Local News
![Deputy Commissioner Falana’ipupu Ta’ase Sagapolupele (left) and two other police officers escorting Police Officer Fa’auma Malo (right) from the DPS Central Station in Fagatogo, to an awaiting police unit, after he was arrested last Friday morning. Malo will make his initial appearance in the District Court today. [photo: courtesy]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Faauma%20Malo_0745.jpg?itok=b6DDeXld "Deputy Commissioner Falana’ipupu Ta’ase Sagapolupele (left) and two other police officers escorting Police Officer Fa’auma Malo (right) from the DPS Central Station in Fagatogo, to an awaiting police unit, after he was arrested last Friday morning. Malo will make his initial appearance in the District Court today. [photo: courtesy]")
A police officer was arrested at the DPS main central station in Fagatogo and taken into custody at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) Friday.
His initial appearance in the District Court is scheduled for today.
As of press time, it was unclear what Police Officer (PSO) Fa'auma Malo is being...
![A recent photo, provided by the ASG Port Administration, showing the tugboat, ‘Signet Courageous’, in Louisiana. This used tugboat is being checked by Port Administration engineers, who are in Louisiana, as a possible second tugboat for the Port of Pago Pago. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tugboat%20courageous.jpg?itok=ID8SFhtH "A recent photo, provided by the ASG Port Administration, showing the tugboat, ‘Signet Courageous’, in Louisiana. This used tugboat is being checked by Port Administration engineers, who are in Louisiana, as a possible second tugboat for the Port of Pago Pago. [courtesy photo]")
The US Coast Guard has confirmed that it had issued a waiver to the Port of Pago Pago — allowing the use of one tugboat — as well as an extension for the ASG Port Administration Department to come up with a second tugboat by mid-November this year.
So far Port Administration appears to have...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/police%20dept_10.jpeg?itok=7uVCOIfS "[SN file photo]")
A man who is accused of stealing more than $5,000 from his uncle’s bank account by stealing his checks and forging his signature was arrested by police last week.
Paulo Lauti is being charged with 5 counts of forgery, and 5 counts of stealing - all felonies. Each count is punishable by not more...
![ASCC graduate and former Phi Theta Kappa honor society member Wittenberg Mariner (right) gave the keynote speech at the PTK Induction Ceremony last week, during which 16 new members joined the prestigious honor society. Also pictured is ASCC Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Evelyn Gibbs Fruean. [photo: J. Kneubuhl]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ASCC-PTK%20%281%29.jpg?itok=kIhRAPFV "ASCC graduate and former Phi Theta Kappa honor society member Wittenberg Mariner (right) gave the keynote speech at the PTK Induction Ceremony last week, during which 16 new members joined the prestigious honor society. Also pictured is ASCC Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Evelyn Gibbs Fruean. [photo: J. Kneubuhl]")
The Alpha Epsilon Mu Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) held its fall 2017 induction ceremony this past Thursday, September 14th, to induct 16 new members. As is traditional, family and friends of the new and current PTK...
To ensure that all ASG entities work collaboratively on all government matters and to eliminate the “bad habit of assumption,” Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has informed executive branch directors that his chief of staff, Fiu J. Saelua, shall be copied on all communications.
In a memo titled, “...
![Congresswoman Aumua Amata with Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech prior to the confirmation hearing in July. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Amata%20n%20Domenech%20Hearing%201%20copy.jpg?itok=pDl-axF2 "Congresswoman Aumua Amata with Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech prior to the confirmation hearing in July. [courtesy photo]")
LOLO CALLS ON AG TO DEVELOP 'DENIED ENTRY PROTOCOL'
Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale has been tasked by the governor to work with all stakeholders to develop policies and protocols with regards to “denied entry” to foreign diplomats and other entrants for political asylum or humanitarian...
![Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele (left) and Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale (right) during Tuesday’s Senate Transportation/ Port Committee on the proposed hikes in port fees and charges. [photo: FS]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Port%20n%20AG%200313.jpg?itok=bLeKuEo5 "Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele (left) and Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale (right) during Tuesday’s Senate Transportation/ Port Committee on the proposed hikes in port fees and charges. [photo: FS]")
Some senators have voiced their support of an Administration bill seeking to increase port fees and charges, which has remained the same for more than three decades.
At the same time, a handful of senators noted that like all new taxes and fees as well as any increase in taxes and fees, it’s the...
![Amata with students at A.P. Lutali Elementary School. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Amata%20with%20elementary%20students%20in%20October%202015.jpg?itok=tAHk_oRC "Amata with students at A.P. Lutali Elementary School. [courtesy photo]")
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata was pleased to welcome a $250,000 federal literacy grant for the American Samoa Department of Education.
“I welcome these funds to help our educators in American Samoa as they develop reading skills in our students,” said Aumua Amata. “High literacy...
![Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Senate%20Pres_0654%20copy.jpg?itok=BWc_6LgJ "Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie [SN file photo]")
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee made only one amendment to the House version of the fiscal year 2018 budget, and that is to increase the Fono’s budget by $500,000 by reallocating money under the Special Programs category, overseen by the Governor’s Office.
At yesterday’s Senate...
![Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee chairman, Sen. Magalei Logovi’i (left) with Senate legal counsel, Mitzie Jessop-Ta’ase during yesterday’s committee discussion on two revenue bills from the governor. [photo: FS]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/magalei%200324.jpg?itok=KAfalcFX "Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee chairman, Sen. Magalei Logovi’i (left) with Senate legal counsel, Mitzie Jessop-Ta’ase during yesterday’s committee discussion on two revenue bills from the governor. [photo: FS]")
Senate hikes misc excise tax to 10%, tables sales tax, repeals 2% wage tax & increases Fono’s budget
The Senate has agreed to hike the current 5% miscellaneous excise tax, instead of gradually repealing it — as proposed by the Lolo Administration — as well as repeal the 2% wage tax, which is paid by wage earners only.
The Senate has also approved in second reading its version of the fiscal year...