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Students in Petersburg outperformed their peers across the state when tested on core school subjects last spring. Statewide assessment data recently released to the public by Alaska's Department of Education and Early Development revealed most students in Alaska are not proficient in the core subjects of science, mathematics and English language arts. In Alaska, almost 32% of students met grade-level proficiency standards in both the English language arts and mathematics tests; and not quite 37%...
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary officially stands up the Petersburg Flotilla on the sunny afternoon of Sept. 11, 2024. At the drive down dock, the USCG Cutters Pike and Elderberry tied up bow to bow, with active duty Coast Guard crew standing on each side to set the stage for the Auxiliary Flotilla ceremony....
A warm aroma of cooked food and the scent of cedar embers sifted through Sandy Beach during the first ever Rainforest Survival series, hosted by Petersburg Parks and Recreation on Saturday Sept. 7. The two-day event focused on helping teach kids about survival skills. The class on Friday consisted of emergency bag preparation and knot tying lessons. On Saturday, lessons featured shelter building, flare signaling for rescue and fire building. "For the most part, I think it went beautifully,"...
September 12, 1924 – Some fine loganberries have been raised on the Papke farm below Petersburg. It has been claimed by agents of the government experimental farm that this class of berries could not be successfully raised in Alaska, but yet Mr. Papke has proved the contrary so far as his place is concerned. He also has cherry trees, apple trees, raspberries, strawberries, and several varieties of vegetables. On his place also has been raised hemp with an excellent texture. In fact, his place is a veritable wonderland in the many different f...
There is a nationwide shortage of providers for behavioral health services, and Petersburg is no different. "We've definitely had times in Petersburg where we've had more providers, and there's still been people on a wait list. That's just the reality of it," said Ashley Kawashima, a behavioral health clinician at Petersburg Medical Center. Because there are wait lists, Kawashima said less preventative care is provided as providers, like herself, must triage based on severity: "We're really...
Southeast Alaska subsistence users who want current information on sockeye escapement numbers, deer seasons and detailed maps now have a single website providing all the information. The U.S. Forest Service on Sept. 2 went live with its new subsistence dashboard. "This tool was created in response to feedback and requests by tribal organizations and subsistence users throughout Southeast Alaska," Tongass Subsistence Program Manager Robert Cross said in a prepared statement. "We heard how... Full story
Don't kill the goose laying the golden egg To the Editor: I will vote No on the proposition to raise the sales tax cap from $1,200 to $5,000. I think it is poor economics. No one will be affected more than commercial fishermen vessel owners. Typical vessel maintenance or repair projects are usually well above $1,200. Fishermen are hard hit by the downturn in the commercial fishing industry and need to economize as best possible. Raising sales tax on their Petersburg purchases will be one more reason to use marine services elsewhere. Vessel...
In early August an ad-hoc meeting was held in Ketchikan by a group consisting of knowledgeable residents who had followed the Alaska Marine Highway Service (AMHS) since its inception in the early 1960s. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how to revise the system. We addressed AMHS maintenance: when vessels are taken out of service, why can’t they be promptly repaired? They could then be made ready for service. We discussed using money made available to AMHS through the Infrastructure Legislation to restructure the system. Finally, we d...
September 4 – Petersburg Police Department (PPD) received a report of an individual lying in the intersection of 3rd and Dolphin Streets. An officer responded and the individual moved out of the road. An officer conducted an extra patrol of South Harbor. An officer responded to a reported disturbance on Ira II Street and determined it was unfounded. An officer responded to a report of suspicious activity on North Nordic Drive between the harbors and determined it was unfounded. An officer conducted extra patrols on Dolphin Street. An officer s...
Ketchikan's police chief has resigned under an agreement that dismisses criminal charges against him stemming from a 2022 off-duty altercation in a restaurant that injured another man. Jeffrey Walls, 48, signed the agreement with state prosecutors on Aug. 27. He stepped down as chief effective Sept. 10. Walls was hired as Ketchikan police chief in 2021. Before that, he worked at the New Orleans Police Department for 24 years. He was accused of injuring a man during an encounter at the Salmon...
