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The local airport is one of two locations collecting rainfall and other forecast information on Mitkof Island. The airport readings are unofficial, but figures for October look to be record setting with only 3.07 inches of precipitation, according to NOAA meteorologist Pete Boyd. “This October was an incredibly dry month due to the setup of high pressure systems that were mostly over the Yukon and western Canada,” he says. “Which kept us with the offshore flow, thus keeping the sunny weather throughout the entire timeframe.” The officia...
Over 20 people assembled at the SONS last Thursday evening for a presentation and Q&A with representatives of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office (TLO). The representatives stressed their desire for a land exchange to pass via federal legislation as it would allow the Trust to bypass logging on contentious land in Petersburg and Ketchikan. Residents who attended were more concerned about what would happen if the land exchange does not go through and the TLO moves forward with plans to log areas in close proximity to residences on Mitkof...
Petersburg is among the top 30 fishing ports in the United States according to the annual Fisheries of the US report for 2015 released this week by NOAA Fisheries. Petersburg is ranked 26 on the list with 69.6 million pounds of seafood delivered with a value of $39.3 million. Among Alaskan ports, Petersburg placed 11th. Last year, Petersburg ranked 24th on the list with a reported 64.7 million pounds of product bringing in $50.9 million. The ranking is determined by value of the seafood products. Topping the list for Alaska were: Port Pounds...
November 4, 1916 – A special meeting of the council was held with all members present except Councilman Gauffin, to consider the sewer question and to raise funds to meet outstanding obligations and current expenses. The clerk was instructed to write to a wood pipe company at Tacoma for prices on 4-, 6- and 8-inch sewer pipe, stating conditions here and asking advice as to size of pipe required; also to Seattle firms for prices on burnt-clay pipe and iron pipe. November 7, 1941 – George Burchard and W. R. Lebo, representatives of the newly est...
Fifteen PHS students qualified to participate in the SE Honor Music Festival in Haines last month. There were eight band members and seven choir members and music teacher Matt Lenhard says that is probably the most musicians Petersburg has ever sent to the festival. “It was a wonderful, wonderful festival,” he says. “We were really contributing to the quality of the festival, especially with the kids on first chair.” Lenhard says seeing four first chairs in the honor band was by far one of his best days with PHS. In the last 18 years, he’s on...
Fees for the state’s sport fishing, hunting and trapping licenses, and tags will increase at the start of the new year. The Department of Fish and Game made the announcement last week in a media release, citing approval of House Bill 137 by the Alaska State Legislature last session as cause for the changes. It notes the hike came with the approval of user groups, and marks the first time in 24 years that hunting license and tag fees have increased. Sport fishing licenses last increased a decade ago. “Alaska’s new prices are in line with other...
The Petersburg High School wrestling team headed south for the 2016 Bill Weiss Invitational last weekend and finished in the middle of 15 teams. The Vikings ran into some quality competition and a couple wrestlers managed to place but no one took a championship. “It was a tough tournament and we didn’t take a full team,” said Coach Dan van Swearingen. “We were a little bit rusty on our feet.” Wrestlers made small mistakes allowing their opponents to capitalize and swing matches in their favor. Coach van Swearingen said Brandon Ware lost a co...
IFQ violations To the Editor: I am writing this letter in regards to the October 27 article “Two Petersburg vessels charged with IFQ violations.” I am the current owner/operator of the F/V Lone Fisherman. It is common for NOAA enforcement reports to only note the date citations were issued, not the date the violation occurred. I understand that this can cause confusion when reporting on information found in the enforcement reports. The violation mentioned in this article occurred prior to my becoming the owner/operator of the F/V Lone Fis...
U.S. House Representative candidate Steve Lindbeck made his first visit to Little Norway last Friday to meet with residents and try to convince local voters to cast their ballots in his favor. Lindbeck is a newcomer to politics. He retired a year ago after working, most recently, for 8.5 years as the general manager for Alaska Public Media based in Anchorage. "I'm not a career politician by any means. But I have been in public service my whole career and so it feels like a natural thing," he...
