PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) has observed growing concern about disregarding regulations among truck drivers transporting aggregates across the island. Despite past warnings about how these materials should be transported on public roads, many drivers continue to flout these laws, posing significant hazards to public safety and infrastructure.

Of particular concern are instances where aggregates are transported without proper covering, leaving these materials exposed to the elements and susceptible to spilling onto the roads. Additionally, it has come to our attention that the tailgates of trucks are often not securely closed, leading to significant spillage and debris accumulation on roadways.

Considering these ongoing hazards, the Police Force of Sint Maarten is issuing a strong warning to all truck drivers engaged in the transportation of aggregates. Drivers must immediately address these issues and ensure full compliance with regulations governing heavy equipment on the road.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten will intensify enforcement efforts to uphold the laws about the transportation of aggregates. Any violations observed will be met with fines and enforcement actions to ensure all road users' safety and preserve public infrastructure.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten urges all truck drivers to:

• Ensure that all aggregates are adequately covered during transportation to prevent spillage.
• Securely close tailgates to prevent materials from falling onto roadways.
• Adhere to all regulations governing the transportation of heavy equipment on public roads.

Failure to comply with these regulations will result in enforcement actions, including fines.

The safety of our community is paramount, and the Police Force of Sint Maarten is committed to ensuring compliance with regulations to mitigate hazards associated with the transportation of aggregates. We urge all drivers to prioritize safety and take the necessary measures to prevent accidents and damage to public infrastructure.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Bregje Boetekees, Operations Manager of the White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF), received a royal honor (“lintje”) on King’s Day in recognition of her services in the field of healthcare. This Royal Decoration, requested by the WYCCF and endorsed by several persons in the community, celebrates her significant contributions across various areas. The WYCCF congratulates Bregje Boetekees on this well-deserved royal honor, acknowledging her remarkable achievements and commitment to the people of St. Maarten.
The application was based on several reasons, of which these are the most important ones:
Exceptional Leadership During Hurricane Irma When Hurricane Irma struck St. Maarten, Bregje Boetekees stayed with her teams to ensure the safety of clients, staff, and the WYCCF facilities. After the storm, she took charge of the cleanup and rebuilding efforts, dedicating her own time to restore essential services. Bregje's role extended to the government ESF-6 group and to the early recovery projects, which included the rebuilding of 48 homes and two retraining programs. Supporting the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign, Bregje played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic with a comprehensive vaccination campaign on the island. In partnership with Collective Preventive Services, the Dutch Ministry of VWS, and the RIVM, she supported the development and implementation of a robust vaccine distribution strategy, with the WYCCF becoming a central hub for vaccine administration to the 60+ population. Her efforts significantly impacted the health and safety of the local community, especially among the elderly and vulnerable. Expanding Healthcare in St. Maarten Under Bregje's leadership, the White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation has become St. Maarten's second largest healthcare provider, expanding its services to include guided living and an enhanced day activity center for persons with an intellectual disability. She also launched a Rehabilitation center, a daycare for persons with a psychogeriatric diagnosis (such as dementia), a hospice, and a specialized swimming pool for all clients of WYCCF. These innovations have dramatically improved healthcare accessibility and quality on the island.
Early Contributions and Crisis Response Bregje began her journey in 1996 with the founding of Private Nursing, offering essential home health services like maternity care and palliative care. Her humanitarian spirit shone during the aftermath of Hurricane Luis in 1995 when she volunteered to assist with the transportation of patients to Curaçao via military transport. Her selflessness during this crisis exemplifies the compassion that earned her this royal honor. The White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation congratulates Bregje Boetekees on this well-deserved royal honor, acknowledging her remarkable achievements and commitment to the people of St. Maarten.

Willemstad;---  From May 7 to 10, the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao will participate in an Ibero-American conference in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, as president of the regional network CESISALC (Red de Consejos Económicos y Sociales e Instituciones Similares de América Latina y el Caribe). Under the title 'Encuentro: Democracia, pactos y consensos: la contribución de los Consejos Económicos y Sociales a las políticas públicas para una mejor gobernabilidad democrática. Sostenibilidad y cambio climático,” the meeting will focus on the essential role of socioeconomic advisory councils in promoting effective public policies for better democratic governance.
The opening ceremony will be led by distinguished officials from the SER of Spain and the Spanish Training Center for Development Cooperation in Cartagena, who are co-organizers of the conference. During the meeting, participants will consider several crucial themes, such as the impact of institutional social dialogue on policy and the challenges and opportunities presented by sustainability and climate change. There will also be a focus on the role of artificial intelligence in developing inclusive and sustainable regional models.
Leading speakers from various countries will share their perspectives on how socioeconomic advisory councils provide a foundation for strengthening democratic processes through constructive dialogue and cooperation. These contributions highlight the essential function of these councils in addressing regional dynamics and the growing complexity of global challenges.
The Curaçao ESC emphasizes the importance of ongoing international cooperation and knowledge exchange to address common challenges. This conference provides a platform for exploring policy and sustainable solutions that benefit the governance and prosperity of societies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

PHILIPSBURG:--- -Seventy-two students received glasses from the Sint Maarten Lions Club after undergoing eye exams as part of the club's sight project earlier this year. One of the students told the Lions' Club members that they could see, highlighting the significance and impact of the project in the community. The Sint Maarten Lions Club is thrilled to provide the various students with their much-needed glasses.
Recognizing the significance and importance of this project, the Lions Club of Sint Maarten continues to work to support the community's needs. The Sint Maarten Lions Club acknowledges that it would not have been possible without the community's support and expresses gratitude for their support in several fundraisers.
The club continues to progress in ensuring that the community receives the proper care and attention that it believes is necessary to move forward, including support for its sight projects.
Furthermore, the Sint Maarten Lions Club thanks its committed members for their help in distributing the glasses to different students, making sure each one received a pair for themselves. While the Sint Maarten Lions Club is aware of the many needs in the community, the club is committed to addressing those needs one service project at a time.