BES-Reporter announced that Postal Concessionaire for the BES-islands, FXDC, has announced that as of January 1, 2020, the rates for sending letters or packages will go up. FXDC points out that fares have not bee adapted since the year 2014, but that their costs have gone up. The postal organization …
Read More »Saba’s Fireworks Display: December 30th 2019
On Monday December 30th 2019, the annual Saba fireworks display will occur at 7pm on the Airport Road. The road will be blocked near Alessandro Guido’s home starting at 6pm, to prevent cars from parking too close to the fireworks and to allow for the display to be set up. …
Read More »When may you light off fireworks?
Government is hiring a goat controller
Dutch Football Association , KNVB, donates shirts and materials to Saba’s community
On Saturday 21 December, a group of about forty children and adults received items at the Johan Cruijff court in The Bottom which had been donated by the Royal Dutch Football Association. Among other things, a large number of Nike Shirts, Nike Balls, pawns and shirts have been distributed. One …
Read More »Illegal immigrants sent back to their countries of origin
Four illegal immigrants who had arrived in Saba early December 13 were flown out from St. Eustatius to their countries of origin early Friday morning, December 20. Members of the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force KPCN and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee escorted the four individuals to chartered aircraft, one by one. …
Read More »Stakeholders discuss Youth Policy Plan
On Monday, December 16th, stakeholders in youth care participated in a workshop, provided by the Public Entity Saba, to discuss the new Youth Policy Plan which is being drafted by Policy Advisor of the Saba Package Elsa Peterson. The Youth Policy Plan seeks to outline the obligations of the Public …
Read More »Changes in BES Healthcare Insurance claims as of January 1st, 2020
Several elements of the BES Healthcare Insurance Claims Regulation (Regeling Aanspraken Zorgverzekering BES) will change as of January 1st, 2020. The changes concern several new claims, and clarification and further requirements for existing claims and provisions. New Medical Devices The claims for medical devices have been expanded with wheelchairs, shower …
Read More »Saba fishermen unite and form the Saba Fishermen Association, SFA
Born out of concern about their future and the future of the fishing industry in Saba, the fishermen of Saba came together to form an association, the Saba Fishermen Association (SFA). The association is comprised of the commercial and recreational fishers that fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Saba, …
Read More »Police report of Monday, December 16th until Wednesday, December 18th 2019
On Monday, December 16th , a 56-year-old woman, with initials J.M.T., arrested on Saba for arson, attempted murder, and attempted homicide. KPCN
Read More »New BES(t) 4 Kids regulations for quality and accessibility of childcare
BES(t) 4 Kids pursues two goals: to strengthen the quality of childcare and after school facilities and to improve financial accessibility for parents. The program aims to have two important schemes in operation at the beginning of 2020: a new island ordinance with quality criteria for childcare organizations and a …
Read More »Saba Day celebration in The Netherlands
Last weekend, Sabans in The Netherlands celebrated Saba Day in The Hague. In addition to partying and enjoying good food, they also discussed the situation on the island. For example, most party-goers hope for a better future for their island. In The Hague, in café “De Vriendenkring” sounds lively soca …
Read More »St. Maarten bridge control booth destroyed by mega yacht in tricky Lagoon entry
The Simpson Bay Bridge control booth on St. Maarten was destroyed by a large mega yacht entering the Lagoon on Sunday after an open observation platform high up on the vessel’s bow collided with the booth during the 3:00pm bridge opening. The bridge operator was able to jump out of …
Read More »Illegal immigrants from Saba flown to Statia
A number of persons who were detained in Saba for violating the immigration regulations of the Caribbean Netherlands were flown to St. Eustatius on Friday. The immigrants landed around 5:30pm and were seen disembarking in handcuffs. Four of the immigrants are citizens of the Dominican Republic. The Dominicanos were flown …
Read More »Saba part of integral security plans pilot
The public entity Saba and nine municipalities in the Netherlands will participate in a pilot to assess integral security plans, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations BZK announced last Thursday. With the assistance of experts in the area of integral security, the municipalities Almelo, Berkelland, Breda, Dalfsen, Gooise …
Read More »Christmas tree at top of Mount Scenery
This past weekend, a Christmas tree was placed at the top of Mt. Scenery, with 877m the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom. On Saturday, December 14, six persons climbed Mt. Scenery with a Christmas tree, with the roots still attached. Climbing 1,060 steps with a tree that measured about …
Read More »Dutch press reports on visit Beatrix to Saba and Statia
The Dutch press reported on the visit of princess Beatrix to Saba and Statia. On Statia she even gave a short video interview with the press explaining why she made the trip and loves the islands. It was the first video interview in six years. (click images to link to …
Read More »Economic contraction on Saba and Bonaire in 2017, but substantial growth on Statia
In 2017, the volume of gross domestic product (GDP) declined on Bonaire and Saba, by 1.3 and 1.4 percent respectively. On St Eustatius, GDP rose by 6.6 percent. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this based on newly released figures. The GDP volume change* is the development of GDP** value, adjusted for …
Read More »Saba welcomes Princess Beatrix
With a small delay and in the pouring rain, Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands landed on Saba on Thursday morning, December 12. Clad in a grey rain poncho, she emerged from Winair’s Twin Otter and was greeted by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson and Island Secretary Tim Muller who both held …
Read More »Maximum tariffs for 2020 have been set for the production and distribution of electricity
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has set the maximum tariffs for the production and distribution of electricity in Bonaire and Saba, which shall apply as of January 1st, 2020. For Bonaire, the ACM has done the same for drinking water. Annually, the ACM sets maximum tariffs for …
Read More »Program of the visit of Princess Beatrix on Thursday, December 12 (updated)
As you may know, tomorrow December 12th 2019, Princess Beatrix will be visiting our island for the day. We know that many of you would like to see her during the visit and so would like to provide you with her schedule and the best times for seeing her. Update: …
Read More »Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance DCNA concludes working visit to the Netherlands.
Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Chair Hellen van der Wal and Interim Director Tadzio Bervoets recently concluded a working visit to the Netherlands. The primary goal of the visit was to engage and discuss the way forward for the organization and to lobby for increased support for the Nature Conservation …
Read More »45 participants set new mark in 4th annual Sea to Scenery Saba Day Race
A record number of participants raced on Saba as part of the Saba Day Weekend festivities. The race, named the Sea to Scenery as it ascends from the shoreline of Cove Bay, through Hell’s Gate and Windwardside, to the very top of Mt Scenery, took place on Saturday, December 7th. …
Read More »Police report of Friday, December 6th until Wednesday, December 11th 2019
On Friday, December 6th , a man with initials J.L.M.R. 45-year-old was arrested on Saba for assault. The suspect has assaulted a man with a bottle because of an old problem. The victim had to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment. On Saturday, December 7th , a man …
Read More »Two board members elected for Chamber of Commerce
Leonieke Zuiddam of St. Eustatius and Hermanus Van Xanten for Saba were duly elected on Tuesday as members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of St. Eustatius and Saba board. Announcing the result, the Chamber’s Public Relations Director Ebbie Schmidt congratulated the elected candidates and conveyed her best wishes …
Read More »Saba Newsletter December 2019
School bus drivers in the spotlight
The Public Entity Saba decided to put the school bus drivers and their team leader James Bennett “Benny” Johnson in the spotlight. A get-together was organized for the bus drivers on December 4 where the bus drivers received a certificate from Head of the Human Resources Department Miguela Gumbs. From …
Read More »Caribbean Ties exhibition opened at Saba Heritage Center
The Saba Heritage Center in Windwardside since last week has become the temporary home for the “Caribbean Ties: Connected People, Then and Now” international exhibition, facilitated by Leiden University and the Saba Archaeological Center (SABARC). The exhibition will remain on Saba until May 2020. The exhibition, which was officially opened …
Read More »Juliana’s Hotel opens Captains’ Suites
Juliana’s Hotel in the Windwardside on Thursday officially opened its new Captains’ Suites. Under the supervision of hotel owners Wim and Johanna Schutten, the once derelict building, formerly part of the Captain’s Quarter Hotel, was turned into four spacious suites. During a well-attended festive reception in the afternoon hours, Saba …
Read More »17 children win single-use plastics ban poster contest
Last month pupils of the Sacred Heart school (SHS) were asked to make a poster about plastic pollution, the upcoming ban on single-use plastic and to promote recycling. A winning poster was selected from each grade. As grade five stood out in terms of creativity, two winning posters were selected …
Read More »Looking ahead and back on Saba Day
Sabans and invited guests from the other islands turned up in large numbers to celebrate Saba Day in The Bottom on Friday, December 6. The 44th Saba Day ceremony featured messages by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Commissioners Rolando Wilson and Bruce Zagers, and several performances. The official part of the …
Read More »SXM Sabans
A group of Sabans living and holding executive positions in St. Maarten recently gathered in recognition of the service of former caretaker Prime Minister and fellow Saban Wycliffe Smith. The group released a photo of their get-together to mark Saba Day and wish Saban people in Saba and abroad, a …
Read More »Saba Day 2019 – official program
Surinamese Consul-General Daniël visits Saba
Consul-General of the Republic Suriname to the Dutch Caribbean H. Agnes E. Daniël is visiting Saba this week. This is the first time that the Consul-General, who was appointed in October 2018 for a period of four years, visits Saba. Stationed in Curaçao, Mrs. Daniël represents the Republic Suriname on …
Read More »UNICEF presents results 2019 situation analysis to Saba stakeholders
UNICEF Netherlands hosted a presentation on the 2019 situation analysis for stakeholders on Saba on Wednesday, December 4. During the presentation, representatives of UNICEF presented the key findings of the Situation Analysis Children and Adolescents in the Caribbean Netherlands and elaborated on the recommendations. The Public Entity Saba, as well …
Read More »Survey on energy use Saba households
The Public Entity Saba and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) have asked Milieu Centraal, a Dutch consumer information organization that specializes in energy saving methods and sustainability, to carry out a survey on energy use in Saban households. Residents are asked to fill in a questionnaire. …
Read More »Saba Day Sea to Scenery Run takes place Saturday
The toughest climb in the Kingdom of the Netherlands is back this Saba Day Weekend. A record amount of people is expected to join this Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 7:30am, for the annual Saba Day run — Sea to Scenery. The course is 6km long, which winds up from …
Read More »SCS news bulletin Dec. 2019
Knops sees options for structural funds for Saba
The Dutch government will look at the possibilities to bundle the multi-annual incidental funds and include these in the structural contribution to the public entity Saba, Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops stated on Monday. This will be done in order to reduce the administrative burden of …
Read More »Police report of Friday, November 29th until Monday, December 2nd 2019
In the afternoon hours of Friday, November 29th , a traffic control was held at the E.A. Johnson road on Saba. A total of 5 cars were checked of which 2 drivers received warnings for a recently expired driver’s license and a recently expired insurance certificate. KPCN
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