October 21, 2025 - Virgin Islands News

Sports

Raiders’ Meyers ‘for sure’ still wants to be traded

Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is standing firm with his request to be traded from the team with the NFL’s Nov. 4 trade deadline approaching.

October 21, 2025

Weather

Tropical Storm Melissa Graphics

5-Day Uncertainty Track last updated Wed, 22 Oct 2025 02:33:54 GMT

Wind Speed Probabilities last updated Wed, 22 Oct 2025 03:21:56 GMT

October 21, 2025

Jill Duggar, Jinger Duggar Reunite With Mom Michelle Duggar & Sisters

A family reunion? Count the Duggar sisters in.
Two years after releasing their tell-all books Jill Duggar Dillard and Jinger Duggar Vuolo reunited for a rare photo with mom Michelle Duggar—as well…

October 21, 2025

Weather

Tropical Storm Melissa Graphics

5-Day Uncertainty Track last updated Wed, 22 Oct 2025 02:33:54 GMT

Wind Speed Probabilities last updated Wed, 22 Oct 2025 02:33:54 GMT

October 21, 2025

Weather

Tropical Storm Melissa Forecast Discussion Number 3

Issued at 1100 PM EDT Tue Oct 21 2025 105
WTNT43 KNHC 220231
TCDAT3

Tropical Storm Melissa Discussion Number 3
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132025
1100 PM EDT Tue Oct 21 2025

Melissa continues to be under the influence of significant westerly
vertical wind shear. The center of the storm appears to be exposed
to the west of a cluster of very deep convection, and overall the
system is not very well organized with poorly-defined banding
features. The advisory intensity is held at 45 kt in agreement
with a Dvorak classification from TAFB, though objective intensity
estimates from UW-CIMSS are somewhat lower. An Air Force Reserve
Unit Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the
tropical cyclone in a few hours and should provide a good intensity
estimate. Melissa remains an asymmetric storm with most of the
strong winds over the northeastern and eastern portions of the
circulation.

The system continues to move a little southwest of the previous
track with an initial motion estimate of 270/11 kt. The track
forecast for the next several days remains quite challenging.
Melissa is likely to remain in a region of weak steering currents
for most of this week. Once again, the GFS model looks like an
outlier with a track across Hispaniola by this weekend and most of
the other guidance much farther south and west. The future track
depends, among other things, on how strong and vertically deep
Melissa will become while it is over the Caribbean, and how much a
mid-level trough digs along the U.S. east coast during the next
5 days. A stronger tropical cyclone would likely move more
northward or northeastward than a weak system would. The new
official forecast is shifted somewhat west of the previous one and
is in good agreement with the dynamical model consensus and the FSU
Superensemble solution. The latest Google DeepMind ensemble mean is
just a little to the left of the official forecast.

Water vapor imagery continues to show upper-level westerlies ahead
of Melissa, and the shear is not likely to decrease much over the
next few days. The SHIPS guidance using the large-scale predictors
from the ECMWF model indicates some relaxation of the shear in 3-5
days. The official intensity forecast, like the previous one,
shows strengthening into a hurricane by the latter part of the
forecast period. This is in good agreement with the LGEM guidance.
However it should be noted that this is a low-confidence intensity
forecast.

Key Messages:

1. Melissa is expected to produce heavy rainfall across portions of
the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica through this weekend,
bringing a risk of significant flash flooding and landslides.

2. Hurricane conditions are possible in the southwestern peninsula
of Haiti where a Hurricane Watch is in effect. A Tropical Storm
Watch is in effect for Jamaica. Preparations to protect life and
property should be completed by Thursday.

3. There is significant uncertainty in the track and intensity
forecast of Melissa. Interests elsewhere in Hispaniola and Cuba
should continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 22/0300Z 14.2N 74.0W 45 KT 50 MPH
12H 22/1200Z 14.6N 74.6W 45 KT 50 MPH
24H 23/0000Z 15.1N 75.2W 50 KT 60 MPH
36H 23/1200Z 15.6N 75.6W 55 KT 65 MPH
48H 24/0000Z 15.9N 75.8W 55 KT 65 MPH
60H 24/1200Z 16.3N 75.8W 60 KT 70 MPH
72H 25/0000Z 16.9N 75.7W 60 KT 70 MPH
96H 26/0000Z 17.5N 76.1W 65 KT 75 MPH
120H 27/0000Z 17.6N 76.2W 75 KT 85 MPH

$$
Forecaster Pasch

October 21, 2025

Weather

Tropical Storm Melissa Public Advisory Number 3

Issued at 1100 PM EDT Tue Oct 21 2025 000
WTNT33 KNHC 220231
TCPAT3

BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Melissa Advisory Number 3
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132025
1100 PM EDT Tue Oct 21 2025

…HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING EXPECTED OVER HISPANIOLA DURING THE NEXT
COUPLE OF DAYS…

SUMMARY OF 1100 PM EDT…0300 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————–
LOCATION…14.2N 74.0W
ABOUT 325 MI…520 KM SSW OF PORT AU PRINCE HAITI
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…50 MPH…85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 270 DEGREES AT 13 MPH…20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1003 MB…29.62 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

None.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the
Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Jamaica

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours
before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force
winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba
should monitor the progress of Melissa.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by your national meteorological service.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was
located near latitude 14.2 North, longitude 74.0 West. Melissa is
moving toward the west near 13 mph (20 km/h). A decrease in forward
speed and a gradual turn to the northwest and north is expected
during the next few days. On the forecast track, Melissa is
expected to approach Jamaica and the southwestern portion of Haiti
later this week.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.
Gradual strengthening is expected during the next few days.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km)
from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb (29.62 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
Key messages for Melissa can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT3 and WMO header WTNT43 KNHC.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area in
Haiti beginning late on Thursday. Tropical storm conditions could
begin in Jamaica on Thursday or Friday.

RAINFALL: Melissa is forecast to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain to
southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic through Friday,
with locally higher amounts possible. Across eastern Jamaica, 4 to
8 inches of rain is expected, also with locally higher amounts
possible. Additional heavy rainfall is possible beyond Friday;
however, uncertainty in Melissa’s track and forward speed reduces
confidence in exact totals. Significant flash flooding and
landslides are possible.

Across the northern Dominican Republic and northern Haiti, 2 to 4
inches of rain is expected through Friday. For Aruba, western
Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, 1 to 3 inches is expected through the same
period. Flash and urban flooding will be possible through at least
Friday.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with
Melissa, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total
Rainfall Graphic, available at
hurricanes.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?rainqpf

SURF: Swells generated by Melissa are expected to spread to
Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba during the next couple of
days. Please consult products from your local weather office.

A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found
at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?ripCurrents

NEXT ADVISORY
————-
Next intermediate advisory at 200 AM EDT.
Next complete advisory at 500 AM EDT.

$$
Forecaster Pasch

October 21, 2025

Weather

Tropical Storm Melissa Wind Speed Probabilities Number 3

Issued at 0300 UTC WED OCT 22 2025 000
FONT13 KNHC 220231
PWSAT3

TROPICAL STORM MELISSA WIND SPEED PROBABILITIES NUMBER 3
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL132025
0300 UTC WED OCT 22 2025

AT 0300Z THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM MELISSA WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 14.2 NORTH…LONGITUDE 74.0 WEST WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED
WINDS NEAR 45 KTS…50 MPH…85 KM/H.

Z INDICATES COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME (GREENWICH)
ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME (AST)…SUBTRACT 4 HOURS FROM Z TIME
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT)…SUBTRACT 4 HOURS FROM Z TIME
CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME (CDT)…SUBTRACT 5 HOURS FROM Z TIME

WIND SPEED PROBABILITY TABLE FOR SPECIFIC LOCATIONS

CHANCES OF SUSTAINED (1-MINUTE AVERAGE) WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST
…34 KT (39 MPH… 63 KM/H)…
…50 KT (58 MPH… 93 KM/H)…
…64 KT (74 MPH…119 KM/H)…
FOR LOCATIONS AND TIME PERIODS DURING THE NEXT 5 DAYS

PROBABILITIES FOR LOCATIONS ARE GIVEN AS OP(CP) WHERE
OP IS THE PROBABILITY OF THE EVENT BEGINNING DURING
AN INDIVIDUAL TIME PERIOD (ONSET PROBABILITY)
(CP) IS THE PROBABILITY OF THE EVENT OCCURRING BETWEEN
00Z WED AND THE FORECAST HOUR (CUMULATIVE PROBABILITY)

PROBABILITIES ARE GIVEN IN PERCENT
X INDICATES PROBABILITIES LESS THAN 1 PERCENT
PROBABILITIES FOR 34 KT AND 50 KT ARE SHOWN AT A GIVEN LOCATION WHEN
THE 5-DAY CUMULATIVE PROBABILITY IS AT LEAST 3 PERCENT.
PROBABILITIES FOR 34…50…64 KT SHOWN WHEN THE 5-DAY
64-KT CUMULATIVE PROBABILITY IS AT LEAST 1 PERCENT.

