ST. THOMAS - "Jesus," a juror exclaimed Thursday upon seeing a projected close-up of Dennis Richardson's pale, lifeless face with half-opened eyes on Mandahl Bay beach Oct. 14, 2009.

The defense rested its case Thursday and jurors commenced deliberations in the trial accusing Jensen Alexander with fatally stabbing Richardson, 51, seven times and repeatedly raping and sodomizing the deceased's female acquaintance at the undeveloped sandy strand.

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ST. CROIX - After Miles David entered a plea deal admitting his guilt in the April 2010 murder of two female family members, one of whom was pregnant, V.I. Superior Court Judge Darryl Donohue sentenced him to 60 years in prison on voluntary manslaughter and second-degree murder charges.

David, 49, pleaded guilty to two counts: voluntary manslaughter and second-degree murder. In exchange, the remaining charges were dropped.

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ST. THOMAS - The V.I. Water and Power Authority said it had finished repairing a water line leak Thursday afternoon that interrupted water service to the Havensight area from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday.

The interruption affected Upper Havensight and Belleview while WAPA technicians fixed an "aging" 12-inch line, said WAPA spokeswoman Cassandra Dunn.

She said the areas affected were mostly residential.

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Rumor and innuendo swirled across the territory on Thursday, as word spread rapidly about a story published in a Washington-based online media outlet that contained allegations about bribe-taking by V.I. government officials.

The story appeared in the Daily Caller, an online news source founded by Tucker Carlson, a television commentator known for his conservative views and a contributor to Fox News, and Neil Patel, former chief policy adviser to former Vice President Richard Cheney.

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ST. CROIX - About 175 callers listened in or participated in a telephone town hall meeting on the territory's financial crisis Thursday night with V.I. Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen.

Christensen was in Washington, D.C., and Thursday's town hall was the first time her office had done a town hall in a phone-in format, she said.

It was aimed at allowing the community to share ideas and concerns in the wake of government layoffs and the announcement that HOVENSA would be ceasing its refinery operations in the territory.

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ST. CROIX - One effect of HOVENSA's looming closure has been to renew the community's focus on three resort and development projects that have been discussed for nearly a decade: William and Punch; Robin Bay and Golden Resorts.

Residents see the completion of the three developments - William and Punch, Robin Bay and Golden Resorts - as a source of much-needed jobs and revenue and a boost to St. Croix's tourism industry, but so far, permitting hurdles and financing in the current economic crisis have presented hurdles.

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ST. CROIX - About a dozen citizens at the St. Croix Board of Elections meeting Wednesday left angry and feeling justified in the six petitions filed to recall all but one member of the district board.

After a quick meeting in which more than six residents sat with their hands raised, waiting to be called on to address the board, they stormed out of the conference room, dismissing an attempt made by board Chairman Rupert Ross Jr. to field their questions and concerns.

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ST. CROIX - A V.I. Superior Court judge has postponed the retrial of three former Schneider Regional Medical Center executives, after allowing attorneys for two defendants, Rodney Miller Sr. and Amos Carty Jr., to withdraw.

The retrial of Miller, Carty and Peter Najawicz had been scheduled for jury selection later this month.

In December, however, V.I. Superior Court Judge Michael Dunston granted motions by Dudley Clark & Chan, the law firm that represented Miller, and attorneys Anthony Chambers and Jomo Meade, who represented Carty, to withdraw from the case because Miller and Carty had not paid the attorney fees and costs that were due.

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One recommendation for the USVI to get revenue and to bring in new investment would be to sell an asset. Many cities in the states do this including selling the naming of a new stadium, etc. I know this will impact egos and those who are entrenched in these operations, so there will be a lot of self-serving opposition.

Here are several assets that are in trouble and could be sold for the USVI to benefit immediately and for future long-term improvements: WAPA Generating Plants. WAPA, as I see it, owes money for fuel and has none for plant modernization.  Our electric rates are the highest among similar sized utilities in the Caribbean including the Bahamas and Bermuda. A new experienced power utility owner would bring fresh ideas and fresh investment. WAPA could still remain as the distribution company. Both of the power companies on Grand Bahama and Bermuda have non-government owners that are for-profit companies and, as such, are dedicated to optimizing their operations.

