Archive - Apr 11, 2012 - Article (News Story)

Gov. Togiola Tulafono has cautioned government directors not to get carried away during this political season and advised them to work together instead of being in conflict with each other.

Togiola’s statements, made during Monday’s cabinet meeting, comes at a time when Samoa News has received reports from ASG employees who allege that certain directors are “bickering” with each other and important work cannot be accomplished due to “political” differences in gubernatorial teams they support.

The 2012 Flag Day will be dedicated to Gov. Togiola Tulafono, who will deliver his last Flag Day address in this year’s two-day event set for Apr. 17 and 18 at the Veterans Memorial Stadium. The governor’s address will occur at the Flag Day opening on Apr. 17, along with the flag raising and parade.

In an Apr. 9 general memorandum, Togiola declared the two days to be observed as Flag Day holidays in American Samoa and all local government offices will be closed and all normal activities will be suspended on those days.

A Wildlife Health Presentation was conducted yesterday morning by Thierry M. Work of the US Geological Survey (USGC) National Wildlife Health Center-Honolulu Field Station, at the local Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) conference room. The USGC is collaborating with DMWR to understand the causes of death (mortality) of wildlife in American Samoa.

The Student Support Services (SSS) division of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) invites the public to join them for a free Cultural Workshop this Thursday featuring artist and filmmaker Galumalemana Steven Percival from the Independent State of Samoa. The workshop will take place this Thursday, April 12, at 12:30 p.m. in the ASCC Lecture Hall.

Tulou pea fakatapu atu kia hou’eki, ha’a matapule, kau taki lotu moe Tonga kotoa ‘e a’u atu kiai e fakahoha’ani.  ‘E ongo fakamatatu’a e fakahoha’ani he koe tu’a au.

Devastating floods in Fiji last week killed at least five people and left over 8,000 homeless. Fiji is considered one of the Worlds “Climate Change” hotspots and Fiji is just 770 miles from American Samoa.

In Tuvalu families are moving off of their Islands or to higher ground and planning for the time when their atoll will be completely underwater. They are securing their rights to their underwater lands, their fishing rights, and their mineral rights. Tuvalu is 790 miles from American Samoa. 

A 62-year-old matai or chief of Fagaima and a 22-year-old man made initial appearances in the District Court yesterday in connection with a case involving a 16-year-old girl who was impregnated as a result of the alleged sexual acts.

The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) with the Department of Public Safety executed the arrests warrants on the two men and escorted them to the District Court and back to the Tafuna Correctional Facility following their appearance in court.

Tautua Mo Oe, the ever-expanding powerhouse family of businesses located in Ottoville along the Fagaima road, is happy to announce the second anniversary celebration has rolled around for their hardware division — TMO Hardware — which has a great selection of products for the home builder, contractor, and handyman.

Without taking any action, Gov. Togiola Tulafono returned to the Legislature late last week the Senate bill (S.B 32-32), which seeks to override the governor’s veto of the $60.37 million supplemental budget for the American Samoa Power Authority through July 31, 2012.

The override bill was approved in February by two-thirds majority of both the Senate and House before it was transmitted to the governor’s office.

MARCELLUS TALA UIAGALELEI APPOINTED AS NEW IP

Two weeks ago, the appointing division of the High Court appointed Marcellus Tala Uiagalelei as the Independent Prosecutor.

Uiagalelei told Samoa News that he’s working on the cases against House Vice Speaker Talia Fa’afetai I'aulualo, former Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Filifa’atali Mike Fuiava and former Manager of the Office of Motor Vehicles Marie Ripley.