At 1 p.m. yesterday, Vamco was centered near latitude 15.9 degrees north and longitude 157.0 degrees east, or about 830 miles east of Saipan.
No watches or warnings were in effect for the CNMI.
Vamco was moving northwest at 10 mph.
This general motion was expected to continue during the next 24 hours with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
Vamco was expected to gradually intensify during the next 24 hours.
Fitial is reminding the public to closely follow the progress of Vamco through EMO and local media sources.
Legislative briefings
THE following meetings have been scheduled:
• Joint legislative briefing on the Retirement Fund judgment, or Civil Action 06-0367, Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 2 p.m. in the House chamber.
The briefing with the Fund’s negotiating team, chaired by Pedro Dela Cruz, is intended to be a starting point for negotiations.
• Joint legislative meeting with staffers of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. in the House chamber.
Senate staffers Isaac Edwards and Al Stayman are expected to attend.
SHRM membership meeting
(SHRM) — The Society for Human Resource Management will have two special speakers for its August general membership meeting:
• David Gulick, district director for U.S. Homeland Security-Pacific Region, will present important information on the plans for federalization.
• CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan will provide an update on various issues that his office is working on.
The meeting will be held at the Sandcastle, Hyatt Regency Saipan, on Thursday, Aug. 20.
Doors open at 11:15 a.m. for registration.
Cost for members is $20 and $30 for non-members.
For more information, e-mail Marlene C. Cruz at [email protected] or call Denise Montenegro at the Hyatt Regency, 234-1234. You may also e-mail [email protected] or Frannie T. Salas at [email protected].
NMI awarded over $100K in federal grant
(Office of the Governor) — The CNMI Emergency Management Office has informed the governor’s office that the CNMI government has been awarded $165,000 in National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program funding and Storm Ready, Tsunami Ready Program funding for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
Funding for these programs has been extended from July 31, 2009 to July 31, 2010.
The total funding for the FY 2008 grant is $59,750.
The FY 2009 grant funding amount is $105,340.
According to EMO, FY 2009 funding will be used to developed tsunami inundation maps for Saipan and create a public awareness campaign through the schools and for the general public.
FY 2008 funding will be used to complete tsunami evacuation signs for Saipan.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial thanked EMO for securing these funds for the CNMI and urged the office to comply with all grant requirements and complete all planned projects.
Pesticide workshop
(NMC-CREES) — The structural category pesticide workshop is primarily intended for commercial pest control applicators using restricted use pesticides.
This training will focus on the structural building and pests such as termites, roaches, ants and rodents.
The workshop will be held on Sept. 1-4, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at NMC-Tinian campus.
This workshop will focus on the principles of pest control, insect biology, environmental concerned, loading and handling, labeling, math calibration and DEQ regulations.
Participants must attend the complete training course and pass the pesticide safety examination and have pesticide safety and education program license in order to purchase and use the restricted use pesticides.
The CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, and Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research and Education Service are sponsoring this workshop.
Structural pesticide operators and interested individuals are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Arnold Route at 234-5498 ext 1432, Sid Cabrera at 234-5498 or Reina Camacho at 664-8522.
Long-term business permits renewal application
(Department of Commerce) — The Department of Commerce informs the public, particularly all foreign investors and their designated agents in the commonwealth, that pursuant to 4 CMC § 5944(g), holders of long-term business certificates may apply for a renewal by submitting an application at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the long-term business entry permit.
Existing long-term permit holders with permits expiring any time after Aug. 21, 2009, may submit their renewal applications prior to the close of business on Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, with all of the required documents.
Current long-term permit holders are encouraged to submit their renewal applications prior to the established deadline. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Foreign investors that fall under the $50,000 investment threshold requirement will be given until Oct. 15, 2009 to submit their renewal applications.
All new applicants must submit their applications at least 10 calendar days prior to the expiration of their entry permit.
Applications submitted within less than 10 days from the expiration of the entry permit will be denied.
For more information, contact the Foreign Investment Office at 664-3018 or e-mail [email protected].
