Pond Island – TelEm Group’s mobile provider, TelCell, says its network recovery efforts are going well in the wake of two major hurricanes causing massive damage throughout the company’s telecommunication networks. As of Monday this week, TelCell has 21 of its 31 major cell sites back in operation with the remainder scheduled to come on line during the course of this week. According to Manager, Network Operations, Julian Lake, personnel have been working around the clock since the passage of the two storms to keep customers connected with their loved ones on the island and overseas. “There is some congestion…
Author: The Publisher
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That Christmas came early is no doubt a feeling many grateful people will have after yesterday’s good news about the HNLMS Karel Doorman’s arrival at the port of St. Maarten. His Netherlands Majesty Ship Karel Doorman’s consignment with a total weight of over one million kilos and valued at an estimated one million Euros is the single largest shipment of relief goodies to be received after the hurricane Irma disaster. One of the biggest beneficiaries will be the St. Maarten Police Force that not only received ten extra police cars but also one large mobile command center, as the police…
GREAT BAY – In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma at times stories and announcements came out that seem too good to be true. An example is the announcement by the Windward Islands Bank that clients with a loan in good standing will get a grace period of six months and that the interest over that period will be forgiven. This way, the bank said, $750,000 will stay in the pockets of our clients. But industry insiders, who wish to remain anonymous, say that this offer is not worth what it seems. They say that the large majority of loans are…
GREAT BAY — Directly after Hurricane Irma, the Police Force of St. Maarten (KPSM) requested and received assistance in the form of teams of police officers from Aruba (20), Curacao (20) and The Netherlands (49). Assistance was also received from the V.K.C (11), the Voluntary Corps of Curacao, the V.K.S of St. Maarten, the Royal Marechaussee (20), the National Detectives and the Customs Department. As a part of the assistance package, KPSM also requested extra police vehicles as a large number of the police cars in the fleet was heavily damaged during the passing of Hurricane Irma. The temporary assistance…
GREAT BAY — As the reality of the impacts of Irma, Jose and Maria become clearer and the realization of the daunting tasks ahead settle in, it is important for the public to be reminded of the resilience of our people and our beloved country. Undoubtedly, there will be many challenging days ahead, all the more reason to make sure we acknowledge the successes and accomplishments as we move to rebuild our country. The first responders which included the Police Department, the Ambulance Department, the Fire Department, the Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA), the Department of…
PHILIPSBURG — The investigation into the mass looting continues to expand as more suspects are being identified and arrested. Many looted items are being found and confiscated. This investigation will continue to move forward with the assistance of the police forces of Aruba, Curacao, the Netherlands, V.K.C, V.K.S, the Royal Marechaussee and the Customs Department. Vital information regarding looting continue to reach the police department which without any doubt demonstrates that the community of Sint Maarten will not accept this type of criminal act and the will do what is necessary to assist in solving this case. A stern warning…
PHILIPSBURG — Business representatives from a large number of local businesses which have been looted in the aftermath of hurricane Irma are now filing official complaints with the detective department. These official complaints are filed in order the have an official investigation done and have those involved stand responsible for their actions. At least 20 well-known establishments, such as jewelry stores, furniture and electronic stores, air-conditioning and motorcycles stores have filed official complaints. More complaints are expected to be filed other businesses. The investigation into the mass looting continues to expand as more suspects are being identified and arrested. Many…
PHILIPSBURG– In a press release from NV GEBE and the Dutch ministry of Internal Affairs it was stated that as of Sunday, October 1st, at 12.00 noon NV GEBE will be making drinking water available to the public on the eastern side of the island by means of three storage tanks located at McDonalds at the Belvedere roundabout, Fresh Market parking lot and at the entrance Festival Village. This drinking water is purified water and originates from the reversed osmosis (RO) unit at the Festival Village that was brought to Sint Maarten from the Netherlands. The Dutch Ministry supplied the…
GREAT BAY — Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman has arrived in St. Maarten. The joint support ship left a week and a half ago from Den Helder. Today it has docked at the port in Point Blanche with more than one million kilos of goods on board. The logistics support ship left loaded with supplies on the 20th of September from the port of Den Helder in The Netherlands. This is to assist the people of St. Maarten in the recovery process of the heavily damaged island. The ship includes supply equipment and materials such as construction vehicles, transmission masts and building…
The Parliament of Sint Maarten finally convened last Monday, September 25th, to be updated by the Minister of General Affairs, the Honorable William Marlin, on the passing of hurricane Irma. An update, after two and a half weeks, to the highest representative body in the country, is unacceptable! It took the Dutch Parliament less than a week (they met on September 12th) to deal with the hurricane situation in Sint Maarten. Two days after hurricane Irma, Minister Plaster of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations had already informed the Dutch Parliament by letter of the situation. In addition, the Dutch government…
