(St. Croix, USVI) – The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (‘VIWMA” or “Authority”) Preserving Paradise team advises the community and solid waste haulers of the resumption of operations at the Anguilla Landfill beginning 6 am Monday, June 15.
Operations at the landfill were suspended when an active fire was reported at 8:04 pm, Friday, June 12. The fire was suppressed by the Virgin Islands Fire Service (VIFS) along with VIWMA staff and contractors at 7:14 pm, Saturday, June 13.
The VIWMA Preserving Paradise team thanks the VIWMA staff, contractors and the VIFS for helping us put safety first. For more information, contact the Division of Communications Management at 340-513-4171 or email communications@viwma.org. Also, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Twitter.
Community
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—As part of Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s commitment to open government and transparency, here is a list of upcoming radio appearances by Governor Bryan, Lt. Governor Tregenza Roach and Bryan/Roach Administration Cabinet members.
Governor Bryan encourages residents in the community to tune in and call in with questions, ideas and comments.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
- Thursday, June 18
- 8:15 a.m. The Governor will be on “Analyze This” with Neville James on WTJX 93.1 FM
Government House
- Thursdays
- 5:30 p.m. “The Press Box,” featuring casual interviews with Bryan/Roach Administration officials and streaming live on the Government House Facebook page. Previous episodes can be found at facebook.com/GovernmentHouseUSVI
Office of the St. Croix Administrator
- Tuesday, June 16
- 8 a.m. St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes, Special Assistant to Governor Bryan Elizabeth Centeno and St. Croix Police Chief Sidney Elskoe will be on “Papi Love” with Papi Love Sr. on WVSE 91.9 FM
- Wednesday, June 17
- 8 a.m. St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes will be on “V.I. in the Morning” with St. Claire Williams on The Reef WAXJ 103.5 FM
Economic Development Authority
- Monday, June 15
- 8:30 a.m. Wayne Biggs Jr., acting CEO of the Economic Development Authority, and Wayne Huddleston, senior area manager of the U.S. Small Business Administration, will talk about the Payroll Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program on “Analyze This” with Neville James on WTJX 93.1 FM
ADA Coordinator Julien Henley
- Tuesday, June 16
- 7 p.m. ADA Coordinator Julien Henley will be on “Just Government” with Lawrence Boschulte on Caribbean Broadcasting Network ZJKC 90.9 FM
- Saturday, June 20
- 8 a.m. ADA Coordinator Julien Henley will be on “Ability Radio” with Archie Jennings on Da Vybe WLDV 107.9 FM
- Saturday, June 20
- 1:30 p.m. ADA Coordinator Julien Henley will be on “Community Digest” with Abdul Ali on WSTX 970 AM
Department of Health
- Mondays
- 8 a.m. “The Health Buzz” on Caribbean Country WVVI 93.5 FM
Veterans Affairs
- Tuesdays
- 7 p.m. Veterans Affairs Director Patrick Farrell hosts a program about issues relating to veterans on Da Vybe WLDV 107.9 FM
Department of Labor
- Wednesdays
- 8 a.m. Labor Department officials discuss Labor issues on “Workforce Wednesdays” on Isle 95 WJKC 95.1 FM
V.I. Education Department
- Saturdays
THOMAS- Members of the Committee on Rules and Judiciary chaired by Sen. Janelle K. Sarauw, convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building on Thursday, to receive testimony on Bill No. 33-0126-An Act amending Title 3, chapter 1 of the Virgin Islands Code by adding a new section 27i establishing the Virgin Islands Office of Gun Violence Prevention under the Office of the Governor. However, the Bill would not gain traction as it was voted to be held in Committee.
The measure seeks to establish and task the Virgin Islands Office of Gun Violence Prevention to develop effective strategies to reduce and prevent gun violence in the Virgin Islands. Furthermore, the bill calls for the Office to collaborate with non-governmental agencies and providers involved in gun violence prevention, organize initiatives to bring community awareness, establish a resource line for referrals and counseling, and to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the community. “The Virgin Islands rank third in the world for gun violence according to statistics from the United Nations. We have to be ambitious to eradicate gun violence in our community while dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Sen. Myron Jackson, sponsor of the bill. However, Sen. Oakland Benta stated that the bill is redundant. “I am a stern believer that this venture is one that exists within the government already to include the Bureau of Corrections, the Office of the Attorney General, the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, and the Virgin Islands Police Department.”
