Local News
![The "star" seen in this screen shot from the US Geological Survey website indicates the center of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred around 10p.m. Friday in American Samoa, Saturday night in Samoa. [photo: FS]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/quake%200474.jpg?itok=EcI9yxNL "The \"star\" seen in this screen shot from the US Geological Survey website indicates the center of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred around 10p.m. Friday in American Samoa, Saturday night in Samoa. [photo: FS]")
An earthquake, which the US Geological Survey says occurred in the Tonga region but was close to the Samoan islands, prompted a “tsunami advisory” for American Samoa, as well as neighboring Samoa.
The tremor, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 but later downgraded to 6.8, occurred around 10p.m...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/container%20scanner%206602_3.jpg?itok=jz1rzimv "[SN file photo]")
An increase in port fees and wharfage charges went into effect on Oct. 30, which is when Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga signed into law legislation passed by the Fono. And two officials in the private sector expect that these new hikes will start affecting consumer goods either later this month or early...
![Fletcher outside the Prince Kuhio Federal Building in Honolulu during his interview with Hawaii News Now. [photo: Chelsea Davis]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fletcher%20in%20Hon%20web.jpg?itok=Imt2Ybxo "Fletcher outside the Prince Kuhio Federal Building in Honolulu during his interview with Hawaii News Now. [photo: Chelsea Davis]")
Following a decision by the US Secretary of State, the Honolulu federal court last week ordered the release “immediately” of American citizen Dean Jay Fletcher who is wanted in Tonga for the alleged murder of his wife.
As previously reported by Samoa News, Dean Jay Fletcher fled to American Samoa...
![Washington State's Frankie Luvu 'emotional' after dads first trip to see him play in Pullman. [screenshot from video, via Seattle Times]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/luvu.jpg?itok=9MUvNDpn "Washington State's Frankie Luvu 'emotional' after dads first trip to see him play in Pullman. [screenshot from video, via Seattle Times]")
PULLMAN – Frankie Luvu’s family traveled 5,348 miles from Pago Pago, American Samoa to Pullman this week so they could be at Martin Stadium to congratulate him on Senior Day.
It was the first time in Luvu’s four years that his family has been able to come watch him play college football, and with...
Just over 4 million pounds of commercial fish landed in American Samoa was recorded for 2016, according to a new fishery report by the federal government. American Samoa is noted as currently home to one cannery and several fishing vessels.
American Samoa is included in the US National Oceanic and...
![Amata speaks with White House OMB Director Mick Mulvaney at a Congressional Western Caucus meeting last week. [courtesy photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Amata%20speaking%20with%20OMB%20Director.jpg?itok=ty8DPP_s "Amata speaks with White House OMB Director Mick Mulvaney at a Congressional Western Caucus meeting last week. [courtesy photo]")
BLUESKY COMMITS TO THE AMERICAN SAMOA DISASTER RELIEF FUND —
Tafuna, AS - In response to the recent major natural disasters in the United States, Bluesky has committed $500 to assist organizations who provide recovery and relief for the millions of Americans affected. A portion of the funds were...
![A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Samoa Sat night in Samoa, which was Friday night in Am. Samoa. [Pacific Tsunami Warning Center]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Samoa-Earthquake-1118282.jpg?itok=ak45sGMa "A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Samoa Sat night in Samoa, which was Friday night in Am. Samoa. [Pacific Tsunami Warning Center]")
The quake had a depth of 32 kilometres and struck 192km south-west of Apia, in Samoa, the US Geological Survey said.
The area forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates in the Earth's lithosphere meet and earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.
Local reports say the...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AM%20Samoa%20HC_52.jpeg?itok=wt_GBddL "[SN file photo]")
A 42-year-old man who was convicted for stealing more than $5,000 from his uncle’s bank account by stealing his uncle’s checks and forging his signature is going to jail.
Paulo Lauti was initially charged with 5 counts of forgery, and 5 counts of stealing — all felonies. Each count is punishable by...
![Dean Jay Fletcher was arrested in Pago Pago [RNZI]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_agdean.jpg?itok=gaYVRC2z "Dean Jay Fletcher was arrested in Pago Pago [RNZI]")
Tongan authorities will continue to pursue an American man wanted for murder despite his United States release.
An Hawaii court ordered the release of Dean Jay Fletcher who is alleged to have killed his wife in Vava'u.
Mr Fletcher fled Tongan authorities to American Samoa where he was arrested last...
![David Vaeafe plans to work with partner organizations like the New Zealand Cruise Association. [photo: Seatrade Cruise News]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/david%20vaeafe.jpg?itok=Ov-VNmk2 "David Vaeafe plans to work with partner organizations like the New Zealand Cruise Association. [photo: Seatrade Cruise News]")
David Vaeafe, executive director of the American Samoa Visitors Bureau, has replaced Tahiti’s Ollivier Amaru as chairman of the South Pacific Cruise Alliance and its headquarters will move from Papeete to Pago Pago.
Capt. Amaru, president of the Tahiti Cruise Club which coordinates cruise...