Saipan Tribune

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Thursday, October 25, 2012

FLASHBACK - Oct. 25, 2012

Oct. 25, 1999

Teno extends state of emergency anew

For the third time since July, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has declared a state of disaster emergency in the CNMI after a volcano north of Saipan remains to be a danger for residents due to potential major eruptions within the next few months. In extending an earlier warning issued last Friday, the governor has kept the island of Alamagan at high risk for habitation and travel, thus restricting activities there only to scientific expeditions to monitor the volcano. Residents of Alamagan, however, have already fled the northern island after the government forbade travels to the area.

SGMA urges fair coverage of CNMI issues at WTO

When the World Trade Organization meets late next month in Seattle, organizations ranging from labor unions and consumer groups to hard-line environmentalists and Third World peasant movements are planning major demonstrations. The Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association has urged the Seattle Times to rethink its past coverage, particularly of partial settlements by clothing retailers named in the class action lawsuits filed last January. Stories in the Times and throughout the stateside media presented this as a big victory for workers and the human rights groups supporting them, which proves that all claims of bad treatment and worker abuse on Saipan are true.

Oct. 25, 2000

CPA eyes reinstatement of overtime work

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is seriously looking at the possibility of allowing employees to work beyond the regular 80 hours per pay period but only under specific situations that may require their presence either at the airport or the harbor. CPA Board finance chair Roman T. Tudela said the agency's current financial situation can allow the reinstatement of overtime compensation, which was previously suspended due to austerity measures, but only under strict enforcement. In order to prevent possible abuse of the proposed reinstatement of overtime compensation, Mr. Tudela said Executive Director Carlos H. Salas or his designee should have the sole authority and discretion to approve overtime requests.

$500K civil suit filed against 2 Koreans

A Chinese national yesterday filed a $500,000 civil suit before the Superior Court against Hwang Keum Ja and Yoo Jung Ki for allegedly holding her hostage and forcing her to sign a document transferring her leasehold interest to a property in Chalan Laulau to the two Korean nationals. The complaint filed by Shen Shun AI through lawyer Joseph Aldan Arriola asked the court to declare null and void the lease agreement. Another woman was included in the complaint but her identity is still unknown. According to the complaint, Ms. AI was picked up by an unidentified woman on or about Feb. 21, 1999 at her living quarters to accompany her to Koblerville where they picked up Ms. Ja. They all proceeded to BJ Garden Restaurant located in Garapan.

Oct. 25, 2001

Tinian Dynasty asks court to review DEQ’s decision

Judicial review is being sought over a Division of Environmental Quality decision that denied the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino's application to operate power generators within its hotel premises. Through counsel G. Anthony Long, the Hong Kong Entertainment Overseas Investment Ltd., which operated the Tinian Dynasty, has asked the Superior Court to set aside the government agency's action and declare the decision unlawful. In a civil action suit filed before the local judiciary Tuesday, Tinian Dynasty accused DEQ of violating CNMI laws and regulations when it rendered a decision to reject the hotel-casino's application for an operating permit.

Nursing program receives donations

Donations from three community groups afforded the Northern Marianas College's Nursing Program to purchase two patient care simulators that will enhance hands-on student learning in health care. With the financial assistance offered by the Office of Rep. Malua T. Peter, the Para Hita Ghiisch and the CHC Volunteers' Association, the Nursing Program was able to procure a pair of adult and infant mannequins, costing over $6,000. "[With the patient care simulators], we can do all the great, fun things that people would rather not have us do to them. It has different wounds that students can use for dressing, [among other functions]," said Nursing Instructor Jan Tatum.