Community Briefs – February 21, 2018

EOC warns of high surf until tomorrow

Based on the information received from the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, and compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point, a high surf advisory is in effect until 6am tomorrow, Thursday, due to a building north swell causing larger surf.

A large north swell behind a diffuse shear line is beginning to reach the Marianas. As a result, the north swell will cause hazardous surf to develop.

-The NWS said a high risk of rip currents will continue through early Thursday morning. 

-Hazardous surf of 7 to 9 feet along north facing reefs will persist through today before beginning to decrease tonight. Surf is expected to fall below hazardous levels early Thursday. The risk of rip currents is also expected to fall to moderate along north facing reefs early Thursday morning.

-The public is advised to avoid venturing near reefs and exposed beaches, especially those facing north, as rip currents will be life threatening.

-If you become caught in a rip current, remain calm and swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current. (EOC)

Scheduled power outage on Feb. 22

There will be a scheduled power interruption on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, from 3pm to 6pm to allow the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. line crew to perform maintenance on the power distribution system along Beach Road near Hong Ye Hardware in Chalan Kanoa.

The Kiya 4 (2nd partial) covering the area in Susupe from the Arizona building south to Chalan Kanoa near the M.S. Villagomez building will be affected.

No water well will be affected but the A-5 and A-9 wastewater lift stations will be affected. The traffic light in Susupe (near the cathedral) will be affected. (PR)

DOL clinic for CNMI businesses 

 The CNMI Department of Labor will be holding a clinic for CNMI businesses on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. Registration starts at 8am and the clinic begins at 9am. Clinic ends at noon. The topics will include Employment and Training Services, Job Vacancy Announcements Guideline, CW-1 Transitional Worker Update, Occupational Safety Health Act, and Workforce Investment Opportunity Act.

Contact Barbara T. Sablan (bsablandol@gmail.com), Eugene Tebuteb (etebuteb.dol@gmail.com), Gil San Nicolas (gsanicolasdol@gmail.com), or call 664-3196 / 3197 or 664-3190 or 322 – 4365. (PR)

PTA meeting at MHS

The Marianas High School PTA will have a monthly meeting on Feb. 21, 2018, at the MHS cafeteria, from 6pm to 7pm. The topic will include the student’s online class 101 for parents featuring Bobby Cruz and Lorraine Catienza. All parents of freshman and sophomore students are encouraged to attend. (PR)

VA benefits counselor visiting Saipan

The U.S. Department of Veterans Benefits Administration will be visiting Saipan. A VA benefits counselor will be at the Saipan VA Outreach Clinic on Feb. 27, 2018, from 10am to 3:30pm. The benefits counselor will be available to answer benefits questions, and assist with the claim process. The Saipan VA Outreach Clinic is located at the MH II Bldg. Suite 206, Marina Heights Business Park in Garapan. To request an appointment, contact Ruth Coleman at 322-0035. (PR)