ST. THOMAS - Assistant U.S. Secretary of the Interior Tony Babauta told members of the 28th Legislature on Thursday that he understands the unique realities of living on a tropical island under the American flag.   »

ST. THOMAS - The V.I. Justice Department's new Criminal Division chief is embroiled in a ethics complaint far from the local courts - in New Jersey, where he served as a Municipal Court judge. »

ST. THOMAS - The territory's system of providing mental health care to its citizens remains sorely lacking, some testifiers at a Senate Health Committee hearing on Thursday said. »

The V.I. Water and Power Authority has inked its deal with Alpine Energy to build alternative energy power plants in the territory and is now looking soften the financial blow from the more than $5 million it cost the utility to go through the selection process. »

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is exploring options for helping the territory's homes, businesses and government offices become more energy efficient. »

ST. THOMAS - French navy ship The Graceful and crew will arrive at Crown Bay at 8 a.m. Saturday for three days of rest and relaxation in the Virgin Islands. »

ST. THOMAS - Yelmo Chinnery, who has had numerous brushes with the law, pleaded with V.I. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Kathleen Mackay to release him on his personal recognizance because he cannot afford to pay his bail. »

ST. THOMAS - Each passing day in the disappearance of Karin Wetzl, authorities get closer to learning whether the body dumped in a cistern in January was hers. »

ST. THOMAS - A Serbian exchange student found himself in front of V.I. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Kathleen Mackay on Thursday to be advised of his rights on embezzlement and related charges. »

ST. THOMAS - A 58-year-old man is facing charges of beating a woman first with a lamp, then with a broomstick and a pressure cooker. »

U.S. District Court Judge Curtis Gomez could send Jahmal Todman to jail for up to 15 years for a first-degree assault, one of the charges he pleaded guilty to Wednesday, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. »

ST. THOMAS - A Senate committee on Wednesday passed a bill that would prohibit the government, in its procurement process, from requiring any surety from preferred bidders on bids of $150,000 or less. »

ST. THOMAS - Senators on Monday heard initial testimony on a bill that would bring major reform to the Public Services Commission. »

A photo caption Wednesday on page 2 of The Daily News misidentified Louise Fishman as Charlotte Kimelman on the steps outside St. Thomas Synagogue after the funeral service for Henry Kimelman. »