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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Wet weather is expected to last
A wet weekend appears to be in store for the islands, but flood advisories were canceled last night for Windward Oahu, Honolulu and Lanai.
A slow-moving band of showers dumped batches of heavy rain last evening on the southeastern section of Oahu and Lanai, a National Weather Service forecaster said.
Areas hit included Kaneohe, Kailua, Waimanalo and Hawaii Kai.
On Oahu, Hawaii Kai experienced the heaviest rainfall between 6 and 6:15 p.m. as measured in inches per hour. The rate was about 2 inches per hour -- "quite heavy," said Derek Wro, forecaster for the National Weather Service.
The weather service reported on its site that "the area of heavy rain was nearly stationary."
Early in the evening, a "nearly stationary band of showers" soaked Lanai at a rate of 2 1/2 inches per hour, he said.
One to 2 inches per hour is enough to cause ponding on roadways in low-lying areas, he added.
An area of low pressure is developing off the northwest of the islands, which will cause southerly winds to blow with the possibility of heavy rainfall in the forecast.
Shark's Cove is closed for winter
The Department of Land and Natural Resources has closed Shark's Cove in Pupukea to all commercial activity, including commercial scuba diving and snorkeling, until March 31.
The public still has free access to the area.
The closure is regularly scheduled each winter in accordance with state law enacted in 2002 to allow the renewal of ocean resources.
Violators are subject to prosecution.
"Most of the year, diving and snorkeling conditions at Shark's Cove are very good, and this is an area of very high user density," said Laura Thielen, DLNR director. "DLNR enforces this seasonal closure to give the resource a period of rest during the rough winter months."
Bail agents mixed on Chapman
Some in Honolulu's bail-bonds business said they had negative experiences that colored their view of Duane "Dog" Chapman, who has been criticized for an N-word tirade.
One employee said he picked up on Chapman's character about three years ago when Chapman called him after he talked to Chapman's office manager.
"He was very abusive -- strong language," said John Griffith, a bail agent at Bail Hawaii. "He called me up and just started chewing the hell out of me. It was like, 'Damn, Duane.'"
He was threatening but not racist.
On Wednesday, Chapman apologized for his tirade after the National Enquirer posted a 1 1/2-minute private conversation between Chapman and his son Tucker on its Web site. But A&E, the network that broadcasts the popular "Dog the Bounty Hunter" reality series, had already said it would postpone production of the show, currently in its fifth season, until it completes an inquiry into the matter.
In the conversation, Chapman tells his son that he wants to use the N-word without worrying about his son's black girlfriend, and urges him to leave her or his job at one of the family's businesses. He uses the N-word to describe the girl the Enquirer identified as Monique Shinnery, who is black.
Others, however, had favorable opinions of Chapman.
James Wei, owner of J&J Bailbonds on Kalakaua Avenue, hired Chapman to pick up a person last year. Wei said he was shocked to hear about the tirade.
"Maybe he was tricked," Wei said. Chapman had been professional as a bounty hunter and found Wei's client before the time was up on the bond, he said.
"He was perfectly fine, really nice," he said. "All of them were all nice. They did a good job."
Frozen pizzas are E. coli risk
The state Health Department advises residents not to eat General Mills pizzas sold under the brand names of Totino's and Jeno's because they could be contaminated with E. coli bacteria.
There have been 21 cases of E. coli-related illnesses in 10 states, but Hawaii officials said there have been no confirmed reports locally.
The affected packages have the establishment number "EST. 7750" inside the USDA mark of inspection and a "best if used by" date on or before "02 APR 08 WS."
Health officials advise people to check their freezers and discard any of these products found.
E. coli is a deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps and dehydration. It can cause an illness that can lead to kidney failure and death.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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HONOLULU
Teen is arrested in alleged robbery
Authorities charged a 17-year-old boy yesterday for allegedly robbing a 16-year-old boy at a bus stop Sept. 20 at a Honolulu-area high school.
Police said the suspect and a 22-year-old man approached the 16-year-old at a bus stop, demanding money and threatening to use force if he did not comply.
Police said the victim refused to hand over the money to the two males, so they allegedly used physical force against him, police said.
The 22-year-old man has not been arrested yet, police said.
The 17-year-old was charged with second-degree robbery and taken to a detention facility yesterday afternoon.
Attack on medic leads to arrest
Police arrested a 19-year-old man for second-degree assault after he allegedly assaulted a paramedic with the city's Emergency Medical Services.
Police said while the paramedic was treating a severely intoxicated man, the man became violent and assaulted him.
The incident occurred at about 10:50 p.m. Wednesday.
WEST OAHU
Man is accused of assaulting boy
Police arrested a 50-year-old Newtown man yesterday morning for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
Police said the boy reported to police that an acquaintance sexually assaulted him Oct. 23 in Ewa Beach.
Police located the suspect at his home in Newtown and arrested him on suspicion of first-degree sexual assault.
The case is pending further investigation.