Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Senate panel OKs rise in vehicle registration
The Senate Ways and Means Committee passed a bill yesterday that would raise the state vehicle registration fee to pay for a helicopter ambulance service in Maui County.House Bill 1182, Senate Draft 2, will be sent to the Senate for a vote. The bill would also expand ground ambulance services in Waianae on Oahu, Kihei-Wailea on Maui and Ocean View Estates on the Big Island.
Ten Democrats voted for the bill, estimated to cost between $5 million and $6 million.
The bill would raise the state's $20 portion of the motor vehicle registration fee by an estimated $5 to $10.
Three Republicans opposed the measure. State Sen. Sam Slom (R, Diamond Head-Hawaii Kai) said he supported the emergency services but opposed raising taxes and establishing a special fund for them.
House OKs restoring binding arbitration
The state House has approved a bill that restores the right to binding arbitration instead of a strike to six collective bargaining units of the Hawaii Government Employees Association.The proposed changes to Senate Bill 768, HD 2, also reinstates essential workers in HGEA units 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 13. Combined, these workers make up about 40 percent of the state and county work force.
House Republicans opposed the measure yesterday, saying it will drive up costs for government and that it goes back on the major civil service reform passed in 2000, which allowed these units the right to strike.
"I don't think all these workers should give up their sacred right to strike," said state Rep. Barbara Marumoto (R, Waialae Iki). But Marcus Oshiro (D, Wahiawa), House Labor Committee chairman, said the changes were needed to prevent the disruption of public services and programs in case of an impasse in negotiations. An impasse in contract negotiations for these units was declared on Feb. 1, and they have the right to strike any time after June 30, after giving a 10-day notice.
Waste water spills onto Kalihi street
More than 2,000 gallons of waste water spilled onto a Kalihi street and into Kalihi Stream yesterday morning.A 12-inch sewer line clogged with grease caused the sewage to overflow a manhole at Kuhio Park Terrace at 1485 Linapuni St., the city said. A city crew responded at 7:40 a.m. and contained the spill at 10 a.m.
|
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
[ THE COURTS ]
2 men admit guilt in fatal Wahiawa beating
Two men accused of second-degree murder for beating a 43-year-old Wahiawa man to death more than a year ago have changed their pleas rather than go to trial.Joseph Marshall, 20, of Mililani, pleaded guilty yesterday to a reduced charge of manslaughter for recklessly causing the death of Mark Mehr, carpenter and Army reservist.
Gary McCormick-Fesagiga, 19, of Wahiawa, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of first-degree assault.
Both also pleaded guilty to second-degree theft for taking Mehr's 14-karat gold chain and cross.
Mehr, who was intoxicated, apparently was driving home late Feb. 11, 2002, when he got into an argument with another man outside an apartment building across from the Medical Arts Clinic in Wahiawa. Two of the man's friends showed up and took matters into their own hands, said Deputy Prosecutor Charlene Ikeda.
According to witnesses, McCormick-Fesagiga threw one punch at Mehr that knocked him out cold. But he and Marshall continued to punch, kick and stomp Mehr as he lay on the ground, Ikeda said.
Mehr suffered multiple injuries, primarily to his head, and never regained consciousness. He was taken off life support and died two days after the attack.
Under separate plea agreements, Marshall faces a 25-year prison term when sentenced June 9. McCormick-Fesagiga faces a 10-year prison term when sentenced Sept. 8.
2 brokerage officials indicted on tax charge
An Oahu grand jury has indicted two officers of a real estate brokerage company for allegedly failing to file state tax returns.Frederick Overstreet, president of Capital Research Group Inc., was charged last Friday with failing to file annual general excise tax returns for 1999 to 2001.
Daniel Doyle, vice president, was charged with failing to file his individual income tax returns from 1996 to 1998 and general excise tax returns from 1996 to 2001.
Stephen Pingree, attorney for Doyle and speaking for Overstreet's counsel, said they were aware of the pending charges, disagree with them and intend to respond to them.
Failure to file is a misdemeanor punishable by no more than one year in prison and no more than $25,000 in fines for each year, or both.
HONOLULU
Police seek identities of vandalism suspects
Honolulu police and FBI investigators are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the people who vandalized Planned Parenthood Hawaii's Oahu Clinic last fall.
CRIMESTOPPERS
Surveillance camera images taken on Oct. 23 show suspects near the front door of Planned Parenthood's Oahu Clinic on South Beretania Street.
Police said that images recorded by surveillance cameras at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 23 showed suspects near the clinic's front door at 1350 S. King St.
Investigators would not provide details on the vandalism.
Anyone with information may contact Special Agent A. Ripley McGuinn at 566-4486 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
