES INNOVATION AS TOURISM ENGINE RESTARTS
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (October 22, 2020) – The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is confident that its latest strategic partnerships with national media and travel sellers as well as communications to welcome travelers back to the U.S. Virgin Islands are already yielding encouraging returns for the Territory.
Since the reopening of its doors to leisure visitors one month ago, several thousand guests have arrived in the Territory, eager to explore and experience all that the Territory has to offer, and to stimulate much-needed economic activity through their spending at hotels, activities and attractions, restaurants, retail stores and with tour
operators and transportation providers.
Department of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte attributes much of the success in attracting visitors to the existence of the Travel Screening Portal, a prescreening tool now required to be used by travelers to the USVI (aged 5 and older), regardless of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) positivity rate in the traveler’s state or country of residence, as well as the protocols and guidance established by the Office of the Governor, the Department of Health and other local agencies.
“The Travel Screening Portal has been a game-changer for us as it has given us the technological capability to prescreen and certify travelers before they arrive in the
Territory, enhancing our ability to ensure that visitors and residents are as
protected as possible from COVID-19 infection,” stated Commissioner Boschulte,
adding that the Department of Tourism is actively preparing for the launch of
an updated, upgraded Travel Screening Portal (version 2.0), an extension of its
crisis communications plan to safeguard the public health reputation of the
destination.
The current version of the Travel Screening Portal, which since its late July launch has processed close to 25,000 travelers, offers a user-friendly front-end system to walk travelers through the submission process, and a secure, state-of-the-art back-end system that allows administrators to seamlessly process submissions, and airport and
seaport personnel to efficiently process travelers upon arrival. It also features mobile-optimized functionality.
The technology undergirding the Travel Screening Portal has been designed to be not only innovative, but also responsive to changing travel protocols and the Territory’s health and safety guidelines. As part of this evolutionary process, version 2.0 of the portal will include significant upgrades such as a hybrid mobile application that supports Android and iOS platforms for a faster mobile experience and QR code generation functionality that allows the system to generate automated emails to travelers. With its built-in airport screening functionality that allows for scanning on the ground, the QR code functionality facilitates a seamless experience for travelers once they reach the destination.
The portal email generation system will also provide vital information to the passenger before traveling. The portal will eventually integrate an Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine that will automate and increase the efficiency of the entire back-end process.
“The Department of Tourism is continuously balancing the need to promote safe and healthy travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands, while employing and deploying new and innovative technologies to carry out essential prescreening of all travelers. The health
of everyone in the Territory remains our highest priority,” noted the Commissioner, who lauded the strong communications, marketing and public relations efforts that are continuing to keep the U.S. Virgin Islands “top of mind” with travelers not only from the mainland United States, but around the world.
Citing recent flight capacity reports, occupancy figures, and demand indicators for both traditional and sharing economy properties, the Commissioner noted: “Demand for travel to our islands continues on an upward trend, with inquiries and conversions to bookings encouraging, especially during this typically slow period of travel to the Caribbean. We are also pleased with the increased airlift scheduled for the coming months. We believe we have something very special to offer visitors, especially those who are seeking an escape from the pandemic lockdown that has all but crippled travel to many other destinations.”
In addition to the Department of Tourism’s COVID-19 Communication Center, Call Center and website (www.usviupdate.com), the Travel Screening Portal is just
one of the tools the Department has leveraged to provide the best information
available to travelers as well as residents, and to support and complement the
Territory’s efforts in response to the global public health crisis.
The USVI Travel Screening Portal 2.0 is expected to launch in November, making it even easier for travelers to go through the necessary steps prior to traveling to the
Territory.
The portal is available at www.usviupdate.com/travelportal.
About the U.S. Virgin Islands
For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Instagram (@visitusvi) and Twitter (@usvitourism), and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI). When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel – including on-line check-in – making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.
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Community

Governor Bryan Eases Some COVID-19 Restrictions

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During his weekly COVID-19 press briefing, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced he is easing some of the restrictions in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Territory. His announcement comes after the Territory’s rate of positivity for the virus had decreased significantly.
• Effective immediately, churches and houses of worship are allowed to accommodate 50% of their capacity or a maximum of 100 persons, whichever is less.
• Effective immediately, the requirement for the use of disposable dishes, utensils, napkins and drink containers has been suspended.
• Effective November 9, mass gatherings will increase to no more than 100 persons for indoor and outdoor activities or 50% of the capacity.
• Effective November 9, bars that cannot accommodate sit down service will remain closed and all bars and nightclubs in the Territory shall be allowed to open for seated service only. No patrons shall be allowed to congregate standing around the bar counter area. Patrons seated in designated sitting areas may order food, alcohol or both, and those sitting must be adequately spaced according to the Department of Health guidelines.
• Effective November 9, live music and disc jockey entertainment will be allowed in licensed establishments but shall not be permitted after midnight.
“We are slowly getting back to normalcy, but we can’t rush it,” Governor Bryan said. “Let’s take this next step and see if we can sustain it without compromising the public health. Of course, we need your continued cooperation.”
Governor Bryan also implored residents to take an active role in battling the violent crime that pervades the community.
“We have to stand as one people to establish wrong from right and discontinue our silent overlooking of wrong that happens in our community,” Governor Bryan said. “Whether it’s an illegal horse track, drag racing, prostitution, loitering, gaming houses, an illegal numbers game or trespassing, it is time for us to stand as a community and say, ‘No more.’”
“All these little things are breeding grounds and havens for larger criminal activity,” the Governor said. “We are going to push back on all this activity aggressively and we hope we have your support.”

Unemployment
• To date, the Virgin Islands Department of Labor (VIDOL) has issued 41,545 unemployment insurance checks totaling more than $31,895,773.
• The department also has issued an additional 27,657 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation checks totaling $42,406,020.
• VIDOL has issued $4,485,620 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to self-employed Virgin Islanders and $1,568,868 in Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
• In total, the Bryan-Roach Administration has issued 69,953 checks totaling $78,241,293.
Stimulus
The Bureau of Internal Revenue has extended the deadline to file a return to receive a stimulus check from October 15 to November 21.
COVID-19 cases
• Currently tracking 16 active cases
• 21,964 individuals tested to date (more than 20% of the population)
• 20,620 of those tests were negative
• 1,325 tests came back positive
• 1,289 people have recovered
• 20 fatalities to date
• No COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
• Four COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.

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