Sorted by date Results 801 - 825 of 1585
WRANGELL — City Hall jumped a notch on its alert level Tuesday, declaring a Stage III water shortage watch. The third stage is the most severe in Wrangell’s water shortage management plan, adopted last year by the Borough Assembly. The city was previously on a Stage I alert due to dwindling supplies of raw water in the treatment plant’s two reservoirs. In its notice to the public, Public Works explained that Wrangell has received no considerable rainfall over the course of the past month. Precipitation has mainly been in the form of snow,...
WRANGELL — The Forest Service held a public input session with Wrangell residents last week, as it puts together ideas for a 10- to 15-year project to benefit the Wrangell and Petersburg districts of the Tongass National Forest. The Central Tongass Landscape Level Analysis would plan for a major project on a large scale that would increase the number of activities authorized in a single analysis and decision. It reflects a larger effort nationwide to improve the USFS environmental analysis process, and the approach is hoped to allow site-specif...
More big bundles of old fishing nets will soon be on their way from Dutch Harbor to Denmark to be remade into high end plastics. It will be the second batch of nets to leave Dutch for a higher cause and more Alaska fishing towns can get on board. Last summer a community collaborative put nearly 240,000 pounds, or about 40 nets, into shipping vans that were bound for a Danish ‘clean tech’ company called Plastix. The company refines and pelletizes all types of plastics and resells them to makers of water bottles, cell phone cases and other ite...
Mike Bangs, who helped pioneer commercial diving in Alaska and was chair of a regional advisory council and Petersburg harbor board, died last week at 62. About 250 people filled the Sons of Norway Hall for the Celebration of Life program on Sunday. Nearly 20 friends and family members told stories about their time with Mr. Bangs. "For many of us here today, the world is already a different place without our friend Mike Bangs," said Glo Wollen, giving remarks at the program. "He passed far too y...
A Petersburg man in his second round of proceedings with the borough assembly has been approved to build a Scow Bay boat ramp that he will pay for. John Murgas, a boat hauler and owner of Island Ventures LLC, was green-lit by the assembly on Monday to lease tidelands and construct a temporary boat ramp at the Scow Bay Turnaround. The Petersburg Harbor Board, Planning Commission and Economic Development Council all recommended the assembly approve a lease for Murgas. The purpose of the ramp is...
Feb. 28 — There was a wildlife complaint at 1300 Howkan Street. An officer responded to a report of a snow machine being driven on a roadway. The officer was unable to locate the vehicle. An officer responded to a disturbance report on South Nordic Drive. An officer responded and spoke with parties concerning a civil issue. Nicholas Martin, 16, was issued a citation for operating an off-road vehicle on Lumber Street. March 1 — There was a report of illegal parking in the 400 block of Hungerford Hill Road. The vehicles were moved. Drug par...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska legislators are considering a bill that would require smaller boats to obtain a title issued by the state Division of Motor Vehicles. The bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Peter Micciche is aiming to reduce the number of vessels becoming derelict and abandoned along the state’s waterways, KTOO Public Media in Juneau reported Friday. Micciche told the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday that the bill intends to help officials track ownership of the boats, so they can address the issue before boats become aba...
Feb. 21 — There was report of overnight parking on Haugen Drive. The owner moved the vehicle. A canine was found in traffic and brought to the police department. The owner was contacted, and the dog was fine. A license was issued and paid. A civil complaint was reported on Lumber Street. A complainant was referred to court regarding property ownership. Feb. 22 — There was a parking in a snow dump complaint. An officer was contacted and the owner is moving the vehicle. An officer provided traffic control for a citizen moving an oversized tra...
It took police officers less than 10 minutes to locate two vehicles that were allegedly stolen on consecutive days by the same Petersburg man. Ron Wallen Sr., 59, allegedly stole a vehicle on Feb. 9 from 14 Harbor Way. Police received a report at 5:01 a.m. that morning, saying a green pickup truck had been stolen. Derek Thorsen, police officer on the case, located the vehicle by 5:03 a.m., said Kelly Swihart, the police chief. The investigation was over in about 55 minutes, and Wallen was arrested and charged with vehicle theft in the first...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Juneau officials have decided to review ordinances on anchoring boats in an attempt to stop vessels from being left to waste in city waters. The Assembly has taken up the issue in response to a notorious tug boat that’s been anchored near a downtown harbor for years, KTOO Public Media of Juneau reported Saturday. There is currently no time limit for anchoring in city waters of the Gastineau Channel, which falls between federal, state and local jurisdictions. Juneau Harbormaster Dave Borg said that’s a problem becau...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Juneau officials have decided to review ordinances on anchoring boats in an attempt to stop vessels from being left to waste in city waters. The Assembly has taken up the issue in response to a notorious tug boat that’s been anchored near a downtown harbor for years, KTOO Public Media of Juneau reported Saturday. There is currently no time limit for anchoring in city waters of the Gastineau Channel, which falls between federal, state and local jurisdictions. Juneau Harbormaster Dave Borg said that’s a problem becau...
The nation’s top fishing port welcomed seven European seafood buyers in late January – all women – and showed off its massive seafood industry during peak operations at Dutch Harbor. The women, whose companies import more than $60 million in U.S. seafood sales, hailed from France, Germany, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, and the U.K., said Hannah Lindoff, international program coordinator for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, which hosted the trip. “They are interested in Alaska pollock, cod, surimi, octopus, salmon, roe, black cod and kin...
A Petersburg boat hauler has been recommended by two borough boards for approval to self-fund a ramp at the Scow Bay Turnaround, leaving it up to the clerk and assembly to give final say once again. John Murgas, owner of Island Ventures LLC, is going to the assembly a second time with a request to build a temporary boat ramp at Scow Bay. This time he’s coming with a lease application that’s endorsed by the planning commission and harbor board. The borough clerk will review the application before it can be put before the assembly. In Jan...
