Lawmakers scrutinized the Guam Public School System during another round of budget talks at the Legislature today. Finance and Taxation chair Eddie Baza Calvo says many concerns were raised regarding the department's operational costs for equipment and supplies.

The Department of Corrections is still working on coming into compliance with a Notice of Violation and Order of Compliance issued in early June by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency. As reported, the regulatory agency cited DepCor for burning and illegally storing solid waste. As per the citation, Guam EPA should now be in the process of going through DepCor's clean up and disposal plan. Clean up should begin 14 days after the plan is approved.

The Guam Waterworks Authority still wants to hear from businesses and residents who live in central Guam and plan to develop their property. As we reported the CCU has banned any new development in the central part of the island. GWA Spokesperson Heidi Ballendorf.

GHURA is moving forward with its plans to renovate Guma Trankilidat in Tumon. This Friday the agency is holding a public hearing to address revisions to the organizational structure for the elderly housing project.

The Consolidated Commission on Utilities is meeting this evening and on the agenda is the Guam Power Authority's request to increase the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause. The LEAC is a means for GPA to adjust its rates for a six-month period in order to recover its cost for fuel.

Guam Election Commission Legal Counsel Cesar Cabot has completed his legal research on a recent law that would mandate the Republican senatorial candidates participate in the upcoming primary election.

Officials from the Guam Public School System are scheduled to appear before the Legislature today to continue dialogue on its proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget. GPSS is requesting a budget of $263 million. GovGuam, in the meantime, is still working on its response letter to the U.S. Department of Education.

The island will undergo a mass casualty airport disaster this weekend, but fortunately it's just an exercise. Guam Homeland Security and the Office of Civil Defense in coordination with the Department of Defense Joint Task Force will be hosting the 3 day event at the Hyatt Hotel, Tumon in an effort to improve response procedures and techniques.

Just because the base rate won't be going up soon, does not mean the LEAC won't. During Tuesday's Consolidated Commission on Utilities meeting, commissioners are expected to approve a 7% increase to the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause.

GovGuam has finally paid off the $13.8 million it owed to the Guam Power Authority for streetlight arrears. Initially, the Department of Administration was only going to release $11.4 million maintaining it wasn't obligated to pay the $2.4 million owed in interest because of a court case they claimed established precedence.

We should know more about whether the 10 Republicans running for senator will have to participate in the upcoming Primary election. Although there are only ten GOP candidates, a recently enacted law mandated that they're names be placed on the September ballot. The Guam Election Commission's legal counsel has been researching the impact the new law will have on the upcoming election. The board is meeting this Thursday to discuss the issue.

After meeting with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in Apia, Samoa, Governor Felix Camacho is on his way home. The governor, who was part of a State Department delegation to the Pacific, briefed Secretary Rice along with 16 foreign ministers about the status of the Guam military buildup.

Hoping to crackdown on graffiti, legislation has been introduced that would stiffen the penalties for those caught tagging. Bill 339 would ensure that a first time offender would be fined $1,000 with second time offenders fined $2,500 and subsequent offenses would come with a fine of $5,000 or three months incarceration for those under the age of 18. For adults, they would receive a 4 month sentence.

The Supreme Court rendered an opinion today that sets the precedence for future divorce decrees. The opinion, in Hart versus Hart, held that military retirement benefits and promotions, accrued even after a couple is divorced, is still considered community property that can be divided in a divorce.

Peaceful protests like the one held last week in Tumon Bay by the Taotaomona Native Rights Group could be a thing of the past, depending on the fate of Bill 327. The measure, which will go up for a public hearing this week, mandates the Department of Agriculture to develop rules and regulations for indigenous fishing rights.

Governor Felix Camacho is on his way back home, after joining a State Department delegation to the Pacific led by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Governor Camacho while in Apia, Samoa briefed Secretary Rice and the 16 foreign ministers of the Pacific nations invited to the talks with her on the status of the Guam Military Buildup.

Hoping to crackdown on graffiti, legislation has been introduced that would stiffen the penalties for those caught tagging. According to Bill 339, a person caught for the first time would have to pay a fine of $1,000, the second offense $2,500, and for each subsequent offense a person would be fined $5,000 or imprisonment for a term of three months for persons under the age of 18, for adults it would be four months.

