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DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 21st January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 22nd January 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon and evening: Variably cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Tonight, through Wednesday midday: Occasionally cloudy and breezy with scattered showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low:  23C / 73FSunset Today: 6:01 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 13 to 20 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Generally stable and breezy conditions persist this afternoon and evening Read more

Kpsm Enhances Traffic Enforcement Measures Amid Ongoing Concerns

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten (KPSM) — The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) has intensified its efforts to address traffic violations and mechanical infractions through a series of targeted vehicle and traffic controls conducted during the third week of January 2025. These operations reflect KPSMs commitment to safeguarding public safety and maintaining order on the islands roadways.

Summary of Enforcement Actions:

Harold Jack Area (Early Week):

A total of 237 vehicles were stopped and inspected. 36 fines were issued for a variety of traffic and mechanical infractions. 14 scooters were subjected to checks, resulting in the impoundment of one scooter due to non-compliance.

Causeway and Sucker Garden Areas (Later in the Week):

40 vehicles were stopped and inspected. Three suspects were arrested on suspicion of criminal activity. Two firearms were confiscated as part of these operations. One scooter and one car were impounded for further investigation.

KPSM emphasizes that these enforcement actions are part of a broader strategy to address ongoing safety concerns on the island Read more

Grisha Optimistic With Results Of Budget Debate 2025

The motions and amendments put forward felt meaningful and purpose driven.

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), the Honorable Grisha Heyliger-Marten, expressed optimism and pride in the results of the 2025 Budget Debate held in Parliament this week. Reflecting on the collaborative efforts that marked the session, she stated:

This is the first time I have truly felt a genuine sense of teamwork and unity across the board within a coalition Read more

Tackling: Allowing Heavily Tinted Vehicles Poses Risks That Outweigh Potential Benefit

A heavily tinted vehicle.

 

~ Experience support regulating excessive tint ~

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Natalie Tackling made her position on allowing heavily tinted vehicles clear when asked about the matter during the parliamentary debate on the 2025 budget last week. She said allowing heavily tinted vehicles poses unnecessary risks that far outweigh any potential benefit.

The minister said while statistics provide valuable insights, practical enforcement experience and the precautionary principle strongly support regulating excessive tint as a measure to enhance public safety and road security.

Heavily tinted vehicles reduce driver visibility, particularly at night, increasing the likelihood of accidents and also obstruct visibility for other road users, creating further hazards on the road, the minister noted.

While only a minority of tinted vehicles may be used in crimes, the concealment they provide facilitates illegal activities such as transporting contraband or evading recognition after a crime, necessitating proactive regulation to minimize these risks, the Minister told Parliament.

She was at the time responding to questions from National Alliance (NA) Members of Parliament (MPs) Ardwell Irion and Egbert Doran who asked what data is being used to indicate that tint on vehicles will be dangerous Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 20th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 21st January 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon and evening: Fair to partly cloudy and breezy.Tonight, through Tuesday midday: Variably cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F              Forecast Low:  26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:00 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a gentle to fresh breeze of 10 to 20 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Generally fair and breezy conditions continue, as a stable and relatively dry atmosphere dominates Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday 17th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 18th January 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WEATHER:This afternoon through Saturday midday: Variably cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 25C / 77FSunset Today: 5:58 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: Northeasterly to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph and possible higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: A shear line will account for cloudiness and showers across the region Read more

Silver Airways Winter Season Permit For Anguilla Revoked

ANGUILLA--The government of Anguilla and the Air and Sea Ports Authority (AASPA) are advising the general public that effective January 15, the seasonal permit granted to Silver Airways to service a flight from Puerto Rico to Anguilla has been revoked. The decision was made in conjunction with the Air Navigation (Overseas Territory) Order due to the non-payment of fees in the sum of US $1 Read more

Automated Priority Dispatch System To Be Fully Implemented 2Nd Quarter 2025

Several ambulances are seen outside the St. Maarten Medical Center.

 PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Ambulance Department Automated Priority Dispatch System is expected to be fully implemented by the end of the second quarter of 2025, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Richinel Brug told Parliament on Thurs Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, 16th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 17th January 2025WEATHER:This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy with brief isolated showers possible.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 24C / 75FSunset Today: 5:58 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: Northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 16 mph.SYNOPSIS: Patches of low level clouds trailing a shear line may cause brief isolated showers Read more

Doran Calls For Urgent Action On Public Health And Housing

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Egbert Doran made a call for urgent action on public health and housing during the second day of the debate on the draft 2025 budget in Parliament on Tuesday.

Read more

Court Of Appeals Exposes Minister Of JusticeS Failings In Police Promotion Case

~ Six dedicated police officers of the Sint Maarten Police Force who never give up.~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Court of Appeals for Civil Servants rendered a landmark decision in favor of six dedicated police officers of the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), who had been fighting for years against the inaction of the Minister of Justice. These officers, who were denied rightful promotions, finally succeeded in their legal battle.