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The high school baseball season is officially under way, and Raymond Sankitts wasted little time getting things started for the St. Croix Educational Complex squad.

Sankitts sparked his team's offense with a 2-run double in the first inning, while Jamari White went 2-for-2 and drove in two more runs to lead the Barracudas to a 6-3 victory over Central High in the opening game of the St. Croix IAA varsity season on Wednesday.

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U.S. Virgin Islands sprinter Laverne Jones-Ferrette is already in top form a few weeks into 2012 track and field season.

She ran a time of 7.08 seconds and took first place in the 60-meter finals at the University of Houston Indoor Invitational and Multi's last weekend. Her time set a new stadium record at the University of Houston Field House.

There were nine preliminary heats that included 64 sprinters from across the country. Jones-Ferrette recorded the fastest time in the preliminaries with a 7.22, while fellow St. Croix track and field athlete Allison Peter, a Texas University sophomore, recorded the third-fastest preliminary time of 7.46.

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ST. THOMAS - The former co-defendant in the Mandahl murder and rape trial testified against Jensen Alexander in V.I. Superior Court on Tuesday.

He recalled a night of drunken friendship and flaring disputes that began early the preceding afternoon at Drake's Seat.

Police arrested Katanio "Kay Kay" Peets, then 36, of Estate Tutu and Jensen Alexander, then 29, of Estate Mariendal hours after the murder was reported in the pre-dawn darkness of Oct. 14, 2009.

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ST. THOMAS - The territory's hospital officials were in the hot seat Tuesday, providing the Senate Health and Hospitals Committee with financial updates on the territory's public health care facilities.

The leadership of both hospitals told senators that the recent forgiveness of about $80 million in debt to the central government for years of processing payroll will help their balance sheets, but the institutions still are struggling with cash flow problems.

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ere are the things the government can do:

Most important - Reduce the Legislature by at least 6, which the people voted to do. It would put $6.5 million in the coffers at once.  Of course, there would actually be more when we do not pay for perks. Prosecute those who have stolen, misused or misappropriated the $6.9 million that is missing. While people are taking a pay cut and losing their jobs, the senators are giving their employees bonuses. That bonus money should have been returned to those of us who pay our taxes, which pay their salaries. The abysmal way the Legislature runs is a travesty and an insult to everyone on this island.

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Call Saudi Arabia.

Have one point person in each government department responsible for grant compliance. If they see a grant is on the way to being lost, they must be obligated to report it to the newspapers so the public can see who or what is causing us to lose the money that has been given to us, well in advance of it being lost. If not, that person is fired.

I think WAPA or the V.I. government should look into buying at least part of the refinery and continue refining on a smaller scale. It would save some of the jobs and continue to supply less expensive fuel to the V.I. Almost everything needed is already on the island.  

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ST. THOMAS - About 100 demonstrators gathered across from the V.I. Legislature on Monday evening to voice their concerns, frustrations and, in some cases, outrage over the state of life in the Virgin Islands, which many felt has been pushed to the brink.

They drew close to steel barricades lining Veterans Drive, chanting in unison and leaning into the roadway to wave signs at passing traffic. The noise could be heard inside the legislative chambers as Gov. John deJongh Jr. gave his State of the Territory address.

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ST. THOMAS - Many local politicians Monday felt Gov. John deJongh Jr.'s speech struck a divisive tone at a time when the territory needed a unifying message to breach political differences and find solutions to the many issues currently facing the territory.

V.I. senators felt especially attacked in the speech.

While a number of the lawmakers agreed that the body failed to work together toward a solution, just about all of them felt deJongh struck the wrong chord.

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How to get your notice in The Daily News

All calendar items must be sent by email ONLY. Nothing sent by fax, telephone or regular mail can be printed. Email athanase@dailynews.vi. Call 774-8772 ext. 4138 for further information.

St. Thomas-St. John

The 37th Annual Debutante Ball: The Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Alpha Chi Chapter will host their 37th annual Debutante Ball at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Sugar Bay Resort & Spa. Milo's Kings will be the featured band. Formal attire required. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased from sorority members. For more information, contact Beverly Lettsome at 775-0122 and Nan Mulcare at 774-8291.

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Innovative offers scholarships

Innovative is accepting applications, which are available throughout the territory, for the 2012 Albert A. Sheen Scholarships and Innovative Telephone/UVI Scholarships.