Heading into their first meet on the road, the Petersburg High School cross country team looked to build on their momentum from the invitational hosted in Petersburg. And they did exactly that. The PHS cross country girls team had a dominant showing this past weekend in Craig, with sophomore Maria Toth, junior Gabriele Whitacre and freshmen Ariel Tucker and Zia Hulebak finishing first, second, third and fourth in the entire meet in the Women's 5000 Meters. "It was really promising and really...
Petersburg High School's swim team started the 2024 season with solid results during the Petersburg Invite on Friday Sept. 6 and Saturday Sept. 7 which featured teams from Juneau Douglas, Ketchikan, Sitka, Craig and Wrangell. Head Coach Andy Carlisle was pleased with his team's overall performance. "I can see where we're actually a little ahead of where I thought we would be, so everything is good." Carlisle looks forward to the first meet to see where his team stacks up against other competitio...
As Alaskans from different organizations convened at the University of Alaska Anchorage to brainstorm ways to reverse the state’s continuing population outmigration, a leading state economist delivered some bad news. Dan Robinson, research chief at the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, revealed that the latest data shows that Alaska has now had 12 consecutive years with more residents leaving than arriving. That is unprecedented, he said. “This is not normal for us. It hasn’t happened before,” Robinson said on Thursda... Full story
Petersburg Medical Center is beginning a new program for folks to come together, chat about health, and go for a stroll with a healthcare professional. "Walk with a Doc" serves as an opportunity to promote health while also fostering community relationships - by simply going for a walk together. Started in 2005 by a cardiologist in Ohio, the nonprofit Walk with a Doc program now has over 500 chapters worldwide. The first walk of this program in Petersburg will take place this Saturday, Sept....
Alaskans still making ornaments to hang on the Capitol Christmas Tree now have a little more time. The original submission deadline of Sept. 16 has been extended two weeks to Sept. 30. "Sept. 16 ... that was the deadline we were given about a year ago when we started planning this," said Claire Froelich, interpretation and education specialist with the U.S. Forest Service in Wrangell. "But because we are now working with Alaska Airlines, our shipping is going to take less time, so now we have... Full story
In Sitka, some hospital surgeries are on hold. Many shops and restaurants are operating on a cash-only basis. Contact with the outside world comes mostly through satellites. A break in the sole cable that provides Sitka's internet and phone service has wreaked havoc on residents and businesses - and, at the same time, effectively launched a massive social and economic experiment: What happens for 8,000 people who have deeply integrated the internet into their lives, when the switch gets flipped... Full story
WRANGELL — The borough hopes to learn this week the exact location and condition of the kinked blockage in the treatment plant outfall pipeline that has forced a temporary solution — discharging the wastewater on the beach near City Park. “It’s essentially been bent in half,” Public Works Director Tom Wetor said of the 12-inch-diameter plastic pipe, which was hooked Aug. 30 by a boat anchor and damaged as the anchor line was being pulled up. Repairs could take a couple of months, he said Sept. 6. It just depends on how much work is needed. T...
Beth Flor's oil painting Micelli Violin with Sargents Carmella was accepted in the International Guild of Realism Fall Salon online 2024 Exhibition. Works were selected from over 700 entries from twenty countries. The exhibit will be online at the guild's website from September 20 through December 15, 2024....
Lee's Clothing celebrated 55 years of operation in downtown Petersburg last week, culminating on Friday, Sept. 6 with a champagne toast to Lee's founder Roxy Lee. The store was packed with friends eager to share in the appreciation. Roxy launched Lee's Clothing in 1969 and was one of the first women in the Pacific Northwest to sell men's ware. Though she faced many obstacles as a pioneering woman in business, she build a loyal customer base through top notch service and a skillful dedication to...
