How much Sahara Dust will we get?  Department of Planning and Natural Resources says the hazy skies are Sahara Dust. The dust arises in the Sahara desert where wind storms send the dust up 15,000 feet into the atmosphere. Several hundred Million tons of dust...hundreds of millions of tons - hard to imagine..! The dust drifts over the Atlantic and passes us, dropping some of the dust here. There is a theory that the dust inhibits storm formation... The dust is expected to dissipate over the weekend.

Police Department on the hot seat at the mid-year fiscal review. Senators grilled Police Commissioner James McCall.  Communication was one hot topic. The senators had a video of the communication towers rusting while there are reports the Police Department lacked radios and had to borrow radios.  McCall said he inherited the towers and they are working on better communication.  Overtime - is eating the budget.  McCall says the new agreement with the union to allow off island recruitment has been a breakthrough allowing the Police Department to hire new officers and the new auxiliary program is helping to cover some of the manpower needs of the Police Department.

Department of Public Works was on the hot seat - Daryl Smalls says they lack the finances to really accomplish the mission. So much of the road repair is piecemeal as senators write specific roads into appropriations.  Smalls says they need a five million dollar budget just for road repairs.

Shocking news from Saints Peter and Paul School as the new principal - Stephen Kenney -  has been asked to step down after just three days on the job. The Daily News revealed that his resume included a doctoral degree from a bogus university - one that sells diplomas.  While all past employers lauded Kenney and his record of school development is excellent, the fake degree raises questions. The Saints Peter and Paul School Board of Directors and Kenney came to an agreement and he will not be principal. Rev George Franklin will resume the job and a new search will be conducted.

Environmental Protection Agency and the government have a new agreement on the handling of hazardous waste.  The topic is lead containing computer monitors and mercury in florescent light bulbs - both need special handling to keep the mercury and lead out of the environment. The Government has to construct special hazardous waste collection centers, hire full time staff to operate the center, buy special trucks and build storage centers for the hazardous waste. And pay for off-island disposal.

Community Bank is now FirstBank.  The FirstBank corp announced they have completed the conversion of the old Community Bank into FirstBank.  The former locations are all being maintained in the bank's network and all accounts, loans, credit accounts, safe deposits, night deposits - it has all been converted to FirstBank. SO far it has all been smooth.

Good News from Delegate Dr. Donna Christensen - She has been awarded the "National Star Award" from the Let's Talk, Let's Test Foundation - she is cited for her tireless fight against HIV in the African-American community.  She was in Chicago to receive the award. The delegate said "To be honored with this award is quite humbling."

More from Delegate Dr. Donna Christensen - she applauded as President Bush signed the bill into law that will give the Northern Mariana Islands a non-voting representative in the US Congress. The bill will extend US Immigration laws to the islands.

No cruise ships today but we do have a French Navy Ship -The Fougeuse here at Crown Bay Dock .  The ship is based in Martinique and carries a crew of 30. The ship and will be open to the public today from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Bring ID. The crew got a special reception from the French Honorary Consul - Odiel de Lyrot who took the captain and crew on a tour of Frenchtown and the French Heritage Museum... The ship is open today from 2 to 4 and will leave St. Thomas on Saturday.

St. Croix American Federation of Teachers is having a general election today from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM at all schools and activity centers. Please take time to vote.

This month is Click It or Ticket safety Enforcement Month and the Police Department reminds you they are looking at your seat belt. Click it, or ticket.

Were you in the Jury pool between January and April - your pay checks are available at the Clerk's office Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Department of Human Services Head Start will be conducting a FREE educational workshop for parents to assist in minimizing premature births on today at the Department of Human Services - Head Start Sugar Estate Complex from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  

Today is the alst day to post an entry in the Jason Carrol Essay Contest. There is a scholarship to college available to a student who wins this essay contest. Write 1000 words about how to stop excessive violence in the Virgin Islands Community - Deliver today to the Office of Institutional Advancement at UVI... TODAY.

Senator Shawn Michael Malone has extended the deadline for your org to get into his Youth Activities Directory Call 693-3529.

This is National Nurse Week and at the Schneider Hospital, today is  “Community Appreciation Day”  with  21  booths located in sunroom/lobby/front hosp grounds   residents can come get help with Medication reconciliation, Blood pressure checks, Blood sugar tests, Car seat teaching, HIV Rapid Testing, Stress Management & Depression Screen, Diabetes teaching Legal help with

Advance Directives, The  Ambulance is on displayso is the Fire Truck display and a Police dogs show and Bike Safety Handwashing demo for children and information from Sickle Cell Association

 And HOPE and other medical suppliers  It is Nurses week on St. Croix too and they have a Nurse Appreciation Gift Giving ceremony at 3:30 PM.