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Following the retirement of the previous local magistrate judge in May, Rachel Newport has taken on the role after serving as clerk of court for two years. Newport began working at the Petersburg Courthouse in April 2018 as the clerk of court under Magistrate Judge Desi Burrell. After Burrell retired in May of 2019, the deputy clerk also retired shortly after. Newport has since been assuming both duties as clerk of court and that of the deputy clerk. Debra O'Gara became the next magistrate...
Petersburg Magistrate Judge Debra O'Gara is retiring from her position with the state court system to pursue a PhD in indigenous studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her last day on the job is Friday, May 15. O'Gara, who moved to town last summer from Juneau for the magistrate judge position, said her decision to retire isn't a reflection on how she feels about Petersburg. In fact, she will continue to live in town while attending UAF, since her studies will be done remotely. "This is...
Mission of court system hasn't changed To the Editor: On behalf of the Alaska Court System, and particularly those of us working in the First Judicial District (Southeast), I want to extend to the people of Petersburg, Kake and the surrounding area our appreciation for your patience and consideration as we work through the challenges to our judicial process brought on by the current pandemic. As most of you are aware, we have had to suspend jury trials and most other in-person court... Full story
January Following the shutdown of the U.S. government on Dec. 22, 2018, the U.S. Coast Guard stated it would continue offering essential services. The borough assembly approved $600,000 for a new baler. The USCG located debris from an overdue medivac aircraft that had three people onboard that was due to land in Kake several nights before. A decrease in air cargo coming into Petersburg affected the timely arrival of residents' packages after the retirement of Alaska Airlines' combi 737-400...
Dec. 4 – Christopher Lee Malcom entered a no contest plea to charges of driving while license revoked for DUI. The defendant was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 10 suspended, a $200 fine and $200 in service charges. Patrick Short entered a no contest plea to amended charges of driving while license revoked for DUI. The court sentenced the defendant to 10 days in jail with 10 suspended, a $200 fine and a suspended $100 service charge. Dec. 9 -- The court will recommend to Judge Carey to grant possession of property and back rent in the a...
Nov. 19 – Helen Ann Olson was granted permission to travel out of state. The defendant was ordered to sign a waiver of extradition. Eric Ryan Luna entered a guilty plea to a charge of violating conditions of release at a change of plea hearing. Another charge was dismissed. The defendant was to serve one day in jail with credit for time served, pay $150 in surcharges and $200 for cost of counsel. Kylene Hedlund’s DUI charge was amended to reckless driving. A refusal charge was dismissed. The court accepted the defendant’s guilty plea and order...
The Petersburg Medical Center held its fourth Community Cafe last week, which focused on healthcare for the aging population and the concept of "Aging in Place." Ken Helander, associate state director of advocacy with AARP, spoke on caregiving and other topics to consider to help aging citizens transition from an independent lifestyle to one that requires assistance. A combined total of 89 residents attended the afternoon and evening Community Cafes on Nov. 12. Hospital staff was also available...
Petersburg has found its next magistrate judge and since her arrival earlier this month, she has been getting to know her job and her new home. Debra O'Gara first arrived in Petersburg on Aug. 1 and is replacing the previous magistrate judge, Desi Burrell, who retired in May. O'Gara has been practicing law for over 26 years and was previously serving as presiding judge for the Tlingit & Haida Tribal Court in Juneau. The new position has her tackling a full range of cases, such as civil and...
July 3rd Winners Scrapfish Derby - Alicia Kittams with a three pound flounder BBQ Wing Challenge Ages 4-8 - Thomas Slaven Ages 9-12 - Blaze Cowan Ages 13-17 - Jozef Myrick Ages 18 & Up - Andy Krause Cup Challenge - Matthew Birch Bail-A-Boat - Ellexis Tracy Survival Suit Challenge - Harley Ethelbah Herring Challenge - Ellexis Tracy Watermelon Eating Contest Ages 4-8 - Wesley Durst Ages 9-12 - LeLe Rucker Ages 13-17 - Matthew Birch Ages 18 & Up - Janine Gibbons The Arena Ages 4-8 - Zeus Damm Ages...
In 1998, Desi Burrell was hired as the clerk of court at the Petersburg Courthouse, and 20.5 years later, she retired as magistrate judge on May 20. "It's been an amazing career," said Burrell. "I love the people that I work with, and that's statewide, not just here in Petersburg." Through her work, Burrell said she has been able to contribute to the community of Petersburg and help its citizens. Burrell discovered her passion for helping people early in life when she began working in the...
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A fishing boat captain who dumped sandblast waste into southeast Alaska waters was ordered to pay $10,000 and perform 40 hours of community service. Federal prosecutors say 32-year-old Brannon Finney of Bellingham, Washington, dumped waste to avoid a $1,460 disposal fee. U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Scoble on Wednesday also ordered 18 months of probation for Finney and a public apology. Prosecutors say Finney’s boat had been sandblasted for repainting. On June 15, 2017, she and crewmembers left Wrangell for Pet...
