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One Firearm Surrendered On First Day Of Stop, Drop And Go Amnesty Prog.

A .24 calibre Midnight Special and ammunition were handed over to police on Monday.

 

PHILIPSBURG--The Stop, Drop and GO firearm amnesty programme began on a promising note Monday morning with the voluntary surrender of an unlicensed firearm a .24 calibre Midnight Special. The Sint Maarten Police Force KPSM and the Prosecutors Office say the handover is an encouraging step in the ongoing effort to reduce gun violence and promote public safety.

The next opportunity to participate in the amnesty will be on Wednesday, April 16, and authorities are urging the public to turn in illegal firearms and ammunition Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 9th April 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 10th April 2025A HIGH SURF ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8AM APRIL 10, 2025WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy with a gentle breeze. Isolated showers are possible.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low:  25C / 77FSunset Today: 6:28 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: East-northeast to east-southeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 7 to 16 mph.SYNOPSIS: A high-pressure system will support a light to moderate breeze across the area Read more

Dutch Representation Allocates 88K Euros To Four Local Groups

From left: SMDF Managing Director Makhicia Brooks, Dutch Representative in Philipsburg Eelco Boomsma and SMDFs Program Development Manager Melanie Choisy.

 

~ SMDF appointed grant manager ~

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), through the support of the Representation of the Netherlands in Aruba, Curaao and St. Maarten VNACS in the Ministry o Read more

Mp Ottley Questions Vromi Minister Gumbs On Proposed Landfill Entry Fee

VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs revealed a billboard at the entrance of the landfill on Monday, saying It will take all of us, referring to the clean-up of the main dump.

PHILIPSBURG--United Peoples party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 2nd April 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 3rd April 2025  A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE   WEATHER:   This afternoon and evening: Fair to partly cloudy and breezy. Brief showers are possible.Tonight, through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy and breezy with brisk showers.Forecast High:30C / 86F                        Forecast Low: 24C / 75FSunset Today:6:26 P.M.                            Sunrise Tomorrow:6:05 A.M.SURFACE WINDS:Today through Thursday midday: East to northeasterly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 13 to 20 mph and higher gusts. SYNOPSIS: A tight pressure gradient will maintain moderate to fresh winds, which are forecast to strengthen overnight Read more

Smdf, 4C Launch LetS Act Prog. To Strengthen Local Arts Community

Representatives of the St. Maarten Development Fund, Foresee Foundation and Lets ACT Program participants at the Lets ACT Launch event.

~ More than NAf. 500K to support cultural groups ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Lets ACT Programme, funded by the Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie (FCP), will soon boost the arts and cultural sectors of St. Maarten.

Read more

Up Expresses Concerns Over Ignored Urgent Meet Requests

PHILIPSBURG--United Peoples party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Omar Ottley and Francisco Lacroes, are voicing their deep concern regarding the current state of Parliament, which the Read more

Mp Ottley: Disconnect In Coalition Resulting In Delay In Governing Prog.

PHILIPSBURG--United Peoples party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Omar Ottley has voiced concerns about what he says is an increasing disconnect among the governing coalition members, which he says prevents them from bringing forward a governing programme.

Read more

Mp Jansen-Webster Says Leaders Should Not Be Travelling Economy Class, They Deserve Respect

MP Veronica Jansen-Webster.

~ MP Lewis concurs ~

PHILIPSBURG--Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) Read more

Arrindell Attends Cari-Aire Aviation Internship Launch

St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell (sixth left, standing) with all attendees. (Photo by Angelo Werleman for WeConnect)

THE HAGUE--St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell attended the launch of the Cari-Aire Aviation Internship Programme last week at the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaao at the Curaao House in The Hague.

The launch was also attended by the ministers plenipotentiary from Aruba and Curaao.

