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Lewis Receives Quality Inspection Report ForPublic Schools: Urgent Improvements Needed

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — A comprehensive Quality Inspection Report has been conducted and presented to Demissionair Minister of Education Lyndon Lewis by the Inspectorate of Education. The report, finalized in June 2024, examines the quality of education in public schools across St. Maarten and provides detailed recommendations for improvement.

The inspection, which took place between October 2023 and March 2024, included lesson observations, interviews, and desk research Read more

Lewis Announces Subsidy ForSt. Maarten Folksong Project

Anastacia Larmonie

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Demissionaire Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport Lyndon Lewis has announced the approval of an incidental subsidy for the amount of ANG 129,682.08, which will be used to produce a book of original St. Maarten folksongs, record these songs, and document the process, including interviews with renowned music educator Mrs Read more

Isaiah Peterson Awarded 2024 President Of Parliament Award.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten During the reception on the occasion of the new Parliamentary Year, a youth is awarded the President of Parliament Award for exemplary behavior, leadership skills as well as their contribution to thecommunity. On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the Hon. President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A.Wescot-Williams announced Mr Read more

Island Initiatives To Restore Coral Reefs

Each of the six islandsAruba, Bonaire, Curaao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maartenhas taken unique and proactive measures to address the challenges facing their reefs. The restoration efforts by local nature conservation organizations were presented during the recent Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Reef Restoration Workshop and are critical in ensuring the health and longevity of these underwater treasures for many years to come.

Aruba: Building a Future for Coral Reefs

Arubas reef restoration efforts are spearheaded by the Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF), which has been actively working to revive and sustain the island’s coral ecosystems Read more

Governor Outlines Govt.S Plans At Opening New Parliamentary Year

Members of Parliament during the session.

 ~ Robust post pandemic recovery ~

PHILIPSBURG--The establishment of a sustainable solid waste management system; the restructuring and redesign of the tax system and stimulating the agricultural sector are amongst the list of the policies to be pursued by government in the new term (see related stories).

Governor Ajamu Baly outlined the plans during his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 parliamentary year on Tuesday Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 10th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 11th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Variably cloudy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.Tonight, through Wednesday midday: Variably cloudy with scattered showers. There is a low chance of thunder.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:18 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: East to southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 15 mph and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Moist and unstable conditions continue, as a mid- to upper-level trough accounts for periodic showers, and thunderstorms today Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday 5th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 6th September 2024 WEATHER:This afternoon: Hot and humid. Isolated showers are likely.Tonight, through Friday midday: Warm and humid with scattered showers. Isolated thunderstorms are possible. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81F Sunset Today: 6:23 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:59 A.M. SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: East to southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 18 mph; higher gusts are possible. SYNOPSIS: Relatively stable conditions and gentle winds maintain hot and humid conditions despite likely showers Read more

Operation Starts To Relocate Beached Vessel Island Scout

VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs and TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten overseeing the relocation of the vessel on Wednesday.

PHILIPSBURG--Authorities on Wednesday began the major operation to relocate beached vessel Island Scout from the waters near the site of the former Great Bay Beach Hotel, where it got stuck during the passing of tropical storm Ernesto.

The vessel is being moved to Port St Maarten and eventually out of St Maartens waters.

Government had issued a Ministerial Decree on Thursday last in which a 48-hour notice was issued to the owner of Island Scout Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 4th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 5th September 2024 WEATHER:This afternoon: Hot, humid and breezy. Isolated showers are likely.Tonight, through Thursday midday: Warm and breezy with isolated showers. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81F Sunset Today: 6:24 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:59 A.M. SURFACE WINDS: Today through Thursday midday: Northeast to southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph. SYNOPSIS: Moderate moisture levels and a generally stable atmosphere maintain hot and humid conditions across the region Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, 3 September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 4 September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Partly cloudy, Hot & Humid with light haze and brief local showers possible.Forecast High: 33C / 91F              Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:24 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:59 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: East-southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 15 mph.SYNOPSIS: A dry and stable atmosphere will restrict significant shower activity and support hot temperatures across the local region Read more

CUL DE SAC--Three St. Maarten Academy students emerged the top performers for the country at this years May-June Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations with Grade One passes in nine subjects each.

Competing for this years valedictorian spot at the schools December commencement ceremony are Ferley Feliz Valerio, Liliana Jack and Khesha Deodatt. The three girls, all now age 17 years, were among 70 Form Five students sitting the CSEC examinations.

Valerio earned top honours in Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English A, Geography, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology, Mathematics and Physics, all with a straight A profile Read more

1St Batch Of Lease-To-Own Generators On Their Way

PHILIPSBURG--The first batch of lease-to-own containerised generators have been
shipped and are on their way to St. Maarten, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina announced
on Wednesday.
He told reporters at the live Council of Ministers press briefing that a total of twenty
20-foot containers will be coming as part of phase two of the plan to resolve the current
electricity crisis being faced by the country Read more

Jacobs Resigns As Alliance Leader, Bows Out Of Active Politics For Now

Silveria Jacobs

~ Unjust to maintain leadership ~

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) leader and outgoing Member of Parliament (MP) Read more

Hundreds Rally To End Violence Among Youth, Stop School Fights

Students at Milton Peters College holding a poster in support of the rally to end youth violence.

