Articles from the February 13, 2020 edition


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  • SE communities disrupted by ferry shutdown again

    Brian Varela and Caleb Vierkant|Feb 13, 2020

    With the M/V Matanuska going out of service last week, ferry service via the Alaska Marine Highway has completely shut down. According to a press release from the Alaska Department of Transportation, new issues have been found with the ferry's reduction gear system. The Matanuska, at the time of writing, is being towed to Ketchikan for repairs. "AMHS is aware of travel needs for upcoming school and community tournaments in March and is exploring options for alternative service in the event...

  • The Marshes: a marriage that'll last forever

    Brian Varela|Feb 13, 2020

    Eight children, 29 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and 57 years later, Otis and Diane Marsh are still very much in love. While Otis credits luck for their long and happy marriage, Diane said it's love and determination that has kept them together for so long. "You keep on keeping on, and do what you can," said Diane. A 19-year-old Otis first met Diane at a house party in Cass Lake, Minnesota in 1960. Diane was about 16 years old at the time and was dating somebody else. When they broke...

  • Handmade jewelry on display at artist's first show

    Brian Varela|Feb 13, 2020

    Taylen Reed has been making jewelry out of copper and sterling silver for the past two years, but it wasn't until she bought a heart-shaped disc cutter that she finally decided to host her first art show at FireLight Gallery & Framing on Friday. Armed with her disc cutter, Reed set out to hand make an extensive Valentine's Day collection that focused on necklaces and earrings. Reed had over 220 pieces on display and for sale. The pieces are also meticulously wrapped in wire. "It's nice with wire...

  • SB passes policy to address the spread of illnesses

    Brian Varela|Feb 13, 2020

    The Petersburg School Board voted in favor of adopting a board policy in its first reading on Tuesday that addresses pandemic and epidemic emergency readiness. The policy was recommended to the board by the Association of Alaska School Boards. School Board Vice President Sarah Holmgrain said the recommendation probably came about as a response to what is happening on the international level, but assured residents that there isn't an imminent threat to the community from a virus. "Like a lot of t...

  • Auditorium lights now have color

    Brian Varela|Feb 13, 2020

    During last Wednesday's Petersburg Live talent show, Wright Auditorium showed off its new lights, which are capable of showering performers on stage in a multitude of lights. "We can literally make the stage dance with color now," said Dave Berg, one of the volunteer light operators. In the past, if a performance required a certain color of light on stage, a filter would have to be placed over one of the lights; as a result, that light would have to be dedicated to that color for the entire...

  • A promotion, a new trooper and a new location

    Brian Varela|Feb 13, 2020

    Over the past several months Cody Litster, Petersburg's Alaska Wildlife Trooper, has been busy settling into his new role as a sergeant for the Central Southeast Alaska's wildlife troopers, making preparations for a second wildlife trooper and moving into a spacious new facility by the airport. Litster was promoted in September of last year when the state decided to move the Central Southeast Alaska sergeant position, which was originally stationed in Juneau, closer to the area it supervises. Li...

  • Vikings get their payback against the Chiefs

    Brian Varela|Feb 13, 2020

    In two hard fought battles over the weekend, the Vikings came out victorious against the Metlakatla Chiefs, the only team this season to beat them. "I think it was important to get a couple of wins under our belt against them going into Regionals," said Head Coach Rick Brock. The atmosphere in the gym during Friday's home game had a tournament like atmosphere, said Brock. Both teams struggled to obtain and maintain a lead in the first half of the game. The Vikings were up at the end of the...

  • Lady Vikings continue to show improvement

    Brian Varela|Feb 13, 2020

    The Lady Vikings took a double loss against Metlakatla over the weekend, but Head Coach Dino Brock said the team is showing improvement and can learn from the games they played. "Overall, I thought it was a good weekend for us," said Head Coach Dino Brock. "I thought we improved again. Metlakatla is just a good team and a tough place to play." In the first quarter of Friday's game, the Lady Vikings let the Miss Chiefs score 21 points and spent the rest of the game trying to close that...

  • Five Finger Lighthouse to be remodeled

    Brian Varela|Feb 13, 2020

    The Juneau Lighthouse Association, which operates and maintains the Five Finger Lighthouse, has changed its name to the Five Finger Lighthouse Society and is currently revamping the organization and the lighthouse. FFLS is now based out of Petersburg and is recruiting members to join the organization and volunteers to help work on the lighthouse. Jeff Erickson, secretary of FFLS, said the infrastructure of the lighthouse needs to be rebuilt. Additionally, he said he would like to improve the liv...

  • Correction

    Feb 13, 2020

    A story on page one of last week’s issue of the Petersburg Pilot incorrectly spelled Glenn Gellert’s name as Glenn Bellert....

