Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) proudly announces the winners of the ToppiX 2026 Aviation Photography Competition, marking the exciting return of the contest after a 10-year hiatus.

 This year’s edition brought the competition back with a special theme: “The First Landing of Southwest Airlines in SXM,” inviting photographers to capture a historic milestone for the island’s aviation sector.

After careful evaluation by the jury, three winners were selected:

3rd Place: Sabih Sebastiaan Haasdijk
2nd Place: Jachiem Richardson (HD Fly)
1st Place: Paul Ellinger

The winning image by Paul Ellinger stood out for its exceptional composition, striking use of color, and strong sense of place, clearly capturing the iconic surroundings of SXM. A particularly unique element noted by the judges was the shadow of the aircraft within the image, which closely aligns with the airport’s branding. The “X” in SXM symbolizes an aircraft, with the line beneath representing its shadow, making this photograph a powerful and meaningful visual representation of the airport’s identity.

“As soon as I captured this moment, I knew it was something special,” said Paul Ellinger. “To have my photo selected as the winner is truly an honor. SXM is such a unique place for aviation photography, and I’m proud to be part of capturing that story.”

As the grand prize winner, Paul Ellinger’s photograph will be prominently featured as the new backdrop in the terminal building, offering passengers the opportunity to capture their own memories with this iconic image. In addition, the photo will be showcased as the header image on the official SXM Airport website.

Princess Juliana International Airport congratulates all winners and participants for their creativity and passion. The return of the ToppiX competition highlights the strong connection between aviation, destination, the community and reaffirms SXM’s position as one of the world’s most iconic aviation locations.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), in close consultation with the Prosecutor’s Office, hereby informs the public of strengthened enforcement measures specifically targeting public safety and order in and around the Festival Village area.
In recent days, KPSM has observed a concerning increase in fighting and group violence occurring during and after events at the Festival Village and surrounding streets.
These incidents have placed members of the public at risk, disrupted public order, and negatively impacted the safe enjoyment of organized events.
In response, immediate and stricter measures will now be enforced:
• The current fine for fighting, previously set at US $105, will be increased by 40%, resulting in a new fine of US $147. This increase is intended to strengthen deterrence and reflect the seriousness of such conduct in public event areas.
• In all incidents involving group fights or public violence within the Festival Village and surrounding areas, KPSM will take immediate action.
All identified suspects will be arrested, detained, and processed in accordance with legal procedures

KPSM will maintain a police presence, including proactive patrols around the Festival Village during event periods to prevent escalation and restore order where necessary.

KPSM strongly urges all visitors, patrons, and members of the public to conduct themselves responsibly. The Festival Village is intended to be a safe entertainment environment, and violent or disorderly behavior will be met with firm enforcement action.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten remains committed to ensuring public safety and maintaining order in all entertainment and public gathering areas.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), is advising the public—particularly adults, parents, and guardians—to be mindful of the risks associated with exposure to loud music during Carnival 2026 activities.

CPS emphasizes that prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause hearing damage, especially in young children, and calls on families to take the necessary precautions to protect their hearing.

With Carnival festivities well underway, several major events featuring music trucks and amplified sound systems are scheduled in the coming weeks.
These include the Junior Carnival Parade on Sunday, April 19, the Jouvert Morning Jump-Up on Monday, April 27, the Grand Carnival Parade on Thursday, April 30, and the Labour Day Lighted Parade on Friday, May 1.

CPS is encouraging the public to be cautious when attending these events, particularly by avoiding standing in close proximity to speakers on sound trucks.

Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB), and higher decibel levels indicate louder and more potentially harmful sounds. Exposure to excessive noise, even for short periods, can have adverse effects on hearing.

In children, environmental noise exposure has also been linked to stress responses, reduced well-being, and increased levels of hormones such as adrenaline. Repeated or prolonged exposure to loud sounds can result in permanent and irreversible hearing damage.

Hearing loss can range from mild to profound and may affect one or both ears, making it difficult to hear normal conversation or loud sounds. CPS is therefore urging parents and guardians to closely monitor their children during Carnival activities and ensure they are not positioned near high-volume sound sources.

To reduce the risk of hearing damage, CPS recommends the use of child-sized hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs during noisy events.

Parents are also encouraged to limit the amount of time children spend in high-noise environments and to teach them to move away from loud sound sources when possible. Additionally, children who frequently participate in noisy activities should have their hearing checked regularly.

CPS encourages the community to take a proactive approach to hearing health during the festive season. By taking simple preventive measures, families can enjoy Carnival 2026 while protecting the well-being of their children.

For more information, contact CPS at 542-1122, 542-1222, 542-1322, or 542-1570, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) hereby informs the general public that the first phase of the Inter-Insular Gun Amnesty Project officially concluded on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026.

KPSM expresses its appreciation to all individuals who made use of this opportunity to voluntarily turn in illegal firearms. This cooperation directly enhances the safety and security of our community.

As of now, KPSM will transition into the repressive phase of the project, operating under the theme:
“We Coming for It.”

During this phase, targeted searches and controls will be conducted at persons, homes, vehicles, and locations where information has been received indicating the possible presence of illegal firearms.

KPSM wishes to make it clear that strict enforcement will be applied. Individuals found in possession of illegal firearms during this phase will face serious legal consequences in accordance with the law.

The Police Force remains committed to reducing gun violence and ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors of Sint Maarten.

KPSM urges the public to continue cooperating and to report any information related to illegal firearms. 172-5422222 or the tip line at 9300