This activity is part of the Department of Public Safety’s 3D Program in an effort to deter, detect, and apprehend violators.
The checkpoint is subject to be terminated if it begins to rain.
In addition to the checkpoint, officers will be conducting highway criminal interdictions and laser activities.
NMC to conduct free financial aid workshop
(NMC) — Thanks to the availability of numerous sources of financial aid, students in the CNMI have many options available to finance their college education, whether they choose to attend Northern Marianas College or enroll in an off-island institution.
To help students — especially high school juniors, seniors, and first year college students — understand this great opportunity, the College Access Challenge Project is hosting a free financial aid workshop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 18 in the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa.
Parents of high school students are also encouraged to attend.
The workshop will feature presentations from current college students and prominent college graduates. Financial aid experts will also walk participants through the process of filling out federal financial aid forms and scholarship applications.
The College Access Challenge Project aims to increase college enrollment and retention among the CNMI’s public high school graduates.
The project will be awarding direct financial aid in the form of need-based grants and tuition and fees assistance to qualified participants. The grant will be complemented by academic support services, which will include tutoring, personal counseling, and a variety of educational activities and workshops to prepare students for success in college.
Administered by NMC, the project will draw from the expertise of the college’s staff, other students and local financial aid representatives will assist students with admission and financial aid applications.
Participants of the upcoming workshop will also receive a waiver of application and placement test fees for NMC’s Spring 2009 semester.
The CACP is funded by a federal grant under the U.S. Department of Education.
GCA congratulates forensic competition winners
(GCA) — The administration, faculty and staff, and parents of Grace Christian Academy would like to extend their congratulations to the following winners and everyone who participated last December 6, 2008 Primary Grades Forensic Conference competition at San Antonio Elementary School.
K-2 Division
• Readers Forum Masters A
Claudilyn Lacbayo – 1st Place; Karena Lei Torres- 3rd Place; Jasmine Phan- 4th Place.
• Readers Forum Masters B
Riley Anne Buenaventura-3rd Place.
• Readers Forum D
Catheryne Leila Arroyo-3rd Place; Andrei Ferrer- 4th Place.
• Readers Forum C
Arvin Dayao- 4th Place; Jim Michael Ham- 5th Place.
• Readers Forum B
Duanne Torres- 5th Place.
• Readers Forum A
Mej Kristan Pascual- 5th Place.
• Impromptu Speaking B
Arvin Dayao- 1st Place; Jim Michael Ham- 2nd Place; Clark Birmingham-3rd Place; Claudilyn Lacbayo– 4th Place ; Caryl Andrei Batenga-5th Place.
• Impromptu Speaking C
Matt Jason- 1st Place; Marcelo Masilungan Jr.-2nd Place; Tae Yong Kim- 3rd Place; Martin Angelo Pangilinan- 4th Place.
• Impromptu Speaking A
Bryant Bryce Cayabyab- 3rd Place.
3-5 Division
• Readers Forum Masters C
Ha Won Samuel Seo- 2nd Place; Peggy Pixley- 4th Place.
• Readers Forum Masters B
Jasmine Michelle Gortayo- 5th Place.
• Readers Forum D
Francis Joseph Dalusung-2nd Place.
• Readers Forum A
Henry Kyle Hofscneider-3rd Place; Haram Grace Na- 5th Place.
• Impromptu Speaking A
Dianne Arnold-1st Place; Angela Felici Cruz- 3rd Place; Neill Aaron Conti- 4th Place.
• Impromptu Speaking B
Camille Joy Masilungan-1st Place; Mark Daniel Versoza- 3rd Place.
• Duo Interpretation B- 3rd Place: Mulan Ta; Jenifer Yokoyama.
• Duo Interpretation A- 5th Place: Ezra Maze Cervera; Glenn Nelson Vidal.
• Choral Speaking B- 3rd Place
Neill Aaron Conti; Ezra Maze Cervera; Angela Felici Cruz; Camille Joy Masilungan; Ha Won Samuel Seo.
• Choral Speaking B -5th Place:
Dianne Arnold; Vyela Cervera; Yasmin Angela Marcelo; Peggy Pixley.
Mrs. Esther Manzano, GCA’s PGFC coordinator would like to thank all the teachers who trained and helped in practicing the participants. They are Miss Melissa Harper-K5, Mrs. Leah Garfil-1st grade, Mrs. Kate Ganapin-2nd grade, and Miss Kelly Dawe-3rd grade. She also wants to thank all the PGFC volunteer judges for their help whenever they have time. They are Mr. Mark Birmingham, Mrs. Mirasol Dayao, Mrs. Sheryl Batenga, Mrs. Marivic Pascual, Mrs. Rose Shirata, Mrs. Mary Ann Sacramento, Mr. Renato Macatangay, and Ms. Marites Gortayo.
