🌱 EPA Warns Refinery Owners, School Protests + More

What's up this morning? Get the latest on Limetree and find out why employees are finally protesting outside of Claude O. Markoe Elementary School. The Social Buzz section is also worth a gander.

• The new owners of Limetree Bay refinery are already getting letters from the EPA. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has advised West Indies Petroleum Limited and Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation that they will most likely need to obtain a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit before restarting refinery operations. See the full story in the VI Consortium.
• More than 50 faculty and staff members protested outside of Claude O. Markoe Elementary School in St. Croix on Tuesday. They carried picket signs and were vocal about the issues they're facing now that everyone is back to in-person learning, including the lack of recreational equipment, an under-equipped cafeteria, inadequate staffing, infrastructure damage, no school nurse. The latest issue and the tipping point for many teachers, staff, students and family: no access to clean water. Get the full story in the Virgin Islands Daily News.
• UVI opened a new childcare lab and diagnostic center at the Albert A. Sheen Campus at University of the Virgin Islands on St. Croix. The center will offer preschool programs for 2 to 5-year-olds and after school programs for 6 to 11- year-olds. Island Therapy Solutions will also operate on-site, offering services to families and children who have additional needs. Students and university employees will have first dibs on enrolling their children. Read more in The Source.

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Today's weather: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 83 Low: 74.

Today's Events:

• Morning Yoga on the lawn at Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas (6:30 a.m.)
• Mark Wallace and Eva Chinn at Lovango Rum Bar and Distillery, St. John (5:00 p.m.)
• Lady Friend at The Box Bar in St. Thomas (5:30 p.m.)
• Vinyasa Flow yoga on the lawn at Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas (5:30 a.m.)
• Dance with Alexi on the lawn at Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas (6:30 p.m.)

Social Buzz:

• 2022-2023 Scholarships!! APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 20, 2022 Learn More and Apply: https://cfvi.net/grants-schola... (Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands)
• Be a part of the solution by joining the 5th Great Mangrove Cleanup. More than 1,700 lbs Of Marine Debris was removed from mangroves in the 2021 Great Mangrove Cleanup on St. Thomas! Volunteer today, register now at: www.viepscor.org
  (What's Going On St. Thomas?)
• Come see string quartet Brooklyn Rider perform in St. Thomas next Saturday, March 26th.
  • 4:00-5:00pm Interactive Community Outreach for young Students and Children under 12 years old (with parents) only. Make sure to sign up for a ticket to have a seat. Free.
  • 8:00pm Evening Concert With light dinner and refreshments served by Amalia Cafe - St. Thomas US Virgin Islands in the courtyard starting at 7:00pm. Tickets $5-$30. (Facebook)
• Check out guidelines for Camping & Day Use at Salt River Bay and East End Marine Park (Department of Planning and Natural Resources)
• VI Cyclists: This event is half riding/half running. Not too far but a whole lot of fun! Find a partner for this two-person relay event. See you on Sunday!! (Virgin Islands Triathlon)

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— 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.