French Quarter, St. Martin:--- The Les Fruits de Mer association is launching updated books about St. Martin wildlife, Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin and the French version of the book, Le côté sauvage. The public is invited to celebrate these full-color books, with vivid photos of island wildlife, at the free launch event. It will be held from 9am to noon this Saturday, May 24th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. Free copies of the books will be given out at the launch, thanks to funding from Fondation Air France. People of all ages will also enjoy the Amuseum’s exhibits and gardens.

“We’re thrilled to release the new versions of these books,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “These new second editions have been updated with all the latest scientific discoveries. They are also easier to read, so more people can enjoy them.” 

The new second editions  were created as a companion to Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. They were made with support from Fondation Air France, which also funded the free books for this launch event, as well as activity books for students on class trips to the Amuseum. It is part of the Les Fruits de Mer association’s larger Island of Discovery project, funded by Fondation Air France. This major transboundary project was created by the all-volunteer association to boost education about local nature, heritage and culture on both sides of the island.

“We hope all will come celebrate these wonderful editions, and we are very grateful for the support of Fondation Air France who made these books and much more possible!” said Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “This is our first major project that is bringing books for all ages, museum visits and more to thousands of kids on both sides of St. Martin. We couldn’t have done this without them!”

Since 1992, Fondation Air France has funded close to 1680 projects in 80 countries served by the airline company. It partners with associations on projects that impact children and youth, with a focus on educational, environmental, and humanitarian projects. The foundation is funding the Les Fruits de Mer project Island of Discovery on St. Martin. 

The launch for the new versions of Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin and Le côté sauvage ! Les animaux de Saint-Martin will be at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on Saturday, May 24th from 9am to noon. Free copies of the books will be given to those who attend the launch. The books are also available as free downloads at lesfruitsdemer.com, and for sale worldwide at amazon.com. 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA) delivered a compelling presentation at the 2025 Labor Symposium on May 15, raising urgent concerns about the growing threat of unregulated competition to St. Maarten’s small, family-run hotels, businesses and the workers they employ. SMSPA extends sincere thanks to the organizers, WICSU-PSU and WITU, for the opportunity to present these concerns and to be a voice for the voiceless in the small hoteliers and the community. Representing properties with over 140 rooms—some operating for more than 40 years—SMSPA emphasized that these establishments are more than accommodations; they are cornerstones of the economy and community. Small businesses make up 80 to 85% of St. Maarten’s economy, a sector that drives job creation, reinvests locally, and supports the island’s identity. Yet, their survival is at risk. Informal, unregulated operators—those who avoid licensing, taxes, and labor laws—are distorting the market. By bypassing legal obligations, they can charge lower prices, creating an uneven playing field that pressures compliant small hotels to compete unfairly while still bearing the costs of doing things the right way.

This undercutting has real consequences. Many small hotels now struggle to retain staff or grow their teams, not because they lack demand, but because operational costs, especially utilities impacted by fuel price hikes, are rising sharply. SMSPA noted that unregulated competition also destabilizes the labor market by ignoring employment laws, further devaluing work, and threatening job security.

Small properties often lack in-house services and instead boost nearby restaurants and stores by referring their guests to local dining and shopping, fueling the broader economy. These businesses also hire painters and technicians, meaning that the image of unfair competition ripples outward, affecting multiple layers of the local business chain. The very fabric of St. Maarten’s tourism is at risk. Regulated small hotels provide reliability and safety that guests trust. Without proper oversight, the reputation of the destination suffers, and so too does the broader economy. Meanwhile, access to funding remains a persistent barrier. Unlike large enterprises, small operators often struggle to get loans or investment, limiting their ability to upgrade or expand, and job creation disappears. “Small business is the bread and butter of this economy,” said Ms.Jeannia Dupersoy SMSPA Treasurer and Presenter at the Labor Symposium. “When we lose even one, we lose more than a business—we lose jobs, family legacies, and part of our national identity. Our clients are families. Our employees and guests are like family. We’re asking not for handouts, but for a fair and level playing field.” SMSPA is calling on government leaders and industry partners to:

 Enforce existing laws fairly across all operators

 Improve access to training, resources, and financing for small properties

 Form lasting public-private partnerships to support sustainable tourism

 Recognize small businesses as essential to social and economic stability.

“When some play by the rules and others don’t, the future of fair business, decent work, and community pride is at risk.” A strong small business sector means long-term employment, stable incomes, and fewer social issues. It means a healthier, more inclusive economy for all”. It's time to support the small hoteliers and businesses that support our people, “stated Ms.Nzinga Lake, SMSPA President

“Our association will continue to advocate for fairness for employers, employees, support for family-run hotels, businesses, and support for our destination St. Maarten,” stated Ms. Lake / SMSPA President.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is calling on households and businesses to continue taking their own steps after every rainfall event to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and effectively minimize mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue. 

The country is entering the rainy season which encourages mosquito breeding and therefore mosquito control will become extremely important in order to limit the opportunity of mosquito borne diseases.

Households and businesses must check their surroundings two days after a rainfall event to make sure mosquitoes are not breeding in containers around their homes and businesses.

Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half-inch of water. This is not much, and plant saucers, bottle caps, or plastic shopping bags hidden amongst vegetation/shrubs are some of those unassuming places that can gather a small amount of water and still be a huge breeding site for mosquitoes.

Dengue can become a life-threatening illness, and it is crucial for everyone to be aware of the symptoms and take the necessary precautions to prevent further mosquito breeding and transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.

People become infected with dengue virus when an infected Aedes Aegyptus or Aedes albopictus mosquito feed or bite them. Usually between four to seven (4-7) days after a bite of an infected mosquito people typically begin to show symptoms.

Persons with a fever and two or more of the following symptoms are suspected dengue cases and should be tested for confirmation: Nausea/vomiting; Rash; Myalgia/arthralgia (muscle/joint pain); Headache, retro-orbital pain (pain behind the eyes); and Petechiae (red/purple spots on skin); Leukopenia (decrease in number of white blood cells).

Source reduction is the key to decreasing the mosquito population. Due to the tropical nature of our climate, breeding habitats are in abundance, and many of them are unfortunately man-made.

Breeding sites include anywhere that water can settle or remain stagnant for a certain time undisturbed from garbage to your flowers/plants. This includes tin cans, old tires, empty paint cans, buckets, old saucers, flowerpots, cemetery urns/vase, old pet dishes, unused plastic swimming pools, boats on dry dock, used food containers, plastic drinking cups; plastic shopping bags or other containers or plants that collect and hold water.

Source reduction starts by covering, removing, or turning over containers, artificial artifacts, unused boats which can be potential breeding sites and properly maintain the yard and surrounding by trimming overgrown vegetation. Every resident on the island should comply with the source reduction to have an impact against mosquitoes in the community.

A few tips/reminders: Get rid of any unused pots or bins or turn them upside down, so they don’t collect water; Keep trash and recycling bins covered. If you can, try drilling drain holes into the bottom of unused containers; conduct a weekly assessment in and around your home, workplace and even recreation venue; keep a fine-mesh screen over rain barrels, water tanks and cistern outlets. Clean your rain spouts regularly so water can flow and not become stagnant; and properly remove or treat old unused tires.

In addition, to eliminating mosquito breeding sites, weekly assess your home and workplace and eliminate the source. Use mosquito repellent to prevent the mosquitoes from feeding, follow the instructions on the product label. Aedes aegypti mosquito is attracted to dark spaces and clothing at dusk and dawn. It is recommended to wear light coloured clothing during those times.

For issues surrounding mosquito breeding sites, contact CPS’ vector control team by calling 520-4161, 542-1222/1570, or 914. 

Or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with supporting pictures and contact information to report a mosquito nuisance or request assistance. 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The state of detention facilities in Simpson Bay and Pointe Blanche has reached a critical point, highlighting systemic issues and sparking widespread concern. The Simpson Bay detention center, ill-equipped to house prisoners, has become a symbol of institutional failure. Meanwhile, the Pointe Blanche Prison was severely damaged in a fire last Wednesday, forcing the transfer of twelve inmates to Simpson Bay's holding facility, which was originally designed for non-immigrant detainees. The overcrowding and unsuitable conditions in both facilities have compounded the crisis.

Simpson Bay Detention Center Declared Unfit

The Simpson Bay detention center has been deemed unsuitable for holding prisoners due to its lack of basic facilities. It cannot meet even the most fundamental needs of detainees, raising significant human rights concerns. The conditions fall far below acceptable standards, endangering the health and well-being of those held there. This has led to its effective dismissal as a legitimate prison facility, yet it continues to serve a role it is clearly unfit for.

At the same time, the Police Holding Cell in Philipsburg is notably empty of any transferred inmates from Pointe Blanche. Instead, prisoners are being crammed back into the damaged and unsafe Pointe Blanche facility, exacerbating the already dire situation.

A Dangerous Precedent of Rights Suspensions

Alongside the physical inadequacies of these facilities, troubling reports have emerged of rights and privileges being suspended during the crisis, this was announced late last night by the Prison Director. While emergencies often demand immediate measures, the suspension of fundamental rights during such times can create dangerous precedents. This approach risks further destabilization, eroding trust in legal systems and the government’s ability to uphold the rule of law. History has repeatedly shown that undermining rights during crises often escalates societal tensions rather than alleviating them.

Legal Action on the Horizon

The escalating crisis has not gone unnoticed by members of the legal community. Lawyers and other advocates for justice are preparing to take action if swift measures are not implemented to rectify the conditions. It is expected that several lawsuits will be filed as soon as next week, targeting the facilities' failures and highlighting the broader implications of the state's inaction. These legal actions aim to enforce accountability and to demand systemic changes to prevent such crises from occurring in the future.

The Need for Immediate Reform

The situation at the detention facilities in Simpson Bay and Pointe Blanche is a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform. Authorities must address the structural deficiencies at both sites, ensure inmates are treated with dignity, and uphold their constitutional rights. This is not merely a logistical challenge but a moral imperative.

Addressing these issues is critical not only for the individuals detained but also for the broader community. Crises like this test the principles of justice and humanity. While maintaining public order is essential, it cannot come at the cost of human dignity and fundamental rights. Without decisive action, this failure of the justice system will continue to have long-lasting consequences for all those affected.