Community Briefs

MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE WALKATHON TODAY

Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela is inviting everyone to the 3rd Annual Mayor of Saipan and Points of Light Foundation “Make-a-Difference” walkathon to be held today, Oct. 23, starting from Kilili Beach at 6am up to the Quartermaster intersection and back.

Pledges for the walkathon are solicited from civic and religious organizations, schools and individuals. Participants who pledge $10 and up will be given a free T-shirt.

Proceeds from pledges this year will go toward the purchase of computer units for the youths of Saipan at the Mayor’s Youth Learning Center in Chalan Kanoa District 3.

ARBOR MONTH ACTIVITY TODAY

Today, Oct. 23, is the second annual TREES Arbor Month event. Volunteers will be meeting at Wing Beach’s Northern parking area at 7am. Please bring gloves, hat, sunscreen and your tools. “We’ll see you there.”

POWER OUTAGE SET TODAY

There will be a power outage today, Oct. 23, on partial Feeder 4 from 8am to 5pm, according to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s Power Division.

It said this outage is needed to replace the pole top structures and primary conductor due to the corrosion/rust at the existing metal structures.

“This interruption is necessary to allow CUC linemen to work on de-energized power lines safely,” it said.

This outage will affect the following areas:

* Affected from 8am-9am and from 3pm-5pm: From Papago and Kagman junction road, part of cross island road (Papago up to Botanical Garden), and all of Kagman I, II and III areas

* Affected from 8am-5pm: Lower Base, As Mahetog, Sadog Tasi, Capitol Hill/As Quina (Wireless),Mt. Tapochao, I Denni, Agag, As Teo, Papago, and Kagman areas.

Water services and traffic light located at these areas will also be affected.

MHS MY WAVERS SOLICIT HELP FROM ALUMNI

The Marianas High School’s MY WAVE club is soliciting help from all MHA alumni.

“We are requesting your help in donating novels, fiction books and magazines,” the group said in a statement.

Those who would like to make a donation or want more information may contact club adviser Tim Faska at 287-7550 or mhsmywave_2005@hotmail.com

HPU ADMISSIONS OFFICER TO MEET WITH STUDENTS

This is to inform the public, including prospective college enrollees, that Larry Kekaulike, director of Admissions at Hawaii Pacific University, will be hosting an information session on Oct. 27, 6-8pm at Northern Marianas College Room D-1. We are inviting all those that may be interested to attend.

SHEFA ACCEPTING NEW APPLICANTS

Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela and the board of directors of the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance are pleased to announce that SHEFA is now accepting new applications for financial assistance for Spring 2005.

The deadline for submission of applications and supporting documents is Dec. 1, 2004. Applications and supporting documents submitted after the deadline will not be entertained or considered for the Spring 2005 cycle of financial assistance.

All bona fide residents of Saipan who are U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents attending U.S. accredited colleges or universities on Saipan or abroad who are enrolled on full-time status with at least 2.5 GPA must submit their completed applications and all supporting documents to the SHEFA Office anytime on or before Dec. 1, 2004. For more detailed information on the requirements for SHEFA assistance, log on to www.saipanshefa.com, or contact that SHEFA Office at e-mail address contact@saipanshefa.com; or directly at (670) 664-2585 and ask for Sue Dris or Florence Stephen at the Saipan Mayor’s Office at (670) 235-7444.

PRIOR SERVICE CHECKS NOW OUT

The Prior Service Trust Fund has begun the distribution of benefit checks to its beneficiaries. The first batch of checks are for the year 2002. Distribution began Friday, Oct. 22.

“Please come to our office on Capitol Hill Quarter 1201 opposite Civil Service Commission with identification,” said Prior Service Trust Fund administrator Jerold F. Facey in a statement.

Facey said that on Monday, Oct. 25, his office will distribute the checks from 8:30am to 12 noon. The same schedule will be for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

“If you are unable to come, please provide written authorization with your ID to your representative,” he said.

SENATE SESSION RESET TO MONDAY

Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano has rescheduled the session originally set for today, Oct. 22, to Monday, Oct. 25, at 1pm, at the Senate Chamber. “We are continuing our session from October 13, 2004. This session day would be our 6th Day Second Regular Session. This session is to entertain the fiscal year 2005 budget,” Adriano said.

WANTED: DESIGNATED DRIVERS

The Department of Public Safety Traffic Section will again implement its Designated Driver program this December to promote road safety during the holiday season.

The program provides transportation for intoxicated individuals. Instead of driving while intoxicated, individuals may contact the Traffic Section and a driver will be provided for transportation home.

Those interested in taking part in the program are encouraged to contact Rose Ada-Hocog or Sgt. Sylvan Rangamar at 664-9084/5/6.

NMHC BOARD MEETING RESET

The Northern Marianas Housing Corp. says that the Special Board meeting scheduled for Oct. 20, 2:30pm, at the Commonwealth Development Authority’s Conference Room has been postponed to Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2:30pm at the same venue. For more information, call the office at 234-6866.

TAX FORMS FOR AMNESTY PROGRAM AVAILABLE

The Division of Customs Service is informing all consignees that special return forms are now available for delinquent taxpayers who would like to avail of the amnesty period.

“We would like to encourage you to take advantage of this program before it expires on January 19, 2005,” the agency said in a statement.

Taxpayers who need help on delinquent excise tax payments or assistance to file a special tax return should contact Inspector Robert Reyes, acting OIC for the SCIT (Compliance) Branch at 664-1606 or 664-1617.

The Division of Customs Service CSIT Branch Office is located in the Saipan Stevedore Warehouse A, across the Mobil main office in Lower Base.

For those on Rota, they may contact Inspector Davian Manglona at 532-9448 or 532-3666; on Tinian, contact Lt. Elias Borja or Lt. Benedicto (Sonny) Decena, at 433-1610.