Despite losing their case in First Instance, the officers persisted and secured a decisive victory on appeal Read more

Minister Of Finance Announces Payment Of 2% Cola To Subsidized School Teachers

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, is pleased to inform subsidized school teachers that the long-awaited 2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which was granted to civil servants in September 2024, has been disbursed to subsidized schools as of last week, and it is now the responsibility of the schools to ensure that these payments are made to the teachers.

The Minister empathizes with the challenges faced by subsidized school teachers due to the delayed payment of the 1% vacation allowance increase, the 1% COLA paid out in December 2023 to civil servants, and the recently disbursed 2% COLA indexation Read more

Minister Brug Meets With The Integrity Chamber

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — recently the Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, held an introductory meeting with the Integrity Chamber. The purpose of this meeting was to foster a collaboration and discuss integrity matters of mutual interest. This meeting reflects the shared commitment of both parties to transparency and accountability within the Government of Sint Maarten, particularly the Ministry of VSA.

Integrity within our Government apparatus is of utmost importance Read more

Education Minister Requests Investigation Into Fight Between School Bus Driver, Student

A screen grab of the altercation between the bus driver and student.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs has requested a thorough investigation into an incident involving a school bus driver and a student outside a school bus on Tuesday.

 A video of the incident that was circulating widely on social media on Tuesday captioned bus driver vs student shows the school bus driver holding the student by his top against the school bus and pushing him away from the bus Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 15th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 16th January 2025WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy and occasionally breezy. Light rain-showers are likely.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low:  24C / 75FSunset Today: 5:57 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: North to northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 15 mph.SYNOPSIS: Relatively stable conditions remain in the wake of a frontal boundary Read more

Lewis: Merchants Using Benches On Front Street As Laundry Line

 ~ Many dilapidated ~

 PHILIPSBURG--Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis is concerned about the state and use of the concrete benches that have been placed along Front Street saying that not only are many of them dilapidated, but merchants are using some of them similar to laundry lines placing mats and other wet objects to dry.

He relayed his concerns during the continuation of the public meeting of Parliament on the draft 2025 budget on Tuesday Read more

2% Cola For Subsidised School Teachers Paid To Schools Last Week

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

 

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, announced on Tuesday evening that long-awaited two per cent cost-of-living adj Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 14th January 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 15th January 2025WEATHER:This afternoon and evening: Variably cloudy with scattered rain-showers.Tonight, through Wednesday midday: Variably cloudy. Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 23C / 73FSunset Today: 5:57 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: Today through Wednesday midday: North to northeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 4 to 15 mph.SYNOPSIS: A frontal boundary is affecting the area Read more

Govt. To Explore Charging Airlines To Use Airspace As Revenue Stream

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

 

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs in conjunction with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommun Read more

Kadaster And Kitlv To Preserve St. MaartenS Heritage Documents

Professors Francio Guadaloupe (left) and Diana Suhardiman (right) with Anelski Jundri Richardson of Kadaster.

PHILIPSBURG--Kadaster St. Maarten and the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies KITLV have entered into a partnership to enhance the conservation and management of the islands historical documents. This collaboration, initiated by Professor Francio Guadeloupe under the Islanders on the Helm project, aims to safeguard vital heritage records for future generations.

The agreement focuses on specialized training for Kadaster staff, encompassing both technical aspects of document preservation and essential soft skills for effective file management Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday, January 13, 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) January 14, 2025WEATHER:This afternoon through tonight: Mainly fair.Tuesday morning through midday: Mostly fair to partly cloudy and brief isolated showers possible.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 24C / 75FSunset Today: 5:56 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: North northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 10 mph.SYNOPSIS: A dry and stable atmosphere with light winds will prevail through tonight Read more

New YearS Message And Conference Update From Csa President Rhoda Arrindell

Dear CSA Members and Friends,

On behalf of the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA), I extend warm wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year. May 2025 bring harmony and inspiration to our lives and communities.

As we prepare for the upcoming CSA annual conference in St. Martin, I am thrilled to share some exciting updates. The Executive Committee, Program Committee, Local Organizing Committee, and many others are working tirelessly to create an unforgettable conference experience.

Our host venue is the Simpson Bay Resort (SBR), which is offering anearly-bird specialon room rates Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday, January 10th, 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) January 11th, 2025A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WEATHER:   This afternoon: Generally fair.Tonight through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy with brief isolated showers possible.Forecast High: 29C / 84F             Forecast Low: 24C / 75F  Sunset Today: 5:54 P.M Read more

Smfc Wishes Everyone A Positive, Energetically Whealthy And Prosperous New Year..

St Peters, Sint Maarten SMFC would like to wish the general public a Blessed & WHealthly 2025.SMFC would like to wish everyone a positive, energetically WHealth and prosperous 2025.

On Saturday Jan11, 2025, The St Maarten Farmers Cooperative will be hosting its first official market for 2025.This weekend, the community will be able to get their hands on great wholesome produce and products once again from their dedicated community farmers and product developers.

At the market this Saturday, a variety of items will be available such as, fresh cold press juices, local eggnog, banana bread, baked jonny cakes with chick peas, veggie soup, plants and gardening materials Read more