The Virgin Islands task force responsible for bringing the territory into compliance with the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) by July of this year is well on its way to accomplishing its goal.

The V.I. Department of Justice is also just a month away from revealing its new Web site, which will feature an online registry of local sex offenders.

The SORNA task force, which met for the fifth time last month, must bring the territory into “substantial compliance” with federal law, according to the act, or face a 10 to 15 percent loss of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds.

The group is reviewing proposed legislation in order to rewrite Virgin Islands law, and is following a Model Tribal Sex Offender Registration Code provided by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking for use by Native American tribes in complying with federal law.

A brand new V.I. National Park sign was installed last week at Hawksnest Beach, replacing a sign that was erected a few weeks ago which contained incorrect information.

The VINP sign formerly instructed beachgoers to call 911 in an emergency, despite the fact that there is no available landline at the beach, and calls to 911 from cell phones could be routed to Puerto Rico, resulting in a longer emergency response time.

The houseboat Angel’s Rest offers one-of-a-kind day charters out of Coral Bay harbor. Guests can soak up the tropical sun on the top deck or stretch out on day bed and enjoy the view.

Maybe it’s the perfect Caribbean hues or the gingerbread detailing, but the first time anyone lays eyes on Angel’s Rest, a smile inevitably creeps across their face.

The floating lemon yellow and bright turquoise cottage in Coral Bay harbor was the brainchild of Peter Hoschl, who conceived of the idea years before he even bought the two 40-foot aluminum pontoons for the vessel.

“I always had this idea to build a comfortable pontoon boat,” said Hoschl, a veteran builder and sailor who had called St. John for more than two decades. “I saved money every year and kept planning this really islandly pontoon boat that I wanted to build. I’ve done charters for years but I wanted to do something that was different and was a real one-of-a-kind experience.”

Guests will have a chance to bid on artwork like this piece by Denise Wright, above, as well as works by Aimee Trayser, Tristan Ewald and other local artists.

For almost a quarter of a century, St. John private school supporters have gathered once a year for a chance to win exotic trips, exciting water adventures and culinary delights — all while raising money to ensure the continuation of quality education on Love City.

On Saturday, March 13, the Gifft Hill School will host the 24th Annual Gala Dinner Auction themed “Open a World of Opportunity,” at the Westin Resort and Villas and the auction items are more enticing than ever.

The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. when attendees will have the chance to bid on the works of featured artists during the silent and art auction.

Bay Isle attorney Robert Messick, center, with Elita Kane, left, testifies on behalf of Grande Bay development at a V.I. Senate Committee of the Whole meeting.

The tide has undoubtedly turned for Grande Bay developer Bay Isle Associates, who has faced strong opposition and numerous lawsuits during the years-long construction process of the Cruz Bay luxury condominium development.

The developer’s request for rezoning of its 0.26-acre lot, 3Abc in Cruz Bay, from W-1 to R-4 was met with almost unanimous support from the numerous testifiers who crowded the St. John Legislature hall at a Thursday evening, March 4, hearing of the V.I. Senate.

The developer is seeking its rezoning due to proposed changes to Grande Bay’s building E. The building is currently built out as an empty shell. Bay Isle initially hoped the building would contain two dwelling units, as allowed under W-1; however, due to financial constraints, the developer now wants to construct six condos in building E — three two-bedrooms, and three one-bedrooms.