PHILIPSBURG – The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) is exploring alternative methods to accelerate the cleanup of the thousands of dead fish floating in the canal (floodgate) along A.T. Illidge Road leading to the Great Salt Pond, after the unprecedented environmental incident overwhelmed the island's available resources.

VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs Jr. said discussions with key stakeholders were scheduled for Monday evening to develop a more effective cleanup strategy, including the possible deployment of small boats and nets to assist with removing the dead fish from the water before heavy machinery continues its work on Tuesday.

According to the minister, St. Maarten simply does not possess the specialized equipment needed to efficiently handle a fish kill of this magnitude.

"We are looking at alternative solutions because the equipment required for a cleanup of this scale is not available locally," Gumbs explained.

While St. Maarten has experienced fish kill incidents in the past, the minister described this event as the largest ever recorded on the island.

The massive die-off was discovered on Saturday morning in the canal connecting to the Great Salt Pond. The government immediately mobilized a contractor, who currently has two excavators (bakhos) working at the site. However, progress has been slow because the specialized screening buckets required for excavators to efficiently separate fish from water and mud are not available on the island.

As a result, the cleanup operation has proven far more challenging than initially anticipated.

"The intention is to meet this evening to work out a plan to clean the area up as quickly as possible," the minister said.

The prolonged presence of the decomposing fish has raised concerns among nearby residents and business owners, particularly because of the strong odor emanating from the canal.

The Ministry is therefore urging people living and operating businesses in the vicinity of A.T. Illidge Road and the Great Salt Pond to take the necessary precautions while cleanup efforts continue.

Government hopes that by combining mechanical equipment with smaller vessels and manual netting operations, crews will be able to remove the dead fish more efficiently and minimize the environmental and public health impact of what has become St. Maarten's largest recorded fish kill.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Every child deserves the excitement of that first day of school, a clean uniform, new shoes, a packed backpack, and the confidence that comes with feeling prepared. As the cost of living continues to rise, many families across St. Maarten are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with everyday expenses, including the added cost of preparing children for the new school year.

To help close that gap, RISE Foundation has launched its 2026 Back-to-School Drive with one shared goal: helping 100 students begin the new school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

The campaign will support students attending Leonald Conner Primary School, Marie Genevieve de Weever Primary School, Oranje School, and Ruby Labega Primary School. Assistance covers school uniforms, school shoes, backpacks, school supplies, and year-round classroom support. Surveys conducted by RISE Foundation with local educators identified uniforms, shoes, and supplies as the highest-priority needs.

For Josiah Lamothe, Vice President of RISE Foundation, the campaign starts with a memory most people share.

“I remember laying my clothes out the night before school and wanting everything to be just right before that first day. It made me feel fresh, confident, and ready to start the new school year. I want every child to experience that same feeling,” he said.

Lamothe explained that helping with back-to-school essentials does more than prepare students for the classroom. It gives families breathing room. “When we’re able to help with uniforms or school shoes, families can use the money they do have for other essential needs. We know we can’t help everyone, but if we can help more children return to school focused on learning instead of worrying about what they don’t have, then we’ve made a real difference.”

For Chiaira Bowers, President of RISE Foundation, the campaign is a call for every member of the community to show up.

“This campaign is a reminder that It Starts With Us. Each of us has a part to play, and whatever that part may be, it is enough. Whether you sponsor a student, join with family, friends, or co-workers to support a child, make a financial or in-kind contribution, or simply encourage someone else to get involved, you’re helping shape a child’s first day of school and reminding them that their community believes in them. When each of us does our part, together we can accomplish far more than any one of us could do alone.”

Sponsorship opportunities include a Complete Student Sponsorship ($325), a Uniform Sponsorship ($150), and a Fresh Start Backpack & School Supplies Package ($75). Community members can also contribute any amount to the School Shoes Fund or the Classroom Support Fund, which provides year-round vouchers pooled across all participating schools, giving teachers the resources to respond to student needs throughout the academic year. Those who cannot sponsor a full package are encouraged to give whatever they can, with general donations directed toward the campaign’s highest-priority needs as the project progresses.

