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Postal Services St. Maarten (Pss) Closure For Passage Of Tropical Storm Erika

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten -- Postal Services St.Maarten (PSS) hereby reminds the general public in keeping with the rule  of business closure by the Honorable Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs that closure of operations will only be on Thursday, 27th August, 2015.Management of PSS hopes to resume normally on Friday with operations and working h Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses, Schools And Government Offices Closed On Thursday Due To The Arrival Of Erika

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Wednesday, August 26 with respect to the approach of Tropical Storm Erika.

The Prime Minister stated the following in his national address: 

Audio file:

“The country of Sint Maarten is under a Tropical Storm Warning.  Tropical Storm Erika at 11.00AM Wednesday morning was located 335 miles east south-east from Sint Maarten.  Some slow strengthening is possible.

“The current forecast as of Wednesday morning, has Tropical Storm Erika passing just south of Sint Maarten on Thursday. 

“Tropical storm force winds are expected in our area from late tonight through Thursday.

“Erika is to produce rain of 2 to 4 inches with a maximum amount of 8 inches across the islands.  This can lead to flooding and land slippages and mudslides, and therefore residents in hillside areas should exercise caution after heavy rainfall.

“Erika is expected to produce waves up to 13 feet near the center of the storm.  Some coastal flooding and beach erosion is possible on Thursday as the storm passes at its closest to the country.

“Residents living along coastal areas should take measures to protect property.

“All citizens, residents and businesses should make final preparations to protect life and property and have these completed by early this evening.  You recently had the experience of preparing for Danny, those same preparations are also required for Tropical Storm Erika.

“The Government of Sint Maarten Emergency Disaster Management system has taken all necessary measures to safeguard the country.  These measures were taken prior to Tropical Storm Danny and remain in place with respect to the approach of Tropical Storm Erika.

“A request for military assistance has been requested.

“The White & Yellow Cross reports that its two day care facilities will be closed on Thursday.  Reopening on Friday will be determined based on weather conditions.

“Contractors and builders are called upon to secure building sites this afternoon before the end of the day.  Implement your hurricane plans as you did prior to Danny.

“Schools and day care centres are to be closed on THURSDAY, August 27 due to the passing of the tropical storm Read more

Editorial - Not the answer

Today’s meeting of Justice Minister Dennis Richardson with his Dutch counterpart Ard van der Steur and Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk could prove pivotal regarding future relations between the Netherlands and St. Maarten. The Gumbs cabinet is of the opinion that The Hague is wrongly trying to take over local law enforcement with the help of Attorney-General in Willemstad Guus Schram and Dutch National Police Chief Gerard Bouman.

An internal memo from the latter following his recent visit was leaked; in it he mentioned great concern over the criminal undermining of society and “extremely alarming” integrity issues Read more

NAPB backs Dennis, says RST should do foot patrol

PHILIPSBURG--Nationale Algemene Politie Bond (NAPB), St. Maarten's police union, is firmly backing Justice Minister Dennis Richardson's as he makes his case regarding the Dutch Government's plans to strengthen the justice chain in the country without St. Maarten's input.

Richardson is currently in the Netherlands to -amongst other things- give St. Maarten's position on the matter. NAPB President Jeanine Peterson said the union has taken a firm stand to back Richardson, who left St Read more

Employee steals US $70,000 cash, $20,000 worth of gold from boss

~ Arrested with four accomplices at PJIA ~

PHILIPSBURG--A Dominican Republic national working as a security officer at the Son Latino Bar, restaurant and nightclub was amongst five persons arrested on Tuesday for stealing more than US $70,000 in cash and over one kilo of gold and jewellery worth some US $20,000, from the home of his boss E. Garcia on Monday.

The five were arrested at Princess Juliana International Airport SXM trying to flee the country. Garcia said the money stolen were funds he had accumulated over the past three weeks from his three businesses: Son Latino Bar, restaurant, and nightclub, Cash for Gold pawn shop and his car wash all located near each other on the A Read more

Katrina's unclaimed dead conjure memories of her ravages

NEW ORLEANS--A decade after one of the most deadly storms in U.S history, Hurricane Katrina's forgotten victims lie in 83 caskets entombed in black granite mausoleums behind the gothic gates of a New Orleans cemetery. Their visitors are mostly tourists.

