Members of the community gathered in front of the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor at the Juan Atalig Sablan Memorial Building in Capitol Hill for the Lady Wella Palacios Foundation’s “Christmas in the Marianas Tree-Lighting Festivity on Tuesday night. The event featured musical numbers from Marianas High School’s Glee Club, Marianas Got Talent’s finalists, and the Department of Public Safety’s “DPS Blues.” To further usher in the holiday season, the live musical performances were accompanied by giveaways of popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and gift vouchers for the first 100 children.

In his welcoming remarks, Governor Arnold I. Palacios expressed his gratitude towards the collaborating departments and agencies that put the holiday villages together, for their hard work truly brought the holiday spirit last night.

Lt. Governor David M. Apatang, in his holiday remarks, asked everyone not to forget about him when they do their Christmas shopping. He also reminded people to be safe during the holidays and not to drive under the influence.

Before handing out McDonald’s gift vouchers to the children present, First Lady Wella Palacios flipped the switch that lit up the entire holiday village on the hill. 

CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios and Lt. Governor David Apatang today met with Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor and Abdiel Rozu, Special Assistant to the Assistant Sec., about a number of issues, including the status of OIA-funded projects, CNMI economic initiatives, convening 902 talks, and other matters. They were joined by Harry Blanco, field representative for the Department of Interior Office of Insular Affairs

Recently, Governor Palacios and Lt. Governor Apatang joined the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in cutting the ribbon for their new outpatient drive-up pharmacy. This new addition to the hospital significantly improves patient access to medication. 

As part of its commitment to bolster the CNMI’s local healthcare workforce, Northern Marianas College cut the ribbon for its new Health Simulation Center earlier this week. The center will be an addition to the campus and an integral part of the nursing and allied health programs. The center features high-quality patient mannequins in a simulated hospital room, equipped with a control room for instructors to monitor student performance. 

Over the weekend, the CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) hosted a Veterans Day ceremony at the American Memorial Park, to honor and show gratitude to those who have served, those who died and those who continue to bear the scars of their service.

Marking their return to Saipan since their last visit several years ago, the Katori Shrine Group (members of the Katori Shrine in Chiba, Japan) recently hosted the Saipan Katori Shrine Ceremony at the Sugar King Park in Garapan.

Last Friday, the 17th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council hosted an In Memoriam ceremony in remembrance of the thousands of civilian Chamorro and Carolinian lives lost during the Battle of Saipan in 1944. With Governor Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Governor David M. Apatang and other dignitaries and members of the community in attendance, floral wreaths were laid at the granite edifice at the American Memorial Park, which was erected in 2004, to honor the civilians who perished. Their names are engraved in the granite for all to see and to which all can pay their respects.