Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Isle principal in nation's top 3
WASHINGTON -- Principal Norman Minehira, of Leilehua High School in Wahiawa, was named Tuesday among the nation's top three public high school principals.James Donnelley, of James A. Green High School in Dolgeville, N.Y., was named the 2004 National High School Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The other finalists were Minehira and Richard Roberto, of John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, N.J.
Minehira has been Leilehua's principal since September 1989 after serving as vice principal at Aiea and Moanalua high schools. He began his teaching career in 1973 at Aiea High.
Minehira has led Leilehua to twice attain six-year accreditation status and recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School in 1993.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffCENTRAL OAHU
Law enforcement agents have arrested a Mililani man on a charge he allegedly used the Internet to lure a 13-year-old girl for sex.
Man allegedly lures girl for sex via InternetAttorney General Mark Bennett said Armando Sierra, 50, was indicted on Sept. 11 by an Oahu grand jury on a charge of first-degree electronic enticement of a child.
Sierra allegedly used the Internet to arrange a meeting for sex with a person represented as a 13-year-old girl. He was arrested by police and state agents Sept. 9 when he arrived at the meeting place, Bennett said.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
A three-day marijuana eradication effort by the Kauai Police Department resulted in the seizure of 3,285 pot plants, officials said yesterday.
Kauai operation nets 3,285 pakalolo plantsProject "Green Harvest" ended Thursday and focused on rural, uninhabited areas of the island, police said. No arrests were made during the operation.
In the midst of statewide efforts focusing on crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," people should be vigilant against marijuana, which is the most popular drug among youths and one of the gateway drugs to ice, Kauai police said.
The operation was conducted in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Army, the state and all four county police departments.
Big Isle police warn of auto insurance scam
Big Island police are warning residents to be on guard against fake car insurance after receiving complaints from a number of residents.Hilo police said scammers are stopping people on the street and offering them a "better deal" on auto insurance.
Police said the insurance policies are fake.
Police are asking anyone with information about the scam to call 935-3311.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
