French Quarter:--- The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to the Endemic Animal Festival. The festival will take place from 9am to noon this Saturday, April 25th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. It is a wonderful chance to learn about the special animals that live only on our island or only in our region. Attendees will enjoy a book giveaway, a craft activity, a scavenger hunt, and more. The festival and all of the activities are free.

“Endemic animals and plants are the most unique part of local nature,” explained Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “They are the species that live only on this island, or only on a few islands in our area. It’s amazing that there are plants and animals that can only be found here, and nowhere else in the world! They’re an incredible part of St. Martin’s natural heritage. Come out and celebrate them at this free, fun festival!”

Copies of Endemics Around Me, a bilingual coloring book and nature journal, will be given away at the festival. The book presents 40 plants and animals that are unique to St. Martin or to our region.

“We love giving this book to kids,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “It’s a great way to learn about animals and plants that live only here, like the Bearded Anole and the St. Martin Milk Pea. These are some of St. Martin’s most precious treasures.”

The event will feature a snail station where guests can learn how scientists find land snail shells in the soil. Many of these snails are special to our region.

Festival attendees are invited to explore the Amuseum gardens and grounds to find the plants and animals in the scavenger hunt. Kids and adults will also enjoy the event’s craft station, where they can decorate magnetic canvases with endemic plant and animal designs to take home.

The Endemic Animal Festival will be from 9am to noon on Saturday, April 25th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on the hill above Coconut Grove in French Quarter. The free festival is sponsored by Delta Petroleum. Development and printing of Endemics Around Me was supported by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin.

Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) proudly announces the winners of the ToppiX 2026 Aviation Photography Competition, marking the exciting return of the contest after a 10-year hiatus.

 This year’s edition brought the competition back with a special theme: “The First Landing of Southwest Airlines in SXM,” inviting photographers to capture a historic milestone for the island’s aviation sector.

After careful evaluation by the jury, three winners were selected:

3rd Place: Sabih Sebastiaan Haasdijk
2nd Place: Jachiem Richardson (HD Fly)
1st Place: Paul Ellinger

The winning image by Paul Ellinger stood out for its exceptional composition, striking use of color, and strong sense of place, clearly capturing the iconic surroundings of SXM. A particularly unique element noted by the judges was the shadow of the aircraft within the image, which closely aligns with the airport’s branding. The “X” in SXM symbolizes an aircraft, with the line beneath representing its shadow, making this photograph a powerful and meaningful visual representation of the airport’s identity.

“As soon as I captured this moment, I knew it was something special,” said Paul Ellinger. “To have my photo selected as the winner is truly an honor. SXM is such a unique place for aviation photography, and I’m proud to be part of capturing that story.”

As the grand prize winner, Paul Ellinger’s photograph will be prominently featured as the new backdrop in the terminal building, offering passengers the opportunity to capture their own memories with this iconic image. In addition, the photo will be showcased as the header image on the official SXM Airport website.

Princess Juliana International Airport congratulates all winners and participants for their creativity and passion. The return of the ToppiX competition highlights the strong connection between aviation, destination, the community and reaffirms SXM’s position as one of the world’s most iconic aviation locations.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), is advising the public—particularly adults, parents, and guardians—to be mindful of the risks associated with exposure to loud music during Carnival 2026 activities.

CPS emphasizes that prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause hearing damage, especially in young children, and calls on families to take the necessary precautions to protect their hearing.

With Carnival festivities well underway, several major events featuring music trucks and amplified sound systems are scheduled in the coming weeks.
These include the Junior Carnival Parade on Sunday, April 19, the Jouvert Morning Jump-Up on Monday, April 27, the Grand Carnival Parade on Thursday, April 30, and the Labour Day Lighted Parade on Friday, May 1.

CPS is encouraging the public to be cautious when attending these events, particularly by avoiding standing in close proximity to speakers on sound trucks.

Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB), and higher decibel levels indicate louder and more potentially harmful sounds. Exposure to excessive noise, even for short periods, can have adverse effects on hearing.

In children, environmental noise exposure has also been linked to stress responses, reduced well-being, and increased levels of hormones such as adrenaline. Repeated or prolonged exposure to loud sounds can result in permanent and irreversible hearing damage.

Hearing loss can range from mild to profound and may affect one or both ears, making it difficult to hear normal conversation or loud sounds. CPS is therefore urging parents and guardians to closely monitor their children during Carnival activities and ensure they are not positioned near high-volume sound sources.

To reduce the risk of hearing damage, CPS recommends the use of child-sized hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs during noisy events.

Parents are also encouraged to limit the amount of time children spend in high-noise environments and to teach them to move away from loud sound sources when possible. Additionally, children who frequently participate in noisy activities should have their hearing checked regularly.

CPS encourages the community to take a proactive approach to hearing health during the festive season. By taking simple preventive measures, families can enjoy Carnival 2026 while protecting the well-being of their children.

For more information, contact CPS at 542-1122, 542-1222, 542-1322, or 542-1570, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG  (DCOMM):--- Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), is calling on the community to take a proactive approach to prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) as part of its annual health observances for the month of April.

In collaboration with the Sint Maarten AIDS Foundation and JCI SXM A.C.T.I.O.N., CPS is reinforcing safe health messages, particularly during the Carnival season.

CPS emphasizes that STIs are a real and present public health concern that can affect anyone. These infections do not discriminate, making it essential for individuals to stay informed and make responsible decisions regarding their sexual health. Education and awareness are key tools in preventing the spread of STIs within the community. Persons having multiple partners and not using condoms are putting themselves and their partners at risk.

Sexually Transmitted Infections are primarily spread through person-to-person sexual contact, especially during unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Individuals who may have been exposed to an STI, or who have engaged in unprotected sex with a partner whose status is unknown, are strongly encouraged to consult their general practitioner and get tested.

There are more than 30 different sexually transmitted bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Some of the most common infections include gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, genital herpes, genital warts, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis B. If left untreated, some STIs can lead to serious long-term health complications.

Practicing safer sex is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of infection. CPS advises the consistent and correct use of condoms—both male and female—as a key preventive measure. Making informed choices and taking responsibility for one’s health and that of one’s partner are essential steps in protecting against STIs.

CPS encourages residents to seek information, get tested, and know their status. For more information on STIs, individuals can contact their general practitioner or the Sint Maarten AIDS Foundation.

The message is clear: enjoy life, stay informed, and take control of your health.