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VI Government

Governor Bryan Urges Residents to Remain Vigilant In Stopping the Spread of COVID-19 Virus

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During his weekly update Monday on the status of the COVID-19 virus in the Territory, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. reminded residents that while there have been no significant increases in the number of new cases, the threat of the virus remains real.

“While we are looking good so far in our testing and number of active cases, I want to remind the public that we are still very much in this battle against the spread of COVID in the territory,” Governor Bryan said. “As a matter of fact, just this weekend I had to remind someone that we are still in a State ofEmergency in the territory.”

The Governor urged residents not to let their guard down, particularly when going to bars and nightclubs. He also reminded the community to continue wearing face masks and practicing social distancing.

“We have been seeing a lot of activity around the bars, including large crowds and individuals not practicing safe social distancing. I need people to understand that patronizing these establishments places you at a higher than usual risk, so please adhere to the guidelines and take additional precautionary measures,” Governor Bryan said.

Stimulus checks

  • The Department of Finance last week issued an additional 3,665 checks totaling just more than $6.1 million dollars.
  • To date, 28,263 stimulus checks totaling $45.9 million have been issued.
  • The Government of the Virgin Islands still is waiting for the list of beneficiaries from the Social Security Administration.

YES credits

  • The V.I. Water and Power Authority has completed its May billing cycle and all YES program credits have been applied to ratepayers’ accounts.
  • To date, WAPA has issued $250 credits to 44,157 residential ratepayers and $500 credits to 7,671 commercial ratepayers.
  • A total of 51,828 ratepayers have received YES credits.

Unemployment benefits

  • As of June 5th, the Department of Labor has issued 11,291 unemployment insurance checks totaling $8.2 million dollars.
  • The Labor Department has issued 6,599 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation checks totaling $13.1 million dollars.
  • The total amount of unemployment benefits issued is just more than $21.3.
  • The Department of Labor has secured a contract with InTouch Call Center, and the public can get information about any COVID-19-related employment security issues and unemployment benefits by calling 1-877-374-0356.
  • The call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

COVID-19 cases

  • Currently tracking 3 active cases
  • 2,202 individuals tested to date
  • 2,128 of those tests were negative
  • 71 tests came back positive
  • 63 recovered
  • 3 tests are pending
  • 6 fatalities to date
  • No COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
  • One COVID-19 patient is hospitalized and improving at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.

Governor Bryan’s next COVID-19 update is scheduled for 1pm Monday, June 15th

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VI Government

CEO Kamal I. Latham resigns from the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

 

The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA) announced yesterday that VIEDA CEO Kamal I. Latham has resigned, effective July 20, 2020. Wayne Biggs, Jr., Assistant CEO/Chief Operating Officer, has been named as the interim CEO. The VIEDA Board of Directors has begun a search for Mr. Latham’s successor.
“The VIEDA Board of Directors, team and I appreciate Mr. Latham’s leadership and his service to the USVI community during his tenure,” said Kevin Rodriquez, chairman of the VIEDA Board. “It certainly was a privilege to work alongside him, and we wish Mr. Latham and his family the very best for the future,” added Chairman Rodriquez.
Mr. Latham served as VIEDA CEO since August 1, 2018.
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CrimeLatest NewsSports

Michael Jordan ‘pained and plain angry’ over George Floyd’s death, joins call for change

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

Charlotte Hornets owner and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan joined the chorus of athletes, coaches and executives expressing their grief and outrage over the death of George Floyd.

“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,” Jordan said in a statement Sunday. “… I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.”

Floyd, a black man, died last week in Minneapolis after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes. Chauvin was fired Tuesday and charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers were also fired but have not been charged.

Floyd’s death has sparked protests in cities across the United States.

 

“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others,” Jordan said. “We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality. We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability. Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.”

Jordan was joined Sunday by the LA Clippers  Doc Rivers and the Phoenix Suns Monty Williams, two black coaches who stressed the urgent need for immediate change.

“We have allowed too many tragedies to pass in vain,” Rivers said in a statement. “This isn’t an African-American issue. This is a human issue. Our society must start getting comfortable with the uncomfortable conversation and do the right thing. Silence and inactivity are not acceptable anymore. Now is the time to speak.”

Williams, whose wife died in a car crash four years ago, said he is familiar with the feeling of sudden, tragic loss.

“I pray for those we have lost but more personally for those who have lost — the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and so many before you,” he said in a statement, referring also to the high-profile shooting deaths of two black Americans in recent months. “I know how it feels to get that call that someone you love isn’t coming home. The pit in your stomach. The unequivocal feeling of helplessness. Dropping to your knees and imploring God ‘why?’

“I feel your pain and can truly sympathize and empathize. I wish no one would ever have to receive that call again.”

