Kona man gets 10 years behind bars for abuse of two women
A 25-year-old Kona man was ordered to spend a decade behind bars for an array of crimes committed during three separate domestic violence incidents.
Chargers reach playoffs, beat Foles, overmatched Colts 20-3
INDIANAPOLIS — Austin Ekeler scored on two 1-yard runs and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their first playoff berth since 2018, intercepting Indianapolis quarterback Nick Foles three times to beat the overmatched Colts 20-3 on Monday night.
Police locate missing California woman
Update: Hawaii Island police reported Tuesday that 42-year-old Heather Heathman of California, who was previously reported missing, was located in Hilo on Friday in good health.
Nearly $10M in state funds go to Hilo schools
A pair of Hilo high schools together will receive about $10 million in state funds to improve their facilities.
Plan would relocate endangered state birds to Big Island
Critically endangered forest birds on Maui and Kauai could find new homes on the Big Island, according to a plan by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Biden, first lady thank service members in Christmas calls
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden celebrated a quiet Christmas with his family at the White House and spoke with service members stationed around the world.
Frigid monster storm across US claims at least 34 lives
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Millions of people hunkered down against a deep freeze Sunday to ride out the winter storm that has killed at least 34 people across the United States and is expected to claim more lives after trapping some residents inside houses with heaping snow drifts and knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
Obituaries: December 26, 2022
Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. Content is subject to editing for parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Stuck at the border, migrants find a little Christmas cheer
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — After fleeing violence in their Guatemalan town, but with their way to relatives in California blocked by continuing U.S. asylum restrictions, a family of 15 joined an Advent candlelight ceremony organized by their shelter just south of the border.
Putin claims Moscow ready for Ukraine talks as attacks go on
KYIV, Ukraine — President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia is ready for talks to end the war in Ukraine even as the country faced more attacks from Moscow — a clear sign that peace wasn’t imminent.
Nation and world news at a glance
Migrants dropped near VP Harris home on frigid Christmas Eve
Kathy Whitworth, winningest golfer in history, dies at 83
Kathy Whitworth set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. Her 88 victories are the most by any player on a single professional tour.
No. 1 Georgia still hungry as defending national champions
ATHENS, Ga. — Kearis Jackson insists he and his Georgia teammates are not content even after adding this year’s Southeastern Conference championship to last season’s drought-breaking national title.
Sports unraveled, collided with politics, racism in 2022
The unspoken deal between sports fans and their favorite teams and players has been, in theory: Sure, there are billions of dollars being thrown around, but at the core, sports are supposed to be fun and games, a never-ending menu of two- or three-hour escapes into a land of winners and losers where nobody really gets hurt.
County fights civil rights charges: Man claims he as wearing an ankle monitor when accused of Puna kidnapping, rape
A Waimea man currently serving time for attacking a Waikoloa man with a knife is suing the county and two police officers in federal court for arresting him on charges he kidnapped, tortured and raped a Puna woman while he was allegedly wearing a pretrial ankle monitor he claims demonstrated his innocence.
HFS Federal Credit Union raises over $25K for The Food Basket
HFS Federal Credit Union has stepped up to help meet the needs of the Big Island with a donation to The Food Basket.
Earning a procurement exemption
This week, we are focusing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). They have been trying to award a tourism marketing contract worth tens of millions of dollars, as they have for the past several years. In the past, that contract has always gone to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), but this time around, there were a few twists and turns.
Commentary: Why we must bring back the full Child Tax Credit
It’s been one year since the last monthly Child Tax Credit (CTC) payment was issued.
McClanahan buzzer beater gives Hawaii first Diamond Head Classic title
HONOLULU (AP) — Jovan McClanahan gave Hawaii fans in general and Rainbow Warriors fans in particular a delayed Christmas present , hitting a long, contested 3-pointer at the buzzer for a 58-57 win over SMU on Sunday night in the championship game of the Diamond Head Classic.
‘ReZOOvenation Days’ planned
The staff of the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens will be working to spruce up the zoo next year.
Report: Demand for state social workers high
Hawaii has a severe demand for social workers.
Middle Tennessee beat San Diego State 25-23 in Hawaii Bowl
HONOLULU — Zeke Rankin kicked four field goals, including a 37-yarder for the go-ahead score with 2:05 left, and Middle Tennessee State beat San Diego State 25-23 in the Hawaii Bowl on Saturday night.
A Rising Star
An early Christmas present came to the Anahu-Ambrosio family in South Kona when their son, a Konawaena standout, signed with Division I University of Nevada, securing his space in Big Island athletes that have made it to the ranks.
CDP action committees revived: County seeks Kona and Puna members in particular
Some 18 months after the county called a halt to filling citizen boards that advise the government on planning and design because the administration wanted to take a hard look at how the boards can best be used, the county has filled some of the regional boards but is actively searching for volunteers for the Kona and Puna boards in particular.
Frigid weather doesn’t stop Santas surfing off Florida coast
COCOA BEACH, Fla. — For the surfing Santas off Florida’s central coast, the Atlantic Ocean felt more like the North Pole than the Sunshine State as temperatures on Saturday morning plunged to around freezing, while freeze warnings were in place for at least half of the state.
