PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA THURSDAY, MARCH 01, 2018 $1.00
Agnes Siaosi of the Tafuna War- riors celebrates aft er scoring a goal against the Samoana Sharks during an ASHSAA Girls JV game on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018 at the Pago Park Soccer Stadium. Th e girls high school soccer games has resumed aft er a nearly 2-week postponement due to Tropical Storm Gita and unfavorable weather C M conditions. See complete details in today’s sports Y K section. [FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]
ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM
DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 UPDATE GITA: Second round of assessments being conducted for Gita victims RED CROSS ISSUES CLIENT ASSISTANCE CARDS FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED MOST by Samoa News staff lages identifi ed as central locations to in each card is unknown. odist hall in Fagaima and the Depart- he American Red Cross has distribute emergency supplies to house- Red Cross did say that the funds “can ment of Youth and Women’s Affairs in issued Client Assistance Cards holds assessed at the three levels of be taken from an ATM (cash) machine, Pago Pago. T(CAC) to individuals whose damage, and over 29,000 total items or they can be used at vendors that accept SECOND ASSESSMENT homes have been assessed by the Amer- have already been distributed. These Visa cards.” Following complaints from many ican Samoa Government (ASG) and include tarps, clean up kits, coolers, por- It said, “Once activated, the card is residents that their homes were either considered to have sustained major dam- table stoves with propane, jumpstart to to be used for immediate storm related destroyed or damaged by Tropical Storm ages or destruction as a result of Tropical recovery kits, and comfort kits. needs such as food, clothing, laundry, Gita but were not visited during the fi rst Storm Gita. Red Cross is also providing casework fuel, and home repair needs.” damage assessment, the government is Yesterday, the government launched for families who have been assessed Specifi cs on what is considered conducting a second assessment, which a second assessment of homes that were by ASG as having Major Damage, or “home repair needs” were not disclosed. started yesterday. not covered in the initial assessment, Destroyed homes; and Client Assistance The Red Cross has also been pro- There are 10 teams covering vil- which was carried out three days after Cards (CAC) are being issued to indi- viding meals in temporary shelters how- lages throughout Tutuila and Emergency Gita left behind devastation on Tutuila. viduals in these two assessed categories. ever, people are encouraged to leave the Operations Center public information RED CROSS Those assessed with Minor Damage temporary shelters when able, especially offi cer, Tuimavave T. Laupola said According to the Red Cross — are not eligible for the CAC, according as assistance is received from the Red the second assessment would continue which currently has 170 staff members to the Red Cross. Cross or ASG. throughout this week until all villages and volunteers working on this disaster “The cards do not have any funds on As of the close of business on Monday are visited. — the services the non-profi t group is them when issued, because the Amer- this week, Red Cross supported 11 emer- The fi rst assessment, a joint one with providing to those affected by Gita are ican Red Cross verifi es that the card was gency shelters serving 15,212 meals. federal partners, was carried out Feb. based on the Damage Assessments that issued properly and then activates it,” Additionally, it delivered 528 jumpstart 12th and completed last week, although have been completed by ASG and Public according to Red Cross, adding that the to recovery kits; 1381 clean up kits, and there were still more data being collected Works. process takes 3 days from the day the 1025 comfort kits. by ASG, which worked with the US Fed- ASG has classifi ed three levels of card is issued. Yesterday, the Red Cross conducted eral Emergency Management Agency damage for homes already assessed — Once the process is completed, distribution and casework at the Meth- (Continued on page 10) Minimum Damage, Major Damage, or according to the Red Cross, the client Destroyed. will be able to access the funds on the C M Red Cross says it has visited 13 vil- card, although the total amount of funds Y K
Pictured are some of the items being distributed by the American Red Cross to I lenei ata mai le Facebook a le malo o Amerika Samoa (ASG), o se vaaiga i le families whose homes were aff ected by Tropical Storm Gita last month. Th e care aufaigaluega a le Koluse Mumu kiliva fesoasoani i nu’u mo aiga sa afaina i le ‘afa kits include necessities such as fl ashlights, batteries, fi rst aid kit, tarp, burner, and o Gita. [ata: ASG] a cooler. [photo: THA] Page 2 samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018
SAMOA MARKETING, INC. MARK DOWN SALE AT OUR NEW LOCATION BEHIND ORIGIN GAS INDUSTRIAL PARK (SATURDAY) MARCH 3, 2018 FROM 8AM TO 12NN OFFICE FURNITURES / OFFICE SUPPLIES / COMPUTER SPEAKERS / HOUSEHOLD ITEMS / POWER TOOLS / HOME DÉCOR ITEMS / WATER COOLER / ROCKS & PEBBLES (ASSTD SIZE & COLOR) / TOOLS / TARPS / by Ausage Fausia SAMUELU SELESELE Samoa News Reporter DOUBLE SINK / POWER WASHER / FLASH LIGHTS / A man who dropped his children off at INDUSTRIAL FANS & MORE Matafao Elementary School yesterday morning VAITELE TAGO ended up in District Court, after he was arrested FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE CALL A young man from Nuuuli with a long crim- for allegedly disturbing the peace by engaging in inal history entered into a plea bargain with the a fi ght with another individual. 699-5151 OR 699-5152 government yesterday during court proceedings Samuelu Selesele made his initial appearance before District Court Judge Fiti Sunia. before District Court Judge Fiti Sunia where he Vaitele Tago, who is on probation, was ini- entered a ‘not guilty’ plea to one count of public tially charged with 4 misdemeanors including 2 peace disturbance. counts of third degree assault, resisting arrest, After reviewing the police report, Judge Sunia LAND COMMISSION and public peace disturbance. ordered Selesele to be released on his own recog- NOTICE is hereby given that MISAALEFUA, JOHN H. of OFU, American Samoa, has However, under a plea agreement with the nizance, under certain conditions that include no executed a LEASE AGREEMENT to a certain parcel of land commonly known as LAGI government, Tago pled guilty to public peace which is situated in the village of OFU, in the County of OFU, MANU’A District, Island of contact with the alleged victim. MANU’A, American Samoa. Said LEASE AGREEMENT is now on file with the Territorial disturbance and the remaining charges were According to the government, the defendant Registrar to be forwarded to the Governor respecting his approval or disapproval thereof dismissed. and the victim got into a disagreement that had according to the laws of American Samoa. Said instrument names TUIMALIE ENESI With his guilty plea, Tago admits that on Sept. MISAALEFUA as LESSEE. to do with parking inside the school compound. Any person who wish, may file his objection in writing with the Secretary of the Land 29, 2017 in Nuuuli, he disturbed the public peace The verbal argument ended when Selesele Commission before the 30TH day of MARCH, 2018. It should be noted that any objection by being involved in a fi ght, during which he must clearly state the grounds therefor. allegedly punched the victim in the face, and became loud and created fear to others. police were contacted for assistance. POSTED: JANUARY 29, 2018 thru MARCH 30, 2018 Judge Sunia sentenced Tago to 6 months SIGNED: Taito S.B. White, Territorial Registrar Selesele allegedly told police during ques- probation. tioning that he assaulted the victim because he KOMISI O LAU’ELE’ELE According to court records, Tago has been was angry.His next court appearance is set for O LE FA’ASALALAUGA lenei ua faia ona o MISAALEFUA, JOHN H. ole nu’u o OFU, detained since his arrest and therefore has already March 23rd. Amerika Samoa, ua ia faia se FEAGAIGA LISI, i se fanua ua lauiloa o LAGI, e i le nu’u o served 152 days in prison. OFU i le itumalo o OFU, Falelima i MANU’A ole Motu o MANU’A Amerika Samoa. O lea The court then ordered that Tago be released FEAGAIGA LISI ua i ai nei i teuga pepa ale Resitara o Amerika Samoa e fia auina atu ile MAN WHO ASSAULTED HIS WIFE Kovana Sili mo sana fa’amaoniga e tusa ai ma le Tulafono a Amerika Samoa. O lea mata’upu from the TCF but he will remain there, pending a GETS 10 DAYS AT TCF o lo’o ta’ua ai TUIMALIE ENESI MISAALEFUA. hearing to revoke his probation in the High Court A man who was convicted by the District A iai se tasi e fia fa’atu’i’ese i lea mata’upu, ia fa’aulufaleina mai sa na fa’atu’iesega tusitusia tomorrow at 9 a.m. Court for assaulting his wife has been ordered ile Failautusi o lea Komisi ae le’i o’o ile aso 30 o MATI, 2018. Ia manatua, o fa’atu’iesega uma During court proceedings, Tago apologized lava ia tusitusia manino mai ala uma e fa’atu’iese ai. 02/01 & 03/01/18 to spend 10 days at the Territorial Correctional for what he did, saying he is remorseful and that Facility (TCF) as a condition of a 12-month pro- he has learned his lesson. He also apologized to bation term. his mother and family, especially those who were The detention period will see the defendant LAND COMMISSION affected by his actions. spending 5 straight weekends at the TCF. NOTICE is hereby given that LAVATA’I RENO VIVAO of NUUULI, American Samoa, The government’s case states that on the day (To protect the identity of the victim, Samoa has executed a LEASE AGREEMENT to a certain parcel of land commonly known as of the incident, police responded to a call from News is withholding the defendant’s name). VAITELE which is situated in the village of NUUULI, in the County of ITUAU, EASTERN someone in the Nuuuli area, requesting police District, Island of Tutuila, American Samoa. Said LEASE AGREEMENT is now on file with The defendant is a 43-year-old fi sherman the Territorial Registrar to be forwarded to the Governor respecting his approval or disap- assistance to a disturbance. from Samoa who lives in Tafuna with his wife proval thereof according to the laws of American Samoa. Said instrument names OSUK KO When the cops arrived, an unknown male who and two young children. Under a plea agree- as LESSEE. was later identifi ed as Tago, yelled profanities to Any person who wish, may file his objection in writing with the Secretary of the Land ment with the government, he pled guilty to third Commission before the 27TH day of MARCH, 2018. It should be noted that any objection the police and asked them to leave the area. degree assault, and the remaining charges were must clearly state the grounds therefor. In 2016, the High Court placed Tago on pro- dismissed. POSTED: JANUARY 26, 2018 thru MARCH 27, 2018 bation for fi ve years, after he was convicted of He is not new to the system. Back in 2011 he SIGNED: Taito S.B. White, Territorial Registrar felony driving and resisting arrest. As a condi- was convicted for private peace disturbance for tion of his probation, he was ordered to serve the same thing: assaulting his wife. KOMISI O LAU’ELE’ELE 20 months at the TCF and remain a law abiding O LE FA’ASALALAUGA lenei ua faia ona o LAVATA’I RENO VIVAO ole nu’u o NUUU- During sentencing, the defendant apologized LI, Amerika Samoa, ua ia faia se FEAGAIGA LISI, i se fanua ua lauiloa o VAITELE, e i le citizen. to the court and begged for another chance to nu’u o NUUULI i le itumalo o ITUAU, Falelima i SASA’E ole Motu o TUTUILA Amerika return home. Samoa. O lea FEAGAIGA LISI ua i ai nei i teuga pepa ale Resitara o Amerika Samoa e fia MUKA GODINET auina atu ile Kovana Sili mo sana fa’amaoniga e tusa ai ma le Tulafono a Amerika Samoa. O According to him, he and his wife are still lea mata’upu o lo’o ta’ua ai OSUK KO. A man who is being charged with conspiracy living together, despite what happened. A iai se tasi e fia fa’atu’i’ese i lea mata’upu, ia fa’aulufaleina mai sa na fa’atu’iesega