Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 141
A nearly week-long celebration for Independence Day brought a halt to Nordic Drive road construction and even a break in the clouds. The festivities kicked off on Tuesday evening with a retirement party for Judy Forgey, including a pie eating contest, at the Community Gym. Forgey also served on Thursday as the parade Grand Marshal. Wednesday’s activities began with the Scrap Fish Derby. Two categories, kids age seven and younger and kids 8 -to 12 competed using only bait and hand lines. The w... Full story
Petersburg Lutheran Church marked 100 years with the reunion of several former pastors and several days of special events. The festivities began on Wednesday, July 3, with a “Meet and Greet” dinner at the home of Grant and Lila Trask. This was just the beginning of several days of events, some of which coincided with Fourth of July celebrations. The visiting bishops included: Bishop Don Parsons, who was the first Bishop in the state of Alaska and Bishop Ron Martinson, retired. Bishop Mar... Full story
Two First Friday retailers highlighted art with a local flare on Friday evening. The Fabric Basket featured fabric art, blankets, medicine bags and other items by local artist MaryAnn Rainey. The Tlingit-inspired designs are made using red and black felt, and incorporate other elements such as beading, sea otter fur trim and shells. Rainey was inspired about eight years ago to create table runners and her art just took off from there, she said. "I have so many grandchildren [18 and 2 great-grand... Full story
The Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session on Tuesday and voted to recommend the sale of three, undeveloped, borough-owned lots. The Hungry Point lots are adjacent to each other and butt-up against property currently owned by John Swanson. Swanson appeared before the Commission with a presentation and asked for the properties to be allowed to be sold either individually, or combined. “Over the last 25 years the trees have grown right, in line with the sun. And especially in the winter months, and in fall and spring, [the t...
The Petersburg Medical Center Board of Directors during a regular meeting on March, 30 decided to end the Patient Satisfaction Surveys. The year-long survey program asks patients to rate their medical care. “I think over time we’ll have less and less returned surveys, so the data will become more and more meaningless,” said PMC CEO Elizabeth Woodyard. “If our scores varied tremendously [the surveys] would remain,” she said adding that based on the surveys, patients are satisfied with their level of care, but not “wowed.” “We have a lot of p... Full story
Dozens of Petersburg residents participated in a Choose Respect parade and rally on Thursday, March 28 as part of a statewide effort to put the spotlight on domestic violence, dating violence and bullying. The participants,including students, teachers, city officials and even a few pets began at Trading Union and ended at the Sons of Norway Hall where refreshments were served. The master of ceremonies for the rally was Jo Ann Day; speakers included School Superintendent Rob Thomason, Deputy... Full story
The Borough Assembly on Monday voted unanimously to deny the appeal filed by Tamico regarding the award of the North Harbor Reconstruction contract to a Ketchikan company. During an hour-long hearing on Monday, Tamico’s Vice President Jim Martinsen gave testimony regarding the legality of going with a vendor that is outside of Petersburg. Tamico had submitted the second lowest bid overall, about $100,000 higher than Western Dock and Bridge. Last month Martinsen sent a letter to Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht protesting the decision to a... Full story
Petersburg Borough Assembly announced during a regular session meeting on Monday the formation of an Ad hoc Sea Otter Management Committee to address the ongoing sea otter population. The committee will be chaired by Assembly Member Kurt Wohlhueter. Members of the committee include Joan Koutzer, Mike Bangs, Andy Knight, Frank Neidiffer, Dave Somerville, Jason Duggen, John Jensen, Dave Beebe and Brenda Louise. The committee will hold its first meeting at noon, on Friday in Assembly Chambers.. The agenda will include reviewing past support and...
During Monday’s meeting, Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht reported that the Petersburg Library has digitized local newspapers from 1913 to 1931, they are now online and searchable. An eagle strike, the second of the year, was responsible for taking out power from Scow Bay north. There is now a new procedure for handling the carcass which should be in compliance with Fish and Game regulations. “There were some issues regarding our guys picking up the eagles and having them in their possession,” Giesbrecht said. FERC has agreed not to charg...
For Grazyna Froehlich, quilting was never about sewing, it was about art. The owner of Wildcat Quilts since 2005, Froehlich said she has finished so many quilts she doesn't remember all of them. Froehlich, 60, earlier this month sold her business to hair stylist, and fellow quilter Kim Randrup, who has already transformed the Sing Lee Alley location into a hair salon and quilting shop. “I've been a lifelong sewer. I sewed ever since I could hold a needle and thread, but I mainly made clothes f... Full story
PHS Seniors Eva Kowalski and Patricia Jackson last month participated in the Distinguished Young Women program in Ketchikan. Eight young women participated in a week-long event formerly known as Junior Miss. The competition is to promote and reward scholarship, leadership and talent. The winner of the local event will compete on the national level in Mobile, Ala. The competition, was open to young women who have never been married or given birth, and met GPA and other requirements. Competitors...
