Local News
![The multi-line food processing plant at the Tafuna Industrial Park project broke ground in January 2016 promising to provide up to 800 jobs once fully operational. However, the company, AVM was unable to find new investors after the initial one pulled out; and ASG has decided to pull the plug on the project. [SN archives]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/groundbreak%20food%20plant_0172web_1.jpg?itok=ItLhHDFt "The multi-line food processing plant at the Tafuna Industrial Park project broke ground in January 2016 promising to provide up to 800 jobs once fully operational. However, the company, AVM was unable to find new investors after the initial one pulled out; and ASG has decided to pull the plug on the project. [SN archives]")
The government’s plans to set up a multi-line food processing plant at the Tafuna Industrial Park “have come to a close”, after efforts by Philippines-based AVM Bernardo Engineering failed to attract investors, according to the Commerce Department.
AVM had proposed to invest $106 million to set up...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/lyndon-b-johnson-tropical-medical-center-office_17.jpeg?itok=TiHv_02D "[SN file photo]")
LBJ Medical Center officials have acknowledged the long waiting time in the Emergency Room by members of the public, especially when there is an occurrence of communicable diseases.
They also acknowledged that the only hospital in the territory continues to face a shortage of medical professionals...
![Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Motusa%200198web_0.jpg?itok=51nmZB7Q "Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua [SN file photo]")
The Department of Health is looking at sending a team to StarKist Samoa to help with the process of issuing health cards, in an effort to alleviate the overcrowding of the DoH clinic at Fagaalu, as there are other members of the community that use the clinic for health cards and physical tests....
![Congresswoman Aumua Amata [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata%20at%20podium_6.jpg?itok=JERVtgAI "Congresswoman Aumua Amata [SN file photo]")
AMATA WELCOMES NEARLY $10 MILLION FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN AMERICAN SAMOA
Washington, D.C. — Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 — Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed nearly $10 million in a variety of grants from the U.S. Interior Department to American Samoa.
“I’m pleased to welcome this extensive federal...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/shipyard.jpg?itok=eoGJDnyk "[SN file photo]")
The Shipyard Authority, in a media release, announced on Jan. 14, that the Governor’s Office has authorized $1 million from CIP funds for the Shipyard’s phase-II of its Slipway Restoration Project (SRP), supporting continuous efforts to restore and elevate the 3,000 ton slipway’s operating...
![While there is still no official word on when the new Fono building will break ground, a team from Paramount Builders — the local construction company that was awarded the contract to demolish the old Fono building late last year — was seen at the site yesterday, causing many to speculate that the project was moving forward. [photo: BC]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Fono%20building%20dirt%20pile.jpg?itok=szJ1_m_X "While there is still no official word on when the new Fono building will break ground, a team from Paramount Builders — the local construction company that was awarded the contract to demolish the old Fono building late last year — was seen at the site yesterday, causing many to speculate that the project was moving forward. [photo: BC]")
While there is still no official word on when the new Fono building will break ground, a team from Paramount Builders — the local construction company that was awarded the contract to demolish the old Fono building late last year — was seen at the site yesterday, causing many to speculate that the...
![The three inmates who escaped Sunday from the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) and were still at large as of press time yesterday. These photos — provided by DPS — feature the escapees with their names inked on them for identification. [photos: DPS]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/escapees_0.jpg?itok=o06lZRiv "The three inmates who escaped Sunday from the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) and were still at large as of press time yesterday. These photos — provided by DPS — feature the escapees with their names inked on them for identification. [photos: DPS]")
Police are investigating how and why four inmates escaped Sunday night from the Territorial Correctional Facility in Tafuna.
Police have already apprehended one of the four prisoners who escaped, but the search continues for the remaining three who are still at large.
This is according to Police...
![Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_29.jpg?itok=x7fcxEDK "Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]")
Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga is proposing, through legislation introduced last week in the Fono, to change how the excise tax is applied to imported beer, saying the current method “may be easily manipulated.”
It is not a new proposal, as it was initially submitted as part of a larger legislation in...
![The damaged Twin Commando aircraft. [Photo: supplied / Danika Adam via RNZI]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_Talofa_0.jpg?itok=XmyNmPye "The damaged Twin Commando aircraft. [Photo: supplied / Danika Adam via RNZI]")
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident involving a Talofa Airways aircraft last week at Pago Pago International Airport, for which Sen. Magalei Logovi’i has voiced concerns over the slow emergency response from the airport’s rescue crew.
Responding to Samoa News...
![[photo: BC]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/police%20station.jpg?itok=uTbXPMvx "[photo: BC]")
The Department of Public Safety's main central station in Fagatogo will be getting a new look soon, as the entire second floor is being gutted to make way for a new, more modern facility, although efforts will be made to preserve the historic character and properties of the structure.
The historic...