Nanakuli man charged with killing infant son
Police this morning charged a Nanakuli man with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his 3-month-old son.Eugene Tabag is being held in lieu of $100,000, police said.
An autopsy yesterday determined that Austin Tabag died of a skull fracture with intercranial injury. He was pronounced dead Sunday morning at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center after the parents brought the child unconscious to the clinic.
The father told police he had accidentally dropped the boy on his head in the bathroom early Sunday morning at their Farrington Highway home.
Following the baby's death, Eugene Tabag was treated at the Health Center for consuming kerosene, police said. He remained on suicide watch this morning at the cellblocks at Honolulu Police headquarters, police said.
Proposal to give librarians choice of books to buy
An administrative rule that gives all librarians who work regularly with patrons the authority to select and acquire books for Hawaii's public libraries is among several proposed rule changes for the Hawaii State Public Library System.The Board of Education is seeking public comment on the proposed changes at hearings to be held statewide in July.
The definition of "public service librarians" is being adopted to comply with a law passed last year requiring feedback by librarians on book selection.
Librarians had criticized the quality and suitability of books they were receiving under the Baker & Taylor book-buying contract. State librarian Bart Kane canceled the contract last July.
Also to be amended are rules that would require the addresses of a parent or guardian on a minor's library card application, charge nonresidents a $25 fee to replace or reactivate library cards, remove the need for borrowed material to be present upon renewal, charge customers $2 for each item returned partially damaged and establish or clarify procedures for handling overdue library accounts.
The hearings are scheduled for 6 p.m. at the following sites:
July 6, Hawaii Kai Public Library.
Copies of the proposed rules will be available by June 6 at all public libraries and the office of the state librarian, 465 S. King St., Room B-1.
Copies may also be obtained from the Board of Education office, Room 405, 1390 Miller St. Call 586-3334 or mail a written request to P.O. Box 2360, Honolulu 96804.
People who are visually impaired or blind may call 586-3704 for assistance.
Anyone wishing to testify should submit 13 copies of their testimony, or at least one copy at the time of their presentation. Those unable to or do not wish to testify in person should mail their written testimony to the Board of Education to be received no later than July 15.
People who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 586-3704 for an interpreter, 643-8255 for voice relay or 643-8833 for text telephone at least five days before the hearing date. People with physical disabilities should call 586-3704 for assistance at least five days before the hearing date.
Grandmother testifies man confessed murder to son
Six-year-old Tajhuan Rodriguez wakes up nights with fevers and headaches angry that his mother has left him and his father can't be there to comfort him because he is in a Navy brig.On Friday, Sgt. Jose "Joe" Rodriguez called his son from a Ford Island cellblock to apologize for killing his wife, Angela, on Jan. 3.
But Tajhuan broke off the phone conversation, according to his grandmother Dolores Beavers, and walked out of the room.
"He (Tajhuan) came back and sat in my lap and cried," Beavers told an Army court-martial yesterday. "I miss my mom. My dad says he loves me. He said when you do something wrong you have to be punished, and I did something wrong.
"But my dad says he still loves me."
Beavers said he believes that Rodriguez didn't mean to kill her youngest daughter, Angela, 22.
"I believe it was an accident," Beavers told the panel of two officers and three enlisted soldiers who is hearing the case against the Schofield Barracks sergeant.
Rodriguez has pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder.
He faces a maximum life sentence if convicted.
Big Island Council OKs $180.1 million budget
HILO -- The Hawaii County Council has approved a $180.1 million county budget for 1998-99 with only a minor adjustment for a slight surplus created by the action of this year's Legislature.Instead of leaving Mayor Stephen Yamashiro with control of the $492,000 surplus, the Council yesterday placed the money in an account which it will control, then passed the measure.
The Council acted after Yamashiro informed them that the modest surplus this year will turn into a $9.8 million revenue shortfall in 1999-2000.
"Next year we'll have some pain," said Council Chairman James Arakaki. "Next year we'll have a lot of pain."
Innovations will be necessary then, he said, such as moving some land to different classifications where they will generate more property tax money.
And the county may even seek new hotel developers for west Hawaii to boost tax revenues, he said.
Help needed to find owner of garter snake
The state Department of Agriculture is asking for the public's help in finding the owner of a garter snake found by a Foster Village resident May 20.He found the illegal snake in a rat trap under his patio and notified the Humane Society.
State law prohibits the possession and importation of pet snakes and other animals.
Agriculture inspectors investigating the incident have not uncovered any clues in the case.
The nonvenomous species of snake is found from the Midwest to Atlantic Coast in open grassy areas.
They grow up to 50 inches in length and feed on frogs, salamanders and earthworms.
Any information on this case or other illegal animals may be reported to the department with confidentiality by calling 586-PEST (7378).
Public ocean education forum on tap tomorrow
"Hawaii and the Year of the Ocean" is the theme of a public ocean education forum 1-4 p.m. tomorrow at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel.The Fourth Annual Ocean Day will open with Ocean Day proclamations from the governor and mayor.
The first Wednesday in June has been designated Ocean Day in Hawaii by state law.
Olelo media center opening at Waianae
Olelo, the corporation for community television, will open the Olelo Community Media Center at Waianae tomorrow.The new center is located at the Boys and Girls Club of Waianae at 85-165 Plantation Road.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.
Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffHalawa house fire brings arrest
A 68-year-old Halawa Housing man was arrested last night, accused of setting fire to his home.The man reportedly set fire to his residence at about 7:10 p.m., following an argument with his daughter, police said.
Fire crews extinguished the blaze, which caused $22,000 damage to the structure and contents.
No injuries were reported.
The man was booked for first-degree criminal property damage.
Bank robbed at Aina Haina
Police are searching for a large man who robbed the Aina Haina First Hawaiian Bank yesterday.The suspect, described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and 280 pounds, walked into the bank at 12:40 p.m. and presented a demand note which said he had a gun, police said. He then fled with an undisclosed amount of money.
Woman inmate attacks guard
A 31-year-old inmate at the Women's Community Correctional Center in Kailua was arrested yesterday after she reportedly assaulted a corrections officer.The officer was escorting the woman to her cell when she allegedly attacked him at 1:05 p.m., police said. The woman was booked for second-degree assault.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.
