Sorted by date Results 276 - 300 of 338
Alice Ann Farra, 83, of Lincoln, Mont. passed away Feb. 9, 2014 at her home in Lincoln. Alice was born Jan. 11, 1931 in Jeffersonville, Ill. to Louise (Brunner) Farra and Forest (Buck) Farra. At age six months her parents returned to Montana. She was raised in Harlowton, baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church and graduated from Harlowton High School in 1949. Having an adventurous spirit, she joined the Women's Army Corps. She was stationed in Arizona, Calif. and Japan. After an... Full story
Bait is always a big expenditure for many fishing businesses and pollock could help cut costs for Alaska halibut longliners who fish in the Gulf. Researchers have tested pollock in two projects to see if it might replace pricier chum salmon as halibut bait. Fish biologists use over 300,000 pounds of chums in their stock surveys each year, costing nearly half a million dollars. The baits are used at more than 1,200 testing stations from Oregon to the Bering Sea. A pilot study three years ago in the central Gulf and off of British Columbia...
Hilary Bell and Helen Boggs won Petersburg’s first annual Rain Game Classic—a guessing game in which contestants estimate the total amount of annual rainfall in Petersburg. Chamber of Commerce Director Cindi Lagoudakis said this year’s rainfall totaled 110.19 inches according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data. Both Bell and Boggs guessed closest at 110.2 inches. Both turned in their tickets on the same day at the same event after receiving free tickets at the Chili Cook Off at the Sons of Norway Hall. “I don’t k...
Petersburg residents donated $20,088.72 this holiday season, an increase of more than $3,400 compared to 2012. Lt. Caleb Fankhauser, corps officer/pastor, said with Thanksgiving being so late in November this year, there were five less days available for contributions. “That could have been $3000,” Fankhauser said. “Petersburg proved that time doesn’t matter. They pulled out their support regardless of the number of days we had.” The top bell-ringing group was The Vessel Owners Association followed by the Rotary Club, The Salvation Army Advisor...
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
Three incumbent directors of the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce were elected to seats on the board in the annual elections. Hillary Whitethorn, Fran Jones and Donn Hayes were elected to two-year terms. When the new board members are seated, the directors will elect officers and make appointments to fill up to five vacancies on the board. Fran Jones was president of the board during the past year and served with Jon Wright, Beth Loesch, Seth Scrimsher, Dave Kensinger, Ron Loesch, Nick Ohmer, David Byrne and Cate Kowalski....
Petersburg recently found out that it has won Yachting Magazine's '2013 Best Towns' competition. Dan Harding, Associate Editor for Yachting Magazine, wrote in an article, "Joining the ranks of Oxford, Maryland and Beaufort, North Carolina, the Alaskan fishing village has reminded us that the appeal of a destination is not always measured in amenities and attractions, and that natural beauty and character are what make a place truly special." And the same sea lion plaguing boaters this year might be the same animal Harding included as part of... Full story
October 25, 1913 – The residents of this town are fond of amusement. That being so, they are willing to pay for any kind of evening entertainment. Having that in mind, Mr. Oscar Nickleson is working overtime to prepare a place where the residents may go and find comfort as well as amusement. The place between the pool room and drug store is being fitted up nicely and unless the unforeseen happens, a picture show will be opened the latter part of next week. Mr. Nickleson still retains the l...
More than ten business leaders in the Petersburg tourism industry met Monday to discuss how the season fared this year and what could be done better in the future. Although the general consensus was that last summer was a success, there are some kinks to work out. Sally Dwyer, Chamber of Commerce director, said one of the complaints she heard from tourists was the lack of public phones in town. “There are no public phones in town,” Dwyer said. “We were letting them use our cell phones.” Public phones were taken down due to vandalism and lac...
The Petersbug Borough Assembly approved a sales tax-free day scheduled for Saturday, October 5. Assembly member Susan Flint said sales tax revenues are ahead of budget this year and the time period would be good for residents. “October is a month where it’s pretty much residents living in Petersburg, or shopping in Petersburg,” Flint said. “I think it would be a better time to have it than when it was in May when we’re full of visitors.” The Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee proposed a sales tax-free day last May but the assembly re... Full story
August 16, 1913 – From Bellingham comes the news that a few days ago when the run of sockeyes was on, cannery tenders had a great deal of trouble in passing through Rosario straits, as the hulls slid over the slippery mass of fish which would get entangled in the propeller in such a quantity as to impede their progress. The crew of the tender Vermont returned with the decks covered with fish which they speared while on their way to the cannery. It is four years since such a run was on. “Grass-widowers” had better be careful and wash their...
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Petersburg residents had a conversation Tuesday night in the Sons of Norway Hall about community, regional and state issues. The first subject Murkowski brought up was the less than ideal condition of the Petersburg jail. “You were in the running with Bethel for the worst city jail,” Murkowski said. “And now Bethel’s (jail) is looking pretty good. You win the prize in my view, of all the communities that I’ve gone to, for the worst conditions.” Murkowski f...