Each metal coffin is marked with serial numbers inside and out, should anyone ever seek to bring one of them home. The names of 30 remain a mystery, but authorities have recorded details about their DNA and where each was found.

The unclaimed bodies were laid to rest in 2008, three years after the storm killed 1,833 along the U.S Read more

Brown wins FirstCaribbean Bank Open Youth Tennis Tournament

CAY HILL--Leshawn Brown won the Open division of the 14th annual FirstCaribbean Bank Youth Tennis Tournament at Raoul Illidge Sport Complex Tennis Pavilion over the weekend. Bradley Atyle finished second.
   A total of 38 boys and girls competed in several categories of play including Beginners, Under 13, Under 15 and Open Class.
  The competition was hosted by LAB Sports Academy and sponsored by First Caribbean Bank.
    
Beginners
  Shade Barry placed first in girls beginners.  Jugeldi Garcia was second place Read more

Préfête Déléguée, Laubies Pays Courtesy Visit to the Office of Tourism Friday, August 21, 2015

>Sandy Ground:--- Tourism development and promotion, security and environmental issues were just three of the topics that were discussed during a 3 hour long courtesy visit by Préfête Déléguée, Anne Laubies to the Office of Tourism on Friday, August 21, 2015.

Topping the discussions with the President of the Office of Tourism, Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, was the issue of security, especially, at Tourism sites Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- NAPA Auto, Truck & Marine Parts (SXM) and Windward Islands Bank (WIB) have made it possible for 650 high school students in St. Maarten to have copies of the HYPE Agenda for the 2015 – 2016 academic year.

HYPE Coordinator Zulayka Peterson said the HYPE team is very grateful to both businesses for being good corporate citizens and making it possible for students to get the agendas to use.

“We are very happy to see that these businesses – NAPA Auto Truck & Marine Parts (SXM) and WIB – are supporting a local product and also supporting our young people with a tool that can help in their education,” Peterson said in a press release on Tuesday.

The locally produced Agenda is themed: “The journey travelled to achieve one’s goals.” This is the fifth edition of Hype Agenda Read more

Napa Auto, Truck & Marine Parts (Sxm) And Wib Give 650 Students Hype Agendas

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - NAPA Auto, Truck & Marine Parts (SXM) and Windward Islands Bank (WIB) have made it possible for 650 high school students in St. Maarten to have copies of the HYPE Agenda for the 2015 – 2016 academic year.

HYPE Coordinator Zulayka Peterson said the HYPE team is very grateful to both businesses for being good corporate citizens and making it possible for students to get the agendas to use.

“We are very happy to see that these businesses – NAPA Auto Truck & Marine Parts (SXM) andWIB â€“ are supporting a local product and also supporting our young people with a tool that can help in their education,” Peterson said in a press releaseon Tuesday.

The locally produced Agenda is themed: “The journey travelled to achieve one’s goals.” This is the fifth edition of Hype Agenda Read more

Danny dies en route to country, schools reopen

PHILIPSBURG--Tropical Storm Danny kept most of the country indoors Sunday night, but failed to deliver on the promise of much-needed rain to soak the drought-dry land Sunday night into Monday morning.

The storm system became a hurricane on Thursday, but then weakened into a tropical depression that is still expected to bring some rain – up to one inch, according to the Meteorological Department – into today, Tuesday. There is still the possibility of flooding.

All businesses were given the go-ahead to reopen on Monday afternoon at owners' discretion and availability of their staff by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, who had ordered Government services and all businesses, including restaurants and casinos, closed as of 10:00pm Sunday Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses can Reopen; Schools and Government Offices Open on Tuesday

For Immediate Release: Monday, August 24, 2015/N143

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Monday,

August 24 with respect to a situational update in connection with Danny that degenerated into a trough of low pressure on Monday morning after losing its tropical characteristics.

