The Guam Daily Post

The Guam Daily Post The Guam Daily Post is the island's fastest growing media outlet, providing the most local news coverage.
(1)

Donavan Carriaga was found not guilty of killing Adam Messier in 2017.On Wednesday afternoon in the Superior Court of Gu...
12/08/2026

Donavan Carriaga was found not guilty of killing Adam Messier in 2017.

On Wednesday afternoon in the Superior Court of Guam, a jury found Carriaga not guilty of complicity to commit murder as a first-degree felony and the lesser included offense, complicity to commit manslaughter. Carriaga was also alleged to have used a deadly weapon in the commission of the murder, but since he was acquitted of the murder charge, he was inherently not guilty of using a deadly weapon.

The charge stems from the 2017 death of Adam Messier in an upper Tumon condominium. Carriaga was charged in 2021, along with two others, Curtis Blas and Brandon Flaherty, when Messier's remains were eventually found four years after his death.

After the verdict was read, Carriaga's head dropped. He began to cover his eyes and face, all while emotions began to pour out and his lawyers embraced him. He was then told he would be released of all conditions, primarily having to wear an electronic monitor around his ankle.

Carriaga faced life in prison for the charge if he had been found guilty.

The verdict means all individuals charged in connection to Messier's death have had their cases resolved. Blas pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and is serving 10 years in prison for his involvement. Flaherty also pleaded guilty in exchange for testifying in Carriaga's trial and is pending sentencing. Jason Alianza, Messier's roommate at the time, was also allegedly involved in orchestrating the attack but reportedly died in 2019.

✏️ Shane Tenorio Healy | The Guam Daily Post
📷 David Castro | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

Donavan Carriaga was found not guilty of killing Adam Messier in 2017.

The Guam Department of Labor announced that open enrollment for the School Year 2026-2027 In-School Youth Year-Round Pro...
11/08/2026

The Guam Department of Labor announced that open enrollment for the School Year 2026-2027 In-School Youth Year-Round Program will begin on Aug. 24 and continue through Sept. 30.

The In-School Youth Year-Round Program provides eligible high school students with academic support, career exploration opportunities, paid work experience and guidance in planning for education or employment after graduation. The program is designed to help students develop the skills, credentials and work readiness needed to succeed in today’s labor market.

The program includes a two-week winter session and a one-week spring session that provide classroom-based instruction in professional development, communication, customer service and leadership. Students who complete those sessions are then placed in a six-week paid summer employment program, where they are matched with a private-sector employer in a career field or industry that aligns with their interests and gain hands-on experience in a real workplace environment. Participants receive stipends during each session of the program.

Students must meet eligibility requirements to qualify.

Interested students may apply online at bit.ly/inschoolyouth or speak with a school counselor to learn more about the program and eligibility criteria.

For more information, contact the Guam Department of Labor at 671-475-7000/1 or email [email protected].

📷 Frank San Nicolas | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

The Guam Department of Labor announced that open enrollment for the School Year 2026-2027 In-School Youth Year-Round Program will begin on Aug. 24 and continue through Sept. 30.

Vice Speaker Tony Ada is seeking clarification from the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority regarding protections f...
11/08/2026

Vice Speaker Tony Ada is seeking clarification from the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority regarding protections for Housing Choice Voucher program participants who are required to move into smaller rental units but are unable to find suitable units in Guam's "limited rental market," according to a release from the vice speaker.

"Families doing everything required of them should not face the loss of housing assistance simply because suitable housing is unavailable," Ada stated in a release.

"Housing stability is especially critical for families with children, whose schools, neighborhoods, and daily routines depend on it," he added.

Ada, who leads the legislative committee on housing and land, has received concerns from voucher holders whose authorized bedroom sizes were reduced under GHURA occupancy standards, according to the release.

The vice speaker wants clarification on options available to participants who can document an unsuccessful good faith housing search, including whether voucher extension or other accommodations may be permitted under federal regulations and GHURA's administration plan, the release added.

GHURA Executive Director Elizabeth Napoli said Ada asked GHURA to respond within 15 business days and requested data for the information he is seeking. The agency will respond accordingly, Napoli added.

✏️ John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post
📷 David Castro | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

Vice Speaker Tony Ada is seeking clarification from the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority regarding protections for Housing Choice Voucher program participants who are required to move into smaller

As search efforts for a reported distressed swimmer reached their second day, the Guam Fire Department identified the sw...
11/08/2026

As search efforts for a reported distressed swimmer reached their second day, the Guam Fire Department identified the swimmer as 28-year-old Nico Camacho.