ST. PETERS--A call from the St. Maarten Police Force KPSM to support a March Against Youth Violence in the St. Peters and South Reward areas on Friday garnered strong backing from the educational sector and political leaders, including Prime Minister Luc Mercelina and Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis Read more

Cbcs Donates Naf. 10,000 To Nature Foundation St. Maarten

Nature Foundation St. Maarten Manager Leslie Hickerson (centre) accepts the donation from CBCS President Richard Doornbosch (right).

PHILIPSBURG--The Central Bank of Curaao and St. Maarten (CBCS) donated NAf. 10,000 to Nature Foundation St. Maarten during the unveiling of the new Caribbean guilder Cg. currency at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino on Thursday evening last week.

A similar donation was made to the Carmabi Foundation in Curaao.

Established in 1996 and 1997, respectively, Carmabi and Nature Foundation St Read more

Eoc Meets To Debrief On The Passing Of Tropical Storm Ernesto

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) met at the Government Administration Building on Wednesday to debrief on the national response to the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto, the fifth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

The meeting was chaired by the honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina.

Each Emergency Support Function (ESF) which makes up the essential core of the countrys national disaster system present for the meeting gave a presentation.

Fire Chief/Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson said that the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto tested all areas and levels of emergency response.

Richardson said the passing for the storm allowed the individual ESFs to fine tune their emergency response mechanisms in preparation for the next system.

The 10 ESFs are: ESF-1 NV GEBE (Water & Energy), ESF-2 Bureau Telecommunication and Post (BTP), ESF-3 Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Public Works, Transport & Logistics), ESF-4 Fire Department, ESF-5 Police, ESF-6 Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, ESF-7 Department of Social Development (Evacuation, Shelters, Relief & Mass Care), ESF-8 Department of Communication, ESF-9 Governmental Affairs, and ESF-10 Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Telecommunication and Transport (Airport, Port & Hotels).

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) which falls under the Fire Department (Ministry of General Affairs) headed by Fire Chief/Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson, is appealing to all residents and businesses to remain vigilant and to maintain a state of readiness as the nation is now in the peak period of the hurricane season.

The remaining storm names for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season are: Francine, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Milton, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sara, Tony, Valerie, and William.

The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and how to prepare for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your Hurricane Season Readiness Guide and Hurricane Tracking Chart.

Listen to the Government Radio station SXMGOV 107.9FM – for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane Read more

Governor Baly Starts Consultations As A Result Of 2024 Snap Election

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG On Tuesday August 20, 2024, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency A.G. Baly, LL.M. was informed by the chairperson of the Central Voting Bureau about the proceedings of the August 19, 2024 parliamentary elections. The Governor has also received the preliminary results of said parliamentary elections.

Based on the preliminary results, the Governor has commenced the consultations with various stakeholders to gather information on the process regarding the formation of a new government Read more

Caretaker Minister Of Justice Meets WithNewly Formed Customs Management Team

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Caretaker Minister of Justice, Lyndon Lewis, held a meeting with the newly appointed management team of the Customs Department. The meeting included Mr. Anthony Doran, who has resumed his position as Head of Customs, and Mr. Rogerrel Mauricia.

During this important meeting, Minister Lewis engaged with the new leadership to discuss the strategic direction and priorities for the Customs Department Read more

Launch Entrepreneurship Development Program

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten -The Sint Maarten Entrepreneurship Development Center (SEDC)Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the first Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP).

The four-week EDP is designed to equip aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with essential business skills Read more

Port St. Maarten Forecasts Over 1.5 Million Cruise Tourists In 2025

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten (right) with Michele Paige, CEO of Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.

 PHILIPSBURG--Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) anticipates a significant increase in cruise tourism, projecting that over 1.5 million cruise passengers will visit the island in 2025 Read more

Mp Emmanuel: Ennia Debacle Turning Out To Be Financial Genocide Upon St. Maarten

~ Questions why BES, Suriname linked to St. Maarten ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In a scathing rebuke, Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel on Thursday accused the former National Alliance government and the Central Bank of Curaao and St. Maarten (CBCS) of committing financial genocide by burdening the people of St. Maarten with the disastrous Ennia bailout agreement. Emmanuel’s remarks followed revelations made by Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs, exposing hidden terms that would further drain St Read more

Mp Gumbs Submits Draft Financial Legislation To Minister Finance

Manifesto Dealbreaker Point Met

PHILISPBURG Party for Progress member of Parliament Melissa Gumbs submitted draft legislation to the Honorable Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, on Thursday, 15 August 2024 Read more

The Much-Needed Justice Academy For Country Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — As the new school year begins, marking the reopening of schools across Sint Maarten after the summer break, I, Paco Isenia, candidate #14 for the upcoming parliamentary elections on August 19th 2024 under the Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM), emphasize the critical importance of education for all students Read more

Ryan James Pushes For Support On A Pensioner Allowance

Candidate # 6 on the N.O.W. party Ryan James continues to advocate for seniors and press home that their well-being is of utmost importance and that begins with an additional government allowance.

Many seniors I have spoken with believe that the pension allowance does not meet their needs, and they struggle to make ends meet. Consequently, they desire an increase of their old age pension.

He went on to outline some key points to consider regarding the potential benefits of this approach:

Potential Benefits

An increase of the old age pension would directly increase the amount of money available to retirees, enhancing their purchasing power and helping them cover living expenses, healthcare costs, and other needs. Many seniors live on fixed incomes and struggle to make ends meet Read more