The US Small Business Administration has issued more than $9 million in small interest loans to those in American Samoa impacted by Tropical Storm Gita earlier this year. And SBA reminds local residents that its Disaster Loan Outreach Center officially closes at the end of business today.
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued four violations, three of which are considered “serious” — and fines totaling more than $19,000 — following the death of a man who fell overboard a fishing vessel that was docked at the cannery side of Pago Pago Harbor, according to OHSA public records reviewed by Samoa News. Samoa News had reported last November that the death of the 62-year old captain of the US flagged purse seiner, Cape Ferrat, who died Oct. 28, while the vessel was in Pago Pago. Local police investigated the incident and recommended closing the case, after they determined no foul play was involved, and the incident was an unfortunate accident.
Samoa Police have called for help to find Aitken Keil. “The public is advised to please contact any police station nearby or call phone number 22 222 immediately if you have any information that may lead to his whereabouts.
In a letter to the editor of Samoa News, Victim Advocate Ipu Avegalio Lefiti asks, Does the burden of proof fall on the victim or on the failure of the arresting officer(s) and their lack of policy enforcement to be held accountable for a liability situation?
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — E to’a 187 fanau sa fa’au’u mai le Aoga Maualuga a Samoana i lenei tausaga, i se sauniga na fa’ataunu’uina i le taeao o le aso Lulu i le fale ta’alo o le Laumua
Michael Sene convicted of raping a young girl inside his shack has been jailed for 7 years. He apologized to the court for his action, and begged for a second chance to go back home and care for his mother, who is staying at home alone. Before the court delivered its sentence, a Probation Revocation Hearing was held before Justice Patea, along with Associate Judges, Mamea Sala Jr and Tunupopo Alalaga, due to the fact that Sene had violated conditions of his probation from his first criminal conviction back in 2014, which was also a sex offense. “Having considered all the facts, we feel that you’re going to serve your two sentences concurrently, meaning, you’re now going to jail for 7 years, not 12 years. You will also appear before the Parole Board in the future for your hearing.” The defendant was also ordered to register as a sex offender, and undergo a mandatory HIV testing as require by law.
Aua's kindergarten graduation ceremony earlier this month
Ua faaopoopo e le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga fa’asalaga o ni ali’i pagota se to’alua, ina ua fa’amaonia lo la le usitaia o le poloaiga sa tuuina atu e le Fa’amasinoga ia te i laua.
[ata: SN]
Na talia e le aiga potopoto o le tama’ita’i o le Vasega 8 mai le Aoga a Pava’ia’i Elementary School lea na maliu ina ua malemo i le vaiaso na te’a nei, le ifoga a le Puleaoga ma Faiaoga, peita’i sa
The two inmates, John Tuupo who is a Samoa citizen, and Wayne Gasolo who is a US National both appeared in District Court yesterday morning for a Disposition Hearing, for failure to comply with conditions of their probation, which includes staying away from alcohol and illegal drugs while on probation. In delivering the court decision, Kruse stated that the court would not revoke Gasolo’s probation, however, he was ordered to serve 60 days for failing to complied with court orders. His new sentences will run consecutive to his previous detention. He will be credited for the time he was detained after testing positive for using methamphetamine. For Tuupo, the court sentenced him to serve 90 days for failing to comply with conditions of his probation along with the court order. His new period of detention would run consecutively with his previous period of detention.