Continental to start New Year with flight powered by sustainable biofuels
HOUSTON (Continental Airlines) — Continental Airlines has announced plans for the first biofuel-powered demonstration flight of a U.S. commercial airliner, to be conducted in Houston on Jan. 7, 2009.
The demonstration flight, which will be operated with no passengers, will be powered by a special fuel blend including components derived from algae and jatropha plants — sustainable, second-generation fuel sources that don’t impact food crops or water resources, and don’t contribute to deforestation.
Continental has partnered on this project with Boeing CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of General Electric Company and Snecma (SAFRAN Group); refining technology developer UOP, a Honeywell company; and oil providers Sapphire Energy (algae) and Terrasol (jatropha).
The demonstration flight will be the first biofuel flight by a commercial carrier using algae as a fuel source and the first using a two-engine aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines.
The fuel used in one of the two CFM engines during the demonstration flight will be a blend of 50 percent traditional jet fuel, and 50 percent biofuel from algae and jatropha.
Operating under a specially-issued “Experimental” aircraft type certificate, the aircraft will be crewed by Continental’s own FAA-licensed test pilots. With no passengers on board, the flight test plan calls for operating the No. 2 (right) engine on the special biofuel blend, including power accelerations / decelerations, in-flight engine shut-down and restart and other flight maneuvers that include both normal and non-normal procedures. Numerous flight parameters will be recorded, and a post-flight engine analysis will contribute to findings which are expected to show that the biofuel blend is readily substitutable for regular fuel without any degradation of performance or safety, and with a net reduction in carbon emissions.
“This flight represents another step in Continental’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and identifying sustainable, long-term fuel solutions for the aviation industry,” said Continental Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner.
Continental, Boeing, UOP and CFM have worked together for more than nine months on the research, production and testing of the biofuel, including laboratory and ground-based jet engine performance testing to ensure compliance with stringent aviation fuel performance and safety requirements.
As part of a broader industry effort, Boeing and other industry leaders, including airlines and engine manufacturers, are helping to guide the aviation sector toward sustainable biofuels produced through advanced biomass conversion technologies and processes that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gases throughout their lifecycle. Sustainable biofuels for aviation incorporate second-generation methodologies relative to fuel source selection and processing, which are uniquely suited for aerospace use. These biofuels can then be blended with kerosene fuel (Jet-A) to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
Continental’s participation in this project is part of a company-wide commitment to environmental responsibility. On average, Continental burns approximately 18 gallons of fuel to fly one mainline revenue passenger 1,000 miles, which represents a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption since 1997. This is due in large part to the efforts of its employees in streamlining operational procedures and to an investment of more than $12 billion to acquire 270 fuel-efficient Boeing aircraft and related equipment. Continental remains committed to further improving fuel efficiency in the decade to come, including investing in its fleet with orders for more than 50 Boeing 737-900 Next Generation aircraft, and 25 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Continental has also reduced, by 75 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions from ground equipment at the carrier’s largest hub, in Houston, through switching to electric ground service equipment and other new technology. This technology is now being tested for use in cold climates.
Through these investments and other projects, including the construction of airport facilities in an environmentally responsible manner, the testing of alternative fuels in ground service equipment, offering a credible carbon offsetting program based on the actual fuel burn of the Continental fleet, and an expansive recycling program, Continental will continue to manage the environmental impact of its business.
Recreational shooting
(DPS) — The Department of Public Safety’s firearm training facility in As Matuis, will be open for civilian gun owners for test firing and recreational purposes.
Participants will be assessed a $5 fee for one hour of recreational shooting.
Participants may pay the required fee at the CNMI Treasury, located at the Guma Hustisia.
Participants must bring with them a payment of receipt and present a valid firearms permit prior to live fire exercise/recreational shooting.
The firearm training facility will be open on Dec. 11-13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call Range Master Ambrose T. Ogumoro or Officer David Hosono at 664-9031.
OIA assessment team visits Yap
COLONIA. Yap (Department of Youth and Civic Affairs) — A five-member team led by Herb Wade, PhD is visiting Yap for two weeks to carry out an assessment study on the overall operation of the Yap State Public Service Corp.
Wade said in response to a request by YSPSC to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, the team is here to look at long-term strategies for imposed tariff and financial structure for the corporation that would be affordable to the consumers.
The overall objective of the assessment study is to ensure that the YSPSC’s operation and services are not only sustainable but also efficient as well as affordable.
Gov. Sebastian Anefal, in welcoming the team members to Yap, shared his grave concern regarding the present situation of the corporation.
He noted its unprecedented reliance on direct government subsidies, which he described as unsustainable and will “sink” the state into financial hardship.
He also urged the team to look at the enabling legislation of YSPSC to see if there are areas where changes might be necessary to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure sustainability of services.
The team will also be meeting with other key players of the energy sector, including policy makers within the state.
During the two weeks of stay, two members of the team will be flying out to Falalop Ulithi to assess the water condition.
A second mission is expected to take place at the end of Feb. 2009 just prior to completion of their report in March 2009.
