Articles from the June 29, 2023 edition


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  • State budget allocates $2.6 million for Crystal Lake Hatchery improvements

    Liam Demko|Jun 29, 2023

    Petersburg's Crystal Lake Hatchery is set to receive $2.6 million in funding as part of the appropriations made in the State of Alaska's FY24 operating budget, which was approved by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on June 19. The appropriation will fund much needed repairs and upgrades for the hatchery's salmon raceways, a set of concrete canals which house hundreds of thousands of growing salmon and serve as their final home before being released. But before the hatchery staff can fill the raceways with...

  • USCGC Pike changes command

    Chris Basinger|Jun 29, 2023

    The U.S. Coast Guard held a Change of Command Ceremony for the new officer in charge of the USCGC Pike at the Sons of Norway Hall Monday morning. Command of the Pike was transferred from Lt. Jak Loewenstein to Master Chief Boatswain's Mate Kay Jones in a formal reading of orders in front of the crew and Capt. Darwin Jensen, the Commander of Sector Juneau. The ceremony was attended by the crew of the Pike, their families, Coast Guard personnel, Petersburg Borough staff, representatives of Sens....

  • Ferreira quinceañera:

    Orin Pierson, Pilot Editor|Jun 29, 2023

    The family of Yenka Faith Ferreira are celebrating her quinceañera this Saturday, and as far as they can recall it will be the first quinceañera celebration ever to take place in Petersburg. "My mom has never seen one in Petersburg...so this will be the first one or definitely the first one to be public like this," says Yenka's mother, Yulett Ferreira. A girl on her fifteenth birthday is known a quinceañera, and her formal ceremony-typically celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countrie...

  • Welcoming Hōkūle'a

    Jun 29, 2023

  • Yesterday's News News from 25-50-75-100 years ago

    Jun 29, 2023

    June 29, 1923 – Leonard Martins suffered a cracked bone in one of his legs and Leif Mathieson suffered a severely bruised foot last Thursday night, week, when a large wheel of an engine being installed at the West Lumber Company mill was tipped over and caught the boys as it fell. The two boys, with several others, were playing around the mill site and in some manner the wheel, which had been removed from the engine and set to one side, was pushed over and caught the two boys. Young Martins was removed to the hospital where his leg was d...

  • Guest Editorial

    Larry Persily, Wrangell Sentinel Publisher|Jun 29, 2023

    More than two months ago, Gov. Mike Dunleavy told legislators he would introduce a state sales tax as part of a long-term, budget-balancing fiscal plan. Something is needed to end the annual budget battles that have dominated Alaska politics for the past three decades. A sales tax is not the best option, but at least the governor appeared ready to participate. However, he never introduced the bill, nor did he ever say why he failed to do what he said he would do. Later that same month, the governor said he would likely call lawmakers into...

  • Police report

    Jun 29, 2023

    June 21 – A driver on Frederick Point Road was issued a warning for parking in the middle of the roadway and impeding traffic. An officer responded to a report of suspicious activity at the Frederick Point rock pit, made contact with individuals in an occupied vehicle and determined it was non-criminal. An officer advised individuals on Scow Bay Loop Road of curfew times and requirements for minors. An officer conducted additional patrols on Vesta Street in response to a request. An officer conducted additional patrols on Frederick Point D...

  • Rep. Himschoot reflects on legislative session during Petersburg visit

    Chris Basinger|Jun 29, 2023

    Alaska State Rep. Rebecca Himschoot visited Petersburg last week to meet with constituents as part of a tour around the Southeast communities she represents in the Alaska House of Representatives. Himschoot, a career educator and former member of the Sitka Assembly, finished her first legislative session in May after being elected to the House last year. She represents House District 2, which spans from Prince of Wales Island to Yakutat and includes Petersburg, Sitka, Kake, and Craig. "It was...

  • Bike Park clean-up

    Jun 29, 2023

  • More visitors expected in Petersburg as Alaska tourism booms

    Chris Basinger|Jun 29, 2023

    The sun is shining, the days are longer, and bands of people wearing identical jackets are wandering around main street. "Petersburg can expect an uptick in tourism for...this 2023 summer season," said James Valentine, the co-owner of Viking Travel and a cruise line agency representative. "Alaska in general just seems to be a really hot spot for cruise ship tourism and tourism in general." According to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, an estimated 2.5 million people...

  • Wrangell assembly approves real estate contract to sell hospital property

    Caroleine James, Wrangell Sentinel reporter|Jun 29, 2023

    WRANGELL – Wrangell’s borough-owned hospital property on Bennett Street has been vacant since March 2021 and on the market for about a year. Though the borough has received one development proposal for the land, it is contracting with a realtor to attract more buyers and expand its options. At its June 13 meeting, the Wrangell assembly approved a contract with Petersburg-based real estate agent Anchor Properties to try selling the 30,000-square-foot building and 1.94 acres of land. Assembly Member Jim DeBord was the only opposing vote. The app...

  • State ferry Columbia expected back at sea this week

    Wrangell Sentinel staff|Jun 29, 2023

    The state ferry Columbia, after a week in the shop to repair leaky pipes and its bow thrusters, was expected back at work starting Wednesday, June 28, with its regularly scheduled run from Ketchikan to Bellingham, Washington. The vessel was pulled from service on June 20, missing two southbound stops and one northbound stop in Wrangell. The 50-year-old Columbia left Haines that day — without any passengers — and headed straight for the Vigor shipyard in Ketchikan for repairs, canceling all stops along the way. “There’s a manifold down in the...

  • State ferry system says it is unable to provide hiring numbers

    Larry Persily, Wrangell Sentinel writer|Jun 29, 2023

    The Alaska Marine Highway System, which five months ago embarked on improving its hiring process to address chronic crew shortages, is unable to say how many new employees it has hired since then. The push started after a consultant’s report in January determined the state had hired just four out of 250 job applicants the over prior 12 months. The crew shortage forced the state to pull the Kennicott, the second-largest operable ship in the fleet, off this summer’s schedule and keep it tied up at the dock in Ketchikan. Asked how many new emp...

  • Artifact Archive

    Jun 29, 2023

    A recent addition to the Clausen Memorial Museum are these rosemaled panels installed on our outdoor gazebo, where visitors enjoy having a bright and cheerful place to stop and rest. The Muskeg Maleriers painted both the "Velkommen" sign and the flower panel in the Os style of rosemaling, or "rose painting," a distinctive style that surfaced in eastern Norway around 1750. It features fanciful flowers and bright colors rather than scrolls and is considered a newer style of rosemaling. A portion...

  • Obituary: Sandra Dee Lyons, 52

    Jun 29, 2023

    Born on January 25th, 1971 to Myron Lyons Jr. and Julie Owens-Lyons in Petersburg. Sandra passed away on June 11th, 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska. Sandra was known as a bubbly, beautiful, people person who had the determination to do whatever she set her mind to. She was always on the go hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time on her property at Point Agassiz. Nine years in a row she was the log rolling champion during the 4th of July festivities! Her dog Stella was her pride and joy, if she... Full story

  • Obituary: Myron Leroy Lyons Jr, 73

    Jun 29, 2023

    Born on October 3rd, 1949 to Myron Sr. and Gertrude Lyons in Petersburg, Myron peacefully passed away on June 21st, 2023 in Petersburg. Myron was gentle, quiet and an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent much time teaching his kids and grandchildren the ways of life in Southeast Alaska. Myron enjoyed laughing and telling stories with his many friends, and even dancing during his younger years. His many jobs included: commercial fisherman, mill worker, PFI cold storage employee and flying with cou... Full story