New variant cause for concern, not panic, Biden tells US
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden called the new coronavirus variant omicron a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic” Monday and said he was not considering any widespread U.S. lockdown. He urged Americans anew to get fully vaccinated, including booster shots, and return to face masks indoors in public settings to slow any spread.
Cost of Government Commission to convene
Mayor Mitch Roth has tapped residents with backgrounds in the island Fire Department, U.S. Marines and Army, as well as a forensic engineer, software engineer and meteorologist to serve on the Cost of Government Commission, and he’s looking for three more candidates.
DLIR reopening offices statewide on Wednesday
The state Department of Labor &Industrial Relations will reopen offices statewide beginning Wednesday.
Hilo couple faces felony abuse charges
Two Hilo residents were indicted for a string of domestic abuse incidents that occurred in September and October, according to county Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen.
Ocean View man critically injured in accident
A 37-year-old Ocean View man suffered severe injuries following a two-vehicle collision Saturday at the intersection of Plumeria Lane and Coconut Drive in Ocean View.
Single-lane road closure on Kapu‘e Stream Bridge
There is an alternating single-lane road closure in effect on Kapu‘e Stream Bridge, according to the county Department of Environmental Management.
Coconut Island closed next week for maintenance
The pedestrian bridge and Coconut Island will be closed from Tuesday, Dec. 7, through Friday, Dec. 17, while the county Department of Parks and Recreation conducts repairs on the bridge handrails.
Books documenting Portuguese immigrants on display Saturday
The Hawaii Plantation Museum is hosting an event that could help residents learn about their ancestors.
Green hopeful that ‘what we’ve done so far is enough’ to guard against omicron variant
Lt. Gov. Josh Green said he’s “honestly concerned” about the newly discovered omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, but added that panic — especially in Hawaii — is premature.
Hawaii girl’s adoptive parents plead not guilty to murder
HONOLULU — A Hawaii couple accused of killing their 6-year-old adoptive daughter a month before reporting her missing pleaded not guilty to murder Monday.
State briefs for November 30
Rental car center to open at Honolulu airport
Maxwell, Epstein were ‘partners in crime,’ prosecutor says
NEW YORK — Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein were “partners in crime” in the sexual abuse of teenage girls, a prosecutor said Monday, while Maxwell’s lawyers said she was being made a scapegoat for a man’s bad behavior as the British socialite’s sex trafficking trial got underway in New York.
Powell says COVID variant clouds inflation, economic outlook
WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says that the appearance of a new COVID-19 variant could slow the economy and hiring, while also raising uncertainty about inflation.
Your Views for November 30
Saddle Road mess
It’s long past time for the Senate ethics panel to address senators’ Jan. 6 actions
Ten months after a group of Senate Democrats lodged ethics complaints into the conduct of Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas regarding their roles in sparking the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, the Senate Ethics Committee has shown no sign of movement. Both senators tell Politico they haven’t even been contacted by the committee.
Oil release is a gimmick; it won’t provide long-term relief
The problem with using the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves to drive down fuel prices is it’s a temporary solution that, absent a cohesive long-term energy strategy, won’t change the cost trajectory.
Cyber Monday caps holiday shopping weekend as virus lingers
NEW YORK — Americans are spending freely and going back to store shopping, knocking out some of the momentum in online sales from last year when Americans were making many of their purchases exclusively via the internet.
Obituaries for November 30
Charles Jose “Carlos” Garcia, 91, of Hilo died Nov. 19 at home. Born in La Jara, Colo., he was a retired chief observer for the National Center for Atmospheric Research High Altitude Observatory, U.S. Navy veteran and member of Young Men’s Institute, Y’s Men International Club, Toastmasters and Piihonua Kumiai, and avid tennis player. Celebration of life service at a later date. Survived by daughters, Carla (Scott) Chitwood of Hilo and Pamela (John) Homa of Las Cruces, N.M.; sons, Steven (Duan) Garcia of Hilo and Thomas Garcia of Las Vegas; sisters, Eva Mask of Parkton, N.C. and Agnes Moser of Deadwood, S.D.; brother, Julian (Debbie) Garcia of West Columbia, Texas; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Doctor: Many South Africans ill in surge have mild symptoms
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s rapid increase in COVID-19 cases attributed to the new omicron variant is resulting in mostly mild symptoms, doctors say.
Paradise Studio Artist Collective tour set for this weekend
Explore artist studios in Hawaiian Paradise Park and help bring art to the students of local high schools. The Paradise Studio Tour Artist Collective is having their 15th anniversary tour allowing the public into the studios where their art is created. Original art treasures and quality crafted gifts will be on display for sale from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
