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Mobilizing Resources To Combat Crime On The Island And What It Means For Its Members

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In light of the recent surge in criminal activities on our island, the union is committed to utilizing every available resource to address and combat crime effectively. Over the past few months, our community has been significantly impacted by the actions of various individuals perpetrating these offenses. As the upcoming election and also threat of a storm approaches, ensuring the safety and security of our island is paramount.

We recognize that a collaborative effort is essential to safeguarding our community Read more

Press Statement By Minfin Marinka Gumbs Vital Updates On The Ennia Saga

Esteemed citizens of St. Maarten, today it is imperative that I provide you with an update on this Ennia Saga. Since my last appearance in Parliament, I have continued to carefully investigate the outline agreement and also explore alternative solutions. My intention was to go to parliament again this week to provide answers to the questions posed; however, due to an error in the date provided by Parliament, which led to a misunderstanding, the meeting will be rescheduled. However aside from answering the questions it is vital that I provide you the residents of Sint Maarten and specifically the Sint Maarten ennia policy holders with an update.

My main focus remains on two groups: the Sint Maarten policyholders and country Sint Maarten Read more

Groundbreaking For New Marketplace Next Week, Says Grisha

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, has announced that the groundbreaking for the new Marketplace will now be held here next week.

The ceremony was postponed due to the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto on Tuesday.

The storm, which packed winds of about 60 mph, destroyed the tarpaulin covered stalls the vendors were using while waiting to be moved to a pavillion that was being erected at the location of the old Government Administration Building.

My heart really goes out to all the vendors affected by Tropical Storm Ernesto Read more

Ursm To Host Virtual Public Rally

Philipsburg The Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) is excited to announce its first ever Virtual Public Rally on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

This event marks a pivotal moment in our movements journey toward a stronger, healthier, and more resilient St. Maarten.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of challenges on St.Maarten, the URSM remains steadfast in its commitment to positive change and community empowerment Read more

Winners Of 7 Lucky Classroom Material Projects Announced!

PHILLIPSBURG-– Member of Parliament Richinel Brug announced in a press statement Thursday morning the winners of his Lucky 7 Classroom Material project.

I am thrilled to announce the winners of the Lucky 7 Classroom Material project! Congratulations to Mr. Charles Rollan, Ms. Tiffany Richardson, Ms. Beverley Orr, Ms. Allison Harry (Teacher Mars), Ms Read more

Public Weather Forecast For St. Maarten

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, 14th August 2024 @ 06:00 LST (10:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday morning (06:00 LST) 15th August 2024A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICETHE TROPICL STORM WARNING IS CANCELLEDTHE FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLEDWEATHER:Today through Thursday morning: Generally Cloudy and breezy with isolated showers and possible isolated thunderstormsForecast High: 31C / 88F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:40 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:55 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: Today through Thursday morning: East southeasterly to southerly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 13 to 20 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Moisture and instability associated with Tropical Storm Ernesto will cause showers, some of which may be heavy, strong winds, rough seas and possible thunderstorms across the local area Read more

Businesses, Govt. Offices, Airport To Open Wednesday

PHILIPSBURG--Businesses have been cleared to open on Wednesday following the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which caused some damage to St. Maarten, said caretaker Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina in a national address on Tuesday evening. Read more

Schools To Be Assessed, Cleaned On Wednesday, Open Thursday

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Lyndon Lewis has announced that the official start of the 2024-2025 school year will start on Thursday, August 15. Read more

Smhdf Says Claims Of Storm Damage To Red Cross Building Are Exaggerated

Gromyko Wilson of 721 news documented the Tropical Storm debris in the streets of Belvedere. Stating that he was not sure if damaged roofs already started leaking  

BELVEDEREThe St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) has expressed concern that reports of damage to the Red Cross Building in Belvedere, caused by Tropical Storm Ernesto, are being exaggerated by individuals, including politicians, in the lead-up to the snap elections on St Read more

Schools To Be Assessed, Cleaned On Wednesday, Open On Thursday

~ Lewis thanks first responders ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Lyndon Lewis has announced that the official start of the 2024-2025 school year will start on Thursday, August 15.