March 19 — Stephen Waddle appeared in a change of plea hearing before Judge Carey on multiple charges. In three counts of petition to revoke probation the court imposed 85 days jail time. On the 4th count of PTRP the court revoked probation, reimposed all conditions and extended probation 1-year with conditions. The defendant pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of harassment in the 1st and was ordered to pay $100 in surcharges. Three other counts were dismissed. The defendant pleaded guilty to unlawful contact and was to serve 10 days of a 3...
Feb. 16 — Anthony Paul Hill was arraigned on charges of driving while license suspended or revoked. A not guilty plea was entered. Feb. 26 — Robert E. Swanson was arraigned on a charge of possession of undersize Tanner crab. The defendant entered a no contest plea and was sentenced to a $3,000 fine with $2,000 suspended, a $20 service charge and the seized crab was forfeited. The court noted that Swanson has fished a lifetime with no violations. Feb. 27 — Katie Jo Edfelt was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Burrell on a petition to revok...
Jan. 30 — Christian A. Holton appeared before Judge Carey in a bail hearing. The court granted the defendant permission to leave Petersburg after serving 3-days home confinement prior to moving to Florida. Feb. 2 — Jacqueline Bennum was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Burrell on a DUI charge. The defendant entered a not guilty plea and was released O.R. with conditions. Feb. 7 — Jason L. Ratliff was arraigned on two counts of Petition to Revoke Probation. The court continued the case and released the defendant on $250 cash performance bond...
Jan. 23 — James Donald Polwarth was charged with Assault in the 4th degree. Judge Carey accepted a not guilty plea and the defendant was released O.R. with conditions. Christopher L. Malcom entered a not guilty plea to a charge of DUI second offense and was released O.R. with conditions. Chellsey Musewski entered a not guilty plea to charges of Assault in the 4th. She also entered a not guilty plea on a Petition to Revoke Probation and was released on a $1,000 cash performance bond with conditions. Jan. 24 — Joseph Lee Thornton requested a nam...
Dec. 21 — Keith Nelson entered a change of plea to a second offense DUI and driving while license suspended or revoked. The case was set for Jan. 28. Dec. 23 — Magistrate Judge Burrell issued an arrest warrant for Bryon Fletcher in the amount of $1,000. Another warrant was issued for Brina Compton in the amount of $500. Jodi Severson was charged with DUI and was released O.R. on a $1,500 unsecured performance bond with other conditions. Steve Waddle was arrested on failure to post bail, two counts of violating conditions of release (VCOR) and...
January The borough assembly received a proposed update to its zoning code that would introduce a new form of affordable housing, an expansion of the historical and industrial districts and the end of a requirement for businesses to include parking downtown. The borough assembly held a work session to discuss a plan to impose restrictions on the senior tax exemption. A possible annual fee to sales tax exemption card holders was agreed upon ranging between $50 and $60. Police Chief Kelly Swihart...
Nov. 21 — Jared Nicholas Burns was arraigned before Superior Court Judge Carey on charges of failure to stop at the direction of a Peace Officer and driving without a valid operator’s license. The defendant entered a not guilty plea and was released O.R. with conditions. Nov. 28 — David Patrick Churchill appeared before Judge Carey in a change of plea hearing. The defendant entered a guilty plea to Assault in the 2nd, Theft in the 4th and admitted to Petition to Revoke Probation. A Burglary in the 1st Degree charge was dismissed. The court...
Oct. 24 — Harland Paul Billy appeared before Magistrate Judge Burrell on a charge of driving without a valid operator’s license. The defendant entered a No Contest plea and was fined $500 with $400 suspended and a $10 surcharge. He was placed on probation for one year. By showing the court a valid license prior to 1-1-19 the fine would be suspended. Frank M. White entered a no contest plea for commercial fish ticket imprinted and signed prior to delivery. The court sentenced the defendant to a $200 fine and $10 surcharge. Oct. 30 — Judge Mille...
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska salmon boat skipper who killed endangered Steller sea lions with a shotgun and hindered an investigation has been fined $20,000 in federal court. Jon Nichols, 31, of Cordova, was sentenced Tuesday to five years' probation, three months of home confinement and 400 hours of community service. U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Smith also ordered Nichols to publicly apologize in a national commercial fishing magazine. One of Nichols' crewmen, Theodore ``Teddy'' Turgeon, 21, of Wasilla, also shot the endangered a...
Oct. 10 — Brian Bruce Castle appeared before Magistrate Judge Burrell on a charge of Unmarked Buoys on Longline Gear. The defendant entered a guilty plea and the court sentenced the defendant to pay a $250 fine plus $10 surcharge. Oct. 15 — David Patrick Churchill was arraigned on charges of Burglary in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree. The defendant entered a Not Guilty plea before Judge Carey. Oct. 16 — Larry D. Clark and Andrew Ayriss appeared before Magistrate Judge Burrell on charges of Taking Sub-legal Bull Moose. The mea...
September 7 — Jacob J. Pauline appeared before Magistrate Judge Burrell in a bail review hearing. The court set a $500 cash performance bond requirement for his release. September 18 — Judge Carey dismissed the Assault in the 4th Degree charges against Ryan Michael Tate and vacated the trial. David Moncada Gutierrez failed to appear. Judge Carey issued a $50 bench warrant. September 19 — David D. Estes was arraigned on charges of Disorderly Conduct. The defendant entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to time served, a $250 fine with $250...
