Queen Kaahumanu Highway to be closed for a week
The state Department of Transportation has announced the single lane closure on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19) in both directions between mile markers 94 and 97, Makako Bay Drive and Honokohau Street, starting Saturday, Oct. 31, through Friday, Nov. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., for concrete barrier work with State Parks. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow).
Health insurance deadline approaching
The Med-QUEST Division of the Hawaii Department of Human Services is sharing an important deadline for residents who need affordable health insurance and who do not qualify for Medicaid coverage have 45 days to enroll in an affordable health plan through the health insurance marketplace, the federal website called HealthCare.org.
The open enrollment period is from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 for health coverage that begins January 2021. Applicants are able to create an account at www.healthcare.gov to determine their eligibility for coverage for health plans and subsidies that help make the plans more affordable.
In addition to the website, interested applicants can apply over the phone by calling 1-800-318-2596.
If you have health coverage through the marketplace now, you may review and update your application at HealthCare.gov and report any life changes.
To speak with an interpreter, applicants may call 1-800-318-2596 and say “Agent” or press “0.” Once an agent is on the line, say the name of the language you need. TTY users may call 1-855-889-4325.
In Hawaii, the Med-QUEST Division of the Hawai‘i Department of Human Services assists with community outreach and education for the federal marketplace, which manages eligibility and enrollment functions.
Two arrested in Hilo drug bust
Hawaii Island Police have arrested and charged Chace K. Tam and Mindy K. Helm following the execution of a narcotics search warrant at a residence in the Waiakea House lots area of Hilo on Thursday, Oct. 22.
During the search of the residence, police recovered a 9mm semiautomatic pistol with its serial number removed, a sawed-off shotgun, ammunition, 40.8 grams of methamphetamine, 2.7 grams of heroin broken down into distributable amounts, prescription pills, and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.
Tam was charged with 2 counts of first-degree promoting a dangerous drug, second-degree promoting a dangerous drug , three counts of third-degree promoting a dangerous drug, promoting a harmful drug, three counts of ownership possession prohibited, possession of prohibited weapons, and alteration of identification markings prohibited. His bail was set at $151,000.00. Tam was also arrested on a no bail violation of parole warrant after his initial arrest.
Helm was charged with second-degree promoting a dangerous drug and four counts of third-degree promoting a dangerous drug. Her bail was set at $65,000.00. Helm was also arrested on an outstanding $50,000.00 bench warrant for failure to comply with terms and conditions of probation.
From local and wire sources