Newswatch
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Schofield soldier dies in West Point exercises
A 25th Infantry Division officer died Wednesday while participating with his unit in supporting the summer cadet training program at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.Memorial services for Maj. Gerald Compton, executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, will be held Monday at West Point.
A memorial service at Schofield Barracks will be held at a later date.
Compton, 42, was from Sacramento, Calif., and had joined the Army in 1988.
The cause of his death is under investigation, but foul play has been ruled out.
The Schofield Barracks battalion, known as the "Bobcats," was sent to West Point at the end of May as a replacement for the 10th Mountain Division.
The division is now in Afghanistan but normally teaches cadets basic soldier skills during the summer months.
The 531 Hawaii-based soldiers are expected to return to the islands before the end of this month.
Lingle approves rules on use of life jackets
Gov. Linda Lingle approved new rules recently that require children under 13 to wear life jackets when aboard a vessel in state waters or streams.Lingle also approved rules that require thrill craft operators and their passengers to wear life jackets.
Peter Young, state Department of Land & Natural Resources chairman, said the amendments are good practice for boaters.
"This life jacket rule puts the safety of our keiki and thrill craft riders first," he said, adding that drowning continues to be the No. 1 cause of death in boating accidents.
"Think about it -- when you're on a boat, the ocean surrounds you," Young said. "Should you have an accident, run into bad weather or spring a leak, you just can't walk away." The rules became effective July 5.
Power failure causes Wahiawa sewage spill
A brief power disruption at the city Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant triggered a 3,500-gallon effluent spill into Lake Wilson on Wednesday night.City officials said the effluent had undergone treatment but not final ultraviolet disinfection. Warning signs were posted and samples were taken. The state Department of Health was notified of the spill.
Advertiser's 6 unions reach contract deal
Negotiators for the Honolulu Advertiser and six unions representing 600 employees reached a tentative agreement yesterday to replace a contract that expired in June 2002.Union members were told that the unions did not agree to "givebacks" that the company had proposed. The agreement was reached at midday yesterday after a 26-hour meeting concluding four days of talks.
No official announcement was made by the unions or Gannett Co., owner of the newspaper. Spokesmen could not be reached for comment. A ratification meeting is set for Aug. 9 at the International Longshore and Warehouse Union hall.
Police, Fire, CourtsBy Star-Bulletin staff
LEEWARD OAHU
Police ask for public's help in finding missing woman
Police want help finding an 89-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease who has been missing since 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Rose Gordon was last seen at her Poailani Circle residence in Waipahu.
She is described as 5 feet tall, 100 pounds, with a tan complexion and brown eyes.
She was last wearing a blue cloth fishing hat, a blue T-shirt and blue pants. She also carries a stick as a cane.
According to police, Gordon has been missing before.
She likes to walk in the Waipahu Peninsula area, near Ted Makalena Golf Course, as well as Waipahu town areas, police said.
More than two dozen Navy personnel searched the area until nightfall yesterday, according to spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Jane Campbell.
A Navy helicopter also searched the area for about an hour yesterday, Campbell said.
Anyone with information can call Investigator Phil Camero at 529-3394 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Asphalt burns 2 men at Grace Pacific plant
Two men were taken by ambulance to St. Francis Medical Center-West yesterday with burns they suffered when some asphalt splashed on them.The incident happened about 1:17 p.m. at Grace Pacific Corp.'s Makakilo Asphalt Plant.
Firefighters who went to the plant said one of the men had burns over 50 percent of his body, including his chest and arms.
City Emergency Medical Services officials said the man was in serious condition when they took him to St. Francis.
He was later transferred to Straub Clinic & Hospital's burn unit.
Fire and EMS officials said the other man suffered minor burns.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
