News Briefs- November 22, 2019

HPO moves to temporary office

The Historic Preservation Office, a division of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, has temporarily relocated its office to Unit 16 of the Springs Plaza in Gualo Rai.

The HPO office on Tun Herman Pan Road in an old World War II bunker was damaged by Super Typhoon Yutu and is unsafe for occupancy, hence the move. HPO is preparing for the search for a contractor to do the renovations.

“The bunker will undergo a complete renovation to fix plumbing, flooring, electrical damages and to rebuild the shop and repository that were destroyed by Yutu,” said State Historic Preservation officer Rita Chong-Dela Cruz.

HPO is a regulatory agency that promotes the preservation, protection and education of the historic and cultural heritage of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm. For any questions or for more information about HPO, call 664-2120. (PR)

4.9-magnitude quake near Agrihan

A 4.9-magnitude earthquake occurred 60 kilometers west-northwest of Agrihan in the Northern Mariana Islands at 5am yesterday, Nov. 21, 2019. Currently, no tsunami warnings or advisories are issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. For more information, contact the CNMI EOC State Warning Point at 237-8000. (PR)

Head Start program seeks volunteers

The Head Start/Early Head Start Program is seeking volunteers from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to serve as community representatives for the SY 2019-2020 Head Start Policy Council.

Community representatives are required to be familiar with resources and services for low-income children and families; cannot be an employee or immediate relative of an employee for the CNMI Public School System; and may not have already served five terms on the Head Start Policy Council.

The deadline for interest is Dec. 6, 2019. Interested community members should email a brief letter of interest and resume to hsehs@cnmipss.org. The election of community representatives will be held during the next regular meeting of the Head Start Policy Council.

Should you have any questions or need additional information, contact Jolene Sablan at jolene.sablan@cnmipss.org or call 323-7446/664-3751. (PR)

Pacific radiation survivors’ group meeting

HAGÅTÑA—The Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors will be holding its general membership meeting on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, from 11am to 1pm at the Government House in Agana Heights.

PARS is a non-profit organization lobbying since 2002 for the inclusion of Guam as downwinders in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, a program approved by the U.S. Congress, providing compensation to those who are subjected to nuclear radiation. 

PARS continues to seek compensation for the people of Guam who have developed cancer and other illnesses caused by the fallout during the United States Pacific nuclear testing conducted from 1946-1962.

If you lived on Guam between 1946 to 1962 and have been affected by cancer, you are encouraged to attend. The public is also welcome to attend to learn more about PARS efforts.

For more information, contact PARS president Robert Celestial at 688-7277 or email parsguamdownwinders@gmail.com. (PR)

Notice to all CNMI veterans

The Guam Vet Center will be conducting a Registration Drive and Outreach tomorrow, Nov. 22, 2019, from 12pm to 2pm at Tronkun Daok in Susupe and on Nov. 23, 2019 (TBA). If you may have any questions, contact (671) 472-7161. (PR)

Hours today at Guma’ Hustisia

Construction and site remediation work at the Guma’ Hustisia will require the partial closure of the service windows today, Nov. 22, 2019. Hours of operation for the Office of the Clerk of Court, Commonwealth Recorder and the cashier services at the Guma’ Hustisia will be from 7:30am to 11:30am and closed all afternoon. All other Judiciary offices will maintain regular business hours. (PR)

MIFICPA silver jubilee tomorrow

The Marianas Institute of Filipino CPA and Accountants will be celebrating its silver jubilee tomorrow, Nov. 23, from 6pm to 10pm at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. (PR)