February 23-March 1, 2015 © Copyright 2015 Cruz Bay Evening Altercation Fire Recovery Becomes Continues Bloody at Mongoose Page 4 Machete Assault Page 2 VITRAN Ferry St. John Tradewinds News Photo by Tom Oat A passenger was killed and the driver trapped in the wreckage for more than five Smacks Dock hours before being extricated after a 22-ton industrial crane, which reportedly had on Valentine’s just arrived on the island for a Virgin Islands National Park project, flipped and slid off the isolated section of road. Community with Damage Page 7 One Dead, One Injured as Driver Loses Candles Glow Control of Crane on VINP’s Kings Hill Road and Hearts Warm at Light By TOM OAT the embankment, on Friday, February 20, trapping St. John Tradewinds two men inside of the cab in the heavily-forested Up the Night ESTATE MAHO BAY — One man died and valley above Maho Bay. Page 5 St. John Taxi Drivers another was seriously injured in an early-morning The accident was reported to 911 at 7:30 a.m. Organize and Elect heavy equipment accident when an industrial and it took rescue workers until early afternoon to Historical Paintings crane flipped on its side going down a steep sec- free both of the victims from the crushed cab of Officers To Preserve tion of King Hill Road, Route 20, in the V.I. Na- the 22-ton industrial crane, which reportedly had To Be Displayed at Cruz Bay Stand tional Park and slid off the narrow road and down Continued on Page 3 SJHS Event Mar. 10 Page 6 Page 8 2 St. John Tradewinds, February 23-March 1, 2015 Cruz Bay Evening Altercation Archaeology Lab Dedication Feb. 25 Virgin Islands National Park together with the Friends of the Becomes Bloody Machete Assault VINP is hosting an official opening of the Educational Center and Archaeology Laboratory at Cinnamon Bay on Wednesday, Febru- By TOM OAT ary 25 at 10 a.m. The dedication of the new center will remain St. John Tradewinds open throughout the day until 5 p.m. CRUZ BAY — An island dispute erupted in a “There was blood all over the bloody mid-evening assault in the center of Cruz Bay place,” said one observer. “A on Wednesday, February 18, which left high-season pickup truck was covered in blood GHS Harlem Night Set for Feb. 26 pedestrian and vehicular traffic being routed through and the guy was chased down the The National Honor Society and Student Council of Gifft Hill the V.I. Port Authority facility at Cruz Bay Creek School will present a Harlem Renaissance Cabaret on Thursday, while authorities examined a bloody street front street towards Cap’s Place.” February 26, starting at 5 p.m. crime scene. All members of the community are invited. Cost is $5 and event The pulse-pounding nightly music of Cap’s Place goers will receive five tickets to vote for best original performance. Jolly complained to police that he and the victim was interrupted when the attack, which began in front Attendees may also purchase lasagna, drinks and dessert. had had an altercation earlier in the evening, accord- of Nature’s Nook produce stand in a well-lit section All proceeds go to Namasagali Primary School in Uganda. of the waterfront heavily-traversed by visitors walk- ing to court documents. The defendant said he walked ing to Mongoose Junction or traveling to and from away after being struck in the head by a man he said the North Shore Road, Route 20, through the V.I. Na- had antagonized him on an ongoing basis. Family Movie Night Set for Feb. 27 Pocket Knife V. Machete tional Park, continued down the busy street toward The Bethany Moravian Church will be hosting a Family Movie But later, Jolly said, he confronted Walters near the U.S. Post Office until it reached the popular street- Night on Friday, February 27 at 7 p.m.. Nature’s Nook, saying he wanted to be left alone, ac- front bar. Everyone of all denominations are welcome to join in this fam- cording to a VIPD release. An argument ensued and “There was blood all over the place,” said one ily friendly activity. For more information call (340) 776-6291. observer. “A pick-up truck was covered in blood and Jolly said the man produced a pocket knife and cut the guy was chased down the street towards Cap’s him on the face, according to the VIPD. Place.” A few moments later, the knife-wielding attacker Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Mar. 1 “They closed the road and directed traffic through left and returned with a machete, striking Jolly on the Join Merry Stockwell at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship the Port Authority’s bulkhead parking lot while the shoulder, the statement said. A second struggle began Service on Sunday, March 1, at 10 a.m. at Gifft Hill School Lower police investigated before the street was washed and Jolly