Local News

August 21, 2026

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Viren Kotai is calling on the Ministry of VROMI to consider introducing an official, fee-based expedited permit-processing system and, if necessary, outsourcing parts of the review process to qualified external professionals as the Ministry...

August 21, 2026

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion has challenged government to explain the reported Cg. 39 million budget surplus, arguing that the figure should not automatically be presented as financial success if it was created in significant part by ministries failing to exec...

August 21, 2026

PHILIPSBURG--United People’s party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes plans to propose a 5% cut in the travel budget across the board in government and Parliament, with the funds redirected to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport ECYS, specifically...

August 21, 2026

GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs is calling for WINAIR employees to be provided with a formal and comprehensive pension plan, saying the airline’s financial stability and long-term success should now be matched by greater retirement security for the employees...

August 21, 2026

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Francisco Lacroes intends to table a budget amendment and two motions aimed at redirecting travel funds to sports, creating a mechanism to help cover the cost of removing abandoned vehicles, and tightening controls on the sale and registration o...

August 21, 2026

GREAT BAY--Following multiple incidents of serious disturbance to sea turtles in St. Maarten during the 2025 nesting season, the Nature Foundation is asking residents and visitors to approach these locally protected species with greater care and vigilance in the coming se...

August 21, 2026

DATE ISSUED:  Friday, August 21, 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  VALID UNTIL:  Saturday midday (12:00 LST) August 22, 2026 WEATHER: This afternoon through Saturday midday: Hot and humid with variable cloudiness and slight haze. Isolated showers are likely. Forecas...

August 21, 2026

PHILIPSBURG--United People’s party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes wants a US $100 fee to be paid when a vehicle is purchased or transferred, with the money intended to help cover the cost of towing vehicles that are eventually abandoned or left on the island....

August 21, 2026

PHILIPSBURG--United People’s party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes plans to table a motion calling for stricter controls on the sale and release of scooters, as part of two motions he said he will present during the budget debate.  Speaking on the second...

August 21, 2026

GREAT BAY--The St. Maarten Library continued strengthening its connection with children, parents and families during August through a series of community outreach activities focused on early literacy, family engagement and preparations for the new school year. The Library part...

August 21, 2026

GREAT BAY--The owners of the private Tropial Road (nearby the Vineyard Buildings), which provides access to The Terraces of Great Bay, are calling on vehicle owners who have been parking along the roadway to remove their vehicles or risk having them towed at their own expense....

August 21, 2026

GREAT BAY-- Member of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg is urging parents and caregivers to understand that physically striking a child in the name of discipline can have serious legal consequences under St. Maarten’s Criminal Code, while also leaving children with lasting emot...

August 21, 2026

GREAT BAY--St. Maarten has secured third place in the inaugural Kingdom Startup Program, with University of St. Martin student team DRS Solutions earning recognition for an innovative concept that would transform sargassum seaweed into building blocks. The entrepreneurship com...