|
Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
|
DUI fatality leads to prison term
A drunken driver was sentenced to six months in jail and a year on probation in the death of a pedestrian on Kauai in April 2006.
Michael Groves of Kapaa will also serve a year's probation in the death of Fredericka Weisenthal, 66, a tourist from Missouri.
Groves, sentenced last week, was originally charged with felony negligent injury in the case, as well as driving under the influence of drugs, but those charges were modified to misdemeanor negligent injury and drunken driving.
Prosecutor Marc Guyot said yesterday the "plea deal was fair" and that the new charges were more appropriate to the circumstances of the case.
According to police officials in 2006, Weisenthal was attempting to cross Kuhio Highway at about 7 p.m. when she was struck by a pickup truck driven by Groves.
Guyot said a vehicle in front of Groves had to stop short to avoid Weisenthal, who was not in a crosswalk or a well-lighted area, and Groves swerved to avoid the vehicle and hit her instead.
See's recalls chocolate chips
See's Candies is recalling 16-ounce bags of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips because they might contain "undeclared" traces of milk, according to a news release by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Those who are allergic to milk could experience a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they eat the candy, officials said.
Company officials had received one report of an individual who had an allergic reaction after consuming the product.
The product was sold in 16 states, including Hawaii.
The recall applies to code dates 30757, 31327, 32067, 33157 and 23397. The products in Hawaii stores were removed from the shelves.
Those who have purchased the product are advised to return them to the shops where they were purchased for a full refund.
Pearl City promotes police officer
Pearl City's police commander, Maj. Debora Tandal, was promoted to assistant chief yesterday morning.
Tandal replaces retired Assistant Chief John Kerr. Tandal has served 28 years with the Honolulu Police Department. Her experience spans a wide range of police work, including her work at the Central Receiving Division, records, internal affairs and various patrol districts.
Her new post has her overseeing the Support Services Bureau, communications, information technology, records, legislative liaison, telecommunications and vehicle maintenance. The promotion is effective Sunday.
Measles a risk for those on plane
State health officials are advising passengers who were on a flight to Honolulu from San Diego on Saturday to consult their physicians about their susceptibility to measles after a baby on the flight tested positive for the virus.
The 10-month-old child was on Hawaiian Airlines Flight 15. The baby was exposed to a confirmed case of measles on Jan. 25 in a San Diego medical office, according to a release from the Hawaii Department of Health.
The baby showed initial symptoms last Thursday and developed a rash Sunday, the day after the flight, the release said. A Hawaii Health Department lab confirmed it was measles on Monday.
Using a list provided by the airline, health officials began calling passengers last night to tell them about the risk of exposure.
A 5-month-old Hawaii resident, who was also on the flight, was exposed to the sick baby and was given serum to prevent infection, the Health Department said.
Four additional infants who were on the flight were to be administered preventive treatment yesterday, said state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Effler.
|
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
|
CENTRAL OAHU
Escape lasts only a day for suspect
Police caught a 41-year-old man yesterday morning who escaped from police custody at the Wahiawa Police Station the night before.
Police said Tobias Debardeleben had been arrested on suspicion of robbery and somehow escaped while waiting to be booked.
Debardeleben, who has no local address, has previous burglary and domestic violence convictions and has served time on the mainland.
Police issued a news alert shortly after the escape.
Yesterday, patrol officers spotted Debardeleben, who ran into the bushes near Thomson's Corner in Waialua. Police found him and arrested him at 9 a.m. at Farrington Highway and Kaukonahua Road for investigation of second-degree escape.
LEEWARD OAHU
Boat runs aground off Pokai Bay
A 53-foot sailboat ran aground yesterday off Pokai Bay, stranding four people.
At about 3 p.m., the Honu Kelly floundered on the reef some 100 yards from shore, officials said.
Lifeguards were the first to respond. Using rescue boards and a jet ski, four lifeguards brought the passengers -- three women and one man -- back to shore without injuries, said Honolulu Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic. The passengers were back on land by 4 p.m.
Firefighters and the Coast Guard also responded to the scene. A Coast Guard helicopter observed the scene for any pollution, but none was seen, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Michael De Nyse.
After the rescue, lifeguards planned to monitor the sailboat until the end of their day.
"It's still stuck on the rocks. It's low tide. They're waiting for the tide to come up," Cheplic said yesterday afternoon. "It'll be freed once the tide gets high."
WAIKIKI
Woman allegedly assaulted by 2 men
A 29-year-old woman reported she was sexually assaulted at knifepoint early yesterday morning by two unknown men in Waikiki.
Police said the woman was intoxicated and awoke to find two men, armed with a knife, sexually assaulting her.
No arrests have been made.