Articles from the April 25, 2024 edition


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  • Locals in red March for Education

    Apr 25, 2024

    Taking action in support of public education in Alaska, which continues to be flat funded by the State while costs rise, no less than 100 community members joined together on Wednesday in a March for Education to urge legislators to permanently increase the Base Student Allocation funding and offer retirement for public service employees. Wearing "red for ed," the large gathering marched from the school through the streets of downtown Petersburg, holding signs that read: ● "Thank You P...

  • School district drafts budget; teachers' union contract still in negotiations

    Olivia Rose|Apr 25, 2024

    There were more attendees than usual at the Petersburg School District Board meeting last week as over a dozen teachers observed discussion about critical issues surrounding district finances. A few attendees testified before the PSD School Board, expressing shared concerns related to the district's tight budget and ongoing certified teacher negotiations between PSD and the Associated Teachers of Petersburg (ATP) union, which have struggled to reach an agreement on a three-year contract amidst... Full story

  • Alaska House members propose constitutional amendment to allow public money for private schools

    James Brooks|Apr 25, 2024

    After a court ruling that overturned a key part of Alaska’s education correspondence programs, members of the state Legislature have proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow public money to go to private and religious schools. House Joint Resolution 28 is scheduled for hearings Wednesday and Friday next week in the House Judiciary Committee. If approved by two-thirds of the House, two-thirds of the Senate and voters this fall, HJR 28 would remove the part of Article VII, Section 1, that says, “no money shall be paid from public fun... Full story

  • Yesterday's News

    Apr 25, 2024

    April 25, 1924 – There is no settlement in sight for the strike of the Alaska fishermen. Alarm is expressed that if the strike is not ended soon it will be too late to send boats North for the best of the fishing season. The Alaska Packers Association and Alaska Fishermen’s Union have been deadlocked some time over the matter of wages for the coming season. The packers declare several boats have been sent South with mixed labor outfits and that one ship was sent with a full non-union crew. Peter Olson, secretary of the Union, said that if the...

  • A rezoning ordinance could help develop 'desperately' needed child care facility

    Olivia Rose|Apr 25, 2024

    To free up preschool classroom space, Petersburg Children's Center (PCC) hopes to build a parking lot and a new building to house the Eagle's Nest after-school program. The Petersburg Borough Assembly is considering a rezoning ordinance proposed by PCC, passing it in the first of three readings April 15. If approved by the assembly two more times, the ordinance will rezone four lots that are currently leased by PCC, changing the zoning for the areas from residential to public use. PCC wants to b...

  • Guest Editorial: No need to amend the Alaska Constitution

    Larry Persily|Apr 25, 2024

    Less than two years ago, Alaskans voted overwhelmingly against convening a constitutional convention to amend the state’s founding document. More than 70% of voters said no thanks, it’s a bad idea. It was the sixth time in a row, going back to 1972, that voters by wide margins rejected the whimsy of shaking up the constitution as you would a game of Etch A Sketch and redrawing the fundamental laws of Alaska. While they oppose reopening the constitution to a potential wholesale rewrite, Alaskans have approved multiple specific amendments ove...

  • Blessing of the Fleet

    Apr 25, 2024

  • Beat the Odds holds "A Race Against Cancer"

    Apr 25, 2024

  • Police report

    Apr 25, 2024

    April 17 – Petersburg Police Department (PPD) received a report of an individual sleeping at a business on haugen Drive who woke up and left the area. An officer conducted extra patrols. An officer assisted a citizen. An officer responded to a report of suspicious activity on South Nordic Drive. PPD received a report of a disabled vehicle. PPD received a report of found property and notified the owner. April 18 – An officer assisted a citizen. An officer assisted Emergency Medical Services (EMS) on Kiseno Street. A vehicle parked illegally on...

  • Chili cook-off will raise money for rescue equipment

    Orin Pierson|Apr 25, 2024

    This Friday, the Petersburg Police Department and the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department are turning up the heat for the annual Guns and Hoses Chili Cook-off fundraiser. This will be the third year Don and Julie Spigelmyre have hosted the cook-off. The event was dreamed up by the couple on an airplane ride from Michigan to Petersburg. "We got to talking about how much we appreciate the volunteerism with the fire department," Don told the Petersburg Pilot. The Spigelmyres decided they wanted to...

  • Petersburg hosts Region V Art Fest

    Lizzie Thompson|Apr 25, 2024

    Last weekend art students and teachers from nine Southeast Alaska high schools arrived in Petersburg by floatplane, Alaska Airlines, and jet boat to participate in the 28th Annual Region V Art Fest. This is the third time Petersburg High School has hosted the event. PHS art teacher Lisa Shramek, an Art Fest alumna, spearheaded the three-day event that brought sixty-eight students and sixteen instructors together for thirty hours of intensive art instruction and a lot of creative fun. The first...

  • Obituary: Gainhart (Bud) Samuelson, Junior, 77

    Apr 25, 2024

    Bud was born on February 13, 1947, to Gainhart Samuelson, Senior, and Mildred (Massey) Samuelson. A lifelong resident of Petersburg, he grew up living with his mother and siblings on Hammer Slough. Summers were spent with his father at Portage Bay, where he loved fishing and hunting and grew determined to one day run a commercial fishing vessel of his own and to be a good provider for his family. After graduating from Petersburg High School in 1965, Bud landed a job on Andy Wikan's boat,... Full story

  • Vikings learn from losses in home series

    Liam Demko|Apr 25, 2024

    Petersburg High School's baseball team stepped up to the plate on their home field last weekend, taking on Thunder Mountain High School in a series of difficult games that resulted in three losses for the Vikings. Although Friday's game and Saturday's doubleheader all finished in a similar fashion-with fielding errors creating a bottleneck with the team's limited pitching roster-the team has felt a noticeable shift in momentum during practices this week, hinting towards an upwards trajectory...