Week of April 30, 2026
Week of April 30, 2026
A Silicon Valley company and a Petersburg-raised developer are teaming up to bring a small artificial intelligence data center to the former Ocean Beauty pier and cannery facility, a proposal that drew both cautious enthusiasm and skepticism from the public at last week's borough assembly meeting. Sam Anoka, founder and CEO of Greensparc, addressed the assembly April 20 via Zoom, outlining plans to deploy what he described as a micro-scale data center at the property owned by Andrew Mazzella,...
Construction has begun on the expansion of the Tlingit and Haida Airport Subdivision near Mountain View Manor, and the first visible sign of that work - the removal of roughly 300 feet of the area's popular boardwalk trail - has prompted some dismay from residents who say they were caught off guard by the closure. The boardwalk trail section that runs through the muskeg from the Mountain View Manor area toward the Hungry Point Loop trail will remain closed to the public for the duration of...
The Alaska Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to reform the state’s pension system for public employees, ending months of debate on future retirement benefits for Alaska’s state and municipal employees, including teachers and police officers. The measure aims to address the consequences of a 2006 decision by Alaska lawmakers to eliminate the state pension plan that guaranteed income in retirement, and replace it with a 401(k) style plan that has since left many public-sector workers without the funds to retire securely. Union leaders and...
The Petersburg Borough Assembly unanimously approved a joint resolution last Monday with the City and Borough of Wrangell establishing a framework for sharing hydroelectric power from the Tyee Lake project and coordinating future energy-intensive economic development. Wrangell Borough Manager Mason Villarma, in a March 24 report to the Wrangell Assembly, described the resolution as formalizing “a proactive framework for collaboration as both communities pursue energy-intensive economic opportunities.” Villarma framed the agreement as...
The first draft of the Petersburg School District's budget anticipates a $343,000 deficit, which is more than last month's estimate. In a presentation to the school board on Thursday, April 24, school officials said that's because the district's enrollment projections went down, and they had hired more paraprofessionals. But other expenses, like health insurance and curriculum costs, turned out lower than expected. The district is planning to spend $11.6 million next school year. Last year, the...
There are two types of people in the world, those who salivate at the idea of being a lighthouse keeper, and those whose mouths go dry at the idea. What is it about lighthouses? They're a symbol of isolation, but their purpose is to connect with and protect others. They're used as a metaphor for everything from hope to knowledge to love, but name a book, movie, or TV show with a lighthouse that doesn't have someone die in it. Lighthouse keepers are stereotyped as antisocial hermits, but who...
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1926 – There are no issues in the archive until May 19, 1926. Thank you for your patience. April 27, 1951 – In November we may berate the weather. In January we may say, “I’ve had enough of this damn country.” In January more than one man came home to announce, “Yep, I’ve given up fishing.” But as May 1 rolls round Alaska is a thrilling and a good place to be. The fleet’s going out and most of those men who quit fishing are going down the dock with a bedroll on their shoulder, ready to take their chances with their brother...
For nearly a week, the upstairs hall at the Sons of Norway filled with the soft rhythm of brushstrokes, bursts of laughter, and the quiet concentration of artists practicing a centuries-old Norwegian folk tradition. Seventeen participants gathered for daily rosemaling workshops hosted by the Muskeg Maleriers earlier this month, focusing this year on the Os style, a regional form known for blending whimsical Telemark elements with geometric design, old Hordaland motifs, and bright color....
Characterized by their multi-part, interchangeable construction, these antique smoking pipes are often referred to as "Hunter's Pipes" because the hinged metal cap on the bowl was designed to shield the wind for outdoor use. The rich orange-brown color of its large, curved bowl is a patina that develops naturally over time as the pipe is smoked and tobacco oils are absorbed into the meerschaum, the soft white mineral it was carved from. Typically pipes of this style and construction date from...
Petersburg High School track team blazed their way through their first meet of the season this past weekend in Ketchikan. The meet saw the Vikings set several personal bests and have near record-breaking performances. In the boys shot put, Petersburg's Cedar Helms threw a personal best, with a throw of 29 feet and 8 inches and Payton Dreisbach, threw with a best of 27 feet and 6 inches. Helms also threw a personal best in discus, throwing 76 feet, as well as Dreisbach, who threw 70 feet. David...
Viking Swim Club capped off a successful season with a strong finale this past weekend at the 2026 Alaska State Swimming Championships, in Anchorage. Out of 22 teams present, VSC finished seventh overall. VSC brought 14 swimmers to the event and all 14 finished in the top eight of their respective events. Cyrus Hulebak won third place high point for his age group and Trygve Marohl won second place high point in his age group. Because of these placements, amongst other accomplishments, the team...
Two volleyball teams from Prince of Wales traveled to Petersburg last weekend to face the three teams in from Petersburg's new adult co-ed volleyball league. Team #1 from POW won the tournament against Petersburg's Team A. (Pictured left) Isaiah Bowen-Karlyn spikes a ball during the final championship...
To the Editor: I am Pastor Ken Severa, the new Pastor here at Petersburg Lutheran Church. I would like to highlight one of our projects. Earlier this month we hosted our annual “Basement Sale.” The purpose of the sale is to provide slightly used clothing, kitchen articles, and other treasures, along with soup and bread and goodies and books to the community in an inexpensive way. The other purpose is to raise money for the food programs in Petersburg. We raised over $11,000, which will be divided and donated to the Salvation Army...
I do declare the following quotes challenge my independent thinking of American history and current day America. Perhaps these words sound familiar: “...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...” “He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” “He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained...” “...relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature...
April 22 – An officer responded to a reported disturbance on Lumber St. An officer responded to a report of illegal parking on Howkan Street, had the responsible party move the vehicle and issued a verbal warning. An officer responded to a report of suspicious activity on Skylark Way but was unable to locate the described individual. A wallet found in South Harbor was turned in to the Police Department (PD) and returned to its owner. An officer responded to a report of youths with BB guns on the Cabin Creek Trail but was unable to locate...
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