tusitusia to commit stealing - a felony - is scheduled for a He told the court that ever since the incident ile Failautusi o lea Komisi ae le’i o’o ile aso 27 o MATI, 2018. Ia manatua, o fa’atu’iesega uma jury trial on Mar. 19, 2018. lava ia tusitusia manino mai ala uma e fa’atu’iese ai. 02/01 & 03/01/18 last October, he hasn’t been drinking or hanging During a status hearing yesterday morning out with the crowd he used to. before Acting Associate Justice Elvis Patea, Conditions of probation including not threat- attorneys from both sides confi rmed to the court ening or harming his wife and children at any that they are now prepared for Muka Godinet’s time, and he is to remain sober at all times. jury trial. He has to continue to work as a fi sherman to The court has set March 15th as the deadline provide for his family, and he must visit the Pro- to fi le any last minute pleas if both sides agree to bation Offi ce once a month. an offer to avoid the case from going to a jury. The defendant’s conviction stems from an The single charge against Godinet, who is out incident whereby he came home after work very on a $5,000 surety bond, stems from an incident intoxicated and got into an argument with his last year whereby a group of young men broke wife over fi nancial issues. into and stole items from an Asian owned store He ended up assaulting his wife by pulling her in Fagaima. hair and choking her while she was carrying their The government is accusing Godinet as being 2-year-old son. A neighbor who heard the wife the driver of the car that was used to carry the and her son screaming for help called police for stolen items from the store. assistance, which resulted in the defendant being arrested and charged. samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 Page 3 Tele fesoasoani mai le Koluse Mumu mo aiga na afaina i le ‘afa o Gita tusia Ausage Fausia fesoasoani a le Koluse Mumu. Ua fa’ailoa aloaia mai e le Mo le fa’aaogaina o le ‘card’ Ofisa o le Koluse Mumu le e fa’atau ai fesoasoani mo aiga, tele o fesoasoani ua mae’a ona ua fautuaina e le Koluse Mumu tufatufaina atu i aiga na a’afia i e fa’apea, o le ‘card’ lea e mafai latou ona o le malolosi o matagi ona fa’aaoga i le tuana’i ai o aso mai le ‘afa o Gita na a’afia ai le e 3 talu ona tauaaoina atu. atunu’u i le aso 9 o Fepuari. A mae’a loa aso e 3 talu ona O fesoasoani eseese e tauaao lau ‘card’, ona mafai loa pei ona tufatufa atu i aiga na lea ona fa’aaoga e tala mai ai mafatia o loo aofia ai ma le se tinoitupe i se masini ‘ATM’, ‘card’ - Client Assistance Card pe ave fo’i e fa’atupe mai ai (CAC) - e fai ai fa’atau mo mea se fa’atau mai faleoloa eseese uma e mana’omia i totonu o le e mafai ona latou fa’aaogaina aiga. Ae fa’atulagaina i latou e ituaiga card o le ‘Visa cards’. maua le ‘card’. O oloa e mafai ona fa’atau Na asia e le Ofisa o le Koluse i le ‘CAC card’ e aofia ai tau- Mumu afioaga e 13 i totonu o le mafa, lavalava, kesi, atoa ai ma atunu’u, o nofoaga ia sa pito sili manaoga e manaomia i totonu o E le’i tu’umamaina fo’i e tama’ita’i talavou nei le taumafaiga e pue a latou videos a’o lo’o pepese ona mafatia i le ‘afa, ma tufatufa le aiga. mai sui lauiloa na malaga mai. Vaea Aetonu o Pago Pago, Jordan Papatuo Nuuuli ma Leone ao oloo atu i ai le aofa’i o fesoasoani O lo o fa’aauau pea ona alaala i Seattle Washington, ma tama fa’asalalau fo’i a le Island Block ae maise ai le Culture Crew. eseese e tusa ma le 29,000 e pei tauaao atu e le Koluse Mumu [ata: Leua Aiono Frost] o kula e fa’amalulu ai taumafa taumafa mo aiga o lo o alala i ma vaiinu, ogaumu e kuka ai nofoaga o sulufaiga e oo mai i le meaai ma fagu kesi, o tapoleni taimi nei, ae ua fautuaina i latou Woman accused of poisoning her e nonofo ai, aemaise ai vaega ina ia aga’i atu loa i o latou aiga, eseese e fesoasoani i le aiga. pe afai ua tulaga lelei o latou look-alike with a cheesecake E eseese vaega o loo fa’avae i aiga mo le toe fo’i atu i ai, poo ai le tufatufaina atu o fesoasoani le taimi fo’i latou te tauaaoina By TOM McELROY, Associated suicide attempt, authorities said The suspect, Viktoria a le Koluse Mumu. E faavae ai fesoasoani mai le malo ma le Press Wednesday. Nasyrova, 42, of Brooklyn, fesoasoani i le tulaga pagatia na Koluse Mumu. NEW YORK (AP) — A “This is a bizarre and twisted was arraigned Tuesday on aafia ai aiga. E i ai aiga e feololo Ua faailoa mai e ni isi o aiga Russian native was charged crime that could have resulted in attempted murder, burglary, meatotino sa faaleagaina, ae i ai mai isi afioaga na aafia le amata with poisoning a look-alike with the death of a Queens woman, assault and other charges after fo’i aiga ua matua faaleagaina lea ona toe fo’i atu o i latou i a tranquilizer-laced cheesecake whose only fault was that she being arrested in March 2017. uma lava meatotino e aofia ai nofoaga sa nonofo ai, ina ua and then stealing her passport, shared similar features with the Her lawyer, Barbara Byrne, ma le fale ua pau i lalo, o i latou mae’a ona tauaao a latou fale cash and other property after defendant,” said Queens Dis- declined to comment. In an ear- la ia o loo sili ona mamafa i ai tapoleni i le vaiaso nei. trying to make it look like a trict Attorney Richard Brown. (Continued on page 7) Teacher barricades American Samoa Government DEPARTMENT of COMMERCE Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 himself in class, fires Tel: (684) 633-5155 • Fax: (684) 633-4195 PUBLIC NOTICE gun; no one hurt COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Substantial Amendment to the Program Years (PYs) By JEFF MARTIN and ALINA HARTOUNIAN, Associated Press 2014 to 2017 Annual Action Plans ATLANTA (AP) — A social studies teacher barricaded him- and self inside a classroom at a Georgia high school on Wednesday and fired a handgun, sending students running outside orhun- Reprogramming of CDBG Funds kering down in darkened gym locker rooms, authorities said. From PYs 2014 to 2017 No Dalton High School students were in the classroom when This Public Notice is posted to advise the community that a request will be submitted to the the teacher fired the weapon, and despite the chaotic lockdown U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Community Planning and and evacuation, the only injury was a student who hurt her ankle Development to reprogram funds listed below. running away. From: Amount Status It wasn’t immediately clear why the teacher, 53-year-old Jesse Randal Davidson, had the gun. Under questioning by detectives, Fire Trucks for Manu’a & Aunu’u $6,580.00 Existing Project he refused to discuss what led to the shooting. Fagatogo Playground $27,109.13 Existing Project The gunfire erupted with a nation on edge two weeks after Multipurpose Trades Building $1,283.66 Existing Project a Florida school shooting left 17 students and faculty dead and Land Acquisition HOME Partnership $229,219.89 Existing Project ignited a new debate over gun control in America. Within min- School Vans for Manu’a $13,402.00 Existing Project utes of the Dalton shooting, students there took to social media, Manu’a HS Greenhouse $10,000.00 Existing Project calling for restricting gun rights. In the afternoon, President Matatula Greenhouse $7,000.00 Existing Project Donald Trump, who has advocated for arming teachers, con- vened a bipartisan group of lawmakers at the White House to Pago Pago Harbor Boardwalk $205,405.32 Existing Project address gun violence. TOTAL: $500,000.00 The teacher was taken into custody without incident after a To: Amount Status 30- to 45-minute standoff with officers, police spokesman Bruce Debris Removal & Gita Disaster Relief Efforts $500,000.00 New Project Frazier said. A teacher since 2004, Davidson also serves as the TOTAL: $500,000.00 play-by-play announcer for the high school’s football team. In accordance with the American Samoa Government citizen participation plan the public is invited to Police noted that Davidson didn’t appear to want to hurt the comment during normal business hours for 30-days following the date of publication at the Department students or faculty. He fired the gun at an exterior window when of Commerce, located on the 2nd floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei. Comments the principal tried to enter the classroom. must be submitted in writing to Lina Petaia-Suisala, CDBG Manager. “I don’t know whether he was just firing the gun off to let people know to back off or what,” Frazier said. As a result of damages caused by Cyclone Gita and President Trump’s disaster declaration, ASG has The shooting happened about 11:30 a.m. during Davidson’s requested a waiver of the 30-day comment period noted above. Should HUD approve the waiver, the planning period. At first, students tried to get into the classroom, comment period for this notice will be 7 days from the date of this publication. If HUD does not approve but they couldn’t. The students told the principal, who tried to the waiver, the comment period will be the 30-day comment period noted above. enter. For more information regarding this notice, “I didn’t get the door open very far, but he slammed the door please contact the Department of Commerce and hollered ‘Go away, don’t come in here.’ He had some non- at 633-5155, Ext. 271 Keniseli F. Lafaele Director of Commerce (Continued on page 8) Page 4 samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 AMERICAN SAMOA COMMUNITY CANCER COALITION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE Pago Pago, AS — The Amer- house a resource repository for ican Samoa Community Cancer scientific research and training, Coalition’s (ASCCC or Cancer which is an important function Coalition) website has taken on to help bridge the gap among a new look to improve the func- community-based research and tionality for users to learn more projects that are initiated from about its mission of “Helping off island. the people of American Samoa “Research and information fight Cancer” through its many regarding any type of health programs, activities, as well as information, whether it is to make donations and apply for research or population based, financial stipends. is fragmented. We plan on “The new website design using our partnerships with the offers a more user-friendly way University of Hawai’i Cancer to access information about the Center and the Azusa Pacific Cancer Coalition”, said Va’a University, to build a func- Tofaeono, Special Projects tional and accessible repository Coordinator for the ASCCC. that raise the level of research “We have transitioned the pre- capacity on island,” added vious site into the Web 2.0 era Tofaeono. The new website by making it function appro- went live on Monday, Feb- priately on other devices like ruary 26, 2018 and is the same tablets, and mobile phones. address:
American Samoa Government LOLO M. MOLIGA LEMANU P. MAUGA GOVERNOR OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PROCLAMATION March: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. among men and women combined but there is currently no cure;
WHEREAS, colorectal cancer affects men and women equally;
WHEREAS, every 3 minutes, someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer and every 10 minutes someone dies from colorectal cancer;
WHEREAS, routine screening helps detect colon cancer early when treatment is most effective and even prevent cancer altogether; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that all people, of all ages, know the signs and symptoms of the disease; and
WHEREAS, observing a Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month during the month of March would provide a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of early detection and screening;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lolo M. Moliga, Governor of American Samoa, do hereby recognize March 2018 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens by wearing blue on Friday, March 2, 2018 to celebrate National Dress in Blue Day in eternal memory of those whose lives have been lost to this disease, to give courage to those affected by this disease and the shining hope for a future free of colon cancer.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of my office on this 21st day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand and eighteen.
