🌱 Bryan Appoints Committee To Oversee Salaries + More

Hello folks. Here's a quick recap of the latest headlines from across the territory. And don't miss today's events.

• The latest on the Alfredo Bruce Smith case: the defense attorneys are arguing that evidence that has not yet been shared with the defense should be excluded from the trial. Smith was arrested on Sept. 30, 2021 and charged with 13 criminal counts, including aggravated rape and sexual exploitation of a child. Get the full story via The Daily News.
• The V.I. Dept. of Education will distribute USDA commodities on February 19 at the Addelita Cancryn Intermediate & Jr. High School (former Lockhart Elementary). Distribution starts at 7:00 am and will continue until supplies last. Packages are limited to one per household, via the VI Consortium.
• Governor Bryan appointed nine individuals to serve as members of the V.I. Public Officials Compensation, Government House. The commission will oversee the salaries, expenses, and allowances of the governor, lieutenant governor, the governor's cabinet, judicial officers, senators and the inspector general. Currently, the USVI governor and senators are among the highest paid in the U.S., despite being one of the poorest. Full story in The Source.
• A former Judge in the V.I. Superior Court on St. Croix has been reprimanded after internal investigations confirmed he sexually harassed court staff, via the VI Consortium.

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Today's weather: Mostly sunny with a shower. High: 81 Low: 73.

Today's Events:

• Morning Yoga with Kim at Nicci's Boutique in Yacht Haven Grande (6:30 a.m.)
• Movers and Groovers for toddlers and kids at Real Community Fitness (10:30 a.m.)
• Art Thursday: walk the streets of Christiansted and check out the art shops and galleries from 5-8 p.m. (5:00 p.m.)
• Never miss it: Open Mic Night at Miss Lucy's in Coral Bay (5:30 p.m.)
• Join the Webinar on the Cyril E. King Airport Watershed - Stormwater Solutions (5:30 p.m.)
• Caribbean Movement Adult Class at St. John School of the Arts (6:30 p.m.)

Social Buzz:

• Territory’s COVID-19 Toll Climbs to 106 with Death of STT Woman (Twitter)
• Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands: Second Round of Funding Totaling $734,580 Available for Emergency Food and Shelter Programs in the Territory! (Twitter)
• Cash for Guns: Our next St. Thomas District Cash for Guns event is February 19,2022 Location: Omar Brown Fire Station Time:8:00a-4:00pThere was no limit on the amount of guns someone could turn in, and the gun buybacks were completely anonymous, and on a 'no questions asked basis' (Twitter)
• Here's a great reminder of how long it takes for trash to break down in the ocean, thanks to the Friends of St Croix East End Marine Park.

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That's it for today! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— 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.