Legislation has been introduced that would prevent the property JFK High School sits on to be used for anything else but to either renovate the campus or build a brand new high school. Bill 242, if passed into law, would restrict the use of the land for purpose of benefiting the educational needs of the students at GPSS. You may recall, there was a push back in 2003 to create the Mamajanao project allowing for investors to lease that same property from the Government of Guam.

GPSS meanwhile has released the bell schedules for JFK and GW students for the coming year.

Tasked with transporting the island's school children, the Department of Public Works is confident buses will be ready in time for the new school year. Earlier this year concerns were raised that the school buses were in dire need of repair and maintenance.

It's official. The Guam Public School System is now the proud owner of two new schools in the North as the keys of Liguan Terrace Elementary and Astumbo Middle School were turned over today. This means GPSS can now move in to the buildings and prepare them for the coming school year.

A draft response letter to the U.S. Department of Education has been submitted to the Governor's Office. GPSS is working closely with the Camacho Administration to address concerns raised by the feds who are waiting for certain assurances before releasing current and future federal monies.

John F. Kennedy High School students will be on a block schedule when they attend double session at George Washington High School come August 12.

With a little over two weeks left until the start of the new school year and after weeks of meetings, Guam Public School System Superintendent Dr. Nerissa Bretania Shafer announced the fate of John F. Kennedy High School. "After examining all the recommendations and input from everyone, I have decided that the best option right now is to hold double sessions at George Washington High School," stated GPSS Superintendent Dr. Nerissa Bretania Shafer. During a press conference this afternoon at JFK, the superintendent said at this point, it would be impossible to have the Upper Tumon campus ready to open by August 12

The Guam Public School System is scheduled to appear before lawmakers on Tuesday to continue dialogue on its proposed FY 2009 budget, but Superintendent Dr. Nerissa Bretania Shafer is hoping to have the hearing pushed back. GPSS is requesting a budget of $263 million. Tuesday's budget hearing is scheduled to get underway at 10 o'clock in the morning in the Legislature's public hearing room, but there's no official word whether the hearing will be delayed.

The Academy of Our Lady of Guam has received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges for the next six years. The all–girls Catholic college preparatory high school is one of the first on the island to be accredited since 1974.

The Guam Community College is affording an opportunity to the public to learn about the programs and services the Mangilao campus offers. This week they'll be holding two village outreach sessions that they've coordinated with the Mayor's Council.

The Department of Public Works is expected to present their opinion on a hybrid solution to the dilemma at JFK that was presented during a GEPB meeting held last week in Merizo. During that meeting, JFK's leadership team proposed that they use at least 12 empty Chief Brodie Memorial School classrooms, an additional 20 rooms from the JFK Annex building, and the remaining rooms surrounding the Upper Tumon campus' main building.

After a surprising increase in the number of injuries and hospital admissions related to wearing fashionable footwear, doctors are warning women to wear high heels in moderation. It's common knowledge that women will go to great lengths for fashion, but not very many of them are aware of the possible injuries they could sustain, like sprains and broken ankles, from wearing high-heeled shoes, which can sometimes lead to permanent foot damage in the future.

It's been roughly 10 days since the ban on certain materials going into the Ordot dump has taken effect. Senior Project Manager for Gershman, Brickner and Bratton, Jack Tucker says since the ban on certain items going into the Ordot Dump and transfer stations went into effect on July 17, things have been going pretty well. "We're not ready to give out any numbers in decrease in volume yet, but we are visually seeing a substantial decrease in volume," Tucker said.

The Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors (PARS) is inviting island residents to attend a town hall meeting on radiation fallout on Guam from nuclear-weapons testing in the Pacific later this week.

Numerous individuals have been cited on charges in relation to illegal fishing activities this month.

The National Weather Service is warning that thunderstorms will bring heavy rain and frequent lightning to central Guam through 1 pm. According to the forecast, up to an inch of rain is possible and could result in brief flooding of roadways and low areas. Residents are advised to seek safe shelter immediately should they be outdoors or in the water and see lightning or hear thunder.

Former Superior Court Probation officer, Raymond Tongson was scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Barrett Anderson this afternoon to change his plea to guilty, but the prosecution requested more time to submit the plea.

