Sorted by date Results 1 - 21 of 21
Petersburg Mayor Mark Jensen brought his fisheries knowledge to bear as a chosen member for new Governor Bill Walker and Lt. Governor Byron Mallott's transition team. The team met Nov. 21-23 at a three-day conference to identify key issues to be addressed by the new administration. "I was very honored to get picked to participate," Jensen said in a phone interview. He was one of 246 Alaskans comprising the transition team, which was sub-divided into 17 groups covering topics from education and... Full story
The Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet and Purse Seine task forces met in Petersburg on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, to review the 2014 season and discuss the 2015 season. On Tuesday, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) biologists from districts around Southeast presented a review of the 2014 season for various salmon species harvested by gillnetters. Justin Breese, ADFG biologist from Ketchikan, reported District 1, Tree Point, had an above average harvest for cohos and pink salmon and a below average harvest for sockeyes and chums.... Full story
The fridge is full of leftovers and downtown is bright with Christmas lights and decorations, two sure signs the holiday season is underway in Petersburg. Friday evening kicked off with two Petersburg traditions, the parade of lights and the tree lighting ceremony. Gloria Ohmer and Don Koenigs were named as the honorary tree lighters for this year's ceremony. Ohmer has been in Petersburg since 1949 when she arrived for a two-week visit from Washington state but never left. "She's gone on to... Full story
The first pieces of the floats have arrived for the Drive Down Dock project, though complete installation is still to come as the modular sections are linked, only slightly impeded by the sudden surplus of snow. Currently, three pieces have arrived, Harbormaster Glo Wollen reported on Monday. “Tamico (Construction) splashed at (Alaska Marine Lines) last night and towed them over to the Martinsen Dock where they are working (on Monday) to bolt them together.” Another 10 sections are to come, with semi-regular deliveries “every couple of weeks...
December 5, 1914 – J.C. Allen, ex-deputy U.S. Marshal for the Petersburg precinct is attending on the court as a witness. Mr. Allen will return home on an early boat. December 1, 1939 – Territorial Senator Henry Roden was a Petersburg visitor over the week-end. In a Press interview Senator Roden reported on the recent recommendations of the Territorial Fisheries Committee, made to the Congressional Committee following their joint hearings in Alaska the past summer. The majority report included: 1. Endorsement of Delegate Dimond's bill for the...
Some contestants might be in a bit of a pickle as last minute changes are announced to the annual Pickled Herring Contest, to be held this coming Wednesday at the Sons of Norway Hall. “What we’re changing this year is we’re asking people to bring their entries a bit earlier, so we can get the judging going faster so people can eat quicker,” Sons of Norway President Sally Dwyer said. The Sons doors will be open for entrants from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with judging immediately following and the public tasting at 7 p.m. — Dwyer added that contestan...
Local radio station KFSK went off the air on Wednesday due to fan-related transmitter damage from weather. According a statement on their Facebook page, the station is awaiting replacement equipment and preparing an alternate transmission line. Regularly schedule programming remained available by streaming online at the station's website and through other providers. There was no indication of how long it would take to fix the equipment and get the station back on the air....
To the Editor: I believe the Petersburg Borough should not involve itself in land acquisition at Papke’s Landing unless it is part of a plan to take over the ownership and management of the entire complex. At present, the dock, trestle, parking area and ramp are in a state of decline with no agency stepping forward to address upkeep, repair, or use management. Abandoned vehicles and trash litter the lot, the dock is falling apart, some treat the transient dock as their private property and the trestle is covered in fungus and nearly i...
November 25 Following a call to police, Petula A. Ohmer, 49, was charged with Driving Under Influence. A deceased cat near the roadway was reported by two callers. An officer patrolled an area after receiving a noise complaint. The officer did not identify any noise in the area. November 26 A caller spoke with an officer concerning a custody matter. Police received a report of religious pamphlets on the roadway along Sandy Beach Road. A welfare check was requested by a caller. An officer stood by a disabled vehicle until it was moved from the...
November 26 Superior Court Judge William Carey presided over a Change of Plea hearing for Randi Jo Haviland, charged with Minor Consuming Alcohol. The defendant pled guilty to the charge and sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 25. December 1 Magistrate Judge Amanda Schulz presided over an eviction hearing for Thomas Stearns against Joseph Smida. After hearing from both parties, the judge took the case under advisement and her recommendations are forthcoming. December 2 Pat McGrath appeared before Deputy Magistrate Judge Brandy Boggs for an...