The Prime Minister stated the following in his national address:

Audio file: https://www.sendspace.com/file/bnyv2e

“Tropical Depression Danny at 11.00AM was downgraded to a trough of low pressure.

“The country could still experience wind gusts of 30 miles per hour throughout the day and into tonight along with rain showers which could lead to street flooding, residents are asked to be vigilant.

“Having reviewed the latest information, I declare the following:

“All businesses can reopen at the discretion of the business owner based on the availability of their staff.

“Schools as well as daycare centers are to reopen on Tuesday, August 25.

“Government services will resume on Tuesday, August 25 as normal.

“I would like to thank the people of this country for taking this weather event serious.

“Danny quickly became a major category 3 hurricane late last week, but then was downgraded to a tropical storm as it approached the Leeward Islands, and is now a trough of low pressure.

“Seeing how weather systems can be erratic, and based on historical experience of the past, we learn from the past so that we do not repeat the same challenges in the future.

“Our national preparations allowed us to prepare in a timely manner rather than in a haphazard one Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Monday, August 24 with respect to a situational update in connection with Danny that degenerated into a trough of low pressure on Monday morning after losing its tropical characteristics.
The Prime Minister stated the following in his national address:
“Tropical Depression Danny at 11.00AM was downgraded to a trough of low pressure.
“The country could still experience wind gusts of 30 miles per hour throughout the day and into tonight along with rain showers which could lead to street flooding, residents are asked to be vigilant.
“Having reviewed the latest information, I declare the following:
“All businesses can reopen at the discretion of the business owner based on the availability of their staff.
“Schools as well as daycare centers are to reopen on Tuesday, August 25.
“Government services will resume on Tuesday, August 25 as normal.
“I would like to thank the people of this country for taking this weather event serious.
“Danny quickly became a major category 3 hurricane late last week, but then was downgraded to a tropical storm as it approached the Leeward Islands, and is now a trough of low pressure.
“Seeing how weather systems can be erratic, and based on historical experience of the past, we learn from the past so that we do not repeat the same challenges in the future.
“Our national preparations allowed us to prepare in a timely manner rather than in a haphazard one Read more

Two out of Three Cruise vessels cancel port calls for Wednesday and Thursday. Cargo operations normal.

>POINTE BLANCHE::----– Port St. Maarten management said on Monday that due to the approach of Tropical Storm Danny to the Leeward Islands during the past few days, this led cruise lines to review their port call itineraries, and out of the safety of passengers and crew, their visits to the destination were altered.

Oasis of the Seas has cancelled its port call for Wednesday, 26 August and Freedom of the Seas has done the same for Thursday, August 27 Read more

Breastfeeding Café a Success .

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---- The Breastfeeding Café event recently organized by the section Youth Health Care (YHC) from the Department of Collective Prevention Service (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, along with stakeholders, was a success.

The café attracted 26 persons including facilitators from different organizations and the staff of CPS/YHC.

There were expecting mothers and mothers who already had a baby and also one expecting father.

The evening was opened by Registered Nurse (RN) Ivanca Woodley-Sterling Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- An endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle nest hatched on Friday at Dawn Beach with some 130 hatchlings emerging from the monitored nest successfully making their way to the sea. The St. Maarten Nature Foundation was contacted by Westin Security Staff alerting that the nest was hatching. Nature Foundation Chief Ranger Etienne Lake, Office Manager Marisa Dyer-Brandy and Intern Riddhi Samthani provided support for the hatchlings headed to see and provided information on sea turtle conservation to the spectators on the beach.
This marks the fourth Sea Turtle Nest that has successfully hatched during the 2015 Sea Turtle Nesting Season, which saw some 400 hatchlings making their way to the sea Read more

Breastfeeding Café A Success

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Breastfeeding Café event recently organized by the section Youth Health Care (YHC) from the Department of Collective Prevention Service (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, along with stakeholders, was a success.

The café attracted 26 persons including facilitators from different organizations and the staff of CPS/YHC. 

There were expecting mothers and mothers who already had a baby and also one expecting father.