LOLO M. MOLIGA Governor of American Samoa Page 6 samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 Walmart sets age Nofovaavaaia le ali’i na osofaia aoga a Siliaga ae gaoi le computer of 21 to buy fire- tusia Ausage Fausia Na faailoa e Suitulaga i le lesona taua i lona olaga. Na talo- E 5 tausaga lea ua nofo- fa’amasinoga e fa’apea, o ia e saga Fiaui i le fa’amasinoga mo vaavaaia ai le ali’i lea na ia oso- fai le to’alua ma le atali’i, e leai se fa’asalaga faanofovaavaaia faia le faleaoga a Siliaga Ele- se isi o i laua e faigaluega, sei mo Suitulaga, ina ia fa’aauau ai arms, ammunition mentary School ae gaoi le com- vagana ai lana ma’umaga o loo pea lana tausiga i lona aiga e ala puter sa i totonu o se potu aoga, galue ai o loo fa’alagolago i ai i lana fa’atoaga o lo o galue ai. ina ua talia e le Fa’amasinoga le tausiga o le la aiga. Na talia e le afioga i le ali’i fautuaga mai loia atoa ai ma Na lagolago e loia a itu e Fa’amasino Sili ia Michael le fa’atoesega a le ali’i, ina ia lua le fautuaga ina ia fa’asala le Kruse ma afioga i Fa’amasino tu’uina atu se isi avanoa se tasi ua molia i se faasalaga faano- lagolago ia Faamausili Pomele mo ia. fovaavaaia, e aunoa ma le toe ma Muasau folasaga a loia atoa Na ulua’i tu’uaia e le malo tuuina atu o se isi faasalaga faa ai ma le fa’atoesega a le ua le ali’i o Tuna Talipope Lepou falepuipui na te tuliina. Na taua molia, ma latou faia ai loa le Suitulaga i le moliaga mamafa o e le loia a le malo ia Woodrow faaiuga e faanofovaavaaia le ua le talepe fale i le tulaga muamua, Pengelly e faapea, e talitonu le molia mo le 5 tausaga. ae i lalo o se maliliega na sainia malo, ua lava masina e 5 lea na O ni isi o tuutuuga o le nofo- e le ua molia ma le malo, na ia taofia ai Suitulaga i le falepuipui vaavaaia a le ua molia, o lona ioe ai i le moliaga feololo o le e fai ma ana fa’asalaga i lenei tuliina lea o masina e 28 i le talepe fale i le tulaga lua. mataupu. toese, peita’i o lea poloaiga o I le tali ioe ai o Suitulaga i Sa ia taua atili e fa’apea, e ui le a taofi lona tuliina, ae ua lava le moliaga e pei ona ta’usala i le matuia o le gaioiga sa faia e masina sa ia tuliina i le toese ai o ia e le fa’amasinoga, sa ia le ua molia, o le alu lea ma gaoi e fai ma ana fa’asalaga i lenei ta’utino ai e fa’apea, i se taimi o le computer mai le faleaoga o mataupu. le po o le aso 2 Aokuso 2017, na loo faalagolago i ai le aoaoina o Ua poloaina e Kruse le ua FILE - In this June 5, 2017, file photo, customers shop for food ia ulufale faamalosi ai i totonu fanau laiti, peita’i o lea ua mae’a molia ina ia aua ne’i ona toe at Walmart in Salem, N.H. Walmart says it will no longer sell o le faleaoga a Siliaga i Aoloau ona toe fa’afo’i le computer, ma solia se tulafono, fa’asa fo’i ona firearms and ammunition to people younger than 21. The retail- ma ia gaoia mai ai se computer ua lagona fo’i e ia le salamo mai toe eva i tafatafa o le fale faatali er’s new policy comes after Dick’s Sporting Goods announced sa i totonu o se potu aoga. lana solitulafono sa faia. pasi lea e i ai le auala e aga’i earlier Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, that it would restrict the sale of Na fa’atoese le ua molia e Na taua e le loia a le ua molia atu i le faleaoga i soo se taimi, firearms to those under 21 years old. It didn’t mention ammuni- tusa ai o lana solitulafono sa ia Douglas Fiaui e fa’apea, e ui se’i vagana o ni polokalame a le tion. Walmart says the decision came after a review of its firearm faia, ma ia talosagaina ai se isi i le matuia o le solitulafono ua nu’u ma le Ekalesia ona fa’atoa sales policy in light of the mass shooting at a high school in Park- avanoa mo ia sei fa’aauau ai ta’usala ai le ua molia, ao lea ua fa’ataga lea o ia ona eva ai i le land, Florida. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) lana tausiga i lona aiga, aemaise ia tautino i le sese o lana gaioiga taimi e oo atu i le itula e 10:00 BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Retail Writer ai si ona to’alua ma lona atalii. sa faia, ma ua ia aoaoina fo’i se i le po. NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart announced Wednesday that it will no longer sell firearms and ammunition to people younger than 21 and would also remove items resembling assault-style Hugs, tears and police: High school rifles from its website. The move comes after Dick’s Sporting Goods announced ear- lier in the day that it would restrict the sale of firearms to those reopens after shooting Hugs, tears and under 21 years old. It didn’t mention ammunition. Dick’s also said it would immediately stop selling assault-style rifles, and its CEO took on the National Rifle Association by demanding police: High school reopens after shooting tougher gun laws. Walmart said its decision came after the company reviewed By KELLI KENNEDY, by the outpouring of support It’s how you get back up,” said its firearm sales policy in light of the mass shooting at Marjory TERRY SPENCER and JOSH from the community, including Casey Sherman, a 17-year- Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed REPLOGLE, Associated Press the police presence, the animals old junior. She said she was 17 people. The teenage gunman used an AR-15 rifle. It said it PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — and many well-wishers. There not afraid to be return, “just takes “seriously our obligation to be a responsible seller of fire- Students and teachers hugged were letters from all over the nervous.” arms” and also emphasized its background of serving “serving and cried Wednesday as they world and “banners on every Many students said the sportsmen and hunters.” returned under heavy police single wall,” he said. debate over new gun laws (Continued on page 10) guard to Marjory Stoneman Some of the officers carried helped them process the trau- Douglas High for the first time military-style rifles, and Super- matic event and prepared them since a teenager with an assault intendent Robert Runcie said to return. rifle killed 17 people and thrust the police presence would con- Alexis Grogan, a 15-year- the huge Florida school into the tinue for the remainder of the old sophomore, was concerned center of a renewed national school year. The heavy arms that it might be too soon to go gun debate. rattled some students. on as usual without slain friends Thank You The half-day began with “This is a picture of educa- such as Luke Hoyer, who sat EFKAS VAtia Raffle Winning Numbers fourth period so that the nearly tion in fear in this country.” two seats behind her in Spanish 3,300 students could first be The National Rifle Association class. with the people they were with “wants more people just like “Seeing everyone was good, 1. #25755 9. #10267 during the shooting two weeks this, with that exact firearm, to but emotionally I was in sham- 2. #13504 ago. scare more people and sell more bles. I probably broke down 10. #20811 “In the beginning, everyone guns,” said David Hogg, who into tears 10-plus times and had 3. #06288 11. #22927 was super serious, but then has become a leading voice in to walk out of my classes mul- 4. #03229 12. #11968 everyone cheered up and it the student movement to restrict tiple times throughout the day,” 5. #07735 started being the same vibes we assault weapons. she said. 13. #14111 had before the shooting. People About 150 grief counselors As classes resumed, Dick’s 6. #17715 14. #11222 started laughing and joking were on campus “to provide Sporting Goods, a major U.S. 7. #22744 around,” said Kyle Kashuv, a lot of love, a lot of under- retailer, announced that it 15. #16969 a junior who said he hugged standing” and to help students would immediately halt sales 8. #01557 every single teacher. “ease back” into their school of assault-style rifles and high- On the way in, teens were routines, Runcie said. capacity magazines at all of its For instructions on when and how to guarded by hundreds of police The freshman building where stores and ban the sale of all guns officers. The police were the Feb. 14 massacre took place to anyone under 21. The compa- claim your prize, please contact the accompanied by comfort ani- remained cordoned off. ny’s CEO took on the NRA by following Numbers: mals, including dogs, horses Students were told leave demanding tougher gun laws. and a donkey. One of the horses their backpacks at home. Prin- Later Wednesday, Walmart 254-5535, 258-0083, 644-4725. had “eagle pride” painted on its cipal Ty Thomas tweeted that announced that it would no side. A nearby woman held a the school’s focus would be on longer sell firearms and ammu- Thank you for your generous support and sign offering “free kisses.” “emotional readiness and com- nition to people younger than After school dismissed, fort, not curriculum.” 21 and would also remove items God bless. members of the Guardian In each classroom, colored resembling assault-style rifles Angels wearing their trademark pencils, coloring books, stress from its website. red berets lined the streets at a balls and toys were available to At the Florida Capitol, EFKAS Vatia crosswalk. help students cope. a House committee voted Kashuv said he was amazed “It’s not how you go down. (Continued on page 16) samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 Page 7 ➧ Woman… Continued from page 3 lier interview with CBS, Nasyrova denied forcing the woman to eat the cheesecake. In August 2016, Nasyrova, visited the Forest Hills, Queens, home of the 35-year-old victim bearing a gift of a cheesecake, said Brown. He added that both women have dark hair, the same skin complexion and speak Russian. “The woman ate the cheesecake, fell ill and laid down,” Brown said. “Before passing out, the woman’s last memory is of seeing tusia: Leua Aiono Frost ‘KEEEP’ - Keep Explemplary Educators the defendant sitting beside her inside her home.” LELEI MAKETI MO LE ‘AVA SAMOA Enriched Program - talu mai le aso Gafua, e aofia The following day, a friend found the victim unconscious in I le taimi nei i le maketi mo le Ava Samoa ai le tamaitai ia Dr Marilyn Simon. her bed, “dressed in lingerie with pills scattered around her body e auina atu i maketi i fafo, ua fa’ailoa mai ua “O le a’oga, o le faia’oga o le tagata su’esu’e, as if the woman had attempted to kill herself,” Brown said. matua mautu lava. O se tala fiafia i le vaega o ae o le fanau a’oga e te faia aga’i i ai lau suesuega The woman was treated at a hospital and when she returned faifa’ato’aga ‘Ava Samoa ile malo Tuto’atasi, ma lau polokalama ua e manatu e ao ina fa’aofi i home she realized that her passport and employment authoriza- peita’i, ina ua maua se avanoa e fefa’asoa’i ai mafaufau o le fanau. O taimi uma o lou lava lea tion card were missing, along with a gold ring and cash. ma le susuga le Fa’atonu o Fa’ato’aga Filifa’atali sao, aua ne’i motu lau sailiiliga, va’ai toto’a ma Law enforcement agents with the Department of Homeland Mike Fuiava, sa ia fa’ailoa mai, o se tasi o matau, po’o le a fo’i se aoga o lau suesuega o Security tested the cheesecake and confirmed it was laced with mataupu o le a ia avatua i le fonotaga ma Samoa the Russian tranquilizer Phenazepan. The pills contained the same fa’atautaia i le agaga fiafia e saili o le fanau a’oga drug as well, Brown said. e Lua, “ina ia aoga fo’i lea ituaiga o fa’ato’aga e i lau vasega,” o se tasi lea ala sa fa’ailoa e Simon. Nasyrova also is accused of drugging and killing a woman in avea ma se tatou fua o fa’aeleeleaga e auina atu i “O fesili e fa’amoemoe tele i ai lo latou her native country before fleeing to New York. She denied those maketi i fafo.” naunau e fa’aaoga lau suesuega. E i ai au fesili o charges in the CBS interview. O le ‘Ava Samoa ua iloga mai e fa’aaogaina le a to’atele e fiafia e sailiili ai pe tali mai ai fo’i, Nasyrova faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. She’s lea i le vaila’au fa’amoe mo tagata pe a faia ae i ai fesili o le a e va’aia e tausailia e i latous e next due in court May 25. ta’otoga, fa’apena fo’i ma meaola ma o le afua tali. O le vaega lua lena o lau suesuega, ia e va’ai lea ona lelei o le tau mo fefa’ataua’iga. toto’a i a’afiaga o le fanau a’oga i au fesili.” I le tulaga sa i ai le auina atu i maketi i fafo “Vaega tolu o lau suesuega taumafai e toe © Osini Faleatasi Inc. reserves all rights. o le Ava Samoa, sa i ai se faaletonu i le tausaga fa’amaumau uma ai fa’ai’uga ua va’aia i lau 2002, lea na taofia mai ai le maketi e le Iuni a vasega e tusa ai o au fesili ma o latou tali. Ia dba Samoa News is published Monday through Friday, Malo Europa, peita’i, na sogasoga lava le sa avea faia sau fa’ai’uga lelei ma ia e iloa lelei, o le sui except for some local and federal holidays. ma Taitaifono o le Komiti Fa’afoe mo Maketi o tausaili i ala e mafai ai ona malamalama lelei le Please send correspondences to: OF, dba Samoa News, Box Fefa’ataua’iga a Samoa, Tagaloa Eddie Wilson, tamaititi i le mataupu sa e fa’aaogaina mo lau 909, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. sa ia sailia loa le konekarate o le Maketiga o Oloa suesuega.” Telephone at (684) 633-5599 • Fax at (684) 633-4864 ma Fua o Fa’ato’aga i fafo, ma ua iloga ai, o lo’o O le agaga atoa o lea folasaga na amata tatala Email advertisements to [email protected] tele se avanoa e malo ai Samoa i se fa’amasinoga ai le folasaga a lenei tama’ita’i faia’oga i le Email the newsroom at [email protected] e faia ona ua le tu’u feagaiga maketi i fafo i aiaiga numera mai le Walden University, “Ia mautinoa Normal business hours are Mon. thru Fri. 8am to 5pm. o lea feagaiga mo fefa’ataua’iga. ua fa’aosofia le agaga fia a’oa’o o le faia’oga, ia Permission to reproduce editorial and/or advertisements, in O iina na toe maua ai le avanoa ma ua toe le motusia le so’otaga fiafia fo’i o le fanau e auai whole or in part, is required. Please address such requests to tatala mai ai le maketi a le Atu