(AP). Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi has announced an extension of the program that loans 26 county sprayers to groups that control noisy coqui frogs in their communities. The county had planned to stop the program at the end of April with a public auction of the spraying equipment. Community groups may continue using the equipment at no cost, but the groups will be responsible for the costs of repairs and supplies.
The Big Island Press Club has awarded its Dishonorable “Lava Tube” to the Hawaii County Council for “running roughshod” over the state’s Sunshine Law. The “Torch of Light” was given to the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and other county departments for their public noticification systems. Big Island Press Club President Stephanie Salazar said the Sunshine Law exists not for convenience but to ensure the public’s participation in government. Salazar said the Hawaii County Council has “shown everyone its lack of regard for the public’s interest and public scrutiny.”
Green and White Day will be celebrated in Pahoa this Saturday with a parade to honor the Pahoa High School boys basketball team, which took the state Division II championship on March 6th. The Pahoa Daggers became the first Big Island team to win a state Division II boys basketball title. The parade starts at 2 p.m. The parade will travel on Old Government Road through downtown from Apaa Road to Pahoa High School.
UH-Hilo is seeking 200 long-term cancer survivors from the Big Island for a research study on the quality of life. The study will be conducted by Dr. Cheryl Ramos, a cancer survivor herself, who is an associate professor of psychology at UH-Hilo. Participants will receive a $10 gift certificate from KTA Superstores. For details, call Dr. Ramos at 936-1323.
Hilo Circuit Judge Glen Hara has denied W.H. Shipman, Limited’s request for an injunction to close an adults-only video and lingerie store across the street from Keaau High School. A trial date has been set bor July 26th. Judge Hara told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that this is not a final adjudication of the rights of the parties in this case, saying “all sides would benefit if we move rapidly in bringing this case to trial and decision.”
A Mountain View man who allegedly tried to rob a Hilo pharmacy of narcotics at gunpoint has been indicted by a Hilo grand jury. No court date has been scheduled for 28-year old Paul Santoro, Jr. According to court records, Santoro faces charges ranging from robbery, assault, and terroristic threatening to firearms violations. Santoro is being held at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $223,000 bail.
Notice to motorists: Reconstruction of the Umauma Bridge along the Hamakua Coast will cause traffic delays for several hours on several days. Expect traffic dealys on Friday, March 19th, Thursday, March 25th, Thursday, April 1st, and Thursday, April 8th, between 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Police will be on the scene to direct traffic.
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