Albert A. Sheen Scholarships are awarded to two Virgin Islands high school seniors who already have been accepted to a college or university to pursue a degree in accounting; business administration; business management; engineering; or related fields. Each student is awarded a $20,000 scholarship to be used only for tuition.

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Members of the clergy, Senate President Russell, Honorable Senators, Lieutenant Governor Francis, Delegate Christensen, members of the Judiciary, members of my Cabinet and other Agency heads, Mrs. Francis, my wife Cecile, other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, my fellow Virgin Islanders.

As I deliver this State of the Territory Address, we find ourselves in the most difficult period our generation will face. We face a moment in time that requires nothing less than for each and every one of us to acknowledge the change thrust upon us and to rise up and work together if we are to ensure our survival as a government and as a community.

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Hotel tax and gross receipts tax and probably income tax on everyone that rents property under 90 days. The Internet is a wonderful resource to find out names and contact info on people that rent their condos and homes to vacationers and they do not charge the 10 percent hotel tax and I am sure they do not submit gross receipts and do not pay income tax on income earned in the V.I.

Check out VRBO.com or Homesaway.com, Craigslist or any others and you'll see. Huge source of revenue. Government could hire some web/computer-savvy, out-of-work people to sit in a room and collect information and then government can send out letters informing them of the requirement to pay (along with a business license fee), and if they don't the government can attach property. The people can be paid a percentage of what they collect so it costs the government nothing if nothing is collected.

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ST. THOMAS - The days of misspelled bomb threats sent by text message have arrived.

The FBI arrested a man Friday in connection with threats to kill workers and destroy a gas station and fuel storage business in Estate Lindbergh Bay.

The disgruntled worker sent the threats via text message to the business owner's cell phone Jan. 17 and Jan. 24, according to a statement the FBI issued Friday. The man apparently was motivated to make the threats because he does not like to work on Mondays, according to the FBI.

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ST. THOMAS - In his annual State of the Territory Address tonight, Gov. John deJongh Jr. will focus on the tough challenges facing the Virgin Islands economy.

With the HOVENSA oil refinery pulling out of the territory, approximately $100 million in annual revenues will be lost. Before the HOVENSA announcement was made, a $67.5 million budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2012 forced the governor to dismiss 500 government employees, and hundreds more are likely to lose their jobs in the coming months.

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Do you have ideas to help solve the V.I. Government's fiscal crisis and overcome the loss of HOVENSA? Call Daily News reporter Aldeth Lewin at 714-9111 or email alewin@dailynews.vi. Your name is not necessary.

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ST. CROIX - Wholesale gasoline prices in the territory continued to plod upward this week, although the price of diesel slipped down slightly as HOVENSA adjusted its rack rates today.

The St. Croix refinery today increased its rack rate - the price of fuel purchased wholesale, directly from HOVENSA's truck-loading station on St. Croix - for regular gasoline by 3 cents per gallon and for premium gasoline by 2 cents per gallon. Diesel fuel dropped by 2 cents per gallon.

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ST. THOMAS - The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Technology and Agriculture discussed two bills dealing with casino gaming in the territory during its hearing Friday.

One bill would allow casinos in the St. Thomas-St. John District and the other would allow a free-standing casino in Christiansted.

At the start of the meeting, a motion was made to hold a second hearing on St. Croix for both bills. Committee chairman Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone said the St. Croix hearing would be scheduled for sometime within the next month.

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ST. THOMAS - A safari taxi carrying 13 cruise ship tourists on a shore excursion darted from Skyline Drive on Friday morning, levelling mailboxes, striking a parked SUV, launching itself over the ridge and plunging 65 feet into thick bush.

The wreck left no skid marks.

All 13 passengers were injured in the crash about one quarter mile west of Beacon Point at 9:23 a.m.

The crash broke one woman's hip and caused a cut on one passenger's forehead that required stitches.

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ST. CROIX - HOVENSA's announcement last week that it will shut down its refining operations by mid-February has sparked widespread debate and speculation in the community.

The result has been a combination of fact and misinformation that has shaped the community's perspective on the matter.

