Sorted by date Results 1526 - 1550 of 6791
WRANGELL - It's one thing to experience Alaska's waterways from a ferry, cruise ship or even a fishing boat, but what about a Jet Ski, sitting atop a couple hundred horsepower of a thousand-pound jet pump with handlebars? One company is doing just that, guiding tours via personal watercraft, from Seattle to Juneau with stops in Wrangell and other Southeast communities. Dangerous Waters Adventures was founded in 2018 by Steven Moll, offering thrill seekers a chance to experience the Alaska and...
SARATOGA, Wyo. (AP) - The North Platte River in southern Wyoming has been so low in places lately that a toddler could easily wade across and thick mats of olive-green algae grow in the lazy current. Just over two years ago, workers stacked sandbags to protect homes and fishing cabins from raging brown floodwaters, the highest on record. Neither scene resembles the proper picture of a renowned trout fishing destination, one where anglers glide downstream in drift boats, flinging fly lures in hope of landing big brown and rainbow trout in the...
Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht issued an emergency proclamation Friday recommending actions to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Petersburg. The proclamation recommends masking and social distancing in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, it encourages organizations and businesses to reduce capacity and avoid large gatherings. It recommends people to get vaccinated, saying they are safe, effective, and free, and get tested if they plan on traveling, are exp... Full story
Hurricane force winds with gusts up to 70 mph dropped trees into power lines, bringing out borough line crews, public works employees and emergency services personnel on Friday night. According to a report from Utility Director Karl Hagerman it started with a tree in the line at 919 Sandy Beach Road across the street from the Bible Church. The crew was able to clear it without damage to the power or telecom lines. Many other trees at this location came down but they did not reach the road. The... Full story
October 5, 2021 Total ballots cast - 1212 Borough Assembly Two 3-year terms Paul A. Anderson - 144 Lars Christensen - 79 Thomas Fine-Walsh - 589 Bob Lynn - 703 Marc Martinsen - 95 Brandi Thynes - 377 Dana Thynes - 327 Jim Vick - 29 School Board Two 3-year terms Jeff Hupp - 394 Jay Lister - 772 Bill Schroepfer Jr. - 282 Write-in: Carey Case - 593 Write-in - 17 Hospital Board Two 3-year terms Heather Conn - 553 Al Gross - 382 Donna Marsh - 418 Kathi Riemer - 553 James Roberts - 275 Write-in - 4 Planning Commission Two 3-year terms Sally Dwyer -...
The Borough Assembly voted for Manager Steve Giesbrecht to begin discussions with the state about the future transfer of ownership of the dock at Papke's Landing during Monday's meeting. Though the conversation began with the Entrance Island dock, Kupreanof dock, and Papke's Landing dock, which are all in varying states of disrepair, the focus shifted to gaining ownership of the dock at Papke's Landing. Similar to a discussion held at the September 7 meeting, Assembly Member Jeff Meucci wanted t...
The Hammer & Wikan Convenience store celebrated its reopening Thursday after three months of being closed. To commemorate the store's reopening, the first fifty people to enter the store received a free mug developed for the 100-year anniversary of Hammer & Wikan. "The reason why it's extremely important to reopen is because it's the original store," Hammer & Wikan General Manager Jim Floyd said. The store, which started out selling dairy products and groceries, was the first store built by...
The Petersburg Medical Center reported seventeen positive cases of COVID-19 Wednesday while several tests are currently pending. Contract tracing has been initiated by Public Health and it is believed that community spread is most likely the avenue of transmission for some cases. The Petersburg School District also reported that several students have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and the district has entered red status. Universal masking was reintroduced and after school practices were...
The five Petersburg Medical Center Hospital Board candidates took to Zoom Tuesday night to participate in a forum hosted by KFSK and the Petersburg Pilot. Questions presented to the candidates ranged from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of a new medical facility in Petersburg, and the prospect of SEARHC in town among other subjects. Heather Conn, Al Gross, Donna Marsh, Kathi Riemer, and Jim Roberts each began the forum with an opening statement after which each candidate began...
The Borough Assembly approved the 2021 municipal election report presented by Borough Clerk Debbie Thompson during Monday's meeting. The report included all 21 seats and term lengths on this year's ballot and the two propositions that will be voted on. A list of borough residents who will serve as election officials was also provided for approval. The first proposition on the ballot is the electric utility revenue bond issue which can be voted on by all voters. The revenue bonds would help fund...
Paul Anderson Name: Paul Anderson Age: 76 What experience do you have? Petersburg City Council: elected 1987 to 1990, appointed May 1991 to October 1991, elected 1991 to 2000, Mayor Pro Tempore December 1998 to 2004, elected 2004 to 2007 Wrangell-Petersburg Federal Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) - Federal Appointment, Co-Chair Appointment 2002-2010 Thomas Bay Power Authority: Commissioner January 1988-2002, President 2002-2008 Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10002 Why do you seek...
The Borough Assembly voted in support of Ordinance #2021-16 Monday during its second reading. The ordinance would allow the borough to place liens on properties for the purpose of securing payment for utility fees and the abatement of nuisances. It serves to update local language based on legislation passed by the Alaska Legislature giving municipalities the power to create liens for such purposes. There was a public hearing for the ordinance during the meeting, but no members of the public spok...
