🌱 Setback For UVI Medical School + 60 Years Of Hand-Made Sandals

Good morning folks. Here's what I'm reading this morning. And when you're done with the headlines, don't miss the social section (because Limetree Refinery is running a training exercise this morning. Find out what to expect!)

• The University of the Virgin Islands has hit a roadblock on the way to opening up a medical school. The Liaison Committee for Medical Education Keeping, the accrediting body for medical education programs, decided not to approve UVI for the next stage of accreditation. The organization expressed concerns that the University doesn't have enough funds to sustain a medical school. UVI President Dr. David Hall told the Consortium, "They felt that we did not demonstrate that there were enough resources allocated to the project. They felt that there were some resources that were allocated but they weren't clear that those could be sustained, meaning that they would continue overtime. And then they said there were some funds that we pointed to that they were not clear about the status of the funds."
• Zora Galvin, the namesake and driving force behind the sandal store Zora of St. Thomas, is celebrating 60 years in business. Read more about her life and how she started the sand shop in the Virgin Islands Daily News.
• Did you know that there are federal funds available to help with funeral expenses of a loved one who died from COVID-19? The V.I. Dept. of Health wants to remind the community that "FEMA oversees funds earmarked to reimburse families for the funeral expenses of persons who died from Covid-19." Find out more in the VI Consortium.
• Michaiah Morton, age 30, was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase on Friday, March 11, according to the VIPD. Police say they ultimately found ammunition and marijuana in his vehicle. Morton faces multiple charges stemming from the chase and the items found in his car. Full story in the VI Consortium.
• The Altona Lagoon Book Club, a group of private citizens who love literature, organized a large book donation to the Juanita Gardine K-8 library. Altona members worked with the school librarian to select books that the kids would get excited about. Members of the book club then donated their own money and, with additional donated funds from O’Neale’s Transport, Inc., bought the books from Undercover Books & Gifts in Gallows Bay. Full story in The Source.

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Today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 82 Low: 74.

Today's Events:

• Morning HITT with Jane Alexis on the lawn at Yacht Haven Grande (7:00 a.m.)
• Toddler Tuesday at the V.I. Children's Museum, St. Thomas (10:15 a.m. )
• Online Event: Conversations with AARP VI. Guests: Richard Evangelista, Esq., and Matthew Padgett, VI DLCA (11:00 a.m.)
• Yin Yoga with Jane on the lawn at Yacht Haven Grande (5:30 p.m.)
• Steve Katz Live at Six Nine Restaurant & Bar, St. Croix (6:00 p.m.)
• Gentle Flow with Bethany on the lawn at Yacht Haven Grande (6:30 p.m.)

Social Buzz:

• As a symbol of support and in solidarity with the people of Ukraine in the midst of a Russian invasion, Government House lit up in blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag. (Government House - US Virgin Islands)
• The newly resurfaced Milton Newton Basketball Court in Bordeaux on St. Thomas U.S Virgin Island (Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation)
• UPDATE: It was an apartment fire in Lower Grunwald, sounds like it was a total loss but fortunately everyone is safe. (What's going on St. John, US Virgin Islands)
• Until further notice, starting 3/19/22 Miss Lucy's (Coral Bay, St. John) is closed Saturdays (Miss Lucy's in Coral Bay)
• This week in the Park: (Friends of Virgin Islands National Park)
  • Tuesday & Thursday (9AM - 11AM) — Turtle Info Table. Stop by and say hi to the Park Turtle Program Coordinators at Maho. Learn more about this endangered species, what is being done to protect them, and how you can help by not touching them and keeping your distance!
  • Tuesday (5-6PM) - Traditional Arts & Crafts. Cinnamon Bay Campground Chat. Learn more and sign up here — https://friendsvinp.org/cinnamon-bay-camp-seminars/
  • Wednesday (8:15PM - 9:30PM) — Night Sky Watch at Cinnamon Bay Beach with a Ranger. Explore the dark skies and bright stars through the park telescope. Bring a flashlight and towel/chair.
  • Thursday (5-6PM) - Archaeology at Cinnamon Bay. Cinnamon Bay Campground Chat. Learn more and sign up here — https://friendsvinp.org/cinnamon-bay-camp-seminars/
  • Friday (7:30 — 8:30 AM) — Bird Walk at Francis. Join a Ranger for a bird watching walk. Meet at Francis Bay Trailhead.
  • Friday (9AM - 12PM) — Hike Brown Bay. Friday With Friends guided hike. Free for members! Register today for this tour or another one of our Friday With Friends seminars - https://friendsvinp.org/friday-with-friends/
  • Friday (5-6PM) - Cultural Drumming. Cinnamon Bay Campground Chat. Learn more and sign up here — https://friendsvinp.org/cinnamon-bay-camp-seminars/
• Limetree announced it is running a training exercise today from 8:30-11:30 a.m. (Facebook)

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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.