PHILIPSBURG,  – On September 23rd, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI), has launched a tender for the development of a zoning plan for Sint Maarten. Between 2011 and 2014, the Ministry implemented the Zoning Sint Maarten Project, under which 13 draft zoning plans were developed. In part,due to funding constraints, the plans were never finalized or submitted to Parliament for ratification.

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, recently received Benjamin Ortega, Director of Cadaster Sint Maarten, for a working visit at the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague. Ortega has served as Director of Cadaster Sint Maarten since November 2024. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and identify opportunities in the Netherlands that can contribute to the continued development and modernization of Cadaster Sint Maarten and other institutions on Sint Maarten. 

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten –  The Labor Inspectorate of the Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (IVSA) is reminding all employers, contractors and persons responsible for workplaces that occupational accidents and injuries must be reported to the competent authorities in accordance with the Safety Ordinance. The reminder is part of the Labor Inspectorate’s ongoing efforts to strengthen occupational safety and health compliance and ensure that serious workplace accidents are properly reported, investigated and documented.

Oranje Fonds Honors Organization for Its Commitment to Young People's Future Opportunities The Mega D Youth Foundation from Sint Eustatius has won an “Appeltje van Oranje 2026” award. This afternoon at Noordeinde Palace, Queen Máxima presented the Oranje Fonds recognition awards to three initiatives that help people break the cycle of poverty in a sustainable way. The other winners are Stek – Buurt & Lukas from The Hague and Stichting Doors Wide Open from Hof van Twente.

The Government of Statia proudly congratulates Mega D Youth Foundation (MYF) on winning one of three prestigious 2026 Appeltjes van Oranje Awards, presented by the Oranje Fonds in the Netherlands. Selected from ten nominated organisations across the Kingdom, the foundation received the award in recognition of its work supporting children and young people on Statia. Mega D Youth Foundation was one of only two nominees from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, alongside eight organisations from the European Netherlands.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Member of Parliament (MP), Lyndon Lewis, has submitted a letter via the President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams to the Prime Minister, Dr. Luc Mercelina for consideration of having the national flags at government buildings flown at half-mast on the day of the funeral of Louis Lambert Richardson, affectionately known as “Porkchop.”

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Member of Parliament (MP) and Chairman of Parliament’s Justice Committee, Lyndon Lewis, extends his congratulations to Sint Maarten’s prison personnel on the occasion of their Prison Week anniversary. MP Lewis commended correctional officers, administrative staff, support personnel, and all those whose daily efforts contribute to the operation of the Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention, the Ms.

Marilyn Lavonne Bean, 66, and her son Sergio Wayne Lottimore, 41, have been identified among six people presumed dead after a Bermuda-to-Boston medical flight crashed off Nantucket. Bean was reportedly travelling to Boston for medical treatment after suffering a stroke, with her son accompanying her. Lottimore, a respected insurance executive and former Warwick Academy student, was remembered by colleagues and his community as a valued leader and friend.

On October 1 and 2, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, the Netherlands, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten met in Curaçao to discuss the establishment of a new EU platform. The islands in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom hold the status of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) with the European Union. The meeting was organized by the Representation of the Netherlands in Willemstad.

SIMPSON BAY, Sint Maarten (PJIA) – On Monday, October 5, 2026, Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) celebrated the inauguration of a new nonstop service between St. Maarten and St. Thomas, operated by Contour Airlines. With a flight time of about 55 minutes, the route brings the neighboring islands closer together, with convenient flights twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays. Contour’s regional jets are configured for 30 passengers, with no middle seats, so every traveler has a window or aisle seat.

Third Private-Public Partnership engagement Philipsburg – The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), with the support of Cupecoy Development N.V., will undertake repairs to the Rolandus Canal in the Suckergarden area. The project is the third public-private partnership initiated by Minister Patrice Gumbs. The Rolandus Canal is the drainage system running from Defiance to Great Bay along the eastern side of Sint Maarten and is a key part of the island's stormwater management infrastructure.

SINT MAARTEN (KPSM) -- The KPSM recently partnered with the White and Yellow Cross to provide officers with specialized training on how to appropriately approach, respond to, and refer persons living with Alzheimer’s disease. The training was conducted by experienced professional nurses from the White and Yellow Cross, who provided officers with practical knowledge and guidance to better understand the challenges faced by persons battling Alzheimer’s and how to respond safely, respectfully, and effectively when assistance is needed.

SINT MAARTEN (KPSM) -- At the request of the authorities of Sint Maarten, Defence Caribbean will support the local police on the island in the coming period. Defence supports the Sint Maarten Police Force in ensuring safety and maintaining public order. Supporting civilian authorities is one of the three main tasks of Defence in the Caribbean. The cooperation between Defence and the Sint Maarten Police Force underscores the shared goal of strengthening security and stability on Sint Maarten.

