A memorial service was held at Emancipation Garden for Ja’Qeada Isaac, a 9-year-old girl who drowned in Charlotte Amalie Harbor after being tied to a cinder block. Her mother, Anyah Smith, has been charged with first-degree murder. The service included performances by the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra and the Charlotte Amalie Concert Choir, and a tribute dance by Isaac's troupe, Elite Dynasty Dancers. Speakers included Tuitt School Principal Thelea Bedminster, Junior Firefighters leader Patricia Benjamin, Pastor Michael McDonald, Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington, and Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, who all honored Isaac's memory and impact on the community.

Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen announced a meeting with We Grow Food, Inc. to discuss an infrastructure project at Bordeaux Farms, including a new 100,000-gallon cistern to complement the existing 60,000-gallon cistern, and the creation of a fruit orchard. The meeting, which follows discussions at the 25th Annual Bordeaux Farmers Rastafari Agriculture and Culture Vegan Food Fair, aims to address the need for more water to increase local produce in the market. Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has committed resources to support these projects, and former Agriculture official Elridge Thomas emphasized the urgency of revitalizing agriculture.

Charles Comerford was arrested and accused of assault and reckless endangerment after allegedly running over a man's foot twice with a car during a property rights dispute in Havensight, St. Thomas. The incident occurred on January 3 as the victim was clearing overgrowth from a walkway used by local beachgoers. Comerford, who claimed the property was his, was released on $25,000 cash bail after a Superior Court hearing where charges were upheld.

Matthew Campbell, a federal public defender from St. Thomas, is traveling to Washington, D.C. to represent a client, John Richter, accused in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Campbell, who is also handling local high-profile cases, including the defense of Alfredo Bruce Smith and Richardson Dangleben Jr., had to reschedule Smith's sentencing due to his Jan. 6 commitments. The prosecution of Richter's case encountered a complication when it was discovered he shares a name with a White House staffer under President Joe Biden.

The V.I. Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Rhys Hodge, issued a split decision on Jimmy Davis' case, ruling that the lower court must allow Davis to present his side before setting bail but declining to rule on his jail transfer. Davis, facing charges for the rape of a minor in April 2020, had his bail initially set at $1 million, which he claimed was excessive. The Superior Court later reduced the bail to $250,000. Davis' request for release on his own recognizance was denied due to concerns over his history of prior offenses and potential flight risk. The high court has ordered new hearings to address complaints about Davis' actions.

The V.I. Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Rhys Hodge, issued a split decision on Jimmy Davis' case, addressing his bail amount without ruling on his demand to be moved from jail. The court found the lower court's bail setting violated judicial principles by not allowing Davis to contest allegations of his past behavior. Davis, charged with the rape of a minor in April 2020, had his bail reduced from $1 million to $250,000. The Superior Court has been directed to hold new hearings where Davis can confront complaints on record, but the court declined jurisdiction over his jail transfer request.

The first hearing in the civil case filed by ousted Senator-at-Large Steven Payne was postponed, with no future hearing dates set. Superior Court Judge Renee Gumbs Carty allowed Payne's lawyer to file their part of a joint final pretrial order for a bench trial scheduled for March 14. Payne's removal from office by the 34th Legislature, following allegations of sexual harassment, is being challenged on the grounds of due process under the U.S. Constitution. The Legislature's attorney, Joseph Arellano, has sought to transfer the case to the V.I. Supreme Court, questioning Judge Gumbs Carty's authority.

Retired Superior Court Judge Audrey Thomas-Francis, the first full-time family court judge in the Virgin Islands, passed away on December 25. Appointed by Governor Charles Turnbull in July 2000, she was praised for her professionalism and contributions to the judiciary. She served in the Family Division, handling domestic violence and probate cases, and became a resource for the court. She was also an educator, teaching law courses and English to police officers. Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach expressed condolences and gratitude for her service, including her involvement with the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees.

The Port Authority board renewed a lease with Tropical Shipping for the St. Thomas container port and allocated funds for repairs to the Gordon Finch Molasses Pier on St. Croix, damaged by a faulty WAPA transformer installation. The board also approved a lease renewal with a rent increase for Sandals for You, LLC at Cyril E. King Airport and made a policy change to comply with FAA regulations. Additionally, they authorized quarterly payments for cyber insurance coverage.

St. Thomas was lively with approximately 12,000 cruise ship passengers when the fourth annual Children’s Christmas Parade took place, with a changed route to avoid heavy traffic. Participants included various youth groups and performers, and the event featured a tribute to the late Police Detective Delberth Phipps Jr. Bruce Flamon from the Governor's Office of Gun Violence Prevention expressed his contentment with the parade, which also provided an unexpected holiday treat for tourists. The parade concluded at the Virgin Islands Children's Museum with snacks and gifts for the children. The event was supported by several organizations, including the Office of the Governor and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

Omaree Fontaine, 18, made an initial court appearance for charges related to an October strongarm robbery in Havensight, where he and others allegedly stole jewelry from four people. Surveillance footage implicated Fontaine and Nashai Francis, 19, who was later found with a fatal gunshot wound on December 7. Fontaine turned himself in following a police wanted poster and faces multiple charges, with an arraignment set for January 19, 2024. The Virgin Islands Police Department is seeking public assistance in the investigation of Francis' death.

