Archive - Feb 6, 2012 - Article (News Story)

During his radio program, Gov. Togiola Tulafono, on Saturday morning, gave listeners his views on two issues that have elicited much public comment — the LBJ fee hikes, and the StarKist cold storage facility land lease — while also attacking the Fono for playing politics with people’s lives and the media for biased reporting on government issues. He also announced he is not running for Congress in 2012.

Eleven Tafuna High School students were arrested on Friday as a result of fighting amongst themselves, allegedly village vs. village, on school premises. Police officers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were called to the school as a result of the fighting.

According to police officers, among several students who sustained injuries from the brawl, was one student who suffered a severe cut on his face and was taken to LBJ Medical Center for treatment. The student was taken along with a Tafuna High School counselor who has a medical history of heart problems.

Sen. Lualemaga Faoa has accused Gov. Togiola Tulafono of not upholding local laws over an incident that occurred last month, when the governor walked off the cruise ship Regatta, in port for its maiden voyage, after waiting in line for some time during security screening.

Togiola fired back on his weekend radio program, accusing Lualemaga of making false statements and not seeking out the truth and the facts.

WHAT HAPPENED

A Korean businessman is fed up by allegedly being bullied by teenagers who live near his business. The man who spoke to Samoa News on condition of anonymity said his store has not only been vandalized and damaged, but he’s had to put up with fights with several of the teenagers, in the past five years.

“Every time something happens I call the police, but it does not change anything, the culprits get arrested today and tomorrow they come back and harass me,” he said.

Two major tour operators in Samoa have included in their tour packages excursion trips to American Samoa for visitors heading to Apia, a move that American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau executive director David Vaeafe says will boost the number of incoming tourists to Pago Pago.

Actions by Apia based Polynesian Xplorer Ltd. and Samoa Scenic — the inbound travel agent for Aggie Grey’s hotels — followed visits last year to the territory by representatives of the two companies looking at what’s available here, such as accommodations and ground tours.

Chief Immigration Officer Ufuti Fa’afetai Ieremia estimates that there are some 800-plus overstayers in the territory and says the Immigration computer system that tracks movements in and out of our borders needs more than $200,000 to maintain and upgrade the system.

Ufuti made the comments when responding to questions last Friday from senators, during a Senate Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee hearing on a House bill that would subject the sponsors of foreigners, who are present in the territory beyond their permitted time, to a fine.

THREE CRUISE SHIPS FOR THIS WEEK

American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau executive director David Vaeafe confirmed that three cruise ships are calling into the Port of Pago Pago this week, starting Tuesday, Feb. 7 through to Friday, Feb 10.

The P&O Cruises’ ship the 'Aurora' arrives Tuesday morning from Apia, with around 1,800 passengers and 850 crew members, departing later that afternoon for Denarau, Fiji.

Westpac Stadium employs a rapid response team of athletic security guards who are trained to chase down speedy pitch invaders who've had one too many.

Sevens security is likely to be beefed up next year after a man in his underwear invaded the pitch on Friday and tackled a Samoan player.

The man jumped a barrier to run on to the pitch during Friday night's last sevens game and pulled Samoan player Alatasi Tupou to the ground with a head-high tackle during the match against New Zealand.

The Samoa Sports Association (SSA) last week hosted a special function to announce its Youth Scholarship winners. Prominent sports personalities including Frank Bunce, Linda Vagana and Reuben Wiki amongst invited guests. Some of the biggest names in sports were SSA scholarship recipients.

Current Black Caps captain, Ross Taylor got his scholarship in 2004 and later went on to win the SSA’s Supreme Sports Award in 2007 etching his name alongside David Tua, Beatrice Faumuina, Valerie Vili to name a few.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for a new Veterans Job Corps initiative to help our returning veterans find pathways to civilian employment. The Administration’s new veteran employment initiatives, coupled with the work that President Obama has already accomplished in creating employment opportunities for veterans, will help put tens of thousands of veterans back to work.