To strengthen the bill, the Office of the Attorney General Denise George suggested establishing a timeline to analyze data, codifying a gun violence plan, and for the Office to collaborate with researchers from the University of the Virgin Islands and other academic institutions to assist with the process. In response to Sen. Sarauw’s inquiry whether there is a disconnect between the V.I. Police Department and the Department of Justice; George mentioned that both entities have a very good relationship and work closely to combat crime in the Territory.
Separately, lawmakers voted and approved the following:
- Bill No. 33-0054- An Act amending Title 11 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 23 for Small Business Development.
- Bill No. 33-0106- An Act amending Title 6 of the Virgin Islands Code by adding a new chapter 11 prohibiting various uses of unmanned aircraft, also known as drones.
- Bill No. 33-0217- An Act authorizing the Department of Property and Procurement in conjunction with other agencies to refurbish the building located at No. 1 Norre Gade on St. Thomas and convert it into public restrooms to be used by the public, including tourists.
However, senators voted to hold in committee at the call of the Chair: Bill No. 33-0250- An Act amending Title 3, chapter 9, section 134a, subsection (b) of the Virgin Islands Code, relating to the duties of the Department of Public Works, Division of Capital Improvement in administering and coordinating capital improvement projects, to require that a Front-End Engineering and Design is completed for each capital improvement project of the various departments and agencies of GVI before the procurement of engineering and construction services.
All approved items will be forwarded to the Full Body for further consideration.
WAPA TROUBLESHOOTING UNIT 23’S FUEL AND GENERATION SYSTEM ISSUES;WILL ADD ANOTHER 26-MEGAWATT GENERATOR TO HARLEY PLANT FLEET WITHIN TWO TO THREE WEEKS
In response to a recent round of generation capacity challenges at the Randolph Harley Power Plant on St. Thomas, WAPA personnel have led a troubleshooting regimen towards resolving issues with the plant’s largest generator, Unit 23. In addition, and to sure-up the power plant, the utility will soon add more capacity when Unit 27 returns to service later this month.
Over the past few weeks, the Harley power plant has been dispatching all its capacity to satisfy electrical demand, with little to no reserve or back-up options. As a result, when a unit malfunctions or is taken out of service for repair and maintenance, there is not enough generation capacity to meet the electrical demand of the utility’s customers. Peak demand in the St. Thomas – St. John district is approximately 47 megawatts.
In recent weeks, Unit 23 has experienced operational challenges including some fuel system irregularities. When Unit 23 is unavailable, the plant is approximately three megawatts short of the required generation resulting in outages to customers. To return the unit to reliable service, all fuel and hydraulic systems are being systematically reviewed. WAPA will be conducting this review and testing over the next few days.
Additionally, WAPA recently issued a notice to proceed to General Electric. The company will finalize the return of Unit 27 to service. The unit, a 26-megawatt generator, was one of three previously rented from APR Energy. WAPA is now renting Unit 27 from its manufacturer and owner, General Electric. The availability of an additional 26 megawatts of generation will provide stability to the power plant and more options for service restoration following outages.
WAPA expects Unit 27 to be online within the next two weeks or at the latest, by the end of June. Additionally, by the end of this year, the unit will be retrofitted to burn the lower cost, more efficient LPG fuel to generate electricity.
DIVISION OF PERSONNEL ANNNOUNCES VIRTUAL WELLNESS INITIATIVES ON WTJX – CHANNEL 12
Dayna Clendinen, Director, Division of Personnel and Group Health Insurance would like to announce Virtual African Dance Classes and Virtual Vegan Cooking Classes. In recognizing the impact that this global pandemic has had on our physical and mental health, well-being, families, schools and community overall, the division in conjunction with WTJX – Public Broadcasting System will be airing these classes which will allow members of the community to maintain a more healthful lifestyle while also maintaining the social distancing requirements. These classes will encourage people to become mindful of actions they can take to engage their mind and body and empowering people to make better health choices. These classes are also designed to help manage their stress levels and make long term health and wellness changes.