Feb. 1 — Officers assisted a citizen with a civil issue on Unimak and Pearl F street. Verbal warning issued for registration and insurance at Dock Street and N. Nordic. Officers responded to a verbal argument on N. Nordic Drive. Police impounded a vehicle on S. Nordic Drive. Feb. 2 — Extra patrol was requested on Lumber Street. Extra patrol was requested again on Lumber Street. A parking complaint was reported on Lumber Street. Officers arrested 27-year-old Trevor Williams on charges of domestic violence assault. Feb. 3 — An individual reported...
Patrick Gordon Clifton, 38, passed away at home in Sitka, Alaska on January 28, 2017. He was born January 22, 1980 in Yakima, Washington to Jay and Victoria (Tebb) Clifton. Patrick got into commercial fishing at the age of eight, helping his Dad with summer trolling out of Security Bay and Gedney Harbor in Alaska. Summers, fishing with Dad, turned into summers and winters fishing with dad as his mother passed away when he was fourteen. Patrick and his Dad continued trolling and found themselves...
Eight current Petersburg Municipal Power and Light employees are in opposition of the borough’s plan to reorganize the public works and electric utility departments, according to a letter given to the Pilot. In a letter addressed to members of the borough assembly, dated January 27, eight power and light employees ask that the borough continues to search for an electric superintendent that has experience in the industry. Advertising for the position was canceled after the assembly recently voted in favor of the borough manager’s plan to reo...
February 1, 1918 The Juneau Dispatch of Jan. 23, states that Captain Madsen had arrived in Juneau that day, with the information that A. Hansen of Petersburg has been missing since December 21. Hansen experienced some engine trouble near Cape Fanshaw and lost his small boat early in December. He finally managed to get to the Gadner cannery, where he was outfitted with a small boat, rifle and supplies. This was three days before Christmas, and he has not been heard of since. February 5, 1943 From the looks of the town, Kayhi has arrived for its...
As discussion continues on the Power and Light reorganization, it’s important to quantify the savings and identify where they will be placed within the borough budget. Saving money in the Power and Light Dept. will not help the borough’s general fund. It will only bring savings to the Power and Light fund. The funds cannot be transferred to the general fund on an ongoing basis. Since the PMP&L fund is a self-supporting enterprise, it operates independent of the borough’s general fund. In other words, it pays its own way, as do the sanit...
January 24 — Lost wallet found on N. Nordic Dr., owner informed. Caller reported possible intoxicated driver on N. Nordic Dr. An altercation was reported on N. Nordic Dr. Extra patrols were requested at an unknown location. January 25 — Police stopped vehicle for expired registration tab. Police provided civil standby and welfare check on Skylark Way. Police conducted welfare check on Chief John Lott St. Caller reported a phone scam. Caller reported vehicle blocking driveway on N. 2nd St. Owner moved vehicle. Caller reported loud noise on Tan...
The borough manager hosted a second public meeting last Thursday to hear ideas on how to decrease costs and increase revenue for Petersburg. The manager, Steve Giesbrecht, recommends the assembly take the public's suggestions, review them, and make a list of the top five or 10, he said. "The Assembly could then instruct us which ideas they want implemented," Giesbrecht said. "Using this process, the Assembly could work through the entire list." At the meeting, people filtered in for two hours...
On January 10 the Department of Law reported a Prince of Wales fisherman had been sentenced for a number of misdemeanor counts related to fishing violations. Commercial salmon seine captain Curtis Demmert was sentenced to multiple misdemeanor counts, including commercial fishing in closed waters, fishing too close to a salmon spawning stream and falsifying his commercial fish ticket. On September 13, 2017 Alaska Wildlife Troopers had received a report that the F/V Tlingit Lady, a 58-foot commercial seine vessel captained by Demmert, had been...
Jan. 17 — Police were notified of a vehicle parked on private property. A caller reported a phone scam. A complainant spoke to police about suspicious activity and related civil issues. Police issued a verbal warning for speed. PPD notified the fire marshal of an outdoor burn at Mile 4 Mitkof Hwy. that created heavy smoke. An officer spoke with a child on S. 3rd St. about the importance of going to school. A female was transported to the hospital by EMS. Jan. 18 — An altercation was reported at the high school. Jan. 19 — Illegal parking was rep...
WRANGELL — Following a clean bill of health from contaminants testing of dredge material at Shoemaker Bay, the harbor restoration project looks to be continuing on schedule. Department of Transportation and Public Facilities match grant funding in the amount of $5,000,000 was approved for the project in this year’s budget, enabling replacement of the harbor’s aging float network. The wooden float structure is in a deteriorated state, with one of its five finger piers currently unusable. Wrangell Harbor Department’s plan will be to replace...
Jan. 3 — Officers received mortar fireworks from a passenger at the ferry terminal. Officers undertook a drug investigation. A verbal warning was issued for inoperable taillights. A canine was struck by a vehicle on S. Nordic Drive. Dog was okay. Officer spoke with a complainant on S. 4th St. about a civil matter. Jan. 4 — A caller reported theft of a prescription medication. Suspicious drug activity was reported at a local business. A report of a boat fire at the South Harbor, B Float was unfounded. Headlight reflections could have looked lik...
Petersburg’s assembly on Monday voted against issuing a permit to allow a private hauler to pay for a second boat ramp at Scow Bay, saying it would set a precedent open for too much interpretation. John Murgas, owner of Island Ventures LLC, applied for a special use permit to install a second boat ramp at Scow Bay. His proposed ramp would nudge-up against a jetty, which would, he says, create safer launching and hauling of boats. “A single mishap,” Murgas wrote in his permit application, “while loading or launching a vessel due to souther...