On Sunday afternoon, the Guam Police Department responded to a reported distressed swimmer at Gun Beach in Tumon.

Search efforts were subsequently launched on Sunday night and continued all through Monday and Tuesday, according to GFD spokesperson Nick Garrido.

At 12 p.m., while search efforts were ongoing on Tuesday, Garrido publicly identified the swimmer as Camacho, 28, at the request of Camacho's mother and family. A photo was also shared.

"His mother and family are also asking for the public's continued assistance as search efforts remain ongoing," Garrido shared.

"Nico's family and all partners involved are asking boaters, fishermen, beachgoers, and anyone along the surrounding coastline to remain vigilant. Anyone who observes anything that may assist with the search is asked to immediately contact 911," Garrido added.

Camacho was last seen wearing multicolored shorts and no shirt at Gun Beach on Sunday afternoon.

✏️ Shane Tenorio Healy | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

As search efforts for a reported distressed swimmer reached their second day, the Guam Fire Department identified the swimmer as 28-year-old Nico Camacho.

Sen. Vincent Borja, head of the legislative committee on education, has asked the Guam Academy Charter Schools Council t...
11/08/2026

Sen. Vincent Borja, head of the legislative committee on education, has asked the Guam Academy Charter Schools Council to answer a number of questions about monitoring and accountability enforcement as concerns mount about charter schools.

"At what point does monitoring become enforcement? ... And ultimately, at what point does the council revoke a charter?" Borja wrote to GACSC Chair Evangeline Cepeda in a letter Tuesday.

"These are not rhetorical questions. The (Guam) Legislature needs answers," Borja added.

The senator said his committee intends to conduct an oversight hearing regarding the island's charter school system, including the role and responsibility of the GACSC.

He added that his goal isn't to undermine charter schools, but to determine what is and isn't working, and whether the council is exercising its authority and if that authority needs strengthening.

He asked the council to provide every charter school's audit status and the actions it takes when a charter school fails to submit a required audit. He also asked the GACSC what actions it has taken regarding SiFA's facility situation and if the council believes it possesses sufficient enforcement authority and can identify any powers that are lacking, as well as a number of other questions.

✏️ John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post
📷 Frank San Nicolas | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

Sen. Vincent Borja, head of the legislative committee on education, has asked the Guam Academy Charter Schools Council to answer a number of questions about monitoring and accountability enforcement as

The Guam Office of Veterans Affairs will have to wait another year for a $14 million federal grant meant to expand the i...
11/08/2026

The Guam Office of Veterans Affairs will have to wait another year for a $14 million federal grant meant to expand the island's veterans cemetery after the agency missed a September deadline to finish required design work, according to the senator who chairs the Legislature's veterans affairs committee.

Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane told an audience of veterans and advocates Tuesday that she pushed the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs, or GOVA, repeatedly to secure the money, then learned this month that the required work missed a federal deadline.

"Unfortunately, I was recently informed that the funding opportunity will now have to be pushed to the next fiscal year because the architecture and engineering work, A&E, was not completed by the September deadline," Matanane said during opening remarks at the University of Guam's fifth annual Veteran Symposium, hosted by the nonprofit I Hinanao I Magahet Yan I Ininna, known as HMI.

She said the timing was difficult to accept, given the cemetery's needs.

"And I tell you, that was disappointing to hear," Matanane said. "When we have an opportunity for $14 million in federal money to Guam to improve and expand our Veterans Cemetery, we need to do everything we can to be ready when that opportunity comes."

Matanane said officials told her the $14 million grant opportunity is expected to return next fiscal year and that the A&E contract remains on track.

✏️ Walter Ulloa | The Guam Daily Post
📷 David Castro | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

The Guam Office of Veterans Affairs will have to wait another year for a $14 million federal grant meant to expand the island's veterans cemetery after the agency missed a

10/08/2026

F Four people involved in a fatal traffic crash in Talo'fo'fo have died.

On Aug 1, the Guam Police Department responded to a fatal auto-object crash that occurred in Talo'fo'fo and sent four individuals to the hospital with serious injuries.

In an Aug. 7 update on the investigation, GPD shared all four individuals, Daviah Crisostomo, 19, Michael Ulloa, 33, Juanita Ashley Vilenna Quitugua, 42, and Kalena Ha'ani Saeka Agustin, 18, had died.

In a previous update on the case last week, GPD shared Ulloa, Quitugua, and Agustin had died, and at the time, The Guam Daily Post confirmed with family members Crisostomo remained in critical condition.

