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HomeNewsArchivesSCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT AND MORE CLOSED FRIDAY

SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT AND MORE CLOSED FRIDAY

Nov. 14, 2003 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull took to the radio airwaves Friday morning to announce that executive branch government workers were "excused" from reporting to work due to dangerous road conditions. Essential workers are not excused, he said, adding "they know who they are."
Turnbull said rock and mud slides, along with flooding in some areas, made it unsafe for residents to venture out onto the territory's roadways. Turnbull said he wanted to give the Public Works Department time to clean up after the "torrential" rains Thursday night made already deteriorated road conditions even worse.
Earlier, Noreen Michael, Education Department commissioner, called WVWI Radio One to say that the territory's public schools were closed again, but called on parents, guardians and faculty members to show up to clean up the schools.
Michael also asked "members of the department's leadership teams" to report to work by 10 a.m. "They know who they are," Michael said. Michael said maintenance and custodial staff members need to report to work as well since assessments would be done. She said it was expected that the workers could go home by noon.
On the other hand, Rodney Miller, Roy L Schneider Hospital chief executive officer, said he "fully expected" hospital employees to report to work.
Same goes for Water and Power Authority employees. Cassandra Dunn, WAPA corporate communications director, said, "All employees should report as normal today," adding, "If you cannot come in, please contact your supervisor immediately."
No word had been received from the Legislature or Territorial Court on the status of workers reporting to work as of 8 a.m.
It was reported that a retaining wall by the entrance to West Caret Bay that fell Thursday night was blocking entrance to and exit from the West Caret Bay road. However, it was later reported the retaining wall that has fallen in is actually about half way down the hill.
Barbara Lawrence, Caret Bay homeowner, said she and her husband walked up to inspect the road. "If you did not know there was a road there, you would not know there was a road there," she said.
Lawrence said that not only are some residents of Caret Bay trapped in their homes, several have been without power since Wednesday night – 12 hours, she said.
By late afternoon residents in Caret Bay reported one lane of the road had been cleared and was passable and power had been restored about 3 p.m.
Landslides and rock slides have been reported on Hull Bay Road and St. Peter Mountain Road.
Drivers are cautioned to be extremely careful and to be aware of work crews on all roads in the territory.
The Source will update road conditions as they become available:
On St. John: At 10:45 a.m. St. John Administration, Julien Harley, said all main roads on St. John between Cruz Bay and the east end were passable. Harley said road crews had been out clearing fallen trees and debris from the roads and shoveling out from the mud slides. Harley said as far as he knew the Northshore Road, which is under the purview of the National Park, had been cleared and was also passable. He noted that there was flooding in the area by the Cinammon Bay entrance.
On St. Thomas: As of 5 p.m. St. Thomas-Water Island Administrator James O'Bryan was sending a very strong message that residents "stay put." St. Peter Mountain Road route 40 is under water from Mafolie Church to Four Corners. O'Bryan specifically asked that taxi van and safari drivers get off the roads on the North Side where landslides, boulders and debris are blocking the roads. Flooding is widespread in low lying areas across the island.
On Water Island Providence Hill Road is closed by a six by six foot "sink hole" according to Collette Monroe. Access to Honeymoon Beach is also blocked, in part, by several vehicles attempting to get to the beach that got stuck at the bottom of the hill. Boulders on Limestone Terrace Road have blocked access.
On St. Croix: As of 11 a.m. no official information was available from St. Croix Administrator Gregory Francis as he was reportedly out in the field with emergency personnel assessing conditions on their respective islands.
The following closings/openings/cancellations have also been announced:
Closed/open/canceled/postponed on St. John:
– Beginning at 4 p.m. all classes and activities at UVI have been canceled.
– Saturday's Republican Territorial Committee meeting is canceled.
–All FirstBank VI branches will close one hour early.
– Pine Peace School closed.
– St. John Christian Academy closed.
Closed/open/cancelled/postponed on St. Thomas:
– Beginning at 4 p.m. all classes and activities at UVI have been canceled.
– Saturday's Republican Territorial Committee meeting is canceled.
–All FirstBank VI branches will close one hour early.
– Magens Bay beach is closed until water quality can be tested.
— Weslyan Academy School is closed.
– EDC Compliance Conference at Sugar Bay will be held as scheduled.
– Classes have resumed as normal at the University of the Virgin Islands.
– UVI Jazz Ensemble concert originally scheduled for Saturday night has been rescheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22.
– The Veterans Benefits Expo scheduled for Saturday at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center has been cancelled.
– All Saints Cathedral School closed Thursday and Friday.
– Antilles School open.
– Calvary Christian Academy closed.
– Moravian School closed, staff is asked to report.
– New Testament Academy open.
– Prophecy Elementary School closed.
– Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School closed.
– Seventh-day Adventist School closed, but staff is asked to report.
Closed/open/canceled/postponed on St. Croix:
– Beginning at 4 p.m. all classes and activities at UVI have been canceled.
– Ruins Ramble on Sunday postponed.
– Wayne James Furniture Collection opening postponed.
– Saturday's Republican Territorial Committee meeting is canceled.
–All FirstBank VI branches will close one hour early.
– Classes have resumed as normal at the University of the Virgin Islands.
– Seventh-day Adventist School closed, but staff is asked to report.
– Country Day School will be open.
– St. Joseph High School closed.
– St. Mary's Catholic School closed.
– St. Patrick's School closed.
If you have a notice to publish about a closing or a non-closing, please e-mail source@viaccess.net or fax it to 777-8136.
The Source will continue to update lists as information is received.

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