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PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten Lions Club assisted by St. Maarten South Omega Leo Club organized a Christmas Party for the children staying at the Festival Village and the Little League Ball Park. The children were treated with fruit punch and also received delicious cupcakes and candy canes. The gifts for this event were donated by former Omega Leo club member Mr. Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The annual Christmas Market hosted by the Philipsburg Jubilee Library on December 21st, 2017, was a huge success.
The Christmas Market hosted 28 booth holders. Past & present booth holders came out with new original ideas and incentives adding to create a greater market for 2017 and promises to return in 2018.
Individual decorated stands offered; gift baskets & boxes, Christmas cards, bird feeders, homemade costumes, jewelry, bottle décor, fruit cakes, ponche crema cake and liqueurs, cashew cakes, peanut, pistachio punch and Christmas Caribbean homemade eggnog.
The Christmas market was officially opened with a few words by the Director of the Philipsburg Jubilee Library, Mrs Read more

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That the financial state of the country is worrisome is a no-brainer. But we all should be alarmed.
This dismal picture is all the more clear with the presentation of the amendments to the 2017 budget by the Minister of Finance. These amendments have been in the make for some time, but the format had to be changed from one that amended a proposed pre-hurricane Irma amendment, to one that amended the approved budget 2017. At least, this is what government says.
However, Government’s tardiness with the 2017 budget amendment has more to do with government’s reluctance to concede
that while they engaged in a shouting match of “over my dead body”, the country financially was bleeding to death Read more

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~ Irma and Maria showed the vulnerabilities of Caribbean Islands ~

ST. MAARTEN/ST. MARTIN:--- The 2017 hurricane season was undoubtedly the worst season in decades, especially since the monster hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated several Caribbean Islands that depend solely on tourism. Some of the islands/ countries that were crushed are Barbuda, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Rico.
When it comes to St. Maarten/St. Martin hurricane Irma showed how important it is to not place all of one's eggs in one basket, and even though an eye opener for many, politicians on St Read more

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~ A waste of time and focus on country ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the United St. Maarten (US) party MP Frans Richardson on Thursday asked the people of St. Maarten to remember who manipulated the country into the chaos and instability that it is currently in, with a DP/UP/Brownbill coalition unable to form a government Read more

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~ Starts investigation to recoup funds ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher disclosed on Thursday that government has no clear indication where or to whom tax-payer money designated for a boxing event in 2015 ended up. “The people’s money is basically missing and for almost three years nobody has been held accountable. I will not end my tenure with this issue lingering and not make a serious effort to secure the funds and seek appropriate recourse if a criminal act was committed here,” the Minister said.

As such, an advice has been prepared for the St Read more

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Exclusive: Emil Lee, Leona Marlin, And Claret Conner Failed Screening.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VSA Emil Lee has failed the screening process due to the complaint filed by Minister Christopher Emmanuel. Emmanuel filed a complaint against Lee after SMN News released photographs showing that Lee had removed the government license plate from his vehicle and placed it on his personal vehicle Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- In light of the holidays, Labriska Courtar organized a Christmas Lunch for the Shelterees living in the Festival Village and the Little League Ball Park who lost their homes due to the major hurricanes Maria and Irma.

A lunch was catered for approximately 100 shelterees which consisted of turkey, ham, lasagna, Journey cakes and much more.

“It has always been a plan of mine, to give back to those in need. Hosting this event with my support team was amazing. It was a good feeling to contribute this Christmas season Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The CFT advised the Kingdom Council of Ministers to issue an instruction to the government of St. Maarten for the 2018 budget. A letter dated December 22nd, 2017 was sent to the chairlady of Parliament regarding the advice given by the CFT to the Kingdom Council of Ministers.
Even though the CFT gave the advice to the Kingdom Council of Ministers up to the time this article was written no instruction has been issued.
SMN News contacted Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr Read more

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HARBOUR VIEW:--- On December 22, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, requested the fraction leader of the Democratic Party, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, to finalize the formation of an interim government as formateur.
After Mr Read more

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Christmas is a time of joy, peace, family gatherings, food, and celebration. Culturally and traditionally we would herald the season with many church services, cantatas, choirs caroling, programs depicting and celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus, who we learned from childhood came into the world to save us all, food, drink, and merrymaking. In thinking of what Christmas truly means, we must reflect on who Jesus is - the son of God, the Messiah, the chosen one, a curious and respectful child, a humble man who showed love and compassion for all, even the ones we would usually turn our backs on.
From the wonderful words of scripture, we learn that his birth heralded a new beginning of Peace, of the one who came to save the world Read more

MADAME ESTATE:--- Reports reaching SMN News state that well known Erno Labega Jr. was shot multiple times around 2am Thursday morning in Madame Estate. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson confirmed that a victim identified as E.L was shot in the Madame Estate area. Henson said the victim is in stable condition at the St. Maarten Medical Center Read more

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F. Meyers Withdraws As Formateur.

