Fugitive caught in Mexico

Convicted sex offender Michael Andrew Stephens is back in Hawaii after spending 15 years on the run.

Deputy U.S. Marshals arrested Stephens, 56, in Mexico recently and brought him to Honolulu on Friday. He was processed at the Honolulu Police Department and is now at the Oahu Community Correctional Center, said Mark Hanohano, U.S. marshal for Hawaii. He is scheduled for a court appearance this week, Hanohano said.

Indicted in 1993 on three counts of sexual assault and one count of promoting intoxicating liquor to a minor, Stephens had been on the run since staging his disappearance at sea.

His story was aired on a segment of television's “;America's Most Wanted”; in April that generated several tips, including one that led sheriff deputies to Stephens in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Leptospirosis risk warned

The Department of Health advised the public to take precautions when coming into contact with flood waters because of a risk of leptospirosis infection, which can result in death in some cases without treatment.

People in fresh water and mud during cleanup activities should cover all open wounds with waterproof dressings and wear protective gear such as gloves, boots, waders, aprons, goggles and heavy pants.

The Health Department advises washing skin with soap and water after exposure.

Symptoms of leptospirosis are fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, body aches and vomiting.