Europa, peita’i, i lau suesuega ma ia malamalama atili ai i latou the Publisher at the address provided above. sa sailia fo’i e i latou nisi maketi fou, ma ua tele i lau mataupu sa e fia fa’ailoa atu i lau vasega.” Please visit samoanews.com for weekend updates. ai maketi ua avanoa mai mo le fa’atauina atu o le Ava Samoa. TAPENA MO LE FA’ALELEIA LAISENE Ona o tatou eleele i Amerika Samoa nei e AVETA’AVALE matele ina maua avanoa i nai auvae mauga ma Ua fa’ailoa e le Matagaluega o Puipuiga o le eleele soata, e tele le la, ua aoga tele lea mo le Saogalemu Lautele, le ma’ea ona fa’akoekarateina Ava Samoa e totoina ai. Ua maua se isi avanoa se kamupani mai fafo e fa’aleleia le tapenaga o mo lea ituaiga o maketi, ae mafai ona fa’aulu sa’o laisene ave ta’avale a Amerika Samoa. fo’i i tatou i Hawaii ma isi setete o Amerika. Saunoa le Komesina o Leoleo, Le’i Sonny O se lipoti a Filifa’atali e tusa o le Talo a Thompson, e fa’apea, “O lea sa le taulia tatou Samoa sa taofia le toe aumaia i le atunu’u, ua Laisene ona o le ituaiga pepa sa fa’aaogaina e mae’a tatalaina mai, ae le fa’aaogaina mo le polo- lomia ai, ma ua agava’a ai mo se pepa fa’amaonia General Membership Meeting kalama o Mea Taumafa a le fanau a’oga [SLP] ua e tusa o aiaiga a le Feterale.” On na’o le faiga tuai lava sa fa’atau ai i faleoloa, e le O le kamupani lea ua fa’atulaga nei, o le mafai fo’i ona fa’atauina i le tatou maketi tele i a galulue fa’atasi ma le DPS ina ia aumaia lea TROPICAL STORM GITA RELIEF Fagatogo. ituaiga pepa sa’o, ina ia le toe fa’aletonu lea itu o AND RESTORATION EFFORTS O lea tatalaga o le toe fa’atauina mai o Talo le auaunaga lautele. mai Samoa, na pasia ma tatala i le aso Lulu ae O le taofiga lea e i ai nei, talu mai le aso 5 o Honorable Lt. Governor Lemanu Mauga aso Faraile ua tatou afatia. O lona uiga o le aso 7 Fepuari, ua le toe talia ai le Laisene Ave Taavale Governor’s Authorized Representative Fepuari, 2018 na tatala ai lea fa’asa. a Amerika Samoa e fa’aaoga e ulufale ai i totonu Keynote Speaker o se setete ma teritori o Amerika, ae maise fo’i o Muavaefaatasi John Suisala METOTIA FOU AOAO AI FANAU - POLO- nofoaga a le militeri. Director, Department of Health Social Services KALAMA A LE ‘KEEEP’ O le galuega muamua e fa’atino e lenei kamu- Shelters Sa fa’atalosagaina e faia’oga ma Pule A’oga pani ua fa’akonekarate, o le fa’atula’ia lea o le lenei ituaiga polokalama e saili ala e fa’aosofia Masini Fai Pepa Fa’amaonia po’o Laisene i Faleosina Voigt pea le agaga fiafia e a’oa’o atu, ma ia fa’atele fo’i le OMV i Tafuna, ona toe fa’aauau loa lea o le Director, Department of Public Works ala e mafai ai ona fesiuia’i apefoe o le a’oa’oina pu’ega o Laisene Aeta’avale. Individual Assessments o fanau, aua o tatou fanau, ua i ai suiga ua tatou “O lo’o fa’aauau lava le sailiga, po’o fea ua Alfonso P. Galea’i matauina, ua ave’esea ai o latou taliga mai le o’o i ai le vaega tupe na toina mai e $300,000 Director, Office of Disaster Assistance & Petroleum Management fa’alogo, po’o latou agaga mai le ituaiga a’oa’oga mo le tapenaga o Laisene Ave Ta’avale Amerika Public Assessments sa masani ona taotu fa’atautaia ai a’oa’oga i potu Samoa ia agava’a ai o pepa fa’amaonia a le a’oga. Feterale. E tele suiga sa faia i lea vaega tupe ma Date & Venue E le gata i lea, ae ua matele ina fesi’ita’i tofiga e mae’a ane ua o’o i le $1.3miliona mo lea lava Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 6pm e faigaluega ai faia’oga, ua maua le fa’afualoa fa’amoemoe e tasi, ae o lea lava e le o faia le gal- Tradewinds Hotel o le tautua ma ua si’itia fo’i le atamai e tusa o uega na afua ai ona fa’amatuu mai lena vaega tusi pasi ua mae’a umia, ma ua si’itia ai tulaga tupe tele,” o a Le’i lea. New Members and Public Welcome e galulue ai, ae leai se polokalama e mafai ona Mai lena vaitau sa tapena ai lea auaunaga fesoasoani i faia’oga nei, ia iloa lelei le tofiga fou ia sa’o, na talosagaina fo’i le toe tolopoina o For more information contact Chamber Secretary ma ala o faiva o le a faigaluega ai i na tofiga fou. le fa’amamaluina o lea aiaiga o laisene mo le John Wasko at 733-0833 O sui e to’alua mai Amerika o lo’o fa’afoeina tausaga e tasi, fa’atasi ai ma le nofo va’ava’aia a’oa’oga a faiaoga mo le polokalama o le e tolu masina, lea ua muta ai loa ma le avanoa.
The American Samoa Chamber of Commerce would like thank Pago Pago Trading Company for sponsoring this meeting Page 8 samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 ➧ Teacher… Continued from page 3 sensical noises that were made and screaming. I dare you to tell as well,” Principal Steve Bartoo me arming teachers will make said. us safe,” she tweeted in a post Bartoo returned a short time that was retweeted 15,000 times later and put his key in the door within hours. “and again he slammed the She said Davidson himself door before I could open it and had commented that arming he said, ‘Don’t come in here, I teachers was a bad idea. have a gun.’” “I feel like there just That’s when Davidson fi red shouldn’t be guns at school at and the school was placed on all,” she said. “It’s our basic stu- lockdown, authorities said. dent right to feel safe at school Davidson faces six charges, and if (teachers were armed), I including aggravated assault wouldn’t feel safe.” involving a gun and terroristic Student Emma Jacobs texted threats and acts, jail records her mother while she hid inside showed. Other charges include a darkened classroom, said carrying a weapon in a school her mother, Annmarie Jacobs. safety zone and reckless con- Emma, a junior, said in texts duct. It’s not clear if he has an that her teacher had turned the C M attorney. lights off and told the students Y K Chondi Chastain told The to sit in a corner. Associated Press she was sup- Then, in an act that brought posed to have Davidson’s class home the danger of the situa- at 2:30 p.m. tion, Emma texted her mother, “My favorite teacher at “omg she’s putting desk in front Dalton high school just block- of the door.” O nisi na muaimalae e maimoa i pesega matagofi e a le Culture Crew ma le to’atele o ali’i ma aded his door and proceeded Nathangel Lopez hun- tama’ita’i pepese na asia i tatou i lena vaiaso ua tuana’i. Sa faia lea Koneseti i le aso Tofi o le vaiaso to shoot. We had to run out the kered down with students and ua te’a. [ata: Leua Aiono Frost] back of the school in the rain. teachers in a gym locker room. Students were being trampled While there, he tweeted a photo of teens sitting on benches and called for more gun control. “This shouldn’t happen to us,” he wrote. “I hope a law- maker somewhere will do something.” MORE SPEEDNET When he found out that a teacher was involved, he shifted FOR YOUR DOLLAR! his stance on arming educators. “At fi rst, I was thinking that eCharge the exact amount to your that might have been a good MiFi or Dongle number idea. I am now totally against it,” he said. Several students said on social media they were out- raged that some on Twitter questioned whether the incident was staged. Davidson was described as laid back and smart. In 2012, he was recognized as the school’s top teacher, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported . He moved to Dalton in 1995 and became sports and news director at WBLJ-AM radio. “It was always about the students. He really wanted the students to understand the con- cept,” said 18-year-old senior Rowdy Zeisig. The principal said Davidson was an “excellent teacher” who was well thought of, and “as far as I know he was fi t to be at work.” Twice in recent years, Dalton C M police say they encountered the Y K $ Valid for teacher exhibiting odd behavior 24 Hours 5 500MB and wrote in one report that he “may be delusional.” $ Valid for Davidson had walked into 2 Days 7 800MB the police department and told a rambling story about thinking $ Valid for a murder had occurred, police 9 1.3GB 5 Days wrote in a 2016 report. But police said they investigated $ Valid for and were not able to verify that 20 3.5GB 7 Days any of the information was true. Police said that after the inter- $ Valid for view, Davidson was taken to a 30 4GB 15 Days hospital “based on him thinking about hurting himself.” $ Valid for Police said in another report 40 6GB 30 Days last year that offi cers found Davidson during a school day sitting on the curb of a street, www. bluesky.as blueskyAmericanSamoa @blueskyamsamoa conscious but unresponsive and • Terms & Conditions apply • Customer must echarge exact bundle amount to Speednet number to purchase bundle being held up by two school • Prepaid out of plan MB price is $0.16cents per MB • Customer must have a speednet device (mifi, tablet, dongle.. etc) with an active data SIM • Bluesky reserves the right to end or amend the product at any given time. staff members. samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 Page 9 Jailed Instagram model wants to trade secrets for freedom Trump’s campaign for her own personal safety. But she refused for now to offer any such evi- dence, and it’s not clear if she has any. Vashukevich’s story offers a glimpse into the shady world of Russian oligarchs. Trump’s onetime campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, also had ties to that world through his con- sulting work for one of those oligarchs. Manafort has been indicted on money-laundering charges related to his overseas consulting work by special C M counsel Robert Mueller. But Y K Mueller has offered no evidence that Manafort linked his Rus- sian contacts to Trump’s cam- paign or helped Russia meddle A police offi cer escorts Anastasia Vashukevich from a detention in the 2016 U.S. election. center in Pattaya, south of Bangkok, Th ailand, Wednesday, Feb. That has not stopped 28, 2018, aft er she was arrested Sunday in the Th ai resort city of Vashukevich from claiming she Pattaya while giving sex lessons to Russian tourists. Vashukevich has such evidence as she faces told Th e Associated Press from a police van Wednesday that she possible deportation. fears for her life, and wants to exchange information on alleged Vashukevich shot to fame Russian ties to U.S. President Donald Trump‚Äôs campaign for in early February when Rus- her own personal safety. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) sian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, one of President By TODD PITMAN and the United States. Vladimir Putin’s top foes, pub- NATALIYA VASILYEVA, Asso- Anastasia Vashukevich, lished an investigation drawing ciated Press whose extraordinary claims and on Vashukevich’s social media PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) racy selfi es have propelled her posts suggesting corrupt links — A Belarusian woman jailed to internet fame in recent weeks, between billionaire Oleg Deri- in Thailand for offering sex les- told The Associated Press from paska and a top Kremlin offi cial, O se va’aiga i le sausaunoaga a le tama’ita’i Lalelei o le Pas- sons without a work permit says a police van Wednesday that Deputy Prime Minister Sergei efi ka ae maise o le tatou nei fo’i Malo, Ms Matauaina Toomalatai she has a story to tell involving she fears for her life, and wants Prikhodko. The report featured - aulelei mea uma i lea afi afi i le Koneseti a le Culture Crew ma the Kremlin, Russian billion- to exchange information on video from Deripaska’s yacht in alo o le Pasefi ka sa pa’au mai ia fa’afi afi a i tatou i vaitau fi ta. aires and even the president of alleged Russian ties to Donald [ata: Leua Aiono Frost] (Continued on page 11)
C M Y K Page 10 samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 Kushner’s clearance downgrade could leave him ‘flying blind’ Separately, the White House the other side knows as much policy decisions. announced Wednesday that as they can.”The downgrade Lowell, Kushner’s attorney, Communications Director Hope is only the latest clipping of said he had not been informed Hicks, one of the president’s Kushner’s once-sweeping for- of any reason for the holdup in most trusted aides, is resigning. eign policy role.During the Kushner’s permanent top-secret The news of her leaving, the presidential transition, Kushner, clearance. The presidential latest in a string of notable 37, was the principal liaison aide has been forced to repeat- departures, came the day after for more than a dozen foreign edly correct omissions in his she was interviewed for nine governments and world leaders “SF-86,” the government form hours by the House panel inves- who sought to build relation- used to apply for clearances, as tigating Russian interference in ships with Trump. Last year, he well as in his financial disclo- the 2016 election. played a significant role orga- sure forms.Intelligence officials And late Wednesday, The nizing the president’s foreign have expressed concern that his New York Times reported that trips to the Middle East and business dealings were a topic two companies made loans Asia, and made solo trips in his of discussion in conversations worth more than half a billion own right. But Kushner has seen he was having with foreign offi- dollars to Kushner’s family his portfolio in the administra- cials about issues of interest to real estate firm after executives tion shrink steadily over the last the U.S. government, a former met with Kushner at the White year, amid concerns from chief intelligence official said. House.In a phone call with The of staff John Kelly and others The official, who spoke only Associated Press Wednesday that he was undermining Secre- on condition of anonymity to night, Kushner Cos. spokes- tary of State Rex Tillerson. discuss Kushner’s security woman Christine Taylor con- On foreign policy, officials clearance review, said there firmed the loans but said the said his recent focus has been was a difference of opinion implication that Kushner’s the U.S.