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Minister Vromi Gumbs Signs Trenching Contracts, Continues To Address Outstanding Projects

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The signing of the four contracts marks the end of three years of irregular cleaning and maintenance of the trenches and waterways. The previous contracts ended on December 31st 2021. A public tender was carried out between 2022 and 2023, but was not fulfilled due to concerns of the previous administration related to the results of the tendering process. Upon taking office, Gumbs decided to review the file, in close consultation with legal advisors and the Ministry, i.e 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

Mobilizing Resources To Combat Crime On The Island And What It Means For Its Members

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In light of the recent surge in criminal activities on our island, the union is committed to utilizing every available resource to address and combat crime effectively. Over the past few months, our community has been significantly impacted by the actions of various individuals perpetrating these offenses. As the upcoming election and also threat of a storm approaches, ensuring the safety and security of our island is paramount.

We recognize that a collaborative effort is essential to safeguarding our community Read more

Press Statement By Minfin Marinka Gumbs Vital Updates On The Ennia Saga

Esteemed citizens of St. Maarten, today it is imperative that I provide you with an update on this Ennia Saga. Since my last appearance in Parliament, I have continued to carefully investigate the outline agreement and also explore alternative solutions. My intention was to go to parliament again this week to provide answers to the questions posed; however, due to an error in the date provided by Parliament, which led to a misunderstanding, the meeting will be rescheduled. However aside from answering the questions it is vital that I provide you the residents of Sint Maarten and specifically the Sint Maarten ennia policy holders with an update.

My main focus remains on two groups: the Sint Maarten policyholders and country Sint Maarten Read more

Groundbreaking For New Marketplace Next Week, Says Grisha

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, has announced that the groundbreaking for the new Marketplace will now be held here next week.

The ceremony was postponed due to the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto on Tuesday.

The storm, which packed winds of about 60 mph, destroyed the tarpaulin covered stalls the vendors were using while waiting to be moved to a pavillion that was being erected at the location of the old Government Administration Building.

My heart really goes out to all the vendors affected by Tropical Storm Ernesto Read more

Schools To Be Assessed, Cleaned On Wednesday, Open On Thursday

~ Lewis thanks first responders ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Lyndon Lewis has announced that the official start of the 2024-2025 school year will start on Thursday, August 15.

After the passing of tropical Storm Ernesto on Tuesday, Wednesday will be dedicated to assessment and clean-up of the various schools Read more

...NOAA HURRICANE HUNTERS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE DISTURBANCE...

 Potential Tropical Cyclone Five Intermediate Advisory Number 3A

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052024

800 AM AST Mon Aug 12 2024

 SUMMARY OF 800 AM AST...1200 UTC...INFORMATION

----------------------------------------------

LOCATION...14.6N 54.3W

ABOUT 525 MI...845 KM ESE OF ANTIGUA

ABOUT 830 MI...1335 KM ESE OF SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...30 MPH...45 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 26 MPH...43 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1009 MB...29.80 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

--------------------

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of Antigua has upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm Warning for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St Read more

Lewis: Congratulations To Keacy Carty On Historic Test Cricket Debut

Minister of Justice, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport the Honorable Lyndon Lewis

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Honorable Minister of Sport Lyndon Lewis on Wednesday extended heartfelt congratulations to Keacy Carty, who has made history as the first cricketer from Sint Maarten to play Test cricket Read more

Nrpb Clarifies Misinformation About Public Tender For Repair Works

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Questions have been recently raised about a foreign company being awarded a contract by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) to repair twelve (12) school gyms, but much of the information circulating regarding the process has been misleading or inaccurate.

The NRPB finds it unfortunate that some have implied a breach of integrity by its staff, as by law the organization and its personnel have strictly adhered to the World Banks rules when awarding contracts, selecting the most suitable bidder for the job Read more

A.T. Illidge Road Reopened-Dutch Quarter Moves Closer To Upgraded Sewage System

DUTCH QUARTER, Sint Maarten — One week ahead of schedule, the public is able to drive the complete length of A.T. Illidge Road once again. Following a 4-week long closure, which diverted traffic through Middle Region, the Ministry of VROMI is proud to announce the completion of planned works as part of the larger Dutch Quarter Sewage Project.

The project included cutting and excavation works of road pavement and trenches, demolishing part of the road, demolishing and removing the old pump pit 2, backfilling demolished pump pit 2, installing sewerage pits and sewerage pipes as well as sewerage pressure lines, update electrical, water and fiber utilities, backfill and compact trenches and pits, and installing road pavement and sidewalks.