told police he wrestled the machete away Campus for the topic: Hope. down,” the eyewitness added. from his alleged attacker, the VIPD said in a written Are you hopeful or hopeless? Is hope a choice? Do you have Defendant Claims To Be Victim statement. to have faith to have hope? “When all else fails”, what are you left Kenson Jolly, 25, was placed on $75,000 bail at By the time police arrived on the scene Walters with? We will look at these questions and more.... his initial court appearance on Feb. 20 and ordered was lying on the ground, covered with lacerations. For 25 years Stockwell enjoyed a career as Director of Re- to appear at an arraignment on March 5 in Superior Minutes after locating the victim, V.I.P.D. officers ligious Education serving three different Unitarian Universalist Court. Jolly, who told police he turned the tables on searching the area found Jolly, who was covered in churches. She lives in Peterborough, N.H and has shared her wis- someone who attacked him, was being held in the St. blood, according to police. dom with the UUF of St. John for many years. Thomas Criminal Justice Complex following the ma- Charges brought against Jolly include three counts chete assault. of first degree assault, two counts of third degree as- The victim of the alleged Wednesday night as- sault, mayhem and use of a dangerous weapon in the Audubon Society Plant Sale March 7 sault, who was identified by police as Rupert Walters, commission of a violent crime. If you’re looking for a great variety of plants and trees at rea- was transported by ambulance boat immediately after Fortunately, the proprietors of Cap’s Place regu- sonable prices come see member of the V.I. Audubon Society at the the incident for emergency surgery at the Roy L. Sch- larly scrub and hose down the intersection in front of The Marketplace (second level parking lot by St. John Hardware) neider Hospital on St. Thomas. Hospital officials said the popular night spot early every morning – whether from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. the man was treated for cuts and a head injury. it needs it or not. Once again the organization will offer a wide variety of plants and trees, most obtained from various VIAS members and from local growers/landscapers who generously donate plants for the group’s annual fundraiser. This year each child who attends will TRADEWINDS PUBLISHING LLC receive a free plant to while supplies last. The Community Newspaper Since 1972 St. John Rotary Club Adds New Venue EDITOR/PUBLISHER NEWSLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS MaLinda Nelson (340) 776-6496 U.S. & U.S.V.I. only In an effort to involve a larger segment of St. John in its mem- [email protected] www.tradewinds.vi $90.00 per year bership and activities, the Rotary Club of St. John is changing its [email protected] email: [email protected] meeting time and venue to Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Gallows WRITERS Jaime Elliott, Tom Oat, ADVERTISING THIRD CLASS PERMIT Point’s beautiful Ocean 362 Restaurant. Amy Roberts, Judi Shimel, [email protected] U.S. Postage PAID This new venue and earlier time will allow many business Andrea Milam Permit No. 3 owners and employees to attend meetings and consequently to MAILING ADDRESS St. John, VI 00831 participate in our many community service events. COLUMNISTS Tradewinds Publishing LLC & CONTRIBUTOrs P.O. Box 1500 © COPYRIGHT 2015 St. John Rotary is also expecting to change the third Wednes- Mauri Elbel, Chuck Pishko, Yelena St. John, VI 00831 All rights reserved. No reproduction day of the month to an evening meeting in order to appeal to a Rogers, Tristan Ewald, Andrew of news stories, letters, columns, younger group, thereby guaranteeing that the club will prosper and Rutnik, Craig Barshinger, Jack CIRCULATION photographs or advertisements grow in its dedication to the needs of the St. John community and Brown, Mares Crane, Dan Boyd, Call the newsline to be added allowed without written permission Bob Malacarne, Raven Philips as a newsstand outlet from the publisher. of the world. The satellite club will continue to meet on Fridays at noon at Chateau Bordeaux. St. John Tradewinds, February 23-March 1, 2015 3 St. John Tradewinds News Photos by Raven Phillips Gouges in the tarmac, right, show the heavy crane was on its side when it slid off the road and over the steep forested embankment. Preliminary investigation showed the vehicle had struck the right shoulder of the downhill portion of the steep section of Route 20 connecting Centerline Road with Northshore Road and flipped on its driver side as it slide down and across the well-maintained section of road and off the left shoulder down a heavily-treed hillside.