Nevis Mango Festival: St. Maarten Secures 3rd Place in Chef Competition

Twenty-four experienced disaster responders from across the Caribbean have gathered in Kingston, Jamaica, for a three-day Last Mile Distribution Training of Trainers course hosted at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). The program is designed to build local capacity so that emergency relief supplies can reach affected families more quickly and efficiently following disasters. The hands-on training equips Caribbean responders with the skills to then train others in their home territories, creating a regional network of qualified last-mile distribution specialists. The initiative reflects a growing push across the Caribbean to reduce dependence on outside expertise during disaster response operations. By developing homegrown trainers, the region aims to cut delays that often occur when international responders must be brought in after major weather events or other emergencies. The effort is particularly relevant for islands like St. Maarten, which has experienced the devastating impact of hurricanes and the logistical challenges of getting aid to residents in their aftermath.

St. Maarten officials signed a cooperation agreement to establish a satellite library branch inside the Point Blanche Prison, marking a significant step in rehabilitation programming for inmates. The signing ceremony brought together Minister Melissa Gumbs, Minister Nathalie Tackling, and St. Maarten Library Director Joseanne Peterson, alongside prison management and inmates. The initiative will extend the St. Maarten Public Library's services directly into the correctional facility, giving inmates access to books and educational resources. The satellite library is intended to support literacy, personal development, and rehabilitation among the incarcerated population. The involvement of two cabinet ministers signals strong government backing for the program. Such prison library programs are widely recognized as effective tools in reducing recidivism and improving inmate outcomes. The agreement formalizes the partnership between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the St. Maarten Library.

A coordination meeting was held on July 23, 2026, at the headquarters of the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) to address road safety concerns related to the ongoing construction of the new Point Blanche Prison. The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of VROMI (Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure), the contractors overseeing the prison project, and KPSM officials. The primary focus was on developing and coordinating traffic and road safety measures to manage the impact of construction activity on surrounding roads. The Point Blanche area, already a key corridor on the island, requires careful traffic management given the scale of the infrastructure project. The meeting signals a proactive, multi-agency approach to ensuring public safety during the construction phase. No immediate incidents were reported as the trigger for the meeting — it appears to be a precautionary planning session. Continued coordination between law enforcement, government ministries, and private contractors is expected as the project progresses.