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Up Board Extends Deepest Condolences To Johnson Family And Stuart Johnson Secretary General

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The United People's Party (UP) family and board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Mrs. Linda Marie Johnson, especially her son Stuart Johnson, Secretary General of the UP Board, UP Party Board President Sylvia Meyers said on behalf of the party on Monday.

“Linda Johnson has been like a mom to many of our board members and an unwavering supporter. 

We will surely miss her advices and quick wit," the UP Party Board stated Read more

Government Seeks To Make October 10Th A National Holiday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The government of St. Maarten is now in the process of changing at least one of the islands National Holidays.

Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs confirmed that the Holidays that will be switched is that of December 15 Kingdom Day, paving the way for October the 10th to become a National Holiday. Read more

Up Mp Lake Says Start Of New Parliamentary Year Is Opportunity To Move Country Forward By Executing Priority Projects

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People’s (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake says with the new parliamentary year is about to start next month and he would like to see the country moving forward with the execution of priority projects, adding that this is an opportunity.

“First, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends of one of my childhood friend, the late Robert Boasman of Tangerine Road, St Read more

Na Sends Condolences To Victims Of Ts And Stresses Preparedness

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The National Alliance family would like to extend condolences and words of encouragement and hope to the people and government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Natural disasters have an uncanny way of bringing communities, islands and countries together.

Though the destruction and devastation wreaked by TS Erika, still needs to be properly assessed, it is clear that much emergency aid will be needed in the coming weeks.

The photos and videos, testimonies of survival and tragedy are heart wrenching Read more

Uts Upgrading Clients To Be 4G Lte Ready

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United Telecommunication Services is continuing on its course of improvement by offering its Chippie customers the opportunity to upgrade the SIM card they use to access the mobile operators’ mobile service.

For just USD $ 5 customers can purchase a 3G capable SIM card that will allow them access to the mobile operators’ premium mobile internet service. For a limited time only customers save $11.70 when purchasing their new SIM card.

With the upgrade campaign existing customers can visit the UTS store in Philipsburg from August 31 – September 19 and get their SIM card upgrade Read more

Parliament Not Fully Utilizing The Forum Of Its Committees To Debate Matters That Affect The People Of St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - It was a progressive step when the parliament of St. Maarten in its wisdom decided to keep meetings of the parliamentary committees open.However, by not calling meetings of these committees as often as is possible and desirable, the purpose of these committees is defeated. The work of these committees is to a large extent determined by the members of parliament who chair these committees. Members can ask for topics to be tabled, but there are no regulations that these meetings must be held Read more

Up Mp Lake Would Like To See Stakeholders For Waste To Energy Plant Project Getting Together To Move Project Forward

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People’s (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake sent a letter to the Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, and also publicly made a statement on July 13th, 2015 requesting an update on the Solid Waste Ordinance and the progress of the long awaited Waste to Energy Plant to address the â€˜growing garbage mountain.’

“As the former Minister of VROMI, my ministry and the Steering Committee was very much involved with the final stage the bidding process which was won by a company to build the plant Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Expresses Condolences To The Government And People Of Dominica

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, has forwarded a letter to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit expressing condolences to the people and Government of Dominica with respect to the damage left behind by Tropical Storm Erika.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Read more

The Caribbean Future Forum Brings Together Young Thinkers And Senior Un Officials As A New Wave Of On-Line Discussions Gets Underway

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago - The first in a new series of Caribbean Future Forum webinars kicks off this Friday, 28 August at 11.30 am, and will focus on what the Sustainable Development Goals will mean for people in the Caribbean.

On 25-27 September 2015, world leaders will gather at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to agree on a set of goals and targets to ensure that countries across the globe not only achieve economic and social development, but that they do so in a way that will not exhaust our planet’s environmental resources Read more

Up Family Extends Condolences To The Families Of Those Lost In Erika Flooding And Prayers For The Nation Of Dominica

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Leader of the United People's Party (UP) Member of Parliament Hon. Theo Heyliger was shocked after viewing news footage of the flooding devastation in the Caribbean island of Dominica. 