MULLET BAY -- Lately 28 avid golfers split up into 7 teams and headed out to Mullet Bay Golf Course to show off their skills in the softly star-lit darkness. The moon was full, but each team had two flashlights to see their way and desperately try to hit the illuminated golf balls. The teams were trying to score as low as possible.

Source: Curacao Chronicle THE HAGUE – Curaçao and the other five Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands remain vulnerable if confronted with a major or prolonged disaster, with weaknesses identified in medical capacity, crisis staffing, communications, logistics, emergency shelter and transportation. The findings come from a new study by research agency Crisisplan commissioned by the Dutch Ministries of Justice…

The crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser and two Dominican Republic Navy vessels rescued 61 migrants Monday (October 05, 2026) morning from a grossly overloaded, sinking vessel in the Atlantic Ocean off the Dominican Republic. All 61 people aboard were safely rescued and transferred to Dominican Republic Navy assets on scene. Their nationalities have not yet been determined.

Connecting a Stronger Caribbean: regional collaboration to create a content hub in the Eastern Caribbean St. Eustatius – Saint Eustatius, Saba, Saint Martin, Saint Barths and Saint Kitts are now connected through the Eastern Caribbean Internet Exchange (IX), marking a major milestone in strengthening the region’s digital infrastructure. The expansion delivers on the ambition to establish a digital hub for the Eastern part of the Caribbean and contributes to a more connected and resilient region. 

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Prisonworkers Activity Club officially opened Prison Week 2026 under the theme “It’s Time to Shine,” welcoming prison personnel from Sint Maarten, Suriname, Curaçao, and Bonaire for a week dedicated to recognizing their service, professionalism, and commitment. Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, invited to deliver the opening remarks, highlighted the essential role prison personnel play every day, not only in maintaining safety and security, but as the first line of rehabilitation through their daily interactions, guidance, and accountability.

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, recently received a courtesy visit from the Board of Financial Supervision (Cft) Fleur Brouwers-van Raaij, Deputy Secretary of the Secretariat of the Board of Financial Supervision, and Glenn Thode, Board Member representing Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (BES). The meeting provided an opportunity for a constructive exchange of views on matters relating to public finances, institutional strengthening, and the broader socioeconomic development of Sint Maarten.

Sint Maarten — The third Reading Festival Sint Maarten Edition brought two days of reading, creativity and interactive learning on September 25 and 26, 2026. About 600 students joined Friday’s program at the University of St. Martin (USM) and participating secondary schools, where local and international authors shared books and engaged with students. On Saturday, USM welcomed over 575 visitors for a wide range of activities, including VR experiences, steel pan workshops, book dance, detective sessions, drama productions, arts and crafts, storytelling and author workshops.

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the Honourable Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc Marcelina visited the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine’s (AUC) Breast and Health Screening event held in the Vineyard building. This is an ongoing collaborative project of AUC with Collective Preventive Services, Positive and Electrolyte Foundations. The coordinator of the event from AUC was Clinical Medicine Fellow, Dr.

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, recently attended the 2026 Annual Congress of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG), held in Achterhoek, with Oost Gelre and Winterswijk serving as host municipalities.  This year’s Congress, held under the theme “We doen het samen” (“We do it together”), brought together municipal leaders, government representatives and other stakeholders to exchange perspectives on cooperation, local governance and challenges confronting communities. 

Philipsburg –Works on the comprehensive rebuilding and beautification of the Simpson Bay dock are entering a new phase. Over the past month, the lights, broken fencing, car wrecks, and bin have been removed. As of Wednesday, October 7th, the Simpsonbay dock will no longer be accessible, while the repairs are taking place. The project is expected to take approximately two-three months.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — While the Minister of Justice has focused attention on whether tourist police officers should carry firearms, residents say a security dog stationed outside a Front Street jewelry store next to the courthouse has attacked two people in less than 48 hours, with no apparent official response. According to witnesses, the dog attacked a tourist child on Saturday.

Newly appointed Junior Commissioner Reuel Schmidt presents multi-generational tourism strategies at CTO’s 2026 Youth Congress ORANJESTAD, ST. EUSTATIUS - St Eustatius is taking centre stage in regional tourism development this week as its new junior commissioner of tourism, Reuel Schmidt, represents the island at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Regional Tourism Youth Congress in Guyana. The congress forms a core fixture of the annual State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), taking place from 5–9 October 2026 at the Atlantic Suites by Hyatt and Atlantic Conference Center in Georgetown.