Archive - Mar 13, 2012 - Article (News Story)

Hong Kong—  Each March, the eyes of the rugby world are firmly fixed on Hong Kong for the world-famous Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, the world’s premier annual rugby festival. 

 The Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens takes centre stage on the international rugby calendar as the HSBC Sevens World Series comes to town, but the Hong Kong Sevens is more than just a tournament for spectators, it is a Mecca for rugby players from all over the world. 

Currently there are only three active board members on the parole board, with two members who are constantly off island, which is why there have been no parole hearings in the last nine months, according to a letter received by Samoa News from a Tafuna Correctional Facility inmate.

A letter from TCF inmate Mike Agasiva says the Parole statute permits the parole board to meet every six months, to consider applications from eligible inmates. However the last parole hearing was in June 2011.

The LBJ hospital is unable to pay the 52 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) career employees says hospital CEO Mike Gerstenberger. The LBJ CEO was responding to queries regarding the EMS employees who did not receive their paychecks yesterday.  

The Nu’uuli Village Council has selected former lawmaker Levu Tulafono F. Solaita Jr.  as its next senator to fill the seat left vacant due to the passing last month of the late Sen. Seui Laau Sr., who was one of the two senators for Ituau County (comprising Nu’uuli, Fagasa, Matu’u and Faganeanea).

Less than 30 minutes after the Special Session got underway yesterday, both the Senate and House approved a two-week mid-session recess with lawmakers scheduled to return on Mar. 26.

Despite the last minute communique by Gov. Togiola Tulafono calling the special session, a good number of lawmakers made it to their chambers for yesterday’s sessions. Both the Senate and House each had 12 members present.

Paramount Chief, Sen. Galeai M. Tu’ufuli along with eleven other Manu’a traditional leaders have signed a petition supporting the proposed expansion of the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (FBNMS) that includes waters off Ta’u island, home to large, centuries old coral colonies.

SIAMUPENI LEFAOSEU ENTERS GUILTY PLEA

Siamupeni Lefaoseu will be sentenced by the High Court on May 4, 2012 for second degree assault.

Lefaoseu admitted yesterday before the court that he struck the arm of another man with a machete, during the plea deal with the government. The 18-year old pled guilty to second degree assault which was amended from first degree assault, while the government moved to dismiss the public peace disturbance charge.

During a rare sighting of the Tourist nationalparkus, Norm Tauber and Judy Teller from New York City were captured on film while visiting the National Park of American Samoa near Vatia on Saturday.

The couple are on a mission to visit all 58 national parks, and this weekend they crossed off Number 50 after flying in Thursday night and recovering from their long trip at the Tradewinds Hotel. The remaining eight parks they intend to visit are all in Alaska, and they have that trip in the planning stages.

Welcome Norm and Judy!

The third season of the American Youth Football of Samoa program closed this past Saturday morning, with the final two matches held at the Veterans Memorial Stadium, before a packed crowd that came to see the Red and Blue All Star Game, as well as this year’s AYFS Championship Game between the undefeated Raiders, and the first time to the championship field Chiefs.

 APIA — Two state solicitors and one NUS language lecturer were given a warm send off by U.S. Ambassador David Huebner during his recent visit to Samoa last week. Cecily Jemima Fa’asau and Fa’aniniva Edelma Niumata are two state solicitors participating in a six week Pacific Fellows Women’s Rights Program in Washington D.C.