NEWS BRIEFS – January 18, 2021

2 Saipan students land on Utah U dean’s list 

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah—Two University of Utah students from Saipan—Hyun Woo Jo, whose major is listed as Communication BA, and Hyo Lim Cho, whose major is listed as Pre-Nursing BS—have been named to the fall 2020 Dean’s List, joining a total of more than 9,700 students who landed on the list. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher in at least 12 graded credit hours during any one term.

The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, is the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. Founded in 1850, it serves over 32,000 students from across the U.S. and the world. It has over 100 major subjects at the undergraduate level and more than 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, including law and medicine. In 2019, the university was selected as a new member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 65 leading research institutions. (PR)

USCIS suspending in-person services Jan. 19 and 20

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will temporarily suspend in-person services at all field offices, asylum offices and application support centers on Jan. 19 and 20 to ensure the safety of employees and individuals with appointments.

USCIS will reschedule individuals who had appointments on Jan. 19 and 20 and send them notices with their new appointment dates. The USCIS website and USCIS Contact Center will remain available for information, case status updates, and other online tools and resources. (PR)

4.6-magnitude quake in Pagan region

At 10:25pm on Jan. 16, 2021, a report of a 4.6-magnitude earthquake occurred at 18.701°N 145.248°E in the Pagan region. Currently, there are no tsunami warnings or advisories issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. For more information, contact the CNMI EOC State Warning Point at 670-237-8000. (PR)

Guam’s DRT and DOA release 2,703 2019 tax refunds

HAGATNA, Guam—The Department of Revenue and Taxation has processed, and the Department of Administration will mail this week a total of 2,703 refund checks for tax year 2019.  This represents approximately $5,667,083 in refund payments, which include refunds garnished for child support and to repay government debts.  These are for error-free returns filed on or before July 22, 2020.  

As of January 15, 2021, only 3,970 individual tax refunds totaling about $11 million were for “A” status or error-free returns, which are pending payment. DRT and DOA are ahead of the six-month payment deadline required by the 2013 permanent injunction.

We have also launched the payment of refunds by direct deposit.  “We are working to lay the foundation for future payments to be made by this method, which will be allowed for certain tax returns in the coming 2020 tax return filing season,” said DRT director Dafne Mansapit-Shimizu.  

“DOA is happy to cooperate with DRT in this effort to pay tax refunds by direct deposit which will result in faster receipt of refunds for taxpayers,” said DOA director Edward Birn.

For inquiries, contact us via the ‘Contact Us’ section of our website or via email at pinadmin@revtax.guam.gov. (PR)

Military trainings in Guam

ASAN, Guam—Military units will continue to conduct scheduled exercises in open ocean at the following coordinates: 13˚48”N/144˚41”E and Warning Area 517 until Jan. 28, from 8am to 11:30pm.

Marine vessels are advised to remain clear of the area for the duration of the exercises and to monitor the U.S. Coast Guard broadcast Notice to Mariners for advisories.

The U.S. Navy will conduct training in Radio Barrigada and Dandan-Malojloj on Jan. 18-21 from 9am to 11:55pm. Residents in surrounding areas should not be alarmed if they see or hear increased activity during the training. 

The U.S. Navy will conduct live fire exercises in open ocean on Jan. 18-21 from 9am to 11:55pm at the following coordinates: 13˚26”N/145˚08”E, 13˚42”N/144˚36”E. 

Marine vessels are advised to remain clear of the area for the duration of the event and to monitor the U.S. Coast Guard broadcast Notice to Mariners for advisories.

The U.S. Navy will conduct training in Agat Bay, Outer Apra Harbor, and Orote Point on Jan. 18-21, from 9am to 11:55pm. Blank ammunition will be used for this training. Residents in surrounding areas should not be alarmed if they hear or see increased activity.

The U.S. Navy will conduct training in Outer Apra Harbor on Jan. 19, from 10am to 4pm. The public is advised to be aware of the event. 

The U.S. Navy will conduct training in Outer Apra Harbor on Jan. 21 from 10am to 2pm. The public is advised to be aware of the event. 

The U.S. Navy will conduct training in Inner Apra Harbor on Jan. 23, from 9am to 12pm. The public is advised to be aware of the event.  

These trainings support readiness and are critical to developing the skills needed to respond to operational missions throughout the region to ensure a stable, free, and open Indo-Pacific. (PR)