In the coming weeks a few enhancements will be made including the installation of mirrors and speed bumps Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 5th August 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 6th August 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Hot, hazy and breezy. Brief showers are likely.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 6:45 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:53 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: A gradual decrease in the concentration of Saharan dust brings an improvement in air quality and visibility overnight Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 31st July 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 1st August 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Generally cloudy with scattered rain-showers and isolated thunderstorms.Forecast High: 31C / 88F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:47 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:51 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: East to southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 17 mph, and higher gusts possible.SYNOPSIS: A tropical wave brings showery conditions across the area Read more

Les Fruits De Mer Launches Island-Wide Education Project

Les Fruits de Mer Association has announced the Island of Discovery project which funds class visits to Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House, boosting education about local nature, heritage and culture. Story on page .

GRAND CASE--The all-volunteer Les Fruits de Mer Association is thrilled to announce the launch of Island of Discovery, a new project that will boost education about local nature, heritage and culture.

The project will reach thousands of students on both sides of the island in the coming year Read more

Great Salt Pond (Flood) Pump Fixed

SUCKERGARDEN, Sint Maarten — The Ministry of VROMI is proud to announce that one of the two flood pumps, used to manage water levels in the Great Salt Pond has been fixed. On initiative of Division VROMI Yard, headed by Head Contract Manager- Special Assignment VROMI – Yard Ms. Lia Dania, together with Mr. Marvin Brown diesel mechanic VROMI Yard and the contractor Corporan Truck & Mechanical Services N.V. a team has been busy, working to repair one of the two pumps.

The level of the Great Salt Pond was managed by using a smaller pump, which wasnt designed to accommodate this purpose Read more

Minister Lewis: No Ban On Public Meetings In Place For The Moment

PHILIPSBURG--The decision of the Council of Ministers taken on Tuesday to cancel all public political meetings leading up to the August 19 elections cannot be upheld, Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis said in Parliament on Thursday. As Minister of Justice, I am responsible for the guidelines, and there is no official guideline signed by my p 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

Meeting Between Ecys And Nsi

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Cabinet of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) met with the National Sports Institute (NSI) and its new Director Jisk Goslinga this week. The cabinet on behalf of the Minister of ECYS Lyndon Lewis.

The meeting focussed on the structure of the NSI, but particularly on the upgrading and maintenance of the sporting facilities Read more

Minister Veronica Jansen Webster Visits St. Maarten Laboratory Services (Sls)

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Honorable Minister Veronica Jansen Webster, accompanied by her support staff on July 5th, 2024 visited the St. Maarten Laboratory Services (SLS), one of the departments under the ministry’s scope.

The minister had long intended to visit SLS amidst her meetings with various departments, but her schedule had been exceedingly busy while she was also overseeing the Ministry of VROMI Read more

Gumbs Begins Assessment Of Roads

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs began review of existing road infrastructure, following the recent signing of the road resurfacing agreement. Gumbs, Mr. Luciano Nicholls (Cabinet Policy Advisor), and Windward Roads (contractor), began inspections in the Philipsburg basin from Arch Road (Madame Estate) to Juancho Yrasquin Boulevard (Point Blanche).

The scope of the works to be done in this area vary and includes improved quality of asphalt, improved subsurface layer, as well increased asphalt layer thickness 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

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

Learie Hall Advocates For Cultural Preservation And Orange Economy

As the modern world continues to evolve, preserving our culture and investing in the arts and entertainment sector has become increasingly crucial, especially for the youth. Learie Hall, Candidate #8 on the NOW Slate, emphasizes that the vitality of our cultural heritage not only enriches the community but also positions it as a vibrant tourism destination.

Hall is dedicated to creating new opportunities for young artists, dancers, and entertainers and urges the youth to act by voting and choosing him as their next member of Parliament to be their voice and advocate.

Hall believes that St Read more

Szv And Minister Of Public Health Sound Alarm For Urgent Health Financing Reform

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Over the years, Social & Health Insurances SZV has been flexible in its policies to include measures that allow director majority shareholders (DMS) who fall outside the scope of the law to still get access to medical insurance. However, in recent cases where SZV attempted to collect unpaid premiums for the registered insured, the Court of First Instance reminded SZV that premiums for sickness, accident, and severance insurance could only be collected for the registered insured, as defined by the respective ordinances Read more

Caribbean Airlines Inaugural ServiceTo Puerto Rico Takes Flight

Piarco, Trinidad & Tobago, —Caribbean Airlines inaugural flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico left the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad at 10.50 a.m. on Sunday July 14. This new route is part of the airline’s strategic plan to enhance connectivity within the Caribbean region. Flights to San Juan will operate three (3) times per week (Sunday, Tuesday & Friday) from the airline’s base in Trinidad, with convenient connections to other destinations.

The first flight to San Juan was marked with celebrations for the passengers, who received goody bags with Caribbean Airlines branded items and were entertained by the talented Leandra Head Read more