SINT MAARTEN (COLE BAY) - The Traffic Department of the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) continues its investigation into the tragic fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred on Monday, April 28, 2025, at approximately 4:30 AM near the Billy Folly Crossing on Welfare Road, Cole Bay.

A male pedestrian in his late sixties was walking along the sidewalk when he was struck by a scooter rider, who then fled the scene in the direction of the Welfare Road roundabout. Emergency personnel and bystanders provided immediate assistance, but the victim sadly passed away at the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) shortly after 8:00 AM that same morning.

KPSM is once again appealing to the public for assistance. In particular, the Traffic Department is urging the driver of a blue Toyota bus, who was reportedly in the area at the time of the incident, to come forward. Investigators believe this individual may have witnessed the collision or holds information that could prove valuable to the ongoing case.

In addition, the scooter rider involved in the collision is strongly encouraged to come forward and do the right thing. KPSM is urging this individual to report to the Philipsburg Police Station and provide a statement regarding the incident. Taking responsibility is a necessary and respectful step toward closure and accountability.

Anyone with relevant information, including surveillance or dashcam footage, is asked to urgently contact the KPSM Traffic Department.

Contact Information

? KPSM Traffic Department: +1 (721) 542-2222

? Anonymous Tip Line: 9300

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - As of today, people can vote for which social organization deserves an Appeltje van Oranje. Ten organizations from the Caribbean are contenders.

They are organizations that are active in Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten and Saba. Voting is possible until May 28th via stem.oranjefonds.nl, where an overview of all candidates can be found.

Oranje Fonds awards three Appeltjes van Oranje annually to social organizations that matter to others.

Indispensable Links

The theme of this edition of the Appeltjes van Oranje is Indispensable Links. Organizations that are indispensable in their village, district, city or neighbourhood could enrol themselves. Oranje Fonds is looking for organizations which notice gaps, which register that something is missing in the environment and which provide a solution. That is why they are indispensable; indispensable for those they support, but also indispensable for the governments and partners they work with. With their approach, they build a bridge between the municipality, (care) institutions, other volunteer organizations and the people who need their support, which means they have more impact.

Ten-day voting period and pitch day

Via the special voting website, people can vote for one of fifty candidates throughout the kingdom of the Netherlands. The public determines which organization with the most votes qualifies directly as a nominee. The other candidates present themselves to each other and to a jury in June during a pitch day. The jury ultimately determines which nine organizations will also receive a nomination. Of these ten nominees, three will receive an Appeltje van Oranje in October.

Appeltjes van Oranje

Oranje Fonds awards the Appeltjes van Oranje, the prize for initiatives that matter, annually. The prize rewards three initiatives that are committed to an inclusive, involved society. Initiatives that are unique, creative and meaningful and have been active for at least two years are eligible. An Appeltje van Oranje gives an organization appreciation for their work and dedication. The theme of the Appeltjes changes every year.

The prize consists of a bronze statue designed and made by Princess Beatrix and a sum of 25,000 euros. This money can be spent freely within the objective of the winning initiative. Every year, Queen Máxima awards the three Appeltjes van Oranje at Paleis Noordeinde. More information: www.oranjefonds.nl/appeltjes

SABA/SINT EUSTATIUS - On Sunday, May 18, twenty employees of the Belastingdienst Caribisch Nederland on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba received the 'Medal for loyal and long service to Customs'. This distinction is awarded to employees who have been in service of Customs for 12.5, 25, 40, or even 50 years.

During an official ceremony, the medals and certificates were presented by respectively the Director of Policy, Strategy & International Affairs, Ms. Mechteld Fletcher, and the Director of the Belastingdienst Caribisch Nederland, Mrs. Claudia Toet. The customs employees received their distinctions in the presence of their family and loved ones.

This distinction is separate from the so-called jubilee. If employees were previously employed by another Dutch ministry, the jubilee includes the years of service at both the other ministry and the actual years of service at Customs combined. However, for the medal for long and loyal service, only the years of service at Customs are counted.