Join us and learn upbeat African dance moves while working up a sweat and make easy and healthy plant-based meals with our instructors Empress- Addaliah Potter and Empress- Atiyah Potter who are sisters that reside in the same household. We strongly recommend that you consult with your physician or health care provider before engaging in any exercise program. If you experience faintness, dizziness, pain, or shortness of breath at any time while performing these dances, please stop immediately and be sure to stay hydrated.
Air dates and times are as follows:
- “African Fitness Dance Sessions” will premiere on June 15, 2020 through June 18, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and will repeat on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.
- “Easy-to-Make Vegan Dishes” will premiere on June 22, 2020 through June 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and will repeat on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
The programs will also be streamed on WTJX’s Facebook page. In addition to, viewers can watch the programs at any time on their demand site at video.wtjx.org. The Division of Personnel continues to provide high quality-oriented wellness initiatives, challenges and programs giving everyone the opportunity to be healthy and happy and actively engage in their health and wellness insurance benefits.
For more details on these series please contact Ladee Shanna Martin, Wellness Program Coordinator at 774-8588 extension 5252 or via email atladeeshanna.martin@dop.vi.gov. Continue to stay safe and healthy!
CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY E. PLASKETT ANNOUNCES THAT THE USDA HAS APPROVED A PROGRAM TO FEED KIDS IN US VIRGIN ISLANDS
Pandemic EBT to Feed Children during COVID-19 National Emergency
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today released the following statement that the US Virgin Islands has been approved to operate Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), a new program authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provides assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals dealing with school closures:
“The U.S. Virgin Islands will be able to operate Pandemic EBT, a supplemental food purchasing benefit to current SNAP participants and as a new EBT benefit to other eligible households to offset the cost of meals that would have otherwise been consumed at school. For the 2019-2020 school year, the US Virgin Islands had approximately 13,200 children eligible for free and reduced-priced lunch (all children in participating schools).
“Under FFCRA, States have the option to submit a plan to the Secretary of Agriculture for providing these benefits to SNAP and non-SNAP households with children who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to pandemic-related school closures. State agencies may operate Pandemic EBT when a school is closed for at least five consecutive days during a public health emergency designation during which the school would otherwise be in session.
“The implementation of Pandemic EBT is in line with USDA’s commitment and the efforts of my office to keep Virgin Islanders safe, secure, and healthy during this national emergency and to keep Virgin Island children fed when schools are closed. My office is working with the USDA and local authorities to ensure schools and other program operators can continue to feed children. This latest action complements previously announced flexibilities for the Child Nutrition programs that:
- Allow parents and guardians to pick up meals to bring home to their kids;
- Temporarily waive mealtimes requirements to make it easier to pick up multiple-days’ worth of meals at once;
- Allow meals to be served in non-congregate settings to support social distancing;
- Waive the requirement that afterschool meals and snacks served through certain programs be accompanied by educational activities to minimize exposure to the novel coronavirus; and
- Allow states, on an individual state-by-state basis, to serve free meals to children in all areas, rather than only those in areas where at least half of students receive free or reduced-price meals.
“Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of actions that USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has taken to uphold the USDA’s commitment to ‘Do Right and Feed Everyone’ during this national emergency.
“USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American’s agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.”
CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY PLASKETT ANNOUNCES $1.6 MILLION GRANT FOR WAPA (ST. JOHN) FROM FEMA
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding a $1.6 million grant for WAPA from FEMA to go towards the rebuilding of the U.S. Virgin Islands associated with Hurricanes Maria and Irma:
“Today, I am pleased to announce a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant is for $1,674,043.04 in federal funding to the V.I. Water and Power Authority (WAPA) Management Costs. Management Costs are any indirect costs and administrative expenses that are reasonably incurred by a Grantee in administering a grant award. During the incident period, Hurricane Maria caused severe winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding that inundated the power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities of the WAPA facilities on St. John. Project scope of work included within this Management Cost Award are: emergency protective measures for power restoration, drinking water distribution; and permanent work repairs to St. John Water System Facilities, which include water tanks and a well.
“This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts making the Virgin Islands whole again after experiencing two devastating hurricanes. The United States government and the international community has an obligation to work with the affected local governments to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance, and help recover and build back our islands.”
VI Caribbean Connection
Governor Bryan Initiates ‘Open Doors” Phase Of Territory’s Reopening from COVID-19
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.