Candidate’s suit claiming TV bias dismissed

A federal judge is dismissing a lawsuit by a former nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate that said Hawaii television stations discriminated against her for not allowing her to appear in a televised debate.

U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi dismissed Joy Allison’s lawsuit Monday. Allison, of Waikoloa, filed the $8 million suit in August, alleging that the TV stations collectively known as Hawaii News Now wouldn’t put Allison on air because she hadn’t raised enough money for her campaign.

Hawaii News Now attorney David Major said Allison’s lawsuit didn’t have any valid claims.

Kobayashi says she’ll issue a written order explaining her decision by the end of the month or early next month.

Hawaii Chief Election Officer Scott Nago says there aren’t any state laws for debates. Allison plans to appeal.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Police identify drowning victim  as Utah visitor

Police identified the 69-year-old man who drowned off Anini Beach on Kauai as Junies Jenkins of St. George, Utah. 

At about 3 p.m. Sunday, Jenkins was walking in shallow water near the channel when he was swept into the ocean by a rip current, according to a county news release.

Lifeguards arriving on personal watercraft saw beachgoers trying to rescue Jenkins using paddleboards and a dive buoy.

He was unresponsive when firefighters initiated CPR. 

Jenkins was pronounced dead at Wilcox Hospital.

Trial scheduled for Maui man in fatal crash

WAILUKU >> A 70-year-old man suspected of causing a fatal accident nine months ago is scheduled to be tried Jan. 26 in Maui Circuit Court.

The Maui News reported Tuesday that Darrell Orwig of Makawao pleaded not guilty at arraignment last week to a charge of second-degree negligent homicide.

Prosecutors say that just before 1 p.m. March 1, Orwig was behind the wheel of a small sedan that crossed the centerline of Baldwin Avenue in Makawao and struck a motorcycle operated by 55-year-old William Lyon of Makawao.

Lyon suffered life-threatening injuries and later died.

Judge Rhonda Loo ordered Orwig not to drive until the case is resolved. She also ordered Orwig not to contact Lyon’s family.

Defense attorney Philip Lowenthal says Orwig hasn’t been driving.

Star-Advertiser staff and Associated Press