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SJCF Looking for Help To Feed the Island's Homeless Population

Details: Created on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 03:23; Written by Jaime Elliott

On the heels of last October’s successful Project Homeless Connect, St. John Community Foundation is joining forces with local churches, Catholic Charities, Coral Bay Community Council and island businesses to make sure Love City’s neediest residents are taken care of all year long.

“Helping Other People Eat (HOPE) was born of the success of Project Homeless Connect which had its first event in St. John last October thanks to the efforts of the Department of Human Services, Innovative and numerous non-profit organizations and multitudes of volunteers and community donations,” said SJCF executive director Celia Kalousek.

With so much support for the single day, Kalousek was encouraged to do more for the island’s homeless. This new initiative, however, will not replace Project Homeless Connect, she explained.

“Project Homeless Connect, which is a one day event designed to connect homeless persons with essential services, support, and quality of life resources will be coming again this fall, but in the meantime, St. John has mobilized to help those in need,” said the SJCF executive director.

Kalousek first realized how many residents on St. John are homeless or at risk of homelessness back in 2009, she explained.
“During the 2009 Point in Time Nationwide Homeless Count, St. John documented 26 homeless individuals,” Kalousek said.

When Kalousek helped out with the count again in 2011, she was shocked at the numbers.

“In January of 2011, the number of documented homeless increased to 45,” said the SJCF executive director. “And that does not include the ‘Hidden Homeless’ and the individuals who are teetering on the edge of homelessness, couch surfing or living on boats without adequate plumbing, lights, or refrigeration. These individuals need help getting nutritious meals while they are trying to make ends meet.”

More Evidentiary Hearings Needed in 2007 Cockayne Assault Case, Says V.I. Supreme Court

Details: Created on Thursday, 03 May 2012 22:20; Written by Jaime Elliott

A year and a half after being convicted of assaulting Jamie Cockayne hours before the Pennsylvania man was stabbed to death, Kamal Thomas and Anselmo Boston might get another day in court.

The V.I. Supreme Court heard the two men’s appeals in March and recently found that their cases should be returned to V.I. Superior Court for further evidentiary hearings.

Cockayne had recently turned 21 when he was stabbed eight times, including once in the femoral artery, in front of the Fashion Palace just after midnight on June 19, 2007. Cockayne bled to death on the Cruz Bay street before emergency responders arrived on the scene.

After several trials and vacated convictions, spanning more than two years, Thomas and Boston were convicted in 2010 of beating Cockayne hours before he was stabbed to death. A third defendant, Jahlil Ward, accepted a deal from prosecutors in December 2011 in which he pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors alleged that Boston, of St. Croix, and Thomas, of St. John, along with Ward, also of St. John, got into an altercation with Cockayne at a Cruz Bay bar the night of June 18. After following Cockayne up the street, prosecutors alleged the three men beat him with at least one broken pool stick.

Thomas was convicted of third-degree assault, using a dangerous weapon during a crime of violence and two counts of threatening a witness. He was sentenced in November 2010 to about 9 years behind bars.

Boston was convicted of third-degree assault, using a dangerous weapon during a crime of violence and simple assault. He was sentenced in November 2010 to about 8 years in jail.

In its appeal opinion, the V.I. Supreme Court found that the Superior Court committed a reversible error by not holding an evidentiary hearing to investigate possibly jury misconduct. According to Thomas’ appeal, an alternate juror approached Thomas’ attorney and told him that the jury had their minds made up, according to the Supreme Court opinion.

“In this case the defendant alleged that one of the jurors informed the other members of jury panel that defendant and a co-defendant had killed an individual victim and gotten away with it,” according to the opinion.

While there was no evidence presented at trial to suggest that Thomas or Boston were involved with Cockayne’s death, the Superior Court should have held an evidentiary hearing to determine if the information from the juror affected the verdict, according to the Supreme Court’s opinion.

