There was a  House Committee on Natural Resources, Insular Affairs, Ocean and Wildlife Oversight hearing on Tuesday which focused on several bills that are critical to the management of the country’s natural resources. In her testimony, Delegate Christensen said fishing communities across the nation including the Virgin Islands are calling for increased attention to their concerns and like her colleagues, she too has heard loudly from constituents who describe the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council as unresponsive. Christensen stated she has continually heard that management  actions fail to incorporate relevant data and even when concerns are heard rarely ever do final management actions demonstrate consideration of any perspective besides that of regulators, ”

With the recent weeks of heavy rains in the territory the commissioner of agriculture would like to remind livestock farms about the increased threat of disease to their animals caused by the wet weather conditions. According to the Director of Veterinary Services, extended periods of wet weather can be extremely difficult for livestock. Worms and ticks thrive during the rainy season and cause disease and even death in infected animals. Foot rot can prevent animals from physical access to feed and can lead to permanent lameness and other joint and bone infections. The department suggests that livestock owners keep all animals dry and out of the mud by placing pallets in the pens and fixing roofs to keep out the rain. These pallets can be obtained free from any store ,and can be spread on the mud to neutralize ammonia odor.

A bill related to the protection of Domestic Violence and Enacting the domestic violence prevention act of 2010 was successfully passed in the legislature, and will now go to the governor for approval. The domestic violence prevention act of 2010 prohibits discrimination at the workplace which may result from filing a complain for domestic violence. It also increases the penalties for acts of domestic violence, making it a felony in certain cases and imposing a minimum mandatory fine for the transgressors.

Kent Moorehead will be installed as president of St. Croix Rotary West Club at an Installation Ceremony and Dinner scheduled for Saturday, August 7, 2010 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Club’s Community Center in Frederiksted.  A longtime educator, Moorhead became a member of Rotary West on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.  The new Board of Directors of Rotary West Club will also be installed during the ceremony. Tickets can be purchased from West Rotarians for $35.00.For more information on Rotary West Installation Ceremony and Dinner, call 773-3085.

Time for school registration - today at the Curriculum Center in Tutu. 8:15 to Noon today for last names starting with the letter – C

 The retired fire fighters association and Jr. Firefighters have a meeting to discuss preparations for their 30th year anniversary July 30th in the Borne Field fire station at 6:00 PM.

Senator Berry’s funeral services will be held on July 31rst in the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral at 10:00 AM following a musical prelude from 9:00 AM.

The Veteran Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System has a veterans service organizations meeting today 11:00 AM in the Legislature Building.

The republican party of St. Thomas/ St. John will conduct a business meeting tomorrow at 5:30 PM in George Blackhall’s office. Bring your election forms for signature. For more information call 776-1448. Extension 7.

Voting for the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union 2010 Candidates for the Board of Directors is being held at the American Legion Hall in Subbase today from 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM. Voting will be until July 29^th. For more information call 774-1299.