A number of persons, including fire and ambulance workers, gathered in the public tribune of Parliament on Monday to watch the meeting in person. Among them were leaders of the WICSU/PSU and NAPB unions.

PHILIPSBURG--The Governor has ratified the draft landsbesluit for the Fire Department’s placement process, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina announced during Monday’s urgent public meeting of Parliament on the escalating situation involving fire and ambulance personnel.

Ferley Feliz Valerio

CUL DE SAC--St. Maarten Academy has copped 10 top spots from among more than 100,000 candidates who wrote the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations in May/June this year, three more than the previous year.

UP MP Francisco Lacroes

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament erupted into controversy on Thursday after United People’s party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes opened his visual presentation by displaying an image of TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten’s husband, former MP Theo Heyliger, who is currently incarcerated, triggering an immediate adjournment and a fierce debate over parliamentary conduct and the use of visual presentations.

Detectives from KPSM, supported by the Forensic Department, immediately cordoned off the area and commenced their investigation.

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Police Force KPSM is investigating a fatal shooting in the Fort Willem area on Thursday evening, shortly before 7:00pm.

PHILIPSBURG--Members of the Fire Department are no longer willing to engage in back-and-forth discussions regarding the signing of a commitment letter aimed at resolving their concerns about placement and retroactive payments linked to their function book.

In a letter sent on Wednesday by Windward Islands Civil Servants Union-Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU) President Sharon Cangieter to Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, the union conveyed the Fire Department members’ frustration over unfulfilled agreements from previous meetings.