Local News
Restoration Efforts Underway as Flow Technicians Tackle Post-Storm Repairs
In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ernesto, leading telecommunications provider Flow has initiated an extensive restoration campaign to reconnect its residential and business customers across the Territory. The storm, which swept through on Tuesday, August 13, left significant damage in its wake, disrupting services in various areas.
Flow technicians have made significant progress, restoring connectivity to mobile sites in Virgin Gorda North, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada. Efforts are ongoing on Tortola, particularly at the Chalwell and Long Swamp Fiber Distribution Points. These crucial hubs serve broadband customers in regions including Great Mountain, Spooners Estate, Cane Garden Bay, Chalwell, and Fat Hog’s Bay to the Airport.
Restoration work is also advancing in Virgin Gorda, with focus areas being North Sound and the Valley.
“We understand the importance of connectivity for our customers in resuming their daily lives and we thank them for their patience during this restoration phase,” said Nadia A. James, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Flow. “We are committed to restoring connectivity and having most of our broadband customers back online before the weekend.”
James further explained that the company’s priority is to swiftly repair the main fiber distribution points, which should automatically restore internet services in affected communities. Once these critical repairs are completed, technicians will focus on investigating individual customer faults as they are reported.
Flow customers experiencing service interruptions due to the storm or ongoing recovery efforts are encouraged to report issues via WhatsApp at 1284-544-4444 for Tortola or 1284-544-0189 for Virgin Gorda. Reports can be made Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and to the Regional Customer Care Team at 1800-804-2994 from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. Customers are advised to provide their account information when making a report.
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The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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