In the days before Crisostomo died, a GoFundMe page had been created to help her family raise funds for medical costs. On Wednesday, Jennise Crisostomo, Daviah's aunt and organizer of the page, announced her niece died.

"As a family, we want to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed to her final days. Your generosity, prayers, and simply sharing this link have made a profound impact on us. The overwhelming love and support you have shown us during this challenging time have truly touched our hearts. Though Daviah is no longer with us, her legacy will live on in the love and cherished memories shared by all our family and friends," Jennise Cristostomo wrote.

Quitugua, Ulloa, and Agustin were confirmed to be Daviah Crisostomo's aunt, aunt's spouse, and cousin, respectively.

✏️ Shane Tenorio Healy | The Guam Daily Post
📷 David Castro | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

Four people involved in a fatal traffic crash in Talo'fo'fo have died.

10/08/2026

A murder trial for a 2017 homicide could go to the jury this week.

On Monday afternoon, the trial for Donavan Carriaga continued in the Superior Court of Guam with jurors hearing testimony from FBI forensic anthropologist Angi Christensen. Carriaga is charged with complicity to commit murder and using a deadly weapon in connection to the death of Adam Messier in 2017.

Christensen was the only witness called to the stand on Monday and testified about her involvement in the case, which included conducting an examination of Messier’s remains.

Although killed in 2017, Messier’s remains were eventually found buried at a Yigo ranch property in 2021.

Christensen, who was deemed an expert witness in her field, was brought on the case because Messier’s remains found in 2021 were reduced down to his skeleton. Her testimony also comes about a week after forensic pathologist Dr. Martin Ishikawa testified he required the assistance of a forensic anthropologist to complete his autopsy report on Messier. Ishikawa’s autopsy ruled Messier died from blunt force trauma and ruled his death a homicide.

Carriaga is accused of strangling Messier with a tie strap at an Upper Tumon apartment in 2017, while alleged co-actors Curtis Blas, Brandon Flaherty, and Jason Alianza participated in the fatal altercation.

✏️ Shane Tenorio Healy | The Guam Daily Post
📷 David Castro | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

A murder trial for a 2017 homicide could go to the jury this week.

10/08/2026

The search for a missing person launched in late June has been suspended.

"The Guam Police Department made the difficult decision to suspend active search operations for Robert A.T. Taimanglo, also known as 'Berta,'" police spokesperson Norman Analista confirmed in a media statement on Friday.

A search was launched after Taimanglo's vehicle was spotted along Pagat Hiking Trail in Mangilao at around 7:30 a.m. on June 25.

"Efforts to locate Berta have included, but are not limited to, extensive searches of relevant areas, the resources deployed, reviews of flight records, and guidance obtained from search specialists," Analista said before confirming the case will remain open.

"GPD will continue to review any new information or credible leads, and additional search efforts may be considered if new evidence or circumstances arise. Anyone with information is encouraged to call GPD at 671-475-8615-7," Analista said.

Taimanglo's family was notified of the decision, and GPD extended their thoughts to Taimanglo's family, friends, and all affected by the situation.

✏️ Shane Tenorio Healy | The Guam Daily Post
📷 Frank San Nicolas | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

The search for a missing person launched in late June has been suspended.

10/08/2026

Lawmakers briefly opened their 10th special session this term on Monday morning before recessing to return Wednesday.

The special session is meant to address the governor's revised fiscal year 2027 budget.

Before recessing, lawmakers discussed which government agencies and officials would be invited into the Committee of the Whole to discuss the revised budget.

Sen. Chris Duenas, chair of the legislative Committee on Finance and Government Operations, said there will be a presentation from the governor's administration, which would include the Bureau of Budget and Management Research, Department of Administration and Guam Economic Development Authority.

Any other agencies would also be invited at the request of lawmakers, Duenas added.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero vetoed the fiscal 2027 budget bill passed on July 20 by Republican lawmakers.

She expressed concerns about the loss of government revenues from the bill's reduction of the business privilege tax to 4%, stating that critical government programs will bear the burden of the reduction.

✏️ John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post
📷 David Castro | The Guam Daily Post

Get the full story at postguam.com

Lawmakers briefly opened their 10th special session this term on Monday morning before recessing to return Wednesday.

Address

Tamuning

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00
Thursday 08:30 - 17:00
Friday 08:30 - 17:00

Telephone

+16716491924

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Guam Daily Post posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Guam Daily Post:

Shortcuts

Share

Category