The Borough Assembly approved Ordinance #2021-13 in its third and final reading Monday, allowing assembly members to be counted to determine a quorum if they are participating via teleconference. The ordinance was proposed after the August 2 assembly meeting was postponed due to a lack of quorum by Assembly Member Dave Kensinger. Though the ordinance allows for programs such as Zoom to act as an alternative to in person participation, it requires that members make a reasonable effort to come to...
The Borough Assembly unanimously approved of Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht's 2021 performance evaluation Monday. Giesbrecht was assessed in categories including leadership, communication, planning, managing resources, problem solving and decision making, and relations with the community, staff, intergovernmental departments, and the assembly. "Member Lynn and I went over the performance evaluation with the manager and I really appreciated the healthy discussion," Vice Mayor Jeigh Stanton Greg...
The Petersburg Medical Center reported twenty positive COVID-19 cases as of Friday afternoon. The effects of community spread can be mitigated by testing early, identifying positive cases early, and isolating early. Asymptomatic testing will be available Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at PMC next door to Public Health and only people without symptoms should test at that location. PMC urges people to notify their close contacts if they are positive as contact tracing by Public Health has been... Full story
The Petersburg Medical Center reported 28 positive COVID-19 cases Tuesday morning with 24 test results pending. Two cases were identified over the weekend and seven were reported Monday while one case is no longer active. The Petersburg School District release a statement Tuesday morning announcing Mitkof Middle School and Petersburg High School will move to remote learning for the rest of the day. Stedman Elementary School remains in person. School officials are conducting contact tracing for... Full story
The Petersburg School Board voted to amend COVID-19 regulations set by the district's Moderate Risk Plan during Tuesday's meeting. The amendment eased the school's masking policy and made changes to color designations, travel policy, and quarantine rules outlined in the plan. The amendment passed with a vote of 4-1 with Cheryl File opposed. Most of the changes were made to the yellow status of the Moderate Risk Plan. Indoor masking is required for all K-12 students regardless of vaccination...
Medical professionals spoke at the Petersburg School Board meeting Tuesday night about the impact that COVID-19 is currently having on the state of Alaska. Dr. Jennifer Hyer with the Petersburg Medical Center provided a medical update to the board. She agreed with the board's number one stated goal of maintaining in person learning and said Petersburg is fortunate to have a low number of cases and proceeded to provide context for the rest of the state. "I wish I could deliver better news but...
First responders, veterans, and members of the community memorialized the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on Friday and Saturday. The events commemorated the 2,977 innocent lives that were lost on September 11, 2001 when planes hijacked by members of the terrorist group al-Qaeda crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. A fire truck was parked outside the school with a flag of the United States draped across...
Joe Bertagnoli celebrated his retirement at the end of August after 30 years of service with the borough, most recently as the building official and code enforcement officer. Bertagnoli has spent most of his life working in construction. He first came to Petersburg in 1979 for what was originally going to be a three month visit after he worked building houses in Michigan. "Going to be home by Christmas, didn't make it until the following Christmas, went back to visit my parents," Bertagnoli...
Construction is progressing on the new motor pool shop and is set to be completed by the November 30 deadline despite schedule delays according to Public Works Director Chris Cotta. The new building, which is replacing the facility that suffered a fire in August of 2019, has had its framing put up for rooms such as the crew quarters, and builders are now working on electrical and plumbing for the building. Cotta said the delays are because of issues contractors are having with supply of...
The Annabelle Baker Memorial Art Show was held at the Clausen Museum Friday as part of the Rainforest Festival. The event, honoring artist and former member of the Rainforest Festival Board Annabelle Baker who passed away in 2012, displayed artwork from local artists. "She and I used to hang this show together all the time and so when she passed we just kind of named it after her. She was a wonderful person," Pia Reilly said. The theme of this year's show was Nature and You, which is meant to...
The Muskeg Maleriers hosted a beginners rosemaling class at the Sons of Norway Hall on Saturday in celebration of National Rosemaling Day. About 40 people attended the free event where the club taught the Norwegian folk art of painting floral designs on furniture and objects called rosemaling. Some of the Muskeg Maleriers' work can be seen on storefronts around Petersburg including Lee's Clothing, Rexall Drug, and a 9-by-36 mural at Hammer & Wikan Grocery. "We decided that it would be fun to do...
Naomi Michalsen opened the Rainforest Festival Thursday night with a presentation on the power of indigenous plants and foods at the Wright Auditorium. Michalsen, who grew up in Petersburg but now lives in Ketchikan, runs Kaasei Training & Consulting which aims to educate people on Tlingit culture and practices associated with harvesting berries and other foods in Southeast Alaska. Michalsen opened by giving a land acknowledgement before speaking on her time growing up in Petersburg. “As a young girl I learned to love this place and I grew up a...
The Borough Assembly approved a new collective bargaining agreement with Petersburg Municipal Employees Association during its meeting on September 7. The contract was approved by a 5-0 unanimous vote and will be in effect from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023. Changes to the contract are mostly associated with wage increases and paid time off, and the cost of the three year contract will be $798,747. Effective July 1, 2020, a 2% increase will apply to Step C for all positions on the PMEA Wage Matrix. Employees reach Step C after one year of...
