St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

Reviving Heritage by the Basketful: A Sunday of Taste, Memory, and Identity at Bellevue Garden.

bpwconconcordia27112025 MARIGOT:--- Reviving Heritage by the Basketful: A Sunday of Taste, Memory, and Identity at Bellevue Garden on November 16, Bellevue Garden came alive with the sights, scents, and sweet island spirit of Saint Martin’s culinary heritage as the Business and Professional Women Concordia BPWC continued its vibrant Motion Series. The afternoon gathering, chaired by member Maria Chemont, unfolded as a heartfelt celebration of the island's roots and a reminder that Saint Martin culture goes far deeper than the familiar Johnny Cake and chicken leg that many young people believe define local cuisine.
Chemont opened the event with a clear purpose: to revive traditional flavors, showcase forgotten dishes, and strengthen the bond between generations through food and storytelling. She reminded everyone that the island's heritage is a rich tapestry of creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness, stitched together through the dishes passed down over time.

The buffet spoke for itself.
There were pigtail and rice; the tasty “locrey”, salt fish soup that quickly became the day's favorite; stew chicken, peas and rice, hearty lentil soup, stew chicken and stew salt fish, honoring the days when salting was a necessity long before electricity.
Tables were filled with fritters, crisp Johnny Cakes fried and baked, local provisions, and the ever-loved pumpkin fritters.
The pastry table brought the warm feel of Caribbean remembrance, offering coconut drops, potato pudding, pound cake, and coconut and peanut sugar cakes. Guests cooled off with sorrel, mauby, mango juice, lime juice, and the lively ginger mauby blend that always gets people talking.

Before anyone could share their dish, BPWC added a touch of island humor. Each participant had to introduce themselves the old-fashioned way, starting with the familiar and playful question:

“Who yo fah?”
Laughter rippled through the crowd as members and guests answered in true Saint Martin style, proudly naming their families, their roots, and the households that raised them. It set the tone, broke the ice, and added that unmistakable Caribbean warmth to the afternoon.

Then came the stories.
Melba Wescott earned first prize with a rich, heartfelt tale about her lifelong love for plantain, how it started, how it shaped family moments, and why the fried plantain she presented carried so much meaning. Her story blended memory, humor, and island pride. Agnes Aventurin also received top honors after sharing the touching story behind her potato pudding. She told of learning the recipe at her mother's side, keeping the tradition alive after her passing, and proudly carrying on the legacy exactly the way Mama taught her.
Children listened attentively as elders recalled pet milk days and demonstrated how everyone once sat with their frock tucked between their legs, mimicking the old-time pounding melee. For the younger generation, it became a glimpse into daily life from long ago and a reminder that culture lives in the details.
Another member, Soshina Stephen, added to the celebration with a beloved salt fish soup prepared by her father, earning special recognition.
These dishes and the stories around them highlighted the island's long relationship with preserved foods. In the days before electricity, salting was not just a method but a way of life. Saint Martin, known as Swaliga, the island of salt, relied on salt fish, salted pork, and countless salted recipes that shaped the flavors of the island today.
Not every dish could be displayed, but the conversations were rich, weaving together family memories, cultural lessons, and a shared sense of identity.

A Mission Fulfilled
By the end of the afternoon, Chemont expressed that the goal of the activity had been fully achieved. The event showcased a proud culinary inheritance, reconnected generations, stirred cultural curiosity, and reaffirmed that Saint Martin cuisine remains a beautiful blend of resilience, creativity, and community pride.
The BPWC Concordia left Bellevue Garden with fuller baskets, lighter hearts, and plenty of stories to carry forward.

Court of Appeal Upholds Conviction of Former Sint Maarten MP Akeem Arrindell.

akeemarrindell01082024 PHILIPSBURG:--- The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of former Member of Parliament Akeem Arrindell for election fraud, confirming his involvement in vote-buying during the 2024 election period. In its final ruling, the court emphasized that such actions seriously undermine the integrity of democratic processes.
While acknowledging that election fraud typically justifies an unconditional prison sentence, the Court considered Arrindell’s personal circumstances and the social impact of the case. As a result, it imposed a one-year, fully suspended prison sentence with a three-year probation period. Additionally, Arrindell must complete 90 hours of community service.
The penalties also include significant professional and civic consequences. Arrindell is barred from serving as a police officer for six years and is disqualified from running in elections for the same duration.
In a related forfeiture case, the Court ordered Arrindell to repay Cg 75,372 in salary he received as an MP. The court found that this income was an unlawful financial advantage gained after he took a false oath on February 10, 2024, denying he had promised anything in connection with his election. Failure to pay this amount could result in a one-year prison sentence.
The Court of Appeal also confirmed the convictions of two co-defendants, F. and M. The judgment for F. remains in place, while M.’s sentence was adjusted to a fully suspended six-month prison term, three years of probation, and 90 hours of community service.