This is an initiative that started a few years ago in the Netherlands and has now taken place in the Caribbean Netherlands for the first time. This marks an important step in recognizing long-term and dedicated employment within the Caribbean Netherlands.

Director of the Belastingdienst Caribisch Claudia Toet: “This medal is more than a token of appreciation. It is a tribute to our Customs colleagues who, for many years, have contributed to Customs Caribbean Netherlands with heart and soul. Their dedication forms the backbone of our society and organization, and on sunday we proudly took a moment to reflect on that together”.

The medal for loyal service is an appreciation for years of dedication and loyalty. With this recognition, we express our pride in all our colleagues who dedicate themselves to Customs with commitment every day.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is calling on households and businesses to continue to take their own steps after every rainfall event in eliminating mosquito breeding sites to effectively minimize mosquito borne diseases, such as dengue. 

The country is entering the rainy season which encourages mosquito breeding and therefore mosquito control will become extremely important in order to limit the opportunity of mosquito borne diseases.

Households and businesses must check their surroundings two days after a rainfall event to make sure mosquitoes are not breeding in containers around your home and business.

Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half inch of water.  This is not much, and plant saucers, bottle caps or plastic shopping bags hidden amongst vegetation/shrub, are some of those unassuming places that can gather a small amount of water and can still be a huge breeding site for your mosquitoes.

Dengue can become a life-threatening illness, and it is crucial for everyone to be aware of the symptoms and take the necessary precautions to prevent further mosquito breeding, and transmission of mosquito borne diseases.

People become infected with dengue virus when an infected Aedes Aegyptus or Aedes albopictus mosquito feed or bite them. Usually between four to seven (4-7) days after a bite of an infected mosquito people typically begin to show symptoms.

Persons with a fever and two or more of the following symptoms are suspected dengue cases and should be tested for confirmation: Nausea/vomiting; Rash; Myalgia/arthralgia (muscle/joint pain); Headache, retro-orbital pain (pain behind the eyes); and Petechiae (red/purple spots on skin); Leukopenia (decrease in number of white blood cells).

Source reduction is the key to decreasing the mosquito population. Due to the tropical nature of our climate, breeding habitats are in abundance, and many of them are unfortunately man-made.

Breeding sites include anywhere that water can settle or remain stagnant for a certain time undisturbed from garbage to your flowers/plants. This includes tin cans, old tires, empty paint cans, buckets, old saucers, flowerpots, cemetery urns/vase, old pet dishes, unused plastic swimming pools, boats on dry dock, used food containers, plastic drinking cups; plastic shopping bags or other containers or plants that collect and hold water.

Source reduction starts by covering, removing, or turning over containers, artificial artifacts, unused boats which can be potential breeding sites and properly maintain the yard and surrounding by trimming overgrown vegetation. Every resident on the island should comply with the source reduction to have an impact against mosquitoes in the community.

A few tips/reminders: Get rid of any unused pots or bins or turn them upside down, so they don’t collect water; Keep trash and recycling bins covered. If you can, try drilling drain holes into the bottom of unused containers; conduct a weekly assessment in and around your home, workplace and even recreation venue; keep a fine-mesh screen over rain barrels, water tanks and cistern outlets. Clean your rain spouts regularly so water can flow and not become stagnant; and properly remove or treat old unused tires.

In addition, to eliminating mosquito breeding sites, weekly assess your home and workplace and eliminate the source. Use mosquito repellent to prevent the mosquitoes from feeding, follow the instructions on the product label. Aedes aegypti mosquito is attracted to dark spaces and clothing at dusk and dawn. It is recommended to wear light coloured clothing during those times.

For issues surrounding mosquito breeding sites, contact CPS’ vector control team by calling 520-4161, 542-1222/1570, or 914. 

Or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with supporting pictures and contact information to report a mosquito nuisance or request assistance.