SXMElections.com

Sarah To Spearhead Drafting Of A Referendum Ordinance

DP MP Sarah Wescot-Williams.

 

~ As required by constitution ~

 PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams said she will be spearheading the drafting of a referendum ordinance for St Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday, 24 January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 25 January 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy and slightly breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F              Forecast Low: 24C / 75FSunset Today: 6:03 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 6 to 14 mph and higher gusts possible.SYNOPSIS: Available moisture associated with a passing low-level trough will cause cloudy periods and showers, during this forecast period Read more

Mp Doran Denies 2021 Permit Hearing Claims

The building permit for The Phoenician issued by former Minister Doran in March 2024, weeks before he left office.

 

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance Member of Parliament (MP) Egbert Doran, at the start of Wednesdays Parliamentary debate on beach management, took the opportunity to address discrepancies in an article published in that days edition of The Daily Herald Read more

Tribute To Whitney Houston Comes To St. Maarten Feb. 12

Belinda Davids

 

~ Early bird special on tickets ends Sat. ~

 MADAME ESTATE--Fans of the legendary late Whitney Houston are in for an unforgettable evening as The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston graces the stage at Aleeze Convention Center, Madame Estate, on Wednesday, February 12, starting at 8:00pm sharp.

The world-class show, headlined by the extraordinary Belinda Davids, will be a heartfelt homage to one of the greatest vocalists of all time Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) January 24th, 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WEATHER:   This afternoon through tonight: Cloudy at first, becoming partly cloudy with isolated showers.Friday morning through midday: Variably cloudy with scattered showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F             Forecast Low: 24C / 75F  Sunset Today: 6:02 P.M Read more

Gumbs: Study Needed As To Why Soul Beach No Longer In Aruba

~ MOU to be signed with SCDF ~

PHILIPSBURG--A clearer study needs to be conducted as to why the Soul Beach Music Festival is no longer in Aruba, says Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

Read more

Judge Orders Vromi Ministry To Justify Beacon Hill High-Rise Building Permits

Artists rendering of the Fan Coral Road 12 apartment complex in Beacon Hill.

 ~ Appeal proceedings delayed due to incomplete dossiers ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Court of Appeals was set to hear arguments on Monday regarding building permits issued by former Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Egbert Doran (National Alliance) for two Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, 22nd January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 23rd January 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 24C / 75FSunset Today: 6:02 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Patches of low level clouds will cause cloudy periods and isolated showers as they move across the region Read more

Passenger Transport Registration

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) instructs all holders of a passenger transport permit to register their operation with the Transport Control Unit no later than Tuesday, February 25, 2025, to receive a confirmation letter. The confirmation letter validates that the operations documentation and vehicle meet the applicable regulations to carry out service.

In prior years, the annual confirmation letter process was solely conducted to pay the annual road tax payments Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 21st January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 22nd January 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon and evening: Variably cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Tonight, through Wednesday midday: Occasionally cloudy and breezy with scattered showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low:  23C / 73FSunset Today: 6:01 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 13 to 20 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Generally stable and breezy conditions persist this afternoon and evening Read more

Kpsm Enhances Traffic Enforcement Measures Amid Ongoing Concerns

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten (KPSM) — The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) has intensified its efforts to address traffic violations and mechanical infractions through a series of targeted vehicle and traffic controls conducted during the third week of January 2025. These operations reflect KPSMs commitment to safeguarding public safety and maintaining order on the islands roadways.

Summary of Enforcement Actions:

Harold Jack Area (Early Week):

A total of 237 vehicles were stopped and inspected. 36 fines were issued for a variety of traffic and mechanical infractions. 14 scooters were subjected to checks, resulting in the impoundment of one scooter due to non-compliance.

Causeway and Sucker Garden Areas (Later in the Week):

40 vehicles were stopped and inspected. Three suspects were arrested on suspicion of criminal activity. Two firearms were confiscated as part of these operations. One scooter and one car were impounded for further investigation.

KPSM emphasizes that these enforcement actions are part of a broader strategy to address ongoing safety concerns on the island Read more

Grisha Optimistic With Results Of Budget Debate 2025

The motions and amendments put forward felt meaningful and purpose driven.

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), the Honorable Grisha Heyliger-Marten, expressed optimism and pride in the results of the 2025 Budget Debate held in Parliament this week. Reflecting on the collaborative efforts that marked the session, she stated:

This is the first time I have truly felt a genuine sense of teamwork and unity across the board within a coalition Read more

Tackling: Allowing Heavily Tinted Vehicles Poses Risks That Outweigh Potential Benefit

A heavily tinted vehicle.