Unplanned Power Outage – Cole Bay Area.

gebe27112025 PHILIPSBURG:--- NV GEBE hereby updates the general public regarding the unplanned outage that occurred on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, around 5:00 PM. The outage was the result of a contractor accidentally damaging one of our underground cables during excavation works in the Cole Bay area. This incident caused several districts to experience a loss of electricity.
Power was restored to most affected areas shortly after the outage. However, sections of Cole Bay continued to experience service interruptions into the early hours of the morning while our technical teams worked diligently throughout the night to complete the necessary repairs.
NV GEBE sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused and assures the community that this situation occurred due to circumstances beyond our control.
We take this opportunity to remind all contractors and individuals planning any digging or excavation works to please contact NV GEBE prior to commencing such activities. Kindly call 546-1100 and request to speak with the Distribution Department for proper guidance and verification of underground infrastructure. This precaution helps prevent damage, costly delays, and service interruptions.
We thank the community of Cole Bay for your patience and understanding as our team worked throughout the night to restore power to your area.

Update – Missing Person Report: Ongoing Investigation.

annevans26112025 PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) continues its investigation into the missing person case involving Ms. Ann EVANS, a U.S. citizen.
Ms. Evans was a passenger aboard the cruise ship Rotterdam, which was docked at Port St. Maarten on November 20, 2025. she disembarked the vessel for an organized island tour. During the tour, Ms. Evans exited the bus in Marigot, French Saint Martin, but did not return to the bus or to the cruise ship.
KPSM has carried out extensive checks and followed multiple lines of information in accordance with legal guidelines. Based on information gathered during the investigation, KPSM has reason to believe that a female matching Ms. Evans’ description checked into a hotel on the French side of the island using her passport. She has also reportedly been seen in the surrounding area of that establishment.
To verify this information, KPSM has contacted its law enforcement counterparts on the French side.
KPSM and the French Gendarmerie continue to work collaboratively on this matter. Anyone who may have seen Ms. Evans or who has information is urged to contact:
• KPSM Public Hotline: +1 721 542 2222
• Emergency Number: 911
Citizens are reminded that sharing unverified information or images can hinder the investigation. All information received will be handled confidentially and in accordance with the law.

KPSM Press Release.

York Pushes for Clarity on Flood Risks and Infrastructure Decay Amid Government Silence.

darrylyork14052025 PHILIPSBURG:--- As conversations revisit the government’s first year, they also underscore that progress is driven not by reflection alone but by clear focus on the tasks ahead. Evaluations contribute to the dialogue, but real improvement comes from solutions and coordinated action.

With that forward focus, MP Darryl T.J. York has submitted two Committee meeting requests calling for immediate, structured updates from the Minister of VROMI on Sint Maarten’s growing flood vulnerabilities, persistent drainage failures, and the continued deterioration of the island’s infrastructure.

York highlights that residents are encountering greater risks even as Parliament works with partial or zero information, making structured oversight essential for a clear and coordinated infrastructure plan.

The first request zeroes in on national flood management and drainage readiness. It seeks an update on the Ministry’s response to recent rainfall, the condition of the drainage network, identified high-risk zones, and the tools used to assess water behavior, as well as clarity on infrastructure works that have been delayed, shifted in priority, or lack clear timelines.

The second request turns to the broader road network and infrastructure planning. York seeks updates on short and long-term plans, current priorities, technical assessments, monitoring practices, and conditions in key areas flagged in recent reports and felt by the community. He notes that ongoing deterioration and limited communication underscore the need for a thorough briefing.

Together, the requests seek clarity amid rising flooding, unsafe roads, and stalled works. York aims to give Parliament the insight it needs to move from assessments to driving solution-based discussions.

“There’s value in reflecting on the past year, but my focus is firmly on the year ahead. Floods don’t wait. Potholes don’t wait. And the people of Sint Maarten shouldn’t be left waiting either.”

York also observes that his request for a Committee meeting on housing and social living conditions has been pending since April, a quiet reminder that not all pressing issues move at the same pace. He continues to push for progress, though the constant delays do prompt reasonable questions about how the Government orders its priorities.