Articles from the February 27, 2020 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 18 of 18

  • Thief breaks into post office, takes 15 parcels

    Brian Varela|Feb 27, 2020

    Christopher Manske is accused of breaking into the Petersburg Post Office sometime late Friday night or early Saturday morning and stealing about 15 parcels, according to Postal Inspector John Wiegand. Postal inspectors and local law enforcement were notified of the break in Saturday morning, but by that time, Manske was no longer on the scene; however, he attempted another break in the following night and was detained by responding officers, according to Wiegand. Manske was soon released...

  • Rexall Drug, Lee's Clothing named 2019 businesses of the year

    Brian Varela|Feb 27, 2020

    Both Petersburg Rexall Drug and Lee's Clothing were honored as businesses of the year at Saturday's Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Additionally, the two businesses were awarded a plaque commemorating their 50th year in business. "You cannot think of downtown Petersburg without thinking of either of these two icons," said Chamber Manager Mara Lutomski. Petersburg Rexall Drug was purchased by Max Worhatch III in the summer of 1969 and is now run by two of his daughters, Erica Worhatch...

  • How ferry shutdown impacts school districts

    Brian Varela and Caleb Vierkant|Feb 27, 2020

    The shutdown of ferry service in Southeast Alaska has impacted many aspects of day-to-day life in communities across the region. In previous reporting by the Wrangell Sentinel and Petersburg Pilot, peoples' travel plans have been disrupted, businesses have been impacted, and cultural events like Celebration 2020 could potentially see decreased turnout. Another aspect of Southeast communities that is facing disruption from the lack of ferries are school districts. The schools of Wrangell and...

  • Stedman speaks on AMHS at chamber banquet

    Brian Varela|Feb 27, 2020

    Sen. Bert Stedman told the community while attending the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce banquet on Saturday that the future of the Alaska Marine Highway System depends on how negotiations go with Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Stedman said that legislators will discuss the AMHS and present possible scenarios to the governor when Dunleavy releases his operating budget; however, without enough votes to override the governor's anticipated vetoes, negotiations won't be too aggressive. "If you don't have the...

  • NSRAA generates millions for commercial fishing

    Brian Varela|Feb 27, 2020

    Steve Reifenstuhl, manager of the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, spoke at the annual Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Saturday on the organization's presence and activities in the Northern Panhandle. NSRAA is a non-profit organization that was established by commercial fishermen in 1978 to restore and rehabilitate Alaska's salmon stocks. Salmon produced by NSRAA's enhancement programs are a public resource and have contributed millions of dollars to the commercial...

  • S.E. Dungeness crab closes

    Feb 27, 2020

    The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced that the season for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Registration Area A (Southeast) will close in Districts 1 and 2, and Section 13-B outside of the Sitka Sound Special Use Area [5 AAC 32.150(10)], by regulation at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 28 consistent with 5 AAC 32.110(3). All Dungeness crab must be landed within 24 hours of a closure [5 AAC 32.031(d)]. Vessel operators unable to meet this deadline must contact department...

  • Second-graders treated to story time, a dictionary

    Brian Varela|Feb 27, 2020

    Second-graders at Rae C Stedman Elementary School heard a story on the Greensboro sit-ins and were given a dictionary on Friday as part of two programs through Wells Fargo and the Petersburg Elks Lodge. For ten weeks this school year, Shannon Howard will be reading a book each Friday to Mary Midkiff's second grade class as a part of a nationwide Wells Fargo program that promotes literacy. After Howard finishes reading the book, it is donated to the class. "I read the book, the book stays in the...

  • Alaska governor says state will use private ferry companies

    Feb 27, 2020

    JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will use one or more private companies to operate ferries during an ongoing breakdown in state service, the governor said. Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the state needs private companies to operate ferries to coastal communities, The Anchorage Daily News reported Wednesday. “We’re going to have to rely on the private sector as a stopgap to some degree,” Dunleavy said Wednesday. Only one of the state’s fleet of 12 ships is operating, with four laid up i...

  • Alaska DMV eyes options for Real ID access

    Feb 27, 2020

    JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The state is pursuing an expansion location for motor vehicle services in southwest Alaska, an official said Thursday, ahead of a fall deadline for special licenses many will need to board commercial flights in the U.S. Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka told House lawmakers the site would target 20 communities where the state sees a need. Preliminary talks are underway for other expansion possibilities, she said. The state Division of Motor Vehicles falls under Tshibaka’s department. DMV Deputy Dir...

