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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

Min Heyliger-Marten Unannounced Visit To Small Businesswomen Avillion

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten (3rd R), last week paid an unannounced visit to the small businesswomen housed temporarily at the Pavillion at the old Government Administration Building area while work on the Soualiga Market gets off the ground on Backstreet Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Monday 16th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 17th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Hot and hazy. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82F Sunset Today: 6:13 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:01 A.M. SURFACE WINDS:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph. SYNOPSIS:Relatively dry and stable conditions persist and maintain hot and sunny conditions 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

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

Unbelievable ~~~To Say The Least~~~

Dear Editor,

It is with great admiration that I watch the interview done by Mr. Oral Gibbs with the Minister of Justice Mr. Lyndon Lewis a few days ago. It was interesting to listen to all that the Minister had to say regarding his position after the results of the last election.

What baffled me (and I guess many others) was the expression by the Minister about the performance of the Chief of Police, Mr 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

 DATE ISSUED: Monday, 9th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 10th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:19 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 15 mph and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Lingering moisture and instability trailing a recent tropical wave will cause cloudy periods, isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms across the region 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

Gumbs Streamlines Process For Third-Party Invoicing

Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs

PHILIPSBURG--With effect from September 1, third-party vendors that have delivered goods and services to the government of St. Maarten will be required to submit their invoices centrally to the Ministry of Finance Accounting Department. The invoices can be forwarded electronically to the email addres 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

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

DATE ISSUED: Friday 23rd August 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 24th August 2024 WEATHER:                                                              This afternoon: Hot, slightly hazy and breezy.Tonight, through Saturday midday: Warm and breezy with isolated showers. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low:  29C / 84F Sunset Today:6:33 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:57 A.M. SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: East to northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph and higher gusts. SYNOPSIS: A plume of Saharan dust is reducing visibility, air quality, and moisture levels across the region 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

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

Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Club Congratulates Pdd Brenda Maynard, Dtm

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten —In Anaheim California, August 16, 2024 at the 100th year Anniversary of Toastmasters International Hall of fame Ceremony,PDD Brenda Maynard, DTM wasinducted into the Hall of Fame 2024as she received thisprestigious President Citation Award from Toastmasters International President Morag Mathieson during t Read more

Dog Owner Fined Naf 5,000 For Negligence After Pitbull Incident

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten A dog owner was sentenced to pay a fine of NAf. 5,000 by the Court of First Instance today, Wednesday, following an incident involving his pitbulls that resulted in endangering the safety of people on his property.

The prosecution initially demanded a sentence that included conditional custody of three months in addition to the fine. However, the court settled on the financial penalty alone Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Thursday, 22 August 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 23 August 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy and Hot with light haze, becoming cloudy at times with brief local showers.Forecast High: 33C / 91F              Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 6:34 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:57 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 16 mph, and possible higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Available moisture associated with patches of low-level clouds moving across the local region will account for brief passing showers Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Monday 19th August 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 20th August 2024 WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy and hazy with brief isolated showers possible. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82F Sunset Today: 6:36 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:56 A.M. SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: East northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 6 to 15 mph. SYNOPSIS: Moisture trailing a tropical wave may cause brief isolated showers across the local area Read more

Death Announcement: Mr. Dennis Augustin James, Also Known As Den-Den

DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT

We regret to announce the death of our beloved father, grandfather, brother,
uncle and cousin:

Mr. Dennis Augustin JAMES, also known as Den-Den
born in Curacao on August 22 nd , 1957 and passed away on Friday, August
16 th , 2024 in Anguilla at the age of 66 years

Left to mourn:
His children: – Jason Augustin James
– Kevin Dexter James
– Richelline James

His grand-children:

– Kimora Duchene
– Cymphonique Bellechasse
– Jeremiah Arrindell James
– Avielle Conquet James

His brothers: – Franklin James & family in Curacao
– Robert James & family in Sint Maarten
– Reginald James & family in Sint Maarten
His sisters: – Gladice Simmon-James & family in New York
– Veronica Gumbs-James & family in Anguilla
– Marjorie Barry-James & family in Curacao

All his nephews, nieces, cousins, sisters-in laws, godchildren and friends too
numerous to mention.

He was related and acquainted to the families James, Peters, Simmon, Gumbs,
Barry, Salomons, Wilson, Jacobs, Clarke, Thomas, Laveist, Maccow,
Cannegieter, Kruythoff, Halman, Illidge, Vlaun, Arnell, Nisbeth, Bell, Brown,
Duchene, Bellechasse, Arrindell, Conquet, Richardson, Haddocks, Sherwood,
Smith, Delvalle, Holguin Diaz, Martina, and many others too numerous to
mention.

Funeral arrangement will be announced on a later date.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away
May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace

The post DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT: Mr Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday, 16th August 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 17th August 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy with light haze, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers possible.Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:38 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:55 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: Easterly to east southeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 5 to 14 mph.SYNOPSIS: An approaching tropical wave will increase the probability of showers across the local area during the latter part of this forecast period Read more