http://www.kuam.com KUAM.COM is Guam's largest and most visited Web site en-us Jason Salas (jason@kuam.com) 2000-2008 by Pacific Telestations, Inc. Tue, 03 Aug 2004 10:00:00 GMT http://www.kuam.com/images/News8Logo3.gif http://www.kuam.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss KUAM.COM Arpeggio CMS RSS Feeds - News
The U.S. Geological Survey tells KUAM News that the center of the seismic event is estimated to have occurred about 128 miles to the south/southwest of the island's capitol of Hagatna, lasting about 25 seconds. This morning's quake, says geologist Paul Hatorri, is the largest of 2008 and the third such major quake in the last two months.

No damages or injuries have been reported.]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27798.aspx Jason Salas 5/10/2008 8:32:00 AM
Under the plan, single filers are eligible for up to $600, joint return filers get $1,200 and an additional $300 will be given for each qualifying child under 17 years of age.]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27797.aspx Clynt Ridgell 5/9/2008 5:10:00 PM
While the island is abuzz with talks of tax rebates many are still left wondering what a rebate really is, the director said, "A tax rebate is a refund of a prior year; it's refunding a return after a due date. So the rebate today that we're getting is funded by IRS, but it is a refund of taxes from 2007." Remember, while you may file your taxes in 2008 you're actually filing for 2007. All the documents you turn in are based on the money you made in 2007. Therefore, those who filed before or on the April 15 deadline this year will get their rebates for 2007.

(That is, unless you haven't filed for previous years or if you owe money to the Government of Guam.) This has been the subject of much debate, but Ilagan says because a rebate is just like a refund - the agency has every right to offset what is owed to them with the rebates. "It's within our authority to offset it's also in our memorandum of understanding with the Internal Revenue Service that we offset any rebates as if it's an overpayment of tax," he explained.

In fact, Ilagan has shown us a section on the IRS online newsletter that says some taxpayers may receive smaller rebates than anticipated because by law the stimulus payments are offset to satisfy past due taxes child support and certain other debts. Ilagan even produced a letter from secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Henry M. Paulson, Jr., stating that the rebates are subject to the refund offset provision.

The letter also states that the rebates are to be treated as a refund of an overpayment of tax.]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27796.aspx Clynt Ridgell 5/9/2008 5:10:00 PM
Gertrude Champaco was given the Civilian Employee of the Year Award, and the late GPD Officer Frank E. Smith was honored with the Police Officer of the Year Award. Smith's widow, Tashanna, said, "Thank you for honoring my honey and recognize his hard work that he did throughout the department."]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27795.aspx Sabrina Salas Matanane 5/9/2008 5:10:00 PM
In fact, one of the rooms without working ac is the library, which has not been open for two years. As required by law, schools must have their libraries up and running. Said Mafnas, "My library has been shut down for two years, so I recently got a librarian on board this year and she's working on having and she's working on having everything fixed up in there. The air conditioners don't work in the library, so we're trying to get the books and the mold fixed. As soon as the A/Cs start working, we can work a little faster getting the library all set up and running>"

Mafnas says the school has ensured that there are reading materials placed in the classrooms. She is hoping by next school year, they can offer incentives to students who read 25 books or more in order to bring the library out to the students. As for whether the school has enough working water fountains, Mafnas says all fountains are currently working but one of the other issues the school faces is the issue of not having enough electricity. "Our electricity needs to be upgraded," she added. "And of course the school is very old, it was built in 1969, so it needs to be upgraded but we don't have too many trips with power or anything like that. The only time we have problems is like if a new power source needs to be installed, like new A/C units."

As for number of toilets and urinals, Mafnas says 1 out of 32 toilets needs to be repaired with at least two out of 17 urinals need to be replaced. Other issues in the school include leaks in at least three classrooms and problems with the grease traps in the cafeteria, which Mafnas says are currently being monitored. When asked whether her school is ready for inspection by the attorney general and the Guam Public School System's Health and Safety Task Force, Mafnas says.

"We're as ready as we can be. I don't think we're as bad. Our facilities (for as old as this school is) is maintained and well kept, so I'm hoping so. And if it is, we do get shut down, I just need time to try and fix it and hope to get the teachers and kids in by next school year," said Mafnas.]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27794.aspx Michele Catahay 5/9/2008 5:10:00 PM
The governor adds if the Guam Legislature continues to go down the same path, not addressing the shortage of the streetlight funding source, then residents will continue to bear the burden for the government's shortfalls. "As they (Legislature) continue to adhere to their campaign promise that they will not raise taxes and they will not raise fees, well OK, they'll live up to their promise, but the people of Guam will continue to suffer."

The Mayor's Council and the governor sent a letter to the Consolidated Commission on Utilities and the Guam Power Authority Thursday, requesting the disconnection be delayed until after the school year is out. The CCU maintained their firm stance on the streetlight issue, stating they would still begin disconnections on Monday, but they were willing to take safety issues regarding intersections and bus stops into consideration.]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27793.aspx John Davis 5/9/2008 5:10:00 PM
The cycle begins on May 19 and ends on July 28.]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27792.aspx Michele Catahay 5/9/2008 5:10:00 PM http://www.kuam.com/news/27791.aspx Sabrina Salas Matanane 5/9/2008 5:10:00 PM
Interviews will continue through tomorrow. The board will select and offer the position on or before May 19.]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27790.aspx Michele Catahay 5/9/2008 5:10:00 PM
School officials are working to clean the tiles in the shower rooms and are currently waiting for the arrival of the showerheads. Meanwhile, Cruz said cosmetic work continues in Dededo at Benavente Middle School. School officials are waiting to install minor things like doors and dispensers.

There's still been no word given on when GPSS plans to call for a re-inspection.]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27789.aspx Michele Catahay 5/9/2008 5:10:00 PM
View the audit on GuamOPA.org]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27788.aspx John Davis 5/9/2008 11:27:00 AM
Patrick Lujan says the Historic Preservation Office is in discussions with the landowner's attorney, telling KUAM News, "That we saw with the preliminary investigations that we did, is on a more minor scale in regards to cultural disturbances. However, we still need to reevaluate the process of where we stand today, and if any types of procedural corrections need to be done then we'll do so."]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27787.aspx Michele Catahay 5/9/2008 11:27:00 AM
Now that he's better, the pageant is back. "They decided that now would be a good time especially with the military buildup and the growth in Guam's tourism to bring back Miss Guam Universe to continue her mission to spread and promote Guam's Hafa Adai spirit, its people and its culture to other countries of the world," said Joyce.

This year Miss Guam Universe teamed up with the Guam Visitors Bureau to help promote the island and this year's pageant. The competition will be held tonight at the Sheraton Laguna Resort beginning at 7 o'clock.]]> http://www.kuam.com/news/27786.aspx Michele Catahay 5/9/2008 11:27:00 AM