PHILIPSBURG--The official start of construction of the new Point Blanche Prison on Thursday marked the beginning of the end for a detention facility that has served St. Maarten for 35 years and was severely damaged during Hurricane Irma in 2017. The groundbreaking ceremony represented a major milestone for the long-running Detention Sector Reform Program and a renewed effort to modernise the country’s justice system.

~New COO approved, CFO being finalised~

PHILIPSBURG--Government, as shareholder of NV GEBE has approved the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the company, while suspending any further decision on the permanent appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) pending the outcome of an internal investigation involving the current temporary manager Thomas Roggendorf.

SIMPSON BAY--The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has announced that Grammy-winning reggae group Inner Circle will headline the 2026 event, taking the stage on Sunday, March 8, at Regatta Village.

PHILIPSBURG--NV GEBE has confirmed the appointment of a non-local to a senior Information Technology (IT) position in the company and outlined its recruitment process and rationale after The Daily Herald sought clarification on concerns expressed in the community.

Traffic in Simpson Bay on Monday.

SIMPSON BAY--Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association President Maya Friday is warning that worsening traffic congestion, particularly in the Simpson Bay and Cole Bay areas, is severely damaging the island’s tourism industry and threatening its most popular attractions, with some passengers requesting refunds when stuck in gridlock traffic and some refusing to come off ships due to the situation.