COMMUNITY BRIEFS – Dec. 1, 2016

2 Saipan beaches red-flagged

The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged the DPW Channel Bridge and Tanapag meeting hall and is advising the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.

Samples collected from these locations contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci) that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. (DEQ)

Sobriety checkpoints on Rota

The Department of Public Safety’s Traffic Section on Rota will be conducting sobriety checkpoints on:

Friday, Dec. 2, 2016:

1. First setup: 7pm to 8:15pm San Francisco Highway, Lotgan

2. Second setup: 9pm to 10:15pm San Francisco Highway, Sonton by Rota Hotel.

3. Third setup: 11pm to 12:15am, San Francisco Highway by Pinatang Park.

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016:

1. First setup: 7:30pm to 8:45pm, San Francisco Highway, Tatachog by the Mayor’s Office

2. Second setup: 9:30pm to 10:45pm San Francisco Highway, Guata

Each checkpoint will last at least 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes). In addition, traffic and patrol officers will be conducting highway criminal interdictions, saturation patrols, aggressive driver interdictions, and laser (speed detection) enforcement. (DPS)

• Notice to all 2016 candidates, political parties

• The staff of the Office of the Public Auditor will be on Rota on Dec. 5, 2016, and on Tinian on Dec. 7, 2016, to notarize and accept filings of campaign statement of account forms for the 2016 election candidates and political parties.

• Filers on Rota may visit the Rota Mayor’s Office from 9am to 3pm on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016. Filers on Tinian may visit the Department of Commerce from 9am to 4pm on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Proper identification with both the photo and signature of the candidate and treasurer must be provided.

• For any inquiries, contact OPA at 322-6481 or 6482. (PR)

Family grief support group meeting today

The Compassionate Friends of Saipan will be holding its monthly grief support meeting today, Dec. 1, from 6pm to 7:30pm, in the NMPASI conference room on Middle Road, in Gualo Rai. For more information, e-mail tcfSaipan@gmail.com or call Jill Derickson (989-9821) or Donna Krum (783-1900). To learn more about The Compassionate Friends, visit their website at www.compassionatefriends.org. (TCF)

USCIS officer at SHRM’s December meeting

The CNMI Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management will meet today, Dec. 1, at the Pacific Islands Club’s Charley’s and will feature Kamana Mathur, the community relations officer of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services-Pacific District. Mathur will provide an opportunity for questions. CW visas and H-2B visas will not be discussed at this meeting. The meeting is from 11:30am to 2pm.  The attendance fee is $20 for SHRM members and $30 for non-SHRM members. Register with Penny Jones by email at penny.jones@hyattsaipan.com or contact Penny or Lany at 323-5867 or 323-5867. Seats are limited, but still available. (PR)

Military training on FDM

The U.S. military will conduct training on the island of Farallon de Medinilla until Dec. 2, from 8am to 11:55pm. The public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators are advised to stay clear of the areas during the dates and times indicated. (PR)

Chamber to host career exploration day

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its “2016 Career Exploration Day” on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. High school juniors and seniors will choose a field of business they are interested in and will be paired with a participating chamber business. Students will be recognized at the Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall during the chamber’s membership meeting on Dec. 7 at 12pm. For more information, call the chamber office at (670) 234-7150 or email administrator@saipanchamber.com. (SCC)

SHEFA deadlines

The SHEFA deadline for new application only is on Dec. 1, 2016 .The deadline for all supporting documents is on Feb. 28, 2017. All documents must be complete and submitted at once. (SHEFA)

Wage and salary statement workshop

The Division of Revenue and Taxation, Department of Finance will be conducting a workshop for the Annual Wage and Salary Statement, Form (W-2CM) for tax year 2016 and other 2016 yearend filing requirements. The workshop will be on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. The first seminar will be from 8am to 11am and the second will be from 1pm to 4pm at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. Businesses, employers and all payroll service companies are encouraged to attend. Please confirm your attendance by calling the Division of Revenue and Taxation at 664-1000 and 664-1098 or fax at 664-1015. (PR)

Holiday closures at Visitor Center

The American Memorial Park Visitor Center will be closed on Dec. 25, 2016, Christmas Day, and on Jan. 1, 2017, New Year’s Day. Park staff would also like to encourage the public to visit the Visitor Center. With the exception of the holidays closed, the VC is open every day from 9am to 5pm. If you have any questions, contact park ranger Brooke Nevitt at 234-7207 or 2020 or email brooke_nevitt@nps.gov. (NPS)

Holiday bazaar on Dec. 4

The annual Brilliant Star School Holiday Bazaar will be held Sunday, Dec. 4, from 9am to 4pm at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. The event is an opportunity for artists and other vendors to showcase their arts, and for residents and visitors to get an early start on buying unique and beautiful gifts for the holidays.  Interested vendors may contact the school at 323-STAR (323-7827). For parents who would like to have a little alone shopping time, the event features an arts and crafts area for children. The daylong event is also graced by performances throughout the day by various community cultural and arts groups. There will also be raffles. (PR)