Rising costs add to pandemic pain for small businesses
NEW YORK — In just two weeks, the cost of pecans for the pies at Peggy Jean’s Pies in Columbia, Missouri, has surged nearly 40%, perplexing co-owner Rebecca Miller and adding to the cost of doing business. Miller will soon have to bump up the price of her Southern Pecan, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan, and German Chocolate pies by $2 to $24.
COVID deaths and cases are rising again at US nursing homes
COVID-19 infections are soaring again at U.S. nursing homes because of the omicron wave, and deaths are climbing too, leading to new restrictions on family visits and a renewed push to get more residents and staff members vaccinated and boosted.
Tsunami threat recedes from huge Pacific volcanic eruption
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The tsunami threat around the Pacific from a huge undersea volcanic eruption began to recede early Sunday, while the extent of damage to Tonga remained unclear.
‘It could have been worse’: Tsunami triggered by volcanic eruption in Tonga causes minor damage in West Hawaii
A Keauhou Bay business sustained heavy damage Saturday morning as an approximately 3-foot tsunami surge tore through the Sea Quest retail store.
Federal funds to help ‘rebuild bridges across Hawaii’: State to receive $339M for repairs, improvements
Hawaii will receive $339 million in new federal funding over five years to repair and improve the state’s bridges, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced in a Friday statement.
Traffic fatalities return to prepandemic levels in 2021
Last year was a much deadlier one on Big Island roads than 2020, when coronavirus-related lockdowns resulted in shuttered drinking establishments and fewer drivers on the roads.
Biden team regroups after court loss on COVID shots-or-test
WASHINGTON — Concerned but not giving up, President Joe Biden is anxiously pushing ahead to prod people to get COVID-19 shots after the Supreme Court put a halt to the administration’s sweeping vaccinate-or-test plan for large employers.
White House: Russia prepping pretext for Ukraine invasion
WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence officials have determined a Russian effort is underway to create a pretext for its troops to further invade Ukraine, and Moscow has already prepositioned operatives to conduct “a false-flag operation” in eastern Ukraine, according to the White House.
Goodbye ‘godsend’: Expiration of child tax credits hits home
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For the first time in half a year, families on Friday are going without a monthly deposit from the child tax credit — a program that was intended to be part of President Joe Biden’s legacy but has emerged instead as a flash point over who is worthy of government support.
In vaccination battles, pro athletes become proxy players
LOS ANGELES — The pandemic-era saga of tennis star Novak Djokovic in Australia this week is but one of many: Pro athletes who have refused to be vaccinated have been put at center court in a larger contest — as famous faces who are becoming proxy players in the accelerating worldwide cultural battles over COVID jabs.
The heat stays on: Earth hits 6th warmest year on record
Earth simmered to the sixth hottest year on record in 2021, according to several newly released temperature measurements.
COVID-19 pill rollout stymied by shortages as omicron rages
WASHINGTON — Two brand-new COVID-19 pills that were supposed to be an important weapon against the pandemic in the U.S. are in short supply and have played little role in the fight against the omicron wave of infections.
Hundreds of COVID-19 tests lost: Those testing at Old Kona Airport Park notified of mishap
Hundreds of people who waited hours in line for a COVID test Friday at Old Kona Airport Park learned Thursday that those tests were lost in transit.
FEMA assists hundreds of Hawaii families with funeral costs
Those who lost a loved one to COVID-19 could still be eligible for federal financial assistance of up to $9,000 for funeral expenses incurred on or after Jan. 20, 2020.
Voter registration database questioned
Investigating errors and possible fraud in the state’s voter registration database is the responsibility of the county elections clerks and not the state, Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago told the state Elections Commission on Wednesday.
Hospitals tighten visitor restrictions: Surge of COVID patients crowding HMC, others
Hilo Medical Center is limiting visitors again in response to the influx of COVID-19 patients entering the hospital.
8 projects ID’d for Puna: List includes waterlines, wells aimed at helping region recover from 2018 eruption
The few remaining homes in Kapoho might get their water restored after all.
A Grand return to Hilo: Passengers, vendors excited to have cruise ships back; some on social media critical
The first cruise ship passengers have arrived in Hilo since March 2020.
Schools get new COVID-19 guidance from DOH
Students will be permitted to return to school more quickly after being sick with COVID-19, according to the state Department of Health.
The great gate debate: Lawsuits follow barrier plan on West Hawaii road
Property owners along a private Holualoa road are embroiled in litigation over a gate some owners are building to try to make the area safer at night.