October 26 Suspicious activity was reported at B&G Storage. There was a report of trespassing on W. Lansing St. October 27 A burn violation occurred on Lumber St. Suspicious activity was reported on Scow Bay Loop Rd. October 28 There was a report of vehicle theft on N. Nordic Dr. A motor vehicle accident was reported on N. Nordic Dr. A warrant arrest occurred on Skylark Way. Suspicious activity was reported at Scow Bay. October 30 There was a report of disorderly conduct at Kito’s Kave. Suspicious activity was reported on Tango St. October 3...
October 19 Kory Versteeg appeared before Magistrate Judge Burrell for a change of plea hearing. Versteeg was charged with undersized crab. Versteeg entered a guilty plea and was fined $4,000 with $2,000 suspended, with a $10 surcharge. Versteeg was also placed on one year probation. October 20 Cesar Gonzalez appeared before Superior Court Judge Carey for a change of plea hearing. Gonzalez entered a guilty plea of misconduct involving weapon, a class C felony. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12. October 25 Bradley L. Shaffer appeared...
WRANGELL - Two license applications for a prospective marijuana retailer have been submitted to the state Marijuana Control Board for consideration. The applications – for retail and cultivation – were submitted October 24 on behalf of Happy Cannabis, a business being developed by Wrangell restaurateur Kelsey Martinsen. Renovating the former Thunderbird Hotel, the business will feature a retail area and a separate grow and process facility. Martinsen expects the business should not produce much additional traffic flow, or at least not more tha...
FAIRBANKS – Students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are questioning how school officials have responded to reports of sexual assault. They voiced their concerns Sunday at a forum hosted by interim Chancellor Dana Thomas, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. Students criticized university policies that allow those accused of sexual assault to return to campus before the case is closed. They also said the university has been lagging in its effort to fill open positions in the Title IX office, which is responsible for investigating s...
Values of Alaska salmon permits have taken a nose dive after a dismal fishing season for all but a few regions. “No activity for drift gillnet or seine permits in Prince William Sound…No interest in Southeast seine or troll permits…Nothing new in Area M (the Alaska Peninsula),” wrote Mike Painter of The Permit Master. And so it goes - “With the lone exception of Bristol Bay and Area M it was a pretty grim season for salmon fishermen all over the state, and we are seeing that reflected in the declining prices for salmon permits and very low...
The high school swim team performed well at regions last weekend qualifying three swimmers for the state meet in Juneau this weekend. A couple swimmers barely missed out on making the trip to Juneau, but everyone gave it their best, according to head coach Andy Carlisle. Ben Higgins and Izabelle Ith will return to state for the second consecutive year. Higgins earned third place in the 200 yard freestyle and second place in the 500 yard freestyle. His time in the 200 was a best time and the 500 time was right at his best time. Ith won the 100...
On Sunday, Oct. 30 at approximately 8:55 p.m. Alaska State Troopers received a report of a Search & Rescue for a hiker who was lost on Raven’s Roost Trail in Petersburg. Investigation revealed Dwight Carlson, age 46 of Indiana, had lost the trail while attempting to hike back to Petersburg and called 911 from his cell phone. Carlson was uninjured but not prepared to spend the night in the cold. Petersburg Search & Rescue responded and located Carlson just after midnight. No injuries were reported and Carlson was escorted safely off the t...
On October 18, 2016, Marlen W. Davis Sr, went home to be with the Lord. He was born October 30, 1936 in Aberdeen, Washington to Luther and Fern Davis, the eldest of seven children. Due to the premature death of his mother, as a young teen, Marlen quit school along with his brother Cecil to work and help raise all of their younger siblings. He later lived in California and Oregon and eventually started a family. By the age of 35, Marlen had brought six children into the world. Marlen spent his... Full story
Petersburg played host to over 10 teams last weekend for the All Comers Tournament. Head coach Jaime Cabral and the coaching staff were busy taking turns coaching three PHS squads that saw a lot of action over the weekend. Psg 3, the youngest PHS team, finished first in their pool and headed to the silver bracket. The team played against competitors like Ketchikan and Sitka, and Cabral called their performance “awesome.” Nina McCay did great in her role of outside hitter and Miranda Nilsen was busy patrolling the net all weekend. Cabral say...