Three people were arrested in connection with a criminal mischief and theft of property ring. According to GPD Spokesperson Officer Allan Guzman at least two of the three were suspected to be responsible for at least 20 car break-ins to include the theft of a firearm from one of the vehicles.

Former Superior Court Probation officer, Raymond Tongson is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Barrett Anderson this afternoon to change his plea to guilty. Tongson is accused in the double homicide of Lihn Phan and Alfred Garcia, that occurred three years ago at the Lylan Karaoke Lounge in Dededo.

The Guam Fire Department has confirmed two employees were suspended for cause on Friday by Chief Dave Peredo. GFD Spokesperson Assistant Chief Tony Rabon couldn't release any further information on the suspensions. However, KUAM news has learned the two individuals are captains with the Internal Affairs Division.

A nine-year old boy who was seriously burned after playing with gasoline is continuing to recover at the Guam Memorial Hospital's Pediatric intensive care unit. He is now listed in stable condition. According to Nursing Supervisor Cely Magrobang they are waiting approval from Medicaid before flying the child to an burn facility off island.

Christopher Grantham will be in federal court for a status hearing this week. Grantham entered into a plea agreement with the feds admitting that he along with two other people in October of last year were inside a room at the Plumeria Hotel in Maite making the drug ice. His hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 2:30 in the afternoon.

Former Superior Court probation officer, Raymond Tongson is scheduled to plea guilty tomorrow to shooting and killing Linh Phan and Alfred Garcia at the Lylan Karaoke Lounge three years ago. He was scheduled to appear last week in court, but it was continued until Tuesday at the request of the Attorney General's office.

Christopher Grantham will have to appear in federal court this week for a status hearing. Grantham entered into a plea agreement with the feds admitting that he attempted to manufacture more than five grams of the drug "ice" back in October of last year in a room inside the Plumeria Hotel in Maite.

The Guam Community College is affording an opportunity to the public to learn about the programs and services the Mangilao campus offers. This week they'll be holding two Village Outreach sessions they've coordinated with the Mayor's Council.

Make sure to text, talk and type your questions for our guests who will join us this week for Friday Forum. Live in studio we'll have senatorial candidates: Frank Aguon, Jr., and incumbents Ray Tenorio, Adolpho Palacios and Eddie Baza Calvo.

A multi–million dollar leather goods, apparel, jewelry and accessories company doing business since 1989 has lodged a civil complaint against eight local businesses and their owners alleging the companies are selling knock off's of their products. The company is seeking damages alleging these local businesses made big bucks by selling bogus products bearing their name.

The trials of Ernest Verdera and Mark Bartolome have been pushed back as authorities in Germany who are assisting in obtaining information for the U.S. Attorney's Office indicate it will take between 3-6 months to gather the data.

A delegation of federal officials are on island working on the massive plan to overhaul Guam's roads in preparation for the military buildup. The amount of money it's going to take to get Guam's transportation infrastructure on the road to recovery is taking some very drastic twists and turns.

n regional news out of Saipan, helicopters, illegal drugs, a government worker and a taxpayer funded getaway van all made for an interesting drug bust. A man who works for the Superior Court has found himself mixed up in a marijuana mess. A CNMI judiciary van looked a bit out of place parked behind the federal court building in Saipan and was apparently in the wrong place when the federal government conducted aerial searches for marijuana plants. The government car was actually used as an escape vehicle for a man who tried to flee from officials after being spotted hiding marijuana plants

The loss of the six crewmembers from this week's tragic B-52 bomber crash continues to resonate through the ranks of the United States Air Force. A special memorial was erected at the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, featuring helmets, boots, and photos of each officer that was aboard the aircraft, which crashed 25 miles north of Apra Harbor this past Monday.

Sailors donated a few hours of their time today, helping faculty members from several of the island's public schools to cleanup their campuses in anticipation of the first day of classes in August. Various servicemen and women from Big Navy and Naval Hospital helped all over the island, at Southern High, Astumbo Elementary, F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle, and at Agana Heights Elementary School.

The island said goodbye today to a son of Guam, a soldier, and a hero. Hundreds paid their last respects during funeral services for Guam Army National Guard Sergeant Brian Leon Guerrero who was laid to rest. Leon Guerrero along with Sergeant Samson Mora were killed while serving in Afghanistan.