PHILIPSBURG:--- Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School proudly concluded a meaningful and impactful Anti-Bullying Week, held from Monday, January 19 through Friday, January 23. The week-long initiative focused on promoting kindness, safety, and respect while equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to stand up against bullying in all its forms.

Throughout the week, students participated in engaging activities and themed dress-up days that reinforced the message of unity and individuality:
• Monday Kickoff – Odd Socks Day: Students celebrated uniqueness and diversity by wearing mismatched socks.
• Wednesday – Bright Shoes Day: Colorful footwear symbolized each student’s personal journey and individuality.
• Friday Finale – Twins, Triplets & Quadruplets Day: Matching outfits highlighted the power of friendship, teamwork, and togetherness.

Inside the classrooms, students collaborated with their teachers on a variety of creative projects, including designing vibrant bulletin boards that reflected the themes of empathy, courage, and positive behavior.

The school was honored to welcome an inspiring lineup of guest speakers who enriched the students’ social-emotional learning lessons. Their contributions played a vital role in deepening students’ understanding of kindness, resilience, and leadership.

Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School extends heartfelt appreciation to:
• Officer Rumari Rogers & Officer Felix Richards for empowering students to be upstanders.
• Officer Romeo for her guidance on respect, resilience, and choosing not to bully.
• Ms. Tamara Leonard for her uplifting message and engaging story time.
• Mr. Quincy Turner for connecting his motivational message to the word of God.
• Ms. Estika Halley for her session on positive behavior and self-worth.
• Mr. Paul Bell for his impactful lesson on character and leadership.
• Mrs. Nina Espacia-Joseph & Ms. Robinette Barbij for their joyful musical presentation on kindness and being a superhero for others.

The Student Care Coordinators, Mrs. MJ Laurenaria and Ms. J. Rombley, noted that the week highlighted the strength of community support. Through student reflection, creative activities, and the guidance of inspiring guest speakers, they said students were reminded that they are never alone in helping to build and protect a bully-free environment. Echoing that message, School Managers—Mrs. C. Rombley-Delaney and Mrs. L. Honore-Edwards—reaffirmed the school’s commitment to providing a nurturing learning environment rooted in academic excellence, strong moral principles, and Christian values.

Hillside Christian Schools also upholds a Zero-Tolerance Policy on bullying, ensuring that every child feels safe, valued, and supported at school. Together, these efforts made Anti-Bullying Week a clear testament to the school’s dedication to shaping compassionate, confident, and responsible young leaders—both inside and outside the classroom.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is investigating a serious traffic incident that occurred on January 30th, 2026, on A.Th. Illidge Road, near the entrance of the Madame Estate Shopping Center.

At approximately 04.30 PM, Central Dispatch received several reports of a traffic accident at the mentioned location. Police patrols, Traffic Department personnel, and ambulance services were immediately dispatched.

Upon arrival, officers encountered a collision involving two vehicles.

According to information obtained from bystanders, a white SUV, traveling in the direction of the Middle Region, suddenly swerved to the left side of the road and collided with a green pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction. The damage sustained by both vehicles was not extensive.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the white SUV may have suffered a medical emergency, which likely contributed to the accident.

Ambulance personnel attempted to render medical assistance at the scene; however, it was later confirmed that the male driver of the SUV had passed away.

The Traffic Department is currently conducting further investigations into this incident.

