A Third Circuit Court jury has found Malaki McBride guilty of second degree murder in the 2007 shotgun slaying of Tyrone Torres. The eight men and four women deliberated for nine hours before returning the verdict shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday. According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, members of the Torres family clapped as the clerk read the verdict.
Representatives of Safeway and Target Stores broke ground Wednesday on the $60 million Makaala Center in Hilo. Mayor Billy Kenoi told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that the project means job creation and the preservation of a safe and healthy environment for families. More than 200 construction jobs will be created by the project.
Hawaii Island landowners may have to pay more if they want to contest their tax bill. A proposal to add $10 to the current $15 charge for filing a tax appeal was endorsed Tuesday by the County Council’s Finance Committee. The bill now goes to the full council, which must approve it on two votes before the measure is sent to the mayor for approval.
According to “West Hawaii Today”, the Hawaii County Council is considering impact fees on building permits as an alternative to current reliance on “Fair Share” contributions by developers. The fee plan came up Tuesday during a Finance Committee discussion of a report showing the county has collected only $8.1 million of the $108.5 million developers have pledged for infrastructure.
Beginning this Friday, February 3th, the Red Hats of Ka’u, the Ka Lea Quilters, and the Ka’u Golf Group will launch their fundraising season to benefit the Ka’u Hospital Emergency Department. One of the goals of this effort is the purchase of an additional cardiac monitor for the Emergency Department. The firs event will be the sale of homemade baked goods and crafts at the Ka’u Hospital Day Room on Friday. For more information, call Barbara at 929-9072.
The Hawaii Forest Industry Association has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Hawaii County Department of Research and Development for its “Ka Pilina Poina ‘Ole ” Connection Not Forgotten Project. This community-driven project provides interpretive materials and forest stewardship opportunities that connect two naturally and culturally significant destinations in North Kona–Ka’upulehu Dryland Forest Reserve and the Kalaemano Cultural Center.
The Hilo March for Babies is coming to Wailoa State Park in Hilo on March 21st. For details, call Eden at 969-1206.
The Big Island Auto Club presents the season opening drag race on Februrary 20th and February 21st at the Hilo Drag Strip. Gates open 7 a.m. both days.
The Department of Water Supply will will turn off water temporarily along Pohakea Homestead Road and Pohakealani Road in Pohakea Mauka in the Hamakua District on Friday, February 5th, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to do waterline work on the Pohakea Water System Improvements project. For more information, call William Yamamoto at 887-3030.
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