Flashback

MAY 3, 2005

TWO DEAD IN ACCIDENTS

A 14-year-old boy died after being hit by a taxicab in San Roque Friday, while another man got killed after a motorist hit and dragged him and his bicycle several feet on the road along Chalan Monsignor Guerrero in San Jose Sunday night. The accident along Chalan Monsignor Guerrero Road-the site of many vehicular accidents-happened across the busy San Jose Mart and Dolphin Supermarket at past 9pm Sunday.

CLUB MICRONESIA OWNER ACQUITTED

The Superior Court yesterday acquitted a businessman and his nightclub on charges that they employed illegal aliens and exploited at least one minor who worked as exotic dancer. Associate judge Ramona Manglona discharged 33-year-old Takayuki Umeda and Japan Enterprises Corp., which does business as Club Micronesia, from any liability.

MAY 3, 2004

PRIVATE SCHOOLS MAY GET $2M FEDERAL GRANTS

CNMI private schools may get up to $2 million in federal grants-a significant increase compared with last year’s $500,000-when the expected consolidated funds are finally released for the current school year.

Public School System finance director Richard Waldo said that $2 million is the estimated money for private schools while PSS would get some $7.8 million.

CHAS ALGAIER RESIGNS FROM NMC

Northern Marianas College vice president Chas Algaier is leaving the college effective May 18. In an interview, Algaier, who has worked at NMC for a decade now, said he thoroughly enjoyed the 10 years he has spent at the college but that he has to move on to new challenges.

MAY 3, 2003

PANEL TO TACKLE ATALIG’S FATE

The Senate Committee on Rules and Procedure will meet on Tuesday to address the matter of convicted Rota senator Ricardo S. Atalig’s suspension, committee chairman Joaquin G. Adriano disclosed yesterday. The Senate Floor Leader said he will gather members of the committee to affirm Standing Committee Report 13-62 pertaining to Atalig and Senate Vice President Jose M. Dela Cruz, which the Senate adopted last Feb. 7.

GASOLINE PRICES ROLLED BACK

Two oil companies in the Marianas announced a rollback in the prices of gasoline in Guam and the CNMI by 12-13 cents per gallon effective May 2, 2003.

Mobil Oil Mariana Islands Inc. cut the prices of its gasoline products by 13 cents, while Shell Guam Inc. reduced its Guam and Saipan prices by 12 cents per gallon.

MAY 3, 2002

PAYCHECKS TRAPPED IN LIMBO

Twenty-eight employees of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation who usually receive their salaries through direct deposits at the Bank of Saipan may not get their salaries today. This comes even as Finance Secretary Frank Villanueva assures that Executive Branch employees with direct deposit arrangements with the BoS have nothing to worry about as they will receive their salaries today through paychecks.

3 SCHOOLS CATCH LAST DROP OF GRANTS

The Public School System has distributed the last and final round of awards on two federal financial grants that will cease to be offered to education agencies nationwide starting next year. Three Saipan public schools—Koblerville Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School and Oleai Elementary School—have been chosen as recipients of the last batch of competitive financial assistance under the Goals 2000 and Christa McAuliffe grants totaling $78,000.

MAY 3, 2001

INCREASED MILITARY EXERCISES IN CNMI

COMNAV Marianas Rear Admiral Tom S. Fellin yesterday said the CNMI should expect the presence of more US Navy training exercises in the region. While noting the importance of Saipan as a liberty port for sea-weary American sailors, Mr. Fellin underscored the significance of the Farallon de Medenilla and Tinian as live fire and special training exercise areas, respectively.