The Historic Preservation Commission approved renovation and repair plans for Drakes Passage Shopping Mall and the former J. Antonio Jarvis School in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. The Jarvis School, dating back to the Danish West Indies era, is set to become an educational and cultural center, with Nadine Marchena-Kean discussing the challenges and necessary repairs. Sean Krigger commended the project and offered Danish bricks for the restoration. Royal Dane Mall's repair plan, presented by Tom Avitable, includes controversial demolition of fire-damaged Danish-era walls. The commission rejected the installation of awnings over facade windows but acknowledged the need for extensive repairs. The revitalization efforts aim to foster community pride and encourage revitalization in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Historic Preservation Commission approved renovation and repair plans for historical structures in St. Thomas, including Drakes Passage Shopping Mall and the former J. Antonio Jarvis School. Efforts to revitalize the Jarvis School into an educational and cultural center were discussed by Nadine Marchena-Kean, with Sean Krigger expressing support. Architectural Consultant Tom Avitable presented a 10-step plan for Royal Dane Mall, which faced controversy over the demolition of Danish-era warehouse walls. The commission rejected the installation of awnings over facade windows but acknowledged the need for repairs. Work is expected to take 1 to 1.5 years to complete.

The Historic Preservation Commission approved renovation and repair plans for Drakes Passage Shopping Mall and the former J. Antonio Jarvis School in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. The 171-year-old Jarvis School is set to become an educational and cultural center, with community groups and the Enterprise Zone Commission, led by Nadine Marchena-Kean, working on its revitalization. Sean Krigger from the Planning and Natural Resources Historic Preservation praised the efforts and offered Danish bricks for the project. Architectural Consultant Tom Avitable presented a 10-step plan for Royal Dane Mall, including controversial demolition of fire-damaged walls. The commission rejected the installation of awnings over facade windows. Work on the projects is expected to take 1 to 1.5 years, aiming to instill pride in the territory's history and encourage community revitalization.

Quasheem Christian, a 23-year-old St. Croix utility worker, is accused of an execution-style murder on St. Thomas and is scheduled for arraignment in early 2024. He made an initial court appearance on Dec. 6 and is being held on $1 million bail. The victim, Chandler Heath, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds on Jan. 29. The investigation included witness statements, surveillance video, and social media conversations, leading to Christian's arrest. The next court appearance is set for Jan. 5.

The article discusses the adoption of telemedicine in the Virgin Islands as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With social distancing as a key strategy to prevent the virus's spread, health officials and providers shifted to virtual consultations to protect both patients and healthcare workers. Dr. Tai Hunte from the Department of Health promoted telemedicine use across the territory, and the CDC's guidance supported this move. Frederiksted Clinic on St. Croix and Red Hook Family Practice were highlighted as examples of healthcare providers who implemented telemedicine. The article also mentions the use of platforms like MDLive, TeleDoc, Zoom, and Doxy.me for remote consultations. The experience with telemedicine during the pandemic is seen as a potential catalyst for future advancements in the local healthcare system.

The article recounts the experiences of several individuals who played key roles during Hurricane Irma's impact on the Virgin Islands. Irvin Mason, the St. John Disaster Response Coordinator, describes the harrowing experience at VITEMA's emergency operations center when the roof was torn off. Athniel 'Addie' Ottley, President of Ottley Communications, shares how WSTA radio station remained operational throughout the storm. Ernest Matthias, Deputy Chief of the Virgin Islands Fire Service, details his personal experience and the challenges faced by the fire service. Darryl Smalls, Sr. Vice President of Operations at Schneider Regional Medical Center, discusses how the hospital managed during the hurricane. The article provides a detailed look at the resilience and response of the community and emergency services during a Category 5 hurricane.

Jay Titlow, a senior meteorologist with WeatherFlow, shared his astonishment at the data collected on Hurricanes Irma and Maria, with sustained winds exceeding 170 mph. Speaking at the first meeting of OCOVI in Charlotte Amalie, he detailed the storms' intensity and the challenges in measuring such extreme weather. Various devices, including airport tower monitors and ocean buoys, are used to measure hurricane wind speeds, but their reliability can be compromised in such conditions. Some instruments were lost during the storms, and the Caribbean Ocean Observing System Buoy off St. Thomas was reported lost. The need for improved Caribbean-based weather data was emphasized, especially as the National Climate Assessment is being completed, which includes the Caribbean for the first time. The article also mentions the collaboration with CARICOOS and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration in data sharing.

The Love City Car Show in Coral Bay, initially facing a low turnout due to a hurricane, ended up being a success with a variety of vehicles on display. Promoter Jay Swartley reported a good number of cars, trucks, and a motorcycle, including notable models like Ford Mustangs, a Volkswagen bug, and a BMW. Participants like Lemuel Liburd and Bobby Fleming showcased their vehicles' interiors and engines, while Austin Thomas displayed a custom grill on his pickup. The event also featured entertainment for children and a sound system contest. Proceeds from the previous year's event were donated to a local non-profit, and there was hope that the 2017 show might also support charity.