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The priest who had been serving the Roman Catholic parishes in Petersburg and Wrangell died over the weekend. Fr. Thomas Weise, 46, died Sunday evening, Dec. 6 at a hospital in San Luis Obispo, Calif., surrounded by family. He had been on a visit for the Thanksgiving weekend when respiratory arrest triggered a heart attack on Nov. 25. He was hospitalized, but never regained consciousness. Speaking at Wrangell's annual Dove Tree proceedings Sunday afternoon, Fr. Michael Galbraith explained Weise... Full story
Tom Lewis recently celebrated his 94th birthday, it was a Monday, and the fact that it was his birthday didn't change his Monday routine. Every Monday morning, he takes a cake or pie up to the residents at Long Term Care. He refers to the residents as "inmates." The term isn't meant to be offensive, quite the opposite, it's just because he is so active and full of life. Lewis lives on his own, cooks for himself, and still has a driver's license and drives himself around town or out the road to p... Full story
The Sons of Norway Hall has given Jill Williams plenty of good times and fond memories during her lifetime. And now, artifacts recently found in the local landmark have her sifting through old newspaper articles in an attempt to learn more about individuals that called Petersburg home during the early-1900s. Three carpenters remodeling the upstairs of the community hall started finding the artifacts in May, and immediately called Williams. "I think the first thing they found was the board, with... Full story
Over a dozen volunteers showed up two weekends ago to help Petersburg Parks and Recreation and Petersburg's Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints finish a trail improvement project in the Borough. This was the second weekend volunteers from the church and individuals from the Borough worked alongside each other on the William Musson Memorial Pathway, and community support was noticeable. Volunteers formed a "wheel barrow brigade" in order to finish the portion of the trail ending just...
The 8th Annual Rainforest Festival kicks off next week and those attending the festival are going to be offered diverse opportunities, including watching an impactful documentary about a basket weaver, a field trip to listen for bats and wine-making with local ingredients followed by wine tasting. Things get started on Labor Day with the 2nd Annual Rainforest Run Half Marathon. Participants will be faced with the task of completing the 13.1 mile long course. Organizers are hoping to increase... Full story
After a rainy summer punctuated by four cancelled tournaments, Muskeg Meadows Golf Club decided to end its season early. Following the Sea Level Seafoods tournament last weekend, the course is now closed to regular play for the year. Course Manager Laurie Overbay Burrows said this season has been slower than most, following one of the wettest Julys on record for Southeast Alaska. Wrangell absorbed 9.81 inches over the month, with two-thirds of its days experiencing some precipitation. Muskeg Meadows will still host weekend tournaments, with...
June 12, 1915 – The territorial secretary has received a reply from the Secretary of Commerce Refield to the “fish-trap” memorial passed by the Alaska legislature. Mr. Redfield says: “I will take this opportunity to express my belief that the time is not ripe for the assumption by the territorial legislature of Alaska of full jurisdiction over the fishing industry. It is my belief that just as any legitimate business enterprise is entitled to the legitimate protection, so should those engaged in the taking of fish lawfully by the use of trap...
Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht gave the following report at Monday’s Assembly meeting: -On May 12, the Harbor Department had their annual surprise visit from the US Coast Guard Homeland Security unit to review the Borough’s Harbor Homeland Security Plan. They passed with no deficiencies. On May 26, Eddy Tagaban and Officer Jim Kerr attended the annual meeting in Wrangell with the Captain of the Port to discuss homeland security and other Coast Guard issues. -Public Works waited until after Memorial Day to begin work on the Columbarium foundat...
The 34rd Annual Petersburg Chamber of Commerce King Salmon Derby gets underway this Friday at 7 a.m. The derby continues through the Memorial Day Weekend and ends Monday at 5 p.m. Two tagged fish have been released at Frederick Point. The $10,000 fish is about a 15 lb. King, while the $5,000 King is a 28-30 lb. fish, according to Derby committee member Doug Welde who trolled for the Kings for two mornings this week. The $10,000 tagged fish prize is sponsored by Alaska Marine Lines and the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and the $5,000 tagged... Full story
April 24, 1915 – Senator Sulzer has introduced the following memorial, to the Alaska road commission, asking for the improvement and building of roads in the First division: Your memorialists, the senate and the house of representatives of the Territory of Alaska, do most earnestly and respectfully represent and request that, Whereas, there are great and crying necessities for the improvement and construction of roads and trails in the First division of Alaska for the transaction of the affairs of the people of the first division and to e...
April 17, 1915 – Governor Strong on Tuesday signed four bills. The new laws are: By Senator Millard: Prohibiting boys under the age of sixteen loitering around pool halls and cigar stores. H.B. No. 52, by Snow: Providing for secret ballot on prohibiting sale of alcoholic liquors in November, 1916. H.B. No. 16, by Noon: Allowing merchants, contractors and laborers ninety days in which to record leins. H.B. No. 50, by Snow: Providing an eight-hour day for employees in underground workings of all placer, gypsum and other mining properties. S...
A statewide fundraiser, Pick.Click.Give. saw a 25 percent increase in donors and a 20 percent increase in dollars raised this year, benefitting six of Petersburg’s own organizations. Pick.Click.Give. gives Alaskan residents the chance to make a donation to an organization of their choice when they file their Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) online. The $3.3 million pledged statewide this year was a record amount for the seven year program, according to Interim Program Manager Kathy Day. The Petersburg Humane Association (PHA) was one that b...