After the passing of tropical Storm Ernesto on Tuesday, Wednesday will be dedicated to assessment and clean-up of the various schools Read more

All Businesses Told To Close, Essential Services Can Open

PHILIPSBURG--In an effort to ensure the safety of the public and employees of businesses during the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten decided that all businesses, with the exception of essential services, had to close by 11:00pm Monday night to minimise movement on the public road.

Essential services that can remain open are emergency services; gas stations that service vehicles needed for essential services; pharmacies (concerning the sale of medicines/medical products); hotels and guesthouses, including stores and restaurants located in them; funeral parlours; the airport and the harbour, including the stores located in them.

Public transportation was allowed to operate until 1:00am Tuesday, August 13.

In a national address on Monday evening, Prime Minister Dr Luc Mercelina said the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) had met at midday Monday to assess the current situation and to review national preparations.

Schools are to remain closed on Tuesday Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday, 12 August 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 13 August 2024TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN...A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon: Partly cloudy with light haze, becoming cloudy and breezy at times with brief local showers.Tonight through Tuesday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy and breezy with isolated showers and possible thunderstorms.Forecast High: 32C / 90F              Forecast Low: 26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:41 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:54 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: East-northeasterly to northeasterly with a gentle to fresh breeze of 10 to 20 mph, and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Patches of moisture tracking over the island, ahead of Potential Tropical Cyclone #5 will cause brief showers across the local area Read more

Audience member Carlvin Brooks asks a question about the role and future of the islands university, during Fridays session at USM. The candidates who attended the session signed a pledge to publicly support USMs advancement.

PHILIPSBURG--University of St. Martin (USM) Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Gale Rigobert urged the countrys leaders to support the advancement of the university, declaring, USM cannot continue to be held hostage by its past.

She made the remarks to candidates vying for seats in the upcoming St Read more

VROMI Cabinet Policy Advisor Luciano Nicholls inspecting the landslide from the roof of a home in Ebenezer.

PHILIPSBURG--The Cabinet of the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI on Sunday inspected two areas in South Reward and Ebenezer where a road and a retaining wall collapsed following heavy rainfall over the weekend.

Cassava Road in South Reward was one of several roads that were recently paved in the governments hard-surfacing programme, but this road and parts of the area have partially collapsed, according to a press release issued by the VROMI Cabinet on Sunday night.

The press release cited pooling water on the road surface, lack of a retaining wall and proper drainage, and a large amount of rainfall within a short period of time as reasons for the collapse Read more

...CAZADORES DE HURACANES DE LA NOAA QUE INVESTIGAN ACTUALMENTE EL PERTURBACIN...

Potencial de Cicln Tropical Cinco Advertencia Intermedia Nmero 3A

Centro Nacional de Huracanes del SNM Miami FL AL052024

800 AM AST lunes 12 de agosto de 2024

 RESUMEN DE 800 AM AST...1200 UTC...INFORMACIN

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UBICACIN...14.6N 54.3W

ALREDEDOR 525 MI...845 KM ESE DE ANTIGUA

ALREDEDOR 830 MI...1335 KM ESE DE SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

VIENTOS MXIMOS SOSTENIDOS...30 MPH...45 KM/H

MOVIMIENTO ACTUAL...O 280 GRADOS A 26 MPH...43 KM/H

PRESIN CENTRAL MNIMA...1009 MB...29.80 PULGADAS

VIGILANCIAS Y AVISOS

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CAMBIOS CON ESTA ADVERTENCIA:

 El gobierno de Antigua ha actualizado la Vigilancia de Tormenta Tropical a un Aviso de Tormenta Tropical para Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St Read more

...NOAA HURRICANE HUNTERS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE DISTURBANCE...

