Activities on St. Thomas were pretty much back in full swing Wednesday, allowing for an "all clear" on public school openings and the official lifting of the curfew for St. Thomas-St. John.
Overall, assessments from the government were positive all around: major roadways were more or less clear throughout the island, power was back on in several areas and schools — helped along by cleanup up efforts by Education, Public Works and V.I. Water and Power Authority crews — were prepared to open Thursday for another year, according to a statement from Government House.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. said in the statement that WAPA’s progress on getting power restored within the district had cut the need for a continuing curfew. There have been continuous calls in from areas — such as pockets of downtown St. Thomas — that are still in the dark, but walking around Main Street Wednesday, WAPA head Hugo Hodge Jr. continued to give assurances about end-of-the-day or next day restorations.
In his statement, deJongh said WAPA would be energizing all feeders in both districts Wednesday.
The focus for Public Works has been on major "arteries" as crews continued to clean roadways slick with leaves, fallen trees and other debris. To help out, private residents have come out within neighborhoods, such as Altona, and moved the trees themselves to the sides of the road.
"Once the major arteries are cleared, DPW will focus on reopening secondary routes and later, the beginning of debris removal operations," the governor said.
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) head Claudette Watson-Anderson is also reminding business owners that the July gross receipts deadline has been extended until Sept. 3, since Hurricane Earl closed offices on all three islands on Monday and Tuesday. Residents with any questions for BIR can call the office of the chief counsel at 714-9301.
