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POSTED: Sunday, December 20, 2009

Lingle budget likely to cut deeper

Gov. Linda Lingle will unveil a supplemental state budget for the next fiscal year at a press conference tomorrow.

The state operates on a biennial budget, but the governor is required to submit a supplemental spending plan for the second of the two fiscal years.

The budget Lingle will offer is likely to contain more significant spending cuts. The state Council on Revenues on Thursday predicted revenues in the current fiscal year that ends June 30 will be about $42 million less than previously forecast.

That means the state is facing a budget shortfall in this fiscal year of about $720 million through June and nearly $1.2 billion through June 2011.

Auto shop disputes state allegations

A used auto parts company on Oahu has requested a hearing to contest allegations being made by the state Department of Health.

The department has issued a fine of nearly $20,000 against ABC Used Auto Parts LLC.

The agency also ordered the Pearl City company to cease accepting solid waste and to remove all solid waste from its facility.

Department officials said last week that the company was involved in the operation of a solid waste management system that wasn't permitted.

The department says it issued a warning letter to the facility in February, but the company failed to obtain the required permit and continued to operate.

Kahuku library closes for repairs

The Kahuku Public and School Library is closed until Jan. 11 for renovation, including the replacement of ceiling tiles and retrofitting light fixtures for energy efficiency.

Patrons can return books and other materials to other public libraries or to the new Kahuku Bookmobile, a renovated tour bus staffed by Kahuku Library workers.

The bookmobile is open Mondays and will be at the following locations:

» Tomorrow: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Sunset Beach Christian School; and 2 to 4 p.m. at Kuilima Estates.
» Dec. 28: 9 to 11 a.m. at Ponds at Punaluu Assisted Living Community; 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Hanohano Hale; and 3 to 4 p.m. at Kaaawa Elementary School.
» Jan. 4: Noon to 1 p.m. at Hauula Civic Center; Brigham Young University-Hawaii campus: 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. at Temple View Apartments family housing; and 3 to 4 p.m. at Student Family Housing.
» Jan. 11: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Sunset Beach Christian School; and 2 to 4 p.m. at Kuilima Estates.