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The Borough Assembly voted for Manager Steve Giesbrecht to begin discussions with the state about the future transfer of ownership of the dock at Papke's Landing during Monday's meeting. Though the conversation began with the Entrance Island dock, Kupreanof dock, and Papke's Landing dock, which are all in varying states of disrepair, the focus shifted to gaining ownership of the dock at Papke's Landing. Similar to a discussion held at the September 7 meeting, Assembly Member Jeff Meucci wanted t...
The Hammer & Wikan Convenience store celebrated its reopening Thursday after three months of being closed. To commemorate the store's reopening, the first fifty people to enter the store received a free mug developed for the 100-year anniversary of Hammer & Wikan. "The reason why it's extremely important to reopen is because it's the original store," Hammer & Wikan General Manager Jim Floyd said. The store, which started out selling dairy products and groceries, was the first store built by...
The Petersburg Medical Center reported seventeen positive cases of COVID-19 Wednesday while several tests are currently pending. Contract tracing has been initiated by Public Health and it is believed that community spread is most likely the avenue of transmission for some cases. The Petersburg School District also reported that several students have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and the district has entered red status. Universal masking was reintroduced and after school practices were...
September 23, 1921 The new cable system which was installed by the cable ship Burnside, recently was given its first try out this week and performed perfectly. Sergeant Rex Dunlop has been working between Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell and Petersburg for the past month installing the extra instruments and the complicated switches necessary and this week completed his work. With the new system less men are needed in the offices and a much greater efficiency is obtained. At the present time all press messages can be relayed from Sitka and reach all...
The five Petersburg Medical Center Hospital Board candidates took to Zoom Tuesday night to participate in a forum hosted by KFSK and the Petersburg Pilot. Questions presented to the candidates ranged from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of a new medical facility in Petersburg, and the prospect of SEARHC in town among other subjects. Heather Conn, Al Gross, Donna Marsh, Kathi Riemer, and Jim Roberts each began the forum with an opening statement after which each candidate began...
Forty-five years ago, with the foresight of a time beyond their newfound oil wealth, Alaskans took the initiative to create the Permanent Fund, thus constitutionally protecting a portion of the royalties for future generations. As a steward of the Fund, the Permanent Fund Corporation was established to invest the assets in an innovative financial structure which continues today to stand as a model for sovereign wealth funds globally. The legacy of the Alaska Permanent Fund is, and always has...
Calls for silent majority to be loud To the Editor: As we near our local election day on October 4, I hear people in our little town refer to a group known as the "silent majority." A group that prefers to stay out of the back and forth of politics. Members of our community that would prefer to keep to themselves and let their vote do their talking for them. The counterpart to this silent majority could then only be the "vocal minority." One might even say the "loud" minority. And boy, over the...
We encourage a NO VOTE on Proposition #2, which seeks to remove the Frederick Point East Subdivision from Borough Service Area 1. Changes to Service Area 1 boundaries proposed under the proposition are unnecessary and ill advised. In 2012 voters approved the creation of the Petersburg Borough boundaries. Terms for governing and taxing the borough were established, and the measure passed with 55% approval by the voters. Proponents argue few to no services are available to the Frederick Point East (FPE) property owners and consequently they pay t...
The Borough Assembly approved the 2021 municipal election report presented by Borough Clerk Debbie Thompson during Monday's meeting. The report included all 21 seats and term lengths on this year's ballot and the two propositions that will be voted on. A list of borough residents who will serve as election officials was also provided for approval. The first proposition on the ballot is the electric utility revenue bond issue which can be voted on by all voters. The revenue bonds would help fund...
September 15 — The Fire Department was paged and responded to a fire alarm at an undisclosed business. A lost item was reported and later found by the owner A found item was brought to the Police Department. Officers responded to a reported disturbance at an undisclosed location. A black bear was reported getting into strapped down garbage near Fram St. AST and ADF&G were notified by e-mail. A traffic warning was issued for taillight requirements. September 16 — A personal item found near Nordic Dr. was turned into the Police Department. An...
