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St. Maarten, Netherlands vow to fight crime together

THE HAGUE--St. Maarten and the Netherlands, in The Hague on Wednesday evening, reconfirmed their wish to work together to fight organised, undermining crime on the island.

The meeting between St. Maarten Justice Minister Dennis Richardson, Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ard van der Steur and his colleague of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk was deemed “constructive.” Richardson spoke of “open” talks during which parties were able to “speak their mind.”

“I think we can now proceed in a constructive manner,” stated Minister Plasterk Read more

Govt drafts amendments to increase 2015 budget

PHILIPSBURG--Amendments to increase the 2015 budget by some NAf. 15 million, and to shift some budgetary allocations have been sent to Parliament by the Marcel Gumbs cabinet.

It is hoped by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs that Parliament will deal with the amendments soon.

The 2015 budget, though passed by Parliament on January 29, has not yet been given the stamp of approval by the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT.

Amendments to the budget were anticipated based on projected increases to government income and other complementing factors.

Referred to as a "skeleton budget" by Finance Minister Martin Hassink, the 2015 balanced budget stands at NAf Read more

Press Release - Port St. Maarten and Lagoon Authority, 28 August

Port St. Maarten and Lagoon Authority Clearance Offices Partially Closed on Friday, 28 August

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 27, 2015

PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten and the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority hereby announces that the clearance offices at Great Bay and in Simpson Bay will be closed on Friday, August 28 from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

For those who would have some business to attend too, please do so before 9.30am or after 1.30pm.

The closure is related to the staff attending the memorial services for former Netherlands Antilles Senator and Minister of Finance Hon Read more

Restaurants and Casinos can Open

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 Read more

Project to protect Caribbean sharks launched in Rotterdam

ROTTERDAM--The Save Our Sharks project of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) was launched at Rotterdam Blijdorp Zoo on Wednesday with a presentation and the reading of the children’s book The Adventures of Stanley the Shark and Friends to two classes of a local school.

“Sharks are the cleaners of our oceans. They keep our reefs healthy. Yet, they are an endangered species and must be protected,” said Ron van der Veer of DCNA at the opening ceremony conveniently held in the Shark’s Room at Blijdorp’s Oceanium in the presence of at least ten sharks that were swimming by in the adjacent huge aquarium.

DCNA’s Save Our Sharks project came about through a donation of the Dutch National Postcode Lottery, which made 1.5 million euros available for three years to set up programmes on all six Dutch Caribbean islands Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses to remain closed on Thursday. Potential for severe flooding

The Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be issuing a statement around 6.00pm giving an update with respect to a number of issues after an assessment has been carried out related to the passing of Tropical Storm Erika.

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 27, 2015/N145

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Thursday, August 27 with respect to the approach of Tropical Storm Erika Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses to remain closed on Thursday. Potential for severe flooding.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Thursday, August 27 with respect to the approach of Tropical Storm Erika.
The Prime Minister stated the following in his national address:
“Country Sint Maarten remains under a Tropical Storm Warning. Tropical Storm Erika at 11.00AM Thursday morning was located 98 miles south of Sint Maarten.
“The current forecast as of Thursday morning, has Tropical Storm Erika passing just south of the country this afternoon and tonight, weather conditions are still expected to deteriorate.
“Therefore, as Prime Minister and based on the advice of key Emergency Support Functions, certain decisions need to be taken to protect the safety of our citizens and visitors.
“Strong to near gale force winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour and gusts up to storm strength is still possible.
“Erika is forecast to produce rainfall of 3 to 5 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across the Leeward Islands.
“Severe flooding is possible from Erika 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

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 26, 2015/N144

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses, Schools and Government Offices Closed on Thursday due to the arrival of Erika

PHILIPSBURG – 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 Read more

Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) closure for passage of Tropical Storm Erika.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- 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 hours resum Read more

Frank Mingo Funeral Rescheduled from Thursday to Friday.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Please be informed that due to the upcoming weather on Thursday, the funeral service for former Senator and Minister of Finance Hon. Frank Mingo, has been moved to FRIDAY August 28th at 10 am until 1 pm at the Royal Funeral Home in Sucker Garden.
After which the Church service will be at Grand Case Catholic Church from 2-4pm.
For details check out the daily newspaper obituary Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- 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 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

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