Fagatogo Post Office Drug Bust Involves Postal Worker
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Pointer 1 Talosaga Toeaina se TOA o SAMOA, who graduated from Basic Komiti e ta’ita’i ai training at Fort Jackson Military Base, South Caro- afioga Afalava lina. Fairlyn was missing from yesterday’s front page photo. Left to right are: Anna Carruthers, Char- lene Sooaemalelagi, Dora Ah Futu, Precious Brown, Fairlyn Kelemete, Vanessa Himphill. Thank you very much Samoa News for printing our photos so that the par- ents and families of some Le Lali of us who aren’t able to make it here for our grad- uation can share in our AYFS to kick-off its accomplishments. Faamanuia le Atua ia 8th Football Season outou galuega. God Bless. in the territory [Courtesy photo] C M tomorrow morning Y K ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017 $1.00 Inside Sports Faipule concerned over Rapiscan by Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu Chief of Customs, Moetulu’i Fuiava. Tuesday — seeing that it was last year Samoa News Reporter Moetulu’i was responding to Samoa October that the governor had informed he Rapiscan for cargo and News questions following concerns the Speaker and the President of the Fagatogo Post Tvehicle inspection is not yet raised by Rep Faimealelei Anthony Senate he was signing the bill. operational; this is according to the Allen during the House regular session Office drug (Continued on page 4) bust involves postal worker By Samoa News Staff The latest addition to the growing list of drug busts at the Fagatogo Post Office involves a female postal worker and Samoa News understands that federal investigators have been made aware of the case. C M No comment could be obtained from local Postmaster Tao Suani but Y K Samoa News understands that since the case involves a postal worker (a federal employee), and considering the amount of drugs involved — 2lbs each of ice and marijuana — and the use of a federal service (the USPS) to smuggle the illegal substances, the feds will be involved. In response to Samoa News inqui- ries, Chief of Customs Moetulu’i Sipili Fuiava confirmed that there indeed was a package that was intercepted by the Customs K9 Unit earlier this week and everything – from the drugs to the sus- AS Baseball team with their Head Coach Leaupepe Vili There are 12 players, led by Head Coach Leaupepetele Vili pect and even the reports – have been Fa’apouli, Assistant Coach Marcus Langkilde and the Presi- Fa’apouli and Assistant Coach Marcus Langkilde. turned over to the Department of Public dent of the World Baseball and Softball, Mr. Riccardo Frac- Traveling with the team are ASBA President J. Victor Safety (DPS) through a ‘change of cus- cari before their match against their toughest opponent from Langkilde and ASBA Secretary Melissa Coulter and parents. tody’ process. Australia, on Wednesday. Amerika Samoa played Australia on Wednesday, to a Samoa News could not confirm U12 Amerika Samoa Baseball Team departed on Monday loss and was slated to play Guam, yesterday, Thursday. Stay whether or not the suspect is in police this week and arrived in Guam Tuesday to play in the Oceania tuned for updates. custody, or if any local criminal charges U12 Baseball Championship. The competition is a 3-team A big fa’amalo and fa’afetai tele to Amerika Samoa for all have been filed. tournament with Australia, Guam and Amerika Samoa. the support and prayers. [Courtesy photo] Page 2 samoa news, Friday, January 13, 2017 PRINTER FOR RENT! WIRELESS / COPY / PRINTER / FAX / SCANNER FOR FAST, UNLIMITED PRINTING, GREAT FOR COMMERCIAL USE FREE INK We sell good quality HP Officejet Pro 8610 printing paper. $70 Monthly Payment Premium Printing Paper Ream $3.95 Case $38.95 Double A Printing Paper Ream $4.75 Case $43.95 O&O INC. WHOLESALE in Nu’uuli Please contact: Jiin (258-4563) or Tafa Leaupepe Office: (684) 699-4484 • Fax: (684) 699-2307 Email: [email protected] FELETI BARSTOW LIBRARY FREE Registration is now open for: Basic Computer Course for adults ages 18 and up! January 17 - 27, 2017, Monday - Friday, 0930am - 1130am Registration must be done in person at the Feleti Barstow Public Library and will be on a first come first serve basis. Availability is limited! EKALESIA FAAPOTOPOTOGA KERISIANO I AMERIKA SAMOA has the following openings….. PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATORS (2) One of American Samoa’s All-Star wide receiver, Josiah Taani out of Leone High School – throwing Minimum Qualifications Include: up a pair of “shaka” just before fielding for their first match of the classic. [courtesy photo] • Excellent curriculum writing abilities in Samoan and English • Knowledge and skills in Christian Education and Spiritual Development Lolo Admin pro-active • Must be Computer Literate • Organize and assist programs for the Christian Education Department about 2018 min wage hike • Work