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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Farmers can get aid for 'vog'
HILO » Farmers who have crop damage due to volcanic fumes or "vog" will now be eligible for federal disaster program assistance under the 2008 Farm Bill, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono announced.
However, farmers who did not sign up for federal crop insurance earlier in the year will have to "buy into" the new reimbursement program, and there is no assurance they will receive payments for losses once they buy, Hirono said.
The buy-in cost will vary, topping out at $900. More information is available at the following numbers: Big Island, 933-8381; Honolulu, 483-8600; Kauai, 245-9014; and Maui, 871-5500.
Hirono credited state Rep. Bob Herkes with pushing for the money. "The protea and cut flower growers in Ocean View and Wood Valley in particular have been hard hit, and this financial relief is especially welcome and timely," Herkes said.
Contractor fined for tax evasion
A state judge ordered an Oahu home repair and renovations contractor to pay a $2,000 fine, perform 100 hours of community service and pay the state Department of Taxation $9,842 for understating his income for two years.
Robert A. Mounts pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of filing false and fraudulent tax statements for 2002 and 2003.
State Circuit Court Judge Derrick Chan granted Mounts' request to defer accepting his guilty pleas for five years, giving him the opportunity to keep his criminal record free of convictions. The fine, community service and restitution are conditions for the deferral.
AARP offering scholarships
The AARP Foundation is offering scholarships for women over 40 seeking new job skills, training and educational opportunities.
Applications for the second annual Women's Scholarship Program are due by Aug. 22.
Women who apply must be age 40 or over (as of Aug. 31, 2008); demonstrate financial need; and enroll in an accredited post-secondary school or training program within six months of the scholarship award date.
Priority will be given to women raising children of another family member; who have been out of the work force for an extended period of time; and those in jobs with no opportunity for advancement, low pay and lacking either health or retirement benefits.
Scholarships may be used at a public or private secondary school, including community colleges, technical schools, and four-year universities, the release said. The program does not provide assistance for graduate degree programs.
Applicants can submit forms online at www.aarpfoundationwlc.org.
The foundation will award up to 100 scholarship awards ranging from $500 to $5,000, depending on financial need and the cost of the education or training program.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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HONOLULU
Fasi's son arrested in Waikiki robbery
The 56-year-old son of former Mayor Frank Fasi was arrested again Friday night after he allegedly robbed a Waikiki man, police said.
Police said Carl Frederick Fasi assaulted a 44-year-old man in Waikiki at about 8:13 p.m. and took the man's backpack and cane after asking for his money
About an hour later, the victim saw Fasi at the intersection of Lilioukalani and Kuhio avenues and identified him to officers.
Fasi was arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery and two outstanding warrants. He has 37 previous convictions, including numerous drug and theft charges.
Fasi is the eldest of the former mayor's 11 children.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Kauai brushfire scalds 40 acres
A brushfire burned about 40 acres near Kukuihale Road in Anahola, Kauai yesterday, a county news release said.
The fire started at about 1:45 p.m. below the site of a new Department of Hawaiian Home Lands subdivision.
Eleven firefighters and a fire helicopter assisted in fighting the fire, which was brought under control by 3:30 p.m.
No one was injured and no homes were threatened, the release said. A cause of the fire was not released.
1 left homeless as fire guts house
No one was home when fire broke out in a Hawaiian Paradise Park house early Friday morning.
Fire officials said the house on 6th Avenue was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Damage was estimated at $80,000, and only a small carport was not destroyed.
The fire began sometime before 2:31 a.m., the time of the alarm, and was under control at 2:50 a.m..
The fire left one person homeless, according to the Red Cross, which assisted with food and clothing.
Man arrested in Haleiwa stabbing
A 39-year-old man was in custody last night after he allegedly stabbed a 50-year-old man in Haleiwa.
The victim was taken in critical condition to the Queen's Medical Center, but later improved to fair condition, police said.
A caller reported the stabbing at about 4:47 p.m., police said.
Honolulu police Lt. Byron Martin of the Wahiawa station said the victim argued with the suspect at the Haleiwa Boat Harbor.
The victim, who was sitting in the passenger side of a car, stepped out of the vehicle and the suspect stabbed him, Martin said.
The suspect fled to a house on Naoiwi Lane, where police arrested him about an hour later. Police did not find a weapon.