Arrindell said in a press release that the internship programme focuses on strengthening the aviation sector across all six islands of the Dutch Caribbean Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 11th March 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 12th March 2025WEATHER:   This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F                       Forecast Low:25C / 77F Sunset Today:6:21 P.M.                            Sunrise Tomorrow:6:23 A.M.SURFACE WINDS:This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Easterly to southeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 6 to 14 mph.SYNOPSIS: An upper level trough will increase the probability of showers during the latter part of this forecast period Read more

12PM Public Weather ForecastDATE ISSUED: Wednesday 26th February 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 27th February 2025WEATHER:   This afternoon through Thursday morning: Variably cloudy and breezy. The isolated shower is likely.Thursday morning through midday: Fair to partly cloudy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F             Forecast Low:  25C / 77F  Sunset Today: 6:18 P.M Read more

12 PM Public Weather Forecast DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 25th February 2025 @ 06:00 LST (10:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (06:00 LST) 26th February 2025WEATHER:   This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy and breezy. There is a low chance of showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F             Forecast Low:  25C / 77F  Sunset Today: 6:17 P.M.                Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:33 A.M Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday 13th February 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 14th February 2025  A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE  WEATHER:   This afternoon through Friday afternoon: Generally cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 23C / 73F  Sunset Today: 6:13 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:40 A.M Read more

The Act Of Bravery

Dear editor and all readers,

In reaction to Miss Nicole James story published a few days ago via your media house, I would like to congratulate her for the act of bravery to come open and share her ordeal, whereas she also proves that she has overcome. That itself is a very good sign as life continues. But it is worrisome to learn from her story that there are about 8 to 10 more women who were all victims of the same man, the acting section head that in the meantime is known to be Mr Read more

Bjp Fund Aims To Support Journalism On Caribbean Islands

SOURCE: Curacao.nu

AMSTERDAM The Fund for Special Journalistic Projects in the Netherlands (Fonds BJP) is investigating how it can better support journalists in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Although applications from the region are received sporadically, the Fund has noticed that the existing regulations do not always meet local needs. There is also a lack of name recognition, according to a statement from the Fund.

To change this, a working trip to five Caribbean islands is planned Read more

Pm Recognises Hong Kong Bar & RestaurantS 50 Years In Country

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina presenting the commemorative plaque to to the restaurant owners.

 

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Luc Mercelina presented a commemorative plaque to the management and staff of Hong Kong Bar & Restaurant in recognition of its 50th anniversary of operations in St Read more

Minister Of Public Health On Suicide Prevention: WeVe Got To Do This Together!

Great Bay, St. Maarten Grace Hill Bible University, St. Maarten Campus counseling degree program, in collaboration with Victorious Living Foundation and the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor, successfully hosted a profoundly impactful suicide prevention Master Class themed “Igniting Hope in our Community: Preventing Suicide” on January 20th at the St. Maarten Government Administration Building. This pioneering event focused on raising awareness and equipping attendees with vital tools in suicide assessment, prevention, and treatment.

With an impressive turnout of over 300 attendees both physically and virtually, and subsequently amassing over 1000 attendees to date, the event underscored the essence of community collaboration in tackling the critical issue of suicide, which continues to affect diverse demographics without discrimination 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

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

Smfc Wishes Everyone A Positive, Energetically Whealthy And Prosperous New Year..

St Peters, Sint Maarten SMFC would like to wish the general public a Blessed & WHealthly 2025.SMFC would like to wish everyone a positive, energetically WHealth and prosperous 2025.

On Saturday Jan11, 2025, The St Maarten Farmers Cooperative will be hosting its first official market for 2025.This weekend, the community will be able to get their hands on great wholesome produce and products once again from their dedicated community farmers and product developers.

At the market this Saturday, a variety of items will be available such as, fresh cold press juices, local eggnog, banana bread, baked jonny cakes with chick peas, veggie soup, plants and gardening materials Read more

Govt. Receives Naf. 75.6M Loan From Dutch To Buy New Generators For Gebe

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina.

  ~ No stringent conditions ~

PHILIPSBURG--The government of St. Maarten has received a 75.6 million Netherlands Antillean guilder loan from the Dutch government to help purchase new generators for utilities company GEBE.

The generators are part of governments long-term plans to further stabilise the energy crisis that faced the country last year Read more

Public Weather Forecast For St. Maarten

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 8th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 9th January 2025WEATHER:    This afternoon and evening: Fair to partly cloudy.Tonight, through Thursday midday: Fair to partly cloudy. Light rain-showers are possible.Forecast High: 30C / 86F             Forecast Low:  25C / 77F  Sunset Today: 5:53 P.M.                Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:46 A.M Read more