Samoa News Year in Review
JANUARY
New Year rings in with hike in gasoline prices for territory
WestPac strongly opposes Fagatele expansion
Save- Sandra set to enter race for governor
Afoa spearheads petition drive to stop cold storage in Fagatogo
Paul Solofa found guilty on all counts
FEBRUARY
Immigration chief testifies to 800+ overstayers, most from Samoa
Up to 300 LBJ employees, including doctors & nurses face furlough
Hospital personnel carry out peaceful March, Gov too busy to see their reps
Extra 2% wage tax to fund LBJ cash infusion
Afoa and Le’i enter gubernatorial race
Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau & CSM Iuni Savusa make their candidacy for 2012 official
Leone Healing Garden dedicated as a place to hope as well as grieve
MARCH
King George Tupou V of Tonga passes away in Hong Kong’
Lolo: DBAS has administered 1602 program “by the rules”
Marisco wins case against ASG, close to $812,000 plus interest proposed
Gas prices up another 12¢, now at $4.12
Feds recommend jail time, full restitution in U’una’i-Matau case
Gov’t moving forward with $4.7M “contact center” training project
APRIL
Save & Sandra ask for review of ASG job resignation election statute
Two men charged in rape of 16-yr-old girl who is now pregnant
With no further help from ASG, LBJ must hike fees
MAY
‘Make a Wish’ foundation grants TeeJay Mamea’s wish to visit territory
The people will always be first, promise Lolo & Lemanu at kickoff
OIA: Territory still not consistently clean with audits
Local rugby union now full IRB member
JUNE
Victim’s sa’o tells court ifoga was enough in student rape case
CCCAS hosts CWM General Assembly for first time
StarKist reports 900 workers added locally in last 2 years
Mine Pase sentenced to 14 months + restitution
American Samoa under 19 football team heads to World Championship
New hospital fee hike set for July 2
Court orders ASG to pay Marisco and for BOH to turn over the money
JULY
Territory’s MAP sees huge drop in petroleum prices
Local FBI office closes, a victim of Congressional budget cuts
Tim Jones gets word out; he’s running for governor
Citizenship clause in 14th Amendment at center of lawsuit
High Court tells BoH to restore funds to ASG account
ASG still high risk as far as USDOE is concerned
Local minimum wage hike delayed to 2015
Team American Samoa at the Olympics
ASG no longer seeking death penalty for Siaumau
AUGUST
Two men charged in rape, sexual abuse of 12-year-old girl
Boys & Girls Clubs of American Samoa opens clubhouse
Governor and House Speaker attend Samoan Heritage Week in Hawaii
Congressional race fields five candidates
State-of-the-art ocean center dedicated to Gov. Tauese
Ledoux alleges tugboat Dream Team more like a nightmare
Whitehorn Const. wins multi-million Airport Road project
Fed court orders BoH to give money to Marisco
Court orders Gov to submit legislation to pay Laufou judgment
SEPTEMBER
Draft Report on 1602 recommends further investigation by US Treasury
Togiola asks Poly Leaders group to endorse climate change resolution
Ever respectful of freedom of press, Lolo calls 1602 articles “lapisi”
Gov supports use of public property for campaign functions
Governor forwards bill to repeal death penalty
Caught between rock & hard place, BoH files for interpleader
Hight Court dismisses Save-Sandra challenge on appeal
OCTOBER
ASPA rate hike goes into effect
Fed permit delays larger facility and expanded operation for Tri-Marine
DOE takes back mgmt of School Lunch Program
Stateless man stuck in AmSam calls experience nightmarish
Man gets 15 yrs for sexual assault of granddaughter
Court calls family’s absentee sa’o “disturbing picture”
Once again, lack of quorum cancels 1602 hearing
Strategic energy analysis shows formidable problems for territory
NOVEMBER
Togiola endorses Team Faoa-Taufete’e
Ulu Summit to look at making AmSam export hub
Court denies ASG request to stay Laufou judgment
Run off in gubernatorial election: Lolo-Lemanu vs Faoa-Taufete’e
ASPA mgmt blames Fono for rate increases
Faleomavaega wins 13th consecutive term
Six new members to local House includes one woman
Two suspects charged for claiming to work for FBI
Eni files brief supporting dismissal of citizenship lawsuit
Three gubernatorial teams publicly unite behind Lolo-Lemanu
Complaint filed alleging ASPA violated local election laws
Lolo-Lemanu take the reins of government for next 4 years
Judge: ASG trying to undermine fed court authority in Marisco case
DECEMBER
Bank of Hawaii to leave territory
Court stops ASG from further litigation; ASG obligated to pay Marisco
No general admission for MSP raises public ire
Lolo-Lemanu pick first Cabinet nominee, Afoa for AG
American Samoa makes Lonely Planet’s Top 10
Plans for “People’s Inauguration” laid out in spite of limited funds
Territory marks Christmas remembering victim of tragedy, troops
Samoa hit by Cyclone Evan; American Samoa spared
Immigration officer held on charges of forgery, corruption