NEWS BRIEFS

[B]Woman dies in diving incident[/B] [B]GUAM[/B]—The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam Command Center received a report of dive accident outside of Apra Harbor on Wednesday 9:55am. A 25-foot small boat from Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor was already underway and immediately diverted to respond to the incident. Upon arriving on scene, the Coast Guard small boat rescued an unconscious woman who reportedly had been diving when she experienced difficulties and had to be assisted to the surface by another diver. The Coast Guard small boat quickly transported the woman to Sumay Cove for ambulance transportation to the hospital. Unfortunately, she was later pronounced deceased by Guam Naval Hospital.

The Coast Guard wants to remind the public to always swim and dive with a “buddy” and that it is important to quickly notify the Coast Guard or 911 when there is any maritime emergency. The Coast Guard 24-hour emergency number is 564-USCG. (USCG)

[B]USS John Paul Jones visits Guam[/B] [B]SANTA RITA, Guam[/B]—The USS John Paul Jones arrived in Guam yesterday, May 7, for a routine port call.

Sailors volunteered their time to assist two local, non-profit organizations. Sailors were at Guam Animals In Need shelter in Yigo yesterday to walk canines, clean kennels, and conduct general grounds maintenance. Sailors were also at Island Girl Power in Dededo in the morning to organize the facility and help prepare for an upcoming rummage sale.

John Paul Jones, with a crew of approximately 325 sailors, is the third Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and the first ship of the class homeported on the west coast. The mission of John Paul Jones is to conduct prompt and sustained operations at sea in support of the nation’s maritime strategy. The ship is capable of operating independently as an element of a coordinated force or as the nucleus of a surface action group, and to direct and coordinate anti-air, surface, undersea, and strike warfare operations. (PR)

[B]AGO prosecutes 2 for separate assault[/B]

The Office of the Attorney General has filed separate criminal cases against two persons for allegedly assaulting two persons.

Christopher Ian C. Cruz, 29, of Tinian, was charged with assault and battery, and disturbing the peace. Chief Prosecutor Kevin Lynch stated in the information that on April 30, 2009, Cruz assaulted his wife. Cruz was summoned to appear and answer the charges at the Tinian Superior Court on May 8.

Consolacion N. Cepeda, 40, of Saipan, was charged with assault and battery, and disturbing the peace. Lynch alleged that on April 23, 2008 Cepeda assaulted Donald L. Norita. Cepeda was summoned to appear and answer the charges at the Saipan Superior Court on June 1. [B][I](Ferdie Dela Torre)[/I]

Rota’s Kokomo Beach red-flagged[/B]

The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged the Kokomo Beach on Rota due to excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria. DEQ is advising the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of this location for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.

DEQ said that samples collected from the site were found to contain enterococci concentrations that exceed the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. However, studies have shown that storm water runoff in tropical environments may also contain these bacteria from the natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.

DEQ analyzed water samples collected from 12 locations on Rota island. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. [B][I](DEQ)[/I][/B]