Local News
![Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele smiling as she shakes hands with senators following a Senate committee hearing yesterday morning on an administration bill seeking to hike port fees and charges. See story for details. [photo: FS]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Port%20director%200318.jpg?itok=7wt7FSKx "Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele smiling as she shakes hands with senators following a Senate committee hearing yesterday morning on an administration bill seeking to hike port fees and charges. See story for details. [photo: FS]")
Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele says the US Coast Guard has allowed port to use just one tugboat at the Port of Pago Pago, with the understanding that the department is getting a new tugboat before the end of the year.
Taimalelagi made the comment during yesterday’s...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pago%20Dist%20Court%20014_37.jpeg?itok=mMon4nbl "[SN file photo]")
District Court Judge, Fiti Sunia has dismissed the latest drug case against a man from Pago Pago after the court was unable to find probable cause and sufficient evidence to bind the case over to High Court for arraignment.
Sio Godinet Jr. was in custody since his arrest on Tuesday, Sept. 5th -...
![Groundbreaking: Leaders from the American Samoa Government and the Fono along with Anthony Bernardo of AVM Bernardo Engineering during a groundbreaking ceremony for a food processing plant across from Public Works in Tafuna, in January 2016. [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/groundbreak%20food%20plant_0172%20copy.jpg?itok=48GNJoLE "Groundbreaking: Leaders from the American Samoa Government and the Fono along with Anthony Bernardo of AVM Bernardo Engineering during a groundbreaking ceremony for a food processing plant across from Public Works in Tafuna, in January 2016. [SN file photo]")
The Phillipines-based company looking to establish a multi-food processing plant in American Samoa, with an investment of more than $100 million, is moving forward on its own with phase 1 of the project, slated to start construction next month, says Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele....
![Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_5.jpg?itok=q0Cy2YH6 "Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]")
Haleck Enterprise Inc., president and chief executive officer Avamua Dave Haleck along with Neil’s ACE Home Center president and chief executive officer Ngaire Ho Ching have voiced opposition to an administration proposal establishing a 1% alternative minimum business tax (AMBT) on gross receipts....
![Local businessman Frank Gaisoa during his Senate confirmation hearing last Friday. He was later confirmed as a member of the ASG Employees' Retirement Fund, Board of Trustees. [photo: FS]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Frank%20Gaisoa%200308.jpg?itok=KDmkYjvj "Local businessman Frank Gaisoa during his Senate confirmation hearing last Friday. He was later confirmed as a member of the ASG Employees' Retirement Fund, Board of Trustees. [photo: FS]")
FRANK GAISOA CONFIRMED AS MEMBER OF RETIREMENT FUND BOARD
The governor’s nomination of local businessman Frank Gaisoa to the ASG Employees' Retirement Fund board of trustees is officially confirmed by the Fono, following last Friday’s unanimous 13-0 Senate vote.
The House gave its full endorsement...
![One of the new Ford 'Interceptors' reently purchased for DPS. [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/policecar_0.jpg?itok=48r91vQo "One of the new Ford 'Interceptors' reently purchased for DPS. [SN file photo]")
ASG Treasurer Uelinitone Tonumaipea claims that money from the government’s General Fund was used to finance the recent purchase of new police vehicles, while Police Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson emphasized that he has no authority to use any funds without going through the proper approval...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/police%20dept_9.jpeg?itok=h84PnSA9 "[SN file photo]")
A drug case involving an Ili'ili man has been bound over to the High Court, after District Court Judge Fiti Sunia found probable cause following a preliminary examination hearing last week.
Sonny “Mu” Kelemete is facing drug charges involving the unlawful possession of a controlled substance -...
![President/CEO of Haleck Enterprises Inc., Avamua Dave Haleck (right) shaking hands with Sen. Fa’amausili Mau Mau Jr., after testifying last Thursday before a Senate committee on three administration revenue measures. [photo: FS]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Avamua%200299.jpg?itok=GWVl1lUj "President/CEO of Haleck Enterprises Inc., Avamua Dave Haleck (right) shaking hands with Sen. Fa’amausili Mau Mau Jr., after testifying last Thursday before a Senate committee on three administration revenue measures. [photo: FS]")
Top executives of Haleck Enterprises and Neil’s ACE Home Center have suggested increasing the 5% excise tax up by 2% or 3%, instead of implementing a 7% sales tax, which they say is too high and would require businesses to spend additional money to upgrade computer software to effectively collect a...
![Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_4.jpg?itok=weBgreEk "Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]")
The budget review process for ASG entities last week were very brief - some agencies lasted only 5 minutes - as the Fono Joint Budget Committee hearings are only focusing on specific questions regarding the fiscal year 2018 budget.
However, one issue that came up several times for many ASG...
In a little less than a year, the number of confirmed dengue fever cases in the territory has climbed to 201, while the confirmed number of Zika cases has reached 93.
This is according to Dept. of Health epidemiologist Scott Anesi who encourages everyone to do their part in ridding the territory of...