 

~ Experience support regulating excessive tint ~

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Natalie Tackling made her position on allowing heavily tinted vehicles clear when asked about the matter during the parliamentary debate on the 2025 budget last week. She said allowing heavily tinted vehicles poses unnecessary risks that far outweigh any potential benefit.

The minister said while statistics provide valuable insights, practical enforcement experience and the precautionary principle strongly support regulating excessive tint as a measure to enhance public safety and road security.

Heavily tinted vehicles reduce driver visibility, particularly at night, increasing the likelihood of accidents and also obstruct visibility for other road users, creating further hazards on the road, the minister noted.

While only a minority of tinted vehicles may be used in crimes, the concealment they provide facilitates illegal activities such as transporting contraband or evading recognition after a crime, necessitating proactive regulation to minimize these risks, the Minister told Parliament.

She was at the time responding to questions from National Alliance (NA) Members of Parliament (MPs) Ardwell Irion and Egbert Doran who asked what data is being used to indicate that tint on vehicles will be dangerous Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 20th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 21st January 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon and evening: Fair to partly cloudy and breezy.Tonight, through Tuesday midday: Variably cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F              Forecast Low:  26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:00 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a gentle to fresh breeze of 10 to 20 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Generally fair and breezy conditions continue, as a stable and relatively dry atmosphere dominates Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday 17th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 18th January 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WEATHER:This afternoon through Saturday midday: Variably cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 25C / 77FSunset Today: 5:58 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: Northeasterly to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph and possible higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: A shear line will account for cloudiness and showers across the region Read more

Silver Airways Winter Season Permit For Anguilla Revoked

ANGUILLA--The government of Anguilla and the Air and Sea Ports Authority (AASPA) are advising the general public that effective January 15, the seasonal permit granted to Silver Airways to service a flight from Puerto Rico to Anguilla has been revoked. The decision was made in conjunction with the Air Navigation (Overseas Territory) Order due to the non-payment of fees in the sum of US $1 Read more

Automated Priority Dispatch System To Be Fully Implemented 2Nd Quarter 2025

Several ambulances are seen outside the St. Maarten Medical Center.

 PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Ambulance Department Automated Priority Dispatch System is expected to be fully implemented by the end of the second quarter of 2025, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Richinel Brug told Parliament on Thurs Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, 16th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 17th January 2025WEATHER:This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy with brief isolated showers possible.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 24C / 75FSunset Today: 5:58 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: Northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 16 mph.SYNOPSIS: Patches of low level clouds trailing a shear line may cause brief isolated showers Read more

Doran Calls For Urgent Action On Public Health And Housing

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Egbert Doran made a call for urgent action on public health and housing during the second day of the debate on the draft 2025 budget in Parliament on Tuesday.

Read more

Court Of Appeals Exposes Minister Of JusticeS Failings In Police Promotion Case

~ Six dedicated police officers of the Sint Maarten Police Force who never give up.~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Court of Appeals for Civil Servants rendered a landmark decision in favor of six dedicated police officers of the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), who had been fighting for years against the inaction of the Minister of Justice. These officers, who were denied rightful promotions, finally succeeded in their legal battle.

Despite losing their case in First Instance, the officers persisted and secured a decisive victory on appeal Read more

Minister Of Finance Announces Payment Of 2% Cola To Subsidized School Teachers

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, is pleased to inform subsidized school teachers that the long-awaited 2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which was granted to civil servants in September 2024, has been disbursed to subsidized schools as of last week, and it is now the responsibility of the schools to ensure that these payments are made to the teachers.

The Minister empathizes with the challenges faced by subsidized school teachers due to the delayed payment of the 1% vacation allowance increase, the 1% COLA paid out in December 2023 to civil servants, and the recently disbursed 2% COLA indexation Read more

Minister Brug Meets With The Integrity Chamber

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — recently the Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, held an introductory meeting with the Integrity Chamber. The purpose of this meeting was to foster a collaboration and discuss integrity matters of mutual interest. This meeting reflects the shared commitment of both parties to transparency and accountability within the Government of Sint Maarten, particularly the Ministry of VSA.

Integrity within our Government apparatus is of utmost importance Read more

Education Minister Requests Investigation Into Fight Between School Bus Driver, Student

A screen grab of the altercation between the bus driver and student.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs has requested a thorough investigation into an incident involving a school bus driver and a student outside a school bus on Tuesday.

 A video of the incident that was circulating widely on social media on Tuesday captioned bus driver vs student shows the school bus driver holding the student by his top against the school bus and pushing him away from the bus Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 15th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 16th January 2025WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy and occasionally breezy. Light rain-showers are likely.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low:  24C / 75FSunset Today: 5:57 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: North to northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 15 mph.SYNOPSIS: Relatively stable conditions remain in the wake of a frontal boundary Read more