Allison Vaughn Journalist Profile

Articles

Gov't had $5m in Bank of Asia

3 weeks ago | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn |Shaun Connolly

Five days after financial regulators' surprise announcement that they are winding down the Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, Premier Natalio "Sowande" Wheatley dropped another bombshell on Tuesday in the House of Assembly. The government, he said, had more than $5 million in the bank as of April 30. The premier was responding to questions from Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn, who followed up seeking more information.
After Atlantic crossing, Iona stops in VI

Jan 30, 2025 | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn

The Virgin Islands welcomed P&O cruise ship Iona last Thursday and Friday for the first time during her first Caribbean stop after crossing the Atlantic Ocean from the United Kingdom. The occasion was marked by a plaque ceremony Friday morning after the ship, which holds 4,936 passengers and 1,656 crewmembers, spent the night in the VI's port. Iona was the first large ship to spend the night at Cyril B.
Summit to inform tourism plan

Jan 24, 2025 | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn

After Premier Natalio "Sowande" Wheatley called for a "shared vision" last Thursday at the first Virgin Islands Tourism Summit, Shereen Flax-Charles had a question. "What are the plans to balance cruise tourism with the other areas of tourism?" she asked, adding that she believes the territory is "very challenged by that."The premier, who is also the tourism minister, acknowledged that the VI has experienced overcrowding.
Rollout bumpy for online entry system

Jan 20, 2025 | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn

Government has launched a new online entry system for travellers to the Virgin Islands, but implementation delays and a bumpy rollout have drawn complaints in recent days. The "Online Embarkation/Disembarkation Card System" - which is designed to replace paper entry cards and reduce wait times at ports of entry - was initially scheduled to go live on Oct. 1 and become mandatory for all travellers by Jan. 1. But that timeline was delayed. Instead, the system went live on Jan.
New law year opens

Jan 20, 2025 | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn

Acting Chief Justice Mario Michel opened the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court's 2025 law year on Friday in St. Lucia, highlighting the recent implementation of the e-litigation portal in all member states, the court's use of AI technology, and the launch of a public education programme, among other topics. "Each year, this special sitting provides us with an opportunity to collectively reflect on the challenges experienced and the successes attained by the ...
New year, new bird count

Jan 13, 2025 | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn

The team of birders piled into a truck on Anegada on Monday to make the usual route around the island for the National Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count. Led by Nancy Pascoe, the deputy director for science, research and environmental policy at the National Parks Trust, the team spotted 35 species and a total of 630 birds on the sister island. Through a separate count on Tortola on Dec. 28, 53 species and a total of 390 birds were spotted.
Virgin Islands ring in the New Year

Jan 10, 2025 | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn

Residents and visitors alike welcomed the New Year last week with fireworks, music, carnival rides and more across the territory. Major celebrations included parties at Foxy's Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke, the Trellis Bay Market Bar and Grill on Beef Island, and the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on Tortola. Besides giving residents different options, such events "allow the territory to be marketed a little differently" to tourists, said Zoe Walcott, the deputy CEO of Tortola Pier Park Limited.
Economy takes centre stage at budget debate

Jan 2, 2025 | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn

The House of Assembly passed the 2025 budget with amendments on Dec. 19 after a lengthy debate over two days that touched on the economy, infrastructure, healthcare, the minimum wage and many other topics. With a one-hour time limit per member imposed by Speaker of the House Corine George-Massicote, 11 HOA members contributed to the budget debate on Dec. 18.
Skating in a 'Winter Wonderland'

Dec 20, 2024 | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn

Families are taking to the "ice" this holiday season as Virgin Islands Search and Rescue's artificial ice rink returns to Nanny Cay. " For the last five years, we've been helping to create memories for the community," organiser Julie Schneider told the Beacon. "The kids that are on the ice here, they don't remember Christmas without ice skating."The fifth annual "Winter Wonderland" fundraiser is being held in Nanny Cay for the second time after moving from the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.
Chess tourney draws seven schools

Dec 19, 2024 | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn

Students got into the competitive spirit as they tested their chess skills last week during the second annual Inter-Secondary Division Chess Tournament. Seven high schools across the territory - both public and private - competed in the Multipurpose Sports Complex last Thursday and Friday. Four boards were set up for each team competition, and two students from each team played white and the other two played black.