City planning director on medical leave

George Atta, the city’s director of planning and zoning, has been on medical leave since Aug. 29 due to an undisclosed illness, and his deputy, Art Challacombe, has been named temporary acting director, city officials confirmed Wednesday.

Atta has headed the Department of Planning and Permitting since Mayor Kirk Caldwell took office in early 2012.

The Caldwell administration is “hopeful and optimistic” that Atta, a lifelong planner formerly with Group 70 International, will make a full recovery and return to his post, mayoral spokesman Jesse Broder Van Dyke said.

Challacombe has worked for the city for 33 years, 30 years in DPP or its preceding agencies. DPP Chief Planner Kathy Sokugawa, who has worked for the city for 35 years, was named by Caldwell as acting deputy director.

Man reports being shot at

Hawaii County police arrested and charged a 53-year-old Mountain View woman for allegedly pointing a rifle at a 52-year-old Mountain View man and shooting the firearm.

The man reported to police he heard a gunshot from behind him when he arrived home and opened his gate Monday afternoon at his Ala Naualani Road house in the Fern Forest subdivision.

He turned around and saw a woman allegedly pointing a rifle toward him and then fleeing from the area, police said.

Police learned the woman’s identity and arrested Denise Slusser at her home.

She was charged Wednesday with second-degree reckless endangering, first-degree terroristic threatening and a firearm charge. Her bail was set at $7,500.

Kauai to collect hazardous waste

Early next month residential household hazardous waste can be dropped off free of charge at Kauai County refuse locations.

Acceptable items include automotive products, lead-acid batteries, lawn-and-garden products, oil-based paints, paint thinners and stains, fluorescent lights and batteries.

The collection will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at these locations:

>> Hanalei refuse transfer station, 5-3751 Kuhio Highway, Oct. 1.

>> Kapaa Baseyard, 4900 Kahau Road, Oct. 1.

>> Hanapepe refuse transfer station, 4380 Lele Road, Oct. 2.

>> Lihue refuse transfer station, 3450 Ahukini Road, Oct. 2

No commercial or farm waste will be accepted, county officials said. In addition, latex paint will not be accepted as it is not considered household hazardous waste.