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 DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, 8 October 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 9 October 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Partly cloudy, warm & humid with a few brief showers.Tonight through Wednesday midday: Partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers.Forecast High: 33C / 91F              Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 5:55 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:05 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Southeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 5 to 10 mph.SYNOPSIS: Increased moisture due to a passing tropical wave may cause a few brief showers at times Read more

Min. Fin. Says Civil Servants, Subsidized Schools To Get Cola At Same Time In 25

Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--There will be no distinction between civil servants and subsidized schools in terms of payment of Cost of Living Adjustment, (COLA), next year, Minister of Finance, Read more

Temperatures Above Existing Background (Base) Levels Detected At The La Soufriere Volcano

Saint Vincent According to information received from the Seismic Research Centre at 2:38 p.m. today (Monday October 7, 2024); a low thermal anomaly (temperatures above existing background/base levels) was detected at the summit of the La Soufriere volcano by the NASA FIRMS hot spot detection system on Sunday October 6, 2024. This low thermal anomaly as detected by NASA FIRMS is currently ongoing.

Potential scenarios associated with the detection of the thermal anomaly include a Sulphur fire in the crater, a small phreatic (steam) eruption that may have exposed hot underlying rocks, or the start of new extrusion of lava in the crater.

Analysis of multi gas data collected on October 4, 2024 by the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) Soufriere Monitoring Team, and further reconnaissance via sea along the West Coast today (Monday October 7, 2024) are still underway Read more

Com Approves Amendment To 2024 Budget

Finance Minister Gumbs Submits it to Parliament: Council of Ministers has approved the amendment to the 2024 budget, and it has already been sent to Parliament, said Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

Civil Servants, Subsidized Schools will Receive COLA at Same Time in 2025, Finance Minister Assures

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten There will be no distinction between civil servants and subsidized schools in terms of payment of Cost of Living Adjustment, (COLA), next year, Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs has assured Read more

Lewis Message To TeachersOn World TeacherS Day

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Demissionair Minister of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Lyndon Lewis over the weekend extended best wishes to all teachers as the world celebrated World Teachers Day.

World Teachers’ Day is an international day held annually on 5 October to celebrate the work of teachers. Established in 1994, it commemorates the signing of recommendations by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

As we mark World Teacher’s Day this year, though it falls on the weekend, its significance is not diminished in the least Read more

Ser St. Maarten Chairman Pays Visit To Ser Aruba

PHILIPSBURG— After a 16 month delay due to the non-appointment of its Board, a delegation of the Social Economic Council (SER) visited the SERs of Aruba and Curacao last week. The Sint Maarten delegation consisted of SER Chairman, Harlec Doran and the Secretary-General, Gerard Richardson Read more

Public Weather Forecast For St. Maarten

DATE ISSUED: Monday, 7th October 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 8th October 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy, warm and humid with isolated showers possible.Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 5:56 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:04 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Southeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 08 mph, becoming lighter and variable at times.SYNOPSIS: A loose surface pressure gradient will maintain mostly light winds Read more

Night time view of Dock Maarten filled with mega yachts. (Edward Penagos photo)

By Robert Luckock

PHILIPSBURG--The construction of Dock Maarten in Great Bay is nothing new. Its evolvement has been progressing steadily in different phases over the years, mostly unseen from the general public. While not fully completed in other areas on shore, the marina itself has now reached its zenith, poised to welcome to its newest slips some of the largest mega-yachts in the world for the 2024/25 season.

As of this writing, the marina is fully booked 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

Section Of Jackal Road Closed For Repair Work

A graphic explaining the detour via Puma Road.

CAY HILL--A section of Jackal Road in Cay Hill, which runs next to St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), will be closed for urgent repairs from 8:00am today, Monday, until Friday afternoon, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI has announced.

Only construction workers will be allowed through the site during this time, but people can still access the hospitals emergency room and the fire st Read more

Marinka Gumbs: Addendum To Ennia Outline Agreement Will Save St. Maarten Nafl. 37 Million

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, will be in Parliament on Monday, October 7, 2024, for the second round of questions posed by the MPs regarding the Addendum she negotiated.to the controversial ENNIA Outline Agreement.

I am optimistic that Members of Parliament will approve the ENNIA outline agreement and its accompanying addendum, as the approval carries significant implications for St Read more

Praise For St. Maarten Project At Oranje Fonds Event

THE NETHERLANDS — The Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, supported the Sint Maarten finalists for the ‘Apples of Orange’ awards of the Oranje Fonds at the prize giving ceremony in The Hague. The Apples of Orange are a kingdom-wide annual award recognizing and rewarding three initiatives that successfully connect different groups, or that contribute to people being able to participate in society again.