The evening was opened by Registered Nurse (RN) Ivanca Woodley-Sterling.  The first speakers of the evening were Suzette de Cuba and Suella Sandeson, RN’s at White and Yellow Cross (WYC) district nursing Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses Can Reopen; Schools And Government Offices Open On Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Monday, August 24 with respect to a situational update in connection with Danny that degenerated into a trough of low pressure on Monday morning after losing its tropical characteristics. 

The Prime Minister stated the following in his national address: 

“Tropical Depression Danny at 11.00AM was downgraded to a trough of low pressure. 

“The country could still experience wind gusts of 30 miles per hour throughout the day and into tonight along with rain showers which could lead to street flooding, residents are asked to be vigilant.

“Having reviewed the latest information, I declare the following:

“All businesses can reopen at the discretion of the business owner based on the availability of their staff.

“Schools as well as daycare centers are to reopen on Tuesday, August 25.

“Government services will resume on Tuesday, August 25 as normal.

“I would like to thank the people of this country for taking this weather event serious. 

“Danny quickly became a major category 3 hurricane late last week, but then was downgraded to a tropical storm as it approached the Leeward Islands, and is now a trough of low pressure. 

“Seeing how weather systems can be erratic, and based on historical experience of the past, we learn from the past so that we do not repeat the same challenges in the future. 

“Our national preparations allowed us to prepare in a timely manner rather than in a haphazard one Read more

Tropical Storm Danny Update

St. Maarten – Hurricane Danny lost power over the weekend and is now a tropical storm. Nevertheless, the meteorological services expect the storm to bring winds of 80 to 100 kilometer per hour on Monday. The government on the Dutch side has ordered all business to close by 10 p.m. on Sunday, including restaurants and casinos, until further notice. School and daycare centers are closed on Monday.

All government departments will remain closed on Monday as well.

The courthouse is also closed on Monday Read more

Schools Close For Danny, No Newspapers On Monday

St. Maarten – The approach of Hurricane Danny has the island on high alert. Schools will be closed and the two local newspapers have suspended publication for Monday. Today will provide storm-related updates via its website todaysxm.com as long as internet-connections are functioning.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs addressed the nation in a radio speech yesterday around lunchtime, saying that based on Friday morning’s forecast, the storm will pass through the area on Monday.

The government will provide information via the radio, the government’s website and its Facebook page as the situation develops.

“Heavy rains can be expected with the passing of this weather system Read more

Robbers Make Big Hole In Wall Of Grocery Store

Store owner upset about robbery that took place. Photo Today / Andrew Dick

St. Maarten – Grocery store Pondfill Food Market, located in the Van Grieken  Building, was robbed Friday morning at about 2 a.m. by bandits who made a large hole to the side of the building. Storeowner Jose L. opened his grocery at 7 a.m. and noticed that several items were missing, including a cash register. To his surprise, he found a large hole in a sidewall.

“I walked in and noticed that some stuff was missing Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses to close by 10PM Sunday Evening

including Restaurants and Casinos until further notice

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), received an update on Sunday from members of the EOC about the current status of Tropical Storm Danny. The actions being taken by the Government of Sint Maarten are of a precautionary nature Read more

Off-duty VKS Officer beat elderly woman on Friday –birthday celebration led to assault.

style="text-align: center;">VKS Commander was not informed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- A well-known former timeshare worker Mariacita Howard aka June-eve of St. Peters got a good beating from an off duty Voluntary Korps Officer (VKS) identified as Roderick Fleming on Friday. Several photographs of the woman showing the injuries she sustained and her phone number has been posted on Facebook.
In an interview with SMN News Howard said that she knows the suspect whom she said is an acquaintance. Howard said on Friday VKS Fleming was celebrating his birthday and she gave him $20.00 and asked Fleming to buy her a pack of cigarettes and a drink for himself and to return her change Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----  Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), received an update on Sunday from members of the EOC about the current status of Tropical Storm Danny. The actions being taken by the Government of Sint Maarten are of a precautionary nature. The Prime Minister gave a national address with respect to the current decisions that have been taken.
“Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Sint Maarten as a precautionary measure Read more