Some of that has been fueled by fear and uncertainty about what the future on St. Croix looks like without smoke rising from the stacks on the south shore. Some has come from a general mistrust in statements issued by HOVENSA that many residents have felt lacked credibility during the last several years.

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Do you have ideas to help solve the V.I. Government's fiscal crisis and overcome the loss of HOVENSA? Call Daily News reporter Aldeth Lewin at 714-9111 or email alewin@dailynews.vi. Your name is not necessary.

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There are now two bills before Congress that, if enacted, would extend the Supplemental Security Income program to the territory.

The SSI program is a federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues - not Social Security Taxes - designed to help elderly, blind or disabled people who have little or no income and resources by providing cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter.

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ST. THOMAS - The V.I. Public Services Commission will file a draft policy in V.I. Superior Court on Monday specifying how the commission determines LEAC rates to comply with a judge's order.

A Superior Court judge presiding over a legal challenge to the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause on Jan. 12 gave the Public Services Commission 15 days to detail why it authorized an increase in the LEAC in June.

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ST. CROIX - The V.I. departments of Labor and Human Services have turned to the federal government as they prepare to deal with the impact that the closure of HOVENSA will have on the territory.

In a press teleconference Tuesday, V.I. Labor Commissioner Albert Bryan Jr. and V.I. Human Services Commissioner Christopher Finch described some of the actions their agencies have taken in response to the refinery's announcement it will be closing.

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ST. THOMAS - Gov. John deJongh Jr. said Thursday he will be sending letters to all agency heads shortly, directing them to take another major cut to their operating budgets.

That likely will mean another round of dismissals for government employees.

Since Dec. 30, deJongh has terminated about 500 government positions in an effort to close the territory's $67.5 million budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2012.

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ST. THOMAS - A week after HOVENSA announced it would stop supplying the V.I. Water and Power Authority in June, Executive Director Hugo Hodge Jr. said WAPA is compiling a list of alternate fuel suppliers.

Seven vendors have been identified as potentially suitable suppliers, and dozens of companies have expressed interest in selling fuel oil to WAPA, Hodge told the WAPA board at its meeting Thursday.

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ST. CROIX - A Senate committee unanimously approved amendments to the V.I. Sexual Offender Registration and Community Protection Act of 1997 during a hearing Wednesday after testimony supporting the bill painted it as being outdated and drawing unwanted attention.

The bill will be heard next in the Senate's Rules and Judiciary Committee.

"There have been no significant enhancements to the Virgin Islands law since its passage in 1997," said V.I. Attorney General Vincent Frazer. "Moreover, we believe that because the law is so archaic, many sex offenders on the United States mainland have been using the Virgin Islands as a safe haven."

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Fitch Ratings, a global credit ratings firm, will issue a comprehensive review in February of the territory's already-strained economy, analyzing the HOVENSA closure.

Fitch Senior Director Marcy Block said the broad-reaching review will consider all financial indicators affected by the territory's largest private employer shutting down.

"It's hard to be specific at this point," Block said, referring to what the review will entail. "There's a lot of concern."

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ST. THOMAS ­- The Schneider Hospital board's first 2012 meeting Wednesday included preliminary discussions about how the medical center will cope in the territory's dismal economic climate, but the board took few actions.

The board members discussed more aggressively pursuing available grant funding and asking the V.I. Health Department to rally on Schneider's behalf.

After hearing of last year's Schneider Hospital Gala's earnings - $78,000 - board chairman Cornel Williams asked the board to consider a "broader discussion" of possibly creating a Schneider foundation to generate more fundraising opportunities.

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ST. CROIX - A primary incentive to change the local sexual offender-registration law was the federal funding tied to the passage of the bill.

According to testifiers, the territory already has lost out on $92,000 in federal law enforcement funding this year and stands to lose a similar amount for each year that the territory is not in compliance with the mandates required by the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 2006. However, the Virgin Islands is not the only state that was noncompliant as of the July 2011 deadline.

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ST. THOMAS - The 2011 Kids Count report released Wednesday details the stark realities facing the territory's young people.

- One in four children live in poverty.

- Child abuse and neglect is on the rise.

- Juvenile violent crime arrests are more than double the national average.

- Nineteen percent of 16- to 19-year-olds are not in school and not working.

- More than half of students in public middle and high schools perform below grade level in reading and math.

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