“The trial court should have, at a minimum, held a limited evidentiary hearing to allow the juror to testify whether any extraneous prejudicial information was improperly brought to the jury’s attention,” according to the V.I. Supreme Court opinion. “This matter is therefore remanded to the Superior Court for an evidentiary hearing.”

If the jury misconduct is substantiated during an evidentiary hearing, it could result in a new trial for both Thomas and Boston.

Get Ready! Ninth Annual Friends of VINP Beach to Beach Power Swim Is May 27

Details: Created on Saturday, 12 May 2012 03:15; Written by By Zoe Ferrigno

On Sunday, May 27, Friends of Virgin Islands National Park will host its 9th annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim.

The event was founded by the organization’s executive director, Joe Kessler, who came up with the idea during an outing to Francis Bay. While sitting on the beach, watching people swim, Kessler was inspired to create an athletic fundraising event which would “celebrate the island’s two best features — the beaches and the water.”

When Kessler’s idea first became a reality in 2004, the race included 120 swimmers, the majority of whom were local residents. Since then, the event has managed to both increase its popularity and widen its scope.

Over the years, the number of swimmers has nearly doubled — last year’s count was 230, a record which Kessler is confident will be broken this year — with some of them hailing from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, France, Spain, and Argentina. This year’s Power Swim already has one registered swimmer from Mexico, according to Kessler.

On The Market: Enjoy Stunning Sunsets in Privacy from Villa Belvedere

Details: Created on Sunday, 13 May 2012 03:21; Written by Jaime Elliott

Views from the deck and pool at Villa Belvedere go on and on, above. The great room includes native stone accents and high ceilings, below.

Few moments can top watching the Caribbean sun melt into the horizon while dangling your toes in a cool, crisp pool and sipping a refreshing sundowner — except maybe if those moments occurred each afternoon.

With expansive, 180-degree views to Little St. James and St. Thomas, Villa Belvedere is the perfect place to enjoy sunsets all year round. The three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom villa is for sale for $2.3 million on the St. John MLS.

The home was originally constructed in the 1980s, but recently underwent extensive renovations and today boasts an inviting pool and hot tub, explained Holiday Homes broker/owner Christie O’Neil.

“The original — all masonry — home was mostly built in the 1980s, but has been extensively redone and expanded recently to almost twice the size,” said O’Neil. “The villa has a super waterfront pool plus spa and two separate master suites.”

Villa Belvedere’s location, perched 100 feet above the Caribbean Sea, just past Great Cruz Bay on Maria Bluff, means you can enjoying those sunsets, as well as the pool and hot tub, in complete privacy.

“The totally private location appeals to all and encourages outdoor living,” said O’Neil. “The unobstructed waterfront views to St. Thomas are amazingly spectacular.”

The villa boasts two full master suites, each will amazing views.

Tourists Donate Nets for Decrepit Pine Peace Basketball Court Thanks to Ferry Dock Guard

Details: Created on Friday, 11 May 2012 03:01; Written by Jaime Elliott

The Pine Peace basketball court, above, will soon have brand new nets, thanks to a visiting couple who were moved by the court's poor condition.

With first hand knowledge of how local youth spend their time, Mariano Amaro is armed to make a difference.
As a security guard at Cruz Bay’s ferry dock, Amaro sees students return from school in St. Thomas and knows there aren’t many activities to keep them busy.

“We need things for these kids to do,” said Amaro. “If these kids are busy playing basketball or football, then they will have less time to do stupid things and they’ll stay out of trouble. The way I see it, if you have something positive to do, then you won’t do something damaging or negative.”

Gas Station Construction Continues

Details: Created on Thursday, 10 May 2012 02:53; Written by Jaime Elliott

Construction of a new gas station, located adjacent to St. John Market on South Shore Road, has been steady. A towering retaining wall continues to climb along the back edge of the property. When complete, the new station will be open 24 hours a day and will also contain a convenience store and several apartments.