– – – – WIND SPEED PROBABILITIES FOR SELECTED LOCATIONS – – – –

FROM FROM FROM FROM FROM FROM FROM
TIME 00Z WED 12Z WED 00Z THU 12Z THU 00Z FRI 00Z SAT 00Z SUN
PERIODS TO TO TO TO TO TO TO
12Z WED 00Z THU 12Z THU 00Z FRI 00Z SAT 00Z SUN 00Z MON

FORECAST HOUR (12) (24) (36) (48) (72) (96) (120)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
LOCATION KT

PT GALLINAS 34 X 2( 2) X( 2) 1( 3) 1( 4) 1( 5) 1( 6)

NEW PROVIDENCE 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 3( 4)

ANDROS 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 5( 6)

GREAT EXUMA 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) X( X) 2( 2) 7( 9)

SAN SALVADOR 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 4( 5)

MAYAGUANA 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 2( 3) 3( 6)

GRAND TURK 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 1( 2) 2( 4)

ISLE OF PINES 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 2( 3)

CIENFUEGOS 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) X( X) 2( 2) 5( 7)

CAMAGUEY 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) X( X) 3( 3) 5( 8)

GUANTANAMO BAY 34 X X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 3( 4) 7(11) 4(15)

GRAND CAYMAN 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 3( 4) 5( 9)

MONTEGO BAY 34 X 1( 1) 2( 3) 3( 6) 10(16) 12(28) 11(39)
MONTEGO BAY 50 X X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 5( 6) 5(11)
MONTEGO BAY 64 X X( X) X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 1( 2)

KINGSTON 34 1 2( 3) 6( 9) 7(16) 18(34) 12(46) 8(54)
KINGSTON 50 X X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 6( 7) 6(13) 3(16)
KINGSTON 64 X X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 2( 3) 2( 5)

LES CAYES 34 X 1( 1) 1( 2) 1( 3) 7(10) 7(17) 3(20)
LES CAYES 50 X X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 1( 2) 1( 3)

PORT-AU-PRINCE 34 1 1( 2) 3( 5) 2( 7) 6(13) 5(18) 4(22)

CAPE BEATA 34 1 1( 2) 2( 4) 1( 5) 4( 9) 4(13) 2(15)

PUERTO PLATA 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 2( 3) 2( 5)

SANTO DOMINGO 34 X X( X) X( X) X( X) 1( 1) 1( 2) 2( 4)

$$
FORECASTER PASCH

October 21, 2025

Weather

Tropical Storm Melissa Forecast Advisory Number 3

Issued at 0300 UTC WED OCT 22 2025 374
WTNT23 KNHC 220230
TCMAT3

TROPICAL STORM MELISSA FORECAST/ADVISORY NUMBER 3
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL132025
0300 UTC WED OCT 22 2025

TROPICAL STORM CENTER LOCATED NEAR 14.2N 74.0W AT 22/0300Z
POSITION ACCURATE WITHIN 40 NM

PRESENT MOVEMENT TOWARD THE WEST OR 270 DEGREES AT 11 KT

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE 1003 MB
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 45 KT WITH GUSTS TO 55 KT.
34 KT…….120NE 90SE 0SW 40NW.
4 M SEAS….120NE 0SE 0SW 90W.
WINDS AND SEAS VARY GREATLY IN EACH QUADRANT. RADII IN NAUTICAL
MILES ARE THE LARGEST RADII EXPECTED ANYWHERE IN THAT QUADRANT.

REPEAT…CENTER LOCATED NEAR 14.2N 74.0W AT 22/0300Z
AT 22/0000Z CENTER WAS LOCATED NEAR 14.2N 73.6W

FORECAST VALID 22/1200Z 14.6N 74.6W
MAX WIND 45 KT…GUSTS 55 KT.
34 KT…120NE 90SE 0SW 40NW.

FORECAST VALID 23/0000Z 15.1N 75.2W
MAX WIND 50 KT…GUSTS 60 KT.
50 KT… 30NE 0SE 0SW 0NW.
34 KT…120NE 90SE 30SW 60NW.

FORECAST VALID 23/1200Z 15.6N 75.6W
MAX WIND 55 KT…GUSTS 65 KT.
50 KT… 30NE 0SE 0SW 0NW.
34 KT…120NE 90SE 30SW 60NW.

FORECAST VALID 24/0000Z 15.9N 75.8W
MAX WIND 55 KT…GUSTS 65 KT.
50 KT… 30NE 0SE 0SW 0NW.
34 KT…120NE 90SE 30SW 60NW.

FORECAST VALID 24/1200Z 16.3N 75.8W
MAX WIND 60 KT…GUSTS 75 KT.
50 KT… 30NE 20SE 0SW 30NW.
34 KT…120NE 100SE 30SW 60NW.

FORECAST VALID 25/0000Z 16.9N 75.7W
MAX WIND 60 KT…GUSTS 75 KT.
50 KT… 30NE 20SE 0SW 30NW.
34 KT…120NE 110SE 30SW 60NW.

