Archive - May 31, 2012 - Article (News Story)

Several local rugby coaches and referees voiced words of praise on Monday night after they received certificates for the Level 1 course to become coaches and referees for local teams in the American Samoa Rugby Union (ASRU).

On hand for the event were Gov. Togiola Tulafono who is also the chairman of the ASRU, and officials from the Samoa Rugby Union (SRU) who came over from Apia to conduct the two-day workshop.

Twenty-two coaches and 10 referees received certificates.

EDWARD AVEGALIO DENIES CHARGES

Edward Avegalio, accused of dismantling a relative’s gravesite and now facing felony property damage has denied the charges against him. Avegalio waived his right to a formal reading of rights and charges when he was arraigned in High Court yesterday before Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond, who was accompanied on the bench by Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr.

Gov. Togiola Tulafono departed yesterday for Apia to participate in Samoa’s Silver Jubilee Independence celebration, which is also being attended by Congressman Faleomavaega Eni as a member of the United States government delegation.

The High Court has granted work release for Siua Sausaulele who has been labeled by the court as a “Vicious Attacker”.

The work release will be effective September 4, 2012.

Sausaulele was sentenced to jail for 20 months after he attacked a woman when she refused his sexual advances, however after serving a few months in jail, Sausaulele asked the court to modify his sentence.

Presiding over the hearing yesterday morning was Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond, who was accompanied by Associate Judge Mamea Sala.

Gov. Togiola Tulafono has established by executive order a five-member policy working group in support of the American Samoa Government’s Nursing Leave pay policy, which was first put in place in 2000 by the late Gov. Tauese P.F. Sunia.

“Breastfeeding has desirable results in that the children who are breastfed grow up to be healthy. They are close and warm to their parents,” Tauese said in a speech in August 2000 and promised to allow working mothers who breastfeed their babies to take two hours off each working day to breastfeed their children.

Today Samoa marks the 50th anniversary of achieving Independence. For me, the story of Samoa's last fifty years is also my family's story because my parents were married in 1962 and they celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary this year as well.

My parents chose to stay in Samoa and raise their six children there, even though the lure of distant shores was strong. My mother came to Samoa from New Zealand, as a very new, very 'refined', very beautiful young bride (wearing white gloves no less), and thankfully for us children - never left.

American Samoa native and Toa o Samoa, U.S. Army Spc. Tofiga J. Tautolo, 23, died over the weekend in Afghanistan, where he was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Tautolo, whose home of record is Wilmington, Calif., died May 27, in Bati Kot, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, “of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device”, according to the U.S. Defense Department news release dated May 29.

 The Attorney General’s office and the Criminal Investigation Division with the Department of Public Safety are considering filing criminal charges against a 21-year-old female for making false statements to police. The woman, who went missing for more than six days, told police that she had been kidnapped and drugged.

Norris Alai’asa of Toa Productions, who is responsible for the raffle which was held at the end of the “Peace, Love and Harmony” Concert on April 27, 2012 has moved to invalidate the raffle results and issue refunds to everyone who bought tickets.

The concert had featured entertainers Adeaze – Feagaigafou, Logovii Tupa’i and Aaradhna. Alai’asa says he was saddened after many concerns were expressed pertaining to the raffle, and says they have come to the solution that they feel will be fair to all parties concerned.

Tafuna High School held its 2012 Commencement Exercise on Tuesday morning May 29, 2012, with high school faculty and staff, Department of Education and other government officials, friends and family members witnessing 301 Warriors receiving their high school diplomas.

This year’s graduating theme was ‘He conquers, who endures’.