GREAT NEWS FROM THE Virgin Islands Police Department!!!!!!!!!Commissioner Novelle E. Francis Jr. showcased the VI Police Department’s new crime analysis and evidence storage facility earlier this week. The facility is “unmatched anywhere in the Caribbean,” according to St. Croix Deputy Chief Christopher Howell. Access to the facility is gained through biometric fingerprint scan. All unauthorized fingerprints are recorded and any attempt by unauthorized persons to access the facility will be investigated. Inside, separate rooms are designated for ballistic testing and tracing, raising obliterated serial numbers off firearms, raising latent fingerprints off evidence, fingerprint analysis and processing and storing evidence. The facility was budgeted $500,000 and will be completed at least 100,000 under budget said Howell, who’s hands-on approach in overseeing the renovations, equipment purchasing and final set up was the driving force behind the completion of the crime lab. The renovation corrects 30 years of problems in evidence storage and brings the department into the forefront of crime scene investigation technology.  The US Interior Department conducted three audits in the last 20 years detailing problems and outlining recommendations to correct the issues.

Coki Point Beach, Coral World ocean Park, and surrounding areas will be undergoing a major recovery plan as was announced by Governor John DeJongh in a press conference held yesterday. These areas will be closed for ten days beginning August 2^nd. When these areas re open there will be regular police presence, better facilities, and enhanced aesthetics. Governor John DeJongh has also ordered an investigation into the recent incidents in that area, and believe this plan will help to restore the cruise line industry’s confidence.  

24 members of the National Guard were welcomed home yesterday by family and friends yesterday afternoon. These soldiers are amongst the last to return to the territory, After being deployed to Kosovo on a peace making effort in August. 18 soldiers returned to St. Thomas and 6 to St Croix. The last 16 guardsmen of the 661^st will return home today when they land in St Croix. A welcome home ceremony at the Gramboko building in Subbase ended their year long term for the soldiers.

Antigua and Barbuda Heritage Link will be having a meeting this Sunday at 5:30 PM in Wendy’s. All board members and planning committee members are required to go.

Dr. Stan McKibbon will be speaking at VI Christian Ministries starting today at 7:00. He will also be talking on Sunday July 25 at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency is holding its first ever tsunami Workshop this month to educate residents and businesses about the threat and risks of tsunamis in the Virgin Islands and how to become a tsunami ready community. The day long Tsunami workshop is today on St. Thomas at the Marriot Frenchman Reef resort. For more information call 773-2244

Virgin Islands Retired Police Organization has their next general meeting on Saturday July 24, 10:00 AM at the Palms Court Harbor View Hotel.

All St. Thomas residents, there is an important neighborhood meeting regarding property tax and other prominent issues on Saturday July 24 at 6:30 PM on the CAHS field. For more information call 344-8177

The CAHS class of 68 will be attending a church service at the Wesley Methodist Church on Sunday July 25 at 6:30 AM

The 47th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament - the longest annually held angling contest in the Virgin Islands - will once again be hosted by the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (VIGFC) and fished on July 23, 24 and 25. "We encourage all anglers to register online (www.vigfc.com) as soon as possible. This is a popular event and the full moon in late July produces a great blue marlin bite. Awards Banquet on July 25th. Lines go in the water at 8:30 a.m. and out at 5 p.m., except on the final day of the three-day tournament when lines out will be at 4 p.m.

The Love city car ferries Inc.’s Day of thanks which was scheduled for Saturday July 24^th has been postponed due to inclement weather.

It's 87° Fahrenheit 27.7 Centigrade in Crown Bay St. Thomas, 69% humidity. Partly cloudy skies Wind out of the East at 9 mph. Water temp: 85° in Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas 83 in Lameshur Bay St. John We had POINT 03 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Doppler radar shows Mostly clear skies Satellite Photo Shows: No storms on the horizon. Tropical Storm Gaston broke up. The national weather forecast calls for Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Highs 92. East winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.