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban attended a prayer vigil on Sunday in Dallas along with several Mavericks players, including Justin Jackson. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James shared videos on social media of peaceful protests in Denver and Washington D.C.

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CommunityNews

Governor Bryan Initiates ‘Open Doors” Phase Of Territory’s Reopening from COVID-19

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During his COVID-19 briefing Thursday, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said he is initiating the blue “Open Doors” phase on the Territory’s path back to normalcy effective June 1.

“This simply means that we will allow the prohibitions on leisure travel to expire, making it easier for potential tourists to book vacations to the Territory,” Governor Bryan said.

The Governor said the territory has gotten back more than 500 tests from possibly infected individuals without encountering a positive result.

“We have effectively eliminated community spread of the virus through our actions, and the evidence is the recent lack of hospitalizations and the reduction of calls to our hotlines,” Governor Bryan said. “This is what gives us the confidence to take the next step forward.”

Stimulus checks

  • On Tuesday, May 26, 6,030 stimulus checks totaling about $10 million were mailed out.
  • To date, 18,429 checks have been mailed out totaling just less than $30 million.
  • To date, this is an average of $1,618 per check.
  • Another batch of checks is being processed and will be mailed out on Saturday, May 30.

YES credits

  • To date, 29,414 residential customers received a $250 credit and 5,461 commercial ratepayers have received a $500 credit.
  • A total of just less than 35,000 ratepayers have received YES credits.
  • The YES Credit Program is nearing completion

Unemployment benefits

  • The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which provides an additional $600 per week to unemployment beneficiaries, began this week.
  • All eligible recipients will receive a lump sum check for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation retroactive to April 4, and the weekly payments will continue through July 31.
  • On May 27, the Department of Labor set a record by sending out 3,118 checks in one day.
  • The Department of Labor has secured a contract with InTouch Call Center, and the public can get information about any COVID-19-related employment security issues and unemployment benefits by calling 1-877-374-0356.
  • The call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

COVID-19 cases

  • Currently tracking 2 active cases
  • 1,708 individuals tested to date
  • 1,617 of those tests were negative
  • 69 tests came back positive
  • 62 recovered
  • 22 tests are pending
  • 6 fatalities to date
  • No COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
  • One COVID-19 patient is hospitalized on a ventilator at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.
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Sports

Tiger Woods,Peyton Manning hangs on to win Champions For Charity

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

The weather did not cooperate, but that was about the only thing that went wrong Sunday during The Match: Champions for. As Phil Mickelson,Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods held an oversized cardboard check with a total of $20 million written in, they were soaking wet but smiling.

It was a soaked, but successful day at The Medalist in Hobe Sound, Florida, where the legends of golf and football sped around in their own carts, raised considerable funds for coronavirus relief, filled the airwaves with banter and played some good golf, too.

For the first time in 98 days, we got to see Woods in action. And the last time we saw him, he didn’t look good. Woods shot 77 at Riviera Country Club on Feb. 16 and finished last among those who made the cut at the Genesis Invitational. And he complained that his back was stiff.

When he then skipped the WGC-Mexico Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational, there was cause for concern. And when he then skipped the Players Championship, it was easy to wonder if he would be ready for his Masters title defense.

All of it became moot when the Players was canceled after one round and the coronavirus pandemic shut down the PGA Tour. Woods hasn’t played since but neither has anyone else. And the time off has done him some good.

Woods didn’t miss a fairway. His swing looked smooth and in rhythm. He hit some deft pitch shots and a really nice long bunker shot. And all of this in difficult, rainy conditions.

It was just a charity match, but he looked pretty good. Who knows when Woods will resume his schedule when the PGA Tour returns next month, but his game looks good to go.

The new Tampa Bay Buccaneers  quarterback started out as if he were playing golf in the old Bucs creamsicle jerseys, a comedy of errors at every turn. The weather didn’t help, and Brady got off to a shaky start.

Charles Barkley was giving him grief, and offered up a $50,000 donation to COVID-19 relief if Brady could hit a par-3 green. He missed badly. “I should have said if you could hit it on the planet,” Barkley bellowed.

But as Brady has been known to do, he gathered himself. Even after taking a penalty stroke on the par-5 seventh hole, he holed a 100-yard wedge shot — while his pants split and his microphone broke — to earn a $100,000 donation from Brooks Koepka, who wondered if Brady could even make a par.

And on the back nine, as he and Mickelson attempted to rally, Brady was solid, helping keep his team in the match.

The retired NFL quarterback brought a lot to the second edition of The Match. He was fun and engaging and self-deprecating. He admitted how difficult it was afterward to step into that arena with Tiger and Phil and play a sport for which he is not known. And he hit some great shots, making an early birdie putt to put his team 2-up and hitting a great iron approach shot late to help keep the team 1-up. The Augusta National member acquitted himself quite nicely.

 

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