Who sets the tone? To the Editor: My husband Edgar and Jim's parents, Jim and Shirley Agner – want to thank all of you for welcoming “our kids” (Officers Jim and Heidi Franz Agner) into your community and into your lives – and thus giving all of us an experience beyond any luxurious world cruise anywhere. It all began in 1984 when Chief Dale Stone “initiated” us as only Chief Stone could do. “Doc” Lopez gave my husband Edgar professional shooting lessons – and a lot of fun. John Hamilton took all of us (toddler Jesse and older brother Bar...
A nearly week-long celebration for Independence Day brought a halt to Nordic Drive road construction and even a break in the clouds. The festivities kicked off on Tuesday evening with a retirement party for Judy Forgey, including a pie eating contest, at the Community Gym. Forgey also served on Thursday as the parade Grand Marshal. Wednesday’s activities began with the Scrap Fish Derby. Two categories, kids age seven and younger and kids 8 -to 12 competed using only bait and hand lines. The w... Full story
July 12, 1913 – What to the Easterner, who holds popular idea as to the climate of Alaska, would seem like sending coals to Newcastle, is the shipments of Seattle ice cream made to the North on nearly every steamer sailing to Southeastern Alaska. That a vessel sailing to a country which is supposed to be the land of eternal ice and snow, should carry numerous tubs of delicious frozen sweets is past the understanding of persons living east of the Rocky Mountains. The steamer Dolphin, of the Alaska Steamship Co., had an unusually large s...
The Petersburg Chamber of Commerce will kick off the 2013 Fourth of July events from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday with a retirement party for Judy Forgey, who is also this year’s parade Grand Marshal. There will be open swim ages and a pie eating contest for all ages. In the Community Gym there will be games and ice cream sundaes for grades 1-8. Events scheduled for Wednesday begin at 10 a.m. with a free scrap fish derby in the North Harbor from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anyone participating must bring their own bucket and personal flotation device. Bait a... Full story
AMHS: Thanks for celebrating To the Editor and Mayor Jensen: I would like to extend a sincere thank you for helping us make the Petersburg community celebration for our 50 Anniversary a great success. Many people came to help celebrate and it was indeed an honor to welcome a very large group of Petersburg citizens to the Malaspina to enjoy the Leikerring dancers, the beautiful handmade cookies, dignitary speeches and thank you exchanges. It was wonderful to see so many members of the community enjoying dinner in the ship's cafeteria and partici...
Yachting magazine has named Petersburg one of the best yachting towns in the nation. Each year, Yachting magazine asks its readers to nominate waterfront towns and from that lengthy list the magazine editors select the top 10. “Petersburg offers the unique Alaskan experience that visitors are looking for,” Petersburg Harbormaster Glorianne Wollen said. “We are very proud of our history of being able to successfully mingle the yachting world with an Alaskan commercial fleet, encouraging a greater respect for both cultures.” This nominat...
The Petersburg Chamber of Commerce has sponsored the new Rain Game Classic for residents to predict the correct annual rainfall in Petersburg. “This was suggested to our Chamber of Commerce Director Sally Dwyer by a member of the community,” Rain Game Classic Committee member Cate Kowalski said. “Sally brought it to our attention and here we are.” The game will be conducted along the same line as the Nenana Ice Classic. “We wanted to do something that would be fun and kind of spice up the winter months,” Kowalski stated. “We are hoping that t...
Fourth of July activities will quickly be upon the community and Petersburg Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for a great celebration. Petersburg Parks and Recreation placed three themes for the event on its website for voting by the community. The themes were: America Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Old Values Plus New Ideals and Remember Why it’s the Fourth of July. Remember Why it’s the Fourth of July was the winner of this community-wide vote and will be the theme for this year's event. “I am hoping to see lots of tea party floats and decor...
Petersburg High School gym was filled will people ready to witness the passing of another class from those hallowed halls as the Class of 2013 graduated 39 seniors last Wednesday evening. The graduates filed into the room with the band playing in the background placing them ever closer to that moment they have strived for so many years. PHS Principal Rick Dormer contemplated on the fact that these students were freshmen when he arrived in Petersburg and this is the first class that he has had fr...
Petersburg High School gym was filled will people ready to witness the passing of another class from those hallowed halls as the Class of 2013 graduated 39 seniors last Wednesday evening. The graduates filed into the room with the band playing in the background placing them ever closer to that moment they have strived for so many years. PHS Principal Rick Dormer contemplated on the fact that these students were freshmen when he arrived in Petersburg and this is the first class that he has had fr...
Mange Tusen Takk To the Editor: Having worked on the organizational end of the Festival for many years, I understand the huge amount of year-around effort it requires to pull off a successful event like this past Little Norway Festival. Thank you so much to Holli Flint and her Festival Committee, to the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and their Director Sally Dwyer and all the organizations hosting Festival events for another job well done. Rain or shine, visitors and locals all had a great time. Congratulations to Jill Williams as the well...
Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee Chairperson, Savann Guthrie, requested that the Petersburg Borough Assembly reconsider their decision on tax free days Monday evening during the regular meeting. Guthrie gave the Assembly an alternate date of Oct. 5 for consideration in the future. “I was quite shocked when there wasn't even a motion made on the ordinance for the sales tax free day,” Guthrie stated. “I believe the Assembly made a mistake in not approving the sales tax free day.” Guthrie explained that she was there represe...