Archive - May 3, 2012

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Junior Seau's death has been ruled a suicide by the San Diego County medical examiner's office.

An autopsy Thursday confirmed that the former NFL linebacker died of a gunshot wound to the chest, the medical examiner's office said. The office said further details would be released in a final investigative report, which may take up to 90 days to complete.

Officials said they were awaiting a decision by the family on whether to turn over Seau's brain to unidentified outside researchers for study.

Seau died Wednesday in his home in suburban Oceanside.

Today, World Press Freedom Day, is a day to celebrate the journalists among us who refuse to stay silent: journalists such as Mexico’s Anabel Hernández.

Those who knew former NFL pro football star Junior Seau were shocked to hear on television or read via the the worldwide web the tragic death of a native of American Samoa who played in the National Football League for 20 years. Seau is among the most well known Samoans in the NFL.

South Seas Pictures, Ltd. will present the debut of the latest work by Samoan filmmaker Tanupo Aukuso, “Tauaso Le Alofa (Love Is Blind)” this Friday, May 4, at 7 p.m. at the Maliu Mai Beach Resort in American Samoa.

The first feature-length movie filmed entirely in American Samoa, “Tauaso Le Alofa” examines the fragile nature of love and the damaging effects of secrecy in today’s world, with a cast consisting primarily of American Samoan actors.

Alex Tuato’o, a second year student at ASCC holds up one of his paintings at the Open House held at the ASCC Art Studio — recently renamed “Suifefiloi” — on Thursday, April 27, 2012. He calls the work, which was created with powder pastel ( a medium similar to charcoal) “Lava Castle” and it was one of the pieces for sale during the auction held that evening.

A man who was labeled by the High Court as a “Vicious Attacker” and was jailed for 20 months after he attacked a woman when she refused his sexual advances, is asking the court to reconsider his sentencing.

Siua Sausaulele was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to second degree assault.

Sentencing was handed down by Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond, who was accompanied by Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr on February 23, 2012.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED ASSAULT WHICH LANDED NEIGHBOR IN ICU

A man is fighting for his life at the Intensive Care unit at the LBJ hospital following an assault incident in Auasi Tuesday evening.

Lomitusi Uiagalelei, arrested on the night in question, is being held at the Tafuna Correctional Facility on bail set at $10,000.

The defendant is facing a public peace disturbance and made his initial appearance in the District Court this morning.

The federal court in Honolulu has granted a joint motion by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the American Samoa Government to continue the federal trial in an age discrimination case to May of next year.

EEOC sued ASG and its Department of Human Resources last August, alleging age discrimination, a violation of the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Last December, ASG’s attorney in Honolulu asked the court to dismiss the suit and for ASG to be awarded legal costs and other appropriate remedies.

(AP) —U.S. officials Thursday released a small sampling of the documents captured when U.S. special operations forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden last year in Pakistan. Some highlights:

ATTACK AMERICA: Bin Laden wanted al-Qaida to focus on the U.S. and not waste time and resources attacking other enemies such as Britain or trying to overthrow governments in the Muslim world.

OUTDOOR SIREN WARNING SYSTEM TESTED TOMORROW

Local Department of Homeland Security director Mike Sala reminds the public that the monthly territory-wide testing of the outdoor emergency siren system for the month of May will be conducted tomorrow (May 4) at 12noon.

This is the monthly siren test which is held on the first Friday of every month. “Do not be alarmed if you hear the emergency sirens this Friday at noon. It is only a test,” he said.

MORE REFUND CHECKS FOR THE COMMUNITY