The extreme flooding is attributed to the passing of Tropical Storm Erika through the Leeward Islands Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: Restaurants And Casinos Can Open Thursday Evening. Schools, Businesses And Government To Reopen On Friday

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), in an update on Thursday afternoon, August 27, says, based on an assessment of the current weather situation regarding Tropical Storm Erika:

“Country Sint Maarten remains under a Tropical Storm Warning.  The country will continue to Read more

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

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

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

St. Martin ... Orange Warning : Get Ready

MARIGOT, St. Martin - According to the last reports from Météo France, violent winds with gusts from 80 to 100km/h, heavy rains with thunderstorms, are planned for tomorrow, Monday, August 24th.

Caution is thus strongly recommended. I invite you to continue to follow the weather reports, and safety instructions broadcasted by the media.

As the flood risk is high for this Tropical storm, check the rise of the water level on gullies and exposed sectors.

Remaining at home seems to be the best protection Read more

More Preperations Needed For Ipko 2016

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Permanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Inter-parliamentary Relations of St. Maarten, met last week to discuss the preparations for the upcoming IPKO meetings which are scheduled to take place on St. Maarten in January of 2016.

The last IPKO talks between the Dutch Parliament and that of Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten had many bumps.

There was even talk of a boycott of the next meeting in January, a situation that has increased the level of difficulty for the host country which happens to be St Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses To Close By 10Pm Sunday Evening Including Restaurants And Casinos Until Further Notice

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – 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

State Of Readiness Being Maintained, Prime Minister Addresses Nation

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Marcel Gumbs addressed the island of St. Maarten on Sunday afternoon.

During his address the Prime Minister confirmed that the state of readiness will be maintained while confirming that essential services will be provided, based on the emergency preparedness of the respective public and business entities Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Meets With St. Martin Prefete Laubies Regarding Preparations For Hurricane Danny

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, on Friday afternoon met with the Prefete of St. Martin and St. Barths Anne Laubies and Vice President Guillaume Arnell regarding preparations for Hurricane Danny.

The Prefet and the Prime Minister briefed each other on the preparations that have been taken so far in preparation for Hurricane Danny.

A number of points were agreed upon with respect to the coordination and synchronization of certain activities in times of pre- and post-natural disaster events.

After each Emergency Operations Center or Disaster Committee meeting, the government representatives will exchange decisions that have come out of those meetings.

The closure of businesses was also another point to be coordinated between both sides of the island; closure of airports will also be coordinated; and both sides will also exchange communications that are disseminated to the public with respect to information and actions that need to be taken.

“The meeting with the Prefet was very informative.  As one island there should be some coordination at the disaster management level and this was what this meeting was about,” Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said on Friday.

In Photo: Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs (left), Paul Martens, Office of Disaster Management, and Prefete Anne Laubies (right), Chef Cabinet Emmanuel Effantin and Vice President Guillaume Arnell Read more

Up Board Extends Deepest Condolences To Lista, Wathey, Mingo And Labega Families

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The United People's Party (UP) family and board extends its deepest condolences to the Lista, Wathey, Mingo and Labega families, UP Party Board President Sylvia Meyers said on Friday.

"Antonio "Tony" Lista, Frank Mingo and Lillian Mildred Labega-Rohan were all upstanding members of our country who undoubtedly contributed positively in many ways Read more

Up Mp Lake Says Community Councils Have A Role To Play In The Districts Regarding Hurricane Season Pre-Planning

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People’s (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake would like to see the different Community Councils play a more active role by advising the residents and helping the senior citizens protect their homes during the Hurricane season.

“As the co-founder of the St Read more

Nagico’S Little Stars Part 2- Officially; Launched At Mac Rev. A. Gumbs Campus

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - NAGICO Insurances officially launched its second annual back to school campaign at the MAC Rev. A. Gumbs Campus on Thursday evening, in their quest to afford the children of St. Maarten a fair chance to an education which they deserve.

The MAC Rev. A. Gumbs Campus was randomly selected as the second school in this campaign which will run from August 2015/ June 2016 school year.

The program was very welcomed by the Management, staff and parents of the school during their first Parent Teacher assembly at the school's campus on Thursday night, where representatives from NAGICO Insurances attended the meeting and gave a brief introduction of the NAGICO Little Stars program Read more