Week of March 19, 2026
Week of March 19, 2026
Subscribers can use the link below to access this week's PDF Edition, or use the E-Editions button on the homepage for all of our current and archived PDFs. Click here to view this week's PDF. Thanks for... Full story
U.S. Forest Service leadership is in flux as the agency takes sweeping actions in managing the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest and making regulatory and administrative changes at all levels, Alaska-based officials reported last week. At the beginning of a four-day federal subsistence Regional Advisory Council meeting in Juneau on March 10, Tongass Supervisor Monique Nelson spoke about shifts in the agency since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Nelson said staffing on the Tongass is down 30% from this time last year....
The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted unanimously Monday to formally oppose three proposals before the Alaska Board of Fisheries that would impose broad restrictions on Alaska’s private nonprofit salmon hatchery system — measures that Assembly Member Bob Martin, who brought the resolution forward, called the latest iteration of proposals that fisheries stakeholders across the region have consistently fought off. Resolution 2026-06 directs opposition to Board of Fisheries Proposals 170, 171 and 172, which are scheduled for consideration at...
The Petersburg Borough Assembly directed Borough staff on March 2 to start rewriting part of its zoning code to be implemented beyond municipal limits. The move follows months of work and deliberation over potentially updating Petersburg’s zoning code as the Borough navigates emerging concerns about constructing new communications towers in the community. Zoning determines how property can and cannot be used. Different types of zoning allow for different uses, and some require landowners to get permission from the municipality for certain... Full story
The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted unanimously Monday to extend the borough’s municipal solid waste transportation and disposal contract with Republic Services for one more year, buying time while a regional study examines longer-term alternatives for Southeast Alaska communities. Petersburg’s garbage is baled at the local baler facility and shipped via container to the Roosevelt Regional Landfill in Washington state, with Republic Services handling transportation and disposal. The contract extension runs from September 1, 2026 through...
The Petersburg Borough Assembly authorized an agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc., earlier this month, which provides the equipment and services that Petersburg’s Police Department uses. Under the agreement, the Borough would pay a $378,897.58 quote gradually over the next decade. Police Chief Jim Kerr said Monday that they typically do shorter contracts with the company. But this extended version that AXON offered includes some perks, especially for routine equipment replacement. “If they have a new technology that comes out, since we...
The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted unanimously Monday to extend the Petersburg Economic Development Council’s lease on the community cold storage facility for another five years, while also removing language from the lease that had prohibited seafood processing at the site. The lease extension runs through January 31, 2031, and maintains the $1-per-year rental rate that the assembly has held steady since the original agreement between PEDC and what was then the city of Petersburg was signed in February 2006. At each five-year interval...
Two Petersburg poets took the stage at KTOO studios in Juneau earlier this month, as state finalists in the Poetry Out Loud recitation competition. Freya Tucker and Mette Miller had both memorized and recited poems in front of their high school English class as a required assignment from their teacher Tim Shumway, then for extra credit they performed in front of the entire school. Then they submitted recordings of their recitations to the statewide competition. "We were thinking, it would...
Joe Viechnicki kicksleds across the finish line at the XTRA tough Run hosted by Petersburg Medical Center to support accessibility for PMC Youth Programs. Despite the snowy weather about 50 participants showed up to run/walk/stroll/and kicksled their way down the snowy City Creek...
1926 – There are no issues in the archive until May 19, 1926. Thank you for your patience. March 16, 1951 – A parade of hats such as has never been seen in the Easter Parade marked the style show at the Emblem Club social meeting on Tuesday evening. There were hats of every description, made of everything from kitchen utensils to baby bottles, created by club members. In addition there was a style show in which spring suits, dresses, coats and hats from the Lillian Shop were displayed by the same models who took part in the style show...
Undeterred by the heavy snow, around 50 community members took part in Petersburg's March for Life rally and prayer vigil on Sunday, March...
Petersburg's Irish descendants and their friends continued the annual Saint Patrick's Day tradition with a parade through downtown on...
Mitkof Dance Troupe hosted their circus-themed fundraiser party on Saturday, March 14, in the Sons of Norway Hall, complete with a costume contest, vendor booths, carnival games, and circus-themed entertainment. Proceeds from the fundraiser went to support the dance troupe's purchase of the building, which houses their dance...
Team Block and Blue were the winners of last weekend's Community Volleyball Tournament organized by the new adult volleyball league in Petersburg. Pictured left to right are Olivier Christensen, LeeAnna Lucas, Rebecca Thynes, Brian Richards, Dm Harry, Kim Harry and Callie...
Viking Swim Club continued to set more individual records during their last time trial of the season. VSC swimmer Trygve Marohl crushed the 10 and under 1000 freestyle (previous) record by 43 seconds at 13 minutes and 88 seconds. "It was a very impressive performance. It was cool to see. The whole crowd got into it. It was cool to hear the crowd cheer for him," head coach Derek Gibb said. Marohl surprised himself with his marquee performance. "I thought that I was going to break the record but...
I’ve spent years working alongside fishermen in coastal communities throughout the Tongass National Forest — and one thing has never changed: the people who depend on this forest for their livelihoods are the ones who understand it the best. That’s why I’m urging every Petersburg resident to submit comments on the Tongass National Forest Land Management Plan Revision before the deadline Friday night. The Forest Service has opened a 30-day public comment period on its notice of intent to revise the Tongass Land and Resource Management...
To the Editor: Thank you to all the volunteers; we truly couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you, Grace Wolf, for taking time out of your day to capture the special memories of our very first community event. Thank you to the AAU basketball players who ran concessions and helped on the court. Thank you to the high schoolers who volunteered to line judge and keep score. Thank you, Jaime and Bev, for your amazing job up reffing. Thank you to everyone who came to cheer us on! And thank you to all the players for making it such a fun...
Linda Caroline Reid Bell was born to Alex and Mary (Hungerford) Reid on August 21, 1952 at Petersburg General Hospital. Being the first girl after 5 boys, she was adored. Her sister was soon to follow, completing the family. Growing up in Scow Bay, she made wonderful friends and would laugh about riding the school bus with 17 other Reid kids. Summers were spent at "camp," usually Thomas Bay, living in the school house (on a float!). Linda was proud to be from a logging family and a lifelong... Full story
Mary Lou McKibben was born on August 7, 1944, in Wrangell, Alaska, to Lena (Ellis) and Al McKibben. The youngest of three children, she especially looked up to her big brother Skip. She grew up working with her parents on their power troller Mrs. Mac, and spending time at the family homestead on Farm Island up the Stikine River. Her family moved to Petersburg when she was in high school and, while she grew to love it, she was very proud of her Wrangell heritage and would always remember her... Full story
March 11 – An officer assisted a citizen. An officer spoke with an individual on S 2nd St. regarding a non-criminal issue. An officer spoke with a complainant regarding a civil issue. There was a report of lost property. Dispatch provided a citizen with assistance. An officer spoke with an individual on 12th St. regarding a non-criminal issue. Officers spoke with individuals operating snow machines on the airport access road without authorization. There was a report of lost property. March 12 – After speaking with a vehicle owner on...
Petersburg Pilot... Full story
Notices published in the Petersburg Pilot and all of Alaska's... Full story