Paul Anderson Name: Paul Anderson Age: 76 What experience do you have? Petersburg City Council: elected 1987 to 1990, appointed May 1991 to October 1991, elected 1991 to 2000, Mayor Pro Tempore December 1998 to 2004, elected 2004 to 2007 Wrangell-Petersburg Federal Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) - Federal Appointment, Co-Chair Appointment 2002-2010 Thomas Bay Power Authority: Commissioner January 1988-2002, President 2002-2008 Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10002 Why do you seek...
The 2021 Petersburg Invitational swim meet was hosted on Friday and Saturday by the Viking Swim Club. Schools from Juneau to Ketchikan converged on Petersburg to compete in the two day meet. The Petersburg High School boys started strong on Friday in the second event of the meet. Sean Spigelmyre, Rik Cumps, Caleb Pfundt, and Elijah Whitacre finished fourth in the boys 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:58.20. The same four raced in the boys 200-yard freestyle relay later that night and...
The Petersburg High School cross country team competed Saturday in the 2021 Sitka Invitational meet. The girls team finished fifth with 129 points and an average time of 25:31.83. The boys team placed fourth, amassing 104 points and averaging a time of 19:05.92. "I think our boys are kind of coming into their own as far as what they need to do to be successful," Head Coach Tom Thompson said. Uriah Lucas returned to the boys team and finished third overall with a time of 17:30.20. His finish is s...
Unlike in the Bering Sea, there's good news for crab in the Gulf of Alaska. A huge cohort of Tanner crab that biologists have been tracking in the Westward region for three years showed up again in this summer's survey. "We were optimistic and we did find them again. Pretty much all the way across the board from Kodiak all the way out to False Pass we found those crab and in good quantity," said Nat Nichols, area manager for the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game at Kodiak. The bairdi Tanners are...
The Borough Assembly voted in support of Ordinance #2021-16 Monday during its second reading. The ordinance would allow the borough to place liens on properties for the purpose of securing payment for utility fees and the abatement of nuisances. It serves to update local language based on legislation passed by the Alaska Legislature giving municipalities the power to create liens for such purposes. There was a public hearing for the ordinance during the meeting, but no members of the public spok...
The Borough Assembly approved Ordinance #2021-13 in its third and final reading Monday, allowing assembly members to be counted to determine a quorum if they are participating via teleconference. The ordinance was proposed after the August 2 assembly meeting was postponed due to a lack of quorum by Assembly Member Dave Kensinger. Though the ordinance allows for programs such as Zoom to act as an alternative to in person participation, it requires that members make a reasonable effort to come to...
The Borough Assembly unanimously approved of Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht's 2021 performance evaluation Monday. Giesbrecht was assessed in categories including leadership, communication, planning, managing resources, problem solving and decision making, and relations with the community, staff, intergovernmental departments, and the assembly. "Member Lynn and I went over the performance evaluation with the manager and I really appreciated the healthy discussion," Vice Mayor Jeigh Stanton Greg...
Five Finger Lighthouse Since 1902, the Five Finger Lighthouse has stood on a rocky 3-acre island at the south entrance to Stephens Passage--the first American-built lighthouse in Alaska. Originally staffed by a crew of three, many did not stay long, likely due to isolation and occasional lack of food and resources. The original building burned in 1933, and was replaced in 1935 by the structure still in place. The U.S. Coast Guard operated the 71,00 candle-power light and station from 1939-1984,...
The Petersburg Medical Center reported twenty positive COVID-19 cases as of Friday afternoon. The effects of community spread can be mitigated by testing early, identifying positive cases early, and isolating early. Asymptomatic testing will be available Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at PMC next door to Public Health and only people without symptoms should test at that location. PMC urges people to notify their close contacts if they are positive as contact tracing by Public Health has been... Full story
The Petersburg Medical Center reported 28 positive COVID-19 cases Tuesday morning with 24 test results pending. Two cases were identified over the weekend and seven were reported Monday while one case is no longer active. The Petersburg School District release a statement Tuesday morning announcing Mitkof Middle School and Petersburg High School will move to remote learning for the rest of the day. Stedman Elementary School remains in person. School officials are conducting contact tracing for... Full story
