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Brian Mattson and Doug Corl are no strangers to catching fish, the pair have fished together for almost two decades, and last weekend was no exception. Around 10 p.m. on Saturday the local fishermen hooked a monster. They made a quick trip on the F/V Day Spring to Thomas Bay, rather than going south of town, because they drew a NOAA observer. Two sets later they had a nearly 400-pound halibut aboard. They caught the fish "right where everybody goes tanner crabbing," Mattson says. "Normally we... Full story
The pink salmon season is starting to hit its peak, but the numbers are looking below recent averages, according to Troy Thynes, area management biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. “Going into the season our preseason forecast was for a harvest of 34 million, which is below the recent 10 year average of 38 million,” he says. “Currently our harvest estimate is right around 11 million.” Pink salmon are the largest harvest in Southeast, and this year the strongest run is showing up south of Petersburg, with limited opening... Full story
The school board met in the high school library Tuesday night, after taking July off. The board also took a tour of summer improvements with director of maintenance Dan Tate before the meeting. Tate showed off and talked about the school’s new carpet, changes to a few classrooms and projects still in the works. School board members were excited about the improvements done over the summer, especially the new LED lighting installed in the school’s shop. The tour ended at the elementary school with Tate talking about the new rock garden and caf... Full story
August 12, 1916 – The submersible wrecking scows to be used in raising the Northland arrived in port Thursday evening, and, after taking on a pilot, continued on to Kake. Captain Wie, of the Northland, and Captain Bisset, in charge of the wrecking outfit, who were in town the fore part of the week, returned Thursday evening on the San Juan to Kake. It is expected to have the Northland raised and towed to Petersburg within the next eight days. A new branch in the fishing industry of this vicinity is the securing of shark hides, but for what purp...
Petersburg Parks and Rec. director Chandra Thornburg quickly fell in love with the community after recently moving here from Seattle, Washington. She appreciates the strong work ethic and unwavering civic pride locals showcase on a daily basis. "Petersburg overall is amazing, the amount of community support I've received is incredible," she says. "Everybody is very caring and kind, from the little kids on up." For Thornburg, moving to such a small town has a lot of perks, including the fact...
If you ask Wayne Short what his profession was he'll most likely respond with acute, warm laughter. The Petersburg resident will be turning 90 next week, and his resume includes veteran, carpenter, hunter, trapper, fisherman and author. Short's first book The Cheechakoes, published in 1964, became popular in Europe, and it bought him his first big boat, the F/V Denny M, a 45-footer that allowed him to start making "real money." The story of Short's life strongly follows the footsteps of his...
Marijuana, AMA approved Letter to the Editor: 1) I find comfort, and so should you, that the largest American Medical Association comprised of thousands of doctors; as well as the American Oncology Society; just to name two, have petitioned congress to lower marijuana to a category II listing so that they can prescribe marijuana for their patients. I value their opinion over all individual doctor's opinion. 2) Black Market: By supplying topself, top grade medical marijuana, in large variety at a price lower than current black market prices, it...
Al Dwyer passed away August 5, 2016. A rosary service will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Petersburg Lutheran Church with a celebration of a life well lived to follow at the Sons of Norway Hall. An obituary will follow in the near future.... Full story
August 3 A call concerning theft was received. Suspicious activity was reported. August 4 A call regarding harassment was received. A traffic offense occurred on S. 2nd Street. August 5 A call concerning theft at Middle Harbor was received. Suspicious activity was reported. There was a parking issue on 1st Street. There was a parking issue in the Trading Union parking lot. A traffic stop occurred on Wrangell Ave. Suspicious activity was reported on N. Nordic Drive. August 6 Suspicious activity was reported at Sandy Beach Park. There was a call...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Juneau police say they were able to arrest a robbery suspect with the help of a witness who chased the man down and detained him until officers arrived. The Juneau Empire reports that officers had responded Sunday night to a report that 38-year-old Michael Hoyt had taken a cellphone from another man. A 45-year-old Juneau man who had been nearby then stepped in to stop Hoyt. Juneau police Lt. David Campbell says the witness was able to keep Hoyt restrained by resting his body on him until police arrived. Hoyt was treated f...
July 28 Jacob Sturgeon appeared before Superior Court Judge Williams for petition to revoke probation. Sturgeon failed to report as directed by his probation officer on July 11, and violated the substance abuse condition of his release. Sturgeon was credited for three days served, and released on probation. August 5 Charles Sterling appeared before Magistrate Judge Burrell charged with violation of conditions of release. Sterling entered a not guilty plea, and a status hearing is set for Sept. 20. Magistrate Judge Burrell granted Terri Falter...