PHILIPSBURG:---   The Honorable Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, has addressed recent claims regarding the taxation of Justice personnel, clarifying that an extraordinary tax is not applied to regular monthly salaries. Instead, an extraordinary tax applies solely to extraordinary income components such as vacation allowance, gratifications, bonuses, and other one-time payments.
The Minister’s clarification follows a recent article published by a Member of Parliament in which concerns were raised regarding the taxation of Justice personnel. While the concerns are understood, the information presented in the article was not entirely accurate and requires correction to avoid misunderstanding among employees and the wider public.
Minister Gumbs explained that the issue originated from a lump-sum payment made in 2024, which temporarily placed some Justice employees in the highest extraordinary tax bracket of 47.5 percent. In 2025, this exceptional situation was not followed by a manual adjustment of the extraordinary tax bracket. As a result, the 2025 extraordinary earnings for some individuals were taxed at the higher extraordinary rate. This does not mean that regular monthly salaries were taxed at 47.5 percent, as regular salaries are taxed in accordance with the applicable income tax brackets.
It is important to clarify that for Justice personnel, overtime, bereikbaarheid (on-call allowances), and diverse toelagen are not considered extraordinary income. These components are regarded as monthly recurring income and are therefore subject to regular wage taxation, just like the regular monthly salary.
Minister Gumbs further emphasized that this situation is case-specific as it does not apply to all individuals. Some individuals also received a lump-sum payment in 2025, which may have made applying the higher extraordinary tax bracket correct for them.
In addition, the Minister clarified that the percentage shown on a payslip relates only to the taxation of extra earnings. This percentage does not apply to regular monthly salary and should not be interpreted as the tax rate on normal wages.
According to the Minister, the 2025 fiscal year has now been officially closed and cannot be administratively reopened. Employees who file their 2025 income tax returns will receive any applicable refunds through the regular assessment process, provided there are no outstanding tax obligations.
To prevent a recurrence for those who received a lump sum in 2025, the Minister confirmed that the matter has been addressed with the Wages and Salaries Department. Specific emphasis has been placed on ensuring that extraordinary tax brackets are manually adjusted where necessary, going forward in 2026. The issue has also been discussed with the relevant labor unions as part of ongoing engagement, and actual payslips were requested and reviewed. The Minister thanks the union for its constructive cooperation throughout this process. In the months leading up to the payment of vacation allowance, the Wages and Salaries Department will ensure that the required manual adjustments are made. While the payroll system generally adjusts brackets automatically, the uncommon and irregular nature of lump-sum repayments to Justice personnel contributed to this situation.
“Our Justice personnel are frontline officers, the hardworking men and women in blue who serve and protect our community daily, often under difficult circumstances. Their concerns deserve to be heard, taken seriously, and addressed within the boundaries of the law,” Minister Gumbs stated.
The Minister also addressed claims suggesting that regular monthly salaries were unlawfully taxed at the highest rate, describing such assertions as inaccurate. She stressed the importance of accuracy and responsibility in public discourse on fiscal matters, noting that payroll calculations are complex for some. Publicly sharing unverified information without reviewing even a single payslip can lead to misinformation and unrealistic expectations among Justice personnel.
In closing, Minister Gumbs reaffirmed her commitment to accuracy, fairness, and transparency in public finance, and to the continuous improvement of administrative processes to ensure they function correctly for all civil servants.
The Minister also reminds the public and all civil servants that every last Friday of the month is ‘Finance Friday’ during which walk-in consultations will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Individuals with questions or uncertainties are encouraged to attend, no appointment is required. Additionally, during Financial Literacy Month, two sessions on understanding payslips was conducted by the Minister of Finance. She strongly encourages participation in such sessions, emphasizing that understanding one’s payslip is essential.

PHILIPSBURG:---Orco Bank is proud and honored to announce that it has been named #2 Best Bank on Sint Maarten, a recognition made possible through the support and votes of its valued customers and the wider community.
This achievement reflects the trust placed in Orco Bank and reinforces its commitment to providing reliable financial solutions, excellent customer service, and a strong connection to the people of Sint Maarten.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us,” said Judy King – Richardson, Country Manager for Orco Bank in Sint Maarten. “Being recognized as the #2 Best Bank on the island is not just an award, it is a responsibility. It motivates us to continue raising the bar and serving our community with integrity, professionalism, and care.”
Orco Bank extends sincere thanks to its customers for their continued loyalty and confidence. The bank remains focused on supporting personal and business growth across Sint Maarten while contributing positively to the island’s economic and social development.
Orco Bank. Proud to Serve Sint Maarten.
For more information about Orco Bank, please visit https://www.orcobank.com. Stay connected and follow us for daily updates on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrcoBank and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/orco-bank.