EXTENDED OUTLOOK. NOTE…ERRORS FOR TRACK HAVE AVERAGED NEAR 125 NM
ON DAY 4 AND 175 NM ON DAY 5…AND FOR INTENSITY NEAR 15 KT EACH DAY

OUTLOOK VALID 26/0000Z 17.5N 76.1W
MAX WIND 65 KT…GUSTS 80 KT.
50 KT… 40NE 30SE 0SW 20NW.
34 KT…130NE 110SE 30SW 70NW.

OUTLOOK VALID 27/0000Z 17.6N 76.2W
MAX WIND 75 KT…GUSTS 90 KT.
50 KT… 60NE 30SE 30SW 40NW.
34 KT…150NE 130SE 60SW 100NW.

REQUEST FOR 3 HOURLY SHIP REPORTS WITHIN 300 MILES OF 14.2N 74.0W

INTERMEDIATE PUBLIC ADVISORY…WTNT33 KNHC/MIATCPAT3…AT 22/0600Z

NEXT ADVISORY AT 22/0900Z

$$
FORECASTER PASCH

October 21, 2025

Politics

Trump’s special counsel pick Paul Ingrassia withdraws nomination after disturbing ‘Nazi streak’ text scandal

“I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout this process and will continue to serve President Trump and this administration to Make America Great Again!” Paul Ingrassia said.

October 21, 2025

Local News

Teacher Absences Force Early Dismissal at BCB Middle School Amid Ongoing Facility Concerns

Students at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School were dismissed early Tuesday after a majority of teachers and staff did not report for duty, citing ongoing concerns about mold, heat, leaks, and other maintenance issues that they say have gone unaddressed for months.
The Virgin Islands Education Department issued an “urgent alert” around midday announcing that the St. Thomas campus would close at noon “due to low attendance of teachers.” Lunch and bus service were provided before dismissal.
In an anonymous statement shared with the Source, members of the school’s faculty and paraprofessional staff said conditions remain unsafe and unsustainable. “The students and staff are still experiencing the same lack of air conditioning, moldy classrooms, spotty internet, and leaks,” the group said. “The issues remain without any clear answers on how they will be solved. The next step that personnel is requesting is intervention from our senators. BCB school will not be ignored or placed in a corner. They need help, and our elected officials have a duty to its over 500 people’s cry.”
The early dismissal comes less than two weeks after faculty and students staged a demonstration outside the Bovoni campus, calling attention to failing air-conditioning units and possible air-quality concerns. At that time, Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance Director Craig Benjamin acknowledged that the school’s systems were under strain, explaining that his office is responsible for maintaining more than 760 AC units territory-wide with only two full-time technicians. “We could lose at least three units every other day,” Benjamin said in an earlier interview.
On Tuesday, Benjamin told the Source that his agency has been working steadily to address air-quality and infrastructure problems at the school. He said a professional cleaning was conducted two weeks ago to address reports of mold, followed by the installation of a large-capacity AC unit on the gymnasium roof and servicing of classroom units. Those efforts were complicated when a transformer servicing one of the new systems failed, temporarily halting repairs.
“We’re doing the best we can with the technicians we have on staff,” Benjamin said, noting that repairs requiring contracted vendors have been delayed by the temporary closure of the government’s financial system at the end of the fiscal year. “We can’t issue purchase orders or engage outside contractors until the system reopens,” he said, though he added that internal work is continuing in the meantime.
Benjamin confirmed that BCB is slated for a full modernization beginning in December under a contract with the Consigli/Benton Joint Venture 1 — a partnership between Consigli Construction and J. Benton Construction — that will convert the campus into a PreK-8 educational facility. The project, part of the Education Department’s multi-school modernization initiative funded through FEMA and local recovery dollars, includes structural repairs, new classroom wings, upgraded ventilation systems, and modern learning environments. “It’s a challenge keeping up with older systems that have suffered from salt exposure and years of deferred maintenance,” Benjamin said. “We’re making temporary patch repairs where we can until the contractor takes full control of the site later this year.”
Photos shared with the Source Tuesday showed ceiling damage and visible mold in several classrooms and in the auditorium. Benjamin attributed part of the damage to condensation from one of six rooftop air-conditioning units, which he said has since been repaired. “We’re coordinating with the consultants handling the modernization project to make sure that problem is permanently resolved,” he added.
Benjamin said he often works side by side with maintenance crews to ensure repairs are done correctly. “We inherited schools in poor condition, but we’re doing everything we can with the resources available,” he said.
Education officials said the department remains in communication with staff and is continuing efforts to stabilize conditions ahead of students’ return on Wednesday.

October 21, 2025