PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  As the clock ticks down to Christmas 2025, families have already been looking at their holiday meal options and shopping requirements, and these final days will be very busy.

Cooking up a storm for this holiday season is one of the Christmas traditions, and therefore proper food preparation is key to avoid food-borne health hazards that can ruin more than just a holiday meal – they can cause serious illness and even death.

Double check expiration dates on food items prior to purchasing or for use in meal preparation.

As part of Collective Prevention Services (CPS), Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Safe Holiday Season calendar of observances, in collaboration with the Department of Communication (DCOMM), residents are advised to keep the season safe by following some tips on how to enjoy holiday meals safely.

Here are some tips to avoid bacteria growing in your meals and delicious dishes:

1. Use a thermometer. Be sure stuffing, chicken and any other poultry dishes are cooked thoroughly to 165 degrees F; ground beef and ham must be cooked thoroughly to 155 degrees F. All other foods, including eggs should be cooked to 145 degrees F.

2. Do not leave foods containing meat, milk, eggs, fish, or poultry at room temperature for more than four hours. This includes pudding and custard-type pies that are popular during the holidays.

3. Cool all leftovers to 41 degrees F within four hours after cooking.

4. Do not thaw food at room temperature. Plan ahead and thaw them in the refrigerator. If the food needs to be thawed quickly, use the microwave or cold running water, and then cook promptly after it has thawed.

5. If you are traveling with food, be sure to keep it cold 41. F. or hot 140 F or above while transporting.

6. After the big meal, be sure to refrigerate any leftovers within 1 hour. Bacteria love room temperatures and grow quickly in amounts enough to make people ill.

To Prevent Food from Becoming Contaminated

1. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water before food preparation and after coughing, sneezing, using the toilet, changing diapers, eating, drinking, or smoking. If you have diarrhea or are feeling ill, avoid handling food in order to prevent the transmitting or spreading of oral/fecal infections.

2. Do not prepare or handle food if you are ill; a cook’s gastrointestinal illness could be spread to others sharing the meal.
3. Thoroughly clean and sanitize knives, cutting boards and other utensils before and after preparing raw foods and foods that do not require further cooking. Sanitize with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water.

4. Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables.
Contrary to popular belief, if you do become ill from contaminated food, it is not always the last meal you ate that’s the culprit. Food-borne illness can occur anywhere from one hour to 72 hours and even longer after eating contaminated food.

Please help make the 2025 holiday season be a safe one by paying attention to proper food preparation and handling techniques. Happy Holidays!

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Tax Administration hereby informs taxpayers that due to an administrative error, a number of “Jaar aanslagen 2020” for Wage Tax and the Premiums AOV/AWW and AVBZ were mistakenly issued.

These assessments carry a due date of December 31, 2025, and pertain specifically to assessments bearing the following description:

“U heeft geen verzamelloonstaat/Loonkaarten over het betreffende jaar ingediend. De aanslag is taxatief.”

The Tax Administration emphasizes that these assessments were issued in error and should not have been sent. Taxpayers are hereby informed that the assessments will be fully cancelled; no payment is required, and no further action is necessary.

The Tax Administration regrets any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused and assures the public that corrective measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence.

For more information or assistance, please contact the Tax Administration at 542-2143, 542-3782, 542-3839, or 542-3840, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG:--- His Excellency Governor Ajamu G. Baly met with the winner and finalists of the Youth Creative Vision Contest, organized in connection with the 2025 Governors Symposium under the theme “15 Years of Constitutional Autonomy: Achievements, Lessons and Prospects.” The informal meeting took place at the Cabinet of the Governor in Harbour View.

The contest invited students to share their vision for the future of Sint Maarten, drawing inspiration from lessons of the past and present. Submissions were presented in the form of poems, short essays, videos, or songs.

Following careful evaluation based on creativity, originality, relevance to the theme, and overall quality, Mr. Joshua Alexander of the Learning Unlimited Preparatory School was awarded first place for his essay “Constitutional Autonomy.” Ms. Terriann Buckley of the St. Maarten Academy Vocational Business Campus was awarded second place for her essay “The Future of St. Maarten.” At the same time, Ms. Aljenée Henry of the St. Maarten Academy earned third place for her poem “St. Maarten’s Awaited Journey.” The announcement was made during the Governor’s Symposium held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

During the informal meeting, the students shared their experiences researching and preparing their submissions. They highlighted the need for greater civic education and for greater emphasis on Sint Maarten’s history in school curricula. They also had the opportunity to ask His Excellency questions about his role as Governor and his outlook for the future of Sint Maarten.

His Excellency emphasized the importance of youth involvement in Sint Maarten's continued development. The students, in turn, shared their hopes and aspirations for the country as it stands today and its future. Governor Baly encouraged Mr. Alexander, Ms. Buckley, and Ms. Henry to remain actively engaged and to continue contributing to              Sint Maarten, both now and in the future.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, December 20, 2025, the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), in collaboration with various law enforcement partners, conducted a large-scale multi-agency control operation at the four borders of Sint Maarten. The operation took place between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM and was carried out in close cooperation with Customs, the Immigration Service, the Sint Maarten Volunteer Corps (VKS), Marines, and the Gendarmerie.

Objective of the Operation

The objective of this joint operation was to strengthen border control and enforcement at Sint Maarten's borders and on its roads. By combining the expertise and capacity of all involved agencies, a wide range of controls could be executed, ranging from vehicle and document checks to targeted security measures.

Execution

During the two-hour operation, several checkpoints were established at strategic locations. The KPSM, Customs, and the Immigration Service were responsible for border and document controls. The VKS and Marines monitored the outer perimeter and provided additional support where necessary, including assistance with vehicle searches.

Results

The control operation is considered successful by all involved parties. Clear positive effects were evident at both the operational and societal levels. The following results were gathered :

• 471 vehicles were inspected
• The Immigration Service checked 270 persons for documentation
• 7 buses with a total of 59 passengers were inspected
• 3 scooters were impounded
• 2 vehicles were seized due to the inability to present valid documents
• 4 persons were arrested on-site by the Immigration Service for failure to present valid residence documents; three of them were released after family members presented valid documents
• 65 persons were searched by the police
• Customs searched 40 vehicles
• 1 arrest was made by the police for violation of the Opium Ordinance.

KPSM emphasizes the importance of such multi-agency control operations for the safety and law enforcement in Sint Maarten. The cooperation between the various law enforcement partners was excellent and contributed to a safer Sint Maarten for all residents and visitors.

These types of controls will continue in the future, particularly during the busy Christmas and New Year's period. The KPSM, together with its partners, remains committed to conducting similar operations to ensure safety and enforcement on the island.

KPSM Press Release.