HARBOUR VIEW:--– On Wednesday, December 20, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, met with from formateur Mr. Franklin Meyers. The formateur based on a progress review of the formation process has decided to withdraw himself as formateur and return the commission to form a new government.
Governor Holiday has accepted the decision of Mr Read more

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, H.E. Henrietta Doran-York, together with her staff, hosted the Sint Maarten students at her Cabinet in The Hague on Friday December 15th 2017, for an end of year "unification", which was the first of what will continue to be an annual event.
Minister Doran-York said that she organized this event for the students, as she was aware that the majority of the students would not be able to return home for the Holiday season, and therefore offering them the opportunity to come together, will give them the chance to unite with especially their peers.
The event, which was attended by students from all Cities in the Netherlands, served as an encouragement for some of Sint Maarten's brightest and best in The Netherlands, as for in particular the first year arrival students, this is a very difficult time of year, where they often times can become discouraged due to the missing their family that they recently left.
The Minister reminded the students to continue to make use of the Cabinet, in the event that the assistance of the Minister or the staff was needed, as the Sint Maarten House, is their house.
Minister Doran-York encouraged the students to work hard always and in the end, they will reach their desired goals.
Special thanks also to the Staff at the Cabinet, in particular, Kelly Busby, Guidance Councilor Xaviera Mc Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, December 18th, 2017 representatives of the University of St. Martin and the Ministry of Education finally arrived at an agreement and signed the MOU securing the continuity of education for students of the USM. This, after the representatives of the University of St. Martin had not seen it possible to sign the proposed MOU on December 11th, 2017. However, after hearing an interview by the Minister on the topic on December 12th, the University promptly contacted the Department of Education with a willingness to resume talks, which commenced on Wednesday, December 13th.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport was happy to do so and met with the Board of the University of St Maarten Foundation to revisit and discuss the MOU that had been presented to the Board by the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Read more

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- The Minister Plenipotentiary, the Honorable Henrietta Doran-York, received a courtesy call at her Cabinet, from Mrs. Jose Verschueren-Sommers of Sint Maarten.
Mrs. Sommers, a well-known school teacher and former principal of the St. Dominic High School on the island and the founder of the 4C (Foresee) Foundation and astound advocate for digital education systems and innovation, is in the Netherlands meeting with organizations linked with St Read more

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- The Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, H.E. Mrs. Henrietta Doran York, recently welcomed the newly appointed Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba, H. E. Mr. Guilfred Besaril, for the first time to her Cabinet in The Hague.
Although haven met before during work, this time the 2 ministers had the o Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The latest spiritual child of author Loekie Morales, ‘Chella and the Weird Woman/Chella en het vreemde vrouwtje’, was distributed last week to ALL the primary schools on Sint Maarten. ‘It was a great pleasure to donate a box of 27 books for comprehensive reading to the schools. Each one of them has received a visit from the Beyond Kultura Foundation’s representative/project leader Ingrid Holaman, who sometimes was accompanied by some sponsors Read more

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“ST MAARTEN, like you, I share the same sentiments time and time again. We are continuously being begged for our support during elections and once given the opportunity to represent us in government, our elected officials create amongst themselves a state of chaos and demonstrate incompetence. We, the people, suffer the consequences”.

This opening statement, written by Christian President, characterizes him as a man passionate about his country and explains his reason for entering politics and making himself the alternative candidate for the true leadership that St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher on Sunday welcomed Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) and its ship Grandeur of the Seas back to the shores of St. Maarten calling the occasion a “great early Christmas gift for St. Maarten.”

The Minister was joined aboard the ship by almost 100 persons selected as hurricane heroes by her cabinet. The hurricane heroes initiative came from RCCL executives who wanted to make the company’s return to the island a memorable one and an occasion that showed that RCCL stands with St Read more

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PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Grandeur of the Seas will be RCI’s first ship to return to the destination on a commercial cruise visit on Sunday. A host of welcome activities has been planned by stakeholders to welcome the near 2000 guests.
The first RCI vessel on Sunday will kick-off weekly port calls from RCI cruise ships. Port St. Maarten Management would like to remind all stakeholders and the populace to continue to welcome our cruise passengers with a warm St Read more

HARBOUR VIEW:--- On Friday, December 15, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, met with and received an update from formateur Mr. Franklin Meyers on the progress regarding the pending points of the formation. Considering that the background screening of candidate ministers is still ongoing the formateur, therefore, requested a further extension of his commission to form a new government.
Governor Holiday as a result and having assessed the situation extended the commission for Mr Read more

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Cooperation with French St. Martin seen as way forward

GREAT BAY:--- Cooperation with the French side of St. Maarten is a key component for St. Maarten, in its ongoing rebuilding and development efforts. This is a prevalent sentiment of St. Maarten following its recent attendance of high-level meetings held in Brussels.

At the invitation of the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union (OCTA), St. Maarten attended the 3rd Ministerial Energy Summit in Brussels, on December 6th and 7th Read more

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Aids 2017: Everybody Counts End Aids.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- World AIDS Day was observed on December 1st. It provided an opportunity to increase awareness, education and a greater understanding of HIV as a global public health issue.

This holiday season, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), calls on the Sint Maarten community to take time out to remember and pay respect and tribute to those that they have known who passed away from the disease.

CPS also reminds members of the community to practice safe sex this holiday season.

Currently, there are many scientifically proven prevention options that health services can offer to help people prevent HIV infection and protect their health.

These measures include new options such as self-administered HIV testing, which can be done at home, and the availability of HIV testing in places other than health centers Read more