Flashback — March 2001-March 2008

March 5, 2001

Japanese students to join NMI Boy Scout Camporee
At least 70 Japanese students are scheduled to arrive on Saipan to participate in a Friendship Camporee scheduled this month.CNMI Boy Scout district commissioner Joe Herrera announced the holding of the three-day 2001 Spring Camporee which will be held at the American Memorial Park and kicks off on March 16.He said this friendship camporee will provide Boy Scout members ample time to discuss this year ‘s goals and objectives.With this year ‘s theme   “Outdoors Adventure 2001 ,”  Mr. Herrera said the outdoor experience will also give the members opportunities to meet new friends and learn new skills.

Man jailed for prostitution
Upholding policy created to safeguard the welfare of residents and tourists in the CNMI, Associate Judge Juan Lizama issued Friday a ruling that convicted Chinese national Xiang Jun Yang of promoting prostitution in the second degree. Yang is the third of 11 suspects convicted of the crime after the Department of Public Safety launched its “Operation Red Light Four” undercover investigation that aimed to curb prostitution at Saipan’s busiest commercial district. According to Mr. Lizama, when lawmakers enacted statutes against solicitation of prostitution, the policies were meant to protect tourists and residents from the illegal acts.

March 5, 2004

‘Violence in schools becoming a concern’
Education officials are “very concerned” about campus violence, which allegedly include student attacks against teachers and student fights. In an interview, Board of Education chairman Roman C. Benavente acknowledged that BOE and Public School System officials have discussed and expressed great concern on the issue. He, however, could not provide details about a particular incident. When asked about an alleged stabbing incident by a student against a teacher, the board chair said, “I could not confirm or deny that.” He noted, though, that he heard about a teacher fighting with a student who had wanted to attack the teacher. “I heard that story but I have yet to confirm it.”

‘Saipan betel nuts are fungus-free’
The betel nut fungus that has infected plantations on Guam has not found its way to Saipan. After regular inspections of betel nut plantations on Saipan, agricultural expert Isidoro T. Cabrera said no symptoms of the bud rot disease has been found so far. Cabrera, agricultural consultant to the Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension & Education Service, said the fungus Phytophthora meadii causes the disease. The fungus thrives in rainy weather. He said farmers should know how to detect the disease and ask the CREES for assistance when symptoms are spotted.

March 5, 2008

US military looking at Tinian, other islands
The Department of Defense said it is considering using Tinian and other islands in the Northern Marianas for training purposes during a briefing with the Legislature yesterday morning on Capital Hill. The DoD delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of the Navy B.J. Penn, saw its scheduled 30-minute meeting with members of the House and Senate extend to a full hour after lawmakers quizzed the military officers about how the CNMI fits into the Armed Forces’ relocations plans to Guam from Okinawa.

‘Miura’s arrest lawful’
Superior Court Associate Judge Ramona V. Manglona ruled yesterday that the arrest of 60-year-old Japanese businessman Kazuyoshi Miura at the Saipan International Airport was lawful. Manglona issued the oral decision after listening to the arguments by Miura’s lawyers, Bruce Berline and Mark Hanson, and chief prosecutor Jeffery Warfield Sr. on Miura’s motion to dismiss the extradition complaint and for his immediate release. After announcing her ruling, the judge said the court must proceed with the requirements of the extradition statute.