Archive - Apr 28, 2012 - Article (News Story)

A senior U.S. Coast Guard official, in town for the 2012 Flag Day celebrations, has informed Gov. Togiola Tulafono that the Coast Guard Academy has openings for students in the territory.

Togiola used his weekend radio program to talk about this opportunity made available to the territory's graduates and explained that the Coast Guard Academy is similar to other military academies such as West Point (Army) and Annapolis (Navy) in what they offer as well as educational opportunities and scholarship programs.

The outbreak of typhoid fever among inmates at Tafa’igata Prison has sparked the health sector into action. Ten prisoners were diagnosed with typhoid last week. This prompted the Ministry of Health, the National Health Services and the relevant government ministries to act quicklyto prevent further cases.

An emergency meeting was held on Tuesday where the Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr Leao Tuitama, Minister of Police, Sala Fata Pinati and senior officials from the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and Police discussed the issue.

Ta’ita’itama Prevent Underage Drinking Initiative’s Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) project coordinator Salima Eucharist Reupena (right) speaking to parents and youngsters on local law dealing with underage drinking and giving out brochures at Saturday’s Wellness Fair at Samoan High School field.

PLEA DEAL OFFERED TEACHER ACCUSED OF INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING OF FEMALE STUDENT

The Attorney General’s office has made a plea deal with a Manumalo teacher accused of inappropriately touching a female student. The science teacher, Dave Tupua, who denies the charges of false imprisonment and two charges of third degree assault for offensive touching, appeared in the District Court.

Prosecuting Assistant Attorney General Blake Hanley has declined to disclose the details of the offer that was presented to the defendant in this matter.

“The secret of happiness? Enjoy the small pleasures.”

That is the way things are shaping up in Hooterville on this fine Sun-Shiny Morning.

Despite the administration building going up in smoke during her first year as Nu’uuli Vocational Technical High School (NVTHS) principal and the many challenges of preparing for accreditation during her second year, Saouila Fanene Kava told education and government leaders, school alumni, friends and families who attended yesterday's celebrations that this year, her third year, NVTHS is slowly reaping the fruits of their hard labor.

Removal of destructive invasive trees is an ongoing challenge for the U.S. Forest Service. What folks might not realize is that this challenge of protecting native forests extends all the way to the South Pacific.

Since 2001, there has been an aggressive field campaign to eliminate the Tamaligi tree within the boundaries of the National Park of American Samoa. Samoa’s forests are important to the Pacific Ocean’s Polynesia/Micronesia biodiversity. These islands support some of the most intact native ecosystems of any Pacific Island group.

American Samoa champions Pago Youth will be confident of a positive showing at the 2013 O-League Preliminary tournament after naming a squad packed full of international experience.

The inaugural edition of the competition takes place in Tonga from May 1 to 8 at Loto-Tonga Centre - the home of the Tonga Football Association - in 'Atele and is set to bring together the champion clubs of American Samoa, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga to fight for a place in the 2013 O-League.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secret Service agents are often portrayed in popular culture as disciplined, unflappable, loyal - and male. A spiraling prostitution scandal that has highlighted the dearth of women in the agency that  protects the president and dignitaries has many wondering: Would more females in the ranks prevent future dishonor?