PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of VROMI (Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure) Department of New Works would like to announce to the public that road works as part of the Concrete Hard Surfacing Project 2023-2024 Side Roads will commence on Cockspur Tree Drive, Cole bay on Monday June 30^th, 2025 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m for approximately two (2) weeks. These road paving works are being carried out by Windward Road Infrastructure B.V. in sections along parts of the road, with each segment covering approximately 2 meters in width at a time. A total of 104 meters of roadway will be paved.

During work hours, traffic will be managed to allow alternating routes, with the road reduced to a width of 2.5 meters. Residents and motorists are advised that parking will be available along the side of the road where possible. However, after 4:00 p.m., until 7:00 a.m. the next morning, the road will be accessible to residents, but at their own risk.

Please note that during and after concrete pouring, there may be additional inconveniences, including restricted access for immediate residents. Access will be permitted only for emergencies during this time.

Key Information Recap:

Date and Time: Monday June 30^th, 2025 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Cockspur Tree Drive, Cole Bay

Road Access:

• One lane will be available at a time
• Parking next to road where available

Concrete Pouring Disruption:

• Limited or no access to homes during and shortly after pouring
• Emergency access will be maintained

We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your cooperation as we work to improve the road infrastructure in your area. For more information or urgent concerns, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at 542-4292 ext 2388.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM);---  The Office of Disaster Management (ODM), is calling on residents to make use of the opportunity to clean up their yards and surroundings in connection with the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. 

The first named storm of the Atlantic season, Andrea, formed earlier this week in the far northeastern North Atlantic between Bermuda and the Azores but has already dissipated.

The short-lived tropical storm is a stark reminder that the hurricane season is active, and conditions are becoming favorable in the coming weeks for the formation of additional storms and hurricanes; therefore, the community and business sectors are called upon to be storm-ready.

Take action and utilize the time now to get rid of items in your yard. Waste disposal companies have announced and published (daily print newspaper) their schedules via various forms of media, indicating when they will be picking up different forms of debris and waste. 

ODM says this is the time to get rid of unwanted items that may serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes or debris that could damage homes and businesses during a storm or hurricane threat to the nation.

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.

Mosquito breeding sites include any place where water can settle for a certain time. This includes tin cans, old tires, empty paint cans, buckets, old saucers, flowerpots, cemetery urns/vases, old pet dishes, unused plastic swimming pools, boats on dry dock, or other containers that collect and hold water.

Now is the time to trim back tree branches from your home; cut all dead or weak branches on any trees on your property; clean up your yard and throw away items that could blow away during the passing of a hurricane by making use of the weekly published schedules of waste disposal companies.

The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and resources you need on how to prepare your family, home, or business for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.” The information here is also valuable for new residents.

Listen to the Government Radio station SXMGOV – 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during, and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather-related news and information, as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), by going to the @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/

PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Sports Institute (NSI) and the St. Maarten Sports Federation (SMSF), in collaboration with the Cruyff Foundation of the Netherlands, are proud to announce the launch of the Heroes of the Cruyff Courts project on St. Maarten. The Cruyff Foundation helps children stay active, not just physically, but mentally as well. The program was developed to meet both of these needs, using sport as a tool to build confidence, strengthen life skills, and foster community pride among youth. This innovative program aims to foster community engagement and youth empowerment through five sports: Athletics, Boxing, Football, Netball, and Tennis. The project will see professional coaches working directly within local communities to identify young "heroes" and nurture their talent. Coaches will guide groups of 6 to 10 young individuals, aged 14 to 21, selected from communities across St. Maarten. These young participants, our “heroes,” will take the lead in organizing fun and inclusive sports events for children in their own neighborhoods. With support and mentorship from their Cruyff Foundation Coaches, they will develop valuable life skills, including teamwork, leadership, communication, planning, and responsibility. Upon completion of their event, each hero will be awarded a certificate in recognition of their commitment, effort, and positive contribution to their community. More than just an event, this experience is designed to help young people discover their potential and become long-term role models and changemakers within their environment. “The Heroes of the Cruyff Courts project reflects our collective belief in the transformative power of sport and our shared commitment to youth development. Beyond individual growth, it strengthens the local sports sector by increasing youth involvement and leadership, while fostering a deeper sense of pride, ownership, and connection among St. Maarten’s youth. At SMSF, we see sport as a powerful tool to address health and social challenges. Young people hold the imagination, innovation, and voice to create lasting change. Through this initiative, we’re supporting a culture where sport can truly thrive - from grassroots to elite levels - while building leadership, resilience, and stronger communities,” said Naomi Korstanje, President of the St. Maarten Sports Federation. “By equipping young people with the tools to lead and inspire, we are helping to shape a stronger, more connected, and resilient St. Maarten,” said Jacky Browne, Sports Coordinator of NSI. We look forward to the lasting impact this initiative will bring and warmly invite all members of the community to support, encourage, and take part in this inspiring project.

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE):--- Recently, Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell welcomed Dr. Ann Derwin, the Irish Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Derwin is the 15th Ambassador to the Netherlands, at a time when more than 50 percent of Irish diplomatic missions around the world are led by women.

Ambassador Derwin extended a visit to Minister Plenipotentiary, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, and during her visit the Ambassador highlighted the warm and dynamic relationship between Ireland and Sint Maarten. This sentiment was echoed in her conversation with Minister Arrindell.

The meeting focused on potential areas for collaboration in the future, particularly in the fields of food security, educational exchange, and tourism market access.

The agri-food sector is Ireland’s oldest and largest indigenous exporting sector. In 2020, the sector accounted for over 6% of GNI (Gross National Income) and 9% of exports in terms of value. The sector accounts for 38% of total indigenous exports and over 60% of indigenous manufactured exports. The sector employed 163,600 people or 7.1% of total employment in 2020; outside of Dublin and the mid-east region, the sector provides between 10% and 14% of employment.

There are 137,500 farms producing over €8.2 billion in output, and over 2,000 fishing vessels and aquaculture sites producing fish with a value of €700 million. In Ireland, agri-food is an integral part of the economy and society, and especially so for the rural and coastal communities.

Opportunities were explored to expand student exchange initiatives, such as those available through the European Union (EU) Erasmus Programme.

In addition, the Ambassador highlighted Ireland’s vast expertise in the cultivation of potatoes and the embassy’s willingness to explore opportunities for knowledge exchange on this subject.

Ireland and the Netherlands have enjoyed diplomatic ties since 1945, and the embassy was opened in The Hague in 1950 when Josephine McNeill – the first female diplomat to represent Ireland abroad in a Ministerial capacity – presented her credentials to Her Majesty Queen Juliana.