Deedy trial progresses despite appeal
Jury selection has begun in the murder trial of a federal agent charged in a Waikiki McDonald’s shooting death, although uncertainty remains about where the case could end up.
Christopher Deedy’s attorneys are appealing to have the case moved to federal court. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in June.
Deedy is accused of killing a Hawaii man in November 2011 while in town for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
A U.S. district judge in August denied his motion to have the case moved to federal court.
Prosecutors argue the appeal is moot because the case is moving forward in state court and because Deedy withdrew a motion to dismiss the case because he was acting as a federal law enforcement officer.
Powerful quake poses no tsunami threat
A large earthquake struck Thursday near the Kuril islands off Russia but did not generate a Pacific-wide tsunami, officials said.
The 7.0-magnitude quake struck at 5:05 p.m. Hawaii time and was centered 155 miles east-northeast of Kurilsk, Russia, and 323 miles northeast of Nemuro, Japan, at a depth of 76 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The magnitude initially was estimated at 7.2.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach said there is no threat to Hawaii.
In November 2006 an 8.3-magnitude quake shook the Kurils, and small tsunamis hit Japan and Hawaii.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Wave Runner found adrift, prompts search
The Coast Guard and Hawaii County Fire Department searched waters off Kailua-Kona on Thursday after a personal watercraft was found adrift.
Rescuers were looking for a person who may have been using a blue Wave Runner that was found by a fishing vessel two miles west of Kailua-Kona. The watercraft was taken to "jet ski island," a floating platform for rental vessels. It belonged to a rental company, which told officials someone may have tried to steal it.
A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was diverted to search the area, arriving at about 10 a.m. Anyone with information on a possible person in distress should call the Sector Honolulu Command Center at 842-2600.
Scam targets Kauai utility’s customers
The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative warned customers Thursday about a possible telephone scam.
Commercial customers have told the utility about receiving calls saying their electric bills were past due and that they would have to provide credit card information in order to maintain service.
The utility does not typically call customers about delinquent bills, and does not request credit card information over the phone, the utility said.
Customers are advised not to provide personal, confidential or financial information when responding to unsolicited phone calls.
For details or to report a suspicious call, call the utility, 246-4300, or Kauai police at 241-1711.