Police charge man with burglary
Big Island police have charged a 30-year-old Hilo man with burglary and other related crimes in connection with a break-in Wednesday that was captured on tape in the Kaumana area of Hilo.
A surveillance video caught a suspect breaking into the house on South Wilder Road several times during a four-hour period. Items removed from the home included fishing gear, car parts, power tools and other items valued in excess of $1,700, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
On Thursday morning, police arrested Justin Fergerstrom and held him at the Hilo police cellblock while they continued the investigation.
Friday afternoon, Fergerstrom was charged with three counts of first-degree burglary and one count of unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle. His bail was set at $85,000. He remains at the cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for today, police said.
Police seek missing girl
Police are asking for help in locating a missing 16-year-old girl.
Ashley Hancock is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds with light brown hair and hazel eyes.
She was last seen wearing a bright blue T-shirt and brown pants at Pohaku Circle and Highway 130 in Puna.
Road work ahead
Alternating single lane closures on Mamalahoa Highway are planned this week in both directions between Kukui Camp Road and North Psyzk Road for pavement construction, according to the state Department of Transportation. Alternating lane closures will also be in effect on Mamalahoa Highway in both directions between mile markers 92.5 and 96.5 in the vicinity of Kaapuna to Kaohe for pavement construction.
Alternating lane closures will happen on Mamalahoa Highway in both directions south of the Waikoloa Road intersection for roadway widening work.
Alternating single lane closures are planned on Mamalahoa Highway in both directions between Uluoa Street and Old Kona Village Road. Pavement striping and guardrail installations will occur.
Alternating lane closures will be in effect on Hawaii Belt Road in both directions between Kahawai Road and Hauola Road, where shoulder paving and guardrail installations will take place.
Alternating lane closures on Puainako Street are planned in both directions between mile markers 0 and 1 for pavement reconstruction.
Crews will be working from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today through Friday. Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting, DOT stated.
Going underground
Hawaii Electric Light Co. will be doing utility work in the Kilohana Subdivision in Kailua-Kona, where underground cables will be replaced.
“The improvements are being made to provide the community power at a high level of reliability,” HELCO stated.
Work will continue for approximately five to six months. Work hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and may vary.
Work begins at the Lako Street intersection, proceeds toward Kokoolua Way, and includes all side streets. Speed is reduced in the work zone and traffic is limited to one lane only. The community is advised to avoid this area as much as possible and drive with caution through the work zone. Please use alternate routes if possible.
Power outages will be minimal. HELCO said it will work with affected customers individually to ensure a safe and smooth transition to the new system.
For more information, call 969-6666.
Police seek missing mower Big Island police are investigating the theft of a riding lawnmower early this month.
Sometime between July 2 and July 3, a red Toro riding mower, model LX460, was removed from the YWCA in Hilo.
Anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the lawnmower is asked call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Fern Forest fire destroys home
A fire destroyed a home in Fern Forest on Saturday.
The Hawaii County Fire Department arrived at the home at 4:41 p.m., and found the small structure fully engulfed.
The fire was out at 5:02 p.m.
The house on Kokokahi Street was unoccupied at the time, according to the Fire Department.
The cause is under investigation.
By local sources