PHILIPSBURG:--- The Backstreet Bonanza Organizing Team, in collaboration with the Backstreet Merchants and local vendors, is pleased to announce the 6th annual Backstreet Bonanza, taking place on Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30, 2025. This highly anticipated two-day event will once again transform Backstreet into a vibrant hub of extended Black Friday deals, early Christmas shopping, live entertainment, and a variety of local vendors showcasing their products.

The event will run from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturday and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, offering residents and visitors ample time to enjoy the festivities. The public is encouraged to come out on both days, as some vendors will only be present for one of the two days, and you won’t want to miss the full experience.

Backstreet will be closed to through-traffic from 7:00 PM on Friday, November 28, and will reopen on Sunday, November 30 at 6:00 PM. Motorists are strongly advised not to park on Backstreet during this period, as any vehicle found parked in the restricted area will be towed.
A special highlight of the weekend will take place on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., when Santa Claus comes to town to spread holiday cheer and distribute gifts to children aged 0–12. Families are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy this festive moment.

The Backstreet Bonanza Organizing Team extends its appreciation to Flow, the main sponsor of this year’s event, for their generous support, as well as to the Ministry of TEATT for their continued collaboration. The Laser 101 team will provide an on-site live broadcast, keeping the community engaged with updates and entertainment.

The community is invited to come out and enjoy two days of safe, family-friendly fun, exciting deals, and vibrant holiday spirit. Join us on Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30, as we celebrate the 6th anniversary of Backstreet Bonanza—bigger, brighter, and better than ever.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor is warning the general public about the use of medicines obtained from unauthorized sources (i.e., illegal medication).
Illegal medicines are those sold outside the approved, legal, and regulated supply chain. They are not obtained from licensed pharmacies or official distributors. These medicines are often sold by unregulated individuals or establishments, fraudulent website,s and are promoted on social media platforms. There is no guarantee that these medicines meet the necessary standards of quality, efficacy, and safety.
Such illegal medicines pose a serious risk to public health. Their quality is unpredictable, as they may contain the wrong amount of active ingredients, harmful levels of other ingredients, or none at all. They may also be expired, contaminated, or poorly stored. Illegal medicines are known to be manufactured in clandestine laboratories with no quality control.
People who use illegal medicines are therefore at a very high risk of treatment failure, unexpected and serious health problems, and dangerous interactions with other drugs.
Noteworthy is the global rise in the sale of illegal medicines marketed for weight loss and diabetes. These medicines, when obtained from the regulated supply chain, should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Patients who think they might benefit from treatment with weight loss drugs should consult a doctor and should not buy them without a prescription or from sources other than legitimate retailers (authorized pharmacies).
The public is advised only to purchase medicines from licensed pharmacies!
The Inspectorate strongly urges any individual possessing information regarding suspected importation and or sale of illegal medicines to contact our office, as these actions constitute a violation of the law and present significant risks to public health and safety.

Cupe Coy:--- Earlier this month, the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the American University of the Caribbean (AUC), hosted its first First Aid / Heart Saver CPR AED and Stop the Bleed training for justice personnel. The session stems from discussions Minister Tackling held with AUC representatives earlier this year, focused on strengthening the Ministry’s capacity, readiness, and service to the public.

The training was facilitated by Windward Islands Emergency Medical Services (WIEMS) and AUC students and certified trainers, with participation from customs officers, the Secretary-General, cabinet staff, Immigration officers, and representatives from several justice departments.

This initiative reflects Minister Tackling’s commitment to strengthening the justice system from within, with additional capacity-building opportunities expected as the Ministry continues prioritizing preparedness and resilience across the justice chain.

By Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean

During my visits to Sint Maarten, I learned quickly that people are careful with the word ‘hurricane.’ If you mention it, someone may stop you: ‘Don’t bring that into existence.’ It’s more than an instinct — it reflects how deeply the memory of Irma lives on, and how vigilant life on a small island must be. Having been based in Jamaica during Hurricanes Beryl and, more recently, Melissa, I can now say, “I get it.”

As this year’s hurricane season draws to an end, there is reason for Sint Maarten to breathe a sigh of relief; having been spared major storms. Yet the devastation brought by Hurricane Melissa to Jamaica is a powerful reminder that in the Caribbean, no one is ever truly out of reach. For Sint Maarten, where geography defines both beauty and vulnerability, every hurricane season brings the risk of seeing years of progress swept away. Hurricane Irma alone caused damage estimated at more than twice the island’s GDP, leaving deep scars but also lasting lessons.

In the years since, Sint Maarten has taken those lessons to heart. The country is shifting from rebuilding after disasters to reducing risks before they strike — strengthening preparedness, investing in safer infrastructure, and planning with future storms in mind.

At the World Bank, we’ve worked closely with the government to support this shift — through the Sint Maarten Reconstruction, Recovery, and Resilience Trust Fund, a partnership with the Government of Sint Maarten and the Government of the Netherlands.

Established after Hurricane Irma, the Trust Fund was designed not only to rebuild what was lost but to build systems that make recovery faster and stronger when the next storm comes. Across the island, that resilience is now taking shape in tangible ways. Homes are being repaired to higher building standards so families can return to safer roofs. The Princess Juliana International Airport – the backbone of the island's tourism economy - has been rebuilt with stronger structural standards to protect lives and keep the country connected when the next storm hits. A new hospital is being constructed, engineered to withstand earthquakes and strong winds, ensuring continuity of care even during the most severe storms.

Preparedness also extends beyond physical structures. Through the Trust Fund, Sint Maarten is strengthening its digital systems — ensuring that government services and critical data remain functional even in times of crisis. The education sector, too, is adapting: teachers are better equipped to respond, and a disaster-preparedness game "HURRYcane Run" is helping children learn how to stay safe when storms approach.

The Trust Fund also introduced the Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Assessments, giving Sint Maarten its first consistent way to track students’ progress and address learning gaps that widened during the pandemic. All of these efforts point in the same direction: Sint Maarten is not simply rebuilding, it is redefining what resilience means for a small island nation. This commitment is reflected as well in the government’s plan to establish a Disaster Reserve Fund — a dedicated reserve for emergencies — developed with guidance from a World Bank study. Steps like these help ensure that when storms strike, resources are ready.

Yet resilience is never finished. As climate risks intensify, Sint Maarten — like all small island economies — will need to keep expanding its protections: strengthening financial buffers, investing in faster early-warning systems, and ensuring that every recovery plan is backed by dedicated, ready-to-use financing. Continued regional collaboration — sharing expertise, pooling risk, and strengthening institutions — will be essential to sustain these gains.

While Sint Maarteners avoid saying the word “hurricane,” their actions speak louder than words. They are preparing, adapting, and rebuilding stronger each time — and experience shows that this commitment always pays off.