By Pacific Island Times News Staff Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero today declared a state of emergency for Guam after placing the island in Condition of Readiness 2 amid the approaching Tropical Storm Champi, which continues to strengthen and is forecast to intensify into a supertyphoon. The 90-day emergency declaration authorizes $250,000 in emergency procurement of rental of heavy equipment, debris removal, nursing and medical support services at the community health centers, typhoo

Tropical Depression 29W has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Champi, with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour and is expected to continue intensifying into a typhoon before passing through the Marianas.

By Pacific Island Times News Staff The 38th Guam Legislature today passed an emergency bill appropriating $12 million in pre-landfall funding to assist with storm preparation, response and recovery efforts in anticipation of Tropical Depression 29W, which the weather office said might have the same strength as Typhoon Mawar. Bill 371-38, authored by Sen. Telo Taitague, taps Guam's Rainy Day Fund to help government agencies, village mayors and emergency shelters prepare for