The ‘Adopt a Grandparent Experience (AGE)’ project of Sint Maarten’s Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation was one of ten finalists out of a total of 212 entries Read more

Public Announcement- Jackal Road, Cay Hill Road Closure Starting Monday October 7Th

CAYHILL — The Ministry of VROMI (Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure) announces the closure of Jackal Road in Cay Hill for essential repairs. The road will be closed starting Monday, October 7th at 8:00 AM and will remain closed until Friday, October 11th in the afternoon. During this period, only construction traffic will be allowed access.

The repairs will be conducted by Washington Construction Company.

Please note that emergency services Read more

World Tourism Day Awards 2024 In St. Maarten

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten — Honor to Whom Honor is Due:For World Tourism Day 2024, eight individuals who have significantly contributed to the development of tourism on the island were honored by Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten, along with the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Read more

Com Approves Amendment To 2024 Budget

Finance Minister Gumbs Submits it to Parliament

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten The Council of Ministers has approved the amendment to the 2024 budget, and it has already been sent to Parliament, said Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

Although the amended budget contains a reduction of approximately 25 million guilders in both income and expenditures compared to the current budget, it still includes allocations for several key investment projects that are crucial to St Read more

Suspended Police Officer Gets 5-Years Sentence For Assault And Rape

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The Court of First Instance has rendered its verdict in the case of suspended Sint Maarten Police Force officer R.J., sentencing him to five years in prison after finding him guilty of assault and rape of his stepdaughter. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, October 3, 2024, determined that the primary facts of the case were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The testimonies of the victim, her mother, her sister, and school staff members who reported significant behavioral changes in the victim following the incident were crucial to the case Read more

Nv Gebe Hosts St. Maarten Parliament Members For Power Plant Tour

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, NV GEBE hosted several Members of the Parliament of St. Maarten for an insightful presentation and tour of the Power Plant.

The delegation in attendance included: the Hon. Chairlady of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, along with the following Honorable MPs: Melissa D Read more

Usm President Strengthens Ties With Dutch Universities Of Applied Sciences

POND ISLAND — University of St. Martin (USM) President, Dr. Antonio Carmona Bez, visited two leading universities of applied sciences in The Netherlands during the last week of September, furthering USM’s long standing relationships with Dutch higher education institutions Read more

Grisha Meets With Cma-Cgm Over Transshipment Issues

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten After reports that CMA CGM, a leading ocean freight company, decided to re-route its transshipment operations from Pointe Blanche to Guadeloupe, Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten took action.

During her official trip to a yachting conference in Monaco, the St. Maarten government minister met with Jean-Baptiste Lumineau, Director of Finance and Infrastructure, at the companys headquarters in France Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, 2 October 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 3 October 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy, warm & humid, becoming cloudy at times with brief isolated showers.Forecast High: 32C / 90F              Forecast Low: 26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:00 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:03 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: North-northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 03 to 10 mph, becoming lighter and variable at times.SYNOPSIS: Although light winds and a stable atmosphere are expected, pockets of moisture drifting within the wind flow could cause isolated showers Read more

Shta And Nesc Host Pre-Event Mixer Ahead Of National Job Fair

Pictured in the back Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs and Labour VSA Veronica Jansen-Webster and Peggy Ann Dros, with front centre Natasha Richardson of NESC and SHTA representative Lea Rojas.

COLE BAY--In a lively pre-event held at SXM Brewery on September 30, the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) and the National Employment Service Center (NESC) officially kicked off the countdown to the October 2 National Job Fair Read more

Energynautics: Solar Panels Key To St. MaartenS Energy Future, But Diesel Generators Needed First

NV GEBE Temporary Manager Troy Washington (left) receives the Energynautics report from National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) head Claret Connor.

 PHILIPSBURG--NV GEBE has received a comprehensive report from Energynautics GmbH, an energy consultancy firm, detailing key recommendations to improve the utility companys energy i Read more

One of the sessions in progress.

CUL DE SAC--In a groundbreaking event for the country and its educational system, St. Maarten Academy hosted its first-ever Self-Care Fair on Friday, September 27.

The school said the event marked the islands first high school self-care fair and the culmination of the schools My Life Has Value Montha month-long initiative focused on mental well-being, self-worth, and holistic health.

The event was organised by the schools Department of Student Care (DSC), which includes Amanda President Joe, Head of Department; Amy Arrindell, Counsellor; Shameda Delaney Weekes, Career Guidance Counsellor and Ashana Bontiff, intern Read more

Public Weather Forecast For St. Maarten

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, October 01st, 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 02nd October 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy, warm and humid with a few brief showers possible.Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 6:01 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:03 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Northerly to northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 10 mph, becoming lighter and variable at times.SYNOPSIS: The Atlantic high-pressure ridge will maintain mostly light winds and a relatively stable atmosphere during this forecast period Read more