January More than 600 Petersburg residents signed up for the borough's recycling program. The Petersburg Land Selection Committee requested the borough pursue legislative action regarding the State's calculation of land entitlement for the Petersburg Borough after the committee's determination that the State's selection of land was inadequate. The Petersburg School Board approved a $2.3 million exterior wall renovation project for the Rae C. Stedman Elementary School. Petersburg School District... Full story
Martha Louise Reid was born on December 6, 1923 in Bellingham, Washington. She was the 1st of six children born to Petersburg, Alaska residents Edgar (Ted) and Caroline Hungerford. Martha passed away, at the age of 90, on August 21, 2014 in Sitka following a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Caroline and baby Martha returned to their home town of Petersburg from Bellingham in the spring of 1924. They joined Martha's father, Ted, and logging partners, Bill and Elvina Stedman with infant son... Full story
The 7th annual Rainforest Festival kicks off next week. There are many highlights this year including a portable planetarium for viewing a projection of the night sky indoors and the first ever Rain Forest Run half marathon. The Rain Forest Run half marathon, a 13.1 mile run or walk, will be the first event of the festival. The run will be held on Labor Day, Sept.1, on a course beginning at central Mitkof Island and ending at Sandy Beach Park. "The event was organized by local runners eager for... Full story
Ravens Roost Trail opens To the Editor: On Monday evening my dogs and I were able to enjoy our first “official” walk up the completed first leg of Petersburg’s brand new Raven Trail, located between Sandy Beach Park and Ravens Roost Trail. As luck would have it we bumped into the project’s manager Brad Hunter, USFS Petersburg Ranger District Recreation /Wilderness Staff Officer, as he and his wife Sharon made his final inspection and had the opportunity to personally thank him for a job well done. Most of us realize it takes years of dedicat...
The 33rd Annual Petersburg Chamber of Commerce King Salmon Derby gets underway this Friday at 7 a.m. The derby continues through the Memorial Day Weekend and ends Monday at 5 p.m. Two tagged fish will hopefully be available for anglers this year. Derby Committee member Doug Welde and volunteers were still seeking two Kings to tag at press time Thursday morning. One tagged fish could bring a derby angler a chance at $5,000 from Hammer and Wikan and the other could garner a $10,000 prize sponsored by Alaska Marine Lines and the Petersburg... Full story
Three Petersburg WWII veterans are touring war memorials and monuments in Washington D.C. as part of an Honor Flights program. Alaska Airlines donated seats to Art Hammer, Gerald Lind and Tom Lewis for their trip to D.C. as they join vets from across Alaska who are also traveling to the nation's capitol. Stan Hjort helped organize the event and is acting as a guardian during the trip. "We're losing so many of our WWII vets now," Hjort said. "Most of them have already passed away. Not too many... Full story
Petersburg High School graduate Tessa Hasbrouck received the highest undergraduate research award given by the University of Wisconsin's College of Natural Resources (CNR). Hasbrouck received the Clive A. David Memorial Research Scholarship Award for her research accomplishments during her four years at UW. Professor of Wildlife Ecology Eric Anderson said her balance of academic achievement, research ability, service to student organizations and personal integrity solidified her spot as the...
Bruce Hershel Jones was born in Petersburg, Alaska in 1935, and went to be with the Lord on March 6, 2014, just ten days short of celebrating his 79th birthday. During his youth he held a paper route from the town to the graveyard; washed dishes at both the Pastime Café and Winnie's Café and took tickets at the theater. He drove a delivery truck for Wasvick & Torwick and seined with Adolph Mathisen on the F/V Harmony for four seasons. Bruce graduated Petersburg High School in 1953, and went o... Full story
A big man who was truly an unforgettable individual passed from this world to the next on January 23, 2014. William F. Love Sr. was born on Valentine's day in 1927 in Arlington, Va. to William and Agnes Love. Bill spent his first five years in Edinburgh, Scotland, and grew up in Washington D.C. He attended Briarly Military Academy and joined the navy at the age of 17 after Pearl Harbor. After the war, he and his young bride, Celine Corriveau, moved to Petersburg, Alaska in 1947 to spend time... Full story
January Petersburg residents contributed a record amount to the Salvation Army Christmas program last year-$15,618.17-more than $9,700 than the year before. Jan. 4, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck 58 miles west of Craig and 203 miles south of Juneau prompting a tsunami warning across Southeast. Petersburg Police Chief Jim Agner and Sergeant Heidi Agner announced their intentions to retire. Officer Ben King joined the Petersburg Police Department. The Petersburg Borough Assembly members were... Full story
One hundred and ninety people ran and walked in the 14th annual Beat the Odds race in an effort to raise awareness and money for cancer research. The rain held off Saturday morning for runners and walkers who were participating in the event. The Mitkof Dance Troupe performed in the community gym and Mindy Anderson spoke to the crowd before the race kicked off. “Many of you here have cancer yourselves and we know that some day we’re going to beat this,” Anderson said. “We’re going to beat the...
Supports Public Safety Advisory Board To the Editor: I attended the Public Safety Advisory Board meeting August 21. The agenda included the two questions that were sent out with our utility bills, concerning the speed limit on Sandy Beach and additional stop signs on Ira II St. There were about 12 people in the audience, and there was relaxed interaction between the board and the audience. The results of the survey were tallied, and each person had a chance to speak. I felt that I was listened to with respect and my opinions were thoughtfully...
Jennie Martha Lorean Purvis, 85, died at Petersburg Medical Center on July 23, 2013. She was born on August 6, 1927 in Jefferson City, Missouri to Alfred and Edith Vercio. She was a homemaker and member of the Petersburg Seventh-day Adventist Church. She is survived by her sons: Norman Purvis of Juneau, Alaska, Conrad Purvis of Dallas, Texas, Leland Purvis of Juneau, Alaska and Quentin Purvis of Anchorage, Alaska, daughter Diane Bloom of Wrangell, Alaska and numerous grand and great-grand children. A memorial service was held at the... Full story
