PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- It’s a new year – 2026 - and many set out their goals, which also include achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
As we step into the second half of the decade, the landscape of personal wellness is shifting from restrictive dieting toward long-term, sustainable health integration.
Every year the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), as part of its annual health observances calendar, highlights and creates awareness about health matters.
For the month of January, CPS is profiling healthy weight and nutrition.
CPS would like to offer some tips designed to help individuals set realistic goals that prioritize both physical vitality and mental well-being.
The beginning of a new year often brings a surge of ambitious health resolutions that can be difficult to maintain. However, 2026 is being hailed as the year of "Functional Longevity."
Experts suggest that the most successful individuals are those who move away from "all-or-nothing" mentalities and instead focus on incremental habits.
The key nutrition and wellness tips for 2026 are: prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods where you focus on "adding" rather than "subtracting." Incorporate a wider variety of leafy greens, ancient grains, and lean proteins to support gut health and steady energy levels.
Hydration with intention. Beyond simple water intake, focus on maintaining electrolyte balance, especially for those with active lifestyles.
Mindful movement. Instead of grueling, unsustainable workout schedules, aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week that you actually enjoy, such as brisk walking, swimming, or functional strength training.
Rest as a pillar of health. Sleep hygiene is now recognized as being just as critical as diet. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep to regulate metabolic hormones and cognitive function.
The role of professional guidance. While self-motivation is vital, CPS emphasizes that the foundation of any health journey must be built on professional medical advice. Individual health profiles vary wildly based on genetics, age, and pre-existing conditions.
The most important health goal anyone can set this year is to schedule an annual physical. Do It Yourself health can only take you so far.
Regular screenings and consultations with a primary care physician are essential to catch underlying issues early and to ensure that your nutritional or fitness changes are safe for your specific body chemistry.
CPS recommends that all individuals maintain a "Health Log" to share with their physicians, noting any significant changes in energy, mood, or physical performance.
Contact your family physician or CPS at 914 for more information on maintaining a healthy weight and the nutritional benefits for 2026.
In Remembrance of Marc Marshall.
On behalf of the Board and staff of the Sint Maarten Library
The passing of Marc Marshall invites us to pause — not only in sorrow, but in reflection.
Marc served as General Manager of the Sint Maarten Library for a period of two years. His time with the institution unfolded during a demanding chapter, marked by transition, pressure, and complex challenges. It was not an easy season, nor a simple role to carry.
Yet even in turbulence, Marc showed up.
He accepted responsibility at a time when the Library was navigating significant change, and he did so with commitment and resolve. He understood the weight of the position and the expectations that came with it. While circumstances were often difficult, Marc remained present, engaged, and willing to shoulder the task entrusted to him.
Beyond roles and outcomes, we remember Marc foremost as a person. A man who cared deeply, who tried, who bore responsibility in the public eye while carrying his own private battles. Those who worked with him knew his humanity — his moments of warmth, his sincerity, and his desire to do right by the institution he served.
As a Board, we believe it is important to honor Marc not by overstating his tenure, but by acknowledging his willingness to serve during a challenging period and his contribution to the ongoing story of the Sint Maarten Library. Institutions are shaped not only by their successes, but also by those who step forward when the road is uncertain.
Marc Marshall was one of those people.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew him beyond his professional title. May he be remembered with compassion, fairness, and grace —and may his memory remind us of the human beings behind the positions we hold.
To honor and acknowledge his life, the Sint Maarten Library will host a Celebration of Life tribute on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., in Room 202 at the University of St. Martin (USM). The tribute will include a short program reflecting on Mr. Marshall’s life, leadership, and contributions to the Sint Maarten Library and the wider community.
In observance of this tribute, the Cay Hill and Belvedere Library locations will be closed on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The Main Library will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All locations will reopen on Friday, January 23, 2026, for regular service.
Board of Directors and staff of
Sint Maarten Library
Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling Breaks Ground on Long-Awaited Construction of the New Point Blanche Prison.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice has officially launched the construction of the new Point Blanche Prison, marking a major milestone within the Detention Sector Reform Program and a decisive step toward strengthening Sint Maarten’s justice system and improving detention conditions.
The construction project, implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) forms part of the broader Detention Sector reform Program led by the Ministry of Justice. It represents a joint investment of USD 52 million from the Government of Sint Maarten and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands. The new facility will be modern, resilient, and sustainable. It is designed to meet the highest international standards and ensure safe, humane, and dignified conditions for prison staff and those incarcerated.
Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling underscored the significance of the moment:
“This groundbreaking marks a long-awaited turning point in the reform of Sint Maarten’s detention system. It speaks to our responsibility to the people who live, work within, and are affected by that system every day: our prison staff, our inmates, and the wider community. The launch of the construction of the new Point Blanche Prison reflects our commitment to safety, dignity, and rehabilitation. This facility represents a future built on fair second chances, stronger institutions, and detention conditions that uphold international standards, ensuring justice is served with humanity, integrity, and purpose.”
The new prison will cover approximately 10,000 square meters and feature a four-story main building, more than doubling the country’s current detention capacity with space for up to 196 inmates. The design includes healthcare facilities, a basic mental health unit, family visitation areas, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, workshops, and classrooms for vocational training such as carpentry, welding, and mechanics. These components support a rehabilitation-centered approach aligned with international detention standards, incorporating social, gender, environmental, and sustainability considerations.
While today’s focus is on the groundbreaking of the infrastructure, the Ministry of Justice and its partners continue to advance other key pillars of the Detention Sector Reform Program. The reform has never been about infrastructure alone. The soft components, including staff training, leadership development, rehabilitation programming, education, mental health support, and reintegration initiatives, are already underway.
These efforts ensure that meaningful change within the detention system does not wait for the completion of a new facility, and remain just as essential as what is being built today.
The facility is engineered to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and seismic activity, using reinforced concrete and corrosion-resistant materials suited for coastal environments. Natural ventilation and energy-efficient design principles are integrated to enhance long-term resilience and sustainability.
Dalila Gonçalves, UNOPS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, stated:
“Today, we are laying more than the first stone of a building; we are laying the foundation for a more humane, resilient, and forward-looking justice system in Sint Maarten. This project reflects the commitment to dignity, rehabilitation, and the rule of law that the Ministry of Justice has, demonstrating that safe detention conditions and respect for human rights can and must go hand in hand. UNOPS is proud to support the Government of Sint Maarten in delivering infrastructure that improves inmates' living conditions, strengthens institutions, and serves the country for generations to come.”
Construction is expected to take approximately 3 years and will employ an average of more than 100 workers per day, combining local labor with international expertise. As one of the most significant public infrastructure projects in the coming years, it will engage local suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers, contributing meaningfully to economic activity.
UNOPS has contracted Artelia JV as the supervising engineer and CESAF JV as the contractor. Both companies will prioritize local engagement, skills development, and knowledge transfer while delivering the high-technology systems required for a modern correctional facility.
The launch of construction reaffirms the Ministry of Justice’s leadership and commitment to delivering a safe, modern, and rehabilitation-oriented detention system that upholds the rule of law and the dignity of all individuals in Sint Maarten.
Central Committee meeting of Parliament regarding the nature policy plan for Sint Maarten 2025-2029.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on January 16, 2025.
The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday at 10.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure will be in attendance.
The agenda point is:
Nature Policy Plan Sint Maarten 2025-2029 (IS/365/2025-2026 dated November 18, 2025)
Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.
All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.
The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.
The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament
MP Lyndon Lewis Demands Clarity on “Phase One” Announcement Amid Union Concerns.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Lyndon Lewis, Member of Parliament and Vice Chair of the Justice Committee, has voiced serious concerns over the recent announcement by the Minister of Justice regarding the completion of “Phase One.” His concerns follow a press release issued by the NAPB union and feedback from justice workers, which suggests a significant disconnect between the official announcement and the reality on the ground.
According to the union’s press release and corroborated reports from justice workers, many employees are still awaiting their official decrees despite the declaration that “Phase One” has been completed. Additionally, several justice workers who have received their decrees have filed formal objections but have yet to receive any response from the Ministry.
“When public announcements are made, they must reflect the actual situation. Right now, I’m confused because many active employees have reportedly received no communication from the Ministry regarding their placement within the organization,” MP Lewis stated. “The concerns raised by the unions highlight a clear gap between what has been announced and what justice workers are experiencing.”
MP Lewis emphasized that premature or misleading declarations risk confusing the public and eroding trust among justice workers. He stressed the importance of honest, timely, and transparent communication, particularly on matters that directly impact the careers and livelihoods of justice workers.
“Justice workers are essential to upholding the rule of law, and their concerns must be treated with the seriousness and respect they deserve. Processes involving their employment status, decrees, or objections must be handled with diligence, accountability, and fairness,” he added.
In response to these concerns, MP Lewis confirmed that he has formally requested a meeting with the relevant authorities to seek clarification on the status of “Phase One.” The meeting aims to address the issues raised by the unions and ensure that justice workers are treated in accordance with proper procedures.
Reaffirming his commitment to justice workers and the people of Sint Maarten, MP Lewis pledged to continue advocating for transparency, accountability, and integrity in public governance. “I stand firmly with justice workers and the people of Sint Maarten. Their voices must be heard, and their concerns must be addressed,” he concluded.