The ninth annual Devil's Thumb Brewfest and Chili Cookoff was a huge success under different management this year, after the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce passed the mantle for the community event. "They were hoping to be able to find somebody else to take up the torch, and Angela (Christensen) found it in herself to be able to keep it alive," said Eric Castro, who also volunteered to help put on the event. "The community does not want to see this event die." The Petersburg Ski Club also threw...
The Wild Kings of Petersburg aren't strapping on their ice skates just yet, but the season is just about right for hockey as winter sets in. As the club waits for the weather to allow area waterways to properly freeze, they're typically found in the community gym with roller blades instead, testing tricky shots, movements and generally how to stay upright and untangled from the swarms of swatting sticks that gather in pursuit of the puck as they practice swoops across the polished floor. Though...
Tongass Advisory Committee (TAC) members compiled work-group draft recommendations for the Tongass National Forest’s timber management plan amendment at their Nov. 19-21 meeting in Sitka. Present at the recent meeting was USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Bonnie; Beth Pendelton, the U.S. Forest Service Alaska regional forester; and Forrest Cole, the Tongass National Forest supervisor. Bonnie emphasized the importance of TAC’s opportunity “to find a solution that works for everybody [so] we ca...
The Nov. 20 edition of the Petersburg Pilot incorrectly identified Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Elders Kettle and Lofton as members of the Salvation Army. The Pilot regrets the error....
Parks and Recreation Director Donn Hayes believes Petersburg should be at its brightest as the year spins towards its darkest day, looking to launch the first of what he hopes will be an annual celebration of light amidst the bleak and black. The Light Bright Dash and Bash will begin at 7 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 20, one day before the winter solstice, he said. Registration is an hour earlier. “We just want it to be fun — we’re having this in the middle of winter,” he said. “We just want people to say, ‘the darkness is not going to affect me;...
It’s the time of year when Alaska’s fishery meetings kick into high gear - with five set for this week alone. The industry will get a first glimpse of potential 2015 halibut catches when the International Pacific Halibut Commission convenes in Seattle, WA. It’s been a wait and see attitude among fish circles - will Alaska’s catch limits again be reduced, down already 70% over a decade to just 16 million pounds? Or has the Pacific halibut stock started to rebound as some of the science indicates? Tune into the IPHC meetings live via webinar...
The trapping season for marten, river otter, mink and weasel opened December 1 on Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof islands (Unit 4). Unit 4 beaver season opened November 10. The trapping season runs through February 15, 2015 for most species in Unit 4. Exceptions are the marten, mink, and weasel season closure on December 31, 2014 in the north Chichagof Island area and the beaver season which remains open until April 30, 2015. In addition to obtaining a trapping license, trappers must have marten, river otter, and beaver hides sealed within...
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) _ The world's most acidic ocean waters are found during the cold winter months in the Bering Sea, according to a new study. Researchers at Columbia University released a series of maps tracking changes in global marine activity, The Alaska Dispatch News reported The new maps, based on 40 years' worth of measurements, show how acidity in marine waters around the globe changes with the seasons. The Bering Sea has shallow waters, a broad continental shelf and ocean currents that deposit nutrients from around the world....
Petersburg schools will be testing out the idea that less is more when it comes to lighting — and not simply saving a bit on the budget, though that remains a major selling point. “What got me thinking about this was a maintenance directors’ conference I attended up in Anchorage,” Maintenance Director Dan Tate said. “It was environmental design loss prevention, and they showed, very clearly, that you can have a lot of lights on to produce a lot of glare that defeats a security officer’s nighttime vision.” Tate consulted with Petersburg Po...
Born in Springfield, Missouri to William Edward and Essie Eunice Stafford on September, 11th 1924. He had 4 older brothers, Suel, Uel (Cook), Tom (Bat) and Scott, and a younger sister Shirley. They have all preceded Jim in death. He was raised on a farm outside of Springfield during the depression where he learned to work hard and be self-sufficient. He joined the Coast Guard at 17 leaving High School early in April 1942 for boot camp in New Orleans and following that he went to Marine Corp...
