The high surf and small craft advisory remain in effect.
High surf will affect exposed reefs and beaches in the advisory area producing dangerous rip currents.
Expect hazardous surf of nine to 11 feet on north and west facing reefs, decreasing to eight to 10 feet.
Fital is strongly advising the general public, especially beachgoers, fishermen, tourists, swimmers, divers and surfers, to avoid venturing near exposed reefs and beaches, especially those along north and west facing reefs as rip currents are life threatening.
Veteran civil rights advocate touring Pacific islands
(Hawaii News Source) — MarshaRose Joyner, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition-Hawaii president emeritus and veteran of the civil rights movement, will be the guest speaker for the 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Guam, Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
On Jan. 12, she was on Guam as guest of Pattie Arroyo’s daily radio show.
She later had a luncheon with University of Guam faculty and students sponsoring an MLK island-wide poster contest.
In the evening, she was a guest on Sonya Artero’s TV show.
From Jan. 14 to 22, Joyner will be Saipan, Tinian and Rota to visit several schools.
Sablan assigned to House Committee on Education and Labor
Washington, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) — Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan has received second committee assignment
The leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives appointed Sablan, Ind.-MP, to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
The committee handles Head Start, No Child Left Behind, school lunch programs, anti-poverty programs, and other federal education programs that are important to the Northern Marianas.
“Improving educational opportunities is one of the top priorities for the people of the Marianas,” said Sablan. “As a voting member of the Education and Labor Committee, I will be able to help our Public School System, the college and other educators in our islands to achieve that goal.”
The committee also has jurisdiction over minimum wage and job training programs.
Sablan’s appointment gives the CNMI a strong voice on federal policies most important to the economic development of the commonwealth.
Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., is the chairman of the committee.
“Mr. Miller is a leading advocate in Congress for children and workers,” according to Sablan. “I am looking forward to working with him to make life better for everyone in the Northern Marianas and fulfill the Covenant’s promise of making the Marianas truly a part of the American economic and political family.”
Education and Labor is Sablan’s second committee appointment.
The Northern Marianas congressman is also a member of the Natural Resources Committee.
Stellar Marianas meeting on Thursday
STELLAR Marianas, the islands’ non-profit pageant and talent group, is holding a general membership meeting, which includes election of new officers, at 5:30 p.m. at Cafe at the Park on Thursday, Jan. 15.
All interested persons are invited.