-Mexico relationship as among intelligence officials position in the White House had well as the Israeli-Palestinian about the significance of the affected the company’s long- peace process.The impact of conversations. standing relationships with his clearance downgrade on Some believed Kushner FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2017, file photo, White House senior lenders is “made up and without his domestic assignments is knew his business dealings adviser Jared Kushner listens as President Donald Trump speaks substantiation.” expected to be minimal. He would likely come up in the during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington. A spokesman for Kushner’s leads the Office of American conversations and was too naive Politico is reporting that the security clearance of White House lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said Innovation, which is focused or inexperienced to know how senior adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner has been Kushner “has had no role in on public-private partnerships to steer clear of the topic in downgraded. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) the Kushner Companies since that can transform government, light of his position as Trump’s By ZEKE MILLER and MAT- second term. joining the government.” promote economic growth and adviser, the official said. Others THEW LEE, Associated Press Others who have handled the Former U.S. and interna- repair the nation’s infrastruc- thought Kushner knew the topic WASHINGTON (AP) — Mideast portfolio say access to tional officials say that even ture. As news of his reduced would likely surface and used White House senior adviser highly classified intelligence if Kushner stays at the White access to classified informa- the opportunity while talking to Jared Kushner has lost his is essential in a negotiation. House, his job won’t be the tion broke on Tuesday, he was the foreign officials to engage access to the nation’s deepest Without it, one likened the situ- same.Chris Hill, who was in on Capitol Hill discussing the in conversations about his busi- secrets. His credibility as a ation to “fighting with one hand charge of nuclear negotiations administration’s plans for crim- ness interests. negotiator may be next. tied behind your back,” another with North Korea during Presi- Kushner’s loss of his top- to “flying blind.” dent George W. Bush’s admin- secret clearance could be par- The White House insists istration, said it would be nearly ➧ Walmart… ticularly problematic in his role that Kushner’s job will be unaf- impossible to be effective Continued from page 6 overseeing the Trump admin- fected by this week’s down- without a full clearance. Several major corporations, doesn’t sell bump stocks, the istration’s efforts to produce grade to his security clearance. “You can do the job, but you inalincluding justice MetLife,reform. Hertz and accessoryIn public, attached administration to a semi- offi- Mideast peace.“I could not have But the new limits on Donald can’t do it well,” Hill said. “Or DeltaStill, Air Kushner Lines, have is cut losing ties cialsautomatic have hewedgun that to themakes White it done my job” with a security Trump’s son-in-law’s access to rather, you can do the job, but accesswith the to NRA the since highly the Floridasecret Houseeasier line to fire that Kushner’srounds faster. work It clearance at Kushner’s level, information may well curtail you will do it badly.” When it presidentialtragedy, but dailynone brief,were retailersand his wouldalso doesn’t be unaffected, sell large-capacity citing an says Frank Lowenstein, who his work — and raise questions comes to classified information, abilitythat sold to remainguns. inThe the NRA room hasfor unusualmagazines. statement It also from sayschief ofit served as special envoy to the about his longevity in the West Hill said, “you have to know somepushed of Trump’sback mostaggressively conse- staffdoesn’t Kelly sell last handguns, week that except he had in region during Barack Obama’s Wing. as much as you can because quentialagainst callsdomestic for andraising foreign age “fullAlaska. confidence in his ability to limits for guns or restricting the In announcing the change in sale of assault-style weapons. policy, the company said it had ➧ Walmart Inc. stopped selling processes in place to make sure Update Gita… AR-15 guns and other semi- it was applied for online sales. Continued from page 1 automatic weapons in 2015. It (FEMA). during the daily briefing early this week at the In a joint Samoa News/ KSBS-FM interview EOC. yesterday, Tuimavave explained that data from The 10 teams and the villages covered during ➧ In public… the first assessment was used for Gov. Lolo Mat- the second assessment was publicly released yes- Continued from page 4 alasi Moliga’s request to the federal government terday morning by EOC: for a US presidential major disaster declaration. ▪ TEAM 1: Tafuna: Kokoland, Fagaima, largely keep quiet in the face of Trump’s verbal and social media Tuimavave said teams for the second assess- Ottoville, Petesa volleys, faithfully executing the president’s agenda on guns, ment are working with village mayors, and he ▪ TEAM 2: Upper Iliili, Lower Iliili, Vai- drugs, violent crime and illegal immigration. Some within Ses- recommends that if your home — whether dam- togi, Fogagogo sions’ own department had criticized that silence as straining aged or destroyed during the storm — was not on ▪ TEAM 3: Pavaiai, Faleniu, Malaeimi, morale and making him seem too eager to appease the president the initial list as being assessed, to contact your Mesepa at the risk of dangerously politicizing the institution. pulenu’u or the Emergency Operations Center at ▪ TEAM 4: Aasu, Aoloau, Tafeta, The two bonded early in Trump’s campaign. But Trump has 699-3800. Mapusaga Fou not been able to get over Sessions’ withdrawal from the Russia “We don’t want to miss anyone from the ▪ TEAM 5: Leone: Sogi, Puapua, investigation and has relentlessly belittled him and pressured him assessment,” said Tuimavave, who is also Malaeloa, Taputimu, Vailoa, Futiga to investigate political rivals. The criticism was so harsh that Ses- director of the ASG Office of Public Information ▪ TEAM 6: Amaluia, Afao, Asili, Nua sions offered last year to resign; Trump refused. (KVZK-TV). & Seetaga, Amanave, Poloa, Fagalii, Fagamalo, The government is also asking that someone Fagamutu Sessions has since tried to get back into Trump’s good graces. be at home to direct the assessment team to areas ▪ TEAM 7: Matuu, Nuuuli - including His request of the inspector general should have appeased Trump, of the home that were damaged or destroyed. For Coconut Point, Fagasa as White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders sug- example, the front of the home may not show any ▪ TEAM 8: Fatumafuti, Fagaalu, Utulei, gested Tuesday it would. damage but there may be damage to the backside Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Aua “It’s something that he’s clearly had frustration over so I of the house, with such information needed by ▪ TEAM 9: Laulii, Amaua, Auto, Utusia, would imagine he certainly support the decision to look into what the assessment teams. Fagaitua, Pagai, Afono, Vatia, Masausi, Masefau, we feel to be some wrongdoing,” she said. “I think that’s the role Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga, who is Sailele of the Department of Justice and we’re glad that they’re fulfilling also the Governor’s Authorized Representative ▪ TEAM 10: Utumea, Amouli, Aoa, that job.” (GAO), noted the need for a second assessment Alofau, Alao, Auasi, Aunuu, & Onenoa samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 Page 11 ➧ Jailed… Immigration head Continued from page 9 2016, when Vashukevich claims she was having the puzzle that you have been missing, and back an affair with him. it up with audio and video regarding the ties of blames Oakland Russians have focused on the ties between our esteemed lawmakers with Manafort, Trump Deripaska and Prikhodko. But now Vashukevich and all this buzz around the U.S. election. I know says — so far without proof — that she can link a lot.” the Kremlin to Trump and Manafort, who worked Trump has repeatedly denied that he colluded mayor for 800 for Deripaska a decade before Trump hired him. with Russia to influence the U.S. election. Even Navalny told the AP on Wednesday he Kirillov, the “sex guru” known in Russia for has “certain doubts” that Vashukevich has any staging high-profile sexual happenings that usu- evidence about alleged direct ties between Russia ally involve sending scantily clad women out in missed arrests and the Trump campaign. public, told AP from the police van that the Rus- “I think such statements are made because sian government was behind their arrests. By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ and ELLIOT SPAGAT, Associated Press of fears for her own life because they have been “Political reasons. We know so much. So SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal official said Wednesday detained in Thailand,” he said, adding he believes that’s why they want us to go to Russia,” he said. that about 800 “criminals” avoided immigration arrests because her fears are well-founded. “We think that in a few days, maybe even today, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf alerted the public to the surprise Navalny’s report made no claim that Vashuke- they will send us to Russia, very fast, and I think operation, an extraordinarily high number of missed targets. vich knew anything about a Russian campaign to you will lose us, and never see us more.” Thomas Homan, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce- influence the U.S. election, and she has produced Kirillov and Vashukevich have both recorded ment’s acting director, told Fox News that the mayor’s warning no evidence that she does. their activities on social media, with racy photos on Twitter was “beyond the pale” and compared her to a gang As for her claims of Deripaska’s ties to the and videos taken in many countries. One of the lookout who tells people when a police car is arriving. Homan said Kremlin official, Deripaska has called them non- tamer photos on Kirillov’s feed shows him posing the Justice Department is looking into whether Schaaf obstructed sense when Navalny alleged them. in front of Trump Tower in New York. Kirillov, justice. In an emailed response Feb. 8, Deripaska’s who Thai police say is Russian, posts under the The mayor’s unusual public warning last weekend came hours spokesman said: “These scandalous and menda- pseudonym Alex Lesley. Vashukevich, who is before the agency launched an operation in Northern California cious assumptions are driven by sensationalism from Belarus, uses the name Nastya Rybka. that resulted in more than 150 arrests as of Tuesday, according to and we totally refute these outrageous false alle- They were arrested in a hotel meeting room in the agency. gations in the strongest possible way.” Pattaya, a seaside resort noted for its sex industry The agency declined to elaborate on the 800 who allegedly got Deripaska sued Vashukevich and her “sex and popularity with Russian visitors. The lessons away or answer other questions about the operation that began guru,” Alexander Kirillov, for breach of pri- were attended by about 40 Russian tourists, many Sunday. Danielle Bennett, an agency spokeswoman, said more vacy. The Russian court imposed an injunction, wearing T-shirts bearing the English words “Sex information would be released later in the week. and communications providers blocked access animator” with an arrow pointing to the wearer’s John Torres, the agency’s director during the end of George to Navalny’s website for several weeks until he crotch. Thai news media cited police as saying W. Bush’s administration and beginning of Barack Obama’s, said deleted the videos. that the meeting was raided because hotel staff agents generally capture about 40 percent of people they target in A Feb. 15 statement from Deripaska said: reported hearing strange sounds. such sweeps. “Mr. Deripaska’s claim is to protect his right to Satawat, the police major, said all 10 arrested Targets often elude authorities because agents don’t have privacy and has nothing to do with any political people have had their visas revoked and will be search warrants and advocacy groups have waged public aware- struggle between Mr. Navalny and his political detained at the Immigration Detention Center in ness campaigns urging people not to open their doors. Other opponents.” Bangkok until the charges of working illegally times, agents have outdated addresses or targets are not home. A request for comment Wednesday from the are resolved. He said police have up to 48 days It was unclear how many people would have eluded capture Russian government went unanswered. to process the cases before handing them to pros- without the mayor’s warning but Homan squarely blamed her for Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined ecutors. If they plead guilty, he said, their cases 800 and said her actions jeopardized officer safety. to comment Wednesday. could end without trial and they could leave the “There’s over 800 significant public safety threat criminals, On Sunday, Vashukevich was arrested along country. these are people who are here illegally and committed yet another with nine other people, including Kirillov, in Canceling a visa normally allows a country to crime, been convicted of a crime,” he told Fox. “She gave them the Thai resort of Pattaya while giving sex les- expel a person without having to go through the warning, and there’s 800 that we were unable to locate because sons to Russian tourists. Immigration Police Maj. legal process of extradition. of that warning, so that community’s a lot less safe than it would Satawat Srirattanapong said the 10 were