Good morning! There's Good News
Governor Signed the Loan Bill
The Governor announced that he has signed the bill to get 106 Million in new loans to pay the vendors and tax refunds. Now the public finance authority has to do their part to bring the money home. In 10 months we have to make the first loan repayment. How are you going to invest your tax refund?
Today's Photo: Federal Building
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Lorraine Berry Delivers Report on Senate Performance
Lorraine Berry held a press conference this morning. She is issuing a report on the first half of the legislative session documenting its successes and failures. She says that a clear pattern of intimidation and fear that is being developed by the minority. She points to Confrontational antics and mishandling of the lights and microphones in a pattern of violence against the due process of the legislative body.
Senate Finance Passes Loans
The Senate Finance committee met yesterday. They approved reprogramming 36 million dollars of old bond proceeds to capital improvement projects. Among the projects they approved are flood control projects, renovations at the Schneider Hospital, the Criminal Justice Complex, The Molasses Pier project, Repairs at several schools and other major capital infrastructure projects. They heard bad news about the Frederiksted Pier - it can not be extended. They also heard that the St. Croix King's Alley Project is in default. They also approved a government loan of 2.3 million dollars to fund the Government Development Bank. They did not approve the bill to raise taxes on long distance calls.
St. John School of the Arts
The St. John School of the Arts is sponsoring a series of concerts through March. They are all performances are sold out. School director Sis Frank says that the School of the Arts is also joining with the Beacon School program at Julius Sprauve School to provide after school activities for parents and kids. Back this year is Steel Unlimited the world famous youth orchestra and they will be offering a adult steel band instruction through Beacon Schools.
* Sister Emma Cottage to Open
The Dept. of Human Services announces the opening of the Sister Emma Cottage at the Queen Louise Home on St. Croix. The new facility will house severely disabled and medically fragile newborns through age 12 and can be home to 6 residents and 2 respite care clients.
Liston Davis Says Drop Out Rate Dropped
You heard the Governor refer to this fact, now Liston Davis is confirming it with more data. The school drop out rate is down, way down. The high was 4.83 per cent in 1992-92. The last year's drop out rate is down to 1.9% which is only 200 students leaving school. The drop out rate is the lowest it has been in a decade.
You Can Make Some Good News
You already the bad news about two boys in a serious car accident over the weekend. The Hispanic community in St. Thomas is gathering in force to make a real difference for the survivor and the victims. There were 100 people at last night's meeting at Refrig Air Corp and they are organizing to help prevent a similar tragedy and help make a difference. If you want to make some good news, you can make a difference Call 774-2214
* Grapetree Hotel Coming
There is a new hotel coming on St. Croix. A rebuilt version of the Divi hotel. The old buildings are being demolished, the new hotel is coming and it will be a fabulous new hotel on a par with Carambola and the Westin, but no, there is no plan to put a casino in the new Grapetree hotel. The Daily News says the hotel construction will be complete in early 1999 at a cost of nearly 20 million dollars.
How Come WE Are Left Out?
Senator Petrus is asking Delegate Christian-Green to get the Virgin Islands involved with the tobacco industry settlement. The tobacco companies are paying the states for illnesses caused by tobacco. The only states that are not part of this are the tobacco producing states.. All of the other territories are getting in on this multi-billion dollar settlement. The Virgin Islands is the only territory that is not involved. Petrus wants us to get our share.
6 Billion People - What's the story?
Here's a new essay Contest with a twist. Students can win $500 for writing an essay focusing on Zero Population Growth. Here's the twist, they have to write the plot of any current TV show and make the story discuss the birth of the world's 6 billionth person. The deadline is March 1 1998 Full Contest details are available from ZPG at 1-800-POP-1956 or contact www.zpg.org
Water Island Report
I'm sorry, we're all out of news today. Please come back tomorrow and see if there is enough news to go around that we can find something for water island. Please accept our apology for the absence of news yet again.
It's your Good News! You tell us and we'll tell everyone.
