February 2021
Governor issues memo to roll back previous personnel actions
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through a new directive, Gov.
DOH staff at work photo & caption
O le vasega o tamaitai faigaluega a le DOH au latou taumafai e tuufaatasia uma fa’amaumauga o e ua faia tui muamua ma i latou ua mae’a tui puipuia o le Covid-19 e lua.
Pu’e faapagota se ali’i i le faaoolima ae maua ai ma fualaau fa’asaina
Pago Pago, AMERIKA SAMOA
Samoan man sentenced in Alaska to 10 years+ in prison for armed bank robbery
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A Samoan man residing in Alaska, who pled guilty late last year to bank robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence has been sente
Senate bill creating the Law Review Commission going into final reading
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Several senators voiced their support for a Senate bill, to create the American Samoa Law Review Commission, saying that this is long overdue, as there may be c
Man sentenced despite attorney’s claim that he needs rehab not more jail time
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Assistant Public Defender, Ryan Anderson told the High Court during the sentencing of the defendant Vise Gauta, convicted for violating local drug laws that the
Amata congratulates D.C.’s new CASA appointee — a long-time friend and former colleague
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata had the opportunity to congratulate a longtime friend, former colleague and Veteran, Col.
TTFAAS thank you wave planned for Utulei Beach
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Tagata Tutu Faatasi Alliance of American Samoa (TTFAAS) flyer released on its Facebook page last week, announcing a planned “TTFAAS WAVE” on Feb.

![According to the governor, all pay increases for career service employees granted since Jan. 1,2019 that increased employees’ rates of pay above the amounts that were budgeted by law for their positions “are invalid”. [SN file photo] Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/gov_lemanu_at_desk_0493_2.jpg?itok=7xve05d8)



![This screenshot from a bank surveillance camera shows Totoe Opeti Sakaria, Jr., who is masked, wearing sunglasses and holding a shotgun, according to federal prosecutors in Anchorage, Alaska. This photo is embedded in US Justice Department’s documents filed with the federal court against Sakaria. He was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for armed bank robbery. [photo: USDOJ] Totoe Opeti Sakaria, Jr., who is masked, wearing sunglasses and holding a shotgun](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/totoe_sakaria_photo.png?itok=QJyUxtau)
![Senate legal counsel Mitzie Jessop-Ta’ase shared a brief explanation on the purpose of the bill, which is creating a commission to review current laws and make recommendations of changes to the Fono and the governor in a report. [SN file photo] Senate legal counsel Mitzie Jessop-Ta’ase](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ag_mitzie_0892_1.jpg?itok=P5KheL-E)
![The prosecutor told the court that the defendant didn’t admit to Probation that he has a drug problem. He claimed he found the glass pipe under a tree. The prosecutor argued that the defendant deserves to be punished according to the law. [SN file photo] A glass pipe that can be used for smoking meth](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/meth_pipe_7.jpg?itok=4vyA5RAK)
![Working remotely, Congresswoman Amata congratulates Col. Dixon on CASA appointment. “Col. Dixon has excellent experience and is a superb selection for this role,” Amata said. [courtesy photo] Working remotely, Congresswoman Amata congratulates Col. Dixon](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata_congratulates_col_dixon.jpg?itok=Cvnr1huA)
![Photo of an earlier TTFAAS wave. [photo: TTFAAS] TTFAAS supporters with signs](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ttfaas_flyer_cropped.jpg?itok=GZuZsrZD)