COMMUNITY BRIEFS

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ISSUANCE TODAY

The Nutrition Assistance Program, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, will issue benefits today, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, to make up for issuance delays caused by a computer system malfunction. Recipients with last names S-Z may pick their ATP checks from 8am to 4pm at the issuance agent office in Chalan Kanoa. The normal issuance schedule will resume next week.

EXTENDED CALL-A-RIDE BUS SERVICE FOR INAUGURATION

The president of the CNMI Center for Independent Living Group is requesting to have an extended bus service on Jan. 9, 2005, to include bus services no later than 10pm. The extended time is being requested so that group and other folks needing the service could attend the festivities of the inauguration—an important and historic event in the CNMI.

The CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities has elected to approve the group’s request.

NMI ASSOCIATION OF FAMILIES WITH DISABILITIES SETS MEETING

The CNMI Association of Families with Disabilities wishes to inform all members that there will be a meeting on Saturday, Jan. 14, 9am at the Family Hope Center, King’s Plaza Building in DanDan. (PR)

HOPWOOD SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Jan. 9 Holiday Commonwealth Day
Jan. 10 3rd. Quarter begins. Homeroom begins daily at 8am
Jan. 12 PTSA 6-7 pm Computer Department will present
Jan. 16 Holiday Martin Luther King Day
Jan. 20 Report Cards will be issued.
Feb. 6-10 No school. Professional Development Days for staff. (Change in calendar)
Feb. 15 Progress Reports will be issued
Feb. 20 Holiday President’s Day
Feb. 21-22 Regular school days (change in calendar)
Tuesday is a Day A

Hopwood extends a warm welcome to the incoming 7th graders from Tanapag Elementary. You are now officially a part of the Hilitai family! We are glad you’re here.

7th graders: Go to the same vocational education class this week. Your teachers will tell you which class to go to next.

Students, beginning 3rd. quarter, Home Room will be your first period teacher everyday. Day B is still your first period teacher from 8:00-8:15. Attendance will be taken, the bulletin will be read, and virtues will be discussed. 1st and 5th periods will begin at 8:20am.

DEQ BRIGADE SETS CLEANUP TODAY

The Division of Environmental Quality cleanup brigade will be picking up trash at Sugar Dock Beach in Susupe toward Aquarius Beach Tower. If you would like to volunteer, meet the DEQ representative in the bright green T-shirt today, Jan. 7, 2006, at 8am.

The brigade cleans until 10am and breaks for drinks, then continues if needed. This month, outstanding brigade volunteers who participated in at least 10 monthly cleanups will receive a brigade cap and those who participated in at least three cleanups will receive a green brigade t-shirt.

For more information about volunteering, contact the DEQ office at 664-8500. (PR)

PALAU PRESIDENT TO VISIT SAIPAN

This is to inform all Palauans residing in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that Republic of Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., together with senators and delegation members, will be on Saipan to attend the inauguration of the CNMI’s newly-elected governor and lieutenant governor.

The delegation will also be conducting a joint public hearing with the Palauan community about the Consular Office in the CNMI. The public hearing will be held on Jan. 8, 2006, Sunday, from 6pm to 10pm, at the Carolinian Utt (Chammolinian Utt).

For more information, contact the Palau Consulate at 235-6804.

Q4 DEADLINE FOR FILING QUARTERLY TAX RETURNS

The Division of Revenue and Taxation wishes to remind all CNMI residents that the 2005 4th Quarter deadline for filing the quarterly tax returns is Jan. 31, 2006.

The Division of Revenue and Taxation will be open from 7:30am until 6:30pm on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006. The office of the Division of Revenue and Taxation is located at the Joeten Dandan Commercial Center. (PR)

WSR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JANUARY EVENTS

Monday, Jan. 9 Commonwealth Day holiday
Wednesday, Jan. 11 2nd Quarter Award Ceremony
Thursday, Jan. 12 Staff/Accreditation Meeting
Monday, Jan. 16 Intercession (no school)
Tuesday, Jan. 17 Flag Ceremony (5th grade)
Tuesday, Jan. 17 PTSA meeting in the cafeteria, 6pm
Tuesday, Jan. 24 Spelling Bee Final Competition
Wednesday, Jan. 25 December/January Diners Club
Friday, Jan. 27 NJHS Induction Ceremony
Sunday, Jan. 29 Chinese New Year!
Monday, Jan. 30 Leadership Meeting

MHS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

To all parents and legal guardians of Marianas High School students, the following is information regarding school calendar events.

∑ Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006 (Students return to school).

∑ Open House/Report Card distribution will be on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 (4-6pm) at MHS Campus.

If there are any questions, call Marianas High School at 664-3800. (PR)

SMALL CLAIMS MATTERS RESET

All small claims matters previously scheduled for Jan. 5, 2006, in Courtroom 220A of the CNMI Superior Court are rescheduled to Feb. 16, 2006. The notice was issued on Dec. 22 by Clerk of Court Bernadita A. Sablan.

TAX AMNESTY DEADLINE COMING UP

The Division of Revenue and Taxation, Department of Finance, encourages all delinquent taxpayers with outstanding tax obligations to visit the division to avail themselves of the tax amnesty program. The deadline for applying for tax amnesty is March 27, 2006.

The special tax returns for the Tax Amnesty Program, under Public Law 14-90 were made available on Saipan beginning Oct. 17, 2005, on Tinian beginning Oct. 18, 2005, and Rota, beginning Oct. 20, 2005.

The division wishes to inform the public that it will use its full authority after the amnesty filing deadline to enforce collection on all outstanding tax obligations from taxpayers. (PR)