WRANGELL – A sewer main broke early Monday morning, necessitating a temporary shutdown of nearby pump stations and causing an overflow of untreated water into Inner Harbor. The main line connecting town to the sewage treatment plant ruptured near the Sea Level Seafoods processing facility at 1204 Zimovia Highway. City crews responded to the scene, shutting down pump stations near the Public Works Department building and City Park in order to repair the break. Eighty-five percent of Wrangell households are connected to the municipal sewage s...
As he prepares to add another year to his coaching career, PHS cross country coach Tom Thompson is excited for the 2016 season. It seems every year the team loses strong leadership and talent, but it's replaced like clockwork. This season is no exception, he says. "We got some really great returning kids. Our numbers aren't really big, but they are solid, with great, hardworking kids," Thompson says. "We lost very few girls and a couple boys that have been with me for four years." There are...
Two big fish stories have been spawned so far by the 2016 Alaska salmon season: 1) sockeyes save the day; and 2) colossal pinks. A larger than expected sockeye salmon catch that has topped 50 million will salvage a summer that has seen lackluster catches of other salmon species, notably, those hard to predict pinks. “I think if you’re a Bristol Bay fisherman, you’re probably pretty happy, and if you fished anywhere else in the state, it probably hasn’t been a great season for you,” said Forrest Bowers, deputy director of commercial fisheries...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Below the gangway leading down to Harris Harbor, 25-year-old medical student Austin Jones split open his foldable kayak, revealing among water bottles, camping and survival gear two canisters: one of Nutella and one of peanut butter. “Peanut butter and Nutella are pretty much the best foods you can pack in terms of caloric intake,’’ he said, standing above what looked like the plastic innards of a kayak-shaped beast. “Plus, they taste good.’’ Jones should know something about caloric intake: He just spent 59 days paddling...
BETHEL, Alaska (AP) _ Bethel officials are mulling over applications for a new city manager. The search comes after City Manager Ann Capela filed a notice to leave her three-year contract early at the end of June, citing struggles with the Arctic climate. The city agreed to let her leave without penalty, and she will step down Sept. 23. So far, the City Council has received nine applications for the job. Councilors are holding weekly meetings, which are open to the public, to discuss potential candidates until they select a person for the job....
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) – State officials and leaders are criticizing the federal government’s plan to open one-quarter of the land it manages in eastern Alaska to mining and oil development, saying it restricts development in the state. The Bureau of Land Management’s plan released in July designates 1.7 million acres for possible resource extraction, while recommending the other 4.8 acres of federal land remain closed to mining. It is scheduled to take effect after a 30-day appeal period, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. The plan...
Marty Susort is the onsite construction administrator on the municipal building renovation. He's the borough's "eyes and ears," according to Public Works director Karl Hagerman. He's at the site to observe the contractor and sub-contractors and step in if any issues arise. "Marty can act as a liaison to the architect or just point to the right page in the plans and specification book for the contractor," Hagerman wrote in an email to the Pilot. "This type of inspection is common for...
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) – A new report examining the impacts of a proposal calling for the University of Alaska's three campuses to drop their independent accreditations for system-wide accreditation ultimately argues against the change. The study released Wednesday found that single accreditation “is neither necessary nor sufficient'' to reduce costs or improve the student experience, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. “In addition, the process to merge UA's institutions would be disruptive, take at least two years, and might not be ap...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she does not know if she will vote for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump this fall. But the moderate Alaska Republican told The Associated Press she knows who she won’t vote for, and that’s Democrat Hillary Clinton. Murkowski is concerned that Clinton’s policy positions would be harmful to a resource-producing state like Alaska. Murkowski said she has not endorsed Trump and will continue to speak out on issues where they disagree. She said that she has time to decide how she wil...
Clara Medalen graduated with honors from Montana State University May 7....
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Federal wildlife officials are implementing a rule prohibiting predator control on national wildlife refuges in Alaska, more than 73 million acres of land, with some exceptions. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may still allow predator control the hunting of predators, such as wolves, to boost moose and caribou populations if the agency determines the effort is in response to conservation concerns, KTUU-TV reported. “Alaska’s national wildlife refuges are incredible landscapes with wildlife populations that suppo...
