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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

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

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

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

Cbcs Reforms Foreign Exchange Regulation

Reducing administrative burden and speeding up granting of licenses

Willemstad/Philipsburg The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) will introduce a revised foreign exchange regulation on October 1, 2024. The revised regulation will reduce the administrative burden of the licensing process and speed up the granting of foreign exchange licenses. The CBCS has calculated that the reforms will reduce the number of foreign exchange licenses to be granted on an annual basis by about 50% without compromising an effective control of the foreign exchange reserves, stated executive director, Dr Read more

Public Weather Forecast For St. Maarten

DATE ISSUED: Monday, 30th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 01st October 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy, hot and humid with a brief shower 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 Tuesday midday: East southeasterly to northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 10 mph, becoming lighter and variable at times.SYNOPSIS: A loose surface pressure gradient will maintain mostly light winds across the region Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday, 27 September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 28 September 2024

WEATHER:
This afternoon: Partly cloudy with brief showers and possible thunder.
Tonight through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy with brief local showers possible.

Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79F

Sunset Today: 6:05 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:02 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS:    This afternoon through Saturday midday: East-southeasterly to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 5 to 14 mph.

SYNOPSIS:    Lingering moisture associated with a recent tropical wave will cause brief showers and possible thunder, particularly during the early part of this forecast period Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Thursday, 26 September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 27 September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms.Forecast High: 32C / 90F              Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:05 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:02 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 16 mph and possible higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Moisture and instability associated with a passing tropical wave will cause cloudiness, showers, and thunderstorms across the local region Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 25th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 26th September 2024 WEATHER:This afternoon: Hot and humid despite isolated showers. Isolated thunderstorms are likely.Tonight, through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79F Sunset Today: 6:06 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:02 A.M. SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: Northeast to southeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 4 to 16 mph; higher guts may accompany heavier showers. SYNOPSIS: Moist conditions promote hot and humid conditions today and a gentle breeze brings some relief Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 24th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 25th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Hot and humid. There is a low chance of showers.
Tonight, through Wednesday midday: Warm and humid with isolated showers.Forecast High: 34C / 93F               Forecast Low: 29C / 84FSunset Today: 6:06 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:02 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: East to southeasterly with a light breeze of 4 to 7 mph; becoming light & variable at times.SYNOPSIS: Slightly unstable conditions and moderate moisture levels will persist Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Monday 23rd September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 24th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Hot and humid. Localized showers are likely.Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 6:07 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:02 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Light & variable, becoming calm at times.SYNOPSIS: Moisture levels continue to increase slowly and gradually however, generally stable conditions persist and will continue to limit localized showers Read more

Fraud Case Suspect Released With Conditions, Remains Suspect

Lisa Alexander

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – A woman, with initials L.L.A., arrested on September 16, 2024, in a fraud investigation has been released by the Court with conditions to which she must comply. L.L.A., released today, September 20, remains a suspect in the ongoing investigations.

The conditions imposed by the Court require the suspect to report to the probation service regularly, she must be reachable and available to police/justice authorities at all times in the interest of the investigation.

On September 16, 2024, at approximately 6:00am, the Sint Maarten Police Force KPSM, in collaboration with personnel from the Prosecutors Office and other law enforcement agencies, arrested L.L.A Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Friday, September 20, 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Saturday morning (06:00 LST) September 21, 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Hot and humid.Tonight through Saturday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with brief showers possible. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82F Sunset Today: 6:10 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:01 A.M. SURFACE WINDS:This afternoon through Saturday midday: Light and variable. SYNOPSIS:Light and variable winds will persist due to a weak pressure gradient Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Thursday 19th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 20th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Occasionally cloudy with isolated showers.Tonight through Friday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with isolated showers possible. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81F Sunset Today: 6:11 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:01 A.M. SURFACE WINDS:This afternoon through Friday midday: Variable and light. SYNOPSIS:Daytime heating and available moisture will cause isolated showers, while a loose surface pressure gradient maintains light winds Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) September 19th, 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82F Sunset Today: 6:12 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:01 A.M. SURFACE WINDS:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Northeasterly to easterly with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 10 mph, becoming lighter and variable at times. SYNOPSIS:A loose surface pressure gradient will maintain mostly light winds across the region Read more

In Light Of Global Financial Market Expectations Cbcs Reduces The Pledging Rate

Willemstad/Philipsburg The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) decided to ease its monetary policy stance by reducing the pledging rate1 by 0.50 percentage point to 5.25%. This decision is based on the solid and stable foreign exchange position and import coverage in the monetary union, and the expected reduction of the federal funds rate. However, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBCS will continue monitoring the domestic and international economic developments closely, particularly the key indicators for monetary policy in the union, and will adjust its policy if necessary.

According to the latest projection, the deficit on the current account of the balance of payments of the monetary union is expected to drop from 15.8% of GDP in 2023 to 13.9% in 2024, due mainly to an increase in net current transfers from abroad, stated executive director, Dr Read more

SlaS With School Bus Operators, StudentTransportation Management System Approved

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Demissionair Minister Lyndon Lewis has signed several Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with bus operators providing school transportation services on St. Maarten. These agreements aim to standardize and improve the management of school bus services on the island.

The SLAs are comprehensive and address key issues such as:

Established routes Standards for both buses and drivers Responsibilities regarding bus operations and the supervision of students Remuneration and insurance requirements Other relevant operational matters

In addition to the signing of the SLAs, Minister Lewis is also pleased to announce that the Council of Ministers has approved the introduction of the Student Transportation Management System Read more