(AP). No injuries or damages have been reported from a minor earthquake that rattled the small town of Pahala on the Big Island. The U.S. Geological Survey syas the 3.5 magnitude quake hit at 9:06 last night. It was centered less than a mile west-northwest of Pahala. The tremblor was felt as far north as Honokaa.
Special state agents from the Department of Taxation are looking closely at cash sales from local businesses in hopes of taping some ot the $2 billion in unreported transactions estimated to occur in Hawaii each year. According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, the tax department has a special enforcement section that may fine tax cheats up to $3,000, sue them, and issue cease and desist notices.
A Third Circuit Court jury is deliberating today in the murder trial of Malaki McBride. Attorneys for both sides completed their presentations Monday, giving closing arguments on whether McBride had lost control in the early morning hours of February 25, 2007 and shot Tyrone Torres, who reportedly was having sex with McBride’s girlfriend at the time of the incident.
NFL football players and NFL cheerleaders will be holding Youth Clinics for Hawaii Island students on Tuesday, February 9th, 3 p.m. at Kealakehe High School and on Wednesday, February 10th, 3 p.m. at Keaau High School. Players and cheerleaders also will visit local schools for assemblies before the clinics as part of a program focused on motivating our youth to realize their dreams and to maximize their potential. For information on the Youth Clinics, call Rita Miller at 937-3815.
The Department of Water Supply will be closing Waianuenue Avenue between Waiau Street and Pi’ikea Street for the purpose of installing waterlines. This waterline installation begins today and will continue through Friday, February 19th, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details, call 961-8070, extension 248.
Beginning February 1, applications will be accepted for the Emergency Conservation Progarm. The program provides emergency funding and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. This program is for those producers who require the help of the Federal government. For details, call 933-8341 or 322-2482, extension 111.
The Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for West Hawaii will meet on Wednesday, Februrary 10th, 5:30 p. m., at the Natural Energy Laboratory Conference Room in Kailua-Kona. George Applegate, the Big Island Visitors Bureau Executive Director, will give a presentation and update on Big Island tourism, as well as marketing and slae initiatives planned for the future. After the presentation, there will be time for questions and answers.
The Hilo March for Babies is coming to Wailoa State Park on March 21st. To register, call Eden at 969-1206.
The Kohala Center invites native Hawaiian scholars to apply for the Mellon-Hawaii Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship program, which gives selected scholars the opportunity to complete their dissertations or to publish original research. For details, call the Kohala Center at 887-6411.
Hawaii Preparatory Academy will host four financial aid information sessions around the Big Island for prospective students entering grades K-12. Families are invited to attend free sessions in Hilo, Waikoloa, Kailua-Kona, and Waimea. The first meeting is set for Tuesday, February 9th, 7 p.m. at the Hawaii Community College Manono Campus. For other times and dates, call HPA at 881-4321.
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