The Committee on Government Operations, Consumer Affairs, Energy, Environment and Planning approved a bill Thursday, February 20 that would require board members of the Government Employees Retirement System to have greater financial expertise. Government Employees Retirement System Board Chairman Wilbert Callender and two other’s GERS asked about the sale of Carambola, "There was a combination of proceeds from the purchaser and insurance proceeds which totaled approximately $30 million. We don’t have the details.” It came out that only $9.5 million of that total had come from the buyer, and the bulk of the money was from insurance proceeds due to storm damage. Of this money, Callender said $4 million was spent on repairs to the property before it was sold.
Police arrested Daylin MacDonald, age 36 of Nye Gade, St. Thomas and charged him with Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm and Unauthorized Possession of Ammunition. Officers were told that MacDonald was in possession of a firearm that was found on his waist. admitted he no license for the gun, and was placed under arrest, Bail set at $50,000, which he was was unable to post. MacDonald jailed pending his Advice of Rights hearing.
The territory's epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis that a handful of confirmed cases of dengue have been reported in the U.S Virgin Islands. Department of Health is monitoring the condition closely and will inform providers and the public in the event of an outbreak.
VI Housing Finance Authority made $31 million in payments to prime contractors for work performed under the STEP program, that was implemented after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. STEP was troubled by funding delays but repaired or replaced roofs on 6,500 homes in the Territory.