PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Fire Department is calling on the community to be safe this Easter holiday weekend that kicks off from Friday, April 3rd until and including Monday, April 6th.

Many people will be heading to the beach for various watersports activities and having a funday with family and friends. Safety should always be a concern.

Keep a watchful eye on young children whether they can or cannot swim; make sure that their flotation devices are in proper working condition. Tragic water events can happen quickly.  

Pay attention to senior family members who are swimming.  The beach can be fun and an enjoyable experience, so it’s up to you to stay safe.

Watch out for strong water currents. Stay in shallow water.

Exercise safe cooking practices in the kitchen to prevent kitchen fires and burn injuries.  While at the beach barbecuing, pay keen attention that young children are not close by.

After a successful BBQ, don’t forget to clean up all utensils, bottles, cans, paper plates, napkins and plastic cups from your family/friend Easter holiday beach experience and properly dispose of them in a garbage bin. Once coals have been completely extinguished, remove them so the beach environment is returned to its original state. 

Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children this Easter holiday weekend.

The Fire Department wishes all a safe and happy Easter holiday weekend.

The Fire Department falls under the Ministry of General Affairs.

In the event of a fire emergency, call 919.

Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) hosted its very first Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Hunt on Saturday evening, bringing together airport employees for a unique and festive Easter celebration on the runway.

 With Easter right around the corner, Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) is embracing the festive spirit with activities for both the community and its employees. In celebration of the season, a large Easter Bunny has been placed outside the terminal, inviting the community to stop by and capture memorable photos. In the evenings, the installation lights up, creating an even more vibrant and picture-perfect moment for visitors.

As part of the internal celebrations, PJIAE hosted its very first “Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Hunt” on Saturday evening, held outdoors on the airport’s runway. Organized by the internal event committee, the event brought together employees in a fun and unique setting, encouraging team bonding and a shared sense of community.

The evening was filled with excitement, laughter, and friendly competition, as colleagues enjoyed a creative twist on a classic Easter tradition.

“Creating moments like these allows us to connect beyond the workplace and celebrate together as one team,” said Bermyle Davis, HR People Operations Officer and organizer of the event. “It was truly rewarding to see everyone come together and enjoy such a special experience.”

PJIAE remains committed to fostering a positive and engaging work environment, while also creating moments that connect with the wider community. We would like to wish everyone a joyful Easter filled with happiness, quality time, and meaningful moments with family and loved ones, just as we celebrated with our airport family.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Aquatic Federation (SMAF) national swim team consists of 10 swimmers—5 boys and 5 girls.  The team consists of Azaiah Roper- Duzon, Holdson Jean Fort, Kjeld van der Meer, Declan Boyd, and Emmbriel Flanders, as well as J’aishaa Jeffers, Victoria Otto, Caithlyn Challenger, Lois Geeerdink, and Aiyana Bourne.  Both Victoria and Holdson are new members of the national swim team.  They will compete against athletes from 20 Caribbean countries at the CARIFTA 2026 Aquatics Championships, which will take place in Martinique from April 3–8, 2026. The young athletes will compete in a variety of aquatic disciplines, showcasing their skills and determination on a regional stage. Accompanying the team will be a coach, Dwight Vermeer, and a delegation leader, Claudia Connor, both representing SMAF and providing guidance and support throughout the competition.

All pool events will be held at the Lamentin Aquatic Center in Martinique. The CARIFTA Aquatics Championships is regarded as a key developmental event, offering young swimmers the opportunity to gain valuable international experience and prepare for higher levels of competition.

Supporters and fans are encouraged to follow the team’s journey and stay updated on their performance through social media platforms, including Instagram (@cariftamartinique2026 and @liguenatationmartinique) and Facebook (CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 and Martinique Swimming League).

PHILIPSBURG:--- Excitement filled the air on Sunday, March 29th, as students, parents, and supporters gathered to witness the annual Caribbean Gems Interscholastic Elementary and High School Swim Meets. The event, organized by Caribbean Gems, Carib Swim Team (CST), and the St. Maarten Aquatic Federation (SMAF), brought together young swimmers from the different schools in a spirited display of talent and sportsmanship.

The morning session kicked off with the elementary school competition, featuring seven participating schools. St. Dominic Primary School emerged as the overall winner, followed by Learning Unlimited in second place and Sr. Regina Primary School in third. Caribbean International Academy secured fourth place, while Asha Stevens Hillside School placed 5th, John A. Gumbs MAC Campus placed 6^th , and Martin Luther King School placed seventh. Notably, Martin Luther King School was represented by a single swimmer, demonstrating determination and resilience. The School Spirit Trophy was awarded to Sr. Regina Primary School for their enthusiastic support.

In the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to the secondary schools. Caribbean International Academy (CIA) claimed first place, with St. Dominic School High finishing second and Milton Peters College taking third. Learning Unlimited placed fourth, followed by St. Maarten Academy in fifth, MAC Comprehensive Secondary Education in sixth, and St. Maarten Vocational Training School in seventh. Similar to the morning session, St. Maarten Vocational Training School was represented by a single swimmer. The School Spirit Trophy went to St. Dominic High School.

The St. Maarten Aquatic Federation expressed its gratitude to Caribbean Gems for its continued sponsorship of the event for over 30 years. The company’s contributions include providing medals, trophies, certificates, and facilitating the use of the swimming pool. Appreciation was also extended to Carib Swim Team for technical support, WIEMS, lifeguards, Eline Broere, and Nikki Grandtner, as well as the volunteers from CST and the board members of SMAF who ensured the success of the event. We would like to thank all participating schools and expressed hopes for an even greater turnout at the 2027.