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PHILIPSBURG:---  Sint Maarten's Law Enforcement and Border Control gained an asset with the appointment of Mr. Jocelyn R. Levenstone as the new Head of Immigration. With a remarkable career spanning nearly 35 years in Law Enforcement, Coastguard operations, safety, and security management, Mr. Levenstone's diverse and extensive background positions him to lead the Immigration department into a new era of efficiency and effectiveness.

Levenstones journey began as a dedicated Police Officer at KPNA, where he served for eight years, specializing in law enforcement, crime prevention, investigation, and public safety, and as a key member of the Arrest Team.

Following this, Levenstone devoted fifteen years to the Dutch Caribbean Coastguard, where he amassed invaluable knowledge in Maritime Law, security, border control, search and rescue operations, and inter-agency collaboration Read more

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PHILIPSBURG--In a touching tribute to the "backbone of our educational system," United People's Party (UPP) Candidate and Policy Advisor in the Cabinet of the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunication Kevin Maingrette marked World Teachers Day with a heartwarming gesture of gratitude towards the educators of Leonard Conner Elementary School Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force announces that three of its officers are set to depart the island to undergo specialized training in Miami-Dade. These officers, in collaboration with counterparts from Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, will participate in a two-week training course to become certified "Driving Instructors." The purpose of this training is to equip these officers with advanced skills, enabling them to subsequently train our first responders effectively.

The Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna Richardson, extends heartfelt congratulations to these officers as they prepare to embark on this important training endeavor Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---: An extraordinary display of engagement and collaboration by a group of civil servants who submitted a letter with 116 questions to Minister Omar Ottley, highlighting their concerns and questions regarding the eagerly awaited Ottley Care (SAAHA), was met with enthusiasm and appreciation at the Government Administration Building on Tuesday, October 10th Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Friday 13 October 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) October 14, 2023

TROPICAL STORM SEAN WEAKENING

WEATHER:    

This afternoon through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy with a few showers.

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             Forecast Low: 28C / 82F

Sunset Today: 5:52 P.M.                Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:06 A.M. 

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Saturday midday: Easterly to southeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 5 to 10 mph, becoming lighter and variable at times.

SYNOPSIS:

Weak instability and available moisture will trigger a few showers. A loose surface pressure gradient will maintain mostly light winds across the region. 

Long period northeasterly swells will affect regional waters for the next few days Read more

St. Maarten Is Capable Of Creating Its Own Cannabis Law, Mp Peterson Says

PHILIPSBURG--Indications that a foreign private company will draft cannabis legislation for country St. Maarten and will assist each relevant ministry with the legislative changes needed to make the legislation a reality, as per Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs and Labor VSA Omar Ottleys statements, have Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament and Leader of the United People's Party (UP), Rolando Brison, delivered a compelling address in Parliament today, shedding light on the pressing concerns surrounding the operations of GEBE, the utility company Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- In a collaborative effort, the Mobile Control Unit of the Immigration Department, Customs, and Service De La Police Aux Frontieres (SPAF) conducted a comprehensive multi-disciplinary control operation at the Bellevue border between Dutch and French Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin on October 5th, 2023. The operation aimed to ensure compliance with immigration and residency regulations in Sint Maarten.
During the operation, a total of 56 vehicles, comprising 6 buses, 4 motorcycles, and 46 motor vehicles, were subject to inspection Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, October 12, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) October 13, 2023

SEAN STRENGTHENS BACK INTO A TROPICAL STORM

WEATHER:    

This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy with isolated showers possible.

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             Forecast Low: 28C / 82F

Sunset Today: 5:52 P.M.                Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:05 A.M. 

SURFACE WINDS: 
This afternoon through Friday midday: East-northeasterly to east-southeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 5 to 10 mph, becoming lighter and variable at times.

SYNOPSIS:

A loose surface pressure gradient will maintain mostly light winds across the region Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  On Tuesday, October 3rd, the honorable Minister of VSA Omar Ottley sent an urgent letter to SZV asking to review the National Ordinance old age pension and ensure that we have not taken the same course of action as our sister country Curacao. The correspondence had been made earlier in the week with my colleague in Curacao to verify the queries pertaining to the conflict between withhold tax/ premium debt and article 18 of the National Ordinance old age pension, said Minister Ottley.

The letter read:

Dear Mr Read more

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Urgent Public Meeting Of Parliament Regarding The Proposed National Health Insurance (Nhi)

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on October 12, 2023.

The Public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Deliberations on the proposed National Health Insurance (IS/059/2023-2024 dated September 29, 2023)

This agenda point was requested by MP S.A Read more

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90% Data Now Restored, Gebe Still Grappling With Manual Processes

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister (PM) Silveria Jacobs on Wednesday gave an insight into the enormity of the challenges utilities company GEBE faced in its efforts to recover from last years cyber-attack, in which it lost data.

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Ministry Of Teatt Granted Transportation Licenses To Non-Dutch Nationals.

