Local News
![DPS Commissioner, Le’i Sonny Thompson supports a Senate bill that mandates a minimum 5-year imprisonment for drug possession and distribution. See story for details. [photo: AF]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/DPS%20Commissioner_0661.jpg?itok=pmdXKiF8 "DPS Commissioner, Le’i Sonny Thompson supports a Senate bill that mandates a minimum 5-year imprisonment for drug possession and distribution. See story for details. [photo: AF]")
Police Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson has voiced his support of a Senate bill, which mandates a minimum five-year imprisonment for anyone convicted of delivering, dispensing, distributing, possession with intent to deliver, dispense or distribute, produce or manufacture a controlled substance.
Le...
![Samoan comedian Tofiga [image from You Tube]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tofiga%20copy.jpg?itok=N05M_PmJ "Samoan comedian Tofiga [image from You Tube]")
If the news on the world front has become a little hard to bear, take heart. There’s a bright spot here in the Territory, and it involves none other than our Special Olympics athletes.
Tafaimamao Tua Tupuola, chairwoman of Special Olympics Amerika Samoa (SOAS) Board spoke to Samoa News recently...
![Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AG_0529_0.jpg?itok=GqaH3o9r "Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale. [SN file photo]")
To combat the influx of illegal immigrants to the territory, “bringing with them illegal drugs”, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has directed local law enforcement officials to set up immigration entry policies, under which only the Attorney General or his designee will have the sole authority to issue...
![Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_6.jpg?itok=CWZDHuNW "Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]")
Although the Legislature’s fiscal year 2018 budget has not gone through the Fono Joint Budget Committee review, the House has moved forward with the passage of the governments’ final 2018 financial plan of $395.2 million - a 4% hike from the approved FY 2017 budget.
The House version of the FY 2018...
![Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele smiling as she shakes hands with senators following a Senate committee hearing yesterday morning on an administration bill seeking to hike port fees and charges. See story for details. [photo: FS]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Port%20director%200318.jpg?itok=7wt7FSKx "Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele smiling as she shakes hands with senators following a Senate committee hearing yesterday morning on an administration bill seeking to hike port fees and charges. See story for details. [photo: FS]")
Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele says the US Coast Guard has allowed port to use just one tugboat at the Port of Pago Pago, with the understanding that the department is getting a new tugboat before the end of the year.
Taimalelagi made the comment during yesterday’s...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pago%20Dist%20Court%20014_37.jpeg?itok=mMon4nbl "[SN file photo]")
District Court Judge, Fiti Sunia has dismissed the latest drug case against a man from Pago Pago after the court was unable to find probable cause and sufficient evidence to bind the case over to High Court for arraignment.
Sio Godinet Jr. was in custody since his arrest on Tuesday, Sept. 5th -...
![Groundbreaking: Leaders from the American Samoa Government and the Fono along with Anthony Bernardo of AVM Bernardo Engineering during a groundbreaking ceremony for a food processing plant across from Public Works in Tafuna, in January 2016. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/groundbreak%20food%20plant_0172%20copy.jpg?itok=48GNJoLE "Groundbreaking: Leaders from the American Samoa Government and the Fono along with Anthony Bernardo of AVM Bernardo Engineering during a groundbreaking ceremony for a food processing plant across from Public Works in Tafuna, in January 2016. [SN file photo]")
The Phillipines-based company looking to establish a multi-food processing plant in American Samoa, with an investment of more than $100 million, is moving forward on its own with phase 1 of the project, slated to start construction next month, says Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele....
![Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_5.jpg?itok=q0Cy2YH6 "Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]")
Haleck Enterprise Inc., president and chief executive officer Avamua Dave Haleck along with Neil’s ACE Home Center president and chief executive officer Ngaire Ho Ching have voiced opposition to an administration proposal establishing a 1% alternative minimum business tax (AMBT) on gross receipts....
![Local businessman Frank Gaisoa during his Senate confirmation hearing last Friday. He was later confirmed as a member of the ASG Employees' Retirement Fund, Board of Trustees. [photo: FS]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Frank%20Gaisoa%200308.jpg?itok=KDmkYjvj "Local businessman Frank Gaisoa during his Senate confirmation hearing last Friday. He was later confirmed as a member of the ASG Employees' Retirement Fund, Board of Trustees. [photo: FS]")
FRANK GAISOA CONFIRMED AS MEMBER OF RETIREMENT FUND BOARD
The governor’s nomination of local businessman Frank Gaisoa to the ASG Employees' Retirement Fund board of trustees is officially confirmed by the Fono, following last Friday’s unanimous 13-0 Senate vote.
The House gave its full endorsement...
![One of the new Ford 'Interceptors' reently purchased for DPS. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/policecar_0.jpg?itok=48r91vQo "One of the new Ford 'Interceptors' reently purchased for DPS. [SN file photo]")
ASG Treasurer Uelinitone Tonumaipea claims that money from the government’s General Fund was used to finance the recent purchase of new police vehicles, while Police Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson emphasized that he has no authority to use any funds without going through the proper approval...