🌱 Senators Pave Way For Havensight Hotel + Weekend Events

Morning, folks. Before you dive into the weekend, check out the latest headlines (including the slurry of Senate activity) and all the weekend events.

The St. Thomas International Regatta is going on all weekend-long at the St. Thomas Yacht Club and it is open to the public. Come for the racing, stay for the drinks and live music.

And special shout-out to Shadya Coureur for winning the 49th Annual Territorial Spelling Bee. Next stop: Nationals!

• VI Senators had a busy week, approving more than 20 bills on Thursday (and overriding a few). "Among them was a measure that clears the path for a developer to build a branded hotel on St. Thomas at the Havensight Mall after lawmakers approved two Gov't Employees' Retirement System zoning requests," via the VI Consortium. Find out what else they approved, what they skipped, and what the senators overturned: https://viconsortium.com/vi-government/virgin-islands-horse-racing-bill-yanked-from-agenda-senators-override-bryans-caravelle-hotel-ballroom-veto-g-e-r-s-zoning-request-for-new-hotel-approved-as-over-20-measures-win-senate-approval-
• St. Thomas firefighters responded to reports of a rooftop fire on Thursday evening, at approximately 7:20 p.m., at a building under construction at 4B Norre Gade. Three of St. Thomas' four fire stations responded and extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Read more in The Source.
• The V.I. Port Authority Board approved the redesign of ticketing counters and podiums at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas. The order claims that the existing ticketing counters and gate podiums are in disrepair, negatively impact airline operations and are an eyesore to the public. Read more in The Source.
• DPNR released the latest results from their water quality monitoring program. Princess (Condo Row) in St. Croix tested high for bacteria and is not considered safe for swimming or fishing. See the full report here.
• Want to learn more about reef-safe sunscreens? Or clear up existing confusion? News of St. John has a good summary of what's good, what's bad and what is downright illegal.

Saturday Events:

• Soup & Pâté Fundraising Sale hosted by Marine Vocational Program, St. Thomas (8:00 a.m.)
• Nutrition Month Kick, Run, and BOUNCE Fun Day at Emile Griffith Park, St. Thomas (10:00 a.m.)
• Craft Beer Yoga and Drum at Leatherback Brewing Company - St. Thomas (11:00 a.m.)
• Dances of the African Diaspora with International Dance Artist Dyane Harvey-Salaam, St. Croix (3:00 p.m.)
• Live Stream Event For Kids + Families: Brooklyn Rider - American String Quartet (4:00 p.m.)
• Live Music at Leatherback Brewing, STT (6:00 p.m.)
• Live Stream Event : Brooklyn Rider - American String Quartet (7:00 p.m.)
• Lady Friend @ Leatherback Brewing, St. Thomas (7:00 p.m.)
• Rock The Style -The Splendor of USVI Madras at The Dorsch Center, St. Croix (7:00 p.m.)
• Rhyme & Lime Poetry Event at Bajo El Sol Gallery, St. John (7:00 p.m.)

Sunday Events:

• Splits Workshop: A Practice of Grounding at Ambient Yoga & Freediving, St. Thomas (5:00 p.m.)
• Graze and Paint, Charlotte Amalie (1:30 p.m.)
• Lady Friend @ The Pie Whole, St.Thomas (7:00 p.m.)
• The Last Sunday Sip & Paint Tea Party, St. Criox (9:00 a.m.)

Social Buzz:

• The St. Thomas International Regatta is March 25 - 27 and is open to the public. Come mix and mingle with the racers, members and employees at the St. Thomas Yacht Club & St. Thomas Sailing Center. Check out the full schedule of events below. We hope to see you this weekend at the Yacht Club! (St. Thomas Sailing Center)
• Students and staff at the Free Will Baptist Christian School cheer for Shadya Coureur as she exits the auditorium following her win at the 49th Annual Territorial Spelling Bee held at the school on March 24. Congratulations to Shadya and all Bee participants! (What's Going on St.Thomas?)
• There is no better classroom than the Park! Gifft Hill School Fourth Graders exploring Francis Bay, learning about what makes a good harbor as well as about the extraordinary lives of George and Carl Francis. And having fun! (Friends of Virgin Islands National Park)
• The Virgin Islands Fire Service will like congratulate our Emergency Vehicle Technician Mr. Halsted Francis on receiving Employee of the Year Award (stt). Throughout his 3 years with VIFS, Mr. Francis has displayed that he’s an awesome problem solver and he will go above and beyond to get the job done. Mr. Francis is also a great team player! (U.S. Virgin Islands Fire Service)
• There is an amazing new way to spend your evenings on St. John in an incredibly magical atmosphere! Check out this fun and informative new activity series at Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground (Twitter)
• **HIRING** Hey everyone! We are looking for a bartender/ server for immediate placement! Fast paced environment with an epic view and awesome co-workers! (Island Time Pub - ITP)
• "Deh Village De Lugo" In honor of Mr. Ron De Lugo St. Thomas Carnival VI 70th Anniversary 2022 Village Line Up...(USVI Festivals)

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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.