Businesses also have several meaningful ways to support the campaign. A company can sponsor a set number of students, support a specific sponsorship package or fund, or partner with one of the participating schools by helping provide uniforms, school shoes, or classroom support. Businesses can also host a collection bin at their location or encourage employees to sponsor a student individually through a financial or in-kind contribution.

RISE Foundation volunteers will continue hosting Back-to-School collection drives on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Super City, Cost U Less, and Carrefour Bush Road. Community members are encouraged to follow RISE Foundation's social media channels for the latest collection dates and campaign updates.

It Starts With Us. To sponsor a student, get involved, or learn more about the campaign, contact RISE Foundation at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by phone or WhatsApp at +1 (721) 584-7473 or +1 (721) 523-8421, or follow RISE Foundation on Facebook (risesxm) and Instagram (@rise.sxm).

PHILIPSBURG:--- Motorworld, the Regional Distributor for Chery across the Caribbean, proudly celebrates the official launch of Chery in Barbados through its dealer partner, GEL (Goddard Enterprises Limited) Auto. As China's No. 1 passenger vehicle export brand for 23 consecutive years, Chery continues to expand its global footprint, and the launch event, held at the Goddard Building in Haggatt Hall on July 10th, marked another important milestone in the brand's continued growth throughout the Caribbean.

The event introduced Barbadian motorists to Chery's award-winning lineup of intelligent SUVs, highlighting the brand's commitment to advanced technology, safety, efficiency, and exceptional value. Guests had the opportunity to explore the vehicles up close and experience them firsthand through test drives.

"Barbados represents another significant step in Chery's Caribbean journey," said Tariq Amjad, Chairman of Motorworld Group. "As Regional Distributor, our vision is to bring China's No. 1 passenger vehicle export brand to drivers across the Caribbean through strong dealer partners who share our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. We're proud to welcome Barbados to the growing Chery family and congratulate the GEL Auto/Courtesy Garage team on a successful launch."

During the event, Alan Bayne, Chief Executive Officer of GEL Auto, highlighted Chery's ability to meet the changing expectations of today's consumers.

"The Caribbean consumer continues to evolve, and with that comes a growing expectation for vehicles that seamlessly combine innovation, efficiency, safety, comfort, and long-term value. In Barbados, we see growing demand for hybrid options and Chery rises to meet those expectations, offering a modern mobility experience with intelligent hybrid systems designed around the needs of today's driver."

Bayne added that Chery's global brand promise, "Always With You," reflects the company's commitment to delivering confidence, reliability, and peace of mind throughout the ownership experience. Reinforcing that commitment is one of the strongest warranty packages available in Barbados: a 7-year/200,000 km comprehensive vehicle warranty, complemented by an industry-leading 10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty, giving customers exceptional long-term protection and confidence with every drive.

Guests were introduced to Chery's latest generation of intelligent SUVs, including the Tiggo 4 CSH, Tiggo 7 CSH, Tiggo 8 CSH, and flagship Tiggo 9 CSH, all featuring the advanced Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) technology that delivers outstanding fuel efficiency, performance, and everyday practicality.

The launch in Barbados further strengthens Chery's growing Caribbean presence as Motorworld Group continues working with dealer partners throughout the region to introduce the brand to new markets and provide customers with world-class products and after-sales support.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice wishes to inform the public of a temporary delay affecting the processing of certain permit applications while efforts are underway to resolve the matter.

As part of our ongoing effort to modernize and improve our services, the Immigration and Border Protection Service (IBPS) recently transitioned to a new online application portal. During this transition, migrating existing records required additional time to complete securely and accurately. As a result, some applications submitted prior to the switch have experienced longer-than-usual processing times.

We want to assure applicants and the public that this is a temporary situation. Efforts are underway to restore normal processing as quickly as possible, and new applications submitted through the online portal continue to be received and processed as usual.

We recognize the impact these delays may have on applicants and their families, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are actively evaluating additional measures to address any backlog and to expedite affected applications as quickly as possible.

We appreciate the public's patience and understanding as we complete this transition, and we remain fully committed to delivering timely, reliable service.

The Ministry of Justice and the Immigration and Border Protection Service (IBPS) will continue to keep the public informed and provide additional updates as more information becomes available.