~ Politicians who were renting licenses will now feel the squeeze. ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of TEATT Arthur Leo Lambriex recently conducted a major clean up with the list of transportation licenses. Several politicians who are holders of several of these licenses that are in the names of relatives and friends and have been leasing out these licenses would have to now seek other ways of leasing out their licenses.
SMN News learned that Lambriex issued about 30 licenses to persons who are holders of Dutch passports but were renting licenses from former politicians.
Lambriex also issued about 15 licenses to persons who are permanent residents of the island but have been also renting licenses and have been operating in the transportation industry for a number of years.
The application process was done in August and September 2023.
Transportation licenses have now been issued to persons who have been plying the trade without Dutch nationality but were operating as help drivers for years while paying the politicians who have been using them to exploit those licenses.
License holders will now have to submit a number of documents, while they also have to register their help drivers at USVZ Read more

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Climate Scenarios And A Climate Impact Atlas For Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, And Saba.

BONAIRE:--- The (Dutch) Caribbean islands are facing unprecedented challenges posed by climate change, including rising sea levels, intensifying hurricanes, heat waves, and heavy rainfall. In response to these threats, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has published climate scenarios for the BES islands. In addition, a collaborative effort is underway to develop a Climate Impact Atlas for the BES islands, providing a crucial foundation for informed decision-making and sustainable development Read more

Urgent Public Meeting Of Parliament Regarding The Proposed National Health Insurance (Nhi).

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on October 12, 2023.
The Public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:
Deliberations on the proposed National Health Insurance (IS/059/2023-2024 dated September 29, 2023)
This agenda point was requested by MP S.A Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) October 12, 2023 

A HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy with brief local showers. 

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             Forecast Low: 28C / 81F 

Sunset Today: 5:53 P.M.                 Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:05 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Northeasterly with a gentle breeze of 5 to 10 mph. 

SYNOPSIS:   

Weak instability and an increase in low level moisture may cause brief local showers during the day. 

Meanwhile, long-period swells will continue to affect regional waters through the next couple of days Read more

Xtratight Entertainment Presents Calypso Lounge: A Night Of Kasio And Comedy.

Madame Estate Get ready for an unforgettable night of rhythm, laughter, and pure entertainment as Xtratight Entertainment proudly presents the highly anticipated Calypso Lounge, an event dedicated to celebrating the vibrant fusion of Kasio and Comedy. This one-of- a-kind extravaganza is set to take place on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM, at the prestigious Aleeze Convention Center.

Prepare yourselves for an evening filled with side-splitting laughter and soul-stirring music, featuring an exceptional lineup of entertainers Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  The annual Police Week, serves to recognize and appreciate the unwavering dedication of the men and women who dedicate their lives as the vigilant guardians of our communities. A jubilant church service was rendered today at the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church on Front Street, which immediately followed a parade and luncheon at the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg.

This year's Police Week brings together esteemed members of the Police Korps from Aruba, Curacao, the BES Islands, and the Netherlands, fostering unity, collaboration, and the celebration of shared commitment to safety and security.

Today, this solemn gathering, paused to reflect on the pivotal role police officers play in their daily lives Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Board of the National Alliance (NA) Political Party expresses dismay and disbelief at the current wave of rhetoric and negativity that has permeated our society, particularly on social media platforms, in recent weeks, the NA said in a press statement on Monday.
Of particular concern are the relentless verbal attacks aimed at members of our society, specifically women Read more

Urgent Public Meeting Of Parliament With Regarding Nv Gebe.

PHILIPSBURG;---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on October 11, 2023.
The Public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 11.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of General Affairs and the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:
Deliberations on NV GEBE (IS/060/2023-2024 dated September 29, 2023)
This meeting was requested by MP S.A Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- After 3 months of rigorous training the second cohort of the Womens Basic Self-Defense Training came to an end on Thursday, October 05 at the Aziana Restaurant, Bobbys Marina. The celebrants enjoyed a relaxed and fulfilled evening in the presence of the Minister of VSA Hon. Omar Ottley, and the Dept. Head of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs/Womens Desk Chantale George-Groeneveldt Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 10th October 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) October 11, 2023 

A HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN 

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with light haze. Brief showers are likely overnight. 

Forecast High: 33 C / 91F             Forecast Low: 27 C / 81F 

Sunset Today: 5:54 P.M Read more

Democratic Party Registers To Run In 2024 General Election

Democratic Party leadership at the Electoral Council on October 6, with party leader Sarah Wescot Williams (right) signing the registration for the 2024 general election

PHILIPSBURG--The Democratic Party is registered for the upcoming elections. DP president Achken Roberto Richardson and leader Sarah Wescot-Williams received the partys official registration at the Electoral Council of St Read more

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HARBOR VIEW:--- The Social Economic Council (SER) will host a symposium on Thursday afternoon, October 12th, 2023 at the Belair Community Center. The theme of the symposium is Protect and Preserve Our Paradise, Sint Maartens Ecological Treasures Unveiled. With this symposium, the SER has chosen to focus on the social and environmental impact and well-being of the community. The event will commence at 1 pm and conclude at 5.15 pm.

The SER is honored to present various expert speakers on the subject matter Read more

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