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Community Meetings Give Feedback For Trust FundS School And Library Projects

A scene during the presentation at John Larmonie Center.

PHILIPSBURG--The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) said it has concluded the latest round of community consultations for the Fostering Resilient Learning Project (FRLP).

These events, held in early October, were designed to inform and engage residents about the project, which focuses on reconstructing safe educational and cultural spaces as part of St. Maartens ongoing recovery efforts post-Hurricane Irma. This phase of the FRLP includes rebuilding Sister Marie Laurence and Charles Leopold Bell schools, as well as reconstructing the St Read more

Green Light For Motion To Protect Environment, Zone Mullet Bay, Mullet Pond A National Park

Section of Mullet Pond.

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament late Tuesday evening unanimously approved a motion from National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Darryl York urging government to zone Mullet Bay, designate Mullet Pond as a n Read more

Eggs Harmed When Turtle Nest Dug Up Prematurely

Some of the eggs and hatchlings that were found.

ST. EUSTATIUS--A few days after St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation STENAPA took part in nest excavation on Zeelandia, the organisation got a call from Scubaqua Dive Center Statia about exposed sea turtle eggs. After inspecting the scene, STENAPA determined that a nest had been dug up by a dog (paw prints were present) 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

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

Govt. Allocates Funds For Sweet SMaatin Land Folksong Recording And Songbook

Music educator Anastacia Larmonie.

PHILIPSBURG--Caretaker Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Lyndon Lewis has announced the approval of a subsidy of NAf. 129,682.08 for a cultural project. The funds will be used to produce a book of original St Read more

Governor Outlines Govt.S Plans At Opening New Parliamentary Year

Members of Parliament during the session.

 ~ Robust post pandemic recovery ~

PHILIPSBURG--The establishment of a sustainable solid waste management system; the restructuring and redesign of the tax system and stimulating the agricultural sector are amongst the list of the policies to be pursued by government in the new term (see related stories).

Governor Ajamu Baly outlined the plans during his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 parliamentary year on Tuesday Read more

Anguilla United Front Opposition Party Presents Gst Relief Plan

From left: Jose Vanterpool, Kyle Hodge, Cora Richardson Hodge, Cardigan Connor and Shellya Rogers.

ANGUILLA--Members of the Anguilla United Front (AUF) party that currently holds five elected seats in the House of Assembly, have over the months stressed the struggles of the population due to the high tax burden created by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implemented since July 2020 Read more

Port St. Maarten Forecasts Over 1.5 Million Cruise Tourists In 2025

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten (right) with Michele Paige, CEO of Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.

 PHILIPSBURG--Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) anticipates a significant increase in cruise tourism, projecting that over 1.5 million cruise passengers will visit the island in 2025 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

...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

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

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

High Court Backs Same-Sex Marriage

Celebrating the outcome.

THE HAGUE--Same-sex couples are now permitted to marry immediately in Aruba and Curaao, as decided by the High Court in the Netherlands on Friday. It affirmed an earlier ruling by the Joint Court of Justice for the Dutch Caribbean.

The latter determined on December 6, 2022, that marriages between people of the same sex must be permitted in Aruba and Curaao. Both governments turned to the High Court, which has now rejected their appeals.

The case was brought by Fundacion Orguyo Aruba and Human Rights Caribbean (HRC) in Curaao Read more

4 Graduate With Geds, 2 After Vocational Training

Master of Ceremonies Alex Lindo addressing the graduates.

 ST. EUSTATIUS--New Challenges Foundation (NCF) held a graduation ceremony at William and Christine Flanders Community Centre on July 3 for four students who received their General Educational Development (GED) diplomas and two who completed vocational training.

This celebration is a testament to the power of second chances, said NCF Director Francine Foe at the ceremony. Our graduates have shown that with grit, determination and the right support, anyone can overcome adversity and achieve their dreams.

The ceremonys theme Dont Watch the Clock, Do What It Does, Keep Going was a fitting tribute to the graduates, emphasising the importance of perseverance, resilience and staying focused.

The ceremony started with a rousing rendition of the St Read more

Taxi Associations Present Proposal For Tariff Change To Teatt Minister

From left: Andrew Royer of the Dutch Taxi Association, TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Maya Friday of the Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association and Glen Emers of Down Town Taxi Association.

~ Want ride sharing initiative permanently abolished ~

PHILIPSBURG--Five taxi associations operating on Dutch St. Maarten have proposed a change to the existing tariffs, according to them, due to the increased cost of living and inflation.

In a letter to Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten, the associations said the proposed amendments to the current tariffs are also to synchronise tariffs with the French-side Taxi Association which is presently in negotiations to increase their tariffs.

We met last week to discuss, among other things, their proposal to change the current tariffs for different districts, Heyliger-Marten said in a press release Read more

From left: Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs, TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Chairperson of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and Member of Parliament Viren Kotai.

 PHILIPSBURG--The decision on whether St Read more

Lewis Condemns Gun Violence, Says Culprits Will Face Full Extent Of Law

The wave of fear in the community intensified on Monday when news started circulating that a fourth shooting had occurred, this time on Bush Road. The shooting occurred around 3:20am. A male was injured. He was transported to St Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) and had been undergoing treatment. His condition was listed as serious, but stable. Mondays shooting followed three shootings in two districts on Saturday: two in Dutch Quarter and one in Simpson Bay in which three males were injured and nursing gunshot wounds in SMMC Read more

Emilio Wilson Park Awash In Red To Mark 161 Years Since Emancipation

Parliament Chairperson Sarah Wescot-Williams and MP Silveria Jacobs were the first two officials to join the dancers at the end of Monday mornings Emancipation Day commemoration Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 1st July 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 2nd July 2024 A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT! WEATHER:This afternoon: Hot, hazy, and breezy. Brief showers are possible.This evening through Tuesday midday: Warm and breezy with isolated showers and possible thunderstorms.Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:52 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:41 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: Today through Tuesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 13 to 20 mph, with higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: The plume of Saharan dust exits the region today Read more