effectively in a team environment • Possess formal theological and ministerial training by Fili Sagapolutele Although a hike in the min- gress set the wages levels. Samoa News Correspondent imum wage tends to impact the Lolo raised the special com- • Preferably, but not limited to, a theological graduat The Lolo Administration is cannery industry in the territory mittee issue in his response to Salary determined in accordance with employer’s policies once again exploring the possi- and the local private sector, a US Government Account- All applications with attached resumes must be submitted by bility of seeking financial assis- Lolo says the administration ability Office report released tance from the US government believes the “quality and living last month suggesting to Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. to subsidize future minimum standards and wages of the the US Congress “two basic CCCAS Main Office, Kanana Fou. wage increases — the next one people need improvements.” approaches” for increasing is due in 2018 — because the Yet, said the governor, ASG American Samoa’s minimum For further information, please contact the American Samoa Government does not have the financial wages to keep pace with the Office of the General Secretary at (684) 699-9810 simply does not have resources resources to cover an increase cost of living in the territory to cover such wage hikes. in wages. To anticipate this and eventually equaling the EFKAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The administration first short fall, Lolo said ASG “is federal minimum wage. raised the proposal of a US exploring on seeking technical Lolo recommended an federal government subsidy to and financial assistance” from USDOL-constituted com- finance minimum wage hikes the US Departments of Labor mittee, which would include in the territory in 2015, before and Interior “to subsidize the equal membership from both AUTO NATION the current hike went into affect additional ASG wage bill in employer and employee, to NU’UULI: (684) 699-7168 FAGATOGO: (684) 633-2239 FAX: (684) 699-7175 in October of that year. The order to maintain the costs review local minimum wages proposal went nowhere. across the board.” based on the territory’s eco- In October 2015, federal Otherwise, ASG will have nomic conditions. (See Samoa 2 Ton Jack $99.00 Boombotix Speaker mandated minimum wages for to reduce its workforce and News edition Dec. 7, 2016.) (Bluetooth) all 17 different industries in implement further cost contain- ASG expressed to GAO American Samoa increased by ments, Lolo said. concerns that continued min- $50.00 40 cents per hour and the next Additionally, ASG will con- imum wage increases are at wage hike is set for October tinue to pursue further efforts odds with sustainable eco- 2018. The current minimum in reviving the previous spe- nomic development. wage for the government cial industry committee, whose Not mentioned in the gover- industry is $4.81 per hour. members were appointed by the nor’s Comprehensive Report, In his official written State of US Labor Secretary, to deter- is the ASG Commerce Depart- Battery $109.00 $119.00 the Territory Address, through mine local minimum wages in ment’s living-wage study a Comprehensive Report, Gov. the near future. completed in August 2015, Lolo Matalasi Moliga says for The special committee had which identifies $5.67 as the three years, his administration been setting minimum wages minimum wage, needed for a Ball Joint worked diligently to impede the for the territory until 2007, family of six to afford to live in $40 + Up recent increase of the federally when a federal law went into the territory. mandated minimum wages. effect in which the US Con- (Continued on page 8) samoa news, Friday, January 13, 2017 Page 3 Governor appoints Mafi Sione Lousiale Lotolua Kava as his Tongan The boys from American Samoa’s All-Star team and posing on the sidelines of Aloha Stadium Liaison Officer following their loss against NorCal’s All-Star 28 - 6 yesterday in Hawai’i. [courtesy photo] by Samoa News staff serving as the petroleum officer. I believe this was the vision of assimilation to the culture of our capital. In exchange, Tonga was Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga Mafi’s first task will be as the late King Taufa’ahau Tupou adopted country.” given a parcel of ASG land in has appointed Mafi Sione a member of a team that will IV who frequented American “And as the Governor men- Tafuna that has been utilized Lousiale Lotolua Kava as travel to Nuku’alofa, Tonga in Samoa in the not so distant tioned in the appointment as a market to sell their goods, his Tongan Liaison Officer, the near future for meetings with past.” letter, the Tongan community including Tongan agricultural between ASG and the local Tonga Prime Minister Samiuela “I would start with trying to has access to the many and produce.