  • Yesterday's News

    Feb 13, 2020

    February 20, 1920 The Alaska Industrial Union locals of Southeastern Alaska have been instructed to elect delegates to a convention to be held at Petersburg on March 1st for the purpose of settling on a wage scale for cannery workers in this section for the next season and also to draw up a scale of fish prices which are to be paid to the fishermen by the canneries. The Alaska Industrial Union succeeded the old Alaska Labor Union and is working under a constitution and by laws drawn up at a convention held at Juneau some time ago This sets at...

  • Guest Commentary: Kake Access Road

    Feb 13, 2020

    Editor's Note: The following was received from Sen. Bert Stedman's office. January 28, 2020 Honorable Governor Mike Dunleavy Office of the Governor Dear Mr. Dunleavy, Welcome back to Juneau. We extend our best wishes in the upcoming session. As the Mayor of the City of Kake, I would like to show our support for the Kake Access Road. Having a road connection to Petersburg is very important in keeping Kake viable in these important times. It will give us an opportunity to increase the quality of...

  • Letters to the Editor

    Feb 13, 2020

    Stedman should put ferries first To the Editor: As residents of the towns near the proposed Kake Road, we firmly oppose it. The $40 million raised for this "road to nowhere" should instead support the return of the Alaska Marine Highway System to our coastal Alaskan communities struggling without ferry service. It is one thing to waste taxpayer money on a project no one is asking for, and another to do so while claiming funding for vitally needed and popular ferry services doesn't exist. This...

  • Chief of project development

    Feb 13, 2020

    The Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribe of Alaska has promoted Will Ware to chief of project development in Juneau, according to a prepared statement by Communications Coordinator Raeanne Holmes. In his new role, he will oversee Tlingit & Haida's land developments and provide broad oversight of the Tribal Transportation and Business and Economic Development departments. He previously served for over six years as Tribal Transportation Manager. Ware is of the Raven moiety and Ta'k...

  • Police report

    Feb 13, 2020

    February 5 — Extra patrols were requested on Sandy Beach Rd. Authorities responded to a duress alarm at a location on Haugen Dr. Curtis Medina, 31, was arrested on charges of an outstanding warrant. Kory Birchell, 28, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence. February 6 — Extra patrols were requested on S. 4th St. An assault was reported on S. Nordic Dr. at Skylark Way. Individuals were trespassing at a location on N. Nordic Dr. Authorities responded to a report of trespassing at a location on N. 2nd St. Suspicious activity was...

  • Obituary: Betty Jane Pederson

    Feb 13, 2020

    Betty was born in Evanston, Illinois to Swedish immigrants, Carl and Elizabeth Roger, fondly remembered by all as Big and Little Benna. Petersburg did not have a doctor at that time so Elizabeth traveled back to be with her family in Evanston to give birth to their first born. Betty was raised "out the point" in the log house her father built. It still stands today overlooking the Wrangell Narrows and Frederick Sound. Growing up during the depression was very difficult, but the family made the... Full story

  • Obituary: David Allen Peterson

    Feb 13, 2020

    On Friday, January 24, 2020, David Allen Peterson, husband, father, and friend, passed away after a brief illness, at the age of 64. Dave was born in 1955 in Petersburg, Alaska, to Robert (Bud) and Judy (Allen) Peterson. He graduated from Petersburg High School, and happened to win "The Betty Crocker Homemaking Award", which he applied for in galley cooking. He lettered in wrestling, was on the yearbook committee, and National Honor Society. He fished in middle school, with his cousin on the...

  • Several fish bills before the AK Legislature have wide support from fishermen

    Laine Welch|Feb 13, 2020

    Alaska lawmakers are making fast work of several fish bills that have wide support from Alaska’s fishermen. “I was anticipating a somewhat slow start, but they’re organized and they’re diving right into these issues and taking these bills up. And so there’s lots of opportunities to participate,” said Frances Leach, executive director of United Fishermen of Alaska. The bill (HB 35) that would resolve a conflict of interest fix at the state Board of Fisheries has been moving through committee hearings in Juneau and could finally be settled aft...

  • Artifact Archive

    Feb 13, 2020

    Alaska Marine Highway System The Alaska Marine Highway System--the Nation's only marine National Scenic Byway and All-American Road--dates back to 1948, when the Chilkoot Motorship Lines began in Haines. The enterprise was purchased by the territory of Alaska in 1951 to promote transportation and business; and in 1959, voters approved $18 million to expand the fleet and build new docks. The M/V Malaspina's first Ketchikan stop actually caused a traffic jam of on-lookers. In time, the system...

  • Obituary: Michael F. Tolson, 74

    Feb 13, 2020

    Michael F. Tolson was born on October 29, 1944 in Middletown, Ohio to Mervyn and Margaret Tolson, Hillman. He died on October 10, 2019 at Petersburg Medical Center....