charged Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied have been.” with working without a permit, and one with Wednesday that the Russians’ case had anything Homan’s statement of 800 missed targets — plus the 150 having an expired visa. to do with a visit to Thailand by Russian Secu- arrests — in only three days suggests an unusually large opera- Vashukevich said she won’t give details of rity Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev. He said tion by the agency’s standards. Two weeks ago, it arrested 212 in what she knows until she is guaranteed she won’t Patrushev often makes overseas visits arranged a five-day operation in the Los Angeles area. A Texas operation be sent to Russia. in advance. in February resulted in 145 arrests over seven days. “I can say something only when I will be in “It’s ludicrous to link this to the detention of The agency said about half of the people arrested in the San a safe place, sorry, because I am worried about Russian nationals in Thailand,” he said. Francisco area have criminal convictions in addition to immi- my life,” Vashukevich told the AP from a police Navalny said given recent events — including gration violations, including convictions for assault, weapons van that was taking the detainees from Pattaya to a cocaine bust at the Russian Embassy in Argen- offenses and driving under the influence. It is impossible to inde- Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Center. tina — he wasn’t so sure. pendently verify that claim because the agency refuses to name Vashukevich had earlier posted a video on “I don’t know what to think,” Navalny told them. Its statement released Wednesday identified only one arrest Instagram, also apparently made while in custody the AP. “Shows like ‘Homeland’ begin to look by name.Schaff on Saturday issued a statement on Twitter that in Pattaya, addressed to “Dear American media.” entirely realistic when you look at what is hap- she learned from “multiple credible sources” that an immigration “I didn’t want to tell you about many things. pening in Russia now. We thought the script- operation was imminent in the San Francisco area, including Oak- Now they’re trying to lock us up,” she said. “But writers made the most impossible things up, but land, possibly within 24 hours. now I’m ready to put together all the pieces of in Russia the most absurd things are possible.” The mayor, who is running for another term this year, defended her actions again on Wednesday, saying she was not tipped off by “official sources” and that she didn’t reveal specific locations. Asked about Homan likening her to a gang lookout, she said the “Trump administration is trying to distract the American people, convince them that these immigrants are dangerous people. That could not be further from the truth and it is based in racism.” Lara Bazelon, an associate law professor at the University of San Francisco, said it was highly unlikely that the mayor would be prosecuted. “It’s a tall order for ICE to show that she was obstructing jus- tice because they would have to show she knew they were going after specific people and I just don’t see the evidence for that,” she said. The warring words are the latest sign of escalating tension between California officials and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement and “sanctuary” jurisdictions. Homan vowed that immigration agents would have a stronger presence in California since a state law took effect in January to sharply limit cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal File - In this Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, photo released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce- immigration authorities. ment, foreign nationals are arrested during a targeted enforcement operation conducted by U.S. San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi, who attended Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aimed at immigration fugitives, re-entrants and at- a protest outside the agency’s San Francisco office, said immi- large criminal aliens in Los Angeles. A federal immigration official says about 800 people living gration officials did not respond to his demand that attorneys be in Northern California were able to avoid arrest because of a warning by Oakland Mayor Libby allowed to interview people detained in the operation. Schaaf. Thomas Homan, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief, told “Fox and Friends” Booking logs at the Sacramento County jail show at least 12 Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, that what Schaaf did was “no better than a gang lookout yelling ‘police’ people booked there by the agency on Sunday. when a police cruiser comes in the neighborhood.” (Charles Reed/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via AP, File) Page 12 samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018
(Photos:Maelyn
In this Feb. 27 2018 photo, White House Communications Director Hope Hicks, one of President Trump’s closest aides and advisers, arrives to meet behind closed doors with the House Intelligence Committee, at the Capitol in Washington. Hicks, one of President Donald Trump’s most loyal aides, is resigning. In a statement, the president praises Hicks for her work over the last three years. He says he “will miss having her by my side.” Th e news comes a day aft er Hicks was interviewed for nine hours by the panel investigating Russia interference in the 2016 election and contact between Trump’s campaign and Russia. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) White House communications director Hope Hicks resigning By ZEKE MILLER and JILL COLVIN, Associated Hicks’ departure leaves a vacuum in the Press White House communications team, and in WASHINGTON (AP) — White House com- the president’s collection of trusted aides. The munications director Hope Hicks, one of Presi- announcement came a day after news broke of dent Donald Trump’s most trusted and longest- the impending departure of deputy communica- serving aides, abruptly announced her resigna- tions director Josh Raffel, and just a few days tion Wednesday, leaving a void around a presi- after senior adviser Jared Kushner saw his secu- dent who values loyalty and affi rmation. rity clearance downgraded — limiting his access The departure of Hicks, who worked as a one- to classifi ed information. woman communications shop during his cam- “I can’t imagine anyone here leaving a bigger paign, came as a surprise to most in the White hole in the White House than Hope on her depar- House — and cast a pall over the West Wing at ture,” said White House lawyer Ty Cobb. a trying time for the president. It leaves Trump White House offi cials and outside advisers increasingly without support of the familiar aides suggested Hicks’ departure would strengthen who surrounded him during his campaign, and chief of staff John Kelly’s control over what has marks the latest in a string of high-level depar- been an oftentimes chaotic West Wing. tures in the administration’s second year. In a statement, Kelly said Hicks had become Hicks, 29, had a seemingly untouchable role “a trusted adviser and counselor,” but behind in the West Wing, often viewed more as a surro- the scenes the pair had occasionally clashed gate daughter than a staffer. Perhaps most impor- over her more informal role. Kelly had begrudg- tantly, she served as Trump’s glamorous shield ingly supported making Hicks communications and validator, always ready to provide “Mr. director after the short-lived tenure of Anthony Trump” with a smiling dose of positive reinforce- Scaramucci, in an effort to integrate her role into ment, and controlling reporters’ access. She was the rest of the White House’s communications the fourth person to occupy the position since strategy. the president was sworn in, as the Trump White Hicks said in a statement, “There are no words House has set modern records for staff turnover. to adequately express my gratitude to President In a statement, Trump praised Hicks for her Trump.” She added she wished Trump and his work over the last three years, saying he “will administration the “very best.” miss having her by my side.” Hicks informed Before Wednesday’s announcement, Hicks Trump of her decision Wednesday, a White had not been happy for some time, according to House offi cial said. two people with knowledge of her thinking who Hicks, who occupied the desk closest to the were not authorized to discuss the matter pub- Oval Offi ce in the West Wing, has been a central licly. One person said Hicks had been increas- participant in or witness to nearly every milestone ingly feeling the stress of the position, especially and controversy of the Trump campaign and in the wake of revelations about her relationship White House. She began her White House tenure with former Staff Secretary Rob Porter. Since as director of strategic communications — a title then, Hicks has been hounded by paparazzi, who that only partly captured her more expansive role have at times staked out her apartment building. as the president’s gatekeeper to the press. Hicks was an improbable campaign press sec- The news comes a day after Hicks was inter- retary and senior White House offi cial. A former viewed for nine hours by the House panel inves- Ralph Lauren fashion model and public relations tigating Russia interference in the 2016 election pro who worked for Trump’s daughter Ivanka, and contact between Trump’s campaign and Hicks had no political background when Trump Russia. asked her to serve on his campaign. Hicks acknowledged to a House intelligence She was an unconventional press secretary, panel Tuesday that she has occasionally told rarely mixing it up with reporters, almost never “white lies” for Trump. But she said she had not giving on-the-record interviews and, despite lied about anything relevant to the Russia inves- Trump’s fondness for cable, staying off TV. She tigation. She has also been interviewed by special spoke at a rally exactly once in December 2016, counsel Robert Mueller’s team about her role in after Trump beseeched her “to say a couple of crafting a statement about Donald Trump Jr.’s words.” 2016 meeting with Russians, as Mueller’s expan- She said nine: “Hi. Merry Christmas everyone, sive probe of Russian interference in the 2016 and thank you, Donald Trump.” election and potential misdeeds committed by Within the White House, she was seen as a those in the president’s orbit moves ever closer stabilizing force on Trump, who at times would to the Oval Offi ce. grow unhappy when she was not around. samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 Page 13 Mennonite investi- AP-NORC Poll: Most Americans gator who won’t tes- say Trump is racist tify goes back to jail
noted that prosecutors already have access to Lindecrantz’s report and other documents on her work. She said Lindecrantz would testify if not for the pos- sibility that her testimony could be used to put Ray to death. She said Lindecrantz compared her predicament to being asked to shoot a gun at Ray, not knowing if it was loaded. Amico ruled Feb. 16 that Lindecrantz must testify because her effectiveness in Ray’s defense has been ques- This undated booking photo tioned and there is no substi- provided by the Arapahoe tute for her testimony. She FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2016 file photo, Jerry Lambert, left, a supporter of Republican presidential County, Colo., Sheriff’s Office found Lindecrantz in contempt candidate Donald Trump, and Asa Khalif with Black Lives Matter scuffle, after Khalif took Lam- shows Greta Lindecrantz, a of court Monday after she was bert’s sign, outside the location where Trump was to meet with African American business and civic defense investigator jailed for called to testify. Newman filed leaders in Philadelphia. A poll shows just over half of Americans think that black people face hurdles refusing to testify for prosecu- an emergency appeal of that to progress in the United States. The new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs tors in a death penalty appeal. ruling to the state appeals court Research released Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, also found that nearly half, including three-quarters of Lindecrantz is a Mennonite on Wednesday but it’s not African Americans themselves, think President Donald Trump’s policies are making matters worse. who opposes capital punish- known how soon the court will (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) ment and does not want to risk consider it. her testimony being used to Robert Dunham, executive By EMILY SWANSON and RUS- seven percent, including immigrants from entering the help execute the defendant. director of the Death Penalty SELL CONTRERAS, Associated three-quarters of blacks, think country illegally. (Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Information Center group that Press they’ve been bad for African The White House did not via AP) compiles death penalty statis- WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans. immediately respond to a tics and issues an annual death More than half of Americans, Fifty-seven percent of all request for comment on the By COLLEEN SLEVIN, Associ- penalty report, said he had never including large majorities of adults, including more than 8 in poll’s findings. When asked ated Press heard of a trial team member blacks and Hispanics, think 10 blacks, three-quarters of His- earlier this year what he thinks CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) asserting a religious objection President Donald Trump is a panics and nearly half of whites, about people who think he is — A defense investigator in to testifying in a death penalty racist. More than half think said they think Trump is racist. racist, Trump