Sex assault sentencing delayed

Sentencing for a man who fled to Mexico after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy was delayed yesterday in Circuit Court.

The sentencing for Michael Andrew Stevens has been moved to May 5. In 1991, he was convicted of four counts of second-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree sexual assault and kidnapping. He sexually assaulted a 16-year-old boy at the time.

Stevens fled the country in 1993 and faked a disappearance at sea. He was located in Mexico and was captured by U.S. marshals in December.

Yesterday, he was sentenced to a year in prison on a conviction of promoting liquor to a minor in another case. This charge stems from a separate incident.

School gets funds for access fix

Waimea High School on Kauai is getting $1.5 million for campus improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The money will pay for design and construction of ramps, elevators or chair lifts to access second floor rooms and to ensure the school is accessible to disabled people, Gov. Linda Lingle announced yesterday in releasing the funds.

Construction is scheduled to begin in September and be completed in August 2010.

Gifts brighten Easter for military kids

Operation Homefront of Hawaii is collecting donations to create Easter baskets for military children.

The drive, which runs until March 27, is seeking baskets, Easter grass, candy, small toys and similar items. Gifts may be dropped off at Lex Brodie's Queen Street and Pearlridge branches, the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange, Airgas Gaspro and Diamond Head Self-Storage.

“;Our Easter program gives military children in need a fun and exciting family activity,”; said Eva Laird Smith, chapter president.

The gift baskets will be distributed March 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Oahu Veterans Center at 1298 Kukila St. Monetary donations can be made online at http://www.operationhomefront.net by clicking on the Hawaii chapter and noting the donation is for the “;Easter Basket Program.”;

Scholarship deadline comes Sunday

AlohaCare is seeking low-income students statewide to apply for its annual AlohaCare Believes in Me Scholarship program by Sunday.

Scholarships to attend the University of Hawaii and its community colleges range from $1,000 to $2,500. Since the program began in 2003, the nonprofit AlohaCare health plan has awarded more than 150 scholarships valued at more than $200,000, a release said.

Applicants must be Hawaii residents; be admitted to any campus within the University of Hawaii system; enrolled as a full- or part-time classified graduate or undergraduate student; and able to demonstrate financial need.

To obtain applications, visit http://www.hawaii.edu/admissions/aid.html; or call 973-1313. Neighbor island residents can call (800) 434-1002. For questions, e-mail Rachel Mark at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

For more information on AlohaCare, go to www. AlohaCareHawaii.org.