  • Alaska governor recall campaign begins collecting signatures

    Feb 27, 2020

    JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A campaign to recall Alaska’s governor has started with the distribution of petition booklets that will be used to collect signatures. The Alaska Division of Elections delivered the booklets that organizers will use to try to gather the minimum of 71,252 signatures required to initiate an election to recall Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, KTOO-FM reported. Organizers received the booklets Friday before mailing about 60 packages to supporters. The recall group said Dunleavy, who took office in late 2018, violated the law...

  • Vikings win in overtime game against the Wolves

    Brian Varela|Feb 27, 2020

    There were just a few seconds left on the clock in Friday's overtime basketball game between the Vikings and the Wrangell Wolves, and the score was tied, 61-61. Just before the buzzer sounded at the end of the fifth period of the game, Thomas Durkin made a tough baseline jump shot that put the Vikings ahead, 63-61, and won them the game. "Wrangell shot the ball well for that whole game," said Head Coach Richard Brock. "I kind of knew that going into the game. It's homecoming and records don't...

  • Lady Vikings split wins with Wrangell

    Brian Varela|Feb 27, 2020

    The Lady Vikings suffered a loss on Friday in Wrangell against the Lady Wolves, but they were able to turn around the next day and bring home a win. Head Coach Dino Brock said he was happy with the team's effort on Friday, but the Lady Vikings were burdened by the amount of times they put the Lady Wolves on the free throw line. The Lady Wolves went to the free throw line 23 times throughout Friday's game, and Wrangell made 21 of those shots. Additionally, Petersburg struggled to put the ball in...

  • Dutch Harbor Top Fishing Port in US for 22nd Year in a Row

    Laine Welch|Feb 27, 2020

    Dutch Harbor remained the top fishing port in the USA for the 22nd year in a row with 763 million pounds crossing the docks in 2018 valued at $182 million. And Naknek ranked as the nation’s second most valuable port for fishermen with landings worth $195 million. (Naknek also ranked #8 for landings at $191 million.) Empire-Venice, Louisiana held the second spot for fish volume (569 million). The “Aleutians” was close behind (539 million), thanks to Trident’s plant at Akutan, the largest processing facility in North America. Kodiak fell to four...

  • To the Editor

    Feb 27, 2020

    Kake/Kupreanof road To the Editor: The assembly will be considering a resolution on the Kake/Kupreanof road next week. No matter what happens some people will be upset at the final vote. Either way, I hope the public sends their thoughts on the Kake project to the State House Finance Committee, housefinance@akleg.gov. (Or visit the LIO for assistance submitting comments!) Considering the project was initially funded with no public hearing at the state level, a project with murky purpose and a...

  • Teen ambassadors

    Feb 27, 2020

    Three teens from Petersburg completed Teen Ambassador Training through the Rural Alaska Community Action Program. RurAL Cap supports a statewide youth advocacy program called Youth Encouraging Alaskans Health Teen Ambassadors. The youth leaders communicate regularly through teleconferences, emails and social media to promote tobacco prevention at the local and state levels. From left to right: Charlie Ess, a trainer with RurAl Cap, Adam Perry, Devon Guthrie and Becky Fisher....

  • First date jitters

    Feb 27, 2020

    Two bashful seagulls near Hungry Point were too embarrassed to have their picture taken....

  • Artifact Archive

    Feb 27, 2020

    Visible Print Typewriter Despite having no formal training in design, Thomas Oliver was awarded a patent for his "visible print" typewriter in 1891. This "batwing" style model once used at the Trading Union weighed about 30 pounds and allowed typists to finally see what they were typing. Oliver Typewriter Company produced over a million units between 1895 and 1928, remarkable in that the company produced only 375 machines a day. The No. 9 was one of the most popular. Its $100 price tag would...

  • Yesterday's News

    Feb 27, 2020

    March 5, 1920 Dr. E. O. Rowley and wife, Dr. Gladys Rowley, both natives of New Zealand, and both physicians and surgeons who come to Petersburg highly recommended, arrived here on the Admiral Evans early this week and will locate. Both have expressed themselves as being favorably impressed with the town and people and say that in many ways it compares with their native land. March 2, 1945 It was guest night at the Rotary meeting on Wednesday. Instead of their usual luncheon Rotarians entertained their ladies and a group of service men who are...