While fishing vessels continue to move out of the North Harbor in preparation for the planned reconstruction project, a controversy is brewing over the validity of awarding the multi-million dollar project to an out-of-town contractor. Tamico has filed a letter of protest with Petersburg Borough regarding the reconstruction bid award to Western Dock and Bridge of Ketchikan. In a letter to Borough Manager Stephen Giesbrecht, manager Jim Martinsen of locally-owned Tamico claims the Borough did not follow proper procedure while accepting the... Full story
For the fifth year in a row, Petersburg High School students participated in the Alaska Tsunami Bowl, a regional competition of the National Ocean Science Bowl. Two teams, of five students, attended the February event in Seward. One team, Omnipotent Octopi headed by Tyler Lantiegne, ranked third of the 25 participating teams. The second team, Opulent Opisthoproctidae, finished 18th. The Tsunami Bowl teams begin the competition at the beginning of the year with the research and writing of a... Full story
The Forest Service Tonka Timber Sale has spawned the need for a log sorting and storage yard. The planning, environmental impact study and design phases are now complete. Federal public works funds will finance the projected permanent facility, which will also include a new public dock, said Petersburg Ranger Jason Anderson. The Tonka sort yard is located almost directly across from Papke’s Landing and was constructed by Channel Construction Inc. out of Juneau, Anderson said. Tamico completed t...
Master carver Tommy Joseph poses near the Main Street totem poles which he carved for the city in 2000. Joseph last week during the Tongass Rainforest Festival taught Carving Halibut Hooks, a 13-hour workshop. He also was the keynote speaker, presenting Warriors of the Tongass, and was the special guest of a potluck at the Seaside restaurant....
It wasn’t quite raining cats and dogs, but it certainly was raining on Sunday at the opening of the new Public Dog Park sponsored by Petersburg Humane Association. About a dozen PHA volunteers, pet owners and supporters braved the weather for the afternoon festivities which included activities, raffle prizes, and refreshments for canines and humans. Located at Petersburg’s old Tent City, on Haugen Drive near Sandy Beach, the park is now an off-leash area for dogs of all sizes, plus a fen...
All summer-long pedestrians along Sandy Beach Road have had a place to stop and enjoy the view. Mel and Sherry Stockton, of 903 Sandy Beach, set a couple of chairs and a home-made "rest stop" sign in their front yard in June. The view of the mainland on a clear day, of Devil's Thumb and Horn Cliff, is picturesque. "We've met a half-dozen or more people. Travelers come from all over," said Mel Stockton. He added that he doesn't have any idea how many people have stopped to enjoy the view, but he...
A bridge just outside of Petersburg city limits will be renamed in remembrance of Donald “Harry” Kito who perished while serving his country 45 years ago. Kito, who is described by family members John Kito, of Anchorage, and Amelia Kito Gage, of Sitka, as someone who had a smile that “would light up a room, a laugh that was contagious, and a sincere interest in those he knew and loved.” Kito, known as “Harry,” to friends and family, was named after his grandfather Iwataro “Harry” Oke...
Petersburg is filled with fishermen, who spend much of the year fishing and don’t have the time or opportunity to voice concerns regarding the heavily-regulated industry. This is where organizations such as the Petersburg Vessel Owners Association (PVOA) come in. PVOA acts as the voice for these fishermen, and women, who represent a very diverse, multi-gear, multi-species industry. After six years, PVOA executive director Julianne Curry is leaving her position. Curry’s main responsibility at...
Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka in May wrapped up the 27th legislative session, including a 30-day special session. They passed several pieces of legislation that benefit the Southeast region, and passed a capital budget that includes projects to benefit both Wrangell and Petersburg. “For the region itself, I thought we did very well,” Wilson said. “Basically the capital budget, we came out really good with the capital budget for the region. I made several trips...
Peter Kowalski slides into home, with Chris Burke waiting for the ball, when the Diamondbacks faced the Rangers in Petersburg’s last Little League game of the season....
Several road projects are happening this summer around Petersburg. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has budgeted a total of $13 million for road repair, as well as other road reconstruction projects. According to Chuck Correa, regional preconstruction engineer for DOT&PF, the state maintenance chip seal crew will be stabilizing the existing road surface and chip sealing from mile point 27.8 to 30.0 near the end of Mitkof Highway. “The crews will also be doing ditch work and brush cutting in the same area. The chip s...
Petersburg hosted fast-pitch softball little league games against Sitka over the weekend. Twenty girls from Sitka made the trip to Petersburg. (Above) Molly Parks dashes toward first base after a hit on Sunday....
