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Rain Fails To Dampen Spirits At Official Ceremonies For St. Martin/St. Maarten Day In French Quarter

Dutch-side Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina (left) and Collectivit President Louis Mussington (right) prepare to lay a wreath at the border monument.

FRENCH QUARTER--Torrential rain and flooded roads placed a question mark on whether Mondays St Read more

14Th Anniversary Of Constitution Day To BeCelebrated On October 14Th 2024

PHILIPSBURG On October 10, 2010, Sint Maarten took its place as a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, an event that forever changed our islands path and identity. In celebration of this historic milestone, Constitution Day is commemorated annually on the second Monday in October. This year, Constitution Day falls on Monday, October 14, 2024.

This years theme,Jollification Season: Building Home, Building Community, Building Nation, will spotlight Sint Maartens resilience, diversity, and the collaborative spirit that has shaped our nation Read more

Lt. Colonel Hugues Loyez: I Have The Best Job, In The Best Location

Lieutenant Colonel Hugues Loyez. Robert Luckock photo.

MARIGOT--On meeting Lieutenant Colonel Hugues Loyez, the new Commandant of the Gendarmerie of St. Martin and Saint Barthlemey, one is struck by two things: his youthfulness for such an important assignment (hes 36), and his good command of English, better than that of his predecessors.

He officially started in St. Martin on August 1 but benefited from a one-month induction period in July with his predecessor, Colonel Maxime Wintzer-Wehekind, to make the relevant contacts and discover the lay of the land Read more

Mercelina And Wever-Croes Attend Un Summit For Future Generations

St. Maarten Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and Aruba Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes attended the United Nations Summit of the Future held in New York over the weekend, where the Pact for the Future was adopted to ensure that the interests of future generations are considered in contemporary decision-making.

 

NEW YORK--During the United Nations Summit of the Future held in New York over the weekend, the draft Pact for the Future was adopted in the presence of Aruba Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes and St Read more

Mercelina: Gebe Will Absorb Cost Of Fuel Clause Fluctuation

PHILIPSBURG--Consumers should not be feeling the squeeze in the fluctuation in the fuel clause. Prime Minister Dr Luc Mercelina told reporters on Wednesday last that utilities company GEBE will be absorbing this cost.

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

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

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

Election Poll Estimates Pfp, Dp, Na To Retain A Majority Of Their Voters

Eugene Hoogstad

PHILIPSBURG--Some 83 per cent of those who voted for Party for Progress (PFP) in January said they will vote for the party again in the upcoming snap election, the highest percentage in the recent poll by independent researcher and consultant Eugene Hoogstad.

The Democratic Party (DP) is the second highest in the polls results at 71%, while National Alliance (NA) came in third at 68%.

Unified Resilient St 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

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

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

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

Containerised Generators Should Be Operational Aug. 13, Says Pm

The containerised generators.

CAY BAY--The seven containerised 10MW engines that arrived in St Maarten mid-July are
expected to be put into operation by August 13, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina announced on
Wednesday.

Read more

Mercelina Discussing What Relief Is Possible For Gebe Consumers

PM Dr. Luc Mercelina.

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina said on Wednesday that he is cognizant of the
impact that the current energy crisis is having on consumers and as a result he has been engaged
in discussions with utilities company GEBE to see what relief is possible for clients.
He made the remarks in response to a question from The Daily Herald during the live Council
of Ministers press briefing.
We realise that the people of St Read more

Prime Minister And Officials Hail Breakthrough In Legal Helpdesk Initiative

Philipsburg — The Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Luc Mercelina, Minister of VSA Mrs. Veronica Jansen-Webster, and Member of Parliament Ms. Sjamira Roseburg convened to discuss the remarkable progress of the legal helpdesk initiative championed by MP Roseburg. “This initiative is making tremendous strides,” Prime Minister Mercelina stated Read more

All Public Meetings Cancelled, No Polling Station Gatherings Allowed

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina  PHILIPSBURG--In a drastic move aimed at promoting safety and security of the population, the Council of Ministers has decided to cancel all public political meetings for which a permit is required as of Wednesday, July 24; and has banned all gatherings near or around polling stations on election day Read more

Pm Given Overview Of PjiaS Operations During Recent Visit

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina with PJIA and other officials during the visit.

AIRPORT--Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina was provided with what he called a comprehensive overvi Read more

Unified Against Violence: Ensuring The Security Of St. Maarten

My dear people of St. Maarten, Today, I stand before you with a heavy heart to address a grave and tragic event that has shaken our community to its core. Last evening, starting in the Cupecoy area, an act of violence was committed against the leader of the Oualichi Movement for Change (OMC), Mr. Olivier Arrindell, and his family. At noon today, I met with the Public Prosecutor, management of KPSM (Police Department), the VSDM (National Security Service), Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis, and President of Parliament MP Sarah Wescot-Williams to receive a full debrief and discuss the most recent developments. Mr Read more

Pm: No Indication That Arrindell Shooting Politically Motivated

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina during his national address on Thursday.

~ No stone will be left unturned in pursuit of justice ~

 PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Luc Mercelina Read more

Mp Gumbs Submits Questions To Pm About Government Building Maintenance

PHILISPBURG Party for Progress member of Parliament Melissa Gumbs sent a letter with questions to Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, asking for an update on the maintenance of the Government administration building Read more

Gromyko Says ItS Time To Appoint The New Ser Board

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Nation Opportunity and Wealth (NOW) candidate #16, Gromyko Wilson has expressed in his weekly podcast My2cents on Facebook. He calls on the Prime Minister Luc Mercelina to once and for all finalize the appointments of the board of the Social Economic Council (SER).

The appointment of a new Social Economic Council (SER) board is a critical step that the government of Sint Maarten must take in order to address the challenges facing the country Read more

Arrival Of Containerized Generators Marks Significant Progress Towards Energy Stability

Philipsburg The Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina is pleased to announce the safe arrival of the containerized generators on the island. This crucial delivery represents a significant step forward in ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply for the residents of our island.

Under the presence of NV GEBE’s management Troy Washington, SoEnergy International and Harbor personnel, the generators were successfully offloaded without incident last Sunday afternoon Read more