Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 45-year-old man has been convicted of violating the local drug laws. Peniata Lologa appeared in High Court last week for sentencing.
The defendant, who has been in custody since his arrest, unable to post a $5,000 bond was initially charged with one court of unlawful...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With the House of Representatives calling for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to close down the well known locations where crystal methamphetamine or “ice” is sold in the territory, a hearing this week before House Public Safety Committee was called and revealed...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The three senators who sponsored legislation to hike the annual salaries of the governor and lieutenant governor have introduced a new bill to increase the annual compensation for lawmakers by $15,000 a year — to be effective in the next Legislature, which is two years...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a health advisory issued this week, the Health Department reminds the public “to get your COVID-19 vaccine” this week at the Tafuna Community Health Center or register for the Drive-Thru at the airport parking lot, on Saturday.
The Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium is...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Part of the local Homeland Security Department’s (ASDHS) Interim Tsunami Plan centers on communication through the FirstNet Program, which is the “primary method of communication, to all first and secondary responders,” according to a summary copy of the Plan presented...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Contract workers are not eligible to be members of the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund. However, for long time career service employees who are appointed to cabinet positions or other political appointments, their memberships are not terminated.
This...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In recently issued separate memorandums, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga reconstituted the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board with new members, and appointed new board members to the American Samoa Board of Cosmetology.
The newly appointed members of both...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 44-year-old from Nu’uuli with a long history before the court was ordered to serve an imprisonment of 5 years, after he was convicted with the crime of 2nd degree assault.
Taai Taufete’e, who has been in custody since he was arrested in 2019, unable to post bond,...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A bill to amend the permanent revocation of driver’s license after a third offense for driving under the influence (DUI) and would provide the Court new sentencing guidelines to use in DUI cases was introduced in the House Chamber this week.
The bill is sponsor by Su’a #...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 32-year-old man convicted for violating local drug laws while he’s on probation was given another chance by the court to straighten up his life.
Jake L. Ala, who has been in custody since his arrest last year, unable to post a $10,000 surety bond appeared before...

![The court’s last message to the defendant was: “If you choose to continue to smoke ice, it’s up to you, but we will make sure you will serve the suspended period of your sentence of 5 years. However, if you choose to abide with these orders, we may choose to reduce the period of your probation. So, the choice is now yours.” [SN file photo] American Samoa High Court building](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/high_court_127.jpg?itok=ess7MSpm)

![Pursuant to local law, the proposed pay increases would become effective the first-day of the next Legislature after it is passed. In this case, the 38th Legislature — two years away. [SN file photo] Rendering of the proposed new fono building.](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono_bldg_rendering_71.jpg?itok=dPGfqiPh)
![This screen shot taken from the Health Department’s Facebook page shows a post where DoH is promoting its COVID-19 vaccination Drive-Thru this Saturday, Mar. 13, at the parking lot of the Pago Pago International Airport. [photo: FS] Vaccine drive-thu notice](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/vaccine_drive-thru.jpg?itok=oP-XmM0c)
![Homeland Security director Samana Semo Ve’ave’a holds up an iPhone, telling a Senate committee hearing yesterday that this device is used to receive not only text messages during times of disasters but also uninterrupted connection to the FirstNet program. [photo: FS] Homeland Security director Samana Semo Ve’ave’a holds up an iPhone](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/asdhs_n_firstnet.jpg?itok=tzLn4ZrX)
![It was Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Allen, who pressed those testifying about reports that contract workers are now members of the Fund despite the law stating that only ASG employees can be members. [SN file photo] Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Allen](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/faimealelei_anthony_allen_0851_1.jpg?itok=3ypjSoeH)
![The governor, in a Mar. 8th memo announced that pursuant to local law, the ABC board is reconstituted with seven new members and designated their terms in office. [SN file photo] Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/lemanu-web_6.jpg?itok=9sDFISbN)

![Manu’a faipule in the House have requested a new boat to improve the service between the islands to Tutuila and Manu’a. [SN file photo] Rendering of the proposed new fono building.](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono_bldg_rendering_70.jpg?itok=Fn3uheuo)
![With his guilty plea, Ala admits that a glass pipe containing methamphetamine was found in his possession when police officers searched him during a traffic stop. [SN file photo] American Samoa High Court building](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/high_court_126.jpg?itok=EgDpCnm0)