PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is gearing up to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic during the upcoming festival events in Philipsburg. With the main activities of the carnival festivities fast approaching, it is imperative to establish measures that prioritize the well-being and convenience of all attendees.

Road Closure Details:
A section of W.J.A. Nisbeth Road will be temporarily closed, stretching from the Salt Pickers roundabout to the intersection with Tamarinde Steeg. Additionally, all alleyways leading to and from Cannegieter Street towards Nisbeth Road will be closed within this designated area. These closures are enacted in anticipation of heightened pedestrian and vehicular activity associated with the festival events.

Duration of Road Closure:
The road closure will commence at 6:00 PM on April 27th, 2024, and remain in effect until 4:00 AM on April 28th, 2024.

Alternative Routes:
Alternative routes have been designated to facilitate patrons' movement. Individuals traveling to or from Suoaliga Road (Festival Village) are advised to utilize D.A. Peterson Street, situated adjacent to the police station Road. Please note that access to Nisbeth Road from the Salt Pickers roundabout will be restricted during this period.

Additionally, on the evening of the event, drivers can access the Festival Village via Cannegieter Road via D.A. Peterson Street, the Salt Pickers roundabout, and Suoaliga Road.
Cannegieter Street and Back Street will remain open as alternative thoroughfares for accessing and exiting Philipsburg throughout the festival.

Boot Holder Notice:
KPSM extends a courteous reminder to all boot holders adjacent to Nisbeth Road to ensure that all their merchandise needed to and from their booths is brought or carried out before 6:00 PM on the event day. Following the closure of the road, vehicular access to the closed-off area will be prohibited.

Cooperation Requested:

The Police Force of Sint Maarten requests the cooperation of all residents and visitors to adhere to traffic directives and respect designated road closures.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) expresses its profound gratitude to the people of St. Maarten for their unwavering patience and understanding throughout the coalition government formation process, notwithstanding a significant delay in receiving the screening reports.

"In the face of attempts by opposition members to politicize the process, URSM emphasizes the importance of maintaining a focus on the collective well-being of our nation. The politicization of government formation efforts serves only to hinder progress and disrupt the stability essential for effective governance," the URSM board stated.

Moreover, URSM condemns any unfounded criticism directed at the formateur, URSM Leader MP Dr. Luc Mercelina. Such actions demonstrate a lack of responsibility and political maturity, detracting from the constructive dialogue necessary for successful nation-building. All stakeholders must prioritize the dissemination of accurate, factual information and refrain from exploiting the situation for personal or political gain.

URSM acknowledges Dr. Luc Mercelina's exemplary dedication and commitment to the role of formateur. His timely submission of the final report to the Governor reflects a steadfast commitment to upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in government. URSM anticipates that all aspects of the coalition agreement, including all nine candidate ministers as proposed in his final report to the Governor, will be upheld.

"As St. Maarten prepares for the next phase of governance, URSM reaffirms its commitment to fostering unity, resilience, and progress for the betterment of our nation and its citizens," URSM board concluded.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten has confirmed the first recorded sea turtle nesting incident of the season on Maho Beach. Responding to a report from a concerned public member, the team investigated the creature’s tracks and eyewitness videos to assert that a leatherback sea turtle had plausibly laid a nest the night of Thursday, April 18. The nesting season officially extends from May through December in Sint Maarten, though nesting activity can occur outside of this time.
The incident marks the first recorded leatherback nesting on Sint Maarten since June 2022 and the first nesting on Maho Beach since 2020. Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea), a pelagic species that spends most of its time in the open water in contrast to resident green and hawksbill turtles, are the rarest and earliest nesting species on Sint Maarten. However, sea turtles of any species rarely nest on Maho Beach due to its lack of a vegetation line, short shore, and intense human activity.
“This is quite a rare event,” noted Science Officer Anna Venema. “The moment we walked on the beach and then measured the two-meter-wide tracks, it was obvious that a leatherback, the biggest sea turtle species in the world, had come to shore on busy Maho Beach.”
While the presence of eggs could not be confirmed by the Nature Foundation, which conducted an authorized “dig” the next morning, the female likely laid based on the site’s characteristics. Digs are carried out to confirm and count the eggs for scientific research and occasionally relocate them if the environmental manager decides they were laid in a hazardous area. Maho Beach, known for its frequent erosion and tourism pressures, is not an ideal site for this nest. However, the site has since been cordoned off and will be supplied with updated signage. If viable, 100 eggs or so are expected to hatch in around 60 days.
“We are currently busy creating information flyers and folders for nearby hotels and restaurants to reach a bigger audience,” added the Science Officer. “This nest is in a vulnerable spot and needs all the help it can get.”
The survival rate of sea turtle hatchlings is extremely low, with only some 1% reaching adulthood. To improve their chances, it is imperative that beachgoers and residents avoid disturbing nesting sites. The Nature Foundation urges the public to maintain a minimum distance of 15 meters (50 feet) from nesting sea turtles, keep dogs on a leash, fill in large sand holes, and refrain from using flashlights or bright lights on the beach, except for red or amber lights.
Leatherbacks, one of three sea turtle species that nest on Sint Maarten’s beaches, are critically endangered and protected locally and internationally. Under local laws, it is illegal to harm, capture or disturb sea turtles or their nesting sites. The Nature Foundation reminds residents and visitors to abide by these legal regulations to safeguard these creatures.
If you witness any sea turtle activity, please get in touch with the Nature Foundation promptly. During regular hours, call +1 (721) 544-4267. For after-hours reporting, use 1 +(721) 581-6365. You can also reach us by email at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for less urgent matters.
Leatherback sea turtles, along with green and hawksbill sea turtles, are facing population declines and are listed as endangered, critically endangered, and vulnerable, respectively. Sea turtles play a critical role in marine ecosystems by regulating populations of jellyfish, sea urchins, and other invertebrates as both predators and prey. Their nesting activities on sandy beaches aerate the sand and enrich dune vegetation with nutrients, contributing to shoreline stability and erosion prevention. Sea turtles also aid in nutrient cycling by disturbing sediments while feeding, releasing crucial nutrients into the water, and dispersing organisms like jellyfish eggs. As biodiversity champions, they support diverse marine communities, while their population status serves as an indicator of broader ecosystem health. Recognizing their economic value, sea turtles constitute an eco-tourism attraction that benefits local economies and emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts for these iconic marine species.

Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) is thrilled to announce its official sponsorship of the vibrant St. Maarten Carnival from 18 April-5 May 2024.
“We are delighted to partner with the St. Maarten Carnival Foundation and support this cherished cultural celebration,” said Michiel Parent, Commercial Director at Princess Juliana Airport. “The St. Maarten Carnival embodies the spirit of our beautiful island – full of energy, joy, and a deep appreciation for our heritage. As the first point of contact for many visitors, we are committed to showcasing the best of St. Maarten, and the Carnival is a perfect way to do that.”
The St. Maarten Carnival is a two-week extravaganza filled with electrifying parades, pulsating calypso rhythms, captivating soca beats, and a contagious energy that sweeps through the entire island. This year’s theme promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Princess Juliana International Airport's sponsorship will be prominently displayed throughout the Carnival festivities, including signage at key locations and participation in some of the most popular events. The airport will also host Carnival-themed activities for the arriving passengers, ensuring their St. Maarten adventure begins the moment they leave the plane.