The newest St. John luxury condominium project Seashore Allure, above, boasts an amazing waterfront location and the finest in amenities. All photos by Tropical Focus

Raising the bar even further for luxury accommodations on St. John is the newly completed eight-unit waterfront condominium project Seashore Allure.

Nestled just feet from the gentle lapping waves of Turner Bay, the concrete three-story plus loft development offers the utmost in splendor and comfort.

Designed and built by Delbert Parsons, Seashore Allure reflects the St. Johnian’s years of development savvy. From the conception and construction to  the decor and amenities, Parsons didn’t cut any corners, and it shows.

All eight units — four one-bedroom, two two-bedroom and two three-bedroom — boast air conditioned comfort, luxurious linens, full kitchens, king size beds, DSL, cable television and surround sound stereo systems.

As divers continue capturing lionfish in local waters (see related story on this page), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials are taking a unique approach to combat the potentially devastating spread of the species.

A new study looking at how to curb the rapid growth of lionfish, suggests that approximately 27 percent of mature lionfish will have to be removed monthly for one year to reduce its population growth rate to zero, according to information from NOAA.

But there is good news. The invasive fish happens to be delicious — and NOAA is encouraging chefs to find new ways to introduce it to U.S. consumers.

Lionfish are native to the western and central Pacific Ocean, but have established themselves from North Carolina to South America.

They are a popular aquarium fish that were likely first released in Florida waters in the mid-1980s.

Since then, the species has spread rapidly. Scientists and public officials are seriously concerned at the effect  lionfish are having on reef ecosystems, since this predator is capable of rapid population growth and outcompeting native fish for food and territory.

Important Dates:

Primary Election - Saturday, September 11

General Election - Tuesday, November 2

Governor/ Lieutenant Governor
ST/J    John deJongh/Gregory Francis                 Democrat
ST/J    Adlah Donastorg/Samuel Baptiste             Democrat
ST/J    James O’Bryan/Pamela Richards Samuel    Democrat
SX    G. Luz James/Glen Smith                           Democrat
SX    Ken Mapp/Malik Sekou                              Democrat

Delegate to Congress
ST/J    Vincent Emile Danet     Republican
ST/J    Guillaume Mimoun       No Party
SX    Donna Christensen         Democrat
SX     Jeffrey Moorhead          No Party

Senator at Large
Ronnie Jones            Democrat
Craig Barshinger       Democrat
Gillmore Estrill          Democrat
Lorelei Monsanto      ICM
Alecia Wells             No Party

For complete list, click on "Read More"

Three more lionfish were spotted and captured off St. John recently, bringing the total number of the invasive predatory fish found in local waters to seven.

The first of the recent lionfish haul was captured in 60 feet of water at Lameshur Bay, according to V.I. National Park’s Chief of Resource Management Rafe Boulon.

The second fish was nabbed in 10 feet of water at Solomon Bay and the third was found in about six feet of water in Fish Bay, Boulon explained.

All three of the fish measured between five and six inches long, meaning they were juveniles, just like the first four lionfish caught off St. John were.

Since no adult lionfish — which can grow to more than 15 inches in size — have been found in waters off Love City, scientists believe they are drifting into the local area.

“All we’ve found so far are juveniles still,” said Boulon. “That is an indication that they are drifting in as larvae and growing up here.”

The V.I. Police Department is once again targeting impaired drivers on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John during the National Enforcement Crackdown on Impaired Driving Campaign.

VIPD Commissioner Novelle Francis announced the campaign which began Friday, August 20, and ends Labor Day Monday, September 6. This campaign is a collaborative effort between the VIPD, Office of Highway Safety and other law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.

The goal of this campaign is to save lives by preventing traffic fatalities and impaired driving, explained Francis.

“Our message to motorists is simple and unwavering — if you get caught driving while impaired, you will be arrested,” he said. “No exceptions.”

Last fiscal year officers made 121 impaired driving arrests as of July 2010, and will be conducting more arrests in support of the national crackdown. Sadly, two traffic fatalities were recorded in the territory for the year.