replied, “No, no. a death penalty case has been appeal before. his policies have made things Eighty-five percent of Demo- I am not a racist.” He also told jailed indefinitely for refusing Amico said the appeal means worse for Hispanics and Mus- crats consider Trump racist, but reporters: “I am the least racist to testify for prosecutors, saying that Lindecrantz’s fate now lims, and nearly half say they’ve just 21 percent of Republicans person you have ever inter- that helping their effort to exe- rests with “someone higher than made things worse for African agree. viewed. That I can tell you.” cute a defendant would violate me.” She did not set a date for Americans. The results show a stark The poll, designed to high- her religious beliefs. Lindecrantz to return to court According to a new poll by divide on racial issues grip- light the views of African Greta Lindecrantz, a Menno- again but said she could always The Associated Press-NORC ping the country during the Americans as Black History nite who opposes capital pun- let her know if she has changes Center for Public Affairs presidency of Trump, who has Month draws to a close, shows ishment, refused for a third day her mind. Research, 57 percent of Ameri- made divisive comments after deep pessimism among black Wednesday to answer questions Lawyers proceeded with cans think Trump’s policies a white nationalist rally, called people about the state of poli- in court about her work as part partial closing arguments in have been bad for Muslims, African nations “shitholes,” and tics and the country. It finds that of a death penalty appeal. the case Wednesday but would and 56 percent think they’ve promised to build a wall along more than 9 in 10 of blacks dis- been bad for Hispanics. Forty- the Mexican border to prevent “I feel like I’m having to return to court again for more (Continued on page 15) choose between you and God,” proceedings if Lindecrantz Lindecrantz, wearing a blue jail testifies. uniform with her arms shackled Newman believes that shows to waist, told Judge Michelle that her testimony is not essen- Amico in a courtroom crowded tial in the case and the jailing with supporters in suburban is more about punishment than Denver. They sang hymns out- anything. She said Lindecrantz side the courthouse before filing is sick and has not been getting in for the hearing. adequate care in jail. Lindecrantz told Amico that Ray and co-defendant Sir her faith will not change before Mario Owens were sentenced she was led away by deputies to death for the 2005 killings back to jail. of Javad Marshall-Fields and VACANCY Lindecrantz was jailed his fiancee Vivian Wolfe. Mar- Monday after she repeatedly shall-Fields had witnessed an RESTAURANT ASSISTANT MANAGER refused to answer questions earlier shooting that Owens was Job Desciption: about her work on the defense convicted of. team of Robert Ray, one of Vikki Migoya, a spokes- 1. Assist the Food and Beverage Manager with various duties. three men on Colorado’s death woman for District Attorney 2. Available to work evenings and the weekends row. George Brauchler, said the 3. Excellent customer service, friendly and courteous Ray’s current defense team office would not comment on 4. Good leadership qualities and a team player is challenging his death sen- Lindecrantz because it usu- tence partly by arguing that he ally does not talk outside court 5. Be able to supervise and oversee employees performing various tasks did not have an effective legal about proceedings, especially 6. Duties will include but not limited to: team when he was convicted in when many of the filings have a. Greet and seat customers 2009. Prosecutors subpoenaed been sealed. b. Assist in taking food orders and serving when necessary Lindecrantz to testify to back up Ray’s defense criticized Lin- their case that he did have good decrantz’s work as a specialist c. Stock supplies and reorder representation from his pub- in mitigation — finding rea- d. Assist employees with cleaning and resetting tables licly-funded defense team and sons to persuade jurors not to e. Resolve customer food complaints and ensure customer previously questioned Ray’s sentence a defendant to death satisfaction original lawyers as part of the — in closing arguments. How- appeal proceedings. ever, one of his defense law- f. Verify cashier shift takings are balanced against receipts. Lindecrantz’s attorney, Mari yers, Michael Heher, declined Application forms are to be picked up from the Front Desk at Newman, said Lindecrantz to comment on whether Linde- worked for those lawyers and crantz should have to testify. Tradewinds Hotel. Page 14 samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018
AMERICAN SAMOA Retailers Dick’s and COMMUNITY COLLEGE Walmart take harder line against guns PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT “Pesticide Applicator Training” ASCC Land Grant Program will be conducting a Pesticide Applicator Safety training for those who handle farm chemicals. If you are using farm pesticides or you are planning to use chemicals in the near future, this is a good opportunity for you to attend this important training. The training schedule is as follows: Date: March 05 - March 09, 2018 Time: 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. Place: ASCC Land Grant Training Room Registration is FREE. To confirm your participation for this training, please call Joyce or Helen at 699-1575/2019. Thank You. The Field & Stream is seen just after opening on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Cranberry Township, Pa. Dick’s Sporting Goods, owner of Field & Stream stores, made an announcement Wednesday, two weeks after the school massacre in Parkland, FAAALIGA FA’ALAUA’ITELE Fla., that they will immediately end sales of assault-style rifles and high capacity magazines at all of its stores and ban the sale “A’oa’oga mo i latou o lo’o fa’aaogaina vaila’au o’ona” of all guns to anyone under 21 years old. Dick’s, a major gun O le a faia se a’oa’oga mo i latou o lo o fa’aaoga vaila’au o’ona i fa’ato’aga. Afai o lo’o e fa’aaoga vaila’au o’ona po’o e retailer, had cut off sales of assault-style weapons at Dick’s stores fa’amoemoe fo’i e te fa’aaoga i se taimi o i luma, o lou avanoa lelei lenei e te ‘auai ai i lenei a’oa’oga taua. O taimi la nei following the Sandy Hook school shooting. mo lenei vasega. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) Aso: Mati 05 - Mati 09, 2018 By DAMIAN J. TROISE, AP for and against the moves on Business Writer the companies’ social media Taimi: 12:00 - 4:00 i le afiafi NEW YORK (AP) — accounts. Nofoaga e fai ai: Potu mo A’oa’oga a le Vaega o Laufanua ma Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dick Sporting Goods had Atina’e a le Kolisi Tu’ufa’atasi ma Alaalafaga o Amerika Samoa. Walmart took steps Wednesday cut off sales of assault-style to restrict gun sales, adding weapons after the 2012 Sandy “E leai se totogi o le resitala. Afai e te fia ‘auai i lenei a’oa’oga, fa’amolemole ia fa’afeso’ota’i mai Joyce po’o Helen i le two retail heavyweights to the Hook Elementary School telefoni 699-1575/2019 growing rift between corporate shooting. But sales had resumed Fa’afetai. America and the gun lobby. at its smaller chain of Field & Dick’s said it will immedi- Stream stores, which consisted ately stop selling assault-style of 35 outlets in 16 states as of rifles and ban the sale of all October. guns to anyone under 21. Its On Wednesday, Stack said CEO took on the National Rifle that would end, and he called Association by demanding American Samoa Government on lawmakers to act now. tougher gun laws after the mas- He urged them to ban OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT sacre in Florida. assault-style firearms, bump Walmart, the nation’s stocks and high-capacity maga- largest retailer, followed late zines and raise the minimum Wednesday saying it will age to buy firearms to 21. He no longer sell firearms and said universal background REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) ammunition to people younger checks should be required, and than 21. It had stopped selling there should be a complete RFP No: RFP 035-2018 Date & Time Due: March 16, 2018 AR-15s and other semi-auto- database of those banned from Issuance Date: February 28, 2018 No later than 2:00 p.m. local time matic weapons in 2015, citing buying firearms. He also called The American Samoa Government (ASG) Issues.& Request For Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms weak sales. for the closing of the private to provide: The announcements from sale and gun show loophole that the major national retailers enables purchasers to escape “E-Rate Year 21 - Local Telephone Services for the Department of Education” came as students at Marjory background checks. SUBMISSION Stoneman Douglas High School “We support and respect the Original and five copies of the Proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked: “E-Rate in Parkland, Florida, returned to Second Amendment, and we Year 21 - Local Telephone Services for the Department of Education.” Submissions are to be class for the first time since a recognize and appreciate that sent to the following address and will be received until 2:00 p.m. (local time), March 16, 2018: teenager killed 17 students and the vast majority of gun owners educators with an AR-15 rifle in this country are responsible, Office of Procurement two weeks ago. law-abiding citizens,” Stack American Samoa Government “When we saw what the kids said in a letter. “But we have to Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 were going through and the help solve the problem that’s in attn: Dr. Oreta Mapu Crichton, CPO grief of the parents and the kids front of us. Gun violence is an Any proposal received after the aforementioned date and time will not be accepted under any who were killed in Parkland, epidemic that’s taking the lives circumstances. Late submissions will not be opened or considered and will be determined as being we felt we needed to do some- of too many people, including non-responsive. thing,” Dick’s Chairman and the brightest hope for the future CEO Ed Stack said on ABC’s of America — our kids.” DOCUMENT “Good Morning America.” Walmart said it was also The RFP Scope of Work outlining the proposal requirements is available at the Office of Procurement, Several major corporations, removing items from its web- Tafuna, American Samoa during normal working hours. including MetLife, Hertz and site that resemble assault-style REVIEW Delta Air Lines, have cut ties rifles, including airsoft guns Request for Proposal data will be thoroughly reviewed by an appointed Source Evaluation Board with the NRA since the Florida and toys. “Our heritage as a under the auspices of the Chief Procurement Officer, Office of Procurement, ASG. tragedy. None of them were company has always been in RIGHT OF REJECTION retailers who sold guns. serving sportsmen and hunters, The American Samoa Government reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals and to waive Sporting goods chain Bass and we will continue to do so any irregularities and/or informalities in the submitted proposals that are not in the best interests of the Pro Shops, which owns Cabe- in a responsible way,” Walmart American Samoa Government or the public. la’s, didn’t respond to requests said.One industry analyst said for comment. Nor did the Out- that other retailers that devote a door Retail Association or small percentage of their busi- Gander Outdoors. ness to hunting will probably The announcements from follow suit. While guns can be DR. ORETA MAPU CRICHTON Dick’s and Walmart drew hun- bought from sporting goods Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action Chief Procurement Officer dreds of thousands of responses stores or department stores. samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 Page 15 Graham praised by Trump, pol- Bollywood mourners iticians as ‘America’s pastor’ grieve for Sridevi, By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associ- something very special.” “The man we recognize ated Press He called Graham “an today shared the Gospel with star of ‘80s and ‘90s WASHINGTON (AP) — ambassador for Christ who more people, face-to-face, than The president gently touched reminded the world of the anyone else in history,” said the bare wood of Billy Gra- power of prayer and the gift of Sen. Majority Leader Mitch ham’s casket. The speaker of God’s grace.” McConnell. the House bowed his head. And Graham’s infl uence stretched As the leaders stood by the hundreds of other lawmakers, far beyond the city where he casket, Trump reached out to family and friends stood in a counseled presidents and law- touch it. Ryan, nearby, bowed rare salute Wednesday to the makers to a global fl ock over the his head. man they called, “America’s better part of seven decades. He Some 30 family members pastor.” is known for having met every accompanied Graham’s casket “He ministered to all walks, president, Trump included, and to Washington, where he had from some of the greats whose counseled most. befriended presidents of both statues line this hall — Eisen- But he learned to be wary parties. Graham’s son, Franklin, hower, King, Ford, and Reagan of the heat of politics. Close to tweeted a photo Wednesday of — to the everyday citizens Richard Nixon, Graham later family members loading the lining up today to pay their said the details of the Watergate casket onto a jet emblazoned A fan of Bollywood actress Sridevi holds her photograph as respects,” said House Speaker scandal made him feel used. with “Samaritan’s Purse,” she waits outside her residence to pay last respects in Mumbai, Paul Ryan, gesturing to Gra- But the world of Amer- the name of a Christian relief India, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. Dubai investigators on Tuesday ham’s casket under the eye of ican politics and govern- charity that he chairs. closed the case into the death last weekend of Indian movie icon the Capitol Rotunda. ment embraced Graham on Graham is lying in honor Sridevi, calling it an accidental drowning. Th e 54-year-old President Donald Trump, Wednesday, a week after he before a funeral Friday near his Sridevi, who was known by only one name, drowned in a hotel who met Graham but is closer died at age 99. Those gath- home in North Carolina. The bathtub aft er losing consciousness, offi cials said. to his son, Franklin, nonetheless ered, including Vice President Rotunda entrances were draped (AP Photo/Rafi q Maqbool) recalled that the elder Graham Mike Pence, some members with black fabric, and Graham’s had long been part of his life. of Trump’s Cabinet and mem- casket rested on a black-draped By RAFIQ MAQBOOL, Associated Press Trump said his father, Fred, bers of the House and Senate, catafalque beneath the soaring MUMBAI, India (AP) — Lining up for hours and visibly “said to me, ‘Come on, son ... stood around the casket. They ceiling and its painting, the grief-stricken, thousands of mourning fans paid their respects to Let’s go see Billy Graham at were ringed by paintings of the “Apotheosis of Washington.” Bollywood icon Sridevi, who redefi ned the importance of the lead Yankee Stadium.’ And it was nation’s founders. actress in India’s male-dominated fi lm industry. She died in Dubai over the weekend and her body was fl own home late Tuesday night in a private plane owned by Anil Ambani, a Mumbai industrialist and entertainment baron. ➧ By early Wednesday morning, people were lining up along a AP-NORC… security fence outside the private club near Sridevi’s home where Continued from page 13 the body had been laid out. A string of Mercedes and Audis fer- approve of how Trump is han- continue to face disadvantages Health Care Act, both of which ried family members, Bollywood stars and VIPs through another dling his job as president, 9 in to getting ahead in the U.S. work to address inequality. gate, with squadrons of guards maintaining control. 10 think the country is headed in That’s compared with 22 per- Jefferies said Trump’s slow One mourner, a man who gave his name only as Prashant, the wrong direction, and three- cent who think blacks actually reaction to the unrest in Charlot- arrived at about 7 a.m., hours before anyone was to be allowed in. quarters think that direction has have advantages and 26 percent tesville, Virginia over Confed- “No matter how long I have to wait, I will wait,” he said, worsened in the last year. who think race makes no differ- erate monuments and his com- clutching a small bouquet of fl owers. “I’ll wait until I’m able to By comparison, 45 percent ence in getting ahead. Majori- ments about immigrants and pay my respects.” of whites approve of the job ties also think Muslims (60 per- people of color also probably “I saw all her movies,” he said, grief clearly visible on his face. Trump is doing, though only 35 cent), immigrants (59 percent), played a role in how African- Inside the club, the actress’s body was placed on a raised percent think the direction of LGBT people (52 percent) and Americans see him. platform in a hall decorated with fl owers. Her extended family, the country is improving. Hispanics (51 percent) face dis- “He’s also setting a new including her husband, producer Boney Kapoor, and her two About half of all Americans, advantages in American society, standard in what is said in that daughters, stood by the platform as fans and colleagues walked including two-thirds of African while close to half (45 percent) offi ce,” Jefferies said. past in respect. Americans, think that race rela- think women face similar hur- There are vast partisan (Continued on page 15) tions in the United States have dles. About 6 in 10 think whites divides on the impact of worsened over the past year, the and men have advantages over Trump’s policies. For example, poll shows. other groups. 73 percent of Democrats but just “Everybody appears to Ralph Loud, 68, a black 14 percent of Republicans think have gotten angry and they are resident in Houston, Texas, said they’ve been harmful to African looking at each other differ- he didn’t see the conditions of Americans, while 78 percent of ently,” said Terri Jordan, 58, a African-Americans changing Democrats and 25 percent of black resident of Washington, as long as Trump remained in Republicans think they’ve been TEL: 633-4266 OR 699-1267 • FAX: 633-2964 OR 699-1263 D.C. “I think that’s just a bad offi ce. harmful to Hispanics. thing. We can’t progress that “He makes my blood boil The AP-NORC poll of 1,337 way.” because of the things he does adults was conducted Feb. Jordan said she strongly and the things he says,” said 15-19 using a sample drawn Employment Opportunity believed Trump was “racist” Loud. “We ain’t going to get from NORC’s probability- We have a vacancy for an experienced OFFICE MANAGER. based on his previous comments better as a country. We need based AmeriSpeak Panel, which Only those who can demonstrate all of the below will be considered: about Mexican immigrants and new leadership.” is designed to be representative his slow response to neo-Nazis Michael Jefferies, an of the U.S. population. The ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES: • Day to day running of our office rallying in Charlottesville, Vir- American Studies professor at margin of sampling error for all • Management of Accounts staff ginia last year. Wellesley College in Wellesley, respondents is plus or minus 3.9 • Management of Payroll In the “National African Massachusetts, said he wasn’t percentage points. • Bank Reconciliations American History Month” surprised by the survey’s The poll includes a total of • Management of Creditors Processing & Reconciliations proclamation he issued ear- fi ndings. 388 black respondents, who QUALIFICATIONS: lier this month, Trump praised “I don’t think there’s really were sampled at a higher rate • Formal Accounting Qualification preferred the “resolve, resilience, and much question what’s going than their proportion of the • Proven experience in Office Management courage” that blacks have on here,” Jefferies said. “You population for purposes of anal- • Strong Accounting background including Payroll Bank Reconciliation shown in the face of “egregious don’t have to look far back to ysis. The margin of sampling • Strong Computer Skills including Excel, preferably with I.T. Background discrimination and bigotry.” see how inequality has been error among blacks is plus or • Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills ‘’They have, nevertheless, sustained and exacerbated in minus 7.3 percentage points. • Proven ability in training of staff always been determined to con- this country.” For results reported among all • Strong organizational skills tribute their earnest efforts to Jefferies said African- adults, responses among blacks • A positive disposition America’s greatness,” Trump Americans are suspicious pri- are weighted to refl ect their pro- • Ability to work under pressure and meet required deadlines • Current Immigration and Work Clearance said. marily because Trump has few portion among all U.S. adults. • Social Security Card Just over half of all Ameri- domestic policy milestones so Respondents were fi rst cans surveyed in the poll — 51 far in his young presidency. His selected randomly using If you are interested in applying, please deliver your CV (Resume) to McConnell percent, including 79 percent of administration has stated goals address-based sampling Dowell office by 4:00, Friday, 9 March, 2018. blacks and 44 percent of whites of cutting housing programs methods, and later interviewed — think African Americans and gutting the Affordable online or by phone. McConnell Dowell is an Equal opportunity employer. Page 16 samoa news, Thursday, March 1, 2018 ➧ Hugs… Astronomers glimpse Continued from page 6 cosmic dawn, when the stars switched on By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP fi rst stars and potential dark Science Writer matter confi rmation, said Har- WASHINGTON (AP) — vard astronomer Avi Loeb, who After the Big Bang, it was cold wasn’t part of the research team. and black. And then there was Cautioning that “extraordinary light. Now, for the fi rst time, claims require extraordinary astronomers have glimpsed that evidence,” he said independent dawn of the universe 13.6 bil- tests are needed to verify the lion years ago when the earliest fi ndings. stars were turning on the light in Bowman agreed independent the cosmic darkness. tests are needed even though his And if that’s not enough, team spent two years double- they may have detected myste- and triple-checking their work. C M rious dark matter at work, too. “It’s a time of the universe Supporters greet arriving students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, Y K The glimpse consisted of Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the fi rst time since we really don’t know anything a faint radio signal from deep several students and teachers were killed by a former student on Feb. 14. about,” Bowman said. He said (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP) space, picked up by an antenna the discovery is “like the fi rst that is slightly bigger than a sentence” in an early chapter of Tuesday in favor of a bill to raise the minimum system. Critics have suggested the program led refrigerator and costs less than the history of the cosmos. age to buy long guns from 18 to 21 and to create to lenience for Cruz, but the superintendent said $5 million but in certain ways This is nothing that astron- a program allowing teachers to carry concealed Wednesday that the suspect was never was part can go back much farther in omers could actually see. In weapons in classrooms if their school district of the program. time and distance than the cel- fact, it’s all indirect, based on allows it. Those teachers would receive law- Florida Gov. Rick Scott said he hopes a gun ebrated, multibillion-dollar changes in the wavelengths pro- enforcement training and get deputized by the and school-safety bill is passed before the annual Hubble Space Telescope. duced by radio signals. local sheriff’s offi ce.State lawmakers continued legislative session ends March 9. The measures Judd Bowman of Arizona The early universe was their investigation of how the suspected shooter, he proposed did not include arming teachers, but State University, lead author of dark and cold, fi lled with just Nikolas Cruz, managed to slip through local law he declined to say Tuesday whether he would veto a study in Wednesday’s journal hydrogen and helium. Once enforcement despite previous warning signs. a sweeping package that includes that provision. Nature, said the signal came stars formed, they emitted The Florida House voted Wednesday to The Broward superintendent has spoken out from the very fi rst objects in the ultraviolet light into the dark subpoena records from Broward County and against the idea of arming teachers. universe as it was emerging out areas between them. That ultra- the school board, as well as sheriff’s offi ces in Marion Hammer, a lobbyist for the National of darkness 180 million years violet light changes the energy Broward and Palm Beach counties and the city Rifl e Association and Unifi ed Sportsmen of after the Big Bang. signature of hydrogen atoms, of Coral Springs. Among items requested from Florida, said she supports school security and Seeing the universe just Bowman said. the school were documents on a mentoring pro- keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, lighting up, even though it was Astronomers looked at a gram aimed at alternatives to the juvenile justice but “guns are not the problem.” only a faint signal, is even more specifi c wavelength. If there important than the Big Bang were stars and ultraviolet light, because “we are made of star they would see one signature. If stuff, and so we are glimpsing there were no stars, they would at our origin,” said astronomer see another. Richard Ellis, who was not They saw a clear but faint involved in the project. signal showing there were ATTENTION!! The signal showed unex- stars, probably many of them, pectedly cold temperatures and Bowman said.Finding that trace an unusually pronounced wave. signal wasn’t easy because the 2018 ISLANDWIDE TERRITORIAL When astronomers tried to Milky Way galaxy alone booms fi gure out why, the best expla- with radio wave noise 10,000 SPELLING BEE PRACTICE nation was that elusive dark times louder, said Peter Kurc- MONDAY, MARCH 5TH & TUESDAY, MARCH 6TH matter may have been at work. zynski, advanced program tech- If verifi ed, that would be the nology director for the National 3:00PM • TAOA CENTER IN PAGO PAGO fi rst confi rmation of its kind of Science Foundation, which dark matter, which is a substan- helped fund the research. tial part of the universe that sci- “Finding the impact of the entists have been searching for fi rst stars in that cacophony over decades. would be like trying to hear the “If confi rmed, this discovery fl ap of a hummingbird’s wing deserves two Nobel Prizes” for from inside a hurricane,” Kurc- both capturing the signal of the zynski said in an NSF video.
C M Y K
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Paradise pizza Th is image provided by the National Science Foundation shows a rendering of how the fi rst stars in the universe might have looked. Scientists have detected a signal from 180 million years Department of aft er the Big Bang when the earliest stars began glowing. Th e fi nd- EDUCATION ings were published on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in the journal Nature. (N.R.Fuller/National Science Foundation via AP)