 Potential Tropical Cyclone Five Intermediate Advisory Number 3A

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052024

800 AM AST Mon Aug 12 2024

 SUMMARY OF 800 AM AST...1200 UTC...INFORMATION

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LOCATION...14.6N 54.3W

ABOUT 525 MI...845 KM ESE OF ANTIGUA

ABOUT 830 MI...1335 KM ESE OF SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...30 MPH...45 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 26 MPH...43 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1009 MB...29.80 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of Antigua has upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm Warning for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St Read more

New Fleet Of 10 Emergency Vehicles Delivered To Ambulance, Fire Dept.

One of the new vehicles.

 

CAY HILL--A new fleet of ten emergency vehicles has been delivered to the St. Maarten Fire and Ambulance Department, marking another milestone in the countrys recovery and disaster preparedness, the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) has announced.

The fleet includes seven specialised command, fire brigade and fire service vehicles and three vehicles for the ambulance service.

The Fire Department has received four Toyota Land Cruisers, two Toyota Hilux and one Toyota Hi-Ace, whilst the ambulance department has received three Toyota Land Cruisers Read more

St. Maarten Now Under Ts Watch, Parties Asked To Remove Billboards

Potential rainfall

 

PHILIPSBURG--A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for St. Maarten late Sunday afternoon as Potential Tropical Cyclone Five races toward the Leeward Islands as a developing storm.

As of 11:00pm Sunday, the centre of Potential Tropical Cyclone Five was located near latitude 14.1 North, longitude 50.1 West, or approximately 910 miles east-southeast of St. Maarten.

The system, which is expected to become Tropical Storm Ernesto by late Monday, is moving toward the west-northwest at a brisk 23 miles per hour (mph) and this motion is expected to continue during the next couple of days.

Based on the current forecast track, its closest point of approach will be approximately 30 miles south of St Read more

Opening Of School Delayed Due To Expected Inclement Weather

PHILIPSBURG--The scheduled reopening of schools on Monday has been delayed as a result of the inclement weather that St Maarten is expecting.

 The closure was announced by Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Lyndon Lewis on Sunday.

Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Friday, 09 August 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 10 August 2024 WEATHER:This afternoon: Partly cloudy and slightly breezy with light haze and brief isolated showers.Tonight through Saturday midday: Cloudy and slightly breezy with scattered showers. Forecast High: 32C / 90F              Forecast Low: 26C / 79F Sunset Today: 6:43 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:54 A.M. SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: East-northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph, and higher gusts possible. SYNOPSIS: Increased moisture and instability associated with a passing tropical wave will account for isolated showers Read more

Grisha Grants Ezair Route Authorisation

PHILIPSBURG--The apparent stand-off between St. Maarten and Curaao over route authorisation for EZAir B.V. seems to have come to an amicable solution.

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has granted the Curaao airline, EZAir BV route authorisation to fly to St Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Thursday 8th August 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 9th August 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Hot and humid.Tonight, through Friday midday: Warm and hazy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 6:43 P.M.                    Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:53 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: Easterly with a light to moderate breeze of 5 to 14 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: The concentration of Saharan dust starts increasing gradually from this evening, reducing both visibility and air quality Read more

Gumbs Announces 2.1% Aps Pension Increase

APS building

CAY HILL--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs on Wednesday morning announced that APS pension will be indexed by 2.1% retroactively to January 1.

  She told reporters at the live Council of Ministers press briefing that the adjustment is a result of APS coverage ratio of 109% at the end of 2023.

Read more

Buncamper Praise Plan To Turn Courthouse Into National Heritage Center In Philipsburg

~ Wants more protection for monuments ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports has initiated a significant cultural initiative led by Minister Lyndon Lewis: the establishment of a National Heritage Center in Philipsburg, with the historic Courthouse serving as its centerpiece. This development signifies a major step in preserving and showcasing our rich heritage and history.

The decision to repurpose the Court House as the National Heritage Center has garnered enthusiastic support, particularly from the Deputy Leader of the National Opportunity Wealth Party (NOW), Claudius Buncamper Read more