Local News
![Some of the more than 60 young people who attended yesterday's official opening of the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) Youth Academy program at the Pago Pago Community Center. [photo: AF]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/youth%20academy%20program_0684.jpg?itok=iqvWIMg3 "Some of the more than 60 young people who attended yesterday's official opening of the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) Youth Academy program at the Pago Pago Community Center. [photo: AF]")
Some 60 plus youth attended on Monday, this week, the official opening of the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) Youth Academy program at the Pago Pago Community Center. The participants were selected from youth around the island, who had submitted their applications for employment in...
Members of the SSY (Slimmer Stronger You) Facebook Group pose for a photo after a successful meet and greet event Dec. 8 at the VA Center in Tafuna.
The event saw more than 100 members come together to meet, share stories on their weight loss journey in order to motivate and inspire each other on...
A 21-year-old man from Samoa has been sentenced to 28 months in jail for having a sexual relationship with a minor at the beginning of this year.
Peniamina Faatauvelo, was found guilty and sentenced by Chief Justice Michael Kruse in the High Court last Friday.
The 15-year-old victim knew the...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pago%20Dist%20Court%20014_65.jpeg?itok=2-bTevbm "[SN file photo]")
A man who has been accused of stealing goods valued at $9,600 from an Asian store has been arrested and is being held in custody without bail.
Ioane Faimata is charged with 3 felonies: first degree burglary, possession of a burglar’s tools, and stealing.
He made his initial appearance in the...
![This June 2017 file photo shows some of the CCCAS elders, with Chairman Rev. Elder Mamoe Eveni Jr. (right) during court proceedings between the CCCAS and Secretary General Rev. Amaama Tofaeono. [photo AF]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/CCCAS%20ministers_0%20copy.jpg?itok=K8sn9GlX "This June 2017 file photo shows some of the CCCAS elders, with Chairman Rev. Elder Mamoe Eveni Jr. (right) during court proceedings between the CCCAS and Secretary General Rev. Amaama Tofaeono. [photo AF]")
The Trial Division of the High Court of American Samoa has dismissed Rev. Amaama Tofaeono’s motion for reconsideration and his request to certify issues for interlocutory appeal.
The plaintiffs are the CCCAS along with Rev. Elder Eveni Mamoe, Leatulagi Faalevao, and Fiti Aofia. The defendants are...
![(Front row, center) SoValTi presenters, Tim Logan and Kendra Hughes with members of the Empowering Pacific Island Communities dba EPIC, a community-based nonprofit organization which, in collaboration with Catholic Social Services and Back on Track, hosted a symposium on Coordinated Community Response, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 — at the Fatu-o-Aiga Pastoral Center, in Tafuna. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/IMG_4524.jpg?itok=6h43-4Av "(Front row, center) SoValTi presenters, Tim Logan and Kendra Hughes with members of the Empowering Pacific Island Communities dba EPIC, a community-based nonprofit organization which, in collaboration with Catholic Social Services and Back on Track, hosted a symposium on Coordinated Community Response, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 — at the Fatu-o-Aiga Pastoral Center, in Tafuna. [courtesy photo]")
Empowering Pacific Island Communities (EPIC), a community-based nonprofit organization, in collaboration with Catholic Social Services and Back on Track, hosted last week at Fatuoaiga, a symposium on "Coordinated Community Response" to engage practitioners in the development of a program for youth...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pago%20Dist%20Court%20014_64.jpeg?itok=qjcj1BmE "[SN file photo]")
The former Customs agent who was arrested by police two weeks ago after he tried to retrieve a package that contained a large quantity of marijuana from the post office waived his right to a preliminary examination (PX) hearing yesterday, and his case is now bound over to the High Court for...
![The ASCC Samoan Studies Institute held a ceremony in late November to recognize this year’s winners for its writing competition in the Samoan language. (l-r) Moe Iefata, third place winner; Jaradine Ah Sam, second place winner; and 2017 first place winner Oneata Rosie Soi. [photo: J. Kneubuhl]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ASCC-SSI%20Writing%20Competition%20Winners.jpg?itok=o7pm_hl2 "The ASCC Samoan Studies Institute held a ceremony in late November to recognize this year’s winners for its writing competition in the Samoan language. (l-r) Moe Iefata, third place winner; Jaradine Ah Sam, second place winner; and 2017 first place winner Oneata Rosie Soi. [photo: J. Kneubuhl]")
The Samoan Studies Institute (SSI) at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) held an awards ceremony on Tuesday, November 28th, to recognize the top three finalists in its Samoan language writing competition: Lau Gagana Samoa Tauvaga Tusiga Tala.
ASCC student Ms. Oneata Rosie Soi authored the...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AM%20Samoa%20HC_67.jpeg?itok=4JbU4M5t "[SN file photo]")
A six-member jury delivered its verdict in the trial of Falaniko Stowers a.k.a. ‘Nicole’ last week.
Stowers, who is identified as a fa’afafine (transgender) in court documents, was found guilty of unlawful possession of crystal methamphetamine, but not guilty of unlawful possession with intent to...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pago%20Dist%20Court%20014_63.jpeg?itok=8MN-Ohl7 "[SN file photo]")
“ .. there’s rule of substitution for people to appear in Court, and for this hearing, I want to see the Police Commissioner in Court, not his deputy.”
This was the clear message from District Court Judge Fiti Sunia during an Order to Show Cause hearing last Friday, for which DPS Commissioner Le’i...