Archive - May 8, 2012 - Article (News Story)

Team Samoa head trainer Richard Brown is mourning the death of fellow team mate, Junior Seau, Samoan former star linebacker who played 13 of his 20 NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers.

PRBC Chairman Edwin Puni said, "As soon as I heard the news about Seau, I called Richard in Samoa."

Mr. Brown, who made the transition from former professional NFL player to being conditioning and fitness trainer for Manu Samoa then Toa Samoa, is currently head trainer for Team Samoa.

American Samoa Rugby Union chairman, Gov. Togiola Tulafono is confident that the territory’s application for full membership on the International Rugby Board (IRB) will be approved while the local rugby union is now preparing to send a team to an Oceania tournament in August.

A 2011 Nissan Frontier king cab truck that was the winning prize in the raffle held during the Peace, Love and Harmony concert is now at the center of a dispute between the organizer Norris Alai’asa and the winner, Christina Iosefo.

Alai’asa of Rockville Entertainment told Samoa News that he’s reluctant to release the Nissan truck to Christina after several complaints were brought to his attention.

“Christina Iosefo was not physically present at the concert and this was one of the most important rules of the raffle.” he said.

Of the 1.2 million people in the United States in 2010 identified as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI), more than 180,000 were identified as Samoan or Samoan in combination with one or more other races.

Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars football team Offensive Coordinator, Brandon Doman, is on island at this time, scouting out some of the local football talent. Doman, who arrived on island Sunday night, played quarterback for the Cougars in the 2000 and 2001 seasons under legendary head coach LaVell Edwards, and will be departing the territory on coming Thursday’s flight.

The American Samoa Legislature is raising the bar in the Pacific region by integrating technology into its lawmaking process. On Monday, May 7th, Texas-based and Samoan-owned, Petaia Media is installing and training Fono staff on a revolutionary new information management system.

This initiative will generate substantial savings annually with the implementation of a new wireless and paperless system. The new initiative will implement a digital archiving program that is in compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) digital design standards.

LOMITUSI UIAGALELEI CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT

A man accused of hitting another man with a shovel is now facing second degree assault, a class D felony which is punishable with up to 5 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

Uiagalelei of Futiga has been in jail since last week Wednesday following the incident in Auasi on Tuesday.

Gov. Togiola Tulafono used his weekend radio program to offer a public apology to the community over the new facility rate hikes at LBJ Medical Center due to take affect May 21, while also suggesting that voters change their lawmakers in the Fono, and elect ones that will vote on measures beneficial to the territory, such as  bills to provide funding to LBJ.

Brisbane celebrated a fiery Samoan novel last week as it welcomed author Lani Wendt Young to a series of Telesa launch events that included visits to local high schools, a launch night at Griffith University, media interviews and a public book signing.

More than two hundred people were at the launch celebration that was jointly hosted by the Brisbane Telesa Organizing Committee, Griffith Univ and the Pacific Students Association.  Many guests from all over Queensland had driven for several hours to attend the event.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In the wake of a terrorist bomb plot disrupted by the CIA, the U.S. advised some international airports and air carriers Tuesday about security measures for passengers traveling to the U.S.