PHILIPSBURG:---  Excitement is at its peak, as final preparations are underway for the highly anticipated NAGICO Health & Wellness Fair, set to take place this weekend. The event will kick off promptly at 6:30 a.m. and continue until 2:00 p.m., offering a full day of activities and experiences designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being for individuals and families throughout St. Maarten.

According to Lisa McKay, Marketing & Communications Manager at NAGICO Insurance, months of planning, coordination, and hard work have gone into bringing this year's event to life, and the team is now ready to welcome the community.

"The excitement surrounding this event is truly incredible," McKay shared. "The NAGICO Health & Wellness Fair has become one of the island's premier community wellness events, and we are proud to once again host and fully sponsor it as part of our ongoing commitment as a social partner.”

This year's edition of the NAGICO Health & Wellness Fair features an expanded lineup of health-focused activities and family-friendly entertainment designed to educate, inspire, and engage people of all ages. As in previous years, the event remains completely free to the public, and attendees can take advantage of a wide range of health screenings, including diabetes, blood pressure, and other preventative checks, while also participating in a variety of interactive wellness activities such as yoga, Zumba, Afrobeat dance classes, circuit training sessions, candle-making workshops, and much more.

Adding to the excitement, teams representing various local businesses will compete in the challenging NAGICO Mini Olympics: Business Edition, showcasing teamwork, friendly competition, and plenty of fun. The day will conclude with the highly anticipated debut of the NAGICO Healthy Plate Cook-Off Challenge: Influencer Edition, where local personalities will test their culinary creativity and healthy cooking skills before a panel of judges and a live audience.

"Our Health & Wellness Fair is much more than a community event," McKay added. "It is an opportunity for all of us to come together, take meaningful steps toward better health, and NAGICO is delighted to continue offering this experience to the community each year. "

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and dress comfortably so they don't miss exciting classes and fun giveaways.

Online registration is now open through NAGICO's social media platforms, where you can also find the full event schedule. Remember, admission is free, and everyone is welcome.

PORT ST. MAARTEN:---  Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) announces that the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) office and public-facing services will be operational as of Monday, November 9^th, 2026, at the Ferry Dock across from the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) parking lot as part of temporary arrangements associated with the ongoing refurbishment of the Simpson Bay dock. Immigration services are also located there.

Standard operating hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.), reopen at 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (customer facing), and close at 5:00 p.m. (office closure). Weekend operations are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The relocation follows the closure of the Simpson Bay dock on October 7, 2026, to facilitate extensive reconstruction and improvements to the existing maritime facilities.

The temporary arrangements are intended to ensure continuity of essential services for the maritime and yachting community while construction activities are underway.

Yacht owners, captains, vessel operators, yacht agents, marina representatives, and other stakeholders who require assistance from SLAC are advised to note the relocation and make the necessary arrangements when accessing its services.

The Simpson Bay Lagoon is an important centre of Sint Maarten's yachting industry, accommodating recreational vessels, luxury yachts and mega yachts while supporting marinas, marine service providers and numerous businesses associated with the maritime tourism sector.

PSG recognizes the importance of maintaining accessible and efficient services for the maritime community, particularly as Sint Maarten approaches the traditional peak period of the Caribbean yachting season.

Port St. Maarten Group thanks the maritime community for its understanding and cooperation during the relocation period.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), urges residents to take immediate action to prevent mosquito breeding after heavy rainfall over the past two to three days.

The combination of rainfall, warm temperatures, and densely populated areas creates favorable conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito to reproduce. This mosquito, commonly found in and around homes, can transmit diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito lays its eggs in stagnant water that collects in everyday items, including buckets, discarded tires, flowerpots, water-storage containers, clogged drains, and other objects left outdoors. CPS is therefore calling on households and businesses to inspect their surroundings and remove or empty anything that can hold water.

Dengue fever can cause high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and skin rash. Severe dengue may result in bleeding, organ impairment, and other potentially life-threatening complications.

Chikungunya is rarely fatal but can cause high fever and intense joint pain. In some cases, the joint pain may persist for weeks or months, affecting a person’s mobility, daily activities and overall quality of life.

Residents should remain alert for increased mosquito activity following the recent rainfall. CPS emphasizes that eliminating breeding sites is the most effective way to reduce mosquito populations and help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

Residents are advised to: Inspect their homes, yards, and business premises regularly, particularly after rainfall. Empty, turn over, cover or properly dispose of containers that collect water.

Clean roof gutters and drains to allow water to flow freely. Keep water-storage containers securely covered. Properly dispose of old tires and other unwanted items.

Use mosquito repellent according to the product instructions. Install or repair screens on windows and doors. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing and long pants where practical.

CPS is calling on the Sint Maarten community to take collective responsibility for protecting public health. Simple actions taken around homes and businesses can significantly reduce mosquito-breeding sites and help prevent the transmission of dengue, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases.

To report mosquito-breeding concerns or request assistance, contact CPS Vector Control at +1 (721) 520-4161, 542-1222, 542-1570 or 914. The team may also be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PHILIPSBURG:---The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), in collaboration with personnel from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar), continues to conduct coordinated safety operations to combat illegal firearm possession, narcotics-related activities, and other criminal offenses throughout Sint Maarten.

During the evening of Friday, November 6, into the early morning hours of Saturday, November 7, 2026, members of the KPSM Flex Team and KMar conducted joint patrols and preventive controls in several areas, including Simpson Bay and Bush Road.

Firearm Arrest on Bush Road

During patrols along Bush Road, officers observed two individuals traveling on a motorcycle and a scooter. The motorcycle rider appeared to push the scooter rider forward with his right leg while both vehicles were in motion, creating a dangerous traffic situation.

When officers attempted to stop the individuals, the motorcycle rider fled at high speed toward L.B. Scott Road toward St. Peters. Officers subsequently stopped and searched the scooter rider as part of ongoing preventive safety operations. During the search, officers discovered a firearm in his possession.

Officers immediately arrested the suspect and transported him to Police Headquarters in Philipsburg, where he remains in custody pending further investigation.

Narcotics Arrest Near McDonald's

In a separate incident, at approximately 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, officers conducted a vehicle control near McDonald's. During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered several packages containing different types of suspected narcotics. Officers confiscated the substances for further examination and arrested the male suspect in connection with the discovery. Officers are continuing to investigate the matter.

During the joint operations, officers also confiscated several dangerous weapons, including tasers, knives, an axe, and brass knuckles.

Officers arrested an additional male suspect in connection with a false driver's license. The coordinated operations resulted in the following:

• Approximately 40 vehicles stopped and controlled.
• One firearm
• Several quantities of suspected narcotics
• Two tasers
• Four knives
• One axe
• One pair of brass knuckles

Three male suspects arrested in connection with the firearm, suspected narcotics, and a false driver's license.

KPSM emphasizes that these coordinated operations form part of its ongoing efforts to remove illegal firearms, dangerous weapons, and narcotics from the streets of Sint Maarten.

With the busy tourist season underway, KPSM and its law enforcement partners will continue conducting preventive searches, targeted patrols, and traffic controls in various areas of the island. The Police Force reminds the public that the illegal possession of firearms, prohibited weapons, and narcotics can result in arrest, confiscation, and criminal prosecution.

KPSM also urges motorists and scooter riders to operate their vehicles responsibly and comply with instructions given by law enforcement officers.The Police Force of Sint Maarten expresses its appreciation to KMar personnel for their continued cooperation and assistance in maintaining public safety.

KPSM remains committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for residents, businesses, and visitors to Sint Maarten.